Game 26: Indiana Pacers (12-15) @ Phoenix Suns (14-11) | Dec 19 | 7:00PM

[Saberestar]

We lost this game on defense. Another rival putting 120 points, we can't defend the perimeter well enough to avoid good percentages from the 3p line and dribble penetration.

We need more Dunn IMO.

[ChuckS]

We lost this game on defense. Another rival putting 120 points, we can't defend the perimeter well enough to avoid good percentages from the 3p line and dribble penetration.

We need more Dunn IMO.

As usual, I agree with you, but with one caveat.

I questioned Bud last night. Down, I think, nineteen points early in the fourth, with KD trying to bring us back, and absent Booker, I thought the most dire need was more points quickly. Dunn played well and we were probably going to lose in any event. And I really like him and Oso, but at present they are not scoring. It made no sense to me to play him in what were O'Neale and Allen minutes in that situation. I feel stupid questioning a guy who forgot more basketball than I will ever know, but I'm also wondering what is going on at half-time that is causing such horrible third quarters. We should have been fired up after Royce's last minute three to close the gap ending the second.

Their size hurt us, and we were probably going to lose whatever we did, so consider this as just nonsensical quibbling.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

We lost this game on defense. Another rival putting 120 points, we can't defend the perimeter well enough to avoid good percentages from the 3p line and dribble penetration.

We need more Dunn IMO.

As usual, I agree with you, but with one caveat.

I questioned Bud last night. Down, I think, nineteen points early in the fourth, with KD trying to bring us back, and absent Booker, I thought the most dire need was more points quickly. Dunn played well and we were probably going to lose in any event. And I really like him and Oso, but at present they are not scoring. It made no sense to me to play him in what were O'Neale and Allen minutes in that situation. I feel stupid questioning a guy who forgot more basketball than I will ever know, but I'm also wondering what is going on at half-time that is causing such horrible third quarters. We should have been fired up after Royce's last minute three to close the gap ending the second.

Their size hurt us, and we were probably going to lose whatever we did, so consider this as just nonsensical quibbling.

I turned the game off in the 3rd. We were down. KD was bringing the ball up the court with Dunn, Morris, Grayson and (I think) O'Neale? Or Beal? In any case, it was just a bunch of little dudes. Possession ended in a KD mid-range. Frustrating. Gross.

This team is doing our Big 3 no favors. They have to play harder on both ends to make up for our lack of physical tools. That risks injury to all of them.

I would welcome Ishbia reversing course earlier than planned. Each of Booker, Beal and Durant would be playing better elsewhere. Kind of like last season - pretty much everyone's playing well individually, but the team is worse than the sum of its parts. You can bulk your guys up, but you can't make 'em taller.

This Christmas, my wish is for James Jones to get on the phone with Houston and Washington. See how much of our future we can get back.

Always too late with the rebuilds...

[ChuckS]

We lost this game on defense. Another rival putting 120 points, we can't defend the perimeter well enough to avoid good percentages from the 3p line and dribble penetration.

We need more Dunn IMO.

As usual, I agree with you, but with one caveat.

I questioned Bud last night. Down, I think, nineteen points early in the fourth, with KD trying to bring us back, and absent Booker, I thought the most dire need was more points quickly. Dunn played well and we were probably going to lose in any event. And I really like him and Oso, but at present they are not scoring. It made no sense to me to play him in what were O'Neale and Allen minutes in that situation. I feel stupid questioning a guy who forgot more basketball than I will ever know, but I'm also wondering what is going on at half-time that is causing such horrible third quarters. We should have been fired up after Royce's last minute three to close the gap ending the second.

Their size hurt us, and we were probably going to lose whatever we did, so consider this as just nonsensical quibbling.

I turned the game off in the 3rd. We were down. KD was bringing the ball up the court with Dunn, Morris, Grayson and (I think) O'Neale? Or Beal? In any case, it was just a bunch of little dudes. Possession ended in a KD mid-range. Frustrating. Gross.

This team is doing our Big 3 no favors. They have to play harder on both ends to make up for our lack of physical tools. That risks injury to all of them.

I would welcome Ishbia reversing course earlier than planned. Each of Booker, Beal and Durant would be playing better elsewhere. Kind of like last season - pretty much everyone's playing well individually, but the team is worse than the sum of its parts. You can bulk your guys up, but you can't make 'em taller.

This Christmas, my wish is for James Jones to get on the phone with Houston and Washington. See how much of our future we can get back.

Always too late with the rebuilds...

I think players think differently than some fans. The fact that Butler has us on his list is because good players know it's actually easier and better to be playing with others, than being split up. I believe it is better to keep superstars than throw them away for mediocrities, hoping you luck out in a draft and get a least one other back. Of course I trusted the process with my ex home team until I gave up.

I also think Ishbia, having himself been on a championship team in college, and later making billions, is not as dumb as some herein believe. It's not like anyone else has won a championship in 56 years. I think he assembled a good group of players. Many have been whining of future doom and an inability to ever improve. But in the first year he got Allen, and last year, in spite of what many thought possible improved the point guard and back up center positions, and added two nice rookies. I think it will be infinitely faster and possible to find a good big to solve the size problem and become even more competitive than it would be to get rid of every superior player. IMO you tank when you suck, and have no other options. I do not believe that is the case with the Suns.

I cried because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet

[garrick]

As usual, I agree with you, but with one caveat.

