Really looking forward to this and everybody's feedback over the next month. So many ways Dell can go, so impossible to predict
http://www.bourbonstreetshots.com/20...le-tournament/
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Really looking forward to this and everybody's feedback over the next month. So many ways Dell can go, so impossible to predict
http://www.bourbonstreetshots.com/20...le-tournament/
This is really cool. Do we cast our vote in the comments? Or is there a poll?
The debates will start Monday for each matchup and there will be a poll after each point-counterpoint between the two writers
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I want to take an early guess at the winner of each bracket. Not necessarily who I'd pick but to guess at who gets the most votes. Ariza, Hill, Thabo, Granger.
Personally I'd go Ariza, Blatche, Thabo, Tucker and I'd want Ariza. However, I don't think the Wizards will let him go so my goal would be Blatche and then try to S&T for Webster.
The different lengths of the contracts make it really interesting and complicated.
If I assume this is the last season we're committed to Gordon because he opts out, I'm inclined to sign a player to a shorter deal. If we assume we move Gordon for a Center like Hibbert or McGee, I'm inclined to go with one of the small forwards.
So basically, all roads lead back to Gordon again.
Not much of a competition..Ariza is much better than the other players, and may get more than the MLE
I shy away from anything beyond this upcoming season that's more than $5m per until I resolve Gordon.
Therefor Ariza, Blatche, Tucker, and Hawes are off my wish list. This signing is less important than what we'll do next offseason. Granger or Richard Jefferson would fit what I'm looking for. Vets at a key position that defenders have to respect, that also provide playoff experience to a young group.
God, I want Tucker.
I agree, it should be interesting. It is not which player you think is better but HOW you want to build. Do you want to maintain maximum flexibility or do you think a guy in this years class is the answer? A vet for the locker room or a young guy who still has some upside? In between?
I am looking forward to the debates and outside of 1 or 2 matches, I have no idea who will win
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You have to decide 1, 2, or 3 years. Then you have to decide wing or frontcourt. After that I think the answers become obvious.
For me it's 1 or 2 years and it's a wing.
Marvin Williams, Caron Butler, Danny Granger (the Pride of Grace King), or Richard Jefferson
I think Anthony Morrow needs to be part of that list.
The person I want most from this tournament is definitely PJ Tucker. I feel he would fit well with our system and our current core of players!!
FYI, I've been talking to a couple guys that work with me who are from OKC. They are saying that Sefolosha kinda sucks. He's lost a step, which has impacted the best part of his game (defense). I was interested in him this offseason, but after talking to those guys, not so much.
I think the best fit for this team is easily Spencer Hawes. A 26 year old young veteran 7 footer who does not demand the ball, instead keeps it moving, but can score when asked. MM you always say you love how the Spurs play, Hawes is the perfect Diaw/Splitter/Bonner type. This would also give Monty his 7 footer who he feels he needs, big upgrade on Steamer.
Now, I have no idea what kind of defender Hawes is or what kind of money he is looking for (maybe sign and trade with Clev), but I do believe SFs are easier to find than big men . Tyreke can still play the 3, so a big should be the #1 priority.
If Gordon returns, a team with Holliday, Evans, Davis, Anderson, Gordon, Hawes, and fill out the rest should be a very competitive team. If Gordon is gone, then even more possibilities open up.
I just dont buy it personally. They still put him on great players throughout most of the season and he was productive defensively. They just couldnt keep him on the court because they already had a black hole in Perkins and Thabo's shot stopped falling. But guys dont just lose their shooting touch in their late 20s. It seemed mental. I also imagine it is hard to sit around all day while two guys dribble around and hoist shots while you dont touch the ball for like 8-10 mins in real time and then you are just expected to hit at a 40% clip when you do get it.
Maybe I am wrong and maybe he just never shoots well again, but that seems like the more unlikely outcome IMO. And even if he has "lost a step" on D, Thabo minus a step is better than anyone other than Tucker in our price range IMO
My biggest worry with Hawes is his defense at the time. When AD is the one who hedges, it leaves the other big very vulnerable. Basically, he has to protect the rim if the guard hits the roller and Hawes is soft when it comes to that when you watch the video. Offensively, I like the fit. On defense, I am hesitant and we need more D than O right now
If he was a liability on the floor during the most important time of the season (playoffs)... What does that say? He was garbage for 2 of the 3 series this playoffs. I know a lot of fans are calling for Scott Brooks head, but benching Thabo and starting Reggie was a good move.
