Game 15: OKC Thunder (9-5) at S Phoenix Suns (3-11), Sat, 11/17, 7 PM MST

[Hesh]

It was the rebounding too, Suns got hammered on the boards. Ayton is the only one on the team capable of rebounding since he doesn't have another big/rebounder on the floor at the same time.

5 offensive boards from Adams was frustrating to watch. They got 52 total rebounds compared to the suns 31 and 14 OREB compared to the suns 4 OREB.

[Qwigglez]

We didn't play too bad. I really think Booker is still hampered by his injury to his leg and wrist. A lot of his passes have been awful this season, he can't blow by guys, and his shot is off. The last two games he's been looking to pass because of his injuries and the rest of our guys actually seem to be learning to play with him off-ball. Someone else mentioned it, but yeah with Igor our guys look to be learning the offense, meanwhile last year they were just playing to pad stats and ran around like a chicken with their head cut off. As long as they continue to play with energy and hustle I don't mind the losses. After OKC was up 19 our guys could have stopped trying but they grinded back and got it to within 6.
Anyway, we need a PG, Booker is still injured, and Ayton is at least improving on offense the past couple of games.

[Hesh]

We didn't play too bad. I really think Booker is still hampered by his injury to his leg and wrist. A lot of his passes have been awful this season, he can't blow by guys, and his shot is off. The last two games he's been looking to pass because of his injuries and the rest of our guys actually seem to be learning to play with him off-ball. Someone else mentioned it, but yeah with Igor our guys look to be learning the offense, meanwhile last year they were just playing to pad stats and ran around like a chicken with their head cut off. As long as they continue to play with energy and hustle I don't mind the losses. After OKC was up 19 our guys could have stopped trying but they grinded back and got it to within 6.
Anyway, we need a PG, Booker is still injured, and Ayton is at least improving on offense the past couple of games.

Yep, I noticed the same thing. It definitely has to be the injury bothering him for all the reasons you mentioned. There were a couple of times where he missed his own opportunity from open looks or lanes because he's too busy looking for open teammates, both in this game and the last. Maybe he knows he can't quite get to his spot quick enough so isn't bothered to make it a priority. But the old book would capitalize on every single one of them.

[Maze]

Did Jackson just try to yell at Warren? wtf was that?

I rewound that about 5 times. It was weird that Warren didn't run toward the ball when we were struggling to get it in. Looked like he spaced what he was doing.

I know I'm late, but TJ seems spaced out at times.There was play earlier in the game on defense where he didn't even react.

The ball was knocked right to him, but he didn't even attempt to grab it.It was weird.Like a glitch in the Matrix.The ball

was so close to him, it bounced off his body, and back into the hands of an OKC player who then went in for an easy layup

[Hesh]

Did Jackson just try to yell at Warren? wtf was that?

I rewound that about 5 times. It was weird that Warren didn't run toward the ball when we were struggling to get it in. Looked like he spaced what he was doing.

I know I'm late, but TJ seems spaced out at times.There was play earlier in the game on defense where he didn't even react.

The ball was knocked right to him, but he didn't even attempt to grab it.It was weird.Like a glitch in the Matrix.The ball

was so close to him, it bounced off his body, and back into the hands of an OKC player who then went in for an easy layup

We all know Warren has a fragile head. He got headbutted by Noel earlier which could've given him a mindnumbing headache for the rest of the game, I don't know lol

[JMac1]

Crawford
Booker
Bridges
TJ
Ayton is our best lineup

That's a good lineup but who will be our spark off the bench? Feels like once we sit the starters our 2nd unit will struggle to hold down a lead or the deficit will get larger.

James Jones. Gotta to get a PG instead of Crawford and build a bench.

[JMac1]

As much as people hate to admit it but we could've used Ariza tonight. Even if he gave us nothing offensively, he could've slowed PG down or at least put fresh legs on him and gave Bridges a break. Bridges played really well defensively but he's still a rookie and gets no respect from refs as PG picks up superstar calls for getting breathed on. Ariza at least is a veteran voice who knows how to speak to refs.

