Preseason Game #2 : Phoenix Suns @ Utah Jazz

[Capn'O]

Checking in for Len talk, per sig. I am happy Cappy.

Thabo Sefolosha sounds like a hell of a guy.

Didn't he get arrested for fighting people outside a club in NYC at like 4am?

They were arrested and Thabo got his leg broken but not only was he exonerated from any wrongdoing but he and Antic won a hefty settlement.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19087188/thabo-sefolosha-atlanta-hawks-settles-lawsuit-vs-new-york-police-department-officers

[darealjuice]

Really like what we've seen from Jackson so far. Shot's not pretty, but he's at least making the 3 right now. He's quick and has a nice first step, but he's still got work to do with polishing his handle and working on creative ways to get to the rim when straight line drives aren't there. He only had 1 assist tonight, but his court vision has been very good so far, especially when he's slashing. A few dumb turnovers tonight, but I think come the regular season he's going to be settled in and those will be cut down.

[LukasBMW]

Really like what we've seen from Jackson so far. Shot's not pretty, but he's at least making the 3 right now. He's quick and has a nice first step, but he's still got work to do with polishing his handle and working on creative ways to get to the rim when straight line drives aren't there. He only had 1 assist tonight, but his court vision has been very good so far, especially when he's slashing. A few dumb turnovers tonight, but I think come the regular season he's going to be settled in and those will be cut down.

Yeah, Jackson and Booker are legit NBA talents. So is TJ if he can stay healthy. Bender/Ulis/Chriss are still wildcards.

[darealjuice]

Really like what we've seen from Jackson so far. Shot's not pretty, but he's at least making the 3 right now. He's quick and has a nice first step, but he's still got work to do with polishing his handle and working on creative ways to get to the rim when straight line drives aren't there. He only had 1 assist tonight, but his court vision has been very good so far, especially when he's slashing. A few dumb turnovers tonight, but I think come the regular season he's going to be settled in and those will be cut down.

Yeah, Jackson and Booker are legit NBA talents. So is TJ if he can stay healthy. Bender/Ulis/Chriss are still wildcards.

Ulis is always going to be a question of size. It's going to take time to pack on the muscle that it takes for him to be physically suited to play in the NBA. I think he'll eventually be a decent 3-point shooter, and I have no doubt in his ability to create on offense, but until he's strong enough to handle contact on offense and defense he's going to have his liabilities. The Jazz commentators were clowning on him the entire game and laughing at the idea of him being a backup point guard.

Bender is definitely a long term project. He did a good job putting on a little weight since last season, but it's going to take a couple more offseasons to get where he needs to be. His shot is basically a line drive right now, and he hasn't made a 3 yet this preseason. He has the passing, his shot just needs minor adjustments, his defense is solid, and he's looking more comfortable handling the ball the more he does it in game, but it's going to take awhile for him to put it all together and builds confidence, if it happens at all.

Quese is a mystery too. He's like Bender in that he has a lot of tools with not a lot of polish and experience in his game, so it's inconsistent and awkward at times. He's supposed to be a pretty smart kid, so hopefully he can learn rotations and figure out defending without fouling, but it's going to take time to learn it and translate it to the NBA level. I will say he's been a bit better at contesting by going straight up this preseason, but he's still biting on fakes and getting caught out of rotation too much.

Quese and Bender both need to spend a ton of time in the gym shooting and working on their game, and they need as much playing time as possible to give them opportunities to put it all together. It's not gonna happen overnight unfortunately. We knew they were boom-or-bust projects when we got them and we know that we're not competing anytime soon, so I think we better strap in and wait to see if we're able to mold those skillsets into actual basketball players over the next couple years.

[Qwigglez]

Man I really thought of taking Len in both fantasy drafts after the first game and would have if I knew they were going to play him much this season, I would have, because I've always thought he was a great rebounder/shot blocker and that they were using him incorrectly offensively.

I'm still not convinced for sure he will play a ton...but watching this he should get the opportunity. It's just too bad we didn't lock him up to the type of deal I kept mentioning, like 3/21 with maybe a team option, but perhaps we did and he declined.

