Game 21: Phoenix Suns (12-8) @ New Orleans Pelicans (4-18) | Dic 5 | 6:00PM

[sunsbg]

That last play was lame from both Book and Bud. We can't win close games like at start of the season with KD out. Not that he'll not take a contested shot, but Booker didn't even do that.

[SkyBill40]

This is going to end up as a winnable loss that showcased just how poor our team construction is and how we have no means to improve it.

This is the root of the problem.
Wishbia’s gift
This is not a team on the rise

Well, the oldest team in the NBA is never on the rise. However, one plus is we got two solid rooks, which we never do. Now, on the downside, we are injury prone and Tyus and Monte are on minimums. Not sure we can rely on that much longer.

Would love to do that 3 way trade Allen for Timelord, but it would only work if he could stay healthy. But even if he could play most games, Plumlee and Oso are playing pretty well.

I did not like the direction our team took with the initial KD trade...however, what we have done since then, I am happy with. Turning worthless Paul/Shamet contracts into Beal. I know some would simply rather not have him and his contract, but remove him and we still have no cap space. We would not be in the second apron, but I don't think we have good enough trade assets where that really impacts us anyway, unless we were to trade KD or Book, which won't happen.

Then the trade for Royce, signings of Tyus and Monte, and our draft picks....ALL solid moves.

I agree in that we aren't on the rise unless we can cut some of that old meat off the bone. The only problem with that is no other team is going to be any hungrier for it than us, and we have next to no incentives in terms of picks to sauce it up to improve the flavor.

With regard to both of our actual PG's who are stabilizing this train to nowhere positive, both are pending free agency as you mentioned and neither are likely to return. While it would be fantastic to lock up Jones long term, we've got no money for it and he's made it abundantly clear this run with us was nothing more than an appetizer for another team to gobble up. I definitely see him getting a pretty decent payday after this and I'm still somewhat astounded we were able to get him so cheap. Morris, when given adequate time on the court, has shown some flashes and is likely capable of taking the reins full time. Alas, we're likely to run into the same issue: Lack of money.

The KD trade hasn't reaped the rewards Ishbia had hoped for, and his impatient, new owner splash has been more a bust than a boon. While being upset about it year over year doesn't help the situation, we might as well accept the outcome of his actions and hope we can improve at least somewhat... or hope we can package him in an expiring deal to another team despite the unlikeliness of that happening (see first paragraph). I'm not completely sold on Beal as you are even if it meant jettisoning the dead weight that was Shamet. I would have liked Paul to stay, but not at the money he was expecting and not in a starting role seeing he's broken down every time we've needed him most. The reference to the second apron is just a reminder of how mired in misery we are for the remainder of this decade (and likely into the next if Ishbia pulls any more asinine stunts).

O'Neale's re-signing and the draft picks were a win and about the only bright spots we have to rely on going forward. The wheels keep falling off the wagons and all we can do is hope none of them catch fire.

[bwgood77]

This is the root of the problem.
Wishbia’s gift
This is not a team on the rise

Well, the oldest team in the NBA is never on the rise. However, one plus is we got two solid rooks, which we never do. Now, on the downside, we are injury prone and Tyus and Monte are on minimums. Not sure we can rely on that much longer.

Would love to do that 3 way trade Allen for Timelord, but it would only work if he could stay healthy. But even if he could play most games, Plumlee and Oso are playing pretty well.

I did not like the direction our team took with the initial KD trade...however, what we have done since then, I am happy with. Turning worthless Paul/Shamet contracts into Beal. I know some would simply rather not have him and his contract, but remove him and we still have no cap space. We would not be in the second apron, but I don't think we have good enough trade assets where that really impacts us anyway, unless we were to trade KD or Book, which won't happen.

Then the trade for Royce, signings of Tyus and Monte, and our draft picks....ALL solid moves.

I agree in that we aren't on the rise unless we can cut some of that old meat off the bone. The only problem with that is no other team is going to be any hungrier for it than us, and we have next to no incentives in terms of picks to sauce it up to improve the flavor.

