2023-24 Season Discussion and Speculation 3 - Post Free Agency Discussion

[MrMiyagi]

Dude, my 7 year old nephew who weighs 20 pounds soaking wet is better at punishing smaller guys than Ayton

Ayton shoots like 70% at the rim. Nurkic like 56 or 58%. There is literally nothing on the court that Nurkic does better than Ayton aside from shooting 3s. Even the passing I think it debatable.

There is no upside here. I actually watched a decent amount of Portland games last year and Eubanks is the better player than Nurkic pretty handily.

Ayton was 80% at the rim. Nurkic 64%. That was one of the things Portland fans were frustrated with...missing at the rim so much. That, turnovers and being slow. But he can probably be a more consistent interior defender and is a better passer than Ayton (though Ayton wasn't a bad passer). In general, I think with just more experience, things will probably flow a bit better and he won't get flustered as much.

But Portland's defense was better with Eubanks. And he is a 76% rim finisher. He also can shoot better than Nurkic from anywhere else too. Nurkic did hit more 3s but it's not like he hit a ton. He hit 42 last year and it has only been a 1 year thing and it was 36%.

I think Nurkic will just act as a connector and will rebound/defend inside. He's not much of a rim defender either averaging only .8 blk per game like Ayton. Eubanks averaged 1.3 in a lot fewer minutes.

Grayson Allen will be a nice add for his scrappiness and 3pt shooting. He's not great but is scrappy. Hopefully Little improves.

But Ayton don't dunk

[Mulhollanddrive]

So possible domino effects if 76ers get Holiday:

Lillard to Milwaukee
Holiday to 76ers
Harden to Clippers

[enigmatics]

Ayton shoots like 70% at the rim. Nurkic like 56 or 58%. There is literally nothing on the court that Nurkic does better than Ayton aside from shooting 3s. Even the passing I think it debatable.

There is no upside here. I actually watched a decent amount of Portland games last year and Eubanks is the better player than Nurkic pretty handily.

Ayton was 80% at the rim. Nurkic 64%. That was one of the things Portland fans were frustrated with...missing at the rim so much. That, turnovers and being slow. But he can probably be a more consistent interior defender and is a better passer than Ayton (though Ayton wasn't a bad passer). In general, I think with just more experience, things will probably flow a bit better and he won't get flustered as much.

But Portland's defense was better with Eubanks. And he is a 76% rim finisher. He also can shoot better than Nurkic from anywhere else too. Nurkic did hit more 3s but it's not like he hit a ton. He hit 42 last year and it has only been a 1 year thing and it was 36%.

I think Nurkic will just act as a connector and will rebound/defend inside. He's not much of a rim defender either averaging only .8 blk per game like Ayton. Eubanks averaged 1.3 in a lot fewer minutes.
Grayson Allen will be a nice add for his scrappiness and 3pt shooting. He's not great but is scrappy. Hopefully Little improves.

But Ayton don't dunk

..... and he don't wear a Suns jersey anymore either.

[Crives]

I don’t think I would trade Grayson for TJ. I bet we tried to trade little+ Keon for TJ in the Lillard trade though..

[garrick]

If anyone had a doubt that DA wanted out, this should squash it. He would have only ruined his value had he stayed IMO. Nothing we could have done. I really believe Jones knew this. We missed on Sabonis and Turner over the years but it is what it is.

Read on Twitter

Jones has been trying to trade Ayton for several seasons now.

Yeah he's a max player but when you feel unwanted and constantly in trade rumors and discussions that probably isn't going to foster much loyalty from a player.

Anyone in his position would be pretty thrilled for a change of scenery.

[darmani]

Read on Twitter

[Ryu]

Why do people still listen to Gambo the Clown as if he is relevant?

Because he announced Ayton - Nurkić deal 3 days before anyone else. Lets give credit where credit is due.

[sunsbum]

Ayton shoots like 70% at the rim. Nurkic like 56 or 58%. There is literally nothing on the court that Nurkic does better than Ayton aside from shooting 3s. Even the passing I think it debatable.

There is no upside here. I actually watched a decent amount of Portland games last year and Eubanks is the better player than Nurkic pretty handily.

