Eric Bledsoe

[bwgood77]

I dont want to sound like Im making a hyperbole, but with the improvements hes made this season, and will continue to make, he could possibly go down as one of the best to put on a Suns uniform at the point guard position. I cannot think of one weakness he has that holds him back.

I agree with your whole post...this last part would be very nice, but of course you are talking two point guards who are regarded as two of maybe the top 5 point guards ever, or close to it. And KJ, for a number of years, was up there too and possibly better, especially if you consider defense.

But no question Bledsoe is the best defender of the bunch and is just beasting.

Sure, but Bled is only what, 25? It'll be very interesting to see how his game evolves as he ages and gains more experience, and when his athleticism declines. We cannot forget that his assist numbers will be down due to playing alongside another combo-guard, whereas Nash was in 100% controll of the offence whenever he was on the court.

True. It really is interesting how people develop. Nash doesn't become great until he is like 30 and had his best seasons between 30 and 33, and to a lesser extent 34 and 36. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nashst01.html

But KJ, for example had his four best years between 22-25, and to a lesser extent 26 and 30. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/johnske02.html

[Revived]

I like that he now knows when to make a pass and when not to.

There's times in the past when our players will call for the ball because they think their open even though their actually covered and there's no good angle to pass the ball to them and Bledsoe will still force the pass and it becomes a turnover.

Now Bledsoe actually reads the defenders and is willing to not pass the ball even if the players ask for it when their covered.

[DRK]

I agree with your whole post...this last part would be very nice, but of course you are talking two point guards who are regarded as two of maybe the top 5 point guards ever, or close to it. And KJ, for a number of years, was up there too and possibly better, especially if you consider defense.

But no question Bledsoe is the best defender of the bunch and is just beasting.

Sure, but Bled is only what, 25? It'll be very interesting to see how his game evolves as he ages and gains more experience, and when his athleticism declines. We cannot forget that his assist numbers will be down due to playing alongside another combo-guard, whereas Nash was in 100% controll of the offence whenever he was on the court.

True. It really is interesting how people develop. Nash doesn't become great until he is like 30 and had his best seasons between 30 and 33, and to a lesser extent 34 and 36. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nashst01.html

But KJ, for example had his four best years between 22-25, and to a lesser extent 26 and 30. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/johnske02.html

What's crazy about Bledsoe being on 25 and dominating... Brandon Knight is only 23 and they already have insane chemistry after half a season of playing together

[Revived]

Bledsoe will actually turn 26 in three weeks. Knight will turn 24 in 2 weeks as well.

Crazy, their birthdays are only a week apart

[DRK]

One of my favourite plays this season, and one that really highlighted his increase in understanding the game, was the fake handoff to the trailing Mirza (?) in transition, and he just popped the midrange jumper. Thats some great situational awareness right there - with regards to knowing how the offence operates. Wouldve never seen Bledsoe do that in year's past.

He's also hustling alot more and playing with alot more intensity as well. In years past he would sort of coast through the game, and not give 100% at all times. This year he's like a mini-PJ Tucker in the way he is always active off the ball on offence and defence. Awesome stuff.

Edit: heres the play
https://youtu.be/4ZMGVRL39-8?t=168

[Leftfield89]

How much does Bledsoe weigh? For those who've seen him in person,I see multiple websites list his weight anywhere from 190-199

[bwgood77]

How much does Bledsoe weigh? For those who've seen him in person,I see multiple websites list his weight anywhere from 190-199

I doubt anyone here knows any more than what sites list him at. Since suns.com says 190 (as well as espn), my guess is that's probably pretty accurate. This article says he changed his diet over the summer, reducing meat and moving to more plant based protein, but said his weight wasn't impacted by the change in diet. http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/25331924/changed-diet-improved-game-is-eric-bledsoe-ready-to-lead-a-playoff-team

[Revived]

How much does Bledsoe weigh? For those who've seen him in person,I see multiple websites list his weight anywhere from 190-199

You made a realgm account just to ask how much Bledsoe weighs?

