Around the NBA

[SunsRback4Good]

Jazz blew out the Kings by 49 without Mitchell and Conley that's pretty impressive to accomplish without your two top guards. They also have a +9.7 point differential which is top 3 in the past 6 years only trailing 16-17 Warriors (+11.6) & 19-20 Bucks (+10.1).

[bwgood77]

Playing some guy in a fantasy league head to head - he has Rubio who I noticed got a crazy score of 51. So I check his box and he had 26 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast, 5 3s and was 7/7 from the line.

[lilfishi22]

Damn Kevin Porter Jr with the 50 burger to go with double digit assists.

[ATTL]

Porter will be a really good player if his off court issues are behind him. I'm always concerned with off court issues popping up early, throwing millions at someone with problems generally doesnt end well.

[Bogyo]

Porter will be a really good player if his off court issues are behind him. I'm always concerned with off court issues popping up early, throwing millions at someone with problems generally doesnt end well.

Yup. Dude can ball - unlike our boy Jackson. Off court he is just like our boy Jackson.
Still a better combo than what we had with our boy

[King4Day]

Saw this on reddit:

https://youtu.be/nIGw9QmqYJA?t=3382

[bwgood77]

As much as the Rockets have screwed up, they still have kind of an interesting team. I didn't expect Wall to come back as strong as he has, the Wood signing was good, and if Dipo was leaving anyway, Olynyk isn't a great piece, but he's fairly solid. And they will probably have a top 5 pick. Still the west too tough.

They also have a first round pick from Detroit coming this year (though heavily protected for a few years) and a first coming from the Bucks (they have to trade a 2nd for) and then there is this which is confusing, but I THINK they 3 picks talked about are of course Houston and OKC's first, and Miami's first....OKC gets the 2 most favorable due to swap rights, however, I think that Miami pick is the 2021 unprotected pick that we had that got bounced to a bunch of teams but ended up in OKC. So Houston, instead of maybe having a top pick of their own or OKC, OKC may have both of those while Houston gets that old unprotected pick from the Dragic trade, but Miami is the 7 seed right now, and if they don't move up, theoretically could miss the playoffs, but also could move up as high as 4 if they go on a run, so it could be as low as maybe 20.

2021 first round draft pick to Oklahoma City (swap, less favorable of Oklahoma City or Miami incoming)
Oklahoma City will receive the two most favorable of its 2021 1st round pick, Miami's 2021 1st round pick and Houston's 2021 1st round pick protected for selections 1-4 and Houston will receive the least favorable of the three (via Miami to Phoenix to Philadelphia to L.A. Clippers to Oklahoma City; via Oklahoma City's right to swap Oklahoma City or Miami for Houston); if the Houston pick falls within its protected range and is therefore not conveyable, then Houston's obligation to Oklahoma City will be extinguished and Oklahoma City will instead receive its pick and the Miami pick [Miami-New Orleans-Phoenix, 2/19/2015; Philadelphia-Phoenix, 6/21/2018; L.A. Clippers-Philadelphia, 2/6/2019; L.A. Clippers-Oklahoma City, 7/10/2019; Houston-Oklahoma City, 7/16/2019]; Houston may convey this pick to Brooklyn in 2021 (see Houston Incoming)

https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/draft/future_drafts/detailed

[WeekapaugGroove]

As much as the Rockets have screwed up, they still have kind of an interesting team. I didn't expect Wall to come back as strong as he has, the Wood signing was good, and if Dipo was leaving anyway, Olynyk isn't a great piece, but he's fairly solid. And they will probably have a top 5 pick. Still the west too tough.

They also have a first round pick from Detroit coming this year (though heavily protected for a few years) and a first coming from the Bucks (they have to trade a 2nd for) and then there is this which is confusing, but I THINK they 3 picks talked about are of course Houston and OKC's first, and Miami's first....OKC gets the 2 most favorable due to swap rights, however, I think that Miami pick is the 2021 unprotected pick that we had that got bounced to a bunch of teams but ended up in OKC. So Houston, instead of maybe having a top pick of their own or OKC, OKC may have both of those while Houston gets that old unprotected pick from the Dragic trade, but Miami is the 7 seed right now, and if they don't move up, theoretically could miss the playoffs, but also could move up as high as 4 if they go on a run, so it could be as low as maybe 20.

