Game 61: Phoenix Suns (31-29) @ Miami Heat (25-33)

[Young gun 6]

man we miss IT. He was the only viable 3 point threat we had......

what ?

[Revived]

Man the damn front page of the NBA page on ESPN is all about this game. Making it out to be like Dragic is some hero and the Suns are villains. This just keeps getting worse. Every single thing involving the Suns in the media right now is negative. Becoming a toxic situation. The Morris brothers keep on being in the middle of it too. They are killing this franchise's image. Who would want to play for this team if they are on it.

Both ESPN and NBA TV analysts were laughing at the Suns whole time they were showing highlights and also when showing Hornacek's comments after the game about being a high school team. General Board on real gm and other forums have fans mocking the Suns for trading Dragic.

I know its just the Morris brothers but whatever it is, the Suns reputation and image is taking a complete 180 degree after the way people looked at them last season.

[JTrain]

[kennydorglas]

Who cares what Goran gets. He bitched his way off the team, stating he was unhappy playing off the ball, yet tonight, he had no problem doing exactly what he said made him so unhappy? So either he is an idiot, and had no idea why he was mad, and played poorly because if it. Or he he just wanted to go to a big market team where he could make more money, and his wife could be in a place to make her own money.

Either way, he is a good player, that should have spent his summer working on the things to make himself better as a player. He should have worked on his free throw shooting, and his three pointers. He could have still averaged 20+ points even with Bledsoe and IT on the team.

But watching Wade bring the ball up so much, when Goran was in the game, made me think he was full of sh*t about wanting to be the main guy.

I told it so many times, everything about this Dragic's fiasco doesnt make sense at all.

[tdjm]

Wait, why is Markieff in one of those pics and Marcus in the other? What time did Marcus get Dragic on the head?

[3rdside]

Who cares what Goran gets. He bitched his way off the team, stating he was unhappy playing off the ball, yet tonight, he had no problem doing exactly what he said made him so unhappy? So either he is an idiot, and had no idea why he was mad, and played poorly because if it. Or he he just wanted to go to a big market team where he could make more money, and his wife could be in a place to make her own money.

Either way, he is a good player, that should have spent his summer working on the things to make himself better as a player. He should have worked on his free throw shooting, and his three pointers. He could have still averaged 20+ points even with Bledsoe and IT on the team.

But watching Wade bring the ball up so much, when Goran was in the game, made me think he was full of sh*t about wanting to be the main guy.

I told it so many times, everything about this Dragic's fiasco doesnt make sense at all.

Unless it's a deeply devious plan from waaay back where Dragic was acting out a part in order to not only orchestrate his exit from the Suns but also inflict maximum damage on the Suns reputation for being wronged, I stand by my view (from way back) that the Dragic situation during that unfolded during trade period was the manifestation of a ball club being run by flawed people making flawed decisions. I can't see it being the other way round.

[3rdside]

Unless it's a deeply devious plan from waaay back where Dragic was acting out a part in order to not only orchestrate his exit from the Suns but also inflict maximum damage on the Suns reputation for being wronged, I stand by my view (from way back) that the Dragic situation that unfolded during trade period was the manifestation of a ball club being run by flawed people making flawed decisions. I can't see it being the other way round.

But I'm intrigued by your thoughts - please explain

[Matt1979]

man we miss IT. He was the only viable 3 point threat we had......

what ?

Oh yeah, sorry I missed all those players knocking down three's since he left.....

Oh that's right, no one has.

We miss IT.

[Young gun 6]

man we miss IT. He was the only viable 3 point threat we had......

what ?

Oh yeah, sorry I missed all those players knocking down three's since he left.....

Oh that's right, no one has.

We miss IT.

I miss quoted the what thing was supposed to be for someone else's comment sorry.

Either way knight should come good soon enough once he starts meshing. If not we get him for cheaper in the off season anyway.

[Young gun 6]

Tucker
Len
Bledsoe
Goodwin
Warren


Keep your heads up

Cut every other mother ****. Find a coach that can actually bring out Knights ability and cut the mo bros thugs.

Knight got cut...

I mean cut from the team not the rotation haha

[MrMiyagi]

Tucker
Len
Bledsoe
Goodwin
Warren


Keep your heads up

Cut every other mother ****. Find a coach that can actually bring out Knights ability and cut the mo bros thugs.

Knight got cut...

I mean cut from the team not the rotation haha

That still makes no sense.....

[thamadkant]

1. Len at 21yo going toe to toe with Whiteside 25yo is great to see. Whiteside has the more mature body and more experience, yet Len played him nicely. Whiteside's length is too much though... Len cant get to those dunks as Whiteside has an extra 4-5 inches wingspan.

2. When Markieff and Len got ejected, the Suns became a joke, they would of become a complete joke if it wasnt for Tucker hustling inside for rebounds and battling hard down low.
When I say Suns became a joke, I'm talking about;
- Predictable ball rotation around the perimeter.
- 4 players around the 3pt line with a 6'6 player inside alone, the 4 players taking turns shooting jumpshots. Marcus even launched a 3 pter from the corner with 2 players on him.
- The offense looked like your typical YMCA non-coached system... where everyone was playing for themselves.


