Suns @ Pelicans 4-9-16

Mainstreet

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The Suns play at the Pelicans today with an early start at 4 p.m. Arizona time.

It will be interesting to see how Watson coaches the Suns in the final three games in regard to player minutes and rotation.

Here is a link to the Suns/Pelicans preview from ESPN and some comments.

The Suns (21-58) will get to face two other eliminated teams in that attempt, New Orleans and Sacramento. They will also take on a Clippers team that's locked in the Western Conference's No. 4 seed and could be resting at least some of its players for the postseason in Wednesday's season finale.

The Pelicans (30-49) are trying to avoid their first 50-loss season since going 27-55 in 2012-13 and got one step closer with a 110-102 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. Alexis Ajinca had career highs of 28 points and 15 rebounds for New Orleans, which also earned its third consecutive home victory.

http://espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=400829076
 

CardsSunsDbacks

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I have a feeling the Suns will win this game and a lot of the fans on this site will once again go into an uproar about how dumb of a win it was.
 
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Mainstreet

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I have a feeling the Suns will win this game and a lot of the fans on this site will once again go into an uproar about how dumb of a win it was.

What I do not want is posters going into another uproar which got a little bit ugly. It's not like we can control the outcome. We all have opinions but it would be nice to have more calm discussion.

I think the Suns were motivated to beat the Rockets who were vying for a playoff spot. The Pelicans are not battling for a playoff spot so I expect the Suns to come back down to earth. The Pelicans won their third consecutive home game against the Lakers so they will likely be trying to win this game.
 

JCSunsfan

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What I do not want is posters going into another uproar which got a little bit ugly. It's not like we can control the outcome. We all have opinions but it would be nice to have more calm discussion.

I think the Suns were motivated to beat the Rockets who were vying for a playoff spot. The Pelicans are not battling for a playoff spot so I expect the Suns to come back down to earth. The Pelicans won their third consecutive home game against the Lakers so they will likely be trying to win this game.

Don't know. It would make sense for the integrity of the league that they would give a good effort against a team competing for a playoff spot. Not sure what happens here. Both teams want to lose.

I do know it isn't pleasant to come on here and read the over-the-top name-calling griping and complaining.
 

AzStevenCal

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What I do not want is posters going into another uproar which got a little bit ugly. It's not like we can control the outcome. We all have opinions but it would be nice to have more calm discussion.

I think the Suns were motivated to beat the Rockets who were vying for a playoff spot. The Pelicans are not battling for a playoff spot so I expect the Suns to come back down to earth. The Pelicans won their third consecutive home game against the Lakers so they will likely be trying to win this game.

That's life on a message board; different kinds of fans. There's the fan that rightly believes that saying "this team is the stupidest franchise ever" is just an opinion, nothing more. And then there's the fan that understandably reads someone attacking the team they love in that manner and to them, it feels like a personal attack. So they respond in kind and off it goes.

I skipped over most of the argument you're talking about so I'm just talking generally, not referring to this specific disagreement. What usually happens is that neither side will really recognize their contribution to the dust-up but eventually a moderator will point out that no matter how it felt, fan B crossed the line when they responded with a personal attack (not saying, either way, whether that happened this time).

It's hard to say what will happen in our last games because we have no idea which Tucker will show up. Chandler has been playing his best ball the past month or so but that's clearly a health issue, you can just see how much better he is physically compared to the player that started the season. I have no idea what's going on with PJ, he is so much more focused now then he has been the past season and a half. Maybe Watson hid his booze? Personally I see no reason to play either player this week but I especially think we should put Chandler out to rest.
 
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Mainstreet

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Don't know. It would make sense for the integrity of the league that they would give a good effort against a team competing for a playoff spot. Not sure what happens here. Both teams want to lose.

I do know it isn't pleasant to come on here and read the over-the-top name-calling griping and complaining.

I'm hoping the Pelicans will put out some effort on their home court but who knows.

Of course, the Suns will be facing the Kings and Clippers at home to end the season. The Kings will want to lose and the Clippers may be resting their players. I'm guessing teams will want the Suns to put out their best effort when they return home. Something needs to change when non-playoff teams have incentive to lose. There must be a better way.

