Evan Fournier will exercise his $17M player option for the 2020-21 season

[fendilim]

I just read an Athletic piece by Josh Robbins saying he was by far the most hated player by the fanbase. Why is this? Reminds me a little of how Suns fans hated TJ Warren (though he was my favorite player...Bridges rivaled it as a rookie though).

In the Athletic it showed some vicious tweets from fans to him.

It also said this:

His stats and his floor spacing should not be dismissed as worthless. Last season, there were only five players in the entire league who averaged at least 18.0 points and 3.0 assists and also shot at least 45.0 percent from the field and 39.0 percent from beyond the arc. Those five players were Damian Lillard, Brandon Ingram, Jayson Tatum, Khris Middleton and Fournier. That’s an impressive achievement, even if he’s not on the same level as the others. The guy competes, and he deserves credit for that.

Now I have seen people say he doesn't play winning basketball, and yes, his defense could be better, but I've also heard arguments about Vucevic, Gordon, etc, not playing winning basketball, and PG has been an issue too...Fultz never won in college and is still somewhat a project.

I'm not here to knock the team..I actually like him and Vucevic and Gordon and were hoping the Suns traded Oubre for Gordon..I also liked Fultz in the draft and LOVED Isaac and wanted him...and find Okeke intriguing. Back in the day I also wanted Terrence Ross in the draft where the Suns picked, but he went a couple picks earlier.

I'm just wondering why the hate for Fournier? You do need efficient scorers and he did avg 3 or more apg, so he's not necessarily a black hole on offense, which may have been suggested. And when you can maintain a 45% FG% while hitting over a couple 3s a game, that's pretty impressive too.

Because Fournier only passes to our most reliable scorer in Vuc. And dont pass the ball to the fanbase’ shiny new toys.

[Nyce_1]

I just read an Athletic piece by Josh Robbins saying he was by far the most hated player by the fanbase. Why is this? Reminds me a little of how Suns fans hated TJ Warren (though he was my favorite player...Bridges rivaled it as a rookie though).

In the Athletic it showed some vicious tweets from fans to him.

It also said this:

His stats and his floor spacing should not be dismissed as worthless. Last season, there were only five players in the entire league who averaged at least 18.0 points and 3.0 assists and also shot at least 45.0 percent from the field and 39.0 percent from beyond the arc. Those five players were Damian Lillard, Brandon Ingram, Jayson Tatum, Khris Middleton and Fournier. That’s an impressive achievement, even if he’s not on the same level as the others. The guy competes, and he deserves credit for that.

Now I have seen people say he doesn't play winning basketball, and yes, his defense could be better, but I've also heard arguments about Vucevic, Gordon, etc, not playing winning basketball, and PG has been an issue too...Fultz never won in college and is still somewhat a project.

I'm not here to knock the team..I actually like him and Vucevic and Gordon and were hoping the Suns traded Oubre for Gordon..I also liked Fultz in the draft and LOVED Isaac and wanted him...and find Okeke intriguing. Back in the day I also wanted Terrence Ross in the draft where the Suns picked, but he went a couple picks earlier.

I'm just wondering why the hate for Fournier? You do need efficient scorers and he did avg 3 or more apg, so he's not necessarily a black hole on offense, which may have been suggested. And when you can maintain a 45% FG% while hitting over a couple 3s a game, that's pretty impressive too.

The problem with Evan is he was given a lead role when we had no better options. Since then, he's kept that mentality when he's not suited for the role anymore. Talent-wise, he's a good fit (shooter, secondary ball handler, decent defender). Unfortunately, when it matters in-game (crunch time), he gets tunnel-vision and assumes the lead creator role, but he doesn't/can't create. And since he's the 2nd most tenured player on the roster, he uses that seniority mentality. If he would just take a step back, he'd be fine here. But, after 6 years of watching him, fans are just tired and ready for someone different.

If we traded for Fournier now, at this stage in his career, we'd all be happy. He wouldn't come in trying to be the main option.

[bwgood77]

I just read an Athletic piece by Josh Robbins saying he was by far the most hated player by the fanbase. Why is this? Reminds me a little of how Suns fans hated TJ Warren (though he was my favorite player...Bridges rivaled it as a rookie though).