With regard to both of our actual PG's who are stabilizing this train to nowhere positive, both are pending free agency as you mentioned and neither are likely to return. While it would be fantastic to lock up Jones long term, we've got no money for it and he's made it abundantly clear this run with us was nothing more than an appetizer for another team to gobble up. I definitely see him getting a pretty decent payday after this and I'm still somewhat astounded we were able to get him so cheap. Morris, when given adequate time on the court, has shown some flashes and is likely capable of taking the reins full time. Alas, we're likely to run into the same issue: Lack of money.

The KD trade hasn't reaped the rewards Ishbia had hoped for, and his impatient, new owner splash has been more a bust than a boon. While being upset about it year over year doesn't help the situation, we might as well accept the outcome of his actions and hope we can improve at least somewhat... or hope we can package him in an expiring deal to another team despite the unlikeliness of that happening (see first paragraph). I'm not completely sold on Beal as you are even if it meant jettisoning the dead weight that was Shamet. I would have liked Paul to stay, but not at the money he was expecting and not in a starting role seeing he's broken down every time we've needed him most. The reference to the second apron is just a reminder of how mired in misery we are for the remainder of this decade (and likely into the next if Ishbia pulls any more asinine stunts).

O'Neale's re-signing and the draft picks were a win and about the only bright spots we have to rely on going forward. The wheels keep falling off the wagons and all we can do is hope none of them catch fire.

The thing is, I don't think Paul would have been worth re-sigining again at this point. I'd prefer Tyus or Monte anyway. And him and Shamet had negative trade value. Now Beal may too, but he adds a lot more than they did at that point...or especially do now. And obviously their trade value (if they had any), would have continued to decline.

[Revived]

How many times since getting drafted by the Suns has Booker got blocked or stripped on a game tying or game winning shot? The most famous one was the finals one where Jrue Holliday ripped him.

I would guess at least 15 times in his career. It’s likely to be more. He has such poor ball awareness skills for a star player.

He got bailed out with FTs for most of that 4th qtr. I don’t think he actually scored any FGs, all his pts in the 4th was just from FTs.

[SkyBill40]

How many times since getting drafted by the Suns has Booker got blocked or stripped on a game tying or game winning shot? The most famous one was the finals one where Jrue Holliday ripped him.

I would guess at least 15 times in his career. It’s likely to be more. He has such poor ball awareness skills for a star player.

He got bailed out with FTs for most of that 4th qtr. I don’t think he actually scored any FGs, all his pts in the 4th was just from FTs.

Being a "star" player doesn't have much relevance: You're either possess situational awareness or you lack it. He seems to suffer from the latter and at the most inopportune of times.

[bwgood77]

How many times since getting drafted by the Suns has Booker got blocked or stripped on a game tying or game winning shot? The most famous one was the finals one where Jrue Holliday ripped him.

I would guess at least 15 times in his career. It’s likely to be more. He has such poor ball awareness skills for a star player.

He got bailed out with FTs for most of that 4th qtr. I don’t think he actually scored any FGs, all his pts in the 4th was just from FTs.

The one that always sticks out in my mind is this one.

Watch on YouTube

[Saberestar]

How many times since getting drafted by the Suns has Booker got blocked or stripped on a game tying or game winning shot? The most famous one was the finals one where Jrue Holliday ripped him.

I would guess at least 15 times in his career. It’s likely to be more. He has such poor ball awareness skills for a star player.

He got bailed out with FTs for most of that 4th qtr. I don’t think he actually scored any FGs, all his pts in the 4th was just from FTs.

It was a foul, but the refs didn’t call it.

https://www.reddit.com/r/suns/s/q2TaLmSUyG

[Revived]

How many times since getting drafted by the Suns has Booker got blocked or stripped on a game tying or game winning shot? The most famous one was the finals one where Jrue Holliday ripped him.

I would guess at least 15 times in his career. It’s likely to be more. He has such poor ball awareness skills for a star player.

