Suns Offseason Thread V: I Am My Brother's Kieffer

[Frank Lee]

Teams on waivers get first crack.... then he is free to sign anywhere after I think its 24hrs ????

Bled and Kieff for Melo? Why would we dump Bled to get rid of Kieff?

Um... because we are getting Melo??? .... Its not a dump, its a star powered acquisition. You have to give to get. Highly doubt Melo would want to come here, and thats been thoroughly discussed, thats why its plan B. but there is no denying the Front Office quest for a marqui player. I still like the outside chance of a Love swap. With the Bron brolove for Bled, and Love not having a no trade kicker, seems like its only a matter of time before some speculating blog blowing writer puts it out there....especially IF we hang onto the CorrosiveMoBrosive.

Edit: its 48 hrs beginning 5 pm EST....Teams with space/TPE can claim him, after that he's a FA. You claim him, you pay his current salary. And as it would be with Kweef, the remaining $$ counts against the salcap. I don't see us buying him out.

Newly signed players can be traded Dec 15.

[kennydorglas]

Len/Chandler pairing would be a nightmare for us. This cant happen at all.

[Cutter]

Len/Chandler pairing would be a nightmare for us. This cant happen at all.

You're right. Spacing wise this pairing would clog the lane and prevent any penetration. However, I have major fantasies about Len playing a spread 4 role after he somehow develops a reliable 3 point shot.

[kennydorglas]

Len/Chandler pairing would be a nightmare for us. This cant happen at all.

You're right. Spacing wise this pairing would clog the lane and prevent any penetration. However, I have major fantasies about Len playing a spread 4 role after he somehow develops a reliable 3 point shot.

I'm hoping for it too... but this sounds like a very distant dream right now

[NavLDO]

Len/Chandler pairing would be a nightmare for us. This cant happen at all.

You're right. Spacing wise this pairing would clog the lane and prevent any penetration. However, I have major fantasies about Len playing a spread 4 role after he somehow develops a reliable 3 point shot.

I'm hoping for it too... but this sounds like a very distant dream right now

I don't think it's as 'distant' as you think...

While he did struggle at times, Alex Len’s ability to shoot the ball was on display on a couple of occasions. Len attempted 62 shots outside of 14-feet, which was actually a meaningful number considering that (1) he only averaged 22 minutes per game and (2) he only played 25 or more minutes in a game 24 times.

Len averaged right around 2.5 attempted midrange jumpers per 40 minutes, and while he shot just 43 percent on those, according to NBA.com, he appears to have been working on his shot a lot over the summer.

In fact, according to Suns coach Jeff Hornacek, he’s worked on it so much that he may even extend that range to the three-point line in the upcoming season.


Hornacek said Len's been working out in PHX every day and twice a day 3 times a week on his shooting. #StretchFiveWatch

And I don't think it's unfathomable to see Len play some 4 this year. There's only 48 minutes at the 5 to be had, and if we can reasonably expect Chandler to play 30 minutes, that leaves just 18 for Len, and that's assuming Sims plays zero minutes at the 5, which probably isn't the case, but anyway, if Len is only playing 18-20 minutes at the 5, I wouldn't be surprised to see him play 8-10 minutes at the 4. I don't think the spacing will be that bad. Ideal? No, probably not, but acceptable for 8-10 minutes a game, I think.

[Jarlaxle0204]

If Len developed a reliable 3 point shot I'd love to see him out there at center with Teletovitch at PF. I would like to see what 5 out actually looks like. Could you imagine all the room in the paint for our slashers.

This won't actually happen though but it's fun to imagine.

[NoKneeBledsoe]

Yall are ridiculous

Why do you want Len to shoot 3's? Why do you want Len to be a stretch?

This is some of the most ridiculous comments I have seen. What has a stretch 4 gotten us? Frye, Morris? They are all avg players and have not put us over the mark to be a playoff team! Do you remember the Amare days? If we would of had a Chandler next to Amare we would have a ring in Phx.

We need bangers down low and I am sick of the stretch 4 stretch 4. Yes that's good when playing small ball teams but if we have twin towers down low. It will be hard for teams to get easy shots and in the lane.

[bigfoot]

Yall are ridiculous

Why do you want Len to shoot 3's? Why do you want Len to be a stretch?

This is some of the most ridiculous comments I have seen. What has a stretch 4 gotten us? Frye, Morris? They are all avg players and have not put us over the mark to be a playoff team! Do you remember the Amare days? If we would of had a Chandler next to Amare we would have a ring in Phx.

