2016-17 Phoenix Suns Preseason Thread

[Midnight_Suns]

In Naples, Fl here. Can anyone give some insight on how I can watch tonight's game?

Sent you a PM.

Ya'll got any more of that stream?

[Zelaznyrules]

Do you guys think we're gonna give Len an extension before the deadline. I see Gobert might get one so I figure it's a good question to ask. I know Len has been playing pretty bad so far into preseason so I think it's in our best interest to offer him an extension now if we feel like he can still improve. If we keep him for around 10mil I'd call it a win for us. 12mil maybe as high as I go.

I can see a extension because I highly doubt Len will bet in himself this year.
If McD offer 12M/y for him, I guess he'll take it and call a day.

It's just supposition on my part but I believe we already discussed a deal at 12 per and were turned down. Then, preseason games started and now, I doubt we're interested in paying him even that much.

[kennydorglas]

Do you guys think we're gonna give Len an extension before the deadline. I see Gobert might get one so I figure it's a good question to ask. I know Len has been playing pretty bad so far into preseason so I think it's in our best interest to offer him an extension now if we feel like he can still improve. If we keep him for around 10mil I'd call it a win for us. 12mil maybe as high as I go.

I can see a extension because I highly doubt Len will bet in himself this year.
If McD offer 12M/y for him, I guess he'll take it and call a day.

It's just supposition on my part but I believe we already discussed a deal at 12 per and were turned down. Then, preseason games started and now, I doubt we're interested in paying him even that much.

I guess if McD shows him any type of money, he'll take it.
Probably McD wont do it because he wants some flexibility to get Hayward. And then see what the market says about Len.

[DRK]

Wonder how Sacremento are feeling about the Chriss trade. Chriss looks like a perfect fit next to Cousins.

[AtheJ415]

Wonder how Sacremento are feeling about the Chriss trade. Chriss looks like a perfect fit next to Cousins.

Getting both Chriss and Bender is such a steal. Chriss has already proven so far (and yes I know it's not regular season) that his biggest "weakness" of rebounding actually may be a strength. His effort on that end has been just awesome. If he did that in college he's a top 3 pick in this past draft EASILY.

Bender's shot hasn't dropped yet, but his on-ball defense is really impressive for his age and size. I think as he adds weight he'll get better on that end. His offensive game will take time, but that's expected. His jumper is repeatable enough that I'm not all that worried about his shooting %'s so far, and his passing and IQ are really good for his age.

[gaspar]

Bender and Ingram are the 2 youngest players in the league this year and it definitely can be seen in their game during the preseason so far (Bender was very solid tonight tho).

Preseason total stats:
Bender - 23 pts, 22 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl, 6 blk, 9 tov, 12 PF, 9/28 FG, 3/17 3PT, 2/4 FT in 116.7 minutes
Ingram - 24 pts, 10 reb, 5 ast, 3 stl, 7 blk, 2 tov, 7 PF, 8/28 FG, 3/13 3PT, 5/14 FT in 115.2 minutes

Very similar and... UGLY as hell, but both should very good (at least on defense) in the future.

[letsgosuns]

Read on Twitter

[Frank Lee]

Sign Len and it increases his value as a trade chip. That's the only reason to ink him up now.

[NTB]

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2016/10/14/defensive-focus-slowed-injuries/92100962/

“We’re emphasizing defense, for sure,” Suns coach Earl Watson said. “The talking is better. Our main thing is we need to get guys healthy so we can really see how it really formulates. We want to get everyone on the same page at the same time.”

“I honestly love what I’m seeing,” Chandler said. “Even with the mistakes that we make, the intent is there and guys are really trying to figure it out. When you become a good defensive team, it doesn’t come overnight, but you can see the growth.

“The coaching staff is doing a good job of making sure guys know what they’re supposed to be doing. They break it down in film. We come in and do drills. We slow down practice and implement it. Eventually, guys are going to get it. When you do it the right way, eventually it starts to work so I have all the faith in the world that it will work.”

“In the past, guys were getting what they wanted and they could choose what they want,” Chandler said. “Now, you’re going to take what we give you and you’re going to have to beat us taking what we give you.”

[jcsunsfan]

Read on Twitter

This is really good news for the Suns. It is just preseason, but he could be doing poorly in preseason. There is a great big wide hole in this roster that Chriss could wonderfully fill. Remember. Trading Kieff got us Chriss, and I am happy with that exchange at the moment. (Please, lets just leave the whole IT discussion alone right now).

[carey]

Sign Len and it increases his value as a trade chip. That's the only reason to ink him up now.

Or.. it doesn't.

[Zelaznyrules]

Sign Len and it increases his value as a trade chip. That's the only reason to ink him up now.

