The One And Only Offseason Thread 4

[Frank Lee]

Bulls putting a good package out there for love .... Minny should jump on it if that Mirocat euro is as good as advertised plus a solid kid in McDerm who played in smallville minnesotan-like climate and TajG? What more are they expecting? Pull the trigger and Chi jumps up to a top 3 team

[carey]

My 2 cents on who the best in the business is.

Larry Coon on all things CBA related.
Adrian Wojnarowski on all things media related like FA signings, trades, FO hirings.
Zach Lowe on all things X's and O's. He can really break down film and understands why players are doing certain things on the court.

If you follow all 3 of these guys on Twitter there's no need to follow anyone else (though I do.)

[JTrain]

My 2 cents on who the best in the business is.

Larry Coon on all things CBA related.
Adrian Wojnarowski on all things media related like FA signings, trades, FO hirings.
Zach Lowe on all things X's and O's. He can really break down film and understands why players are doing certain things on the court.

If you follow all 3 of these guys on Twitter there's no need to follow anyone else (though I do.)

What about Carrot Top for humor?

[carey]

Bulls putting a good package out there for love .... Minny should jump on it if that Mirocat euro is as good as advertised plus a solid kid in McDerm who played in smallville minnesotan-like climate and TajG? What more are they expecting? Pull the trigger and Chi jumps up to a top 3 team

Draft picks.

Side note: I'd be super pissed off if I were Mirotic. I probably agreed to that deal specifically to play on a talented yet front court depleted Bulls team. If I then was shipped to Minnesota before I ever wore a Bulls uniform? Not happy.

[Scutt]

This is the age old debate about playing time for young players.

If you play worse players just to get them experience, you run the risk of losing games you could have won. In a conference as tough as the west, that could be the difference in making or missing the playoffs, or between a good seed and a bad one.

I took McD at his word when he said, "We not only want to make the playoffs but advance in the playoffs this year."

So simply making the playoffs is more important than looking to the future and developing young talent? I think it should be clear by now, we are not getting a disgruntled superstar, not one in their prime anyway. So are the Suns just going to be a treadmill team for the next few years? Just fighting for that 8th seed and first round exits? Maybe we get lucky and win a round here and there, and then get the privilege of being the punching bag for some team in the 2nd round.
The worst part is knowing that is all Robert Sarver and the front office want, why else would they be regurgitating this small ball, run and gun stuff and completely ignoring their lack of quality bigs. Like I really want to watch a Suns team live and die by the 3, trying to outshoot their opponents, while not rebounding or playing any defense. I have been watching that my entire time as a Suns fan and for once I would like for us to care about rebounding and defense. We don't have to try and be the bad boy Pistons, but just get players that rebound and defend and make an effort for the fans sake.

[JTrain]

Dragic was playing too many minutes and it caught up to him down the stretch. Everyone will welcome a bit more rest for him, going down to about 30.

No one knows for sure how Bledsoe's stamina will be if he stays healthy as a starter the whole season. He played 1841 minutes his rookie year and hasn't hit that since. IT will allow Bledsoe ample rest. I'd put him at 28.

Tucker's minutes will go down but who knows by how much? I'll say 24.

Gerald gets less than last year but Horny finds ways to get him in more than expected. 25.

IT will get about 25 as well.

Keef at starter goes up to 28 and Tolliver still gets decent time at 18.

Plumlee and Len probably stay put at 25 and 9. Perhaps 22/12 if Len shows improvement.

Mook gets hit from the logjam, plays 17.

If Summer League is an indication, Warren will get some minutes. Maybe 8-10.

The rest get scraps from injuries or blowouts. I don't see Archie seeing much time since Dragic, Bledsoe and Green will all be getting SG minutes (unless Bledsoe goes elsewhere of course).

Overall I think we can get reasonable minutes from the top contributors. Perhaps PJ, IT and Green could show frustration but I think Hornacek's culture along with winning a lot of games (hopefully) keeps it in check.

[JTrain]

This is the age old debate about playing time for young players.

If you play worse players just to get them experience, you run the risk of losing games you could have won. In a conference as tough as the west, that could be the difference in making or missing the playoffs, or between a good seed and a bad one.

I took McD at his word when he said, "We not only want to make the playoffs but advance in the playoffs this year."

So simply making the playoffs is more important than looking to the future and developing young talent? I think it should be clear by now, we are not getting a disgruntled superstar, not one in their prime anyway. So are the Suns just going to be a treadmill team for the next few years? Just fighting for that 8th seed and first round exits? Maybe we get lucky and win a round here and there, and then get the privilege of being the punching bag for some team in the 2nd round.
The worst part is knowing that is all Robert Sarver and the front office want, why else would they be regurgitating this small ball, run and gun stuff and completely ignoring their lack of quality bigs. Like I really want to watch a Suns team live and die by the 3, trying to outshoot their opponents, while not rebounding or playing any defense. I have been watching that my entire time as a Suns fan and for once I would like for us to care about rebounding and defense. We don't have to try and be the bad boy Pistons, but just get players that rebound and defend and make an effort for the fans sake.

