Clippers @ Suns 1-4-19

[Mainstreet]

Friday the Clippers visit the Suns for a 7 p.m. Arizona time game.

It is scheduled to be televised on FSAZ.

The Suns lineup will reportedly be the same: Melton, Booker, Bridges, Warren and Ayton.

Here is a game preview and more from Duane Rankin at azcentral:


Outlook: Phoenix (9-30) continues its seven-game homestand against the Los Angeles Clippers (21-16) after losing Wednesday night to Philadelphia, to Golden State on New Year’s Eve and to Oklahoma City and Denver in back-to-back games. … The Clippers have lost their last two games to San Antonio and Philadelphia, which followed up its win in Los Angeles with a 132-127 victory in Phoenix. The Sixers were up by 30 points early in the second half before Phoenix mounted a comeback to get within six in the fourth and three with 5.9 seconds left in the game. … The Clippers are 2-0 against Phoenix, winning the latter game in overtime, 123-119, last month in Phoenix. … The Suns conclude this homestand Sunday against Charlotte and Tuesday vs. Sacramento. The Suns are 0-1 against the Kings and have yet to play the Hornets this season.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...9th-early-nba-all-star-fan-voting/2477447002/

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Gotta figure out a way to come out firing on at least some cylinders.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Gotta figure out a way to come out firing on at least some cylinders.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Gotta figure out a way to come out firing on at least some cylinders.

Booker said in an interview this morning that they need to start coming out early and being the aggressor. Hopefully the talk becomes reality starting tomorrow.

 

[1Sun]

Booker said in an interview this morning that they need to start coming out early and being the aggressor. Hopefully the talk becomes reality starting tomorrow.

On the Doug and Wolf show on KTAR and again on the Bickley and Marotta show, they quoted Igor as saying the same thing and then noted that Igor has been saying this same thing since early November. Just saying...

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I’m trying to be more realistic . . . even with my cliches.

 

[taz02]

I think the second unit should be brought at the first sign of lackluster play. The defensive jolt they provide has been under utilized. I thought they should have been brought in early in the first quarter of the sixers game.

Maybe start Oubre over Bridges for some early intensity.

 

[BC867]

I think the second unit should be brought at the first sign of lackluster play. The defensive jolt they provide has been under utilized. I thought they should have been brought in early in the first quarter of the sixers game.

Maybe start Oubre over Bridges for some early intensity.

Thus far, Bridges is a defensive specialist but nothing else as a rookie. I am not saying that it is his fault that we have given up a lot of early points, but we have nonetheless, right through yesterday's game, so what does it matter?

I have posted off and on that his development would best be served starting his career coming off the bench. So I agree with your suggestion. Especially considering Oubre's enthusiasm.

Unfortunately, Igor has shown that he makes major changes only when his back against the wall. Such as when Warren dogged it coming off the bench until he was put back into the starting lineup.

What are the Suns going to do with a passive Head Coach? I hate to say it but the best way to handle it is by firing him (or make him Sarver's special assistant) at the end of the season.

We can only hope that doesn't continue to affect Booker's attitude. Physically (and probably emotionally), he is taking the brunt of it all. As goes Devin, so go the Suns. With DeAndre (mature beyond his years) right behind him.

A Head Coach is responsible for a lot more than X's and O's. And Igor isn't accomplishing very much with that, either.

 

[sdscard4]

I'm saying 32-13 after 1st qtr. If I am even close Houston we have a problem

 

[devilalum]

I think the second unit should be brought at the first sign of lackluster play. The defensive jolt they provide has been under utilized. I thought they should have been brought in early in the first quarter of the sixers game.

Maybe start Oubre over Bridges for some early intensity.

yes

 

[95pro]

I say keep Bridges starting but start subs sooner. Take Melton out way earlier, insert defensive lineup instead of playing Booker the entire 1st.

 

[SirStefan32]

If the starters are off to a slow start, I'd do a mass substitution- Okobo, Crawford, Jackson, Oubre, Holmes very early on, probably within the first five minutes. It would send a message.

