Grizzlies @ Suns Tuesday game thread 12-31-2024

[Mainstreet]

Beal's injury may have occurred on the first play of the game when he fell per Bud.

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

 

[AzStevenCal]

I don't think we have to be winning or playing well. If teams want Booker and KD, it doesn't matter how the Suns are doing. If Ishbia has this team winning and everyone is excited about it, it would be stupid to make a trade at that point from a fan's perspective. If the team stinks, it makes sense for the owner to try and fix it. I'm not arguing against trading guys, just arguing the Suns have to be winning to get value for those guys.

Unless I've misunderstood you, didn't you mean to say you are "arguing AGAINST the Suns have to be winning to get value for those guys"?

I think Devin's trade value has been in steady decline for a few years now. I don't know if a short but strong winning streak can turn that around but if it can't, there's not much upside to moving him. It isn't about finding a team that wants KD or Devin, it's about finding a team willing to give us star level return. That's far more likely to happen if our games showcase their value, losing isn't showcasing them it's highlighting their weaknesses.

 

[Mainstreet]

That area was clear as daylight since Nurk joined. Signing plumlee only adds to the continuity.

Both of these players fit the areas of concern I mentioned. Oso is clearly not the answer either, at least not right now.

 

[Hoop Head]

What is wrong with this team?

It's not a team. It's a collection of players with their own agendas.

 

[Superbone]

It's not a team. It's a collection of players with their own agendas.

And think they’re too good to have to put out maximum effort.

 

[Hoop Head]

And think they’re too good to have to put out maximum effort.

FTFY

 

[Mainstreet]

The Suns are a disaster right now. I keep waiting for someone to scream, “the emperor has no clothes”.

 

[FB94]

Move on to baseball season

 

[JosiahLee]

It’s still so bizarre to see a team with so much talent suck so bad.

 

[mjb21aztd]

Out with gf ton at firework show in tempe fun n other than suns suckin ass ((

Team needs to trade kd i fear if possible get picks to find young talent

This current roster is trassshhhhh boooooo ((

 

[95pro]

It’s still so bizarre to see a team with so much talent suck so bad.

There’s just no interior presence on offense and defense.

 

[CardNots]

Move on to baseball season

from two losers to another

 

[hcsilla]

The Suns are one of the softest defending teams ever (especially if either of Dunn and Okogie is not on the court). This embarassing (worst of this season? The competition will be soon high unfortunately) loss was against Bane, Jackson, Wells and some G-League players. The Suns did not lead during the game.

 

[Phrazbit]

It's not a team. It's a collection of players with their own agendas.

And think they’re too good to have to put out maximum effort.

Outside of Okogie, Dunn and Oso, we have no hustle guys.

What we have a lot of is guys who can't stay healthy, who play "chase down" defense because they're too lazy to get back, who would rather make a tough shot than make an easy pass.

 

[Proximo]

The Suns are a disaster right now. I keep waiting for someone to scream, “the emperor has no clothes”.

Nobody cares enough to bother, not to mention the statement is to obvious to even bother saying.

 

[Proximo]

It’s still so bizarre to see a team with so much talent suck so bad.

Calling this team very talented is a myth.

 

[Hoop Head]

I believe that keeping Damion Lee is a waste of money. He doesn't seem to do anything useful. He could be released, cut, waived, whatever is appropriate.

Damion Lee is James Jones 2.0. He's a wing shooter who has 1 skill, shooting, and brings nothing else to the table. I wouldn't even say he's a good locker room guy given how lifeless and lethargic this team is as a whole. A good locker room guy doesn't allow those sort of traits to persist. Lee should have been cut last year when he was dealing with his injury. It's not like the Suns, or NBA, doesn't do that regularly with fringe players like Lee.

The Suns waived Frank when he was hurt and before that they waived Isaiah Canaan right after he injured his leg and was looking at a long recovery. The Knicks just did the same with Landry Shamet also. It's not something that poisons the free agent well, is my main point.

 

[leclerc]

Blow it up already. Suns at allmost full strength with the big 3 wage earners and they still can't beat the Memphis B team at home.

Matt Ishbia, when will you replace the GM?

 

[AzStevenCal]

I find it hard to tell whether Jones should be replaced, because I suspect that getting Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal was an order from Mat Ishbia. If so, I would be blaming Jones for what wasn't his fault. I'll never know.

But Jones isn't Ishbia's guy. He's a holdover from the Chris Paul era. I have no idea whether Ishbia actually likes him.

I think JJ gets blamed here for a lot of things he may not be responsible for. But regardless, I think it's time to replace most, if not all, of the decision makers.

 

[leclerc]

Start fresh with an experienced? GM. Let him/her make trades to put a young and hungry team together. Let us be the new Orlando Magic.

 

[GatorAZ]

We know the eye test doesn’t match the numbers but KD is averaging 28/7/4 on 51/41/84. The Suns would be downright foolish to not be seriously considering moving him even if it’s not a superstar level return. He could get hurt again any minute (hell he’s gone down in a layup line)! You have to salvage assets out of this debacle.

 

[GatorAZ]

The problem is that superstar status gives a player a de facto no trade clause. Kevin Durant probably has enough power to break a trade by refusing to report.

True. He can make things difficult but he’s also shown a propensity to getting happy feet. The new team could promise him another year on his contract.

 

[Yuma]

I think JJ gets blamed here for a lot of things he may not be responsible for. But regardless, I think it's time to replace most, if not all, of the decision makers.

IDK NBA as well as the NFL front office guys. I totally agree with this. Watching how the Chargers just did this with a way better GM, and a proven coach. Coach Bud might be OK, but there is a true disconnect between the players we get versus the strengths of the coaches. It is just like having a GM just pick guys without having seen the team he is drafting for. We have no overall identity in which to blue print what to do with players and coaches. Gotta figure that out first.

 

[Hoop Head]

IDK NBA as well as the NFL front office guys. I totally agree with this. Watching how the Chargers just did this with a way better GM, and a proven coach. Coach Bud might be OK, but there is a true disconnect between the players we get versus the strengths of the coaches. It is just like having a GM just pick guys without having seen the team he is drafting for. We have no overall identity in which to blue print what to do with players and coaches. Gotta figure that out first.

Budenholzer has worn both hats, coach and GM. Maybe he's the fall back plan? He was seen regularly scouting with JJ before the draft. That was the first time I saw JJ scouting since we landed the #1 pick.

 

[95pro]

I believe that keeping Damion Lee is a waste of money. He doesn't seem to do anything useful. He could be released, cut, waived, whatever is appropriate.

And we still have a roster spot open too. So doing that we would have two spots.