Game 46: Suns (15-30) @ Nuggets (19-25)

[bwgood77]

Suns still... No identity. Just stuck in the middle of nowhere relying on brilliant nights from Bledsoe, Booker and a couple of others.

This is McDonough talking about the next few games on KTAR the other day...

"They're very important, obviously, in determining whether we're a viable team to potentially compete for and get into the playoffs this year or not,” McDonough told Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. "If we're within striking distance of the eighth seed at the trade deadline, that will probably help determine our approach. And if we're not, if we're not a viable playoff contender, that will probably determine it the other way. We're kind of open to either direction at this point."

They are directionless and that's not acceptable at this point since this is a crucial time in the rebuilding of our franchise. I'm starting to think he might be let go at the end of the season.

He really can't say in public that we are giving up on the season or something. Sure he might be gone considering there is no real news of a contract, though doing some research I couldn't find anything regarding his original contract anyway, so maybe it is all just done in secret and details never released.

[darealjuice]

Do people seriously think McD is going to spill trade rumors and talk about how we suck and are tanking to the media lol? When has he or nearly any other GM ever done that?

[jcsunsfan]

Suns still... No identity. Just stuck in the middle of nowhere relying on brilliant nights from Bledsoe, Booker and a couple of others.

This is McDonough talking about the next few games on KTAR the other day...

"They're very important, obviously, in determining whether we're a viable team to potentially compete for and get into the playoffs this year or not,” McDonough told Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. "If we're within striking distance of the eighth seed at the trade deadline, that will probably help determine our approach. And if we're not, if we're not a viable playoff contender, that will probably determine it the other way. We're kind of open to either direction at this point."

They are directionless and that's not acceptable at this point since this is a crucial time in the rebuilding of our franchise. I'm starting to think he might be let go at the end of the season.

You have to be kidding. No GM can say, "Listen, we have an outside shot at the playoffs but we are going to tank and go for the best pick we can." The league office would sanction him, his coach and players would rebel. The fact that he even acknowledged that there is a two-way possibility (one being packing it in if we are not a viable playoff contender) is amazing really.

I have been very pleased with the job McD has done. He hasnt been perfect, but no GM has ever been. The direction of this franchise has been good. We have promising young players. We have extra quality picks our back pocket. We are not saddled with ridiculous contracts. I have no idea what more could be expected.

[carey]

He really can't say in public that we are giving up on the season or something. Sure he might be gone considering there is no real news of a contract, though doing some research I couldn't find anything regarding his original contract anyway, so maybe it is all just done in secret and details never released.

Of course. I was merely commenting on the fact that we are basically aimless at the moment other than trying to win the game in front of us. There doesn't seem to be a specific plan in place.

[carey]

I have been very pleased with the job McD has done. He hasnt been perfect, but no GM has ever been. The direction of this franchise has been good. We have promising young players. We have extra quality picks our back pocket. We are not saddled with ridiculous contracts. I have no idea what more could be expected.

You either go for the full rebuild or you try to build a win now roster. Staying in the middle never ever works. I'm not going to beat a dead horse with complaining about how much we are riding Tucker and Chandler at the expense of our young guys, but you get the point by now because I've been saying it since December.

[bwgood77]

I have been very pleased with the job McD has done. He hasnt been perfect, but no GM has ever been. The direction of this franchise has been good. We have promising young players. We have extra quality picks our back pocket. We are not saddled with ridiculous contracts. I have no idea what more could be expected.

You either go for the full rebuild or you try to build a win now roster. Staying in the middle never ever works. I'm not going to beat a dead horse with complaining about how much we are riding Tucker and Chandler at the expense of our young guys, but you get the point by now because I've been saying it since December.

I'd get rid of Knight, Tucker and Barbosa, and then relegate Chandler to a backup role after all star break. I guess I could see not wanting Alex to finish the season strong leading to him demanding more money, and Tyson starting as the vet leader on the floor, but still give Len plenty of minutes.

[carey]

Do people seriously think McD is going to spill trade rumors and talk about how we suck and are tanking to the media lol? When has he or nearly any other GM ever done that?

I expect him to say that he's excited about the young players on the roster. That we're going to live and die with them this year and add an extremely talented young player to that core this Summer. That's what I want. Not, "Well, we'll see. Maybe we'll compete for a playoff spot. Maybe we won't. I am open to either." I think that's silly and it certainly doesn't suggest strong leadership to me. That is *just* my opinion though. I can see how others can get something else out of it. Especially if they think he's done a good job so far.

[jcsunsfan]

Do people seriously think McD is going to spill trade rumors and talk about how we suck and are tanking to the media lol? When has he or nearly any other GM ever done that?

I expect him to say that he's excited about the young players on the roster. That we're going to live and die with them this year and add an extremely talented young player to that core this Summer. That's what I want. Not, "Well, we'll see. Maybe we'll compete for a playoff spot. Maybe we won't. I am open to either." I think that's silly and it certainly doesn't suggest strong leadership to me. That is *just* my opinion though. I can see how others can get something else out of it. Especially if they think he's done a good job so far.

We have been in full rebuild mold for some time. Playing Tucker and Chandler is still about developing young guys. You have to show them what kind of play you expect and reward.

[Damkac]

Fun game, lots of baskets, tank is rolling and Joanna Jędrzejczyk

[darealjuice]

Do people seriously think McD is going to spill trade rumors and talk about how we suck and are tanking to the media lol? When has he or nearly any other GM ever done that?

