Mavericks @ Suns 10-17-18 (season opener)

[Mainstreet]

Here are some stats.

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[Phrazbit]

With Booker's explosion it has kind of been forgotten already, but how about TJ Warren?!

Holy crap, he looked like a totally different player. He was actually PASSING?!!? He was setting up for THREES and then nailing them?!?!

I think that the starters are going to be able to compete with a lot of teams and the bench will hold us back, but at least tonight, the bench held their own.

 

[Hoop Head]

And the sweetest stat of all -- Bender - DNP.

Got to ask, how did you like seeing the Suns play with a true franchise big?

Yes, it was one game, but I know you've waited a long time to see the Suns have someone like that. What do you think his ceiling is?

 

[Yuma]

Yes, they were pegged as winning 35-40, ahead of the Suns and a longshot for the playoffs. Jordan and Doncic were supposed to push things forward quite a bit for them and basically get them past rock bottom.

Finally! Someone who nows his poo!

 

[Hoop Head]

With Booker's explosion it has kind of been forgotten already, but how about TJ Warren?!

Holy crap, he looked like a totally different player. He was actually PASSING?!!? He was setting up for THREES and then nailing them?!?!

I think that the starters are going to be able to compete with a lot of teams and the bench will hold us back, but at least tonight, the bench held their own.

And he was playing defense! It wasn't lock down D but it was solid position defense, he even stepped up and went after players who weren't his man. That 3 pt shooting though, that is HUGE.

 

[TJ]

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[SweetD]

Best stat line of the night.. Bender 0 minutes

 

[Phrazbit]

And he was playing defense! It wasn't lock down D but it was solid position defense, he even stepped up and went after players who weren't his man. That 3 pt shooting though, that is HUGE.

That strip he had, then ran the break on his own for a slick layup finish, that was a great play. I can't recall who the guard was but he tried to get fancy and as soon as his dribble came forward Warren stripped him clean.

 

[Yuma]

Got to ask, how did you like seeing the Suns play with a true franchise big?

Yes, it was one game, but I know you've waited a long time to see the Suns have someone like that. What do you think his ceiling is?

I remember way back seeing Alvin Adams. But Ayton is way more physical. I think this is going to be a great era for at least one Suns center!

 

[Chris_Sanders]

BTW 35 assists would be a season high last year

 

[Mainstreet]

With Booker's explosion it has kind of been forgotten already, but how about TJ Warren?!

Holy crap, he looked like a totally different player. He was actually PASSING?!!? He was setting up for THREES and then nailing them?!?!

I think that the starters are going to be able to compete with a lot of teams and the bench will hold us back, but at least tonight, the bench held their own.

It seemed like Warren was mentioned as filler in a lot of trades. It's nice to see the Suns benefit from a maturing draft pick.

 

[Yuma]

BTW 35 assists would be a season higjast year

Wouldn't it be a high for almost a decade? Not making fun. Seriously. We talked about this the other night.

 

[slinslin]

18/10/6 for a debut and I thought he looked anxious and nervous that is how crazy his ceiling is.

He clearly was confused whether to challenge drivers or stay with his man when the Mavs opened with 2-3 interior passes to Jordan.

Other than that Canaan looked iffy, Jackson with a bunch of stupid plays and two offensive fouls by Warren, oh and Chandler needs to get into game shape fast.

 

[BC867]

Got to ask, how did you like seeing the Suns play with a true franchise big?

Yes, it was one game, but I know you've waited a long time to see the Suns have someone like that. What do you think his ceiling is?

It's been a long time coming. What a pleasure watching the Suns play like big boys. No matter what some people say, a Center can still be a difference maker.

His ceiling? The way he carries himself on the court says it's high. Rookie of the year? He was the #1 draft pick.

Career wise? Duncan. I'm not going to compare him to Mikan or Russell or Chamberlain or Kareem. But these are different times.

It wasn't a given that he would begin with an 18-10, but he did. And against Jordan. Every part of my body is smiling.

 

[Yuma]

Not hype, if JJ and TJ can hit threes like tonight, we will be unstoppable. If your worst three shooters on the floor hit threes like that, forget about it!

 

[Yuma]

We come out of the next two games with a split, between playing Denver and GS, I am giddy!!!

 

[SweetD]

Game Review:
Good
1) Booker is doing his best Harden impersonation both on D and O
2) Ariza could be the biggest pick up of the off season
3) JJ, Warner and this second unit can be solid
4) Cannon played better than expected
5) Ayton solid in his first game

Bad
1) Warren seemed to be lost on a few plays, not know what to do on the plays
2) Ayton hasn't developed the feel for being a help defender
3) Anderson may not be a great fit as the starting PF, but he may be on and off all year
4) Warren and Booker have some issues with perimeter D

 

[AzStevenCal]

Got to ask, how did you like seeing the Suns play with a true franchise big?

Yes, it was one game, but I know you've waited a long time to see the Suns have someone like that. What do you think his ceiling is?

Yeah, we all have.

 

[Hoop Head]

BTW 35 assists would be a season high last year

They had not had more than 28 assists since Nash was a Sun back in 2011, save one game in 2017. They hit 29 in the Warriors preseason game and that was hyped because it had been so long. Ball movement has been terrible for years.

 

[Mainstreet]

Not hype, if JJ and TJ can hit threes like tonight, we will be unstoppable. If your worst three shooters on the floor hit threes like that, forget about it!

Forget about it! I couldn't resist.

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[SweetD]

I think with Booker's 35 he now leads the NBA in points per game!

 

[Mainstreet]

Canaan had 8 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds and only 1 turnover. If the Suns can get this kind of effort from him every game I will be quite happy.

 

[Yuma]

I think with Booker's 35 he now leads the NBA in points per game!

Igor is undefeated as a head coach! Time to retire! LMAO!

 

[AzStevenCal]

I think with Booker's 35 he now leads the NBA in points per game!

Kemba went for 41 tonight.

 

[BC867]

I do want to share one more thing. Tonight, Devin Booker was our Michael Jordan. With fingers still taped together on his shooting hand, he took over what had been reduced to a 4-point lead and blew the game open for the victory.

It's a long season. If that is what it takes for us to pull out the victory, teams will start double- and tripling DBook in the 4th quarter, when the plan is to make him our Point Guard as well.

I have confidence that Koko will anticipate that and make adjustments.