Kings vs Suns SL Game Thread 7/7/18

[sunsfan88]

John Calipari just said that Devin Booker signed the contract. Is that a scoop?

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[Rab]

His body looks a little soft right now. I'm guessing he isn't in tip top shape at the moment. Should be much better in this regard going into the real games.

Yup. His season has been over for months. I’m not surprised he’s sucking wind a little.

 

[HeHasRosen]

Im excited to see Ayton vs Bamba on Monday. I think Ayton will win that battle just as he did tonight with Bagley. I dont understand the people saying Ayton will be empty stats though. Those oops and dunks are igniters for the entire team. Plus rebounding and 2nd chance points? He will be a big reason we win games. Those things matter

 

[Hoop Head]

I keep seeing people say that Summer League isn't set up for Bigs to dominate or that it's guard oriented and I'm really curious why that is the common sort of story. What makes it that much different than NCAA or NBA or even the G-League?

Why is it that SL play seems so guard oriented, or why do people push that narrative?

If a big can dominate in the NBA why can't they do the same in Summer League competition? Either you can play or you can't. You'd think being able to control a game is the same virtually anywhere.

 

[GatorAZ]

I'm not liking what I see from Jackson so far he should really be flat out dominating summer league but instead it's wild play and his shots all over the place still

IIRC Booker, Ingram and Jaylen Brown dominated their first few SL games in year two and they pulled them out. Was expecting that from JJ.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

IIRC Booker, Ingram and Jaylen Brown dominated their first few SL games in year two and they pulled them out. Was expecting that from JJ.

I think the problem is that he was expecting that as well. Focusing too much on the goal and not enough on slowing things down and focusing on the details.

 

[Mainstreet]

I keep seeing people say that Summer League isn't set up for Bigs to dominate or that it's guard oriented and I'm really curious why that is the common sort of story. What makes it that much different than NCAA or NBA or even the G-League?

Why is it that SL play seems so guard oriented, or why do people push that narrative?

If a big can dominate in the NBA why can't they do the same in Summer League competition? Either you can play or you can't. You'd think being able to control a game is the same virtually anywhere.

These are my thoughts as well. IMO, it's how a team imposes their will.

 

[Phrazbit]

@Joe Mama i think Bamba will get his blocks... and do little else and I don't think it will go beyond the stat sheet. He just doesn't have the hustle to be an impact defender and the legit bigs will throw him around.

But yes, I think he'll swat away a driving guards layup here and there while allowing big PERs to the opposing bigs.

I watched him a lot in college... I really don't see it with him. I think the surest way to draft a bust is to fall in love with size or speed and ignore the lack of skill and energy.

 

[sunsfan88]

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Good to see Coach Kokoskov reacting immediately and showing him the right way to play.

 

[Finito]

@Joe Mama i think Bamba will get his blocks... and do little else and I don't think it will go beyond the stat sheet. He just doesn't have the hustle to be an impact defender and the legit bigs will throw him around.

But yes, I think he'll swat away a driving guards layup here and there while allowing big PERs to the opposing bigs.

I watched him a lot in college... I really don't see it with him. I think the surest way to draft a bust is to fall in love with size or speed and ignore the lack of skill and energy.

I didn't see it at all in Bamba or Young.

 

[Finito]

Davon Reed and Bridges really looking good. Good lord that's a lot of wings

 

[Phrazbit]

I keep seeing people say that Summer League isn't set up for Bigs to dominate or that it's guard oriented and I'm really curious why that is the common sort of story. What makes it that much different than NCAA or NBA or even the G-League?

Why is it that SL play seems so guard oriented, or why do people push that narrative?

If a big can dominate in the NBA why can't they do the same in Summer League competition? Either you can play or you can't. You'd think being able to control a game is the same virtually anywhere.

Because you've got a bunch of guards trying to showcase their way onto squads. They don't know how to use bigs besides asking them to set a screen.

