Suns @ Knicks Thursday game thread 1-16-20

[1Sun]

You do realize that Sir Realist when pronounced quickly comes out as surrealist, don't you?

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Double meaning. The level of incompetence from Suns management is indeed surreal.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Here is the reality. DA's defense is better than his offense right now.

We would have rejoiced at that possibility last year.

His stats now compared with last year, which was a remarkable year for a rookie big man.

18-19, 19-20

points: 16.3, 16.8
rebounds: 10.3, 12
assists: 1.8, 1.8
turnovers: 1.8, 1.7
blocks: .9, 1.6
shooting: .585,.558
ft%: .746, .765

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Here is the reality. DA's defense is better than his offense right now.

We would have rejoiced at that possibility last year.

And that is with his offense being solid enough to at least average around 18+ PPG. The guy will probably be a completely dominant player within the next 2 years.

 

[JCSunsfan]

And that is with his offense being solid enough to at least average around 18+ PPG. The guy will probably be a completely dominant player within the next 2 years.

Gambo was on the radio about an hour ago saying that many of friends of his in the the NY media want the Knicks to go get "an Ayton."

 

[Proximo]

At the risk of sounding overly positive, I think it's possible that Ricky's performance last night might not be an aberration. Hear me out: We know that he was certainly on a "high" because he just became a father a day ago. But for some players, a light just comes on and can stay on. That happened to Jason Kidd, where he was an abysmal shooter when he was with us but somehow when he got to Jersey, he started shooting well, especially from 3.

So we know that players can become better shooters and sustain it. For Rubio, it wasn't like yesterday he had a good breakfast and it made him dial-in. He played well after a major life change that isn't going away. I'm curious to see if this can sustain itself. I'm not holding out much hope, but I think it's possible. Being a father myself, I know how that fundamentally changes you immediately. Maybe it will have a positive effect on Ricky moving forward and for the rest of his career. Crossing fingers.

I might be imaging it but I think the arc on his 3 point shot has improved. His percentage is up over last year, although it is still subpar.

 

[Proximo]

Here is the reality. DA's defense is better than his offense right now.

We would have rejoiced at that possibility last year.

His stats now compared with last year, which was a remarkable year for a rookie big man.

18-19, 19-20

points: 16.3, 16.8
rebounds: 10.3, 12
assists: 1.8, 1.8
turnovers: 1.8, 1.7
blocks: .9, 1.6
shooting: .585,.558
ft%: .746, .765

Yes I was just looking at this, his defense is better so far this year statistically but his offense is slightly worse.

I really wish they would force him the ball more inside - against a lot of teams nobody can guard him.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Yes I was just looking at this, his defense is better so far this year statistically but his offense is slightly worse.

I really wish they would force him the ball more inside - against a lot of teams nobody can guard him.

More points, slightly worse efficiency. Plus it is improving.

Within the next 10 games we will be saying his offense has also improved over last year.

 

[Covert Rain]

That’s back to back impressive games for Ayton. Not declaring the light is on but at least it appears to be flickering.

 

[Suns_fan69]

This is nice to see:

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[Raze]

I know most of the focus has been on Ayton for this discussion, which is justifiable. However, it wasn't just DeAndre that was locked in. The entire team was locked in. Cam was flying all over the place, Ricky was playing like Nash, Ayton was unstoppable, Book was... well Book. The chemistry was outstanding. The energy was through the roof. Which made this game look very similar to our first 10 games. But...

Go back exactly ONE game and you see the exact opposite. I spent most of the Atlanta game yelling at the TV. We had no energy, no cohesion, we refused to box out scrub players, played lazy on D, etc, etc. I left disgusted with our team play. I almost couldn't watch the Knicks game because of it. (THANK GOODNESS I did.)

Win and lose. Up and down. Ecstatic and disgusted.

Which goes back to what Monty said after the Grizzlies loss:

“Until we learn how to play the right way consistently, we’re just going to have a lot of nights like this. That’s the deal...
Until we learn how to play the right way consistently and follow a gameplan, we’re going to play well one night, then we’re gonna have nights like this...
Gonna play well one night, have nights like this. Gonna play well one night, have nights like this.
Until we learn how to play the right way and follow a gameplan consistently, we’re going to have these nights.”

Wise words from a thoughtful coach.

Yes, we are still in for a long bumpy ride. There's gonna be more games like Atlanta, there's gonna be more games like NY. But at least, FINALLY, there is a light shining at the end of the tunnel thanks to Jones and Monty.

We just got another solid glimpse of that light on Thursday.

