Suns vs Nuggets - Dark Knight rises

[SkinnyOMiller]

Paul Coro ‏@paulcoro 28m28 minutes ago
Denver rookie Emmanuel Mudiay's two best scoring games of the season have come against the Suns -- 26 on Nov. 20, 27 tonight. #SunsAtNuggets


No surprise that Brandon Knight played in both of these games. Ugh the Suns point guard defense is absolutely atrocious. I hope McDonough does not hesitate to trade Knight before next season's training camp. Not only does he have no clue how to play the point guard position, his defense is awful. Even when the Suns lose, they are so much more enjoyable to watch when Knight does not play.

I don't disagree. I think they need to get whatever value they can for Knight and move on. I think you can work with Bledsoe and Booker starting at guard, TJ at SF, Len at C, what they really need is a PF and depth at PG, an actual pass-first PG. I would love to see the Suns draft a guy like Demetrius Jackson out of Notre Dame.

[bwgood77]

I would like to see Knight, and Tucker traded. Honestly, Bledsoe is my 2nd favorite Suns behind Booker, I would see what offers we can get for him. Suns need to build around Booker. Period.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

My guess is they start next season (you're gonna hate this) starting Tucker (unless some team really wants him this offseason, in which he might be traded), and hopefully Knight plays sixth man and comes in with Warren.

The reason for Tucker playing would probably be to not have awful wing defense with Booker starting. Then before the trade deadline, Tucker is traded to a playoff team, unless the current rotation is killing it.

I think Knight will likely be on the table, but I don't think anyone will want him this summer. People will be high on their draft picks and free agency signings. There are probably only a couple teams who would want or need a guy like Knight, but I'm guessing we hold on to him. McD would probably also take heat if Philly gets the Laker pick and he trades Knight in the same offseason, though this really shouldn't impact the decision if we can get any sort of value.

By mid season, hopefully both Booker and Warren are starting.

Now it would be nice if we just started Bledsoe, Booker, Warren, our draft pick and Len and just let the season go on and get another really high pick, and then maybe get the proper role players or vets the following off season, but I'm guessing they will try and win early, so they will play a couple of vets fairly decent minutes.

[bwgood77]

Paul Coro ‏@paulcoro 28m28 minutes ago
Denver rookie Emmanuel Mudiay's two best scoring games of the season have come against the Suns -- 26 on Nov. 20, 27 tonight. #SunsAtNuggets


No surprise that Brandon Knight played in both of these games. Ugh the Suns point guard defense is absolutely atrocious. I hope McDonough does not hesitate to trade Knight before next season's training camp. Not only does he have no clue how to play the point guard position, his defense is awful. Even when the Suns lose, they are so much more enjoyable to watch when Knight does not play.

I don't disagree. I think they need to get whatever value they can for Knight and move on. I think you can work with Bledsoe and Booker starting at guard, TJ at SF, Len at C, what they really need is a PF and depth at PG, an actual pass-first PG. I would love to see the Suns draft a guy like Demetrius Jackson out of Notre Dame.

You like Jackson better than a guy like Wade Baldwin? Or even Denzel Valentine? I don't know if Valentine is a PG, but he does average a lot of assists, so he could likely play the role. His numbers are great this season. Something like 19, 7.5, 7.5

[Mr Puddles]

Appropriate thread title. Watching Booker's game today definitely made my Dark Knight rise.

[SkinnyOMiller]

Paul Coro ‏@paulcoro 28m28 minutes ago
Denver rookie Emmanuel Mudiay's two best scoring games of the season have come against the Suns -- 26 on Nov. 20, 27 tonight. #SunsAtNuggets


No surprise that Brandon Knight played in both of these games. Ugh the Suns point guard defense is absolutely atrocious. I hope McDonough does not hesitate to trade Knight before next season's training camp. Not only does he have no clue how to play the point guard position, his defense is awful. Even when the Suns lose, they are so much more enjoyable to watch when Knight does not play.

I don't disagree. I think they need to get whatever value they can for Knight and move on. I think you can work with Bledsoe and Booker starting at guard, TJ at SF, Len at C, what they really need is a PF and depth at PG, an actual pass-first PG. I would love to see the Suns draft a guy like Demetrius Jackson out of Notre Dame.

You like Jackson better than a guy like Wade Baldwin? Or even Denzel Valentine? I don't know if Valentine is a PG, but he does average a lot of assists, so he could likely play the role. His numbers are great this season. Something like 19, 7.5, 7.5

Yes. I see Jackson as the most pure PG in the draft, more consistent than Baldwin, I don't see Valentine as a PG at all. Both of the latter are tweeners, I see Baldwin more as a combo guard and I think Valentine would be best off as a SG. As far as basketball IQ, passing ability, floor vision, quickness, shooting ability and general floor awareness, I like the whole package that Jackson puts together. On the smaller side but at minimum I can see him being a good rotational player.