 

[95pro]

If the starters are off to a slow start, I'd do a mass substitution- Okobo, Crawford, Jackson, Oubre, Holmes very early on, probably within the first five minutes. It would send a message.

When Oubre first came on I thought we did this. Platoon style worked for the suns the last time they went to the playoffs. Now it's a player by player sub pattern. I wouldn't say that early though, 5 minutes into the game.

Usually 8 min for starters, 4 for subs, end of quarter. Then 2-4 min for subs in 2nd qtr. Then starters finish out 2nd qtr. Lately it seems the "pattern" is all over the place. They might still be trying to figure out the best pattern with Oubre aboard, im sure analytics come into play too.

But imo maybe Oubre or JJ in for Melton sooner, maybe even at the 6 minute mark.

 

[Mainstreet]

If the starters are off to a slow start, I'd do a mass substitution- Okobo, Crawford, Jackson, Oubre, Holmes very early on, probably within the first five minutes. It would send a message.

The Suns might want to consider this.

I was looking back at the Celtics game where the bench was so effective. The Suns played Holmes, Jackson, Oubre and Crawford off the bench.

I'm not a big fan of platooning (John MacLeod did this a lot) but it can be effective when certain players play better together. Sometimes the bench is more hungry than the starters.

 

[Ronin]

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[Mainstreet]

The Suns need to do the walk.

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[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

The Suns need to do the walk.

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In my opinion this starts with getting Ayton more aggressive in initiating contact. If he can pump fake or throw himself into some bodies he can start drawing fouls. He’s a good enough free throw shooter than it will bear fruit. If he’s successful often enough we can beat our opposition to the bonus and that allows us a great luxury in keeping pace or building a lead. But I really think that starts with Ayton because every night he’s our biggest mismatch. No one else possesses a size or speed mismatch offensively. He usually possesses both against his opponent.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Thus far, Bridges is a defensive specialist but nothing else as a rookie. I am not saying that it is his fault that we have given up a lot of early points, but we have nonetheless, right through yesterday's game, so what does it matter?

I have posted off and on that his development would best be served starting his career coming off the bench. So I agree with your suggestion. Especially considering Oubre's enthusiasm.

Unfortunately, Igor has shown that he makes major changes only when his back against the wall. Such as when Warren dogged it coming off the bench until he was put back into the starting lineup.

What are the Suns going to do with a passive Head Coach? I hate to say it but the best way to handle it is by firing him (or make him Sarver's special assistant) at the end of the season.

We can only hope that doesn't continue to affect Booker's attitude. Physically (and probably emotionally), he is taking the brunt of it all. As goes Devin, so go the Suns. With DeAndre (mature beyond his years) right behind him.

A Head Coach is responsible for a lot more than X's and O's. And Igor isn't accomplishing very much with that, either.

When has Igor's back been against the wall? He makes very deliberate moves, slower than most here would want, but never in desperation. You have decided that Igor is passive, which has no real basis in reality. And now you are going to repeat it incessantly. There is no indication that Igor is passive. It is foolish to talk about firing him at the end of the season. This team needs stability. Firing your head coach, one who is universally liked around the league, going into your most important free agency period ever is very short sighted. But even then, deciding the first week in January, that you are going to fire him in April is really silly. Back him or fire him, but don't let him hang.

 

[95pro]

In my opinion this starts with getting Ayton more aggressive in initiating contact. If he can pump fake or throw himself into some bodies he can start drawing fouls. He’s a good enough free throw shooter than it will bear fruit. If he’s successful often enough we can beat our opposition to the bonus and that allows us a great luxury in keeping pace or building a lead. But I really think that starts with Ayton because every night he’s our biggest mismatch. No one else possesses a size or speed mismatch offensively. He usually possesses both against his opponent.

Right?

He could easily finish some plays where's he's deep in the paint, but doesn't think to pump fake. Pump fake, defender (usually smaller) goes in the air, and that's when you finish.

Also he needs to learn to create space, put that shoulder into them before you go up in the shooting motion.