3. Hornacek was a very likeable player back in his Suns days... he seems to be a really smart guy and a top-guy overall.
The ON-COURT product I see doesnt tell me he is a doing a good job COACHING.
However, his post-game interviews and feedback, the things he says makes me think he has what it takes to COACH, since he says all the right things and he knows exactly why the team lost.

Yet, Brandan Wright plays under 10 minutes when Len and Kieff went out...
Yet, Goodwin plays 5 minutes and never comes back, when he was doing a decent job on Tyler Johnson earlier...
Yet, Marcus Thornton makes an appearance for 3 minutes... why?
Yet, the only plays I can see on the court consists of Bledsoe dribbling half court, either penetrating and drawing a foul or doing a kick out to a player only for that player to dribble in or take an open look shot...I think I can instruct Bledsoe to do that.

I understand why some here give him the benefit of the doubt... because I do too.
But if he really does KNOW that some players arent following instructions... then why not send a message? Why not sacrifice a game to make a point by yanking out the culprits and playing the players who listens?

Why are the Suns offensive system so "easily" stopped?
Why are the Suns so predictable?
Why are the Suns scoring so much points off individual capabilities, instead of planned open looks or cuts?

I want to give Hornacek all the time in the world... but I dont think it'll matter. He is either lying in his post-game interviews and he doesnt actually instruct players... or the players simply ignore him. In which case, time alone wont fix it.

Which leads to point 4.

4. So the players who didnt want to be on the Suns or wanted a greater role got shipped out. Well I think the next move is to get rid of the bad seeds and add in some leaders in the off-season.
- With Mavericks, you hear Dirk stand up and tell his team mates to buck-up. With Cavs, you see Lebron command his team mates where to go and what to do, and corrects them on the court when they are doing something wrong.
With the heat, you see Wade get into his team mate's ears.
With the Spurs you see multiple players TAKE responsibility for making a bad play and they give the "I'm sorry, I messed up, never again" look to Popovic or Duncan or Parker or anyone on the team with them when they do a hack job on the court.

On the Suns? You see players yell and yap to the referees when a questionable call is made... no one goes up to the culprits and tells them to SHUT THE F%^& UP.

You see the Morris twins try to act like leaders, but they dont have the respect, integrity or accolades to earn their team mate's attention and commitment. They are the worst culprits, so why should others listen?

You see Bledsoe, who probably would command a lot of respect due to his effort, play and abilities on the court... yet he is a MIME, he is often looking down on the ground when during a huddle. Brandon Knight wont step up and be a leader.. not yet anyways, especially with the Morris twins doing the yapping. Tucker has the brawn and energy to get the respect, but may not be the leader type... enforce yes, but leader no...

The Suns team doesnt have a role model player...
They dont have a leader on the court.... and thats bad.
And we can see it on the results and by eye test...

If they had a leader, who takes what Hornacek says as gospel and CALLS OUT team mates on the court to set them straight... the Suns could be much better.... but until then.. the team is mediocre.

[pidi]

1. Len at 21yo going toe to toe with Whiteside 25yo is great to see. Whiteside has the more mature body and more experience, yet Len played him nicely. Whiteside's length is too much though... Len cant get to those dunks as Whiteside has an extra 4-5 inches wingspan.

2. When Markieff and Len got ejected, the Suns became a joke, they would of become a complete joke if it wasnt for Tucker hustling inside for rebounds and battling hard down low.
When I say Suns became a joke, I'm talking about;
- Predictable ball rotation around the perimeter.
- 4 players around the 3pt line with a 6'6 player inside alone, the 4 players taking turns shooting jumpshots. Marcus even launched a 3 pter from the corner with 2 players on him.
- The offense looked like your typical YMCA non-coached system... where everyone was playing for themselves.


3. Hornacek was a very likeable player back in his Suns days... he seems to be a really smart guy and a top-guy overall.
The ON-COURT product I see doesnt tell me he is a doing a good job COACHING.
However, his post-game interviews and feedback, the things he says makes me think he has what it takes to COACH, since he says all the right things and he knows exactly why the team lost.

Yet, Brandan Wright plays under 10 minutes when Len and Kieff went out...
Yet, Goodwin plays 5 minutes and never comes back, when he was doing a decent job on Tyler Johnson earlier...
Yet, Marcus Thornton makes an appearance for 3 minutes... why?
Yet, the only plays I can see on the court consists of Bledsoe dribbling half court, either penetrating and drawing a foul or doing a kick out to a player only for that player to dribble in or take an open look shot...I think I can instruct Bledsoe to do that.

I understand why some here give him the benefit of the doubt... because I do too.
But if he really does KNOW that some players arent following instructions... then why not send a message? Why not sacrifice a game to make a point by yanking out the culprits and playing the players who listens?

Why are the Suns offensive system so "easily" stopped?
Why are the Suns so predictable?
Why are the Suns scoring so much points off individual capabilities, instead of planned open looks or cuts?

