Who here watches the Suns AND plays ball?

[LukasBMW]

I started playing pickup basketball again for the first time since...high school???? It's been awhile.

Believe it or not, watching the Suns has helped me get rid of the rust quickly AND playing I think has helped me become a better fan.

Some things I've noticed (discovered again).

-Finishing at the rim at full speed is tough! JJ should slow down just a bit.
-Finishing in the paint under pressure can be tough, but using the glass makes it 10x easier. TJ Warren is such a great finisher because he uses the glass on so many of his close floaters.
-I can't euro step for the life of me, but driving and doing the oldschool D Rose "jumpstop" works every time.
-Anybody can be a good player on offense...even if they aren't the most athletic like Nash or Harden. Keeping guys off balance and having a variety of moves works wonders.
-Step Curry is unreal. His release is so fast. The fact that he can catch, turn, shoot, and make it almost every time is just mind boggling.
-Catching and shooting is 10x easier then dribbling and pulling up for a shot.
-So much of defense and rebounding is effort.
-Playing team ball and ball movement really is the key to winning.
-If I were the size of DeAndre Ayton, I would run everyone over.

[lilfishi22]

I started playing pickup basketball again for the first time since...high school???? It's been awhile.

Believe it or not, watching the Suns has helped me get rid of the rust quickly AND playing I think has helped me become a better fan.

Some things I've noticed (discovered again).

-Finishing at the rim at full speed is tough! JJ should slow down just a bit.
-Finishing in the paint under pressure can be tough, but using the glass makes it 10x easier. TJ Warren is such a great finisher because he uses the glass on so many of his close floaters.
-I can't euro step for the life of me, but driving and doing the oldschool D Rose "jumpstop" works every time.
-Anybody can be a good player on offense...even if they aren't the most athletic like Nash or Harden. Keeping guys off balance and having a variety of moves works wonders.
-Step Curry is unreal. His release is so fast. The fact that he can catch, turn, shoot, and make it almost every time is just mind boggling.
-Catching and shooting is 10x easier then dribbling and pulling up for a shot.
-So much of defense and rebounding is effort.
-Playing team ball and ball movement really is the key to winning.
-If I were the size of DeAndre Ayton, I would run everyone over.

I do but haven't in a while since I picked up BJJ, also because I don't really enjoy playing in the local spot because no one seems to want to pass. Nash being my favourite player, I love moving the ball around and I love watching the ball move around but it never happens so ehhhh

But aside from that, having played and understanding the game of basketball through playing (and doing it regularly) really does give fans a better appreciation of the level of skill, athleticism and the very high level coaching that NBA players/coaches have. A guy like TJ Warren if he wanted to would wreck any local league and average double digit assist if he wanted to even though he's a poor passer in the NBA. You put Melton on even a high level regional league and he would shut down virtually any player, at any position and he's barely just an NBA rotation player right now. That's just how good NBA level players are.

But that last point which I made bold is why Ayton is a bit frustrating at times. He could be doing so more to get better position, to just dunk on people and to react faster on defense. But that's me looking at it from a fan perspective where there are replays and I get a full view of the entire half court and can see all the back door cuts, all the weak side off ball action and all the screens that sneak up on player. Oh and I'm not playing against other elite NBA athletes, minds and skill sets.

[Mischa]

Does HORSE with my sister in the driveway count?

[RunDogGun]

Since my hernia surgery(before and after), I havent played ball at the gym. For me, my game increased dramatically, after coaching. I spent years working on my shot as a teenager into my 20s, so that will always be with me. I used to be a super hustle guy (played a ton of 21 with my older brother and friends), so I rebound and get the 50/50 balls.

Age is really creeping up with me, and my competitive nature often gets me injured. But now my son is starting to play basketball, and having to break complex situations into easy steps, which seven year old can understand, would really help my game if I was able to return to full court full contact games.

So while watching NBA players play helps me see good and bad examples of basketball, teaching it to youngsters has helped my game ten fold. Going to coaching camps was extremely helpful like Joan Bonivicini and Lute Olsen coaching camps.

[m1chal]

I do. Not much of a talent but a lot of enthusiasm

[SlovenianDragon]

You guys want to know more about the Sloveniandragon? Heres me and my friend playing 1v1 from 2011 lol....im the short albino blonde haired kid...

Watch on YouTube

We were just having fun so don't be mean!

[bigfoot]

Played high school. Played adult league. Played pickup at the local high school. Two years ago was playing indoor 6v6 soccer which has a lot of overlap with basketball. I still want to try to play competitive soccer, basketball, and volleyball but the age gap against 20-30 years is a bit much now that I'm approaching 60.

