Archie Goodwin

[NaturalBuns]

Eric Bledsoe said hes gonna be a stud from what hes seen so far

In the shower or on the court?

[Frank Lee]

I don't care who Goodwin looks like. Snagging him late like that was almost as good a a second lotto. The FO boys have set us up for a dynamic backcourt if all goes well.

[Nebula1]

Tuned into to watch Goodwin beat up Maccabi

[Kerrsed]

Rookie Archie Goodwin symbolizes Phoenix Suns' future
Paola Boivin, USA TODAY Sports 2:31 p.m. EDT October 9, 2013

Phoenix Suns fans have arrived at a reflective place. They can respect a rebuilding project as long as the blueprint looks sound.

Archie Goodwin is the symbol of a franchise that finally has some vision. He will flash jaw-dropping open-court skills one minute, an inconsistent shooting touch another. More than anything though, he holds the promise of greatness, an intriguing story line as the Suns play their second preseason game Wednesday night against the Portland Trail Blazers.

"Patience," Goodwin said, "will help me in this league."

You better believe it. Goodwin turned 19 less than two months ago. Nineteen. He is called "rook" by his teammates, sent out to make the occasional donut run. But the guard has earned their respect with a work ethic that often finds him on the court long after a practice, and with a game that turned heads during Summer League ball.

Restraint must accompany the seven-game Las Vegas run, but the 13.1 points per game average, the slipperiness around defenders and the fearless finishing skills point to a player with a great growth trajectory.

After watching Goodwin in the Suns' preseason opening victory over Israeli League champion Maccabi Bazan Haifa Monday, coach Jeff Hornacek pointed out an instinctual knack to the player's game, too.

"We called a couple plays out of timeouts (that) were really designated for another guy," Hornacek said, "but they denied that guy and (Goodwin) just automatically interchanged and ran the play.

"As coaches, that's just playing basketball. We can't sit there and tell them every scenario that will happen out there. They've just got to make their own reads at times and he did a good job of that."

It will take a strong and dedicated commitment by both player and staff to make Goodwin blossom into an elite NBA player. He is 6-5 with an impressive wingspan but needs to gets stronger to survive the grind of the league.

The biggest rap on him is his jump shot but he seems to be putting in the work to knock it down more consistently.

"It's constantly trying to teach him what the good shot is, what the bad shot is," Hornacek said. "The guys who are confident, they think they can make any shot."

If you watch Goodwin in practice, he is not afraid to pick the brain of the guy next to him.

"It's very similar in some respects to the way Kobe (Bryant) came into the league," Hornacek said. "He was young. He wanted to learn everything. It's probably what made him such a great player.

"Hopefully, Archie continues to learn. He's asking coaches questions, he's asking players questions. … We're glad he's working that hard."


It will be up to Hornacek and staff, too, to guide Goodwin along this path and strike the right balance between asking too much and too little, by putting him in situations to succeed while allowing him to work through early struggles.

Hornacek seems like the right coach for the job, a 16-year NBA guard with a demeanor and perspective well-suited to steer a rookie's growth.

Goodwin, who was the 29th overall pick in the draft, might be a part of the Suns' long-term plan, but the organization sounds willing to let him work things out in the short-term, too.

With an abundance of point guards, his role will be more of an off guard who can still set the tempo.

He is just happy to be on the court. Even with the age discrepancy, he has done a good job of fitting in with other players, on and off the court.

"Sometimes with the young guys, especially as young as he is, you worry about them getting around these older guys and maybe losing confidence but Archie doesn't lose confidence," Honacek said, smiling. "He thinks he can outplay any of these guys. That's helped him make this transition with the players."

Goodwin knows "you have to earn respect in this league. Some guys have been around a long time. Everyone is committed to the same process and it's just about understanding and respecting that you have to start from the ground up."

Goodwin's competitive fire has taken him a long way. His stepfather tells the story of how a 5-year-old came home crying one day because a girl beat him in basketball.

It wasn't because it was a girl, Goodwin said, it was because he lost. "And I wasn't crying," he said. "He made that part up."

That was the day his stepfather, Datron Humphrey, started training him to be a basketball player. Goodwin couldn't get enough of it. The bloodlines probably helped a little, too. His father, Archie Goodwin II, played at Arkansas State and could dunk, even though he was 5-9. (Goodwin's mom is 5-8.)

Young Archie blossomed into a player that led Sylvan High School in Sherwood, Ark., to consecutive state titles and became a star on the AAU circuit.

A single season at Kentucky followed. He was drafted later in the first round than he expected, leaving a chip on his shoulder that will surely surface some time against teams that passed over him.

"I have a plan to be the best I can be," Goodwin said.

The Suns appears to have a plan, too.