I questioned Bud last night. Down, I think, nineteen points early in the fourth, with KD trying to bring us back, and absent Booker, I thought the most dire need was more points quickly. Dunn played well and we were probably going to lose in any event. And I really like him and Oso, but at present they are not scoring. It made no sense to me to play him in what were O'Neale and Allen minutes in that situation. I feel stupid questioning a guy who forgot more basketball than I will ever know, but I'm also wondering what is going on at half-time that is causing such horrible third quarters. We should have been fired up after Royce's last minute three to close the gap ending the second.

Their size hurt us, and we were probably going to lose whatever we did, so consider this as just nonsensical quibbling.

I turned the game off in the 3rd. We were down. KD was bringing the ball up the court with Dunn, Morris, Grayson and (I think) O'Neale? Or Beal? In any case, it was just a bunch of little dudes. Possession ended in a KD mid-range. Frustrating. Gross.

This team is doing our Big 3 no favors. They have to play harder on both ends to make up for our lack of physical tools. That risks injury to all of them.

I would welcome Ishbia reversing course earlier than planned. Each of Booker, Beal and Durant would be playing better elsewhere. Kind of like last season - pretty much everyone's playing well individually, but the team is worse than the sum of its parts. You can bulk your guys up, but you can't make 'em taller.

This Christmas, my wish is for James Jones to get on the phone with Houston and Washington. See how much of our future we can get back.

Always too late with the rebuilds...

I think players think differently than some fans. The fact that Butler has us on his list is because good players know it's actually easier and better to be playing with others, than being split up. I believe it is better to keep superstars than throw them away for mediocrities, hoping you luck out in a draft and get a least one other back. Of course I trusted the process with my ex home team until I gave up.

I also think Ishbia, having himself been on a championship team in college, and later making billions, is not as dumb as some herein believe. It's not like anyone else has won a championship in 56 years. I think he assembled a good group of players. Many have been whining of future doom and an inability to ever improve. But in the first year he got Allen, and last year, in spite of what many thought possible improved the point guard and back up center positions, and added two nice rookies. I think it will be infinitely faster and possible to find a good big to solve the size problem and become even more competitive than it would be to get rid of every superior player. IMO you tank when you suck, and have no other options. I do not believe that is the case with the Suns.

I cried because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet

How are you going to get a big when you're hamstrung by the 2nd apron rules and lack of any picks except the 2031 pick???

And Tyus was an outlier because he wanted to be a starter and showcase his skills for next season, he is due for a big payday with his play and he is most likely gone as soon as someone offers him a 20M per year contract while we are only limited to paying him the minimum again.

[ChuckS]

I turned the game off in the 3rd. We were down. KD was bringing the ball up the court with Dunn, Morris, Grayson and (I think) O'Neale? Or Beal? In any case, it was just a bunch of little dudes. Possession ended in a KD mid-range. Frustrating. Gross.

This team is doing our Big 3 no favors. They have to play harder on both ends to make up for our lack of physical tools. That risks injury to all of them.

I would welcome Ishbia reversing course earlier than planned. Each of Booker, Beal and Durant would be playing better elsewhere. Kind of like last season - pretty much everyone's playing well individually, but the team is worse than the sum of its parts. You can bulk your guys up, but you can't make 'em taller.

This Christmas, my wish is for James Jones to get on the phone with Houston and Washington. See how much of our future we can get back.

Always too late with the rebuilds...

I think players think differently than some fans. The fact that Butler has us on his list is because good players know it's actually easier and better to be playing with others, than being split up. I believe it is better to keep superstars than throw them away for mediocrities, hoping you luck out in a draft and get a least one other back. Of course I trusted the process with my ex home team until I gave up.

I also think Ishbia, having himself been on a championship team in college, and later making billions, is not as dumb as some herein believe. It's not like anyone else has won a championship in 56 years. I think he assembled a good group of players. Many have been whining of future doom and an inability to ever improve. But in the first year he got Allen, and last year, in spite of what many thought possible improved the point guard and back up center positions, and added two nice rookies. I think it will be infinitely faster and possible to find a good big to solve the size problem and become even more competitive than it would be to get rid of every superior player. IMO you tank when you suck, and have no other options. I do not believe that is the case with the Suns.

I cried because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet

How are you going to get a big when you're hamstrung by the 2nd apron rules and lack of any picks except the 2031 pick???

And Tyus was an outlier because he wanted to be a starter and showcase his skills for next season, he is due for a big payday with his play and he is most likely gone as soon as someone offers him a 20M per year contract while we are only limited to paying him the minimum again.

I understand your concerns, and I might be hopelessly naive. But I do not believe Tyus was an outlier. Last year suggested to me that the 2d apron hurt players at least as much as some teams. As a result, I think free agency is still an option. Potential improvements might still be available, for Jones' reason, or just to play with KD and Book for a chance at a title.

Creative GM's have already found ways to circumvent the limitations, so I believe a trade is also a viable option. The CBA has teams looking to cut payroll which also helps. Admittedly that could hurt Beal's options somewhat. But Allen, and for lesser salaries, Okogie, Bol, and even the rookies are possibilities. The latter choices might require 3d party or multiple trade efforts. I'm also less concerned than some that loss of the distant pick will be that damaging. I cannot imagine Ishbia letting the team ever become that bad, regardless of what happens with our senior citizens.

I haven't even given up on Butler. He would probably have to refuse to re-sign with any other suitor though. That could leave GS in the race, however, because it is one of his stated preferences. But Miami could feel that they owe him and settle for a less than optimal return that they believe will not hurt them, rather than lose him for nothing.

Once again, I am not prescient, and you could well be right. I just do not believe we cannot get a power forward who would help, by trade or in free agency.