Cavaliers @ Suns Friday game thread 3-21-2025

[BirdGangThing]

this is what i was talking about last night

they block off his passing routes hoping they'll get the steal or he'll shoot the 3

but dunn dunn't let the defense dictate the shot dunn takes

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[GatorAZ]

KD put up numbers! Trade stock still high.

 

[Mainstreet]

this is what i was talking about last night

they block off his passing routes hoping they'll get the steal or he'll shoot the 3

but dunn dunn't let the defense dictate the shot dunn takes

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Dunn seems to be playing with more confidence than ever. He seems to be jumping higher, if that is possible. Maybe it seems that way because he is starting to dominate athletically.

The Rodman (with a shot) comparison is looking more realistic as time goes by.

 

[SactownSunsFan]

Where's this team been? Oh yeah, half have been rotting on the bench behind Plumlee and Co. That's the youthful energy that has been missing all season.

 

[Cheesebeef]

It’s beyond bizarre that Dunn got buried on the bench for so long.

 

[Suns_fan69]

I get it, hindsight is 20/20 but the last few games makes the Beal trade all the more frustrating. The blueprint of Book + KD + shooters, atheletic defenders and rim runners is working. Imagine if we used Beal's 50M contract for more of those archetypes...

 

[SactownSunsFan]

I get it, hindsight is 20/20 but the last few games makes the Beal trade all the more frustrating. The blueprint of Book + KD + shooters, atheletic defenders and rim runners is working. Imagine if we used Beal's 50M contract for more of those archetypes...

Imagine if we didn't include Camara in that trade with the Blazers. Dunn and Camara as wing defenders? Ooof. But yea, that Beal trade is gonna go down as one of, if not, the worst trade in franchise history. Beal not waiving his no trade clause upon coming here shoulda been the end of that trade discussion.

 

[CardNots]

But yea, that Beal trade is gonna go down as one of, if not, the worst trade in franchise history.

Yep

 

[BirdGangThing]

i still don't know what to make of this game - cavs lost a handful of games before coming to phx - plus our two wins before were against some seriously subpar talent

we've switched our line up and defense - there's not much tape on it yet - cavs definitely hadn't planned for it - will our dominance drop off when teams game plan for our new look?

or are we indeed playing quality basketball? less mistakes heightened focus contest every shot fight for every possession basketball?

idfk but im freakin dyin' over here - still over 24 hours to go - going against a team that will definitely let us know - against the team you could say started our spiral plus we have their old coach now - the one giannis got canned

our new scheme is working - but i have a feeling the bucks will help all the phx fans worried about being sucked in again - on wether or not this new team is worth the watch

would bud dare start oso against giannis if richards and/or plum are available? because he's the only one fast enough to switch on defense the way bud wants imo - has he earned that start and respect yet? recent stats say yes but we're talking VERY recent

 

[Yuma]

The difference is the loose ball plays and taking care of the ball. We were getting none most of the season. These young guys and Martin run to every loose ball. We were not getting these hustle plays most of the season.

Also KD last 3, 19 assists, 7 TOV, 61%, 27 PPG

Book: last 3, 23 assists, 6 TOV, 49.4%, 28 PPG

When they are both cooking and taking care of the ball it’s a much different team. Add the hustle we have not seen all season, especially from the rookies it’s the best 3 game stretch.

By the way. OSO 44 minutes?!?

One of those games Booker had 10 assists to just 1 turn over and he was setting up the offense that game.

 

[Suns_fan69]

i still don't know what to make of this game - cavs lost a handful of games before coming to phx - plus our two wins before were against some seriously subpar talent

we've switched our line up and defense - there's not much tape on it yet - cavs definitely hadn't planned for it - will our dominance drop off when teams game plan for our new look?

or are we indeed playing quality basketball? less mistakes heightened focus contest every shot fight for every possession basketball?

idfk but im freakin dyin' over here - still over 24 hours to go - going against a team that will definitely let us know - against the team you could say started our spiral plus we have their old coach now - the one giannis got canned

our new scheme is working - but i have a feeling the bucks will help all the phx fans worried about being sucked in again - on wether or not this new team is worth the watch

would bud dare start oso against giannis if richards and/or plum are available? because he's the only one fast enough to switch on defense the way bud wants imo - has he earned that start and respect yet? recent stats say yes but we're talking VERY recent

Agree, it's really tough to get a read on teams in March, everyone's banged up and not everyone is playing for something. Perfect example, the Bulls team that Phoenix beat almost wire to wire also just manhandled the Lakers by 30 points.

But the eye test looks good for the team right now, on both ends of the floor. The defense doesn't look lost, and the offense is not turning the ball over as often and getting up quality shots. I'm still not convinced they can actually make the play-in (Dallas has been playing extremely well considering their situation, and rumors are circling that AD will be returning soon), but it's just so much more entertaining to watch.