Suns @ Rockets Wednesday game thread 2-12-2024

[Mainstreet]

Gillespie never got back in the game. I think he would have made the Rockets pay on those quick steals up top.

 

[Yuma]

When you aren't more athletic, or taller, etc. than the other squad, you have to play SMARTER. WTF? Don't these guys watch film? They make the same mistakes EVERY game.

 

[clyde2tw]

Suns giving up wide open threes up top doesn't help one bit.

That's by design with Udoka recognizing Bol was covering their good 3pt guy and too slow for that.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Is it just me, or have we entered the ugliest era of Suns basketball (incl the forgotten years in the 2010s) when we get ISO ball with KD and/or Book.. just absolutely unwatchable.. they went to KD like 6 straight possessions while everyone else just stands around

Yeah. It’s boring. And it’s weird that Book seems to skate by without much criticism for being the ball-stopper he is also.

We’re basically that Iverson/Melo middling Denver team, except our Iverson (KD) has a little more left in the tank and our Melo (Booker) is equal to or even a little worse.

Neither Booker or KD are smart, nor leaders. Throw that together with ISO ball and you got an unwatchable club.

 

[Mainstreet]

That's by design with Udoka recognizing Bol was covering their good 3pt guy and too slow for that.

Still, each team has five players. Can't leave players wide open.

 

[Germz249]

I am about to lose my mind.. we were leading all 3 quarters and had a melt down..

 

[clyde2tw]

I am about to lose my mind.. we were leading all 3 quarters and had a melt down..

It takes the other teams 2-3 qrts to figure out the Suns simplistic game plans and react with proper and tighter defense. That's the reason we gets crushed either in the 3rd or the 4th.

 

[GatorAZ]

KD’s stats

 

[boisesuns]

I thought coach Bud was supposed to fix this mess? Maybe that’s why he got canned from Milwaukee? Or was that because the teams stars didn’t like him?

 

[Suns_fan69]

I'm not going to judge this game too harshly on the 2nd game of a back to back with arguably 3 of the top 4 players on the team out. But, it is disheartening that what undid the team was a parade of turnovers which has been the achilles heel for this team for a season and a half now.

 

[BirdGangThing]

turnovers

 

[Hoop Head]

Is it just me, or have we entered the ugliest era of Suns basketball (incl the forgotten years in the 2010s) when we get ISO ball with KD and/or Book.. just absolutely unwatchable.. they went to KD like 6 straight possessions while everyone else just stands around

We entered it 2 years ago at the trade deadline and have been living in it since. Trading for KD was the biggest mistake in Suns history.

 

[Carolinacacti]

We entered it 2 years ago at the trade deadline and have been living in it since. Trading for KD was the biggest mistake in Suns history.

Should of keot Mikal,Cam and shipped Booker out. Durant is a stud

 

[Hoop Head]

Should of keot Mikal,Cam and shipped Booker out. Durant is a stud

I disagree. Durant is not a leader and never has been. He's all empty stats. OKC was successful because of Russ being a leader and Golden State with Curry. We've become a worse version of the Nets since adding KD.

I'm not saying Booker is a great leader but he's proven to be a really good primary scorer and he's 10 years younger than KD. The Suns organization have mismanaged Booker for years now, trying to make him a PG and then pushing him down the pecking order for a geriatric Durant and crippled Beal. Booker deserves an opportunity to be the man here, which seemed to be the plan post CP3 but Ishbia decided to scrap half the team for Durant. The path we were on may not have produced a championship but we wouldn't be in salary cap hell with no end in sight.

 

[CardNots]

I disagree. Durant is not a leader and never has been. He's all empty stats. OKC was successful because of Russ being a leader and Golden State with Curry. We've become a worse version of the Nets since adding KD.

I'm not saying Booker is a great leader but he's proven to be a really good primary scorer and he's 10 years younger than KD. The Suns organization have mismanaged Booker for years now, trying to make him a PG and then pushing him down the pecking order for a geriatric Durant and crippled Beal. Booker deserves an opportunity to be the man here, which seemed to be the plan post CP3 but Ishbia decided to scrap half the team for Durant. The path we were on may not have produced a championship but we wouldn't be in salary cap hell with no end in sight.

So we are leaderless…

 

[Covert Rain]

The team just lacks toughness. KD was great on both ends of the floor for the most part but the mental lapses on this team are just incredible. Mr. Glass is AWOL again just collecting his check and the young talent? Well they just look young. The bench players have moments but always fall back into habits. Just so frustrating to watch. It's going to be a long slog to the end of the season. Plus, where was the movement we had seen earlier in the season? It's a return to ISO ball.

 

[BirdGangThing]

are we really ishing on kd? is that what we're doing the rest of the season? everytime we lose? out of your mind

 

[BirdGangThing]

watch the game again - take notice of what happens everytime kd leaves the floor lol

 

[Hoop Head]

watch the game again - take notice of what happens everytime kd leaves the floor lol

We still lose? Empty stats mean nothing. KD doesn't operate within a structured offense and his talent doesn't produce wins.

 

[Mainstreet]

If the Suns aren't going to win, give me the "dogs" who just play ball. At least it's watchable.

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[Mainstreet]

The deferral to the three-star system doesn't work. Stars have to work within the team concept. Suns are too predictable.

And my goodness, the Suns need to learn how to pass the ball, especially near the top of the key.

Those lateral passes up high are an invitation to get intercepted. Suns should have passing drills and learn to pass before being double-teamed.

In football, those lateral passes to the sideline are often a pick 6 and a basketball court is much smaller.

 

[Superbone]

KD:
"I keep telling you this, I'm not going to play conservative. I'm going to try to take risks and try to be aggressive and sometimes that might result in a few turnovers but if you look at the game, we pretty much had the game."

Yeah, you did have the game but turnovers are what lost you the game.

This team seems like it is allergic to winning. Every time they extended the lead, they would immediately start turning the ball over until they had lost the lead. I can't think of a more frustrating Suns team.

 

[Mainstreet]

are we really ishing on kd? is that what we're doing the rest of the season? everytime we lose? out of your mind

I liked the way KD played with the youngsters. The whole team needs to embrace it.

 

[Superbone]

Force feeding KD is not the answer. If he's open, great! But with three guys swarming him, make the smart play as there will be somebody wide open. The Suns just don't play smart basketball. Either Bud is not a very good coach or the players aren't listening to him.

 

[Mainstreet]

KD:
"I keep telling you this, I'm not going to play conservative. I'm going to try to take risks and try to be aggressive and sometimes that might result in a few turnovers but if you look at the game, we pretty much had the game."

Yeah, you did have the game but turnovers are what lost you the game.

This team seems like it is allergic to winning. Every time they extended the lead, they would immediately start turning the ball over until they had lost the lead. I can't think of a more frustrating Suns team.

I'm ready to start either Ty Ty or Gillespie and see if that minimizes the turnovers.