Game 20: Phoenix Suns (8-11) @ Washington Wizards (7-9)

[bwgood77]

Another loss due to:
- turnovers
- second chance opportunities
- inability to close games

How many years have we been struggling with these issues now?

Also, I usually don't criticize Hornacek's rotations too much but:

2 points down, 8 seconds left, at the free throw line. THIS IS WHEN YOU PUT YOUR BEST REBOUNDERS IN THE GAME. Why the hell weren't Len and Leuer substituted back in?

Are you talking about when Knight was on the line or at the other end?

When Knight was taking those 3 free throws. Washington brought in their 7 footer, Hollins, in an attempt to secure the board in case Knight missed. It seems like the most basic substitution to make - bring your 7+ center , albatross wing span, center back in the game. In case you miss the free throw, you have the chance to grab the offensive board or maybe even tip in it for the tie.

Len had more offensive rebounds this game in 15 minutes than Morris and Teletovic combined, might have been an opportune moment to substitute him back in the game for one of those guys.

True. I don't know why, but if you don't have inside position to begin with, does a guy like Len have a huge advantage unless it is a terrible miss that bounces high off the rim? I'm not sure...not saying I disagree, but I just haven't paid close attention to similar situations to know...they may have figured they wanted people more equipped to steal or foul since they would be down regardless. At that point, a well executed missed free throw on the third one to Len would have been nice. A free throw assist to tie it up.

[thamadkant]

Another loss due to:
- turnovers
- second chance opportunities
- inability to close games

How many years have we been struggling with these issues now?

Also, I usually don't criticize Hornacek's rotations too much but:

2 points down, 8 seconds left, at the free throw line. THIS IS WHEN YOU PUT YOUR BEST REBOUNDERS IN THE GAME. Why the hell weren't Len and Leuer substituted back in?

Yeah, been watching heaps of Spurs game, Kawhi Leonard is one of my faves at the moment... and one thing about Popovic.. he calls subs and timeouts often in the last 2 minutes, adjusting to what ever needs to be done. Free throws? Bring in Duncan or a another big.... need a 3?... sub 3 players who can shoot....

Tactical to the T...

[WeekapaugGroove]

Another strike against Jeff in this one.

So we have a healthy lead in the 4th, Washington roll the dice on quick points by running out a small ball lineup of 4 offensive guards with Dudley, and...

...we counter with Bled, Knight (good so far)... Price, Tucker and Kieff? None of which are consistent offensive threats.

We essentially took away our own defensive/ rebounding advantage by matching their size, while at the same time playing 2 on 5.

No excuse for not running out Bled, Knight, Booker, Warren, and either Leuer or Tele (so we still have the biggest guy on the court, with all plus rebounders.

No justification for playing Keiff in the end there, and as usual it cost us another win. Just send his ass home already.

It's beyond comprehension why they went with the Bledsoe knight price tucker keif.... just ridiculous. The wiz were short handed and needed to go's small but that doesn't mean you have to play into their hands and do the same. And why oh why keif was in the game is beyond me.

[Mulhollanddrive]

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nba/stats/individual-player-plus-minus-statistics/2015/

If you want to get even more frustrated, check out which players have the best +/- for us.

[bwgood77]

Another strike against Jeff in this one.

So we have a healthy lead in the 4th, Washington roll the dice on quick points by running out a small ball lineup of 4 offensive guards with Dudley, and...

...we counter with Bled, Knight (good so far)... Price, Tucker and Kieff? None of which are consistent offensive threats.

We essentially took away our own defensive/ rebounding advantage by matching their size, while at the same time playing 2 on 5.

No excuse for not running out Bled, Knight, Booker, Warren, and either Leuer or Tele (so we still have the biggest guy on the court, with all plus rebounders.

No justification for playing Keiff in the end there, and as usual it cost us another win. Just send his ass home already.

It's beyond comprehension why they went with the Bledsoe knight price tucker keif.... just ridiculous. The wiz were short handed and needed to go's small but that doesn't mean you have to play into their hands and do the same. And why oh why keif was in the game is beyond me.

I wouldn't have done it, but Tucker was the only guy rebounding. Price? No idea....pesky defender? But at this point Kieff cannot be in there at the end of close games (of course unless their goal is to tank). I can definitely understand a coach thinking, when you have a comfortable lead, to not put in a bunch of raw rookies, or guys who have barely played, but I would have put Warren and/or Leuer in for sure.

[Mr Puddles]

Are you talking about when Knight was on the line or at the other end?

When Knight was taking those 3 free throws. Washington brought in their 7 footer, Hollins, in an attempt to secure the board in case Knight missed. It seems like the most basic substitution to make - bring your 7+ center , albatross wing span, center back in the game. In case you miss the free throw, you have the chance to grab the offensive board or maybe even tip in it for the tie.

Len had more offensive rebounds this game in 15 minutes than Morris and Teletovic combined, might have been an opportune moment to substitute him back in the game for one of those guys.

