Suns expect Clark to be a rotation player next season

MaryvalesFinest · Post #1 » by **MaryvalesFinest** » Sun Mar 7, 2010 10:07 pm

He has a good attitude about it anyway, hopefully he can focus on his defense and the offense will come to him automatically.

The Suns expect him to be a rotation player next season.

"I'll be shocked if he's not," coach Alvin Gentry said. "A lot is going to depend on what he does during the summer and how he tries to get himself better. I'll be disappointed if he's not a rotation player next year. He really wants to be, and he'll work at it."

Clark was averaging 7.7 minutes in 43 games entering Saturday, the lowest for any rookie who qualifies statistically.

"I've been playing against those guys (other rookies) all my life, so I know where I stand against them," Clark said. "Some teams are letting their rookies play and losing a lot. I'm on a veteran playoff team with a lot of great players and Hall of Famers. I'm glad to be in this position, not picking up bad habits. I feel like what other players are learning, I've already learned because of the vets I have and the things they're teaching me."

Post #2 » by **Miklo** » Sun Mar 7, 2010 10:31 pm

in before hunterxaz

Post #3 » by **Miklo** » Sun Mar 7, 2010 10:32 pm

But yeah It sounds like he has the right attitude, I'm hoping he starts showing us something good at some point next season.

DirtyDez · Post #4 » by **DirtyDez** » Sun Mar 7, 2010 10:49 pm

Depends on if Hill and Amare are still here next year. Hill will probably opt in, Amare will probably be gone. EC has a good body, 6-9 and long and he'll only get stronger.

hunterxaz · Post #5 » by **hunterxaz** » Sun Mar 7, 2010 10:55 pm

If he keeps playing like he has been, there's no chance he'll be a rotation player. I mean, what's Alvin supposed to say -- the truth? That he's sucked so far? No... of course not. It's just PR.

Post #6 » by **rsavaj** » Sun Mar 7, 2010 11:29 pm

hunterxaz wrote:If he keeps playing like he has been, there's no chance he'll be a rotation player. I mean, what's Alvin supposed to say -- the truth? That he's sucked so far? No... of course not. It's just PR.

If Alvin didn't want to say it, Alvin wouldn't say anything, and this article wouldn't have been written. I know that you're vehemently opposed to Earl Clark, but to come out with such a hard line attitude all the time no matter when his name is mentioned....come on man. I don't like what Earl does on the offensive end at all, but I do like that he hustles on the defensive end. I'm not a Clark homer, but if he works hard, then hopefully he'll make a leap like Goran and Robin did.

impulsenine · Post #7 » by **impulsenine** » Sun Mar 7, 2010 11:31 pm

I am picturing this thread last year:

Suns expect Dragic to be in lineup in 2010; hope to have Lopez in starting lineup.

hunterxaz · Post #8 » by **hunterxaz** » Sun Mar 7, 2010 11:36 pm

So he's supposed to just ignore a question about Earl Clark? That's not the way it works. He knows EC needs a confidence boost because of how poorly he's been playing. If Gentry didn't comment the reporter would have said "Ya know Gentry didn't give an answer when asked about you, how does that make you feel?" or something. Of course Gentry wants EC to be good. Fact is, offensively, and defensively, he's been terrible. Last night, shot 0% and had 2 PFs. That's not defense. Or offense. That's terrible!

Post #9 » by **Miklo** » Mon Mar 8, 2010 1:07 am

hunterxaz wrote:So he's supposed to just ignore a question about Earl Clark? That's not the way it works. He knows EC needs a confidence boost because of how poorly he's been playing. If Gentry didn't comment the reporter would have said "Ya know Gentry didn't give an answer when asked about you, how does that make you feel?" or something. Of course Gentry wants EC to be good. Fact is, offensively, and defensively, he's been terrible. Last night, shot 0% and had 2 PFs. That's not defense. Or offense. That's terrible!

Objection! Speculation...

grumpysaddle · Post #10 » by **grumpysaddle** » Mon Mar 8, 2010 1:14 am

HAHAHAHAHAH...

****. oh, he only shot 0% from the field! HE TOOK ONE SHOT. you don't talk about percentages when there's only one shot taken. if he made that shot he'd have shot 100% from the field. THAT'S A RIDICULOUS PERCENTAGE! HOLY CRAP! and i don't remember what his fouls were, but fouls don't always mean bad defense. and if you want to look at fouls, there were FIFTY-FOUR fouls called last night. the refs were whistling everything.

i vote that hunter isn't allowed to participate in talks about Earl Clark anymore until at least midway through next season. EVERYONE KNOWS HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT EARL CLARK. it's getting irritating and redundant.
Consider this a public warning for a personal attack. hunter's a long time poster and he's allowed an opinion about a Suns player.
If you don't like it, don't read his posts.

