2020 Preseason Speculation - Lineup battles underway

[alamin330]

Jalen will look much better when he plays the 5, and also when he's not constantly playing as part of these platoon bench line-ups where we're rolling out Jones, Motley and the off-guards.

Honestly I see him doing better with Saric at the five. But I agree about the platoon bench, and usually an undersized 1,2,3 that have been inconsistent hasn't opened things up either. Utah was super scrappy and really hustled. I was hoping we would match their aggressiveness. A few times we did.

I am going to hold my judgements until we have all our guys playing consistently.

The reason he is playing with those lineups is because he's been so bad. When he's with the starters he's so bad Monty has to take him out

[NapoleonII]

Smith is a long term project. Let the kid play a couple of games and go through a dozen practices first before you naysayers start.

And LOL @ everyone complaining about James freaking Jones.

In 2 years he's dragged us into a roster that can make the playoffs & which has many calling us a top 10 team, got us a hall of fame player who can still play and lead, re-signed key pieces (which has been historically a disaster around here) AND acquired Jae Crowder a player that any playoff team would easily sign in a heartbeat. LEBRON JAMES is talking about this team. LEBRON who is running the table for the next 2-3 years for championships is talking about the Phoenix Suns.

Some of his moves were risky, yes, but you need your GM to make ballsey moves. If they're playing it safe at all times you end up like the 76ers or the Orlando Magic.

He's done everything possible to improve this team short of suiting up or killing Robert Sarver.

[RunDogGun]

I just dont understand the logic behind taking a risk on Smith who is just as equally likely to be a bust as Haliburton when you need a pg. I thought Haliburton would be a bust but he's quick and plays the passing lanes and doing a decent job as pg. Knowing you're getting CP3 why not take him and let him learn from CP3? Instead you draft Smith. James Jones does a great job in team building but does as equally a bad job in talent evaluation. If he keeps this up Devin Booker is going to be gone real soon

We have also needed rebounding and shot blocking badly. Bigs often take longer to develop and we finally have an environment and culture to develop players. Booker isn't going anywhere.

I hope you're right. But sounds like a bunch of excuses. Its strange here. Ayton is a baseline 18/10 guy on a bad day and he gets no credit. Jalen Smith was advertised as a 3D guy who can contribute right away but hes shooting worse than Shaq and people are bigs take a long time to develop. So that excuse only true when its convenient for you? Cuz I dont hear anyone saying that when it comes to Ayton. Let's keep things fair when we criticize players. Smith can't get a pass for playing like a bum but ayton has 1 off game and you're ready to trade him

It isn't an excuse, often bigs take longer to develop. Smith isn't a Shaq type player, where you know exactly where he will play. Smith didn't play from the corners in college, and he went from strictly a four to then take mins at the five. Now he seems to be expected to be more of a wing. Ayton was our franchises only number one pick. He was also drafted before Donic, so he will always have higher expectations. I am not knocking Ayton with my comment, bt if you think Ayton is the beesknees, I am just pointing out that your knock on Smith for only having one block shot seems rather silly.

Smith is not getting a pass, nor is he playing like a bum. He is playing like a rookie, who is learning a new role, didn't have a summer league, had a rushed training camp, and is three games into a preseason. Perspective is important.

[alamin330]

ok so excuses. Vassell and Haliburton were ranked ahead of Smith and are already showing that they are better

It's ok. This was a good test to expose the hypocrites. Ayton gets no passes but seems like Smith is a long term project all of a sudden. Lmao. Ok. Isn't every draft pick a long term project.

[NapoleonII]

It's also not all on Smith.

Monty, I'm sure, is figuring out how to use him.

Saric coming back is going to clear up A LOT of the messiness we're seeing right now.

[cberry78]

Jalen will look much better when he plays the 5, and also when he's not constantly playing as part of these platoon bench line-ups where we're rolling out Jones, Motley and the off-guards.

Honestly I see him doing better with Saric at the five. But I agree about the platoon bench, and usually an undersized 1,2,3 that have been inconsistent hasn't opened things up either. Utah was super scrappy and really hustled. I was hoping we would match their aggressiveness. A few times we did.

I am going to hold my judgements until we have all our guys playing consistently.

The reason he is playing with those lineups is because he's been so bad. When he's with the starters he's so bad Monty has to take him out

The reason he's playing those lineups is because our starting PF from last year is out injured and has played on preseason game, our other PF/C is also out injured and hasn't played one preseason game, and our FA PF played his first preseason game last night. You're talking about a rookie PF who is learning a new system, with new players (and not even sharing the court - game or practice - with some of them), and new terminology, in an extremely abbreviated off season.

Yeah, he's gonna struggle. Why don't you guys go be a 6-10 20-year-old and do better.

[RunDogGun]

Jalen will look much better when he plays the 5, and also when he's not constantly playing as part of these platoon bench line-ups where we're rolling out Jones, Motley and the off-guards.

