Suns @ Lakers Thursday game thread 1-11-2024

[Mainstreet]

I think Ishbia is more responsible for the KD trade than Jones. I mean it's pretty obvious. Rumored all season long and then it happens hours after Ishbia takes over. But still, not taking Haliburton is probably on Jones. Jones has done good and bad. If we were to let him go, I'd just really hope whoever we get is better because it could be worse.

Worse? Have you looked around. We are on the threshold of hell.

Okay, I couldn't resist my attempt at humor.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

 

[Chaplin]

Trolls gonna troll.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Trolls gonna troll.

Just checking in ahead of the game to see how your super team is doing these days. Lakers haven't been playing well either. But we did just beat the Clippers who beat the Suns pretty handily, so there's that.

As Bickley and Marotta said on the morning show, there are plenty of teams struggling right now but most are ripping on themselves to the media or at least speaking out about it - ala LeBron saying, "We just suck right now."

The morning show guys said your team lacks leadership, defense, and a true point guard (as opposed to point-Book) among other things. No one is speaking up other than Vogel who keeps preaching patience.

 

[Superbone]

Just checking in ahead of the game to see how your super team is doing these days. Lakers haven't been playing well either. But we did just beat the Clippers who beat the Suns pretty handily, so there's that.

As Bickley and Marotta said on the morning show, there are plenty of teams struggling right now but most are ripping on themselves to the media or at least speaking out about it - ala LeBron saying, "We just suck right now."

The morning show guys said your team lacks leadership, defense, and a true point guard (as opposed to point-Book) among other things. No one is speaking up other than Vogel who keeps preaching patience.

He has no choice other than to encourage patience otherwise he is out of here.

 

[Muggz]

i don't want to be here.

 

[Hoop Head]

Just checking in ahead of the game to see how your super team is doing these days. Lakers haven't been playing well either. But we did just beat the Clippers who beat the Suns pretty handily, so there's that.

As Bickley and Marotta said on the morning show, there are plenty of teams struggling right now but most are ripping on themselves to the media or at least speaking out about it - ala LeBron saying, "We just suck right now."

The morning show guys said your team lacks leadership, defense, and a true point guard (as opposed to point-Book) among other things. No one is speaking up other than Vogel who keeps preaching patience.

What's your take on Vogel? You saw a few years of him. Does he deserve credit for anything the Lakers accomplished or was that in spite of him?

 

[Brian in Mesa]

What's your take on Vogel? You saw a few years of him. Does he deserve credit for anything the Lakers accomplished or was that in spite of him?

He may have won that bubble championship simply because both AD and LBJ were relatively healthy all season.

They missed significant time each of the next two seasons. One they squeaked into the playoffs via the play-in tourney and one they weren't even close and that got him canned.

He was constantly tinkering with lineups and used over 40 different lineups one of those final two seasons.

I thought we were really good defensively but maybe it was because of the particular players we had. Makes sense that it wouldn't necessarily translate to a different roster.

 

[Hoop Head]

He may have won that bubble championship simply because both AD and LBJ were relatively healthy all season.

They missed significant time each of the next two seasons. One they squeaked into the playoffs via the play-in tourney and one they weren't even close and that got him canned.

He was constantly tinkering with lineups and used over 40 different lineups one of those final two seasons.

I thought we were really good defensively but maybe it was because of the particular players we had. Makes sense that it wouldn't necessarily translate to a different roster.

I hadn't even looked at the number of lineups he used there but I'm not all that surprised he over tinkered in LA.

Say what you will about the bubble title but regardless of how it is viewed next to other titles I believe it required the least amount of coaching since the players were in such close quarters with one another. There was essentially players only meetings on a daily basis and team chemistry played a huge role in a teams success within the bubble. Jared Dudley wrote that book, which is only like 70 pages, about the bubble experience from a player standpoint and he was the one who sort of put that notion out there, that the players chemistry and camaraderie with one another was huge for the Lakers.

He didn't discredit Vogel but he did credit LeBron and pat himself on the back for being a veteran leader who kept the players focused. So I think the rings mean as much for the players, bubble or not, but as far as a championship on a coaching resume I'd say the bubble shouldn't be viewed the same as any other year.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I hadn't even looked at the number of lineups he used there but I'm not all that surprised he over tinkered in LA.

Say what you will about the bubble title but regardless of how it is viewed next to other titles I believe it required the least amount of coaching since the players were in such close quarters with one another. There was essentially players only meetings on a daily basis and team chemistry played a huge role in a teams success within the bubble. Jared Dudley wrote that book, which is only like 70 pages, about the bubble experience from a player standpoint and he was the one who sort of put that notion out there, that the players chemistry and camaraderie with one another was huge for the Lakers.

He didn't discredit Vogel but he did credit LeBron and pat himself on the back for being a veteran leader who kept the players focused. So I think the rings mean as much for the players, bubble or not, but as far as a championship on a coaching resume I'd say the bubble shouldn't be viewed the same as any other year.

