Game 73: Phoenix Suns (38-34) at Sacramento Kings (43-29) 7PM Friday Night 3.24.23

BobbieL · Post #141 » by **BobbieL** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 4:43 am

MrMiyagi wrote:Back to the basement, boys. Didn't think we'd be here so soon when we had 4 starters under 27 who made the NBA Finals 2 seasons ago...

The trade had downside that people didn’t want to see . Took away a ton of depth

Warren is useless for the most part since trade. Nice game tonight but can’t defend
Bazley the same

RaisingArizona · Post #142 » by **RaisingArizona** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 4:45 am

Jdiddy701 wrote:
Mr Puddles wrote:Good game, if we can have this Ross as our 5th man when KD and Ayton are back - our offense would be potent.

Seeing a lot of good things in these losses. The 2nd unit with Ross and Shamet with KD is going to be extremely deadly.

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You counter Frank and Burning heart well

Blonde · Post #143 » by **Blonde** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 4:45 am

The starting lineup is still great when healthy and I don’t see anyone in the west beating us out of 7. I’d pick us in 5 over the Kings without much hesitation, they’re a cute story but we pushed them to the brink twice and probably should have beaten them twice now without KD lol. But Monty’s ineffectiveness as coach does not bode well.

BobbieL · Post #144 » by **BobbieL** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 4:46 am

Blonde wrote:The starting lineup is still great when healthy and I don’t see anyone in the west beating us out of 7. I’d pick us in 5 over the Kings without much hesitation, they’re a cute story but we pushed them to the brink twice and probably should have beaten them twice now without KD lol. But Monty’s ineffectiveness as coach does not bode well.

Durant has to play Wednesday
Clueless on Ayton timeline

BobbieL · Post #145 » by **BobbieL** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 4:48 am

RaisingArizona wrote:
Jdiddy701 wrote:
Mr Puddles wrote:Good game, if we can have this Ross as our 5th man when KD and Ayton are back - our offense would be potent.

Seeing a lot of good things in these losses. The 2nd unit with Ross and Shamet with KD is going to be extremely deadly.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You counter Frank and Burning heart well

One thing, okogie and Craig will be better when durant returns as less minutes will be needed

Aldo missing Ayton. Embiid will get 50 tomorrow with 30 free throws

SunsRback4Good · Post #146 » by **SunsRback4Good** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 5:01 am

Craig, Okogie, Payne just a bunch of unlikable losers who would not start on any of other 30 NBA teams. This team is constructed to lose in 2nd round. The Grizzlies are going to have a field day over us and if not them Nuggets win in 5 and finally get their revenge. Just a bunch of greedy unlikable players. No matter how badly we underperform fans will still be stupid enough to attend games to keep our owners pockets in the profit. Just look at kings missing 16 years of playoffs yet they still somewhat sell out their arena. The same with this team nobody would cross the suns organization even with new owner we still won’t win a title or make the finals for another 15* years. I’ve seen this same story since two decades ago. We Have good/great teams but management is incompetent and don’t fill out the puzzle for a winning product. It’s time to abandon this team and root for Heat, Grizzlies, Warriors or Mavs, been a fine 23 years for cheering this team but I can’t do it anymore.

Sunlight · Post #147 » by **Sunlight** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 5:01 am

Meltdown leadership by Booker was the reason Suns lost. Already last game against Lakers was more important hanging with LeBron than try win the game.

BobbieL · Post #148 » by **BobbieL** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 5:04 am

SunsRback4Good wrote:Craig, Okogie, Payne just a bunch of unlikable losers who would not start on any of other 30 NBA teams. This team is constructed to lose in 2nd round. The Grizzlies are going to have a field day over us and if not them Nuggets win in 5 and finally get their revenge. Just a bunch of greedy unlikable players. No matter how badly we underperform fans will still be stupid enough to attend games to keep our owners pockets in the profit. Just look at kings missing 16 years of playoffs yet they still somewhat sell out their arena. The same with this team nobody would cross the suns organization even with new owner we still won’t win a title or make the finals for another 15* years. I’ve seen this same story since two decades ago. We Have good/great teams but management is incompetent and don’t fill out the puzzle for a winning product. It’s time to abandon this team and root for Heat, Grizzlies, Warriors or Mavs, been a fine 23 years for cheering this team but I can’t do it anymore.

