Should Ryan Mcdonough be fired?

[RaisingArizona]

It's amusing to see all the comments on social media and the comments on the sports blogs about how McD should be fired. The casual fan sees the record and how we're in a decline and comes to the realization that it's his fault. The fact is the only positives on this roster are because of him. We had no talent, no elite picks when he got here. We have built up our arsenal but obviously haven't quite done it enough to convince a star to join up. I know everyone is impatient but why wouldn't we want this guy making a top 10 draft choice for us next June?

[silverstyne]

Yes he should be fired!

There should be a thing called ACCOUNTABILITY!

Its McDs job and responsibility to field a competitive roster and yet after 3 years, we are worse off than where we started. Our win record is actually regressing year by year.

I don't want to hear how he drafts great or its just chemistry problem etc etc. As of now, all he has to show for after 3 years is a mish-mashed dysfunctional team. There should be no excuses. He needs to go!

[Revived]

It's amusing to see all the comments on social media and the comments on the sports blogs about how McD should be fired. The casual fan sees the record and how we're in a decline and comes to the realization that it's his fault. The fact is the only positives on this roster are because of him. We had no talent, no elite picks when he got here. We have built up our arsenal but obviously haven't quite done it enough to convince a star to join up. I know everyone is impatient but why wouldn't we want this guy making a top 10 draft choice for us next June?

What? We had the Lakers pick when he took over.

[RunDogGun]

It's amusing to see all the comments on social media and the comments on the sports blogs about how McD should be fired. The casual fan sees the record and how we're in a decline and comes to the realization that it's his fault. The fact is the only positives on this roster are because of him. We had no talent, no elite picks when he got here. We have built up our arsenal but obviously haven't quite done it enough to convince a star to join up. I know everyone is impatient but why wouldn't we want this guy making a top 10 draft choice for us next June?

Yep, some seriously stupid crap out there. Too bad we can't fire some of the fans.

So why is this a thread?

[RaisingArizona]

It's amusing to see all the comments on social media and the comments on the sports blogs about how McD should be fired. The casual fan sees the record and how we're in a decline and comes to the realization that it's his fault. The fact is the only positives on this roster are because of him. We had no talent, no elite picks when he got here. We have built up our arsenal but obviously haven't quite done it enough to convince a star to join up. I know everyone is impatient but why wouldn't we want this guy making a top 10 draft choice for us next June?

What? We had the Lakers pick when he took over.

The pick that still hasn't materialized...

[Revived]

It's amusing to see all the comments on social media and the comments on the sports blogs about how McD should be fired. The casual fan sees the record and how we're in a decline and comes to the realization that it's his fault. The fact is the only positives on this roster are because of him. We had no talent, no elite picks when he got here. We have built up our arsenal but obviously haven't quite done it enough to convince a star to join up. I know everyone is impatient but why wouldn't we want this guy making a top 10 draft choice for us next June?

What? We had the Lakers pick when he took over.

The pick that still hasn't materialized...

Ok...and?

That pick is still an elite pick (value wise) that likely materializes this year or the year after.

[saintEscaton]

The McDonuh-oh fanclub is more like a Messianic cult at this point. Lets see how manages to dig himself out of this grave. He's probably on a shortened leash with the collateral damage his nearsighted sideways moves have accrued. Blame it on a meddling Sarver whatever. He is a scout/talent evaluator foremost who has proven incapable of assembling a cohesive roster thats something more than a conglomerate of incompatible expendable assets held together by sticky glue.

[bwgood77]

It's amusing to see all the comments on social media and the comments on the sports blogs about how McD should be fired. The casual fan sees the record and how we're in a decline and comes to the realization that it's his fault. The fact is the only positives on this roster are because of him. We had no talent, no elite picks when he got here. We have built up our arsenal but obviously haven't quite done it enough to convince a star to join up. I know everyone is impatient but why wouldn't we want this guy making a top 10 draft choice for us next June?

I was surprised to see that many comments in that direction on the yahoo article. Not THAT surprised because when I talk to people in Phx outside of the forum most blame the FO more. I definitely want him making that draft pick. He's put together a decent team. Being so much better than draft picks than team construction, maybe it would have made more sense to keep the Lakers pick and a pass first point guard (though still would have rather had Hood or even Kyle Anderson than Ennis though.

[Revived]

I'm tore on McD. On one hand, I can understand fans like bw, frank etc who all realize the lack of talent on this team. On the other hand, I think McD's done a decent job in the draft thus far with Warren and Booker but he may not have gotten the Len pick right (Len over Noel/Gobert) and Goodwin/Bogdanovic are ?s at best as of this moment.

