Pelicans @ Suns Tuesday Playoff game thread 4-26-2022 - Game 5

[Finito]

100% on the ball watching.

Now why, if we’re playing the same defense as regular season, does aytin have three games where his rebounding in under his seasons average and valencunius’ rebounding is above his season average?

As tedious as it’s going to be I may just document how many times Ayton is on the outside defending verses inside on every shot. Doesn’t matter if he’s outside defending at some point in the possession if he’s back guarding under the basket by the time a shot goes up. I’ll let everyone know what I come up with.

Your asking a 7 footer to defend the perimeter and while the shot is in the air run down and get position for the rebound?

Maybe for smaller faster guys year but that’s not realistic for his size

 

[somethingshesaid]

Against the Clippers Ish had a 20 point, 8 rebound, 4 assist game.

I think it happens more than you are willing to admit... But that aside, I am not making any excuses for Ayton as I tend to be as hard on him as I am on any other player. With respect to Valenciunus, I can't say I'm all that surprised that a 7 foot, 2 inch and 300 pound athletic mammoth is able to out-duel Ayton, who's giving up 3 inches and 50 pounds.

Does Ayton probably need to add more muscle mass after this season?

 

[Finito]

Does Ayton probably need to add more muscle mass after this season?

He needs to work on his base being stronger and getting his better. What I don’t want to see if them turning him into a three point shooter

But he’s going in the right direction

 

[Ronin]

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[Ronin]

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[Cheesebeef]

Suns at -6.5 seems like a lot of points for us right now.

 

[somethingshesaid]

What I don’t want to see if them turning him into a three point shooter

Nor do I. I dont care what the trends are, there are more valuable things for a center to do than mess around at the three-point line.

 

[somethingshesaid]

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Whoa! How impressive!

 

[Finito]

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He’s bringing the engergy

I love it put him out there with Ayton this team needs a spark

 

[mjb21aztd]

Well judgment day pretty much for season suns can not lose this gm!!!! They are the freakin 1 seed at home

Suns need massive gms from cp3 monster da bridges

Hopin and wishing on stars for best gooo suns gonna be a long morn afternoon lol

 

[Proximo]

I hear a good lot of people (not necessarily on this forum) remarking on the Suns' "depth." I wish they'd stop. These games are strongly indicating that the Suns' depth is overstated.

Their depth actually was quite good during the season.

The production of the bench players in the playoffs thus far just does not reflect it, but I'm pretty sure it is not the opposition that is preventing them from performing.

 

[Proximo]

Suns at -6.5 seems like a lot of points for us right now.

Woah.

I am giving us 50/50 odds at best in this game. That line seems way to high to me, and I'm a certified homer.

 

[Hoop Head]

I hear a good lot of people (not necessarily on this forum) remarking on the Suns' "depth." I wish they'd stop. These games are strongly indicating that the Suns' depth is overstated.

Of course the depth is hurt mightily by losing our primary scorer. That requires everyone else to raise their game.

The depth is apparent and a strength but it's harder to notice with Booker out. Remove any other player and our depth is what keeps us at the same level though. We don't miss Ayton, McGee, Crowder, Cam J, Payne, Shamet, or Craig when they've been out because we've had guys to fill those voids. We haven't been derailed despite all of the injuries and Covid absences from players 2-10 in the rotation. That's where the depth shows it's value.

We've even played really well without Chris Paul because Payne is a much better starting PG than backup this season.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Valencunius is listed at 6’11 and 265. He’s clearly more than 265, but he’s the same height as aytin and considerably less athletic.

And you’re not addressing the elephant in the room . . . Ayton is not coming out on defense any more than the regular season yet his rebounding in 3 games is way down from his average and valencunius is way up from his average. But for some reason you, and some others, think it’s not a problem. As we get slaughtered on second chances. Okay.

I've seen Jonas listed at 7'2"...nonetheless, he is much thicker than Ayton and though not as athletic, Jonas is remarkably so for a man of his size.
And for the record, I DO think the rebounding discrepancies are a "problem!" A HUGE problem to be clear... I just don't put all of that problem at the feet of Ayton. In a huge amount of instances, Ayton is guarding a man away from the basket (I'm not talking about at the 3-point line here...but at or near the foul line), and no other Sun cares to take care of the weakside... That's not on Ayton. That's on Crowder, Bridges, Cam Johnson...

