Suns 2018/2019 Season Expectations

[Yuma]

I know this seems a little late in the process, except every game thread, and other threads, we touch on this subject. I though maybe we could do this in one thread instead of having to search through many threads to understand this theme.

First game of the year people were excited about our win and thought we would win more games. Then the next three games came and depression ensued.

I know almost all of us did not see the Suns making the playoffs even after the draft. I don't know if Sarver's declaration it was time for us to win, or the game against the Mavericks, or having a new coach, but it seems people are really angry we may only win the same number of games as last year. I am looking at old posts and almost all of us thought we couldn't go to the playoffs. So what is the difference if we win 32 games or 21 if you don't make the playoffs? I just sense a lot of depression or anger about our team in recent posts.

There are still things to enjoy. Watching Booker and Ayton develop their games. I have been very happy seeing TJ having reached a different level of play this season.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Assuming decent health, I'm still convinced we'll do better than last season. But we were last in 17/18 for a reason and it wasn't because we were tanking. We were very bad. We still are. But Ayton should improve considerably through the season and Booker plus Warren should give us a trio that can sneak out the occasional win as the season goes on. Maybe we won't win 30 but I don't expect us to fall very far short of it.

 

[Yuma]

My worries about those expectations, is the west got better! We have more rookies to develop. We have a whole new coach and system to integrate. Still missing PG and PF arguably. There's a lot on this team to work around or overcome. Early on you have to expect growing pains. I wouldn't be surprised if we have a high lottery pick again. You hope for the best, but prepare for the worst! LOL!

 

[Mainstreet]

I thought the Suns might compete for the 8th playoff spot if they filled the point guard position along with the addition of Ayton and of course Booker. It would have been a long shot if they made it but it was something to hope for. It would have shown the Suns had taken the next step.

Also there was the expectation that the Suns would play better with a new coach.

However, the Suns lack of defense has me flustered. They don't look much better this season than last season so far. If they don't get more effort on that end of the court it will be hard to win. This is my biggest disappointment thus far.

 

[boisesuns]

Once amare and Boris "left the bench" it was the beginning of a long downward spiral

 

[AzStevenCal]

However, the Suns lack of defense has me flustered. They don't look much better this season than last season so far. If they don't get more effort on that end of the court it will be hard to win. This is my biggest disappointment thus far.

I mentioned this elsewhere but the league has instituted new freedom of movement rules/interpretations this season and it is partially responsible for a lack of defense throughout the league. Right now, as a result, the NBA is enjoying the single greatest one year leap in scoring since the mid-50's.

 

[Mainstreet]

My worries about those expectations, is the west got better! We have more rookies to develop. We have a whole new coach and system to integrate. Still missing PG and PF arguably. There's a lot on this team to work around or overcome. Early on you have to expect growing pains. I wouldn't be surprised if we have a high lottery pick again. You hope for the best, but prepare for the worst! LOL!

I hope the Suns do a better job of scouting players. They should be hitting on more of their picks.

 

[Yuma]

However, the Suns lack of defense has me flustered. They don't look much better this season than last season so far. If they don't get more effort on that end of the court it will be hard to win. This is my biggest disappointment thus far.

Mine, too! With Ayton and Ariza in the starting lineup, I was hoping for tighter D. However that still leaves 3 guys who have to help on D. Maybe I am expecting too much.

 

[Yuma]

Once amare and Boris "left the bench" it was the beginning of a long downward spiral

Ouch! Bad memories!

 

[Yuma]

I mentioned this elsewhere but the league has instituted new freedom of movement rules/interpretations this season and it is partially responsible for a lack of defense throughout the league. Right now, as a result, the NBA is enjoying the single greatest one year leap in scoring since the mid-50's.

That should be more of an issue for a bad defensive team to overcome.

 

[Errntknght]

I mentioned this elsewhere but the league has instituted new freedom of movement rules/interpretations this season and it is partially responsible for a lack of defense throughout the league. Right now, as a result, the NBA is enjoying the single greatest one year leap in scoring since the mid-50's.

What are these new rules and interpretations? I haven't read or heard anything.

I read one place that they were going to call screeners more closely this year but watching I see more moving picks than ever - virtually every pick is a moving pick according to the ancient rules whereby your entire body had to be still. I also believed, perhaps mistakenly, that being still with a hip or elbow sticking out was a violation.

 

[AzStevenCal]

What are these new rules and interpretations? I haven't read or heard anything.

I read one place that they were going to call screeners more closely this year but watching I see more moving picks than ever - virtually every pick is a moving pick according to the ancient rules whereby your entire body had to be still. I also believed, perhaps mistakenly, that being still with a hip or elbow sticking out was a violation.

Obviously some refs will call it closer than others but they have been instructed to call it anytime a defender impedes the progress of another player. They've been gradually moving toward this since 2005. The league wants to eliminate holding, grabbing, pushing, shoving, wrapping and making contact when a screen is set (quoted from an LA Times article by Broderick Turner).