All the other competitive sports (track, running, high jump, softball) over the years have taken a toll. Two ACL reconstruction surgeries and bone-on-bone in part of my right knee. I'm putting off knee replacement hoping for FDA approval of artificial meniscus soon. I've been thinking about taking up golf, pickleball, and cornhole as new competitive sports that might take less toll on the old bod.

[SlovenianDragon]

I won the boys and girls club state championship. I think that's honestly the most impressive thing ive done in my life. Feelsbadman.

I played every sport. In baseball I played in a year round league and was selected to the all-star team to go to California. In football I played linebacker and had the opposing coach come to me and tell me to never quit football and that id be a star because he focused is whole offense of line around stopping me and no1 could. I literally broke a kids leg so bad they had to have an ambulance come on the field....

I did it all....then my parents got divorced when I entered HS. Both of them were so busy no1 cared about me anymore. I entered the party scene and gave up on sports. Felt more of a connection from my friends than my family at that point. I got a call from my mom once saying if I didn't come home id be grounded...Good thing Ive got a place to stay I didn't go home for a week....

Really regret my early life choices. Maybe could have been something...Maybe not. But I didn't give my self the chance.

Im okay now though...I live through the suns now.

[Blonde]

I played club ball all growing up and varsity high school ball. Had issues with an assistant coach and stopped enjoying it my senior year so I quit the high school team and only played club. Chose an academic scholarship to ASU rather than play ball for a smaller school.

Now I’m in law school and haven’t been able to play nearly as much as I would like, and haven’t been able to stay in shape. I run full court every once in a while but mostly just shoot around. I’ve also been needing an ankle surgery to clean up some bone spurs so hopefully after I get that taken care of I’ll be able to play more.

Having played organized ball for much of my life, I have to say that I don’t usually enjoy pickup with randoms. Too much standing around and watching iso after iso.

[lilfishi22]

I played club ball all growing up and varsity high school ball. Had issues with an assistant coach and stopped enjoying it my senior year so I quit the high school team and only played club. Chose an academic scholarship to ASU rather than play ball for a smaller school.

Now I’m in law school and haven’t been able to play nearly as much as I would like, and haven’t been able to stay in shape. I run full court every once in a while but mostly just shoot around. I’ve also been needing an ankle surgery to clean up some bone spurs so hopefully after I get that taken care of I’ll be able to play more.

Having played organized ball for much of my life, I have to say that I don’t usually enjoy pickup with randoms. Too much standing around and watching iso after iso.

Totally agree about playing pick up. Nobody knows how to play with each other because no one knows each other tendencies. That's not uncommon when you're playing with randoms but I at least try my best to pick up those tendencies but I feel like most randoms just want to get theirs and call it a day rather than actually try and learn about the other 2-4 guys on his team to win. It's frustrating as hell most of the time. But I'm kinda done with organised ball at this stage

[AtheJ415]

I am Devin Booker. Been playing y'all this entire time. I'm going to chuck the rest of the year just to stick it to some of you.

[TASTIC]

I haven't played proper ball for probably a decade. Play a bit of pick-up with mates, but to be honest I'm happiest just having shots in a gym for 1-2 hours. Also SUCK at halfcourt, I need full court or I can't direct traffic. Am too short/slow to get to the rim and lack any sense of half-court creativity.

Here's the Destination Phoenix 2009 boys 'shooting' on the Suns practice court...Some hits but more misses haha

Watch on YouTube

[hollywood6964]

I played club ball all growing up and varsity high school ball. Had issues with an assistant coach and stopped enjoying it my senior year so I quit the high school team and only played club. Chose an academic scholarship to ASU rather than play ball for a smaller school.

Now I’m in law school and haven’t been able to play nearly as much as I would like, and haven’t been able to stay in shape. I run full court every once in a while but mostly just shoot around. I’ve also been needing an ankle surgery to clean up some bone spurs so hopefully after I get that taken care of I’ll be able to play more.

Having played organized ball for much of my life, I have to say that I don’t usually enjoy pickup with randoms. Too much standing around and watching iso after iso.

Totally agree about playing pick up. Nobody knows how to play with each other because no one knows each other tendencies. That's not uncommon when you're playing with randoms but I at least try my best to pick up those tendencies but I feel like most randoms just want to get theirs and call it a day rather than actually try and learn about the other 2-4 guys on his team to win. It's frustrating as hell most of the time. But I'm kinda done with organised ball at this stage

This is why I mostly play one on one n 2-2. If you play with people you don't know, try getting the ball back if you miss 1 shot, meanwhile they're shooting 30%, tops. Also, in my mid 30's, I'm a long range shooter, not toe to the line, but around 24 ft. N not set shot, or stand still, little hop shot, but off the dribble full jump shot (not that you need that type of shot anymore, with today's pu$$ified rules making every shot open, notice how almost nobody has a real kobe bryant J anymore?). Most ppl think it's a bad shot, but for me it's a good shot. I also don't want to get fouled n turn an ankle or mess up a knee on a drive anymore, so jumpers it is.

