Nets @ Suns Sunday game thread

[CardsSunsDbacks]

And you know what? A motivated Lakers team doesn’t scare me. Because when this Suns team plays well, they are competitive with everyone, I matter how motivated the opponent is.

I'm not afraid of the Lakers, but they will be a tough opponent. They have a ton of size and athleticism and play some very strong defense. On the plus side they are not a great shooting team so as long as we stay disciplined on defense we should be able to contain their offense and have a great shot at winning. Of course we need to at least have a decent shooting day.

 

[Hoop Head]

Nice game all around. Happy to see we weathered the comeback and then pushed it back up to total blow out.

Nice all around game by Cam.

I know Booker was out there but the bench held up for that late push by the Nets. That was something that didn't happen in the Golden State game.

The refs weren't a factor in this game, at least in the 2nd half, but they did blow a ton of whistles to help Golden State get back into striking distance.

That wasn't just bad officiating though. Some whistles were bad but the Warriors tried to slow the Suns down and the constant calls helped do that.

The Nets have more talent right now than the Warriors did when we faced them so holding them off was more impressive.

This game was precisely how the Suns need to protect home court during the season if they hope to get a playoff berth. I think they've shown the league that coming to Phoenix for a game this year won't be easy, which is a good start.

 

[Hoop Head]

Just had a thought. What is Booker’s favorite spot on the floor. Aside from maybe three point angle left, I cannot think of one. He scores from everywhere.

Probably the post, like 12-14 feet from the basket but closer to the FT line than baseline. He has an underrated post game, especially for a guard. He has good size for his position and can get his shot up against anyone. That little turnaround from that area is quite nice. He seems to go to that when things slow down.

 

[Phrazbit]

I love this moment of this clip. I am posting it queued to 5:26 but I am not sure if that will work for the board, it is the Rubio to Oubre lob dunk.

Check it out:

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This is a designed play. Rubio does a head fake to help sell it but if you look Oubre is already stepping into his jump before Rubio throws the lob and Frank is setting a (arguably illegal) screen. It is a beauty and perfectly executed. The offense last year (at it's best) seemed like something to the tune of "move around off the ball and hope something good happens!". The season before the offense seemed to be "hope Booker does something". I was a big fan of the Monty hire when it happened, but I liked it because it was someone the players would listen to, a true professional coach, I had qualms about him as an Xs and Os coach. So far I have been very impressed with his play design and strategy.

 

[Hoop Head]

This is a designed play. Rubio does a head fake to help sell it but if you look Oubre is already stepping into his jump before Rubio throws the lob and Frank is setting a (arguably illegal) screen. It is a beauty and perfectly executed. The offense last year (at it's best) seemed like something to the tune of "move around off the ball and hope something good happens!". The season before the offense seemed to be "hope Booker does something". I was a big fan of the Monty hire when it happened, but I liked it because it was someone the players would listen to, a true professional coach, I had qualms about him as an Xs and Os coach. So far I have been very impressed with his play design and strategy.

I worried some about Monty's play design but I think his time as an assistant helped him improve in that regard. It helps that he has a PG here like Rubio who can make damn near any pass that he can think up. Monty has spoken about Rubio's impact a few times and has said it's like having an offensive coach on the floor.

I'm so grateful that Charlotte wanted to overpay for Rozier because there's no way the Suns get off to the same start with him running the offense. It wouldn't surprise me if people were calling for Point Book to take over while bringing Rozier off the bench if they went that way.

I believe Rubio is one of the most under appreciated PG's in the league today. He is arguably the best passer in the league right now but since he won't go off for 40 like Kyrie, Lillard, Steph, or Russ he doesn't get much recognition for what he does. He won't give you an eye popping stat line but he will do everything needed to help those around him have those insane stat lines, like we've seen Booker have this year.

I can't wait to see Ayton return to be another lob target for Rubio. We'll see both of them take their games up a notch then, I hope. Oubre is the only real target for passes like that right now. Maybe Bridges could do some of what Oubre does but he's not nearly as flashy and would probably prefer a pass to lay it in rather than catching a great lob like that that will be on SportsCenter tonight.

 

[Finito]

Just had a thought. What is Booker’s favorite spot on the floor. Aside from maybe three point angle left, I cannot think of one. He scores from everywhere.

he loves to drive and take a step back from like 15 foot.