Craig and Okogie are bench players best used for limited minutes

Payne has been a major disappointment as he is so inconsistent

When they signed Ross - it made sense and just hoped Payne would be decent

Goran maybe should have been signed as Warren is just not that good. I get tonight, solid offense

Hitachi77 · Post #149 » by **Hitachi77** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 5:06 am

We have been 2-6 in these games, but all the losses have been close. With Bridges/Cam I think we’d be 5-3, but with KD 7-1 or 8-0.

BobbieL · Post #150 » by **BobbieL** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 5:08 am

Hitachi77 wrote:We have been 2-6 in these games, but all the losses have been close. With Bridges/Cam I think we’d be 5-3, but with KD 7-1 or 8-0.

Maybe - could be. He is a big time difference maker

Damn - if he can play Wednesday - no set backs -please already

Tonight was more on book and Paul than anything
Ridiculous stupid petty stuff

Monty needed to yank them

SkyBill40 · Post #151 » by **SkyBill40** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 5:18 am

This team is so incredibly awful. It's hard to fathom how we went from 64 wins last season to this joke of an effort with largely the same team.

Yeah, yeah. I know there were.major injuries and all, but you'd expect we would have been able to pull it somewhat together. That's nowhere to be seen here.

Given how all in we went on Durant, we very well could be starting completely over within four years with no picks to replenish the pool. Having a wealthy owner willing to spend is great and all, but not if it makes for nothing but a moral victory having left Sarver behind.

I'm not anywhere close to optimistic.

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BobbieL · Post #152 » by **BobbieL** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 5:25 am

SkyBill40 wrote:This team is so incredibly awful. It's hard to fathom how we went from 64 wins last season to this joke of an effort with largely the same team.

Yeah, yeah. I know there were.major injuries and all, but you'd expect we would have been able to pull it somewhat together. That's nowhere to be seen here.

Given how all in we went on Durant, we very well could be starting completely over within four years with no picks to replenish the pool. Having a wealthy owner willing to spend is great and all, but not if it makes for nothing but a moral victory having left Sarver behind.

I'm not anywhere close to optimistic.

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Ben Simmons for Paul and Payne - who says no

I mean if this doesn’t end well - that’s the type of trade Ishbia will have to make

sunsbg · Post #153 » by **sunsbg** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 5:58 am

Was hoping Booker goes off in a game and steals it. Not sure why he's taking less than the usual 20+ shots with both KD and DA out.

The playoffs start once KD is back. Until then may rewatch the Mavs game. At least they suck more than us after losing to a terrible team with both their stars playing.

Jdiddy701 · Post #154 » by **Jdiddy701** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 6:11 am

sunsbg wrote:Was hoping Booker goes off in a game and steals it. Not sure why he's taking less than the usual 20+ shots with both KD and DA out.

The playoffs start once KD is back. Until then may rewatch the Mavs game. At least they suck more than us after losing to a terrible team with both their stars playing.

I’ve been thinking the same. He’s been making the right pass every time, the problem is that it results to a wide open brick from a teammate. I would like him to go full Kobe without KD. His efficiency scoring the ball after the all star break has been crazy good. Guys can’t guard him right now.

One of the big reasons why I’m not worried about us going forward (if KD is healthy), you’re pairing Book with arguably one of the top 3 players in the game, I’m pretty sure we’ll be fine. If we can get a top 6 seed AND remain healthy, I have zero concerns in the playoffs. That might be asking for a lot though.

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sunsbg · Post #155 » by **sunsbg** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 7:32 am

bwoolf2 wrote:If I never have to see Craig, Biz, and Okogie in a starting lineup again together it will be too soon...

Just wait until next season when Ayton is traded for a slight Biz upgrade in Mitchell Robinson, some random guy Monty likes on a 10M+ contract + cap space.

Puff · Post #156 » by **Puff** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 9:03 am

bwoolf2 wrote:If I never have to see Craig, Biz, and Okogie in a starting lineup again together it will be too soon...

That is exactly why it is hard to put the blame entirely on Monty.

