Game 20: Phoenix Suns (9-10) @ Orlando Magic (9-11)

[bwgood77]

Am I the only one who likes Saric? If we would have actual centers on this team, I think he would look much better. Because of the position we're in, he's asked to do much more of than he's actually capable of. If you play him within his strengths, he's a valuable player.

Right now our performance is bad but then again we're 9-11 and there has not been a rim protector that's available for half of these games. If last year someone told you that the Suns will achieve this, all of you would be ecstatic.

Next to Ayton or Baynes he looks a lot better. Kaminsky off the bench looks a lot better. Them starting together, they have issues because neither is a C or shot blocker, or a particularly good rebounder. It's like asking Oubre to play PG. Probably wouldn't look too good, and not because he's a terrible player but it's not his role.

[Dual]

We need a change for a few games already, the combo of Saric/Kaminsky against starters is not working. I would start from there, you cant lose so many (almost) consecutive games and change nothing.
If Baynes cant play I would try to start Diallo, just to change the dynamics and see if that way we have more rim protection and rebounds.

[Desertfox]

I placing the blame for the losing streak squarely on JJ. Last year we had a huge hole at defensive PF and JJ did nothing at all to fill it. The best defensive PF (who can also play offense and C) was right there at 11 and we pass him over. The Mavs reportedly had interest in Warren and we had a lot of assets that could have been used in a S&T for Kleber and we didn't even try. Bender for all his faults was decent defensively (was the starter last year when the Suns beat the Warriors and Bucks) and we didn't keep him as a 3rd string backup. Heck we doubled up on guards for the G-league and two-way spots, instead of grabbing a big. And when Ayton was suspended JJ has made zero effort to bring in a backup C like say Alan Williams, despite knowing that Baynes has never been a full time starter and that he had played a lot of minutes over summer. The lack of good defensive big men is all on JJ and I can't even give him credit for Baynes since it was the Celtics trying to clear cap space that came calling.

[Jarlaxle0204]

This Booker bashing needs to stop. The guy has been hammered his whole career for empty stats on losing teams. He's expressed multiple times that he would welcome coaching and nothing in what he says or his demeanor leads me to believe otherwise. His percentages have never been higher. His team has never won as much. Most acknowledge on the general board that he will be an all star this year. National pundits are saying things like, "Booker cares more about winning than he did in the past." (I heard Kevin Mchale say that the other night after the Charlotte game). He's playing the best defense of his career (still needs work).

I'm sure he's trying to work within Monty's system. He's not trying to assert himself. He is trusting his teammates. Why would he change what he's been doing when he's never been as positively mentioned regarding it? Last year everyone complains he shoots too much (when no one else on the team can shoot lol) and this year it's he doesn't shoot enough.

This board is ridiculous sometimes.

[bwgood77]

I placing the blame for the losing streak squarely on JJ. Last year we had a huge hole at defensive PF and JJ did nothing at all to fill it. The best defensive PF (who can also play offense and C) was right there at 11 and we pass him over. The Mavs reportedly had interest in Warren and we had a lot of assets that could have been used in a S&T for Kleber and we didn't even try. Bender for all his faults was decent defensively (was the starter last year when the Suns beat the Warriors and Bucks) and we didn't keep him as a 3rd string backup. Heck we doubled up on guards for the G-league and two-way spots, instead of grabbing a big. And when Ayton was suspended JJ has made zero effort to bring in a backup C like say Alan Williams, despite knowing that Baynes has never been a full time starter and that he had played a lot of minutes over summer. The lack of good defensive big men is all on JJ and I can't even give him credit for Baynes since it was the Celtics trying to clear cap space that came calling.

While I largely agree, we did go out and get a defensive big man in Baynes who is probably better than some starters. As for the PF spots, I wasn't a fan of the Kaminsky signing and I really wanted a shot blocking, all around good defensive 4, and while it's hard to find those in the NBA who teams want to let go, they were there in the draft...even at 11 after making the trade...so obviously many thought the pick was odd. I remember people thinking it wasn't serious and asking if it was a joke when the pick was made.

As for signing a C now, I don't know that picking some guy up out of the G league or a FA is going to help much. Alan Williams is in a Russian league or something. But we did sign Diallo for a reason and he's surpassed expectations so I'm not sure why he doesn't play more outside of garbage time. He is efficient and good defensively even when in there against starters and backups.

