Raptors @ Suns 11-2-18

[JCSunsfan]

One quality additional player will do wonders for this team.

 

[1Sun]

One quality additional player will do wonders for this team.

Especially at point guard.

 

[1tinsoldier]

canaan can score but 2 assists in 32 minutes is not getting the job done
most importantly, he doesn't know how to get the ball through to Ayton

JJ was better but still too sloppy
regardless, i like the kid. he has heart
he's the kind of player i like to watch and root for
it's not only about winning

 

[Phrazbit]

Ayton is so efficient that he really needs to get more shots. I like that he doesn't force things, but he's got to take more than 10 or 12 shots. Honestly, there is no reason anyone not named Booker should be taking more shots than Ayton.

Ayton does basically anything asked of him by other player's on offense and the non-Booker guys need to take more advantage of it. JJ almost never calls for screens, Canaan doesn't nearly enough. Ayton is already soooooooo freaking good on offense that if other players used him better it would make THEM better. This guy is a willing passer, a deadly pick and roll player and a guy who can score efficiently anywhere within 16 feet. These guys need to force the defense to account for him and it will make their lives way easier.

Barring injury, Ayton is going to put up the best season by a 20 year old since probably... LeBron James. Merely maintaining his current stats would give him the best rookie season by any big of his age... ever. And I expect his numbers to go up, at least in terms of scoring and blocks. I don't know that if he will maintain his 62% fg (if he does... good god) but I think even if that dips his FT rate will increase as defenders swarm him more and refs start to give him respect.

 

[Hoop Head]

I knew we've been bad but apparently this was the first game since the Mavericks game on opening night where the Suns had the lead at the end of the 1st quarter and at halftime. That's sad. We need to store Booker in bubble wrap between games. I didn't notice him on the bench or sidelines during any of the games he missed but I think the Suns should try that going forward. It's not having him in the game but he's clearly the leader of this team and everyone else looks to him for that leadership. I'm glad he's able to play up to that level but I hope he's also able to talk up to that level also.

 

[Krangodnzr]

I really think after he wins his 11th straight finals MVP award he'll probably just retire.

Did anyone ever see that random generated Nba2k Sun's player who was a fifteen time MVP?

 

[AzStevenCal]

Did anyone ever see that random generated Nba2k Sun's player who was a fifteen time MVP?

I didn't know it existed. Now I'm going to have to fantasize about Ayton winning 16 straight so he can pass that guy.

 

[82CardsGrad]

One quality additional player will do wonders for this team.

One quality Point Guard will do wonders for this team...

 

[Mainstreet]

canaan can score but 2 assists in 32 minutes is not getting the job done
most importantly, he doesn't know how to get the ball through to Ayton

JJ was better but still too sloppy
regardless, i like the kid. he has heart
he's the kind of player i like to watch and root for
it's not only about winning

And that second assist came late by Canaan. I like Canaan but the Suns need a better distributor.

I was encouraged by Jackson's play as he didn't seem compelled to create a shot that's not there. If Jackson goes forward in his development, this changes the long term outlook for the Suns.

 

[Yuma]

As for the rotation shakeup, the minutes showed a coach who doesn’t have a full level of trust with some of his players. Okobo played 16 minutes, Bridges had 11 and even though Anderson was coming off the bench, he had 25 minutes to Warren’s 23.

Hey Sportswriter, TJ had to leave the game for a bit with four fouls. It had nothing to do with trust. It had to do with foul trouble! Do these guys watch the game at all before writing their junk?

Kellen Olsen was the writer at ArizonaSports.com

 

[JCSunsfan]

And that second assist came late by Canaan. I like Canaan but the Suns need a better distributor.

I was encouraged by Jackson's play as he didn't seem compelled to create a shot that's not there. If Jackson goes forward in his development, this changes the long term outlook for the Suns.

I do not think we have any choice but to commit to Jackson and work through this. I was fine with trading him if something reasonable became available, but right now his value is low. We know he is capable, we saw it last year. He seems to need Booker in the game to prosper.

 

[Mainstreet]

I guess I'm not sure how I feel about this.

“We have to sustain playing a physical, strong team like Toronto,” Suns first-year coach Igor Kokoskov said. “We have to sustain and play 48 minutes. We had a stretch in the third quarter where we couldn’t handle their physicality.”

