Summer League: Vegas baby, vegas.

[bwgood77]

Have we figured out why we were unwilling to keep Troy Williams but felt the need to invest in Derrick Jones Jr?

No, and Williams had something to say about that today. I know DJJ has his fan here, but I don't expect much.

[76ciology]

Bledsoe
Booker
Josh Jackson
Chris
Bender

Looks like a promising line-up

[kennydorglas]

Have we figured out why we were unwilling to keep Troy Williams but felt the need to invest in Derrick Jones Jr?

Archie Goodwin was the man who 'took' his spot.

[ATTL]

I don't think we had derrick Jones when troy was picked up by Memphis?

[kennydorglas]

I don't think we had derrick Jones when troy was picked up by Memphis?

We didnt. DJJ was signed in September for the Training Camp.

[grumpysaddle]

I just hope Phoenix can back out of that contract with Mike James. They don't need a crappier Brandon Knight (with an unfounded high ego of himself) when they already have a crappy Brandon Knight without a detrimental ego in Brandon Knight.

[bwgood77]

I don't think we had derrick Jones when troy was picked up by Memphis?

We didnt. DJJ was signed in September for the Training Camp.

Yeah, we should have just cut Archie or I think we could have cut John Jenkins at the time, but inevitably we ended up getting rid of both and signing DJJ but could have had Troy Williams.

[Zelaznyrules]

Im catching up on the game recorded on the dvr. Found it interesting during Bookers interview he made the comment that there needs to be intensity and that no one is to good for summer league. Wondering if that was a Chriss reference. He did seem to be less pouty today with a bit better body language.

It is kind of funny to say "NO ONE is too good for summer league" and not play in summer league. Not saying he should, but he's certainly eligible, and it probably would have helped everyone else.

He doesn't give half effort when he plays as if he thinks he's too good for it, which was his actual point. As for not playing, I suspect he'd play every minute of every game if we let him. He's played more minutes in the last two seasons than any other player on our roster, playing in summer league would have been a bad move. And if you recall, he took a little bit of a public beating last season for playing just a couple of games in summer league as he clearly outclassed those guys.

[kennydorglas]

I don't think we had derrick Jones when troy was picked up by Memphis?

We didnt. DJJ was signed in September for the Training Camp.

Yeah, we should have just cut Archie or I think we could have cut John Jenkins at the time, but inevitably we ended up getting rid of both and signing DJJ but could have had Troy Williams.

DJJ is already a DRPM darling at 20yo. But yeah, it sucks that we could've had both.

[Zelaznyrules]

I just hope Phoenix can back out of that contract with Mike James. They don't need a crappier Brandon Knight (with an unfounded high ego of himself) when they already have a crappy Brandon Knight without a detrimental ego in Brandon Knight.

I'll take James any day of the week over the Brandon Knight we've seen of late. He has some of the same flaws but he plays with full intensity and at a fraction of the cost. You need a guy like him although yeah, it can be a challenge when he's the only one we have to run the offense. He's good enough to fill in as a backup at either guard position and as our third guard, he's a good pickup IMO. I'd probably prefer Barbosa but I'd certainly rather see him out there than Price.

[bwgood77]

Im catching up on the game recorded on the dvr. Found it interesting during Bookers interview he made the comment that there needs to be intensity and that no one is to good for summer league. Wondering if that was a Chriss reference. He did seem to be less pouty today with a bit better body language.

It is kind of funny to say "NO ONE is too good for summer league" and not play in summer league. Not saying he should, but he's certainly eligible, and it probably would have helped everyone else.

He doesn't give half effort when he plays as if he thinks he's too good for it, which was his actual point. As for not playing, I suspect he'd play every minute of every game if we let him. He's played more minutes in the last two seasons than any other player on our roster, playing in summer league would have been a bad move. And if you recall, he took a little bit of a public beating last season for playing just a couple of games in summer league as he clearly outclassed those guys.

Thanks for the obvious points. It is just funny to make such a statement without mentioning he would be in there if he was able or something, because, the whole reason he is not playing IS because "he is too good for summer league".

[bwgood77]

We didnt. DJJ was signed in September for the Training Camp.

Yeah, we should have just cut Archie or I think we could have cut John Jenkins at the time, but inevitably we ended up getting rid of both and signing DJJ but could have had Troy Williams.

DJJ is already a DRPM darling at 20yo. But yeah, it sucks that we could've had both.

Yes, but if you have no scoring ability in this league today outside of dunking it doesn't mean much.

