Summer League Fun

[MrMiyagi]

Idk what it is but I feel like the Suns play the Spurs every single damn time they are in a playoff situation. Played them in 2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010 (the last time the Suns made the playoffs), and now in the summer league finals. Seriously what the hell were the chances that the Suns would face the Spurs in the finals out of 24 total teams. First they lose Aldridge to the Spurs, now they lose the Summer League Championship when I believe the Suns should have dominated it.

The three main players on the Suns all had NBA experience and I had never even heard of the players on the Spurs team. That was an absolutely pathetic performance by the Suns. No heart besides Mike James. Len, Goodwin, and Warren played selfishly, stupidly, and with barely any effort on defense. That was a horrendous defensive showing by those three young players. It was like they did not care. That actually felt like the same type of game the Suns have versus the Spurs in the regular season. Dominated defensively by the Spurs with tons of turnovers, fouls, and offensive rebounds given up by the Suns. Even though the Spurs are a great organization, I loathe them, and I despise losing to the them at any level.

Agree with your post. Funny side story...I work at a fairly small company and we were hiring a position...I am in charge of all financial and human resources stuff, and they had the guy they wanted to hire. So, if you don't know, I live in Austin, so most everyone here is a SA fan. But while screening him, I checked his FB profile and he had a pic of the LaMarcus Aldridge banner hung by the mayor in Phx. So I thought "that would be awesome to have a fellow Suns fan here". Upon further thought, I went back, scrolled down on his profile only to see Spurs related stuff. So now I have a new guy starting at my company on Monday who is a Spurs fan and thought it was humorous we thought we might get Aldridge.

I mean, at some point, we have to come out on top. It's almost like the forces that be are trolling us. We sweep them in 2010 and get to the WCF then break up the team.

The pendulum goes back and forth, there will be a time when the Spurs simply aren't a very good team. Just like the Lakers, Knicks, Celtics, Rockets, Bulls and Pistons fell off, so will San Antonio. This current run has been led by Duncan and Popovich, one of the top players in NBA history and one of the top coaches in NBA history, the odds that they replace those guys with anyone remotely equivalent aren't very good.

DON'T JINX US SKINNY O!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You must knock on wood before your next post. DO IT!!!!

[kennydorglas]

I think the major red flag in this SL goes to Goodwin and Len.

Goodwin: still very young (21yo), showed some flashes of good shooting... but more often than not was caught doing some really dumb plays. Like I said when we signed Weems, his window of opportunity here is closing and I dont know if he'll even step in the court this season AT ALL. (I was the #1 fan of Archie... but maybe it's time to leave this boat)

Len: shame on me for believing in some reports about how good Len was looking with his shooting touch. Maybe that's why I'm so sad for his actual showing. He's a really good rebounder and rim defender, but we drafted him over Noel for his offensive upside. Its not looking good so far. He was well-rested, played solid minutes as our starter.. he needed to dominate this competition.

[bwgood77]

DO IT!!!!

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra70O9nps6E[/youtube]

[TASTIC]

Haven't checked back yet - but has this been posted yet?
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_37_l3yGnc[/youtube]

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Y'all whining about Len's performance, but he was very clearly the best center in summer league. Dominant on the boards, blocking shots, changing shots. Hasn't shown the progress we want on offense, but part of that comes back to the coaching.

The coaching. If you can't tell that that was the big difference between these two teams, you're blind. The sets and the players' willingness to run them. Say what you want about our back-ups, but at least they got through the sets. Our starters stammered, held the ball, didn't cut when they were supposed to, stood around and waited as if they didn't know what they were running at the beginning of sets. Lots of standing around. The Spurs, meanwhile, passed and cut - every time. Smooth offense.

Our offense during the regular season last year suffered from many of the same defects. I'm hoping this doesn't signal more of the same.

As far as Alex's shot is concerned - Booker starts out every other game with an air ball, but then gets 10 more attempts. Alex gets between 2 and 4 jumpers a game. As a center, he won't really have a chance to build a rhythm, but I think that's one very big difference between his practice percentage and his in-game percentage.

To me, the big disappointment this SL was Warren. I don't care about the 3-point shot. I didn't like the turnovers, the lack of hustle, getting beat defensively, and missing shots. He should have been shooting above 60%, given his shot selection. Again, a large part of that comes back to coaching. He should get the ball on the move, rather than in ISO situations. Amare was similar in that respect. Why can't our offense give him that?

Credit the Spurs excellent program for getting their guys to play the right way.

[PackSuns]

Y'all whining about Len's performance, but he was very clearly the best center in summer league. Dominant on the boards, blocking shots, changing shots. Hasn't shown the progress we want on offense, but part of that comes back to the coaching.

The coaching. If you can't tell that that was the big difference between these two teams, you're blind. The sets and the players' willingness to run them. Say what you want about our back-ups, but at least they got through the sets. Our starters stammered, held the ball, didn't cut when they were supposed to, stood around and waited as if they didn't know what they were running at the beginning of sets. Lots of standing around. The Spurs, meanwhile, passed and cut - every time. Smooth offense.

