Who starts in the backcourt next year?

Post #1 » by **Smitty731** » Sun Apr 10, 2016 11:05 pm

The question is as simple as the title.

With Booker's emergence, he's obviously a long term starter at SG. So, who ends up on the bench? Knight or Bledsoe? Or is Tucker out and Booker slides up to SF?

I know it is really premature, since we have a whole summer of roster moves to go, but I was wondering what your thoughts are.

If everyone is back, my thought is that it might be best to bring Bledsoe off the bench. That way you can spot his minutes more and hopefully keep him healthy for a full season.

saintEscaton · Post #2 » by **saintEscaton** » Sun Apr 10, 2016 11:19 pm

Probably Ronnie Price/John Jenkins

dremill24 · Post #3 » by **dremill24** » Sun Apr 10, 2016 11:33 pm

Gotta be Bled/Book. Knight is a ball-dominant scorer who belongs in lineups where he's not taking shots away from better players (i.e. 2nd string). Perfectly respectable and valued role, but it needs to happen.

Damkac · Post #4 » by **Damkac** » Sun Apr 10, 2016 11:34 pm

Bledsoe-Booker
Knight of the bench

Post #5 » by **bwgood77** » Sun Apr 10, 2016 11:41 pm

The consensus here seems to be Bledsoe and Booker with Knight as sixth man. Knight is a terrible decision maker so cannot be starting pg. He played his best ball with Bledsoe. The Knight/Booker backcourt has been awful together. But many want Knight traded altogether but probably won't happen after giving up what we did for him.

Blackification · Post #6 » by **Blackification** » Sun Apr 10, 2016 11:46 pm

bwgood77 wrote:The consensus here seems to be Bledsoe and Booker with Knight as sixth man. Knight is a terrible decision maker so cannot be starting pg. He played his best ball with Bledsoe. The Knight/Booker backcourt has been awful together. But nany want Knight traded altogether but probably won't happen after giving up what we did for him.

It would just be nice to start a season without having to deal with a possibly disgruntled player

first it was IT and if he would fit in his role (we traded him that same season)

then it was Markieff and if he would play (we traded him that same season)

now its going to be Knight? Just do it in the off season we know how this ends

jcsunsfan · Post #7 » by **jcsunsfan** » Sun Apr 10, 2016 11:59 pm

Damkac wrote:Bledsoe-Booker
Knight of the bench

In an ideal world (unless Knight is traded which could easily happen). I think they are going to run with a trio of Bled, Booker, and Knight, and then if Bogdan shows promise, Knight will be traded. It just seems to make sense. I can't see Archie back.

Post #8 » by **Qwigglez** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 12:34 am

Is Bledsoe gonna be healthy to start the year?

Post #9 » by **lilfishi22** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 12:58 am

I would be disappointed if we go into the season with Knight/Bledsoe starting again.

Post #10 » by **bwgood77** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 1:33 am

jcsunsfan wrote:
Damkac wrote:Bledsoe-Booker
Knight of the bench

In an ideal world (unless Knight is traded which could easily happen). I think they are going to run with a trio of Bled, Booker, and Knight, and then if Bogdan shows promise, Knight will be traded. It just seems to make sense. I can't see Archie back.

You think they will start those three? It could make some sense just for ego, but it would need to be communicated that most of the time it will only be two of them out there while the other rests. I think if those three start, PJ HAS to start at 4 to give us some defense, and then hopefully PJ and Knight play well and get traded at the deadline. Of course I would rather have a REAL 4 that we signed in FA or traded for start, but if we just add rooks, that probably won't happen.

But ideally in that situation, Knight sits after about 5 minutes and Warren comes in. We can only leave those three in together if they are really outscoring opponents because the defense at the wing positions would be awful.

Post #11 » by **bwgood77** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 1:34 am

Qwigglez wrote:Is Bledsoe gonna be healthy to start the year?

Well there were already videos of him running and practicing, so I'm guessing yes. He just better stay healthy or we are in trouble. If he goes down again we will have to hope for one of those top 3 picks again.

saintEscaton · Post #12 » by **saintEscaton** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 1:49 am

Maybe we try to resurrect the Three Headed Hydra, if Watson's statement has any merit

jcsunsfan · Post #13 » by **jcsunsfan** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 2:21 am

bwgood77 wrote:
jcsunsfan wrote:
Damkac wrote:Bledsoe-Booker
Knight of the bench

In an ideal world (unless Knight is traded which could easily happen). I think they are going to run with a trio of Bled, Booker, and Knight, and then if Bogdan shows promise, Knight will be traded. It just seems to make sense. I can't see Archie back.