 

[Cheesebeef]

This is nice to see:

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THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I WANT TO SEE.

ATTACK BIG MAN! If this guy has a light turned on and begins to play even somewhat agro, he can be a monster.

 

[Chaplin]

https://sports.yahoo.com/knicks-mar...src=rss&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Marcus freaking Morris says the Knicks should have won last night because they are the "better team". What a moron.

 

[95pro]

https://sports.yahoo.com/knicks-mar...src=rss&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Marcus freaking Morris says the Knicks should have won last night because they are the "better team". What a moron.

He’s knows what he’s saying and why he’s saying it. McD really did a number on this franchise. Hopefully this new regime can turn the persona of the team around, something which I think is already happening.

 

[TJ]

https://sports.yahoo.com/knicks-mar...src=rss&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Marcus freaking Morris says the Knicks should have won last night because they are the "better team". What a moron.

Whenever I need rational perspective on anything, I always look to the Morris Twins for support.

 

[Phrazbit]

He’s knows what he’s saying and why he’s saying it. McD really did a number on this franchise. Hopefully this new regime can turn the persona of the team around, something which I think is already happening.

McD made a lot of mistakes, but the Morris bros dug their own grave. They're cancerous morons.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Rewatched some highlights with the Knicks announcers. They made several comments about Booker’s defense being much better this year. I wonder if this is generally acknowledged around the league now.

Also, they were much more hyped about the Rubio to Ayton half court oop than the Suns announcers were. Even the New York crowd cheered that one. That is one thing about New York crowds. They know a good basketball play when they see it and will give it props.

 

[Mainstreet]

https://sports.yahoo.com/knicks-mar...src=rss&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Marcus freaking Morris says the Knicks should have won last night because they are the "better team". What a moron.

Suns 2 - Knicks 0

Record: Suns 17-24 ; Knicks 11-31

 

[1Sun]

Rewatched some highlights with the Knicks announcers. They made several comments about Booker’s defense being much better this year. I wonder if this is generally acknowledged around the league now.

Indeed. Booker has improved defensively from one of the worst in the league to merely below average (#191 in defensive rating)...

 

[Covert Rain]

Indeed. Booker has improved defensively from one of the worst in the league to merely below average (#191 in defensive rating)...

He can still improve, has shown that and everything else he is doing more than makes up for it.

 

[1Sun]

He can still improve, has shown that and everything else he is doing more than makes up for it.

I agree with the second part, but not the first. I think he has already improved defensively as much as he can, and the solution is to surround him with capable defenders, particularly in terms of weakside help at power forward.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Booker is 2nd on the team in DFG% and DIFF%. He has been a pretty disruptive defender this year and stats like DRAT don't really show the whole picture because he doesn't rack up a lot of counting stats on defense.

 

[1Sun]

Booker is 2nd on the team in DFG% and DIFF%. He has been a pretty disruptive defender this year and stats like DRAT don't really show the whole picture because he doesn't rack up a lot of counting stats on defense.

Where is he in the NBA? Ranking on the team might be misleading considering our team is extremely poor defensively.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Where is he in the NBA? Ranking on the team might be misleading considering our team is extremely poor defensively.

He is 52nd and 55th (respectively) among 135 qualified guards. That would put him in at least the slightly above average range.

As to DRat, I was off when talking about counting stats as DRat is simply the points per 100 possessions that your team gives up while you are on the floor. That is an even worse metric to use to determine someones individual defensive impact as it doesn't factor in the teammates they are on the floor with.

While Booker has been a part of some of the worst defensive lineups this year , he has also been a part of some of the best as well. For instance when Booker and Ayton are sharing the court together they have the 3rd best defensive rating for any duo on the team. While I'm not about to argue for Booker making an all defense team or anything I will say that his jump this year is very real and it's not just from bad to below average.

 

[Covert Rain]

I agree with the second part, but not the first. I think he has already improved defensively as much as he can, and the solution is to surround him with capable defenders, particularly in terms of weakside help at power forward.

What indication is there that he has improved as much as he can? He improved this year on both sides of the ball. He has shown the ability to improve. What evidence do you have he has reached his ceiling on either side of the ball? He is playing at an all-star level and still young (23). Huh???

 

[1Sun]

What indication is there that he has improved as much as he can? He improved this year on both sides of the ball. He has shown the ability to improve. What evidence do you have he has reached his ceiling on either side of the ball? He is playing at an all-star level and still young (23). Huh???

He has physical limitations that keep him from being able to defend better than he is right now.