Raptors @ Suns Monday game thread 3-17-2025

[Mainstreet]

Monte dropping the threes.

 

[Yuma]

FORTY POINT WIN!

 

[Mainstreet]

Eddie gets his wish. Suns hold the Raptors under 90.

 

[Mainstreet]

Final:

Suns 129 - Raptors 89

 

[BirdGangThing]

morris wasn't hurt

 

[BirdGangThing]

one play that stood out to me tonight - dunn's foul when he came flying over that guy's back - not only did he still make sure to block the crap lol but after knocking the guy to the ground dunn stood in front and refused to move - he had to help the guy up - guy wasn't feeling it like at all but dunn just stayed there with his hand out - eventually helping the guy up

this shows character, yes?

 

[Mainstreet]

Some final stats for the game.

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Suns 129-89 Raptors (Mar 17, 2025) Box Score - ESPN

Box score for the Phoenix Suns vs. Toronto Raptors NBA game from March 17, 2025 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.

www.espn.com

 

[Suns_fan69]

Rare blowout win. The defense was remarkably better tonight, first quarter notwithstanding. That unit in the 2nd quarter in particular was really active and nobody gave up on any play; second and third defenders flying around all over the place.

Now, it helps that Toronto was fielding a literal g-league team out there at times, but hopefully the effort translates. Even KD was showing some hustle once he came in.

I still am not expecting much on the season, but the team is so much more watchable when they look like they give a crap. That's all I'm hoping for at this point.

 

[Superbone]

I might watch this one in the hope of seeing some PT for developing youngsters. That means less high paid veterans and big minutes to Dunn, Oso, Bol, Gillespie, TyTy. Do it, Bud!

I hope you watched. That was the most fun I've had watching the Suns all season long. Where has this been?! NOW they decided to turn it on and put effort into the defensive end? It took 68 games and total embarrassment from the Lakers in front of a national audience to wake this team up?

 

[Superbone]

Oso with a frickin' +39! followed by Royce with +38.

 

[CardNots]

A pounding of an injury riddled bottom dweller at home no less. Fire up the marching band?

 

[BirdGangThing]

kd probably feeling some type of way today

 

[Suns_fan69]

Cody Martin's been a breath of fresh air. He's less athletic but more foundationally sound than Okogie. Surprisingly similar stats:

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[Hoop Head]

Finally got around to watching the game. Glad Bud sat KD for a nice stretch and we saw him ride the hot hands. The offense and defense seemed much more cohesive. Can't read into the game results much since we were playing a G-League team but for once it looked like that, an NBA team dominating lesser competition.

I also think the 2nd quarter, when KD was sat, is a decent example though of why some of us believe this team doesn't need bulldozed to be rebuilt. There is enough here that might be salvageable. We need a good contractor (GM) to examine the plot though before we proceed. We can always move KD in the offseason, try to move Beal, and aim to get close to the first apron so more options are available in regards to trades. If that isn't working early on next season and hope isn't on the horizon then send Booker off in a midseason deal with the aim of adding assets for the future.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Suns have been missing this type of defensive effort all season. If the energy could only rub off on the starters.

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[95pro]

I noticed we did a lot of switching on the perimeter D, something we didn't really do all season. When we didn't guys like Dunn and Martin are good at slipping screens, navigating around them and staying with their man. They have some good footwork on that end of the floor.

 

[leclerc]

I watched it this evening. Wow, what a second quarter. Did not watch the fourth, but wow. What a difference a day makes.

 

[leclerc]

Was Plumlee ejaculated in this game or did he finish strong? Liked what I saw of Oso.

 

[Hoop Head]

Was Plumlee ejaculated in this game or did he finish strong? Liked what I saw of Oso.

Grady Dick tried baiting Plumlee but after the last 2 ejaculations Plumlee said he won't hesitate smacking Dick around in the locker room after the game but not on the court.

 

[Covert Rain]

Some final stats for the game.

