Western Conference | Round 1 | (1) Phoenix Suns VS. (8) New Orleans Pelicans (PHX 3-2)

[Kobe187]

Reggie really overrating this series

Nah this series has been awesome

[sunsbum]

I'm ok with this game. CJ was horrible, Val didn't do too much and Ingram was just ok and we kept it pretty close. Bridges and Cyclops were hitting tonight. Suns deserved their win.

I live in Oregon, even worked at the rose garden for a couple years. This is Classic CJ. He will play good for a few games and then follow it it up with a couple of absolute dog water performances. He’s so streaky game to game, I knew he would show himself eventually and I bet he’s got another stinker before the series is over.

[og15]

Ingram had been hot for three games, so he's allowed to have a poor shooting game.

To me the poor shooting game is fine, everyone has them. It was the really bad showing on the defensive side that stands out to me. There is a reason why Bridges went off tonight. BI was over helping constantly which led to Bridges being open over and over again. He had a very rough game on that end of the game tonight and it really hurt the Pels.

Yes, his defense was as pretty atrocious, maybe a little tired in this one, who knows

[Whole Truth]

CJ shot them outta this game. He had Alvarado wide open in the corner

CJ keeps getting credit for the turn around but he's been dead weight.

In this game only. Dude has been outstanding for the series outside of this. If McCollum hadn't been acquired, they most definitely wouldn't be where they are. Give dude some credit as his acquisition immediately turned things around.

They're far better with him than without, even considering this game.

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CJ is shooting (43-109) for the series with a 2-1 ATO rate.

And the Pels were already playing 500 ball, improving, on a 5 game win streak when they traded for him.

[Funcrusher]

Ingram had been hot for three games, so he's allowed to have a poor shooting game.

To me the poor shooting game is fine, everyone has them. It was the really bad showing on the defensive side that stands out to me. There is a reason why Bridges went off tonight. BI was over helping constantly which led to Bridges being open over and over again. He had a very rough game on that end of the game tonight and it really hurt the Pels.

Mikal absolutely cooked him, just beyond frustrating

[Duke4life831]

Im hoping Willie has some adjustments heading into next game.

No Graham, all of Graham minutes need to go to Jose
Unless CJ is flat out cooking, not another 20+ FGAs for him
Get JV going again on the offensive end. 11 shots isnt enough for him.
Take 6 shots away from CJ and give those to JV.

[GSP]

Mikal played 47 minutes???? holyyyyyyyyyyyy ****

I kept wondering if he would ever come off the court

he's got some baby kawhi in him, except he actually plays games

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He might be better than pre-16 Kawhi IMO........in 2016 Kawhi made jump to superstar........but the way Mikal is playing hes as good as 14/15 Kawhi IMO

in a pivotal game 5 tied 2-2......31, 5, 2, 2, 4 and 1 turnover on .846ts...........alltime perimeter defense too. He had 2 steals and 4 blocks but he was EVERYWHERE and he completely shut down Brandon Ingram. Played all but 1 minute

[SkyBill40]

CJ keeps getting credit for the turn around but he's been dead weight.

In this game only. Dude has been outstanding for the series outside of this. If McCollum hadn't been acquired, they most definitely wouldn't be where they are. Give dude some credit as his acquisition immediately turned things around.

They're far better with him than without, even considering this game.

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CJ is shooting (43-109) for the series with a 2-1 ATO rate.

And? As I already said, they wouldn't be here without him and despite whatever shooting issues he's had this far, he's given PHX fits and hit clutch baskets. Maybe his performance hasn't been up to expectations but to insinuate he's been essentially hit garbage is pretty disingenuous.

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[Duke4life831]

Ingram had been hot for three games, so he's allowed to have a poor shooting game.

To me the poor shooting game is fine, everyone has them. It was the really bad showing on the defensive side that stands out to me. There is a reason why Bridges went off tonight. BI was over helping constantly which led to Bridges being open over and over again. He had a very rough game on that end of the game tonight and it really hurt the Pels.

