Jalen Rose and Bill Simmons’ dual prediction of less than 19 season wins for the Suns was 30 wins ago.
Don’t worry. They’re digging the feel-good story in Phoenix now, and they showed it in their “Birdmester” report, which they put out every 33 days in honor of Simmons’ favorite Larry Bird.
Specifically, the Grantland duo has been vastly impressed with Suns guard Goran Dragic, who is enjoying a career year with averages of 20.4 points, 6.1 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals while shooting 51.1 percent from the field and 41 percent from three.
During the show, Simmons was breaking down the Western Conference standings when Rose felt compelled to interrupt.
“I gotta say one name. Goran Dragic has been terrific this year,” Rose said. “He should’ve been an All-Star.”
Simmons agreed.
“He should’ve made it over Damian Lillard. All due respect to Damian Lillard, but…”
They touched on a variety of other topics before circling back to Dragic, this time while discussing their picks for All-NBA teams as of mid-February.
Rose temporarily surprised Simmons with his pick for Dragic on the All-NBA First Team, which he wasted no time in justifying.
“You seen his numbers lately? He’s ballin,” Rose said. “That goes to your point about no biases. I know he’s not better than rajon rondo, well rajon rondo is hurt. I know he’s not better than derrick rose, well derrick rose is hurt. I know he’s not better than Chris Paul, but chris paul was hurt. I know he’s not better than tony parker. Tony parker’s having limited minutes. He’s been in and out of the lineup. Reward guys that are doing well.”
Rose’s Grantland partner then brought up another guard, which ended up demoting Dragic to Second Team.
Simmons: I’m going to say Stephen Curry…
Rose: Oh yeah, Stephen Curry. Dragic, second-team.
Simmons: “no, you could talk me into Stephen curry and goran dragic. If chir pauls’ going to miss a month…”
Finally they settled on Curry, Paul George, Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Dwight Howard for First Team.
Simmons: Second team, Goran Dragic…
Rose: No doubt.
Not bad for a guy not voted into the All-Star Game playing for a team predicted to win less than 19 games.