Game 51: Phoenix Suns (40-9) @ Atlanta Hawks (24-26) l Thursday l 5:30pm l TNT

[PittsburghSuns]

Teams like GSW and Atlanta are terrible matchups for us because our perimeter D is trash. This was an ugly game on National TV for sure.

[RunDogGun]

Even when DA's in shape, he plays aggressive like once every 8 games.I'm not after this loss.I feel like the Hawks played a little above their heads while we had an off night.One small detail I've noticed about this team is they're bad at getting to/securing loose balls.Seems as if they're always being out hustled in that regard.

I thought he was great throughout the whole playoffs.

Yeah that shocked me.Until the Finals came & he started to turtle again.Maybe the regular season bores him.

He was our only big, and the refs wouldn't let him play much defense. Giannis was getting every touch call on one end, and allowed to be extra physical on the other end. I can imagine it was tough for Ayton, trying to do what he was doing all playoffs, stay on the court, and try not to use up too much energy so he could stay on the court. If we had another playable big, I think he wouldn't have been so tired.

[RunDogGun]

Teams like GSW and Atlanta are terrible matchups for us because our perimeter D is trash. This was an ugly game on National TV for sure.

We contested many of those shots, they were just nailing them. But if we try and double either Curry or Trae, we start leaving shooters open. Plus we aren't at full strength yet, so I bet we are still getting guys on the same page. But I think we are missing Willie Green. I think he helped our defense coaching wise.

[RunDogGun]

Couldn't watch the second half of the game, anyone want to explain what happened? Hot shooting and them pouring it on to finish the game? Poor effort? No guard play off the bench? Quiet Ayton?

We had tired legs and an off night they were on fire but suns played hard to the end a couple bounces went their way could have pulled it off.

This.

If that steal that Booker lost out of bounds stays in, I honestly think we pull it off. They seemed shook and that's with them playing with a Olympic swimming pool size hoop all night.

Or if the refs called the obvious foul by Huerter, where he didn't even go for the ball, but instead rammed into the side of Book, that might have made the difference. But we made errors down the stretch, and started doubling Trae, leaving easy baskets on back to back plays. Overall, we didn't give enough shots to Johnson, who seemed to be only guy that can hit a three lately.

[Mulhollanddrive]

They beat us by 32 in the same fixture last season, no big deal just one of those dynamics that happens when there's so many games.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Meh literally can't win them all

Hat tip to the hawks, their offense has been able to generate good shots on the suns d the past couple times they played and they knocked them down last night.

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[TheLoon]

Teams like GSW and Atlanta are terrible matchups for us because our perimeter D is trash. This was an ugly game on National TV for sure.

Can the team have an off night? 11 wins in 12 games...I swear...not good enough? They didn't have it last night...ok? Trae went off...happens...don't make it a national tv thing...one game

[bwgood77]

+1

GOK hit them up with a super long post dealing with various trades about randoms and drafting guys no one has heard of...

Offer all of our crap players for Dejounte Murray or something and explain in detail why it makes sense for the Spurs.

Lol..... Which of those players I mentioned are considered crap around the league exactly?
Is Paul considered crap? Bearing in mind that the Spurs almost beat us with nothing more than their bench. Does Paul no longer have the reputation of elevating teams to playoff contention? Is Crowder considered crap around the league? What about the Ayton for Murray and Poetl swap (If Saver finds greater value in both of those Spurs players for what Ayton would cost singularly) and he decides to not max him after all and instead looks to address both our potential post-Paul guard needs and a quality center at a more reasonable incurred cost. Are you implying that they wouldn't be interested in Ayton given their history of developing big men? And that they could have Tim Duncan mentor Ayton since his high-end projection more closely parallels that of Duncan than any others anyways. So remind me again about which players of ours I've mentioned in a trade for Murray that would be considered crap in terms of value to anyone outside of personal perspective/opinion?

Oh yeah, the Paul for Murray proposal...like the Spurs would want Paul and to give up their future based on where they are.

[SkyBill40]

I thought he was great throughout the whole playoffs.

Yeah that shocked me.Until the Finals came & he started to turtle again.Maybe the regular season bores him.

He was our only big, and the refs wouldn't let him play much defense. Giannis was getting every touch call on one end, and allowed to be extra physical on the other end. I can imagine it was tough for Ayton, trying to do what he was doing all playoffs, stay on the court, and try not to use up too much energy so he could stay on the court. If we had another playable big, I think he wouldn't have been so tired.

