Addition by Subtraction

schnakenpopanz · Post #1 » by **schnakenpopanz** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 11:03 am

I know a 11 game sample is small, but the suns have been better than expected. Letting Durant go - even though Green is hurt - might have saved their future somehow. Oh and ofc B.Beal.

pepe1991 · Post #2 » by **pepe1991** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 11:32 am

With all due respect, Suns played 12 games, and yet somehow 9 were against teams with losing records.

schnakenpopanz · Post #3 » by **schnakenpopanz** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 12:13 pm

pepe1991 wrote:With all due respect, Suns played 12 games, and yet somehow 9 were against teams with losing records.

But they were predicted to be much worse than that.

Post #4 » by **MoneyTalks41890** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 12:14 pm

Might agree if they hadn’t also subtracted their draft picks.

Also, it’s early. The Suns likely still finish 12th or worse in the West.

pepe1991 · Post #5 » by **pepe1991** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 12:20 pm

schnakenpopanz wrote:
pepe1991 wrote:With all due respect, Suns played 12 games, and yet somehow 9 were against teams with losing records.

But they were predicted to be much worse than that.

We will see, after Indiana they are entering hard part of schedule. They probably won't be favorites in next 14 games, post Pacers game.

Right now Suns are 5th in 3 FGA and 7th in 3 point accuracy.

Post #6 » by **og15** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 12:28 pm

schnakenpopanz wrote:
pepe1991 wrote:With all due respect, Suns played 12 games, and yet somehow 9 were against teams with losing records.

But they were predicted to be much worse than that.

They were 33-29 when KD played last season, I don't know if they will beat that, but too early to say

Pointgod · Post #7 » by **Pointgod** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 12:56 pm

MoneyTalks41890 wrote:Might agree if they hadn’t also subtracted their draft picks.

Also, it’s early. The Suns likely still finish 12th or worse in the West.

If you look at the standings the only teams outside of the playin that could realistically make a playin push are the Clippers. Mavs will tank, Kings will blow it up and the Pelicans are just plain bad. Grizzlies will eventually trade Ja or continue to suck. Then it’s unclear whether the Jazz pivot to a tank as well. At worst they finish 11th but a lot of things would need to go wrong for that.

Chuck Everett · Post #8 » by **Chuck Everett** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 1:07 pm

The tank is too strong with the bottom of the West now. Suns might get 9th/10th by default.

chrbal · Post #9 » by **chrbal** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 1:30 pm

Pistons firing Monty Williams is addition by subtraction. I don’t feel like Durant to Houston is that, maybe it will be but there needs to be more evidence

Ritzo · Post #10 » by **Ritzo** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 1:59 pm

Dillon Brooks effect

Calvin Klein · Post #11 » by **Calvin Klein** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 2:09 pm

It's so nice to be able to watch the Suns again and not have to root for KD. **** that guy. I don't even care for Beal. It was idiotic to trade for him.

I don't expect them to be a playoff team but at least I can enjoy watching them again for a while.

UcanUwill · Post #12 » by **UcanUwill** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 2:18 pm

Ritzo wrote:Dillon Brooks effect

I was just thinking that today, every team he plays for does a good job.

Calvin Klein · Post #13 » by **Calvin Klein** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 2:19 pm

UcanUwill wrote:
Ritzo wrote:Dillon Brooks effect

I was just thinking that today, every team he plays for does a good job.

Yeah, but you have to put up with him going Kobe on offense which is painful. I'm still not sure if it's worth it.

Baz · Post #14 » by **Baz** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 2:21 pm

KD is a cancer to any team he plays for. I feel bad for hopeful Rocket fans.

carlos710 · Post #15 » by **carlos710** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 2:25 pm

When I read the title I thought the thread was going to be about Atlanta without Trae.

Anyways, about the suns there are a couple factors. Easy schedule and a bunch of teams are perfectly fine with tanking this year, which is something they can't do because they don't own their pick this year anyway. By default all the teams that don't have full control over their own pick will win a bunch of games this year even if they are terrible (suns, clippers, even the Pelicans I think will improve a bit later in the year when more teams commit to their tanking job)

Post #16 » by **og15** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 5:29 pm

Baz wrote:KD is a cancer to any team he plays for. I feel bad for hopeful Rocket fans.

Is he? Interesting.

For this thread premise, they had a 43-44 win pace when KD played (which includes other guys missing time). 12 games in with a not yet balanced schedule, they are on a 47-48 win pace.

Of course it's 12 games and even winning pace at this point is not really logical to be charting out. I'm not sure they are particularly better because of moving on from KD specifically.

Dan33185 · Post #17 » by **Dan33185** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 5:34 pm

Baz wrote:KD is a cancer to any team he plays for. I feel bad for hopeful Rocket fans.

He seems like one of those people who isn't happy unless he's miserable (see Aaron Rodgers).

KayDee35 · Post #18 » by **KayDee35** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 6:46 pm

I think there's a formula here:

OKC let Durant go - Won a ring last season!
Golden State let Durant go - Won a ring without him!
Phoenix lets Durant go - It's winning time baabbyy!!!

Shock Defeat · Post #19 » by **Shock Defeat** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 6:50 pm

Baz wrote:KD is a cancer to any team he plays for. I feel bad for hopeful Rocket fans.

Rockets have gone to another level getting rid of Jalen and Dillon and bringing KD.

Post #20 » by **cupcakesnake** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 6:50 pm

They started last year 9-2.

I do think this team is better built, even if they have less talent. That's not really addition by subtraction. It's more that the team has actual centers and functional wings.