A good one named Goodwin.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nb ... e/2953257/

[thamadkant]

I havent had NBA TV since I was living in the US.
And for 3-4 years I hadn't purchased any pay tv or subscription to league pass..

but I got premium subscription this season purely to watch Goodwin.

[JMac1]

I havent had NBA TV since I was living in the US.
And for 3-4 years I hadn't purchased any pay tv or subscription to league pass..

but I got premium subscription this season purely to watch Goodwin.

I just moved to Phoenix and go it for free

[Nebula1]

Rookie Archie Goodwin symbolizes Phoenix Suns' future
Paola Boivin, USA TODAY Sports 2:31 p.m. EDT October 9, 2013

Phoenix Suns fans have arrived at a reflective place. They can respect a rebuilding project as long as the blueprint looks sound.

Archie Goodwin is the symbol of a franchise that finally has some vision. He will flash jaw-dropping open-court skills one minute, an inconsistent shooting touch another. More than anything though, he holds the promise of greatness, an intriguing story line as the Suns play their second preseason game Wednesday night against the Portland Trail Blazers.

"Patience," Goodwin said, "will help me in this league."

You better believe it. Goodwin turned 19 less than two months ago. Nineteen. He is called "rook" by his teammates, sent out to make the occasional donut run. But the guard has earned their respect with a work ethic that often finds him on the court long after a practice, and with a game that turned heads during Summer League ball.

Restraint must accompany the seven-game Las Vegas run, but the 13.1 points per game average, the slipperiness around defenders and the fearless finishing skills point to a player with a great growth trajectory.

After watching Goodwin in the Suns' preseason opening victory over Israeli League champion Maccabi Bazan Haifa Monday, coach Jeff Hornacek pointed out an instinctual knack to the player's game, too.

"We called a couple plays out of timeouts (that) were really designated for another guy," Hornacek said, "but they denied that guy and (Goodwin) just automatically interchanged and ran the play.

"As coaches, that's just playing basketball. We can't sit there and tell them every scenario that will happen out there. They've just got to make their own reads at times and he did a good job of that."

It will take a strong and dedicated commitment by both player and staff to make Goodwin blossom into an elite NBA player. He is 6-5 with an impressive wingspan but needs to gets stronger to survive the grind of the league.

The biggest rap on him is his jump shot but he seems to be putting in the work to knock it down more consistently.

"It's constantly trying to teach him what the good shot is, what the bad shot is," Hornacek said. "The guys who are confident, they think they can make any shot."

If you watch Goodwin in practice, he is not afraid to pick the brain of the guy next to him.

"It's very similar in some respects to the way Kobe (Bryant) came into the league," Hornacek said. "He was young. He wanted to learn everything. It's probably what made him such a great player.

"Hopefully, Archie continues to learn. He's asking coaches questions, he's asking players questions. … We're glad he's working that hard."


It will be up to Hornacek and staff, too, to guide Goodwin along this path and strike the right balance between asking too much and too little, by putting him in situations to succeed while allowing him to work through early struggles.

Hornacek seems like the right coach for the job, a 16-year NBA guard with a demeanor and perspective well-suited to steer a rookie's growth.

Goodwin, who was the 29th overall pick in the draft, might be a part of the Suns' long-term plan, but the organization sounds willing to let him work things out in the short-term, too.

With an abundance of point guards, his role will be more of an off guard who can still set the tempo.

He is just happy to be on the court. Even with the age discrepancy, he has done a good job of fitting in with other players, on and off the court.

"Sometimes with the young guys, especially as young as he is, you worry about them getting around these older guys and maybe losing confidence but Archie doesn't lose confidence," Honacek said, smiling. "He thinks he can outplay any of these guys. That's helped him make this transition with the players."

Goodwin knows "you have to earn respect in this league. Some guys have been around a long time. Everyone is committed to the same process and it's just about understanding and respecting that you have to start from the ground up."

Goodwin's competitive fire has taken him a long way. His stepfather tells the story of how a 5-year-old came home crying one day because a girl beat him in basketball.

It wasn't because it was a girl, Goodwin said, it was because he lost. "And I wasn't crying," he said. "He made that part up."

That was the day his stepfather, Datron Humphrey, started training him to be a basketball player. Goodwin couldn't get enough of it. The bloodlines probably helped a little, too. His father, Archie Goodwin II, played at Arkansas State and could dunk, even though he was 5-9. (Goodwin's mom is 5-8.)

Young Archie blossomed into a player that led Sylvan High School in Sherwood, Ark., to consecutive state titles and became a star on the AAU circuit.

A single season at Kentucky followed. He was drafted later in the first round than he expected, leaving a chip on his shoulder that will surely surface some time against teams that passed over him.

"I have a plan to be the best I can be," Goodwin said.

The Suns appears to have a plan, too.

