Our Ceiling

[CRC83]

I assume like everyone else on this board, I did not expect we would be 5-2 after our first 7 games. This is a completely different team from last year. The way that we have been winning games seems sustainable. All but one of those wins without Ayton, who we will get back in 18 games (at the latest).

So, what is our ceiling? Finish above .500? Make the playoffs? Win a playoff series?

Based on how we have played so far I honestly think this team can make the playoffs as a 6-8 seed. But there are a lot of good teams in the west...what are your thoughts?

 

[AzStevenCal]

I have no idea what our ceiling is but I'm almost afraid to hope for the possibilities I see for us this season. Someone is bound to pull the rug out from under us if we get all fat and happy.

 

[Mainstreet]

I think the goal of the Suns is to make the playoffs. Anything after that is gravy.

Sort of related there was a poll titled "How many wins will the Suns end with?" I voted for 41 wins.

https://www.arizonasportsfans.com/forum/threads/predict-the-2019-2020-record.313669/#post-4002524

As it stands today, I think the Suns have a chance of making the playoffs maybe sneaking in at the 7 or 8 spot in the Western Conference. So much can happen before the end of the season but this sounds about right as a ceiling.


Edit: New link provided above.

 

[mjb21aztd]

I say our ceiling fight for the 8th seed! Suns have the talent

Thsn who knows suns can play with anyone

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

The look like at least a team with a real shot at the 8th seed at the moment. If Ayton has taken the next step when he comes back the ceiling could be quite a bit higher.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I have no idea what our ceiling is but I'm almost afraid to hope for the possibilities I see for us this season. Someone is bound to pull the rug out from under us if we get all fat and happy.

i've never been in stronger agreement with you on anything.

man... this is a freaking fun start to the season jus being able to talk about the possibilities of a ceiling!

 

[Hoop Head]

I think the goal of the Suns is to make the playoffs. Anything after that is gravy.

Sort of related there was a poll titled "How many wins will the Suns end with?" I voted for 41 wins.

https://www.arizonasportsfans.com/forum/threads/our-ceiling.328197/

As it stands today, I think the Suns have a chance of making the playoffs maybe sneaking in at the 7 or 8 spot in the Western Conference. So much can happen before the end of the season but this sounds about right as a ceiling.

FYI, you posted a link back to this thread.


I'll agree with your take though. I think a lot of fans are too nervous or hesitant to hope for more than a 500 team and possibly the 8th seed. I know I'm in that camp. While this level of play seems like it should be sustainable, I thought 35 wins was this teams ceiling headed in and right over 30 was the was probable outcome. The Suns had 24 losses last year when they finally got their 5th win, this year they have 2. The turnaround and impact Monty has had has been Nash-esque. I'm not sure there is a case of a coach impacting a team as much as he has before, at least in the modern NBA.

 

[Mainstreet]

FYI, you posted a link back to this thread.


I'll agree with your take though. I think a lot of fans are too nervous or hesitant to hope for more than a 500 team and possibly the 8th seed. I know I'm in that camp. While this level of play seems like it should be sustainable, I thought 35 wins was this teams ceiling headed in and right over 30 was the was probable outcome. The Suns had 24 losses last year when they finally got their 5th win, this year they have 2. The turnaround and impact Monty has had has been Nash-esque. I'm not sure there is a case of a coach impacting a team as much as he has before, at least in the modern NBA.

Thanks. Let me correct the link. I must have copied the other link by accident.

https://www.arizonasportsfans.com/forum/threads/predict-the-2019-2020-record.313669/#post-4002524

 

[Hoop Head]

Thanks. Let me correct the link. I must copied the other link by accident.

https://www.arizonasportsfans.com/f...wins-will-the-suns-end-with-this-year.213579/

Did you see the date on that poll? October 2014. I was wondering why I already voted and picked low playoff seed with 50 wins. I may have thought that about this year's team but I knew I hadn't put it out there anywhere yet.

 

[Mainstreet]

Did you see the date on that poll? October 2014. I was wondering why I already voted and picked low playoff seed with 50 wins. I may have thought that about this year's team but I knew I hadn't put it out there anywhere yet.

Let me try again. This should be the right link I meant to post.

https://www.arizonasportsfans.com/forum/threads/predict-the-2019-2020-record.313669/#post-4002524

 

[AZCrazy]

8th seed? That's the Sarver effect talking. The energy in that room is infectious and sustainable because it's not based on fluke but on effort and a working system. The team is 10 deep.
The playoffs are coming. Their ceiling is a home series.

 

[Suns_fan69]

I have no idea what our ceiling is but I'm almost afraid to hope for the possibilities I see for us this season. Someone is bound to pull the rug out from under us if we get all fat and happy.

We're all Charlie Brown about to line up that kick from Lucy.

 

[JCSunsfan]

8th seed? That's the Sarver effect talking. The energy in that room is infectious and sustainable because it's not based on fluke but on effort and a working system. The team is 10 deep.
The playoffs are coming. Their ceiling is a home series.

