Suns @ Bulls game thread 11-28-17

[Mainstreet]

Suns visit the Bulls tonight in the second game of a six game road trip. The game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Arizona time and will be televised on FSAZ.

See more at the ESPN Preview.

The Suns (7-14) arrive in Chicago looking for answers after kicking off a six-game road trip on Sunday with a 119-108 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Defensive ineffectiveness was again a problem for the Suns, who hope to get shooting guard Devin Booker back after he sat out Sunday due to inflammation in his right toe.

Chicago (3-15) extended its losing streak on Sunday with a 100-93 defeat to the visiting Miami Heat. Despite staying close for much of the game, the Bulls were unable to do enough after coming off a taxing 0-4 West Coast road trip that included a pair of blowout losses.

http://www.espn.com/nba/preview?gameId=400975050

 

[Mainstreet]

Scott Bordow at azcentral writes an informative article about Len, Booker and Bender. It is worth the read.

See snippet from the article and link below.

Devin Booker said his injured right toe is feeling better and that he’s hopeful he’ll be able to play Tuesday against the Bulls. Booker, who is officially listed as questionable, missed Sunday’s game against New Orleans with inflammation in his right toe, the same injury that caused him to miss a game last season.

Triano said Booker didn’t participate in Monday’s practice at the University of Illinois at Chicago but did some light shooting.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...alex-len-greg-monroe-chicago-bulls/899367001/

 

[JCSunsfan]

Scott Bordow at azcentral writes an informative article about Len, Booker and Bender. It is worth the read.

See snippet from the article and link below.



https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...alex-len-greg-monroe-chicago-bulls/899367001/

Interesting article, it is true that Len has simplified his game and that his per 36 numbers are good. But his fouling and failures on team defense make it hard to keep playing him.

I have a hunch the Suns will be trading Monroe or Tyson in December and then things will ease up.

 

[Ronin]

scott bordow‏Verified account@sbordow 5m5 minutes ago
Booker will play tonight

 

[Ronin]

Matt Petersen‏@TheMattPetersen 1m1 minute ago
I get both sides on the Suns/Len thing, but Phoenix having ANOTHER publicly unhappy player does not look great.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[unseenaz]

You must be registered for see images attach

meh. len HAD to sign the QO from the suns because no one wanted him. now all of the sudden he wants to put in the work? sorry man, shoulda done that years ago and none of this would be an issue.

 

[Mainstreet]

meh. len HAD to sign the QO from the suns because no one wanted him. now all of the sudden he wants to put in the work? sorry man, shoulda done that years ago and none of this would be an issue.

Still I think playing Len at center makes more sense than Chandler or Monroe unless the Suns are trying to trade them.

IMO, neither Chandler or Monroe figure into the Suns future. At least Len has a chance. Of course not playing Len probably hurts his value in free agency possibly making it easier for the Suns to keep him if they so desire.

 

[Hoop Head]

I think Monroe factors into the future just as much as Len, he's only 27 which is just 2 years older than Len. I don't think either will be difference makers in 3-4 years but Monroe stands a better chance at that. Of course it depends on how much it costs to resign him but at least he's proven to be a legit NBA caliber player.

 

[Ronin]

scott bordow
@sbordow

No word from Triano on starting lineup. Said he wanted to let his players know before he told the media.

 

[Hoop Head]

My prediction on the starters.

Monroe, Dudley, Warren, Booker, and Ulis.
Len, Bender, Jackson, Daniels, and James off the bench.

Daniels has played too well to move Jackson to the 2nd unit SG spot, Dudley has played well also. I think Len will see some minutes tonight and Chandler will get a "rest" game. Chriss should be benched for a game and this would be a good one to do that, let him sit with Chandler while Chandler talks him through a whole game. Dudley only starts to keep the 2nd unit intact but Bender will see a lot more minutes being needed to guard Markkanen.

Something weird is happening if he's waiting to tell the players before the media, so that's my guess. Chriss and Chandler sit. Chriss might play but as a 3rd string PF/C.

 

[Hoop Head]

Starters are Chandler, Bender, Warren, Booker, and Ulis. This will be Bender's first career start.

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

 

[Mainstreet]

This will be a challenge for Bender, to match up with Markkanen.

 

[Bert]

I know we should tank,,, but I'm rooting for a Suns win, cuz I do what I want!!! Plus screw the Bulls. #NeverForget93

 

[Mainstreet]

My prediction on the starters.

Monroe, Dudley, Warren, Booker, and Ulis.
Len, Bender, Jackson, Daniels, and James off the bench.

Daniels has played too well to move Jackson to the 2nd unit SG spot, Dudley has played well also. I think Len will see some minutes tonight and Chandler will get a "rest" game. Chriss should be benched for a game and this would be a good one to do that, let him sit with Chandler while Chandler talks him through a whole game. Dudley only starts to keep the 2nd unit intact but Bender will see a lot more minutes being needed to guard Markkanen.

Something weird is happening if he's waiting to tell the players before the media, so that's my guess. Chriss and Chandler sit. Chriss might play but as a 3rd string PF/C.

Three out of five ain't bad.

 

[Mainstreet]

I know we should tank,,, but I'm rooting for a Suns win, cuz I do what I want!!! Plus screw the Bulls. #NeverForget93

Suns fans are beyond all that. They root for the purity of basketball.

 

[Mainstreet]

Turnovers plaguing the Suns early.

 

[Mainstreet]

Bender played 5 minutes and picked up 2 PFs. The last foul on Markkanen was silly.

 

[Mainstreet]

End of 1st quarter.

Bulls 29 Suns 28

 

[Mainstreet]

The way the Bulls are packed in there to rebound on defense, it resembles a zone.

 

[devilalum]

Holy crap this is like watching a couple of fat kids having a slap fight. Sure there might be a few tears but nobodies getting hurt and absolutely everybody’s gonna be disappointed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mainstreet]

Chriss started to do some some good things inside while he was in there.

 

[Hoop Head]

Three out of five ain't bad.

I actually had Bender as the starter but remembered Triano's comments about bringing Bender off the bench. I tweeted that to Bordow and he reminded me of Triano's comments about Bender in the 2nd unit, so I posted the Dudley line-up here. Go figure.

Can't believe Len has 10 boards before the half. Sitting him a couple games avoids bad games, maybe?

 

[Mainstreet]

I actually had Bender as the starter but remembered Triano's comments about bringing Bender off the bench. I tweeted that to Bordow and he reminded me of Triano's comments about Bender in the 2nd unit, so I posted the Dudley line-up here. Go figure.

Can't believe Len has 10 boards before the half. Sitting him a couple games avoids bad games, maybe?

Don't listen to Bordow. He messed you up.

Len is playing for a new contract. I do think he is improving though.

 

[Hoop Head]

I'll take the Bender start, prediction or not. He hasn't played great but he has a couple of assists and rebounds while not being in real foul trouble yet.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'll take the Bender start, prediction or not. He hasn't played great but he has a couple of assists and rebounds while not being in real foul trouble yet.

Bender got the quick two PFs in the first 5 minutes which I think totally took him out of his game. He was frustrated when he went to the bench. I'm sure he wanted to play well in his first start. He has another half to do it.