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

[lilfishi22]

I'm gonna say something that might be unpopular:

It's time to bench Jevon Carter. Nothing against the guy, but he's shooting 22% from 3, and can't run an offense. His impact on defense is welcome and beneficial, but his offensive output is so lackluster that it handicaps the bench unit. Give his minutes to Moore or extend Galloway's minutes.

Carter is SUCH a negative on the offensive end, when he handles the ball at all I basically chalk it up as a wasted possession. He averages less than 1 assist per game, and isn't shooting well enough to make up for it.

Whole Wizards team should be shut down for 2 weeks

[bwgood77]

This is not good.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/261146/Multiple-NBA-Players-Have-Positive-COVID-19-Test-For-Second-Time

[lilfishi22]

I think CP3 is the bigger issue. He's the biggest cog we've added to the machine and while on a per possession perspective he can be very good, over a quarter he slows things down way too much, he lets teams settle into their defenses before we even get into our sets and quite frankly, he's wasting the advantages of the youth (speed, endurance) in our starting line up. 1st half is when we should be running up the scoreboard, playing with a little bit of abandonment but we really don't do that until that 2nd unit comes in and it's not like that 2nd unit is undisciplined. They run more simplified sets, they move the ball around but they just do things quicker. It's the only reason why they are so much better than our very methodical, robotic starting unit.

[alamin330]

I think CP3 is the bigger issue. He's the biggest cog we've added to the machine and while on a per possession perspective he can be very good, over a quarter he slows things down way too much, he lets teams settle into their defenses before we even get into our sets and quite frankly, he's wasting the advantages of the youth (speed, endurance) in our starting line up. 1st half is when we should be running up the scoreboard, playing with a little bit of abandonment but we really don't do that until that 2nd unit comes in and it's not like that 2nd unit is undisciplined. They run more simplified sets, they move the ball around but they just do things quicker. It's the only reason why they are so much better than our very methodical, robotic starting unit.

I think this plus CP3 passes with bias. He prefers Booker and Bridges with Jae and DA being his last resort. And unfortunately for DA, Monty refuses to play him with any other pg. it’s always DA and CP3 at the same time. CP is poison to DA

[bwgood77]

I think CP3 is the bigger issue. He's the biggest cog we've added to the machine and while on a per possession perspective he can be very good, over a quarter he slows things down way too much, he lets teams settle into their defenses before we even get into our sets and quite frankly, he's wasting the advantages of the youth (speed, endurance) in our starting line up. 1st half is when we should be running up the scoreboard, playing with a little bit of abandonment but we really don't do that until that 2nd unit comes in and it's not like that 2nd unit is undisciplined. They run more simplified sets, they move the ball around but they just do things quicker. It's the only reason why they are so much better than our very methodical, robotic starting unit.

One positive to look at is that the Thunder last year started 5-10 and 8-12. It wasn't until about game 21 where they really started to get on a roll.

From that point on, they were 36-16.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/OKC/2020_games.html

[bwgood77]

Why couldn't this have happened BEFORE our game? (game being canceled)

Read on Twitter

Hopefully this tracing results in them all going out and partying last night because they got their first home win...first opportunity to get together at home happy after a win on the season.

[bigfoot]

Why couldn't this have happened BEFORE our game? (game being canceled)

Read on Twitter

Hopefully this tracing results in them all going out and partying last night because they got their first home win...first opportunity to get together at home happy after a win on the season.

Twelve players got minutes last night for the Wiz and now they can't put together eight players. The Suns are screwed and will have a bunch of players out soon.

[bwgood77]

Why couldn't this have happened BEFORE our game? (game being canceled)

Read on Twitter

Hopefully this tracing results in them all going out and partying last night because they got their first home win...first opportunity to get together at home happy after a win on the season.

Twelve players got minutes last night for the Wiz and now they can't put together eight players. The Suns are screwed and will have a bunch of players out soon.

Well assuming this is done daily, hopefully it has to do with stuff they did last night post game.

But sooner or later it will hit the Suns. It's hit a lot of teams and a number of really good players. The Heat are missing all their best players tonight but I think the Sixers have theirs...some Sixers have missed games earlier too though.

This makes winning games like Det and Wash so much more important. I still can't believe we could shoot THAT poorly and that everyone can be off from 3 in the same game.

[King4Day]

Why couldn't this have happened BEFORE our game? (game being canceled)

Read on Twitter

Hopefully this tracing results in them all going out and partying last night because they got their first home win...first opportunity to get together at home happy after a win on the season.

Twelve players got minutes last night for the Wiz and now they can't put together eight players. The Suns are screwed and will have a bunch of players out soon.

Well assuming this is done daily, hopefully it has to do with stuff they did last night post game.

But sooner or later it will hit the Suns. It's hit a lot of teams and a number of really good players. The Heat are missing all their best players tonight but I think the Sixers have theirs...some Sixers have missed games earlier too though.

This makes winning games like Det and Wash so much more important. I still can't believe we could shoot THAT poorly and that everyone can be off from 3 in the same game.

It usually takes 4-5 days of being infected before a covid test will detect it. So, if Wizard players had it, chances are the Suns were all exposed. Wouldn't be surprised if we don't play again for a week

[King4Day]

I do agree the league needs to shut down for 2 weeks. Let everyone get healthy, and then start over. Otherwise, it's just going to be a trickle effect until the end of the season. There will never be fully healthy players because of this.

[bwgood77]

Twelve players got minutes last night for the Wiz and now they can't put together eight players. The Suns are screwed and will have a bunch of players out soon.

Well assuming this is done daily, hopefully it has to do with stuff they did last night post game.

