RealGM

I wouldn't usually make a whole thread about a particular day's Suns articles, but today is that exception. Two TREMENDOUS Suns articles today from Boivin and Haller, respectively. Feel free to just read these articles and take these to your conversations in other threads:

Haller: http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2017/01/04/phoenix-suns-earl-watson-devin-booker-and-pursuit-greatness/96166166/

Boivin: http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2017/01/04/boivin-suns-priority-should-helping-youth-not-winning/96178684/

The Haller one gave me a new appreciation for Watson. That kind of talk is super-awesome to have around my young players.

Boivin's article is just spot on. She sees what there is to be seen.

Five stars today, azcentral. Five stars.

Come back, not Traxxe.

PS: Very good article.

I stopped reading the Boivin article after it said Watson was without the veneer of phoniness.

dremill24 wrote:I stopped reading the Boivin article after it said Watson was without the veneer of phoniness.

I stopped reading at "equal parts tactician and teacher"

I'll give it another go if Boivin meant he was neither.

What I got from this Haller's article is that Watson wants Booker to get comfortable with always getting tough shots because that's what the greats did. But that isn't what the greats did. They were great at finding and putting themselves in positions to take the easier shot. He's treating Booker like he's already an All-Star and is somehow immune from criticisms for taking tough (read: bad) shots. How about you be an actual coach and put him in a position where he can get easy shots. The hard shots will always be there but getting comfortable taking those shots doesn't make you a great, it's just a bad habit.

I give Watson credit for giving Booker a lot of responsibility last season when we were short with injuries but this seemingly free reign approach hasn't produced the results we want thus far this season. Booker isn't more dangerous on the floor, he isn't more efficient and he isn't a better player than he was last season. I want Watson to put in an offense where Booker isn't just standing out on the perimeter just waiting for a pass so he can "go to work" and taking bad shots. The work starts well before Booker receives the pass and it shouldn't end with a tough shot.

lilfishi22 wrote:What I got from this Haller's article is that Watson wants Booker to get comfortable with always getting tough shots because that's what the greats did. But that isn't what the greats did. They were great at finding and putting themselves in positions to take the easier shot. He's treating Booker like he's already an All-Star and is somehow immune from criticisms for taking tough (read: bad) shots. How about you be an actual coach and put him in a position where he can get easy shots. The hard shots will always be there but getting comfortable taking those shots doesn't make you a great, it's just a bad habit.

I give Watson credit for giving Booker a lot of responsibility last season when we were short with injuries but this seemingly free reign approach hasn't produced the results we want thus far this season. Booker isn't more dangerous on the floor, he isn't more efficient and he isn't a better player than he was last season. I want Watson to put in an offense where Booker isn't just standing out on the perimeter just waiting for a pass so he can "go to work" and taking bad shots. The work starts well before Booker receives the pass and it shouldn't end with a tough shot.

Pretty much my thoughts on that as well.