Eric Bledsoe

[TASTIC]

They've got photos up on suns.com of Len, Bledsoe, Tucker and Goodwin wearing the new gears and posing.

Bledsoe is built like a friggin tank

[rsavaj]

PG: Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix Suns

It's a bummer we won't immediately get to see "Eric Bledsoe, full-blown NBA starting point guard," but with the Suns in total rebuild mode, Goran Dragic could be out the door the moment Phoenix finds anyone willing to give up a future asset or two.

Bledsoe is quietly one of the more divisive players in the league among executives. There are a lot of higher-ups who view him as an All-Star in waiting, but there's a competing current of skepticism about Bledsoe's ability to run a team solo for 35 minutes per game — a feeling his strong per-minute numbers won't translate. He's sort of like pre-Rockets James Harden in this way, only with a lower ceiling.

There are no concerns about his defense. Bledsoe is a long-armed terror capable of generating steals without sacrificing sound position, and his massive wingspan allows him to hound bigger players; Jeff Hornacek, the Suns' new head coach, has talked about trying Bledsoe on shooting guards when Bledsoe and Dragic play together.

The skepticism surrounds Bledsoe's offense. Defenses don't respect his shooting, which limits his value off the ball and can make it hard for Bledsoe to get to the rim on pick-and-rolls. He hit 40 percent of his 3s last season, a massive jump, but he took only 79 triples, and teams are generally happy to let him shoot. He shot only 29 percent on long 2-pointers last season, one of the dozen worst marks in the league among players who jack them regularly, and those elbow jumpers are the very shots for which Bledsoe has to settle when defenses wall off the paint.

He can also be frighteningly turnover-prone, though he cut his rate last season to sub-disaster levels. Playing with Chris Paul and (to a much lesser extent) Jamal Crawford deflated Bledsoe's assist rate, but those numbers1 still ranked on the very low end for point guards even when you isolate the minutes he played without Paul.

But you can see Paul's influence in ways that bode well. Bledsoe has surprisingly good floor vision, and he has taken on some of Paul's sophisticated hesitation moves — the start-and-stop dribbles that allow a good point guard to keep his bounce alive, penetrate further, and coax defenders off balance. He even wields his ass as a weapon, in true CP3 style, keeping point guard defenders behind him and forcing helpers to linger in front of him.

He gets all the basic point guard reads — when shooters will be in the corners, what defensive rotation is coming next — and he was dynamite at scurrying underneath the basket, drawing a defense's full attention, and then finding cutters (especially Matt Barnes) darting to the rim. He just hasn't been able to execute them all consistently.

The questions are real, and in a league loaded with top point guards, I'd be mildly surprised if Bledsoe ever makes an All-Star team. The Clippers scored at a rate slightly below the league's average when Bledsoe ran things without Paul, but it wasn't a disaster, and Bledsoe had to play a ton of minutes with big men who brought zero shooting/spacing. It will be interesting to watch him work with Channing Frye and Markieff Morris this season, and the Suns might help by simplifying things and pushing the pace — a must for Hornacek. Having Dragic around will lessen Bledsoe's burden and free him some to work off the ball. But the talent level here is obviously going to be low.

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/975 ... guing-team

[rsavaj]

Bledsoe film study from Bright Side:

http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2013/ ... -bledsoe-1
http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2013/ ... -bledsoe-2

Goran/Bledsoe on defense:
http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2013/ ... ourt-tough

[lilfishi22]

Great article on Goran's and Bledsoe's defense. I believe that the two will be an average defensive combination, not great but not over-matched either.

[gaspar]

Eric Bledsoe finally gets his chance to shine

[Revived]

NBA GMs Poll:

Which player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2013-14?

1. Anthony Davis, New Orleans -- 27.6%

2. Andre Drummond , Detroit -- 10.3%

3. Derrick Favors, Utah; Paul George, Indiana; Reggie Jackson, Oklahoma City -- 6.9%

Also receiving votes: Bradley Beal, Washington; James Harden, Houston; Tobias Harris, Orlando; Gordon Hayward, Utah; Kyrie Irving, Cleveland; DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers; Jeremy Lamb, Oklahoma City; Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio; Kevin Love, Minnesota; Klay Thompson, Golden State; Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto; John Wall, Washington

http://www.nba.com/news/2013-14-nba-gm- ... index.html

No love for Bledsoe

[gaspar]

Suns discussing contract extension with Bledsoe.

Phoenix Suns' Eric Bledsoe has 'more upside' than risk, GM McDonough says

The Phoenix Suns are currently in talks with newly acquired guard Eric Bledsoe on a long-term contract extension. If the two sides can't reach a deal by the end of the month, the 23-year-old combo guard would become a restricted free agent at the end of the season.

