Game 52: Toronto Raptors (23-28) vs Phoenix Suns (26-25)

[Saberestar]

Terrific win against a very good defensive team.

Those guys have long arms and can really move their feet, it's unbelievable how much space the can cover between Siakam, Barnes, Precious, and then Thad Young and Boucher coming from the bench. Thank God that Anunoby was out for this one lol.

Mikal with another tremendous performance, he is becoming a serious problem for rival teams.

CP3, Book and Mikal together...we are gonna have three perimeter scoring options at the same lineup, teams are gonna have a tough time covering every one of them. CP3 has already talked about it, I can’t wait to see it.

Ayton with a nice game, not easy to fight this Raptors team with so many good rebounders and switchable guys.

Cam Johnson finally had a bad shooting game. No worries here, it's impossible to play well on every single game.

It's a shame that Okogie can't be better offensively because he is such a good defender, but he is hard to watch on offense. On the other hand I am so comfortable with Damion Lee on the court, he is a very good all around player.

Another good game from Saric. Happy for him.

7th with 30 games left, now the fun begins!

[Sunlight]

Spoiler:

Siakam's last 41 games
PPG 25.1
RPG 8.1
APG 6.4
FTA 7.8
FG 47%
3P 32%
FT 77%

Siakam is also an all-star, 2x All-NBA and currently 16th in the league in scoring and assists.

DA's last 10 games:
PPG 16.3
RPG 11.3
APG 2.8
FTA 3.0
FG 45%
3P 0%
FT 63%

I also think it's absurd to pay $33m for a 4th option

I agree. There must be some communication problem between JJ and Monty. With that money, you should play a bigger role in the offense. Bill Beane fired Art Howie, maybe we'll see the same with the Suns if Monty continues his personal hatred for Ayton. Tonight, the 10 minute freeze was again another special trick from Monty to try frustrate Ayton and taking him away at the end of the game has become a normal. Throwing a chair wasn't far off. At the same time, Siakam played almost the entire first quarter and even started the second. It may be that Monty resting him for the playoffs, when things really matters, but we will see. In my opinion, Siakam is not a enough good player that the Suns should pay him over 40 million per year in the future.

You're totally right. We are intentionally sabotaging DA and not letting him average 30/15 because.........

Or perhaps he's just not that as good as you wished he was.

I believe that the consistency will come as long as it's from both sides. If he get 15-18 attempts every night, i'm ok with that.

[NapoleonII]

Really impressive showing from the bench this game.

Damion Lee continues to shine when given minutes and shots - I don't see why Shamet is getting any minutes on this team when everyone's healthy.

Not when Bridges can slide to the 2, you can play CP3 and Payne together at times, and Damion Lee should snag all the backup minutes at the two.

[spanishninja]

Really impressive showing from the bench this game.

Damion Lee continues to shine when given minutes and shots - I don't see why Shamet is getting any minutes on this team when everyone's healthy.

Not when Bridges can slide to the 2, you can play CP3 and Payne together at times, and Damion Lee should snag all the backup minutes at the two.

part of this is that Toronto has a notoriously **** bench. literally trotting out Malachi Flynn out there.

[flagstaff]

I know this is your bit and you’re committing to it, but it’s getting pretty old bruv.

The grass may not be greener on the other side of the fence. Of course, everyone can imagine that it is. As we saw today, choosing any other PF/C max player to be better than Ayton is not necessarily true in real life. Siakam has been glowing from earth to heaven here for the last couple of years. The sky quickly fell down. Hopefully, in the future, some other PF/C max player will be a candidate to replace Ayton over Siakam.

Siakam last 10 games:

FG 40%
3P 20%
FT 70%

It's absurd to pay 35 million a year for a number one option like this.

Siakam's last 41 games
PPG 25.1
RPG 8.1
APG 6.4
FTA 7.8
FG 47%
3P 32%
FT 77%

Siakam is also an all-star, 2x All-NBA and currently 16th in the league in scoring and assists.

DA's last 10 games:
PPG 16.3
RPG 11.3
APG 2.8
FTA 3.0
FG 45%
3P 0%
FT 63%

I also think it's absurd to pay $33m for a 4th option

Not anymore.....