[Zelaznyrules]

It is kind of funny to say "NO ONE is too good for summer league" and not play in summer league. Not saying he should, but he's certainly eligible, and it probably would have helped everyone else.

He doesn't give half effort when he plays as if he thinks he's too good for it, which was his actual point. As for not playing, I suspect he'd play every minute of every game if we let him. He's played more minutes in the last two seasons than any other player on our roster, playing in summer league would have been a bad move. And if you recall, he took a little bit of a public beating last season for playing just a couple of games in summer league as he clearly outclassed those guys.

Thanks for the obvious points. It is just funny to make such a statement without mentioning he would be in there if he was able or something, because, the whole reason he is not playing IS because "he is too good for summer league".

Well, no, that isn't the whole reason. Find me just one example in the short history of the Vegas Summer League where a guy leads his team in total minutes over the two previous seasons and then plays in Vegas. Booker needs to improve but SL is less about improvement than it is about showcasing end of bench players, getting the feet wet on rookies and players that haven't logged much time but it is not about wearing down a guy who is already logging serious regular season minutes.

I know you don't like Booker and yes, I know you'll deny it, but it shows in so many of your posts. He said nothing wrong but you try and turn it into something it wasn't and then you take a cheap shot at me with your "obvious" comment. So many subtle digs at Booker and at your fellow fans simply because we like the guy. It grows tiresome when two of the mods here continually take back-handed shots at the one player that is drawing positive attention to the Suns and gives us our greatest reason for hope. You guys might even be right, but sneaking in your typical "but he shoots a higher percentage than Booker or has a lower DRPBLBQ advanced metric than some scrub" comments in every single thread does nothing to foster fan support or conversation. You're a mod, I get that, but I liked you a lot better when you were simply a diehard Suns fan. And yes, I know, I've worn out my welcome here.

[lilfishi22]

We didnt. DJJ was signed in September for the Training Camp.

Yeah, we should have just cut Archie or I think we could have cut John Jenkins at the time, but inevitably we ended up getting rid of both and signing DJJ but could have had Troy Williams.

DJJ is already a DRPM darling at 20yo. But yeah, it sucks that we could've had both.

The guy is so limited offensively. As a big man, you might be able to get away with it but a modern day wing can't excel without some scoring ability out of spoon-fed or open court dunks. I get the kid is only 20 but we already have a few 20 year olds with their own developmental challenges.

[lilfishi22]

I know you don't like Booker and yes, I know you'll deny it, but it shows in so many of your posts. He said nothing wrong but you try and turn it into something it wasn't and then you take a cheap shot at me with your "obvious" comment. So many subtle digs at Booker and at your fellow fans simply because we like the guy. It grows tiresome when two of the mods here continually take back-handed shots at the one player that is drawing positive attention to the Suns and gives us our greatest reason for hope. You guys might even be right, but sneaking in your typical "but he shoots a higher percentage than Booker or has a lower DRPBLBQ advanced metric than some scrub" comments in every single thread does nothing to foster fan support or conversation. You're a mod, I get that, but I liked you a lot better when you were simply a diehard Suns fan.

I'm sure bw can defend himself but this is more about diehard suns fan who have criticisms of Booker. We all have our criticisms of Booker and if you don't then you're not a fan of basketball. But to say bw doesn't like Booker is quite a stretch. I read bw's posts about Booker and I just don't see hate. I see similar criticisms of his game which many others on this board and in media have repeated and fully acknowledge. Saying he needs work defensively or he needs to improve on his efficiency or he needs to be a better playmaker doesn't mean I don't like the guy. It means I want to see him improve just as he wants to see himself improve on the court. Booker is by far my favourite player on the team but that doesn't mean I don't see flaws in his game.

I would hate to be on a board that posts nothing but blind support for a player who has real but fixable flaws in his game.

[bwgood77]

He doesn't give half effort when he plays as if he thinks he's too good for it, which was his actual point. As for not playing, I suspect he'd play every minute of every game if we let him. He's played more minutes in the last two seasons than any other player on our roster, playing in summer league would have been a bad move. And if you recall, he took a little bit of a public beating last season for playing just a couple of games in summer league as he clearly outclassed those guys.

Thanks for the obvious points. It is just funny to make such a statement without mentioning he would be in there if he was able or something, because, the whole reason he is not playing IS because "he is too good for summer league".

Well, no, that isn't the whole reason. Find me just one example in the short history of the Vegas Summer League where a guy leads his team in total minutes over the two previous seasons and then plays in Vegas. Booker needs to improve but SL is less about improvement than it is about showcasing end of bench players, getting the feet wet on rookies and players that haven't logged much time but it is not about wearing down a guy who is already logging serious regular season minutes.