You may hope and desire him, and that's cool. I just don't want to see another steamer come in (someone to play spot minutes and defense... And can't even do that)
Never said I desired him, but WHY was he bad? That is the question I want answered. Is it more likely that he just lost his shooting touch, never to be found again or that it was something specific outside of loss of skill that caused his numbers to plummet?
I just rarely see a guy lose his shooting touch forever at the age of 28/29. That is not the thing that goes. So what happened?
I dont know. But if I had to bet, I wouldnt bet on him just loosing it forever. Just doesnt make sense to me. Not usual. Maybe he is the unusual exception, but I would bet against it.
Bruce Bowen didnt start playing well until he was 31. Played great until he was 35,36.
I am not as afraid of 30 year olds as most. Especially when they are role players. Seems like the best teams the last two years arent either.
He is not at the top of my list, but I think it is a good opportunity to buy low on a guy who will have a huge chip on his shoulder next year. And by all accounts, a good locker room guy who has played on a winning team the last few years. Not on the top of my list, but still ahead of guys like Marvin Williams or Jordan Hamilton for me.
My personal wing rankings in this tourney, considering contract and all, probably go:
Tucker
Ariza
Thabo
Richard Jefferson
Top 5 in the entire NBA in corner 3's made this year despite incredibly low usage
I think everyone need to watch this video to realize how great Tucker really is http://youtu.be/BOr9nZQPEcw
Ariza took a whopping SIX 3pointers a game and made an incredible 41% of them.
Not only did he shoot a ton of them, but he was making them at a great mark.
Plus he was very good defensively as well.
I love Tucker, but if he could come as cheap as we are all hoping he would, why would phoenix let him go in the first place?
What if Tucker's number are a fluke? Never really followed him closely, but he appeared to take a leap this season, might it be a contract year mode for him as well??
I certainly could see thinking that. It's funny people try to say Ariza only turns it on in contract years (false) by then pine for Tucker who is having his best year in a contract year as well.
As far as if he is having a fluke year, I don't think so. His defense was praised as soon as he got back in the league from Europe. His production has been in line with the amount of minutes he has gotten.
The only stat that made what some might consider a "fluke" jump is his 3pt shooting which jumped about 6%. However the previous season he was taking less than one a game and this past season he was taking 2.5 a game. So the jump might be accounted for by simply being a better sample size. All other stats are within a few % of each other so certainly nothing that shows him making a contract year type leap.
The only thing that is more suspicious to me with Ariza is that he dipped and then has a great year. Tucker was never good enough or in the league long enough to dip, so maybe it isn't fair, but I am suspicious of the guy who dips, then rises. Usually, he finds his way back to the mean.
Which would still be solid, but I think Ariza would want a bigger role than we can give him. I think Tucker would be fine with playing 30 mins and only taking 4 or 5 shots if the team won. I don't know if the same would be true for Ariza
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I was excited about this until I saw the names. Can't wait to read the writers' viewpoints so I can know more about these guys and how they'd fit in with the Pels.
Possibly. But he did battle injury his previous two years and it could be said he was adjusting to a starter role and minutes the two after he signed his contract. It might also be that whole maturing thing that players do when they get to Tucker and Ariza's age.
Even if he regressed to career averages he's a guy that will give you 35% from 3pt on 3.5 attempts a game, just over 10% rebound rate, a 12% assist rate, and a usage of 18%. I also think he's a guy that can get hot and win a game for you with his shooting. I don't think he would have a problem with his role of being asked to be a 4/5th option. I think that's exactly what he was for the Wizards this year. Wall, Beal, and Nene then a toss up between Ariza and Gortat.
Sadly either way I don't think he reaches FA so given that I like Tucker and think there's a higher chance of getting him since the Suns have to focus on locking up Bledsoe and they still have Marcus Morris who is younger and needs to start so he can gel with their core. Offer a 3yr/16m and I think that's enough.