 

[Carolinacacti]

All smiles this morning. Love how Booker just watches on offense until needed.

 

[Phrazbit]

Just had a thought. What is Booker’s favorite spot on the floor. Aside from maybe three point angle left, I cannot think of one. He scores from everywhere.

So far this year, I'd say it is the low post, with him spinning to the right to score.

His post play, as a guard, is about as good as anyone I can think of. The non-bigs who I can think of who mastered those kind of interior moves... Paul Pierce... Kobe... Jordan... it is rare company, his post play is, and has been, elite for a while.

If he keeps hitting 3s at the clip he is... he will enter a very unique status as a scorer.

 

[ArizonaSportsFan]

I'm not afraid of the Lakers, but they will be a tough opponent. They have a ton of size and athleticism and play some very strong defense. On the plus side they are not a great shooting team so as long as we stay disciplined on defense we should be able to contain their offense and have a great shot at winning. Of course we need to at least have a decent shooting day.

I watched the end of the Lakers broadcast last night and the play-by-play guy was mentioning their back-to-back on Tuesday and Wednesday. He said "Both should be a win" (Phoenix and GS) without even thinking about it. The other guy walked it back pretty quickly saying something along the lines of "With the way Phoenix is playing, nothing is going to be easy". It actually hurt a little that the guy dismissed the Suns so cavalierly.

 

[devilalum]

I watched the end of the Lakers broadcast last night and the play-by-play guy was mentioning their back-to-back on Tuesday and Wednesday. He said "Both should be a win" (Phoenix and GS) without even thinking about it. The other guy walked it back pretty quickly saying something along the lines of "With the way Phoenix is playing, nothing is going to be easy". It actually hurt a little that the guy dismissed the Suns so cavalierly.

The Suns have been good for 5 minutes. Sure its awesome but I don't think they've earned much league wide adulation just yet. Not after so many years of futility.

 

[ArizonaSportsFan]

The Suns have been good for 5 minutes. Sure its awesome but I don't think they've earned much league wide adulation just yet. Not after so many years of futility.

Thing is, so have the Lakers (post-penultimate-year Kobe)...

 

[Ronin]

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[Ronin]

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[AzStevenCal]

He is arguably the best passer in the league right now but since he won't go off for 40 like Kyrie, Lillard, Steph, or Russ he doesn't get much recognition for what he does. He won't give you an eye popping stat line but he will do everything needed to help those around him have those insane stat lines, like we've seen Booker have this year.

I can't wait to see Ayton return to be another lob target for Rubio. We'll see both of them take their games up a notch then, I hope. Oubre is the only real target for passes like that right now. Maybe Bridges could do some of what Oubre does but he's not nearly as flashy and would probably prefer a pass to lay it in rather than catching a great lob like that that will be on SportsCenter tonight.

I understand what you're saying but I thought his stat line last night was incredibly eye popping. Ricky had 22 points and 12 assists plus he added 4 boards and 2 steals without turning the ball over, not even once. And he did it while shooting 10 for 16 from the field and sinking 2 of his 4 three point attempts. It's probably too much to ask but give us that Rubio on a regular basis and this team WILL make the playoffs.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Just had a thought. What is Booker’s favorite spot on the floor. Aside from maybe three point angle left, I cannot think of one. He scores from everywhere.

True, but I think his favorite the the step back fade-away midrange jumper from the right corner of the top of the lane.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I understand what you're saying but I thought his stat line last night was incredibly eye popping. Ricky had 22 points and 12 assists plus he added 4 boards and 2 steals without turning the ball over, not even once. And he did it while shooting 10 for 16 from the field and sinking 2 of his 4 three point attempts. It's probably too much to ask but give us that Rubio on a regular basis and this team WILL make the playoffs.

Yeah it’s asking too much. But give us that Rubio and we are likely a top 3-4 seed.

 

[mjb21aztd]

Amazing gm i feel zzz before 4th qtr glad to see them score 138

Very good to see cam johnson come out! Hope it continues

I really hope frank gets his groove back his shot just looks off

Would u guys say baynes is a all star candidate if he continues playing like this

Go suns vs lakers!

 

[AzStevenCal]

Yeah it’s asking too much. But give us that Rubio and we are likely a top 3-4 seed.

