Suns @ Kings Monday game thread 11-8-2021

[Phrazbit]

The game wasn't pretty but at least the Suns got revenge for a loss at home to the Kings.

For a while there it looked like it was going to be our prettiest win of the year. I still can't believe they almost blew that game.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I think Monty brought the starters back to late. It's hard to put out a fire once it gets started. The Suns couldn't get an easy basket down the stretch. These are games where Ayton is so valuable.

Yup. It was this. Monty waited waaayyy too long. I know he wanted to rest the rest them but if he brings them back and they push it back up to 20 he pull them again and rest them the final 5 minutes of the game. This was on monty. Still a w is a w and a 5 game winning streak feels okay.

 

[Mainstreet]

When Payton gets the ball deep into the paint he is capable of doing some good, but those moments are few and far between. As an outside shooter he is about as bad as a guard can be. IMO, his biggest problem is that when the ball isn't in his hands he does nothing, a habit that also shows itself with how often he gets caught watching on the defensive end.

I've seen Payton play some good defense although I agree he is a horrible shooter from outside.

His value to the Suns is to run the offense when needed and his ability to get in the lane.

 

[Phrazbit]

Seems it’s the other cam falling back to earth. Johnson is a shadow of his former self this year.

I'm not too worried about him. He will find his groove. I wish he'd get more looks with Paul and Booker on the court at the same time. Not a big fan of these swaps to 5 bench players, especially since none of them are really distributors.

 

[Mainstreet]

Yup. It was this. Monty waited waaayyy too long. I know he wanted to rest the rest them but if he brings them back and they push it back up to 20 he pull them again and rest them the final 5 minutes of the game. This was on monty. Still a w is a w and a 5 game winning streak feels okay.

Monty had to see that unit went cold and couldn't make a shot. Inevitably the Kings were going to kick it in gear if given enough chances.

 

[Mainstreet]

As good as the Suns were in the 3rd quarter, they were almost as bad in the 4th quarter.

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[Covert Rain]

This team is so Jekyll & Hyde. At times they look like the WCF champs and other times like a .500 team. It's maddening but I see signs of them figuring it out.

 

[Mainstreet]

This team is so Jekyll & Hyde. At times they look like the WCF champs and other times like a .500 team. It's maddening but I see signs of them figuring it out.

The 3rd quarter was the Suns at their best, deflecting passes and scoring off turnovers.

They need to be able to get some easy baskets when they go cold from the field. Hopefully that will be Ayton.

 

[95pro]

This team is so Jekyll & Hyde. At times they look like the WCF champs and other times like a .500 team. It's maddening but I see signs of them figuring it out.

They did what they were supposed to do. keep it close in the 1st half. put distance in between the teams in the 3rd. 4th quarter, monty just left the bench in too long. It was as simple as that. Nothing against the bench but they aren't used to playing that many minutes together and play at that level.

 

[Hoop Head]

We're not even 10 games into the season and are on a 5 game winning streak, which has been done largely without Ayton or Cam Payne. It hasn't been pretty but you can't argue with the results.

Definitely want to give extra credit to Cam Payne. He's been a real find for Monty and James Jones going back to the bubble and has repeatedly stepped up to proved his worth over and over again. So glad we got him locked in for the foreseeable future.

 

[sdscard4]

I hate the whole second unit thing...I prefer having Booker or Paul on the floor at all times....isn't that what he was doing in the playoffs?

 

[Cheesebeef]

I hate the whole second unit thing...I prefer having Booker or Paul on the floor at all times....isn't that what he was doing in the playoffs?

I thought it was what we did most of last season too.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm thinking Monty is wanting the second unit to produce more and hold the lead so he can give the starters additional rest this season, especially Paul and Booker.

McGee didn't seem like his usual self playing with the safety glasses or whatever they are called.

If Ayton were available and scored a couple of easy baskets in the 4th quarter, I don't think the Kings almost comeback happens.

 

[Covert Rain]

They did what they were supposed to do. keep it close in the 1st half. put distance in between the teams in the 3rd. 4th quarter, monty just left the bench in too long. It was as simple as that. Nothing against the bench but they aren't used to playing that many minutes together and play at that level.

What they are supposed to do is put inferior competition away and not let it come down to the final minutes in games. My biggest issue with the Suns is sometimes they forget to drive to the bucket at the end of games and just chuck up shots letting the other team get back into it. Consistency is hard with a bunch of new pieces and the injuries. The team needs some time to continue to gel.

 

[Mainstreet]

What they are supposed to do is put inferior competition away and not let it come down to the final minutes in games. My biggest issue with the Suns is sometimes they forget to drive to the bucket at the end of games and just chuck up shots letting the other team get back into it. Consistency is hard with a bunch of new pieces and the injuries. The team needs some time to continue to gel.

Exactly. The second unit didn't value the possessions and work for better shots.

 

[Hoop Head]

I hate the whole second unit thing...I prefer having Booker or Paul on the floor at all times....isn't that what he was doing in the playoffs?

This is the time of year to take things slow and see who can be relied upon later when games are more important. No one plays game 9 of the season like the playoffs.

 

[DJ Tabooh]

I hate the whole second unit thing...I prefer having Booker or Paul on the floor at all times....isn't that what he was doing in the playoffs?

I think Monty is still trying to find the right rotations and that’s ok. We’re 10% done with the regular season. It’s a marathon not a sprint. While frustrating now, this will pay dividends down the road

 

[mjb21aztd]

Suns are the most unimpressive 6-3 team ever

Love how mcgee playin if suns advance deep in poffs he can match with giannis atleast slow him down fin bucks

 

[Chaplin]

What they are supposed to do is put inferior competition away and not let it come down to the final minutes in games. My biggest issue with the Suns is sometimes they forget to drive to the bucket at the end of games and just chuck up shots letting the other team get back into it. Consistency is hard with a bunch of new pieces and the injuries. The team needs some time to continue to gel.

Chucking up shots is their biggest problem right now. And not just at the end of the game where they get complacent.

 

[Finito]

Love how mcgee playin if suns advance deep in poffs he can match with giannis atleast slow him down fin bucks

He’s not really a good one on one defender. He’s great coming from the weak side and contesting shots though. But him and Ayton together is about as good as it gets defensively up front in the NBA.

 

[Yuma]

He’s not really a good one on one defender. He’s great coming from the weak side and contesting shots though. But him and Ayton together is about as good as it gets defensively up front in the NBA.

I agree. I would still like to pick up a more mobile big later. I think we need to make one more move to match up with bigger teams in the playoffs. I don't expect to see Dario Saric this season.

 

[sdscard4]

This is the time of year to take things slow and see who can be relied upon later when games are more important. No one plays game 9 of the season like the playoffs.

Agreed....I don't mind the huge comeback just don't agree with rotation. Hopefully Mont finds his guys and we get a good bench rotation