2021 first round draft pick to Oklahoma City (swap, less favorable of Oklahoma City or Miami incoming)
Oklahoma City will receive the two most favorable of its 2021 1st round pick, Miami's 2021 1st round pick and Houston's 2021 1st round pick protected for selections 1-4 and Houston will receive the least favorable of the three (via Miami to Phoenix to Philadelphia to L.A. Clippers to Oklahoma City; via Oklahoma City's right to swap Oklahoma City or Miami for Houston); if the Houston pick falls within its protected range and is therefore not conveyable, then Houston's obligation to Oklahoma City will be extinguished and Oklahoma City will instead receive its pick and the Miami pick [Miami-New Orleans-Phoenix, 2/19/2015; Philadelphia-Phoenix, 6/21/2018; L.A. Clippers-Philadelphia, 2/6/2019; L.A. Clippers-Oklahoma City, 7/10/2019; Houston-Oklahoma City, 7/16/2019]; Houston may convey this pick to Brooklyn in 2021 (see Houston Incoming)

https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/draft/future_drafts/detailed

Porter is the most interesting guy on that roster from a long term prospective. He's always been insanely talented but has off court issues since high school. If he can keep his head on straight they might have something there.

Wall is likely trade bait but has played well enough they might actually be able to get a minor asset for him.

Wood, I'm kind of mixed on him. Good player, the cliche 'good stats bad team guy' is overused but I do think it somewhat applies to him.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

[bwgood77]

As much as the Rockets have screwed up, they still have kind of an interesting team. I didn't expect Wall to come back as strong as he has, the Wood signing was good, and if Dipo was leaving anyway, Olynyk isn't a great piece, but he's fairly solid. And they will probably have a top 5 pick. Still the west too tough.

They also have a first round pick from Detroit coming this year (though heavily protected for a few years) and a first coming from the Bucks (they have to trade a 2nd for) and then there is this which is confusing, but I THINK they 3 picks talked about are of course Houston and OKC's first, and Miami's first....OKC gets the 2 most favorable due to swap rights, however, I think that Miami pick is the 2021 unprotected pick that we had that got bounced to a bunch of teams but ended up in OKC. So Houston, instead of maybe having a top pick of their own or OKC, OKC may have both of those while Houston gets that old unprotected pick from the Dragic trade, but Miami is the 7 seed right now, and if they don't move up, theoretically could miss the playoffs, but also could move up as high as 4 if they go on a run, so it could be as low as maybe 20.

2021 first round draft pick to Oklahoma City (swap, less favorable of Oklahoma City or Miami incoming)
Oklahoma City will receive the two most favorable of its 2021 1st round pick, Miami's 2021 1st round pick and Houston's 2021 1st round pick protected for selections 1-4 and Houston will receive the least favorable of the three (via Miami to Phoenix to Philadelphia to L.A. Clippers to Oklahoma City; via Oklahoma City's right to swap Oklahoma City or Miami for Houston); if the Houston pick falls within its protected range and is therefore not conveyable, then Houston's obligation to Oklahoma City will be extinguished and Oklahoma City will instead receive its pick and the Miami pick [Miami-New Orleans-Phoenix, 2/19/2015; Philadelphia-Phoenix, 6/21/2018; L.A. Clippers-Philadelphia, 2/6/2019; L.A. Clippers-Oklahoma City, 7/10/2019; Houston-Oklahoma City, 7/16/2019]; Houston may convey this pick to Brooklyn in 2021 (see Houston Incoming)

https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/draft/future_drafts/detailed

Porter is the most interesting guy on that roster from a long term prospective. He's always been insanely talented but has off court issues since high school. If he can keep his head on straight they might have something there.

Wall is likely trade bait but has played well enough they might actually be able to get a minor asset for him.

