Hornets @ Suns Sunday game thread 1-12-2025

[Mainstreet]

I know I keep saying this, but any positive return for the Suns in a Durant trade would be a huge win.

Golden opportunity to create a new timeline. Unfortunately the schedule is too soft leading up to the deadline to keep up the FO/ownership delusions.

I was stoutly against the trade for Kevin Durant trade, but here we are.

I'd like to see if the team can be fixed before blowing it up.

The Suns have an obvious hole in the middle of their team at the 4/5 position. I'd like to see if it can be fixed first.

IMO, a couple of competent big men could do wonders for this team. Look what Oso has done as a rookie.

 

[Yuma]

This three game win streak has us back in the play in tournament, but as the last team to make it, at number ten. Better stay hot on the road!

 

[Mainstreet]

In regard to the Grayson Allen sore knee.

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[Yuma]

In regard to the Grayson Allen sore knee.

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The way Bud phrased that, he lowered Grayson's trade value. Thanks coach!

 

[mjb21aztd]

1 question whyyyyyy no bo boi is he hurt or in doghouse? I thought he brought good energy

 

[Mainstreet]

1 question whyyyyyy no bo boi is he hurt or in doghouse? I thought he brought good energy

I think you need to ask James Jones why he signed Bol Bol.

That is what is curious.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Between watching the College Football Playoff Friday Night to 3 NFL Playoff Games topped off with a tape delayed Suns game on Saturday to 3 more NFL Playoff Games and another tape delayed Suns game to end Sunday, my Dad and I just sport’d the ever living ish out of this weekend.

 

[Phrazbit]

1 question whyyyyyy no bo boi is he hurt or in doghouse? I thought he brought good energy

He simply isn't good. He can flash for a few minutes once in a blue moon but for the most part he doesn't do anything well.

I think he clowns around a lot too, which cannot impress a coach who is looking for players desperate to prove themselves. He spends the pregame and halftime warm up taking really goofy shots, missing like 90% of them.

He's at his best when playing near the hoop on both ends but he doesn't seem to want to play in those areas.

He has been traded 4 times (one of which was voided because he failed his physical) and waived twice.

 

[GatorAZ]

According to Tankathon we have the 3rd most difficult schedule remaining and that’s including Wizards twice, Nets, Pistons, Hawks over the next 6 games. So likely the hardest schedule remaining from February on. Only way you can justify keeping this together is 5-1 over the next 6. Maybe 4-2.

 

[how_sweet_it_is]

I wonder whether I'm the only person who likes "ugly win" games. I watched that game (been here visiting family since Dec. 31) and found it entertaining.

 

[how_sweet_it_is]

What a shot by Royce O'Neale. I don't care whether this doesn't sound as good as Big Shot Bob/Rob: his new nickname should be Big Shot Royce.

 

[Hoop Head]

I wonder whether I'm the only person who likes "ugly win" games. I watched that game (been here visiting family since Dec. 31) and found it entertaining.

I love gritty wins. They're not as good against bad teams, like Charlotte, but still fun to watch.

What a shot by Royce O'Neale. I don't care whether this doesn't sound as good as Big Shot Bob/Rob: his new nickname should be Big Shot Royce.

Someone said it above for Royce, since he wears the jersey number 00, "The Double Zero Hero". I dig that.

 

[how_sweet_it_is]

He simply isn't good. He can flash for a few minutes once in a blue moon but for the most part he doesn't do anything well.

I think he clowns around a lot too, which cannot impress a coach who is looking for players desperate to prove themselves. He spends the pregame and halftime warm up taking really goofy shots, missing like 90% of them.

He's at his best when playing near the hoop on both ends but he doesn't seem to want to play in those areas.

He has been traded 4 times (one of which was voided because he failed his physical) and waived twice.

If this is the case, I think the only reason the Suns keep him is in case anyone wants him in a trade. Also Damion Lee. Neither one of those two plays nor accomplishes anything.

 

[Ronin]

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[Ronin]

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[Ronin]

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[Proximo]

I wonder whether I'm the only person who likes "ugly win" games. I watched that game (been here visiting family since Dec. 31) and found it entertaining.

I found it disgusting.