Honestly I see him doing better with Saric at the five. But I agree about the platoon bench, and usually an undersized 1,2,3 that have been inconsistent hasn't opened things up either. Utah was super scrappy and really hustled. I was hoping we would match their aggressiveness. A few times we did.

I am going to hold my judgements until we have all our guys playing consistently.

The reason he is playing with those lineups is because he's been so bad. When he's with the starters he's so bad Monty has to take him out

So now you are pretending to know what Monty is thinking? Smith started game 2, and played 27 mins last night. I think Monty knows what he has in Smith, and understands that this season will be challenging for new players to the league.

[RunDogGun]

ok so excuses. Vassell and Haliburton were ranked ahead of Smith and are already showing that they are better

It's ok. This was a good test to expose the hypocrites. Ayton gets no passes but seems like Smith is a long term project all of a sudden. Lmao. Ok. Isn't every draft pick a long term project.

Hypocrites? Who are you? Damn dude, you are nuts.

[RunDogGun]

I am more concerned with how bad our offense looks when Paul and Booker are not in the game. I hope Payne can return to play soon.

[alamin330]

ok so excuses. Vassell and Haliburton were ranked ahead of Smith and are already showing that they are better

It's ok. This was a good test to expose the hypocrites. Ayton gets no passes but seems like Smith is a long term project all of a sudden. Lmao. Ok. Isn't every draft pick a long term project.

Hypocrites? Who are you? Damn dude, you are nuts.

Ain’t you the same dude with a hard on for Doncic. Crying to ur mom for breast milk every time he has a good game. A little Stan but ur calling me nuts cuz the 10th overall pick can’t make an open shot. Get over urself bro. Ur a hypocrite.

[alamin330]

Honestly I see him doing better with Saric at the five. But I agree about the platoon bench, and usually an undersized 1,2,3 that have been inconsistent hasn't opened things up either. Utah was super scrappy and really hustled. I was hoping we would match their aggressiveness. A few times we did.

I am going to hold my judgements until we have all our guys playing consistently.

The reason he is playing with those lineups is because he's been so bad. When he's with the starters he's so bad Monty has to take him out

The reason he's playing those lineups is because our starting PF from last year is out injured and has played on preseason game, our other PF/C is also out injured and hasn't played one preseason game, and our FA PF played his first preseason game last night. You're talking about a rookie PF who is learning a new system, with new players (and not even sharing the court - game or practice - with some of them), and new terminology, in an extremely abbreviated off season.

Yeah, he's gonna struggle. Why don't you guys go be a 6-10 20-year-old and do better.

I’d love to be a 6’10 20 year old and id do much better than Smith. It’s not that hard to do cuz he hasn’t done anything. Can’t even make his free throws.

[bwgood77]

I am not worried about Smith right now. I like the way he worked on his handling during the summer. I would like to see him with Saric during the preseason because I think the two of them will be together often. Preseason has been rough so far for the Suns. We have spurts of the bubble success, and then spurts of terrible offense and defense. Hopefully we iron things out.

Smith has as many blocks as Ayton so far, settle down people, its just preseason during a pandemic.

Ayton is in his 3rd year and we know he's good. Smith just got here and he's looking like a bum. Pandemic has nothing to do with his basketball skills. He just looks like a bust. He was the 10th pick. Hyped up as a blocker and shooter. He's playing 3rd stringers. He's looking real bad out there

Didn't you think Josh Jackson was awesome though? Near the end of his second year? As I recall, your girlfriend did too.

Lets not be too quick to judge....that was after almost 2 years and we've seen 3 preseason games from Smith, where he was playing with guys who have never played with each other (none of them) before, and with pros for the first time.

[RunDogGun]

ok so excuses. Vassell and Haliburton were ranked ahead of Smith and are already showing that they are better

It's ok. This was a good test to expose the hypocrites. Ayton gets no passes but seems like Smith is a long term project all of a sudden. Lmao. Ok. Isn't every draft pick a long term project.

Hypocrites? Who are you? Damn dude, you are nuts.

Ain’t you the same dude with a hard on for Doncic. Crying to ur mom for breast milk every time he has a good game. A little Stan but ur calling me nuts cuz the 10th overall pick can’t make an open shot. Get over urself bro. Ur a hypocrite.

Bwahaha, nope, I don't watch Donic play. I wanted us to draft him, but I was fine with us drafting Ayton. I like Ayton. As for the rest of your comment, I think you proved my comment correct, so I must thank you.

[bwgood77]

Smith is a long term project. Let the kid play a couple of games and go through a dozen practices first before you naysayers start.

And LOL @ everyone complaining about James freaking Jones.

In 2 years he's dragged us into a roster that can make the playoffs & which has many calling us a top 10 team, got us a hall of fame player who can still play and lead, re-signed key pieces (which has been historically a disaster around here) AND acquired Jae Crowder a player that any playoff team would easily sign in a heartbeat. LEBRON JAMES is talking about this team. LEBRON who is running the table for the next 2-3 years for championships is talking about the Phoenix Suns.

