In Defense of Ryan McDonough

[8on]

For your consideration: my defense of McD.
https://medium.com/@twistedmetal333/circumventing-failure-the-ryan-mcdonough-vision-4da31aacb25b?source=linkShare-f36d4045f79a-1530032013

I will rescind this and eat unlimited crow if we don’t win 40 games or more in one of the next three seasons. Criticisms welcome.

[Revived]

For your consideration: my defense of McD.
https://medium.com/@twistedmetal333/circumventing-failure-the-ryan-mcdonough-vision-4da31aacb25b?source=linkShare-f36d4045f79a-1530032013

I will rescind this and eat unlimited crow if we don’t win 40 games or more in the next three seasons. Criticisms welcome.

In the next 3 season or within the next three seasons?

Because McDonough certainly won’t be here if he doesn’t win at least 40 games within the next 2 seasons so your crow won’t be necessary. Hell he might not be here if the team doesn’t win 40 games next season!

That Bridges trade was the first indication of him knowing his ass is now on the line and the seat’s never been warmer.

[8on]

For your consideration: my defense of McD.
https://medium.com/@twistedmetal333/circumventing-failure-the-ryan-mcdonough-vision-4da31aacb25b?source=linkShare-f36d4045f79a-1530032013

I will rescind this and eat unlimited crow if we don’t win 40 games or more in the next three seasons. Criticisms welcome.

In the next 3 season or within the next three seasons?

Because McDonough certainly won’t be here if he doesn’t win at least 40 games within the next 2 seasons so your crow won’t be necessary. Hell he might not be here if the team doesn’t win 40 games next season!

That Bridges trade was the first indication of him knowing his ass is now on the line and the seat’s never been warmer.

In one out of the next three seasons, we should win at least 40 games.

Some would say the value on the Bridges trade was off for us - I wouldn’t - but usually, GMs trade picks for veterans when they want to win, not rookies.

[SlovenianDragon]

I believe without any trades we makes the playoffs THIS season.

I believe that much in our additions and new coach.

We got this.

[SlovenianDragon]

One thing I LOVED about the nash era is we had chemistry. I think that goes a long way in basketball.

I think we have that now. Guys that want to be here and play for each other. I love it.

I believe without a doubt we make the playoffs this season.

Sorry kinda repeated myself but wanted to mention the chemistry im seeing on this team. Cant wait for SL. Im trying to go for the first time. Then when the season starts im not missing one game.

[lilfishi22]

It'll take most of our young guys, including at least one of Chriss or Bender to really take a meaningful step for us to get to 40wins, assuming we're relying on internal improvement only. But if we get a couple savvy, productive vets as well, I think 40 wins is definitely on the cards within 3 seasons.

But as Revived mentioned, McD's extension only takes him to the end of the 19-20 season which is the end of the following season. If we don't get to near 40 wins next season, I think there's a good chance he may not even be around the see the beginning of that season.

[Moochthemonkey]

if within three seasons for now, we aren't consecutively winning 40+ for atleast 3 straight seasons...then McD has failed

[Qwigglez]

I believe without any trades we makes the playoffs THIS season.

I believe that much in our additions and new coach.

We got this.

I actually like our roster as currently constructed.

Knight / Okobo
Booker / Reed
Jackson / Bridges
Bender / Warren
Ayton / Chriss

I'm going to wait on free agency to judge whether or not I believe the Suns can make the playoffs. Too many moving parts, but it will take the Western Conference as a whole to get substantially weaker for the Suns to possibly squeeze into the playoffs.

[Revived]

I believe without any trades we makes the playoffs THIS season.

I believe that much in our additions and new coach.

We got this.

I actually like our roster as currently constructed.

Knight / Okobo
Booker / Reed
Jackson / Bridges
Bender / Warren
Ayton / Chriss

I'm going to wait on free agency to judge whether or not I believe the Suns can make the playoffs. Too many moving parts, but it will take the Western Conference as a whole to get substantially weaker for the Suns to possibly squeeze into the playoffs.

The spacing on that 2nd unit looks amazing on paper.

[Qwigglez]

I believe without any trades we makes the playoffs THIS season.

I believe that much in our additions and new coach.

We got this.

I actually like our roster as currently constructed.