Meh I think that’s garbage. They all had the same chance to grow camaraderie. Everyone had the same factors impacting their success or failure.

 

[Hoop Head]

Meh I think that’s garbage. They all had the same chance to grow camaraderie. Everyone had the same factors impacting their success or failure.

And they had peak Lebron and Anthony Davis, arguably the best players there who were healthy. LeBron more than others knows what it takes to win a championship as well. That isn't something every team had as far as players with experience like that.

 

[Raindog]

He's regularly undersold our assets and disregards the draft as a means to build a team.

Of many gripes I have with James Jones, this is by far the biggest. He has basically arrogantly proclaimed he doesn't care about the draft and doesn't think it's important, and as much as proven that by how he has handled drafting since he's been the GM here. He views it as an annoying part of his job, doesn't appear to like rookies, and would rather fill the roster with "scrappy" veterans and "overachievers" pulled off the waiver wire than try and develop young talent of any kind. And I would almost 100% guarantee that this is why nearly every deal the Suns have been making recently has been positioned to dump future draft picks as much as legally permitted.

 

[BirdGangThing]

For someone who doesn't care about the draft JJ be drafting some good players tho

 

[Phrazbit]

For someone who doesn't care about the draft JJ be drafting some good players tho

I think the narrative that Jones doesn't care about the draft is completely absurd.

 

[Raindog]

I think the narrative that Jones doesn't care about the draft is completely absurd.

Suns GM Jones discounts NBA Draft, prefers only 5-7 names on entire ‘Draft Board’

The Phoenix Suns are a contender now, but won’t be developing the next generation any time soon

www.brightsideofthesun.com

 

[Phrazbit]

Suns GM Jones discounts NBA Draft, prefers only 5-7 names on entire ‘Draft Board’

The Phoenix Suns are a contender now, but won’t be developing the next generation any time soon

www.brightsideofthesun.com

He's saying he doesn't want to draft raw players. Which I am fine with.

We got lucky with Booker, and that is awesome, but we also made huge mistakes with like 6 other really high picks.

 

[Mainstreet]

Damion Lee is the only player on the Suns injury report.

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[Mainstreet]

Here is the Lakers injury report.

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[Mainstreet]

I disagree with James Jones philosophy towards the draft. If the Suns didn't draft Devin Booker, where would the Suns be? And he was drafted #13.

James Jones drafted 20-year-old Jalen Smith in the 2020 draft at #10. If Jones doesn't like project players, why did he draft him there. This seems so contradictory when there were some good 23-year-old players available.

The only proven good draft pick Jones made was Cam Johnson in a trade down from #6 in what was essentially a 2-3 player draft in 2019. It made sense since Cam Johnson was older, more mature and Dario Saric was included in the trade.

I also understand drafting 23-year-old Toumani Camara late in the 2nd round of the 2023 draft.

However, did anyone say Landry Shamet?

I see OKC gets brought up in the article. The 2nd place Thunder are doing quite nicely and have a ton of draft assets if they decide to make a move. If I were James Jones, I wouldn't look over the shoulder. Good young teams are right behind.

 

[Raindog]

I disagree with James Jones philosophy towards the draft. If the Suns didn't draft Devin Booker, where would the Suns be? And he was drafted #13.

James Jones drafted 20-year-old Jalen Smith in the 2020 draft at #10. If Jones doesn't like project players, why did he draft him there. This seems so contradictory when there were some good 23-year-old players available.

The only proven good draft pick Jones made was Cam Johnson in a trade down from #6 in what was essentially a 2-3 player draft in 2019. It made sense since Cam Johnson was older, more mature and Dario Saric was included in the trade.

I also understand drafting 23-year-old Toumani Camara late in the 2nd round of the 2023 draft.

However, did anyone say Landry Shamet?

I see OKC gets brought up in the article. The 2nd place Thunder are doing quite nicely and have a ton of draft assets if they decide to make a move. If I were James Jones, I wouldn't look over the shoulder. Good young teams are right behind.

Indeed. James Jones might have a "philosophy" regarding the draft, but I don't see any evidence that it's a good one.

 

[Covert Rain]

The Suns need a solid win desperately. Our record against potential playoff teams is lottery draft like.

 

[Proximo]

I cannot stand losing to the Lakers. They are the biggest overhyped frauds other than apparently this Suns team.

Please find a way to win this game.

 

[Ronin]

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[mjb21aztd]

Ughhhh dreaded la gm day already man time flys on 420 lol

Hope all enjoyed a few stress free suns day

Just want a hard fought gm that to much to ask for vogel/players

Still shocked at how bad vogel this season is

Not to much faith in suns makin poffs...

 

[Chaplin]

Damion Lee is the only player on the Suns injury report.

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It must be stated that this is the FIRST time we've got every player (except Lee) available for a basketball game. Lob Lob is back!