Some of his moves were risky, yes, but you need your GM to make ballsey moves. If they're playing it safe at all times you end up like the 76ers or the Orlando Magic.

He's done everything possible to improve this team short of suiting up or killing Robert Sarver.

Yeah, Jones could have been more like McD and stuck to the twitter and website draft "experts" boards and taken the highest ranked prospects according to them like Len, Bender, Chriss and Jackson. And the rumor in the Booker draft is that he really wanted Kaminsky.

Cam Johnson has turned out pretty good.

[bigfoot]

OMG it's been so long I've almost forgotten about our friend

[BobbieL]

Smith is a long term project. Let the kid play a couple of games and go through a dozen practices first before you naysayers start.

And LOL @ everyone complaining about James freaking Jones.

In 2 years he's dragged us into a roster that can make the playoffs & which has many calling us a top 10 team, got us a hall of fame player who can still play and lead, re-signed key pieces (which has been historically a disaster around here) AND acquired Jae Crowder a player that any playoff team would easily sign in a heartbeat. LEBRON JAMES is talking about this team. LEBRON who is running the table for the next 2-3 years for championships is talking about the Phoenix Suns.

Some of his moves were risky, yes, but you need your GM to make ballsey moves. If they're playing it safe at all times you end up like the 76ers or the Orlando Magic.

He's done everything possible to improve this team short of suiting up or killing Robert Sarver.

Yeah, Jones could have been more like McD and stuck to the twitter and website draft "experts" boards and taken the highest ranked prospects according to them like Len, Bender, Chriss and Jackson. And the rumor in the Booker draft is that he really wanted Kaminsky.

Cam Johnson has turned out pretty good.

I do wonder if Ryan McDunce looked at the rankings of people like Bilas, Givony, Chad Ford and other mock drafts to help verify his selection process.

I do think in todays day and age of internet, more bloggers, more mocks - the actual drafts in the NFL and NBA probably will be much different than mocks just because a lot of bloggers who create mocks I think just copy others,

[NTB]

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[oddity]

He should be asked to stay home. He looks terrible

u sound like tons of fun at parties

[bwgood77]

Smith is a long term project. Let the kid play a couple of games and go through a dozen practices first before you naysayers start.

And LOL @ everyone complaining about James freaking Jones.

In 2 years he's dragged us into a roster that can make the playoffs & which has many calling us a top 10 team, got us a hall of fame player who can still play and lead, re-signed key pieces (which has been historically a disaster around here) AND acquired Jae Crowder a player that any playoff team would easily sign in a heartbeat. LEBRON JAMES is talking about this team. LEBRON who is running the table for the next 2-3 years for championships is talking about the Phoenix Suns.

Some of his moves were risky, yes, but you need your GM to make ballsey moves. If they're playing it safe at all times you end up like the 76ers or the Orlando Magic.

He's done everything possible to improve this team short of suiting up or killing Robert Sarver.

Yeah, Jones could have been more like McD and stuck to the twitter and website draft "experts" boards and taken the highest ranked prospects according to them like Len, Bender, Chriss and Jackson. And the rumor in the Booker draft is that he really wanted Kaminsky.

Cam Johnson has turned out pretty good.

I do wonder if Ryan McDunce looked at the rankings of people like Bilas, Givony, Chad Ford and other mock drafts to help verify his selection process.

I do think in todays day and age of internet, more bloggers, more mocks - the actual drafts in the NFL and NBA probably will be much different than mocks just because a lot of bloggers who create mocks I think just copy others,

In the NFL, I don't think they pay attention to that stuff AT ALL. There are SO many prospects and guys go WAY out of where they are mocked outside of the obvious top picks.

With the NBA, no doubt some look at those and some of the various internet scouting reports. Some are fairly decent. For example, Spencer Pearlman doesn't even do a mock or rankings and just does breakdowns of prospects, strengths, weaknesses, stats, writeups, videos, etc.

So GMs could decide for themselves. That is ultimately what the scouts should do...not rank them...let the GM see the data and video and make a big board themselves.

[lilfishi22]

Between Point Book, Point Saric, and Cam Payne (edit: and Carter), unless something happens to one of those 4 (or CP3) we really don't need another PG. We need more depth up front (I hope Motley stays).

Yeah I have much more concern about our front court than our back court. We gained a fair bit in the backcourt whereas losing Baynes was huge for the front court and the combination of Smith/Jones/Motley just won't cut it.

Yeah, Ian Mahimni, Dewayne Dedmon and Kyle O'Quinn are still available according to this...

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/center/available/

I assume they want more than the minimum..but I would have signed any of those guys before Jones (or especially Motley)....and if they will sign/settle for the minimum, they should sign one of those guys.

I've always liked Dedmon. He's like a poor man's Baynes