2021 Playoff and Offseason Speculation - the playoffs. PLAYOFFS????

[lilfishi22]

If Paul is back next year (likely) the suns need to convince him to take a few rest games. Not because I think it caused his current injury, that was just a freak accident, but more so because they need at least some reps without him in case he gets hurt in the playoffs again.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

I think you're right.

I don't really think this season was managed that well in terms of "load management". Towards the end of the regular season when we were seeing the team starting to lose a bit of focus and possibly starting to feel the miles from a compressed season, we continued to play guys our main guys heavy minutes with very little load management until the last two games. It didn't make a ton of sense to me. And to your point, while we did go fairly deep in our rotation during the regular season, pretty much by the beginning of the 2nd half our vets like Gallo and Moore were barely playing. I love Carter as much as the next Suns fan but he's not a guy you deploy in case of emergency, it should be Gallo and Moore and those guys have logged a combined 231 minutes of playing time since the all-star break.

[Frank Lee]

We really have only two ball handlers... CP and CPayne. Point Book works in a pinch but his loose handles are problematic... Carter pounds the air out of the ball and Moore and Galloway are SGs conveniently called combos. Don’t really think any of our wings are good ball handlers, and certainly not our bad lil bigs or our one C.....And this was by design?

To be continued... when the off season officially begins

[RedIndian]

If Paul is back next year (likely) the suns need to convince him to take a few rest games. Not because I think it caused his current injury, that was just a freak accident, but more so because they need at least some reps without him in case he gets hurt in the playoffs again.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

We can't build a roster unless we effectively think about some succession planning. CP is 36 and god knows how long his body will hold up. We can't effectively build a contending roster in the hope that CP remains fit and gives us a shot at the title without any contingency plan. Haliburton was so ideal that that I can't believe Jones bungled that up.

This team plays hard and plays great D. Booker is a terrific, but not unstoppable scorer. Ayton and Mikal are good but still have flaws in their game. As things stand, the team NEEDS more high end talent to be a genuine contender.

I don't know what the route to that is - the 29th pick is unlikely to yield much of a difference maker, but might be our only bet. We need also to develop Stix seriously.

If we get bounced in 5 or 6, Jones needs to do some serious thinking.

[Bogyo]

If Paul is back next year (likely) the suns need to convince him to take a few rest games. Not because I think it caused his current injury, that was just a freak accident, but more so because they need at least some reps without him in case he gets hurt in the playoffs again.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

We can't build a roster unless we effectively think about some succession planning. CP is 36 and god knows how long his body will hold up. We can't effectively build a contending roster in the hope that CP remains fit and gives us a shot at the title without any contingency plan. Haliburton was so ideal that that I can't believe Jones bungled that up.

This team plays hard and plays great D. Booker is a terrific, but not unstoppable scorer. Ayton and Mikal are good but still have flaws in their game. As things stand, the team NEEDS more high end talent to be a genuine contender.

I don't know what the route to that is - the 29th pick is unlikely to yield much of a difference maker, but might be our only bet. We need also to develop Stix seriously.

If we get bounced in 5 or 6, Jones needs to do some serious thinking.

Agreed mostly, I just think that Jones needs serious thinking no matter what, and that he should have done some serious thinking around the draft and the trade deadline too. I hope he did - as we will not know for sure either way.

[Revived]

If Paul is back next year (likely) the suns need to convince him to take a few rest games. Not because I think it caused his current injury, that was just a freak accident, but more so because they need at least some reps without him in case he gets hurt in the playoffs again.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

I think you're right.

I don't really think this season was managed that well in terms of "load management". Towards the end of the regular season when we were seeing the team starting to lose a bit of focus and possibly starting to feel the miles from a compressed season, we continued to play guys our main guys heavy minutes with very little load management until the last two games. It didn't make a ton of sense to me. And to your point, while we did go fairly deep in our rotation during the regular season, pretty much by the beginning of the 2nd half our vets like Gallo and Moore were barely playing. I love Carter as much as the next Suns fan but he's not a guy you deploy in case of emergency, it should be Gallo and Moore and those guys have logged a combined 231 minutes of playing time since the all-star break.

Agreed with the bolded and I said this over and over again throughout the season as well.

Every other team in the league doesn’t rest their players because their stupid while we don’t because we’re smart. Sometimes you have to realize there’s maybe a reason that other teams are doing it.

Having a more fresh Booker/Ayton/Bridges could perhaps make a difference right about now. I know those guys weren’t exactly league leaders in mpg but the minutes they did play is always high intense play (just like it’s for for all players) so having some time off that could’ve helped imo.

