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Post by Inner_GI on Mar 15, 2014 15:27:23 GMT -6
First, I'd like to talk about the previous season, and the way this team responded in the final few sims of the regular season to climb from drafting 7th overall to beating the Kings in the first round to get over the first round hump for this organization as a 6th seed. So, next I'll like to break down the acquisitions of the off season.
1. Jim Les - once inserted into the starting lineup, this team went on a nice run to get into the Playoffs. I only blame myself to sticking with Danny Ainge so long. Jim was the better player and fit for the team, and we are excited to have him locked up the next two years stretch defense and play defense.
2. Scott Skiles - What can we say about Skiles. He has improved every year, and last year was a great campaign for him. Efficiency accross the board improved, and we started trusting Skiles with the ball more. Skiles and The Dream have formed a nice pair, and it was important for us to get him locked up. We considered Kenny Smith at this position, but Skiles offered the same skill set, already proven with this team, and came at a cheaper cost.
3. Ken Norman - The Suns are excited to finally replace the void we lost with Armen left 2 years ago in FA. Norman is just the player we need down low with Hakeem. He can offer scoring, above average rebounding, and average defense for the position. And the most enticing part of his game is the ability to stretch the floor more than our previous PFs. We look forward to watching this offense function when Hakeem as a 10 foot area to operate under the basket.
4. Lindsey Hunter - Our rookie this year. We can't say enough about this kid. We see nice potential in him to develop a nice 3 and D game long term as a 6th man. He had a poor training camp, but we are not losing hope in him. We are confident Lindsey can be a factor this year.
We are excited to get this season started, and give it a run with this team. We will be looking to upgrade the wing position after a disaster in training camp derailed this position's development. We are looking for a wing that can shoot the 3 and rebound.
Off Season Targets:
We had big sights this offseason on acquiring, Dennis Scott, Scott Skiles, Dee Brown, Ken Norman, and Horace Grant. We missed on some targets, but the only max we felt comfortable offering was the Dennis Scott.
Any Question?
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Post by coltsguy510 on Mar 15, 2014 17:29:30 GMT -6
Where do you see your team finishing this season? And if you expect to make playoffs, do you think you have the personnel to make a run?
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Post by Inner_GI on Mar 15, 2014 20:03:46 GMT -6
Where do you see your team finishing this season? And if you expect to make playoffs, do you think you have the personnel to make a run? I see this team as a potential 50 win team. It's pretty much the same team that got the 6th seed last year expect we replace Jerome Kersey with Ken Norman, and that is a huge upgrade. I feel like if we could secure a more potent scoring threat the SF position, this team could make a run. We are probably a second round playoff team if healthy and players play to their potential. Our main goal from now to the trade deadline is go after a wing scorer like we went after in Dennis Scott this off season. Person has been very good for us, and I'd actually love to bring him off the bench at the 3 and maybe a stretch 4. |
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Post by Nick Malone 77 on Mar 15, 2014 21:32:15 GMT -6
Nick Melon; Charlotte Observer: One of the final few teams last on my list to cover. I thought the moves you made were highly questionable but could be a stroke of genius. Striking out on te first day of free agency left you in the same spot as the Hornets, courting not the prettiest belle but a serviceable one that got ignored in Scott Skiles and inking him to a long term deal. You also drafted a point guard In Lindsey Hunter in the draft who had an interesting training camp. My question is 2 fold, do you think these moves convince Hakeem to want to stay in Phoenix for the rest of his playing days and does this leave Darrel Armstrong as the odd man out to get minutes this year in the backup slot?
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Post by Inner_GI on Mar 15, 2014 21:53:25 GMT -6
Nick Melon; Charlotte Observer: One of the final few teams last on my list to cover. I thought the moves you made were highly questionable but could be a stroke of genius. Striking out on te first day of free agency left you in the same spot as the Hornets, courting not the prettiest belle but a serviceable one that got ignored in Scott Skiles and inking him to a long term deal. You also drafted a point guard In Lindsey Hunter in the draft who had an interesting training camp. My question is 2 fold, do you think these moves convince Hakeem to want to stay in Phoenix for the rest of his playing days and does this leave Darrel Armstrong as the odd man out to get minutes this year in the backup slot? This may need to be updated, but I will answer it in regards to Hakeem. Skiles is a proven guy in our offensive system, so he was always our #1 choice at PG, and I think with the addition of Norman and Rice. Hakeem should be planning retirement in the great city of Phoenix. |
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Post by Inner_GI on Mar 16, 2014 13:08:02 GMT -6
Any other questions?
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Post by Inner_GI on Mar 16, 2014 13:34:27 GMT -6
I'd like to introduce Glen Rice as the newest member of the Phoenix Suns, and though the deal was controversial, I wanted to point out our vision with Rice.
Rice is an expiring young star, and Hakeem made it very clear to us if we do not make a big move in FA, he was going to test FA. We struck out on bringing in some big names, so we made a trade, and couldn't be happier to get Glen Rice after trying last off season to get him.
We traded away some young assets in Armstrong and Ellis and our 1994 first round pick.
