Game 34: Grizzlies (9-22) at Suns (11-22), Thursday, Dec 21, 7PM MST

[JMac1]

This might be the first year ever without a Thunder Dan Hustle Award. Last year Williams really made sense but right now I am at a loss to identify anyone who stands out.

Jackson's problems certainly haven't been for lack of hustling.

It’s funny. Last few games as a starter, no foul trouble but less defense. He just doesn’t know what he can and cannot do yet. He is growing though....

[hollywood6964]

Last year I thought Ulis could play in this league, especially with how soft n no touch it's become over the years. There's a lot of soft shooters who are stars these days, that would have been just soft shooters 20 years ago....but I digress....Ulis is just too small. Bad team backup.

Guy so short needs to be crazy athletic and strong to play in the NBA. He won't get taller but he can gain muscles. Also needs to become good shooter. Otherwise he won't be nothing more than 3rd PG on the team.

He needs to get on some serious gas in order to stay in the league, not the bare minimum some guys are taking. Nate Robinson dosages.

[Son of Ra]

Wow that ending is ugly. Tough situation for Bender with no one else open, but Monroe just isn't going to be able to get up and secure high lob passes like that lol. Really liked what I saw from Bender tonight though, despite not shooting well. He attacked off the dribble much more than usual and his defense was huge, especially defending the pick and roll towards the end of the game. I'm confident that his shot will fall, so it's nice to see him trying to do more on offense while playing his usual good defense.

And as far as I counted he drove to the rim 3 (!) times - in one game!

[RaisingArizona]

Give me Moose over Len any day.

Good win after last night's awful effort.

Ummm...no...

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/monrogr01/gamelog/2018

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lenal01/gamelog/2018/

Len has a game where he has as many Blks as Monroe's given us in 13 GP for us total.

Len's "Magic Number" is 26...26 MPG and we are assured of a Dbl-Dbl from him. All games he's bested 26 minutes, he's had a monster game.

It's like Triano is picking names out of a hat with the Centers as to who is starting/playing that night.

We need to keep Len, because Monroe is not going to stay cheap. Len likely will not stay at all, but if he does, he will be cheaper than Monroe.

But aside from all of that is the fact that we need a defensive presence in the middle, and Len gives us that. Monroe?? Not so much.

Sure, Len is a better defender. Maybe even has better rebound numbers since he steals rebounds from his teammates. But Monroe is a much better passer, shooter and finisher. He should have had 10 assists last night if our guys did't blow wide open shots. That's special at the C position.

[jcsunsfan]

Give me Moose over Len any day.

Good win after last night's awful effort.

Ummm...no...

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/monrogr01/gamelog/2018

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lenal01/gamelog/2018/

Len has a game where he has as many Blks as Monroe's given us in 13 GP for us total.

Len's "Magic Number" is 26...26 MPG and we are assured of a Dbl-Dbl from him. All games he's bested 26 minutes, he's had a monster game.

It's like Triano is picking names out of a hat with the Centers as to who is starting/playing that night.

We need to keep Len, because Monroe is not going to stay cheap. Len likely will not stay at all, but if he does, he will be cheaper than Monroe.

But aside from all of that is the fact that we need a defensive presence in the middle, and Len gives us that. Monroe?? Not so much.

Sure, Len is a better defender. Maybe even has better rebound numbers since he steals rebounds from his teammates. But Monroe is a much better passer, shooter and finisher. He should have had 10 assists last night if our guys did't blow wide open shots. That's special at the C position.

There is no such thing as stealing rebounds from teammates! Every good rebounder does that. A good rebounder is focused on that ball and gets it. If he worries about who else is going for it, he will not be good. I love it when I see a rebounder aggressively grabbing the ball.

Monroe is a good player, but he is not in our future. He is moving on after this year and we know it.