I know you don't like Booker and yes, I know you'll deny it, but it shows in so many of your posts. He said nothing wrong but you try and turn it into something it wasn't and then you take a cheap shot at me with your "obvious" comment. So many subtle digs at Booker and at your fellow fans simply because we like the guy. It grows tiresome when two of the mods here continually take back-handed shots at the one player that is drawing positive attention to the Suns and gives us our greatest reason for hope. You guys might even be right, but sneaking in your typical "but he shoots a higher percentage than Booker or has a lower DRPBLBQ advanced metric than some scrub" comments in every single thread does nothing to foster fan support or conversation. You're a mod, I get that, but I liked you a lot better when you were simply a diehard Suns fan. And yes, I know, I've worn out my welcome here.

I don't dislike Booker at all. He's the best thing to happen to the Suns in awhile. What does bother me is when people are super homers for some players that have flaws they ignore and throw other solid players out like they are scrubs....or overrate one rookie while underrating another. I like all of our players other than Knight. I think we pretty much need shooting and defense across the board but I'm a huge fan of everyone. If I do feel fans are overvaluing one player and undervaluing another I will point out strengths of one and weaknesses of another for balance, though people's minds are usually set anyway. That comment wasn't actually meant as a knock on Booker at all and he was right, and I know there is no way the team would let him risk injury in summer league.

[Frank Lee]

Isn't DJJ one our better defenders ? (not too difficult to be in the top five here)

frankly, this is a team long on potential, but short on actual NOW ability. I see little reason to debate who rounds out our roster at 11-12-13 and on when our top five has but two guys who would start elsewhere. Its a bumpy road ahead. Cross your fingers and close your eyes....we'll get through it, but it sure is challenging for all but the hardiest of fans who have conveniently traded eyewear.

[RaisingArizona]

Knight is way better than James. Jesus. I don't want to see him again on this team.

Signed for two years isnt he?

For the G league. The guy is exactly opposite of what we need at PG. Spread the ball around and let the three top ten picks get touches.

[Zelaznyrules]

I know you don't like Booker and yes, I know you'll deny it, but it shows in so many of your posts. He said nothing wrong but you try and turn it into something it wasn't and then you take a cheap shot at me with your "obvious" comment. So many subtle digs at Booker and at your fellow fans simply because we like the guy. It grows tiresome when two of the mods here continually take back-handed shots at the one player that is drawing positive attention to the Suns and gives us our greatest reason for hope. You guys might even be right, but sneaking in your typical "but he shoots a higher percentage than Booker or has a lower DRPBLBQ advanced metric than some scrub" comments in every single thread does nothing to foster fan support or conversation. You're a mod, I get that, but I liked you a lot better when you were simply a diehard Suns fan.

I'm sure bw can defend himself but this is more about diehard suns fan who have criticisms of Booker. We all have our criticisms of Booker and if you don't then you're not a fan of basketball. But to say bw doesn't like Booker is quite a stretch. I read bw's posts about Booker and I just don't see hate. I see similar criticisms of his game which many others on this board and in media have repeated and fully acknowledge. Saying he needs work defensively or he needs to improve on his efficiency or he needs to be a better playmaker doesn't mean I don't like the guy. It means I want to see him improve just as he wants to see himself improve on the court. Booker is by far my favourite player on the team but that doesn't mean I don't see flaws in his game.

I would hate to be on a board that posts nothing but blind support for a player who has real but fixable flaws in his game.

I wasn't talking about you in any way. I have no problem with pointing out Booker's flaws and yes, he has many. And I've pointed them out many times. Last summer I kept doing my best to keep the runaway Booker train from gaining too much steam. I don't really want to invest any more time in what I am talking about, you've either picked up on it or you haven't. It's clear you haven't and that's probably the case for many fans here.

[Zelaznyrules]

Isn't DJJ one our better defenders ? (not too difficult to be in the top five here)

frankly, this is a team long on potential, but short on actual NOW ability. I see little reason to debate who rounds out our roster at 11-12-13 and on when our top five has but two guys who would start elsewhere. Its a bumpy road ahead. Cross your fingers and close your eyes....we'll get through it, but it sure is challenging for all but the hardiest of fans who have conveniently traded eyewear.

If you're talking about Bledsoe and Warren, I'd agree. Eric is definitely a quality starter and TJ is the closest thing we have to a player ready to start on a legitimate team. Booker isn't too far behind and he's start for any team that was looking to the future more than the present.