Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
Was not expecting to see this one, so kind of a half assed effort.
Brad ( C ) -- definitely thinner and quicker on offense. And for the same reason may have been in better positon on defense + moved to challenge several slashers. But still did not do much when he got there. Had early foul trouble + continued his careeer-long struggle against the Suns tempo/style.
Mikki ( C ) -- and this apparently was the better of the two early Mikki games. Unable to get his face up jumper to go, and forced a post move for an ugly miss. Was involved in some sloppy/scrappy plays on both ends, but came up with some loose balls to help.
Ron ( D ) -- preseason game, and maybe appropriately one of those where you just had to doubt how much ron really wanted to play tonight. Just very very invisible from the very start, forced a post move and then really went away. Much less active than Hill was back the other way on the other side. Not so much terrible as just a no show.
Kevin ( B+ ) -- Bit of an erratic start, and maybe had a hard time getting a rhythm going as he was in and out of the lineup. Missed his first shot, not much else before being replaced early by Cisco, but aggression after briefly returning to the floor for Ron. Had a big third though (like Peja, seemingly becoming his favorite quarter) and was scoring very easily in his preferred style/tempo, and again ended up with about a point a minute. No other real contributions but the scoring and for the most part a fairly casual feeling easy 17 before handing it opver to Douby.
Bibby ( C+ ) -- came into this oen immediately aggressive, splashed in one, then forced the next. Was not going to one of those silly hot nights like he had last time he saw Phoenix. Continued offensvie aggressiveness, but only sporadic effectiveness (5-13). Gave us a boost on the boards though, where our starters would have been mauled by their starters without a game leading 7 from our our PG.
Kenny ( C ) -- so how much is KT worth if he's not rebounding? Answer: not much. Came in for Brad, and like last year couldn't finish (got blocked by Marion). Got a little more free after the Suns inserted the immortal Sean Marks, but still was not able to contend with the awesome Aussie's unparalleled ferocity on the boards.
Cisco ( C+ ) -- like last year, came in hit a shot, then made a wild turnover and a dumb foul. Thought he was moving beyond this. But kind oif continued through the game. On and off wild play in the 4th, including one time when he hit a really deep three (probably should not have taken it, but made it) then jogged back wiht his back turned doing the I'm cool finger wagging trot while the Suns blew right by him for a fastbreak layup. Like I say, a classic Cisco gave full of giveth and taketh away stuff.
Douby ( A- ) -- came in and splashed in a three, then missed another. Looked natural + aggressive shooting, but no hint of the PG in him in the first half. Was big in the second half however, continuing the hot shooting and making a few semi-PG plays along the way. Generally outplayed Barbossa, who might be his idol as far as tryign to find an NBA niche.
Williams ( B- ) -- still having FT issues (clanged a pair) + did little in his first half minutes. Not going to earn a larger role this way. Not really that effective as a rebounder/shot blocker where we need/expect him to be. But did drop in a couple of solid post moves for scores in the 4th quarter garbagetime. Working on that side of the ball maybe.
Shakur ( D+ ) -- came in and immediately looked/moved far more like a PG than anyone else, but not very effective. Airballed a three int he late going to highlight the shooting problem that holds him back. May have looked the PG part, but struggled, and by the end of the night he as 0-4 for 1pt 1reb 1TO and 0ast. We did not see Greene tonight for comparison but apparently he looked good in the first game, so Shakur may have some catchup to do. Think he may have been the guy trying to guard Marcus Banks in the lategoing too as he lit us up.
Salmons ( B+ ) -- best King in the first half, and as always flouished in the Suns style. Likely why they wanted him a few years back and helped drive up his price to trick us into overpaying. Did little in short minutes after the break to drive this grade down.
Watkins ( C- ) -- did little after coming in in the third, + I thought looked a little intimidated/lost in there against Marion. Thought the kid looked solid in summer league, but performances like this aren't going to let him sneak onto a crowded roster.
Caner-Medley ( C ) -- did little after coming in in the third and playing through much fo the 4th. Ran around, looked vaguely lost and was largely ignored. Finally got a couple of hoops in the final seconds on back to back layups to avoid the goose egg.
Robinson ( B- ) -- Maybe did not do enough overall , but made a big athletic long armed defensive hustle play to contest a fast break layup in the 4th (joined by Cisco from behind) that stuck with you if you saw it (it was a foul, but still).
Parada ( INC ) -- made a nice little drop off pass late, and the passing was really his contribution. No boards, no bocks, a couple of free throws, and then 3 assists. Did not remember that skill from last year, but still just an oddity wihtout the other things.
Byrd (INC) -- got in for the last few minutes. Was fairly active but his big NBA memory might well be coming right in and promptly getting his first NBA shot packed right back in his face.
Reggie ( ) -- played the game about right as far as getting all the camp scrubs minutes, except for Greene who I guess got them the first game. But first cuts are coming up, and this might be the only chance some of these guys get to show anything in a game situation. As far as the hustle/defense etc. etc.? Eh...not so much. We looked fine. But it wasn't really until the scrubs were in late int eh game when we seemed to consistently win battles for loose balls. In the main game we got beat on the boards, and Phoenix obviously dropped their customary 110 on us. So...we looked ok, but nothign eye popping this time out at least.