[darealjuice]

Wow that ending is ugly. Tough situation for Bender with no one else open, but Monroe just isn't going to be able to get up and secure high lob passes like that lol. Really liked what I saw from Bender tonight though, despite not shooting well. He attacked off the dribble much more than usual and his defense was huge, especially defending the pick and roll towards the end of the game. I'm confident that his shot will fall, so it's nice to see him trying to do more on offense while playing his usual good defense.

And as far as I counted he drove to the rim 3 (!) times - in one game!

That was my count too. It's been rare to see him dribble that many times in a game much less actually go to the basket lol seems like he's been trying it a bit more the last couple games.

[Saberestar]

Ummm...no...

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/monrogr01/gamelog/2018

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lenal01/gamelog/2018/

Len has a game where he has as many Blks as Monroe's given us in 13 GP for us total.

Len's "Magic Number" is 26...26 MPG and we are assured of a Dbl-Dbl from him. All games he's bested 26 minutes, he's had a monster game.

It's like Triano is picking names out of a hat with the Centers as to who is starting/playing that night.

We need to keep Len, because Monroe is not going to stay cheap. Len likely will not stay at all, but if he does, he will be cheaper than Monroe.

But aside from all of that is the fact that we need a defensive presence in the middle, and Len gives us that. Monroe?? Not so much.

Sure, Len is a better defender. Maybe even has better rebound numbers since he steals rebounds from his teammates. But Monroe is a much better passer, shooter and finisher. He should have had 10 assists last night if our guys did't blow wide open shots. That's special at the C position.

There is no such thing as stealing rebounds from teammates! Every good rebounder does that. A good rebounder is focused on that ball and gets it. If he worries about who else is going for it, he will not be good. I love it when I see a rebounder aggressively grabbing the ball.

Monroe is a good player, but he is not in our future. He is moving on after this year and we know it.

There have been a good number of times in the last few games that Len has stolen a rebound from a teammate. I have appreciated that too.

There was an specific play yesterday, in the second half, where he fighted Warren when it was a clear rebound without any Memphis players around, and the ball went out. TJ was mad about it because he probably wanted to attack in transition.

If a perimeter player that can handle the ball is gonna get the rebound Len needs to stay away because the offense will work earlier. You have to do what is better for the team.

He has stolen some rebounds fom Bender too.

This has happened only in the last few games, I do not know if it is gonna be always like that since now.

Anyway...it is not a big deal.

[bwgood77]

It's understandable that Len wants to steal as many rebounds as he can this year.

[RaisingArizona]

Sure, Len is a better defender. Maybe even has better rebound numbers since he steals rebounds from his teammates. But Monroe is a much better passer, shooter and finisher. He should have had 10 assists last night if our guys did't blow wide open shots. That's special at the C position.

There is no such thing as stealing rebounds from teammates! Every good rebounder does that. A good rebounder is focused on that ball and gets it. If he worries about who else is going for it, he will not be good. I love it when I see a rebounder aggressively grabbing the ball.

Monroe is a good player, but he is not in our future. He is moving on after this year and we know it.

There have been a good number of times in the last few games that Len has stolen a rebound from a teammate. I have appreciated that too.

There was an specific play yesterday, in the second half, where he fighted Warren when it was a clear rebound without any Memphis players around, and the ball went out. TJ was mad about it because he probably wanted to attack in transition.

If a perimeter player that can handle the ball is gonna get the rebound Len needs to stay away because the offense will work earlier. You have to do what is better for the team.

He has stolen some rebounds fom Bender too.

This has happened only in the last few games, I do not know if it is gonna be always like that since now.

Anyway...it is not a big deal.

Yeah, that's what I was referring to. He does the same thing Tucker used to do to pad his stats. I mean, he's playing well so I'm not ripping him for his effort. I just prefer a more offensive minded C and we have that with Moose.

[thamadkant]

This might be the first year ever without a Thunder Dan Hustle Award. Last year Williams really made sense but right now I am at a loss to identify anyone who stands out.

Jackson's problems certainly haven't been for lack of hustling.