You think they will start those three? It could make some sense just for ego, but it would need to be communicated that most of the time it will only be two of them out there while the other rests. I think if those three start, PJ HAS to start at 4 to give us some defense, and then hopefully PJ and Knight play well and get traded at the deadline. Of course I would rather have a REAL 4 that we signed in FA or traded for start, but if we just add rooks, that probably won't happen.

But ideally in that situation, Knight sits after about 5 minutes and Warren comes in. We can only leave those three in together if they are really outscoring opponents because the defense at the wing positions would be awful.

I am sorry. I did not mean start all three. Absolutely not. I should have been clearer. Start Booker and Bledsoe, and then Knight is the third guard in the rotation. You work Bogdan in and if he turns out to be something you trade Knight.

Damkac · Post #14 » by **Damkac** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 6:58 am

bwgood77 wrote:
Qwigglez wrote:Is Bledsoe gonna be healthy to start the year?

Well there were already videos of him running and practicing, so I'm guessing yes. He just better stay healthy or we are in trouble. If he goes down again we will have to hope for one of those top 3 picks again.

Playing Bledsoe over 30 minutes next season would be stupid move. But sadly it won't suprise me if Suns are still desperate to make playoffs asap.
Sharing guards minutes between Bled, Book and Knight everyone can play 32 minutes. Some minutes will go to other players (Bogdan?) so no need to play Bledsoe +30 minutes. This would most probably lead to repeat of this season.

Saberestar · Post #15 » by **Saberestar** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 9:18 am

Bledsoe and Booker starting.
Knight traded or playing around 25 minutes per game coming from the bench.

Some minutes can go to Bogdanovic if he is here or Archie if he is not traded.

nevetsov · Post #16 » by **nevetsov** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 12:32 pm

Prefer a straight up Bled-Book backcourt, but I wouldn't rule out:

Bledsoe
Knight
Booker
Tucker
Chandler/ Len

** until we can find a taker for Knight...

Post #17 » by **Qwigglez** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 1:39 pm

Damkac wrote:
bwgood77 wrote:
Qwigglez wrote:Is Bledsoe gonna be healthy to start the year?

Well there were already videos of him running and practicing, so I'm guessing yes. He just better stay healthy or we are in trouble. If he goes down again we will have to hope for one of those top 3 picks again.

Playing Bledsoe over 30 minutes next season would be stupid move. But sadly it won't suprise me if Suns are still desperate to make playoffs asap.
Sharing guards minutes between Bled, Book and Knight everyone can play 32 minutes. Some minutes will go to other players (Bogdan?) so no need to play Bledsoe +30 minutes. This would most probably lead to repeat of this season.

I think this is very doable. Knight has his shortcomings but I think he can be a great first option off the bench. Bledsoe shouldn't be getting over 30 minutes to the start the year but he should be getting close to that at least towards the all-star game.

bigfoot · Post #18 » by **bigfoot** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 1:42 pm

The more compelling question is who are the number 1 and 2 options. I'd much prefer to see Booker and Len remain as option 1 and 2 with Bledsoe being the third and Knight coming off the bench. That means Bledsoe must accept the role of a true point guard.

Bledsoe
Booker
Tucker
Len
Chandler

Saberestar · Post #19 » by **Saberestar** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 1:43 pm

Knight is not an starting player on a good team. If we are serious about playing the right way, we can not start Knight because his basketball IQ, decision making and defense are just terrible.

He belongs to second units, and he can be very good coming from the bench if he embraces that role. He can carry offensively that second unit, and that can allow to play of the bench Tucker and Chandler too.

Jamal Crawford and Jason Terry has been probably even better players than him and they have been OK about not being starters for a ton of years in the league so he can accept that easily if he is smart enough.

Post #20 » by **bwgood77** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 2:28 pm

Damkac wrote:
bwgood77 wrote:
Qwigglez wrote:Is Bledsoe gonna be healthy to start the year?

Well there were already videos of him running and practicing, so I'm guessing yes. He just better stay healthy or we are in trouble. If he goes down again we will have to hope for one of those top 3 picks again.

Playing Bledsoe over 30 minutes next season would be stupid move. But sadly it won't suprise me if Suns are still desperate to make playoffs asap.
Sharing guards minutes between Bled, Book and Knight everyone can play 32 minutes. Some minutes will go to other players (Bogdan?) so no need to play Bledsoe +30 minutes. This would most probably lead to repeat of this season.

Unless Knight becomes more valuable and efficient we probably need to trade him and possibly get back a backup pg in the process who can play 15-20 minutes a night. Probably need that anyway to play some with Knight so he can mostly play off ball.