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

[Proximo]

If they won't win tomrrow that's a wrap on the season. I'd put the odds of them beating the Pelicans down 3-2, heading back to New Orleans at about 1%.

I'd say more like 10% but yeah, it would be incredibly dire to lose tommorrow.

 

[AZ Native]

I'd say more like 10% but yeah, it would be incredibly dire to lose tommorrow.

Westy would disagree.

 

[sdscard4]

I believe the Lakers were 39-43 that year...I thought for sure we were dead and Westy pulled us out the funk...it can be done!

 

[82CardsGrad]

More on Payne… Not that I’m cutting him any slack, but, stop and think about this: Since he’s been with the Suns, he’s rarely if ever had to play without either Book or CP3 on the court with him at the same time. What we are likely seeing is a kid who simply wasn’t ready to take the full load without one of the two (Book/Paul) on the court alongside him…
It’s likely Payne just isn’t “that guy,” who can run the point without Book out there with him… or play SG without CP3 running the offense…

So again, the loss of Book in the post season is a killer in so many ways.

And, regarding Paul… He is literally shouldering all of the pressure of taking the ball up the court and running the offense, whenever he’s on the court. With Book, he always had that relief valve as Book could take the ball up to take some pressure off of Paul.
At 37 years old, I’m afraid Paul just isn’t “that guy” who can be relied upon for 35+ mins a game in the post season…

 

[Raindog]

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Don’t expect Holiday or Ish I guess

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.

 

[Cheesebeef]

More on Payne… Not that I’m cutting him any slack, but, stop and think about this: Since he’s been with the Suns, he’s rarely if ever had to play without either Book or CP3 on the court with him at the same time. What we are likely seeing is a kid who simply wasn’t ready to take the full load without one of the two (Book/Paul) on the court alongside him…
It’s likely Payne just isn’t “that guy,” who can run the point without Book out there with him… or play SG without CP3 running the offense…

So again, the loss of Book in the post season is a killer in so many ways.

And, regarding Paul… He is literally shouldering all of the pressure of taking the ball up the court and running the offense, whenever he’s on the court. With Book, he always had that relief valve as Book could take the ball up to take some pressure off of Paul.
At 37 years old, I’m afraid Paul just isn’t “that guy” who can be relied upon for 35+ mins a game in the post season…

It’s definitely a lot to ask of Paul at this point in his career.

 

[82CardsGrad]

It’s definitely a lot to ask of Paul at this point in his career.

Yea… It sorta reminds me of boxers who we see show their age in that one fight… where they get out-worked, out-hustled and maybe even knocked out before they realize age has taken its toll. Pacquaio did it to De la Hoya. Holmes to Ali. Terry Norris Sugar Ray Leonard… As much as I hate to say it, but the Pels could be doing it to CP3…

 

[Cheesebeef]

Yea… It sorta reminds me of boxers who we see show their age in that one fight… where they get out-worked, out-hustled and maybe even knocked out before they realize age has taken its toll. Pacquaio did it to De la Hoya. Holmes to Ali. Terry Norris Sugar Ray Leonard… As much as I hate to say it, but the Pels could be doing it to CP3…

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.

 

[82CardsGrad]

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.

Yep… and Willie Green piles on by tossing in Alvarado in the second half, to take on and frustrate a tired Paul.

 

[Phrazbit]

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.

So frustrating. Even without Booker, if Johnson, Bridges, Crowder and Payne were even hitting 1/3rd of their open looks we'd either be up 3-1 or already chilling waiting for round 2.

I think I am now against the idea of resting guys once you have things clinched. Our defense is still there, the energy is still there (except for at the end last night when things spiraled) but the shooters have completely lost their rhythm. Sure, we went into the playoffs healthy... then the only guy who's form carried over in a big way went down.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Yep… and Willie Green piles on by tossing in Alvarado in the second half, to take on and frustrate a tired Paul.

Yeah. It sucks.

 

[82CardsGrad]

So frustrating. Even without Booker, if Johnson, Bridges, Crowder and Payne were even hitting 1/3rd of their open looks we'd either be up 3-1 or already chilling waiting for round 2.

I think I am now against the idea of resting guys once you have things clinched. Our defense is still there, the energy is still there (except for at the end last night when things spiraled) but the shooters have completely lost their rhythm. Sure, we went into the playoffs healthy... then the only guy who's form carried over in a big way went down.

True… but I’d say Ayton’s form has carried over, and has arguably gone up over the regular season…

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

True… but I’d say Ayton’s form has carried over, and has arguably gone up over the regular season…

Other than being a mediocre rebounder in 3 of the four games (averaging 8.7/game removing the 17 rebound game).

 

[82CardsGrad]

Other than being a mediocre rebounder in 3 of the four games (averaging 8.7/game removing the 17 rebound game).

I know you won’t accept it… but, Ayton’s rebounding numbers are hurt by him being tasked to guard away from the rim.
IMHO, he’s been very good defensively. Not great, but better than good. And he’s been extremely good offensively.

 

[capologist]

Other than being a mediocre rebounder in 3 of the four games (averaging 8.7/game removing the 17 rebound game).

And JV is averaging a mere 13 removing the 25 rebound game.

 

[Phrazbit]

True… but I’d say Ayton’s form has carried over, and has arguably gone up over the regular season…

Ayton has played well, but I was mostly talking about our shooters and them looking like they haven't touched a ball in a month. Cam Johnson, while he did start to get it going last game, has had some crazy misses in this series, air balls and line drives.

 

[nashman]

Payne is missing layups for Christ sake he can’t do anything right now, and to top it off he is becoming a black hole even though he can’t hit anything he still shoots and isn’t getting many of any assists! Where the hell is the brains of continuing this trend? Why not give Holiday who scored seven in like 30 seconds some run? Monty is really screwing up right now with his insistence on sticking with Payne when it’s clearly not working.

 

[Zobaczcie suki]

Let's do this. I am fired up, and it is only 6:30 a.m.

Here's hoping for an electric and rockin' Footprint Center that can help the Suns pull this one out.

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[Russ Smith]

I feel like it's a safe bet Cp3 is going to destroy Alvarado when they match up tonight. I think it's because he admires him but Alvarado has been quite outspoken since game 4 about causing an 8 second call on CP3 and getting a steal against him. He said "I got him. That's one thing I wanted to do actually. I got him on my list so I'm good." I think he means it because he respects CP3 so much

But I also think CP3 is going to come out with a vengeance and go after Alvarado. I think it will be more like the earlier game where he was yelling at the Pels bench to put a bigger guy on him because this guy can't guard me.

 

[Finito]

It’s game day...yay

So excited can’t wait

 

[Muggz]

Biggest game of the year. Which Suns team will show up?
We should not play CP3 at all since its Scott Foster.

 

[Finito]

Biggest game of the year. Which Suns team will show up?
We should not play CP3 at all since its Scott Foster.

Foster isn’t assigned to this game

 

[Mainstreet]

Biggest game of the year. Which Suns team will show up?
We should not play CP3 at all since its Scott Foster.

I don't see Scott Foster assigned to this game.

 

[Muggz]

I don't see Scott Foster assigned to this game.

Sweet thought I heard he was the Ref. Dudes at work messing w/ me. bastards

 

[Mainstreet]

Sweet thought I heard he was the Ref. Dudes at work messing w/ me. bastards

Yeah, I saw the same but it was wrong.