His FAs signings have been bad overall with Tolliver, IT, and Chandler and only Teletovic being the somewhat good one. He netted a super late 1st rd pick for IT but it killed the chemistry that the Bledsoe/Dragic backcourt had (record was something like 22-8 when they played together or something like that) and I don't think Dragic would have been as difficult and big market hungry had we kept that same backcourt and won games with it next year.

I guess I wouldn't care if he was fired but I don't think I'd really care either way.

Interesting I hear the Gambo show couple times a week and when they talk about the Suns and McD, Gambo talks about how many players on the Suns feel like their being used as assets and not players and that they don't like that. He's said that many players have told him or his sources that they don't what their role is and they feel redundant on the team. If that is the case, then that's on McD.

[bwgood77]

I'm tore on McD. On one hand, I can understand fans like bw, frank etc who all realize the lack of talent on this team. On the other hand, I think McD's done a decent job in the draft thus far with Warren and Booker but he may not have gotten the Len pick right (Len over Noel/Gobert) and Goodwin/Bogdanovic are ?s at best as of this moment.

His FAs signings have been bad overall with Tolliver, IT, and Chandler and only Teletovic being the somewhat good one. He netted a super late 1st rd pick for IT but it killed the chemistry that the Bledsoe/Dragic backcourt had (record was something like 22-8 when they played together or something like that) and I don't think Dragic would have been as difficult and big market hungry had we kept that same backcourt and won games with it next year.

I guess I wouldn't care if he was fired but I don't think I'd really care either way.

Interesting I hear the Gambo show couple times a week and when they talk about the Suns and McD, Gambo talks about how many players on the Suns feel like their being used as assets and not players and that they don't like that. He's said that many players have told him or his sources that they don't what their role is and they feel redundant on the team. If that is the case, then that's on McD.

Yeah, I think it's pretty clear that most of the players, particularly ones that leave are more sour with the FO than Hornacek. Of course any guy that gets traded will probably have more of an issue with the FO, but most of the time they are already sour because they think the wrong pieces were added. I understand that it's not for them to decide, but when you play worse mostly due to team chemistry are overcrowding at certain positions and getting squeezed for minutes or having to change your role it can be tough.

We are now ranked 26th by Stein

Let's see. Let's see if a bench shuffle -- firing two assistants instead of Jeff Hornacek -- gives the coach new life. The question, though, has to be asked: When does the Suns' front office start coming under scrutiny, given their ill-meshing roster and the fact one of the ousted assistants (Mike Longabardi) was hand-picked by Suns general manager Ryan McDonough.

http://espn.go.com/nba/powerrankings/_/year/2016/week/9

[RunDogGun]

The McDonuh-oh fanclub is more like a Messianic cult at this point. Lets see how manages to dig himself out of this grave. He's probably on a shortened leash with the collateral damage his nearsighted sideways moves have accrued. Blame it on a meddling Sarver whatever. He is a scout/talent evaluator foremost who has proven incapable of assembling a cohesive roster thats something more than a conglomerate of incompatible expendable assets held together by sticky glue.

How is he supposed to know how guys will work together, when drafting, FAs, or trade? He has done a very good job in all areas. He has gone after the big names in FA, LMA was very close to coming here, but top FAs don't want to go to rebuilding teams. He has drafted very well each time, some of their progressions have taken longer due to injury or maturity, but man, there hasn't been great choices where we have picked besides the ones we did. So far from the information known, he has won almost every trade, and continues to amass future assets. His FA signings have been good, the players just didn't work out here. IT was a good signing, to get a 20/6 player for that contract? Goran has yet to return to the player he was for one season, and is currently in the same role he was in here before being moved. He was unhappy, and was moved, and we got two firsts for him, and dodged his crazy salary. Bledsoe and Knight are earning their pay. The Chandler signing had many folds to it, so we can't judge that one at present. He was brought in to attract LMA, which almost worked, change our focus on rebounding and defense, which worked early in the season when he was healthy, and help develop Len into a solid starting center, which we have seen improve in recent games, while still being inconsistent. I think the Price signing was awesome. He leads by example, and always plays hard. A great attitude for our young guys to look up to.

It isn't a fan club to say he has done a good job, and one of our best GMs in a while. Our guys are just inconsistent. One day they look like all stars, and the next day like deep bench players.

I just don't think there were any good deals to move Markieff, and McD usually waits to get the best deal.

The McD hate, and childish name calling is silly to me, considering the crappy GMs we have had over the last 20 yrs or so.