We need bangers down low and I am sick of the stretch 4 stretch 4. Yes that's good when playing small ball teams but if we have twin towers down low. It will be hard for teams to get easy shots and in the lane.

You can be sick of the stretch 4 all you want but it is here to stay. The low post game is dying because there is a lack of big men with back-to-the-basket skills which relies heavily on both ball handling and passing abilities. On defense these quick swingman with long arms punish sub-standard big men trying to play a post up game. So much easier to find a stretch four than a big man with passing, post, ball handling, and free throw shooting abilities.

[bwgood77]

Yall are ridiculous

Why do you want Len to shoot 3's? Why do you want Len to be a stretch?

This is some of the most ridiculous comments I have seen. What has a stretch 4 gotten us? Frye, Morris? They are all avg players and have not put us over the mark to be a playoff team! Do you remember the Amare days? If we would of had a Chandler next to Amare we would have a ring in Phx.

We need bangers down low and I am sick of the stretch 4 stretch 4. Yes that's good when playing small ball teams but if we have twin towers down low. It will be hard for teams to get easy shots and in the lane.

You can be sick of the stretch 4 all you want but it is here to stay. The low post game is dying because there is a lack of big men with back-to-the-basket skills which relies heavily on both ball handling and passing abilities. On defense these quick swingman with long arms punish sub-standard big men trying to play a post up game. So much easier to find a stretch four than a big man with passing, post, ball handling, and free throw shooting abilities.

Yes, NoKneeBledsoe clearly behind the times with this nonsense.

[jcsunsfan]

Yall are ridiculous

Why do you want Len to shoot 3's? Why do you want Len to be a stretch?

This is some of the most ridiculous comments I have seen. What has a stretch 4 gotten us? Frye, Morris? They are all avg players and have not put us over the mark to be a playoff team! Do you remember the Amare days? If we would of had a Chandler next to Amare we would have a ring in Phx.

We need bangers down low and I am sick of the stretch 4 stretch 4. Yes that's good when playing small ball teams but if we have twin towers down low. It will be hard for teams to get easy shots and in the lane.

You can be sick of the stretch 4 all you want but it is here to stay. The low post game is dying because there is a lack of big men with back-to-the-basket skills which relies heavily on both ball handling and passing abilities. On defense these quick swingman with long arms punish sub-standard big men trying to play a post up game. So much easier to find a stretch four than a big man with passing, post, ball handling, and free throw shooting abilities.

Yup. Channing Frye made Hibbert almost useless a couple of years ago. In fact, once Hibbert was exposed by a "stretch 5" as Frye was used in that game, his career has never recovered.

[NTB]

Also unlike other stretch 4s (except Ibaka and D.Green) Len has a really good defense which is a very big advantage to have when you are playing with stretch 4. So Len being stretch would be very beneficial.

[bigfoot]

Yall are ridiculous

Why do you want Len to shoot 3's? Why do you want Len to be a stretch?

This is some of the most ridiculous comments I have seen. What has a stretch 4 gotten us? Frye, Morris? They are all avg players and have not put us over the mark to be a playoff team! Do you remember the Amare days? If we would of had a Chandler next to Amare we would have a ring in Phx.

We need bangers down low and I am sick of the stretch 4 stretch 4. Yes that's good when playing small ball teams but if we have twin towers down low. It will be hard for teams to get easy shots and in the lane.

You can be sick of the stretch 4 all you want but it is here to stay. The low post game is dying because there is a lack of big men with back-to-the-basket skills which relies heavily on both ball handling and passing abilities. On defense these quick swingman with long arms punish sub-standard big men trying to play a post up game. So much easier to find a stretch four than a big man with passing, post, ball handling, and free throw shooting abilities.

Yes, NoKneeBledsoe clearly behind the times with this nonsense.

That and he forgets that Amare

1) Played center as often PF and was a stretch player in both positions because he could hit the 18-20 footer on a regular basis at a respectable percentage

2) Played with a stretch PF in Marion and later Frye as a stretch 5. Marion, playing as a PF, shot an enormous number of corner threes in those first few years with Nash. Hopefully he remembers Nash, JJ, QRich, Marion, and Amare playing a ton of minutes.

[DRK]

Also unlike other stretch 4s (except Ibaka and D.Green) Len has a really good defense which is a very big advantage to have when you are playing with stretch 4. So Len being stretch would be very beneficial.

