2022-23 Around the NBA Thread

[GatorAZ]

Kyrie can go nuclear for a quarter and take over an arena unlike anyone I’ve seen but their defense is in serious trouble. Gobert and McDaniels went 16-17 from the field.

 

[Phrazbit]

That last possession was comical. The deflection at the start certainly wrecked whatever the plan was, but that game of hot potato between Kyrie and Luka was a joke, each trying way to hard to be the unselfish one. A few weeks ago Luka would have jacked that shot up from 30 feet with 8 seconds left.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Mavs getting destroyed by the T-Wolves right now. Luka and Kyrie having subpar games as well.

I am just not sure how Luka and Kyrie work together. They both need the ball in their hands and the D is not great.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

That last possession was comical. The deflection at the start certainly wrecked whatever the plan was, but that game of hot potato between Kyrie and Luka was a joke, each trying way to hard to be the unselfish one. A few weeks ago Luka would have jacked that shot up from 30 feet with 8 seconds left.

At the same time that is a sign that it may just work. They both are clearly okay with the idea of allowing the other to be the hero. We haven't seen much from Luka so far to suggest that he can be much of a spot up player, but we know that Kyrie can absolutely play off the ball and spot up.

 

[Phrazbit]

I am just not sure how Luka and Kyrie work together. They both need the ball in their hands and the D is not great.

Yeah, Luka basically doesn't defend, Kyrie for much of his career was terrible, but he can engage defensively here and there but he is, at best, a middling defender.

It's pretty funny that they let Brunson walk over a few million. Brunson can run the offense and play off the ball AND he is a willing defender.

I fully expect Kyrie to bail for Los Angeles after the season. The only way he stays in Dallas is if they offer him a fully guaranteed 4-5 year max... which would be insane, and if they do, he will walk all over that organization. Even without leverage he is an entitled, distracting, cancer. Anyone who commits to him is bonkers.

 

[Phrazbit]

At the same time that is a sign that it may just work. They both are clearly okay with the idea of allowing the other to be the hero. We haven't seen much from Luka so far to suggest that he can be much of a spot up player, but we know that Kyrie can absolutely play off the ball and spot up.

Nah, I don't think that is how it will play out, not with their personalities. Luka shows up teammates whenever things go poorly, Kyrie thinks of himself as a Buddhist monk... only as long as Buddhist monks have zero level of accountability.

Best case for us, they don't realize they hate each other until Kyrie signs an extension, but I am certain, if they end up stuck with each other, they will loath each other. Those guys are cut from very different cloths, while at the same time both being difficult personalities.

 

[Ronin]

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[SunsTzu]

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As fun as this is, just remember the Suns starters had one of the lowest net rating when CP first joined and there were even people wondering if the team would be better off with Rubio.

 

[AzStevenCal]

As fun as this is, just remember the Suns starters had one of the lowest net rating when CP first joined and there were even people wondering if the team would be better off with Rubio.

Yeah we started off 8-8 and it wasn't just 1Sun saying we should bench CP3.

 

[Covert Rain]

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Yeah not sure if this means anything. There is going to be an adjustment period when adding a new major piece. I am looking at this different in that the Mavs could be way ahead of the Suns gelling with their new player verses ours when the end of the season barreling down on us since KD isn't coming back until after the All-Star break.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Yeah not sure if this means anything. There is going to be an adjustment period when adding a new major piece. I am looking at this different in that the Mavs could be way ahead of the Suns gelling with their new player verses ours when the end of the season barreling down on us since KD isn't coming back until after the All-Star break.

Yeah we have some disadvantages there given that Durant's been out for a month plus and same is true for a handful of our players so there will be an adjustment period. But KD is pretty much the ultimate plug and play guy so that should offset some of the learning curve.

 

[Covert Rain]

Yeah we have some disadvantages there given that Durant's been out for a month plus and same is true for a handful of our players so there will be an adjustment period. But KD is pretty much the ultimate plug and play guy so that should offset some of the learning curve.

That and Monty hinted he won't have to change the offense because our offense is designed for mid-range and KD fits right into that. That's why I am saying "could". I think the biggest challenge might be for CP3 deciding who he passes the ball to and when.

