Backup point guard

[Mainstreet]

Coming into the season backup point guard appeared to be an area of strength but it is not looking that way at the moment. Ty Jerome has been out injured with a sprained ankle and Jevon Carter started out strong but has slid offensively. He has only scored only 2 points in the last 4 games.

Okobo appears to be more of a shooting guard than a point guard and Tyler Johnson seems set at shooting guard although he played some point guard last season. I don't like either option at the moment.

Hopefully the experiment with Booker playing point guard is over.

Jalen Lecque and and Jared Harper (two-way contract) are other options but I don't think either are ready.

Hopefully Ty Jerome returns to action soon and the problem will be solved. Jerome and Carter behind Rubio appear solid.

Any thoughts?

 

[Raindog]

I assume they are just waiting on Jerome at this point, hoping he will fill that role. It is increasingly apparent that Carter is going to fill more of a role as a defensive specialist who can (hopefully usually) not be an offensive liability. TJ can put in some minutes as a backup PG, but is really Booker's primary backup. As you say, Okobo doesn't really seem to have the chops for PG.

So really, they have to hope that Jerome (or less likely, Leque) can develop quickly. If so, I feel pretty comfortable with the backcourt depth and rotation.

 

[Mainstreet]

I assume they are just waiting on Jerome at this point, hoping he will fill that role. It is increasingly apparent that Carter is going to fill more of a role as a defensive specialist who can (hopefully usually) not be an offensive liability. TJ can put in some minutes as a backup PG, but is really Booker's primary backup. As you say, Okobo doesn't really seem to have the chops for PG.

So really, they have to hope that Jerome (or less likely, Leque) can develop quickly. If so, I feel pretty comfortable with the backcourt depth and rotation.

Ty Jerome does seem like the most likely backup point guard candidate. I like Carter as a defensive specialist as well.

Maybe later on, the Suns give Lecque or Harper an opportunity if it doesn't work out. I was happy to see the Suns keep Harper on a two-way contract.

 

[Hoop Head]

I'm not worried about it, for a few reasons.

1. Carter's shot will return.
I know he wasn't a good 3pt shooter last year but he worked hard to improve. I don't see him as someone who is ok with a prolonged slump. I would bet my last dollar he's in the gym working hard to get back in the swing of things. I don't expect that to be quite where he was in games 1-3 but I do expect he'll be more than servicable.

2. Jerome is close to returning.
We don't know when, I'll guess the end of the homestand. He's shooting now and doesn't appear to be as hobbled as he was. I don't know if he's still in his boot or not but that should be coming off any day now. If he's shooting though, chances are that it's off.

3. Tyler Johnson can play some PG.
He's already the first guard off the bench. Playing some point and running the 2nd team is part of what he needs to do to get minutes. If his shot isn't landing then it's more important he contribute somehow and running the offense is an easy way to do that.

4. A few minutes of Point Book is fine.
I know that no one wants to see Booker return to run the Point and he won't, full time. Having him handle it for a couple of minutes here and there is fine and is using his skills to our advantage. He is a good playmaker, let him handle it. If it doesn't work, there are others who can take over. Point Book will be different now as well. He can just look to score for 2-3 minutes because he doesn't need to get others going like last season. If he finds a teammate for an easy bucket, great, and if he scores himself, great. It's a different responsibility now.

5. We got Lecque, Harper, and Okobo
I know Okobo looks like a SG and that's fine, he can still handle a couple of minutes at PG if we're that desperate. I doubt we will be though. Monty's offense is different, he won't need to create for others like last year. He just needs to bring the ball up and pass it, get the .5 going.

Harper and Lecque will see time eventually. If they don't look good, that sucks, but they should see time at some point. We have to see what they bring to the table.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm not worried about it, for a few reasons.

1. Carter's shot will return.
I know he wasn't a good 3pt shooter last year but he worked hard to improve. I don't see him as someone who is ok with a prolonged slump. I would bet my last dollar he's in the gym working hard to get back in the swing of things. I don't expect that to be quite where he was in games 1-3 but I do expect he'll be more than servicable.

2. Jerome is close to returning.
We don't know when, I'll guess the end of the homestand. He's shooting now and doesn't appear to be as hobbled as he was. I don't know if he's still in his boot or not but that should be coming off any day now. If he's shooting though, chances are that it's off.