About 70%+ of summer league plays are some guard or ball handling wing chucking up an ill advised 3 or barreling into the lane, maybe going for a layup or maybe heaving a wild jumping pass.

It's just not a setup for interior players to shine.

 

[Mainstreet]

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Good to see Coach Kokoskov reacting immediately and showing him the right way to play.

Yesterday Ayton wanted out of the game momentarily because he was unsure how a play was to be run. This is a good sign IMO.

 

[Mainstreet]

Davon Reed and Bridges really looking good. Good lord that's a lot of wings

Reed is a pleasant surprise... like icing on the cake after fighting injury last season.

 

[slinslin]

God you are amazing. Do you have some sort of alert on your phone that buzzes every time anybody on the Internet says anything resembling optimism or hope regarding Bender? He's definitely disappointed overall at this point. What I get frustrated is somebody like Chris puts up 15 points on one end of the court and might as well just be off the court on the other end and people practically get horny. Then Bender is actually playing good defense and really helping the team there but only scores maybe 5 points on 40% shooting and everybody craps on him.

There is also a big difference between rebounds and contested rebounds. I don't get that excited when I'm watching rebounding like a junior high game with the guys just looking up in the air and chasing the ball around. It doesn't show up when guys like Chriss and Ayton if they aren't just doing the fundamental are giving up multiple offensive rebounds that are frankly inexcusable because they don't just put an ass on somebody. Watch Bender when the ball goes up. First thing he does is look for somebody to put a body on. These other guys stare straight up in the sky.

If you believe that Bender is a better defender or rebounder than Chriss then I have a bridge to sell you.

Bender is inch by inch probably the worst rebounder in the entire league.

And while players shoot better than their average against Bender and Bender is in all advanced statistics one of the worst defenders on the Suns, Chriss has been one of their best.

Hardly coincidence we only won 2 games when Bender started.

 

[ArizonaSportsFan]

I am more disappointed by this thread than what I am seeing on the floor. WTH guys.

 

[Finito]

If you believe that Bender is a better defender or rebounder than Chriss then I have a bridge to sell you.

Bender is inch by inch probably the worst rebounder in the entire league.

And while players shoot better than their average against Bender and Bender is in all advanced statistics one of the worst defenders on the Suns, Chriss has been one of their best.

Hardly coincidence we only won 2 games when Bender started.

Lol

Are you related to Chriss?

 

[GatorAZ]

Chriss is the better looking turd.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Lol

Are you related to Chriss?

No but he is married to his opinion and he doesn't believe in divorce.

 

[Hoop Head]

Reed is a pleasant surprise... like icing on the cake after fighting injury last season.

Saw someone on Twitter mention his surgery last year was the 2nd one he's had on that knee. Quoted him saying he's finally feeling healthy for the first time since he's been drafted. Thought it was Bordow but can't find the tweet now. Hopefully he's able to hold up throughout the season.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Couldn't watch the game. Did Sacramento actually play any defense? It looks like Ayton scored absolutely at will around the hoop.

 

[TJ]

21/12 and people want more from Ayton? Good.

 

[Hoop Head]

If you believe that Bender is a better defender or rebounder than Chriss then I have a bridge to sell you.

Bender is inch by inch probably the worst rebounder in the entire league.

And while players shoot better than their average against Bender and Bender is in all advanced statistics one of the worst defenders on the Suns, Chriss has been one of their best.

Hardly coincidence we only won 2 games when Bender started.

You cannot use wins and losses in a year when the Suns were tanking hard as a gauge of one player's contributions. We only won 21 games last season. It's not like that speaks well for anyone.

 

[Mainstreet]

21/12 and people want more from Ayton? Good.

Also Ayton outplayed Bagley... the #2 pick.

It's a tough crowd.

 

[Hoop Head]

Couldn't watch the game. Did Sacramento actually play any defense? It looks like Ayton scored absolutely at will around the hoop.

They didn't double him like Dallas but had Bagley guarding him regularly. It wasn't really a defensive matchup though. The score was low because both teams looked worn out more than they were forcing stops.