[saintEscaton]

The McDonuh-oh fanclub is more like a Messianic cult at this point. Lets see how manages to dig himself out of this grave. He's probably on a shortened leash with the collateral damage his nearsighted sideways moves have accrued. Blame it on a meddling Sarver whatever. He is a scout/talent evaluator foremost who has proven incapable of assembling a cohesive roster thats something more than a conglomerate of incompatible expendable assets held together by sticky glue.

How is he supposed to know how guys will work together, when drafting, FAs, or trade? He has done a very good job in all areas. He has gone after the big names in FA, LMA was very close to coming here, but top FAs don't want to go to rebuilding teams. He has drafted very well each time, some of their progressions have taken longer due to injury or maturity, but man, there hasn't been great choices where we have picked besides the ones we did. So far from the information known, he has won almost every trade, and continues to amass future assets. His FA signings have been good, the players just didn't work out here. IT was a good signing, to get a 20/6 player for that contract? Goran has yet to return to the player he was for one season, and is currently in the same role he was in here before being moved. He was unhappy, and was moved, and we got two firsts for him, and dodged his crazy salary. Bledsoe and Knight are earning their pay. The Chandler signing had many folds to it, so we can't judge that one at present. He was brought in to attract LMA, which almost worked, change our focus on rebounding and defense, which worked early in the season when he was healthy, and help develop Len into a solid starting center, which we have seen improve in recent games, while still being inconsistent. I think the Price signing was awesome. He leads by example, and always plays hard. A great attitude for our young guys to look up to.

It isn't a fan club to say he has done a good job, and one of our best GMs in a while. Our guys are just inconsistent. One day they look like all stars, and the next day like deep bench players.

I just don't think there were any good deals to move Markieff, and McD usually waits to get the best deal.

The McD hate, and childish name calling is silly to me, considering the crappy GMs we have had over the last 20 yrs or so.

What has his wheeling and dealing amounted to? Most of it was knee-jerk reactionary moves to save face. We are coming full circle with no end in sight. Finally hitting rock bottom.I'll give him one more year to right the ship before callling for his head on a stake but I'm just tired of this "well at least he's not Blanks" apologia and premature anointment of him as some kind of wunderkid immune to criticism. As a protege of Ainge he has attempted to consolidate trinkets into a package that could land that elusive franchise player who may never become available. Except he doesn't have the war chest necessary to do so. The Chandler signing is justifiable because we get a medal for coming in second in the LMA sweepsteaks and we are not at all stuck with his awful unmovable contract, Ronnie Price is just what we need as rebuilding team and Brandon Knight is definitely a keeper. I mean you spin it any way you want it but at the end of the day gotta face the music

[NavLDO]

It's amusing to see all the comments on social media and the comments on the sports blogs about how McD should be fired. The casual fan sees the record and how we're in a decline and comes to the realization that it's his fault. The fact is the only positives on this roster are because of him. We had no talent, no elite picks when he got here. We have built up our arsenal but obviously haven't quite done it enough to convince a star to join up. I know everyone is impatient but why wouldn't we want this guy making a top 10 draft choice for us next June?

I was surprised to see that many comments in that direction on the yahoo article. Not THAT surprised because when I talk to people in Phx outside of the forum most blame the FO more. I definitely want him making that draft pick. He's put together a decent team. Being so much better than draft picks than team construction, maybe it would have made more sense to keep the Lakers pick and a pass first point guard (though still would have rather had Hood or even Kyle Anderson than Ennis though.

It's hilarious how fans talk out of one side of their mouth in how great Booker, Warren, and Len are, how awesome McD was for getting Bledsoe for $.25 and a cup of coffee, signing IT for pennies on the Dollar, signed EB and Knight for well below the Max, for even trading for a Combo-Guard in Knight who was almost an All-Star and was shooting 41% from beyond the arc (over the past couple years combined, not over the past month, of course), yet out of the other side of their mouths come the 'fire McD--he's a horrible GM' because he paid Chandler $13M per (not $15, as I've seen a few times on this forum).

At LEAST 50% of our issues stem from Morris. The other 50% from the coaching. The talent is there--Bledsoe, Knight, Len, Warren, with other young potentials like Goodwin, Booker, and Leuer.

McD isn't playing Tucker over Warren; McD isn't playing Chandler over Len; McD isn't playing the 2 PG se-up; McD isn't NOT giving developmental minutes to Goodwin, Booker, Warren, and Len; McD didn't cry and whine to the media because he had to share time with EB, and McD CERTAINLY is not playing Kieff/giving him minutes.

What is it you all want McD to do? Make a bad trade for the sake of making the trade? McD isn't going to make a trade until the deadline, or close to it, when he can better dictate the terms. For those that think McD is doing a poor job, or feel there is a better GM out there waiting in the wings, then please, by all means, tell us all who would do better with what he has to work with. Do you remember who was on our roster when we went 25-57? How many are still here? McD was asked to take over a team that was a ****, and turned it into a near contender overnight. McD has collected so many assets that it isn't even funny, and all anyone can complain about is that he traded away a top 5 pick that has still yet to be materialized, and when it is this year, how great of a pick will that be in a weak draft?

