Eric Bledsoe [RFA]

[In2ition]

Herein lies the problem. We've been married to wife-beaters three times, and now we praise our current spouse as the greatest ever just because he doesn't beat us.

Lol, hey sometimes I deserved it and he really does love me.

[INFORMER]

I think it's more likely that INF is preparing a dissertation on his stance to lay on us. It's not like him to blow me off.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to give the impression that I'm blowing anyone off. Honestly, I'm just tired. The mass exodus of draft picks, Kurt Thomas dump, the Shaq/Hedo/Beasley trifecta of trash, BSoTS telling me I'm going to LOVE Hakim Warrick, the pointless Nash farewell tour, the Dragic trade, the last two drafts, I'm just getting worn down.

[Shabazz]

I don't know if we can/will win a title with the current regime or any of the current players. But it's SOOOOO much better than the last group, and the early returns are pretty good so far.

Herein lies the problem. We've been married to wife-beaters three times, and now we praise our current spouse as the greatest ever just because he doesn't beat us.

I think Ryan hit a grand slam with Hornacek, but everything else has been singles, ground-outs, or strike-outs. Every at-bat doesn't have to be a grand slam, but it feels like Ryan has already failed to deliver at huge moments when runners are in scoring position and the game is one the line.

Sorry, man. Getting Bledsoe for Dudley and a second rounder and 3 really good pieces for a washed up vet who didn't fit our style are extra-base hits. Home Runs even, considering what we gave up.

I would have considered Scola for a first rounder a good move.

[INFORMER]

Getting Bledsoe for Dudley and a second rounder and 3 really good pieces for a washed up vet who didn't fit our style are extra-base hits.

Let's no rewrite history here. Scola was coming off a very nice year with the Suns, and the Suns traded him for a late first rounder, an undesirable contract that had zero trade value (Green), and a rookie that was third on the depth chart and couldn't get time on the floor. That was fair value for Scola. Before the details of the trade were released, I described that exact package as the only acceptable offer from Indiana. The fact that they flourished here doesn't change the context of the trade at the time.

[iLLmatic]

IIRC you liked the Bledsoe trade when it happened saying we needed to make trades like that. You also called the Isaiah Thomas trade "brilliant". You also wanted TJ Warren with one of our first rounders and wanted Alec Brown with the 2nd. We flipped Scola and Gortat for draft picks and players on reasonable contracts. I guess I'm failing to see the hopelessness coming from you INF. We have accumulated young talent on good contracts and have salary cap flexibility, what more do you want at this point? I think it's safe to say the rebuild isn't finished yet; I apologize that you don't see eye to eye with Ryan on talent but who's to say you're evaluating isn't flawless?

[Shabazz]

Getting Bledsoe for Dudley and a second rounder and 3 really good pieces for a washed up vet who didn't fit our style are extra-base hits.

Let's no rewrite history here. Scola was coming off a very nice year with the Suns, and the Suns traded him for a late first rounder, an undesirable contract that had zero trade value (Green), and a rookie that was third on the depth chart and couldn't get time on the floor. That was fair value for Scola. Before the details of the trade were released, I described that exact package as the only acceptable offer from Indiana. The fact that they flourished here doesn't change the context of the trade at the time.

Who cares what opinion was of the trade when it was made? We now have results off which we can judge it. It was a pillaging.

[INFORMER]

Who cares what opinion was of the trade when it was made? We now have results off which we can judge it. It was a pillaging.

I'm not talking about the opinion of the trade itself. I'm talking about the value of the parts involved in the trade at the time of the trade.

[INFORMER]

IIRC you liked the Bledsoe trade when it happened saying we needed to make trades like that.

I believed then, and I still believe today, that trade was a no-brainer. But I also strongly believe that they shouldn't retain Bledsoe. So the initial Bledsoe trade doesn't get a lot mileage for me on the McDonough-is-awesome-train.

You also wanted TJ Warren with one of our first rounders

I liked him as a plan B at #18. Ryan took him at #14. I don't have a problem with that necessarily, but I'm not celebrating the pick yet.

wanted Alec Brown with the 2nd

Correct. But is the #50 pick in the draft suppose to significantly affect my opinion of a GM?

I guess I'm failing to see the hopelessness coming from you INF.

I think hopelessness is an exaggeration.

I apologize that you don't see eye to eye with Ryan on talent but who's to say you're evaluating isn't flawless?

Sure, my talent evaluation could be wrong. I never claimed to be infallible, and I've had my share of misses in the past. So I guess I'm wrong. We can move on.

[Shabazz]

Who cares what opinion was of the trade when it was made? We now have results off which we can judge it. It was a pillaging.

I'm not talking about the opinion of the trade itself. I'm talking about the value of the parts involved in the trade at the time of the trade.

You're going to have to spell it out for me. What relevance does that have? Judging it now, the trade was a steal. Today we can judge by actual value as opposed to perceived value (at the time of the trade).

We're judging McDonough's record. Let's go with the info we have. Not with what we thought the value of the return parts was last summer.

