FanPost

3 IN 3: Choosing three current Phoenix Suns to still be here for the Dynasty Run in three years.

Christian Petersen

Choose your Dynasty Warriors

FACTORS: Age - Skill set - Talent Level - Contract - Versatility - Fan base Connection

If things keep heading in this positive direction, the Phoenix Suns could be, and should be serious perennial contenders in no later than three basketball years from now.
The foundation is already laid, and an identity is currently being set in stone. Barring an unexpected dying-star collapse, those who follow the Suns have a pretty good idea of how the team will look when the time comes to begin the murderous march towards an NBA championship.

Another thing that people generally have a good idea about, is that in today's NBA, you better have at least three guys on your roster that can impact a playoff / finals series in a way that's gargantuan enough to win you a game. Mountainous enough to win you FOUR games.

Offensive firepower, defensive prowess, unstoppable will, Mark Wahlberg 'Shooter' type accuracy from deep, and coaching, yes - even coaching plays a pivotal role in winning a championship.

The perfect storm is being able to accumulate as many of these things as possible in a manner that is financially sustainable as well as being athletically viable for as long as you can be.
That means there must be change. At the same time, there must be stability, and the two must co-exist long enough to mesh, evolve, and be victorious. You can't keep flipping your roster once an identity is set - there has to be some "same same" as the "differences" are tweaked. How do teams decide on that "same same?" As followers of a team, do you think you could get it right?

Recent championship examples

The San Antonio Spurs

For their championship blueprint, they have remained the constant. While players come and go swirling around their center gravity on economical deals, they have remained. They have been the foundation and the identity. They have been the flag bearers. There has never been panic due to injury. There has never been ideas of a shift. There has only been the Duncan-led Spurs, for like a hundred years.

The Miami Heat

This was the constant over the last four seasons. A more top-heavy variation when you compare it to the Spurs. Disgusting elitism at the head of the army with just enough support on the back end to get the job done. Spoelstra's system of endless screens down your throat kept the force intact.
Even with LeBron James gone, the Heat remain the same. The team will keep these ideals intact and continue to march forward.

Your Phoenix Suns

As the Suns blitz through the early stages of their rebuild, you can see some of the points I touched on in regards to the last two NBA champions beginning to take shape in the valley. Head coach Jeff Hornacek's philosophy continues to grow and expand. #McBabby's strategy and philosophy, (F#@K YOU we won't overpay & max money for max players only!), in regards to how they get their head coach the pieces he needs is hardening in quick-set concrete.

With all of that, how many current Suns figure to be around when Phoenix again finds itself in that Gladiatorial environment where it's "Win it all or die?" Are there three such players on the roster right now? Hopefully so, because you're going to be keeping three of them. Lets have a look.

Goran Dragic
AGE [28] CONTRACT [1-YR] POSITION [G] BASIC STATS [20PPG / 6APG / 3RPG]

At the moment, the #Dragon is the alpha of the team. For now, he is the most popular player. For now, he is the most venomous player - for now.
He's also due for a pretty hefty contract which can be offered, after the coming season, by any other team without fear. IF another team offers Goran anywhere near the max, will Phoenix counter? Would YOU counter?

Eric Bledsoe (Pending)
AGE [24] CONTRACT [RFA-PENDING] POSITION [G] BASIC STATS [18PPG / 5.5APG / 5RPG]

All who care are well aware of his contract negotiation scare! He's younger than his Reptilian back court partner and is still trending up even with a knee some question. He isn't near his apex yet, health permitting. He isn't near his potential yet, health permitting. The Suns won't give him max money to quickly mend his contract situation. Would you?

Isaiah Thomas
AGE [25] CONTRACT [4-YR 27M] POSITION [G] BASIC STATS [20PPG / 6APG / 3RPG]

He just got here. As a player, you know what he can do. We'll see how he assimilates into the Hornacek collective. Has potential to be that ignition key for the bench mob. Also can fill in nicely in the event that either of his #Trilogy guard-mates go down for any reason. Already, that's three very talented guards. Keeping all three of them around?

P.J. Tucker
AGE [29] CONTRACT [3-YR 16.5M] POSITION [F] BASIC STATS [9PPG 6.5RPG 2APG]

Don't let the stats fool you. Every contending team has a P.J. Tucker. He'll guard anybody. He'll get you those crucial extra possessions. He'll give you maximum effort. He always catches a cab home when necessary. (too soon?)
He'll also be pushing 33 in 3 years. Will he still be the menace he currently is? Are you betting on it? We'll see.

