Game 14: Phoenix Suns (8-5) @ Indiana Pacers (5-7)

[Christine-In-AZ]

Regarding Tolliver...

I always thought it doubtful he would play a significant role, but was opened to the attempt. Clearly he hasn't helped so far, but I also think it would be very poor management and very poor season-long strategy to simply shrink wrap him and exile him to the end of the bench.

To just totally scrap Tolliver as a stretch 4 possible after just 14 games? Would be ridiculous.

He's gotten some significant burn in garbage time the last couple games, and his shot seems to be coming around. It's very likely "Tony" will never contribute close to as much as the Suns wanted, but he'll earn his money here and there.

I wasn't participating much in the forum at the beginning of the last couple seasons, I guess I've forgotten how hyper reactionary so many can be...but wow! Your judgments are crazy hasty and then followed by myopic self defeating sanctions for the "offenders". They're practically painted as enemies within by some of you...bizarre.

It's a long season. Players have ups and downs. Many times these ups and downs have little to do with the player, but rather the situations he's being placed into...teams evolve, especially teams with a composition such as this one.

Manage a team as you're describing, especially this early and you'd be outta the NBA in short order. Your team would probably stage a mutany before the owner axed you.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgeIINs1TrQ[/youtube]

[mybloodisorange]

As much as I don't like Tolliver on this team it's too early to judge him yet. Let's not forget that Frye had cold streaks also.

[SunsRback4Good]

As much as I don't like Tolliver on this team it's too early to judge him yet. Let's not forget that Frye had cold streaks also.

Fry is averaging 10/6 and is playing 33 min per game. I notice he took over 10+ shots in just 2 of his 15 games this season while shooting at a 45.5% clip. Magic need to set him up more then he can average around 13 to 15ppg. While his replacement isn't doing much but had a nice game tonight.

[Revived]

Eric Bledsoe: 9 pts 2-10 shooting, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 6 turnovers.

Unacceptable from a guy making as much money as he is. Actually forget it, that's unacceptable from ANY starting NBA player.

I honestly wonder how much Bledsoe could have improved if we he spent his summer in Phoenix working out with his teammates and coaching instead of jerking off LeBron and Rich Paul in Cleveland.

I gave him a pass last season for his turnovers because hey, it was his first season as starter, even though he's been in the league for over 3 years, he still was getting used to everything, whatever.

But what's the excuse now?

This guy cannot keep turning the ball over like this if PHX wants to be a playoff team. He just can't. I'm glad he's contributing on the glass but that's not enough.

He has a ton of athleticism and speed, all he has to do is drive to the rim (he's almost always guarded by slower players than him so he ha the advantage here) and then make the right play when the help or double team comes.

This dude needs to watch more film.

[Christine-In-AZ]

Eric Bledsoe: 9 pts 2-10 shooting, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 6 turnovers.

Unacceptable from a guy making as much money as he is. Actually forget it, that's unacceptable from ANY starting NBA player.

I honestly wonder how much Bledsoe could have improved if we he spent his summer in Phoenix working out with his teammates and coaching instead of jerking off LeBron and Rich Paul in Cleveland.

I gave him a pass last season for his turnovers because hey, it was his first season as starter, even though he's been in the league for over 3 years, he still was getting used to everything, whatever.

But what's the excuse now?

This guy cannot keep turning the ball over like this if PHX wants to be a playoff team. He just can't. I'm glad he's contributing on the glass but that's not enough.

He has a ton of athleticism and speed, all he has to do is drive to the rim (he's almost always guarded by slower players than him so he ha the advantage here) and then make the right play when the help or double team comes.

This dude needs to watch more film.

Does Goran get your stamp of approval so far? Perhaps because he's only making 7.5 million?

So far, both he AND Bled have been 60% of what they were last year.

I don't think their combined "regression" is from lack of effort or cash comfort. The chemistry is just off...well? Off and on...then off again.

[SunsRback4Good]

Goran will always be this teams leader not Bledsoe. So, if we end up losing Dragic over the summer i'm going to snap.

[Revived]

Eric Bledsoe: 9 pts 2-10 shooting, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 6 turnovers.

Unacceptable from a guy making as much money as he is. Actually forget it, that's unacceptable from ANY starting NBA player.

I honestly wonder how much Bledsoe could have improved if we he spent his summer in Phoenix working out with his teammates and coaching instead of jerking off LeBron and Rich Paul in Cleveland.

I gave him a pass last season for his turnovers because hey, it was his first season as starter, even though he's been in the league for over 3 years, he still was getting used to everything, whatever.

But what's the excuse now?

This guy cannot keep turning the ball over like this if PHX wants to be a playoff team. He just can't. I'm glad he's contributing on the glass but that's not enough.

He has a ton of athleticism and speed, all he has to do is drive to the rim (he's almost always guarded by slower players than him so he ha the advantage here) and then make the right play when the help or double team comes.

This dude needs to watch more film.

Does Goran get your stamp of approval so far? Perhaps because he's only making 7.5 million?

So far, both he AND Bled have been 60% of what they were last year.

I don't think their combined "regression" is from lack of effort or cash comfort. The chemistry is just off...well? Off and on...then off again.

Dragic isn't turning the ball over as much. But your right, he's struggling also.

I do hold Bledsoe to higher expectations than anyone else on the team because...well he's making the most money.

That's how it is on every team. Why do you think Hawks fans used to bash Joe Johnson so much?

