Suns updates and discussion for the 2021-22 season

[Hoop Head]

I agree but I don't think having it come from an assistant will get us what we want (the right to play our style, just like the other good teams) I think he needs to make a point though. It's easy for me to say because it won't cost me anything but he needs to hammer the point home in post game interviews.

I think it would have worked coming from Willie Green last year. I don't know if any assistant with the team now has been as endeared by the team as Green but that's who I was thinking of when I thought of an assistant stepping up for the players while also taking the bullet instead of Monty.

 

[sportscentral]

we need to keep paul and ayton together

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[Ronin]

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[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

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That’s pretty crazy.

Bridges little pull up has become so good I’m surprised when he misses now. We have the most midrange game I can ever recall with Paul, book, bridges and all the float game.

 

[95pro]

That’s pretty crazy.

Bridges little pull up has become so good I’m surprised when he misses now. We have the most midrange game I can ever recall with Paul, book, bridges and all the float game.

Even ayton has a little push shot too.

 

[Mainstreet]

Dario Saric is looking good.

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[Proximo]

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This is just incredible. This says so much about our coaching.

 

[Ronin]

ICYMI on Twitter (Sam Cooper) Cam Paynes assist average is 9.9 since taking over for Chris Paul.

 

[Ronin]

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[Ronin]

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[Ronin]

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[Chaplin]

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The biggest thing I can think of, and I have no data to support this, is that we are possibly playing faster and actually have more possessions than we do with Chris Paul. I think efficiency would be a much better stat than this.

 

[Suns_fan69]

The biggest thing I can think of, and I have no data to support this, is that we are possibly playing faster and actually have more possessions than we do with Chris Paul. I think efficiency would be a much better stat than this.

That's a good hypothesis (and I thought for sure it'd be true) but doesn't seem to be the case. Checked here:

Split	Value	G	W	L	FG	FGA	3P	3PA	FT	FTA	ORB	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS	FG	FGA	3P	3PA	FT	FTA	ORB	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS
All-Star	Pre	58	48	10	43.2	89.7	11.3	31.3	16.0	20.2	10.1	46.2	27.0	8.5	4.2	12.4	19.2	113.7	39.1	88.9	11.4	34.4	15.9	21.1	10.5	44.5	22.3	7.4	4.0	14.1	19.2	105.5
	Post	12	8	4	44.8	89.8	13.4	34.4	15.4	18.5	7.9	41.9	29.3	8.7	5.2	11.7	20.5	118.5	39.7	87.6	12.1	34.1	18.5	24.1	10.3	43.5	23.7	8.2	3.9	13.8	17.6	109.9

So looks like the pace is pretty much the same - 89.7 vs 89.8 FGA, 88.9 vs 87.6 opponent FGA. So if anything, pace is down slightly.

* Edit, looks like the copy/paste job removed the larger headings, the first set of columns (ending at the first PTS column) is for Phoenix, the second set is for the Opponent.

 

[Phrazbit]

I suspect it is a combination of the team stepping up to fill the void and a very a weak schedule since the AS game.

I know one thing, we have not been as good in the clutch.

 

[Mainstreet]

I suspect it is a combination of the team stepping up to fill the void and a very a weak schedule since the AS game.

I know one thing, we have not been as good in the clutch.

I thought not being as good in the clutch might be an indicator of a faster pace as well.

Chris Paul was so good at controlling tempo.

 

[Hoop Head]

That's a good hypothesis (and I thought for sure it'd be true) but doesn't seem to be the case. Checked here:

Split	Value	G	W	L	FG	FGA	3P	3PA	FT	FTA	ORB	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS	FG	FGA	3P	3PA	FT	FTA	ORB	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS
All-Star	Pre	58	48	10	43.2	89.7	11.3	31.3	16.0	20.2	10.1	46.2	27.0	8.5	4.2	12.4	19.2	113.7	39.1	88.9	11.4	34.4	15.9	21.1	10.5	44.5	22.3	7.4	4.0	14.1	19.2	105.5
	Post	12	8	4	44.8	89.8	13.4	34.4	15.4	18.5	7.9	41.9	29.3	8.7	5.2	11.7	20.5	118.5	39.7	87.6	12.1	34.1	18.5	24.1	10.3	43.5	23.7	8.2	3.9	13.8	17.6	109.9

So looks like the pace is pretty much the same - 89.7 vs 89.8 FGA, 88.9 vs 87.6 opponent FGA. So if anything, pace is down slightly.

