Game 5: Utah Jazz @ Phoenix Suns, Wednesday, October 25th, 7PM, PT

[PhxLax]

Man after this game STILL don't know if I should keep Mike James or pickup Ulis in my season-long fantasy basketball league.

Suggestions? Logic says Ulis for long-term, but Mike James continues to get the start and close out the games.

Wait. You like the Suns and the Lakers? Something is wrong in the matrix

Already explained the Suns/Lakers thing in my opening post months ago:

From Glendale, AZ and die hard Suns fan. But living in L.A. for 15+ years w/ die-hard Lakers fan significant other. We're in a broken house-hold. Her job is one that gives free box-suite at all Lakers' Staples Center games. And we're encouraged to go each time because of her job. So I'm always at Lakers games all these years w/ her, but still bleed orange if you cut me. Can't give up the Suns. I know...It's messed up. Go ahead and hate..

[jcsunsfan]

Very happy I got tickets for that game tonight. Definitely not a big crowd, but there was decent energy when we got rollin.

This offense is nothing like what we were using with Earl. Ulis said it himself on the radio after the game, there's a few things they do similar but it's a completely new offense. The ball movement was impressive at times, everyone was moving and screening with a purpose, and even though we missed a lot of uncontested shots and tips around the rim I thought we had a disciplined showing on offense. There weren't a lot of possessions where we were just jacking up a shot without working the defense, which was refreshing.

The defense was night and day compared to what I'm used to with this team. It started falling off a little when they were getting tired towards the end, but I was impressed with how well we contested shots and how everyone did in help defense and rotations. There were obviously mistakes and bad fouls, but I have a feeling it's been a good amount of time since we've held a team to 13 points in a quarter. Love seeing that energy on the defensive end from this team. Triano has done a good job in a short time with this young team, hopefully we can continue to see improvement.

How does a new coach on the job for two days implement a new offense and get such renewed commitment on defense? This is not jus a team playing with more energy. They are also running a new system with discipline.


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[gaspar]

I'm a fan of Triano at this point. Had my first disappointment with him tonight with finishing the game with Jackson/Chriss/Chandler instead of Warren/Bender/Len. The latter three clearly had better games. If he's gonna run the "best effort plays" system he needs to stick to it.

It seems like TJ, Bender and Len played most of the 2nd half so maybe they were tired.

[maRioGrande]

I need to watch the last games, I missed them because I've been busy. Anywhere to watch old games?

http://nbahd.net/

You can find replay of every nba game here. Need to wait 5-6 hours after the game is finished iirc

[WeekapaugGroove]

Man after this game STILL don't know if I should keep Mike James or pickup Ulis in my season-long fantasy basketball league.

Suggestions? Logic says Ulis for long-term, but Mike James continues to get the start and close out the games.

Wait. You like the Suns and the Lakers? Something is wrong in the matrix

Already explained the Suns/Lakers thing in my opening post months ago:

From Glendale, AZ and die hard Suns fan. But living in L.A. for 15+ years w/ die-hard Lakers fan significant other. We're in a broken house-hold. Her job is one that gives free box-suite at all Lakers' Staples Center games. And we're encouraged to go each time because of her job. So I'm always at Lakers games all these years w/ her, but still bleed orange if you cut me. Can't give up the Suns. I know...It's messed up. Go ahead and hate..

Thats a weird combo but I'm also an nba polygamist so i get it. Grew up in Wisconsin so love the bucks but moved to phx after college for the start of the nash era and adopted the suns.

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[grumpysaddle]

Wait. You like the Suns and the Lakers? Something is wrong in the matrix

Already explained the Suns/Lakers thing in my opening post months ago:

From Glendale, AZ and die hard Suns fan. But living in L.A. for 15+ years w/ die-hard Lakers fan significant other. We're in a broken house-hold. Her job is one that gives free box-suite at all Lakers' Staples Center games. And we're encouraged to go each time because of her job. So I'm always at Lakers games all these years w/ her, but still bleed orange if you cut me. Can't give up the Suns. I know...It's messed up. Go ahead and hate..

