Hornets @ Suns Friday game thread 12-29-2023

[Yuma]

Another guy I wouldn't have minded the Suns kicking the tires on the last couple years.

I kept reading guys saying Suns weren't interested, and Gambo echoed that, too. Not sure why. Chemistry?

 

[Yuma]

Some final stats.

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Great overall stats.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm proud of Bradley Beal. He acknowledged the defense was trash postgame.

 

[Raindog]

I kept reading guys saying Suns weren't interested, and Gambo echoed that, too. Not sure why. Chemistry?

I'd bet it was either a JJ thing or a Monty thing, something with their personal issues of who they "like."

 

[nashman]

Rozier is what he is usually a ball hog shooter that’s gonna put it up a lot! He was uncanny hot tonight, shoot their whole team shot over 50% and made 23 3s you rarely win when a team makes 23 3s against you! But we saw how good our offense can be shooting over 60% from the field and from 3 that’s pretty crazy. Also Beal just playing casual only scoring 6 and more being a facilitator than taking a bunch of shots, expect to see him more aggressive soon think just staying away from traffic a little really. Great back to back games from the Suns, they did play defense tonight sometimes teams make contested shots not usually at the clip they did from 3 tonight! Crazy game…

 

[Mainstreet]

Here is that comment from Beal about the defense.

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[Mainstreet]

Nurkic had 24 points (10-13), 15 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocks.

This is a good sign the Suns are spreading the court.

 

[nashman]

Denver got their teeth kicked in lots of games can go either way in today’s NBA where the 3s are flying! Shoot freaking Portland smoked the Lings a few days back with Fox going off so anything can happen even to good teams. Hornets were hot but we were hotter and played enough D to make them shoot contested looks. Really Rozier and Miller were the ones killing us…

 

[DJ Tabooh]

I know Rozier may be seen as a black hole offensively, but he scored 42 on only 22 shots. That’s very efficient.

I’m tired of these guards having there way and we’ve given up two 50 pieces to Luka and Brunson the last 2 weeks. That’s concerning.

 

[Hoop Head]

I know Rozier may be seen as a black hole offensively, but he scored 42 on only 22 shots. That’s very efficient.

I’m tired of these guards having there way and we’ve given up two 50 pieces to Luka and Brunson the last 2 weeks. That’s concerning.

No Okogie and Saban Lee seems to have taken Goodwin's spot. Opposing guards will go off. I think Booker will start exerting himself more on D now that Beal is back also. He really couldn't afford to before because we needed all he had on offense.

 

[Hoop Head]

Who would have guessed Nurk would outscore both Beal and KD? I love the way he plays like a 7 footer. So refreshing to see someone know what to do with their size inside.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I know Rozier may be seen as a black hole offensively, but he scored 42 on only 22 shots. That’s very efficient.

I’m tired of these guards having there way and we’ve given up two 50 pieces to Luka and Brunson the last 2 weeks. That’s concerning.

It's the defense. They switch despite having not elite athletes. They also go under screens. Here is where we miss Ayton for all his flaws.

Guys switch or go under screens and it leads to clean 3 point looks.

 

[Mainstreet]

It's the defense. They switch despite having not elite athletes. They also go under screens. Here is where we miss Ayton for all his flaws.

Guys switch or go under screens and it leads to clean 3 point looks.

This is what I have been thinking as well.

The Suns need to clean up giving those open threes to opponents but I'm not sure how.

 

[Cheesebeef]

It's the defense. They switch despite having not elite athletes. They also go under screens. Here is where we miss Ayton for all his flaws.

Guys switch or go under screens and it leads to clean 3 point looks.

Do people have amnesia of the Nuggets and Mavs BOMBING WIDE OPEN threes on us at will in the last two playoffs with Ayton… and Bridges?

 

[Chris_Sanders]

So despite no Okogie or Little, KBD and Yuta got zero minutes.

 

[95pro]

Amanda makes me miss Lindsey even more. Can't even watch that podcast Lindsey does now that Flex is on there. I thought he was bad on Twitter and he proved he can be much worse.

Amanda is an old lady lol by Linsey terms.

Flex is actually ok most times on PHNX. I hated the social media stuff but sometimes he’s got some good arguments.

 

[Vacard]

To be fair, guys like Torrey Craig aren't here now.

Isnt Bates-Diop a defensive specialist with his length? Apparently hes in the doghouse now

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Do people have amnesia of the Nuggets and Mavs BOMBING WIDE OPEN threes on us at will in the last two playoffs with Ayton… and Bridges?

2021 #4 3 point defense
2022 #13 in 3 Point defense
2023 #11 in 3 point defense (before tonight)

So I have definitely erased 2022 from my mind

 

[Chris_Sanders]

2021 team was the team. Just makes me sick even thinking about it

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Isnt Bates-Diop a defensive specialist with his length? Apparently hes in the doghouse now

So far, I have been way off on his signing.

I do still have questions about the coach though.

 

[Hoop Head]

So far, I have been way off on his signing.

I do still have questions about the coach though.

You aren't alone. I was 99.9% sure he'd be the 5th starter. Maybe he'd come off the bench for smaller matchup purposes when Grayson or Gordon started in his place but he was easily going to be that guy in 80%+ of the games he played in. He looked rocky in preseason but he started pulling it together towards the end but I think those were just good games by him rather than stepping up. He's been pedestrian more often than not.

I'm not sold on Vogel either but I don't blame KBD on him. He had opportunities, he never stepped up.

 

[BirdGangThing]

So despite no Okogie or Little, KBD and Yuta got zero minutes.

Saw that on the box score - I think Goodwin didn't have any minutes either when I had last checked

 

[Yuma]

Saw that on the box score - I think Goodwin didn't have any minutes either when I had last checked

Goodwin got in with about 48 seconds left.

 

[Cheesebeef]

2021 team was the team. Just makes me sick even thinking about it

Yup. We totally blew our best shot.

 

[Yuma]

Yup. We totally blew our best shot.

I was at game two. Everyone left the stadium in good spirits!