True. I don't know why, but if you don't have inside position to begin with, does a guy like Len have a huge advantage unless it is a terrible miss that bounces high off the rim? I'm not sure...not saying I disagree, but I just haven't paid close attention to similar situations to know

Len is especially good at the tap out rebound - using his long arms just to get a hand on the ball - which is especially valuable when rebounding for lost free throws because it's so difficult to get position. Given how small the Wizards line-up was, we definitely would have had a better chance of getting an offensive rebound with Len out there vs. Telly or Morris.

...they may have figured they wanted people more equipped to steal or foul since they would be down regardless. At that point, a well executed missed free throw on the third one to Len would have been nice. A free throw assist to tie it up.

Washington would have called a time-out if the free throw went in so that they could have side out of bounds (and because they would have wanted to get 65% career free throw shooter Hollins out of the game). So if Hornacek didn't want Len in the game to steal or foul after the make, they could have substituted him back out during the time-out.

[RunDogGun]

RunDogGun will let you know in some time if he's around.

So nobody here knows?

I believe he got called for a delay of game, which would have been Phoenix 's second one and thus a technical foul.

Sorry I turned everything off, but Puddles is correct, it was a delay of game, which resulted in a tech.

[batsmasher]

Horny is approaching Bryon Scott levels of bad rotations.

The good news is other than that, he's a great coach. Hopefully this is a big wakeup call/ learning experience for him.

[Mulhollanddrive]

3 players shot better than 50% this game - Leuer, Warren, Booker.

Name the players who get underplayed the most...

[Sunsss]

I think Kieff was in there so he can post up small guys. (Although they doubled him most of the game + he doesn't fight for a good position + we suck at entry passes)
And Price was in there so we have someone who can stay in front of a guard. (Knight was doing a terrible job at this)

Just my opinion, not sure I agree with these decisions.

[RunDogGun]

Horny is approaching Bryon Scott levels of bad rotations.

The good news is other than that, he's a great coach. Hopefully this is a big wakeup call/ learning experience for him.

I wish it was that simple. It should have been a wake up call last game, after he lost that big lead, and then never subbed back in the guys that were playing so well. There was really no need to keep Morris in the game.

So I'm just not sure what his motives are now. The only thing I can think of is he isn't worried about winning games, but getting the guys we have long term to be able to close out games. I could understand that to a point considering we'd be a long shot for any kind of finals this season. But man, he really lost back to back games with his rotations.

[GrantHill]

I still like Hornacek but am I crazy wanting D'Antoni back? Nevertheless, I'm done with this team as long as Morris is still on the roster, the basketball is completely unwatchable right now. Hopefully, something changes soon.

[i_am_donald]

I still like Hornacek but am I crazy wanting D'Antoni back? Nevertheless, I'm done with this team as long as Morris is still on the roster, the basketball is completely unwatchable right now. Hopefully, something changes soon.

I don't want D'Antoni back, but there's no doubt that he would do 100x better job than Hornacek.

[Matt1979]

As mentioned previously I don't really have an issue with Bledsoe and Knight as they are putting us in a position to win a lot of games.....only for everyone to be let down by very very poor coaching decision that leaves everyone scratching their heads.

Jeff needs to go. There's no way the players respect him and it's obvious.

[NTB]

Just buyout Markieff...

[Mulhollanddrive]

I don't think there's been a serious trade for a few weeks, so think with our record looking like 8-14 approaching dec 15, something will happen after that I suspect.

[BobbieL]

Just buyout Markieff...

nope - somebody will take him lame arse

I do call Thibodeau
there is zero reason to have that unit on the floor last night

[Jdiddy701]

There's a reason why the Suns have looked so bad and lost on offense the last couple of years.. The Suns are playing 4 on 5 when Tucker is out on the floor. Now they're playing 3 on 5 with Keef sucking. The funny thing is.. Both players are playing in crunch time.. No wonder why we are losing and blowing leads!!!!

Bledsoe and Knight are playing hop potato because teams are playing them more aggressive. Tucker's defense is overrated, used to be good. Keef is just bad.


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[Fo-Real]

Anyone else ever think Eddie Johnson might make a good coach? I usually like his vision and insight during games he is calling.

[BobbieL]

There's a reason why the Suns have looked so bad and lost on offense the last couple of years.. The Suns are playing 4 on 5 when Tucker is out on the floor. Now they're playing 3 on 5 with Keef sucking. The funny thing is.. Both players are playing in crunch time.. No wonder why we are losing and blowing leads!!!!

Bledsoe and Knight are playing hop potato because teams are playing them more aggressive. Tucker's defense is overrated, used to be good. Keef is just bad.


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good points. I am done with tucker too. he has a contract that is a partial for next year

Keiff passed to Tucker in the low post when its obvious Tucker is not a guy you want making offensive moves to score the ball
Kieff got the delay of game
its almost like he is trying to lose