You went off on a couple tangents there

As for the the first part, it's a question of what you value and everyone values things a little differently. Some fans get a lot out of watching the team make the playoffs and fight hard even if they don't win it all. Others could care less about that. Last year is a good example. Some fans thought it was a great, memorable season that was extremely valuable by itself. Others would have preferred to tank and get a top three pick to give us a better chance at a title down the road. I'm on the former train and I'm hoping to see a playoff run even if a title is unrealistic and even if it stunts Archie's growth.

[aIvin adams]

Bulls putting a good package out there for love .... Minny should jump on it if that Mirocat euro is as good as advertised plus a solid kid in McDerm who played in smallville minnesotan-like climate and TajG? What more are they expecting? Pull the trigger and Chi jumps up to a top 3 team

keeps min in the hunt for the POs out west too.

if i were MIN i'd try to dump another contract and add another young rotation player, like snell.

[RunDogGun]

Yes, Goodwin does need to develop him game, he needs to develop it against NBA caliber guys, not inferior talent in the D league where he averaged something like 30 points a game last year. Like I said earlier, I realize Goodwin wont get any burn on the Suns, they are too busy wanting to be mediocre and fight for the last playoff spot. Screw playing and developing young talent, its not the Suns way. We just sign guys in free agency or trade for guys who are ready to go and run on that treadmill, no rebuilds for the Suns.

You are making a very poor assumption, which seems to happen often here. First, no one wants to be mediocre, and just because you happen to land 7-10 seeds in the tough west, in no way means your team is mediocre.

If you listen to both Jeff and Ryan, we are trying to change the culture of the team. We are trying to build good chemistry, while trying to advance as far as we can.

Expectations of fans seems moot here. Jeff doesn't play rookies heavy minutes. It seems to me that he is pretty old school approach, where rookies earn their minutes. If they don't beat out rotation players in practice, they don't get floor time. They either get garbage minutes, or they can get time in the DLeague.

And who says we aren't developing young players?

I think the main problem is too many young kids don't spend enough time in college, and come to the NBA unprepared and lacking fundamentals. Some develop quirkily, and some don't.

I think Warren will get more burn than Goodwin and Ennis combined, but I still think that Green will get some SF minutes as well as SG minutes, so Warren will have to not only beat out Mook, but Green as well.

I actually also see Jeff playing the Morrii at the 4/5 spot, so Warren might get some minutes on that squad.

[aIvin adams]

Spoiler:

Dragic was playing too many minutes and it caught up to him down the stretch. Everyone will welcome a bit more rest for him, going down to about 30.

No one knows for sure how Bledsoe's stamina will be if he stays healthy as a starter the whole season. He played 1841 minutes his rookie year and hasn't hit that since. IT will allow Bledsoe ample rest. I'd put him at 28.

Tucker's minutes will go down but who knows by how much? I'll say 24.

Gerald gets less than last year but Horny finds ways to get him in more than expected. 25.

IT will get about 25 as well.

Keef at starter goes up to 28 and Tolliver still gets decent time at 18.

Plumlee and Len probably stay put at 25 and 9. Perhaps 22/12 if Len shows improvement.

Mook gets hit from the logjam, plays 17.

If Summer League is an indication, Warren will get some minutes. Maybe 8-10.

The rest get scraps from injuries or blowouts. I don't see Archie seeing much time since Dragic, Bledsoe and Green will all be getting SG minutes (unless Bledsoe goes elsewhere of course).

Overall I think we can get reasonable minutes from the top contributors. Perhaps PJ, IT and Green could show frustration but I think Hornacek's culture along with winning a lot of games (hopefully) keeps it in check.

too many players!

i wonder if the morrii need to be traded together. if i were a gm and interested in kieff i'd wonder whether i need mook too. LOL

[aIvin adams]

Expectations of fans seems moot here. Jeff doesn't play rookies heavy minutes. It seems to me that he is pretty old school approach, where rookies earn their minutes. If they don't beat out rotation players in practice, they don't get floor time. They either get garbage minutes, or they can get time in the DLeague.

[JTrain]

Where do I sign the petition against the auto play video ads? THE WORST.

[RunDogGun]

You went off on a couple tangents there

As for the the first part, it's a question of what you value and everyone values things a little differently. Some fans get a lot out of watching the team make the playoffs and fight hard even if they don't win it all. Others could care less about that. Last year is a good example. Some fans thought it was a great, memorable season that was extremely valuable by itself. Others would have preferred to tank and get a top three pick to give us a better chance at a title down the road. I'm on the former train and I'm hoping to see a playoff run even if a title is unrealistic and even if it stunts Archie's growth.

I'm in the same boat as you JT.

But it doesn't really matter what fans want. The gm and coach aren't going to lose games on purpose. They both understand that it is stupid to build a losing culture. It almost never pans out. Not all lotto drafted players finish their rookie contract on the team that drafted them and some can even stay in the league, so losing to get a high pick is a huge gamble.