In the Athletic it showed some vicious tweets from fans to him.

It also said this:

His stats and his floor spacing should not be dismissed as worthless. Last season, there were only five players in the entire league who averaged at least 18.0 points and 3.0 assists and also shot at least 45.0 percent from the field and 39.0 percent from beyond the arc. Those five players were Damian Lillard, Brandon Ingram, Jayson Tatum, Khris Middleton and Fournier. That’s an impressive achievement, even if he’s not on the same level as the others. The guy competes, and he deserves credit for that.

Now I have seen people say he doesn't play winning basketball, and yes, his defense could be better, but I've also heard arguments about Vucevic, Gordon, etc, not playing winning basketball, and PG has been an issue too...Fultz never won in college and is still somewhat a project.

I'm not here to knock the team..I actually like him and Vucevic and Gordon and were hoping the Suns traded Oubre for Gordon..I also liked Fultz in the draft and LOVED Isaac and wanted him...and find Okeke intriguing. Back in the day I also wanted Terrence Ross in the draft where the Suns picked, but he went a couple picks earlier.

I'm just wondering why the hate for Fournier? You do need efficient scorers and he did avg 3 or more apg, so he's not necessarily a black hole on offense, which may have been suggested. And when you can maintain a 45% FG% while hitting over a couple 3s a game, that's pretty impressive too.

The problem with Evan is he was given a lead role when we had no better options. Since then, he's kept that mentality when he's not suited for the role anymore. Talent-wise, he's a good fit (shooter, secondary ball handler, decent defender). Unfortunately, when it matters in-game (crunch time), he gets tunnel-vision and assumes the lead creator role, but he doesn't/can't create. And since he's the 2nd most tenured player on the roster, he uses that seniority mentality. If he would just take a step back, he'd be fine here. But, after 6 years of watching him, fans are just tired and ready for someone different.

If we traded for Fournier now, at this stage in his career, we'd all be happy. He wouldn't come in trying to be the main option.

Who should be the main option? Vucevic?

[Nyce_1]

I just read an Athletic piece by Josh Robbins saying he was by far the most hated player by the fanbase. Why is this? Reminds me a little of how Suns fans hated TJ Warren (though he was my favorite player...Bridges rivaled it as a rookie though).

In the Athletic it showed some vicious tweets from fans to him.

It also said this:



Now I have seen people say he doesn't play winning basketball, and yes, his defense could be better, but I've also heard arguments about Vucevic, Gordon, etc, not playing winning basketball, and PG has been an issue too...Fultz never won in college and is still somewhat a project.

I'm not here to knock the team..I actually like him and Vucevic and Gordon and were hoping the Suns traded Oubre for Gordon..I also liked Fultz in the draft and LOVED Isaac and wanted him...and find Okeke intriguing. Back in the day I also wanted Terrence Ross in the draft where the Suns picked, but he went a couple picks earlier.

I'm just wondering why the hate for Fournier? You do need efficient scorers and he did avg 3 or more apg, so he's not necessarily a black hole on offense, which may have been suggested. And when you can maintain a 45% FG% while hitting over a couple 3s a game, that's pretty impressive too.

The problem with Evan is he was given a lead role when we had no better options. Since then, he's kept that mentality when he's not suited for the role anymore. Talent-wise, he's a good fit (shooter, secondary ball handler, decent defender). Unfortunately, when it matters in-game (crunch time), he gets tunnel-vision and assumes the lead creator role, but he doesn't/can't create. And since he's the 2nd most tenured player on the roster, he uses that seniority mentality. If he would just take a step back, he'd be fine here. But, after 6 years of watching him, fans are just tired and ready for someone different.

If we traded for Fournier now, at this stage in his career, we'd all be happy. He wouldn't come in trying to be the main option.

Who should be the main option? Vucevic?

Markelle. The few times he was given the opportunity to truly lead in crunch time without Fournier, he showed really good flash, and delivered (making right plays to set teammates up or scoring). Fans rather live and die with him while he goes through the growing pains, than see the same 2-man game lead by Fournier, we've all watched for several years.