And definitely for Chris Paul as well.

[Bogyo]

If Paul is back next year (likely) the suns need to convince him to take a few rest games. Not because I think it caused his current injury, that was just a freak accident, but more so because they need at least some reps without him in case he gets hurt in the playoffs again.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

I think you're right.

I don't really think this season was managed that well in terms of "load management". Towards the end of the regular season when we were seeing the team starting to lose a bit of focus and possibly starting to feel the miles from a compressed season, we continued to play guys our main guys heavy minutes with very little load management until the last two games. It didn't make a ton of sense to me. And to your point, while we did go fairly deep in our rotation during the regular season, pretty much by the beginning of the 2nd half our vets like Gallo and Moore were barely playing. I love Carter as much as the next Suns fan but he's not a guy you deploy in case of emergency, it should be Gallo and Moore and those guys have logged a combined 231 minutes of playing time since the all-star break.

Agreed with the bolded and I said this over and over again throughout the season as well.

Every other team in the league doesn’t rest their players because their stupid while we don’t because we’re smart. Sometimes you have to realize there’s maybe a reason that other teams are doing it.

Having a more fresh Booker/Ayton/Bridges could perhaps make a difference right about now. I know those guys weren’t exactly league leaders in mpg but the minutes they did play is always high intense play (just like it’s for for all players) so having some time off that could’ve helped imo.

And definitely for Chris Paul as well.

Yeah, but this is a coaching issue 100%. We have a really deep team (for the regular season, anyways), especially at the wing.
We could have / should have experimented more with those guys, and our rookie, maybe tried small ball, etc... maybe it would have been the case if it was a regular season with 10 more games, and a full training camp... we'll see how we come back next year, but there is definatley room for improvement in this area for Monty.

[Mulhollanddrive]

Clippers are even more stuffed than us, so that's good.

[bwgood77]

If Paul is back next year (likely) the suns need to convince him to take a few rest games. Not because I think it caused his current injury, that was just a freak accident, but more so because they need at least some reps without him in case he gets hurt in the playoffs again.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

We can't build a roster unless we effectively think about some succession planning. CP is 36 and god knows how long his body will hold up. We can't effectively build a contending roster in the hope that CP remains fit and gives us a shot at the title without any contingency plan. Haliburton was so ideal that that I can't believe Jones bungled that up.

This team plays hard and plays great D. Booker is a terrific, but not unstoppable scorer. Ayton and Mikal are good but still have flaws in their game. As things stand, the team NEEDS more high end talent to be a genuine contender.

I don't know what the route to that is - the 29th pick is unlikely to yield much of a difference maker, but might be our only bet. We need also to develop Stix seriously.

If we get bounced in 5 or 6, Jones needs to do some serious thinking.

Yeah, if we don't have a legit PG (and depth) for post (or injury/declining) CP3, we will likely be a fringe lottery team. The west is too tough. The Warriors will be back to a contender (though will fall off when Curry/Klay get too old), then the Pelicans, Grizzlies, Spurs and TWolves will get a lot better.

If Towns and Russell stay healthy, with an emerging probably star in Edwards, they will be decent, and then could add a top 3 pick.

But without Paul, lets pretend it's next year, I think we are below the top 7 (including POR, DAL and GS)..at best in a group with Dallas and maybe Portland, though Portland likely wins 7 or 8 more games this year if healthy....and Dallas 4 or 5 without having practically whole team out with COVID for a couple of weeks and KP out to start the season.

I see us right around where Memphis is now without Paul...and who knows how much the Pels, Spurs, etc improve.

[bwgood77]

Clippers are even more stuffed than us, so that's good.

I'd still feel better if I was a Clippers fan since the team and especially stars are healthy.

Mavs shot over 47% then 53% from 3 in the first two games. No way that holds...likely not even close to it.

If we can shoot like that in the next two games, we should win both, with or without Paul. Too bad it's unlikely, even though we were 7th in 3pt shooting this year while the Mavs were 18th.

And the Clips were easily #1 over 41% on the season.

[WeekapaugGroove]

If Paul is back next year (likely) the suns need to convince him to take a few rest games. Not because I think it caused his current injury, that was just a freak accident, but more so because they need at least some reps without him in case he gets hurt in the playoffs again.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

We can't build a roster unless we effectively think about some succession planning. CP is 36 and god knows how long his body will hold up. We can't effectively build a contending roster in the hope that CP remains fit and gives us a shot at the title without any contingency plan. Haliburton was so ideal that that I can't believe Jones bungled that up.

