Suns @ Heat 2-25-19

[taz02]

It looks to me like players are starting to break ranks. TJ's suspiciously long absence, Bookers "worst its ever been" and Aytons comments.

As bad as it would be to fire another coach I don't see how the suns can go into next season and risk having to fire Igor mid season.

This team has underperformed and even lost to the Hawks with excellent PG play. I know its just one game, but it was against the fourth worst team in the NBA playing a back to back.

I guess we will see what tonight brings.

 

[taz02]

lol... if true, 18 losses in a row is that much worse than 17? If they're really thinking of firing him, do it at the end of the year after bringing a new GM in. At least they can pretend to try and save face with this disaster by saying the new GM wants his own guy.

I agree

 

[Mainstreet]

I just read that Gambo is saying that Igor might get fired if the Suns lose tonight.

This is interesting JC. The Heat should not be an easier game especially with Dragic back.

 

[JCSunsfan]

lol... if true, 18 losses in a row is that much worse than 17? If they're really thinking of firing him, do it at the end of the year after bringing a new GM in. At least they can pretend to try and save face with this disaster by saying the new GM wants his own guy.

Yep. It would be a bad look. I cannot imagine who in the league would want to coach here or be a GM here with the revolving door we have. End of the year would be a better choice.

 

[elindholm]

lol... if true, 18 losses in a row is that much worse than 17? If they're really thinking of firing him, do it at the end of the year after bringing a new GM in. At least they can pretend to try and save face with this disaster by saying the new GM wants his own guy.

Which assistant is the interim heir apparent? Prunty, right? He's of the Popovich lineage.

 

[ArizonaSportsFan]

I just read that Gambo is saying that Igor might get fired if the Suns lose tonight.

Maybe that is what is needed, but it seems a little short-sighted at this point. Firing a coach does will not cover up FO/management/roster mistakes (other than hiring the wrong coach). I know that many are saying that Ayton is misused and that is reason enough to fire the coach. I had this conversation on reddit that while Ayton is not getting as many shots as others on the team who should perhaps not be taking them, he is 5th in the league in paint touches. He is 8th in elbow touches. I maintain that the issue is with Ayton (naturally - a rookie with suspect conditioning) just as much if not more so than external factors.
Bring in whomever - it won't change who Ayton is today.

 

[Mainstreet]

lol... if true, 18 losses in a row is that much worse than 17? If they're really thinking of firing him, do it at the end of the year after bringing a new GM in. At least they can pretend to try and save face with this disaster by saying the new GM wants his own guy.

My guess, if Igor is fired now it would set up the Suns to start their coaching search early.

 

[BC867]

I don't see how any self-respecting wanna-be coach would want to take the helm of such a dysfunctional Ownership/Front Office and unbalanced team.

Will any other team think highly of Igor and say, "Well, we understand why he failed."?

The leadership group has pissed off the players as well as the coaches. What coach would want to try to make his name in that situation? It brings out the worst in a coach.

We couldn't even evaluate if Igor could succeed with his Euro style of coaching (and communicating?).

 

[Mainstreet]

Heat with the early 1-0 lead.

 

[Mainstreet]

Whiteside is a load inside with 6 early points.

Suns trail 9-4.

 

[TJ]

Lol Whiteside traveled and shoved underneath and gets rewarded with an and-1

 

[Mainstreet]

Heat relentlessly attack interior of Suns defense.

 

[SunnyBaller]

I don't know why any player wouldn't just attack Booker every time, it's basically a free basket

 

[Mainstreet]

End of 1st quarter:

Heat 29 - Suns 23

 

[Bufalay]

Why do the suns best players begin the game sitting on the bench?

 

[Mainstreet]

Jackson is putting out the effort with 7 points and 2 rebounds.

 

[Mainstreet]

Ryan Anderson with a long 3 pointer against the Suns.

 

[Bufalay]

Ayton has the 17th highest per of all centers in the nba.

 

[TJ]

Igor gonna update his resume at halftime?

 

[Mainstreet]

Halftime:

Heat 63 - Suns 52

I can't believe Dragic missed that layup before the first half buzzer.

 

[elindholm]

I know that the Suns' defensive lapses are glaring, but in my opinion their offense is even worse. They're at the bottom of the league in ball-handling and shooting, and they have to be close to the bottom in general passing ability. The reason the offense looks so uncoordinated is that they can't count on fundamentals, like hitting an open 16-footer or beating someone off the dribble after a screen is set. It's a bunch of high-risk stuff to try to overcome those basic skill deficits, but those don't work either, leading to all of the turnovers.

Kokoskov may or may not be a decent coach. The Suns go through stretches of looking pretty good defensively, and since most of the players aren't good individual defenders, I think the coach should get some credit for that. But I don't know how you design an offense around players who can't shoot, pass, or dribble. There are limits to what a coach can do.

 

[slinslin]

Bookers play has been unacceptable

Dude needs to seriously learn how to play without the ball in his hands.

Aytons getting pushed around by Whitside, big strength difference but its a joke that whiteside got to push him in the back but ayton gets the foul.

It‘s ridiculous how easy it is to get to the basket against us, it seems everytime Ayton has to help on a driver it is a free basket because nobody else is helping.

 

[Mainstreet]

Some halftime stats.

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[Bufalay]

I know that the Suns' defensive lapses are glaring, but in my opinion their offense is even worse. They're at the bottom of the league in ball-handling and shooting, and they have to be close to the bottom in general passing ability. The reason the offense looks so uncoordinated is that they can't count on fundamentals, like hitting an open 16-footer or beating someone off the dribble after a screen is set. It's a bunch of high-risk stuff to try to overcome those basic skill deficits, but those don't work either, leading to all of the turnovers.

Kokoskov may or may not be a decent coach. The Suns go through stretches of looking pretty good defensively, and since most of the players aren't good individual defenders, I think the coach should get some credit for that. But I don't know how you design an offense around players who can't shoot, pass, or dribble. There are limits to what a coach can do.

The good defensive stretches happen when Booker Ayton and Crawford are on the bench.

 

[Bufalay]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen Ayton jump to try to block a shot. It’s such a reflexive move for every other human that’s ever played the sport.