Miles Plumlee
AGE [25] CONTRACT [2-YR ROOKIE] POSITION [F/C] BASIC STATS [8PPG / 8RPG / 1BPG]

The resident #MatrixAgent - he comes out of nowhere for blocks. He comes out of nowhere for lobs. He's athletic. He was the hammer in the Suns' Pick n Roll game. He beats his opposing big man down the floor 90% of the time. He did all of this as a starting red-shirt rookie, and he's trending up.

Alex Len
AGE [21] CONTRACT [3-YR ROOKIE] POSITION [F/C] BASIC STATS [2PPG / 2.5RPG]

The serious injuries that took his rookie campaign from him are gone. The Suns are investing heavily into this young titan as Ryan McDonough's first Suns draft pick. When charting the 2014 NBA Draft and the following free agency period, you can see that no acquisitions were made of any kind that would suggest Alex Len is losing the support of his franchise. He's still the future alpha at the 5 in their eyes. What about you?

Markieff Morris
AGE [24] CONTRACT [1-YR ROOKIE] POSITION [F] BASIC STATS [14PPG / 6RPG / 2APG]

Formerly the bench mob anchor. 6MOY candidate. Turn-around jumpshot: butter. Turn-and-face step-back jumpshot: velvet. Jab-step-and-go: highly effective against most opposing big men. His understanding of offensive sets continues to improve. He works hard every summer. If he has another nice leap forward this coming season, there's going to be suitors. Is he important enough to beat those suitors back?

Gerald Green
AGE [28] CONTRACT [1-YR] POSITION [G] BASIC STATS [16PPG / 3RPG /1.5APG ]

#Greenade kills people. He can start. He can play the "2 guard spot." He can play the "3." As an offensive force, he does everything Jeff Hornacek would want. He hit 3 point shots at a high percentage this past season. He got to the free throw line when he wasn't absolutely throwing napalm from deep. He patrols the passing lanes. If he's going to dunk it, you're not going to stop it. He smashes it hard. Antonio Mcdyess hard. He plays with emotion and passion. He's ice-water, totally unafraid to take that big shot, or any shot, because he doesn't seem to think that anybody can stop him. He'd still be on the back end of his prime in 3 years. If he keeps trending up, do you keep him?

T.J. Warren
AGE [20] CONTRACT [ROOKIE] POSITION [F] BASIC STATS [N/A]

Floater: check. Euro-step: check. Off-ball cutter: check. Awkward / unconventional mid-range man-beast game potential: check. Floor runner: check. Duncan-like emotional arc: check.
"Chapter Two" in Hornacek's philosophy. That's who young T.J. is. Those voids and gaps in the offense last season where the team basically didn't do any damage? That's going to be this guy. Yeah I understand it now. Hopefully he can live up to the expectations because from a scoring stand point, the kid gets it done.

As for the rest

Marcus Morris [F]
Good floor spacer. Apparently, he's beefing up a bit in order to assume some of those Channing Frye minutes. His stroke is pretty good.

Anthony Tolliver [F]
"Channing Lite." Was brought in to pull a big man out of the lane, and bury threes when those big men collapse and leave him. Very important part of the Hornacek system.

Archie Goodwin [G]
"The Project." Long-range planning here. Slasher extraordinaire. Re-developing his jump shot mechanics, (still has a hitch at the top). Already a menace defensively. Needs to add weight, experience, and get that shot right. "Gerald Green after Gerald's gone." Still work to be done.

Tyler Ennis [G]
If the #Trilogy guards are fast-ball pitchers, Ennis is that pitcher with a respectable fast-ball and a NASTY slider. His ball handling and court vision are already impressive. He does come armed with the "Clutch gene," but will only activate it in dire situations. For the future, as he grows, if he can maximize his potential, that's exactly what you want to have in the post season.

Bogdan Bogdanovic[G]

Bogdan is like that movie trailer that comes out over a year before it hits the silver screen. Sucks you've got to wait for it, but you just know it's going to be so good. He could be Manu. He could be Gerald. He could be Goran. He will be Bogdan, damn it.

Shavlik Randolph [F]
Yea - nah..

There can only be three

As is the case with every team in the NBA every year, turnover is going to happen. In the midst of all the tectonic shifting on an NBA franchise certain things simply don't change. It's up to you to now decide which three of those "things" are going to still be around in three years.

Consider everything. Player evolution. Longevity of a player. Relative health. Relative impact. Financial impact.

Also think about system integrity. Can these players you're keeping around maximize the ability to stabilize the coach's system in the most critical areas? Do they keep you covered as other pieces come and go?

These guys you keep may or may not be your "big three," but they're going to be vital to your dynasty aspirations.

Choose wisely.