Gane 62: Phoenix Suns (31-30) @ Orlando Magic (19-42)

[Revived]

Thorton is at least producing with 8 ppg while Bullock is at 2. DO you want him playing over Thorton because he's 5 years younger?

Yes. And because Bullock has more promise defensively.

[Kerrsed]

Thorton is at least producing with 8 ppg while Bullock is at 2. DO you want him playing over Thorton because he's 5 years younger?

Yes. And because Bullock has more promise defensively.

I agree. The league has seen what Thorton can do already. Bullock (while younger) was touted as being a great defender when he came into the league. He can hit the 3 point shot just as good (and maybe even better) than Thorton. I see Bullock as a SG version of Tucker, and would like to see if my evaluation of him is correct. Who is more likely to be on the Suns next season, Bullock or Thorton? My moneys on Bullock.

[Young gun 6]

Bledsoe will never be the guy who will get you 20+ points every game. He just doesn't play that way and we just have to accept it.

But defensively he is amazing and if he can just find consistency in terms of intensity and cut turnovers then he will be great as long as he has help around him.

btw... watching the Bucks, I think we gave up a really good player in Ennis. I see him developing into a great pg. Poise, calmness and intelligence already at 20 years old.

Bledsoe could be a 20 point score imo. He doesn't drive heaps atm because I feel he doesn't get the calls when he does drive and he knows that.

When he is aggressive and takes the game on you see what he is capable of as seen by that OKC win. He isn't playing up to his potential yet and isn't as aggressive as he can be and is still putting up 17.5 per game. Like kieff with a bit more consistency (a balanced roster would help) I think he could easily average 20 per game.

[Revived]

Thorton is at least producing with 8 ppg while Bullock is at 2. DO you want him playing over Thorton because he's 5 years younger?

Yes. And because Bullock has more promise defensively.

I agree. The league has seen what Thorton can do already. Bullock (while younger) was touted as being a great defender when he came into the league. He can hit the 3 point shot just as good (and maybe even better) than Thorton. I see Bullock as a SG version of Tucker, and would like to see if my evaluation of him is correct. Who is more likely to be on the Suns next season, Bullock or Thorton? My moneys on Bullock.

Do you see Bullock as a SG or SF though? I'd prefer to see him as a SG because it gives us a huge size advantage at that position with Bullock being like 6'7 BUT I've read that Bullock has skill set more of a SF.

[thamadkant]

**** i wish we lost this game. Winning doesn't help us in any way.

And losing does?

Personally I'd prefer a wake up call that the team isn't even a .500 team and also get a higher pick than once again finishing with 42ish wins and the 13/14th pick. Sick of it.

if an additional 3-4 wins would prevent the Suns from getting a top 5 pick in which they miss out on a player they badly need...
its not worth it..

The Suns can lose the next 5 games and still stay at Pick 13.... basically, Suns are in a situation where the 6-7 other teams ahead of them have to win 80-90% of their remaining games to even move into top 10...

not worth "tanking" and embedding bad work ethic to the YOUTH by purposely losing.... especially with Bledsoe, Knight etc going to want out if the team becomes beyond terrible.

[Mr Puddles]

And losing does?

Personally I'd prefer a wake up call that the team isn't even a .500 team and also get a higher pick than once again finishing with 42ish wins and the 13/14th pick. Sick of it.

if an additional 3-4 wins would prevent the Suns from getting a top 5 pick in which they miss out on a player they badly need...
its not worth it..

The Suns can lose the next 5 games and still stay at Pick 13.... basically, Suns are in a situation where the 6-7 other teams ahead of them have to win 80-90% of their remaining games to even move into top 10...

not worth "tanking" and embedding bad work ethic to the YOUTH by purposely losing.... especially with Bledsoe, Knight etc going to want out if the team becomes beyond terrible.

Plus tanking would lower the value of our players in the offseason. E.g. offering the Morris Brothers + Knight + picks for an all-star player is significantly more attractive when these were key players on a team that barely missed out on the playoffs, as opposed to team getting their asses handed to them every night.

