Game 69: Indiana Pacers @ Phoenix Suns l Thur 8/6 l 1:00pm

[Revived]

This game showed a lot of mental toughness. Pacers made their runs and the Suns didn't lose their **** and just bend over backwards like we've seen teams in recent years do. Kept going at it while maintaining composure. Payne is really impressing. He's a better shooter than I thought he was and he's finishing at a decent rate at the rim. Running that second unit perfectly. Is this the best second unit we've had since 2010 Suns season (WCFs run)? Funny to think that now considering we've all unanimously complained about the bench being garbage before the lockdown.

Booker was in foul trouble again but still a very good game for him in terms of finding open guys and taking the shots given. Indiana is a good defensive team so I knew this wasn't going to be a cakewalk for Book. Needs to figure out how to get out of foul trouble this can't keep happening again and again. Rubio and Bridges both played like their usual consistent selves and Cam needs to get stronger as I feel like he's in good position defensively but still gets steamrolled to the rim sometimes. If he can stay healthy then he has potential to be more than a 3pt shooter with the kind of athleticism he has. Even though I wasn't the biggest fan of his game because of how ugly it is due to his lack of athleticism, Dario Saric deserves a lot of credit for how he's played the last several games. Especially in the post, he honestly has more post moves than any Suns big we've had since Amare. If we can keep him for under $7M, I'd do it at this point.

Ayton was a tale of two halves. In the first half he was absolutely awful defensively. I don't understand how he reverted back to rookie yr Ayton in terms of defense so fast. He wouldn't leave his man to help at all and that's what gave up lay up after lay up. Overall for the game, after I started counting and there at least 7 instances in which he had a clear lane to come and help but chose not to. He had like 4 blocks tonight but he honestly had the potential for like 10 blocks with the amount of opportunities he had in front of him. In the 2nd half he was much, much better with challenging Warren well when he drove past Bridges and then the block on Brogdon as well. There were still some lapses but not as blatantly obvious. Ayton has the ability to be an elite defensive player, it's gonna be up to him if he wants to help off his man or just stand and watch while they score an open layup. There was one instance when he blocked and Turner got the ball back and dunked it but I really hope that doesn't discourage Ayton from protecting the rim. Even with those type of plays happening which are rare, he should still be at the rim when he sees a teammate get behind the offensive player. Cam and Bridges have got to do the whole "helping the helper" thing too so that the plays like Turner one doesn't happen often. Offensively Ayton finished plays and had some nice jumpers early which established momentum.

Monty Williams deserves a lot of credit for the consistent effort we've seen game in and game out in the bubble. Fantastic job.

[Jorgeglez7]

This game showed a lot of mental toughness. Pacers made their runs and the Suns didn't lose their **** and just bend over backwards like we've seen teams in recent years do. Kept going at it while maintaining composure. Payne is really impressing. He's a better shooter than I thought he was and he's finishing at a decent rate at the rim. Running that second unit perfectly. Is this the best second unit we've had since 2010 Suns season (WCFs run)? Funny to think that now considering we've all unanimously complained about the bench being garbage before the lockdown.

Booker was in foul trouble again but still a very good game for him in terms of finding open guys and taking the shots given. Indiana is a good defensive team so I knew this wasn't going to be a cakewalk for Book. Needs to figure out how to get out of foul trouble this can't keep happening again and again. Rubio and Bridges both played like their usual consistent selves and Cam needs to get stronger as I feel like he's in good position defensively but still gets steamrolled to the rim sometimes. If he can stay healthy then he has potential to be more than a 3pt shooter with the kind of athleticism he has. Even though I wasn't the biggest fan of his game because of how ugly it is due to his lack of athleticism, Dario Saric deserves a lot of credit for how he's played the last several games. Especially in the post, he honestly has more post moves than any Suns big we've had since Amare. If we can keep him for under $7M, I'd do it at this point.

Ayton was a tale of two halves. In the first half he was absolutely awful defensively. I don't understand how he reverted back to rookie yr Ayton in terms of defense so fast. He wouldn't leave his man to help at all and that's what gave up lay up after lay up. Overall for the game, after I started counting and there at least 7 instances in which he had a clear lane to come and help but chose not to. He had like 4 blocks tonight but he honestly had the potential for like 10 blocks with the amount of opportunities he had in front of him. In the 2nd half he was much, much better with challenging Warren well when he drove past Bridges and then the block on Brogdon as well. There were still some lapses but not as blatantly obvious. Ayton has the ability to be an elite defensive player, it's gonna be up to him if he wants to help off his man or just stand and watch while they score an open layup. There was one instance when he blocked and Turner got the ball back and dunked it but I really hope that doesn't discourage Ayton from protecting the rim. Even with those type of plays happening which are rare, he should still be at the rim when he sees a teammate get behind the offensive player. Cam and Bridges have got to do the whole "helping the helper" thing too so that the plays like Turner one doesn't happen often. Offensively Ayton finished plays and had some nice jumpers early which established momentum.

Monty Williams deserves a lot of credit for the consistent effort we've seen game in and game out in the bubble. Fantastic job.

I suscribe every word of this post. Nice analysis man.

[PharmD]

Rewatching this 2nd half is really something. Bench goes on a 21-0 run over 4 minutes, then immediately gives up a 12-0 run over 78 seconds.

[PharmD]

Kind of amazing that Booker has gotten himself taken out of the game with 5 fouls with 8 minutes left in the 3rd quarter TWICE and the team has come through both times.

[ATTL]

I'd like Ayton to just chug energy drinks before the game and at halftime.

[SunsRback4Good]

Payne being tested for Steroids could cost us the season.

[Fo-Real]

I'd like Ayton to just chug energy drinks before the game and at halftime.

