Game 33: Phoenix Suns (12-20) @ Portland Trail Blazers (14-19), Mon 12/30 8pm MST

[handsome salary]

I get the hate. The Suns have been poor to terrible lately. Giving up leads, getting blown out, not being able to close. Bad playmaking, lazy defense, chucking 3 after 3 with no cutting, screens or backs to basket. Poor substitutions and guys looking like they'd rather be anywhere else. Been burned and frustrated by a lot of games this season. I also get how nice it is to bask in a win. I'll enjoy it.

Can they keep it up? Is it a turning point? Are they back to the 7-3 or stuck in the 4-18? We'll see.

It was nice to see all the Suns smiles at the end of the game.

[Revived]

I don’t like Saric at all but I disagree that the Suns should bench him and start Bridges over him. I just think that would basically wear out Bridges because he would be battling starting PFs with much more size than him from start of the game.

As bad as Saric has been, it’s important that he starts and then we just sub through both SF and PF spots with Cam, and Bridges. That said, it would be awesome to just find an upgrade over Saric someway somehow through a trade.

The Rubio, Booker, Oubre, Bridges, Ayton lineup is like our version of the “death lineup”. We can close games out with it but we shouldn’t start it just like the Warriors didn’t start Curry, Klay, Igoudala, Durant, Green.

[BobbieL]

I don’t like Saric at all but I disagree that the Suns should bench him and start Bridges over him. I just think that would basically wear out Bridges because he would be battling starting PFs with much more size than him from start of the game.

As bad as Saric has been, it’s important that he starts and then we just sub through both SF and PF spots with Cam, and Bridges. That said, it would be awesome to just find an upgrade over Saric someway somehow through a trade.

The Rubio, Booker, Oubre, Bridges, Ayton lineup is like our version of the “death lineup”. We can close games out with it but we shouldn’t start it just like the Warriors didn’t start Curry, Klay, Igoudala, Durant, Green.

Its important that players like Saric, Baynes, Kaminsky, Carter, Cam - give good solid minutes. I get some nights, one or two of those guys will be better and others will be off. Thats the way it is with role players. Though I think a guy like Baynes will probably level out playing off the bench, set minutes, set role, not starting. But the key, now that hopefully Ayton is back - is how Rubio, Book, Da and Oubre can become the core 4 that helps finishes the games.

Saric might actually play better with Ayton at the 5 too. I think thats what we all want to see - just how the team at full strength plays the next rest of the season - health permitting (knock on wood).

[SuperSunsFan]

to be fair the turn around started in the Denver game, it was a let down ending up losing to the warriors after leading them in double digits heading into the 4th but overall we have had 4 good games so far. without a bona fide superstar to carry us suns is a sum better than parts team who needs everyone doing their part every single night to have a chance to win any game so we can't afford to lose more than 1 key player for extend period of time and remain competitive. We overrated Booker, not that he is a bad player, but he is a ray allen level player when we kind of projected him to be the next Kobe, i would even take prime Joe Johnson over Booker in a heart beat.

[minami]

Last night was really fun, Rubio-Booker-Oubre is a pretty damn sexy backcourt when playing at that level. Happy New Year everyone and long may it continue...!

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

to be fair the turn around started in the Denver game, it was a let down ending up losing to the warriors after leading them in double digits heading into the 4th but overall we have had 4 good games so far. without a bona fide superstar to carry us suns is a sum better than parts team who needs everyone doing their part every single night to have a chance to win any game so we can't afford to lose more than 1 key player for extend period of time and remain competitive. We overrated Booker, not that he is a bad player, but he is a ray allen level player when we kind of projected him to be the next Kobe, i would even take prime Joe Johnson over Booker in a heart beat.

I would have a hard time taking JJ over Booker, as negative as I sometimes am about Booker relative to the fanbase. JJ was a better defender, but I feel like Booker's talent level on offense is significantly higher. I'd stick with Booker over prime JJ.

Also "to be fair" I'd say you turned a little too ****ing sour after the first quarter last night. Seems like YOUR turnaround began this morning when you checked the box.

[SuperSunsFan]

Last night was really fun, Rubio-Booker-Oubre is a pretty damn sexy backcourt when playing at that level. Happy New Year everyone and long may it continue...!

I found that baynes' handsomeness is quite underrated, you rarely hear him being mentioned being among the better looking guys in the league but under that wildling beard and jason momoa body hides quite a pretty face. (disclaimer: I am straight)

[SuperSunsFan]

to be fair the turn around started in the Denver game, it was a let down ending up losing to the warriors after leading them in double digits heading into the 4th but overall we have had 4 good games so far. without a bona fide superstar to carry us suns is a sum better than parts team who needs everyone doing their part every single night to have a chance to win any game so we can't afford to lose more than 1 key player for extend period of time and remain competitive. We overrated Booker, not that he is a bad player, but he is a ray allen level player when we kind of projected him to be the next Kobe, i would even take prime Joe Johnson over Booker in a heart beat.

I would have a hard time taking JJ over Booker, as negative as I sometimes am about Booker relative to the fanbase. JJ was a better defender, but I feel like Booker's talent level on offense is significantly higher. I'd stick with Booker over prime JJ.

Also "to be fair" I'd say you turned a little too ****ing sour after the first quarter last night. Seems like YOUR turnaround began this morning when you checked the box.

i do have a low tolerance for failure and on top of that was naturally born pessimistic and have a real short fuse.