2021-22 Season/Offseason Speculation

[thamadkant]

Jalen Smith doesnt have to be a Giannis who can out dribble his defender to try to score. What I've been seeing so far is that Jalen Smith taking open shots correctly, no hesitation and with intent. I also see him moving to right spots in both ends. His rebounding is expected from a top 10 pick with athleticism and length as some of his advantages.

The strong indicators he can fill in minutes on the main team are... ability to spot up and take shots quickly, he ticks that so far... his ability to move to right spots and rotations .. again he ticks it, he looks like he's been coached well and has paid attention... and his body, mainly his legs, because he will be bouncing off strong big players in the NBA and him trying to re-balance would draw fouls. Only the last bit is one I am still concerned with. Ayton is not very thick yet either but he is wiry strong so I am assuming Stix is also wiry strong but I hope its true.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) Tweeted:
Between head coaching jobs, Monty Williams worked a season in the Spurs’ front office. In a staff meeting, Gregg Popovich delivered him an epiphany. Full audio of The Woj Pod: https://t.co/8j0lufLc9h https://t.co/OQ2U9bO5RY

Read on Twitter

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[RunDogGun]

Ugh, why play someone 30 minutes when you think he is "basically playing on one leg"?

It's the Finals. If you can play (even on one leg) you play. We didn't exactly have a solid back up that would allow him to take the time off.

Never mind, I thought the story said it happened before game 3, which affected Book in game 3.

[Frank Lee]

Spoiler:

[tquote="Frank Lee"]No way we trade our one and only prospect

As long as he keeps Shank on the bench it’s a plus

Still would be nice to have another youngster developing in the G in a two way.

As it is, this is likely our roster moving forward. We have neither players or draft picks we are willing to give up for any substantial improvements. Crowder is our PF, and we’ll just have to cope with his inabilities, which are mostly offset by his other good qualities.

At the very least, we got bigger with McGee and hopefully sporadic minutes from Smith over the Saric/Shank show

Dude, how do you get away with ripping Frank in almost every post in almost every thread? You must get warned constantly by the mods here about repeatedly beating a "dead horse". Or maybe that just applies to people they disagree with.

It’s all in the delivery

[Mulhollanddrive]

Booker had 42 and 40 the following 2 games so didn't seem to affect him.

It really was incredible how Booker and Paul got hit by 5 significant injuries as soon as playoffs started, maybe wouldn't have changed anything but seems like terrible luck.

[RunDogGun]

Booker had 42 and 40 the following 2 games so didn't seem to affect him.

It really was incredible how Booker and Paul got hit by 5 significant injuries as soon as playoffs started, maybe wouldn't have changed anything but seems like terrible luck.

Well opponents were allowed to bang the hell out of the two of them for four series, so I am surprised they didn't have worse injuries.

[PhxLax]

Haven't been following the latest since FA stuff slowed down about 6 days ago.....

-What's the latest? Suns gonna make that SF/PF trade or what? Would sure be nice to see Nance Jr here. I'm all for trading Smith/Saric/2nd.

-And did those Twitter "insiders" like Flex turn out to be legit?

[bwgood77]

Giannis obviously had the worst injury before our series, but somehow came back....probably impacted him some in our two wins to begin the series.

I don't like excuses, particularly when we had our fair share of luck with other team injuries throughout. Unfortunate, yes, but it happens. Bucks were also missing a solid starter in DiVincenzo.

[bwgood77]

Giannis obviously had the worst injury before our series, but somehow came back....probably impacted him some in our two wins to begin the series.

I don't like excuses, particularly when we had our fair share of luck with other team injuries throughout. Unfortunate, yes, but it happens. Bucks were also missing a solid starter in DiVincenzo.

[bwgood77]

Giannis obviously had the worst injury before our series, but somehow came back....probably impacted him some in our two wins to begin the series.

I don't like excuses, particularly when we had our fair share of luck with other team injuries throughout. Unfortunate, yes, but it happens. Bucks were also missing a solid starter in DiVincenzo.

I kind of doubt we make that trade. I think we keep that final roster spot open to see who gets cut or maybe a solid summer league player who doesn't make a team (though maybe a guy like that gets our 2nd 2 way). Someone who is good on a team though, likely gets cut due to depth.

I'd watch OKC. And Orlando. They both have 3 young point guards (OKC 4 but one is Ty Jerome). OKC has Shai and Josh Giddey, but also Theo Maledon who played pretty well in summer league.