Knight / Okobo
Booker / Reed
Jackson / Bridges
Bender / Warren
Ayton / Chriss

I'm going to wait on free agency to judge whether or not I believe the Suns can make the playoffs. Too many moving parts, but it will take the Western Conference as a whole to get substantially weaker for the Suns to possibly squeeze into the playoffs.

The spacing on that 2nd unit looks amazing on paper.

On paper I think the spacing on both units looks amazing.

[saintEscaton]

Lol we will be lucky to be close to a .500 team within the next couple of years in an ever improving Wild West that is always a nuclear arms race. Predicting a late lotto at best finish next year which is still progress compared to where we were before

[bwgood77]

Yeah, the west is tough, especially if guys head to LA. OKC will regress, but don't underestimate Presti either despite his misteps. Grizzlies and Mavs will likely be better than most here expect if healthy.

McD can't really point to many successes. He has traded for 9 first round picks but most of those picks he traded for didn't net much...pending Bridges...which cost 2 of them....I expect that one pans out.

I do always find it interesting when they say Philly made the trade to get more assets to trade to the Spurs for Kawhi...I keep thinking..."if Pop was going to trade Kawhi to Philly wouldn't he rather have Bridges than Smith and a pick in 21?" He's not young.

I also read that Denver was desperately putting up their 19 first rounder to get in and take Smith so it will be interesting to see how Smith turns out....Denver scouts seem to be among the best. I know they traded the Mitchell pick but given their guard rotation and ball movement/scoring from multiple players, he likely doesn't really move the needle much there despite how good he is.

[Young gun 6]

My target is 30, 35, 40 wins for 2019, 2020, 2021.

[Roddy B for 3]

As a rival team fan, I love seeing "In defense of Ryan McDonough" on the Sun's forum.

[Christine-In-AZ]

My target is 30, 35, 40 wins for 2019, 2020, 2021.

Those numbers represent some very low expectations. Probably is better to expect slow progress, and then be pleased if the low bar is cleared.

In my mind, if the Suns had tried to win games start to finish last year, they get around 30. So thats my starting position, the ground floor for 18-19.

With the new coaching staff and new talent, 37 to 40 wins seems a reasonable goal in my book. Then again, the team's construction is still in progress. So really....?

[Waylay13]

My target is 30, 35, 40 wins for 2019, 2020, 2021.

Those numbers represent some very low expectations. Probably is better to expect slow progress, and then be pleased if the low bar is cleared.

In my mind, if the Suns had tried to win games start to finish last year, they get around 30. So thats my starting position, the ground floor for 18-19.

With the new coaching staff and new talent, 37 to 40 wins seems a reasonable goal in my book. Then again, the team's construction is still in progress. So really....?

I fully expect to see the Suns win 38 games in 18/19. I think we will just miss the playoffs but will show all across the team.

[8on]

No one has actually commented on what I wrote, though.

Oh, well. Never mind. If you’re not interested.....I guess I don’t have to be, either. Go through life wondering how life works, without ever trying to get to the bottom of it, or considering alternative opinions.

Most people don’t care how things work.

It’s the world we live in.

I thought you guys would be curious. I was mistaken. Tell your boy Kevin Pelton and the tastemakers I said don’t bother.

[SlovenianDragon]

No one has actually commented on what I wrote, though.

Oh, well. Never mind. If you’re not interested.....I guess I don’t have to be, either. Go through life wondering how life works, without ever trying to get to the bottom of it, or considering alternative opinions.

Most people don’t care how things work.

It’s the world we live in.

I thought you guys would be curious. I was mistaken. Tell your boy Kevin Pelton and the tastemakers I said don’t bother.

Why didnt you just post it here? Most people dont click on external links.

[8on]

No one has actually commented on what I wrote, though.

Oh, well. Never mind. If you’re not interested.....I guess I don’t have to be, either. Go through life wondering how life works, without ever trying to get to the bottom of it, or considering alternative opinions.

Most people don’t care how things work.

It’s the world we live in.

I thought you guys would be curious. I was mistaken. Tell your boy Kevin Pelton and the tastemakers I said don’t bother.

Why didnt you just post it here? Most people dont click on external links.

It’s very long.

[sunsbum]

Sleepin on the Ayton, booker dynamic already!? I mean, we would have won like 24ish games if booker was healthy along with sauce and BK. I definitely see us winning at least 30 games and possibly getting close to 500 if everyone stays somewhat healthy.