This team plays hard and plays great D. Booker is a terrific, but not unstoppable scorer. Ayton and Mikal are good but still have flaws in their game. As things stand, the team NEEDS more high end talent to be a genuine contender.

I don't know what the route to that is - the 29th pick is unlikely to yield much of a difference maker, but might be our only bet. We need also to develop Stix seriously.

If we get bounced in 5 or 6, Jones needs to do some serious thinking.

I loved Haliburton as a prospect and what I'm about to say wouldn't have been reason not to draft him but he's really more of a good passing SG than a modern PG. He does so many things well but beating his man off the bounce and getting his own shot isn't one of them and that's almost a requirement for today's PGs. He also struggles with guarding super quick PG (lots of people do).

According to BBall reference be spent 66% at SG and only 22% at PG with another 13% at SF.

Again good player who they should have drafted but I don't think he was the perfect PG of the future. Now Kira Lewis... he's a modern PG.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

[Mulhollanddrive]

I think James Jones goes for the same playbook as last season.

Saric, Crowder, Smith, Pick 29 for Kevin Love.

Paul, Booker, Bridges, Love*, Ayton
Payne, Carter, Johnson, Craig, Whiteside*

[Bogyo]

I think James Jones goes for the same playbook as last season.

Saric, Crowder, Smith, Pick 29 for Kevin Love.

Paul, Booker, Bridges, Love*, Ayton
Payne, Carter, Johnson, Craig, Whiteside*

Not sure how that could be fit into any cap. Starters up here would make like 180 mill (after the Ayton and Bridges extensions).

[Ghost of Kleine]

I think James Jones goes for the same playbook as last season.

Saric, Crowder, Smith, Pick 29 for Kevin Love.

Paul, Booker, Bridges, Love*, Ayton
Payne, Carter, Johnson, Craig, Whiteside*

I really hope that never happens! At Love's contractual salary, age, injury history, That is a massive overpay by us. Also, Loves' defense is pretty terrible, And he'd kill our cap space entirely! At least Crowder can still play defense when his shot isn't falling. Honestly brother, Cleveland would have to at least add an unprotected first for us to consider taking on that much salary. I'd much rather try and trade for Randall from New York ? Or just try and sign one of Hassan Whiteside or Dwight Howard for additional rebounding and rim protection?

Or even address the issue at a much lower contractual cost via the draft!

[Slim Charless]

I think James Jones goes for the same playbook as last season.

Saric, Crowder, Smith, Pick 29 for Kevin Love.

Paul, Booker, Bridges, Love*, Ayton
Payne, Carter, Johnson, Craig, Whiteside*

I really hope that never happens! At Love's contractual salary, age, injury history, That is a massive overpay by us. Also, Loves' defense is pretty terrible, And he'd kill our cap space entirely! At least Crowder can still play defense when his shot isn't falling. Honestly brother, Cleveland would have to at least add an unprotected first for us to consider taking on that much salary. I'd much rather try and trade for Randall from New York ? Or just try and sign one of Hassan Whiteside or Dwight Howard for additional rebounding and rim protection?

Or even address the issue at a much lower contractual cost via the draft!

All of this.

Getting Love is a terrible idea. Cavs should have to fork over picks to get rid of him. Something like that deal works if they're sending over their unprotected pick this year along with Kevin.

[JDJ26]

Clippers are even more stuffed than us, so that's good.

I'd still feel better if I was a Clippers fan since the team and especially stars are healthy.

Mavs shot over 47% then 53% from 3 in the first two games. No way that holds...likely not even close to it.

If we can shoot like that in the next two games, we should win both, with or without Paul. Too bad it's unlikely, even though we were 7th in 3pt shooting this year while the Mavs were 18th.

And the Clips were easily #1 over 41% on the season.

Suns are still in a better situation than the Clippers. Clippers may come back against the Mavs but I doubt it.

Their future looks bleak. Clippers have no 1st round picks for awhile and they don't have much to trade to improve the team. Unless they trade PG.

Plus Kawhi may leave this offseason.

[PittsburghSuns]

Suns had a great regular season and there is finally some excitement. Lakers were the worst possible first round matchup they will most likely be in the Finals again. Future is bright but I am worried about CP3, this playoff series could be the beginning of the end for him.

[Bogyo]

Clippers are even more stuffed than us, so that's good.

I'd still feel better if I was a Clippers fan since the team and especially stars are healthy.

Mavs shot over 47% then 53% from 3 in the first two games. No way that holds...likely not even close to it.

