NBA PLAYOFFS: Game 4: Denver Nuggets @ Phoenix Suns l Sunday l 5:00 l TNT l DEN leads series 2-1

[WeekapaugGroove]

They were the 1 seed so not exactly shocking but Denver is really good, if they beat the suns I think they win the championship. Just a really really hard team to defend.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

They're gonna get mollywhopped by the Lakers....and I think I'll be rooting for Lebron.

**** Joker and all of his nuthuggers. Man is a menace.

I think Denver beats LA.

I'm not a LeBron hater, mad respect for his game. But I hate the Lakers to a level that I can never root for them, ever.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

[WeekapaugGroove]

I think the biggest thing CP being out did was force the suns to run EVERYTHING through Booker and KD and to be frank that's better than running things through CP at this point. The question is can they actually do it for 2 more wins or will the reps add up.

CP could be helpful for non KD and Booker minutes and I would actually try to play some without either guy because I'd avoid staggering them as much as possible. The minutes they play together are just too good and so god damn hard to defend. CP could allow them to try and buy 4-7 minutes a half without either guy.


Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

Yeah, this is a really good point, and why I think CP3 should be on the bench the rest of the series.

Durant has really 'unlocked' Booker. He's damn near unguardable when KD is there as a decoy, 3 point threat, a pressure valve for the offense.

And this also weirdly would let the bench be more effective, if they aren't just playing "back-up" to KD or Booker. Guys need to make plays without them, push the pace even more, muck it up, offensive rebound.

KD and Booker running two man game is absolutely devastating to try and defend. And they haven't even played 20 games together yet. I know peeps hate on that KD trade but even if Denver beats them I'm optimistic for next year because those two together are a god damn problem and if they can balance out the roster around then this summer look out.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

[BobbieL]

I think the biggest thing CP being out did was force the suns to run EVERYTHING through Booker and KD and to be frank that's better than running things through CP at this point. The question is can they actually do it for 2 more wins or will the reps add up.

CP could be helpful for non KD and Booker minutes and I would actually try to play some without either guy because I'd avoid staggering them as much as possible. The minutes they play together are just too good and so god damn hard to defend. CP could allow them to try and buy 4-7 minutes a half without either guy.


Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

Shams just reported that Paul is out G5 and might be back G6. But I agree with the philosophy. Start Payne and bring Paul off the bench to roll with the second unit. Less minutes for Paul - but maybe he plays a faster pace. As you are right, the ball needs to go through Durant and Booker. This isn't complicated.

[BobbieL]

I think the biggest thing CP being out did was force the suns to run EVERYTHING through Booker and KD and to be frank that's better than running things through CP at this point. The question is can they actually do it for 2 more wins or will the reps add up.

CP could be helpful for non KD and Booker minutes and I would actually try to play some without either guy because I'd avoid staggering them as much as possible. The minutes they play together are just too good and so god damn hard to defend. CP could allow them to try and buy 4-7 minutes a half without either guy.


Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

Yeah, this is a really good point, and why I think CP3 should be on the bench the rest of the series.

Durant has really 'unlocked' Booker. He's damn near unguardable when KD is there as a decoy, 3 point threat, a pressure valve for the offense.

And this also weirdly would let the bench be more effective, if they aren't just playing "back-up" to KD or Booker. Guys need to make plays without them, push the pace even more, muck it up, offensive rebound.

KD and Booker running two man game is absolutely devastating to try and defend. And they haven't even played 20 games together yet. I know peeps hate on that KD trade but even if Denver beats them I'm optimistic for next year because those two together are a god damn problem and if they can balance out the roster around then this summer look out.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

Just have to hope a couple things in G5
Ayton brings the energy. If he can just bring the passion and energy, thats a big deal

The Bench: role players always play better at home but maybe Ross and Warren getting some run in Denver they didn't get the first two games - would be a factor. I am willing to give up defense for points against the Nuggets

[Saberestar]

Mat Ishbia

Great win for the Suns last night in an amazing series so far!
That should be and is the only story. Suspending or fining anyone over last nights incident would not be right. I have alot of respect for Jokic and don’t want to see anything like that. Excited for game 5! Go Suns!

Read on Twitter

[BobbieL]

Mat Ishbia

Great win for the Suns last night in an amazing series so far!
That should be and is the only story. Suspending or fining anyone over last nights incident would not be right. I have alot of respect for Jokic and don’t want to see anything like that. Excited for game 5! Go Suns!

Read on Twitter

The correct response from Ishbia. He doesn’t want any fines -for him either!!