And quick, what would you rather have? Pay $17M per for the next 5 years for a 29YO PG with a PER of 13.4 averaging 5.3 Assts, 11.5 Pts, and .269 3PT%? Or a $14M per for 5 years for a 24YO with a PER of 16.99, 5.3 Assts, 19.8 Pts, and .344 3PT% or for the same price, a 26YO with a PER of 20.95, 6.1 Assts, 20.4 Pts and .372 3PT%...AND...a 2018 top 7 protected and 2021 unprotected pick? But...but...but the Heat are a playoff team!! Yep, they are, but it's DESPITE Dragic's play, not because of it. But...but...but Chandler's play is stinking up the joint. Yes, yes it is, but McD isn't playing him, that would be the coaches.

McD has put together a team with a lot of nice talent, and while it may not be a 'top 5-in-the-league' talent, it easily a playoff team talent team. It's up to the coaches to find the right mix, and I believe Horny IS trying to figure that out, but honestly, until Kieff is gone, and honestly, Tucker as well, this team is going to have a tough time. Warren's D is not good; got it. Then by all means, COACHES, fix it. He's young and healthy. There is no reason he can't be at least an average defender out there.

Bledsoe and Knight are 'short'; got it. Then don't play them together. We have Goodwin, Booker, and Weems. Horny can still get 28 minutes for each Knight and Bledsoe by only playing them together for a few minutes.

Coaches get paid for figuring out this kind of stuff. Well, by golly, figure it out. And in the meantime, we fans need to chill out for another 8-10 games when we are at the half way mark. By then, we will still have plenty of time to make a playoff push. We have the talent; Horny just needs to figure out the right mix, is all. At least, that's my opinion. If the collective 'you' do not feel that way, then I guess, yes, 'you' should want McD fired--or at least put on notice. But we went from a 6th man of the year candidate to a uncaring and idiotic fool of a PF. That's not on McD. What IS on McD is making sure that Kieff is gone by the trade deadline, and if he can't be traded, then cut your losses, because honestly, oh yeah, that's right, McD signed Kieff to a steal of a deal at the time, and we can easily 'eat' $8M for the sake of the team.

[RunDogGun]

The McDonuh-oh fanclub is more like a Messianic cult at this point. Lets see how manages to dig himself out of this grave. He's probably on a shortened leash with the collateral damage his nearsighted sideways moves have accrued. Blame it on a meddling Sarver whatever. He is a scout/talent evaluator foremost who has proven incapable of assembling a cohesive roster thats something more than a conglomerate of incompatible expendable assets held together by sticky glue.

How is he supposed to know how guys will work together, when drafting, FAs, or trade? He has done a very good job in all areas. He has gone after the big names in FA, LMA was very close to coming here, but top FAs don't want to go to rebuilding teams. He has drafted very well each time, some of their progressions have taken longer due to injury or maturity, but man, there hasn't been great choices where we have picked besides the ones we did. So far from the information known, he has won almost every trade, and continues to amass future assets. His FA signings have been good, the players just didn't work out here. IT was a good signing, to get a 20/6 player for that contract? Goran has yet to return to the player he was for one season, and is currently in the same role he was in here before being moved. He was unhappy, and was moved, and we got two firsts for him, and dodged his crazy salary. Bledsoe and Knight are earning their pay. The Chandler signing had many folds to it, so we can't judge that one at present. He was brought in to attract LMA, which almost worked, change our focus on rebounding and defense, which worked early in the season when he was healthy, and help develop Len into a solid starting center, which we have seen improve in recent games, while still being inconsistent. I think the Price signing was awesome. He leads by example, and always plays hard. A great attitude for our young guys to look up to.

It isn't a fan club to say he has done a good job, and one of our best GMs in a while. Our guys are just inconsistent. One day they look like all stars, and the next day like deep bench players.

I just don't think there were any good deals to move Markieff, and McD usually waits to get the best deal.

The McD hate, and childish name calling is silly to me, considering the crappy GMs we have had over the last 20 yrs or so.

