NBA PLAYOFFS: Game 2 - (7) Los Angeles Lakers @ (2) Phoenix Suns l Tuesday l 7:00pm l TNT l Suns lead series (1-0)

[WeekapaugGroove]

We'll definitely know alot more by the end of this series. But one thing that has again been blatantly evident is our lack of frontcourt size. We really should have added someone, even if just a precautionary measure. Now again, I'm not yet sure wherein we'll likely be sitting in terms of cap flexibility. But if we don't resign say............ Kaminsky for instance, AND Sarver is genuinely willing to up to the tax, Then there shoild absolutely be solid options in free agency at an affordable price.

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/center/
What about Hassan Whiteside, Nerlens Noel (mobile rim protector), Dwight Howard? DeMarcus Cousins could still probably be had for fairly cheap too! And Monty is familiar with him from team usa. Just add one of these guys in a backup 5 role perhaps. Keep them healthy and available in an " in case of emergency " break glass type of match up situation? Either way, As good as Ayton has been, He's not really percieved as an enforcer type. And Saric and Kaminsky are little to no resistance at all. I'd love for us to have a Whiteside or a Cousins to deter penetration for risk of being knocked down hard or fouled hard. Giving us a tougher image??? Which is needed in the playoffs!

Not that they shouldn't or won't add depth but they spent a lotto pick on basically this exact position last year so it's not too much to ask that he contributes in year 2. I'll give a pass this year with him getting hurt and covid but we should see something next season.

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I completely agree. And I am a big advocate of Smith, As I believe that he'll really take big steps heading into next season with an offseason and a training camp. Thing is, Smith is really built for the 4 position. He's just not nearly strong/ heavy enough yet to be battling NBA centers with size. And Saric is simply too slow and woefully unathletic to be effective against them either. We need actual size/ girth. Whiteside or Howard or Cousins would be a great value depth option at the backup 5 specifically for matchups against the NBA's bigger front lines.

Well have to agree to disagree on this. It's funny I have the exact opposite feeling about Smith where I suspect he's probably a 5 only and have serious questions about him as a 4.

I'd also say from a character standpoint you and I have as good of a chance of being on the suns next season as Cousins or Whiteside.

Again different philosophies are OK and I'll tend to favor smaller more dynamic lineups. **** the Lakers are as big of a team as you'll face and in this series if I could change things having a bigger backup C wouldn't crack my top 5 on my list. I thought Saric was fine game 1 and last night the trouble was more running him at the 4 than the minutes he played at the 5.

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[SunsRback4Good]

Ayton had no FTs either. **** these guys. No CP3 and they cheating

Those who weren't scoreboard watching probably assumed Suns went to ft line 7+ more times than Lakers did cause we actually went a ton. Yet looking at boxscore LA still managed to win the ft battle by a shot (31-30).

and if you actually watched the game you would've seen that the Suns did win the ft battle but gave free attempts at the end of the game due to intentionally fouling.

but hey let's not let something like facts get in the way.

I've been watching my team for two decades before you were even in diapers. Also, refs gifted Booker 6 ft near the end cause the game was pretty much over and they felt bad otherwise Lakers win the ft battle 31 to 24 easily like they always do. Finally, GTFOH we dont need your kind on this board. You've GB & Laker board go wild over there.

[Slim Charless]

I'm confused? Are you talking about Crowder that got hit dirty?

No. I feel like lebron pushed someone into CP3 and caused his injury..not on purpose maybe since they are boys. But still.

CP3 got hit dirty

What the hell are you talking about? CP collided with Cam Johnson, whom LeBron didn't even touch.

Lebron is 1 of the dirtiest players in league first of all. Secondly, IF you win this series and advance to the finals I look forward to watching the Nets sweep you c*** s******. It'll be great seeing Kyrie school Lebron.

[spanishninja]

Those who weren't scoreboard watching probably assumed Suns went to ft line 7+ more times than Lakers did cause we actually went a ton. Yet looking at boxscore LA still managed to win the ft battle by a shot (31-30).

and if you actually watched the game you would've seen that the Suns did win the ft battle but gave free attempts at the end of the game due to intentionally fouling.

but hey let's not let something like facts get in the way.

I've been watching my team for two decades before you were even in diapers. Also, refs gifted Booker 6 ft near the end cause the game was pretty much over and they felt bad otherwise Lakers win the ft battle 31 to 24 easily like they always do. Finally, GTFOH we dont need your kind on this board. You've GB & Laker board go wild over there.

Booker got free FTs but so did AD, whom we fouled needlessly in the final minute for some reason.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Not that they shouldn't or won't add depth but they spent a lotto pick on basically this exact position last year so it's not too much to ask that he contributes in year 2. I'll give a pass this year with him getting hurt and covid but we should see something next season.