By tanking, the highest we could realistically move up is the 10th spot. There really isn't that much of a difference between the 13th and the 10th pick, and if we really wanted to move up 3 spots for whatever reason we could easily swing a deal to make it happen.

[spanishninja]

Personally I'd prefer a wake up call that the team isn't even a .500 team and also get a higher pick than once again finishing with 42ish wins and the 13/14th pick. Sick of it.

if an additional 3-4 wins would prevent the Suns from getting a top 5 pick in which they miss out on a player they badly need...
its not worth it..

The Suns can lose the next 5 games and still stay at Pick 13.... basically, Suns are in a situation where the 6-7 other teams ahead of them have to win 80-90% of their remaining games to even move into top 10...

not worth "tanking" and embedding bad work ethic to the YOUTH by purposely losing.... especially with Bledsoe, Knight etc going to want out if the team becomes beyond terrible.

Plus tanking would lower the value of our players in the offseason. E.g. offering the Morris Brothers + Knight + picks for an all-star player is significantly more attractive when these were key players on a team that barely missed out on the playoffs, as opposed to team getting their asses handed to them every night.

By tanking, the highest we could realistically move up is the 10th spot. There really isn't that much of a difference between the 13th and the 10th pick, and if we really wanted to move up 3 spots for whatever reason we could easily swing a deal to make it happen.

Not to mention it would make us somehow even less attractive to free agents. Aside from Lebron I don't see any big player wanting to go to a mediocre team.

[RunDogGun]

if an additional 3-4 wins would prevent the Suns from getting a top 5 pick in which they miss out on a player they badly need...
its not worth it..

The Suns can lose the next 5 games and still stay at Pick 13.... basically, Suns are in a situation where the 6-7 other teams ahead of them have to win 80-90% of their remaining games to even move into top 10...

not worth "tanking" and embedding bad work ethic to the YOUTH by purposely losing.... especially with Bledsoe, Knight etc going to want out if the team becomes beyond terrible.

Plus tanking would lower the value of our players in the offseason. E.g. offering the Morris Brothers + Knight + picks for an all-star player is significantly more attractive when these were key players on a team that barely missed out on the playoffs, as opposed to team getting their asses handed to them every night.

By tanking, the highest we could realistically move up is the 10th spot. There really isn't that much of a difference between the 13th and the 10th pick, and if we really wanted to move up 3 spots for whatever reason we could easily swing a deal to make it happen.

Not to mention it would make us somehow even less attractive to free agents. Aside from Lebron I don't see any big player wanting to go to a mediocre team.

Unless they want to be top dog on a team. Here they have that chance because we don't have a clear leader. It what probably made IT want to come here. He assumed he could steal the starting job from the often inconsistent Goran and Bledsoe. In a way he was right. We have a bunch of very good role players, who think they are the man, instead of realizing they could get more accomplished by playing the right role. Maybe those roles weren't clearly defined, and is why some often go rogue and attempt more than what they can do individually.

Money and a chance to be the top dog might interest a few minor stars. The problem is getting everyone else on that same page, and accepting possibly a new altered role.

[Damkac]

Beggining of this game was depressing but fortunately they bounce back Nice to win a close game

[Mr Puddles]

The fact that this team looks great at times, and terrible at others, makes me believe that this group can grow together and become a consistently good squad. Our perimeter defense continues to be a concern, yet another perimeter player going apeshjt on us.

I'm hoping for more of the "out-rebounding OKC" & "out hustling the Magic in the 3rd quarter" Suns, and less "receiving a royal spanking from the San Antonio Seniors" Suns.

[Matt1979]

This team needs some veteran leadership and I think the inconsistencies will be ironed out. A dressing room leader will drag them back up when things are going badly. They need a mentoring figure as the veterans in the team aren't good enough to be looked up to.

Hopefully we can sign that person in the offseason.