Game 35: Phoenix Suns (27-7) @ Boston Celtics (16-19) l Friday l 11:00am l BSAZ

[Revived]

Even with guys out, Kevin Young has not impressed with his rotations. It’s a shame there isn’t someone with at least some HC experience on the team.

[Revived]

Shamet is terrible. I will never get over that contract. Unbelievable.

2. Shamet is not an NBA player.

Lol where is RunDogGun at these days? People were upset at him because he was critical of the trade when it was made.

Can see now why Shamet has been getting moved around like a joint in his NBA career before he’s even finished his rookie contract.

[Slim Charless]

Shamet is terrible. I will never get over that contract. Unbelievable.

2. Shamet is not an NBA player.

Lol where is RunDogGun at these days? People were upset at him because he was critical of the trade when it was made.

Can see now why Shamet has been getting moved around like a joint in his NBA career before he’s even finished his rookie contract.

Call Washington and trade him for Bertans, at least he's big.

[Revived]

Read on Twitter

[Ghost of Kleine]

So in watching the game, it's unfortunate to say we lost for obvious reasons.

1- LACK OF SIZE!!!
A) Rebounding as usual. This has been a glaring issue for us since all the way back to the finals honestly. We absolutely must address this at some point soon! Smith did good for a young inexperienced big whose not gotten any real playing time. For the life of me, I can't understand why the suns brought in a 6'7 wing and a 6'8 forward. Knowing all of our centers are out and size would be an issue. I mean is it really that difficult to add at least one 6'11 or 7 ft big??? Just one!!! This loss is a direct reflection of that negligence.

2- POOR OFFENSE/ SHOT SELECTION!!! ( nobody could shoot)?
Like at all. It was a terrible offensive game. No rythym, No good ball movement. Payne was inconsistent again, and Shamet is still a disappointment. This game really showed how important Ayton is to our team when our offense goes cold. In that he can get easy, efficient buckets due to his size and athleticism. Lol at some of the people on here saying we don't need a dominant center in today's NBA. Our team does because we don't truly have a legitimate superstar ala Durant, Levron, Kwahi, CURRY to carry our team individually. And Paul.is already getting tired due to carrying such a heavy load because (sorry dremille) but our bench outside of McGee and Johnson is a poo poo platter of inconsistent scrubs and washouts.

3- PERIMETER DEFENSE
Ours still sucks. It's bad enough getting beaten up inside because our front office doesn't have the sense to add legitimate bigs with size/ girth when all of our frontcourt is completely missing. But then to also let the Celts, who came into this game terrible from three also get hot and shoot well over 50% from three for awhile and then still 37% is horrible. So many of the Celts shots were wide open. This is another serious issue that has been a factor in all of our losses. And still hasn't been addressed.

4- POINTS IN THE PAINT
There's no other way around this! When you opt to go small with no legitimate frontcourt size AND reoccurring unaddressed rebounding issues , You're going to get pummeled in the paint. IF we had chosen to actually add one or two bigs ( centers) with LEGITIMATE SIZE, Today would've turned out much differently. On top of everything, Thr ine 6'8 big we did add, our lousy inexperienced backup coach didn't even bother to play. Smith was the lone big on our entire roster trying to cover Boston's multiple bigs. This is just simple negligence by our front office to not add legitimate size, and negligence by our inexperienced coach in utilizing our roster more effectively.

Luckily for us, Ayton should be back by the time we register a few more losses and are in 3rd place or so in the standings. Hopefully that'll stoke a fire in our guys somewhat to actually play with energy and urgency throughout the ENTIRE GAME instead of waiting till it's too late to make a difference??

[lilfishi22]

So in watching the game, it's unfortunate to say we lost for obvious reasons.

1- LACK OF SIZE!!!
A) Rebounding as usual. This has been a glaring issue for us since all the way back to the finals honestly. We absolutely must address this at some point soon! Smith did good for a young inexperienced big whose not gotten any real playing time. For the life of me, I can't understand why the suns brought in a 6'7 wing and a 6'8 forward. Knowing all of our centers are out and size would be an issue. I mean is it really that difficult to add at least one 6'11 or 7 ft big??? Just one!!! This loss is a direct reflection of that negligence.