But sooner or later it will hit the Suns. It's hit a lot of teams and a number of really good players. The Heat are missing all their best players tonight but I think the Sixers have theirs...some Sixers have missed games earlier too though.

This makes winning games like Det and Wash so much more important. I still can't believe we could shoot THAT poorly and that everyone can be off from 3 in the same game.

It usually takes 4-5 days of being infected before a covid test will detect it. So, if Wizard players had it, chances are the Suns were all exposed. Wouldn't be surprised if we don't play again for a week

I thought most of these were just contact tracing protocols and not actually positive tests?

[MrMiyagi]

I think CP3 is the bigger issue. He's the biggest cog we've added to the machine and while on a per possession perspective he can be very good, over a quarter he slows things down way too much, he lets teams settle into their defenses before we even get into our sets and quite frankly, he's wasting the advantages of the youth (speed, endurance) in our starting line up. 1st half is when we should be running up the scoreboard, playing with a little bit of abandonment but we really don't do that until that 2nd unit comes in and it's not like that 2nd unit is undisciplined. They run more simplified sets, they move the ball around but they just do things quicker. It's the only reason why they are so much better than our very methodical, robotic starting unit.

Just going to leave this here:
https://stathead.com/basketball/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=0&player_id1=paulch01&p1yrfrom=2021&player_id2=rubiori01&p2yrfrom=2020

EDIT: Of all of our 2-man lineups, CP3 has 1 positive combo (+0.4 with Cam Johnson), and Deandre has 0. They are also the 2nd most used 2-man combo behind Booker and Bridges...
https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/2021/lineups/#lineups_2-man_

Last season's 2-man lineups for comparison
https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/2020/lineups/#lineups_2-man_

[spanishninja]

geez, Golden State is all the way back it seems. If we don't figure it out they will easily overtake us

[lilfishi22]

I think CP3 is the bigger issue. He's the biggest cog we've added to the machine and while on a per possession perspective he can be very good, over a quarter he slows things down way too much, he lets teams settle into their defenses before we even get into our sets and quite frankly, he's wasting the advantages of the youth (speed, endurance) in our starting line up. 1st half is when we should be running up the scoreboard, playing with a little bit of abandonment but we really don't do that until that 2nd unit comes in and it's not like that 2nd unit is undisciplined. They run more simplified sets, they move the ball around but they just do things quicker. It's the only reason why they are so much better than our very methodical, robotic starting unit.

Just going to leave this here:
https://stathead.com/basketball/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=0&player_id1=paulch01&p1yrfrom=2021&player_id2=rubiori01&p2yrfrom=2020

EDIT: Of all of our 2-man lineups, CP3 has 1 positive combo (+0.4 with Cam Johnson), and Deandre has 0. They are also the 2nd most used 2-man combo behind Booker and Bridges...
https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/2021/lineups/#lineups_2-man_

Last season's 2-man lineups for comparison
https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/2020/lineups/#lineups_2-man_

I'll make some excuses for Paul (from the optimist side of me)

1. Rubio had the benefit of having a full training camp and full offseason to get to know the guys and be ready for the season. Our guys and coaching staff also had the opportunity to get to know Rubio. The chemistry was a lot stronger going into last season than this season based purely on the time they had together.

2. CP3 didn't have the training camp, a much shortened offseason and was also coming into a team that had awesome chemistry after the perfect Bubble. So he's coming trying to learn how our guys play on the fly while also trying to do what he knows best and that's run plays.

3. Still early in the season and it's good that we've hit some bumps early in the season as it gives us plenty of time to figure out what the issues are and how we can address them. CP3 teams generally don't start out with a bang but build chemistry over time so when that happens, Ayton will be better, Booker will be better and all the starters will be better. If CP3 can play with Harden, he can play with our guys. It's just a matter of building that chemistry and trust.

[Revived]

Read on Twitter

Out of 877 votes (most of which I assume are Suns fans), 70% are saying they would do this trade.

I’d like a trade for Collins but that Capela contract is pretty awful.

[Revived]

Why couldn't this have happened BEFORE our game? (game being canceled)

Read on Twitter

Hopefully this tracing results in them all going out and partying last night because they got their first home win...first opportunity to get together at home happy after a win on the season.

This is so reckless and irresponsible. I posted before the Wizards game started how there’s been a trend of players on opposing testing positive after they play the Wizards.

Wizards roster, and entire staff should be quarantined for a week or two.

Most of the NBA’s covid cases may be stemming from just this one team giving it to other players.

[Saberestar]

geez, Golden State is all the way back it seems. If we don't figure it out they will easily overtake us

The got a beautiful L.

[grumpysaddle]

This is not good.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/261146/Multiple-NBA-Players-Have-Positive-COVID-19-Test-For-Second-Time

False positives are a thing. Either they didn't actually have it the first time, or they don't actually have it a second time, most likely.

[cberry78]

This is not good.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/261146/Multiple-NBA-Players-Have-Positive-COVID-19-Test-For-Second-Time

False positives are a thing. Either they didn't actually have it the first time, or they don't actually have it a second time, most likely.

False negatives are also a thing. With the pattern surrounding/following the Wizards games, it looks like there is an asymptomatic superspreader that's also somehow getting reported as a negative COVID carrier....which is probably scarier to me than anything else I can think of with this virus.

[spanishninja]

geez, Golden State is all the way back it seems. If we don't figure it out they will easily overtake us

The got a beautiful L.

they missed shots in crunch time, and Pacers do have more talent at this point, but the defensive intensity seemed real to me. Andrew Wiggins got 5 blocks!