Instead he just avoids all contact. It's also really frustrating when he has a non-center/forward on him while he's deep in the paint but refuses to score.

 

[Mainstreet]

In my opinion this starts with getting Ayton more aggressive in initiating contact. If he can pump fake or throw himself into some bodies he can start drawing fouls. He’s a good enough free throw shooter than it will bear fruit. If he’s successful often enough we can beat our opposition to the bonus and that allows us a great luxury in keeping pace or building a lead. But I really think that starts with Ayton because every night he’s our biggest mismatch. No one else possesses a size or speed mismatch offensively. He usually possesses both against his opponent.

Marcin Gortat started for the Clippers on Tuesday. This would be a good opportunity for him to do this.

Ayton should dominate Gortat.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Marcin Gortat started for the Clippers on Tuesday. This would be a good opportunity for him to do this.

Ayton should dominate Gortat.

I agree. But Ayton hasn’t faced Gortat yet, right? And Gortat is pretty physical. It’s my impression that Ayton is intimidated by physical players the first go-round and gets more comfortable the next time he sees them. I hope that’s not the case here because you’re right, he should dominate Gortat.

 

[Mainstreet]

I agree. But Ayton hasn’t faced Gortat yet, right? And Gortat is pretty physical. It’s my impression that Ayton is intimidated by physical players the first go-round and gets more comfortable the next time he sees them. I hope that’s not the case here because you’re right, he should dominate Gortat.

I'm thinking Ayton more than can hold his own and out maneuver Gortat who is on the downside of his career.

 

[BC867]

When has Igor's back been against the wall?

Huh? Did you not read my post (that you quoted)? "Such as when Warren dogged it coming off the bench, and was put back into the starting lineup."

I consider a Head Coach reinstating a player (who had lost his starting role) when he came off the bench and did nothing a sign of weakness in the Coach.

It is reactionary. The player, in public view, showed up the Coach to get his starting job back. It was like a one-man sit-in and it worked.

If I had to find one word to describe Igor's performance, it would be 'timid'. Inherent personality is not something that can be easily changed.

Igor's performance makes Jeff Hornacek the coach look like Aggressive Man.

He makes very deliberate moves, slower than most here would want ...

You're right! He is not the right coach for the Suns' overly young team.

But even then, deciding the first week in January, that you are going to fire him in April is really silly. Back him or fire him, but don't let him hang.

I was conceding, JC, that firing Igor before the end of the season would be a bad public relations move, but that he should not be brought back for another season. What is "silly" about that?

 

[95pro]

Thus far, Bridges is a defensive specialist but nothing else as a rookie. I am not saying that it is his fault that we have given up a lot of early points, but we have nonetheless, right through yesterday's game, so what does it matter?

I have posted off and on that his development would best be served starting his career coming off the bench. So I agree with your suggestion. Especially considering Oubre's enthusiasm.

4th year guy versus rookie

over the last 8 games, since Oubre came aboard: total(per game)

------------------Oubre----Bridges

Min------------201(25)----265(33)

Points---------91(11.4)----66(8.25)

Assists------------7(.9)----20(2.5)

Steals------------5(.63)----12(1.5)

Rebounds---------24(3)----35(4.4)

Blocks--------------7(.9)----6(.8)

3pt% as a sun -----31.1----33.6

 

[Proximo]

In my opinion this starts with getting Ayton more aggressive in initiating contact. If he can pump fake or throw himself into some bodies he can start drawing fouls. He’s a good enough free throw shooter than it will bear fruit. If he’s successful often enough we can beat our opposition to the bonus and that allows us a great luxury in keeping pace or building a lead. But I really think that starts with Ayton because every night he’s our biggest mismatch. No one else possesses a size or speed mismatch offensively. He usually possesses both against his opponent.

This is of course true. But for some reason he seems reluctant to do it. Most likely because of fear of getting in foul trouble.

Believe me I am just as frustrated with this as you, I think this is just going to take time. I have noticed a very gradual increase in his offensive aggressiveness. I wish it would come faster, but I do see it starting to happen. I think we just have to be patient.