Suns Offseason Thread V: I Am My Brother's Kieffer

SideSwipe · Post #1121 » by **SideSwipe** » Wed Sep 16, 2015 1:40 am

Yeah, I had been thinking with some of the new money that is coming in, that it would be great for the front office to bolster out its strength to make PHX a destination before this next major push to attract FA's- and GSW beats us to the punch, or just plain beat us.

tdjm · Post #1122 » by **tdjm** » Wed Sep 16, 2015 1:41 am

I've been pretty critical of Tucker starting at the 4 in the past. People overrate his defense and it would be poor over the course of a season.

That being said, it's vastly (absolutely unbelievably vastly) preferable to getting a stopgap PF. Taj Gibson, Channing Frye etc. do not matter. They do not matter. They change nothing, and they aren't even close to being on the same timeline as the rest of the roster. I don't want the Suns to feel pressured to get one of these to have a balanced team. I'd so much rather see the PF position manned by a bizarre platoon of Teletovic, Leuer, Tucker, and even Len and a little Warren (I've been critical of both of those guys spending time there at PF in the past, but once again it's better than a stopgap).

Tucker spending some of his minutes at the 4 frees up a ton of minutes at the guard and wing positions for a team full of hungry young guards and wings. Getting a known quantity at PF reduces the available minutes for Warren, Goodwin et. al. by sliding Tucker back down a position.

We're so heavy on guards, I want to just flood the court with them + 1 of Len or Chandler all the time. It may not be good, but it's better than a lot of the alternatives.

plonden · Post #1123 » by **plonden** » Wed Sep 16, 2015 1:44 am

jcsunsfan wrote:
plonden wrote:For all the Nikola Mirotic fans out there, check this out. Mirotic was selected with a pick that the Suns owned at one point. It was originally the Orlando Magic's pick. It was traded to the Suns in the Marcin Gortat deal. We sent that pick out to Houston along with Goran Dragic to get Aaron Brooks (whoops). Houston sent it out in a trade that netted them Donatas Montiejunas. Chicago ultimately received the pick.

TL;DR: Nikola Mirotic could have been a Sun.

False assumption. Just because the Suns could have had that pick doesn't mean they would have chosen him with that pick. This argument only works with the very top picks of any draft.

Come one. Re-read it. TL:DR: Nikola Mirotic COULD have been a Sun. At no point did I say he WOULD have been a Sun had the Suns held onto the pick.

NavLDO · Post #1124 » by **NavLDO** » Wed Sep 16, 2015 2:18 pm

I keep seeing comments about Tucker at the 4 and how he's not 'long' enough, but honestly, and has been brought up before, he's the same height at 6' 5.5"(if not an inch taller, depending) than Barkley was, who was actually measured at 6' 4.5" at one point, even though he likes to claim he was 6'6". Additionally, Tucker has a 7' Wingspan, which is over an inch longer than Kieff.

Tucker's issue is more related to his athleticism, but he still get's it done well enough, and if one were to compare him to the 29 other starting PFs in the league, defensively, he'd probably fair about middle of the road. Yes, he'll be outmatched at times, but so will other starting PFs. Is he short for a PF? Yeah, sure, and while not ideal, I don't think he'd do worse than any other PF we would be able to bring in in a trade for Kieff, right?

The problem isn't Tucker, the problem is the absence of Kieff, and no matter how you slice it, it's less than ideal. But if we go into the season with Mirza/Tucker/Leuer, and to some degree, Len as our PFs, it won't be the end of the world, and in fact, I wouldn't even say we had a bottom 5 PF rotation in the league. Bottom 1/3? Yeah, but Kieff wouldn't move the needle all that much, IMO, which is why I hope that at some point, he's traded for a young, developmental PF prospect that COULD develop into a 'Kieff upgrade' in a year or two...

dmastro32 · Post #1125 » by **dmastro32** » Wed Sep 16, 2015 4:25 pm

super excited for this never got to see a game there but have heard many great stories. Great opportunity to see the team chemistry.
http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/09/15/phoenix-suns-stage-public-scrimmage-veterans-coliseum/72317114/

Safety Pickle · Post #1126 » by **Safety Pickle** » Wed Sep 16, 2015 5:44 pm

Sucks we didn't get Nash but there is no way I want Barkley making any important decisions related to the team. Maybe bring him on as an "adviser" and let him do public appearances and interviews and things of that nature. But no way do I want him personnel decisions

Post #1127 » by **bwgood77** » Wed Sep 16, 2015 6:31 pm

Walt_Uoob wrote:
Saberestar wrote:
How P.J. Tucker could solve the Phoenix Suns' problem at power forward

http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2015/9/15/9315463/why-p-j-tucker-could-solve-the-phoenix-suns-problem-at-power-forward

Granted, I'm prone to kool-aid drinking, but I found that argument pretty encouraging.