Main take-aways:
1. Glen Rice provides another elite scorer with Hakeem to pair with Norman, Skiles, and Person as our main role players
2. Secured our 1995 and 1996 first round pick in case we can't keep this team together for Cap reasons
3. Cut about 500k in salary to get into a lower Lux Tax bracket (saved 2 points)
Projected Lineup:
C- Hakeem Olajuwon
PF - Ken Norman
SF - Glen Rice
SG - Jim Les
PG - Scott Skiles
6th - Chuck Person (SF and PF)
7th - Lindsey Hunter (SG and PG)
At the trade deadline, if we are rolling as a team, we may dangle a future pick to get some guard depth.
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Post by TrayWithAnA on Mar 16, 2014 13:51:11 GMT -6
I'd like to introduce Glen Rice as the newest member of the Phoenix Suns, and though the deal was controversial, I wanted to point out our vision with Rice. Rice is an expiring young star, and Hakeem made it very clear to us if we do not make a big move in FA, he was going to test FA. We struck out on bringing in some big names, so we made a trade, and couldn't be happier to get Glen Rice after trying last off season to get him. We traded away some young assets in Armstrong and Ellis and our 1994 first round pick. Main take-aways: 1. Glen Rice provides another elite scorer with Hakeem to pair with Norman, Skiles, and Person as our main role players 2. Secured our 1995 and 1996 first round pick in case we can't keep this team together for Cap reasons 3. Cut about 500k in salary to get into a lower Lux Tax bracket (saved 2 points) Projected Lineup: C- Hakeem Olajuwon PF - Ken Norman SF - Glen Rice SG - Jim Les PG - Scott Skiles 6th - Chuck Person (SF and PF) 7th - Lindsey Hunter (SG and PG) At the trade deadline, if we are rolling as a team, we may dangle a future pick to get some guard depth. What are your expectations now? The pacific seems to be becoming more and more like the 1992-93 Central division in regards to sheer depth of teams. Who do you see as the '1993 Detroit Pistons' of this division meaning who has the best chance of rebounding from the bottom of the division, beating the top 3 and winning the division? |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2014 13:58:28 GMT -6
did you just blow yourself in your own question ?
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Post by TrayWithAnA on Mar 16, 2014 14:02:05 GMT -6
did you just blow yourself in your own question ? I felt like that was a fair example. Not blowing myself. I thought the question was a good one. |
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Post by Inner_GI on Mar 16, 2014 14:02:31 GMT -6
I'd like to introduce Glen Rice as the newest member of the Phoenix Suns, and though the deal was controversial, I wanted to point out our vision with Rice. Rice is an expiring young star, and Hakeem made it very clear to us if we do not make a big move in FA, he was going to test FA. We struck out on bringing in some big names, so we made a trade, and couldn't be happier to get Glen Rice after trying last off season to get him. We traded away some young assets in Armstrong and Ellis and our 1994 first round pick. Main take-aways: 1. Glen Rice provides another elite scorer with Hakeem to pair with Norman, Skiles, and Person as our main role players 2. Secured our 1995 and 1996 first round pick in case we can't keep this team together for Cap reasons 3. Cut about 500k in salary to get into a lower Lux Tax bracket (saved 2 points) Projected Lineup: C- Hakeem Olajuwon PF - Ken Norman SF - Glen Rice SG - Jim Les PG - Scott Skiles 6th - Chuck Person (SF and PF) 7th - Lindsey Hunter (SG and PG) At the trade deadline, if we are rolling as a team, we may dangle a future pick to get some guard depth. What are your expectations now? The pacific seems to be becoming more and more like the 1992-93 Central division in regards to sheer depth of teams. Who do you see as the '1993 Detroit Pistons' of this division meaning who has the best chance of rebounding from the bottom of the division, beating the top 3 and winning the division? Expectations are to compete for the division title. Every team in the Pacific has the talent. It's going to come down to how quick a GM can get his team playing at peak form, and GMs like Nola, BSH, and Bow have an advantage in that they are very knowledgeable how their system and team fits together, and I wouldn't say I was the bottom of the division. I just got stuck being middle of the pack when certain players never developed or produced according to their numbers suggest they would. The exciting thing for my team is the potential to continue our good defense from years past with Hakeem, but we also have the ability to run the score up on teams now, and that's something we have never had in Phoenix. Looking to get over a 5 point differential this year. If I had to pick a team in the division that improved the most, it's the Sonics. The unfortunate training camp of Vin Baker hurt them a bit, but they have solid young talent at every position. |
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Post by DarthVegito on Mar 16, 2014 23:38:38 GMT -6
Tim Cowlishaw, Great Dallas Morning News. Looking at your cap dilemma next off season will bring, how do you plan on handling that? I'm assuming you'll max Rice, since you gave wanted to acquire him for so long. The question is will you hand a max out to a 31 year old Hakeem, who will be 36 at the end of that contract? How much thought have you given to this so far and are you possibly thinking this could be the one and only year this core is together?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2014 5:53:19 GMT -6
did you just blow yourself in your own question ? I felt like that was a fair example. Not blowing myself. I thought the question was a good one. He made the 2nd round of the playoffs last year... |
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Post by TrayWithAnA on Mar 17, 2014 5:58:59 GMT -6
I felt like that was a fair example. Not blowing myself. I thought the question was a good one. He made the 2nd round of the playoffs last year... He still was 4th in the division. I feel like you're missing my point. The question is about the division title. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2014 6:04:43 GMT -6
He made the 2nd round of the playoffs last year... He still was 4th in the division. I feel like you're missing my point. The question is about the division title. Yes but you didn't make the playoffs that year. You were a lotto team. I see the point, just thought the example was a stretch. No bigs. |
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Post by TrayWithAnA on Mar 17, 2014 6:12:17 GMT -6
He still was 4th in the division. I feel like you're missing my point. The question is about the division title. Yes but you didn't make the playoffs that year. You were a lotto team. I see the point, just thought the example was a stretch. No bigs. It was more for everyone below the Lakers last year. Maybe the question should have been asked elsewhere. |
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Post by WigNosy on Mar 17, 2014 12:24:27 GMT -6
Do you have any concerns that both Olajuwon and Rice are going into the final year of their contracts and will be demanding big money soon? If your team doesn't come together the way you'd like it to, will you be willing to lock both of them up and take away your future flexibility to build around them, or would you pick one star over the other?