If he develops chemistry and plays well for us this year and with the C market, perhaps we can keep him if we want. I know it's early and I hate judgement and didn't want to make too much after the first preseason game (and honestly, we shouldn't make too much of anything in the preseason) but he looks good.

Whoever took Len in Premier is probably gonna win.

[SideSwipe]

Len looking really good right now between points, boards, % and defense. 2 game MVP? Now if he could do it consistently for the whole season, that would be amazing. He might be looking at $15 million per season- just probably not from us.

[bwgood77]

Man I really thought of taking Len in both fantasy drafts after the first game and would have if I knew they were going to play him much this season, I would have, because I've always thought he was a great rebounder/shot blocker and that they were using him incorrectly offensively.

I'm still not convinced for sure he will play a ton...but watching this he should get the opportunity. It's just too bad we didn't lock him up to the type of deal I kept mentioning, like 3/21 with maybe a team option, but perhaps we did and he declined.

If he develops chemistry and plays well for us this year and with the C market, perhaps we can keep him if we want. I know it's early and I hate judgement and didn't want to make too much after the first preseason game (and honestly, we shouldn't make too much of anything in the preseason) but he looks good.

Whoever took Len in Premier is probably gonna win.

Yeah, for sure, Alex Len is gonna turn the tides in a very calculated fantasy league.

[Skillmatic]

Hey. Does someone has a link for me with the full game replay? want to see the game

[Bogyo]

Actually, any kind of extended video summary would be welcome.

[bigfoot]

TJ Warren with 5 stitches to the "head" ... that RIP girlfriend tattoo must be looking kinda jagged now.

[Mulhollanddrive]

Jackson's attacking the rim reminds me of a lighter LeBron.

That's his top 1% trait that every star needs.

[Stark]

Is there any update about Warren's injury ?

[sunwillrise0304]

like our improvement although still lots of turnovers.

1. Len, we should start him when facing traditional big. Just a preseason game but watson should notice that.
2. Ulis, improved but not enough since I have high expectation on him. Still not comfortable to finish at rim due to the size issue. Hope he will jumb over it soon.

3. Chriss, still a bit lazy on the defensive end, push him in 5 position makes him the man to be blamed, of which may be a good thing though.
4. Bledsoe, disappointed, too many 3point trial and at the same time seldom run the offense.

[bigfoot]

Is there any update about Warren's injury ?

Under concussion protocol after whacking his head on some cement. Five stitches.

http://arizonasports.com/story/1267550/suns-forward-t-j-warren-leaves-game-apparent-head-injury-1/

[JMac1]

First....Come on D Backs and Go Cubs!!! Can we please get a effing kicker!!! Smh.

Saw the first game loved JJ. Like some has said gotta get a handle in traffic and finish on some lay-ups, however, loved what I saw. TJ impresses too. Bled looked solid and Book was Book. Len is Len and if he could just be that cool. Didn't get much read on Bender....I loathe that hunched-over dribbling of his. Chris is on my short list....Daniels looks like a perfect fit off the bench shooter.

From theee posts I'm assuming that's pretty the same story from the last game.

I'm comfortable with Booker, Bledsoe, JJ, and TJ thus far.....Bender and Chriss are going to have to start showing growth or I begin to move on with them. Not a Ulis guy. Between Chris and Bender, I like Bender. I think...(wow!!! Connie Hawkins died......) Bender is better suited for this team's make up over Chris. They are both just supporting guys with Booker Bled And JJ pretty much being the guys and TJ the wild card.


Sad about Connie. Met him at the Casino once.

[carey]

Does anyone have a gif or tube of the play where Warren apparently separated Exum's shoulder?

[NTB]

Does anyone have a gif or tube of the play where Warren apparently separated Exum's shoulder?

Watch on YouTube

0:24

[Bogyo]

That pass from Booker to JJ at 0:56! :O

[Revived]

Suns really need to bring in a great shooting coach. The guys are young enough to mold before they're set in their ways too much.

Wasn't that supposed to have been Hornacek?

Not a coach coach. A shooting coach. Someone that just works with the players on their shooting form.

Can we rent that guy the Spurs use?

[wheezy]

^We should try to get Dirk's when he retires.