Ayton was 80% at the rim. Nurkic 64%. That was one of the things Portland fans were frustrated with...missing at the rim so much. That, turnovers and being slow. But he can probably be a more consistent interior defender and is a better passer than Ayton (though Ayton wasn't a bad passer). In general, I think with just more experience, things will probably flow a bit better and he won't get flustered as much.

But Portland's defense was better with Eubanks. And he is a 76% rim finisher. He also can shoot better than Nurkic from anywhere else too. Nurkic did hit more 3s but it's not like he hit a ton. He hit 42 last year and it has only been a 1 year thing and it was 36%.

I think Nurkic will just act as a connector and will rebound/defend inside. He's not much of a rim defender either averaging only .8 blk per game like Ayton. Eubanks averaged 1.3 in a lot fewer minutes.

Grayson Allen will be a nice add for his scrappiness and 3pt shooting. He's not great but is scrappy. Hopefully Little improves.

But Ayton don't dunk

he doesn’t do a lot of things and I’m happy I never have to watch him not do them again. Guy got played off the floor by jock **** landale, just think about that.

[sunsbum]

If Suns manage to acquire TJ Mconnell that should make us clear cut favorites for the title. Anyone disagrees is just a big time hater.

If it’s at the expense of Grayson I’d rather not. Like someone else said nurk and Grayson are going to add some toughness we haven’t seen since raja bell.

[sunsbum]

https://youtu.be/a6ehY0miEGY?si=HzVwZ2OU2Pf7S9Pm

8:10 - 8:30 vs Ivan. That bully ball gets me bricked. Now that’s dominurkic.

[BobbieL]

I don’t think I would trade Grayson for TJ. I bet we tried to trade little+ Keon for TJ in the Lillard trade though..

I think I am good seeing what Allen does first. I think TJ will be there in February

Really just too bad they couldn’t figure out Keon ish type deal now. But see what Goodwin has.

As for harden to clippers -and Jrue to sixers, thst would be interesting

[Fo-Real]

https://youtu.be/a6ehY0miEGY?si=HzVwZ2OU2Pf7S9Pm

8:10 - 8:30 vs Ivan. That bully ball gets me bricked. Now that’s dominurkic.

I like the fact that Nurk us more of a basketball player, good passing, moving and flow of the game, b ball iq. Also that at no point when he received a pass in the lane, did he BACK UP to the free-throw line, stop, pump fake, clog up the midrange and stop the ball!! He flowed toward the rim and put the ball up, got fouled or made a smart pass because people kept moving. Whenever ayton caught it, it became a jab step midrange jump shot, We already have midrange jump shooters, go do big man ****!!!

[Saberestar]

Oh geez there is absolutely no truth to this. Have gotten a ton of asks about it so will respond here. The Suns had no interest in Kyle Lowry and were totally focused on Nurkic and the surrounding pieces in the trade. We even mentioned the Nurkic possibility over a week ago.

Read on Twitter

[Saberestar]

https://youtu.be/a6ehY0miEGY?si=HzVwZ2OU2Pf7S9Pm

8:10 - 8:30 vs Ivan. That bully ball gets me bricked. Now that’s dominurkic.

I like the fact that Nurk us more of a basketball player, good passing, moving and flow of the game, b ball iq. Also that at no point when he received a pass in the lane, did he BACK UP to the free-throw line, stop, pump fake, clog up the midrange and stop the ball!! He flowed toward the rim and put the ball up, got fouled or made a smart pass because people kept moving. Whenever ayton caught it, it became a jab step midrange jump shot, We already have midrange jump shooters, go do big man ****!!!

Exactly.

Nurkic knows how to play ball.

With him we can play a 5-out offense and he will be a connector for us similar to Saric when he played at 5 for our bench unit.

[sunsbum]

https://youtu.be/a6ehY0miEGY?si=HzVwZ2OU2Pf7S9Pm

8:10 - 8:30 vs Ivan. That bully ball gets me bricked. Now that’s dominurkic.