Meh. I don't put all that much value into this. We had a healthy Kaminsky as well as a young but raw Smith. Both sat as Williams played his favored rotations until it was too late. Williams had pieces available but refused to use them. This is a recurring theme with him.

[RunDogGun]

Yeah that shocked me.Until the Finals came & he started to turtle again.Maybe the regular season bores him.

He was our only big, and the refs wouldn't let him play much defense. Giannis was getting every touch call on one end, and allowed to be extra physical on the other end. I can imagine it was tough for Ayton, trying to do what he was doing all playoffs, stay on the court, and try not to use up too much energy so he could stay on the court. If we had another playable big, I think he wouldn't have been so tired.

Meh. I don't put all that much value into this. We had a healthy Kaminsky as well as a young but raw Smith. Both sat as Williams played his favored rotations until it was too late. Williams had pieces available but refused to use them. This is a recurring theme with him.

Frank couldn't guard a glass of milk, and was easily exploited on defense. Plus he doesn't board. Stix wasn't ready last year. I don't know if it was the early injury, catching Covid, but he just didn't have the confidence. But I agree about Monty playing who he likes, which is why we are stuck with The Sham, and that ridiculous contract. I wish he would have tried Stix last year, but there is no real evidence he would have been effective.

[SkyBill40]

He was our only big, and the refs wouldn't let him play much defense. Giannis was getting every touch call on one end, and allowed to be extra physical on the other end. I can imagine it was tough for Ayton, trying to do what he was doing all playoffs, stay on the court, and try not to use up too much energy so he could stay on the court. If we had another playable big, I think he wouldn't have been so tired.

Meh. I don't put all that much value into this. We had a healthy Kaminsky as well as a young but raw Smith. Both sat as Williams played his favored rotations until it was too late. Williams had pieces available but refused to use them. This is a recurring theme with him.

Frank couldn't guard a glass of milk, and was easily exploited on defense. Plus he doesn't board. Stix wasn't ready last year. I don't know if it was the early injury, catching Covid, but he just didn't have the confidence. But I agree about Monty playing who he likes, which is why we are stuck with The Sham, and that ridiculous contract. I wish he would have tried Stix last year, but there is no real evidence he would have been effective.

Uh, yeah, sure. You said we didn't have any bigs and clearly we did despite whatever your feelings are about their capabilities last year. Kaminsky has height, length, and CAN defend just fine. He's definitely not a stopper by any means, but he's serviceable and was available. Did he get any run? Only when it was too late. Smith wasn't really ready then but the fact remains he was there to at least TRY and contribute. Your "evidence" is purely speculation and nothing more.

Regardless, Williams didn't do anything with them. He's very much a D'Antoni 2.0 and that's not good. It leads to player burnout.

[RunDogGun]

Meh. I don't put all that much value into this. We had a healthy Kaminsky as well as a young but raw Smith. Both sat as Williams played his favored rotations until it was too late. Williams had pieces available but refused to use them. This is a recurring theme with him.

Frank couldn't guard a glass of milk, and was easily exploited on defense. Plus he doesn't board. Stix wasn't ready last year. I don't know if it was the early injury, catching Covid, but he just didn't have the confidence. But I agree about Monty playing who he likes, which is why we are stuck with The Sham, and that ridiculous contract. I wish he would have tried Stix last year, but there is no real evidence he would have been effective.

Uh, yeah, sure. You said we didn't have any bigs and clearly we did despite whatever your feelings are about their capabilities last year. Kaminsky has height, length, and CAN defend just fine. He's definitely not a stopper by any means, but he's serviceable and was available. Did he get any run? Only when it was too late. Smith wasn't really ready then but the fact remains he was there to at least TRY and contribute. Your "evidence" is purely speculation and nothing more.

Regardless, Williams didn't do anything with them. He's very much a D'Antoni 2.0 and that's not good. It leads to player burnout.

I watched every playoff game last year, and when Frank was in, he just didn't do much. He is slow. If he is hitting threes, he has purpose, but in the playoffs, he was shooting 20%. Saric was hitting 44% from three, so he was useful, while also being slow and weaker on defense. After he went down, we didn't have any bigs outside of Ayton that was useful. We played better with Craig at the five than sticking slow Frank and unproven Stix. I am not sure why there is even an argument. After Ayton, we had crap for bigs after Saric went down, and even he was weak. Like I said, I wish Monty tried Stix, but understand that there was little trust that he could do much last season and playoffs.