TASTIC
my apologies.

hunterxaz · Post #11 » by **hunterxaz** » Mon Mar 8, 2010 1:35 am

grump, I should be able to talk about whatever I like around here as long as it's within the forums code of conduct... any time I post something it's just to post the facts. I'm not trolling, or making anything up. Yeah, EC did shoot 0%. He did have two PFs. Is that a good game? Should I have said, "Hey man, nice effort, too bad you came up short." No... this is not some minor league softball game for kids with down syndrome. Results count. I simply reiterate the results, of when EC plays...

grumpysaddle · Post #12 » by **grumpysaddle** » Mon Mar 8, 2010 1:58 am

you can't talk about percentages when he only took one shot!!!!!! that's ridiculous. you can talk about whatever you want, but i know its starting to piss me off to have to see the same thing over and over and then a bunch of people's responses to your redundant posts. you're making the message board much less enjoyable, and in so, even though you may not intentionally be doing it, i would consider you to be 'trolling' more than actual 'trolls'. at least they're only around for a day or two before they go back under their bridge. you've been spouting off the same nonsense for months. give it up, man.

blackjays1 · Post #13 » by **blackjays1** » Mon Mar 8, 2010 2:13 am

Clark's not playing because the Suns don't need him right now. When Hill retires it will be Dudley and Clark fighting for rotation.

SUN · Post #14 » by **SUN** » Mon Mar 8, 2010 2:13 am

I'm not sure about Earl Clark's future.. you really can't see a full package in 7 minutes. I hope he'll become a rotation player, but I'm really uncertain at this point.

DaDragicShow · Post #15 » by **DaDragicShow** » Mon Mar 8, 2010 2:23 am

Dragic and Lopez sucked their first year with the Suns. You really need to give Clark another year to see and then say weather he's a bust or not.

Post #16 » by **Miklo** » Mon Mar 8, 2010 2:39 am

Kobe and TMac each averaged 7 PPG their rookie seasons. Good thing these "so called volume scorers only putting up 7 points" didn't get released. I wonder why? I've never heard of the rookie progression process taking longer than 5 months!

hunterxaz · Post #17 » by **hunterxaz** » Mon Mar 8, 2010 2:40 am

Not sure anyone called him a bust or said he's a bust. Most analysts have said the obvious fact that he's a total letdown for his first year, but myself personally haven't declared him a bust. It seems glaringly obvious that he won't be a starter ever, or anything more than a role player, maybe 15 to 20 minutes a game.

My current take is that Earl Clark sucks balls now and doesn't deserve to play this season. Next year or whenever we're not trying to win a championship will be fine to develop him. Shoulda sent him to the D-League this year.

Mr. Sun · Post #18 » by **Mr. Sun** » Mon Mar 8, 2010 2:49 am

hunterxaz wrote:Not sure anyone called him a bust or said he's a bust. Most analysts have said the obvious fact that he's a total letdown for his first year, but myself personally haven't declared him a bust.

Okay, I guess anyone who is "(Please Use More Appropriate Word)", "sucks" and who "doesn't belong in the NBA" can't be a bust a in your book. Thanks for clearing that up. :lol:

Post #19 » by **Miklo** » Mon Mar 8, 2010 2:51 am

Main Entry: bust
Function: noun
Date: 1840

1 a : spree b : a hearty drinking session <a beer bust>
2 a : a complete failure : flop b : a business depression
3 : punch, sock
4 slang a : a police raid b : arrest 2

Yeah you haven't said anything that could indicate that he's a failure :roll:

hunterxaz · Post #20 » by **hunterxaz** » Mon Mar 8, 2010 3:11 am

He is a failure for now. He certainly hasn't lived up to expectations, by any given metric.

Who knows how he'll be in the future? He may develop, or he may not. Odds are in the favor of him continuing to suck, because so far, he's sucked. Get it? You just don't get good magically over night. However, we've seen zero improvement throughout the course of this season. That worries me. He still blows defensively, and gets owned on the offensive end. He picks up stupid fouls, turns the ball over, and gets blocked.

Re: "Bust" -- When I think in terms of "bust" in a sport, I think of someone who will never live up to their expectations. I don't think Clark will be this bad forever, but I don't think we need to be giving minutes to a guy who will have zero impact this season when we're trying to ensure homecourt advantage in the first round and win a title. I think his expectations should be a guy who is a role player, maybe 20mpg kinda guy. He'll never be a starter.

Prove me wrong, EC. Play some good games for us buddy!