[AtheJ415]

Magic fan here:

Looks like a Denver fan "updated" the wiki page for Mat Ishbia.

wiki link: Mat Ishbia

During Game 4 of the Suns' playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Ishbia was involved in an altercation with Nuggets player Nikola Jokić. During the game, Suns player Josh Okogie crashed into the seats while trying to save a loose ball. He landed in a group of fans on the baseline that included Ishbia, who grabbed the basketball. Jokić tried to take the ball back from Ishbia, with Ishbia refusing to hand it over. It resulted in the ball flying backward into the crowd as Ishbia put his hand on Jokić's side. Jokić light touched Ishbia, resulting in an Ishbia flop on the play. Jokić was then assessed a technical foul.[16]

That's classic.

I agree, and still don't believe he'll be suspended, but that video makes it pretty clear that he should be.

I initially was fine with it but reality is he SHOULD be suspended. You cannot assault a fan. Now, I kind of hope he is suspended since he's blatantly lying about what happened. The guy who grabbed him did so after the shove. And players are not allowed to rip the ball out of fan's hands. He was an idiot, and I still have not forgotten how he broke Cam Payne's nose because he got mad about a no call. If I was Ishbia, just to troll Jokic, I'd press charges, because it is from a legal perspective assault.

And fans often get banned from NBA games for interfering with the flow of a game.

Neutrally viewed, I suspect neither Ishbia nor Jokić will be further punished. But I absolutely expect Silver to "call Ishbia to his office".


Frankly your owner probably won you this game in how it added a point and changed the flow of the game. So: just be happy.


Jokić is all logical to me (particular at the 1:30 mark):

Watch on YouTube

..

Ishbia can be banned. I don't care. Ban Ishbia and suspend Jokic. No player can assault a fan. I am beyond fed up with Jokic and his temper tantrums (Cam Payne, Morris, etc.). The dude needs therapy. He has openly and intentionally hurt more players than anybody I can remember since Bruce Bowen, and it gets completely ignored because he's an out of shape superstar. He needs to knock it off. This has never occurred in an NBA game because no other player has gone into the stands to rip a ball from a fan, and then compounded that by being so unbelievably stupid as to shove the guy for knocking the ball away. If he gets suspended, he absolutely deserves it.

[Puff]

They were the 1 seed so not exactly shocking but Denver is really good, if they beat the suns I think they win the championship. Just a really really hard team to defend.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

They're gonna get mollywhopped by the Lakers....and I think I'll be rooting for Lebron.

**** Joker and all of his nuthuggers. Man is a menace.

How can you possibly consider yourself a Suns Fan and offer any support ever to the Lakers?

You should be banned from this board and no one should ever listen to your nonsense in regards to the Suns.

My favorite team remains anyone playing the Lakers, that is if the Suns are not playing.

That feeling only got stronger once Lebron joined up with AD. Cannot stand either of them. Drama QUEENS. Every time they fall on the floor they roll around like it is the end of their career. This happens in every freaking game and has gone on in Laker land since the beginning of time. Trust me I have been watching their act longer than you have been alive.

[kennydorglas]

They were the 1 seed so not exactly shocking but Denver is really good, if they beat the suns I think they win the championship. Just a really really hard team to defend.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

They're gonna get mollywhopped by the Lakers....and I think I'll be rooting for Lebron.

**** Joker and all of his nuthuggers. Man is a menace.

How can you possibly consider yourself a Suns Fan and offer any support ever to the Lakers?

You should be banned from this board and no one should ever listen to your nonsense in regards to the Suns.

My favorite team remains anyone playing the Lakers, that is if the Suns are not playing.

That feeling only got stronger once Lebron joined up with AD. Cannot stand either of them. Drama QUEENS. Every time they fall on the floor they roll around like it is the end of their career. This happens in every freaking game and has gone on in Laker land since the beginning of time. Trust me I have been watching their act longer than you have been alive.

prob bc hes not a real suns fan

[sunskerr]

How can you possibly consider yourself a Suns Fan and offer any support ever to the Lakers?

You should be banned from this board and no one should ever listen to your nonsense in regards to the Suns.

My favorite team remains anyone playing the Lakers, that is if the Suns are not playing.

That feeling only got stronger once Lebron joined up with AD. Cannot stand either of them. Drama QUEENS. Every time they fall on the floor they roll around like it is the end of their career. This happens in every freaking game and has gone on in Laker land since the beginning of time. Trust me I have been watching their act longer than you have been alive.

This is nonsense barbarian level thought. Apply that to literally every team in the league and you will hate all 30 teams. You must especially hate the Suns who had Crowder and Booker who complain, and with CP3 who is historically one of the greatest actors. Yes, that is how a lot of other fans view the Suns. So it's whatever.

As a Suns fan the only result that actually matters is if the Suns win. Who cares if the Lakers win or lose, so long as the Suns win? NBA basketball is entertainment and so I'll enjoy the teams if they play basketball that is appealing to me.

