Suns @ Thunder Friday game thread, November 15th, 2024

[BirdGangThing]

did we win

 

[Hoop Head]

I think he's closer to the bottom 5, and that was before the season. He has been dreadful this year.

I'd take Nurkic over Looney (GSW), Jonas (NOP) whoever wasn't AD in LA, Zubac (LAC), Williams (Hornets), Vucevic (Bulls), Duren (Det), Poeltl (Tor), and whoever started for Washington. Throw in Ayton in Portland for good measure. That's 10 names. Some may be debatable. Mayne 18-24 would be a better place to slot Nurkic. He's been close to that 30 spot this year though and needs to figure it out.

My main issue, the Suns aren't trading Nurkic anywhere for a better C. Not even a rental. It makes no sense for the Suns to give up an asset for a small upgrade, if any, by way of a draft pick. It makes less sense for another team to downgrade. Nurkic isn't expiring so he isn't coveted by anyone.

 

[Proximo]

Not sure who looked worse tonight, Tyson or the Suns.

 

[Phrazbit]

I'd take Nurkic over Looney (GSW), Jonas (NOP) whoever wasn't AD in LA, Zubac (LAC), Williams (Hornets), Vucevic (Bulls), Duren (Det), Poeltl (Tor), and whoever started for Washington. Throw in Ayton in Portland for good measure. That's 10 names. Some may be debatable. Mayne 18-24 would be a better place to slot Nurkic. He's been close to that 30 spot this year though and needs to figure it out.

My main issue, the Suns aren't trading Nurkic anywhere for a better C. Not even a rental. It makes no sense for the Suns to give up an asset for a small upgrade, if any, by way of a draft pick. It makes less sense for another team to downgrade. Nurkic isn't expiring so he isn't coveted by anyone.

I'd say Vucevic and Ayton are better and it's not even close. I'd have said it was debatable with him and Zubac before the season but in their 2 meetings Zubac has played him off the court. I'd take Duren too, he's mobile, passes alright and can defend.

He's better than Looney but Golden State does center by committee, and their committee is better than ours.

Williams, Poeltl and whoever the Magic and Pelicans are trotting out there... that is about the list for me.

But at the rate Nurkic is going that list is going to get even smaller.

Losing weight was a big time mistake. He gained nothing in quickness or elevation and now he's getting bullied by guys he used to matchup alright with.

 

[Mainstreet]

You can’t emulate Steph Curry.

This is true, but Suns best chance to win as the roster is currently constructed, is to play small ball.

 

[Carolinacacti]

O’ Neal just not doing it for me

 

[BirdGangThing]

O’ Neal just not doing it for me

oneale has been a godsend - both his play and mentorship - not to mention durability

 

[Crimson Warrior]

gg!

You guys almost got us this time! Keep trying!

 

[GatorAZ]

I'd take Nurkic over Looney (GSW), Jonas (NOP) whoever wasn't AD in LA, Zubac (LAC), Williams (Hornets), Vucevic (Bulls), Duren (Det), Poeltl (Tor), and whoever started for Washington. Throw in Ayton in Portland for good measure. That's 10 names. Some may be debatable. Mayne 18-24 would be a better place to slot Nurkic. He's been close to that 30 spot this year though and needs to figure it out.

My main issue, the Suns aren't trading Nurkic anywhere for a better C. Not even a rental. It makes no sense for the Suns to give up an asset for a small upgrade, if any, by way of a draft pick. It makes less sense for another team to downgrade. Nurkic isn't expiring so he isn't coveted by anyone.

Nurkic isn’t just one of the worst centers in the league he’s one of the worst starters period. He’s shooting 39% from the field (embarrassing), 26% from 3 (awful), he’s got 34 turnovers to 11 assists (garbage), negative win shares and the lowest plus/minus and VORP among rotation players (putrid).

 

[leclerc]

Where is the mamba. Zero points halfway into the second quarter. Be a little more legendary please.

 

[BirdGangThing]

idk if it's weight - age - mentals - his role being changed - whatever - but nurk is now a liability against most teams not named denver

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Book sucked huh?

 

[BirdGangThing]

Book sucked huh?

everyone not named josh okogie sucked

 

[Mainstreet]

Book sucked huh?

Booker shot 2-10 from the field, so it wasn't good. He kept trying to score inside but he couldn't elevate over the young OKC defenders.

They made the Suns look old and slow.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'd add, the Suns need to sit Booker and let him get healthy.

They have a break after games on November 20th until November 26th. Bring him back on the 26th against the Lakers.

He would only miss three games.

 

[Yuma]

everyone not named josh okogie sucked

If Josh Okogie is your best player, it's going to be a L-O-N-G night.

 

[Hoop Head]

Part of the problem is our roster is designed to accentuate the strengths and hide the weaknesses of our big 3. If we don't have at least 2 of them then we're going to fall short most nights because guys we do have aren't going to go off.

Grayson was somewhat capable of adding to the scoring load last year but he wasn't consistent enough to be relied on regularly. When we could look to Allen or Gordon to score in the high teens or low twenties it was a mods reasonable ask. If we could get 30+ from them, 50+ from 2 of our big 3, 20-25 from Nurkic and Royce, whatever else we got was icing on the cake. That's 100-105 before factoring in what, if anything, the bench gives. That would usually tell how the game went. Did we win or lose? Someone like Okogie needed to step up to win. We have more contributors but 3 big ones are out, which means we need to replace 50 points somehow.

 

[Mainstreet]

Also, I was hoping Tyus Jones might step up his game with players out. He has that ability on a given night.

 

[nashman]

Everyone literally shot like trash most of the night for the Suns, so many missed open 3s and just shots in general. We were missing layups it was just a terrible shooting night period. I will say that floor was brutal on the eyes maybe it was a factor in not sure but I’m glad our tourney floor is back to mostly a wood color instead of the bright teal which was hard to watch. Not sure if I disliked any floor as much as I did that OKC one it was a brutal watch honestly…

 

[GatorAZ]

Everyone literally shot like trash most of the night for the Suns, so many missed open 3s and just shots in general. We were missing layups it was just a terrible shooting night period. I will say that floor was brutal on the eyes maybe it was a factor in not sure but I’m glad our tourney floor is back to mostly a wood color instead of the bright teal which was hard to watch. Not sure if I disliked any floor as much as I did that OKC one it was a brutal watch honestly…

OKC also shot horribly and still easily won minus 3 starters. We have no shot against them in a series if both teams are healthy. They’re too athletic.

 

[mjb21aztd]

Booooo hope suns end bad little streak without kd ohhh sighh and beal

Little sad on outcome of gm to post last n

 

[Yuma]

OKC also shot horribly and still easily won minus 3 starters. We have no shot against them in a series if both teams are healthy. They’re too athletic.

I liked how they collapsed around the ball in the paint, and when it went to Booker. Solid strategy and solid coaching.

 

[Mainstreet]

Everyone literally shot like trash most of the night for the Suns, so many missed open 3s and just shots in general. We were missing layups it was just a terrible shooting night period. I will say that floor was brutal on the eyes maybe it was a factor in not sure but I’m glad our tourney floor is back to mostly a wood color instead of the bright teal which was hard to watch. Not sure if I disliked any floor as much as I did that OKC one it was a brutal watch honestly…

The Jazz' court was worse, though.

 

[Germz249]

What is going on..

 

[GatorAZ]

I liked how they collapsed around the ball in the paint, and when it went to Booker. Solid strategy and solid coaching.

Presti making up for the Harden trade.