Thats a weird combo but I'm also an nba polygamist so i get it. Grew up in Wisconsin so love the bucks but moved to phx after college for the start of the nash era and adopted the suns.

Sent from my SM-G930V using RealGM mobile app

I've only even been to Phoenix twice on tour with bands I was in. I grew up in CT as a Knicks fan, but stopped caring about basketball post-Ewing/Starks until Nash/Stoudemire back in like 2004 or 2005 or whenever it was. I still sometimes watch the Knicks for old times sake.

[Beetlejuice]

Man after this game STILL don't know if I should keep Mike James or pickup Ulis in my season-long fantasy basketball league.

Suggestions? Logic says Ulis for long-term, but Mike James continues to get the start and close out the games.

Wait. You like the Suns and the Lakers? Something is wrong in the matrix

Already explained the Suns/Lakers thing in my opening post months ago:

From Glendale, AZ and die hard Suns fan. But living in L.A. for 15+ years w/ die-hard Lakers fan significant other. We're in a broken house-hold. Her job is one that gives free box-suite at all Lakers' Staples Center games. And we're encouraged to go each time because of her job. So I'm always at Lakers games all these years w/ her, but still bleed orange if you cut me. Can't give up the Suns. I know...It's messed up. Go ahead and hate..

Oh my god, this story is wonderful, a true gem. For me this self inflicted peer pressure derived second guessing of ones true self is enough of a punishment for me.

I welcome you, fellow suns fan !

[Beetlejuice]

Oh and what about that game fellas.

This is a good day !

[Son of Ra]

How are there guys not liking Bender? His D and BBIQ is so good. Offense will only get better too, and all we really need from him is hitting 2-3 threes and 10-12 pts a game imo.

[Beetlejuice]

How are there guys not liking Bender? His D and BBIQ is so good. Offense will only get better too, and all we really need from him is hitting 2-3 threes and 10-12 pts a game imo.

Yeah that guy can make a formidable defense into a brilliant one. An ace in your hand.

[RedIndian]

Bender's defense is really impressive, but we need to figure how to make him more productive on offense. His shooting is pretty inconsistent, and he seems to have nothing apart from that shot. Really need to see him put the ball on the floor occasionally and take it to the rim.

[Saberestar]

We're tied for 8th spot in the West

Watch on YouTube

[lilfishi22]

Bender's defense is really impressive, but we need to figure how to make him more productive on offense. His shooting is pretty inconsistent, and he seems to have nothing apart from that shot. Really need to see him put the ball on the floor occasionally and take it to the rim.

I think he would be good at the elbow or high post. He's tall enough to make passes to any player and if the defender isn't engaged, he has the skills and quickness to take it to the rim. His 3 isn't falling and forcing him to keep shooting and making passes that isn't part of a set is bringing down his efficiency

[Saberestar]

WHAT A GREAT GAME!

We played a way better game than the other day against the Kings, so we are improving on a nightly basis under Triano.

Terrific game from Warren, he was unstoppable in the second half. He needs to be trusted by his teammates, if they give him the ball he is gonna score on a 60% efficiency everyday. I would have closed the game with him on the court, but Triano wants to share minutes so he played Jackson at the end.

Ulis is back. He is so under control and smart...what a joy to watch if you love pure basketball. Amazing passer.

Len and Chandler played a good game against Gobert. Chandler fouled him too much, Len was better in that regard.
Very happy about Len in the last three games, he is earning his next contract step by step.

Jackson was a little bit over agressive and he didn't play his best game. But he rebounded well and made the assist of the game.

Booker forced some shots and he didn't play a really good game, but he was BIG in the last few minutes. He was the closer.

Bender looked great on defense, Joe Johnson struggled a lot against him. He is not there on offense, hopefully he improves in that side of the court because we need his shooting/playmaking to stretch the floor.

James played a bad game on offense but defensively he is better than expected.

To the next one! TRIANO IS UNDEFEATED!!!