[Shabazz]

Sure, my talent evaluation could be wrong. I never claimed to be infallible, and I've had my share of misses in the past.

Tell me about it. Just this week you saying "Kevin Love is the next Anthony Randolph" caused 3 long-time posters to quit.

[AmareIsGod]

Sure, my talent evaluation could be wrong. I never claimed to be infallible, and I've had my share of misses in the past.

Tell me about it. Just this week you saying "Kevin Love is the next Anthony Randolph" caused 3 long-time posters to quit.

Hey... I'm still here! And only because I'm in love with his

[Superbone]

Herein lies the problem. We've been married to wife-beaters three times...

Am I the only one who immediately thought you were talking about Jason Kidd at first.

[Superbone]

I think it's more likely that INF is preparing a dissertation on his stance to lay on us. It's not like him to blow me off.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to give the impression that I'm blowing anyone off. Honestly, I'm just tired. The mass exodus of draft picks, Kurt Thomas dump, the Shaq/Hedo/Beasley trifecta of trash, BSoTS telling me I'm going to LOVE Hakim Warrick, the pointless Nash farewell tour, the Dragic trade, the last two drafts, I'm just getting worn down.

Thanks for the explanation, INF. I can understand that. I think my energy was renewed with the McDonough and Hornacek hirings. I've already let go of all that other past garbage. And you're right, it was absolute garbage. Maybe it is due to the battered wife syndrome but I'm feeling much more upbeat about our future. Sure, it hasn't been perfect but let's give it some time. Maybe McDonough will surprise us. Maybe he has long term plans in place that we won't see coming. Yep, I can't help it. I have always been an optimist.

[Superbone]

Eric Bledsoe’s Long, Hot, Restricted Summer
By Zach Lowe

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/eric- ... ed-summer/

Bottom line: Bledsoe is a really good player, probably the most intriguing long-term guy of all the high-level restricted free agents. But the Suns are smart to push for a deal well below the max.

[Ring_Wanted]

The moves McD has pulled have been objectively positive. I could see a different angle, though. If you wanted more years of tanking, the roster he has assembled and #9 in the West is not purgatory, it is hell itself. But other than that, the only legitimate complain could be two questionable picks in Len and Ennis, and in my opinion that hardly overshadows the good he's done to the franchise.

Honestly, I won't lose any sleep about not drafting anyone in 2013 besides the Freak, who is absolute hindsight. It's not even because of the perceived weakness of the class. Just looking at what was discussed at the time and the general consensus, there is very little to long for. Noel could have a case due to his range and the fact that Len also had injury issues, but that's it. Maybe Shabazz and McLemore until the hype died. So in my opinion unless you are talking about hypothetical trade down scenarios, the likes of KCP, Burke, Olynyk, Adams or Gobert carry little weight to me when evaluating that pick. I'd have to know how closely MCW was considered before putting his name on either list.

Ennis, on the other hand, is much more bizarre but McD is on the record saying that he had Warren and Ennis rated higher than 14-18, so maybe he just took his BPA. That's debatable from a talent evaluation standpoint, but so far it seems he hit one of the picks at least. And leaving aside the Toronto speculation, there was room for a third PG instead of Ish, but it looks way worse right now because he got IT3. The logjam is indeed an issue but IT3 at that contract is an asset (which nobody could have predicted, imo) and I am glad he acquired it.

I had other personal favorites way before Ennis as well. I wanted Nurkic and Warren, and maybe I would have gambled by taking Nurkic and hoping Warren fell to #18, but by the time the draft came I wanted Warren bad enough to play it safe so I can totally see why McD took him at 14. I would have considered Harris and maybe Capela and Anderson as better value at 18 but when you put things into perspective this is not a huge issue, although for now it sure leaves a lot to be desired, especially compounded with IT3.

As for Bogdanovic, I believe he can easily trascend #27 value after two or three years in Europe. I don't have many complains here. Draft and stash was an efficient way to use our resources. McDaniels or Stokes could have been nice but I am willing to wait to see how Bodganovic develops. Maybe he proves to be a wise pick in due time, maybe he is the next Milos Vujanic, who knows. At this exact time I don't consider him a stain.

[Mori Chu]

How has Gary Harris been doing in Summer League? Did he do anything to make us regret not taking him over Ennis?

[Split T]

He had at least one big game where he dropped 30 and shot really well. I think he followed it with a dud though. Not sure how the rest of his summer went

[Split T]

Looks like overall he averaged 18/4/2 with 2.5 steals as well. Only shot 32% from the field though

[INFORMER]

Sure, my talent evaluation could be wrong. I never claimed to be infallible, and I've had my share of misses in the past.

Tell me about it. Just this week you saying "Kevin Love is the next Anthony Randolph" caused 3 long-time posters to quit.

Speaking of Randolph, he is a free agent...

[Superbone]

Sure, my talent evaluation could be wrong. I never claimed to be infallible, and I've had my share of misses in the past.

Tell me about it. Just this week you saying "Kevin Love is the next Anthony Randolph" caused 3 long-time posters to quit.

Speaking of Randolph, he is a free agent...

For a good reason.