Mikal absolutely cooked him, just beyond frustrating

Yup. Ive thought he has played good defense so far in this series, but tonight was truly hard to watch. I was over here just yelling at the TV because of how poorly he was playing on that end.

Them showing the highlights right now, just constant open shots for Bridges because of BI over helping. Then that late Cam Johnson dunk where BI just gave up half way through and did a lazy "steal" attempt.

Im as big of a BI guy there is, but he was flat out bad tonight.

[Whole Truth]

In this game only. Dude has been outstanding for the series outside of this. If McCollum hadn't been acquired, they most definitely wouldn't be where they are. Give dude some credit as his acquisition immediately turned things around.

They're far better with him than without, even considering this game.

Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk

CJ is shooting (43-109) for the series with a 2-1 ATO rate.

And? As I already said, they wouldn't be here without him and despite whatever shooting issues he's had this far, he's given PHX fits and hit clutch baskets. Maybe his performance hasn't been up to expectations but to insinuate he's been essentially hit garbage is pretty disingenuous.

Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk

Don't care what u said, you can't prove what u believe.

[Funcrusher]

I kept wondering if he would ever come off the court

he's got some baby kawhi in him, except he actually plays games

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

He might be better than pre-16 Kaawhi IMO........in 2016 Kawhi made jump to superstar........but the way Mikal is playing hes as good as 14/15 Kawhi IMO

in a pivotal game 5 tied 2-2......31, 5, 2, 2, 4 and 1 turnover on .846ts...........alltime perimeter defense too. He had 2 steals and 4 blocks but he was EVERYWHERE and he completely shut down Brandon Ingram. Played all but 1 minute

And it's funny to see you switch up when a couple days ago you were saying bridges was overrated

Talk about pathetic

[Duke4life831]

In this game only. Dude has been outstanding for the series outside of this. If McCollum hadn't been acquired, they most definitely wouldn't be where they are. Give dude some credit as his acquisition immediately turned things around.

They're far better with him than without, even considering this game.

Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk

CJ is shooting (43-109) for the series with a 2-1 ATO rate.

And? As I already said, they wouldn't be here without him and despite whatever shooting issues he's had this far, he's given PHX fits and hit clutch baskets. Maybe his performance hasn't been up to expectations but to insinuate he's been essentially hit garbage is pretty disingenuous.

Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk

He has a TS% of under 50% for the series. He is the worst defender on the team. If CJ has a TS% of under 50% for a series, he is essentially playing like hot garbage. CJ is there to score, if he isnt doing that then he isnt bringing much else to the table.

[SkyBill40]

CJ is shooting (43-109) for the series with a 2-1 ATO rate.

And? As I already said, they wouldn't be here without him and despite whatever shooting issues he's had this far, he's given PHX fits and hit clutch baskets. Maybe his performance hasn't been up to expectations but to insinuate he's been essentially hit garbage is pretty disingenuous.

Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk

Don't care what u said, you can't prove what u believe.

FFS. Whatever works for you. Doesn't fit your narrative so it's immediately discounted. Okay.

Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk

[Funcrusher]

CJ is shooting (43-109) for the series with a 2-1 ATO rate.

And? As I already said, they wouldn't be here without him and despite whatever shooting issues he's had this far, he's given PHX fits and hit clutch baskets. Maybe his performance hasn't been up to expectations but to insinuate he's been essentially hit garbage is pretty disingenuous.

Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk

He has a TS% of under 50% for the series. He is the worst defender on the team. If CJ has a TS% of under 50% for a series, he is essentially playing like hot garbage. CJ is there to score, if he isnt doing that then he isnt bringing much else to the table.

at least in games prior he was making timely shots.... when he can't hit the broad side of the backboard like tonight he's literally useless, leadership be damned

[SkyBill40]

And? As I already said, they wouldn't be here without him and despite whatever shooting issues he's had this far, he's given PHX fits and hit clutch baskets. Maybe his performance hasn't been up to expectations but to insinuate he's been essentially hit garbage is pretty disingenuous.

Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk

He has a TS% of under 50% for the series. He is the worst defender on the team. If CJ has a TS% of under 50% for a series, he is essentially playing like hot garbage. CJ is there to score, if he isnt doing that then he isnt bringing much else to the table.

at least in games prior he was making timely shots.... when he can't hit the broad side of the backboard like tonight he's literally useless, leadership be damned

So McCollum and Crowder switched jerseys tonight or something? Is that what you're saying? LOL

Meh, it's fine. I'm sure McCollum bounces back and makes it interesting on Thursday.

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[Whole Truth]

And? As I already said, they wouldn't be here without him and despite whatever shooting issues he's had this far, he's given PHX fits and hit clutch baskets. Maybe his performance hasn't been up to expectations but to insinuate he's been essentially hit garbage is pretty disingenuous.

Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk

Don't care what u said, you can't prove what u believe.

FFS. Whatever works for you. Doesn't fit your narrative so it's immediately discounted. Okay.

Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk

LMAO how many Pels games have you watched for your opinion to matter.

[SkyBill40]

Don't care what u said, you can't prove what u believe.

FFS. Whatever works for you. Doesn't fit your narrative so it's immediately discounted. Okay.

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LMAO how many Pels games have you watched for your opinion to matter.

Around 30. Next question.

Suns games for you?

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[Duke4life831]

And? As I already said, they wouldn't be here without him and despite whatever shooting issues he's had this far, he's given PHX fits and hit clutch baskets. Maybe his performance hasn't been up to expectations but to insinuate he's been essentially hit garbage is pretty disingenuous.

Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk

He has a TS% of under 50% for the series. He is the worst defender on the team. If CJ has a TS% of under 50% for a series, he is essentially playing like hot garbage. CJ is there to score, if he isnt doing that then he isnt bringing much else to the table.

at least in games prior he was making timely shots.... when he can't hit the broad side of the backboard like tonight he's literally useless, leadership be damned

Ya dont get me wrong, he has had his moments. But overall it hasnt been pretty for him. Cant have him being sub 50 TS% 5 games into a series against the #1 seed.

When CJ has his shot going, the dude is dynamic. But ya when his shot isnt going he is pretty useless. He is horrible on the defensive end and even his assist numbers can be somewhat inflated. A lot of them just come from late passes after over dribbling. The offense really stalls when its just him out there and his shot isnt falling.

They need him to be a lot better than just have some timely shots. They need him to be a legit 2nd option and he hasnt been so far.

[evilution]

I feel like this is on Willie.
Graham shouldn't see the floor, all his minutes need to go to Jose.
Jose should be hounding CP3 24/7, with Herb part-time.
Stop frigging overhelping and leaving Bridges/Crowder/Payne/others open at the three. This worked when Suns were shooting like ****, does not work anymore.
Stop CJ chucking, bench him if needed.
JV had it going there in the third and fourth. I'd rather see JV posting up than most of what Pels were doing on offense there. He should be taking 20+ shots instead of CJ.

[Duke4life831]

I feel like this is on Willie.
Graham shouldn't see the floor, all his minutes need to go to Jose.
Jose should be hounding CP3 24/7, with Herb part-time.
Stop frigging overhelping and leaving Bridges/Crowder/Payne/others open at the three. This worked when Suns were shooting like ****, does not work anymore.
Stop CJ chucking, bench him if needed.
JV had it going there in the third and fourth. I'd rather see JV posting up than most of what Pels were doing on offense there. He should be taking 20+ shots instead of CJ.

Agree with every word. I was shocked Willie brought Graham back in the 2nd time (granted it was a very short stint), because it was a flat out train wreck the first time he was in there.

And ya JV needs to be more involved in the offense.

Also I would try and figure something out with BI and the 4th. It seems to take him too long to find a rhythm when he comes in mid quarter. See it both in the 2nd and 4th quarters. I would maybe try and flip BI's and CJ's rotations. Have BI subbed out first and have him out there at the start of every quarter. Just too often it seems like there is 4-5 minutes left in the 4th and BI has no shots up yet in the quarter.