It probably is but if he can just be enough of a threat to force defenders to not double off of him, we still should be a playoff contender.

 

[Bufalay]

The Suns have been good for 5 minutes. Sure its awesome but I don't think they've earned much league wide adulation just yet. Not after so many years of futility.

Lakers have sucked for even longer.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Amazing gm i feel zzz before 4th qtr glad to see them score 138

Very good to see cam johnson come out! Hope it continues

I really hope frank gets his groove back his shot just looks off

Would u guys say baynes is a all star candidate if he continues playing like this

Go suns vs lakers!

No. It just feels like that bc (a) we’ve been starved for real nba players and (b) he has so far outplayed our expectations it seems he’s a star. What he is, is an above average really smart hard playing guy. A guy who is playing so far beyond his historical numbers it causes everyone to overreact a bit. But he’s definitely a driving factor for our play to date. Difficult to order the impact but I think it goes something like:

monty
Booker buying into defense and the offense
Rubio
Baynes
Oubre taking next step
Collective group buying into roles and defense and creating depth

 

[taz02]

The Suns are currently in the top five in PPG (5th-116.8), 3P% (4th- .384) and APG (1st-28.1).

They are also 7th in 2P%-.533 and have the 13th fewest turnovers at 15.6 per game.

What an improvement!!

 

[JCSunsfan]

9 games into the season and Book is still shooting 50-50-90.

To put it in perspective.

Informally, the 50–40–90 club is the group of National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) players who have had a shooting percentage at or above 50% for field goals, 40% for three-pointers, and 90% for free throws during an entire regular season while also achieving the WNBA/NBA minimum number of makes in each category (300 field goals, 82 three-pointers, and 125 free throws).[1][2] A total of nine players have had 50–40–90 seasons. The WNBA saw its first 50–40–90 season in 2019.[3]

50–40–90 indicates a great all-around shooting performance and is considered the ultimate standard for shooters.[4] Only Steve Nash (four times) and Larry Bird (twice) have had repeat 50–40–90 seasons. Nash's lifetime 49–43–90 regular season average is the closest anyone has come to achieving a career 50–40–90 mark.[5] Nash's lifetime 47–40–90 playoff average is the closest anyone has come to achieving a career 50–40–90 mark in the playoffs.[6] Dirk Nowitzki is the only member that falls short of the updated minimum requirement for three-point makes implemented since 2013, finishing with 72 threes in 2007.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/50–40–90_club

 

[Mainstreet]

I love his defense, but he isn't much of a passer and his shot hasn't been falling. Just makes more sense to go to a 3 guard rotation with one of Booker or Rubio almost always on the floor.

The Suns will have an interesting dilemma when Ty Jerome returns. He can play point guard and do a lot of the things Tyler Johnson can do. He should only add to the Suns offensive arsenal. This may further push Jevon further down the depth chart unless he is used as a defensive specialist. What a wonderful problem to have... depth.

 

[JCSunsfan]

The Suns will have an interesting dilemma when Ty Jerome returns. He can play point guard and do a lot of the things Tyler Johnson can do. He should only add to the Suns offensive arsenal. This may further push Jevon further down the depth chart unless he is used as a defensive specialist. What a wonderful problem to have... depth.

Ty will help on offense, but not so much on defense. I would think the choice will be based upon matchups.

 

[Raze]

The Suns will have an interesting dilemma when Ty Jerome returns. He can play point guard and do a lot of the things Tyler Johnson can do. He should only add to the Suns offensive arsenal. This may further push Jevon further down the depth chart unless he is used as a defensive specialist. What a wonderful problem to have... depth.

I was adamant at the beginning of the season that we should not put Book and Jerome on the floor together with their porous D. Now?...

I'm not sure where Monty hides that magic wand of his, but I hope it's in an impenetrable fortress. How in the world is he getting a bunch of poor defensive players that can shoot to ACTUALLY play great D?

Book is playing great D.
Frank is playing D.
Dario is playing D.
Cam is playing D.
Kelly is playing D.

I would venture to guess that Jerome will play D too.

By all means Monty, play Jerome, Book, Kelly, Dario, and Frank at the same time. I'm firmly in the Monty for CoY camp.

Somebody pinch me.