2023 Phoenix Suns Offseason

Chaplin

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A healthy Kawhi is my pick in that scenario. I remember after those first two Clipper games thinking he was the best player on planet earth,
No way. He might have a few good minutes of him but he's a shell of his all-nba self. I'd take Lebron or KD over him in that scenario.
 

Chaplin

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Yeah it does matter but that’s different than saying he’s a shell of himself as a player.
If he only plays a couple games a month, there's no guarantee he's going to be otherworldly in every game. The guy is running on reputation right now and hasn't proven to be consistent even in the minutes he does play.
 

Cheesebeef

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If he only plays a couple games a month, there's no guarantee he's going to be otherworldly in every game. The guy is running on reputation right now and hasn't proven to be consistent even in the minutes he does play.
Gotta disagree. In the minutes he did play last year, he was 24/6/4, while still being a good defender. And even those numbers are skewed by the first two months of the season when he was held out for injuries and wasn’t back in good condition.

But from January through the playoffs, when he was on the court with a lot more regularity and had shaken off the rust, he was a complete and utter beast again, averaging 27/7/4 on 50% shooting and an eye popping 45% from 3 on 5.3 attempts per game. And then he upped his game once the playoffs started, looking like agruably the best player in the playoffs in the 2 games against us before he got injured again.

None of which is to say he’s dependable because with his injuries, he’s clearly not. But when he is healthy, his play isn’t lauded because of rep… he’s lauded because somehow, despite all the injuries, when he is healthy, he’s still one of the best players in the game.
 
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If he only plays a couple games a month, there's no guarantee he's going to be otherworldly in every game. The guy is running on reputation right now and hasn't proven to be consistent even in the minutes he does play.

He played 5 more games than KD did last season, shot over 50% from the field and 41% from 3 while all of his other stats were right around career averages. He did average 1 less point a game but he was also coming off an ACL tear. This idea he's a shell of his former self or never plays doesn't hold up very well when you look at his season and compare it to someone like KD, who you've praised heavily. He also played in more games than KD by month throughout 2023 once he worked his way back into shape from missing the previous season.
 

Ouchie-Z-Clown

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He played 5 more games than KD did last season, shot over 50% from the field and 41% from 3 while all of his other stats were right around career averages. He did average 1 less point a game but he was also coming off an ACL tear. This idea he's a shell of his former self or never plays doesn't hold up very well when you look at his season and compare it to someone like KD, who you've praised heavily. He also played in more games than KD by month throughout 2023 once he worked his way back into shape from missing the previous season.
I get what you’re saying. I also have the same feeling as chap though. Maybe it’s because he never finishes the playoffs anymore. So that’s much fresher in mind.
 

Hoop Head

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I get what you’re saying. I also have the same feeling as chap though. Maybe it’s because he never finishes the playoffs anymore. So that’s much fresher in mind.

If he didn't tear his meniscus it would have been an entirely different series against the Clippers. Who knows then how it plays out. Shame we haven't seen a healthy Clips squad because Kawhi and PG are arguably the best duo in the league if healthy.
 

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In a pickup game, I'd choose Lebron. No one is taking a charge from him.
Lebron at this age? Are you serious? I'm sorry he is so overrated at this point.

I would take Paul George, Ingram, KD, Kwahi, Tatum, and Jaylen Brown over Lebron. I would even take Mikal over Lebron.

Which is not even really a shot at Lebron - it's understanding the reality of what being a 40 year old means.

And the second most overrated player is Jimmy Butler - I have seen several lists where he is ranked above Booker - that is just complete and utter BS. Rarely does he ever take over a game.
 

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Lebron at this age? Are you serious? I'm sorry he is so overrated at this point.

I would take Paul George, Ingram, KD, Kwahi, Tatum, and Jaylen Brown over Lebron. I would even take Mikal over Lebron.

Which is not even really a shot at Lebron - it's understanding the reality of what being a 40 year old means.

And the second most overrated player is Jimmy Butler - I have seen several lists where he is ranked above Booker - that is just complete and utter BS. Rarely does he ever take over a game.

Those lunch hour basketball games can get pretty rough. Give me Lebron.
 

Hoop Head

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PG smh, he hasn't been anything since the Pacers run.

He was a dark horse MVP candidate in OKC his second season there, finishing 3rd in the race and getting All NBA 1st team and All Defense 1st team honors. He helped push the Clippers to the WCF and win 2 games against us. He's definitely a star but he's had trouble staying healthy in LA.
 

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Usman Garuba (21) would be interesting if the Suns could sign him to a two-way contract. He is listed as a power forward and center.

The Thunder waived him.
 

95pro

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He was a dark horse MVP candidate in OKC his second season there, finishing 3rd in the race and getting All NBA 1st team and All Defense 1st team honors. He helped push the Clippers to the WCF and win 2 games against us. He's definitely a star but he's had trouble staying healthy in LA.

After I posted what i said, i looked him up and forgot about the OKC stint.
 

Mainstreet

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Damian Lillard told Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic about Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.


By August 22nd, 2023 at 9:20pm CST by Dana Gauruder, Hoops Rumors:


“That’s definitely a Big 3,” he said. “Brad Beal, Book, KD. I mean, that’s a monster three. I think it will be fun to watch. They’ll win a lot of games and the goal is to win. As players of their level, it just has to click. They’ve got to connect. It wouldn’t surprise me if they did click, but that’s the most important thing is being able to click out there and to be able to work together towards winning.”


 

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