4- POINTS IN THE PAINT
There's no other way around this! When you opt to go small with no legitimate frontcourt size AND reoccurring unaddressed rebounding issues , You're going to get pummeled in the paint. IF we had chosen to actually add one or two bigs ( centers) with LEGITIMATE SIZE, Today would've turned out much differently. On top of everything, Thr ine 6'8 big we did add, our lousy inexperienced backup coach didn't even bother to play. Smith was the lone big on our entire roster trying to cover Boston's multiple bigs. This is just simple negligence by our front office to not add legitimate size, and negligence by our inexperienced coach in utilizing our roster more effectively.

Luckily for us, Ayton should be back by the time we register a few more losses and are in 3rd place or so in the standings. Hopefully that'll stoke a fire in our guys somewhat to actually play with energy and urgency throughout the ENTIRE GAME instead of waiting till it's too late to make a difference??

Didn't watch this game (started at 5am on New Year Day in Sydney) but Ayton's absence over the last few games has had a huge impact on our defense and might I say, the impact of Bridges' defense. Bridges is still running around, still using his length etc but our POA defense has looked a lot less effective when our 2nd/last line of defense (Ayton) is no longer there to switch and/or cover. A big strength of our defense is our physical length (aside from IQ, discipline etc etc).

[Mulhollanddrive]

Chris Paul is such a punk but at least he's on our team.

[thamadkant]

Ayton anchors the offense and also the defense. Good to see everyone sees it now.

McGee at least contested the rim due to his size, but Smith did his best against two big men all night.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Zona (@ZonaHoops_) Tweeted:
I still can’t believe this is the year of basketball we got to watch. Surreal.

Blessed to cover this team. Happy New Year, everyone! https://t.co/uboX5XOW3u

Read on Twitter

?s=20

Could've tied the Bulls 96' record if we didn't go small on our signings. And Payne, Shamet, Booker, Paul and Bridges didn't have terrible games.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) Tweeted:
Chris Paul said he got a text from his son at home pointing out what Paul has to do better going into next game. Paul said that hit him a bit differently and he's going to figure it out.

Read on Twitter

?s=20

Paul's son holding him accountable!

[sunsbg]

When you think the decision to give this contract to Shamet may have led to not picking Jalen's option makes it even worse. The trade made sense, but not waiting a season to see how he plays before giving him extension made zero sense. What were they expecting from someone bouncing from team to team, earn 15M coming off the bench. Shamet's production is of a min guy like Moore/Gallo, but now he has the money in the bag, so he can suck as much as he wants. Another guy an example of getting paid and immediately regressing is Payne unfortunately.

[Saberestar]

When you think the decision to give this contract to Shamet may have led to not picking Jalen's option makes it even worse. The trade made sense, but not waiting a season to see how he plays before giving him extension made zero sense. What were they expecting from someone bouncing from team to team, earn 15M coming off the bench. Shamet's production is of a min guy like Moore/Gallo, but now he has the money in the bag, so he can suck as much as he wants. Another guy an example of getting paid and immediately regressing is Payne unfortunately.

I am disappointed with Shamet's play in the last stretch of 6 games. He has been terrible and playing like a minimum guy at best but before those games he played good basketball within his role.

I don't know why he is playing so bad lately but him just getting back to the level that he was showing just a couple of weeks away would be enough to consider him on a neutral contract.

Regarding Payne I disagree. I think he is the same player that he was last year but he has a bigger role on offense as a creator/scorer and sometimes is too much for him and his efficiency goes down. But he is not a guy coasting and jogging after getting a nice contract, no way he is like that.

[NapoleonII]

Ayton anchors the offense and also the defense. Good to see everyone sees it now.

McGee at least contested the rim due to his size, but Smith did his best against two big men all night.

Yes, we miss his screening, his positioning on offense, his threat for offensive rebounds/lobs. It's huge, literally.

[NapoleonII]

I noticed early in the season that Shamet always got the benefit of the doubt, to the detriment of Payne. Why does Payne come in as our 8th guy, and not our 6th? It's usually CamJo and Shamet coming in for Bridges/Jae and CP3.

Payne performed beautifully last year. I think Shamet's presence threw him off a little.

