Game 51 Phoenix Suns (25-25) @ San Antonio Spurs (14-35)

[bwgood77]

Yet DA supporters continue to rag on Mikal's defensive regression yet is fine to give DA every excuse in the book to let him off the hook. Like when Slim called out Mikal for allowing Sochan to have a career game but didn't say a thing about Sochan taking 25 shots to get his 30 piece or that Mikal was the other guy in OT actually doing work and creating his own shot to help us get the W.

And the reason Mikal plays with bench units is because he can and doesn't gas out after half a quarter while some DA supporters are having a whinge about Monty resting him when he's clearly winded. And having Book, Cam, Paul and Shamet (ie our main ball handlers) out for extended periods of time is the perfect opportunity for DA to step up and show us what he's really got. Can't use the Monty isn't using him excuse. Can't use the CP3/Book is freezing him out excuse. But apparently it's not an apples to apples comparison because it's fuzzy or he's playing with bad players (as if Mikal wasn't)? Let's keep in mind Mikal played every single game, including a couple where he was in one of the worst Suns starting line ups of the past decade. In their absence Mikal started to try and carry the team's offensive load as the most talented player out there and while it wasn't always pretty, he took it upon himself to create for himself and create for others. He's doing all of that while still trying his damnedest to still have an impact on the other end. Yet the DA supporters are quick to point out Mikal's flaws and how he let Poole and Klay have a 29 and 27pt games or Mathurin and Hield having a 23 and 22 pt games.

But it's not possible to criticise DA without also bringing up the 11 other players in the rotation because *they* didn't do their job. Honestly, I'm over talking about DA because it seems every criticism is somehow excused because of this and that, and it can't just be a legitimate criticism from someone who has watched nearly every single game DA since he came into the league.

As I previously mentioned, only Slim does this. As for calling people "DA supporters", personally I am a supporter of all Phoenix Suns players, as a long time fan.

But it's "DA haters" for anyone with any criticism for DA.

Well, not for me, but if that's how you want to refer to people you lump into groups. By the way, I think you broke the other thread.

Edit: Looks like you fixed.

[lilfishi22]

As I previously mentioned, only Slim does this. As for calling people "DA supporters", personally I am a supporter of all Phoenix Suns players, as a long time fan.

But it's "DA haters" for anyone with any criticism for DA.

Well, not for me, but if that's how you want to refer to people you lump into groups. By the way, I think you broke the other thread.

Edit: Looks like you fixed.

I think it fixed itself. Gotta be careful replying to GoK....

[Ghost of Kleine]

Such weak sauce blaming Mark Bryant. Other stars like Curry, Lebron, Paul, and Giannis didn't have elite mentors. What they have is fire-in-the-belly and a high basketball IQ. That's something you can't coach, either you have it or you don't.

Ayton clearly doesn't have either and may be the lowest IQ player on the Suns' roster. He is certainly the most passive.

Lol! Whatever dude. You and the other Ayton detractors can see things however you like. Exactly how many NBA players on average in the league would you say have the killer mentality traits of those HOF players you mentioned? Are you saying the mentality they possess and killer instinct they exhibit is more common or very rare?? Again lol! Now in fairness Ayton may very well not have that killer instinct or ruthlessness aggressive tenacity to go for the jugular. But that in no way changes or minimizes my point about mentoring or elite development despite you and your groups subjective opinions and perspectives!

Mentality is not rare ... PJ Tucker, Jae Crowder
BBIQ is not rare ... Rubio, Reddick
Elite athleticism is definitely not rare and probably the easiest to find in the NBA... Josh Jackson

What's rare is a combination of all three ... Curry, Lebron, Paul, Giannis

Ayton has had a quality big man coach

Sadly, his BBIQ and mentality are on the low end of the spectrum. If he was 6'8" he wouldn't even sniff this league.

.[/quo
C'mon man! You're conflating two different outcome examples with the simple premise of work ethic when obviously all you're proving with this comparison is that strong work ethic in no way whatsoever guarantees an elite outcome. I've said many times before that Bryant is a decent but not elite journeyman low level mentor option for Ayton. What in this statement is not true or accurate exactly? Bryant is again a fine option to teach the base professionalism and work ethics needed to be successful as an NBA player, But what elite personal experience or skillset/abilities/ traits does he actually possess to draw from, I'll wait? By the way,
love the clever image of Sabonis together with Bryant as if that furthers the idea that that's the kind of outcome he achieves when you also forget to include the consideration that Sabonis just happened to grow up under a legendary HOF level big man father in Arvydas Sabonis to initially mentor him before Bryant was even in the picture as well as already developing in the euroleague wherein high level fundamentals/ development is promoted/fostered professionally at an early age. But I'm sure Bryant at least deserves credit for a percentage of his growth. So all due credit there!

Again, He's a fine option noted for mentoring professionalism, work ethic, and player relationships. But what elite experience or attributes does he possess that a young elite project big can actually relate to or associate with? Bryant is fine for foundational development, But IF the franchise is truly invested in Ayton becoming a legitimate star, there simply has to be more than just Bryant's contribution alone! Sure you can argue he doesn't possess the mentality or IQ to become a star, But plenty of big time stars have succeeded on talent without high level basketball IQ being a determining factor. Even beyond that too, Can you guarantee that he can't still or won't become a star with any level of certainty beyond just your own subjective opinion?? The good news is there's a whole new much more positive era coming very quickly under a new much better owner (hopefully)! And changes on such a significant scale can totally can a team's and players outlook and mentality. Similar to how a change of environment can have a therapeutic or beneficial outcome for a young player, Our environment can actually change more positively without even having to change teams or cities. This change may absolutely reinvigorate Ayton and may help him move on from any previous potential toxicity or resentment and distractions under Saver?? It's actually quite exciting and positive time, so maybe we can try and be supportive for just a bit longer towards the talent we have in spite of internal resentments over not selecting Doncic!