“We never hide him defensively and offensively, he’s got to score for us,” Kokoskov said. “Better be in shape. Better be in shape to play all those minutes because they’re coming.”

Playing 35 minutes, 33 seconds, Booker showed signs of fatigue. That’s understandable considering Booker missed the previous three games with the strained left hamstring, but he didn’t further injure his leg.

The minutes will come but I don't want Booker feeling like he has to carry the load at both shooting guard and point guard as well. A part of me says the Suns need to figure out the rest of the equation. Ayton and Booker need some help running the team.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...rns-but-suns-lose-toronto-raptors/1871023002/

 

[Mainstreet]

I do not think we have any choice but to commit to Jackson and work through this. I was fine with trading him if something reasonable became available, but right now his value is low. We know he is capable, we saw it last year. He seems to need Booker in the game to prosper.

I agree with this. It would awesome if Jackson turns into the player we all want. The Suns wouldn't have to look elsewhere for their third or fourth piece.

 

[Carolinacacti]

Ayton won the opening tip. Jackson found a friend in the step back jumper. Bridges plays defense. Book makes everyone better.

 

[Yuma]

The thing with JJ is we all see him play within himself and he is very productive.Then you hear stories where basketball ex-players and coaches are telling him to run and take those out of control flying shots, because that's his strength. I think JJ actually listens to people, but he's getting bad advice. I forgot who EJ was saying told JJ that recently during last night's game, but you hear at least one of those "advice" stories once a week.

 

[Yuma]

AYton shot 70% last night from the field! Holy poo!

 

[Mainstreet]

The Raptors really got a gem late in the 2016 draft when they selected power forward Pascal Siakam. He is an amazing versatile player especially on defense. And they have him for two more seasons at a ridiculously low price. The Raptors are a smart well run franchise.

 

[Yuma]

The Raptors really got a gem late in the 2016 draft when they selected power forward Pascal Siakam. He is an amazing versatile player especially on defense. And they have him for two more seasons at a ridiculously low price. The Raptors are a smart well run franchise.

When he gets the ball in the open court, it's gotta be horrible to see him driving against you!

 

[Western Font]

After the last few games this was a pleasure. It’s so cool watching Ayton. This guy looks like he’s going to simply keep the Suns in games for years to come.

I’m still hopeful for Jackson. He had some flashes. I don’t think his trade value is equal to his upside right now.

 

[Mainstreet]

When he gets the ball in the open court, it's gotta be horrible to see him driving against you!

I see you saw it as well. LOL

Siakam is an incredibility skilled young power forward. I sometimes wonder how the Raptors accrue all their talent. It's not just the draft.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Improvement is all that matters right now. Ayton is doing that. He is incredibly efficient and is still just finding his way. Warren has improved significantly. JJ might still get there if he can focus on not trying to be a distributor. Yes, I was one of those that thought that a JJ experiment at pg might be a good idea. I was horribly wrong. JJ needs to focus on defense and then have a very clear uncomplicated role on offense. He is a good passer when he is just playing and not trying to be a distributor.

 

[Mainstreet]

Improvement is all that matters right now. Ayton is doing that. He is incredibly efficient and is still just finding his way. Warren has improved significantly. JJ might still get there if he can focus on not trying to be a distributor. Yes, I was one of those that thought that a JJ experiment at pg might be a good idea. I was horribly wrong. JJ needs to focus on defense and then have a very clear uncomplicated role on offense. He is a good passer when he is just playing and not trying to be a distributor.

Yeah I was trying to do the same thing by playing him at backup center where he could distribute from there and move closer to the basket. Things need to be kept basic for him right now. His position will likely evolve.

 

[95pro]

Ayton won the opening tip. Jackson found a friend in the step back jumper. Bridges plays defense. Book makes everyone better.

That’s what I told my wife. Yesterday afternoon was watching his highlights and noticed a lot of step back jumpers from the key/elbow area. I told her that’s his move right there.

 

[leclerc]

This is more like it. Much better today. I liked how Jackson and Okobo stepped up in the third and kept us in it. We also battled back in the fourth. Ayton was pretty good even though he didn't get much involved on offense, he played some aggressive defense and went after blocks. Booker needs to practice the lob. Come on let's get a win soon. One more win before Christmas guys!

 

[leclerc]

JJ was better but still too sloppy
regardless, i like the kid. he has heart
he's the kind of player i like to watch and root for
it's not only about winning