Suns @ Trail Blazers Monday game thread 12-30-19

[cwamjn]

I saw twolves trying to trade towns what would it take to get him that would be a very nice addition

Admittedly, as much as I'm disappointed with how Ayton has approached this season, I want to wait. The reason he was picked first overall is he has physical gifts and athleticism that is unheard of outside of maybe AD. If he wants and will put in all necessary effort to get it, he could be a legend. I think KAT is a very nice #2 player, would certainly gel well with Book. If we lose out on KAT oh well, but I'd take the rest of the year to see if the light bulb is going to go on for Ayton.

 

[devilalum]

Ayton had 12 boards in 20 minutes. The guy definitely has good rebounding instincts.

Everybody's talking about Booker and Oubre, no way the Suns win that game down the stretch without Ayton's rebounding.

Hopefully this was a glimpse of what the Suns can be.

 

[leclerc]

A bad quarter following a good win...

Yep, never too soon to assume the absolute worst.

Except this uneven play is what we're accustomed to seeing. It's the product squeaky Bobby Sarver puts out year after year.

 

[JCSunsfan]

The most encouraging thing about this game, to me, was that we are night and day better defensively when Ayton is on the court, even if he isn't blocking shots. The dude is gobbling up rebounds and shutting down drives and passing angles constantly.

I was watching Ayton a lot while he was in, especially on defense. He is switching on to drivers more than he used to and he is going for more blocks than he used to. That is disrupting shots even if he is not getting the block. He also gets good rebounding position. Most of the time he is going straight up for boards or tip ins. I really see some bright spots.

 

[Hoop Head]

Postgame interview with Rubio. If you pay attention you can hear, and see, Booker asking Ayton why he still has his jersey on. Ayton replies with "Yes, I still have my jersey on cuz I haven't had this on in a while. I'm going to shower with this sh...."

That all happens at the beginning of the video. It's Tyler Johnson who is speaking Spanish to Rubio while he's being interviewed also, in case anyone was curious. I don't speak Spanish so I can't translate any of that.


Good to see the team having fun with one another.

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[Mainstreet]

Gina Mizell‏Verified account @ginamizell


Monty said he really liked the athleticism of the #Suns closing lineup — Rubio-Booker-Bridges-Oubre-Ayton. Mentioned the above-the-rim quality of Oubre’s alley-oop finish and Ayton’s tip-in. Liked Bridges’ cutting. Also praised Bridges and Oubre for their 1-on-1 stops on Melo.

1:04 PM - 31 Dec 2019

 

[Cheesebeef]

if this team is going to really compete for that last playoff spot this season, the next 8 games are gonna be crucial for that.

After the Lakers game, they get a 5 game home-stand against NY, Memphis, Sac, Orlando and Charlotte and then two roadies against Atlanta and NY before the schedule gets a little tougher at the end of the month.

The rest of the season is littered with a lot of road games and good teams so if they want to make a push now is the time to do it.

 

[82CardsGrad]

if this team is going to really compete for that last playoff spot this season, the next 8 games are gonna be crucial for that.

After the Lakers game, they get a 5 game home-stand against NY, Memphis, Sac, Orlando and Charlotte and then two roadies against Atlanta and NY before the schedule gets a little tougher at the end of the month.

The rest of the season is littered with a lot of road games and good teams so if they want to make a push now is the time to do it.

Yep. We are better and more talented that all of those teams. Which doesn't mean much when the ball is tipped, but the clear point is that we NEED to use this stretch to make THE MOVE. We are only better than all of those teams due to Ayton's return. So his ability to now quickly insert himself into the flow of this team is absolutely critical. As we saw last night, the first 10-12 mins of his time on the court last night was awkward and out of sync. However, his final 5-8 mins on the court you could see him finding his rhythm and flow. Still wasn't pretty for the most part. And it's gonna take a few games for him to get his game-legs back under him. I hate to pin this all on one player... however, Ayton is simply that important to the success of this team. If Monty can find the ways to make him comfy - quickly, things could be looking quite interesing 10-12 days from now!!

