2022-23 Season Discussion and Review - the Blockbuster trade and playoff downfall

[kennydorglas]

rival stronger? hahahahah

[TOO]

I'd watch Atlanta and one of their PGs and Capela for Ayton and junk. Or a 3 way to get Ayton elsewhere, move Capela and a PG to open up a spot for Okongwu and the Suns getting wing and PG help.

[bwgood77]

Looking at the remaining games, I count 3 games that where we can realistically lose (Phila, Mar Denver game, and Milwaukee) and 5 other games that it can be 50/50 (two Sac games, two LAC and one GSW). Aside from those, assuming we don't lose any other games, we will end up anywhere between 3-5 more losses. So between 48-34 and 50-32. Good enough for 3rd place or better? will have to see.

I think only one team was on pace to get 50 wins in the west. Memphis was high 40s I think? Anyway, I was thinking when KD was starting to play that we could probably go 15-3 and whatever and maybe get 50 wins. Last I checked we had 4 more losses than Memphis though. We are technically only 3 games back but with already 4 more losses if we lost only 3 they'd need to lose 7 to tie. k Not sure if we have tiebreaker, but I think if we beat them we would. The Kings are easier to catch...playing them twice if we beat them that's gaining 2 games right there and we are only 2.5 games back. Would probably gain the tiebreaker too. I don't know how much it matters. We will have tough games regardless.

Unfortunately if we think the Kings are the easiest in the top 7, they are the least likely team we would play in the first two rounds if we pass them, because we'd finish 2nd or 3rd and them 4th.

[bwgood77]

Lol at trading Ayton to Mavs.

Why would you make your rival stronger? Ayton with Luka's risk taking passes and lobs would absolutely thrive. I love CP3 but he has been less risk taking and would rather pass out to shooters than inside the paint unless it's 100% clear. Luka tends to be more risky with those passes and having an inside guy would add to his options... rather than kicking out to 3s he would have another one in the middle who can finish above the rim, soft shot or a quick hook...


It's clear KD and Booker are going to be shooting near 20 shots a game and that's fine. Ayton will either become a Deandre Jordan type or they could actually stagger the roles so Ayton gets more shots when Booker or Durant sits.

There is absolutely NO reason why the team cannot fit Ayton and give him 15 shots. Rather that than give Okogie or Craig 5 plus shots from the 3pt line... This is a Monty thing and I think if Suns fail in the playoffs he is out.

Taking shots away from Booker and Durant to give to Ayton is not very smart imo. I think the way Booker and KD play opens things up more for 3pt shooters than a center. At least that’s what I’ve noticed so far.

The Suns need a center that excels in rebounding, protecting the paint, and finishing lobs. I wonder if the front office is fine paying a center over 30 million a year for that type of role.

It’s still SUPER early with Kevin Durant, so maybe I should just wait and see how things play out. Really hoping DA can star in his limited role.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How do midrange players open up 3pt shooters more than a C who can score at will in the paint?

[bwgood77]

I'd watch Atlanta and one of their PGs and Capela for Ayton and junk. Or a 3 way to get Ayton elsewhere, move Capela and a PG to open up a spot for Okongwu and the Suns getting wing and PG help.

Well that would be a no brainer but I don't think the Hawks would give us just one of their PGs or Capela for Ayton. They might do a Capela/Aaron Holiday for Ayton swap. I know there were people here who thought Aaron Holiday was our answer in the playoffs last year.

[TOO]

Lol at trading Ayton to Mavs.

Why would you make your rival stronger? Ayton with Luka's risk taking passes and lobs would absolutely thrive. I love CP3 but he has been less risk taking and would rather pass out to shooters than inside the paint unless it's 100% clear. Luka tends to be more risky with those passes and having an inside guy would add to his options... rather than kicking out to 3s he would have another one in the middle who can finish above the rim, soft shot or a quick hook...


It's clear KD and Booker are going to be shooting near 20 shots a game and that's fine. Ayton will either become a Deandre Jordan type or they could actually stagger the roles so Ayton gets more shots when Booker or Durant sits.

There is absolutely NO reason why the team cannot fit Ayton and give him 15 shots. Rather that than give Okogie or Craig 5 plus shots from the 3pt line... This is a Monty thing and I think if Suns fail in the playoffs he is out.

Taking shots away from Booker and Durant to give to Ayton is not very smart imo. I think the way Booker and KD play opens things up more for 3pt shooters than a center. At least that’s what I’ve noticed so far.

The Suns need a center that excels in rebounding, protecting the paint, and finishing lobs. I wonder if the front office is fine paying a center over 30 million a year for that type of role.

It’s still SUPER early with Kevin Durant, so maybe I should just wait and see how things play out. Really hoping DA can star in his limited role.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How do midrange players open up 3pt shooters more than a C who can score at will in the paint?

Did you watch the last game? Was on full display.

[Jdiddy701]

Taking shots away from Booker and Durant to give to Ayton is not very smart imo. I think the way Booker and KD play opens things up more for 3pt shooters than a center. At least that’s what I’ve noticed so far.

The Suns need a center that excels in rebounding, protecting the paint, and finishing lobs. I wonder if the front office is fine paying a center over 30 million a year for that type of role.

It’s still SUPER early with Kevin Durant, so maybe I should just wait and see how things play out. Really hoping DA can star in his limited role.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How do midrange players open up 3pt shooters more than a C who can score at will in the paint?

