Game 59: Sacramento Kings (32-24) @ Phoenix Suns (31-27) l Tuesday l 7:00pm l BSAZ

[bwgood77]

I think I wrote a books length last year about how these strong and quick, in your face physical defenders become more important in the playoffs because the refs swallow the whistle. Felt like we were one of the few teams that didnt have that type of guy. Gary Payton II for the Warriors, Marcus Smart for Boston, Dillon Brooks in Memphis, and of course Holiday in Milwaukee. Hope Okogie can be that kind of defender for us when the whistles stop in the playoffs.

Yeah, if he turns into that player The Stepien seemed to write about all the time, it's great. His defense isn't surprising, but his offense in a handful of games so far is great. When teams have to focus on DA, Book and Paul, it's easier. When KD is playing, watch out.

[Ghost of Kleine]

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[Slim Charless]

I think raised championship expectations are a good pressure for Ayton, helps him stay engaged.

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Feel like there may be less distractions as well. Bridges is one of my favorite players, but he doesn't have a serious attitude at all. Ayton prone to spacing out and the dancing and joking around may not have helped.

We kept Ayton cause we know what he’s capable of doing in the playoffs while Mikal and CanJ are great role players, but would likely disappeared had we went to WCF/NBA finals. If we stood pat and only traded Crowder it would not have been enough to get passed Nuggets, Mavs or possibly Grizzlies.

They did disappear. Both during the Mavs series but also during the Pels one as well. That gets forgotten with the constant and endless Ayton bashing that has gone on here.

[Ghost of Kleine]

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[bwgood77]

My only concern is this Ayton will disappear once KD gets here.

Everyone will, to some degree. That's just how good KD is

Yeah, not everyone will be able to score 25-30 every night. It's nice to see both Booker and Ayton get between 15-20 shots. I don't particularly like when one player exceeds 20. We will probably move the ball well though and we will never (at least I hope) have to have those damn crappy all bench units out there. We should have 2 of our top 4 guys out there at all times.

If Monty doesn't stagger are guys at least as much as possible, that will suck. Obviously you want them all in there to start and end games, but figure the substitution patterns out.

It would be nice if we had a little better backup C. I know people love Bizzy and some love Jock, and feel we'd be fine with Biz starting but that offensive threat is huge...you need a solid C against the good teams...especially with all the other great Cs out there today. This C position is as deep as it's ever been. You had the superstars in the 90s where Robinson and Hakeem each won an MVP when Jordan was playing baseball but not the depth (and of course we have our own superstar MVP candidates these days in addition to the depth).

[bwgood77]

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The funny thing, early in the game when he was just sinking those mid rangers with ease in different ways I thought it looked a lot like the way KD was...it was weird. They are around the same height too so you can't guard them really, though Ayton has a good 10lbs on him.

Would be awesome if they work together guarding each other in practice and Ayton learns a few offensive skills from him. If Ayton practices guarding him he'll be able to guard just about anyone.

[Jdiddy701]

What a fun game to watch for both teams. Kings are really good. Ayton had a monster game on both ends. I’m really excited to see him play with KD. Let’s not forget Terrance Ross. Suns are DEEP.


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[lilfishi22]

Feel like there may be less distractions as well. Bridges is one of my favorite players, but he doesn't have a serious attitude at all. Ayton prone to spacing out and the dancing and joking around may not have helped.

We kept Ayton cause we know what he’s capable of doing in the playoffs while Mikal and CanJ are great role players, but would likely disappeared had we went to WCF/NBA finals. If we stood pat and only traded Crowder it would not have been enough to get passed Nuggets, Mavs or possibly Grizzlies.

They did disappear. Both during the Mavs series but also during the Pels one as well. That gets forgotten with the constant and endless Ayton bashing that has gone on here.

Neither players are seen or spoken of as stars. DA sees himself as a star and wanted to be paid like a star. Different expectations

[lilfishi22]

My only concern is this Ayton will disappear once KD gets here.

Everyone will, to some degree. That's just how good KD is

Yeah, not everyone will be able to score 25-30 every night. It's nice to see both Booker and Ayton get between 15-20 shots. I don't particularly like when one player exceeds 20. We will probably move the ball well though and we will never (at least I hope) have to have those damn crappy all bench units out there. We should have 2 of our top 4 guys out there at all times.

If Monty doesn't stagger are guys at least as much as possible, that will suck. Obviously you want them all in there to start and end games, but figure the substitution patterns out.

It would be nice if we had a little better backup C. I know people love Bizzy and some love Jock, and feel we'd be fine with Biz starting but that offensive threat is huge...you need a solid C against the good teams...especially with all the other great Cs out there today. This C position is as deep as it's ever been. You had the superstars in the 90s where Robinson and Hakeem each won an MVP when Jordan was playing baseball but not the depth (and of course we have our own superstar MVP candidates these days in addition to the depth).

bigfoot raised the question in the season thread, with the last spot, what kind of player would you want to add? Seems like you want extra depth at the 5?

[Ghost of Kleine]

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The funny thing, early in the game when he was just sinking those mid rangers with ease in different ways I thought it looked a lot like the way KD was...it was weird. They are around the same height too so you can't guard them really, though KD has a good 10lbs on him.

Would be awesome if they work together guarding each other in practice and Ayton learns a few offensive skills from him. If Ayton practices guarding him he'll be able to guard just about anyone.