He took the 3rd most shots on that roster this season and averaged 11 per game. Not a ton, but I think the wing we add is a 6-8 shot per game guy. If Ariza was willing to do that and gave me his career numbers, I would be fine with him. Its why he is the #2 wing on my list. I just love PJ Tucker.
He took the 4th most shots behind Wall, Beal, and Nene. Like I said, 4th/5th option. And he did that on a team that had middle of the pack pace. I think if we are building a team that is all about transition and a higher pace him taking 11,12,13 shots a game is fine. Like I said his usage was 18%, he's not anywhere near a Nick Young type chucker.
But it's not a huge issue anyway. We just have Tucker and Ariza flipped. Honestly, if we get either I'm super excited for next year with or without having moved Gordon.
Serious question... because I don't think Trev left here on the best of terms with Monty. I remember Trev was benched as a healthy scratch for the last month or so of the season... is he really an option?
He seemed pretty non committal to Washington in a recent interview (around the end of season and before the playoff run), he wasn't opposed to returning, but I got the impression he was going to follow the money. You'd probably have to go all in to have a shot (cut all the cutables and give Ariza all of your cap space, about 4/$28). But even that might not be enough. Expectations are that the Wizards will keep him and I saw a rumor recently that Charlotte had interest. He might be out of our price range even if we went all in.
I have the same fear. After watching his highlight video why would phoenix let this man walk. His defense on Kobe and Harden was phenomenal. like I'm scared there is a big secret, like he tortures kittens for fun or something
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The GM said, and I quote - "We have a certain value on PJ and if someone exceeds that value, we will cross that bridge when we get there."
In addition, I have been told by some PHX writers that Deng is their top SF target and if they get him, they aren't going to pay Tucker 5-6 mil to be a backup, especially since they have Gerald Green too swinging between the 2 and 3 and they also have multiple 1st rounders, one of which they can easily use on a swing.
I think that if they can get another SF we can lure him and then work a S&T where we give them Pierre or Babbitt- two guys who would fit well in their system - and they would also get a 5 million dollar TPE in that situation. It would have to be something like that.
Apr 2 - PJ Tucker says he wants to retire with the Suns
Apr 17 - "If my deal is done before summer league, you will see @PJTUCKER17." ~ Tucker on whether he will play in Vegas again
May 29 - PJ Tucker in the building, hanging out with @Suns staff during pre-draft workouts.
May 31 - P.J. Tucker, Robert Sarver & Ryan McDonough in the house watching the Mercury. Night cap entertainment after q long days work. #Suns
Doesn't seem like he's going anywhere.
he migh not be going, but who knows what is the Suns' plan? players are coming and moving, they are not - usually - decision makers
as MM mentioned above
We have guys working out here every summer that we dont keep the next year. We are talking up Ajinca, Babbtt, Withey, etc right now and helping them improve their game. If we get a chance to upgrade, they are gone in a blink.
The rumor is that they are going after Deng. If they land Deng, Tucker is gone. If they dont, he probably stays
There are no rumors on this at all. Pure speculation.
What is a rumor then? Fact?
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There's a difference between a wishful thinking of a Suns blogger and an actual rumor reported by a Woj or someone with connections in the Suns front office, isn't it? It's like saying that there's a rumor that the Pelicans are interested in PJ Tucker because you and other Pelicans fans have a crush on him.
Well then if that is the criteria, there are only like 2 or 3 rumors right now.
As for fact- the Suns GM has said that they have a value attached to Tucker and if somebody goes above that, they will cross that bridge at that time.
Point is- they aren't keeping him at all costs. Is it probable? No. But no single acquisition in a vacuum is probable. Dell has shown a very specific pattern. People think RFAs are hard to get. Dell doesn't seem to think so
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Tucker is a pitbull on defense with great hands/wingspan.
Pair him with an Okafor signing and I don't think our defense will be questionable at all.
Can we get BOTH?
We could get both if we did a sign and trade for one. Maybe PHX takes Pierre, Ely, Babbitt for Tucker if they land a good SF. Could cut Ely and owe him nothing, thereby getting the other two for about 1.4 mil next year. Two guys who would fit well in their system.
Essentially it would be like what Orlando did with Ryno- get back cheap assets for something you were going to let go anyway
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