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Post by IamQuailman on Mar 17, 2014 12:54:06 GMT -6
Are you prepared to pay the luxury tax in order to keep your team together? Also, with the recent blockbuster move you made, where do you fit in the Pacific picture?
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Post by Nick Malone 77 on Mar 17, 2014 14:35:24 GMT -6
So now to rephrase my question, you seem fairly certain that you'll be able to get Hakeem and Glen to play together and play at a skilled rate right away. Would you reconsider signing one of them to long term deals if they were to regress or suffer a significant injury this season?
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Post by Inner_GI on Mar 17, 2014 16:49:01 GMT -6
Tim Cowlishaw, Great Dallas Morning News. Looking at your cap dilemma next off season will bring, how do you plan on handling that? I'm assuming you'll max Rice, since you gave wanted to acquire him for so long. The question is will you hand a max out to a 31 year old Hakeem, who will be 36 at the end of that contract? How much thought have you given to this so far and are you possibly thinking this could be the one and only year this core is together? I don't view my cap situation as a Dilemma. I did extensive research before going after Rice, and yes we are already over the cap next season by 1M or so if we project both Hakeem and Rice get the max, but we will also still have our core team in place with Hakeem, Norman, Rice, and Skiles. Rice is most likely getting a max from someone, so I'm putting my money on giving him a max especially since it's not the super max for a vet guy. Hakeem is a tricky situation. There hasn't been much decline in Hakeem, and he's worth the max even at the age of 31. We see Hakeem retiring a sun, but I will not rule out a possibility that he gets moved as a cap casualty for pieces. Before, GMs came to us with low offers for Hakeem, knowing it was either I blow it up and restart or I get stuck in mediocrity for ever. Now, I feel like I have the position of power to hold on to Hakeem and Glen Rice as a fantastic 1-2 punch. GMs will need to make a very good offer, that keeps me competitive, but also establishes a pipeline of talent. I hope that answers your question. |
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Post by Inner_GI on Mar 17, 2014 16:51:32 GMT -6
Do you have any concerns that both Olajuwon and Rice are going into the final year of their contracts and will be demanding big money soon? If your team doesn't come together the way you'd like it to, will you be willing to lock both of them up and take away your future flexibility to build around them, or would you pick one star over the other? If this experiment fails(It is an experiment), We will be forced to choose 1 or the other at the trade deadline, I think. I do not think locking both up long-term is going to shut down my future like many believe. I'm confident this duo will do well. Bottom Line: Come trade deadline, a decision will need to be made, and right now we are leaning to keeping these two together long term. |
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Post by Inner_GI on Mar 17, 2014 16:53:11 GMT -6
Are you prepared to pay the luxury tax in order to keep your team together? Also, with the recent blockbuster move you made, where do you fit in the Pacific picture? Yes. I have a stockpile of points and Hakeem nets me about 40 points a season by himself. The Pacific is the toughest division in Basketball right now. I don't have the depth to take control of the division, but we picture our selves being in the hunt for the division title. We are still looking to make moves this season at Day 60 and before the trade deadline. We need Guard depth. |
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Post by IamQuailman on Mar 17, 2014 16:53:44 GMT -6
AWARDED 5 POINTS (Count towards your 93-94 media day press release 5-pt accrual)! THANKS FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION!
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Post by Inner_GI on Mar 17, 2014 16:55:35 GMT -6
So now to rephrase my question, you seem fairly certain that you'll be able to get Hakeem and Glen to play together and play at a skilled rate right away. Would you reconsider signing one of them to long term deals if they were to regress or suffer a significant injury this season? I don't see either one regressing this season. Their numbers may go down slightly as we now have 5 legit mouths to feed on the offensive side of the ball. If the unthinkable happens and Hakeem or Rice get hurt (they have a good injury history), depending on the severity of the injury, it may affect what kind of contract we offer. No matter what both players are max players this summer. I'm hoping I get lucky and one offers to do in season negotiations. |
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