I expect him to say that he's excited about the young players on the roster. That we're going to live and die with them this year and add an extremely talented young player to that core this Summer. That's what I want. Not, "Well, we'll see. Maybe we'll compete for a playoff spot. Maybe we won't. I am open to either." I think that's silly and it certainly doesn't suggest strong leadership to me. That is *just* my opinion though. I can see how others can get something else out of it. Especially if they think he's done a good job so far.

He practically gushes about the young players all of the time lol just because it wasn't apart of that quote doesn't mean it's not the first thing to come out of his mouth nearly every time he talks Suns. This entire organization hypes up our young kids and talks about the future at any given chance, even our commercials are all about building, future, and youth...

Why don't you wait until what happens at the trade deadline before judging his actions instead of reading too deeply into media lip service? If we hold pat on everyone despite making no progress in the playoff standings, then feel free to be pissed, but I think it's a safe bet that this team knows where they are right now and will make moves accordingly once the deadline comes and they have to face the reality of where they are. There's not a single GM in the league that will come out and say we're going to lose games the rest of the year, bench all of our veterans, and hope for some luck in the lottery. That's just asking to kill game attendance, create controversy around the team, and eventually get fired.

[carey]

We have been in full rebuild mold for some time. Playing Tucker and Chandler is still about developing young guys. You have to show them what kind of play you expect and reward.

Well, first we are most definitely not in full rebuild mode. Second, I don't buy the rest at all. He contradicts that by starting Chriss who did nothing to earn his starting spot. He's totally benched Dudley who is the epitome of a guy that plays the right way. Even more so than Tucker because he actually passes the ball. I understand the theory of what you're saying. It doesn't play out like this in practice. I think OKC did it the right way. They cleared out their roster when Durant got there. They spent a couple years sucking but allowing Durant and Westbrook to play big minutes where they learned. I'm not sure they would have become the team they were if they kept Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis and brought the young guys along slowly. They certainly wouldn't have been able to draft Harden which is basically what we're doing by shooting ourselves in the foot with killing our opportunity to draft in the top 3.

[carey]

There's not a single GM in the league that will come out and say we're going to lose games the rest of the year, bench all of our veterans, and hope for some luck in the lottery. That's just asking to kill game attendance, create controversy around the team, and eventually get fired.

No one is going to Suns games to see PJ Tucker and Tyson Chandler.

[darealjuice]

There's not a single GM in the league that will come out and say we're going to lose games the rest of the year, bench all of our veterans, and hope for some luck in the lottery. That's just asking to kill game attendance, create controversy around the team, and eventually get fired.

No one is going to Suns games to see PJ Tucker and Tyson Chandler.

I was literally just at the game against the Jazz lol you'd definitely be surprised how many people are fans of PJ, and Tyson was having a great game so he got a lot of love too. Casual fans just want to see good games and wins, not everyone is like us thinking about the draft already haha.

[darealjuice]

We have been in full rebuild mold for some time. Playing Tucker and Chandler is still about developing young guys. You have to show them what kind of play you expect and reward.

Well, first we are most definitely not in full rebuild mode. Second, I don't buy the rest at all. He contradicts that by starting Chriss who did nothing to earn his starting spot. He's totally benched Dudley who is the epitome of a guy that plays the right way. Even more so than Tucker because he actually passes the ball. I understand the theory of what you're saying. It doesn't play out like this in practice. I think OKC did it the right way. They cleared out their roster when Durant got there. They spent a couple years sucking but allowing Durant and Westbrook to play big minutes where they learned. I'm not sure they would have become the team they were if they kept Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis and brought the young guys along slowly. They certainly wouldn't have been able to draft Harden which is basically what we're doing by shooting ourselves in the foot with killing our opportunity to draft in the top 3.

We're the 2nd worst team in the league with 4 players that are 20 or under on the roster and still haven't reached the salary floor, how much more can you be in a rebuild? Chriss is starting because he's a more traditional 4, we were getting killed by size starting Dudley there and are still undersized with PJ there. Dragan is a better defender without a doubt, but he's not near as versatile as Quese on offense yet and has shot really bad this month so he doesn't deserve the starting spot any more than Quese does.

Read on Twitter

Dudley even said on Twitter that he's not playing right now to make playing time for the rookies, so what do you want rookies or un-benched Dudley?

None of our players besides maybe Booker are at the talent level of Durant either, it made sense for the Sonic to clear up space for him because he was obviously going to be the franchise player and #1 option, Dragan and Chriss are very far from where Durant was his rookie year right now, and Booker basically did have the spot cleared for him. No one is ruining the chance to draft top 3, we have the second least wins in the league right now, and the Sixers, Mavs, and Heat have all been winning more than us lately.

[MathiasPW]

The game was fun for the most part. Was my daughters first game and she loved it. Hi-5ed the Nuggets mascot, too. Wanted to see more of our youth, but Bender was hurt, Chris picked up way too many fouls too quickly (common place...but this time he barely played), and Ullis got a DNP.

At least I saw Derrick Jones Jr dunking during warm-up. He definitely looks thin and he definitely can jump.

Chandler was abused the whole game by Jokic. That kid is a beast. He looks taller than the listed 6'10. He looked as tall as Chandler, which was totally uninterested in the game. Dudley did a better job defending Jokic than Chandler, which shows how bad it was.

Booker is legit. Nuggets fans supported him during intros.

I particularly liked the duel Warren against W. Chandler. TJ has been putting much energy on the defensive end, you can see him flailing his arms and moving his feet all the time. It might be taking a toll on the offensive end.

Next game I'll see is Suns at Celtics!

[Mickey8]

Jokic is 6"11.