I didn't produce any evidence, and neither did you. I gave my opinion, and you gave yours. Well I did just give that Frank sucked at threes in the playoffs, and grabbed 1.4 rebounds per game. He just wasn't very playable, and a huge drop off compared to Ayton. Our defense is way better than when Mike was our coach.

[SkyBill40]

I watched every playoff game last year, and when Frank was in, he just didn't do much. He is slow. If he is hitting threes, he has purpose, but in the playoffs, he was shooting 20%. Saric was hitting 44% from three, so he was useful, while also being slow and weaker on defense. After he went down, we didn't have any bigs outside of Ayton that was useful. We played better with Craig at the five than sticking slow Frank and unproven Stix. I am not sure why there is even an argument. After Ayton, we had crap for bigs after Saric went down, and even he was weak. Like I said, I wish Monty tried Stix, but understand that there was little trust that he could do much last season and playoffs.

I didn't produce any evidence, and neither did you. I gave my opinion, and you gave yours. Well I did just give that Frank sucked at threes in the playoffs, and grabbed 1.4 rebounds per game. He just wasn't very playable, and a huge drop off compared to Ayton. Our defense is way better than when Mike was our coach.

I, too, watched every playoff game. That's what good fans do.

Neither Saric nor Kaminsky were what we needed at the time as they are, as you said, slow and relatively ineffective at handling speedier players. Craig did a manageable job at it but even he wasn't ideal. Smith might have been able to contribute but Williams wasn't having it any more than he is now. Is how it is, right? The D'Antoni reference was one of overusing players and sticking to rotations without adapting. It had nothing to do with our defense then or now.

There isn't really any argument here. I'm of the belief we're just having a discussion and see things somewhat differently. No real finger pointing or general rudeness as I've encountered aplenty, and I appreciate it.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Offer all of our crap players for Dejounte Murray or something and explain in detail why it makes sense for the Spurs.

Lol..... Which of those players I mentioned are considered crap around the league exactly?
Is Paul considered crap? Bearing in mind that the Spurs almost beat us with nothing more than their bench. Does Paul no longer have the reputation of elevating teams to playoff contention? Is Crowder considered crap around the league? What about the Ayton for Murray and Poetl swap (If Saver finds greater value in both of those Spurs players for what Ayton would cost singularly) and he decides to not max him after all and instead looks to address both our potential post-Paul guard needs and a quality center at a more reasonable incurred cost. Are you implying that they wouldn't be interested in Ayton given their history of developing big men? And that they could have Tim Duncan mentor Ayton since his high-end projection more closely parallels that of Duncan than any others anyways. So remind me again about which players of ours I've mentioned in a trade for Murray that would be considered crap in terms of value to anyone outside of personal perspective/opinion?

Oh yeah, the Paul for Murray proposal...like the Spurs would want Paul and to give up their future based on where they are.

Matter of perspective really. I just don't see it as giving up their future honestly. Again, the Spurs almost bested us with only their bench and recent draft picks. They've had some big wins against some top teams too. Now put a player like Paul on that team even with the pieces they have, and they could likely make a strong playoff run. Also when Paul comes off their books in an absolutely loaded 23' free agency, they'd still have close to 80 million in cap space, plus their current draft picks. I mean we heard about their interests in trying to acquire Simmons ( happening or not) does acquiring him indicate a team looking to tank. Now Simmons can't even shoot either. Paul on the other hand can do all that and more still at HOF levels ( when he's not being run into the ground due to playing excessive minutes)

As I've said before, Paul could give them one or two more great playoff runs for Pop to close things out. And then give them a massive expiring to add to their absurd projected cap space in 23. Murray is great for sure, and I get your age argument if they're really looking to intentionally bottom out and tank. But I'm just not sure they're that type of franchise that'd openly accept that. Lastly if you straight out compare them in terms of impact/ production, who has greater overall percieved value? But I do absolutely respect your right to disagree.

[Fo-Real]

Nate McMillan coached teams have always run us ragged. They executed well, hit big shots and we were breath down their necks all game. Great game ATL, on to the next one.

[Maze]

The Hawks have 4-5 players who always seem to be on against the Suns.Trae, Collins, Huerter, Gallo, and Bogdanovic.I swear it seems like Bogdanovic shoots at least 80% from 3pt range against the Suns.Even when he was with the Kings.Normally, you might see a team with one Suns killer.The Hawks have 5.The Heat are another team that I don't think the Suns match up well with.Teams that spam the 3pt line have had the most success against this team.Warriors, Hawks, and Heat are the teams I fear the most.