If we can shoot like that in the next two games, we should win both, with or without Paul. Too bad it's unlikely, even though we were 7th in 3pt shooting this year while the Mavs were 18th.

And the Clips were easily #1 over 41% on the season.

Suns are still in a better situation than the Clippers. Clippers may come back against the Mavs but I doubt it.

Their future looks bleak. Clippers have no 1st round picks for awhile and they don't have much to trade to improve the team. Unless they trade PG.

Plus Kawhi may leave this offseason.

Yeah, they are in trouble I think. Somehow it's not working for them, however good it looks on paper. An offseason blowup could be coming, another prime candidate is the Blazers. I think Mavs and Spurs, Knicks will have money and intrest. Not sure about the money part, but I vaugley remember this, so it could be true.

[Ghost of Kleine]

I think James Jones goes for the same playbook as last season.

Saric, Crowder, Smith, Pick 29 for Kevin Love.

Paul, Booker, Bridges, Love*, Ayton
Payne, Carter, Johnson, Craig, Whiteside*

I really hope that never happens! At Love's contractual salary, age, injury history, That is a massive overpay by us. Also, Loves' defense is pretty terrible, And he'd kill our cap space entirely! At least Crowder can still play defense when his shot isn't falling. Honestly brother, Cleveland would have to at least add an unprotected first for us to consider taking on that much salary. I'd much rather try and trade for Randall from New York ? Or just try and sign one of Hassan Whiteside or Dwight Howard for additional rebounding and rim protection?

Or even address the issue at a much lower contractual cost via the draft!

All of this.

Getting Love is a terrible idea. Cavs should have to fork over picks to get rid of him. Something like that deal works if they're sending over their unprotected pick this year along with Kevin.

That would absolutely be much more reasonable for us. Then we'd have a great chance to actually get Jalen Suggs to eventually replace Paul, Or perhaps Davion Mitchell! And then we could use our 29th pick on an actual backup center option with athleticism, speed, talent and rim protection. Or one with massive girth and length such as Cofi Cockburn ( 7'0 285 lbs ) with a 7'6 wingspan!!! ( same measurables as Shaquille O'neal basically). He could put a big time hurt on Davis or Le ' Douche as they prance like petulant divas straight to the rim in their entitlement parade!

But either way, Slim is right! At his cap crippling contractual price ( even currently), We'd need significant compensation to consider such a commitment.

[bwgood77]

I'd still feel better if I was a Clippers fan since the team and especially stars are healthy.

Mavs shot over 47% then 53% from 3 in the first two games. No way that holds...likely not even close to it.

If we can shoot like that in the next two games, we should win both, with or without Paul. Too bad it's unlikely, even though we were 7th in 3pt shooting this year while the Mavs were 18th.

And the Clips were easily #1 over 41% on the season.

Suns are still in a better situation than the Clippers. Clippers may come back against the Mavs but I doubt it.

Their future looks bleak. Clippers have no 1st round picks for awhile and they don't have much to trade to improve the team. Unless they trade PG.

Plus Kawhi may leave this offseason.

Yeah, they are in trouble I think. Somehow it's not working for them, however good it looks on paper. An offseason blowup could be coming, another prime candidate is the Blazers. I think Mavs and Spurs, Knicks will have money and intrest. Not sure about the money part, but I vaugley remember this, so it could be true.

I won't be surprised if they take the next 2-3 games unless the Mavs shoot 50% from 3 again and the Clips get around their season average. They shot over 41% in regular season and have shot 27% and 39%, while Mavs are 53% and 47%. Usually when you shoot around 50% from 3 you win in a blowout but they won by 6 and 10.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Suns are still in a better situation than the Clippers. Clippers may come back against the Mavs but I doubt it.

Their future looks bleak. Clippers have no 1st round picks for awhile and they don't have much to trade to improve the team. Unless they trade PG.

Plus Kawhi may leave this offseason.

Yeah, they are in trouble I think. Somehow it's not working for them, however good it looks on paper. An offseason blowup could be coming, another prime candidate is the Blazers. I think Mavs and Spurs, Knicks will have money and intrest. Not sure about the money part, but I vaugley remember this, so it could be true.

I won't be surprised if they take the next 2-3 games unless the Mavs shoot 50% from 3 again and the Clips get around their season average. They shot over 41% in regular season and have shot 27% and 39%, while Mavs are 53% and 47%. Usually when you shoot around 50% from 3 you win in a blowout but they won by 6 and 10.

Clippers fans seem to be taking this well.

Read on Twitter

?s=19

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app