2023-24 Season Discussion and Speculation - Free Agency Begins

[Jdiddy701]

It’s really hard to feel bad for someone who has had every opportunity to change the way people feel about him. The good thing for DA is that he still has that opportunity.


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[flagstaff]

If you can’t criticize an underachieving player then this forum has lost its purpose.

He has been criticized more than Donald Trump in the past few years. That’s how much Suns fans despise him. Whenever his name gets mentioned everyone comes out of the woodworks to state their negative opinion about him. No matter what Ayton says in an interview, people will interpret his words differently cause they’ve already made up their mind a long time ago that he should be despised. Even if he cures cancer everyone will still say “ but but he’s too soft who can’t dunk”.

I don't think he will be arrested anytime soon.

[Saberestar]

The Phoenix Suns are working toward launching a new G League team as soon as the 2024-25 season, meaning all 30 NBA organizations will have G League affiliates.

Story at @TheAthletic, including statement from owner Mat Ishbia:

Read on Twitter

[WeekapaugGroove]

If you can’t criticize an underachieving player then this forum has lost its purpose.

He has been criticized more than Donald Trump in the past few years. That’s how much Suns fans despise him. Whenever his name gets mentioned everyone comes out of the woodworks to state their negative opinion about him. No matter what Ayton says in an interview, people will interpret his words differently cause they’ve already made up their mind a long time ago that he should be despised. Even if he cures cancer everyone will still say “ but but he’s too soft who can’t dunk”.

I don't think he will be arrested anytime soon.

Yeah this isn't Josh Jackson that we're talking about

Now we do have to hope he didn't drink a protein shake spiked with PEDs while in the Bahamas. Next one is a year for the big fella.

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[Sunsdeuce]

If you can’t criticize an underachieving player then this forum has lost its purpose.

That what 50% of this board does. 50% of posters here get their joy by personally attacking Ayton. So trust me, the word “can’t” isn’t stopping people from attacking the kid.

With that said. There literally is no balance in peoples opinions on here. Perfect example, Ayton haters say he can’t rebound yet he is a top 10 rebounder. It’s fine to criticize but put some substance behind it instead of pure uncut hate.

[Sunsdeuce]

It’s really hard to feel bad for someone who has had every opportunity to change the way people feel about him. The good thing for DA is that he still has that opportunity.


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Oh yeah for sure. Definitely was given a coach who didn’t hate him for 4 straight years. Definitely put into a system to maximize his abilities, definitely was made to not set endless screens at the 3 point line, definitely had a FO go out of their way to stop rumors, definitely had a coach that was well known for developing young players. Best opportunities ever.

Yeah definitely was given every opportunity. Definitely every players dream scenario. Oh for f$&k sakes.

[WeekapaugGroove]

The Phoenix Suns are working toward launching a new G League team as soon as the 2024-25 season, meaning all 30 NBA organizations will have G League affiliates.

Story at @TheAthletic, including statement from owner Mat Ishbia:

Read on Twitter

Good.

But I will say I feel like the no G-league team thing was probably a little overblown. When you don't have one you can still send guys to the G-league and you can still sign guys off G-league teams.

Having your own gives you more control over development and it's a good place to try some team strategies. But all in all it's not super critical. I don't think Denver had one until this coming season and it hasn't impacted them.

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[TOO]

It’s really hard to feel bad for someone who has had every opportunity to change the way people feel about him. The good thing for DA is that he still has that opportunity.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh yeah for sure. Definitely was given a coach who didn’t hate him for 4 straight years. Definitely put into a system to maximize his abilities, definitely was made to not set endless screens at the 3 point line, definitely had a FO go out of their way to stop rumors, definitely had a coach that was well known for developing young players. Best opportunities ever.

Yeah definitely was given every opportunity. Definitely every players dream scenario. Oh for f$&k sakes.

A system to maximize what abilities? Jump hooks and mid range shots? You act like they are neglecting Hakeem Olajuwon here, all bigs set screens, pick and roll rules the NBA, Vogel gonna do the same thing.

You have to wonder why Monty didn't like him, he didn't have a problem with Booker, Bridges, either Cam, even sorry ass Shamet, but couldn't make Ayton work, why is that? Effort? Buy in? You think Monty just had it out for him? Why would he do that? What possible benefit would there be?

[TOO]

If you can’t criticize an underachieving player then this forum has lost its purpose.

He has been criticized more than Donald Trump in the past few years. That’s how much Suns fans despise him. Whenever his name gets mentioned everyone comes out of the woodworks to state their negative opinion about him. No matter what Ayton says in an interview, people will interpret his words differently cause they’ve already made up their mind a long time ago that he should be despised. Even if he cures cancer everyone will still say “ but but he’s too soft who can’t dunk”.

