I know that Chriss has been mainly a disappointment this year, but the Suns will regret it if they give up on him now. If they want to go after Randle, fine, but not at the cost of Chriss. If those two end up battling each other for minutes, so much the better.
Has the Suns concept of players battling each other for playing time over the past few years led to anything positive?
Three lead Point Guards fighting for minutes. Three Centers fighting for the lead job. Chriss and Bender fighting for the Power Forward job all season long.
My reaction is that it has not led to anything positive. Even worse, it has led to is indecision and lack of team chemistry. I don't see how any professional team would allow itself to give such low priority to the need to build team chemistry. Whether on a roster or in a company or in a marriage, when has "battling each other" internally ever led to positive results in the long run?
The season is half over and the Suns don't have any more of a plan now than they did at the start of the season. Preceded by a Head Coach firing during the first two weeks then another interim Head Coach, who has said he doesn't want the job next season. And having to give away our "star" Point Guard due lack of communications following his benching for a third of the previous season.
And now, our new star and top scorer has to be Point Guard by default. Is it a coincidence that a 20-year old (as great as he is) suddenly playing out of position has resulted in various injuries? Yeah, it's default alright. 'Default' of the incompetence of the owner and Front Office to do their jobs. Overextending players leads to fatigue (emotionally and physically) and that leads to injuries.
As a fan, I have seen enough of 'battling each other for minutes' all season long. I want to see a Front Office who knows how to assemble a balanced roster with players worthy of starting consistently. And a Head Coach who wants to be in the job next season and makes decisions that he'll have to live with. Jay Triano is a good guy, but his commitment is clearly for this season. Who can blame him?
The words that comes to mind are dysfunctional management team. One that sets a low ceiling for our players. Let's not bring another player on board for another internal 'battle'. 'Battle' infers a winner and a loser. I'd like to see our team have a 'win-win' mentality in the locker room and on the court. Competition, yeah. Battles, no. Chemistry, needed.