Like McD said the other day, we want hungry players. We want a winning culture here.

Now if the best we can accomplish is 8th seed...oh well, that's what it is.

In conclusion, fans can want whatever they want, but the team is moving forward towards a winning culture. Rookies and sophomores will have to earn their minutes. Nothing will be handed to them, just because they have potential.

[navysully]

Where do I sign the petition against the auto play video ads? THE WORST.

Get the adblock and adblock+ extensions (for chrome or firefox)

[RunDogGun]

Spoiler:

Dragic was playing too many minutes and it caught up to him down the stretch. Everyone will welcome a bit more rest for him, going down to about 30.

No one knows for sure how Bledsoe's stamina will be if he stays healthy as a starter the whole season. He played 1841 minutes his rookie year and hasn't hit that since. IT will allow Bledsoe ample rest. I'd put him at 28.

Tucker's minutes will go down but who knows by how much? I'll say 24.

Gerald gets less than last year but Horny finds ways to get him in more than expected. 25.

IT will get about 25 as well.

Keef at starter goes up to 28 and Tolliver still gets decent time at 18.

Plumlee and Len probably stay put at 25 and 9. Perhaps 22/12 if Len shows improvement.

Mook gets hit from the logjam, plays 17.

If Summer League is an indication, Warren will get some minutes. Maybe 8-10.

The rest get scraps from injuries or blowouts. I don't see Archie seeing much time since Dragic, Bledsoe and Green will all be getting SG minutes (unless Bledsoe goes elsewhere of course).

Overall I think we can get reasonable minutes from the top contributors. Perhaps PJ, IT and Green could show frustration but I think Hornacek's culture along with winning a lot of games (hopefully) keeps it in check.

too many players!

i wonder if the morrii need to be traded together. if i were a gm and interested in kieff i'd wonder whether i need mook too. LOL

I'd rather trade other guys and get a pf that is better than Kieff, but unfortunately, I don't think one is available. I liked the Morrii coming off the bench together. They played well with each other, and either one could go off at any given time. I think Kieff starts for now, and I actually think Jeff will sub in Mook first, and slide Kieff to the five, depending on who we play. Give Kieff time in the post, and then you have Tucker in one of the corner spots, with random slashes to the hoop to get the offensive boards, Mook at free throw extended, and tons of room for the three headed guard. We will run teams out of the building.

I'd also like to see Dragic doing all those great back picks that Jeff used to do for Utah.

[Zelaznyrules]

How do you give Archie minutes and then tell the rest of your players that winning matters? He's just a dumb player, there's no two ways about it. Calipari recruited over him for the same reason and it's why he came out long before he was ready. The writing was on the wall, he was likely destined to become a backup if he returned.

And there's another reason you want to play him in the D League rather than in the NBA. If you keep him down there you might find a sucker, errr trading partner, that will give you something of value for him. You give him regular minutes in the NBA and GM's will hang up on you when you mention his name.

He has too much potential to just throw him away but throwing him to the wolves isn't the answer.

[Superhuman]

Where do I sign the petition against the auto play video ads? THE WORST.

Get the adblock and adblock+ extensions (for chrome or firefox)

Stupid question, but you can't get an Adblock of some kind on a phone, right?

[RunDogGun]

How do you give Archie minutes and then tell the rest of your players that winning matters? He's just a dumb player, there's no two ways about it. Calipari recruited over him for the same reason and it's why he came out long before he was ready. The writing was on the wall, he was likely destined to become a backup if he returned.

And there's another reason you want to play him in the D League rather than in the NBA. If you keep him down there you might find a sucker, errr trading partner, that will give you something of value for him. You give him regular minutes in the NBA and GM's will hang up on you when you mention his name.

He has too much potential to just throw him away but throwing him to the wolves isn't the answer.

[PhxSunsFan1234]

Heard from a couple of Trailblazer fans they aren't sure if they want to pay Aldridge 5/max at age 29. I don't get it. Your athletic prime is 28. He's 29. 5 years, he's 33-34. I'd go all out for him. perfect for this team.

Won't happen. But I can dream.

And he also doesn't depend on athleticism like Amare or Griffin. His game is back to the basket and use footwork and touch to score his points. He will age very well and I hope we go for him next offseason if the Trail Blazers underperform and don't make the playoffs or they aren't willing to give him the MAX. If we got him, I think that makes us a top 3-4 seed. He is the prototypical power forward I would want.

One of the few that fits well with the Suns style of play. I'd give up A LOT to land him. Or if he were to reach FA, go after him fullcourt press.

Unfortunately, their owner is Paul Allen. So he has no issues paying him $20 million/yr.

[carey]

Stupid question, but you can't get an Adblock of some kind on a phone, right?

If you're looking at this site on a phone, tablet or phablet you really should be using the RealGM app or the Tapatalk app.

Also, there is a way to use AdBlock on a mobile for Chrome. It's just kind of complicated, but there are some walkthroughs out there if you're determined to do it.