Wood, I'm kind of mixed on him. Good player, the cliche 'good stats bad team guy' is overused but I do think it somewhat applies to him.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

Maybe regarding Wood, but he makes like $9 million a year...I'd probably prefer him to Saric who people think is on a great contract and seem to like overall.

Wall is 30, so if they want a vet PG to lead their young guys...and where cost isn't a big deal with rookie contracts and a contract like Wood it might not be bad.

I wonder if he's a guy people would take on the Suns if Paul was gone after next year. Lowry has been mentioned but he is nearly as old a Paul. Conley too but he is a little more injury prone it seems...and may stay with the Jazz (but also would be 35).

[wheezy]

New Lowe 10 things on the Suns:

Spoiler:

When Deandre Ayton and the Suns don't give up
A glance at Ayton's numbers would suggest a disappointing third season, and if the barometer is Luka Doncic, Ayton will always be something of a disappointment. Ayton's scoring is down, and he still doesn't get to the line as much as a behemoth should.

But if you watch, you know he's better -- polished, under control, and a little mean when he needs to be. Ayton remains one of the league's critical swing players -- the only traditional big in the Phoenix Suns' rotation, and the wild card who can propel them toward the championship now and later.

Monday through Friday, host Pablo Torre brings you an inside look at the most interesting stories at ESPN, as told by the top reporters and insiders on the planet. Listen

Phoenix could face a money crunch soon. Devin Booker is locked into a well-deserved maximum contract. Chris Paul can enter free agency. Ayton and Mikal Bridges will be eligible for extensions this summer; most No. 1 overall picks start negotiations at "max or nothing," and rival executives expect Bridges' deal might approach $20 million per season.

Juggling four huge-money players means entering the luxury tax, and limited resources to fill the roster. Depending on the length of Paul's theoretical next contract, the Suns might face that dilemma in only one season -- 2022-23, the first year of potential new deals for Bridges and Ayton. But cobbling around three big contracts isn't easy, either.

Ayton is incrementally making his case. He has probably made greater strides on defense over the past two seasons than any other player. The addled rookie has become a solid rim-protector who can hang in space.

On offense, he and the Suns stick with it when Ayton has a good matchup in the post -- even after defenders take the first entry pass away.
<Video from the CHA game late March>

In the past, Ayton may have given up there. He doesn't as often now, and the Phoenix guards don't let him. Phoenix has a ton of slick entry passers -- Paul especially -- capable of lobbing over fronts, and flashing for high-lows.

Ayton's post-up efficiency is middling, but you need every weapon against postseason defenses.

[Bogyo]

Dame against the Nets... those two 3s from the logo :O
If they are healthy now too, they will be a btch to play against in the playoffs. Their starting 5 is put together well, they are a bit thin at guard on the bench, but if Ant plays OK for a couple games they could beat anybody in a 7 game series.

[Qwigglez]

Dame against the Nets... those two 3s from the logo :O
If they are healthy now too, they will be a btch to play against in the playoffs. Their starting 5 is put together well, they are a bit thin at guard on the bench, but if Ant plays OK for a couple games they could beat anybody in a 7 game series.

They are scary. Besides the combo of Lillard-McCollum, Powell has been plugged in well since he got traded to Portland. They got one of the best 3&D guys in RoCo, Nurkic who is always solid on both ends of the court, Kanter who feasts in the paint and offensive glass, and then Melo who has played surprisingly well since joining the Blazers last season. I honestly don't expect much from Simons and Jones Jr, but you can't sleep on those guys either. I feel the Blazers match up well against everybody except the Lakers, but they wouldn't have to worry about Lakers until at least the 2nd round.

If the Suns get knocked out, I'm rooting for the Blazers in the West.

[Bogyo]

Dame against the Nets... those two 3s from the logo :O
If they are healthy now too, they will be a btch to play against in the playoffs. Their starting 5 is put together well, they are a bit thin at guard on the bench, but if Ant plays OK for a couple games they could beat anybody in a 7 game series.