We just dare not say it.

 

[SirStefan32]

It looks like they will make the playoffs. I am pretty sure that no team is gonna want to play them in the first round.

 

[BC867]

We just dare not say it.

Ah, the hell with superstitions. They have nothing to do with what goes on
in practice and on the court. Or in the office of the GM or Head Coach.

I hope the Suns prepare for the best possible outcome and that we root
for it. You get out of it what you put into it.

Barring injuries (which can surprise any team), I am rooting for (at least)
advancing to the second round.

A key will be if the refs give us respect on the road during the season. It
looks like they are already doing it at home (based on our upset against
the Sixers in just our seventh game of wearing the Superman cape).

If you expect good, or even great, things from a good, or even great,
player or team and they deliver, it is a ho-hum.

But f you are used to expecting the worst and they improve (per not just
our record, but the Front Office, Head Coach and roster), we're heroes.

Crazy ol' human nature!

As I've mentioned, a key will be staying a step ahead of our competition,
now that we are no longer under the radar. We must keep improving.

Hopefully Ayton's suspension will be reduced, he'll start alongside
Baynes (whatever their titles are) and we might even have a primary
3-man rotation at the two power positions, with a couple of backups
standing by when we can rest some of the primary three.

 

[Sunburn]

500 to 1 to win the title. 100 bucks gets you 50,000. Place your bets now.

Edit: haha actually that was a few days ago that I checked that. It's been halved, 250 to 1. Las Vegas is a believer.

 

[BC867]

500 to 1 to win the title. 100 bucks gets you 50,000. Place your bets now.

Will you accept Monopoly money? I'll throw in the Boardwalk and Park Place.

 

[taz02]

The way they have played so far they are certainly a playoff caliber team.

Can Booker stay healthy and can they sustain this level of play? Only time will tell but for right now, the way they have been playing they can beat anyone.

 

[BC867]

The way they have played so far they are certainly a playoff caliber team.

Can Booker stay healthy and can they sustain this level of play? Only time will tell but for right now, the way they have been playing they can beat anyone.

And that's what we have to remember. They can beat anyone . . . but not everyone. No NBA team can.

I hope we don't become critical (or stress the negative) when they do things that are not perfect.

It is a long season. Steady progression, with hiccups, will be the key.

And not tempting injuries. Or too many T's or fouls. Or suspensions. Ahem.

 

[Hoop Head]

500 to 1 to win the title. 100 bucks gets you 50,000. Place your bets now.

Edit: haha actually that was a few days ago that I checked that. It's been halved, 250 to 1. Las Vegas is a believer.

Is there a bet to be made about making the playoffs? I might put some money on that.

 

[Phrazbit]

My "way too early" Western Conference evaluation.

I will break it down into 4 categories:

Playoff Locks:

Clippers
Lakers
Nuggets

Highly likely a playoff team:

Jazz

Teams that will be in the hunt to the end:

Suns
Blazers
Wolves
Spurs
Rockets
Mavericks
Thunder (but they're also most likely to blow up their team)

Dead teams walking:

Kings
Grizzlies
Pelicans
Warriors

 

[CRC83]

My "way too early" Western Conference evaluation.

I will break it down into 4 categories:

Playoff Locks:

Clippers
Lakers
Nuggets

Highly likely a playoff team:

Jazz

Teams that will be in the hunt to the end:

Suns
Blazers
Wolves
Spurs
Rockets
Mavericks
Thunder (but they're also most likely to blow up their team)

Dead teams walking:

Kings
Grizzlies
Pelicans
Warriors

I like this list. So basically we need to end up with a better record than at least 3 of the “in the hunt teams”. I feel pretty good about us being ahead of the thunder, mavs and wolves.

 

[JCSunsfan]

500 to 1 to win the title. 100 bucks gets you 50,000. Place your bets now.

Edit: haha actually that was a few days ago that I checked that. It's been halved, 250 to 1. Las Vegas is a believer.

hmm.

 

[Dr. Jones]

My "way too early" Western Conference evaluation.

I will break it down into 4 categories:

Playoff Locks:

Clippers
Lakers
Nuggets

Highly likely a playoff team:

Jazz

Teams that will be in the hunt to the end:

Suns
Blazers
Wolves
Spurs
Rockets
Mavericks
Thunder (but they're also most likely to blow up their team)

Dead teams walking:

Kings
Grizzlies
Pelicans
Warriors

I would add the Rockets, & Spurs to the highly likely category.

Being in the hunt, regardless of how early it is, is so delightful to dream about!

 

[Phrazbit]

I would add the Rockets, & Spurs to the highly likely category.

Being in the hunt, regardless of how early it is, is so delightful to dream about!

I don’t like that Houston team. They have no depth and Mike is struggling to get them to try. It is probably the worst defensive team in the league so far.

They remind me of Mike D's last team in LA, they barely made the playoffs. If I had to bet, right now, I would guess Houston won't make it... unless Morey has another trick up his sleeve and brings in some help.