What has his wheeling and dealing amounted to? Most of it was knee-jerk reactionary moves to save face. We are coming full circle with no end in sight. Finally hitting rock bottom.I'll give him one more year to right the ship before callling for his head on a stake but I'm just tired of this "well at least he's not Blanks" apologia and premature anointment of him as some kind of wunderkid immune to criticism. As a protege of Ainge he has attempted to consolidate trinkets into a package that could land that elusive franchise player who may never become available. Except he doesn't have the war chest necessary to do so. The Chandler signing is justifiable because we get a medal for coming in second in the LMA sweepsteaks and we are not at all stuck with his awful unovable contract, Ronnie Price is just what we need as rebuilding team and Brandon Knight is a keeper

Like I said, the Chandler signing had many folds to it. For you to ignore this, and just point to not signing LMA... Um yes, a cheap example of hard work, is exactly what a rebuilding team needs. Every young team needs smart vets for guidance on the floor. The fact that you don't know this suggest your limited knowledge of what every young team talks about needing.

He hasn't been GM long, so your instant gratification is sad. Maybe we can get Mike D back as our GM for you?

[saintEscaton]

It's amusing to see all the comments on social media and the comments on the sports blogs about how McD should be fired. The casual fan sees the record and how we're in a decline and comes to the realization that it's his fault. The fact is the only positives on this roster are because of him. We had no talent, no elite picks when he got here. We have built up our arsenal but obviously haven't quite done it enough to convince a star to join up. I know everyone is impatient but why wouldn't we want this guy making a top 10 draft choice for us next June?

I was surprised to see that many comments in that direction on the yahoo article. Not THAT surprised because when I talk to people in Phx outside of the forum most blame the FO more. I definitely want him making that draft pick. He's put together a decent team. Being so much better than draft picks than team construction, maybe it would have made more sense to keep the Lakers pick and a pass first point guard (though still would have rather had Hood or even Kyle Anderson than Ennis though.

It's hilarious how fans talk out of one side of their mouth in how great Booker, Warren, and Len are, how awesome McD was for getting Bledsoe for $.25 and a cup of coffee, signing IT for pennies on the Dollar, signed EB and Knight for well below the Max, for even trading for a Combo-Guard in Knight who was almost an All-Star and was shooting 41% from beyond the arc (over the past couple years combined, not over the past month, of course), yet out of the other side of their mouths come the 'fire McD--he's a horrible GM' because he paid Chandler $13M per (not $15, as I've seen a few times on this forum).

At LEAST 50% of our issues stem from Morris. The other 50% from the coaching. The talent is there--Bledsoe, Knight, Len, Warren, with other young potentials like Goodwin, Booker, and Leuer.

McD isn't playing Tucker over Warren; McD isn't playing Chandler over Len; McD isn't playing the 2 PG se-up; McD isn't NOT giving developmental minutes to Goodwin, Booker, Warren, and Len; McD didn't cry and whine to the media because he had to share time with EB, and McD CERTAINLY is not playing Kieff/giving him minutes.

What is it you all want McD to do? Make a bad trade for the sake of making the trade? McD isn't going to make a trade until the deadline, or close to it, when he can better dictate the terms. For those that think McD is doing a poor job, or feel there is a better GM out there waiting in the wings, then please, by all means, tell us all who would do better with what he has to work with. Do you remember who was on our roster when we went 25-57? How many are still here? McD was asked to take over a team that was a ****, and turned it into a near contender overnight. McD has collected so many assets that it isn't even funny, and all anyone can complain about is that he traded away a top 5 pick that has still yet to be materialized, and when it is this year, how great of a pick will that be in a weak draft?

And quick, what would you rather have? Pay $17M per for the next 5 years for a 29YO PG with a PER of 13.4 averaging 5.3 Assts, 11.5 Pts, and .269 3PT%? Or a $14M per for 5 years for a 24YO with a PER of 16.99, 5.3 Assts, 19.8 Pts, and .344 3PT% or for the same price, a 26YO with a PER of 20.95, 6.1 Assts, 20.4 Pts and .372 3PT%...AND...a 2018 top 7 protected and 2021 unprotected pick? But...but...but the Heat are a playoff team!! Yep, they are, but it's DESPITE Dragic's play, not because of it. But...but...but Chandler's play is stinking up the joint. Yes, yes it is, but McD isn't playing him, that would be the coaches.

McD has put together a team with a lot of nice talent, and while it may not be a 'top 5-in-the-league' talent, it easily a playoff team talent team. It's up to the coaches to find the right mix, and I believe Horny IS trying to figure that out, but honestly, until Kieff is gone, and honestly, Tucker as well, this team is going to have a tough time. Warren's D is not good; got it. Then by all means, COACHES, fix it. He's young and healthy. There is no reason he can't be at least an average defender out there.

Bledsoe and Knight are 'short'; got it. Then don't play them together. We have Goodwin, Booker, and Weems. Horny can still get 28 minutes for each Knight and Bledsoe by only playing them together for a few minutes.