But I still dunno how we're going to match up against the legit power forwards in the league. I can see Len-Chandler matching up with Randolph-Gasol, and Tucker-Chandler working against small-ball lineups, but Griffin-Jordan, Aldridge-Duncan, Gasol-Noah, etc., definitely scare me. Those are the times we'll be hurting without someone with Keef's size and mobility.

Zach Lowe likes the idea. [tweet]https://twitter.com/ZachLowe_NBA/status/643819537952043008[/tweet]

jcsunsfan · Post #1128 » by **jcsunsfan** » Wed Sep 16, 2015 7:09 pm

Jdiddy701 wrote:As much as I dislike Tucker starting at the 3 spot, if we lose Keef, Tucker at the 4 seems interesting. I think he guards PF's very well. Good rebounder too. I would love to try it out.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Len start alongside Chandler either.

Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

But he doesn't really guard power forwards very well. He is better switching to the sg position than the pf position. I suppose he could guard some more mobile stretch 4's that camp out on the perimeter, but he is just limited in his interior defense, especially against taller players.

matt131 · Post #1129 » by **matt131** » Wed Sep 16, 2015 9:13 pm

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/13672203/phoenix-suns-sign-henry-sims-cory-jefferson-3-others

Post #1130 » by **bwgood77** » Wed Sep 16, 2015 9:38 pm

matt131 wrote:http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/13672203/phoenix-suns-sign-henry-sims-cory-jefferson-3-others

I saw that on the realgm wiretap too but was thinking that was old news.

Jdiddy701 · Post #1131 » by **Jdiddy701** » Wed Sep 16, 2015 10:58 pm

The Phoenix Suns event tonight at Talking Stick Casino will be interesting.. the state of the Phoenix Suns. Ryan MCD, Sarver and Rowley are hosting it. I expect a lot of Markieff Morris questions.

Saberestar · Post #1132 » by **Saberestar** » Wed Sep 16, 2015 11:11 pm

Chandler has not been able to speak to Morris yet but he expects to do so soon. His message will focus on how Morris' feelings toward General Manager Ryan McDonough, adviser and former President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby and Managing Partner Robert Sarver should have no bearing on his play or relationship with teammates and coaches.

“It’s not about them,” Chandler said. “That’s no offense to Ryan, the GM, or the owner. Players play for players and the coaches. You’ve got a bond. Management has nothing to do with anything that goes on when you’re on the court. That’s just my thoughts. I’m not saying this for anything against Keef either. He’s a man and he has to go through his own process. But he can be special and I know he will. I feel like all this stuff will be forgotten once we kick off and we’re having success.”

The Suns do not intend to trade Morris. They are counting on him to be their starting power forward and continue his career trajectory of improvement over four seasons in Phoenix. Playing alongside a high-character, former All-Star with a championship ring and elite rebounding and defensive ability could only help Morris.

After a Wednesday court appearance for aggravated assault charges against him, Morris declined to comment on his situation but said he would talk when the Suns have their media day on Sept. 28.

“He’s a great player and I feel like he has a bright future,” Chandler said. “Sometimes, organizations and players go through hiccups like this. I think all of this can be worked out and I think it will be worked out. I think he’s going to have a bright future with the Phoenix Suns. I’m hoping he’s going to be on the court because I know there are some special things he can do with the type of player that he is.”

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/09/16/phoenix-suns-tyson-chandler-reacclimate-markieff-morris/32521737/

jcsunsfan · Post #1133 » by **jcsunsfan** » Thu Sep 17, 2015 12:01 am

Saberestar wrote:
Chandler has not been able to speak to Morris yet but he expects to do so soon. His message will focus on how Morris' feelings toward General Manager Ryan McDonough, adviser and former President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby and Managing Partner Robert Sarver should have no bearing on his play or relationship with teammates and coaches.

“It’s not about them,” Chandler said. “That’s no offense to Ryan, the GM, or the owner. Players play for players and the coaches. You’ve got a bond. Management has nothing to do with anything that goes on when you’re on the court. That’s just my thoughts. I’m not saying this for anything against Keef either. He’s a man and he has to go through his own process. But he can be special and I know he will. I feel like all this stuff will be forgotten once we kick off and we’re having success.”

