Comments on: How the Suns can use Hedo Turkoglu on offense

By: Phoenix Suns offseason to-do list: Small forwards | Valley of the Suns

Phoenix Suns offseason to-do list: Small forwards | Valley of the Suns — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 06:20:19 +0000

[...] all know what Turkoglu brings to the Suns offensively — three-point prowess, playmaking and clutch shooting — but there are several elements [...]

By: Depth, versatility not an issue for the Phoenix Suns | Valley of the Suns

Depth, versatility not an issue for the Phoenix Suns | Valley of the Suns — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 05:43:28 +0000

[...] how Hedo will fare at the power forward position, which I’ve looked at fairly in depth both offensively and defensively. But other than that you have four returning starters including one who is only [...]

By: WoodrowHowe

WoodrowHowe — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 09:04:04 +0000

Turkoglu is a safety option as a ball handler to turn the pg into an attacker, which would have been a deadly combination if Barbosa was still there. Turkoglu draws the attention of the opponent’s top defender, so an ace like Bowen does not rotate onto Nash. I see two weaknesses that the Suns may have to figure out as the season goes on. One is finding a backup forward that is active and can give the opponent different looks, possibly Oberto, Joe Smith, or Amundson (as a last, but safe option). The Sun’s defensive strategy is built on quick feet, active hands, and balanced floor spacing, not hulking bodies. The second is the team’s ability to score in the paint. Opposing teams would most likely focus their defense on Richardson who was the second slasher behind Stoudemire. It would seem that Warrick will have to fill in as the primary or secondary slasher.

By: Jim C.

Jim C. — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:54:49 +0000

Why does the evidence presented in this article instill confidence in the ability of Tukoglu to excel in different roles or help ease the ball handling responsibilities from Nash? This article explains that Hedo doesn’t play on the block or in the high post, and is much more efficient as a spot up shooter than in isolation or the pick and roll. The Suns already have Nash and Dragic to share ball handling responsibilities, so if either of those two are on the court, I would rather have them creating offense than Hedo. What this article actually explains, if one reads the statistics specifically provided, is that Hedo will be best as a catch and shoot player when Nash is penetrating. I think the Suns have plenty of spot up shooters; plenty of small forwards too. Now if they just had a player that could rebound marginally, demand even a small amount of attention from opposing defenses, have the ability to get to the free throw line every once in a while, and finish inside…..

By: Mel.

Mel. — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 23:32:38 +0000

I’d agree with the Lopez comment, suns. He did alright as a body against Gasol during the WCF, save for some overzealously physical play that practically spoon-fed Pau’s floppy paint technique.

Robin needs to let his head catch up with his body (And his hair), and he’ll be a heck of an asset.

By: Eric Perlman

Eric Perlman — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:03:26 +0000

Hedo is one heck of a player, even if you only take into account his ill-fated year at Toronto. I live in Central Florida and got to watch him with the Magic for two years. If Hedo plays for the Suns the way he played for the Magic, watch out, because in 2009 Hedo was the Magic’s primary ball handler the second half of the season, particularly in the playoffs.

By: suns68

suns68 — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:33:31 +0000

Hi Mike,

I like Hedo and I think he's a good addition.

Problem is, most of the studs in the western conference are at power forward.

I'm not sure Hedo can guard them effectively. I'm not entirely sure Lopez can either, but he seems to have a better chance because of his size and length.

Most of the western conference centers are pretty slow. If they have to chase Hedo (or Fry) out on the 3-point line, that opens things up in the middle for Nash, JRich and Hill to do damage. I would advocate Lopez at 5 when the opponent has a big center who can actually score.

As for the Lakers, well, about our only chance is to try to outrun and outshoot them anyway, so it probably doesn't really matter that much who's the four and who's the five. Except on the defensive side of things where I'd definitely have Lopez on Gasol.

By: Mike Meez

Mike Meez — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 07:15:41 +0000

I think Gentry is talking about Hedo as a 5 when Lopez is in foul trouble or when Suns want to play small ball. If Lopez is in the game he’s going to be the center and he’s going to have to match up with opposing centers from several teams for the Suns to win (namely against the Lakers). Hedo and Frye are both options as backups…not ideal but they’re the next tallest so it’s by default.

By: suns68

suns68 — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 05:14:37 +0000

I’m glad that Gentry is thinking about Hedo at center. I think that Lopez could be more effective as a defender and rebounder at the four spot against most teams.
When you look at it, some of the times the Suns have gone deepest in the playoffs have been with undersize centers with skills you usually don’t see at the position — Adams and Diaw (Hey look, I can pass), Chambers and Frye (Come out here and guard me, Fatso).

By: Mel.

Mel. — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:25:07 +0000

Honestly, if this plays out like it's being sketched, then the Suns are going to be a hell of a spoiler. They may not have the firepower of the top-tier championship threats, but anybody who watched Nash in Game Six of the WCF–where he flipped into shooter mode and put on a clinic from eighteen feet out until having to revert to distribution mode–knows that he's still packing one of the deadliest teardrops in the league.

The fact that Nash is also the kind of guy who–like Kevin Garnett–can be told that he needs to switch gears and will immediately do so without floundering or bitching about his stat-line is a huge, HUGE plus. This whole Turk thing might turn out to be a bust, but this article makes more sense in terms of Phoenix's reasons for bringing him on than anything else I've read.