They are scary. Besides the combo of Lillard-McCollum, Powell has been plugged in well since he got traded to Portland. They got one of the best 3&D guys in RoCo, Nurkic who is always solid on both ends of the court, Kanter who feasts in the paint and offensive glass, and then Melo who has played surprisingly well since joining the Blazers last season. I honestly don't expect much from Simons and Jones Jr, but you can't sleep on those guys either. I feel the Blazers match up well against everybody except the Lakers, but they wouldn't have to worry about Lakers until at least the 2nd round.

If the Suns get knocked out, I'm rooting for the Blazers in the West.

Yeah, I really liked the Powell trade for them. Sneaky good move, which was viewed by many casuals as a lateral move - it wasn't.
I don't expect a lot from Simons of Jones Jr either - but they are 8th and 9th guys there after the starters, Melo and Kanter. If they had a good guard off the bench they would be up there with the real elite. That's why I said in my first post that IF Ant has a couple OK games from the bench they can beat anybody - they would need something from the bench at guard, which is far from guaranteed.

I'm pulling for Denver after the Suns. Lived there for a year - been to the 8th seed Nuggz vs the 1st seed Sonics game too

[SunsRback4Good]

Dame against the Nets... those two 3s from the logo :O
If they are healthy now too, they will be a btch to play against in the playoffs. Their starting 5 is put together well, they are a bit thin at guard on the bench, but if Ant plays OK for a couple games they could beat anybody in a 7 game series.

They are scary. Besides the combo of Lillard-McCollum, Powell has been plugged in well since he got traded to Portland. They got one of the best 3&D guys in RoCo, Nurkic who is always solid on both ends of the court, Kanter who feasts in the paint and offensive glass, and then Melo who has played surprisingly well since joining the Blazers last season. I honestly don't expect much from Simons and Jones Jr, but you can't sleep on those guys either. I feel the Blazers match up well against everybody except the Lakers, but they wouldn't have to worry about Lakers until at least the 2nd round.

If the Suns get knocked out, I'm rooting for the Blazers in the West.

Yeah, I really liked the Powell trade for them. Sneaky good move, which was viewed by many casuals as a lateral move - it wasn't.
I don't expect a lot from Simons of Jones Jr either - but they are 8th and 9th guys there after the starters, Melo and Kanter. If they had a good guard off the bench they would be up there with the real elite. That's why I said in my first post that IF Ant has a couple OK games from the bench they can beat anybody - they would need something from the bench at guard, which is far from guaranteed.

I'm pulling for Denver after the Suns. Lived there for a year - been to the 8th seed Nuggz vs the 1st seed Sonics game too

[Bogyo]

^^ Yup, this a 1000% - although this was after game 5 and I was at game 3 or 4. One of the most exciting basketball memories, still gives me goosebumps.

[SunsRback4Good]

^^ Yup, this a 1000% - although this was after game 5 and I was at game 3 or 4. One of the most exciting basketball memories, still gives me goosebumps.

Yeah that series was very memorable. You're lucky to go watch the game in person even if not attending game 5. I believe only four or five times an 8th seed as knocked out a 1 seed in 60+ playoff years.

[Bogyo]

^^ Yup, this a 1000% - although this was after game 5 and I was at game 3 or 4. One of the most exciting basketball memories, still gives me goosebumps.

Yeah that series was very memorable. You're lucky to go watch the game in person even if not attending game 5. I believe only four or five times an 8th seed as knocked out a 1 seed in 60+ playoff years.

It was a 5 game series in the first round back then, so odds were a tiny bit better for an upset, but it's a huge feat nevertheless. Game 5 was in Seattle, and I lived in around Denver (Boulder to be exact).
For sure, I feel very lucky about this - there are just things/feelings that can't really be described in words or writing. The energy of that building and the game is one of those things in my life. No matter how I try to describe it I come up short.

Now imagine being at the game where the Suns win the Finals...

[bwgood77]

Dame against the Nets... those two 3s from the logo :O
If they are healthy now too, they will be a btch to play against in the playoffs. Their starting 5 is put together well, they are a bit thin at guard on the bench, but if Ant plays OK for a couple games they could beat anybody in a 7 game series.