Our offense during the regular season last year suffered from many of the same defects. I'm hoping this doesn't signal more of the same.

As far as Alex's shot is concerned - Booker starts out every other game with an air ball, but then gets 10 more attempts. Alex gets between 2 and 4 jumpers a game. As a center, he won't really have a chance to build a rhythm, but I think that's one very big difference between his practice percentage and his in-game percentage.

To me, the big disappointment this SL was Warren. I don't care about the 3-point shot. I didn't like the turnovers, the lack of hustle, getting beat defensively, and missing shots. He should have been shooting above 60%, given his shot selection. Again, a large part of that comes back to coaching. He should get the ball on the move, rather than in ISO situations. Amare was similar in that respect. Why can't our offense give him that?

Credit the Spurs excellent program for getting their guys to play the right way.

Disappointed in a guy who played hurt and still made 1st team?? I guess if he would have won MVP we would have been satisfied.

[NavLDO]

I know sundeuce already posted this in the treadmill thread but I'll say it here, yes I believe in Booker but that doesn't take away from the fact that Russel, Okafor, Towns all have higher ceilings than him and apparently NBA executives think they have a higher chance of being a top player as well.

Sure some #13 picks turn out super good like that one Steve Nash guy but the percentages and statistics say that top 5 picks usually do better than late lottery picks.

But the draft is a total crapshoot. They probably just pull names from a hat to decide . Our execs/scouts and talent evaluators are the only ones who have a clue what they're doing so this means that teams who pick ahead of us will royally screw up and let the best prospect fall to us always because they are purposefully sucking in order to stay where they are . There's no real difference between winning the lotto and picking at #13 the reasoning being we can just replicate SSOL where Colangelo picked all of his stars outside of the Top 5

I think everyone here knows that the higher you draft, the better the odds are of getting a good player. And everyone knows there will always be busts and surprises. I don't totally understand why we are going back and forth here stating the obvious.

Exactly. Just because your chances are better of getting all-star talent, doesn't mean you actually draft the better talent. My point was, that I'd hate to go through another season of winning only 20 some-odd games--that season was BRUTAL. I'd much rather take my chances at 13 or 14 and field a competitive team throughout the season.

We drafted top 5 already, and got our talent in Len. Philly has drafted in the top 6 over the last 4 years, is it? How good are they? The lack of faith in McD and Horny is unbelievable--they've been here through 2 seasons, and overall have posted more wins than losses--in the WESTERN conference, no less. Give these guys a chance before going total tank mode. So far they have drafted Len, Warren, and Booker. Anyone have issues with these three? Bad picks? Poor talent? No? Than why all the whining about where we pick? They didn't draft Morris, or Marshall, or Clark. Be upset with the previous regime all you want, but those guys are gone.

And saying "the fact that Russel, Okafor, Towns all have higher ceilings than him"--really? Where is this magical 'ceiling meter' you speak of? I've never seen it myself. No, those guys went higher because they demonstrated perceived higher talent ability. Saying that these guys went higher than Booker because they have 'higher ceilings' doesn't make any sense--considering he's the youngest of everyone in the draft. He went lower due to his perceived weaknesses of defense and athleticism (which he debunked at the combine. But there is no 'magic 8 ball', or magic mathematical formula that says the guy picked at 3 will be better than the guy picked at 13. Is it likely? Sure, but not guaranteed.

[carey]

To me, the big disappointment this SL was Warren. I don't care about the 3-point shot. I didn't like the turnovers, the lack of hustle, getting beat defensively, and missing shots. He should have been shooting above 60%, given his shot selection. Again, a large part of that comes back to coaching. He should get the ball on the move, rather than in ISO situations. Amare was similar in that respect. Why can't our offense give him that?

Credit the Spurs excellent program for getting their guys to play the right way.

You are disappointed our SF didn't shoot over 60%? In Summer League where players are fouling nonstop? Never mind that wing players rarely do that when playing in 7 games over 10 days. I think maybe your expectations are a tad high.

I also think maybe you should be a Spurs fan.

[NavLDO]

Who told me that Booker wasn't athletic enough to do anything other than be a spot up shooter? Don't make me search for it...

Probably the same person who was insisting his arms are too short to truly be be effective. Funny the outright misinformation that gets perpetuated. Maybe its why he slipped the #13. Worked in our favor.

So many fans and media alike kept quoting his measurements from almost a year ago, which showed 2" shorter Wingspan and 2.5" shorter Reach--Booker's measurements are just fine for a 6'6" SG/SF at 6' 8.25" wingspan and 8' 6.5" reach, as measured at the Combine.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

To me, the big disappointment this SL was Warren. I don't care about the 3-point shot. I didn't like the turnovers, the lack of hustle, getting beat defensively, and missing shots. He should have been shooting above 60%, given his shot selection. Again, a large part of that comes back to coaching. He should get the ball on the move, rather than in ISO situations. Amare was similar in that respect. Why can't our offense give him that?