Coaches get paid for figuring out this kind of stuff. Well, by golly, figure it out. And in the meantime, we fans need to chill out for another 8-10 games when we are at the half way mark. By then, we will still have plenty of time to make a playoff push. We have the talent; Horny just needs to figure out the right mix, is all. At least, that's my opinion. If the collective 'you' do not feel that way, then I guess, yes, 'you' should want McD fired--or at least put on notice. But we went from a 6th man of the year candidate to a uncaring and idiotic fool of a PF. That's not on McD. What IS on McD is making sure that Kieff is gone by the trade deadline, and if he can't be traded, then cut your losses, because honestly, oh yeah, that's right, McD signed Kieff to a steal of a deal at the time, and we can easily 'eat' $8M for the sake of the team.

[RaisingArizona]

It's amusing to see all the comments on social media and the comments on the sports blogs about how McD should be fired. The casual fan sees the record and how we're in a decline and comes to the realization that it's his fault. The fact is the only positives on this roster are because of him. We had no talent, no elite picks when he got here. We have built up our arsenal but obviously haven't quite done it enough to convince a star to join up. I know everyone is impatient but why wouldn't we want this guy making a top 10 draft choice for us next June?

I was surprised to see that many comments in that direction on the yahoo article. Not THAT surprised because when I talk to people in Phx outside of the forum most blame the FO more. I definitely want him making that draft pick. He's put together a decent team. Being so much better than draft picks than team construction, maybe it would have made more sense to keep the Lakers pick and a pass first point guard (though still would have rather had Hood or even Kyle Anderson than Ennis though.

It's hilarious how fans talk out of one side of their mouth in how great Booker, Warren, and Len are, how awesome McD was for getting Bledsoe for $.25 and a cup of coffee, signing IT for pennies on the Dollar, signed EB and Knight for well below the Max, for even trading for a Combo-Guard in Knight who was almost an All-Star and was shooting 41% from beyond the arc (over the past couple years combined, not over the past month, of course), yet out of the other side of their mouths come the 'fire McD--he's a horrible GM' because he paid Chandler $13M per (not $15, as I've seen a few times on this forum).

At LEAST 50% of our issues stem from Morris. The other 50% from the coaching. The talent is there--Bledsoe, Knight, Len, Warren, with other young potentials like Goodwin, Booker, and Leuer.

McD isn't playing Tucker over Warren; McD isn't playing Chandler over Len; McD isn't playing the 2 PG se-up; McD isn't NOT giving developmental minutes to Goodwin, Booker, Warren, and Len; McD didn't cry and whine to the media because he had to share time with EB, and McD CERTAINLY is not playing Kieff/giving him minutes.

What is it you all want McD to do? Make a bad trade for the sake of making the trade? McD isn't going to make a trade until the deadline, or close to it, when he can better dictate the terms. For those that think McD is doing a poor job, or feel there is a better GM out there waiting in the wings, then please, by all means, tell us all who would do better with what he has to work with. Do you remember who was on our roster when we went 25-57? How many are still here? McD was asked to take over a team that was a ****, and turned it into a near contender overnight. McD has collected so many assets that it isn't even funny, and all anyone can complain about is that he traded away a top 5 pick that has still yet to be materialized, and when it is this year, how great of a pick will that be in a weak draft?

And quick, what would you rather have? Pay $17M per for the next 5 years for a 29YO PG with a PER of 13.4 averaging 5.3 Assts, 11.5 Pts, and .269 3PT%? Or a $14M per for 5 years for a 24YO with a PER of 16.99, 5.3 Assts, 19.8 Pts, and .344 3PT% or for the same price, a 26YO with a PER of 20.95, 6.1 Assts, 20.4 Pts and .372 3PT%...AND...a 2018 top 7 protected and 2021 unprotected pick? But...but...but the Heat are a playoff team!! Yep, they are, but it's DESPITE Dragic's play, not because of it. But...but...but Chandler's play is stinking up the joint. Yes, yes it is, but McD isn't playing him, that would be the coaches.

McD has put together a team with a lot of nice talent, and while it may not be a 'top 5-in-the-league' talent, it easily a playoff team talent team. It's up to the coaches to find the right mix, and I believe Horny IS trying to figure that out, but honestly, until Kieff is gone, and honestly, Tucker as well, this team is going to have a tough time. Warren's D is not good; got it. Then by all means, COACHES, fix it. He's young and healthy. There is no reason he can't be at least an average defender out there.

Bledsoe and Knight are 'short'; got it. Then don't play them together. We have Goodwin, Booker, and Weems. Horny can still get 28 minutes for each Knight and Bledsoe by only playing them together for a few minutes.

