Preseason Game 3: Phoenix Suns at Portland Trail Blazers

Blackification · Post #61 » by **Blackification** » Sat Oct 8, 2016 2:58 am

Booker is being very mean to Layman lol bullying him around

DRK · Post #62 » by **DRK** » Sat Oct 8, 2016 2:58 am

Anyone else really impressed by the Watson influence so far? Our offence hasnt been stagnant like it was last year, and we are rotating really well on D in this second quarter.

nevetsov · Post #63 » by **nevetsov** » Sat Oct 8, 2016 2:58 am

Devin just taking over offensively, six quick points to tie it up. Everyone contributing though, very active defensively and sharing the ball on offense.

Blackification · Post #64 » by **Blackification** » Sat Oct 8, 2016 2:59 am

Anyone paying attention to our bench? Those guys are going nuts out there on a good defensive play

alldayeveryday · Post #65 » by **alldayeveryday** » Sat Oct 8, 2016 2:59 am

I just love our ball movement + new scheme. Finally.

Post #66 » by **batsmasher** » Sat Oct 8, 2016 2:59 am

Blackification wrote:Booker is being very mean to Layman lol bullying him around

You have to be more than a Layman to make it in the NBA.

kennydorglas · Post #67 » by **kennydorglas** » Sat Oct 8, 2016 3:01 am

Our defense looks very improved.
They're hitting some very tough shots and finally we're playing the PNR well enough.

Post #68 » by **ATTL** » Sat Oct 8, 2016 3:01 am

Happy birthday Chalaecle!

Post #69 » by **batsmasher** » Sat Oct 8, 2016 3:02 am

I'm actually slightly concerned that we haven't used Bled AT ALL.

Post #70 » by **bwgood77** » Sat Oct 8, 2016 3:03 am

I love players that still use the glass like Warren. Old school. We need a good nickname for Warren.

DRK · Post #71 » by **DRK** » Sat Oct 8, 2016 3:03 am

Len getting burned on every pick and roll here. Guards are just pulling up because Len doesnt get a hand up

kennydorglas · Post #72 » by **kennydorglas** » Sat Oct 8, 2016 3:04 am

pls, stratch this post plays for Len.
thank you

Post #73 » by **ATTL** » Sat Oct 8, 2016 3:04 am

Len tries to do too much, he needs to focus on rebounding, open jumpers, and spoonfed layups.

DRK · Post #74 » by **DRK** » Sat Oct 8, 2016 3:05 am

bwgood77 wrote:I love players that still use the glass like Warren. Old school. We need a good nickname for Warren.

Old School.

World Warren 1

Thespianoid · Post #75 » by **Thespianoid** » Sat Oct 8, 2016 3:06 am

bwgood77 wrote:
Thespianoid wrote:Chriss with a lot of usage so far (15 FGA last game), so he'll look better than Bender. Until the team figure out how to use Bender offensively aside from being a floor spacer, Chriss will get more of the fan hype (and thus more Bender bust talk).

Sorta want to see some 3/5 or 3/4 PnR with Bender. Also some Elbow DHO/Handoff stuff. Occasional high post touch like how they're using Chriss. Suns aren't even beginning to tap into Bender's offensive skills - dude isn't as lost as he seems, he's just an afterthought.

Yes, I have felt Chriss would get the hype from impressive athleticism, finishing and offense, but Bender would go unnoticed for the little things he provides, which are important. Defense is important and he is much better at it. He is just going to take more time offensively, but I don't think he will necessarily ever get to Chriss' offensive level. I'm excited for both as they have very different strengths (though some of the same weaknesses like rebounding and fouling).

Bender's upside is your super high level glue guy, and I think fans don't appreciate them enough, nor do teams understand how to utilize them. In that way he's very much like Kirilenko on both ends - impressive defensive versatility and a wholly complementary offensive game. If AK47 was on a team other than the Jerry Sloan Jazz, with all the off-ball movement/passing and better offensive players, he would have struggled more - as he did after his role changed (hence the period he was seen as an albatross contract). Bender is not going to ever be a great individual scorer because he doesn't have that feel or mentality, much of his scoring will come within a system/seams of a play, but he can playmake with the best of them with the ball in his hands. Just gotta be put into a position to showcase it.

And I agree, Chriss definitely is and will be the better offensive player - he has the aggressiveness and natural feel for it, probably why he's getting more run at it thus far. Defensively I think he just needs poise and patience. Don't be so eager to block shots, leave his feet. He's already making plays with his athleticism, just has to learn the mental side of it.

I just wonder about their coexist potential. possibly in spurts with Chriss playing the inside position of the frontcourt (because he's a better finisher) and Bender the more perimeter-oriented one (he's a better ballhandler/playmaker).

Blackification · Post #76 » by **Blackification** » Sat Oct 8, 2016 3:06 am

ATTL wrote:Len tries to do too much, he needs to focus on rebounding, open jumpers, and spoonfed layups.

i have no confidence in his post game at all, been failing at it for 3 years now.

Saberestar · Post #77 » by **Saberestar** » Sat Oct 8, 2016 3:07 am

Booker is GOOD.

Thespianoid · Post #78 » by **Thespianoid** » Sat Oct 8, 2016 3:07 am

ATTL wrote:Len tries to do too much, he needs to focus on rebounding, open jumpers, and spoonfed layups.

He had a nice duck-in and dunk early in the game. Think he can be successful in those situations (deep duck-ins for a quick move) in addition to PnP for jumpers and two dribble drives (like the earlier and-1 on Plumlee).

tbh that's all you need from your big offensively.

Post #79 » by **Qwigglez** » Sat Oct 8, 2016 3:08 am

I'm behind th Suns bunch several rows back.

Beetlejuice · Post #80 » by **Beetlejuice** » Sat Oct 8, 2016 3:08 am

batsmasher wrote:I'm actually slightly concerned that we haven't used Bled AT ALL.

I would actually like a lesser load on Bled. Watching him bulldoze to the rim all night every night really gets injury concerns up.