Suns @ Hornets Wednesday game thread 3-1-2023

[Phrazbit]

Yea they do. We’re talking a minute and change not five minutes here

No, they don't. And earlier our bench looked fully capable of giving up some 3s and committing some sloppy turnovers in a short amount of time.

 

[AzCardsfan76]

Solid win. Lots of little adjustments need to be made to clean some things up but that's to be expected. Once they get more time and nail the rotation this team is going to be extremely dangerous.

 

[Mainstreet]

Some final stats.

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[Dr. Jones]

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[DJ Tabooh]

Booker having free throw problems again.

Just concentration. He’s finding his groove still. Glad he found his 3 ball tonight. There’s gonna be games where him and KD will each get 30. I’m glad Book was efficient tonight.

KD is an alien…..dude scored 23 on 15 shots with 1 free throw. Aside from the fouls, defense did a good job.

 

[Phrazbit]

Great to see Booker find his shooting touch again.

 

[Finito]

Great game by

Booker 37/6/7
Durant 23/6
Ayton 16/16

Horrible game by

Paul 2/11 on 1/8 shooting
Okogie 4 points on 0/4

We can’t beat top teams with two starters having stat lines like that

 

[BirdGangThing]

Paul George and Kawhi Leonard tolerate each other

Luka and Kyrie couldn't be more different from each other

But Booker and KD really seem to like and respect each other

 

[TJ]

Great game by

Booker 37/6/7
Durant 23/6
Ayton 16/16

Horrible game by

Paul 2/11 on 1/8 shooting
Okogie 4 points on 0/4

We can’t beat top teams with two starters having stat lines like that

Paul can score 2 points every game as long as he’s distributing the ball efficiently which he did.

 

[sdscard4]

Would have won by 30 if Chris Paul would have played.

 

[BirdGangThing]

Couldn't really expect a better start then that. The game was never really close, Booker looked good, Durant looked good, Ayton looked good, CP3 looked like CP3

 

[Vacard]

Paul could be done. We might only have two legit scorers since Paul can’t get hot like he used too. Maybe Ayton if they give him the ball but I can’t trust him with those hot passes

 

[sdscard4]

Paul looked horrible after about 8 minutes. Started fine and bam. Doesn't look slow just looks weird.

 

[mjb21aztd]

Great gm by kd and book good dub by suns

Wonka kush blaze hit to a kd debut w

 

[Vacard]

But with Durant, Paul doesn’t have to take over a game anymore.

 

[Finito]

Paul can score 2 points every game as long as he’s distributing the ball efficiently which he did.

He can’t. This was not a good game from Paul even from a distributing point.

Okogie is already not an offensive option you can’t have two starters give you nothing.

 

[PHI PHX PHAN]

I don’t think he’s even gotten a FGA in the second half

This would be my only gripe. He clearly asserted himself in the first half and was cookin...then not even a look the rest of the game.
It's difficult to make it a talking point though when you're watching KD effortlessly drain shot after shot for your team.
Still can't believe he's here
I'm super confident in this team.

 

[Hoop Head]

Its really a different league now than even 10 years ago. A 10 point lead is nothing and will disappear in an instance. Starters aren't given rest unless there's a 20+ point lead and 2-3 minutes to go unless the bench has played really well that night.

Tonight was a solid win, sloppy in the second half but the first half was really good and showed glimpses of what this team can be going forward. Durant is just on another level and can literally do anything he wants out and no one can stop him, similar to Giannis but in a much prettier way. I look forward to seeing how easy things get for Booker and others going forward. Will be fun to see who steps up, given the opportunity.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Great game by

Booker 37/6/7
Durant 23/6
Ayton 16/16

Horrible game by

Paul 2/11 on 1/8 shooting
Okogie 4 points on 0/4

We can’t beat top teams with two starters having stat lines like that

Really depends on how "on" KD and Book are. Those two could very well have some games where they combine for around 80 points. In that case we could absolutely beat top teams with two starters being off.

Paul had 11 assists and Okogie brought good energy on defense. That is the main things we need from those two guys, but I also doubt they will have many games where they are both off like that.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I bet Craig ends up the starter when all’s said and done.

 

[sdscard4]

Good to see TJ get some minutes. I think he can be a difference maker

 

[TJ]

He can’t. This was not a good game from Paul even from a distributing point.

Okogie is already not an offensive option you can’t have two starters give you nothing.

We have two of the best perimeter scorers and one of the most efficient close the to basket centers in the game. I promise you that if CP3 isn’t scoring, it’s fine. When Nash was here, his best games where when he barely scored but involved STAT, Matrix, et al on offense

 

[95pro]

Cp3 looks useless out there with KD. He’s also run-walking like his back is shot.

Okogie didn’t have the confidence in himself as a starter. He tried to pass too many times, but without KD he was assertive and aggressive.

Ish and Lee can just sit. I like Ish, good for him and all but Warren is just better. Ross and Shamet are clearly better than Lee as well. I can’t believe Ross is already on the injury report, probably just precautionary.

Ayton player confident but usually does against no-name big men. Shrinks before the game has started when it’s a top 5 center or Zubac.

Hopefully we can find ways to integrate Payne and Warren as we go.

The rotations were like drawing names from a bucket.

The starters tonight, with all our easy switching, teams will target KD on defense and let Okogie make all the decisions. I’m in favor of Craig still.

 

[TJ]

Paul George and Kawhi Leonard tolerate each other

Luka and Kyrie couldn't be more different from each other

But Booker and KD really seem to like and respect each other

Booker is one of the most likable star players in the NBA. Can’t think of anyone outside noted ******** like Luka and Pat Bev who dislike him. There are people in the league who legitimately hate KD and CP3

 

[Finito]

We have two of the best perimeter scorers and one of the most efficient close the to basket centers in the game. I promise you that if CP3 isn’t scoring, it’s fine. When Nash was here, his best games where when he barely scored but involved STAT, Matrix, et al on offense

I highly doubt you’ll find many games where Nash scored 2 points on 1/8 and had 3 turnovers

This is ridiculous