Game 3:Phoenix Suns (1-1) @ Portland Trail Blazers (0-1) l Saturday l 7:00pm

[bwgood77]

It's early but doesn't look like Ayton wants to have to earn that max contract, he got outplayed by McGee in 2 of 3 games

McGee barely draws any defensive attention. They stick to our shooters more...so he was wide open quite a bit...and not because of his savvy inside moves.

[bwgood77]

Figured this would happen. Locking him into a max is scary. I’m just confused why he still looks like a rookie out there, very timid.


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It's early still. Just needs to get going again

I mentioned that but he and the Suns don't get their **** together they are going to be 5 games under 500 chasing everyone down. It's just the complete lack of effort that is concerning, because this is what Ayton has done most of his careers it was the playoff run that wax an anomaly.

Outside of the 4th quarter last night his hustle and defense has been solid. His missed a couple shots he usually makes early yesterday and looked really bad in the 4th but that's the only time he looked bad. He's also really improved on boxing out...he was bodying up Nurkic well on our defensive boards tonight....so others could get the rebound....Nurkic only got 1 offensive board. In the Lakers game when there were several bigs he had to go after them himself, but I like his improvement boxing out. But he still probably will work himself into better shape and get even better.

If you are just talking mostly PPG, they really don't choose to utilize him much. If they did he'd score more...pretty simple.

[bwgood77]

Miami started 7-14 last year and finished 33-18

We started 8-8 and finished 43-13.

There is really not a need to panic. It was an early season back to back after our shortest offseason in a long time.

We need to shake off the rust though.

We need a lot better shot distribution than tonight too..Booker played well but no one else took double digit shots..last night all starters did...tonight Paul too 5, Ayton 6, Crowder 7 and Bridges 9. The did play fewer minutes due to the blowout but the distribution was very lopsided.

We need crisp ball movement and shots from everywhere.

[Slim Charless]

I do think that another vet voice would've been nice in the locker room. I love CP3, but him and Crowder are really all we have. This team still drifts way too much

[Mjee]

Wtf happened??

I went to dinner with my wife’s mom’s side of the family. Only to get belittled by her P.O.S grandmother about the holidays. However the only thing that kept me going was the fact that I had this game recorded when I got home ……

Well just a crap night for me all the way around …

P.S. I freaking HATE my wife’s grandmother…. Just the worst human being on earth … racist, condescending, missable person


Sorry just had to vent

Thanks for reading … cheers

[Slim Charless]

Also. I'll add that Sarver's BS might've distracted the team(I'll never miss a chance to take a shot at him).

[DirtyDez]

07’ team started 1-5. Finished 61-21.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Watch on YouTube

[sunsbg]

Could have been worse with a loss to the Lakers I guess. Next five games are at home against weaker competition except the Hawks IIRC. Good opportunity to get on the winning side.

[Saberestar]

First three games of the season against playoff teams, 1-2 but it is OK.

The Blazers are good. Not contenders, but they can win against any team. I think they are better and more complete than last season.

They were HOT from three and the games was over at the halftime. These things happen...to the next one.

[Saberestar]

Another thing...Nader needs to be out of the rotation.

It's quite obvious that he isn't good enough to be a rotation player on a contender. Play 9 guys or give his minutes to Jalen Smith.

[Barkley6]

Another thing...Nader needs to be out of the rotation.

It's quite obvious that he isn't good enough to be a rotation player on a contender. Play 9 guys or give his minutes to Jalen Smith.

I think Nader in the rotation is fine, I like his hustle and desire to go down hill. What I DONT like is playing Nader with a bench 5. Payne, Shamet, CamJ, Nader and McGee on the floor together is a great lineup if we want to run and push pace, but a terrible lineup to run sets and get good shots with.

Nader has shown me enough to show he can play, but I think he needs to have a lineup that will give him more structure to it, rather than putting a bunch of free wheelers together on the floor.

[Keith_myath]

2 big things stood out from this game.

1. The difference in force and effectiveness between a Nurkic/Baldy hard, thick screen and a DA featherweight screen.
2. The difference between their 'roll player' in the pick n roll as opposed to DA just floating occasionally towards the basket... when he felt like it.

Both made a phenomenal difference in shot quality.

DA is playing like his pea heart self. Where is this fire that existed in the playoffs?

But i suppose that because he occasionally puts his hand up, he must be demanding the ball, right?

[Saberestar]

Another thing...Nader needs to be out of the rotation.

It's quite obvious that he isn't good enough to be a rotation player on a contender. Play 9 guys or give his minutes to Jalen Smith.