Lacking in depth in this game was a factor.

Ariza attitude and lack of effort would have hurt us more.

[Fo-Real]

Still mostly staying away from here but wanted to add a few cents. Igor has seemed to go FULL point Book the last two games especially this one. Booker seemed to be struggling with being lead guard learning when to pass and when to shoot. Lots of turnovers last game and with a greater focus on it this game he was better but it all has his natural rhythm off and his shot has suffered. Bridges is excellent, and the team fought hard, good enough for me. Tj hung Josh out to dry on that inbound. Had to throw it to avoid 5 seconds but tj stopped coming toward and softly faded away. Josh still can't do that **** on the court like that (yelling). Concerned at the NO reaction from Tj when getting yelled at, WTF man, SAY SOMETHING.... ANYTHING!! Josh didn't see one more minute after that, probably because Igor thought the same about yelling on the court like that, even if he was right. Good stance Igor!

[bigfoot]

It was the rebounding too, Suns got hammered on the boards. Ayton is the only one on the team capable of rebounding since he doesn't have another big/rebounder on the floor at the same time.

5 offensive boards from Adams was frustrating to watch. They got 52 total rebounds compared to the suns 31 and 14 OREB compared to the suns 4 OREB.

I caught this as well and posted in the Cactus/Nashty thread before I read this. Ayton definitely could have been better on Adams but I put a lot of this on Canaan and Crawford as well as Bridges. Those three had two rebounds combined. Canaan and Crawford had none. Gotta have a some defensive rebounding from the PG position and better than two from the forward position.

[bwgood77]

It was the rebounding too, Suns got hammered on the boards. Ayton is the only one on the team capable of rebounding since he doesn't have another big/rebounder on the floor at the same time.

5 offensive boards from Adams was frustrating to watch. They got 52 total rebounds compared to the suns 31 and 14 OREB compared to the suns 4 OREB.

I caught this as well and posted in the Cactus/Nashty thread before I read this. Ayton definitely could have been better on Adams but I put a lot of this on Canaan and Crawford as well as Bridges. Those three had two rebounds combined. Canaan and Crawford had none. Gotta have a some defensive rebounding from the PG position and better than two from the forward position.

Yeah, it's super frustrating watching them get multiple opportunities on their end. We need to rebound the ball. Not sure what what was up with Ayton and his rebounding tonight but he will likely have a tough time with really physical bigs until/unless he decides to be more physical.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

It was the rebounding too, Suns got hammered on the boards. Ayton is the only one on the team capable of rebounding since he doesn't have another big/rebounder on the floor at the same time.

5 offensive boards from Adams was frustrating to watch. They got 52 total rebounds compared to the suns 31 and 14 OREB compared to the suns 4 OREB.

I caught this as well and posted in the Cactus/Nashty thread before I read this. Ayton definitely could have been better on Adams but I put a lot of this on Canaan and Crawford as well as Bridges. Those three had two rebounds combined. Canaan and Crawford had none. Gotta have a some defensive rebounding from the PG position and better than two from the forward position.

Yeah, it's super frustrating watching them get multiple opportunities on their end. We need to rebound the ball. Not sure what what was up with Ayton and his rebounding tonight but he will likely have a tough time with really physical bigs until/unless he decides to be more physical.

I think his impulse is to avoid fouling. It's also worth noting that Adams has a ton of bulk on Deandre. It's not like Ayton could get low on him.

I thought the biggest thing was the OKC defense. They were physical, in our face, contesting everything. And I hate how the refs treat TJ - defenders get away with all sorts of contact on him. He's clearly frustrated, and I see why.

[bwgood77]

I caught this as well and posted in the Cactus/Nashty thread before I read this. Ayton definitely could have been better on Adams but I put a lot of this on Canaan and Crawford as well as Bridges. Those three had two rebounds combined. Canaan and Crawford had none. Gotta have a some defensive rebounding from the PG position and better than two from the forward position.

Yeah, it's super frustrating watching them get multiple opportunities on their end. We need to rebound the ball. Not sure what what was up with Ayton and his rebounding tonight but he will likely have a tough time with really physical bigs until/unless he decides to be more physical.