It’s funny. Last few games as a starter, no foul trouble but less defense. He just doesn’t know what he can and cannot do yet. He is growing though....

As of he was New to the league or something right.



I know Tatum looks good. But he looks closer to finish product although still young I can see him as being a Joe Johnson / Paul Pierce type already. Which is a heck of a player.


But Jackson potentially is still a better wing man next to someone like Booker. Or so so hope anyways.

Someone who is happy to dominate one end and pick up the pieces in the other end but at the same time make contribution everywhere. Off ball impact is what I really see Jackson bringing back.

He has great one on one defense already... When is honed in. Once he gets stronger and sees more film of players he's guarding he would be able to guard them better hopefully.


He just needs to know when to shoot it and slow his shooting motion. Focus on accuracy rather than getting it off.

[NavLDO]

Give me Moose over Len any day.

Good win after last night's awful effort.

Ummm...no...

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/monrogr01/gamelog/2018

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lenal01/gamelog/2018/

Len has a game where he has as many Blks as Monroe's given us in 13 GP for us total.

Len's "Magic Number" is 26...26 MPG and we are assured of a Dbl-Dbl from him. All games he's bested 26 minutes, he's had a monster game.

It's like Triano is picking names out of a hat with the Centers as to who is starting/playing that night.

We need to keep Len, because Monroe is not going to stay cheap. Len likely will not stay at all, but if he does, he will be cheaper than Monroe.

But aside from all of that is the fact that we need a defensive presence in the middle, and Len gives us that. Monroe?? Not so much.

Sure, Len is a better defender. Maybe even has better rebound numbers since he steals rebounds from his teammates. But Monroe is a much better passer, shooter and finisher. He should have had 10 assists last night if our guys did't blow wide open shots. That's special at the C position.

Len has had 20 assists in his last 6 games, so he's figuring out that part of his game as well.

And as far as 'stealing rebounds', I'd rather he be aggressive than passive. He can't sit there and try to figure out if his teammate is going to be successful in securing a rebound or not. If he's able to grab it, he needs to grab it. That's my take, anyway...

[Puff]

Ummm...no...

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/monrogr01/gamelog/2018

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lenal01/gamelog/2018/

Len has a game where he has as many Blks as Monroe's given us in 13 GP for us total.

Len's "Magic Number" is 26...26 MPG and we are assured of a Dbl-Dbl from him. All games he's bested 26 minutes, he's had a monster game.

It's like Triano is picking names out of a hat with the Centers as to who is starting/playing that night.

We need to keep Len, because Monroe is not going to stay cheap. Len likely will not stay at all, but if he does, he will be cheaper than Monroe.

But aside from all of that is the fact that we need a defensive presence in the middle, and Len gives us that. Monroe?? Not so much.

Sure, Len is a better defender. Maybe even has better rebound numbers since he steals rebounds from his teammates. But Monroe is a much better passer, shooter and finisher. He should have had 10 assists last night if our guys did't blow wide open shots. That's special at the C position.

There is no such thing as stealing rebounds from teammates! Every good rebounder does that. A good rebounder is focused on that ball and gets it. If he worries about who else is going for it, he will not be good. I love it when I see a rebounder aggressively grabbing the ball.

Monroe is a good player, but he is not in our future. He is moving on after this year and we know it.

I don't know what to think about Monroe's future. I can see him signing a reasonable contract with us after this season. I really think a large part of Len's improvement this year has come since we acquired Monroe. Monroe is very skilled at scoring and passing and that is where Len's biggest improvements have come. He is no longer hesitating on going to the basket and is a very willing passer. I think he has learned a lot from watching Monroe.

I think Monroe's future is certainly not secure in Arizona. However, if we cannot get a big in the upcoming draft and can get something in return for Chandler I can see him remaining here. This team could really use a playmaker. Ulis is not the answer and I think Canaan could be a great back up going forward.

If there is a great playmaker available when we pick, we just have to take him. We need that more than a big at this point.