If I enjoy watching the Lakers play I will root for them against a team I enjoy watching less. I thought the Lakers were more fun to watch than the Grizzlies with Ja and Brooks clanking shots every other possession. And I enjoy the Lakers more than I enjoy the Warriors, particularly Green with his hypocrisy and dangerous play.

In a vacuum I should probably root against the Lakers as they look like a better team than the Warriors, and so they will be a tougher opponent should the Suns win against Denver. But the better team is going to win (likely the Lakers) so it doesn't matter anyway, and thus we return to enjoying the teams who play appealing ball to us.

tl;dr it's personal preference.

[King4Day]

Freakin hilarious lol

Read on Twitter

[NE1Care]

Joker initiated the altercation. Ishbia flopping headline is a little overblown. One, he was helping a player up with no ill intent, not paying attention to Joker until he saw him rushing him and tugging at the ball. two, he was standing with his legs against a folding chair, very awkward and if pushed back just a little your knees buckle. I have fallen back when letting someone in my row out and that is just leaning back. I think the reaction was surprise when he landed.

I agree, I do not want Joker suspended but I think back to Amare and DIaw and I do not like unequal punishment. Either in the paint playing bully ball or with letter of the law regarding initiating contact with a fan. The ref should have recovered the ball.

[Mulhollanddrive]

An NBA player hits the owner of the opposition with a forearm to push him over - ejection and suspension.

If they pick and choose it'll turn into a double standard, I'd like to see video of a player doing that to a fan ever before and getting away with it? Remember Jokic got ejected for assaulting Payne, he's the common denominator not the one who should be excused.

Also Ishbia is a peabrain for not supporting his own franchise for what could be a championship deciding decision, I understand he's successful and works hard and has got skills but he doesn't appear to be the deepest thinker in the room, imagine the lobbying behind the scenes if this were Dallas or Lakers they would win at all cost.

I am happy to lose championships on basketball but by unfairness is unacceptable.

Also not thrilled by our max center unable to dunk an open basket.

[Slim Charless]

They were the 1 seed so not exactly shocking but Denver is really good, if they beat the suns I think they win the championship. Just a really really hard team to defend.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

They're gonna get mollywhopped by the Lakers....and I think I'll be rooting for Lebron.

**** Joker and all of his nuthuggers. Man is a menace.

How can you possibly consider yourself a Suns Fan and offer any support ever to the Lakers?

You should be banned from this board and no one should ever listen to your nonsense in regards to the Suns.

My favorite team remains anyone playing the Lakers, that is if the Suns are not playing.

That feeling only got stronger once Lebron joined up with AD. Cannot stand either of them. Drama QUEENS. Every time they fall on the floor they roll around like it is the end of their career. This happens in every freaking game and has gone on in Laker land since the beginning of time. Trust me I have been watching their act longer than you have been alive.

Ahhh so you're a boomer. So it all makes sense now. I've always thought most of your posts have a tinge of senility to them. It all makes sense and I feel bad for making fun of you now.

Its not your fault, you're probably just now figuring out Facebook and Instagram. Internetting is hard and scary. Ask the grandkids to help you.

Go take a look at the GB. All of those ppl are Nuggets fans or Joker stans. I'll happily see them disappointed.

[SunsRback4Good]

Freakin hilarious lol

Read on Twitter

That’s a full on exaggeration no way did that happen as I watched the incident. Fake News must be CNN.

[Revived]

Read on Twitter

“Landry Shamet, who also said he and Monty Williams are "very close."

Oh trust me, we know Shamet…we know….

[skywalker33]

Mat Ishbia

Great win for the Suns last night in an amazing series so far!
That should be and is the only story. Suspending or fining anyone over last nights incident would not be right. I have alot of respect for Jokic and don’t want to see anything like that. Excited for game 5! Go Suns!

Read on Twitter

Probably just trying to avoid repercussions on his own action

[King4Day]

Not seeing anything about if Ishbia is getting fined. I don't think he should be as he did nothing wrong, unless you consider "fan flopping" something.

Read on Twitter

[SunsRback4Good]

Game 5 game thread set. Please sticky it mods. Thanks.

[bwgood77]

They were the 1 seed so not exactly shocking but Denver is really good, if they beat the suns I think they win the championship. Just a really really hard team to defend.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

Yeah, I figured we'd take these two but it will be tough to win in Denver. Game 5 is pretty good given we have not fared well in elimination games, though those were quite different teams as well. I expect Denver to win game 5, but you never know. I think it will be close. The big test will be if we lose game 5 if we can avoid elimination this year. I think the way Book is playing we can win game 6 either way, so it could come down to game 7. But even if we lose, I won't consider it some epic failure, as you have said, Denver is the 1 seed and is playing very well. We barely pulled out those home games and it too Shamet lighting it up in this one, and of course another crazy good game from Book.