Playoffs: Nuggets @ Suns Friday game thread 5-5-2023 - Game 3

[Mainstreet]

Let's see. The Suns had four starters and no bench. Now they are down to three starters and no bench.

 

[Covert Rain]

Let's see. The Suns had four starters and no bench. Now they are down to three starters and no bench.

These guys are professional athletes getting paid lots of money. I see other teams have guys step up all the time. It’s happened this playoffs with multiple teams. That’s what we need to happen. Not saying it will happen. If anything it just confirms the Suns lack of off season moves to shore up PG, PF and these nonsensical “adjustments” has caught up to them.

 

[Mainstreet]

I don't think this changes anything, but it sure reads better hearing Chris Paul is day to day.

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[Covert Rain]

I don't think this changes anything but it sure reads better hearing Chris Paul is day-to-day.

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Shams said the Suns internally are preparing for him to be out Games 3,4 and 5.

I hope he is wrong and really day to day. I don’t expect him at all Friday. The earliest he is coming back is Game 4.

 

[95pro]

Al McCoy today on the radio mentioned that the unstable rotations are impacting players and inferred it’s contributing to the lack of production. He said guys need to know if they will play and how long. He was basically saying they need time with each other. He said there have been times that our bench players have come in for a minute or two at a time then put back to the bench. He said the teams needs to be more locked in for rotations.

I wanted the second unit to be built around mostly TJ and then Ross. I’ve said their defense isn’t great. But you need to get points while your starters are resting instead of the other team gaining a lead.

We did run these two out as part of our second unit for a few games and the offense was flowing.

TJ almost beat us before we acquired him. There was bubble TJ. He’s the only other guy with size that can create his own shot.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I wanted the second unit to be built around mostly TJ and then Ross. I’ve said their defense isn’t great. But you need to get points while your starters are resting instead of the other team gaining a lead.

We did run these two out as part of our second unit for a few games and the offense was flowing.

TJ almost beat us before we acquired him. There was bubble TJ. He’s the only other guy with size that can create his own shot.

Let's face it - we don't need a great or good performance from our bench, we just need them to be something less that a complete disaster. So far it hasn't happened. Even IF TJ and Ross are turnstiles on defense, at least you can hope they'll score a few points. That would be a huge improvement on what we've gotten from the bench so far.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Al McCoy today on the radio mentioned that the unstable rotations are impacting players and inferred it’s contributing to the lack of production. He said guys need to know if they will play and how long. He was basically saying they need time with each other. He said there have been times that our bench players have come in for a minute or two at a time then put back to the bench. He said the teams needs to be more locked in for rotations.

Well that's just Al being the opposite of wrong. And it's a big part of my issue with Monty.

 

[AzStevenCal]

The Suns whole team has been injured all season. How could they know which lineups work?

Maybe you can't do anything about the injuries but that doesn't mean you have to destroy the confidence of the players that aren't injured. Players need to understand their roles.

 

[Proximo]

I’m encouraged the Suns showed they can D them up in game 2. Game 1 was kinda like damn we might not have any answers for their offense. If they can keep playing solid defense we definitely have a chance. All the nuggets did so far was protect their home court. Now our turn to do the same.

Exactly, I actually feel the same way.

Even though the Suns lost a very winnable game 2, I actually feel better about their chances of winning the series after game 2 than I did after game 1.

With that said, the odds are still not very good.

 

[Proximo]

At least we can understand what the hell is the problem here--Kevin Durant hasn't had time to mesh with his teammates yet. That's more than we can say for last year's more embarrassing collapse. That will always be a mystery.

You really think that's the main reason, cause I don't.

The main reason is getting almost no production beyond Booker and KD.

 

[Proximo]

Shams said the Suns internally are preparing for him to be out Games 3,4 and 5.

I hope he is wrong and really day to day. I don’t expect him at all Friday. The earliest he is coming back is Game 4.

Nah he's going to be out for the rest of this series, it's possible he has played his last game as a Sun.

I'm not so sure it is a bad thing. Now we can fully commit to our offense being run through KD and Book and probably can get similar spot up shooting from a Lee, Ross or even Shamet. It probably does hurt us some defensively though.

 

[Bufalay]

Maybe you can't do anything about the injuries but that doesn't mean you have to destroy the confidence of the players that aren't injured. Players need to understand their roles.

Monty Williams has a tough job trying to balance keeping a rhythm with the rotations with the fact that none of the players are any good. He gave Shamet regular minutes and belated realized that he was never going to contribute. Unfortunately, the rest of the players have significant flaws as well.

