Suns @ Bucks Sunday Finals game thread 7-11-2021 - Game 3

[Hoop Head]

I'm not going to put this on Ayton because he didn't have much help. The Suns were terrible defensively.

I'm not putting it on Ayton alone. He can share the blame with Bridges, Paul, and Booker. Like I said, all starters other than Crowder sucked.

 

[Red Bird]

Honestly I'm not really concerned about this one. We've laid eggs in both the regular and post season and responded just about every time. This team always finds a way to flush it and course correct. Personally, I'm not worried until this Bucks team shows they can beat us at our place. The plan was always to steal one on the road. Do that, and we're pretty much in the clear as far as I'm concerned.

 

[GatorAZ]

The Suns have won a lot of close games this season.

I remember more big blown leads than big comeback wins. I think we came back in game 4 vs the Lakers.

 

[Chaplin]

Yea… I think so. I think Dario makes it harder on guys, mainly because he’s not afraid to use his body and “get into” guys… I also think he’s a more reliable rebounder than Craig.
Torrey flashes and is far more athletic. I actually like them both. But, Dario is just better at mucking things up…

The only advantage Dario has over Craig is that he can play more minutes. But I like Craig’s defense and rebounding a lot better.

 

[Hoop Head]

Yea… I think so. I think Dario makes it harder on guys, mainly because he’s not afraid to use his body and “get into” guys… I also think he’s a more reliable rebounder than Craig.
Torrey flashes and is far more athletic. I actually like them both. But, Dario is just better at mucking things up…

I agree with this. Dario uses his body to keep others from swarming in for offensive boards like the Bucks did tonight. He would have helped tonight, for sure, but without him available we had an uphill battle.

 

[Sunburn]

It's passive aggressive and it's weak. IMO . As much as I couldn't stand the Spurs...thats what I loved about Pop. He just brushed that type of question off and didn't use it as fuel to make excuses for the loss.

I personally love it. I think it puts pressure on the league and officials to look closer at things. At the highest level of competition, you look for any and everything that can help the team within the confines of the rules.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Hope you’re right…

Of course he played slow and lumbering… that is who he is after all.
“Horrible” defense? I don’t agree… again, he wasn’t winning any MVP’s. But he was BY FAR, the best backup to DA we had…

he was getting abused by the corpse of Boogie Cousins in the last series. The idea that being down Dario puts us at grave imperil and serious trouble is laughable.

 

[1Sun]

We seem to suck playing from behind. I don’t remember many big comebacks this year besides game 4 vs the Lakers. We’re definitely a frontrunning squad.

We were down 9 just last game...

 

[Covert Rain]

he was getting abused by the corpse of Boogie Cousins in the last series. The idea that being down Dario puts us at grave imperil and serious trouble is laughable.

I can’t believe someone would suggest Dario is the better defender. Monty has struggled to find him minutes the entire playoffs because he gets abused by everyone. The matchups have been horrible for him.

 

[82CardsGrad]

he was getting abused by the corpse of Boogie Cousins in the last series. The idea that being down Dario puts us at grave imperil and serious trouble is laughable.

Legler just said exactly what I’ve been saying here. The Saric injury “bears watching” as the series progresses.

 

[dscher]

I personally love it. I think it puts pressure on the league and officials to look closer at things. At the highest level of competition, you look for any and everything that can help the team within the confines of the rules.

I agree with wanting to get things squared away if you truly have issues. Writing the league and what not.. I just have issues with it potentially taking away focus from the things that truly matter, which are themselves. But every coach is different. They gotta do what they feel is best for the makeup of that current group. That might run well in that locker room with our guys that can dwell on non calls at times like CP and book.

 

[Finito]

It wasn't the typical bad Ayton game but it was bad. He did nothing after the 1st quarter except pick up fouls. They went at him and he bit on a lot early which caused him to be in position for the fouls to be called. I'm not saying he was terrible, we've all seen him play terribly. Tonight wasn't his night. He wasn't alone in that regard though. Crowder was the only starter who showed up and played out all 4 quarters.

Ayton was bad tonight? Lol

and with that I can’t take you serious

 

[Cheesebeef]

We were down 9 just last game...

same in the third quarter against Denver in Game 1.

the reality is this is probably the toughest matchup for us in the playoffs. The Bucks are totally healthy and have a two time MVP and a lot of size. We played very well in Game 1 and 2 and we’ll have to play very well to win more games. We didn’t tonight.

usually when you don’t play well in a championship series, you’re going to lose. This IS the Finals after all.

 

[82CardsGrad]

The only advantage Dario has over Craig is that he can play more minutes. But I like Craig’s defense and rebounding a lot better.

I think it’s more than that…

 

[Mainstreet]

he was getting abused by the corpse of Boogie Cousins in the last series. The idea that being down Dario puts us at grave imperil and serious trouble is laughable.

It's all about depth. Craig had ZERO rebounds tonight and 2 points. Craig is a small forward having to play out of position.

The idea is to have big bodies to match up with opposing big bodies when small ball doesn't work.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Legler just said exactly what I’ve been saying here. The Saric injury “bears watching” as the series progresses.

“Bears watching” is a world of difference than “in very serious trouble!” “insurmountable mountain!” hysteria you’ve been posting in your soiled Depends.

 

[Hoop Head]

Ayton was bad tonight? Lol

and with that I can’t take you serious

What did he do after the first quarter? He picked up fouls. They weren't phantom calls. You can't be effective when you're on the bench. That's on him.

 

[GatorAZ]

We were down 9 just last game...

I guess but it was so early I didn’t get the uh oh feeling like tonight in the 2nd qtr.

Craig and Bridges need to crash the glass like mad men. Two rebounds combined in 42 minutes won’t cut it.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I guess but it was so early I didn’t get the uh oh feeling like tonight in the 2nd qtr.

Craig and Bridges need to crash the glass like mad men. Two rebounds combined in 42 minutes won’t cut it.

Bridges was beyond pathetic tonight. The team needs to do what it’s been doing in all of their wins... GANG rebound.

they ain’t winning this thing unless they all come to play. That didn’t happen tonight. I believe it will on Wednesday.

 

[Mainstreet]

I remember more big blown leads than big comeback wins. I think we came back in game 4 vs the Lakers.

Suns had some big losses this past season but they were good at closing out close games especially late in the season.

 

[GatorAZ]

Bridges was beyond pathetic tonight. The team needs to do what it’s been doing in all of their wins... GANG rebound.

they ain’t winning this thing unless they all come to play. That didn’t happen tonight. I believe it will on Wednesday.

The value of his next contract fluctuates by game it seems.

 

[Cheesebeef]

The value of his next contract fluctuates by game it seems.

He’s just not worth 20 million per year. He’s a good defender, not a GREAT defender and a mediocre at best offensive player who is totally dependent on others to do much on offense.

and completely no shows on both end of the court way to often.

 

[dscher]

Craig and Bridges need to crash the glass like mad men. Two rebounds combined in 42 minutes won’t cut it.

Their size down there doesn't do them any favors. They got out positioned almost all game. Size, hustle, and technique are not in our favor with them going small with Ayton out.

 

[Hoop Head]

The value of his next contract fluctuates by game it seems.

Same with Cam Payne. He's been off for the most part since CP3 came back from COVID.

 

[Mainstreet]

The value of his next contract fluctuates by game it seems.

I'm watching a bunch of players like stocks and some of their market value is plunging such as Payne, Bridges, Kaminsky, Moore, Galloway, Carter, Nader and Smith.