Hyperbole much?

[Sunsdeuce]

It’s really hard to feel bad for someone who has had every opportunity to change the way people feel about him. The good thing for DA is that he still has that opportunity.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh yeah for sure. Definitely was given a coach who didn’t hate him for 4 straight years. Definitely put into a system to maximize his abilities, definitely was made to not set endless screens at the 3 point line, definitely had a FO go out of their way to stop rumors, definitely had a coach that was well known for developing young players. Best opportunities ever.

Yeah definitely was given every opportunity. Definitely every players dream scenario. Oh for f$&k sakes.

A system to maximize what abilities? Jump hooks and mid range shots? You act like they are neglecting Hakeem Olajuwon here, all bigs set screens, pick and roll rules the NBA, Vogel gonna do the same thing.

You have to wonder why Monty didn't like him, he didn't have a problem with Booker, Bridges, either Cam, even sorry ass Shamet, but couldn't make Ayton work, why is that? Effort? Buy in? You think Monty just had it out for him? Why would he do that? What possible benefit would there be?

I don’t wonder why anything with Monty. Dude is weirdo with a lover affair for Shamet. Monty didn’t improve a single player under his leadership. Every player got better away from him.

[TOO]

The Phoenix Suns are working toward launching a new G League team as soon as the 2024-25 season, meaning all 30 NBA organizations will have G League affiliates.

Story at @TheAthletic, including statement from owner Mat Ishbia:

Read on Twitter

Good.

But I will say I feel like the no G-league team thing was probably a little overblown. When you don't have one you can still send guys to the G-league and you can still sign guys off G-league teams.

Having your own gives you more control over development and it's a good place to try some team strategies. But all in all it's not super critical. I don't think Denver had one until this coming season and it hasn't impacted them.

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Feels like it's gonna be more important because the team has so few assets remaining. Ideally, you can build a farm that runs your offensive system to grow the UDFA and late 2nds you'll have to rely on to keep the end of your bench in shape. Hopefully you pull a Miami Heat and unearth a couple of gems along the way. That's the ideal scenario to me.

[Jdiddy701]

It’s really hard to feel bad for someone who has had every opportunity to change the way people feel about him. The good thing for DA is that he still has that opportunity.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh yeah for sure. Definitely was given a coach who didn’t hate him for 4 straight years. Definitely put into a system to maximize his abilities, definitely was made to not set endless screens at the 3 point line, definitely had a FO go out of their way to stop rumors, definitely had a coach that was well known for developing young players. Best opportunities ever.

Yeah definitely was given every opportunity. Definitely every players dream scenario. Oh for f$&k sakes.

A system to maximize what abilities? Jump hooks and mid range shots? You act like they are neglecting Hakeem Olajuwon here, all bigs set screens, pick and roll rules the NBA, Vogel gonna do the same thing.

You have to wonder why Monty didn't like him, he didn't have a problem with Booker, Bridges, either Cam, even sorry ass Shamet, but couldn't make Ayton work, why is that? Effort? Buy in? You think Monty just had it out for him? Why would he do that? What possible benefit would there be?

I wouldn’t even respond to Sunsdeuce. Ayton’s criticism has always been fair. I don’t think anyone has ever crossed the line on this board. We all want to see the best version of DA and hoping we finally see it this year. I’m excited to see how he does with better pieces around him under a new coach.


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[WeekapaugGroove]

It’s really hard to feel bad for someone who has had every opportunity to change the way people feel about him. The good thing for DA is that he still has that opportunity.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh yeah for sure. Definitely was given a coach who didn’t hate him for 4 straight years. Definitely put into a system to maximize his abilities, definitely was made to not set endless screens at the 3 point line, definitely had a FO go out of their way to stop rumors, definitely had a coach that was well known for developing young players. Best opportunities ever.

Yeah definitely was given every opportunity. Definitely every players dream scenario. Oh for f$&k sakes.

A system to maximize what abilities? Jump hooks and mid range shots? You act like they are neglecting Hakeem Olajuwon here, all bigs set screens, pick and roll rules the NBA, Vogel gonna do the same thing.

You have to wonder why Monty didn't like him, he didn't have a problem with Booker, Bridges, either Cam, even sorry ass Shamet, but couldn't make Ayton work, why is that? Effort? Buy in? You think Monty just had it out for him? Why would he do that? What possible benefit would there be?

I feel like I've said all I need to say about DA but these are two really good points.

On the first point, my stance has always been I don't want some post based O regardless of the C.

On the second point, the 'why' is something that gets overlooked in the Monty thing.