As far I'm concerned, Ayton is way down the list of reasons to be concerned about this series...In fact, I wouldn't put Ayton into the conversation at all.
That list of concerns is long...but Deandre ain't on it IMHO.

 

[82CardsGrad]

As tedious as it’s going to be I may just document how many times Ayton is on the outside defending verses inside on every shot. Doesn’t matter if he’s outside defending at some point in the possession if he’s back guarding under the basket by the time a shot goes up. I’ll let everyone know what I come up with.

Define "outside" and "inside."

 

[GatorAZ]

Paul/Ayton will do their thing. The role players need to nut up. Also Monty needs to give CP some relief in the backcourt. Get someone to brick wall Alvarado off a screen.

We simply cannot lose a series to a team called the Pelicans.

 

[95pro]

I've seen Jonas listed at 7'2"...nonetheless, he is much thicker than Ayton and though not as athletic, Jonas is remarkably so for a man of his size.
And for the record, I DO think the rebounding discrepancies are a "problem!" A HUGE problem to be clear... I just don't put all of that problem at the feet of Ayton. In a huge amount of instances, Ayton is guarding a man away from the basket (I'm not talking about at the 3-point line here...but at or near the foul line), and no other Sun cares to take care of the weakside... That's not on Ayton. That's on Crowder, Bridges, Cam Johnson...

As far I'm concerned, Ayton is way down the list of reasons to be concerned about this series...In fact, I wouldn't put Ayton into the conversation at all.
That list of concerns is long...but Deandre ain't on it IMHO.

I understand what you’re saying. Ayton is contesting for rebounds but is usually the only one battling for them while other watch as ayton is surrounded by 5 pelicans.

 

[Covert Rain]

Devin Booker missing game 5, although not unexpected, is not encouraging.

The Suns may have to play the whole series without him.

I still get the impression he will come back if the Suns face elimination but only if they face elimination.

P.S. All I want for my birthday is a Suns win. LET'S GOOOOOOOO

 

[somethingshesaid]

Payne is a much better starting PG than backup this season.

I see you arguably agree with me that Payne is not well-suited for coming off the bench.

I would be interested in pulling the gimmick of making Payne start for Paul and play most of the quarter, in hopes of both neutralizing this problem and saving Paul's legs.

 

[somethingshesaid]

We simply cannot lose a series to a team called the Pelicans.

At least they're not called the Seagulls. If you want to name your team after a bird, find one that doesn't eat garbage.

 

[GatorAZ]

Does this mean we get a FT to start the game?
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[JosiahLee]

He can’t carry the load anymore. It’s why having Book truly step forward to superstar status made us so tough. It allowed CP3 to completely pace himself until the 4th quarter. That ain’t possible anymore, especially when we can’t throw it in the ocean from 3 point land.

If age is a restriction for CP3 at this point in his career I say throw the whole idea of "pacing himself" out the window. Let him go off early and often while he has the energy. I'd rather us have a double digit lead going into the 3rd or 4th rather than save him the whole game hoping he's going to be able to produce some 4th quarter magic.

 

[82CardsGrad]

If age is a restriction for CP3 at this point in his career I say through the whole idea of "pacing himself" out the window. Let him go off early and often while he has the energy. I'd rather us have a double digit lead going into the 3rd or 4th rather than save him the whole game hoping he's going to be able to produce some 4th quarter magic.

Huh? Do you think Monty has been pulling the reigns back on CP3 in the first 3/4th's of a game?

 

[JosiahLee]

Huh? Do you think Monty has been pulling the reigns back on CP3 in the first 3/4th's of a game?

Specifically in game four there were several Suns possessions where CP3 wasn't touching the ball (a handful in the 3rd if I recall) or even looking to touch the ball. Seemed like it was an intentional strategy to "save him" for the 4th.

 

[Bufalay]

Pretty much what I was expected. If Payne, Crowder, Craig, CJ, and/or Shamet all continue the pattern of stinking and Monty continues to "let them play through it" without any adjustment, we are going to lose tomorrow and the season going down the tubes will all be on his head and his head only.

If all the players who usually play suck then its completely the coaches' fault?