Suns @ Lakers Monday game thread 2-10-20

[95pro]

Suns really stunk it up in the first six minutes of the 3rd quarter. Within 6pts and they didn’t produce.

 

[BC867]

Overall, the Suns did a good job of not being humiliated.

And/or the Lakers did a good job of resting.

 

[Mainstreet]

Why Oubre didn't start tonight. Perhaps missing a team bus?


Gina Mizell‏Verified account @ginamizell

Monty said the reason Oubre did not start tonight was an “internal” issue, but did not provide any additional details or confirm the NBA TV report that Oubre missed a team bus. #Suns

10:09 PM - 10 Feb 2020

 

[BC867]

I just had to see how goofy the box score looked tonight.

I thought split squad games were only in MLB Spring Training.

Oubre with a minus-34. Double anyone else's. Book 2-for-11.

Some frustration going around, huh! Who can blame them?

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Cheesebeef]

it's really disappointing to see how subpar Booker's been since the All-Star reserves were announced. Last 7 games, averaging 22 pp., 42% shooting, 32% 3 point shooting and looking a little listless out there.

Lost 6 of 7 now. Yuck.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

it's really disappointing to see how subpar Booker's been since the All-Star reserves were announced. Last 7 games, averaging 22 pp., 42% shooting, 32% 3 point shooting and looking a little listless out there.

Lost 6 of 7 now. Yuck.

Borg


I was going to post the same last night. He’s been pretty bad since the all star announcement. Disappointing if he’s turtling due to an announcement rather than taking the competitive “I’ll show everyone they made a mistake” tact.

 

[Mainstreet]

I don't want to try and explain it away but Booker has been in the NBA five seasons without making the All-Star team. This season I think he thought he would make it so it hit him especially hard. The Suns not winning only magnifies it.

Maybe Booker already knows if an injury slot opens he would not get it. It would be hard to see a rookie like Ja Morant make it ahead of him if the rumors are correct.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Borg


I was going to post the same last night. He’s been pretty bad since the all star announcement. Disappointing if he’s turtling due to an announcement rather than taking the competitive “I’ll show everyone they made a mistake” tact.

It's not as much about the snub, as it is Kobe's death...though, the combo events were quite a one-two punch to Book. He and Kobe were extremely tight. Kobe was like family to Book and his main mentor.
Coupled with carrying nearly 100% of the load night in and night out, the coming break can't come quick enough. He needs a time-out to chill and refresh. I expect him to come back strong after the break and produce at or above where he's been for the vast majority of this season.

 

[Hoop Head]

It's not as much about the snub, as it is Kobe's death...though, the combo events were quite a one-two punch to Book. He and Kobe were extremely tight. Kobe was like family to Book and his main mentor.
Coupled with carrying nearly 100% of the load night in and night out, the coming break can't come quick enough. He needs a time-out to chill and refresh. I expect him to come back strong after the break and produce at or above where he's been for the vast majority of this season.

Booker played 1 game after the snub prior to Kobe's accident. It's definitely hard to determine which has him more shook up but i think the combined effects of dealing with both is why we're seeing him struggle. I hope he gets some good rest and is able to get his head on straight during the break. I'm sure he welcomes the rest, even if he would have preferred playing in the ASG.

It's also kind of crazy that we consider games where he's averaging 22 points to be a slump for him. He's such a good scorer that it won't surprise me if he averages 30+ in the next couple of seasons. The efficiency is there for him to get the extra 3-4 points but he needs to learn to work the refs better and sell contact to get more FT's to reach that level, which should come in time.

 

[BC867]

Borg


I was going to post the same last night. He’s been pretty bad since the all star announcement. Disappointing if he’s turtling due to an announcement rather than taking the competitive “I’ll show everyone they made a mistake” tact.

I suggest that Devin's reaction is more sophisticated than that.

The All Star snub is a symptom of the problem. He is on a perpetually losing team, poorly
staffed, with an egotistical owner, a banker who cares solely about how much money he can make.

And not caring about the players or the fans. No balance in the roster. No balance in priorities.

 

[BC867]

Also consider that Book sent a message in the past that he wants to be on a playoff team.

It was a mild ultimatum. Devin seems too strong in personality and ethics to issue empty threats.

The Suns reaction has been zilch. His reaction is not surprising. How many times should he turn
the other cheek?

https://video.search.yahoo.com/sear...=5775dc3166d144dab47c6848daf37736&action=view

 

[Carolinacacti]

First time Booker shot the ball against Lakers he was fouled but no call. I think he just said screw this league. Screw the Lakers.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

First time Booker shot the ball against Lakers he was fouled but no call. I think he just said screw this league. Screw the Lakers.

He’s paid entirely too much to say that.

 

[JerkFace]

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Sweet... Cam got the #1 spot!

