2022-23 Season Discussion and Speculation 5 - The KD era begins

[Saberestar]

Depth chart IMO:

CP3 / Payne / Shamet
Book / D. Lee / Okogie
Craig / Ross / Wainright
KD / Warren / Bazley
Ayton / Landale or Biyombo (depending on matchups).

[bwgood77]

The Suns got dominated by the bigs. It wasn't because Booker wasn't playing.

DA got man handled by them.

Did you happen to watch a different series? DA was one of the reasons we got past New Orleans with the loss of Booker.

Uhhh, maybe you were watching a different series.

If you think these numbers by DA was "one of the reasons" Suns got past NO, I don't know what dream world you are living in.
He got double-double one game out of 6.

Gm1 - 21-3
Gm2 - 10-9
Gm3 - 28-17
Gm4 - 23-8
Gm5 - 19-9
Gm6 - 22-4

and here's Valanciunas' numbers

Gm1 - 18-25
Gm2 - 10-13
Gm3 - 6-11
Gm4 - 26-15
Gm5 - 17-14
Gm6 - 10-8

DA simply got outplayed, manhandled... period.

DA basically won us game 3 which we desperately needed. Ayton also outscored him every game but 1 game. The rebounding differential was bad in game 1 but JV had so many offensive boards in game 1 missing his own short shots repeatedly, sometimes 3-4 on one possession (this happened often during the series) and DA couldn't get rebounds on those because he was defending JV with his back to the basket. JV shot 33% in that came while Ayton shot over double that % on 15 shots and had 4 blocks.

You are also putting vastly incorrect rebounding #s for Ayton...for example saying he had 3 in game 1 when he had 9.

Ayton also held him to 48% shooting for the series..awful for a C. The fact he had some high scoring games HURT the Pelicans because when your C is shooting a lot of shots with terrible efficiency, you are toast.

Ayton's FG% was 70% for the series

If you just look at raw box scores without watching and seeing context, things look a lot different than they actually were.

The rebounding definitely could have been better in a few games, but that was it.

But the main thing was Ayton stepped up and delivered to win game 3 with Book out, which was key and what he needed to do.

[NapoleonII]

The Suns got dominated by the bigs. It wasn't because Booker wasn't playing.

DA got man handled by them.

Did you happen to watch a different series? DA was one of the reasons we got past New Orleans with the loss of Booker.

Uhhh, maybe you were watching a different series.

If you think these numbers by DA was "one of the reasons" Suns got past NO, I don't know what dream world you are living in.
He got double-double one game out of 6.

Gm1 - 21-3
Gm2 - 10-9
Gm3 - 28-17
Gm4 - 23-8
Gm5 - 19-9
Gm6 - 22-4

and here's Valanciunas' numbers

Gm1 - 18-25
Gm2 - 10-13
Gm3 - 6-11
Gm4 - 26-15
Gm5 - 17-14
Gm6 - 10-8

DA simply got outplayed, manhandled... period.

Yeah, just posting the box stats with only points/rebounds isn't going to convince anyone worth convincing.

"Man-handled"

Ayton was his usual insanely efficient shelf, shooting 70% that series.....10/15 FG in game one, 13/20 in game three, 11/14, etc, etc and played very good defense throughout.

What glasses are you wearing watching basketball?

EDIT: You also posted botched numbers. He had 9 rebounds (not 3) and 4 blocks in game 1, and 7 (not 4) rebounds...averaging 10 rebounds a game for the series.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/aytonde01/gamelog-playoffs/

[matt131]

Nooooooooooooo


We’re our own worst enemies here lol

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Don't see why this is relevant. He's not even a good player. Suns don't need another undersized PG.

Justin not Aaron.

[Ghost of Kleine]

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Dario on being traded.

[Saberestar]

Suns confirmed Kevin Durant will speak for the first time on Thursday in his introductory press conference. We will be talking with T.J. Warren and Darius Bazley today.

First time they will talk to the media.

[KLEON]

Stanley Johnson anyone? It probably won't happen because Ross is already here but it would be nice to have him

[Saberestar]

Stanley Johnson anyone? It probably won't happen because Ross is already here but it would be nice to have him

I talked about him yesterday. We have three guys that are probably better than him and has a similar skillset.. Craig, Okogie and Wainright.

Wainright probably not better but he isn’t worse neither.

[lonea]

Did you happen to watch a different series? DA was one of the reasons we got past New Orleans with the loss of Booker.

Uhhh, maybe you were watching a different series.

If you think these numbers by DA was "one of the reasons" Suns got past NO, I don't know what dream world you are living in.
He got double-double one game out of 6.

Gm1 - 21-3
Gm2 - 10-9
Gm3 - 28-17
Gm4 - 23-8
Gm5 - 19-9
Gm6 - 22-4

and here's Valanciunas' numbers

Gm1 - 18-25
Gm2 - 10-13
Gm3 - 6-11
Gm4 - 26-15
Gm5 - 17-14
Gm6 - 10-8

DA simply got outplayed, manhandled... period.

Yeah, just posting the box stats with only points/rebounds isn't going to convince anyone worth convincing.

"Man-handled"

Ayton was his usual insanely efficient shelf, shooting 70% that series.....10/15 FG in game one, 13/20 in game three, 11/14, etc, etc and played very good defense throughout.

What glasses are you wearing watching basketball?

EDIT: You also posted botched numbers. He had 9 rebounds (not 3) and 4 blocks in game 1, and 7 (not 4) rebounds...averaging 10 rebounds a game for the series.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/aytonde01/gamelog-playoffs/

LOL what?

Do you actually mean that if a center is being out rebounded by 2-1, that isn't considered man-handled?

Ok, so don't look at the box stats.

NO's big killed the Suns bigs in that series. Period.

[lonea]

Nooooooooooooo


We’re our own worst enemies here lol

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Don't see why this is relevant. He's not even a good player. Suns don't need another undersized PG.

Justin not Aaron.

oh haha, my mistake

[lonea]

Did you happen to watch a different series? DA was one of the reasons we got past New Orleans with the loss of Booker.

Uhhh, maybe you were watching a different series.

If you think these numbers by DA was "one of the reasons" Suns got past NO, I don't know what dream world you are living in.
He got double-double one game out of 6.

Gm1 - 21-3
Gm2 - 10-9
Gm3 - 28-17
Gm4 - 23-8
Gm5 - 19-9
Gm6 - 22-4

and here's Valanciunas' numbers

Gm1 - 18-25
Gm2 - 10-13
Gm3 - 6-11
Gm4 - 26-15
Gm5 - 17-14
Gm6 - 10-8

DA simply got outplayed, manhandled... period.

DA basically won us game 3 which we desperately needed. Ayton also outscored him every game but 1 game. The rebounding differential was bad in game 1 but JV had so many offensive boards in game 1 missing his own short shots repeatedly, sometimes 3-4 on one possession (this happened often during the series) and DA couldn't get rebounds on those because he was defending JV with his back to the basket. JV shot 33% in that came while Ayton shot over double that % on 15 shots and had 4 blocks.

You are also putting vastly incorrect rebounding #s for Ayton...for example saying he had 3 in game 1 when he had 9.

Ayton also held him to 48% shooting for the series..awful for a C. The fact he had some high scoring games HURT the Pelicans because when your C is shooting a lot of shots with terrible efficiency, you are toast.

Ayton's FG% was 70% for the series

If you just look at raw box scores without watching and seeing context, things look a lot different than they actually were.

The rebounding definitely could have been better in a few games, but that was it.

But the main thing was Ayton stepped up and delivered to win game 3 with Book out, which was key and what he needed to do.

JV out rebounded DA ratio of 2-1 in the series.

That's significant but I guess if you are "don't look at the stats" then no point of talking about it.

[BobbieL]

Stanley Johnson anyone? It probably won't happen because Ross is already here but it would be nice to have him

I talked about him yesterday. We have three guys that are probably better than him and has a similar skillset.. Craig, Okogie and Wainright.

Wainright probably not better but he isn’t worse neither.

If Cam Payne is healthy - and who knows how he is health wise - I think the Suns should be good to go with Ross added and probably Ish signed up to the big roster

As if the Suns are needing Wall or even Holiday or Stanley Johnson for the playoffs - they got bigger issues.

But, if Payne is healthy, I think they are should be good for the final 22 games post ASB and hopefully the playoffs

[sunskerr]

Well if both the Suns and Mavs had Terrence Ross over Justin Holiday on their wish lists, I'll defer to them and say I'm glad we got Ross instead of Holiday.

[BobbieL]

I was not for the trade - but at least finally seeing him in the Phoenix uniform, practicing - well lets go already!! Hopefully Mike Breen is ready for a few "Bangs!!!" this playoff season come June! That shot is so smooth.

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[darmani]

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[darmani]

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[WeekapaugGroove]

Uhhh, maybe you were watching a different series.

If you think these numbers by DA was "one of the reasons" Suns got past NO, I don't know what dream world you are living in.
He got double-double one game out of 6.

Gm1 - 21-3
Gm2 - 10-9
Gm3 - 28-17
Gm4 - 23-8
Gm5 - 19-9
Gm6 - 22-4

and here's Valanciunas' numbers

Gm1 - 18-25
Gm2 - 10-13
Gm3 - 6-11
Gm4 - 26-15
Gm5 - 17-14
Gm6 - 10-8

DA simply got outplayed, manhandled... period.

DA basically won us game 3 which we desperately needed. Ayton also outscored him every game but 1 game. The rebounding differential was bad in game 1 but JV had so many offensive boards in game 1 missing his own short shots repeatedly, sometimes 3-4 on one possession (this happened often during the series) and DA couldn't get rebounds on those because he was defending JV with his back to the basket. JV shot 33% in that came while Ayton shot over double that % on 15 shots and had 4 blocks.

You are also putting vastly incorrect rebounding #s for Ayton...for example saying he had 3 in game 1 when he had 9.

Ayton also held him to 48% shooting for the series..awful for a C. The fact he had some high scoring games HURT the Pelicans because when your C is shooting a lot of shots with terrible efficiency, you are toast.

Ayton's FG% was 70% for the series

If you just look at raw box scores without watching and seeing context, things look a lot different than they actually were.

The rebounding definitely could have been better in a few games, but that was it.

But the main thing was Ayton stepped up and delivered to win game 3 with Book out, which was key and what he needed to do.

JV out rebounded DA ratio of 2-1 in the series.

That's significant but I guess if you are "don't look at the stats" then no point of talking about it.

I thought Ayton was kind of good/kind of disappointing that series..shrug

Giant dudes like Val do tend to give him a little trouble and we saw that some. But I agree with BW that some of Vals lines were a bit misleading.

That series to me was more about shooting than C play. NO shot extremely well a couple games and the suns were extremely cold from 3. Happens. Also Ingram was like out of his mind good for a few games. Payne getting rattled by their legth and becoming unplayable was bad too.

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[bwgood77]

Uhhh, maybe you were watching a different series.

If you think these numbers by DA was "one of the reasons" Suns got past NO, I don't know what dream world you are living in.
He got double-double one game out of 6.

Gm1 - 21-3
Gm2 - 10-9
Gm3 - 28-17
Gm4 - 23-8
Gm5 - 19-9
Gm6 - 22-4

and here's Valanciunas' numbers

Gm1 - 18-25
Gm2 - 10-13
Gm3 - 6-11
Gm4 - 26-15
Gm5 - 17-14
Gm6 - 10-8

DA simply got outplayed, manhandled... period.

DA basically won us game 3 which we desperately needed. Ayton also outscored him every game but 1 game. The rebounding differential was bad in game 1 but JV had so many offensive boards in game 1 missing his own short shots repeatedly, sometimes 3-4 on one possession (this happened often during the series) and DA couldn't get rebounds on those because he was defending JV with his back to the basket. JV shot 33% in that came while Ayton shot over double that % on 15 shots and had 4 blocks.

You are also putting vastly incorrect rebounding #s for Ayton...for example saying he had 3 in game 1 when he had 9.

Ayton also held him to 48% shooting for the series..awful for a C. The fact he had some high scoring games HURT the Pelicans because when your C is shooting a lot of shots with terrible efficiency, you are toast.

Ayton's FG% was 70% for the series

If you just look at raw box scores without watching and seeing context, things look a lot different than they actually were.

The rebounding definitely could have been better in a few games, but that was it.

But the main thing was Ayton stepped up and delivered to win game 3 with Book out, which was key and what he needed to do.

JV out rebounded DA ratio of 2-1 in the series.

That's significant but I guess if you are "don't look at the stats" then no point of talking about it.

I watch and look at stats. Ayton dominated him in efficiency and outscored him in every game but 1 and averaged about 10 boards a game.

Yes, I did see JV rebound a ton of his own misses and miss again and rebound again. I didn't particularly think that was great play or anything. It was funny how Ayton held a C shooting mostly all inside to 48% shooting though and JV couldn't stop him, allowing 70% shooting.

They also started Jaxson Hayes and JV, while we played small, so Hayes could focus on boxing out while JV got rebounds. DA still took over when he needed to with Book out, going for 28 and 17, with 3 steals, on 65% shooting.

The one game JV had a ton of boards, we beat them by double digits while Ayton scored 21 on 70% shooting and had 4 blocks.

You are right about one thing. JV was a better rebounder that game.

McCollum almost doubled Book in rebounding per game in the series. Do you also think he dominated Book because of that?

[bwgood77]

DA basically won us game 3 which we desperately needed. Ayton also outscored him every game but 1 game. The rebounding differential was bad in game 1 but JV had so many offensive boards in game 1 missing his own short shots repeatedly, sometimes 3-4 on one possession (this happened often during the series) and DA couldn't get rebounds on those because he was defending JV with his back to the basket. JV shot 33% in that came while Ayton shot over double that % on 15 shots and had 4 blocks.

You are also putting vastly incorrect rebounding #s for Ayton...for example saying he had 3 in game 1 when he had 9.

Ayton also held him to 48% shooting for the series..awful for a C. The fact he had some high scoring games HURT the Pelicans because when your C is shooting a lot of shots with terrible efficiency, you are toast.

Ayton's FG% was 70% for the series

If you just look at raw box scores without watching and seeing context, things look a lot different than they actually were.

The rebounding definitely could have been better in a few games, but that was it.

But the main thing was Ayton stepped up and delivered to win game 3 with Book out, which was key and what he needed to do.

JV out rebounded DA ratio of 2-1 in the series.

That's significant but I guess if you are "don't look at the stats" then no point of talking about it.

I thought Ayton was kind of good/kind of disappointing that series..shrug

Giant dudes like Val do tend to give him a little trouble and we saw that some. But I agree with BW that some of Vals lines were a bit misleading.

That series to me was more about shooting than C play. NO shot extremely well a couple games and the suns were extremely cold from 3. Happens. Also Ingram was like out of his mind good for a few games. Payne getting rattled by their legth and becoming unplayable was bad too.

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Sure JV got more boards, but I don't understand what is disappointing given he averaged 20/10/2.5 assists/1.2 blocks per game and shot 70% FOR THE SERIES, while holding JV to 48% shooting.

I remember so many people complaining about Ayton (as usual) because of the board discrepancy, but those looking at the bigger picture of the series knew Ayton really stepped up in that series and helped us win it.

[matt131]

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