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[WeekapaugGroove]

Oh yeah for sure. Definitely was given a coach who didn’t hate him for 4 straight years. Definitely put into a system to maximize his abilities, definitely was made to not set endless screens at the 3 point line, definitely had a FO go out of their way to stop rumors, definitely had a coach that was well known for developing young players. Best opportunities ever.

Yeah definitely was given every opportunity. Definitely every players dream scenario. Oh for f$&k sakes.

A system to maximize what abilities? Jump hooks and mid range shots? You act like they are neglecting Hakeem Olajuwon here, all bigs set screens, pick and roll rules the NBA, Vogel gonna do the same thing.

You have to wonder why Monty didn't like him, he didn't have a problem with Booker, Bridges, either Cam, even sorry ass Shamet, but couldn't make Ayton work, why is that? Effort? Buy in? You think Monty just had it out for him? Why would he do that? What possible benefit would there be?

I don’t wonder why anything with Monty. Dude is weirdo with a lover affair for Shamet. Monty didn’t improve a single player under his leadership. Every player got better away from him.

That's simply not true. You can hate on Monty but Booker is a significantly better player now than before. Bridges and both Cams got better. Ironically three of Aytons backups (McGee, Jock, Baynes) had career years under Monty.

Heck Ayton even with his frustrations is a better player than the completely f-ing lost on D guy he was before Monty took over.

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[TOO]

That's another excellent point, all of the back up Cs he's had have excelled, especially McGee and Jock. Why them but not Ayton? There is a disconnect there and I'd guess that it's because Ayton thinks he's above what he was asked to do. Im not a Monty guy, but outside of Ayton he seemed pretty well liked and respected.

[bwoolf2]

Its funny to me how sensitive some people are about Ayton, especially when what I said was a joke aimed at his lack of ability to create. Good lord.

Yea, weird how you're purely talking about basketball and get personally attacked. Ayton should do himself a favor and let his play do the talking.

Agreed, but from time to time when someone is clearly already beaten down no reason to kick them when they are down, it's just an **** move.

[bwoolf2]

That's another excellent point, all of the back up Cs he's had have excelled, especially McGee and Jock. Why them but not Ayton? There is a disconnect there and I'd guess that it's because Ayton thinks he's above what he was asked to do. Im not a Monty guy, but outside of Ayton he seemed pretty well liked and respected.

Mcgee has been played out of the league and it remains to see what Jock will do he played decent but when he had to start he got played off the court pretty quickly

Everybody loves the backup until he isn't the backup

[TOO]

That's another excellent point, all of the back up Cs he's had have excelled, especially McGee and Jock. Why them but not Ayton? There is a disconnect there and I'd guess that it's because Ayton thinks he's above what he was asked to do. Im not a Monty guy, but outside of Ayton he seemed pretty well liked and respected.

Mcgee has been played out of the league and it remains to see what Jock will do he played decent but when he had to start he got played off the court pretty quickly

Everybody loves the backup until he isn't the backup

Right, but the point was under Monty they played as well or better than they ever have.

[bwoolf2]

That's another excellent point, all of the back up Cs he's had have excelled, especially McGee and Jock. Why them but not Ayton? There is a disconnect there and I'd guess that it's because Ayton thinks he's above what he was asked to do. Im not a Monty guy, but outside of Ayton he seemed pretty well liked and respected.

Mcgee has been played out of the league and it remains to see what Jock will do he played decent but when he had to start he got played off the court pretty quickly

Everybody loves the backup until he isn't the backup

Right, but the point was under Monty they played as well or better than they ever have.

Jock was a rookie that never played before and McGee had some pretty damn good years for the Warriors and Lakers

Just looked at Mcgee career stats and for minutes played it was an avg year for him had some better years Lakers, Denver...

[bwgood77]

I don't think Monty and Ayton hated each other like everyone seems to assume. It's not in their personality. I think there was frustration at times on both sides.

Ayton was disappointing at times this past season but I think the main reason for that was the team being in disarray. No Jae, no Paul for large stretches, no Booker for large stretch, no Cam for long stretch, no Payne, no Shamet...it was just him, Bridges and Craig. Then once everyone gets back, Bridges and Cam get traded, then KD plays 3 games, then he's out, then he plays 8 more, then the playoffs.

The team and lineups were in disarray all season....this impacts rotations, communication, etc. It's easier when you have not played for a long time and come back when the team is healthy again, and Booker, Paul, Cam all came back around the same time, and then Payne came back.

He still had some very good stretches too, winning WC player of the week. He just had a few bad games here and there and an overall regression on D which I think was largely due to a shuffling roster, communication not being consistent with different players in and out of the lineup, etc. I also think being the first time not playing with Bridges impacted him quite a bit. He was the only player who had played every game in his career with Bridges.