He got bailed out with FTs for most of that 4th qtr. I don’t think he actually scored any FGs, all his pts in the 4th was just from FTs.

It was a foul, but the refs didn’t call it.

https://www.reddit.com/r/suns/s/q2TaLmSUyG

Read on Twitter

[Saberestar]

How many times since getting drafted by the Suns has Booker got blocked or stripped on a game tying or game winning shot? The most famous one was the finals one where Jrue Holliday ripped him.

I would guess at least 15 times in his career. It’s likely to be more. He has such poor ball awareness skills for a star player.

He got bailed out with FTs for most of that 4th qtr. I don’t think he actually scored any FGs, all his pts in the 4th was just from FTs.

It was a foul, but the refs didn’t call it.

https://www.reddit.com/r/suns/s/q2TaLmSUyG

Read on Twitter

Ok... so to grab the wrist of a player that is handling the ball is not a foul now?

Wow, I can't believe some decisions from the refs. And it's not like we are always on the wrong side, sometimes we benefit unfairly but in this particular play we got screwed by the league.

[bwgood77]

It was a foul, but the refs didn’t call it.

https://www.reddit.com/r/suns/s/q2TaLmSUyG

Read on Twitter

Ok... so to grab the wrist of a player that is handling the ball is not a foul now?

Wow, I can't believe some decisions from the refs. And it's not like we are always on the wrong side, sometimes we benefit unfairly but in this particular play we got screwed by the league.

We were down by 3 though, and I don't remember if we were in the bonus, but it would have been 2 foul shots. They may have wanted to foul. Otherwise side out. Either way it benefits them unless we were able to intentionally miss and tip it in on the 2nd free throw.

[Revived]

Read on Twitter

Feels like more and more fans are starting to notice this. Idk if he’s just tired (he’s among league leaders in mins) or maybe dealing with an injury that he’s not disclosing.

He needs to start by stop ball hogging and play the traditional role of a SG. I would like to see the Suns run an offense where Booker is just used in a Klay Thompson type role where he just moves around without the ball and then can catch and shoot.

Tyus Jones is an elite playmaker. Let him dribble the ball and run the offense. And when he’s not on the court, Monte Morris can do the same thing. Booker and Beal can fck off to the side and just shoot when they get the ball.

[ChuckS]

Read on Twitter

Feels like more and more fans are starting to notice this. Idk if he’s just tired (he’s among league leaders in mins) or maybe dealing with an injury that he’s not disclosing.

He needs to start by stop ball hogging and play the traditional role of a SG. I would like to see the Suns run an offense where Booker is just used in a Klay Thompson type role where he just moves around without the ball and then can catch and shoot.

Tyus Jones is an elite playmaker. Let him dribble the ball and run the offense. And when he’s not on the court, Monte Morris can do the same thing. Booker and Beal can fck off to the side and just shoot when they get the ball.

I think the two point guards were a great addition to the team this year. I like anyone who can get the ball to our best players, particularly in crunch time.

I also apologize if I am worrying needlessly about your proposal. I fear that we would tragically turn two superstars into more easily and cheaply available 3 and D players. With either, but particularly Booker, with his expected longevity, IMO, that would be a horrible and costly waste of great talent/skills. After recently reading some negative player posts, however, my consolation has been that Bud prefers the ball in the hands of his superstars in crunch time or any important portion of a game.

[Saberestar]

Read on Twitter

Ok... so to grab the wrist of a player that is handling the ball is not a foul now?

Wow, I can't believe some decisions from the refs. And it's not like we are always on the wrong side, sometimes we benefit unfairly but in this particular play we got screwed by the league.

We were down by 3 though, and I don't remember if we were in the bonus, but it would have been 2 foul shots. They may have wanted to foul. Otherwise side out. Either way it benefits them unless we were able to intentionally miss and tip it in on the 2nd free throw.

We were down by 2. We lost by 2.

Read on Twitter

[ChuckS]

Ok... so to grab the wrist of a player that is handling the ball is not a foul now?

Wow, I can't believe some decisions from the refs. And it's not like we are always on the wrong side, sometimes we benefit unfairly but in this particular play we got screwed by the league.