Or.. it doesn't.

Yeah, I don't see that happening without Len raising his game. It might even make him untradeable.

[LukasBMW]

Booker and Chriss are the real deal.

You know this because fans of other teams are giving them respect and praise.

They are actually the only guys on our team getting praise from outside the fan base.

[NTB]

Booker and Chriss are the real deal.

You know this because fans of other teams are giving them respect and praise.

They are actually the only guys on our team getting praise from outside the fan base.

and some Bledsoe.

[NTB]

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2016/10/15/vet-duo-closes-regular-season-form/92144860/

“We’re getting closer to the season and we’re trying to get a rhythm,” Bledsoe said. “That’s probably the biggest thing because we’re going to need me. We’re going to need everybody to play at the level everybody needs to play because it’s going to be a tough Western Conference.

“(Suns coach) Earl (Watson) has been telling me to be aggressive, especially when I’ve got the ball. I’m trying to make sure everybody’s involved.”

“Our team is like a blank canvas,” Watson said. “We have a lot of young guys who are rapidly evolving into grown players at such a young age. So we’re not like Utah or Dallas, what you see is what you get. We’re taking steps every day, and our thing about momentum is we just want to be one percent better than yesterday. We continue to push. We continue to stay together. We continued to dream big and execute each step along the way so we have success that sustains over time and not just moments.”

Suns want 30 3s per game

The Suns have set a goal of taking 30 3-point shots per game, something that only Western Conference champion Golden State (31.6 per game) and Houston (30.9) did last season with NBA champion Cleveland (29.6) being close.

The Suns averaged 16.5 3-point attempts with a high of 22 in their first four preseason games this month but launched 33 3s Friday against Dallas, making 13 (39.4 percent). Dudley and Marquese Chriss each made three 3s, and there was at least one attempt from nine of the 10 Suns players, even with Devin Booker sitting out for an ankle injury.

The Suns scored 111 points Wednesday at Utah despite only making four 3-pointers.

“Once we get our guys playing full-rotation four quarters, that number will go up,” Watson said.

“'Quese has to show that he ain’t scared,” Bledsoe said. “Once one of those players or a veteran player feels like he got fear in you, as a young player, it will ride you for the rest of your career. 'Quese is setting the tone early.”

Dudley concurred, saying, “He held his ground and didn’t let it faze his game. Some rookies might come in and get into the game emotionally. It might throw you off, maybe through a bad foul, but he stuck with it and had a great game offensively and defensively.”

The Suns do not have a weekend practice but did plan a group recreation excursion for Saturday. They do not play a game until Friday’s preseason finale against the Los Angles Lakers in Anaheim, Calif.

Suns center Alex Len tried to play through back spasms in Wednesday’s loss at Utah after waking up with the pain. He sat out Friday with four teammates, but there is a chance Len, Booker, Tyson Chandler (hamstring) and John Jenkins (abdominal strain) could return for Friday’s game while P.J. Tucker finishes back surgery rehabilitation.

Dallas coach Rick Carlisle on the Suns' defense: “They took us out of a lot of stuff. They were clearly the more aggressive team.”

[RaisingArizona]

I'd wait and see on Len. Not a fan of inking him yet.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

I'd wait and see on Len. Not a fan of inking him yet.

Question for the board: Is anyone else happier about signing Tyson, given Len's struggles? It's nice to know we're still solid at that position despite Len's mediocrity.

Bender's evident potential as a shotblocker is also reassuring. What Len gives us is a true center who does a good job controlling the defensive glass and clogging the paint on defense. He's also a solid finisher on the move who can punish a defense (somewhat inconsistently) that doesn't step out. On defense, though, he doesn't have active hands, he's a bit lumbering, and he doesn't get off the ground to block shots often. On offense, he's straight bad in the post. No touch.

I'd wait to see what happens this summer with Len. I don't think I'd move him for a pick, as we'd have to replace him sooner rather than later. Better just to see if we can get a reasonable RFA deal.

Warren's the one giving me heartburn right now. He's looked very mediocre in preseason. It's starting to look like Ryan's first two drafts weren't that great, with his most recent two yielding the majority of the haul.

[Blackification]

Any ESPN subscribers read the suns preview?

[Jdiddy701]

I think TJ Warren will come around by December. He's been away from basketball for some time. We need to be patient with him.

Last years game in OKC and Golden State, I'll never forget how good he looked. He has game.


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[Blackification]

I think TJ Warren will come around by December. He's been away from basketball for some time. We need to be patient with him.

Last years game in OKC and Golden State, I'll never forget how good he looked. He has game.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

Definitely, his offense will come back, the good thing is he is already showing improvement on the defensive end.