The Suns are in an interesting spot because they've only seen the Kentucky product in training camp and a few preseason games, and it's still uncertain that he will become the star many project him to be.

Nonetheless, general manager Ryan McDonough, while on Arizona Sports 620's Burns & Gambo show Wednesday, agreed that Bledsoe does figure into the team's long-term plans. McDonough said contract talks with the fourth-year player have gone "pretty well" to this point.

"If we're not able to work out a deal (by Oct. 31), we would start next summer with Eric as a restricted free agent, but obviously we're hoping to get something done before that," the general manager said.

Despite getting limited playing time for the Los Angeles Clippers behind star point guard Chris Paul, Bledsoe produced when he was given a chance to start and play extended minutes, McDonough said, and those factors will figure into what type of deal the Suns want to offer him.

"With Eric, there's more projection. Some would say there's more risk, but I'd also counter that there's more upside," McDonough, 33, said. "He does some unique things athletically. I think he's the best shot-blocking guard in the league. If he plays extended minutes, which he will for us, I think he might lead the league in steals. He has a unique potential."

Many experts expect Bledsoe to be paired in the backcourt with Goran Dragic this season, both of whom are used to running the point. McDonough said the two haven't spent much time playing together in the preseason, but that he likes what he's seen so far. When talking about the pair, the Suns general manager still has to talk more about potential than proven results.

"I think in transition, when those two guys are on the floor, it'll be be really hard to stop. They're two of the faster guys in the league with the ball. They're both aggressive attacking the basket," the general manager said. "In half court, we'll see how it works; I think they'll have to alternate some. I won't always be Goran at the point or Bledsoe at the point; we'll probably do that depending on the matchups.

"So far they've bought into what we've asked them to do."

Charles Barkley recently said the Bledsoe-Dragic backcourt may not work out well for the Suns, but McDonough said he believes both players will make the "necessary sacrifices" for the betterment of the team.

"I think it will be an adjustment for both of them, because they've been used to having the ball. Goran's had it most of his life; Eric's played off the ball some -- going back to when he was at Kentucky with John Wall," McDonough said. "It'll be an adjustment for both guys, but they're both hard working. They're both great guys. They're both team-first guys."

[Flying Colors]

this is probably the right move, we could poteintally get him cheaper doing this now then waiting until the offseason

[nevetsov]

How much is he worth though? Or rather, what would you be prepared to give him?

I'd go as high as $32m/4.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums mobile app

[Frank Lee]

Done deal.... thats essentially a $4 million raise for next yr. Ink him now. The risk is minimal.

Next yrs salary is under control. We have 7 mill we can lop of with the MoBros and Marshall, the Cannon is fired.... should be able to restructure Frye's deal and extend him a few more yrs as well as signing theGORTAT if need be. the Plum, Green, Len, and Archie come in collectively lesss than 10 mill....good cheap production if they develop accordingly.

No point in messing around with Bledsoe as the distraction could limit the desire. Make this guy a Sun for the next 4 no questions asked. If we suck, as many sTankers hope, while he flourishes, the temptations to move on could be substantial.

Other than theG... there are not that many mid to high dollar FAs out there for 2014. No need to toss two of our guys into the ring.

[carey]

Yeah, we're going to have a good amount of money to work with if we decline the options on Marshall and both Morris twins. It's basically throwing away almost two drafts, but what can you do when you clearly whiffed? I'd rather have the $8M in cap space than those 3, as would most of us. We'll have a little over $30M to figure out what to do with Bledsoe, decide on keeping Tucker and Slava or not, sign our 2014 draft picks, and pick up some FAs.

I personally think Frye will exercise his option and remain a Sun instead of opting out but maybe not.

Current Suns under contract for next year as of right now: Dragic, Len, Goodwin, Plumlee, Frye and Green.

[TASTIC]

Yeah, we're going to have a good amount of money to work with if we decline the options on Marshall and both Morris twins. It's basically throwing away almost two drafts, but what can you do when you clearly whiffed? I'd rather have the $8M in cap space than those 3, as would most of us. We'll have a little over $30M to figure out what to do with Bledsoe, decide on keeping Tucker and Slava or not, sign our 2014 draft picks, and pick up some FAs.

I personally think Frye will exercise his option and remain a Sun instead of opting out but maybe not.

Current Suns under contract for next year as of right now: Dragic, Len, Goodwin, Plumlee, Frye and Green.