When Evan went down with an injury last season (March), fans were excited to see Markelle get a bigger role (and Iwundu too), but then COVID. For 'Kelle to grow more, we can't have an elder Fournier around. It's part Fournier fault (for his tunnel vision) and part coach's fault (for drawing up the plays). The team was very careful with Markelle last season. We all think the kid gloves are off and he'll have a monster year. We'll see if he can demand a bigger offensive role and co-exist with Fournier. If so, big accomplishment.

[The Real Dalic]

I just read an Athletic piece by Josh Robbins saying he was by far the most hated player by the fanbase. Why is this? Reminds me a little of how Suns fans hated TJ Warren (though he was my favorite player...Bridges rivaled it as a rookie though).

In the Athletic it showed some vicious tweets from fans to him.

It also said this:



Now I have seen people say he doesn't play winning basketball, and yes, his defense could be better, but I've also heard arguments about Vucevic, Gordon, etc, not playing winning basketball, and PG has been an issue too...Fultz never won in college and is still somewhat a project.

I'm not here to knock the team..I actually like him and Vucevic and Gordon and were hoping the Suns traded Oubre for Gordon..I also liked Fultz in the draft and LOVED Isaac and wanted him...and find Okeke intriguing. Back in the day I also wanted Terrence Ross in the draft where the Suns picked, but he went a couple picks earlier.

I'm just wondering why the hate for Fournier? You do need efficient scorers and he did avg 3 or more apg, so he's not necessarily a black hole on offense, which may have been suggested. And when you can maintain a 45% FG% while hitting over a couple 3s a game, that's pretty impressive too.

The problem with Evan is he was given a lead role when we had no better options. Since then, he's kept that mentality when he's not suited for the role anymore. Talent-wise, he's a good fit (shooter, secondary ball handler, decent defender). Unfortunately, when it matters in-game (crunch time), he gets tunnel-vision and assumes the lead creator role, but he doesn't/can't create. And since he's the 2nd most tenured player on the roster, he uses that seniority mentality. If he would just take a step back, he'd be fine here. But, after 6 years of watching him, fans are just tired and ready for someone different.

If we traded for Fournier now, at this stage in his career, we'd all be happy. He wouldn't come in trying to be the main option.

Who should be the main option? Vucevic?

Both Vuc and Fultz.

[SD2042]

I just read an Athletic piece by Josh Robbins saying he was by far the most hated player by the fanbase. Why is this? Reminds me a little of how Suns fans hated TJ Warren (though he was my favorite player...Bridges rivaled it as a rookie though).

In the Athletic it showed some vicious tweets from fans to him.

It also said this:

His stats and his floor spacing should not be dismissed as worthless. Last season, there were only five players in the entire league who averaged at least 18.0 points and 3.0 assists and also shot at least 45.0 percent from the field and 39.0 percent from beyond the arc. Those five players were Damian Lillard, Brandon Ingram, Jayson Tatum, Khris Middleton and Fournier. That’s an impressive achievement, even if he’s not on the same level as the others. The guy competes, and he deserves credit for that.

Now I have seen people say he doesn't play winning basketball, and yes, his defense could be better, but I've also heard arguments about Vucevic, Gordon, etc, not playing winning basketball, and PG has been an issue too...Fultz never won in college and is still somewhat a project.

I'm not here to knock the team..I actually like him and Vucevic and Gordon and were hoping the Suns traded Oubre for Gordon..I also liked Fultz in the draft and LOVED Isaac and wanted him...and find Okeke intriguing. Back in the day I also wanted Terrence Ross in the draft where the Suns picked, but he went a couple picks earlier.

I'm just wondering why the hate for Fournier? You do need efficient scorers and he did avg 3 or more apg, so he's not necessarily a black hole on offense, which may have been suggested. And when you can maintain a 45% FG% while hitting over a couple 3s a game, that's pretty impressive too.

SOUL pretty much covered this.

At this point, Fournier is a third or fourth option on a contender. He's more reliable that way as for a team like the Magic, the fit never made sense in-spite of his growth as a player. Now, his true worth would be served as a trade chip to a contender for whatever the Magic can get back in return. I can't picture the Magic going back to the playoffs this upcoming season based on what has happened in the accelerated off-season in the East. More in particular with the Hawks and the Hornets. Maybe the Wizards with the Westbrook trade(albiet I still can't pick them playoff bound).

