Suns @ Bulls 2-24-17

[Mainstreet]

The Suns get ready to start the home stretch by visiting the Bulls tonight with a 6 p.m. Arizona start time.

It will be interesting to see what the Bulls look like coming off a trade.

Chicago will enter the stretch run without two familiar faces. The Bulls dealt starting forward Taj Gibson and reserve guard Doug McDermott to the Oklahoma City Thunder just before Thursday's trade deadline. In return, the Bulls received point guard Cameron Payne, center Joffrey Lauvergne and swingman Anthony Morrow. The Bulls also sent a 2018 second-round pick to the Thunder to round out the deal.

Of course the Suns traded PJ Tucker.

Meanwhile, the Suns were also active on Thursday, when they sent forward P.J. Tucker to Toronto for forward Jared Sullinger and second-round draft picks in 2017 and 2018. Tucker was a top defender for Phoenix coming off the bench and was able to guard both on the perimeter in the post.

Read more from the ESPN Preview.

 

[Mainstreet]

Per Doug Haller, the Suns are reportedly waiving Jared Sullinger and Mike Scott today as previously noted in another thread.

 

[bankybruce]

I am excited to watch Cameron Payne play. I hope we release Rondo and let him get a bulk of the minutes down the stretch.

 

[Mainstreet]

Alex Len is slated to start tonight.

Doug HallerVerified account‏@DougHaller 25m25 minutes ago


Alex Len listed as Phoenix's starting center for tonight's game against the Bulls.

 

[Mainstreet]

I am excited to watch Cameron Payne play. I hope we release Rondo and let him get a bulk of the minutes down the stretch.

I think the Suns want to look at their younger players as well since the trade deadline has passed.

 

[Mainstreet]

Nice block by Chriss on Portis going to the basket. It looked like Portis might have kicked out.

It ends up a double technical.

 

[AzStevenCal]

It's great to see Ulis and Williams get early PT.

 

[Mainstreet]

Tyler Ulis, Alan Williams and Derrick Jones Jr. are playing.

 

[Mainstreet]

It's great to see Ulis and Williams get early PT.

Ulis gives me a huge reason to watch plus the other youngsters.

 

[Mainstreet]

Jones is showing what he can do.

He has 4 points and 2 rebounds.

 

[hsandhu]

Suns doing right thing, playing all the young guys, tanking. Hopefully they do it all season.

McD was on w gambo today, talked about the young guys getting more time , didn't think it meant a lot of ulis, williams, jomes.

 

[Mainstreet]

What a dunk by Derrick Jones Jr.

He can fly.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Yeah, love seeing Ulis, Williams and Jones Jr in the first half, not to mention starter minutes for Len.

Did they mention Knight and Chandler in the pregame show at all?

 

[Mainstreet]

Yeah, love seeing Ulis, Williams and Jones Jr in the first half, not to mention starter minutes for Len.

Did they mention Knight and Chandler in the pregame show at all?

I didn't hear all the pregame but Steve Albert was wondering why Chandler was not playing.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I didn't hear all the pregame but Steve Albert was wondering why Chandler was not playing.

I was hoping they'd say something like "Knight and Chandler are both available but Watson plans on focusing on the youth from here on out", or something like that. I'd feel a lot better about the tank and I'd feel a lot better about our future if we continue to see the lineups we've had tonight. Although, starting Knight for Bledsoe would help a lot too - for the tank at least, maybe not for the young players.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I think this "Simon sez' routine with Steve Max is the best halftime show I've seen in a long time.

 

[Mainstreet]

I was hoping they'd say something like "Knight and Chandler are both available but Watson plans on focusing on the youth from here on out", or something like that. I'd feel a lot better about the tank and I'd feel a lot better about our future if we continue to see the lineups we've had tonight. Although, starting Knight for Bledsoe would help a lot too - for the tank at least, maybe not for the young players.

I think McDonough said something close to it as written in the article by Kellan Olson at Arizona Sports.

http://arizonasports.com/story/1033...-full-swing-according-suns-gm-ryan-mcdonough/

 

[AzStevenCal]

Tyson is on the floor in shootaround (in sweats) but I haven't noticed Knight at all.

 

[Mainstreet]

Tyson is on the floor in shootaround (in sweats) but I haven't noticed Knight at all.

Maybe they are negotiating a buyout... some sarcasm. Some wondering how this is going to work out with Knight.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Suns need to sit Bledsoe and Booker. The Suns lead the Bulls 68-59.

 

[Mainstreet]

Mirotic gives the fake on his shot and Bledsoe comes crashing down on him.

It is a common foul but I thought they might call a flagrant. Never know any more.

 

[Mainstreet]

End of 3rd quarter:

Bull 80 Suns 79

Suns, please play the bench.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Mirotic gives the fake on his shot and Bledsoe comes crashing down on him.

It is a common foul but I thought they might call a flagrant. Never know any more.

If they had I believe the league would have reversed it. That's a typical move by a shooter and the normal response is to sidestep most of the contact while putting up the shot. I'm sure Bledsoe was shocked Mirotic was still in his direct line when he made landfall.

 

[AzStevenCal]

End of 3rd quarter:

Bull 80 Suns 79

Suns, please play the bench.

I didn't like the way Watson handled the lineup that quarter, I was expecting a run from both Ulis and Williams for several minute like he did in the first quarter. But he played the starters the whole 3rd quarter (minus Len, I believe) and our guards showed some wear and tear as a result.

 

[Mainstreet]

If they had I believe the league would have reversed it. That's a typical move by a shooter and the normal response is to sidestep most of the contact while putting up the shot. I'm sure Bledsoe was shocked Mirotic was still in his direct line when he made landfall.

I agree.