I think Nader in the rotation is fine, I like his hustle and desire to go down hill. What I DONT like is playing Nader with a bench 5. Payne, Shamet, CamJ, Nader and McGee on the floor together is a great lineup if we want to run and push pace, but a terrible lineup to run sets and get good shots with.

Nader has shown me enough to show he can play, but I think he needs to have a lineup that will give him more structure to it, rather than putting a bunch of free wheelers together on the floor.

I like Nader on the roster as a third string.

He tries to do too much and I would prefer a better passer and someone more all-around next to those other bench players. And he is not an option as a starter. If Crowder or Mikal goes down Cam Johnson will start.

[bwoolf2]

It's early but doesn't look like Ayton wants to have to earn that max contract, he got outplayed by McGee in 2 of 3 games

McGee barely draws any defensive attention. They stick to our shooters more...so he was wide open quite a bit...and not because of his savvy inside moves.

I didn't say there weren't reasons why but your number 1 overall pick can't play like this regardless. Suns starters minus 37 through 3 games not the start you were looking for.

[sunsbg]

2 big things stood out from this game.

1. The difference in force and effectiveness between a Nurkic/Baldy hard, thick screen and a DA featherweight screen.
2. The difference between their 'roll player' in the pick n roll as opposed to DA just floating occasionally towards the basket... when he felt like it.

Both made a phenomenal difference in shot quality.

DA is playing like his pea heart self. Where is this fire that existed in the playoffs?

But i suppose that because he occasionally puts his hand up, he must be demanding the ball, right?

He plays in the system, which is fine. I read many say he'll start playing selfish after not getting the contract, but this is not the case. Another game where he scores 6-8 pts in the 1st qtr then nothing the rest of the game. If he plays consistent throughout the game he'll be putting monster numbers. He doesn't have a good motor, that's clear. Unfortunately he plays soft as well. There was a play McGee had an O rebound, pushed the defenders around him and tried to score. DA always looks to pass out even with a smaller guy on him in such situations. That's on him. Now why they don't utilize his midrange shot he appeared to love coming to the league, that's coaching IMO.

It seems his value will show in the playoffs when the game slows down and he's more focused in general.

[bwgood77]

It's early but doesn't look like Ayton wants to have to earn that max contract, he got outplayed by McGee in 2 of 3 games

McGee barely draws any defensive attention. They stick to our shooters more...so he was wide open quite a bit...and not because of his savvy inside moves.

I didn't say there weren't reasons why but your number 1 overall pick can't play like this regardless. Suns starters minus 37 through 3 games not the start you were looking for.

I agree. But the guards have been worse if you are looking at +/- and also have 11 and 10 turnovers, which is really hurting. Paul has been playing well on offense, and Book on offense the 2nd half of each of the last two games, but no defensive urgency outside of Bridges and Ayton. Crowder pretty much a non factor as well.

I think with some rest and refocus we should be ok. Not sure if that ESPN story drops if it will have any impact, but we couldn't play much worse as a team. The sum seems to be less than the parts right now...and although some players have played well on offense at time, we need to keep everyone involved and engaged.

[RaisingArizona]

Qwig... this is on you for buying that couch instead of going to the game.

I also agree with the Nader should be out of the rotation comments. Hutch is at least an offensive threat. Wonder when he'll get minutes?

[NapoleonII]

Our rotation is a mess, even while Payne was healthy.

I don't understand how Nader is even getting playing time. In the Lakers game, with Payne, he got nearly 10 minutes? WHY? With our depth at the 2/3 and the need for Stix to get run, and a healthy Frank?

Between positions 1-3, we should have:

1 CP at 30 mins, or under, Payne at least 18 here.

2. Booker at 33-34, Shamet at least 14.

3. Bridges at 34, Cameron should be getting at least 14 here.

4. Crowder SHOULD be less, 28-30, with Cameron picking up 10 here.

5. Depending on matchup. I don't want to see McGee every game getting scorched by the Jeff Greens of the earth.

[bwoolf2]

Our rotation is a mess, even while Payne was healthy.

I don't understand how Nader is even getting playing time. In the Lakers game, with Payne, he got nearly 10 minutes? WHY? With our depth at the 2/3 and the need for Stix to get run, and a healthy Frank?

Between positions 1-3, we should have:

1 CP at 30 mins, or under, Payne at least 18 here.

2. Booker at 33-34, Shamet at least 14.

3. Bridges at 34, Cameron should be getting at least 14 here.

4. Crowder SHOULD be less, 28-30, with Cameron picking up 10 here.

5. Depending on matchup. I don't want to see McGee every game getting scorched by the Jeff Greens of the earth.

Agreed they need to get Smith involved as a small ball 5 and at PF in a bigger lineup with Payne Shamet Mcgee and camj at sf