Hawks @ Suns 2-2-19

[AzStevenCal]

The Suns are the team that had time to practice. Whatever the reason, the Suns haven't played well thus far.

They had time to practice and they had time to rest and recover from their road trip. Those are good things. But I've heard it said thousands of times, players lose their rhythm AND a bit of their game legs in just 2 or 3 days. Typically, playing a back to back or a long road trip hurts you in the second half. And an extended rest hurts you in the first half. Hopefully both teams will follow tradition.

 

[1Sun]

I like seeing the big lineup, with Holmes and Ayton together.

Took long enough...

 

[Mainstreet]

I liked Doncic but I would have taken Trae Young also, especially with the first round pick attached. I would have been wrong, just like the Hawks were.

I think you have to draft the highest rated player. It may work out fine for the Hawks though.

 

[1Sun]

Igor Kokoskov's reaction/adjustment time in a nutshell:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...8Qo7QBCB0wAA&usg=AOvVaw3IY86cvniHwJkOd0R5hhEB

 

[Mainstreet]

They had time to practice and they had time to rest and recover from their road trip. Those are good things. But I've heard it said thousands of times, players lose their rhythm AND a bit of their game legs in just 2 or 3 days. Typically, playing a back to back or a long road trip hurts you in the second half. And an extended rest hurts you in the first half. Hopefully both teams will follow tradition.

If you are saying the Hawks should run out of gas... sure. However, the Suns should have put this team away early.

 

[sunsfan88]

Ayton is giving us close to nothing on the boards. I get it the first game back and all but the Hawks are one of the worst rebounding teams in the league.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Ayton is giving us close to nothing on the boards. I get it the first game back and all but the Hawks are one of the worst rebounding teams in the league.

That's not true. Ayton is a little off his normal rebounding numbers but he's still on a pace to grab 8 boards in 32 minutes. And unless I'm reading it wrong, we are the worst rebounding team in the league while Atlanta is right in the middle.

 

[Hoop Head]

I liked Doncic but I would have taken Trae Young also, especially with the first round pick attached. I would have been wrong, just like the Hawks were.

I agree with you on that so you're not alone in thinking it was a good deal. We'll see in a couple years though. Knowing Dallas won't have a pick for a while because of the Doncic and Porzingis trades mean they're banking on those 2 working out.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I agree with you on that so you're not alone in thinking it was a good deal. We'll see in a couple years though. Knowing Dallas won't have a pick for a while because of the Doncic and Porzingis trades mean they're banking on those 2 working out.

I don't see Doncic as a gamble but the Porzingis trade certainly is. It's a smart gamble on the Mavs part IMO even though I think it would have been an overly risky move for us. Part of why it makes sense is that Smith was a major part of the trade and he's almost as risky, injury-wise, as Porzingis is. Also, Cuban can live with a gamble like this, we know Sarver is much more risk averse.

 

[SirStefan32]

How about Okobo tonight? He is having himself a nice game.

 

[Mainstreet]

Nice 3 pointer by Bridges.

 

[SirStefan32]

Mikal with another three!

 

[SirStefan32]

Ayton and-one!

 

[Mainstreet]

Ayton took Dedmon to school on that basket.

 

[Mainstreet]

Evans comes in at point guard for the Suns.

 

[Hoop Head]

One thing I love about Jackson is his confidence. I think he's more confident than Booker when he's on the court. He has no right to be that confident but it's good to know his motor won't hold him back and neither will a bad game or possession. He'll be a really special player if he can put everything together. I'll be really disappointed if the Suns trade him no matter the return. If he could bring back a Jrue Holiday then I'd learn to live with it but I still think it's too early to sell low on him. No one will value him as much as the Suns should and that's one of the reasons I'd rather not see a move happen.

 

[Mainstreet]

End of 3rd quarter:

Suns 88 - Hawks 86

 

[Mainstreet]

One thing I love about Jackson is his confidence. I think he's more confident than Booker when he's on the court. He has no right to be that confident but it's good to know his motor won't hold him back and neither will a bad game or possession. He'll be a really special player if he can put everything together. I'll be really disappointed if the Suns trade him no matter the return. If he could bring back a Jrue Holiday then I'd learn to live with it but I still think it's too early to sell low on him. No one will value him as much as the Suns should and that's one of the reasons I'd rather not see a move happen.

I think Jackson is one of those players that just keeps getting better. If the Suns trade him they better get something good in return.

 

[AzStevenCal]

One thing I love about Jackson is his confidence. I think he's more confident than Booker when he's on the court. He has no right to be that confident but it's good to know his motor won't hold him back and neither will a bad game or possession. He'll be a really special player if he can put everything together. I'll be really disappointed if the Suns trade him no matter the return. If he could bring back a Jrue Holiday then I'd learn to live with it but I still think it's too early to sell low on him. No one will value him as much as the Suns should and that's one of the reasons I'd rather not see a move happen.

Personally I would not include him in a Holiday deal but I agree with your post in general. I still think Josh has a chance to be an impact player by the time we are ready to play with the big boys.

 

[SirStefan32]

What a pass from Ayton to Bridges!

 

[SirStefan32]

MIKAL!

 

[Mainstreet]

What a pass from Ayton to Bridges!

I liked that quick shot under the basket as well.

 

[SirStefan32]

Ayton with a bad shot, then a turnover. Hawks back in the game.

 

[SirStefan32]

Also, Oubre's long-range jumper continues to be missing in action.

 

[Hoop Head]

If there is anything that can be learned from last season and so far this one, Jackson plays a lot better when Warren isn't playing. I hope his ankle injury is something worked up by the front office to keep him from getting negative publicity or a real injury while we look to trade him.