[JMac1]

Booker Makes me sing

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEBlaMOmKV4[/youtube]

[Qwigglez]

67 points in a 24 hour period.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x99kcZWTqiI[/youtube]

[Saberestar]

I wish Len would have gotten another double double but at least he got those boards.
Booker is the real deal. Is JJ Redick still the most realistic comparison or can we pick a higher floor for Booker?

Brandon Roy in his prime.

[Mulhollanddrive]

I loved Brandon Roy, remember him taking over a 4th quarter against us in his prime.

Some of Booker's shot creation within the arc reminds me of Tony Parker.

[Bogyo]

Another "almost perfect" game.
Book doing Book things I'm in love! Some of his drives/layups are a bit Hardenesque - in a good way.
Len super with the boards, his shooting was sub-par again, he needs to add a solid go-to low post move. A baby hook over his shoulder or something similar, I'm not talking dream shake, or sky-hook, just something easy and effective to complement his OK face-up game (which can also use a bit more polish, a cpl hundred of jumpers from 10-15 feet).
Even minutes distribution was OK, good to see Leuer getting some burn, Archie with a solid game off the bench.
The result was very likely for a b2b.
Nothing to complain, let's keep this 3rd spot!

[nevetsov]

First game back notwithstanding, Knight looked like a square peg in this team's round hole. A guy who's style of play just doesn't mesh with what we've been building over the last 20 or so games.

Hoping he can acclimate over the next few games as he shakes the rust off.

Actually I don't mean that, I hope we trade his ass.

[JMac1]

I wish Len would have gotten another double double but at least he got those boards.
Booker is the real deal. Is JJ Redick still the most realistic comparison or can we pick a higher floor for Booker?

Brandon Roy in his prime.

Good one

[Bogyo]

Good one, but Roy was a bit more athletic, he had quite a few nasty slams over ppl. But I ve also said that Devin can get more chiseld, and that will help his elevation a bit - so yeah, Roy can be a very good comp overall.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Roy was never that athletic. They have similar body types and games - I think it's a good comp. Booker is a rich man's Roy.

Len needs to figure his **** out. He's had more success from midrange than in the post. Bigs with length similar to his are able to stifle him. He's not a good roll man - better pick and pop guy, I think. For now, he should only post up when the matchup is right (but then again, we're not trying to win, so keep it up! I hope Watson continues to go to him, let Alex figure it out). All his twisting and turning in the post gets him blocked. He's got a lot of improving still to do on offense. His rebounding, meanwhile, has gone from great to elite. Maybe we're looking at Bogut here. And I know they've said that he doesn't need to add weight so he can maintain his agility, but maybe adding more is the way to go. Jokic > Len last night, obviously.

[MathiasPW]

TANK God Knight is back. And good job Tucker. Combined they are 2 for 18 tonight.

Fixed that for you.

First sample of KNight under Watson was not impressive.

Let's hope he does better next game.

[MVSteve]

67 points in a 24 hour period.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x99kcZWTqiI[/youtube]

So stoked he's part of the future. He's doing things no one could have expected at this point from a 19 y/o. Yea, he can definitely catch and shoot, but he's shooting off the dribble, mid-range, taking it to the rack, nice little hesitation moves and floaters, super impressive.

[Fan from Dade]

So... National and local writes watch the game and they say this:

Brandon Knight (groin) compiled 10 points (2-9 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), five assists, two rebounds and a block over 25 minutes in Thursday's 116-98 loss to the Nuggets.The fifth-year pro finally made a return to the court following a 21-game absence, and acquitted himself reasonably well. While his shot was understandably rusty, both of Knight's made field goals did come from beyond the arc. He also distributed the ball well, and generally moved around fluidly while receiving a solid 25 minutes on the floor. The fact that he received that allotment of playing time would appear to bode well for Knight's chances of coming close to starter's minutes in Saturday's tilt versus Golden State

Brandon Knight’s first game under interim coach Earl Watson didn’t change much for the now 17-48 Phoenix Suns.
Knight played 25 minutes off the bench, scored 10 points and dished out five assists in a 116-98 loss to the Denver Nuggets Thursday. It was Knight’s first game action since Jan. 19.There were two clear changes to Knight’s game under Watson. He played with far more urgency on both ends, pushing the tempo on offense and staying active on defense.He made an immediate impact after checking in for starter Ronnie Price with 7:01 left in the first quarter.