Need to slap the **** outta him, piss him off like the avengers do to activate the HULK!!!

[SunsRback4Good]

I'd like Ayton to just chug energy drinks before the game and at halftime.

Need to slap the **** outta him, piss him off like the avengers do to activate the HULK!!!

While Hulk do we want Ayton to play like?



Or

[matt131]

Ayton seriously looks allergic to dunking. Even if he has a clear path to the rim or he's underneath the basket with no one around him, he jumps up high and gently drops the ball in with two hands.

He needs to understand how momentum can be started by a huge dunk or him putting energy into his okay. Just dunk and emote and swing on the rim for a second and get excited.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Ayton seriously looks allergic to dunking. Even if he has a clear path to the rim or he's underneath the basket with no one around him, he jumps up high and gently drops the ball in with two hands.

He needs to understand how momentum can be started by a huge dunk or him putting energy into his okay. Just dunk and emote and swing on the rim for a second and get excited.

It's funny I was wondering yesterday if at some point in his younger years he was coached to not dunk. It's the best explanation I can think of for why he seems to always choose the lay in.

I also believe he was coached not to foul, this absolutely happens with young bigs at lower levels because they don't want them get in foul trouble but you get 6 in the NBA and while you don't want to be young Alex Len you do want to use them selectively to stop easy buckets and make them earn it at the line.

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[bwgood77]

Ayton seriously looks allergic to dunking. Even if he has a clear path to the rim or he's underneath the basket with no one around him, he jumps up high and gently drops the ball in with two hands.

He needs to understand how momentum can be started by a huge dunk or him putting energy into his okay. Just dunk and emote and swing on the rim for a second and get excited.

It's funny I was wondering yesterday if at some point in his younger years he was coached to not dunk. It's the best explanation I can think of for why he seems to always choose the lay in.

I also believe he was coached not to foul, this absolutely happens with young bigs at lower levels because they don't want them get in foul trouble but you get 6 in the NBA and while you don't want to be young Alex Len you do want to use them selectively to stop easy buckets and make them earn it at the line.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using RealGM mobile app

They should develop tough drills just for dunking. Like put obstacles, dummies, etc, and see how many times he can successfully catch a pass, navigate the surroundings, and slam it down.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Ayton seriously looks allergic to dunking. Even if he has a clear path to the rim or he's underneath the basket with no one around him, he jumps up high and gently drops the ball in with two hands.

He needs to understand how momentum can be started by a huge dunk or him putting energy into his okay. Just dunk and emote and swing on the rim for a second and get excited.

It's funny I was wondering yesterday if at some point in his younger years he was coached to not dunk. It's the best explanation I can think of for why he seems to always choose the lay in.

I also believe he was coached not to foul, this absolutely happens with young bigs at lower levels because they don't want them get in foul trouble but you get 6 in the NBA and while you don't want to be young Alex Len you do want to use them selectively to stop easy buckets and make them earn it at the line.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using RealGM mobile app

They should develop tough drills just for dunking. Like put obstacles, dummies, etc, and see how many times he can successfully catch a pass, navigate the surroundings, and slam it down.

Right? Now watch Ayton break his hand on the rim next year

My other theory is Ayton watched Josh Jackson only covert like 50% of his dunk attempts as a sun and decided it was a low efficiency shot.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using RealGM mobile app

[bwgood77]

It's funny I was wondering yesterday if at some point in his younger years he was coached to not dunk. It's the best explanation I can think of for why he seems to always choose the lay in.

I also believe he was coached not to foul, this absolutely happens with young bigs at lower levels because they don't want them get in foul trouble but you get 6 in the NBA and while you don't want to be young Alex Len you do want to use them selectively to stop easy buckets and make them earn it at the line.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using RealGM mobile app

They should develop tough drills just for dunking. Like put obstacles, dummies, etc, and see how many times he can successfully catch a pass, navigate the surroundings, and slam it down.

Right? Now watch Ayton break his hand on the rim next year

My other theory is Ayton watched Josh Jackson only covert like 50% of his dunk attempts as a sun and decided it was a low efficiency shot.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using RealGM mobile app

I guess my description of trying to dunk through obstacles did describe JJ and Oubre....lol...but Ayton should at least try to dunk around or over 1 person, and certainly when there is no one right in front of him...at the beginning of that Pacers game he tried to lay in one and it was short...I'm sure everyone was frustrated there....I think he will get better at this if not only because if we are all saying it you can bet his coaches and teammates are too repeatedly.

[phx#7]

Ayton seriously looks allergic to dunking. Even if he has a clear path to the rim or he's underneath the basket with no one around him, he jumps up high and gently drops the ball in with two hands.

He needs to understand how momentum can be started by a huge dunk or him putting energy into his okay. Just dunk and emote and swing on the rim for a second and get excited.

It's funny I was wondering yesterday if at some point in his younger years he was coached to not dunk. It's the best explanation I can think of for why he seems to always choose the lay in.

I also believe he was coached not to foul, this absolutely happens with young bigs at lower levels because they don't want them get in foul trouble but you get 6 in the NBA and while you don't want to be young Alex Len you do want to use them selectively to stop easy buckets and make them earn it at the line.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using RealGM mobile app

I typically don't like to play armchair psychiatrist and pretend to know what someone else is thinking, but my impression is that Ayton is worried about hurting or even injuring other players. Even on the opening play yesterday he was so preoccupied with not hurting Rubio that he was distracted and just through up a lame duck attempt(not complaining but I bet Shaq in that same situation worries more about slamming it in than stepping on a teammate).

If that is the case then hopefully he'll learn that once he starts going up with power everyone but those strong enough to take it and the terminally stupid will either be getting out of his way or wrapping him up before he can elevate.