 

[Mainstreet]

With so many scoring options, the Suns should have a lot of players open for easy shots.

No packing the lane and double-trible teaming one player. I expect Ayton to be a beneficiary.

 

[JCSunsfan]

That and Monty hinted he won't have to change the offense because our offense is designed for mid-range and KD fits right into that. That's why I am saying "could". I think the biggest challenge might be for CP3 deciding who he passes the ball to and when.

I usually think this, but I am pretty convinced that these guys will gel pretty quickly. They all will know their role exactly and they are all smart enough to find the open man and take the shot when they have it. CP3 is the clear distributor and that makes a huge difference. With Kyrie and Luka, both are trying to be the distributor.

 

[JCSunsfan]

With so many scoring options, the Suns should have a lot of players open for easy shots.

No packing the lane and double-trible teaming one player. I expect Ayton to be a beneficiary.

Yep. Imagine DA or even TJ slashing. That is an easy feast for either of them. The D will be the bigger concern.

 

[Mainstreet]

Yep. Imagine DA or even TJ slashing. That is an easy feast for either of them. The D will be the bigger concern.

Agree. It will be interesting to see what the Suns defense looks like after the loss of Bridges.

 

[95pro]

Agree. It will be interesting to see what the Suns defense looks like after the loss of Bridges.

I'm not really concerned as Durant can hold his own, him and Book are just held in the same regards in that they "don't play defense". But they actually play good defense.

Once both Book and cp3 are back i expect our perimeter D to be a lot better than the turnstyle of DLee and Washington. Its not like Bridges was shutting teams or even players down this year, but he was asked of a lot since our perimeter D has been so bad with the end of bench guys getting so many minutes.

 

[Muggz]

Yep. Imagine DA or even TJ slashing. That is an easy feast for either of them. The D will be the bigger concern.

If DA could learn just a little bit from KD on movement and protecting the ball its gravy.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I'm not really concerned as Durant can hold his own, him and Book are just held in the same regards in that they "don't play defense". But they actually play good defense.

Once both Book and cp3 are back i expect our perimeter D to be a lot better than the turnstyle of DLee and Washington. Its not like Bridges was shutting teams or even players down this year, but he was asked of a lot since our perimeter D has been so bad with the end of bench guys getting so many minutes.

Book has become a good defensive player, not great but good. DA is still a good defender. KD has supposedly been playing good D for some time now. CP3 still plays smart D even if his body limits him. So as long as the fill-in at SF plays D, it should be passable. Mikal is a huge loss, but KD is going to be no less of a defender than CamJ. We have some defensive options at the 3 with Craig, Okogie, and Baz. Craig has the most complete game of those, so I expect he will start.

TJ is the enigma. He is the perfect piece for the starting bunch offensively. He is an incredible garbage scorer (so is Ayton). The problem with TJ is his defense. However, this team has built a defensive culture. Sometimes when that happens, new players fall in line and improve on D. It will be interesting to see how much of a catalyst was for our defensive culture.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Just as an aside, I am impressed with Jamal Crawford as a commentator. He shows great insight and is a very good communicator.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Just as an aside, I am impressed with Jamal Crawford as a commentator. He shows great insight and is a very good communicator.

Yeah, I just watched the TNT segment and thought his comments about the Suns were smart… except for the idea that Melo or Isiah coming to the Suns.

 

[95pro]

And Mikal lays an egg against the Knicks. Idk about his defense though

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

And Mikal lays an egg against the Knicks. Idk about his defense though

He has been great in the two games defensively (players shooting like 33% against him). Offensively they are just figuring out how to fit all the new pieces together. Right now Mikal isn't going to get the ball in the spots that he is used to with us, but I think that is expected.

 

[Muggz]

Defense Smefence who the hell can outscore us?
JOKING! I'm Still waiting on my 3pt shooting PF and or backup PG

 

[Cardsfan77]

He has been great in the two games defensively (players shooting like 33% against him). Offensively they are just figuring out how to fit all the new pieces together. Right now Mikal isn't going to get the ball in the spots that he is used to with us, but I think that is expected.

He must not have been guarding Brunson then for some reason lol