[grumpysaddle]

Bender's defense is really impressive, but we need to figure how to make him more productive on offense. His shooting is pretty inconsistent, and he seems to have nothing apart from that shot. Really need to see him put the ball on the floor occasionally and take it to the rim.[/quote
I think he would be good at the elbow or high post. He's tall enough to make passes to any player and if the defender isn't engaged, he has the skills and quickness to take it to the rim. His 3 isn't falling and forcing him to keep shooting and making passes that isn't part of a set is bringing down his efficiency

If he could add a third of the arc JJ gets on his shots I bet they start falling.

[Thespianoid]

Bender's defense is really impressive, but we need to figure how to make him more productive on offense. His shooting is pretty inconsistent, and he seems to have nothing apart from that shot. Really need to see him put the ball on the floor occasionally and take it to the rim.

At this stage the best way to involve Bender offensively is as a passer.

Horns Flex

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Post Decoy

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Watch on YouTube

Elbow Actions

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Watch on YouTube

There are definitely more applicable sets than this, but for now I'd like to see the Suns incorporate these into their offensive gameplan. Something they really need to start doing is leveraging Booker's shooting gravity - run him off screens, attract a cheater, find the open man. Can also get guys like Warren/Jackson going downhill off the catch with these actions.

They actually ran something like a Post Decoy this game, with a post entry to Bender and a strong-side flare screen for Troy Daniels. So that's a start. Here it is if anyone is curious. Can't get the beginning of the possession but you see the basic premise of the play.

[Banana Milk]

Bender's defense is really impressive, but we need to figure how to make him more productive on offense. His shooting is pretty inconsistent, and he seems to have nothing apart from that shot. Really need to see him put the ball on the floor occasionally and take it to the rim.[/quote
I think he would be good at the elbow or high post. He's tall enough to make passes to any player and if the defender isn't engaged, he has the skills and quickness to take it to the rim. His 3 isn't falling and forcing him to keep shooting and making passes that isn't part of a set is bringing down his efficiency

If he could add a third of the arc JJ gets on his shots I bet they start falling.

I agree! His release looks nice and is reasonably quick, but he shoots it so flat. A little more arc would do wonders.

[Saberestar]

Watch on YouTube

[Fo-Real]

I'm a fan of Triano at this point. Had my first disappointment with him tonight with finishing the game with Jackson/Chriss/Chandler instead of Warren/Bender/Len. The latter three clearly had better games. If he's gonna run the "best effort plays" system he needs to stick to it.

It seems like TJ, Bender and Len played most of the 2nd half so maybe they were tired.

It did not look like TJ was happy to be on the bench to finish the game, looked like he was voicing his displeasure at the end of the bench to Dudley. Also the post game interview with Tom and Tom said the interview would be with TJ. There seemed to be mix up, then delay with them even saying "Live tv ladies and gentlemen ". Then we get Josh Jackson in a slingshot looking like someone grabbed him from the locker room. Wouldn't be surprised if TJ refused the interview first. Just my wild observations, hope I'm completely wrong.

[Saberestar]

I'm a fan of Triano at this point. Had my first disappointment with him tonight with finishing the game with Jackson/Chriss/Chandler instead of Warren/Bender/Len. The latter three clearly had better games. If he's gonna run the "best effort plays" system he needs to stick to it.

It seems like TJ, Bender and Len played most of the 2nd half so maybe they were tired.

It did not look like TJ was happy to be on the bench to finish the game, looked like he was voicing his displeasure at the end of the bench to Dudley. Also the post game interview with Tom and Tom said the interview would be with TJ. There seemed to be mix up, then delay with them even saying "Live tv ladies and gentlemen ". Then we get Josh Jackson in a slingshot looking like someone grabbed him from the locker room. Wouldn't be surprised if TJ refused the interview first. Just my wild observations, hope I'm completely wrong.

Yeah, he refused to make the interview, I saw that just at the end of the game.

He put 27 points in 27 minutes and he was hot...that's why he wanted to play those last 4 minutes.