Suns @ Nets Wednesday game thread 1-22-2025

Suns_fan69

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Nice to see Richards actually score on a mismatch down low after a switch left a smaller defender on him. Nurkic was never able to do that consistently and is a big problem when teams switch everything on screens. Need to see more reps but hopefully Richards is an upgrade there.
 

Hoop Head

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Nice to see Richards actually score on a mismatch down low after a switch left a smaller defender on him. Nurkic was never able to do that consistently and is a big problem when teams switch everything on screens. Need to see more reps but hopefully Richards is an upgrade there.

Nurk was better at it last year before he lost his bulk. His screens have been less effective as well. I imagine he's healthier but he lost what made him effective, or more effective, with the weight loss.


Richards has come back down to earth since his hot start but is showing some promise. It's a little weird because he seems more like a Vogel type C than Bud since he can't shoot but he's long and athletic around the rim. It's nice to see perimeter defenders play a little tighter because they know someone is behind them to help if their man slips by.
 

how_sweet_it_is

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I can never be sure in an era where Suns players hide what they really think, but I suspect that the players' morale is slightly improved lately; and that probably explains games like this, where they did their job. And why would the players' morale be slightly improved lately? Partly because of Nick Richards' positive contribution, but partly because they think they're going to have Jimmy Butler soon. I have no idea whether they will, but progress like this draft pick trade probably put them in a hopeful and therefore better mood.
 
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