We were down by 3 though, and I don't remember if we were in the bonus, but it would have been 2 foul shots. They may have wanted to foul. Otherwise side out. Either way it benefits them unless we were able to intentionally miss and tip it in on the 2nd free throw.

We were down by 2. We lost by 2.

Read on Twitter

I also think much has been overlooked on that play. Bud and Book have been called stupid. But we called timeout with only EIGHT seconds left on the clock. We got the ball in to the best player on the court, which should be considered smart, and it is often difficult. Because of great, if questionable, defense it didn't work. What was Book to do, in that time, once his wrist was grabbed and the ball came loose? I cannot imagine anyone considering that as an example of "ball hogging". And as far as purported incidences of being blocked or stripped, whatever the number really is should be considered in relationship to his ten years in the league.

[sunsbg]

It's more likely he gets stripped or blocked than make a winning shot. Proven over 10 years indeed so coaches should be more creative than just put the ball in his hands in those situations.

[sunsbg]

There is a video with his game deciding shots and what I take from it - it's almost always 1:1 plays. Coaching should be blamed too.

Watch on YouTube

;pp=ygUSYm9va2VyIGdhbWUgd2lubmVy

[dremill24]

It's more likely he gets stripped or blocked than make a winning shot. Proven over 10 years indeed so coaches should be more creative than just put the ball in his hands in those situations.

Booker is a great player but the organization has always been a little delusional about how great. For this situation, he can do a lot of things very well but putting him on an island with the ball against the league's best 1-on-1 defenders isnt something hes going to deliver on that often. Give him the Zach Lavine, old Wes Matthews, Garrett Temple matchups, sure. But Herb Jones, Jrue Holiday, Jimmy Butler, etc.? Not so much. Hes just not that level an iso player (very few guys are).

[lilfishi22]

We were down by 3 though, and I don't remember if we were in the bonus, but it would have been 2 foul shots. They may have wanted to foul. Otherwise side out. Either way it benefits them unless we were able to intentionally miss and tip it in on the 2nd free throw.

We were down by 2. We lost by 2.

Read on Twitter

I also think much has been overlooked on that play. Bud and Book have been called stupid. But we called timeout with only EIGHT seconds left on the clock. We got the ball in to the best player on the court, which should be considered smart, and it is often difficult. Because of great, if questionable, defense it didn't work. What was Book to do, in that time, once his wrist was grabbed and the ball came loose? I cannot imagine anyone considering that as an example of "ball hogging". And as far as purported incidences of being blocked or stripped, whatever the number really is should be considered in relationship to his ten years in the league.

Yeah, fouls aside, I didn't really like that play. I don't like plays where he gets the ball not in motion and is expected to create something with less than 3s left to catch it and make a move. Made worse by having an elite, lengthy defender on him which is his worst match up.

Again, foul aside, I think the Pels came out with a great defensive play there because Book wasn't Herb's original assignment but it was the Suns using Mason as a screen to give Book space was something the Pels had anticipated. Pels expected the screen to come from Mason so they put Herb on Mason for this exact switching scenario.

[sashaturiaf]

It's more likely he gets stripped or blocked than make a winning shot. Proven over 10 years indeed so coaches should be more creative than just put the ball in his hands in those situations.

Booker is a great player but the organization has always been a little delusional about how great. For this situation, he can do a lot of things very well but putting him on an island with the ball against the league's best 1-on-1 defenders isnt something hes going to deliver on that often. Give him the Zach Lavine, old Wes Matthews, Garrett Temple matchups, sure. But Herb Jones, Jrue Holiday, Jimmy Butler, etc.? Not so much. Hes just not that level an iso player (very few guys are).

That was clearly a foul but the refs swallowed their whistle due to Herb Jones defensive reputation and how much Book struggled the whole game. It's just how it goes in the NBA

Is Book MJ/Kobe level as an ISO scorer? He isn't but he is good enough to get a shot off on Herb Jones if he wasn't blatantly fouled.