Valley of the Suns
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Suns 5-On-5: Pre-Training Camp Storylines

By Gerald Bourguet

Jan 13, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) and guard Eric Bledsoe (2) celebrate during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at US Airways Center. Phoenix won 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) and guard Eric Bledsoe (2) celebrate during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at US Airways Center. Phoenix won 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 2, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) dribbles the ball against Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Eric Bledsoe was ranked nine spots higher than Goran Dragic on Sports Illustrated’s Top 100 NBA Players In 2016 List. Right call?

Chasen:  Yes. Eric Bledsoe is currently better than Goran Dragic. He’s better on defense, he’s better at rebounding, he’s more athletic and he’s younger. There’s not a whole lot that needs to be added here.

Bourguet:  I’m actually not too sure Bledsoe should’ve been ranked so far ahead of Dragic. Though the Dragon is four years older than Bledsoe and nowhere near as athletic or defensively gifted, the Suns completely fell apart after he left last year. I’d rather have Bledsoe than Dragic at this stage in their careers, but Bledsoe still has to prove he can lead the Suns like Dragic did so memorably well in 2013-14.

Hann:  Wrong call. He should have been ranked at least 15 spots ahead of Dragic. Goran is a good player in the NBA but people don’t seem to understand that when Bledsoe is on his game (which has been a rare sight and will NEED to be more consistent), very, very few players in the NBA can match his all-around production. Dragic’s physical limitations are incredibly glaring when compared with the freakish specimen that is Eric Bledsoe.

Harris:  It’s pretty simple to me, Bledsoe’s stats are a tad batter than Dragic’s and Bledsoe is also four years younger than Dragic. Nobody’s saying these are the best two point guards in the NBA, but if one had a choice, most would go with Bledsoe.

Dodgson:  Goran Dragic was a fan favorite in his time with the Suns, due in part to the ability he possessed to put on a show in U.S. Airways Center every time he stepped on the floor. He was efficient from deep, his floater was respectable and his ability to slash and score was just another facet of his game that lead to an average of 17 points per game over two and a half seasons with the Suns. In addition, he could pass, averaging just under six assists in that span.

Furthermore, I feel as though Dragic is the more complete player at this point in his career. He should’ve been rated higher than Bledsoe. I do think Bledsoe will finish as a better player when it’s all said and done, but right now, as close as they are, Dragic has a slight edge. This really could go either way, though.

Next: No. 4

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