[lilfishi22]

I played club ball all growing up and varsity high school ball. Had issues with an assistant coach and stopped enjoying it my senior year so I quit the high school team and only played club. Chose an academic scholarship to ASU rather than play ball for a smaller school.

Now I’m in law school and haven’t been able to play nearly as much as I would like, and haven’t been able to stay in shape. I run full court every once in a while but mostly just shoot around. I’ve also been needing an ankle surgery to clean up some bone spurs so hopefully after I get that taken care of I’ll be able to play more.

Having played organized ball for much of my life, I have to say that I don’t usually enjoy pickup with randoms. Too much standing around and watching iso after iso.

Totally agree about playing pick up. Nobody knows how to play with each other because no one knows each other tendencies. That's not uncommon when you're playing with randoms but I at least try my best to pick up those tendencies but I feel like most randoms just want to get theirs and call it a day rather than actually try and learn about the other 2-4 guys on his team to win. It's frustrating as hell most of the time. But I'm kinda done with organised ball at this stage

This is why I mostly play one on one n 2-2. If you play with people you don't know, try getting the ball back if you miss 1 shot, meanwhile they're shooting 30%, tops. Also, in my mid 30's, I'm a long range shooter, not toe to the line, but around 24 ft. N not set shot, or stand still, little hop shot, but off the dribble full jump shot (not that you need that type of shot anymore, with today's pu$$ified rules making every shot open, notice how almost nobody has a real kobe bryant J anymore?). Most ppl think it's a bad shot, but for me it's a good shot. I also don't want to get fouled n turn an ankle or mess up a knee on a drive anymore, so jumpers it is.

2v2 or 3v3 is probably my favourite. Or sometimes when there's not enough people, 2v1 21. There's enough necessary team work I feel like with only 1 or 2 other people on the team that they will use each other (revolutionary idea) to get buckets rather than just go 1 on 3 every time. But it's best when you can grab a few friends to play pick up. I've always idolised Nash so I like to move the ball around and set people up. I shot around by myself yesterday for the first time in a little while and shot maybe 10% on 50 or so shots, with no defense. Gotta get back to shooting more regularly.

I only ever use the fadeaway J on two dribble pull ups. I prefer the step back. I can create more space and my base is a stronger.

[sunsbum]

Spuulash https://imgur.com/a/ItJGPMz

[lilfishi22]

Spuulash https://imgur.com/a/ItJGPMz

this bum got a NICE stroke

[hollywood6964]

Totally agree about playing pick up. Nobody knows how to play with each other because no one knows each other tendencies. That's not uncommon when you're playing with randoms but I at least try my best to pick up those tendencies but I feel like most randoms just want to get theirs and call it a day rather than actually try and learn about the other 2-4 guys on his team to win. It's frustrating as hell most of the time. But I'm kinda done with organised ball at this stage

This is why I mostly play one on one n 2-2. If you play with people you don't know, try getting the ball back if you miss 1 shot, meanwhile they're shooting 30%, tops. Also, in my mid 30's, I'm a long range shooter, not toe to the line, but around 24 ft. N not set shot, or stand still, little hop shot, but off the dribble full jump shot (not that you need that type of shot anymore, with today's pu$$ified rules making every shot open, notice how almost nobody has a real kobe bryant J anymore?). Most ppl think it's a bad shot, but for me it's a good shot. I also don't want to get fouled n turn an ankle or mess up a knee on a drive anymore, so jumpers it is.

2v2 or 3v3 is probably my favourite. Or sometimes when there's not enough people, 2v1 21. There's enough necessary team work I feel like with only 1 or 2 other people on the team that they will use each other (revolutionary idea) to get buckets rather than just go 1 on 3 every time. But it's best when you can grab a few friends to play pick up. I've always idolised Nash so I like to move the ball around and set people up. I shot around by myself yesterday for the first time in a little while and shot maybe 10% on 50 or so shots, with no defense. Gotta get back to shooting more regularly.

I only ever use the fadeaway J on two dribble pull ups. I prefer the step back. I can create more space and my base is a stronger.