Credit the Spurs excellent program for getting their guys to play the right way.

You are disappointed our SF didn't shoot over 60%? In Summer League where players are fouling nonstop? Never mind that wing players rarely do that when playing in 7 games over 10 days. I think maybe your expectations are a tad high.

I also think maybe you should be a Spurs fan.

I was watching the games. Lots of shots TJ should have made. The only reason he had the FG% he did was because of fast breaks.

Spurs fan?? Dude.

[sunsbum]

I said the same thing on reddit. The **** spurs have literally take a perpetual 10 year **** on the suns. Up until last night I didnt care....I chalked it up as bad luck. I wake up today with a hangover and some great Oregon Marijuana. Now I sit here and think, let me go to real GM and see what the boys are talking about. THIS IS THE **** STRAW THAT BROKE THE CAMELS BACK. I SWEAR TO GOD I WAS GOING TO TAKE A SUMMER LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP WAY TOO FAR. but no. I wake up on a tuesday morning and I cant even sleep in my kevin johnson dream team jersey. You will have ZERO sports team happiness in your life. Interception at halftime, Carson Palmer knee.......and the phoenix **** suns. Why God.

why are we not spurs fans at this point? FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUck

[Sunlight]

I see same way like cosmofizzo. Had much critism told TJ is a one tricky pony what he is. Hes style play is easy defend when maestro sf defenders show up. U can also say that Len is a monster rebounder cos last game 13rebs. Truth is that most of those he took without no pressure on defence end. Even Earl Barron can do same.

[sunsbum]

I see same way like cosmofizzo. Had much critism told TJ is a one tricky pony what he is. Hes style play is easy defend when maestro sf defenders show up. U can also say that Len is a monster rebounder cos last game 13rebs. Truth is that most of those he took without no pressure on defence end. Even Earl Barron can do same.

Leave Len alone!! Has he been a bit of a disappointment thus far? I'm starting to sway to yes. But I've even forgot my own prophecy which I stated Alex will be 3-4 years away from even contributing way back when we drafted him. T.J. is still a BOY guys, Alex too..maybe we lose sight of that because T.J. is so mature but he will continue to develop just as Alex will!

[Sunlight]

I hope they do. So nice guys they are. On more thing. I expected more inside passes to Len and then school things over defenders by him, like papa Duncan do all time but did not saw much. That need of course some muscles and thats the problem. Maybe future stretch 5 is his place to be. Better version Frye.

[King4Day]

Another reason Len may not have seen many touches is the lack of chemistry and talent. He played every other game so players aren't able to get very comfortable with him.

[bwgood77]

Another reason Len may not have seen many touches is the lack of chemistry and talent. He played every other game so players aren't able to get very comfortable with him.

Plus he is much more used to playing with Bledsoe, Kieff, Tucker, etc, and not a bunch of summer league guys. So the offense might be out of sync unless they run a bunch of plays for them, and they didn't. When it came to things he could control, like rebounding, he delivered.

Warren also could have taken over more offensively but often he would try to get others involved and the guys wouldn't deliver...they would miss the pass, or fumble the ball away.

Warren looked great at times pre injury, and I think he will look even better playing with the vets he's been playing with for a year, along with Knight and Chandler.

[SSOL]

I am starting to think people comment without watching the games. TJ Warren was an absolute beast 20 feet and in this summer. The fact that he has not yet expanded his shot (which he will) is a testament to just how dominant he was from midrange - Teams knew what was coming and could not stop it.

Warren averaged 18.7 points per game on 54% shooting. Warren's field goal percentage was the highest among players that scored at least 18.7 points per game (playing at least 4 games). If he's a one trick pony, the trick is scoring the basketball.

[carey]

I am starting to think people comment without watching the games. TJ Warren was an absolute beast 20 feet and in this summer. The fact that he has not yet expanded his shot (which he will) is a testament to just how dominant he was from midrange - Teams knew what was coming and could not stop it.

Warren averaged 18.7 points per game on 54% shooting. Warren's field goal percentage was the highest among players that scored at least 18.7 points per game (playing at least 4 games). If he's a one trick pony, the trick is scoring the basketball.

Yeah. Cosmo said he watched the games but his comments make me think otherwise.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

I am starting to think people comment without watching the games. TJ Warren was an absolute beast 20 feet and in this summer. The fact that he has not yet expanded his shot (which he will) is a testament to just how dominant he was from midrange - Teams knew what was coming and could not stop it.

Warren averaged 18.7 points per game on 54% shooting. Warren's field goal percentage was the highest among players that scored at least 18.7 points per game (playing at least 4 games). If he's a one trick pony, the trick is scoring the basketball.

Yeah. Cosmo said he watched the games but his comments make me think otherwise.

[RaisingArizona]

Some of you complain about everything.