Bulls @ Suns Wednesday game thread 3-19-2025

[Superbone]

This was the first time the Suns have won two straight games since late January.

Didn’t realize how bad a stretch it’s been for the Suns.

It only took this team 70 games to figure out it takes defensive intensity, rebounding the ball, and reducing silly turnovers to win games.

I will say I do like our roster a lot better now than what we started the season with.

 

[95pro]

It only took this team 70 games to figure out it takes defensive intensity, rebounding the ball, and reducing silly turnovers to win games.

I will say I do like our roster a lot better now than what we started the season with.

Well we are playing some dirt workers and guys who hustle. Before with all of the dissapointing-3 playing together, they would stand there and wait for the ball to fall into their lap. These others guys are going after it, Allen used to be one of those guys but he's fallen into the same mentality that Booker has.

 

[Mainstreet]

We don't have a roster spot now. Signing Gillepsie means waiving someone, either Lee or Misic. I'm fine waiving either but I don't think we need to make a move early. That also increases tax bill, which Ishbia has shown he cares about to some extent.

I believe we lose the matching rights if he is signed for the remainder of the year also, which would hamper our ability to re-sign him this summer. All so he could potentially play in 4-5 games. I don't think he'll make a difference in a playoff run.

He should be retained this summer but I don't see the need to do so early. The small positive, being eligible for the post season, doesn't outweigh the potential negatives. Those negatives being a higher tax bill and potentially losing RFA matching ability. We aren't making the playoffs, no 10 seed has. We definitely aren't winning in round 1.

I am in favor of JJ looking bad to finish the season so there's no chance he's retained. Gillepsie being off the playoff roster does that. Ideally, Gillepsie plays big and wins a game or two for us and helps us secure a playoff spot and then the Suns get trounced without him. Helping to highlight why JJ needs fired while also signalling to the new powers in charge that Colin needs signed long term.

I always suspected the Suns not signing Gillespie to a long term contract early in the season could come back and haunt them.

And Bud is only now figuring out who should start and come off the bench.

How ironic, if Gillespie develops into the Suns best point guard, they make the play-in and he is not on the play-off roster.

 

[Superbone]

It's a good thing we still have Damion Lee on the roster and have been so patient with him. It has paid off in spades!

 

[95pro]

I always suspected the Suns not signing Gillespie to a long term contract early in the season could come back and haunt them.

And Bud is only now figuring out who should start and come off the bench.

How ironic, if Gillespie develops into the Suns best point guard, they make the play-in and he is not on the play-off roster.

I wouldn't give him that much credit. Plumlee and Allen were out, so Richards and Dunn had to play.

 

[Hoop Head]

I always suspected the Suns not signing Gillespie to a long term contract early in the season could come back and haunt them.

And Bud is only now figuring out who should start and come off the bench.

How ironic, if Gillespie develops into the Suns best point guard, they make the play-in and he is not on the play-off roster.

I get it but do you think Gillepsie would make much difference in a playoff series vs OKC? I don't see any chance we upset them, Gillepsie or not.

 

[Mainstreet]

I get it but do you think Gillepsie would make much difference in a playoff series vs OKC? I don't see any chance we upset them, Gillepsie or not.

It's all about a team keeping their best players and better yet, signed to reasonable contracts.

The Suns aren't likely going anywhere this season, but I do not like to concede games that have never been played.

Although it may be a thousand to one odds, what if the Suns suddenly jelled, made the play-in and advanced?

 

[Hoop Head]

It's all about a team keeping their best players and better yet, signed to reasonable contracts.

The Suns aren't likely going anywhere this season, but I do not like to concede games that have never been played.

Although it may be a thousand to one odds, what if the Suns suddenly jelled, made the play-in and advanced?

I'd have more faith and get more enjoyment seeing a scrappy team like the Bledsoe/Dragic Suns try to upset a 1 seed than this team that has underachieved. So regardless of if this team makes the playoffs, it's delaying the inevitable. Maybe I'm wrong and they could make a serious run. Not having Gillepsie is yet another reason I don't see that happening. He has been what we hoped Tyus would be. It's too late to right the ship now.


Where I disagree, I don't think Gillepsie earned a full roster spot earlier in the year. He showed flashes in preseason and then was hurt for a long time. He really didn't display this level of talent or poise until very recently. IMO he hasn't shown enough to warrant a long term deal outside of a minimum signing also. If his team is good, they won't jump on a long term minimum deal either given he could earn more on the open market. He has no allegiance to this organization. So we're in a tough spot, one that isn't easy to solve while play is happening. I trust it will be sorted in the off-season. Hopefully we can find a mutually beneficial agreement.

 

[Suns_fan69]

It only took this team 70 games to figure out it takes defensive intensity, rebounding the ball, and reducing silly turnovers to win games.

I will say I do like our roster a lot better now than what we started the season with.

I think a big part of this shift is having bigs that won't absolutely get toasted switching on the perimeter. Having Nurk/Plum constantly in drop meant the team constantly had to throw a 3rd defender in to help contain drives which led to teams bombing away with open shots from the perimeter. Now they're more tightly contested and while they do give up some mismatches down low, they are trying to scram switch out of them and are doing a good job deflecting entry passes.

Nick in particular is still at a major disadvantage on the perimeter, but it looks better than the alternative currently.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'd have more faith and get more enjoyment seeing a scrappy team like the Bledsoe/Dragic Suns try to upset a 1 seed than this team that has underachieved. So regardless of if this team makes the playoffs, it's delaying the inevitable. Maybe I'm wrong and they could make a serious run. Not having Gillepsie is yet another reason I don't see that happening. He has been what we hoped Tyus would be. It's too late to right the ship now.


