Celtics future bright as Suns

[billysan]

I really have no idea how the Suns are doing what they're doing. 7 games above .500 in a tough conference? And the only real "name" they have is Bledsoe?

Funny to see this thread today, because I was just thinking about the Suns yesterday, wondering how they're pulling it off. I watched some of their game yesterday, and then checked out their roster—pretty good backcourt with Bledsoe and Dragic, but after that? The Morris brothers, Miles Plumlee, A.J. Tucker ... seriously? Some decent youngsters, but how are they winning with that roster?

I noticed the same thing, look at the stat sheets for the team. Plumlee and Tuckker both averaging near a double double, Bledsoe and Dragic both averaging 18 ppg and 6 assists per. The bench of the Morris twins and Gerald Green is playing hard as well.

I havent watched them yet, but I look forward to seeing a Suns game so I can figure this out with my own eyes. I would never have predicted this level of play based on the pre season roster. When/if Okafor comes back, they will be even tougher. If Len starts to figure it out they may be a real force come playoff time..

[get_banners]

the plethora of draft picks coming from the sinking ship that is the nets isn't gonna hurt. i still think that team will get it together this year (at least enough to make the playoffs), but this might be the best they'll be for the next few 2-3 seasons, esp if lopez keeps getting injuries. they have no picks and pretty much no payroll flexibility to improve much.

[pokeKingCurtis]

I really have no idea how the Suns are doing what they're doing. 7 games above .500 in a tough conference? And the only real "name" they have is Bledsoe?

Funny to see this thread today, because I was just thinking about the Suns yesterday, wondering how they're pulling it off. I watched some of their game yesterday, and then checked out their roster—pretty good backcourt with Bledsoe and Dragic, but after that? The Morris brothers, Miles Plumlee, A.J. Tucker ... seriously? Some decent youngsters, but how are they winning with that roster?

I noticed the same thing, look at the stat sheets for the team. Plumlee and Tuckker both averaging near a double double, Bledsoe and Dragic both averaging 18 ppg and 6 assists per. The bench of the Morris twins and Gerald Green is playing hard as well.

I havent watched them yet, but I look forward to seeing a Suns game so I can figure this out with my own eyes. I would never have predicted this level of play based on the pre season roster. When/if Okafor comes back, they will be even tougher. If Len starts to figure it out they may be a real force come playoff time..

This article might be of interest to you:

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/12/24/5235662/goran-dragic-eric-bledsoe-suns-pace-speed

Bledsoe and Dragic can BOTH set up the early offense.
Both a force on the break.
Bigs can all shoot, lanes are all open as a result.
Everyone crashes offensive rebounds despite the team not having much talent in that aspect.

I guess their offense is like the Heat's defense. Relentless attacks. Scrambles.

[guava_wrench]

Bledsoe is an definite upgrade over AB and could be even over RR.

Makes me think of if that Doc/KG deal went down and if we got Bledsoe and Jordan maybe we'd be in a even better position than we are now.

I too think this.

Not sure about this. I like Bledsoe, but he will be looking for big money this off-season. So you would have upwards of 20M just on he and Jordan. I still think that Nets picks (especially the ones from 16-18) is a better return going forward.

Really? Your Psychic?

It doesn't take a psychic to predict that Bledsoe will want to get paid. Look at what Jennings is getting.

Regarding the subject of this thread -- how bright is the Suns future? Always in contention for a low playoff seed? They still need to add a serious player, and that isn't trivial.

They are clearly crushing expectations, but why should we think that this means excellence in the future? This could be their peak. Sure, one could say that it might not be their peak -- but for me to not doubt their future, I need to see players that look like they project as difference makers in the future. We see so many teams surprise us and then fade to nothing.

[pokeKingCurtis]

Bledsoe is an definite upgrade over AB and could be even over RR.

Makes me think of if that Doc/KG deal went down and if we got Bledsoe and Jordan maybe we'd be in a even better position than we are now.

I too think this.

Not sure about this. I like Bledsoe, but he will be looking for big money this off-season. So you would have upwards of 20M just on he and Jordan. I still think that Nets picks (especially the ones from 16-18) is a better return going forward.

Really? Your Psychic?

It doesn't take a psychic to predict that Bledsoe will want to get paid. Look at what Jennings is getting.

Regarding the subject of this thread -- how bright is the Suns future? Always in contention for a low playoff seed? They still need to add a serious player, and that isn't trivial.

They are clearly crushing expectations, but why should we think that this means excellence in the future? This could be their peak. Sure, one could say that it might not be their peak -- but for me to not doubt their future, I need to see players that look like they project as difference makers in the future. We see so many teams surprise us and then fade to nothing.

The Suns could position themselves like the earlier Rockets. Fringe playoff team with young assets. And they're actually already owed 2 draft picks.

For this reason, part of me would actually like to see the lottery stay for a little more. GMs are getting smarter, the use of analytics is more widespread. One team has already built a clean cut no-tank contender in 3-4 seasons. The Suns and several other teams are looking decent and are actually accumulating assets and looking like the recent Rockets instead of tanking.

It'd be interesting to see how these teams play out and see some of them beat the system (if they ever do).

But the other part of me just wants the [dang] thing gone. Tanking almost feels cult-like.