Absolutely! As I've previously mentioned too, Having an ELITE mentor that can show him what it takes to be a star in terms of work ethic, best practices and habit/mindset, etc as well as situational techniques can make all the difference sometimes! I expect Durant's mentorship will have an immensely beneficial effect on Ayton's development, focus, in game evolution. And I'll be excited to see the more rapid progression under Durant's elite tutelage.

[garrick]

Even in garbage time Craig can't even take care of the ball. lol

He can't dribble, or pass. He just needs to be out there hustling and stuff. I don't really want him on the court for the final minutes of important games if we're close. He's too much.

He won't. He has been due to necessity. KD will take his spot in the last 5

With the way he's been playing lately I wouldn't be surprised to see his spot being taken by Bazley.

[thamadkant]

Okogie has shown enough so that he can replace Craig in the line up. Okogie is just more skilled and he isnt that skilled... but he is all hustle and heart.

Ayton... what else is to be said.

I'm still baffled why Suns fans turned their back on him when he is absolutely the key in the playoffs and by chance against the East contenders... And he is the Suns most consistent playoff performer the last 2 years (forget Game 7 Mavs).

[Ghost of Kleine]

Everyone will, to some degree. That's just how good KD is

Yeah, not everyone will be able to score 25-30 every night. It's nice to see both Booker and Ayton get between 15-20 shots. I don't particularly like when one player exceeds 20. We will probably move the ball well though and we will never (at least I hope) have to have those damn crappy all bench units out there. We should have 2 of our top 4 guys out there at all times.

If Monty doesn't stagger are guys at least as much as possible, that will suck. Obviously you want them all in there to start and end games, but figure the substitution patterns out.

It would be nice if we had a little better backup C. I know people love Bizzy and some love Jock, and feel we'd be fine with Biz starting but that offensive threat is huge...you need a solid C against the good teams...especially with all the other great Cs out there today. This C position is as deep as it's ever been. You had the superstars in the 90s where Robinson and Hakeem each won an MVP when Jordan was playing baseball but not the depth (and of course we have our own superstar MVP candidates these days in addition to the depth).

bigfoot raised the question in the season thread, with the last spot, what kind of player would you want to add? Seems like you want extra depth at the 5?

I'm kind of hoping for K Love Or a higher caliber vet big (4) that's elite rebounding and in terms of weakside defense that could give our bench frontcourt more physicality and dominance without sacrificing on the offensive side of the ball. Although the point guard position does concern me with Payne's overall durability issues, I'm a bit less concerned over that position knowing that all of Booker, Durant, Paul, Okogie (a bit) and maybe even Shamet (played guard at Iowa) could handle the ball and initiate things a little bit or at the very least, could bring the ball up to let Book/Durant/Paul initiate things??

[grumpysaddle]

I think raised championship expectations are a good pressure for Ayton, helps him stay engaged.

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Feel like there may be less distractions as well. Bridges is one of my favorite players, but he doesn't have a serious attitude at all. Ayton prone to spacing out and the dancing and joking around may not have helped.

R u being serious?

Yes. Ayton is one of the most impressionable people in the NBA. Durant is far more serious a person. This will lock Ayton in more and he'll pay more attention to basketball.

[SunsRback4Good]

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The funny thing, early in the game when he was just sinking those mid rangers with ease in different ways I thought it looked a lot like the way KD was...it was weird. They are around the same height too so you can't guard them really, though KD has a good 10lbs on him.

Would be awesome if they work together guarding each other in practice and Ayton learns a few offensive skills from him. If Ayton practices guarding him he'll be able to guard just about anyone.

The bolded part caught me by surprise. Didn’t know KD was 10 pounds heavier given how lanky Durant had been during his entire NBA career.

[Bogyo]

Okogie will come back down to earth most likely - but he could still be the starter as the point of attack defender, IF he hits his corner 3s, and other wide open shots he'll get with our starting 4.
Our bench wing rotation will be good too. Ross at the SG spot raining 3s, Craig the wing defender, and TJ the bucket getter. If Payne is not injured we have an OK pointguard for this bunch as well, and Biz or Bazely could provide the rim protection. Not bad...

Ayton - wow!

[lilfishi22]

Feel like there may be less distractions as well. Bridges is one of my favorite players, but he doesn't have a serious attitude at all. Ayton prone to spacing out and the dancing and joking around may not have helped.

R u being serious?

Yes. Ayton is one of the most impressionable people in the NBA. Durant is far more serious a person. This will lock Ayton in more and he'll pay more attention to basketball.

You're suggesting Bridges was a distraction and caused him to lose focus which led to his poor games?

[Ghost of Kleine]

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[grumpysaddle]

R u being serious?

Yes. Ayton is one of the most impressionable people in the NBA. Durant is far more serious a person. This will lock Ayton in more and he'll pay more attention to basketball.

You're suggesting Bridges was a distraction and caused him to lose focus which led to his poor games?

No. I'm suggesting that GOING FORWARD he will be more focused than he has been in the past. Learning from Durant is a lot different than learning with Bridges.

[sunsbg]

Excited! Beating a good team at full strength while we still need to integrate a top 15 all time player. **** the picks. Booker and DA + some other star will keep this team good for the next decade. CP3 19 assists!!! Okogie hitting 3s, handling the ball, defending replaces some of Mikal's production. TJ gives you scoring off the bench, which should have been Cam J's role anyway. If healthy and KD integrates quickly, Suns have a real chance to win a title this season and with some time to gel even more - clear favorites next season.