Did you watch the last game? Was on full display.

Right! Not just last game but the last 3 games. Midrange shots mean more traffic in the paint and draws the weak side defense to sag off the corner 3’s.

I actually don’t remember many times Ayton has been open, other then a few plays to start the game in Dallas.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jdiddy701]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=e2jUjMUourhO2823KONxMg

This is hilarious LOL


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[carey]

How do midrange players open up 3pt shooters more than a C who can score at will in the paint?

Did you watch the last game? Was on full display.

Guess BWG missed the constant double teams and resulting passes to Josh Okogie (and later Ish) who bricked like 10 shots that were WIDE open on the wing.

[King4Day]

Pretty cool

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

[bwgood77]

How do midrange players open up 3pt shooters more than a C who can score at will in the paint?

Did you watch the last game? Was on full display.

Guess BWG missed the constant double teams and resulting passes to Josh Okogie (and later Ish) who bricked like 10 shots that were WIDE open on the wing.

With great players, you are going to see a lot of double teams resulting in someone being open (someone like Okogie), and while that happened, DA also didn't get many touches the last couple games, and over the long run, if you have someone in the middle that is a big offensive threat to quickly score on very high efficiency OR someone driving to the rim caving the defense, it will typically even open up more shooters over the long run. Of course the higher caliber scorer, and the more double teams will always leave someone open, but when most shots are midrange, players typically don't have to cover as much ground to get to a shooter.

Now yes, maybe in one game here and there or a couple consecutive games, but typically, your shooters open up more when someone is a threat driving to the rim or someone in the paint. This has long been a philosophy of driving and dishing, or a big passing out when defenses cave and a couple of games don't change my general opinion on the matter, particularly when we didn't really utilize that.

[NapoleonII]

There's also something to say about having a balanced offense.

DA shooting 65% in the last 10 games, that's equivalent to shooting 43% from three? But MUCH more dependable and repeatable, and a threat to HOW teams defend us.

It's not a matter of A and B shoots this percentage from this spot (Book and KD) or are closers (which is important) but how teams react and what they're willing to give us.

DA at least being a threat inside opens things up. It gives our guys more counters, and it's just smarter team basketball.

[flagstaff]

That is most definitely on the table if they don't see him taking a step in the right direction.

I agree trading Ayton in the offseason for a Chris Paul replacement. With KD and Book, I don’t think we need much from the center position.

The only way we keep Ayton is if he would be able to live up and play to his full potential. I just don’t see that happening.

I can see a S&T scenario with Kyrie to Phoenix and Ayton to Dallas this offseason. Kyrie, KD and Booker are a deadly trio. For the record, I would never do this but can see the Suns front office considering it. Seriously, I mean they already have JaVale.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nobody outside of Dallas wants to see the Mavs get a real center.

[flagstaff]

I agree trading Ayton in the offseason for a Chris Paul replacement. With KD and Book, I don’t think we need much from the center position.

The only way we keep Ayton is if he would be able to live up and play to his full potential. I just don’t see that happening.

I can see a S&T scenario with Kyrie to Phoenix and Ayton to Dallas this offseason. Kyrie, KD and Booker are a deadly trio. For the record, I would never do this but can see the Suns front office considering it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I just threw up.

It disgusts me too.. as frustrating as Ayton is, I for sure would not trade him to Dallas.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I thought Kyrie was the puke problem.

[sunsbg]

Kyrie has looked like the best player on the Mavs though. I don't want to root for a flat-earther either, but there is a feeling if he's available Ishbia will be all about trading Ayton for another star like him.

[sunskerr]

Im pretty happy with the role we have Ayton in right now. Pretty expensive though so if we could split him into two adequate players, one who can do that defensive/rebounding/lob job and one who can play good D and get others involved at point guard, I'd be happy with that. It's probably a tall task to get a trade like that done though.

Definitely don't give him to the Mavericks unless Kyrie is coming back though lol. Do not give him to the Mavs lol.

[bwgood77]

There's also something to say about having a balanced offense.

DA shooting 65% in the last 10 games, that's equivalent to shooting 43% from three? But MUCH more dependable and repeatable, and a threat to HOW teams defend us.

It's not a matter of A and B shoots this percentage from this spot (Book and KD) or are closers (which is important) but how teams react and what they're willing to give us.

DA at least being a threat inside opens things up. It gives our guys more counters, and it's just smarter team basketball.

You also want to be ready for injury possibilities and if the offense completely relies around 2 players only, and you haven't utilized multiple ways to attack, you may not be as ready to face the adversity of an injury to a key player.

[KdoubleDees23]

This board is ridiculous ! Talking about trading Ayton lol

We trade Ayton for capela and Holliday we should fire every one who did the deal

Capela sucks
Holiday sucks

Ayton shoots high percentage and rebounds and great on D ! What are you wanting him to do lol

Dunk more ?
Avg 20+ (when we have 2 scorers already)

Y’all need to realize he is a #3 and doing what we need him to do!

[sunskerr]

This board is ridiculous ! Talking about trading Ayton lol

We trade Ayton for capela and Holliday we should fire every one who did the deal

Capela sucks
Holiday sucks

Ayton shoots high percentage and rebounds and great on D ! What are you wanting him to do lol

Dunk more ?
Avg 20+ (when we have 2 scorers already)

Y’all need to realize he is a #3 and doing what we need him to do!

Since we are all adults we can appreciate context when discussing Ayton trades. Thank you.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter