2023-24 Season Discussion and Speculation 5 - the calm before the storm

[Calvin Klein]

And **** Matt Ishbia as well.

[SunsRback4Good]

And **** SunsRback4good as well.

[Saberestar]

This loser is always looking for the next thing. How could someone be so successful and be such a loser. Selfish. Cancerous.

Garbage. Get all these fools the **** outta here.

That reference to New York from KD was about THE PAST.

He's not talking about going anywhere, come on.

[Calvin Klein]

And **** SunsRback4good as well.

Still think it's appropriate for these current times.

[Ghost of Kleine]

It's true that the article Booker wanting out and referencing KD wanting out was a contextual spinjob a bit by bill Simmons, and might be much ado about nothing really??? And the KD video interview was also referencing New York was about his choice to go to Brooklyn over New York at the time!

However, sometimes the underlying correlative subtleties are more important to catch than the base (surface) context. What I mean by this is the well known behavioral tendencies of KD that are/ have been overall mercenarial and self driven above all, additionally his gushing over New York as the very top place to live and play in with this interview only being A MONTH AGO!!! (well into his time here in Phoenix).

And on top of all that, his familial and multiple other influences still pushing him to choose New York for his next destination. As in recently, there still making it a point of emphasis to discuss New York constantly with him as a prime destination. and finally you add up the disconnect between KD and everyone else on the bench and in general with his mannerisms, etc. And it isn't really all that far fetched to piece together why KD might be already checked out and mentally moved on possibly?

Now how this clearly reflects with Booker is the distinct behavioral tendencies that he is displaying now more than ever. How emotionally and professionally checked out he has been/ is. And his overall dismissive demeanor is almost identical to what KDs' disposition is/ has been too. Then you consider the Gary visible frustration that has turned into apathy and indifference now for both around this team, etc. And neither exhibits any joy, camaraderie or even any chemistry to the team and his fellow players.

Lastly, all these factors cumulatively come together when you figure Books connection to Leon Rose and potentially promoting his brand in a much larger market being a real legitimate consideration to his legacy, and you can hopefully make the connection to Book and Kds' glaring disconnect as if they've already moved on from this team and whole situation and are just going through the motions for now. The pre trade patterns ( asking out) have been fairly clear in such situations repetitively. IF we eventually implode as we annually do yet again, how reasonable is it to consider this possibility?

[SunsRback4Good]

OT: O.J. Simpson dies of cancer at age 76, family says
ESPN
Apr 11, 2024, 10:47 AM ET

“O.J. Simpson, whose life as an American sports hero quickly turned when he was charged with the 1994 murders of his ex-wife and her friend, died on Wednesday at the age of 76, his family announced on social media.”

[Calvin Klein]

It's true that the article Booker wanting out and referencing KD wanting out was a contextual spinjob a bit by bill Simmons, and might be much ado about nothing really??? And the KD video interview was also referencing New York was about his choice to go to Brooklyn over New York at the time!

However, sometimes the underlying correlative subtleties are more important to catch than the base (surface) context. What I mean by this is the well known behavioral tendencies of KD that are/ have been overall mercenarial and self driven above all, additionally his gushing over New York as the very top place to live and play in with this interview only being A MONTH AGO!!! (well into his time here in Phoenix).

And on top of all that, his familial and multiple other influences still pushing him to choose New York for his next destination. As in recently, there still making it a point of emphasis to discuss New York constantly with him as a prime destination. and finally you add up the disconnect between KD and everyone else on the bench and in general with his mannerisms, etc. And it isn't really all that far fetched to piece together why KD might be already checked out and mentally moved on possibly?

Now how this clearly reflects with Booker is the distinct behavioral tendencies that he is displaying now more than ever. How emotionally and professionally checked out he has been/ is. And his overall dismissive demeanor is almost identical to what KDs' disposition is/ has been too. Then you consider the Gary visible frustration that has turned into apathy and indifference now for both around this team, etc. And neither exhibits any joy, camaraderie or even any chemistry to the team and his fellow players.

Lastly, all these factors cumulatively come together when you figure Books connection to Leon Rose and potentially promoting his brand in a much larger market being a real legitimate consideration to his legacy, and you can hopefully make the connection to Book and Kds' glaring disconnect as if they've already moved on from this team and whole situation and are just going through the motions for now. The pre trade patterns ( asking out) have been fairly clear in such situations repetitively. IF we eventually implode as we annually do yet again, how reasonable is it to consider this possibility?

As I said a long time ago, I'm disappointed Booker fell for KD. His infatuation with him was bad news and it's showing. Thanks for putting it nicely because I don't have the vocabulary to do it

[garrick]

It's true that the article Booker wanting out and referencing KD wanting out was a contextual spinjob a bit by bill Simmons, and might be much ado about nothing really??? And the KD video interview was also referencing New York was about his choice to go to Brooklyn over New York at the time!

However, sometimes the underlying correlative subtleties are more important to catch than the base (surface) context. What I mean by this is the well known behavioral tendencies of KD that are/ have been overall mercenarial and self driven above all, additionally his gushing over New York as the very top place to live and play in with this interview only being A MONTH AGO!!! (well into his time here in Phoenix).

And on top of all that, his familial and multiple other influences still pushing him to choose New York for his next destination. As in recently, there still making it a point of emphasis to discuss New York constantly with him as a prime destination. and finally you add up the disconnect between KD and everyone else on the bench and in general with his mannerisms, etc. And it isn't really all that far fetched to piece together why KD might be already checked out and mentally moved on possibly?

Now how this clearly reflects with Booker is the distinct behavioral tendencies that he is displaying now more than ever. How emotionally and professionally checked out he has been/ is. And his overall dismissive demeanor is almost identical to what KDs' disposition is/ has been too. Then you consider the Gary visible frustration that has turned into apathy and indifference now for both around this team, etc. And neither exhibits any joy, camaraderie or even any chemistry to the team and his fellow players.

Lastly, all these factors cumulatively come together when you figure Books connection to Leon Rose and potentially promoting his brand in a much larger market being a real legitimate consideration to his legacy, and you can hopefully make the connection to Book and Kds' glaring disconnect as if they've already moved on from this team and whole situation and are just going through the motions for now. The pre trade patterns ( asking out) have been fairly clear in such situations repetitively. IF we eventually implode as we annually do yet again, how reasonable is it to consider this possibility?

As I said a long time ago, I'm disappointed Booker fell for KD. His infatuation with him was bad news and it's showing. Thanks for putting it nicely because I don't have the vocabulary to do it

It's the same reason why you really shouldn't work in the same department with your friends do as you tend to either let things slip because you don't want to offend them or you get so annoyed with them you fall out of friendship with them so either way it's not good.

Too many casual fans jumped on the Suns bandwagon and expected nothing less than a championship and Mat Ishbia's win now moves certainly didn't help either and now some people are starting to turn on Booker and the team.

In chase of an elusive championship we entirely dismanted the 2021 team, gutted team chemistry and Book looks as checked out and miserable as ever. He still puts up big numbers still but they are very uneven performances and he has had more terrible games this season that he has ever had in recent seasons.

Everyone says we aren't trading Booker but the fanbase is impatient, Mat is impatient so don't be surprised if Mat tries to blow up the team again next year.

[Revived]

Read on Twitter

Its funny how a smart team like the Mavs were able to acquire a star player without giving up the farm and just one measly 1st rd pick and still maintained assets to trade for and acquire guys like Gafford and Washington.

Can you imagine if Suns made the trade for Kyrie instead and gave up just a 1st for him like Mavs did? So we keep Mikal and Cam.

Kyrie
Booker
Bridges
Johnson
*Gafford

*I think Ayton still gets traded.

Best part of this the Suns would still have lot of assets left to improve the bench and potentially upgrade from Cam Johnson if wanted.

[bwgood77]

The hits just keep on comin’

That's not right Slim and you know it

We know what you're trying to get at and we won't tolerate that here

- LF22

Hahaha

Either way, we better do a head count

(Not laughing at the crime of course)

See, lilfish. Frank gets it.

I was just concerned about my fellow Suns fans. The fact that I've gotten into with them on occasion is irrelevant to me seemingly accusing them of being diddlers. Couldn't be further from the truth.

Be nice if they posted soon so we know they're OK. That's OK in the metaphysical sense and the emotional sense. Obviously their not in jail now for sex crimes. Most likely not.

Dude, you were not concerned about your fellow Suns fans..you were making a dig. At least own it. sunsbum posted less than 3 hours earlier in the same thread, and Puff 5 hours earlier in the previous game thread.

You've gotta cut out the personal attacks. I know some laugh at them but they are not directed at them. This may have been a poor taste joke but you have made vitriolic attacks before.

You are already banned from the GB, and that takes 5 strikes, and on the trade board, lets just say, it appears you are on a pretty thin line there as well.

So it might be time to raise the level of your posting to adult level, or at least young adult...with a little respect and maturity.

More often than not you are fine when you discuss your trades, even if Ayton for AD or Zion, etc., but at least you are not attacking people.

[bwgood77]

Ultimately there is a good chance we get lucky, or at least most fans around the NBA would see it. Dallas has been very hot the last few months overall, and they have been missing Lively lately, who has been a very important rookie for them, and Green, who was starting. PJ Washington has been good and Kyrie and Luka are playing well together.

And as many may know, the Clips, if they could finally be healthy, are the scariest team in my eyes, given Kawhi is a killer in the playoffs.

Then 99% of non Suns fans would probably say teams would most want to avoid Denver and for sure would rather face an inexperienced playoff team like the Thunder, or even the Wolves, instead of a very experienced Denver reigning champion team with a soon to be 3x MVP.

I know a Dallas fan who is pissed they have to play the Clips again, and then likely Denver while we likely get the TWolves then Thunder and only one of those 3. He mentions how they always seem to face the Clips with a healthy Kawhi and the he quickly gets injured in the next round, which is true actually.

Honestly, of the top 5, the only team I feel somewhat comfortable facing is Minnesota. I have said Denver might be my next choice given we have played them well, but the way we have been playing, I don't know if I truly trust us against anyone though in a 7 game series. We might be on fire for 2-3 games, but 4?

We would need very hot shooting from our role players or monster games from at least 2 of our stars....and probably a combination.. ..plus a bit of defense and limit turnovers.

If we do get knocked out, or miss the playoffs, it's too bad the draft is weak because this might be our best pick in the next 7 years, since we have traded or swapped all of them, because Memphis AND Washington can swap with us this year, but they won't since they are worse, and we would have a pick in the teens.

But this is the type draft where it may be a crapshoot in the entire first round.

In a way, we are kind of lucky we were not able to move up to that 5 seed though, given the road would be the Clippers who look like they may be healthy (and Bones Hyland playing very well), and they are 2 Cs deep and deep everywhere really. An MVP as backup PG, then Bones, Mann, Tucker, Powell and Plumlee off the bench?

Then to Denver, a tough place to play? And Jokic who you know will step up and a team that knows what it takes.

I do of course want to avoid OKC. With the Wolves, they don't seem good in close games, but can we keep them close?

I guess I've just said the same thing twice...

Anyway, it's crazy a couple games ago we had won 3 in a row or 4 of 5 including the Denver win. And Book and company were saying it's all coming together blah blah and then they promptly go down 35-4.

Reminds me of Booker against Dallas game 7 saying "Game 7 are the two greatest words in sports" only to come out and be down 30 at the half and 42 after 3.

[bwgood77]

Pelicans usually dominate the Kings, but maybe without BI that changes. Hope it's a 3 OT game and Kings are tired on a b2b. Our chillin/no urgency team needs all the help. Pels can still lose to Lakers and GSW if they are fighting for 8th spot. That last game vs MIN increases the chance we face them in 1st round, with win as 6th seed, with loss as 7th.

Wow good point. Decent chance we face them win or loss, just as a diff seed.

I’ve done a terrible job at predicting seedings, but I’ll do it again. The Clippers clinch the 4 with a win against the tanking Jazz. That means the Mavs probably rest at least their last game vs the Thunder. That gives a higher chance of the Thunder winning their last 2 games, forcing the Twolves to win their last 2 to get the 2 seed.

Now the Pels probably lose at least one more. If they lose two more, we could be in that position you described even if we lose to the Kings.

Crazy year, just get in somehow. Just want to see what happens.

I'm not sure who I want to win. If the Kings beat them AND us, they tie us up AND have the tiebreaker.

And even though we are a half game back of the Pelicans, we have the same # of wins, and if they lose to the Kings, we are tied AND own the tiebreaker.

It might come down to who has a better chance of losing their other games. But if the Kings win the next 3 they will get the 6 seed.

If the Pels win they stay ahead of us so kind of control their own destiny too.

[Saberestar]

Pelicans usually dominate the Kings, but maybe without BI that changes. Hope it's a 3 OT game and Kings are tired on a b2b. Our chillin/no urgency team needs all the help. Pels can still lose to Lakers and GSW if they are fighting for 8th spot. That last game vs MIN increases the chance we face them in 1st round, with win as 6th seed, with loss as 7th.

Wow good point. Decent chance we face them win or loss, just as a diff seed.

I’ve done a terrible job at predicting seedings, but I’ll do it again. The Clippers clinch the 4 with a win against the tanking Jazz. That means the Mavs probably rest at least their last game vs the Thunder. That gives a higher chance of the Thunder winning their last 2 games, forcing the Twolves to win their last 2 to get the 2 seed.

Now the Pels probably lose at least one more. If they lose two more, we could be in that position you described even if we lose to the Kings.

Crazy year, just get in somehow. Just want to see what happens.

I'm not sure who I want to win. If the Kings beat them AND us, they tie us up AND have the tiebreaker.

And even though we are a half game back of the Pelicans, we have the same # of wins, and if they lose to the Kings, we are tied AND own the tiebreaker.

It might come down to who has a better chance of losing their other games. But if the Kings win the next 3 they will get the 6 seed.

If the Pels win they stay ahead of us so kind of control their own destiny too.

I want the Kings to win tonight. That way we will control our own destiny (for good or for bad).

Then we need to win our last two games of the Regular Season. We would be 6th for sure.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

Its funny how a smart team like the Mavs were able to acquire a star player without giving up the farm and just one measly 1st rd pick and still maintained assets to trade for and acquire guys like Gafford and Washington.

Can you imagine if Suns made the trade for Kyrie instead and gave up just a 1st for him like Mavs did? So we keep Mikal and Cam.

Kyrie
Booker
Bridges
Johnson
*Gafford

*I think Ayton still gets traded.

Best part of this the Suns would still have lot of assets left to improve the bench and potentially upgrade from Cam Johnson if wanted.

The majority of suns GM/ roster moves could be summed up by these two gifs:

[SunsRback4Good]

Read on Twitter

Its funny how a smart team like the Mavs were able to acquire a star player without giving up the farm and just one measly 1st rd pick and still maintained assets to trade for and acquire guys like Gafford and Washington.

Can you imagine if Suns made the trade for Kyrie instead and gave up just a 1st for him like Mavs did? So we keep Mikal and Cam.

Kyrie
Booker
Bridges
Johnson
*Gafford

*I think Ayton still gets traded.

Best part of this the Suns would still have lot of assets left to improve the bench and potentially upgrade from Cam Johnson if wanted.

The majority of suns GM/ roster moves could be summed up by these two gifs:

Matt Ishbia making his first mega trade on the intercom.

[bwgood77]

The story of the golden goose. Laying the golden eggs (draft picks)...maybe a few duds but you have it and it provides for you. But you have the guy who wants to kill the goose and get all the eggs out at once along with a few of the only ones he has because he is too impatient....Ishbia.

[grumpysaddle]

I think Durant is one of the all-time greats, but if we could trade him straight up for Jimmy Buckets, I'd probably do it. Miami wouldn't though.

[enigmatics]

Read on Twitter

Its funny how a smart team like the Mavs were able to acquire a star player without giving up the farm and just one measly 1st rd pick and still maintained assets to trade for and acquire guys like Gafford and Washington.

Can you imagine if Suns made the trade for Kyrie instead and gave up just a 1st for him like Mavs did? So we keep Mikal and Cam.

Kyrie
Booker
Bridges
Johnson
*Gafford

*I think Ayton still gets traded.

Best part of this the Suns would still have lot of assets left to improve the bench and potentially upgrade from Cam Johnson if wanted.

This trade continues to sicken me.

[Qwigglez]

Its funny how a smart team like the Mavs were able to acquire a star player without giving up the farm and just one measly 1st rd pick and still maintained assets to trade for and acquire guys like Gafford and Washington.

Can you imagine if Suns made the trade for Kyrie instead and gave up just a 1st for him like Mavs did? So we keep Mikal and Cam.

Kyrie
Booker
Bridges
Johnson
*Gafford

*I think Ayton still gets traded.

Best part of this the Suns would still have lot of assets left to improve the bench and potentially upgrade from Cam Johnson if wanted.

Can you... not mention Kyrie.
I think the Suns were close to trading CP3 and picks for Kyrie before the Mavs swooped in. IDK why Kyrie got such little return, I know he was an upcoming free agent at the time, but the market always favors the team that holds his bird rights.

While last year's playoffs were spectacular to watch with Booker and KD teeing off, I can't imagine what a Kyrie, Booker, Bridges Johnson... and even Ayton team could have accomplished.
The funny thing is, what team could have traded for KD besides the Suns? Perhaps the Thunder could have, but I'm not seeing many teams line up to trade for KD and his contract without giving up the farm. Suns could have likely traded for Kyrie, and then perhaps even traded for KD over the summer for Bridges and Ayton.
I only hope that Ishbia learns from this and wises up. This upcoming draft they better do their research, and you know... perhaps not trade the pick and develop some younger players because the band of misfit mercenaries isn't likely going to win a championship. Especially when you do not have vocal players who play with heart, and actually get to play. It's nice to hear Thad Young and IT are vocal leaders in the locker room, but there is a huge difference when the vocal leaders are getting 30 minutes a game.

[Ghost of Kleine]

If Tim Connelly doesn't extend, and instead opts out of his deal this summer, he'd be a strong #2 option on my call list, right after #1 Bob Meyers for us to aggressively pursue to replace James "grifter" Jones. Especially with Connelly's draft record and recent portfolio.