Cp3
Book
Payne
Bridges

should take up almost all the minutes at our guard spots.

Which correlates to CamJo getting MORE minutes at 3/4. There's NO reason why he should be getting nearly the same minutes (24mpg) as his rookie year (20).

[bwgood77]

When you think the decision to give this contract to Shamet may have led to not picking Jalen's option makes it even worse. The trade made sense, but not waiting a season to see how he plays before giving him extension made zero sense. What were they expecting from someone bouncing from team to team, earn 15M coming off the bench. Shamet's production is of a min guy like Moore/Gallo, but now he has the money in the bag, so he can suck as much as he wants. Another guy an example of getting paid and immediately regressing is Payne unfortunately.

I am disappointed with Shamet's play in the last stretch of 6 games. He has been terrible and playing like a minimum guy at best but before those games he played good basketball within his role.

I don't know why he is playing so bad lately but him just getting back to the level that he was showing just a couple of weeks away would be enough to consider him on a neutral contract.

Regarding Payne I disagree. I think he is the same player that he was last year but he has a bigger role on offense as a creator/scorer and sometimes is too much for him and his efficiency goes down. But he is not a guy coasting and jogging after getting a nice contract, no way he is like that.

At least his 3rd year is non guaranteed and his 4th is a team option. That makes it a little less than 2/$20 unless he gets a little bit of unguaranteed money in his 3rd year. We probably paid him a bit more for those last two years not being guaranteed, though still too much. I was expecting a contract similar to Payne's.

[Ghost of Kleine]

When you think the decision to give this contract to Shamet may have led to not picking Jalen's option makes it even worse. The trade made sense, but not waiting a season to see how he plays before giving him extension made zero sense. What were they expecting from someone bouncing from team to team, earn 15M coming off the bench. Shamet's production is of a min guy like Moore/Gallo, but now he has the money in the bag, so he can suck as much as he wants. Another guy an example of getting paid and immediately regressing is Payne unfortunately.

I am disappointed with Shamet's play in the last stretch of 6 games. He has been terrible and playing like a minimum guy at best but before those games he played good basketball within his role.

I don't know why he is playing so bad lately but him just getting back to the level that he was showing just a couple of weeks away would be enough to consider him on a neutral contract.

Regarding Payne I disagree. I think he is the same player that he was last year but he has a bigger role on offense as a creator/scorer and sometimes is too much for him and his efficiency goes down. But he is not a guy coasting and jogging after getting a nice contract, no way he is like that.

At least his 3rd year is non guaranteed and his 4th is a team option. That makes it a little less than 2/$20 unless he gets a little bit of unguaranteed money in his 3rd year. We probably paid him a bit more for those last two years not being guaranteed, though still too much. I was expecting a contract similar to Payne's.

Curious though?
Given the comparison now of their productions/ impact and what we know contractually between the two, IF it were possible ( with Shamets' aggregate trade restriction) to trade him in combination with other players to match the incoming salary of Gordon, given Gordon's scoring/ impact versatility upgrade, would you do that trade to strengthen / stabilize our bench? I know that Williams wouldn't of course since he has his favorites/ comfort players.

But hypothetically of Course, if you could, Would you make that call. And if you did, How do you think Gordon would mesh with Payne. Could he possibly calm him down a bit with his vet presence, etc. Could they compliment each other to our benefit??

[bwgood77]

I am disappointed with Shamet's play in the last stretch of 6 games. He has been terrible and playing like a minimum guy at best but before those games he played good basketball within his role.

I don't know why he is playing so bad lately but him just getting back to the level that he was showing just a couple of weeks away would be enough to consider him on a neutral contract.

Regarding Payne I disagree. I think he is the same player that he was last year but he has a bigger role on offense as a creator/scorer and sometimes is too much for him and his efficiency goes down. But he is not a guy coasting and jogging after getting a nice contract, no way he is like that.

At least his 3rd year is non guaranteed and his 4th is a team option. That makes it a little less than 2/$20 unless he gets a little bit of unguaranteed money in his 3rd year. We probably paid him a bit more for those last two years not being guaranteed, though still too much. I was expecting a contract similar to Payne's.