Also, referees are instructed to call any attempt to dislodge, hold or clamp a player down low.

 

[Errntknght]

Thanks AZ

 

[Hoop Head]

Just saw we have the same record as Houston (1-4) and a better record than OKC (0-4). I don't think we're better than either of those teams but it's far too early in the season to panic, especially since it was known we would be bad.

 

[1Sun]

Just saw we have the same record as Houston (1-4) and a better record than OKC (0-4). I don't think we're better than either of those teams but it's far too early in the season to panic, especially since it was known we would be bad.

It's not the record. It's that we haven't even been competitive since opening night, we are historically bad defensively, our key veteran acquisition (Ariza) has been more of a negative influence than a positive one, and one of our key future cornerstones (Jackson) is regressing horribly while another (Booker) is already hurt again. Outside of Ayton (where it is only a matter of time before the losing culture and lack of a competent point guard and power forward get to him as well), there is no sign of hope.

 

[BC867]

It's not the record. It's that we haven't even been competitive since opening night, we are historically bad defensively, our key veteran acquisition (Ariza) has been more of a negative influence than a positive one, and one of our key future cornerstones (Jackson) is regressing horribly while another (Booker) is already hurt again. Outside of Ayton (where it is only a matter of time before the losing culture and lack of a competent point guard and power forward get to him as well), there is no sign of hope.

Bingo! You hit it on the nose! State of mind is an important factor in winning and losing.

 

[GatorAZ]

Expectations?

Spoiler

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[gmabel830]

They will win a game or two more than the cardinals

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Just saw we have the same record as Houston (1-4) and a better record than OKC (0-4). I don't think we're better than either of those teams but it's far too early in the season to panic, especially since it was known we would be bad.

Again it’s not the losses it’s the MAGNITUDE of the losses. It’s the complete lack of an ability to be competitive that’s disconcerting.

 

[95pro]

I didn’t want to start a new thread, I figured this was the best place to post this.


But what happened from game 1, the ball movement, players moving, shots falling. The team and players looked happy.

Only 7 games into the season and players are taking possessions off. Something must have happened behind scenes.

Just a lot of speculation and guessing but something, besides being too young and too old, and no talent, is going on. I could be wrong completely.

 

[Hoop Head]

Post this here as well, in the 6 consecutive losses, the Suns are 69-75 in the 38:32 mins played before the 1st sub is made. In the remaining 105:28 minutes before halftime, the score is 213-326. That's from the 7 Seconds or Less podcast. Our 2nd unit is atrocious and changing the starting 5 hasnt helped.

 

[Mainstreet]

I didn’t want to start a new thread, I figured this was the best place to post this.


But what happened from game 1, the ball movement, players moving, shots falling. The team and players looked happy.

Only 7 games into the season and players are taking possessions off. Something must have happened behind scenes.

Just a lot of speculation and guessing but something, besides being too young and too old, and no talent, is going on. I could be wrong completely.

It reminds me a lot when Jerry Colangelo asked Cotton Fitzsimmons why the Suns were not winning. He told them not enough talent. This lead to the Larry Nance trade.

The Suns need another Jerry Colangelo and Cotton Fitzsimmons.

 

[Hoop Head]

Normally I would be the last person to post a Gambo rant but he went off on the Suns yesterday. I thought I originally saw this link here but now I can't find it anywhere. Here it is for anyone interested. It's 11 minutes and Gambo doesn't hold back about how bad this team is. He blames McD, Igor, Sarver, and some of the players. I think it's actually worth listening to. It doesn't feel like hope is on the horizon after listening to this. I've questioned Gambo's sources before but I doubt he rants like this unless he knew there wasn't a deal in the pipeline being worked on. I think this is our team, for better or worse, until at least December 15th when players signed during this past offseason can be dealt. I'm not sure if anyone of our signings will be send off but I think there will be a couple deals around the league at that time with teams like Houston, LA, or OKC. It's hard to believe we're tied with OKC for the lowest win total in the league, one game. We've acquired one more loss than they have though.

http://arizonasports.com/category/p...a9-9e16-a98b015e616d&sid=1005&n=Burns+&+Gambo


I really wish a fraction of his passion from rants like this carried over into his interviews with Sarver. I know he won't lay into Sarver and I don't think he should do that either, completely, but whenever Sarver is on all he does is toss him some softballs. He even sets Sarver up to blame others for certain things and asks questions in a way where Sarver can say just about anything in response and not sound responsible. He has the access, no one else does. I know going too hard might cost him the access but that's why he shouldn't go all out. Even one hardball question would be a nice change.

 

[95pro]

http://arizonasports.com/category/podcast_player/?a=a079f835-a36e-40a9-9e16-a98b015e616d&sid=1005&n=Burns+&+Gambo

to the rant. wow

 

[95pro]

Stats and watching the games, now listening to that by Gambo, the more I realize how much of a big gaping black hole we are in due to McD. I might have been too positive about the coach Hiring, the Ariza signing, young players, and getting rid of 8 players.