Game 53: Suns (18-34) vs Jazz (22-28) February 2nd

[NTB]

Is that Bender's best stat line? Also his most aggressive game I remember easily. Not only taking it to the rim, but he wrestled a rebound hard away from Gobert (I think it was Gobert) and his passing finally translated into more assists....but it was like it all came together, because it was by far his best rebounding game as well. I mean he got 5 more rebounds than anyone else on our team.

He also had 20-6-4-1-3 against OKC. (7/9 FG 6/8 3PT)

[kennydorglas]

Bender at 5 looks really intriguing, but he really need to focus on his rebounding instincts.
A lot of time he's not even aware about the miss, resulting in an easy off reb.

Attacking bigs off dribble, shooting over guards/wings if they switch in the PNP, more secondary plays around him to use his playmaking.

Seems like a great plan for now.

[bwgood77]

Is that Bender's best stat line? Also his most aggressive game I remember easily. Not only taking it to the rim, but he wrestled a rebound hard away from Gobert (I think it was Gobert) and his passing finally translated into more assists....but it was like it all came together, because it was by far his best rebounding game as well. I mean he got 5 more rebounds than anyone else on our team.

He also had 20-6-4-1-3 against OKC. (7/9 FG 6/8 3PT)

I knew he had the 20 points, but I think 16/9/5 is more impressive, especially the way he did it. More aggressive. That was a great game before but it was moreso just from hot 3 pt shooting..this seemed much more complete.

[Son of Ra]

Is that Bender's best stat line? Also his most aggressive game I remember easily. Not only taking it to the rim, but he wrestled a rebound hard away from Gobert (I think it was Gobert) and his passing finally translated into more assists....but it was like it all came together, because it was by far his best rebounding game as well. I mean he got 5 more rebounds than anyone else on our team.

He also had 20-6-4-1-3 against OKC. (7/9 FG 6/8 3PT)

I knew he had the 20 points, but I think 16/9/5 is more impressive, especially the way he did it. More aggressive. That was a great game before but it was moreso just from hot 3 pt shooting..this seemed much more complete.

And all it took was Daniels calling him out/telling him to be more aggressive. That alone makes the Daniels trade a win

[DirtyDez]

Ok... new plan..

Trade all Suns picks for Mitchell

He's the only rookie his team wouldn't trade for the #1 pick. Maybe Markkanen.

[Son of Ra]

Ok... new plan..

Trade all Suns picks for Mitchell

I wonder if he would have been McDonough's pick had the Bledsoe for Mudiay and pick 13 gone through. :drool:

[bwgood77]

Ok... new plan..

Trade all Suns picks for Mitchell

He's the only rookie his team wouldn't trade for the #1 pick. Maybe Markkanen.

They wouldn't trade him for Booker either.

[garrick]

Man Booker needs to take some games off as he is clearly off and can't hit the broad side of a barn right now.

[Hesh]

JJ has had a great month putting up high scoring games consistently. He looks more comfortable now. This month he's almost had a total of eight 20 point games with 3 games just shy of 20 by a couple of points. In the beginning, he seemed too chippy where he had to prove himself, now the game's coming to him. I'm not worried about his progress at all because not only does he have all the tools to be a great player but more importantly he has the confidence and work ethic to make it happen.

[darealjuice]

Watch on YouTube

Nice game for Bender. Some of those passes were great. Hope he can build on this game, keep CP3 far away.

[JMac1]

Ok... new plan..

Trade all Suns picks for Mitchell

He's the only rookie his team wouldn't trade for the #1 pick. Maybe Markkanen.

They wouldn't trade him for Booker either.

And I wouldn’t trade Booker for him. Let’s see how he does once teams start playing him like they do Booker. He is good, but how many shots were contested, maybe 1.

It’s like every time someone has a good game it’s a he’s better than Booker. Lavine, Murray, now Mitchell....

[ATTL]

So was it ever confirmed we turned down bledsoe for nuggets lotto pick last year or was that a rumor? Need to know how much vodka to buy tommorow.

[PackSuns]

My goodness Mitchell... superstar right there, seriously. Next big thing!

Mitchell is a solid dude as well. Brewster Academy does an excellent job of grooming players. My cousin played for the girls bball team at the same time. Mitchell is always hooking up alumni with tickets. I will be going to see him play soon.

[bwgood77]

He's the only rookie his team wouldn't trade for the #1 pick. Maybe Markkanen.

They wouldn't trade him for Booker either.

And I wouldn’t trade Booker for him. Let’s see how he does once teams start playing him like they do Booker. He is good, but how many shots were contested, maybe 1.

It’s like every time someone has a good game it’s a he’s better than Booker. Lavine, Murray, now Mitchell....

It was just a discussion a while back on the trade board and pc board. That was actually before Bookers' slump and Mitchell getting completely on fire but Booker is still younger. PC poll took Booker. Trade board said Mitchell had more trade value simply due to contract price and length of control. His defense played into it as well...6'10 wingspan and solid defender who can guard multiple positions.

[pelifan]

I'm a big beliver in Mitchell. The way he plays basketball stylistically wins games. And now the Suns like NO, have seen it first hand.

[sunsbg]

Watch on YouTube

Nice game for Bender. Some of those passes were great. Hope he can build on this game, keep CP3 far away.

Another twist in the Bender vs Chriss debate. If Bender plays C maybe there is a place for both in the starting lineup. For that, Dragan needs to get much stronger. He may become a Mark Gasol type of a player. Passing is there, but probably not close as a defender.

[Revived]

Glad to see Bender have his first good game in a while.

Watching this game though...man, Mitchell is everything the Suns wanted from Josh Jackson. The defense, the ball handling, the shooting! Don't get me wrong, I don't think Jackson will be a bust but I think Mitchell would've given the Suns the better fit than Jackson. And also while Jackson has good games, most of his pts and such come when the team is already down by 20 and the opposing team takes its foot off the gas or has their 3rd/4th stringers in the game. Hence why the Suns have lost nearly ever single game in which Jackson has done well in with many of them being in blowout fashion as well.

Mitchell is putting up good numbers in wins and he's the best player on a team that's just 3 games out of a playoff spot in the competitive West.

Imagine having Mitchell instead of Jackson with Mitchell's ability to shoot opening things up for Booker. I know none of the fans including myself expected Mitchell to be this good before the draft and hindsight is 20/20 BUT its Ryan McDonough's job to know and to get it right.

Booker
Mitchel
Warren
Chriss
Chandler

Now that would've been a fun lineup.

[hollywood6964]

This is hilarious. We're down by a hundred n bender gets aggressive in garbage time while the jazz are asleep n this board goes wild. N Ulis scored 14 points, maybe he's back on track....

[darealjuice]

This is hilarious. We're down by a hundred n bender gets aggressive in garbage time while the jazz are asleep n this board goes wild. N Ulis scored 14 points, maybe he's back on track....

Pretty much none of Bender’s production was in garbage time but okay lol

[hollywood6964]

This is hilarious. We're down by a hundred n bender gets aggressive in garbage time while the jazz are asleep n this board goes wild. N Ulis scored 14 points, maybe he's back on track....

Pretty much none of Bender’s production was in garbage time but okay lol

The whole game was garbage time.