I think his impulse is to avoid fouling. It's also worth noting that Adams has a ton of bulk on Deandre. It's not like Ayton could get low on him.

I thought the biggest thing was the OKC defense. They were physical, in our face, contesting everything. And I hate how the refs treat TJ - defenders get away with all sorts of contact on him. He's clearly frustrated, and I see why.

I wouldn't say he has a ton of bulk. Maybe 15 lbs, and Ayton should have the athleticism. It's just where experience, positioning, physicality, aggressiveness, etc...all those things that (if you remain a long term starter) typically improve the longer you are in the NBA.

[Revived]

It was the rebounding too, Suns got hammered on the boards. Ayton is the only one on the team capable of rebounding since he doesn't have another big/rebounder on the floor at the same time.

5 offensive boards from Adams was frustrating to watch. They got 52 total rebounds compared to the suns 31 and 14 OREB compared to the suns 4 OREB.

I caught this as well and posted in the Cactus/Nashty thread before I read this. Ayton definitely could have been better on Adams but I put a lot of this on Canaan and Crawford as well as Bridges. Those three had two rebounds combined. Canaan and Crawford had none. Gotta have a some defensive rebounding from the PG position and better than two from the forward position.

I’ll try to find it later but I’m definitely curious what Ayton’s contested rebounding % is.

[TheLogician]

Ayton is definitely fumbling a lot of rebounds. He seemed to tip almost everything back to himself in college but we haven't seen much of that in the NBA. He has a lot of work to do.

[bwgood77]

Read on Twitter

[Jdiddy701]

Ayton is definitely fumbling a lot of rebounds. He seemed to tip almost everything back to himself in college but we haven't seen much of that in the NBA. He has a lot of work to do.

It seems like Ayton doesn’t care about his stats. He will have an easy rebound in front him but lets his teammates have it.

He can average 13 rebounds in his sleep. He needs to get better getting offensive rebounds, that comes with better effort.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Blonde]

Paul George is a tier 3 star? Lol. Wut. Dude is a superstar. And he gets the calls a superstar gets.

Yes... not sure how that is remotely controversial. There is a clear gap between him and first tier stars (Lebron, KD, Steph) and the next tier of stars (Harden, AD, Kawhi, Giannis, arguably Westbrook).

[grumpysaddle]

Paul George is a tier 3 star? Lol. Wut. Dude is a superstar. And he gets the calls a superstar gets.

Yes... not sure how that is remotely controversial. There is a clear gap between him and first tier stars (Lebron, KD, Steph) and the next tier of stars (Harden, AD, Kawhi, Giannis, arguably Westbrook).

How so? In media attention? Then yes, but in talent, no. PG is legit.

[lilfishi22]

PG is a 3rd tier guy to me.

Lebron, KD and Steph are in their own stratosphere in regards to their accolades (champions, perennial MVP's candidates, MVP awards), media attention and legit impact on the game. But coming up real fast are those Hardens, AD's, Kawhi's, Giannis's and probably Westbrook, guys who are MVP caliber or have already won an MVP. The next tier down are the guys who are really good, multi-time all-star, multi-time All-NBA selection but not quite that MVP level player, like a PG, Dame, Kyrie.

[Blonde]

PG is a 3rd tier guy to me.

Lebron, KD and Steph are in their own stratosphere in regards to their accolades (champions, perennial MVP's candidates, MVP awards), media attention and legit impact on the game. But coming up real fast are those Hardens, AD's, Kawhi's, Giannis's and probably Westbrook, guys who are MVP caliber or have already won an MVP. The next tier down are the guys who are really good, multi-time all-star, multi-time All-NBA selection but not quite that MVP level player, like a PG, Dame, Kyrie.

That’s exactly how I see it. The first tier guys make you favorites to win a championship, the next tier will get you deep in the playoffs or the finals, and the third tier are perennial all stars that can win you a round or two. George is a top 12 player in the league in my opinion, no disrepect to him but the dropoff is huge. Booker is probably around 25th or so.