Yeah gotta shake the rust off. I might post a vid if I get around to it. I just started up again recently,and everything is hurting. Especially my off arm the way you raise it quickly on a shot. Rough getting old.

The only thing I don't like 2v2 is screen n rolls. It's not like there's anybody to rotate, n then ppl whine we u try to fight over. Want to switch on the play n the screen turns into a moving one haha. Should be outlawed in anything less than than 3 on 3, n really 4 on 4.

[lilfishi22]

This is why I mostly play one on one n 2-2. If you play with people you don't know, try getting the ball back if you miss 1 shot, meanwhile they're shooting 30%, tops. Also, in my mid 30's, I'm a long range shooter, not toe to the line, but around 24 ft. N not set shot, or stand still, little hop shot, but off the dribble full jump shot (not that you need that type of shot anymore, with today's pu$$ified rules making every shot open, notice how almost nobody has a real kobe bryant J anymore?). Most ppl think it's a bad shot, but for me it's a good shot. I also don't want to get fouled n turn an ankle or mess up a knee on a drive anymore, so jumpers it is.

2v2 or 3v3 is probably my favourite. Or sometimes when there's not enough people, 2v1 21. There's enough necessary team work I feel like with only 1 or 2 other people on the team that they will use each other (revolutionary idea) to get buckets rather than just go 1 on 3 every time. But it's best when you can grab a few friends to play pick up. I've always idolised Nash so I like to move the ball around and set people up. I shot around by myself yesterday for the first time in a little while and shot maybe 10% on 50 or so shots, with no defense. Gotta get back to shooting more regularly.

I only ever use the fadeaway J on two dribble pull ups. I prefer the step back. I can create more space and my base is a stronger.

Yeah gotta shake the rust off. I might post a vid if I get around to it. I just started up again recently,and everything is hurting. Especially my off arm the way you raise it quickly on a shot. Rough getting old.

The only thing I don't like 2v2 is screen n rolls. It's not like there's anybody to rotate haha, should be outlawed in anything less than than 3 on 3, n really 4 on 4.

Oh yeah PnR on 2v2 is basically an assist pass every time or it turns into a 2v1 roll to the basket. Becomes a bit too easy but also helps stroke my ego because I feel like prime Nash out there dropping no look bounce passes and then getting back to start a new possession like it wasn't a big deal but lowkey feel like it was the greatest pass that local park has ever seen

But yeah I need to get back to shooting better. Getting old sucks but so does doing another sport that uses different muscles which makes calibrating those fine shooting muscles a lot longer than usual.

[hollywood6964]

2v2 or 3v3 is probably my favourite. Or sometimes when there's not enough people, 2v1 21. There's enough necessary team work I feel like with only 1 or 2 other people on the team that they will use each other (revolutionary idea) to get buckets rather than just go 1 on 3 every time. But it's best when you can grab a few friends to play pick up. I've always idolised Nash so I like to move the ball around and set people up. I shot around by myself yesterday for the first time in a little while and shot maybe 10% on 50 or so shots, with no defense. Gotta get back to shooting more regularly.

I only ever use the fadeaway J on two dribble pull ups. I prefer the step back. I can create more space and my base is a stronger.

Yeah gotta shake the rust off. I might post a vid if I get around to it. I just started up again recently,and everything is hurting. Especially my off arm the way you raise it quickly on a shot. Rough getting old.

The only thing I don't like 2v2 is screen n rolls. It's not like there's anybody to rotate haha, should be outlawed in anything less than than 3 on 3, n really 4 on 4.

Oh yeah PnR on 2v2 is basically an assist pass every time or it turns into a 2v1 roll to the basket. Becomes a bit too easy but also helps stroke my ego because I feel like prime Nash out there dropping no look bounce passes and then getting back to start a new possession like it wasn't a big deal but lowkey feel like it was the greatest pass that local park has ever seen

But yeah I need to get back to shooting better. Getting old sucks but so does doing another sport that uses different muscles which makes calibrating those fine shooting muscles a lot longer than usual.

Not to mention most of these "screens" are moving ones. N then they cry when you fight over or hold a bit because it's so ridiculous. I was a pg, but these days I do like to shoot the long 3. Really working on that. I'm only 5'10 so I really need it. Been playing some pickup one on ones n haven't lost yet, which doesn't mean much because nobodies been some great player or anything. Pretty much exclusively shooting 3's. I always laugh when ppl want to play by 1's n 2's, to be the street ball cool guy, yet they don't realize it makes me that much harder to beat since all I shoot is "2's" haha.

[King4Day]

I'll be in Phoenix for a game from March 1st thru 3rd. I'd be down to play if anyone is around.