A good one named Goodwin.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nb ... e/2953257/

Thanks for posting the article. I think his high upside and expectations are very deserved and he will be one of the best players in the NBA in his prime.

[Sreister]

That article made me giddy as a school girl. Between NBA2K14 and that article, I'm so anxious for this kid. I just hope all this anticipation from everyone doesn't go to his head. The bigger they are the harder they fall. We're all rooting for him though, that's for sure.

Let's just hope we don't put all the pressure of being our future squarely on his shoulders, though.

[Nebula1]

That article made me giddy as a school girl. Between NBA2K14 and that article, I'm so anxious for this kid. I just hope all this anticipation from everyone doesn't go to his head. The bigger they are the harder they fall. We're all rooting for him though, that's for sure.

Let's just hope we don't put all the pressure of being our future squarely on his shoulders, though.

I don't think it will. He's been living with these expectations for a long time and much of them have been self-placed.

Plus he's willing to do the work and recognizes he has areas to improve. He's a very exciting young player.

[thamadkant]

To me the most important thing is his attitude.
If he wants to be the best and highly motivated it's the greatest trait a young player need to be an impact player. If he really is very competitive and wants to win he will be a star.

Talented players who aren't very motivated but become fringe all stars at best and at worst become disappointments look at Beasley.

[Frank Lee]

and getting drafted late like that, almost falling out the first and its guaranteed cash, is a great motivator for someone with Archie's mindset. I hope the kid plays his way to 20+ minutes a night by season end.

I would expect Growl'd favorite Brown to get minutes in front of him, until the Cannon gets shot off somewheres....
To Detroit for a second may be...back home to Michigan ?

[E-Buck]

Honestly this is exciting thinking about our future backcourt of Eric Bledsoe and Archie Goodwin. Imagine throwing one of Wiggins, Parker, or Randle into that mix with Alex Len. Mannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

[BurningHeart]

If Bledsoe, Len and Goodwin are as good as hoped, we won't be in the mix for the top players in the 2014 draft.

Not of our own doing, anyway.

[thamadkant]

If Bledsoe, Len and Goodwin are as good as hoped, we won't be in the mix for the top players in the 2014 draft.

Not of our own doing, anyway.

If they pan out enough that they carried the Suns away from a top 5 pick... It means the Suns have an all-star in Bledsoe and 2 rookies that will eventually be all stars soon... It means the Suns have an excellent future and we wouldn't be heart broken by getting a pick outside the top 5.

So if that is the case then suns fans wouldn't care if they miss out on a potential star in Wiggins... Because it means the Suns have 3 young proven stars already

[Revived]

I wonder if the Suns employ last year's tanking strategy of "resting" Dragic especially in games against the West and teams that were competing for the final playoff spot with the Lakers.

[BurningHeart]

If Bledsoe, Len and Goodwin are as good as hoped, we won't be in the mix for the top players in the 2014 draft.

Not of our own doing, anyway.

If they pan out enough that they carried the Suns away from a top 5 pick... It means the Suns have an all-star in Bledsoe and 2 rookies that will eventually be all stars soon... It means the Suns have an excellent future and we wouldn't be heart broken by getting a pick outside the top 5.

So if that is the case then suns fans wouldn't care if they miss out on a potential star in Wiggins... Because it means the Suns have 3 young proven stars already

Yes, it would be great.

[rsavaj]

If Bledsoe, Len and Goodwin are as good as hoped, we won't be in the mix for the top players in the 2014 draft.

Not of our own doing, anyway.

I'm not expecting Len and Goodwin to make an impact this year. Rookies rarely do.

Bledsoe is an interesting case, but I don't think he's enough to lift this team into the 30 win range.

[Ryu]

Yep. Remember how nice Orlando Magic had started their season last fall and finished as a second worst team of the league in the end.

I would count upcoming season as succesful one if our young players progress, grow and finish it as a better players compared to the beginning.

[BurningHeart]

If Bledsoe, Len and Goodwin are as good as hoped, we won't be in the mix for the top players in the 2014 draft.

Not of our own doing, anyway.

I'm not expecting Len and Goodwin to make an impact this year. Rookies rarely do.

Bledsoe is an interesting case, but I don't think he's enough to lift this team into the 30 win range.

What I mean is we need to pump the brakes on the rookies a bit. If they were already as good as what you see around here, we wouldn't be in the mix for the top players in the draft. Frankly, I hope they are as good as touted as quick as possible, because the goal is to win. I'll gladly "miss out" on that top draft talent if it means that all three of those guys look legit and the team wins enough as a result.

[Nebula1]

I wonder if the Suns employ last year's tanking strategy of "resting" Dragic especially in games against the West and teams that were competing for the final playoff spot with the Lakers.

Probably traded.

I also look forward to Goodwin and Wiggins playing together.