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I completely agree. And I am a big advocate of Smith, As I believe that he'll really take big steps heading into next season with an offseason and a training camp. Thing is, Smith is really built for the 4 position. He's just not nearly strong/ heavy enough yet to be battling NBA centers with size. And Saric is simply too slow and woefully unathletic to be effective against them either. We need actual size/ girth. Whiteside or Howard or Cousins would be a great value depth option at the backup 5 specifically for matchups against the NBA's bigger front lines.

Well have to agree to disagree on this. It's funny I have the exact opposite feeling about Smith where I suspect he's probably a 5 only and have serious questions about him as a 4.

I'd also say from a character standpoint you and I have as good of a chance of being on the suns next season as Cousins or Whiteside.

Again different philosophies are OK and I'll tend to favor smaller more dynamic lineups. **** the Lakers are as big of a team as you'll face and in this series if I could change things having a bigger backup C wouldn't crack my top 5 on my list. I thought Saric was fine game 1 and last night the trouble was more running him at the 4 than the minutes he played at the 5.

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Absolutely!!!
Differing opinions and perspectives are great for broader and more diverse introspection and discourse. As for Smith, it's fine to disagree on optimal positional fit. I see him as being better at the 4. You see him being a better fit as a small ball 5 in a dynamic lineup ( small ball)? Which I actually think would be a great idea with his mobility, length and athleticism.

And perhaps you will be very right in the context of him being better at the 5, Of course with adding a bit more weight and strength. I'd say Ideally around 20-25 more lbs or so??? So he can hang better with the bigger, stronger, athletic centers. But currently given his developing frame and mobility, I just see him better matching up against 4s'. As for Whitesides' and cousin's character issues, I agree, And am not overtly a fan of eithers' potential behavioral issues there. But for a singular purpose of matchups against size, etc ( regular season or playoffs) and they can ride the bench same as Galloway, Nader, Moore, etc. And let's be honest. We wouldn't have to be depending on either frequently at all. Also, we currently have very strong, positive veterans influence on this team, And Monty again has shared experience already with cousins ( not sure about Whiteside so much). But I'm reasonably confident that between Monty, Crowder, Paul, Craig, etc. We could keep either of those two in check. So if we could pick up either at a minimal contractual cost, Then it would be to our benefit. Even if we only add them for situational depth reasons.

I can also agree that having a bigger center option shouldn't be too paramount, AS LONG AS we actually operate effectively as a team in terms of rebounding, defense, rim protection. However, for these seemingly repetitive situations wherein we struggle to rebound, give resistance against penetration to the rim, size mismatches, It becomes beneficial to have the size available for those situations. And I really want to like Saric and be an advocate for him, As I do genuinely like his efforts. However, the reality is simply that he's just far too slow, unathletic, and honestly inconsistent for us to be able to depend upon him when it really matters. Even Monty himself not too long ago stated that they drafted Smith with the hopes that he would develop into a better version of Dario! Meaning that they understand Sarics' deficiencies and hope for Smith to be able to eventually replace him. If Saric could just find a way to maintain consistency, Then he'd be a decent option as a backup 5. For now, it still is pretty much hit and miss. But all in all, it's better to have that option and not need it, Rather than not have it and need it! ( evidenced by our current situation wherein the Lakers bigs are outrebounding us and making scoring in the paint very difficult for us.

[sogood]

Those who weren't scoreboard watching probably assumed Suns went to ft line 7+ more times than Lakers did cause we actually went a ton. Yet looking at boxscore LA still managed to win the ft battle by a shot (31-30).

and if you actually watched the game you would've seen that the Suns did win the ft battle but gave free attempts at the end of the game due to intentionally fouling.

but hey let's not let something like facts get in the way.

I've been watching my team for two decades before you were even in diapers. Also, refs gifted Booker 6 ft near the end cause the game was pretty much over and they felt bad otherwise Lakers win the ft battle 31 to 24 easily like they always do. Finally, GTFOH we dont need your kind on this board. You've GB & Laker board go wild over there.

Lmao don't get butt hurt because someone called you out on your bull. Next time watch the game instead of the boxscore and you won't embarrassed yourself next time.

[sogood]

No. I feel like lebron pushed someone into CP3 and caused his injury..not on purpose maybe since they are boys. But still.

CP3 got hit dirty

What the hell are you talking about? CP collided with Cam Johnson, whom LeBron didn't even touch.

Lebron is 1 of the dirtiest players in league first of all. Secondly, IF you win this series and advance to the finals I look forward to watching the Nets sweep you c*** s******. It'll be great seeing Kyrie school Lebron.

Uhhhh I called out a poster on their bull about LeBron pushing someone into CP which never happened and you post this?

Come on now little buddy.