[Desertfox]

I just don't know what JJ is thinking. We have two roster spots open (Ayton's and a 2-way) pick someone up just in case! At one point we had Diallo, Kaminsky, and Saric on the injury report. At this rate we might be starting Cam Johnson at C at some point in time. You don't need a great backup C, just one who can play some D and rebound. Heck we almost went to the NBA finals in 2010 with Jarron Collins as the starting C. Alan Williams even said he was ready to get on the first plane from Russia if he got the call.

[Revived]

Thread is way too negative imo.

Lost 7 of their last 9. It’s expected.

Someone mentioned this before in one of the previous game threads but kinda wish the team just sucked from the beginning if they were gonna suck.

I’m not mad that the team is losing but I’m disappointed that they aren’t playing hard at all. We’re shorthanded do losses are expected even to sub .500 teams but playing hard is something they were doing in the beginning of the season and haven’t done that much for most of the last 9 games (including some of the wins).

[GoodBehavior]

Thread is way too negative imo.

Lost 7 of their last 9. It’s expected.

Someone mentioned this before in one of the previous game threads but kinda wish the team just sucked from the beginning if they were gonna suck.

I’m not mad that the team is losing but I’m disappointed that they aren’t playing hard at all. We’re shorthanded do losses are expected even to sub .500 teams but playing hard is something they were doing in the beginning of the season and haven’t done that much for most of the last 9 games (including some of the wins).

They didn't play hard because it's back-to-back with the second game being more winnable. I am not saying that they "gifted" the Magic a game, but probably held back knowing they had a better chance against the Pelicans. Not that bad of a move if they can pull off a win. I expect them to be way more active tonight.

[Revived]

Thread is way too negative imo.

Lost 7 of their last 9. It’s expected.

Someone mentioned this before in one of the previous game threads but kinda wish the team just sucked from the beginning if they were gonna suck.

I’m not mad that the team is losing but I’m disappointed that they aren’t playing hard at all. We’re shorthanded do losses are expected even to sub .500 teams but playing hard is something they were doing in the beginning of the season and haven’t done that much for most of the last 9 games (including some of the wins).

They didn't play hard because it's back-to-back with the second game being more winnable. I am not saying that they "gifted" the Magic a game, but probably held back knowing they had a better chance against the Pelicans. Not that bad of a move if they can pull off a win. I expect them to be way more active tonight.

Wait what? New Orleans has way more dangerous shooters and 3pt shooting is the one thing the Suns cannot defend.

They had a much better chance against Orlando than New Orleans especially on tired legs.

[LesGrossman]

And I still think we need that long term PF and PG. We obviously don't have those long term answers at either positions. I don't want those old guys who are declining with bloated contracts much because what future does that leave us with? We might make the playoffs but if so,we are not beating a top seed and obviously those players just decline while you are stuck with their salary.

"those old guys who are declining"? At PF and PG? What do you mean?

[bwgood77]

And I still think we need that long term PF and PG. We obviously don't have those long term answers at either positions. I don't want those old guys who are declining with bloated contracts much because what future does that leave us with? We might make the playoffs but if so,we are not beating a top seed and obviously those players just decline while you are stuck with their salary.

"those old guys who are declining"? At PF and PG? What do you mean?

Those are kind of separate statements. With old declining guys and bloated contracts I was referring to Love and Griffin who are on the downside, injury prone, and making $30 million a year for 3 years or so.

And I do think we need to find a post Rubio starter. I think PF is the bigger priority unless the FO is really set with Saric, which, in that case, I guess we have to accept it. But I still wouldn't mind taking one of those guys mentioned in the draft thread for young depth at PF....don't want to keep Kaminsky after this season, or certainly after next, barring an enormous step forward.

If not PF, with the depth at PG, maybe we could get a stud college guy like Halliburton and groom him behind Rubio for a couple years. I do like Okobo and Jerome but I think they are probably closer to backup guards...combo guards.

Halliburton could fight for backup role with Jerome next year with Okobo likely the backup 2 unless they go with Mikal there instead of a 3..

But regardless, we obviously have injuries, and we've seen Rubio and Jerome out with them already in their first season so we shouldn't expect to be healthy, so depth is good.