Curious though?
Given the comparison now of their productions/ impact and what we know contractually between the two, IF it were possible ( with Shamets' aggregate trade restriction) to trade him in combination with other players to match the incoming salary of Gordon, given Gordon's scoring/ impact versatility upgrade, would you do that trade to strengthen / stabilize our bench? I know that Williams wouldn't of course since he has his favorites/ comfort players.

But hypothetically of Course, if you could, Would you make that call. And if you did, How do you think Gordon would mesh with Payne. Could he possibly calm him down a bit with his vet presence, etc. Could they compliment each other to our benefit??

If they would take him and Saric? Yes. Gordon is shooting 44.7% from 3.

Don't see it happening though as Monty loves him some Saric and Shamet. If they were practical about competing now, they should. Gordon is out right now with an injury.

I don't know that Houston would do it though unless they love Shamet. Gordon makes a lot and they don't need him but it seems like they might get a better deal elsewhere if someone wanted him. Maybe not though.

If I knoew Saric were to back healthy and play like he did in the bubble and at times last year in the first half of the season, and Shamet played at his best, I wouldn't trade them. We may need the C depth as only Ayton is under contract next year and Gordon really wasn't good the last two years (32% from 3) and he is going to be 33. But given Saric was not looking good and coming off major injury and Shamet isn't worth his contract anyway, and is not looking good, I would probably do it. I just don't see Monty wanting to do it after hearing they tried to trade for Shamet for "years" and that Saric is the "heart of the team" even this year.

[Ghost of Kleine]

At least his 3rd year is non guaranteed and his 4th is a team option. That makes it a little less than 2/$20 unless he gets a little bit of unguaranteed money in his 3rd year. We probably paid him a bit more for those last two years not being guaranteed, though still too much. I was expecting a contract similar to Payne's.

Curious though?
Given the comparison now of their productions/ impact and what we know contractually between the two, IF it were possible ( with Shamets' aggregate trade restriction) to trade him in combination with other players to match the incoming salary of Gordon, given Gordon's scoring/ impact versatility upgrade, would you do that trade to strengthen / stabilize our bench? I know that Williams wouldn't of course since he has his favorites/ comfort players.

But hypothetically of Course, if you could, Would you make that call. And if you did, How do you think Gordon would mesh with Payne. Could he possibly calm him down a bit with his vet presence, etc. Could they compliment each other to our benefit??

If they would take him and Saric? Yes. Gordon is shooting 44.7% from 3.

Don't see it happening though as Monty loves him some Saric and Shamet. If they were practical about competing now, they should. Gordon is out right now with an injury.

I don't know that Houston would do it though unless they love Shamet. Gordon makes a lot and they don't need him but it seems like they might get a better deal elsewhere if someone wanted him. Maybe not though.

If I knoew Saric were to back healthy and play like he did in the bubble and at times last year in the first half of the season, and Shamet played at his best, I wouldn't trade them. We may need the C depth as only Ayton is under contract next year and Gordon really wasn't good the last two years (32% from 3) and he is going to be 33. But given Saric was not looking good and coming off major injury and Shamet isn't worth his contract anyway, and is not looking good, I would probably do it. I just don't see Monty wanting to do it after hearing they tried to trade for Shamet for "years" and that Saric is the "heart of the team" even this year.

Thanks ! And I agree that Monty would be the holdout on any potential deals. I don't necessarily dislike the guy.
And he's been a Better coach than what we've had in the past. But I'm not fond of his oft times inflexible short rotations. Lack of timeout utilization to stop opposing teams momentum ( runs). I also in context of this premise think that he surrounds himself with players that he's familiar with as a comfort for him, as he acclimated to things. And sticks hard to these players, even to the detriment of the team's overall success. Now maybe that's endearing loyalty. But I honestly see it more as a weakness, in that he's impeding any potential upgrades in interest of his personal comfort being around players he's familiar with?

I personally don't see him getting better upon return from his injury.
Rather being slower ( if possible) and even more inconsistent. And would much rather see him moved for an expiring, So we can use that space next summer to resign McGee. Or for a more legitimate upgrade at another position. But I agree with you that it likely won't happen, As monty will die on that hill stubbornly.