Jazzfan1971 and FloppyMoose's Season Preview - The Suns

[jazzfan1971]

Phoenix Suns

Projected lineup
--------------------------------------

PG - Dragic, Ennis
SG - Bledsoe, Goodwin
SF - Thomas, Warren
PF - Green, Tucker
C - Morris, Morris

And I hear they are bringing in Don Nelson to coach.

I'm only joking. Well, half joking. Lets listen to their actual coach, Jeff Hornacek as he talks about Gerald Green, "He could, Or he could play the 4 with three guards. That would be fun." I'm not sure if Horny is joking or being totally serious there. Let's go with half joking.

Actual Projected Lineup
--------------------------------

PG - Goran Dragic, Isiah Thomas, Tyler Ennis
SG - Eric Bledsoe, Gerald Green, Archie Goodwin
SF - P.J. Tucker, Marcus Morris, T.J. Warren
PF - Markieff Morris, Anthony Tolliver, Shavlik Randolph
C - Miles Plumlee, Alex Len

Trade Block: Eric Bledsoe. Bledsoe was one of the main reasons for the Suns unexpectedly good season last year. But, right now he's locked into some fierce contract negotiations. The Suns have him over a barrel of sorts and his best recourse is to just take the QO and look to get paid next year. I don't think the Suns nor Bledsoe really want to go that route, and with Dragic, Thomas, and Ennis on the roster, the Suns could probably withstand moving Bledsoe. So, I think there is a chance we see him moved in a Sign and Trade deal before the season starts.

Position Battle: I think Tolliver is the interesting one to watch. He's probably got the most similar game to the departed Channing Frye (who the Suns are going to miss a TON) and if you are just looking at skill sets he's got a chance to move into that starting spot. I'd say Markieff is the better bet, just the better player. But, if Horny decides he really needs floor spacing from the 4 Markieff could get pushed to center or worse. I'd keep a close eye on preseason to see what works best, keeping a careful eye on what gives the greatest point differntial with the bigs.

Mystery Man: Alex Len. For a while the year Len was drafted he was being rumored as the #1 pick. Turns out he wasn't. Turns out it wasn't a very good year to have the #1 pick. But, he was there in the discussion. And he was drafted #5 so the Suns have quite a bit invested in him. And they could REALLY use a guy like Len to come in and be healty and be an anchor to the defense, especially on the boards. If he can't go, or he's just not up to the challenge Phoenix is going to suffer.

Floppymusings: The Suns are going to miss Frye. But I'm a believer in Dragic, and I'm a believer in coach Hornacek, I.T. will fit as a nice backup in their system, and if Bledsoe is healthy the Suns are going to just swarm their way to some victories over good teams. Overall though it will be a step down from last year.

Jazzfanramblings: Most teams in the NBA today are focused on the 'San Antonio Model'. Everyone wants to get a piece of that Popovich magic. For good reason. San Antonio can't even have an assistant coach for more than a year before some other team comes along and poaches them. (in my weaker moments I can imagine the recent hire of Becky Hammon being a gaff by the Spurs to see how long it takes for someone to steal her, but, then I realize that she's probably just a basketball genius and will deserve to be stolen) Anyway, teams are all lining up to be the next Spurs.

Well, everyone but Phoenix. Phoenix is patterning themselves after Golden State. For many years I had the opinion that whoever Golden State played at guard was going to look like a star. Just due to their system. I still do. (I love, love, love Curry though he's awesome) And I think I'm going to start having that opinion about the Suns. I predict WHOEVER starts for the suns at either PG or SG for the next 5 years will look like an All-star. If they trade Bledsoe and start Green then Green will look like an All-star. IF Dragic goes down and they decide to play Ennis 32 minutes you can bet he will look like the rookie of the year. They are going with a high octane offense centered on guard play and small ball. It's a page right out of Donnie Nelson's book, and for the regular season it's very exciting and quite effective. That post season doe.

I think the Suns overacheived a bit last year. They surprised a lot of teams, I don't think they'll have that benefit this year, the book is out on Hornacek. I look for them to come back to Earth a bit. (a bit more than Floppy)

Projected Record - 47/35

[aIvin adams]

Phoenix Suns

Projected lineup
--------------------------------------

PG - Dragic, Ennis
SG - Bledsoe, Goodwin
SF - Thomas, Warren
PF - Green, Tucker
C - Morris, Morris

And I hear they are bringing in Don Nelson to coach.

Jazzfanramblings: Most teams in the NBA today are focused on the 'San Antonio Model'. Everyone wants to get a piece of that Popovich magic.

Well, everyone but Phoenix.

I think the Suns overacheived a bit last year. They surprised a lot of teams, I don't think they'll have that benefit this year, the book is out on Hornacek. I look for them to come back to Earth a bit.

[floppymoose]

I had PHX falling further originally but now that I'm projecting a full season from Bledsoe, that washes away the loss of Frye pretty well.

[Kabookalu]

I'm banking on Markieff Morris having a sudden Spencer Hawes turnaround with his 3 point shooting because of the void left by Frye.

[snomeister]

Is 47 wins good enough to make the playoffs in the West this season you think? I guess probably not

[Notanoob]

They're going to need their bigs to step up for them to make some real noise. Their guard rotation is stellar, and they have solid wing players, but they will need someone to replace Frye's spacing at least a little, and of course Len developing into a defensive big would be a huge boost.