 

[Covert Rain]

it's really disappointing to see how subpar Booker's been since the All-Star reserves were announced. Last 7 games, averaging 22 pp., 42% shooting, 32% 3 point shooting and looking a little listless out there.

Lost 6 of 7 now. Yuck.

The overall team hasn't played well since then. However, it shows what kind of expectations we have of Booker when the numbers above are considered supbar. Most teams would die for a SG putting up 22 per night.

I am more annoyed with James Jones coming on the radio and saying we like who we have and where we are at. Hopefully, that's just some PR stuff because we could not pull off a deal because if he really believes that?

We are screwed as an organization.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Also consider that Book sent a message in the past that he wants to be on a playoff team.

It was a mild ultimatum. Devin seems too strong in personality and ethics to issue empty threats.

The Suns reaction has been zilch. His reaction is not surprising. How many times should he turn
the other cheek?

https://video.search.yahoo.com/sear...=5775dc3166d144dab47c6848daf37736&action=view

His message was that HE wanted to get his team to the playoffs.

 

[SunnyBaller]

His message was that HE wanted to get his team to the playoffs.

Booker himself can only get them so far, only a handful of players have the ability to push bottom dwellers into a playoff team and he's not one of those, management has to do their part too, Im sure booker watches them very closely and if/when he starts to feel that it's hopeless to wait on them he will ask to be traded

 

[JCSunsfan]

Booker himself can only get them so far, only a handful of players have the ability to push bottom dwellers into a playoff team and he's not one of those, management has to do their part too, Im sure booker watches them very closely and if/when he starts to feel that it's hopeless to wait on them he will ask to be traded

But he has not even hinted at wanting to be traded. Claiming he has is lying.

 

[BC867]

His message was that HE wanted to get his team to the playoffs.

That is a play on words. He knows that he can't do it alone. As we all know.

In that regard, he obviously counted on support that he has not received.

I hope the day comes when Suns fans don't have to try to justify failure.

 

[Hoop Head]

That is a play on words. He knows that he can't do it alone. As we all know.

In that regard, he obviously counted on support that he has not received.

I hope the day comes when Suns fans don't have to try to justify failure.

No one is justifying failure. You choose to look at the Booker situation in a negative way if you want but that's on you. Booker never issued an ultimatum or made any sort of demands. Publicly he's only spoken about how much he loves Phoenix, wants to be a Sun for his entire career, and how he wants to turn the franchise around.

You choose to focus on one thing he said over 2 years that can be spun in a negative way while ignoring all of the positives and that's your right but to claim Suns fans who don't see things the same way are "justifying failure" is assigning a viewpoint to others and it's incorrect. Just because others don't choose to view Booker with one foot out the door like you doesn't mean they're justifying anything.

 

[SunnyBaller]

But he has not even hinted at wanting to be traded. Claiming he has is lying.

No he hasn't, but he's a competitor and has stated several times he wants to win. I don't know how patient he is but if anyone truly believes he will still want to be here if they have another couple of losing seasons they're fooling themselves. Everyone has a breaking point, I don't think he's hit his yet but I'd guess itd be in the next two years if we don't start winning more

 

[Chaplin]

No he hasn't, but he's a competitor and has stated several times he wants to win. I don't know how patient he is but if anyone truly believes he will still want to be here if they have another couple of losing seasons they're fooling themselves. Everyone has a breaking point, I don't think he's hit his yet but I'd guess itd be in the next two years if we don't start winning more

Every player in the NBA wants to win. From Anthony Davis to Dwayne Bacon. Why does Booker have to be "that guy" that asks for a trade barely a year into his long term extension?

 

[SunnyBaller]

Every player in the NBA wants to win. From Anthony Davis to Dwayne Bacon. Why does Booker have to be "that guy" that asks for a trade barely a year into his long term extension?

Do you really think that he would play out the next 5 years of his contract if the sun's barely get 30 wins each of those years? If they start winning I'm sure he'd be happy to stay, hes said he loves Phoenix, but my guess is next year's free agency could be the deciding factor if he wants to stay of not. If he watches the front office do nothing with all the big names available that year I will gladly bet money he starts stating his frustration with the team publicly

 

[Chaplin]

Do you really think that he would play out the next 5 years of his contract if the sun's barely get 30 wins each of those years? If they start winning I'm sure he'd be happy to stay, hes said he loves Phoenix, but my guess is next year's free agency could be the deciding factor if he wants to stay of not. If he watches the front office do nothing with all the big names available that year I will gladly bet money he starts stating his frustration with the team publicly

Next year is one thing but people are speculating that he's ALREADY fed up and ready to bolt. That simply isn't true.

 

[Phrazbit]

Next year is one thing but people are speculating that he's ALREADY fed up and ready to bolt. That simply isn't true.

It is never too soon to rush to a conclusion.