[jcsunsfan]

I agree with your whole post...this last part would be very nice, but of course you are talking two point guards who are regarded as two of maybe the top 5 point guards ever, or close to it. And KJ, for a number of years, was up there too and possibly better, especially if you consider defense.

But no question Bledsoe is the best defender of the bunch and is just beasting.

Sure, but Bled is only what, 25? It'll be very interesting to see how his game evolves as he ages and gains more experience, and when his athleticism declines. We cannot forget that his assist numbers will be down due to playing alongside another combo-guard, whereas Nash was in 100% controll of the offence whenever he was on the court.

True. It really is interesting how people develop. Nash doesn't become great until he is like 30 and had his best seasons between 30 and 33, and to a lesser extent 34 and 36. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nashst01.html

But KJ, for example had his four best years between 22-25, and to a lesser extent 26 and 30. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/johnske02.html

KJ was alway pulling hammies toward the end. Don't think our med staff was a good back in those days. Sorry Prosk.

[Revived]

His added mid-range dribble-drive game this season has elevated him to superstar status, He's a superstar player. There is no doubt in my mind. This was something he needed to add to his game to elevate him to the next status, and hes done just that.

I dont want to sound like Im making a hyperbole, but with the improvements hes made this season, and will continue to make, he could possibly go down as one of the best to put on a Suns uniform at the point guard position. I cannot think of one weakness he has that holds him back.

I honestly don't think he's a superstar player. He's having good year overall I guess but superstar? Superstars wouldn't let their team get this bad. Superstars wouldn't be half assing it on certain nights.

I don't think anyone on this roster will go down as one of the best to put on a Suns uniform at any position. Its disrespectful to the Suns history and its players from the past to even say that imo.

[bwgood77]

Interesting thread about what general NBA fans think of Bledsoe on the NBA General Board... viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1482128

[bwgood77]

Interesting thread on Bledsoe in the general forum...love the post by Flying Colors here...though that one isn't about Bledsoe..

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1482128&p=49392258#p49392258

[ddb]

Bledsoe will get traded to the Kings or someone like that during the season once he proves he is healthy. Suns need to move him and really focus on the kids

Sent from my SM-G930T using RealGM mobile app

[MrMiyagi]

Bledsoe will get traded to the Kings or someone like that during the season once he proves he is healthy. Suns need to move him and really focus on the kids

Sent from my SM-G930T using RealGM mobile app

Bledsoe isn't taking anything away from "the kids"

[AtheJ415]

Bledsoe will get traded to the Kings or someone like that during the season once he proves he is healthy. Suns need to move him and really focus on the kids

Sent from my SM-G930T using RealGM mobile app

Bledsoe isn't taking anything away from "the kids"

Yeah. I mean, Ulis is better suited as the backup 1 long-term. Bledsoe isn't in the way of anybody except Knight, who is better suited as the 6th man, unlike Chandler and Tucker who are arguably in the way of starters (at least potentially) in the near future.

Also, our best bet at acquiring a star in FA is probably Cousins. Yes, it's a pipe dream, as is acquiring any superstar, but he loves Bledsoe and Booker, and Chriss is proving to be pretty damn impressive as a future 4. If Chriss continues to play like this and Warren can show a lot as a 3, and you're Cousins in FA:

Bledsoe/Knight/Ulis
Booker/Knight
Warren/Bender
Chriss/Bender
Cousins/Len

plus our picks ensuring we can continue to add/upgrade talent is pretty damn attractive going forward as he ages. If he honestly believes what he said about Booker, that's a contender in his mind.

[bwgood77]

“I have high expectations every year. Every year I step on the court I have high expectations for the team,” Bledsoe said during Media Day. “For myself, I’ve got us being top five or even higher in the Western Conference, and I believe in that. All I got to do is get the team on the same page as me and make them believe, and we’ll be fine.”

Despite enduring the third meniscus surgery of his career and being challenged by the ascendancy of Devin Booker, Bledsoe has yet to be deposed as the team’s best player. Entering into his prime years and looking fully recovered after losing 51 games last season to injury, Bledsoe enters the 2016-17 season expected to lead the team both on and off the court.