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

Suns 129-89 Raptors (Mar 17, 2025) Box Score - ESPN

Box score for the Phoenix Suns vs. Toronto Raptors NBA game from March 17, 2025 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.

www.espn.com

I am actually excited about the future of Dunn And Ighodaro. Both show promise. They both make really really stupid fouls but they are rookies. If they clean that up and keep working I can see them both as solid rotation guys. Dunn might even have a bigger upside with some consistency. It's something to cheer for from a young player perspective.

 

[Mainstreet]

I am actually excited about the future of Dunn And Ighodaro. Both show promise. They both make really really stupid fouls but they are rookies. If they clean that up and keep working I can see them both as solid rotation guys. Dunn might even have a bigger upside with some consistency. It's something to cheer for from a young player perspective.

Rookies are going to make mistakes, so I do not worry about the fouls a lot. It's a learning curve. They will learn how to stay out of foul trouble if Bud gives them playing time.

When reaching for the ball, I hope Dunn learns to come up under the ball on the dribble instead of slapping down. That will help him avoid needless fouls.

I think Dunn has the higher upside because Oso doesn't have an outside shot. Also, Dunn can play some small ball 4. Martin and Dunn have some potential there.

 

[Chaplin]

Besides trading and acquiring, my biggest goal this offseason is to get Oso to have some sort of offensive game. Give him at least the ability to put up a midrange shot and he'd be devastating. Get him to shoot 3s and he'd become our starting PF.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Finally got around to watching the game. Glad Bud sat KD for a nice stretch and we saw him ride the hot hands. The offense and defense seemed much more cohesive. Can't read into the game results much since we were playing a G-League team but for once it looked like that, an NBA team dominating lesser competition.

I also think the 2nd quarter, when KD was sat, is a decent example though of why some of us believe this team doesn't need bulldozed to be rebuilt. There is enough here that might be salvageable. We need a good contractor (GM) to examine the plot though before we proceed. We can always move KD in the offseason, try to move Beal, and aim to get close to the first apron so more options are available in regards to trades. If that isn't working early on next season and hope isn't on the horizon then send Booker off in a midseason deal with the aim of adding assets for the future.

I think we could move Durant and not do a complete rebuild but IMO we'd be settling for mediocrity. No matter how you slice it, we'd be on a lesser footing than the other franchises given our shortage of future picks (and future pick values). So, we'd probably win 30 to 35 games or so for 5 or 6 years and then we'd be looking at a complete rebuild anyway because Booker would likely be on his last legs. But I'm okay with keeping Devin long enough to rebuild his trade value and if it turns out I'm wrong and we find we can retool on the fly, then great. I just wouldn't expect it.

 

[Phrazbit]

I think we could move Durant and not do a complete rebuild but IMO we'd be settling for mediocrity. No matter how you slice it, we'd be on a lesser footing than the other franchises given our shortage of future picks (and future pick values). So, we'd probably win 30 to 35 games or so for 5 or 6 years and then we'd be looking at a complete rebuild anyway because Booker would likely be on his last legs. But I'm okay with keeping Devin long enough to rebuild his trade value and if it turns out I'm wrong and we find we can retool on the fly, then great. I just wouldn't expect it.

On the principal of the matter... I really don't want to send Booker to Houston as a pathetic effort to mitigate the Durant trade, so I'd rather leave that possibility out. If we could be kinda spunky and fun and on the borderline of the playoffs (especially if we ship Durant to Houston and get some of our picks back), I'd enjoy it. But a total tear down is going to equal years and years of hopeless misery. Doing so without at least a portion of our picks is insanity.

 

[AzStevenCal]

On the principal of the matter... I really don't want to send Booker to Houston as a pathetic effort to mitigate the Durant trade, so I'd rather leave that possibility out. If we could be kinda spunky and fun and on the borderline of the playoffs (especially if we ship Durant to Houston and get some of our picks back), I'd enjoy it. But a total tear down is going to equal years and years of hopeless misery. Doing so without at least a portion of our picks is insanity.

If I thought our owner office would just settle for mediocrity for a decade and not make desperation Hail Mary moves every year by trading away youth and future picks to try and become relevant, maybe I'd feel as you do. As it is, I envision us being a mediocre team for many years and maybe eventually Ishbia's great great grandson will finally figure out you can't compete when you're always in a hole and every one else is on solid ground.