That simple semi-transition look to Chandler was there for Knight all game. He continued to sprint forward with the ball when he received an outlet pass.Knight contributed to the big run in the third quarter that brought the Suns their first lead, hitting one three and an absurd four-point play that was called off and resulted in two points at the free throw line.The biggest alteration for Knight was on defense, where he was playing with much more energy.That played a factor in the third quarter run as well, when Knight uncharacteristically ran into the key and battled for a defensive rebound, stripping the ball away from a Denver player.

Keeping his feet constantly moving and bouncing around his spots, Knight was erratic, but far more animated than he was earlier in the season on that end of the floor.He was still struggling, though, making a few gambles that didn’t pay off and being a step or two in the wrong spot off the ball.


But RealGM Suns Board:

He terrible. We lost because of him. He has to go, terrible, blah blah blah

On top of his making a crazy shot that was all over the internet and a couple big defensive plays, and a big 3 during a Suns run. NONE of that is mentioned here. He has been hurt all year, comes back and has 10 and 5 in 20 minutes off the bench and somehow all the continued negative. This board and the moderators are lost in groupthink; it just started from listening to Bucks Fans and you don't watch games from the right perspective. All that you need to know about the Bucks before Knight is 30 wins and playoffs after him its been all downhill. Wins and losses; period. When anyone supports him you all ignore them or are more negative when its largely unfounded. I won't be posting here anymore. I'll leave it to you real fans and keep listening to the people that get paid for their opinions. Enjoy.

[bwgood77]

So... National and local writes watch the game and they say this:

Brandon Knight (groin) compiled 10 points (2-9 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), five assists, two rebounds and a block over 25 minutes in Thursday's 116-98 loss to the Nuggets.The fifth-year pro finally made a return to the court following a 21-game absence, and acquitted himself reasonably well. While his shot was understandably rusty, both of Knight's made field goals did come from beyond the arc. He also distributed the ball well, and generally moved around fluidly while receiving a solid 25 minutes on the floor. The fact that he received that allotment of playing time would appear to bode well for Knight's chances of coming close to starter's minutes in Saturday's tilt versus Golden State

Brandon Knight’s first game under interim coach Earl Watson didn’t change much for the now 17-48 Phoenix Suns.
Knight played 25 minutes off the bench, scored 10 points and dished out five assists in a 116-98 loss to the Denver Nuggets Thursday. It was Knight’s first game action since Jan. 19.There were two clear changes to Knight’s game under Watson. He played with far more urgency on both ends, pushing the tempo on offense and staying active on defense.He made an immediate impact after checking in for starter Ronnie Price with 7:01 left in the first quarter.

That simple semi-transition look to Chandler was there for Knight all game. He continued to sprint forward with the ball when he received an outlet pass.Knight contributed to the big run in the third quarter that brought the Suns their first lead, hitting one three and an absurd four-point play that was called off and resulted in two points at the free throw line.The biggest alteration for Knight was on defense, where he was playing with much more energy.That played a factor in the third quarter run as well, when Knight uncharacteristically ran into the key and battled for a defensive rebound, stripping the ball away from a Denver player.

Keeping his feet constantly moving and bouncing around his spots, Knight was erratic, but far more animated than he was earlier in the season on that end of the floor.He was still struggling, though, making a few gambles that didn’t pay off and being a step or two in the wrong spot off the ball.


But RealGM Suns Board:

He terrible. We lost because of him. He has to go, terrible, blah blah blah

On top of his making a crazy shot that was all over the internet and a couple big defensive plays, and a big 3 during a Suns run. NONE of that is mentioned here. He has been hurt all year, comes back and has 10 and 5 in 20 minutes off the bench and somehow all the continued negative. This board and the moderators are lost in groupthink; it just started from listening to Bucks Fans and you don't watch games from the right perspective. All that you need to know about the Bucks before Knight is 30 wins and playoffs after him its been all downhill. Wins and losses; period. When anyone supports him you all ignore them or are more negative when its largely unfounded. I won't be posting here anymore. I'll leave it to you real fans and keep listening to the people that get paid for their opinions. Enjoy.

Fair enough. I guess I've been pretty hard on him and had help out hope that he would improve and knew he hadn't had a lot of time to gel with so many new teammates and having been out most of last year and much of this year. But he cost us some games early and seems to often be more interested in dribbling and taking bad shots than finding better shots for his teammates. I visit old threads in the Detroit forum and they were saying similar things back then (no court vision, etc). I saw you had posted there way back when they had him by the way.

I still hold out that hope, but watching a guy like Booker come in and seemingly gel with teammates quite a bit quicker didn't help Knight's case in that just time was needed. Hopefully he proves himself and I am happily surprised with the progress.

Do you have a link for that article? Where is it from?

[MathiasPW]

Source: www.brandonknightfans.com

[MathiasPW]

The second article is from www.knightdonowrong.com