3. Tyler Johnson can play some PG.
He's already the first guard off the bench. Playing some point and running the 2nd team is part of what he needs to do to get minutes. If his shot isn't landing then it's more important he contribute somehow and running the offense is an easy way to do that.

4. A few minutes of Point Book is fine.
I know that no one wants to see Booker return to run the Point and he won't, full time. Having him handle it for a couple of minutes here and there is fine and is using his skills to our advantage. He is a good playmaker, let him handle it. If it doesn't work, there are others who can take over. Point Book will be different now as well. He can just look to score for 2-3 minutes because he doesn't need to get others going like last season. If he finds a teammate for an easy bucket, great, and if he scores himself, great. It's a different responsibility now.

5. We got Lecque, Harper, and Okobo
I know Okobo looks like a SG and that's fine, he can still handle a couple of minutes at PG if we're that desperate. I doubt we will be though. Monty's offense is different, he won't need to create for others like last year. He just needs to bring the ball up and pass it, get the .5 going.

Harper and Lecque will see time eventually. If they don't look good, that sucks, but they should see time at some point. We have to see what they bring to the table.

No doubt Jevon Carter will work hard to improve his game. Hopefully his 3 point shot starts falling again. I view him as a defensive specialist who can play point guard.

Ty Jerome's boot is off but he has a wrap on his right leg. He is shooting jump shots so this is good news. He might be the Suns best option at backup point guard but we haven't seen him play much except in preseason and college.

Lecque or Harper could surprise sooner than later as they gain G-League experience.

 

[SunnyBaller]

Coming into the season backup point guard appeared to be an area of strength but it is not looking that way at the moment. Ty Jerome has been out injured with a sprained ankle and Jevon Carter started out strong but has slid offensively. He has only scored only 2 points in the last 4 games.

Okobo appears to be more of a shooting guard than a point guard and Tyler Johnson seems set at shooting guard although he played some point guard last season. I don't like either option at the moment.

Hopefully the experiment with Booker playing point guard is over.

Jalen Lecque and and Jared Harper (two-way contract) are other options but I don't think either are ready.

Hopefully Ty Jerome returns to action soon and the problem will be solved. Jerome and Carter behind Rubio appear solid.

Any thoughts?

I actually disagree with your first statement, I never thought pg depth was going to be a strength.

First off I hated Rubio signing, although he's proving me wrong on that one, I liked ty Jerome so I thought he could actually be a solid back but so far he's been injured. Then for everyone else you mentioned I didnt expect anything. TJ is not a good backup point guard, he's a good defensive guard who can occasionally make a shot but he shouldn't be running the offense, Im sure I've sounded like a broken record over the last year with how much I hate okobo he's just not good , and Carter is a guy you bring off the bench in situational moments when you need a stop not a guy who should be running the offense either. Jerome is the only wildcard at the moment but when you look at it non of those players would be the #2 pg on most teams. Depending on Jerome's play pg is still the biggest need behind PF

 

[WildBB]

Carter along with Jerome will be a very strong b/u tandem.

 

[1Sun]

We need a starting and back-up power forward and a back-up shooting guard before we need a back-up point guard. Moving forward, in terms of a viable line-up with our current keepers:

PG Rubio / Jerome / Carter
SG Booker / ???
SF Oubre / Bridges
PF ??? / ???
C Ayton / Baynes

 

[Mainstreet]

I actually disagree with your first statement, I never thought pg depth was going to be a strength.

First off I hated Rubio signing, although he's proving me wrong on that one, I liked ty Jerome so I thought he could actually be a solid back but so far he's been injured. Then for everyone else you mentioned I didnt expect anything. TJ is not a good backup point guard, he's a good defensive guard who can occasionally make a shot but he shouldn't be running the offense, Im sure I've sounded like a broken record over the last year with how much I hate okobo he's just not good , and Carter is a guy you bring off the bench in situational moments when you need a stop not a guy who should be running the offense either. Jerome is the only wildcard at the moment but when you look at it non of those players would be the #2 pg on most teams. Depending on Jerome's play pg is still the biggest need behind PF

I think it mostly hinges on how Ty Jerome develops. He could easily be the Suns backup point guard. During the draft I was hoping the Suns would find a way to draft him which they did. Getting Baynes thrown into the trade only made it better. Carter should do quite well as the third point guard.

It would not shock me if Harper or Lecque find their way into the mix before the season is over.

I liked the Rubio signing a lot especially since the Suns didn't have to trade to get him. Suns couldn't go another season without a starting point guard.