Though I guess 3 point guards is fine and Shai can play the 2. Theo a 3rd rotation guy. Orlando with Suggs, Anthony and Fultz. Other teams with depth too. Where is Dennis Smith Jr? Would he benefit learning from Paul? Probably would have preferred flyer on him rather than Payton.

Flex is obviously not a legit insider. Vague tweets that don't say anything. Did mention some guys like Thad and Love but those are rumors league wide.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Where is Dennis Smith Jr? Would he benefit learning from Paul? Probably would have preferred flyer on him rather than Payton.

It's mostly about attitude and professionalism - a desire to improve - but also fit. I think a big part of the reason we're bringing in Payton is our lack of playmakers outside of Book, Paul and Payne. It's pretty easy to see Payton playing a role similar to the one Cam plays. High-energy, up-and-down, get to the rim and create. The big difference, obviously, is the long ball, which allows Cam to play off-ball as well and to be more of a threat on offense. Elf gives you rebounding and size.

I don't expect him to be able to knock down shots all of a sudden, but I think he'll look a whole lot better if we're putting the ball in his hands with the instruction to go to work. You can't play him off-ball at all given his inability to stretch the floor, but he doesn't lack talent. He obviously needs to improve his shooting fairly dramatically to stick in the league, but if we can get him comfortable playing a role for us, that could open up his game.

Sometimes when it comes to shooting, all it takes is embracing a form that feels natural to you, even if unorthodox - a la Payne. Other players are better off abandoning what feels natural and putting up reps using a traditional shooting motion - a la Hornacek. My guess is he's tried both, but it's not inconceivable that psychological and situational factors (and hair) have prevented him from figuring that out. I think the situation here is just about the best he could hope for. I'm confident he'll have an opportunity to shine. If it doesn't work out, this is probably the last we'll see of Elf in the NBA for at least a few years.

[bwgood77]

Where is Dennis Smith Jr? Would he benefit learning from Paul? Probably would have preferred flyer on him rather than Payton.

It's mostly about attitude and professionalism - a desire to improve - but also fit. I think a big part of the reason we're bringing in Payton is our lack of playmakers outside of Book, Paul and Payne. It's pretty easy to see Payton playing a role similar to the one Cam plays. High-energy, up-and-down, get to the rim and create. The big difference, obviously, is the long ball, which allows Cam to play off-ball as well and to be more of a threat on offense. Elf gives you rebounding and size.

I don't expect him to be able to knock down shots all of a sudden, but I think he'll look a whole lot better if we're putting the ball in his hands with the instruction to go to work. You can't play him off-ball at all given his inability to stretch the floor, but he doesn't lack talent. He obviously needs to improve his shooting fairly dramatically to stick in the league, but if we can get him comfortable playing a role for us, that could open up his game.

Sometimes when it comes to shooting, all it takes is embracing a form that feels natural to you, even if unorthodox - a la Payne. Other players are better off abandoning what feels natural and putting up reps using a traditional shooting motion - a la Hornacek. My guess is he's tried both, but it's not inconceivable that psychological and situational factors (and hair) have prevented him from figuring that out. I think the situation here is just about the best he could hope for. I'm confident he'll have an opportunity to shine. If it doesn't work out, this is probably the last we'll see of Elf in the NBA for at least a few years.

Yeah, but many felt Payton started mailing it in and has kind of declined each season from somewhat promising rookie to minimum guy by his 6th year while his efficiency has dropped every year.

DSJr averaged more assists per game last year in fewer minutes. Quite a bit more assists per 36, more efficient overall (TS%, efg%..more 3s shot and a lot better %), twice as many steals per 36, 6x as many blocks per 36, a 3/1 ast/to ratio the last two years while Payton is at like 2/1. And he's 3 years younger.

I think he would have been worth a 3rd PG spot and may be like a Payne project...he's better than Payne before coming in. Comparison with Payton last year.

https://stathead.com/tiny/ilNzC

[RunDogGun]

It is interesting to use someone else's argument against them, But Payton averages 6.2 assist per/gm over his career. We have no player outside of CP3 that has that. Using last season's assists is pretty ridiculous, since he was 7.2 the year before on the same team different coach. He didn't regress at passing, which is why we got him I think, he just had his role majorly changed.

[Slim Charless]

No way we trade our one and only prospect

As long as he keeps Shank on the bench it’s a plus

Still would be nice to have another youngster developing in the G in a two way.