Bledsoe is coming off a season where he averaged career highs for points (20.4), assists (6.1), and steals (2.0). In the last 10 seasons, only Russell Westbrook (twice), Stephen Curry (twice), Dwyane Wade (twice), Chris Paul (twice), Baron Davis (twice), and Kyle Lowry have had 20-6-2 seasons. The ability is undeniably there, but in order for Bledsoe to make good on his preseason predictions for his team, he needs to bring that level of play every night and avoid stretches like he had immediately preceding his knee injury in December.

For more... http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2016/10/18/13314674/phoenix-suns-player-preview-2016-17-eric-bledsoe-must-be-leader-for-young-team

[bwgood77]

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[bwgood77]

In 2015-2016, he posted 20.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 2.0 steals in 34.2 minutes per game. His turnovers do need to come under control, as he turns over 16.2 percent of all possessions. Bledsoe’s three-point shooting took promising steps forward, hitting 37 percent from the perimeter on 4.2 attempts per game.

Per Vorped.com’s 2015-16 data on Bledsoe’s shot chart, his splits from certain areas of the floor reveal both strengths and room for improvement. While he hit 40 percent of his above the break threes, from the top of the key Bledsoe’s percentage dropped to 27.6 percent. From the left and right sides however, Bledsoe hit 42.5 and 45.7 percent respectively. There are underrated aspects to his game though that some may have not noticed in his limited 31 game stint last season. Of all regular rotation players in the league last season (15 minutes per game or more) who made at least two field goals and one three point attempt, Bledsoe was 4th in field goal percentage (43.2), 2nd to only Steph Curry in three point percentage (40.3) and 8th in pull up points per game (7.1).

Now the Suns franchise cornerstone can build around those strong aspects, while improving the other areas of his offensive arsenal. If he can improve his catch and shoot numbers from the perimeter (currently at 36 percent) he can become an increasingly valuable perimeter asset. He does hit nearly 42 percent of his wide open threes though, which shows promise.

Those not buying into Bledsoe’s promise should consider a comparison between him and a modern All-Star caliber guard, Kyle Lowry. Toronto’s leader has grown over time into a model veteran leader, who plays both ends well and has improved his game over time to where he has a variety of offensive skills and is one of the league’s leading defenders at his position. Taking a look at the comparison in their numbers from last season, when it’s factored in that Lowry is 30 and Bledsoe is still 26 years old it means the Suns man still has room to grow:

To see great comparison to Lowry, plus rest of article, go here... http://bballbreakdown.com/2016/11/01/eric-bledsoes-defining-year-in-the-desert/

From Adam Joseph at bballbreakdown

[NTB]

Eric Bledsoe cuts turnovers for Phoenix Suns: The sample size is not conclusive, but the trending signs for Eric Bledsoe’s point guard efficiency are encouraging. For Bledsoe’s first three seasons as a Suns starting point guard, he was among NBA point guards’ bottom 10 for assist-to-turnover ratio with a last-place finish in 2013-14. That three-season ratio of 1.74 to 1 jumped to 2.36 to 1 in this season’s first five games. That includes at least four assists in each game and no turnovers in a fast-tempo game Sunday against Golden State.

http://www.espn.com/blog/nba/post/_/id/25494/thursdays-suns-news-eric-bledsoe-becoming-more-of-an-efficient-pg

[Barkley_34]

Eric Bledsoe cuts turnovers for Phoenix Suns: The sample size is not conclusive, but the trending signs for Eric Bledsoe’s point guard efficiency are encouraging. For Bledsoe’s first three seasons as a Suns starting point guard, he was among NBA point guards’ bottom 10 for assist-to-turnover ratio with a last-place finish in 2013-14. That three-season ratio of 1.74 to 1 jumped to 2.36 to 1 in this season’s first five games. That includes at least four assists in each game and no turnovers in a fast-tempo game Sunday against Golden State.

http://www.espn.com/blog/nba/post/_/id/25494/thursdays-suns-news-eric-bledsoe-becoming-more-of-an-efficient-pg

He improved the mentality, more controlled and missing much less. Just needs to be more consistent in the long shoots. With time he will increase assits also.