Coaches get paid for figuring out this kind of stuff. Well, by golly, figure it out. And in the meantime, we fans need to chill out for another 8-10 games when we are at the half way mark. By then, we will still have plenty of time to make a playoff push. We have the talent; Horny just needs to figure out the right mix, is all. At least, that's my opinion. If the collective 'you' do not feel that way, then I guess, yes, 'you' should want McD fired--or at least put on notice. But we went from a 6th man of the year candidate to a uncaring and idiotic fool of a PF. That's not on McD. What IS on McD is making sure that Kieff is gone by the trade deadline, and if he can't be traded, then cut your losses, because honestly, oh yeah, that's right, McD signed Kieff to a steal of a deal at the time, and we can easily 'eat' $8M for the sake of the team.

[bwgood77]

It's amusing to see all the comments on social media and the comments on the sports blogs about how McD should be fired. The casual fan sees the record and how we're in a decline and comes to the realization that it's his fault. The fact is the only positives on this roster are because of him. We had no talent, no elite picks when he got here. We have built up our arsenal but obviously haven't quite done it enough to convince a star to join up. I know everyone is impatient but why wouldn't we want this guy making a top 10 draft choice for us next June?

I was surprised to see that many comments in that direction on the yahoo article. Not THAT surprised because when I talk to people in Phx outside of the forum most blame the FO more. I definitely want him making that draft pick. He's put together a decent team. Being so much better than draft picks than team construction, maybe it would have made more sense to keep the Lakers pick and a pass first point guard (though still would have rather had Hood or even Kyle Anderson than Ennis though.

It's hilarious how fans talk out of one side of their mouth in how great Booker, Warren, and Len are, how awesome McD was for getting Bledsoe for $.25 and a cup of coffee, signing IT for pennies on the Dollar, signed EB and Knight for well below the Max, for even trading for a Combo-Guard in Knight who was almost an All-Star and was shooting 41% from beyond the arc (over the past couple years combined, not over the past month, of course), yet out of the other side of their mouths come the 'fire McD--he's a horrible GM' because he paid Chandler $13M per (not $15, as I've seen a few times on this forum).

At LEAST 50% of our issues stem from Morris. The other 50% from the coaching. The talent is there--Bledsoe, Knight, Len, Warren, with other young potentials like Goodwin, Booker, and Leuer.

McD isn't playing Tucker over Warren; McD isn't playing Chandler over Len; McD isn't playing the 2 PG se-up; McD isn't NOT giving developmental minutes to Goodwin, Booker, Warren, and Len; McD didn't cry and whine to the media because he had to share time with EB, and McD CERTAINLY is not playing Kieff/giving him minutes.

What is it you all want McD to do? Make a bad trade for the sake of making the trade? McD isn't going to make a trade until the deadline, or close to it, when he can better dictate the terms. For those that think McD is doing a poor job, or feel there is a better GM out there waiting in the wings, then please, by all means, tell us all who would do better with what he has to work with. Do you remember who was on our roster when we went 25-57? How many are still here? McD was asked to take over a team that was a ****, and turned it into a near contender overnight. McD has collected so many assets that it isn't even funny, and all anyone can complain about is that he traded away a top 5 pick that has still yet to be materialized, and when it is this year, how great of a pick will that be in a weak draft?

And quick, what would you rather have? Pay $17M per for the next 5 years for a 29YO PG with a PER of 13.4 averaging 5.3 Assts, 11.5 Pts, and .269 3PT%? Or a $14M per for 5 years for a 24YO with a PER of 16.99, 5.3 Assts, 19.8 Pts, and .344 3PT% or for the same price, a 26YO with a PER of 20.95, 6.1 Assts, 20.4 Pts and .372 3PT%...AND...a 2018 top 7 protected and 2021 unprotected pick? But...but...but the Heat are a playoff team!! Yep, they are, but it's DESPITE Dragic's play, not because of it. But...but...but Chandler's play is stinking up the joint. Yes, yes it is, but McD isn't playing him, that would be the coaches.

McD has put together a team with a lot of nice talent, and while it may not be a 'top 5-in-the-league' talent, it easily a playoff team talent team. It's up to the coaches to find the right mix, and I believe Horny IS trying to figure that out, but honestly, until Kieff is gone, and honestly, Tucker as well, this team is going to have a tough time. Warren's D is not good; got it. Then by all means, COACHES, fix it. He's young and healthy. There is no reason he can't be at least an average defender out there.

Bledsoe and Knight are 'short'; got it. Then don't play them together. We have Goodwin, Booker, and Weems. Horny can still get 28 minutes for each Knight and Bledsoe by only playing them together for a few minutes.