Brad ( C ) -- definitely thinner and quicker on offense. And for the same reason may have been in better positon on defense + moved to challenge several slashers. But still did not do much when he got there. Had early foul trouble + continued his careeer-long struggle against the Suns tempo/style.
Mikki ( C ) -- and this apparently was the better of the two early Mikki games. Unable to get his face up jumper to go, and forced a post move for an ugly miss. Was involved in some sloppy/scrappy plays on both ends, but came up with some loose balls to help.
Ron ( D ) -- preseason game, and maybe appropriately one of those where you just had to doubt how much ron really wanted to play tonight. Just very very invisible from the very start, forced a post move and then really went away. Much less active than Hill was back the other way on the other side. Not so much terrible as just a no show.
Kevin ( B+ ) -- Bit of an erratic start, and maybe had a hard time getting a rhythm going as he was in and out of the lineup. Missed his first shot, not much else before being replaced early by Cisco, but aggression after briefly returning to the floor for Ron. Had a big third though (like Peja, seemingly becoming his favorite quarter) and was scoring very easily in his preferred style/tempo, and again ended up with about a point a minute. No other real contributions but the scoring and for the most part a fairly casual feeling easy 17 before handing it opver to Douby.
Bibby ( C+ ) -- came into this oen immediately aggressive, splashed in one, then forced the next. Was not going to one of those silly hot nights like he had last time he saw Phoenix. Continued offensvie aggressiveness, but only sporadic effectiveness (5-13). Gave us a boost on the boards though, where our starters would have been mauled by their starters without a game leading 7 from our our PG.
Kenny ( C ) -- so how much is KT worth if he's not rebounding? Answer: not much. Came in for Brad, and like last year couldn't finish (got blocked by Marion). Got a little more free after the Suns inserted the immortal Sean Marks, but still was not able to contend with the awesome Aussie's unparalleled ferocity on the boards.
Cisco ( C+ ) -- like last year, came in hit a shot, then made a wild turnover and a dumb foul. Thought he was moving beyond this. But kind oif continued through the game. On and off wild play in the 4th, including one time when he hit a really deep three (probably should not have taken it, but made it) then jogged back wiht his back turned doing the I'm cool finger wagging trot while the Suns blew right by him for a fastbreak layup. Like I say, a classic Cisco gave full of giveth and taketh away stuff.
Douby ( A- ) -- came in and splashed in a three, then missed another. Looked natural + aggressive shooting, but no hint of the PG in him in the first half. Was big in the second half however, continuing the hot shooting and making a few semi-PG plays along the way. Generally outplayed Barbossa, who might be his idol as far as tryign to find an NBA niche.
Williams ( B- ) -- still having FT issues (clanged a pair) + did little in his first half minutes. Not going to earn a larger role this way. Not really that effective as a rebounder/shot blocker where we need/expect him to be. But did drop in a couple of solid post moves for scores in the 4th quarter garbagetime. Working on that side of the ball maybe.
Shakur ( D+ ) -- came in and immediately looked/moved far more like a PG than anyone else, but not very effective. Airballed a three int he late going to highlight the shooting problem that holds him back. May have looked the PG part, but struggled, and by the end of the night he as 0-4 for 1pt 1reb 1TO and 0ast. We did not see Greene tonight for comparison but apparently he looked good in the first game, so Shakur may have some catchup to do. Think he may have been the guy trying to guard Marcus Banks in the lategoing too as he lit us up.
Salmons ( B+ ) -- best King in the first half, and as always flouished in the Suns style. Likely why they wanted him a few years back and helped drive up his price to trick us into overpaying. Did little in short minutes after the break to drive this grade down.
Watkins ( C- ) -- did little after coming in in the third, + I thought looked a little intimidated/lost in there against Marion. Thought the kid looked solid in summer league, but performances like this aren't going to let him sneak onto a crowded roster.
Caner-Medley ( C ) -- did little after coming in in the third and playing through much fo the 4th. Ran around, looked vaguely lost and was largely ignored. Finally got a couple of hoops in the final seconds on back to back layups to avoid the goose egg.
Robinson ( B- ) -- Maybe did not do enough overall , but made a big athletic long armed defensive hustle play to contest a fast break layup in the 4th (joined by Cisco from behind) that stuck with you if you saw it (it was a foul, but still).
Parada ( INC ) -- made a nice little drop off pass late, and the passing was really his contribution. No boards, no bocks, a couple of free throws, and then 3 assists. Did not remember that skill from last year, but still just an oddity wihtout the other things.
Byrd (INC) -- got in for the last few minutes. Was fairly active but his big NBA memory might well be coming right in and promptly getting his first NBA shot packed right back in his face.
Reggie ( ) -- played the game about right as far as getting all the camp scrubs minutes, except for Greene who I guess got them the first game. But first cuts are coming up, and this might be the only chance some of these guys get to show anything in a game situation. As far as the hustle/defense etc. etc.? Eh...not so much. We looked fine. But it wasn't really until the scrubs were in late int eh game when we seemed to consistently win battles for loose balls. In the main game we got beat on the boards, and Phoenix obviously dropped their customary 110 on us. So...we looked ok, but nothign eye popping this time out at least.
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