I'm still for having the worst four teams (or whatever the number) have a playoff and the winner gets the 1st pick and so on. Match-ups would be random.
 

JCSunsfan

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That's life on a message board; different kinds of fans. There's the fan that rightly believes that saying "this team is the stupidest franchise ever" is just an opinion, nothing more. And then there's the fan that understandably reads someone attacking the team they love in that manner and to them, it feels like a personal attack. So they respond in kind and off it goes.

I skipped over most of the argument you're talking about so I'm just talking generally, not referring to this specific disagreement. What usually happens is that neither side will really recognize their contribution to the dust-up but eventually a moderator will point out that no matter how it felt, fan B crossed the line when they responded with a personal attack (not saying, either way, whether that happened this time).

It's hard to say what will happen in our last games because we have no idea which Tucker will show up. Chandler has been playing his best ball the past month or so but that's clearly a health issue, you can just see how much better he is physically compared to the player that started the season. I have no idea what's going on with PJ, he is so much more focused now then he has been the past season and a half. Maybe Watson hid his booze? Personally I see no reason to play either player this week but I especially think we should put Chandler out to rest.

Is it possible that players are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel? They have hope for being a competitive team next year, Chandler certainly said it. It is clearly what he believes. Its almos a "we know something that you don't know" attitude.
 

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Is it possible that players are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel? They have hope for being a competitive team next year, Chandler certainly said it. It is clearly what he believes. Its almos a "we know something that you don't know" attitude.

I don't think there's any doubt within the team that we grossly underachieved so I believe their "hope" is justified. I still like Jeff as a coach but I think his sardonic style of communication caused problems with several of the players and contributed to the demise. With him gone, the attitude of and around the team seems to have improved considerably.

We haven't really played better as a team (or at least, much better) but without Bledsoe, Knight and Warren that's understandable. We get them back healthy and we add a tough competitor in Bogdanovic plus a rookie or two and we should be in the playoff hunt. We're not the only team that underachieved this season so it could be a very crowded race but I like our chances if we have no major injuries along the way.
 

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I don't think there's any doubt within the team that we grossly underachieved so I believe their "hope" is justified. I still like Jeff as a coach but I think his sardonic style of communication caused problems with several of the players and contributed to the demise. With him gone, the attitude of and around the team seems to have improved considerably.

We haven't really played better as a team (or at least, much better) but without Bledsoe, Knight and Warren that's understandable. We get them back healthy and we add a tough competitor in Bogdanovic plus a rookie or two and we should be in the playoff hunt. We're not the only team that underachieved this season so it could be a very crowded race but I like our chances if we have no major injuries along the way.

I think we also need to add one key veteran piece by way of trade or free agent signing. I am not even sure the position matters as long as it is not sg. I am not talking an old player, but probably a very good player in the 24-28 age range. If possible a true star. Trade picks, players or whatever. Not sure if we will be able to do it this summer, but I do think it is necessary.
 

AzStevenCal

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I think we also need to add one key veteran piece by way of trade or free agent signing. I am not even sure the position matters as long as it is not sg. I am not talking an old player, but probably a very good player in the 24-28 age range. If possible a true star. Trade picks, players or whatever. Not sure if we will be able to do it this summer, but I do think it is necessary.

It might be necessary eventually but I don't know about this season. I think it will depend on how our draft goes. If we get someone like Ellenson and he appears to be league ready, we might be better off just letting them grow together.

I can't see a star out there that we're likely to be able to acquire. Anyway, if it were up to me I'd wait on a major acquisition until we have a better idea of what we have in Booker, Warren and Len. If someone like a Favors comes available I'd jump on it and gladly spend our future draft picks but I doubt that happens.
 
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Mainstreet

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It's hard to say what will happen in our last games because we have no idea which Tucker will show up. Chandler has been playing his best ball the past month or so but that's clearly a health issue, you can just see how much better he is physically compared to the player that started the season. I have no idea what's going on with PJ, he is so much more focused now then he has been the past season and a half. Maybe Watson hid his booze? Personally I see no reason to play either player this week but I especially think we should put Chandler out to rest.