I just get flipping mad when the Suns struggle to beat the worst team in the league.

 

[Ronin]

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[how_sweet_it_is]

I found it disgusting.

I just get flipping mad when the Suns struggle to beat the worst team in the league.

But did they, overall? They struggled horribly throughout the entire third quarter. But the fourth quarter, the most important quarter, they nicely eliminated a 10-point lead by the opponent, through effort. Am I supposed to get annoyed at that? Sorry, I won't. I enjoyed watching that game.

I'm aware that this wouldn't cut it in the playoffs against, say, the Oklahoma City Blunder--the likely opponent if the Suns make the play-in and the playoffs as the lowest seed. I'm sorry for that, but since I've accepted that they aren't good enough to win a playoff series, much less a championship...

 

[Covert Rain]

But did they, overall? They struggled horribly throughout the entire third quarter. But the fourth quarter, the most important quarter, they nicely eliminated a 10-point lead by the opponent, through effort. Am I supposed to get annoyed at that? Sorry, I won't.

I'm aware that this wouldn't cut it in the playoffs against, say, the Oklahoma City Blunder--the likely opponent if the Suns make the play-in and the playoffs as the lowest seed. I'm sorry for that, but since I've accepted that they aren't good enough to win a playoff series, much less a championship...

Also, you cannot downplay the changes in the starting lineup like benching Nurk. It completely alters your entire set of rotations that you had in place since training camp.

IMO that’s a big deal and risky as hell. However, Nurk has fallen off the cliff this year and dragged the team down IMO. All season long he has been getting worked by even backup centers.

 

[how_sweet_it_is]

I can see the Suns struggling into the playoffs as an eighth seed, but I admit that I cannot imagine them upsetting the Thunder in the first round like the Nuggets upset the Sonics (who became the Thunder) in 1994. Devin Booker doesn't have Dikembe Mutombo's heart; and this team doesn't have the heart of the 1994 Suns in their Game 2 against the Rocks, coming back from an 18-point lead to win in overtime.

 

[AzStevenCal]

According to Tankathon we have the 3rd most difficult schedule remaining and that’s including Wizards twice, Nets, Pistons, Hawks over the next 6 games. So likely the hardest schedule remaining from February on. Only way you can justify keeping this together is 5-1 over the next 6. Maybe 4-2.

The only way I'd consider keeping this mess together is if we were to go 7-0 over the next 6 games. First decent offer I get for any of the big 3 and I'm taking it regardless of our record.

 

[Hoop Head]

We almost need a weekly "tear it down, ride it out, or patch the holes" thread so each post doesn't turn into the same topic.

I'm not pointing fingers, I know I'm guilty of it as well. There's no quick fix to our problems as a team as our future was mortgaged years ago and it hasn't benefited us as fans. I'll enjoy the wins when they come and endure the losses. I'd rather the light at the end of the tunnel be pushed further back to try and repair this damaged squad though, especially when the same people who got us here are still calling the shots in the front office.

 

[Proximo]

But did they, overall? They struggled horribly throughout the entire third quarter. But the fourth quarter, the most important quarter, they nicely eliminated a 10-point lead by the opponent, through effort. Am I supposed to get annoyed at that? Sorry, I won't. I enjoyed watching that game.

I'm aware that this wouldn't cut it in the playoffs against, say, the Oklahoma City Blunder--the likely opponent if the Suns make the play-in and the playoffs as the lowest seed. I'm sorry for that, but since I've accepted that they aren't good enough to win a playoff series, much less a championship...

No, it literally wouldn't cut it against any playoff team - and that is the problem.

Anyone thinking a tweak here or there fixes this team is delusional.

 

[AzStevenCal]

No, it literally wouldn't cut it against any playoff team - and that is the problem.

Anyone thinking a tweak here or there fixes this team is delusional.

I don't want to call anyone delusional but I honestly don't know what people are watching if they think this team is fixable with the movable parts we have to work with. We're all frustrated by the losses but most of the wins are equally disconcerting. Even when we're facing mediocre/bad teams missing their best players we struggle to come out of top.

I want every win we can generate. I just hope that those wins don't lead our very flawed Front Office into making another blunder. Dunn and Oso aren't stars but they need to be valued as such.