Payne totally sucks. I hope we get another look at Saben Lee and soon. He surely cannot be any worse than Payne. The air just seems to go out of the team when he is subbed in. It forces him to play CP3 too many minutes and he no longer can finish games like he did last year.

thamadkant · Post #157 » by **thamadkant** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 9:48 am

To those who kept count on Suns record with Ayton out... what's it looking now?

Jokes aside, Monty is crazy to start both Craig and Okogie and then let Warren and Ross play together off the bench for long periods of time... it means Booker and CP3 carries the offensive load and then the bench have no hustle defensively. It's just baffling.

In any case, Suns would have to go through the longest road if they want a ring.

A healthy Suns team will sweep Kings in a series I have little doubt with that. Kings don't play defense. But ironically, the suns sans Durant and Ayton are also as bad if not worse than the Kings.

76ers hopefully does a mercy against Suns and sit Embiid out or Bazley will end up playing the entire 4th quarter with both Biyombo and Landale on foul trouble.

Things are looking tougher and tougher to get to that ring since Suns are now banking on a healthy 3 months and chemistry issues aside. KD has only played 3 games with this system... and the suns wins with him relied highly on individual performances rather than team strategy.

Saberestar · Post #158 » by **Saberestar** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 1:01 pm

A couple things about this game...

I am starting to get really concerned about Cam Payne and his inability to score or facilitate in his minutes on the court.

I mean...he was key to losing this game. He was TERRIBLE and I say that being a fan of him.

He has played bad on a good amount of games since coming back from his injury, not sure if he deserves to be in the rotation anymore. Shamet as a backup "PG" can be a better option at this point.

Good to see TJ Warren 29 minutes on the court. He played well scoring 15 points with 3 boards and a couple steals. And +7.

If he keeps improving and getting comfortable out there we can count on him to be a nice contributer for the playoffs.

Ross is a **** scoring machine when he gets hot. 30 "easy" points. Great offensive weapon coming from the bench.

Craig and Okogie are having a TOUGH time on offense.

With KD and Ayton out their deficiencies are more visible than ever and I would prefer to cut their minutes until they are back.

BobbieL · Post #159 » by **BobbieL** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 1:40 pm

Saberestar wrote:A couple things about this game...

I am starting to get really concerned about Cam Payne and his inability to score or facilitate in his minutes on the court.

I mean...he was key to losing this game. He was TERRIBLE and I say that being a fan of him.

He has played bad on a good amount of games since coming back from his injury, not sure if he deserves to be in the rotation anymore. Shamet as a backup "PG" can be a better option at this point.

Good to see TJ Warren 29 minutes on the court. He played well scoring 15 points with 3 boards and a couple steals. And +7.

If he keeps improving and getting comfortable out there we can count on him to be a nice contributer for the playoffs.

Ross is a **** scoring machine when he gets hot. 30 "easy" points. Great offensive weapon coming from the bench.

Craig and Okogie are having a TOUGH time on offense.

With KD and Ayton out their deficiencies are more visible than ever and I would prefer to cut their minutes until they are back.

Payne has been inconsistent for two years. Since the clippers playoff game two years ago - he just hasn’t been the same

Second - I am starting Shamet with Okogie or Craig until KD gets back

Okogie and craig just mean book and Paul have to carry the load

In them buyout market I thought Reggie j made the most sense if Payne wasn’t going to be reliable

Sadly - they should have traded Payne for Wall or signed Goran.

TOO · Post #160 » by **TOO** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 2:27 pm

SunsRback4Good wrote:Craig, Okogie, Payne just a bunch of unlikable losers who would not start on any of other 30 NBA teams. This team is constructed to lose in 2nd round. The Grizzlies are going to have a field day over us and if not them Nuggets win in 5 and finally get their revenge. Just a bunch of greedy unlikable players. No matter how badly we underperform fans will still be stupid enough to attend games to keep our owners pockets in the profit. Just look at kings missing 16 years of playoffs yet they still somewhat sell out their arena. The same with this team nobody would cross the suns organization even with new owner we still won’t win a title or make the finals for another 15* years. I’ve seen this same story since two decades ago. We Have good/great teams but management is incompetent and don’t fill out the puzzle for a winning product. It’s time to abandon this team and root for Heat, Grizzlies, Warriors or Mavs, been a fine 23 years for cheering this team but I can’t do it anymore.

HeatGrizzliesWarriorsMavsRBack4Good.