I want to give Hornacek all the time in the world... but I dont think it'll matter. He is either lying in his post-game interviews and he doesnt actually instruct players... or the players simply ignore him. In which case, time alone wont fix it.

Which leads to point 4.

4. So the players who didnt want to be on the Suns or wanted a greater role got shipped out. Well I think the next move is to get rid of the bad seeds and add in some leaders in the off-season.
- With Mavericks, you hear Dirk stand up and tell his team mates to buck-up. With Cavs, you see Lebron command his team mates where to go and what to do, and corrects them on the court when they are doing something wrong.
With the heat, you see Wade get into his team mate's ears.
With the Spurs you see multiple players TAKE responsibility for making a bad play and they give the "I'm sorry, I messed up, never again" look to Popovic or Duncan or Parker or anyone on the team with them when they do a hack job on the court.

On the Suns? You see players yell and yap to the referees when a questionable call is made... no one goes up to the culprits and tells them to SHUT THE F%^& UP.

You see the Morris twins try to act like leaders, but they dont have the respect, integrity or accolades to earn their team mate's attention and commitment. They are the worst culprits, so why should others listen?

You see Bledsoe, who probably would command a lot of respect due to his effort, play and abilities on the court... yet he is a MIME, he is often looking down on the ground when during a huddle. Brandon Knight wont step up and be a leader.. not yet anyways, especially with the Morris twins doing the yapping. Tucker has the brawn and energy to get the respect, but may not be the leader type... enforce yes, but leader no...

The Suns team doesnt have a role model player...
They dont have a leader on the court.... and thats bad.
And we can see it on the results and by eye test...

If they had a leader, who takes what Hornacek says as gospel and CALLS OUT team mates on the court to set them straight... the Suns could be much better.... but until then.. the team is mediocre.

agreed 1000% - the suns should take advantage of theyre cap situation and sign a veteran leader who brings this team to the playoffs, until than we are what we are. a team that tries to win some games but is totally out of the playoff picture

[Mulhollanddrive]

Don't think our system is 'tight' on either end.

[Rn5ho]

All of you hating on Dragic for wanting to be the main PG and eventually opting out to join a team where he can be just that.. answer me this: Would Steve Nash EVER get to the level of play that he did, if we was forced into playing off-ball? Be honest.. and similar situation is with Goran. He wants to be the ball-handler, not the guy who stands around to shoot an odd 3 here and there and picks up rebounds for baskets.

He is not handling the ball full time yet in miami, which probably has most to do with the fact that he doesnt know the miami plays yet and when he will, he will start handling more and more. Stop hating on Goran, Phoenix had plenty of time to decide whether they want him or not, he even came back after they ditched him but at age of 28, you simply need to put yourself as priority - if the team doesnt care after all these years, find a team where you are gonna be valued.

Most of you dont realize this, thats why entire NBA is mocking you on the trade.

[Flying Colors]

All of you hating on Dragic for wanting to be the main PG and eventually opting out to join a team where he can be just that.. answer me this: Would Steve Nash EVER get to the level of play that he did, if we was forced into playing off-ball? Be honest.. and similar situation is with Goran. He wants to be the ball-handler, not the guy who stands around to shoot an odd 3 here and there and picks up rebounds for baskets.

He is not handling the ball full time yet in miami, which probably has most to do with the fact that he doesnt know the miami plays yet and when he will, he will start handling more and more. Stop hating on Goran, Phoenix had plenty of time to decide whether they want him or not, he even came back after they ditched him but at age of 28, you simply need to put yourself as priority - if the team doesnt care after all these years, find a team where you are gonna be valued.

Most of you dont realize this, thats why entire NBA is mocking you on the trade.

Lets wait and see if Dragic resigns (and if he does for how much) before we start mocking

[Rn5ho]

Lets wait and see if Dragic resigns (and if he does for how much) before we start mocking

that was not even the point of my post..

[tgtm_24]

Lets wait and see if Dragic resigns (and if he does for how much) before we start mocking

that was not even the point of my post..

Was it that Dragic doesn't pick up rebounds?

Who cares what you think. He won't win a title in Miami and he wouldn't have won one in Phoenix. At this stage you've coughed up two first rounders for nothing more than a rental and you're still going to have a hard time making the playoffs. I think I know who is mocking whom at this point.

[Mr Puddles]

I thought we were supposed to have good perimeter defenders on this team now?

Over the last 5:
Dion Waiters & Augustine combined for 29 off the bench on 55% fg
Avery Bradley 23 points 67% fg
Will Barton 22 points 67% fg
Tyler Johnson 26 points 77% fg

Only during the SAS beatdown did we not have a relatively unknown perimeter player go ape poop against us.

[irish22022]

My only problem with the dragic saga is that he requested the move publicly, removing any leverage we could have. A stand up guy would tell us in private so we could best deal him. But it doesn't matter now, and it's tough to blame him anyway.

It'll be 3-5 more games of this. When we're out of 8th seed by 3.5-4.5 games we'll start playing tj and Archie.

The twins are gonna have to go. And truth be told, if they can't succeed on the suns who give them all the time in the world, I'm not sure where will have them. I guess the nets could do it.