 

[elindholm]

Everybody's talking about Booker and Oubre, no way the Suns win that game down the stretch without Ayton's rebounding.

I never understand that comment. It was a close game and everyone's contribution was critical. It's like you're trying to fill a cup of water and point to one thimbleful, saying, "No way do we get it done without this!"

 

[Proximo]

Gina Mizell‏Verified account @ginamizell


Monty said he really liked the athleticism of the #Suns closing lineup — Rubio-Booker-Bridges-Oubre-Ayton. Mentioned the above-the-rim quality of Oubre’s alley-oop finish and Ayton’s tip-in. Liked Bridges’ cutting. Also praised Bridges and Oubre for their 1-on-1 stops on Melo.

1:04 PM - 31 Dec 2019

This is not surprising considering that is our 5 best players. I can't believe it has taken Monty this long to figure out the importance of Bridges to our success.

 

[Proximo]

if this team is going to really compete for that last playoff spot this season, the next 8 games are gonna be crucial for that.

After the Lakers game, they get a 5 game home-stand against NY, Memphis, Sac, Orlando and Charlotte and then two roadies against Atlanta and NY before the schedule gets a little tougher at the end of the month.

The rest of the season is littered with a lot of road games and good teams so if they want to make a push now is the time to do it.

Wow, that is about as easy as it could get. We have to win at least 6 out of 8 of those games.

 

[Mainstreet]

This is not surprising considering that is our 5 best players. I can't believe it has taken Monty this long to figure out the importance of Bridges to our success.

The Bridges stop on Melo was really special. Carmelo tried every move in the book and nada.

 

[BC867]

Gina Mizell‏Verified account @ginamizell


Monty said he really liked the athleticism of the #Suns closing lineup — Rubio-Booker-Bridges-Oubre-Ayton. Mentioned the above-the-rim quality of Oubre’s alley-oop finish and Ayton’s tip-in. Liked Bridges’ cutting. Also praised Bridges and Oubre for their 1-on-1 stops on Melo.

1:04 PM - 31 Dec 2019

If Bridges continues to show progress in scoring, along with Oubre's rebounding
(at the Power Forward position), it is a better option than Saric.

If we were a championship caliber team, two Small Forwards would probably not
take us too far. But we're just a team trying to get above .500.

Just don't let Jones hear that. Long term, we need a Power Forward to play side
by side with Ayton to cover his deficiencies and not be afraid of contact.

 

[devilalum]

Gina Mizell‏Verified account @ginamizell


Monty said he really liked the athleticism of the #Suns closing lineup — Rubio-Booker-Bridges-Oubre-Ayton. Mentioned the above-the-rim quality of Oubre’s alley-oop finish and Ayton’s tip-in. Liked Bridges’ cutting. Also praised Bridges and Oubre for their 1-on-1 stops on Melo.

1:04 PM - 31 Dec 2019

Yep

That’s my starting 5 and definitely my closing 5.


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[Bufalay]

I never understand that comment. It was a close game and everyone's contribution was critical. It's like you're trying to fill a cup of water and point to one thimbleful, saying, "No way do we get it done without this!"

It's true!

 

[Mainstreet]

Yep

That’s my starting 5 and definitely my closing 5.


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Bookend forwards worked out well in years past... Gar Heard and Curtis Perry.

 

[devilalum]

Bookend forwards worked out well in years past... Gar Heard and Curtis Perry.

Wow Mr Peabody

You pulled that one out of the way back machine.

Lamar Green too.


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[Mainstreet]

If Bridges continues to show progress in scoring, along with Oubre's rebounding
(at the Power Forward position), it is a better option than Saric.

If we were a championship caliber team, two Small Forwards would probably not
take us too far. But we're just a team trying to get above .500.

Just don't let Jones hear that. Long term, we need a Power Forward to play side
by side with Ayton to cover his deficiencies and not be afraid of contact.

It's the best the Suns have right now. All about putting the best players on the court. Agree a defensive power forward remains a need.

In regard to Bridges I've come to think of him as a power forward.

 

[Mainstreet]

Lamar Green too.

That is going back some.

 

[Superbone]

That is going back some.

Even before my time.