Coaches get paid for figuring out this kind of stuff. Well, by golly, figure it out. And in the meantime, we fans need to chill out for another 8-10 games when we are at the half way mark. By then, we will still have plenty of time to make a playoff push. We have the talent; Horny just needs to figure out the right mix, is all. At least, that's my opinion. If the collective 'you' do not feel that way, then I guess, yes, 'you' should want McD fired--or at least put on notice. But we went from a 6th man of the year candidate to a uncaring and idiotic fool of a PF. That's not on McD. What IS on McD is making sure that Kieff is gone by the trade deadline, and if he can't be traded, then cut your losses, because honestly, oh yeah, that's right, McD signed Kieff to a steal of a deal at the time, and we can easily 'eat' $8M for the sake of the team.

I do agree with most of what you say. However, if you are going to argue about a 2 pg system, then much of that falls on McD imo. He is the guy that constructs the team. Hornacek had to devise a strategy to utilize the talents of the best players he was given in year one, so he did it, and it worked pretty well. Now if McD didn't like this strategy, he didn't have to go out and give Knight a huge contract telling him he would start, forcing Hornacek right back into it.

And about starting Chandler over Len, even though that hasn't always been the case, again, they sold him on coming here to be a starter. Hornacek is forced to play the hand he is dealt. I can understand why we signed Tyson, but if the goal was to start Len, and we know it wasn't than that isn't really what Hornacek could do. Hopefully we now move that way soon, but you can't continue to sell free agents on coming here and starting or big minutes (IT)or opportunity to fight for starting job. This is creating the bad chemistry one way or another because, someone, somewhere HAS to sit or play out of position to deliver on what McD sold them when signing them.

I agree on Dragic and are glad we traded him and would much rather have the picks. But if people complain about having two point guards (though imo, Knight is more of a two guard anyway), then don't put that blame on Hornacek, that lies with McD, who could have had one pg, a high pick, and signed a more traditional SG.

My biggest hope is that the guards continue to improve and I think, over time, with chemistry and continuity, and no more constant reshuffling of roster once Markieff and Tucker are gone, that we should be better. But it's impossible to expect a playoff team with the Morris situation and the roster constantly turning over.

I'd rather keep McD. I'm not so sure what Sarver thinks, if they are keeping Hornacek, and dumping McD's hand picked assistant.

The ONLY reason though, one could argue that we DEFINITELY have the talent to make the playoffs, is because that 8 spot is so wide open because a bunch of teams in the west suck this year. Vegas predicted about 36.5 wins. If everything goes perfectly this year for us, MAYBE we get the 8 seed. But you throw in the Markieff turmoil and it is pretty much impossible to get there. And now the Bledsoe injury I don't know how you think we have the talent to get there.

[saintEscaton]

What? We had the Lakers pick when he took over.

The pick that still hasn't materialized...

Ok...and?

That pick is still an elite pick (value wise) that likely materializes this year or the year after.

Posters conveniently ignoring the fact hat the pick will go unprotected if not conveyed to us this year to fit their narrative. Which would be great in a better draft class

[bwgood77]

The pick that still hasn't materialized...

Ok...and?

That pick is still an elite pick (value wise) that likely materializes this year or the year after.

Posters conveniently ignoring the fact hat the pick will go unprotected if not conveyed to us this year to fit their narrative. Which would be great in a better draft class

I mentioned something similar in the draft thread, but it is protected top 3 next year too, and then unprotected after that. But yes, I expected we probably would not get it this year, and thought it would be better to get it next year or the year after anyway.

2016 first round draft pick from L.A. Lakers
L.A. Lakers' 1st round pick to Philadelphia (via Phoenix) protected for selections 1-3 in 2016 and 1-3 in 2017 and unprotected in 2018 [L.A. Lakers-Phoenix, 7/11/2012; Milwaukee-Philadelphia-Phoenix, 2/19/2015]

http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/draft/future_drafts/detailed

[Damkac]

Personally I would give McD one more year. He is no doubt a great talent evaluator and I'm not talking only about draft. He can find talent in guys not getting enought playing time like Leuer, Green, Plumlee and get rotational players for cheap. He get all star level player in Bledsoe for Dudley. Everyone he brought played good except of Toliver (Chandler was good too but before he get hurt/lost his motivation). However he made some significant mistakes. I don't like that when it's clear that the roster is not working he is waiting to the last moment to make a trade. He may be waiting for the best offer but did it really worked? Was return from trading IT worth ruining team chemistry last year? Thankfully he got great return for Dragic.

It's curious how much Sarver is affecting his moves. Mayby if he was given some time to rebuild the team and not pursuit the playoffs we would be in a better spot now.