They are scary. Besides the combo of Lillard-McCollum, Powell has been plugged in well since he got traded to Portland. They got one of the best 3&D guys in RoCo, Nurkic who is always solid on both ends of the court, Kanter who feasts in the paint and offensive glass, and then Melo who has played surprisingly well since joining the Blazers last season. I honestly don't expect much from Simons and Jones Jr, but you can't sleep on those guys either. I feel the Blazers match up well against everybody except the Lakers, but they wouldn't have to worry about Lakers until at least the 2nd round.

If the Suns get knocked out, I'm rooting for the Blazers in the West.

Yeah, I really liked the Powell trade for them. Sneaky good move, which was viewed by many casuals as a lateral move - it wasn't.
I don't expect a lot from Simons of Jones Jr either - but they are 8th and 9th guys there after the starters, Melo and Kanter. If they had a good guard off the bench they would be up there with the real elite. That's why I said in my first post that IF Ant has a couple OK games from the bench they can beat anybody - they would need something from the bench at guard, which is far from guaranteed.

I'm pulling for Denver after the Suns. Lived there for a year - been to the 8th seed Nuggz vs the 1st seed Sonics game too

Yeah, I always pull for Denver. I lived there for a year too. Maybe my favorite place I've lived, and I've liked in Scottsdale, San Diego and Austin.

[bwgood77]

^^ Yup, this a 1000% - although this was after game 5 and I was at game 3 or 4. One of the most exciting basketball memories, still gives me goosebumps.

Yeah that series was very memorable. You're lucky to go watch the game in person even if not attending game 5. I believe only four or five times an 8th seed as knocked out a 1 seed in 60+ playoff years.

It was a 5 game series in the first round back then, so odds were a tiny bit better for an upset, but it's a huge feat nevertheless. Game 5 was in Seattle, and I lived in around Denver (Boulder to be exact).
For sure, I feel very lucky about this - there are just things/feelings that can't really be described in words or writing. The energy of that building and the game is one of those things in my life. No matter how I try to describe it I come up short.

Now imagine being at the game where the Suns win the Finals...

IIRC, they also almost came back in their next series against the Jazz...were down 3-0 and tied it up 3-3 before losing game 7.

[Qwigglez]

They are scary. Besides the combo of Lillard-McCollum, Powell has been plugged in well since he got traded to Portland. They got one of the best 3&D guys in RoCo, Nurkic who is always solid on both ends of the court, Kanter who feasts in the paint and offensive glass, and then Melo who has played surprisingly well since joining the Blazers last season. I honestly don't expect much from Simons and Jones Jr, but you can't sleep on those guys either. I feel the Blazers match up well against everybody except the Lakers, but they wouldn't have to worry about Lakers until at least the 2nd round.

If the Suns get knocked out, I'm rooting for the Blazers in the West.

Yeah, I really liked the Powell trade for them. Sneaky good move, which was viewed by many casuals as a lateral move - it wasn't.
I don't expect a lot from Simons of Jones Jr either - but they are 8th and 9th guys there after the starters, Melo and Kanter. If they had a good guard off the bench they would be up there with the real elite. That's why I said in my first post that IF Ant has a couple OK games from the bench they can beat anybody - they would need something from the bench at guard, which is far from guaranteed.

I'm pulling for Denver after the Suns. Lived there for a year - been to the 8th seed Nuggz vs the 1st seed Sonics game too

Yeah, I always pull for Denver. I lived there for a year too. Maybe my favorite place I've lived, and I've liked in Scottsdale, San Diego and Austin.

I'd probably enjoy the Nuggets too if it wasn't for Jamal Murray. He's a bit cocky whenever he plays the Suns, went after Rubio last season and that pissed me off. Murray hasn't done anything relevant for him to be able to showboat like he did. I like Jokic against anyone but the Suns. He annoys me when he dramatically flails his arms to attempt to draw fouls, I hate when skilled players do this, if you are already talented don't need to add that bit of extra sauce.