Where I disagree, I don't think Gillepsie earned a full roster spot earlier in the year. He showed flashes in preseason and then was hurt for a long time. He really didn't display this level of talent or poise until very recently. IMO he hasn't shown enough to warrant a long term deal outside of a minimum signing also. If his team is good, they won't jump on a long term minimum deal either given he could earn more on the open market. He has no allegiance to this organization. So we're in a tough spot, one that isn't easy to solve while play is happening. I trust it will be sorted in the off-season. Hopefully we can find a mutually beneficial agreement.

I liked Gillespie when he played for Villanova, Denver and now the Suns. Nothing has changed my mind, except he needs more playing time. The talent is there.

IMO, he should have been on the regular roster from the get-go.

It's up to the coach to give him the opportunity to play and bring out the talent. That didn't happen on a two-way contract.

 

[Proximo]

I always suspected the Suns not signing Gillespie to a long term contract early in the season could come back and haunt them.

And Bud is only now figuring out who should start and come off the bench.

How ironic, if Gillespie develops into the Suns best point guard, they make the play-in and he is not on the play-off roster.

Are we watching the same guy? He had about zero impact in the last 2 games he started. I know he has shown flashes and there might be something to build on, but the idea he is some huge difference maker is ridiculous.

 

[BirdGangThing]

Are we watching the same guy? He had about zero impact in the last 2 games he started. I know he has shown flashes and there might be something to build on, but the idea he is some huge difference maker is ridiculous.

must be - gill has done wonders for the team both sides of the ball - some won't show on the stat sheet but if you're watching he's been pretty good

 

[Proximo]

must be - gill has done wonders for the team both sides of the ball - some won't show on the stat sheet but if you're watching he's been pretty good

I am watching, and I don't really know what you are talking about.

Last night he missed about every shot he took, and none of his assists except maybe one or two to start a fast break were impressive.

 

[Mainstreet]

Are we watching the same guy? He had about zero impact in the last 2 games he started. I know he has shown flashes and there might be something to build on, but the idea he is some huge difference maker is ridiculous.

I am watching, and I don't really know what you are talking about.

Last night he missed about every shot he took, and none of his assists except maybe one or two to start a fast break were impressive.

I like the way Gillespie runs the team. He is a true point guard and the Suns seem to respond to that. What I mean, his first order of business is running the team. Stats are a by product.

Although Collin has not demonstrated it yet, he is an excellent shooter and he never gives up on defense even if the offensive player gets around him. He is constantly bothering the ball handler from behind. IMO, the Suns have barely tapped his ability.

The fact that his passes aren't flashy makes me like him more. The Suns need a fundamentally sound point guard with a high basketball IQ.

 

[Covert Rain]

I am watching, and I don't really know what you are talking about.

Last night he missed about every shot he took, and none of his assists except maybe one or two to start a fast break were impressive.

I agree he is not a huge difference maker but you must be watching something different because I see him being a pest on the court, showing a ton of hustle and as BirdGanGThing said, things that don't necessarily show up on a stat sheet. I am not convinced he is starting material yet but I do think he is making an impact.

 

[Mainstreet]

I wouldn't give him that much credit. Plumlee and Allen were out, so Richards and Dunn had to play.

Maybe Richards and Dunn playing wasn't a bad thing. The same with Beal being out?

 

[Covert Rain]

Maybe Richards and Dunn playing wasn't a bad thing. The same with Beal being out?

Beal does some great things offensively when he is out there but I am starting to think you might be onto something. Seems to me, there have been a few games now that I can recall where I liked how we looked without Beal.

 

[Mainstreet]

Beal does some great things offensively when he is out there but I am starting to think you might be onto something. Seems to me, there have been a few games now that I can recall where I liked how we looked without Beal.

If Beal would stick to playing shooting guard, I'd like him a lot more.

The same with Booker, although he does a much better job playing both shooting guard and point guard.

 

[Suns_fan69]

I read somewhere (maybe here) that the Suns are 11-2 with KD and Book in and Beal out. That's... a crazy stat to think about given their current record.

 

[Mainstreet]

I read somewhere (maybe here) that the Suns are 11-2 with KD and Book in and Beal out. That's... a crazy stat to think about given their current record.

I just saw this. It relates to what you said.

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[Carolinacacti]

Jo

I am watching, and I don't really know what you are talking about.

Last night he missed about every shot he took, and none of his assists except maybe one or two to start a fast break were impressive.

jones is playing better and that's because of G man wait tell he starts hitting his three

 

[CardNots]

I just saw this. It relates to what you said.

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What surprised me we are only talking about a small size of 13 games. Seems to me Beal hasn’t been available for half the year per injury.

I wonder if they are only taking into account when starting.

 

[Mainstreet]

What surprised me we are only talking about a small size of 13 games. Seems to me Beal hasn’t been available for half the year per injury.

I wonder if they are only taking into account when starting.

That's a good guess.

 

[Mulli]

OT: Vucevic for Bulls is a traffic cone on defense right?

 

[Suns_fan69]

What surprised me we are only talking about a small size of 13 games. Seems to me Beal hasn’t been available for half the year per injury.

I wonder if they are only taking into account when starting.

Since I have nothing better to do at work today, I gathered the data on this. Note, I did not differentiate whether Beal was starting or off the bench.

Suns Record = 33W - 37L
With All 3 playing = 19W - 18L
With KD only = 0W - 1L
With Book only = 1W - 6L
With Beal only = N/A (no games played)
With KD & Book = 11W - 3L
With KD & Beal = 1W - 4L
With Book & Beal = 1W - 5L