As it is, this is likely our roster moving forward. We have neither players or draft picks we are willing to give up for any substantial improvements. Crowder is our PF, and we’ll just have to cope with his inabilities, which are mostly offset by his other good qualities.

At the very least, we got bigger with McGee and hopefully sporadic minutes from Smith over the Saric/Shank show

Dude, how do you get away with ripping Frank in almost every post in almost every thread? You must get warned constantly by the mods here about repeatedly beating a "dead horse". Or maybe that just applies to people they disagree with.

Frank posts less frequently than you do, and we all know Kaminsky's flaws. We've not had disappointing moments with Shamet yet, and you're flinging doodoo at our shiny new toy.

You do you.

Kaminsky sucks.

Just wanted to chime in with that. Also, say that I can't believe they resigned that (cowardly)bum.

[grumpysaddle]

Giannis obviously had the worst injury before our series, but somehow came back....probably impacted him some in our two wins to begin the series.

I don't like excuses, particularly when we had our fair share of luck with other team injuries throughout. Unfortunate, yes, but it happens. Bucks were also missing a solid starter in DiVincenzo.

It's called PEDs.

[DirtyDez]

Giannis obviously had the worst injury before our series, but somehow came back....probably impacted him some in our two wins to begin the series.

I don't like excuses, particularly when we had our fair share of luck with other team injuries throughout. Unfortunate, yes, but it happens. Bucks were also missing a solid starter in DiVincenzo.

DiVincenzo was 4th in minutes for them. That’d be like us losing Bridges.

Losing Saric hurt our depth but in that matchup specifically it wasn’t a significant factor.

[Qwigglez]

It is interesting to use someone else's argument against them, But Payton averages 6.2 assist per/gm over his career. We have no player outside of CP3 that has that. Using last season's assists is pretty ridiculous, since he was 7.2 the year before on the same team different coach. He didn't regress at passing, which is why we got him I think, he just had his role majorly changed.

Call me an optimist, but maybe I've been looking at the Payton thing all wrong. Initially, I believe you brought him before the Suns signed him and I didn't think much of it because I felt he didn't fit with the prototypical James Jones signing since he can't shoot but perhaps Jones felt if Payton has shooters around him he can really thrive. I'm not sure how many minutes Payton will get, or maybe the Suns will run a Payton, Payne, Shamet, Johnson, Mcgee lineup if Jalen Smith isn't ready to contribute.

[RunDogGun]

It is interesting to use someone else's argument against them, But Payton averages 6.2 assist per/gm over his career. We have no player outside of CP3 that has that. Using last season's assists is pretty ridiculous, since he was 7.2 the year before on the same team different coach. He didn't regress at passing, which is why we got him I think, he just had his role majorly changed.

Call me an optimist, but maybe I've been looking at the Payton thing all wrong. Initially, I believe you brought him before the Suns signed him and I didn't think much of it because I felt he didn't fit with the prototypical James Jones signing since he can't shoot but perhaps Jones felt if Payton has shooters around him he can really thrive. I'm not sure how many minutes Payton will get, or maybe the Suns will run a Payton, Payne, Shamet, Johnson, Mcgee lineup if Jalen Smith isn't ready to contribute.

When I first saw his name in the free agent list, and we had already spent the money I thought we would, I just thought out of the guards we had, we just didn't have a specialist at assists beyond CP3. Payne is decent at assisting, and some games he looks really good, but Payne can also play a little off ball. So I thought for the min, it would be great to get a vet guard that has done a solid job at assists.

His shot isn't good, but he finds ways to score outside shooting from deep, and he can find guys well. I don't picture him getting a bunch of minutes, but when he does, I expect solid starting point guard play, who will get the ball in the hands of players who do shoot well.

[Adrao]

I'm afraid JJ is waiting for Kevin Love and I don't know if that is good for the team and/or Jalen.

Maybe good for the team and bad for Jalen or bad for both, team and player, but I can't imagine a good scenario for everyone.

[bwgood77]

Giannis obviously had the worst injury before our series, but somehow came back....probably impacted him some in our two wins to begin the series.

I don't like excuses, particularly when we had our fair share of luck with other team injuries throughout. Unfortunate, yes, but it happens. Bucks were also missing a solid starter in DiVincenzo.

It's called PEDs.

Oh, those heal people faster? They should legalize them for that purpose then.