Preseason Game 4 - Phoenix Suns at Utah Jazz

[bwgood77]

I love that Bender has two blocks and a steal and hasn't taken a shot. I think he's perfectly happy doing the little things, at least for now, and just playing good defense. His shot hasn't fallen yet to a great degree but that doesn't stop him from doing other things and staying active on the floor.

[Thespianoid]

I really dislike the Suns' plan to play Bender majorly at the 3. No wonder he's looked out of sorts offensively, it's not where's he's comfortable nor where he can be effective.

Where's the high post action? Elbow handoff decisions? 4/5 PnR? Instead he's parked in the corner as a floor spacer. And if he tries to run PnR there's no quickness/speed advantage against 3's that there would be against most 4's.

So...can any of you guys tell me what exactly the thinking is? 4's in the NBA are largely faceup/perimeter players now anyway, so the strength thing doesn't really fly with me. He'll have to battle for boards anyway so might as well have him get reps as he fills out.

Probably similar thinking that got Len playing as a 4 to horrific results last season and trading for Knight, a PG, to play as a SG beside a small PG. IMO, the coaching staff and GM think they're smart and innovative but they're just throwing **** at a wall and hoping some stuff sticks.

Len as a 4? Jesus. His only attribute there would be maybe spacing the floor to the midrange..

Different coaching staff now though, right? Or was the only change the head coach and none of the assistants?

[lilfishi22]

Holy Moly

Just came back from lunch and we're within 10?!

[Kerrsed]

I love that Bender has two blocks and a steal and hasn't taken a shot. I think he's perfectly happy doing the little things, at least for now, and just playing good defense. His shot hasn't fallen yet to a great degree but that doesn't stop him from doing other things and staying active on the floor.

I think no matter how "Seasoned" people think he is due to playing in the Pro's over in Europe since 15, he has the NBA jitters and after his shot not really falling in the previous games, it has left him a bit gun shy.

[Qwigglez]

I'm trying to figure out what team is playing right now and what team was playing in the first quarter. Such a difference right now.

[MrMiyagi]

I love that Bender has two blocks and a steal and hasn't taken a shot. I think he's perfectly happy doing the little things, at least for now, and just playing good defense. His shot hasn't fallen yet to a great degree but that doesn't stop him from doing other things and staying active on the floor.

I think no matter how "Seasoned" people think he is due to playing in the Pro's over in Europe since 15, he has the NBA jitters and after his shot not really falling in the previous games, it has left him a bit gun shy.

I am just happy he looks like he belongs on an NBA floor.

[Blackification]

Goodwn still out of control, Len in against scrubs to save face

[letsgosuns]

I'm trying to figure out what team is playing right now and what team was playing in the first quarter. Such a difference right now.

Ulis pushes the ball every possession.

[Jarlaxle0204]

Nice hustle by this squad on the floor.

[Kerrsed]

Goodwn still out of control, Len in against scrubs to save face

Len looks good*.
















*Against these guys fighting to make the Jazz next summer league team.

[Thespianoid]

I love that Bender has two blocks and a steal and hasn't taken a shot. I think he's perfectly happy doing the little things, at least for now, and just playing good defense. His shot hasn't fallen yet to a great degree but that doesn't stop him from doing other things and staying active on the floor.

It's not so much his shot hasn't fallen (you're correct, it hasn't yet) it's more that he's rarely in a position to do anything offensively (aside from take a 3) because of his role in the sets.

Sure he might be willing to only play defense for the short term because of his character, but at some point you need to start putting him in a position to be produce on the offensive end.

[kennydorglas]

A little Len sighting

[Qwigglez]

Len is playing good now.

[Jarlaxle0204]

Archie out of control......as usual.

[LukasBMW]

Right now, Len is an above average backup center in this league.

Booker is our future star.

Chriss could be an allstar. He has all the tools.

Bender is still 2-3 years away. The Jazzz announcers got that right.

Goodwin is never going to get it together.

Ulis needs to add some muscle. He gets pushed around wayyyy too much. But once he does, he will be a great backup PG.

[letsgosuns]

Len was terrible. Forget this fourth quarter scoring surge by him. When it mattered against Gobert and Diaw early in the game, he looked like he did not even belong in the NBA.

[Jarlaxle0204]

86 combined free throws. Now that's exciting basketball.

[bwgood77]

I love that Bender has two blocks and a steal and hasn't taken a shot. I think he's perfectly happy doing the little things, at least for now, and just playing good defense. His shot hasn't fallen yet to a great degree but that doesn't stop him from doing other things and staying active on the floor.

I think no matter how "Seasoned" people think he is due to playing in the Pro's over in Europe since 15, he has the NBA jitters and after his shot not really falling in the previous games, it has left him a bit gun shy.

I don't think anyone thought he was seasoned after not playing much in his pro debut last year, but if he is gun shy, I think it's good now. If his shot isn't falling because he is getting used to the new floor and 3 pt line, fine by me. Rather that than take the Knight approach when your shot isn't falling. The point was that he was still doing active hustle stats.

[Qwigglez]

No use watching the rest of the game since our starters aren't playing and Chriss is fouled out.

[grumpysaddle]

Refs getting $10 per whistle tonight.