[fendilim]

The problem with Evan is he was given a lead role when we had no better options. Since then, he's kept that mentality when he's not suited for the role anymore. Talent-wise, he's a good fit (shooter, secondary ball handler, decent defender). Unfortunately, when it matters in-game (crunch time), he gets tunnel-vision and assumes the lead creator role, but he doesn't/can't create. And since he's the 2nd most tenured player on the roster, he uses that seniority mentality. If he would just take a step back, he'd be fine here. But, after 6 years of watching him, fans are just tired and ready for someone different.

If we traded for Fournier now, at this stage in his career, we'd all be happy. He wouldn't come in trying to be the main option.

Who should be the main option? Vucevic?

Both Vuc and Fultz.

Markelle is a jumper away from being a main option, BUT until then, you’re not putting your team in the best position to win if you give him the ball.

Yes, it worked against the Lakers during the regular season, but we’ve seen it happen EVERY YEAR in the playoffs when most teams exploit player’s weaknesses. And they certainly wont respect Markelle’s jumper in the plsyoffs when some team already dont respect Markelle’s jumper during the regular season.

[fendilim]

I just read an Athletic piece by Josh Robbins saying he was by far the most hated player by the fanbase. Why is this? Reminds me a little of how Suns fans hated TJ Warren (though he was my favorite player...Bridges rivaled it as a rookie though).

In the Athletic it showed some vicious tweets from fans to him.

It also said this:

His stats and his floor spacing should not be dismissed as worthless. Last season, there were only five players in the entire league who averaged at least 18.0 points and 3.0 assists and also shot at least 45.0 percent from the field and 39.0 percent from beyond the arc. Those five players were Damian Lillard, Brandon Ingram, Jayson Tatum, Khris Middleton and Fournier. That’s an impressive achievement, even if he’s not on the same level as the others. The guy competes, and he deserves credit for that.

Now I have seen people say he doesn't play winning basketball, and yes, his defense could be better, but I've also heard arguments about Vucevic, Gordon, etc, not playing winning basketball, and PG has been an issue too...Fultz never won in college and is still somewhat a project.

I'm not here to knock the team..I actually like him and Vucevic and Gordon and were hoping the Suns traded Oubre for Gordon..I also liked Fultz in the draft and LOVED Isaac and wanted him...and find Okeke intriguing. Back in the day I also wanted Terrence Ross in the draft where the Suns picked, but he went a couple picks earlier.

I'm just wondering why the hate for Fournier? You do need efficient scorers and he did avg 3 or more apg, so he's not necessarily a black hole on offense, which may have been suggested. And when you can maintain a 45% FG% while hitting over a couple 3s a game, that's pretty impressive too.

SOUL pretty much covered this.

At this point, Fournier is a third or fourth option on a contender. He's more reliable that way as for a team like the Magic, the fit never made sense in-spite of his growth as a player. Now, his true worth would be served as a trade chip to a contender for whatever the Magic can get back in return. I can't picture the Magic going back to the playoffs this upcoming season based on what has happened in the accelerated off-season in the East. More in particular with the Hawks and the Hornets. Maybe the Wizards with the Westbrook trade(albiet I still can't pick them playoff bound).

Unfortunately, Fournier is our 2nd best scorer next to Vuc, so by default, he and Vuc is our 2 main options.

[bwgood77]

Who should be the main option? Vucevic?

Both Vuc and Fultz.

Markelle is a jumper away from being a main option, BUT until then, you’re not putting your team in the best position to win if you give him the ball.

Yes, it worked against the Lakers during the regular season, but we’ve seen it happen EVERY YEAR in the playoffs when most teams exploit player’s weaknesses. And they certainly wont respect Markelle’s jumper in the plsyoffs when some team already dont respect Markelle’s jumper during the regular season.

It still seems like a guy like Fournier would still take pressure off of some of these other guys to do too much...and doesn't necessarily have a negative impact on others progressing.

I think he'd probably be missed, as it seems like a nice scorer and second or third creator, even if it's just to Vucevic, is something that is needed on this team.