Shams: Suns trade for Miles Bridges

BooksOrangePlanet

I was BirdGangThing
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2019
Posts
40,816
Reaction score
45,868
Location
Arcadia
The reason, aside from off court issues, that I a bit skeptical of this trade is the Miles Bridges skill set and physical make up. He is sort of a “jack of all trades but master of none” type of player. He is almost a pf. He rebounds Ok. He is a pretty good defender. He is a marginal shooter. He is a better than average inside scorer. He is a pretty good defender. At what does he really excel?

Take Fleming as a comparison. He is extremely long, has better defensive potential, has better potential as a shooter, is younger. Flemings ceiling is higher than Miles IMO.
if fleming ever reaches miles bridges' level of talent then we hit the jackpot with fleming
 

JCSunsfan

ASFN Icon
Joined
Oct 24, 2002
Posts
23,042
Reaction score
7,706
The talent is definitely there. Now we wait to see if it blossoms on an NBA court.
This is the very exciting thing about Fleming.

AI response on this question. Just interesting.


Who is the better defender, Miles Bridges or Rasheer Fleming?

Copilot said:​


Copilot

If you're asking who is the better defender right now, I'd lean Rasheer Fleming from a defensive projection standpoint, but Miles Bridges has the advantage of proven NBA experience.

Miles Bridges​

  • Bridges is a solid, versatile NBA forward who can defend wings and some bigger players.
  • He has good strength and athleticism, but defense has never been considered his primary calling card.
  • His career defensive metrics have generally been around league average rather than elite.statmuse+1

Rasheer Fleming​

  • Fleming entered the NBA with a reputation built largely on his defense.
  • At Saint Joseph's, he was known for his 7'5" wingspan, shot-blocking, steals, rebounding, and ability to guard multiple positions. Scouts consistently highlighted his defensive versatility and playmaking on that end.babcockhoops+2
  • Several draft analysts described him as having potential to become a high-level NBA defender because of his length, instincts, and motor.basketballinsiders+1

Verdict​

  • Today (proven production): Miles Bridges is the safer answer because he's logged hundreds of NBA games and has shown he can hold his own defensively.basketball-reference+1
  • Pure defensive talent/upside: Rasheer Fleming has the edge. His physical tools, length, and defensive profile are stronger than Bridges' were coming into the league.babcockhoops+1
So if I were building a team and only evaluating defense, I'd take Fleming's upside, but if I needed to win a game tonight, I'd trust Bridges' proven NBA experience.
 
Last edited:

Mainstreet

Cruisin' Mainstreet
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Posts
134,135
Reaction score
74,347
This is the very exciting thing about Fleming.

AI response on this question. Just interesting.


Who is the better defender, Miles Bridges or Rasheer Fleming?

Copilot said:​


Copilot

If you're asking who is the better defender right now, I'd lean Rasheer Fleming from a defensive projection standpoint, but Miles Bridges has the advantage of proven NBA experience.

Miles Bridges​

  • Bridges is a solid, versatile NBA forward who can defend wings and some bigger players.
  • He has good strength and athleticism, but defense has never been considered his primary calling card.
  • His career defensive metrics have generally been around league average rather than elite.statmuse+1

Rasheer Fleming​

  • Fleming entered the NBA with a reputation built largely on his defense.
  • At Saint Joseph's, he was known for his 7'5" wingspan, shot-blocking, steals, rebounding, and ability to guard multiple positions. Scouts consistently highlighted his defensive versatility and playmaking on that end.babcockhoops+2
  • Several draft analysts described him as having potential to become a high-level NBA defender because of his length, instincts, and motor.basketballinsiders+1

Verdict​

  • Today (proven production): Miles Bridges is the safer answer because he's logged hundreds of NBA games and has shown he can hold his own defensively.basketball-reference+1
  • Pure defensive talent/upside: Rasheer Fleming has the edge. His physical tools, length, and defensive profile are stronger than Bridges' were coming into the league.babcockhoops+1
So if I were building a team and only evaluating defense, I'd take Fleming's upside, but if I needed to win a game tonight, I'd trust Bridges' proven NBA experience.