 

[Hoop Head]

I think part of the issue going with TJ and Ross isn't just them being turnstiles on defense but the message that sends to the rest of the Suns team as far as how much effort they need to exert on D to play. The bench is largely made of overachievers who bust their ass to play D and effort isn't a question so much as skill. When you play 2 guys who don't exert much effort defensively and have no real defensive skill, it sends the message offense > defense. Like it or not we've built a defensive culture and guys are being held accountable. Don't play D, don't play.

 

[BirdGangThing]

Possible starting line ups for Friday

First I'd say you have the obvious
Cam Payne
Devin Booker
Craig or Okogie
KD
Ayton

But if you were tinkering - would you change it up?

Okogie was actually serviceable bringing the ball up court if I remember correctly - and his defense is light years younger than CP3's. Let's be honest CP3 might be good for a steal or two anticipating sloppy passes but he also gets abused constantly after switches, and he can't beat the picks to avoid the switches the way Okogie and Craig have

Is there a possibility where we start both Craig and Okogie with Book, KD, and Ayton? Okogie wouldn't have to bring the ball up everytime. I guess a lot depends on if we're trying to slow the game down or not?

What about Ross? Decent handles right? Nah, but I am hoping to see both he and TJ get some time with the bench because we really need to change it up. I think it all comes down to if you want offensive or defensive production from each of your bench players - cuz you aint getting both. Bench hasn't produced offensively in either of the first two games but we definitely played better D in the second game

 

[Hoop Head]

Possible starting line ups for Friday

First I'd say you have the obvious
Cam Payne
Devin Booker
Craig or Okogie
KD
Ayton

But if you were tinkering - would you change it up?

Okogie was actually serviceable bringing the ball up court if I remember correctly - and his defense is light years younger than CP3's. Let's be honest CP3 might be good for a steal or two anticipating sloppy passes but he also gets abused constantly after switches, and he can't beat the picks to avoid the switches the way Okogie and Craig have

Is there a possibility where we start both Craig and Okogie with Book, KD, and Ayton? Okogie wouldn't have to bring the ball up everytime. I guess a lot depends on if we're trying to slow the game down or not?

What about Ross? Decent handles right? Nah, but I am hoping to see both he and TJ get some time with the bench because we really need to change it up. I think it all comes down to if you want offensive or defensive production from your bench players - cuz you aint getting both. Bench hasn't produced offensively in either of the first two games but we definitely played better D in the second game

I think start Payne and Craig. Payne can actually guard Murray, at least better than CP3. Craig is needed some his physicality and rebounding.

 

[Covert Rain]

Nah he's going to be out for the rest of this series, it's possible he has played his last game as a Sun.

I'm not so sure it is a bad thing. Now we can fully commit to our offense being run through KD and Book and probably can get similar spot up shooting from a Lee, Ross or even Shamet. It probably does hurt us some defensively though.

Get that Shamet out of your mouth.

 

[Covert Rain]

Maybe you can't do anything about the injuries but that doesn't mean you have to destroy the confidence of the players that aren't injured. Players need to understand their roles.

So much this and exactly what Al McCoy was referring to in his interview today.

 

[nashman]

Warriors shot 6 FT’s tonight… made five of ‘em.

Not quite the same as the Suns those crazy bastards shot over 50 3s lol, the Suns were driving with KD and Book and got hosed all night…

 

[mjb21aztd]

Possible starting line ups for Friday

First I'd say you have the obvious
Cam Payne
Devin Booker
Craig or Okogie
KD
Ayton

But if you were tinkering - would you change it up?

Okogie was actually serviceable bringing the ball up court if I remember correctly - and his defense is light years younger than CP3's. Let's be honest CP3 might be good for a steal or two anticipating sloppy passes but he also gets abused constantly after switches, and he can't beat the picks to avoid the switches the way Okogie and Craig have

Is there a possibility where we start both Craig and Okogie with Book, KD, and Ayton? Okogie wouldn't have to bring the ball up everytime. I guess a lot depends on if we're trying to slow the game down or not?

What about Ross? Decent handles right? Nah, but I am hoping to see both he and TJ get some time with the bench because we really need to change it up. I think it all comes down to if you want offensive or defensive production from each of your bench players - cuz you aint getting both. Bench hasn't produced offensively in either of the first two games but we definitely played better D in the second game

Welpppp not exactly a stress free lineup.... but hope the fresh body at pg helps

Cause suns better play like there carrers especially monty matters fri... in basically elimination gm ughhh

 

[Mainstreet]

There are no good answers.

Craig plays better as a starter so I would start him instead of Okogie.

I'm tempted to slide Ross in among the starters and hope he can produce with four other players who know their role.

Maybe bring Payne off the bench to run the second unit. Okogie, Biz, Landale and Lee probably know their roles as well as anyone off the bench.

 

[Ronin]

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[Ronin]

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[mjb21aztd]

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U idiot coach better not rush him if not rdy... such a doucbury move lol

 

[Ronin]

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[Ronin]

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