* Edit, looks like the copy/paste job removed the larger headings, the first set of columns (ending at the first PTS column) is for Phoenix, the second set is for the Opponent.

I wonder if Booker being out effected that also. The team seems to be much more comfortable now that Booker is back, despite CP3 being out. I know they did well without both but there were times when someone like Booker is needed to take over, Paul does the same.

They've been more deliberate without Paul because they've run more set plays since no one is that good at creating their own offense. Booker helps in that regard now.

 

[1tinsoldier]

i suspect the Suns sustained success without Paul is simply the application of team basketball at it's finest -- a system created by a GM who prioritized chemistry, a likable coach that players want to work hard for, and the smartest player in the game setting the right examples for 2 years. When Paul is on the floor the players defer to him for play-making the same way they tend to defer to Booker for scoring. When either one is out, other players step up their game in those departments. The system is still in place even when the pieces change.

but regardless of how well our system and chemistry is, to get back to the Finals we still must have Paul's experience and decision making at the end of games as well as Booker's desire and presence as an offensive threat.

 

[95pro]

The biggest thing I can think of, and I have no data to support this, is that we are possibly playing faster and actually have more possessions than we do with Chris Paul. I think efficiency would be a much better stat than this.

Cp3 is just so ball dominate. No cp3, Payne and Book play faster naturally. More ball movement, the quicker they get into their offense and allow for passes to be made.

 

[SunsTzu]

Cp3 is just so ball dominate. No cp3, Payne and Book play faster naturally. More ball movement, the quicker they get into their offense and allow for passes to be made.

I always felt this as well but his USG is actually well below most other ball dominate all-stars. He had a couple of years with LAC where it was in the 27 range but mostly it has been in the mid to low 20s(same a SSOL Nash) and this year he's had a career low 20.0. Most really ball dominate players are 30+.

 

[Mainstreet]

Awhile back it sounded encouraging the Suns would get Frank Kaminsky back for the playoffs. Now I'm not seeing or hearing much about him after often seeing him on the practice court.

The NBA injury report list him out with a "right knee; stress reaction". I don't remember seeing the knee part before.

With the season winding down I thought we would see him getting ramped up to play.

 

[Ronin]

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[Mainstreet]

The referees aren't calling the fouls Devin. Don't look for it. Complaining is fruitless.

Make the shots and maybe finally embarrass them into calling them.

 

[Ronin]

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[JCSunsfan]

i suspect the Suns sustained success without Paul is simply the application of team basketball at it's finest -- a system created by a GM who prioritized chemistry, a likable coach that players want to work hard for, and the smartest player in the game setting the right examples for 2 years. When Paul is on the floor the players defer to him for play-making the same way they tend to defer to Booker for scoring. When either one is out, other players step up their game in those departments. The system is still in place even when the pieces change.

but regardless of how well our system and chemistry is, to get back to the Finals we still must have Paul's experience and decision making at the end of games as well as Booker's desire and presence as an offensive threat.

Cp3 is just so ball dominate. No cp3, Payne and Book play faster naturally. More ball movement, the quicker they get into their offense and allow for passes to be made.

I think there is truth in both of these.

1. Book has consciously tried to play like a pg with CP3 out. Increased assists.
2. CamP has been back since Paul went out. He is the starter and he plays faster than CP3. Payne has also tried to distribute like a starting pg, rather than just use his speed like a second-string pg.
3. While it might not show in his individual stats, Holiday is not a ball stopper. So when he is on the floor the ball moves around.
4. The opponents have been weaker since the all-star break.
5. This team is continuing to gel more and more. The mutual trust among teammates is building and even more so now that they realize they can win without Paul.

All of these things lead to increased team assists and none of it is a knock on Paul.

 

[JCSunsfan]

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Combination of minutes per game and games played. Durability. I am so hoping that Mikal is one of those LeBron type of players in that he is just durable.