Not just team, but life in general. In any job, the more you make, you are held to higher standards and responsibilities.

[JMac1]

Eric Bledsoe: 9 pts 2-10 shooting, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 6 turnovers.

Unacceptable from a guy making as much money as he is. Actually forget it, that's unacceptable from ANY starting NBA player.

I honestly wonder how much Bledsoe could have improved if we he spent his summer in Phoenix working out with his teammates and coaching instead of jerking off LeBron and Rich Paul in Cleveland.

I gave him a pass last season for his turnovers because hey, it was his first season as starter, even though he's been in the league for over 3 years, he still was getting used to everything, whatever.

But what's the excuse now?

This guy cannot keep turning the ball over like this if PHX wants to be a playoff team. He just can't. I'm glad he's contributing on the glass but that's not enough.

He has a ton of athleticism and speed, all he has to do is drive to the rim (he's almost always guarded by slower players than him so he ha the advantage here) and then make the right play when the help or double team comes.

This dude needs to watch more film.

Does Goran get your stamp of approval so far? Perhaps because he's only making 7.5 million?

So far, both he AND Bled have been 60% of what they were last year.

I don't think their combined "regression" is from lack of effort or cash comfort. The chemistry is just off...well? Off and on...then off again.

Dragic isn't turning the ball over as much. But your right, he's struggling also.

I do hold Bledsoe to higher expectations than anyone else on the team because...well he's making the most money.

That's how it is on every team. Why do you think Hawks fans used to bash Joe Johnson so much?

Not just team, but life in general. In any job, the more you make, you are held to higher standards and responsibilities.

Too many guards is why, period. You can't get into a rhythm sitting on the beach for long stretches watching IT ballhog!! IT was a bad signing for team chemistry. Dragic, Bledsoe, and Green should be the guard rotation. In blowouts you bring Archie and Ennis in. You do that for the next few years and go from there; but playing this musical find the hot guard chairs stuff is hurting Goran and Bled's production, chemistry, and rhythm. We need a consistent team leader......it should be Goran and Eric.


P.S. Keep feeding Len!

[JMac1]

Anyone else not liking the

PG dribbles passes to SG/SF on the perimeter
SG/SF takes a few seconds either faking a shot or dribbling in then takes a shot.

Or

PG dribbles passes to SG/SF on the perimeter.
SG/SF receives the pass, waits a few seconds, passes ball back to PG, PG fakes dribbles inside and takes a jump shot.


Just TOO many ISO minded players, its ugly to watch.

Atleast Gerald Green shoots as soon as he gets the ball lol, basically the ball movement and play making is still mediocre and pretty bad for a 2 PG on the court a lot of minutes.

I don't like it.

Some positive nuggets over the last 4 games. And some fool's gold too.

I like the overall defensive execution and effort.

Len.

But, the Suns offense (despite the numbers) is a shadow of what we saw last year. Way too much isolation play. Low totals for quality/enabling assists. Almost no nice "hockey assists". Player movement is so-so. Pick and rolls? Not even that much drive 'n dish.

It's so early, so not overly concerned, but unless the Suns had 3 or 4 hot guys going, this lack of much scheme offense would get flattened by a top 5 or 6 defense.

This is the exact reason why I am not feeling us right now!

[JMac1]

Hornacek is still putting minutes for tolliver.
i'll never get it.

just put tucker starting at sf and mook to be our stretch 4 in the bench

dragic-bledsoe-tucker-kief-len
isaiah-green-warren-mook-plumlee

just dont waste some precious minutes on tolliver... PLEASE?

[Zelaznyrules]

Goran will always be this teams leader not Bledsoe. So, if we end up losing Dragic over the summer i'm going to snap.

Goran has never been this team's leader and neither has Bledsoe. They don't have it in them. Goran was our best player for much of last season but he's just not a leader.

[Jdiddy701]

Goran will always be this teams leader not Bledsoe. So, if we end up losing Dragic over the summer i'm going to snap.

Goran has never been this team's leader and neither has Bledsoe. They don't have it in them. Goran was our best player for much of last season but he's just not a leader.

Been saying it for a very long time. Dragic is no leader. Our "leader" is PJ Tucker. Unfortunately, he's made bad decisions this season. Lol


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[letsgosuns]

There are a few reasons why I think Bledsoe's turnovers are high. First off, he throws a lot of passes the Suns big men just cannot handle. There have been many times where he threw a great pass to Plumlee or Markieff and they did not catch it. I thought to myself wow what a nice pass, but who does he think they are, Amare? Only Amare would catch some of his passes. Len has the potential to be able to complete those plays but so far Bledsoe throws passes as if he thinks Blake Griffin is still on his team. Another reason his turnovers are high is because sometimes he just gets lazy on the court, dribbles a lot, and the team gets caught watching him. He gets stuck in no mans land and either loses the ball or throws it away. That is mostly is own fault but the players should start to catch onto that and make themselves available to him at the last second to help him get out of it. Now the last reason why I think his turnovers are high and his overall play seems to have dipped is because he is constantly deferring to Dragic and vice versa. I see him give Dragic the ball and then seem disinterested. Dragic does the same thing. I hate to say it but I do not think Bledsoe will reach his potential in this lineup and he has to be the man. The Suns have to give him or Dragic full reigns in order to unleash their potential. The two point guard lineup is just a gimmick to me. I understand the Suns are playing better right now but the current win streak is against the worst teams in the league and a Pacers team that is depleted by injuries. The Suns team is still flawed.