Can Len defend the pick and roll and pick up the ball handler before switching back? His wingspan helps because he can also play the passing lane and cut off the angle, but is he laterally quick enough?

If not he will get burned many times and probably foul the ball handler in the pick and roll 15 times a game


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

[NTB]

Also unlike other stretch 4s (except Ibaka and D.Green) Len has a really good defense which is a very big advantage to have when you are playing with stretch 4. So Len being stretch would be very beneficial.

Can Len defend the pick and roll and pick up the ball handler before switching back? His wingspan helps because he can also play the passing lane and cut off the angle, but is he laterally quick enough?

If not he will get burned many times and probably foul the ball handler in the pick and roll 15 times a game


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

Well Frye couldn't guard quick fours either. I was comparing Len with Frye and Morris (someone mentioned them).

[bigfoot]

Kief practicing at GCU ... wonder if his teammates will go play with him?

http://arizonasports.com/story/384603/suns-forward-markieff-morris-finds-refuge-at-grand-canyon-university/

[jcsunsfan]

Kief practicing at GCU ... wonder if his teammates will go play with him?

http://arizonasports.com/story/384603/suns-forward-markieff-morris-finds-refuge-at-grand-canyon-university/

Key issues in the story.

Dan Majerle speaks favorably of the Suns and doesn't seem to be holding a grudge.
He speaks kindly of Markieff while disagreeing with his present course of action.

“I personally like Markieff. I think he’s a good kid. I think he’s very talented,” Majerle said. “Now, is he right? No, but that’s a growing process and he’ll figure it out. "

So, as much as didn't like Dan Majerle for the HC job for the Suns, he is acting like an adult and potentially smoothing the situation out some.

Too bad Gambo is still in town.

[Saberestar]

Kief practicing at GCU ... wonder if his teammates will go play with him?

http://arizonasports.com/story/384603/suns-forward-markieff-morris-finds-refuge-at-grand-canyon-university/

Ryan McDonough is playing with fire here...Markieff is crazy and he is not gonna change his mind. If he plays in a preseason game with us I expect him to make absurd plays on purpose all the time and he will run the court like Oliver Miller on his worst day.

[letsgosuns]

Markieff is spitting all over the Suns organization. Bad mouths the organization in the media. Refuses to show up to play with his teammates and is working out at GCU with Dan Majerle instead. The saddest part is that the Suns have taken it. They keep saying we want him back so much and he will get over it. It is embarrassing. The organization looks like a laughingstock right now. I bet Markieff could say whatever he wants and they will still welcome him with open arms. It is like they have no backbone. I will lose all the respect I ever had for Sarver, McDonough, and Hornacek if they do not get Markieff off the team. Talk about being weak. This is the most pathetic situation in the history of the Suns.

[Cutter]

Also unlike other stretch 4s (except Ibaka and D.Green) Len has a really good defense which is a very big advantage to have when you are playing with stretch 4. So Len being stretch would be very beneficial.

Plus, when Ibaka first came into the league he couldn't hit a three, and didn't have have many attempts.

No, after years of practice Ibaka has developed a decently reliable 3 point shot on solid volume. His excellent defense, plus the evolving ability to reliably stretch the floor makes him very valuable. He creates space for Westbrook and Durant to penetrate and finish near the rim on higher efficiency shots.

If Len could follow a development path like Ibaka I would be ecstatic.

[jcsunsfan]

Markieff is spitting all over the Suns organization. Bad mouths the organization in the media. Refuses to show up to play with his teammates and is working out at GCU with Dan Majerle instead. The saddest part is that the Suns have taken it. They keep saying we want him back so much and he will get over it. It is embarrassing. The organization looks like a laughingstock right now. I bet Markieff could say whatever he wants and they will still welcome him with open arms. It is like they have no backbone. I will lose all the respect I ever had for Sarver, McDonough, and Hornacek if they do not get Markieff off the team. Talk about being weak. This is the most pathetic situation in the history of the Suns.

Good grief. They have to respond like children to a player that is acting like at child in order to not be a laughingstock? Wht are they supposed to do? Go Gambo on him and rip him up publicly or trade him away for peanuts?

I think they are handling this perfectly. They are keeping the big picture in mind. The best possible situation is for Keef to come back, play well, and let things settle. THEN they can trade him if they want to.

They are taking the high road AND the smart road.