If memory serves me correct, Tucker's contract is only partially guaranteed next season so there is that. This would increase anyone's focus.

After the big win against the Rockets, Chandler may be willing to sit. Maybe another player like Price can sit. I would like to see Goodwin finish out the season at PG (I think this is the plan). Also players like Alan Williams, John Jenkins, Chase Budinger should get more minutes.
 
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Mainstreet

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Booker is getting some good looks at the basket early in the game.
 

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I hope the Suns win these last three games. I'm sick of seeing them lose.. Then to top it off they get the top pick. Would that be a hoot.
 
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Mainstreet

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I hope the Suns win these last three games. I'm sick of seeing them lose.. Then to top it off they get the top pick. Would that be a hoot.

The problem is winning these games hurt the Suns in regard to the lottery. They are meaningless wins. I'd prefer better lottery odds because the Suns have proven unlucky in these things.
 
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At the moment the Suns are playing a big front line of Chandler, Leuer and Teletovic. Goodwin and Booker are in the backcourt.
 

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The problem is winning these games hurt the Suns in regard to the lottery. They are meaningless wins. I'd prefer better lottery odds because the Suns have proven unlucky in these things.

Brooklyn wont win another game so even if we lost all 3 remaining games at best we would end up tied.
 
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It's clear the Suns intention is to win this game and likely the remaining two games. I guess they are content to let the Nets (Celtics) pass them for the third slot (from the bottom).
 
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Mainstreet

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Brooklyn wont win another game so even if we lost all 3 remaining games at best we would end up tied.

I think the Nets will pass the Suns for the third slot.
 

CardsSunsDbacks

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I mean if we are going to win I would hope that it would be accompanied by a good game for Booker. Unlike our win against the Rockets.
 

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It might be necessary eventually but I don't know about this season. I think it will depend on how our draft goes. If we get someone like Ellenson and he appears to be league ready, we might be better off just letting them grow together.

I can't see a star out there that we're likely to be able to acquire. Anyway, if it were up to me I'd wait on a major acquisition until we have a better idea of what we have in Booker, Warren and Len. If someone like a Favors comes available I'd jump on it and gladly spend our future draft picks but I doubt that happens.

I'm not sure Favors is a star but if he came to Phoenix I think he could become one. A starting line-up of Bledsoe, Booker, Warren/Tucker, and Chandler/Len should be a playoff team and Favors could be a potential All-Star. I've been high on Favors for a while and hoped the Suns could get him somehow following the 2013/14 season.

I'd trade our pick plus Knight for him, if isn't #1 or #2, without hesitation. I'd take on a bad contract, if they have any, or give up one of the Heat picks if needed also. Having Knight locked in for 4 more seasons would be appealing to Utah, who have trouble attracting free agents. I think Knight could play alongside any of their PG's or SG's. None of their younger point guards have really panned out and they aren't very strong or deep at SG either so Knight could fill a hole for them.
 
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Mainstreet

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I mean if we are going to win I would hope that it would be accompanied by a good game for Booker. Unlike our win against the Rockets.

Booker looks to be having a good game tonight with 16 points and 5 assists in the third quarter so I think you get your wish.

Even in a lesser game against the Rockets (shooting wise) Booker had 15 points and 4 assists although he had 5 turnovers.
 

hsandhu

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The only thing we got going for us now in the draft now is lottery karma.

Hopefully we get some good karma for not tanking and competing at the end. I don't like these wins at all and it looks like we we will be stuck in the 4 spot.
 
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Mainstreet

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The only thing we got going for us now in the draft now is lottery karma.

Hopefully we get some good karma for not tanking and competing at the end. I don't like these wins at all and it looks like we we will be stuck in the 4 spot.

The Suns need some good karma but I'm not counting on it. My hope is Ryan McDonough makes some good picks or possibly work a trade.
 

Ouchie-Z-Clown

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Bah, after the last win none of this matters anymore. They already screwed up an already bad season. At least this is a good game from booker and Len. Growth from those two is essentially all that matters.
 
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Mainstreet

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Archie Goodwin is leaving the game after hurting his ankle on a drive. I hope he is alright. Archie had a good game with 24 points.

Reports from the locker room is he has a sprained ankle.
 

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