And Bledsoe...He's still going to be restricted if we don't sort it before the 31st

[Frank Lee]

I'd think Frye would be willing to take a pay cut to remain in Phnx for his remaining career. He's making 6 mill next yr, then goes on the market. Give him 12 for 3 and this could be his last stop, if he cooperates. Bird in the hand for him. If not, so be it. If he takes his option and becomes good trade bait as an expiring stretch big. He may not want to jump ship and have to move a couple more times. I think I'd hold that as leverage over his head.

[nevetsov]

The thing about the Morri and Marshall is that they seemed to be safe picks - guys that were supposedly as close to NBA ready as rooks can get, but without the upside of some of the riskier picks. This may have been a reaction to risky picks like Earl Clark that didn't pan out, I'm not sure.

In any case, while they may technically be classed as young talent, they don't have the room for growth usually associated with younger guys. Their ceiling is lower than 'high upside' guys like Archie and Len, who are the guys that we should (and I think the FO will) focus on developing. There's no point trying to develop young guys whose ceilings are as solid role players, when role players are common commodities on the market.

In short, there's nothing that Marcus/ Markieff/ Marshall can do, or will ever be able to do, that we wouldn't be able to replicate from an appropriately priced free agent on the open market.

[Revived]

IMO I don't think we should go over $7M/yr for him yet. If he wants more than $7M then lets wait and give it to him next summer. Yea its a risk cause if he does really great then he will be commanding a lot more but isn't paying a good player good money better than paying a free agent/trade bust good money?

I'll trust McD though on whatever he decides cause this was his big acquisition.

[madmaxmedia]

Hes really young he doesn't need to be thinking about cutting weight till hes older. He can test out 205 in camp and if its not working out he can cut it by opening day.

That may be by design since we plan on him starting at SG not PG.

My concern isnt the 10 pounds, its more so him still thinking he can just out run and overpower people. He had the physical aspect down, we need the mental part from him.

Why does him gaining 10 pounds automatically mean all he's going to do is try to run and overpower people? He might have felt weaker or more fatigued as last season wore on, or is maybe anticipating the grind of a full NBA season with more minutes. Gaining the weight may help sustain him later in the season, when he may very well have lost those 10 pounds (or more.)

I was definitely of mixed feelings seeing Bledsoe go, but ultimately I knew the Clippers couldn't afford to keep him so getting assets back was best for the team. Most Clipper fans really liked him even with the turnovers and occasional mistakes, because unlike some pure athlete/shooter types he has a conscious and was trying to improve decision-making and mental aspects of his game. He was constantly talking to CP3, and when he made an ill-advised pass you could see the regret in his face- he knows what is needed for him to reach the next level. At the same time it's not productive for him to overthink on the court either, it's just going to take time for him to develop better playmaking instincts.

Whether he gets there remains to be seen, but it won't be for lack of focus or effort. I haven't kept up with his progress on the Suns, but reading about him playing at SG does seem to make sense. It could be a good way of transitioning him to starters' minutes, without putting the burden of PG on him (yet).

[madmaxmedia]

IMO I don't think we should go over $7M/yr for him yet. If he wants more than $7M then lets wait and give it to him next summer. Yea its a risk cause if he does really great then he will be commanding a lot more but isn't paying a good player good money better than paying a free agent/trade bust good money?

I'll trust McD though on whatever he decides cause this was his big acquisition.

Playing a good player good money is definitely better than paying bust money. But if the Suns are confident that he will develop well, they could get a steal by signing him to a contract now. It's possible you save say $4M a year on Bledsoe's contract, and then are able to parlay that into 1 more max contract (or whatever.)

It would definitely be a gamble though. Have you guys seen a lot of him in the preseason so far?

[Dragic13]

I think Bledsoe is critical to our teams future.

I would sign him anywhere from 7-10 mil.

I don't think its even a gamble.

He's 23 and about to breakout. From what I have seen there isn't any bust potential just the potential to get better.

I believe if we sign him on the high side (10 mil) he will eventually live up to his contract if not surpassing it.

That being said if he matches his output in LA 14/5/5/3 what would another team pay is RFA? And what would we end up paying to match? And then you have to wonder if this season he puts up better numbers than he did LA what will we end up paying?

Here's a list of current players getting 8-10 million: http://espn.go.com/nba/salaries/_/page/2

[WTFsunsFTW]

There's no way he will get 10M on the open market. If he wont sign something like 4years/30M, then let him explore free agency.

[phrazbit]

There's no way he will get 10M on the open market. If he wont sign something like 4years/30M, then let him explore free agency.

If he averages 14/5/5 this year while playing elite defense then he absolutely WILL get 10 mil or more on the open market.