The Suns do not intend to trade Morris. They are counting on him to be their starting power forward and continue his career trajectory of improvement over four seasons in Phoenix. Playing alongside a high-character, former All-Star with a championship ring and elite rebounding and defensive ability could only help Morris.

After a Wednesday court appearance for aggravated assault charges against him, Morris declined to comment on his situation but said he would talk when the Suns have their media day on Sept. 28.

“He’s a great player and I feel like he has a bright future,” Chandler said. “Sometimes, organizations and players go through hiccups like this. I think all of this can be worked out and I think it will be worked out. I think he’s going to have a bright future with the Phoenix Suns. I’m hoping he’s going to be on the court because I know there are some special things he can do with the type of player that he is.”

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/09/16/phoenix-suns-tyson-chandler-reacclimate-markieff-morris/32521737/

Wow. Mgmt and players alike are really taking the high road on this.

Then there is Gambo. . .

NavLDO · Post #1134 » by **NavLDO** » Thu Sep 17, 2015 2:25 am

bwgood77 wrote:
matt131 wrote:http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/13672203/phoenix-suns-sign-henry-sims-cory-jefferson-3-others

I saw that on the realgm wiretap too but was thinking that was old news.

6' 7.5", 227 lbs, 7'1" Wingspan, 6'10" standing reach, 41" Max Vert

All looks good, but his performance will be the defining piece, obviously. That would be great if he could bring some defense with those measurable!

letsgosuns · Post #1135 » by **letsgosuns** » Thu Sep 17, 2015 4:40 am

http://arizonasports.com/story/375850/steve-nash-narrates-phoenix-suns-legacy-video/

Idk how I feel about this video. Nash is narrating and keeps saying we are PHX yet now he works for the Warriors. It kind of does not make sense. So Nash says "we" over and over except he currently has no professional relationship with the Suns. I am not buying it.

This is a really weird time for the organization. This situation with Markieff is killing any excitement I have for the season. The Suns basically keep on kissing his ass while he spits all over the organization. Mishandling the Markieff situation could destroy everything this year. I see no way he can be on the team. To hell with what Chandler said about him today. The guy will poison the season.

Mulhollanddrive · Post #1136 » by **Mulhollanddrive** » Thu Sep 17, 2015 5:32 am

We're in a low self esteem cycle. Please 8th seed, please don't reject me, I love the 8th seed. I'll play PJ Tucker @ PF it's not so bad we can work it out, I've changed so much I've got a new C, our past PF is in the past now.

Stix · Post #1137 » by **Stix** » Thu Sep 17, 2015 5:43 am

I read somewhere that Ryan Anderson is looking to get traded so he can get more playing time. With all things considered, we could do a lot worse and I would not mind swapping out Kief for Ryno.

Pels also signed a couple of Centers and Gentry wants AD to primarily play PF, so a trade makes sense. The only thing is, teams like Houston could offer a better package than us if they wanted to trade for Anderson. But he has an injury history so it might not be out of the realm of impossibility. Suns training staff could help him stay healthy.

Saberestar · Post #1138 » by **Saberestar** » Thu Sep 17, 2015 11:16 am

Keep calm, we are going to trade Markieff BEFORE the season, he is not gonna change his mind. We are trying to gain some leverage for a better package, that is all.

Mulhollanddrive · Post #1139 » by **Mulhollanddrive** » Thu Sep 17, 2015 11:37 am

No brainer if it's Markieff for Anderson.

I think we're then a star SF away from having the line up we want to contend.

Saberestar · Post #1140 » by **Saberestar** » Thu Sep 17, 2015 11:46 am

letsgosuns wrote:http://arizonasports.com/story/375850/steve-nash-narrates-phoenix-suns-legacy-video/

Idk how I feel about this video. Nash is narrating and keeps saying we are PHX yet now he works for the Warriors. It kind of does not make sense. So Nash says "we" over and over except he currently has no professional relationship with the Suns. I am not buying it.

This is a really weird time for the organization. This situation with Markieff is killing any excitement I have for the season. The Suns basically keep on kissing his ass while he spits all over the organization. Mishandling the Markieff situation could destroy everything this year. I see no way he can be on the team. To hell with what Chandler said about him today. The guy will poison the season.

What a great video! Must see for every Suns fan!
Regarding Nash....I really want him here with our staff already, but probably we will give him a bigger spot in the near future, like GM assistant or HC assistant. Hornacek was working for Utah some years before signing with us too.