I like the fact that Nurk us more of a basketball player, good passing, moving and flow of the game, b ball iq. Also that at no point when he received a pass in the lane, did he BACK UP to the free-throw line, stop, pump fake, clog up the midrange and stop the ball!! He flowed toward the rim and put the ball up, got fouled or made a smart pass because people kept moving. Whenever ayton caught it, it became a jab step midrange jump shot, We already have midrange jump shooters, go do big man ****!!!

I was just thinking about this earlier, why does Ayton even have a jab step in his bag? He doesn’t put the ball on the floor which is kinda of the point of a jab, a threat to go around you or create space for a shot. If I’m guarding him and he squares up to me I’m crowding his chin and taking away jumper cause I know he isn’t goin by me. At that point he’s most likely not likening someone in his space so he will pivot to turn his back and figure out a way to shoot a turnaround fade. Fortunately for him he’s pretty good at those but mission accomplished if you’re the defender. I was watching a play of nurk guarding DA and he was respecting his jab step way too much, Ayton just created space and popped a midi.

[Fo-Real]

https://youtu.be/a6ehY0miEGY?si=HzVwZ2OU2Pf7S9Pm

8:10 - 8:30 vs Ivan. That bully ball gets me bricked. Now that’s dominurkic.

I like the fact that Nurk us more of a basketball player, good passing, moving and flow of the game, b ball iq. Also that at no point when he received a pass in the lane, did he BACK UP to the free-throw line, stop, pump fake, clog up the midrange and stop the ball!! He flowed toward the rim and put the ball up, got fouled or made a smart pass because people kept moving. Whenever ayton caught it, it became a jab step midrange jump shot, We already have midrange jump shooters, go do big man ****!!!

I was just thinking about this earlier, why does Ayton even have a jab step in his bag? He doesn’t put the ball on the floor which is kinda of the point of a jab, a threat to go around you or create space for a shot. If I’m guarding him and he squares up to me I’m crowding his chin and taking away jumper cause I know he isn’t goin by me. At that point he’s most likely not likening someone in his space so he will pivot to turn his back and figure out a way to shoot a turnaround fade. Fortunately for him he’s pretty good at those but mission accomplished if you’re the defender. I was watching a play of nurk guarding DA and he was respecting his jab step way too much, Ayton just created space and popped a midi.

Yep, Nurk will create friction and results in more fouls on the opponent while Ayton will get some clean 18 footers. I'll take the friction and wearing down of the other team.
Also, it always annoyed me when say our other stars were hurt and missed a game and you think NEXT STAR UP!! Book would be out or Cam's extended time, or Book and Chris or Book and Durant late in the season, you would internally think, "Well we still have a star in Ayton on the court" and he does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to effect the outcome of the actual game. Yet games in the regular season that Ayton was out, our **** flowed the same or even better with Biyombo and or Landale!?!? Dont remember often watching a game Ayton missed and think "we really miss Aytons presence in this one". He had mad impact during our championship playoff run and we thought he had finally blossomed, but never really did that again.

[sunsbum]

https://youtu.be/a6ehY0miEGY?si=HzVwZ2OU2Pf7S9Pm

8:10 - 8:30 vs Ivan. That bully ball gets me bricked. Now that’s dominurkic.

I like the fact that Nurk us more of a basketball player, good passing, moving and flow of the game, b ball iq. Also that at no point when he received a pass in the lane, did he BACK UP to the free-throw line, stop, pump fake, clog up the midrange and stop the ball!! He flowed toward the rim and put the ball up, got fouled or made a smart pass because people kept moving. Whenever ayton caught it, it became a jab step midrange jump shot, We already have midrange jump shooters, go do big man ****!!!

Exactly.

Nurkic knows how to play ball.

With him we can play a 5-out offense and he will be a connector for us similar to Saric when he played at 5 for our bench unit.

oh nice call, we basically just got a bigger Saric. Putting those dots together the trade makes even more sense.

[Fo-Real]

Oops

[bigfoot]

Read on Twitter

Just filter against all NBA centers and you can see DA laid a turd the last two seasons.

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/nba-player-ratings/

[WeekapaugGroove]

Read on Twitter

Jeez didn't anyone explain to those advanced stats that Ayton has elite FG%. They also should probably factor in playing with hurt feelings and his warrior effort to push though that. So disrespectful, they just don't know ball.

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