If I had to choose, it would be Fleming. His upside could be star level.
 

taz02

Hall of Famer
Joined
May 8, 2007
Posts
1,096
Reaction score
676
Fleming definitely has exciting potential. We need him to be Amare 2.0.

We are in a pretty good spot up front. Williams and Briges Start with Fleming and Man backing up, with the hope next year one or both of young guys will start and move the vet(s) to the bench.
 

Mainstreet

Cruisin' Mainstreet
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Posts
134,135
Reaction score
74,347
Fleming definitely has exciting potential. We need him to be Amare 2.0.

We are in a pretty good spot up front. Williams and Briges Start with Fleming and Man backing up, with the hope next year one or both of young guys will start and move the vet(s) to the bench.

That's a tough bar. There was never any doubt about Amare once he stepped on the court.
 

taz02

Hall of Famer
Joined
May 8, 2007
Posts
1,096
Reaction score
676
Not only are Fleming and Man Exciting, but their development is also crucial. We are going to need them to excel at everything, scoring, rebounding, defense and shot blocking. Otherwise, we are in for quick playoff exits at best. We aren't getting past San Antonio with Bridges and Williams up front.
 

taz02

Hall of Famer
Joined
May 8, 2007
Posts
1,096
Reaction score
676
That's a tough bar. There was never any doubt about Amare once he stepped on the court.

A little extra hype on the Amare hope, for sure, but it is the offseason we can dream, at least until we have to watch him play again....
 

Mainstreet

Cruisin' Mainstreet
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Posts
134,135
Reaction score
74,347
A little extra hype on the Amare hope, for sure, but it is the offseason we can dream, at least until we have to watch him play again....

Yeah, it's a high bar, but dreaming is free. Steve Nash played his best basketball later in his career.
 

Superbone

Phoenix native; Lifelong Suns Fan
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2005
Posts
8,108
Reaction score
5,886
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Rock-paper-scissors this is not.

Fist-water. Fist always wins in the short term.

This is the first time I've ever heard of assault with water.
 

carrrnuttt

Didactic
Banned from P+R
Joined
Feb 22, 2005
Posts
10,315
Reaction score
10,527
Location
Phoenix, AZ
This is the first time I've ever heard of assault with water.
The definition of assault varies by state and jurisdiction, but even contact physically or with something thrown with intent to insult is misdemeanor assault in Arizona. If injury is the intent, it can rise up to aggravated assault, which is a felony.

It's all up to the victim of they want to pursue charges, or the responding officer if they witnessed it or have enough witnesses to make an arrest. After that, it's up to the DA how far they want to take it.
 

JCSunsfan

ASFN Icon
Joined
Oct 24, 2002
Posts
23,042
Reaction score
7,706
M
The definition of assault varies by state and jurisdiction, but even contact physically or with something thrown with intent to insult is misdemeanor assault in Arizona. If injury is the intent, it can rise up to aggravated assault, which is a felony.

It's all up to the victim of they want to pursue charges, or the responding officer if they witnessed it or have enough witnesses to make an arrest. After that, it's up to the DA how far they want to take it.
She gets a ten year restraining order against him and then stalks him herself. That’s odd behavior. Looks like she might have been trying to get him arrested in the second incident. Looks like they are both real pieces of work.

That does nothing to change or excuse the initial charges against Bridges.
 

JCSunsfan

ASFN Icon
Joined
Oct 24, 2002
Posts
23,042
Reaction score
7,706
This thing between these two seems to be an ongoing saga with accusations flying back and forth constantly.

Have a babies with someone and you are tied to them one way or another for life--whether you like it or not.
 

1tinsoldier

Hall of Famer
Joined
Apr 17, 2018
Posts
1,874
Reaction score
785
Location
AZ
there's more dirt on both Miles and his ex. Ishbia should back out of his latest rash move while he can. The contract hasn't been signed yet.
 
Top