Suns @ Rockets game thread 3-30-18

[Hoop Head]

I know a loss is for the best but could anybody have been upset if Jackson's shot was the real game winner? We got a 2 game buffer right now, still, but that would have shrunk to 1. A game without Booker where Jackson steps up in a huge way against D'Antoni's team is fine with me. Jackson will be a star. Glad to see we have 2 star players now because Jackson didn't look like this at the beginning of the year. So we're set on wing players for the next decade, hopefully.

 

[SweetD]

Peters doing his best Bender impersonation. 24 min 0 points

 

[Mainstreet]

Peters doing his best Bender impersonation. 24 min 0 points

Peters played some good defense though.

I remember where he frustrated Harden into a missed shot. He has active hands.

 

[Mainstreet]

I know a loss is for the best but could anybody have been upset if Jackson's shot was the real game winner? We got a 2 game buffer right now, still, but that would have shrunk to 1. A game without Booker where Jackson steps up in a huge way against D'Antoni's team is fine with me. Jackson will be a star. Glad to see we have 2 star players now because Jackson didn't look like this at the beginning of the year. So we're set on wing players for the next decade, hopefully.

No one should have been frustrated with Jackson if he hit the game winner.

A rookie going for 27 points and 6 rebounds against the best team in the league. No way.

 

[Mainstreet]

Almost hidden is Chriss going for 12 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks.

Of course Daniels went for 23 points and 4 rebounds.

And Ulis with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 12 assists.

 

[TJ]

Even better!

Jackson hits a big time shot AND we lose.

Best of both worlds. Jackson gets confidence and hopefully the loss just adds fuel for his fire.

Peak tank post

 

[Suns_fan69]

Man, was really hoping for the win tonight.

Chriss looks remarkably better over the last couple weeks, especially with his attitude and body language. His help D is great and though his outside shot is still inconsistent at least he has that range.

Ulis shows how good he could be if he can develop a 3 point shot. He's still a great passer (that lob to Chriss near the end was right on the money) but teams keep going under the screen with him. If he can force them to go over the game will be a lot easier for him.

Man when Daniels gets going he can sure get it off in a hurry.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

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Should have been a win, but it's not like we needed it.

 

[Hoop Head]

Didn't pay attention to that in the game, I didn't leave it on for the replays either. Harden just plows into Jackson's back though. Typically I think refs should swallow their whistles at the end of games but that is just ridiculous.

 

[SweetD]

Harden was pushing off all game and getting away with it. That is part of the games these young Suns don't get is how to push/hold and get away with it.

 

[Mainstreet]

Man, was really hoping for the win tonight.

Chriss looks remarkably better over the last couple weeks, especially with his attitude and body language. His help D is great and though his outside shot is still inconsistent at least he has that range.

Ulis shows how good he could be if he can develop a 3 point shot. He's still a great passer (that lob to Chriss near the end was right on the money) but teams keep going under the screen with him. If he can force them to go over the game will be a lot easier for him.

Man when Daniels gets going he can sure get it off in a hurry.

The Suns deserved to win and in a way they did with the lottery standings.

Awesome game by the Suns. Can't take that away.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Almost hidden is Chriss going for 12 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks.

Of course Daniels went for 23 points and 4 rebounds.

And Ulis with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 12 assists.

What is it with Ulis. He plays like he doesn't even belong in this league most of the year and then just around the time that Sauce starts playing, there he is again.

 

[Hoop Head]

Harden was pushing off all game and getting away with it. That is part of the games these young Suns don't get is how to push/hold and get away with it.

Harden gets away with more than any player in the league though, it's gotten to the point where it's not funny anymore. Last year it was comical but this year it's absurd.

 

[Mainstreet]

What is it with Ulis. He plays like he doesn't even belong in this league most of the year and then just around the time that Sauce starts playing, there he is again.

My primary thought is Ulis is finally healthy. The Suns have a lot of depth at PG but they need a starter.

 

[Mainstreet]

Harden gets away with more than any player in the league though, it's gotten to the point where it's not funny anymore. Last year it was comical but this year it's absurd.

Harden should not be rewarded when he puts his shoulder into a defender and then shoots. He does it over and over again even when the defender is set.

 

[AzStevenCal]

My primary thought is Ulis is finally healthy. The Suns have a lot of depth at PG but they need a starter.

Yeah, they didn't mention much about it but there were occasional comments all season about him not being 100%. I also think he missed having Williams available as he gave Ulis a bailout option when Tyler couldn't find an open shooter.

 

[JCSunsfan]

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[Cheesebeef]

Jackson is going to be a superstar.

He might never be a great three point shooter but he’s got the drive in him to work at it until its at least decent.

 

[elindholm]

Harden was pushing off all game and getting away with it. That is part of the games these young Suns don't get is how to push/hold and get away with it.

To me, the key question of the upcoming playoffs is whether the officials continue to officiate Harden like they do in the regular season. If they do, the Rockets have a good chance to win the title. If the officials instead go into their postseason mode, Harden becomes much less potent offensively.

It's a shame that players have to guess how much the rules will be suspended in crunch time. If I were a player, it would drive me crazy. It would be like if you had to speed on the freeway for a living. Okay, I did 83 last time and got away with it; does that mean I should try 84 this time?

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Loved everything about this game.

It’s important to understand how important these games are for josh’s development too. He knows he’s lead dog from jump and he’s producing. And because he shares the ball it won’t be an issue when booker returns.

 

[GoldGloveschmidt]

I was so glad when Green hit that 3 pointer.

 

[Mainstreet]

Yeah, they didn't mention much about it but there were occasional comments all season about him not being 100%. I also think he missed having Williams available as he gave Ulis a bailout option when Tyler couldn't find an open shooter.

It's all of the above. Plus, when the Suns acquired Payton, it gave him some additional incentive especially when he had a chance to take the starting PG job away from Payton.

 

[leclerc]

I'm rooting for the Rockets in the playoffs which as a lifelong Suns fan, means they'll likely be robbed of a win in the semis.

I wonder why Reed doesn't get any minutes. Not 100% healthy? He should play before House don't you think?

Hope Ulis gets extended along with Shaq. We'll see after the draft about Payton. He's been disappointing after a very promising start. He should be more assertive.

Regardless the core going forward in 2020 should be Booker, Jackson, our first round pick.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I was so glad when Green hit that 3 pointer.

I was happy with Jackson's shot and would have been fine with the win. But Green's shot did not bother me.