Suns look to push the tempo in next game

by Seth Pollack on Jul 16, 2009 6:22 PM MDT in Phoenix Suns: Vegas Summer League

The most disappointing aspect of the Suns loss to the Raptors on Wednesday was the lack of pace. The team didn't feel that they saw "Suns ball" so in the next game Friday against the 2-0 D-League squad we should see a different approach.

To keep things rolling look for Taylor Griffin to play more power forward while Earl Clark shares time at center with Robin Lopez. Josh Carter and Micah Downs will likely get minutes at the small forward and the back court will feature Zabian Dowdell and Goran Dragic. The minutes will come at the expense of Kaspars Brezin and Jiri Hubalek who aren't close to making the Suns roster.

The team obviously isn't thrilled with Dragic's performance so far while there is still no question about his talent. The young point guard is still adjusting from playing since the age of 15 in the most disciplined system in Europe where his every move on the court was controlled. Mostly though, the Suns want to see more aggressiveness and confidence from him. Dragic was a top ten point guard in the NBA statistically over the last month of the season and none of the competition out here should be close to his level. The Suns want him to play that way in Friday's game.

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Wow, Clark at Center. I guess I had no clue how big this guy was. I was thinking of Marion size even though I heard of his dimensions….He sounds like a real specimen….I’m curious to see how he ends the summer league and performs during training camp. The statement from Kerr was that he’d be sitting behind Amundson and Dudley. I wonder if he’ll be able to pick up some non-grabage time minutes during the season. Any thoughts on that?

by Wil Cantrell on Jul 16, 2009 6:39 PM MDT reply actions

I understand everyone loves Lou and Dudley, as they were the heart of this team sometimes during last season, but I would like to see Clark ahead of at least Lou in the rotation. Sure, they give us something, but Earl has potential to be a lot better than any of those will ever be, I think.

by perep on Jul 16, 2009 7:05 PM MDT up reply actions

Clark's Minutes

I think that if Clark shows his true potential, he will share minutes with both Lou and Dudley and even Lopez/Frye depending on who we are playing (like the warriors who don’t have huge big men). I think by the end of the season he’ll be playing 15-20 minutes a game. Maybe more, maybe less depending on how he develops.

by SunsFTW on Jul 17, 2009 8:33 AM MDT up reply actions

Clark will play

He will definitely be in the rotation. My question though, do we really think Dragic has what it takes or is that just hype to be nice? I personally think he needs to go to the D-League or back to Europe. I cant stand him to be honest.

by NSU Stud on Jul 16, 2009 7:00 PM MDT reply actions

The Return of Tragic Dragic

We cant let this guy start slipping when he just started to get the ball rolling. What should’ve been done (still can do) is the acquisition of another backup PG so he and Goran can compete (in a friendly manor, of course) for playing time. So far, Goran seems to have moments where he shines brightly and other times where there’s no effort. Sounds like another certain somebody on our team. These old habits had better die hard…and soon. We’re a professional sports team; lets bring the effort of one.

by KnowGood on Jul 16, 2009 7:10 PM MDT reply actions

Effort is not the issue

Goran is a lot of things but there’s not question about his work ethic and effort on the floor

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Seth Pollack on Jul 16, 2009 7:28 PM MDT up reply actions

I’m just going off of Kerr’s words….He said Clark was third behind Dudley and Amundson…Of course nothing is set in stone, and the way our team works, if this kid is ready to contribute and is as freakish as everyone is saying, he’ll get time…But as far as the beginning of the season goes…both Amundson and Dudley have earned time ahead of Clark…Obviously the best players are going to play….I can’t wait to see Clark in action…

As far as Dragic goes, I’m thinking of the Dragic I witnessed at the end of last season which was a huge improvement from the beginning. One sub par Summer League game doesn’t mean he sucks and is finished or whatever, although I would think that Barbosa would come off the bench first to spell Nash at PG. Still, remember, it depends on the matchup. We may see Barbosa starting with Nash at some point against a smaller team and Dragic spelling Nash. This team is only going to exceed by exploiting the other teams weaknesses. Remember the games in 2005-7 where we ran teams like the Shaq led Heat out of the building? If this team is constructed right, and if everyone catches on, 7SOL will return and we will be trouncing the traditionally constructed teams. Anything is possible and I do not see that anyone other than the starting 5 have solidified roles.

by Wil Cantrell on Jul 16, 2009 7:29 PM MDT up reply actions

I personally would be worried that would freak Dragic more

by egp the great on Jul 16, 2009 7:50 PM MDT up reply actions

I totally agree. Dragic would freak and then be even worse if we had 2 backup PG’s… that’s exactly what happened with singleterry

by SunsFTW on Jul 17, 2009 8:35 AM MDT up reply actions

Hi stan

Just wondring in the game against the d league if you can give me a small paragraph/ report on my favourite d-leauge player Othyus jeffers and how he plays would love to see his matchup against Clark and who comes out on top.

Thanks

by phxuk: Ap on Jul 16, 2009 8:04 PM MDT reply actions

I'll try

It is pretty hard to focus on their guys and our guys. I did see him against the T-Wolves and he looked sharp and then he put up big numbers in their win over the Kings but I didn’t see that game and you can read his stats online as well as I can :)

Folks that follow the D consider him a top prospect at SG and I remember talking to his Iowa Energy coach and he likes him. Dahntay Jones made the jump. Maybe he can.

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Seth Pollack on Jul 16, 2009 11:27 PM MDT up reply actions

Clark. Jeffers is a punk! haha JK, I have no clue who that is :)

by SunsFTW on Jul 17, 2009 8:36 AM MDT up reply actions

Thanks for the info Stan

by phxuk: Ap on Jul 17, 2009 5:51 AM MDT reply actions

Enter the Dragon!

Dragic is gonna kill it in this game! Get ready to see him unleash the Dragon! Just wait and see… I have faith in my young Suns! Get it done against the D-League Scrubs! Go Suns!

by SunsFTW on Jul 17, 2009 8:31 AM MDT reply actions

RE

I read in the first game where Dragic was hurt during that first game and if I recall correctly he might have pulled a muscle in the groin? Anyway I can see that one game returning from the possible injury spell defeat or frankly speaking the end of him as a player. Let’s stay focused here and watch this young man develop.

Stan, do you have any update of the injury to Dragic?

by RogerM on Jul 17, 2009 9:22 AM MDT reply actions

He's fine

it didn’t hinder him in the last game. I will check in today as well but as of now, he’s fine

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Seth Pollack on Jul 17, 2009 9:43 AM MDT up reply actions

RE

I wonder how his physic is after that episode on the court with Dallas and how it translates to the Toronto game. You stated that he appeared to be lost and not in the Toronto game at times and so I’m guessing that he may have stepped back a bit, testing his physical condition and is so doing became side tracked prompting your evaluation of him in the game.

I will be awaiting your report of the game so please accept my thanks for the coverage early. FYI, I’ve been a SUNS fan ever since watching game 6 when my dad assisted the game day film manager for the suns in the NBA finals in 76. It was a heart breaking loss but I remember the fans cheering them on after the victory and seeing some tear filled eyes in the stands.

by RogerM on Jul 17, 2009 11:02 AM MDT reply actions