Thunder @ Suns game thread 1-7-18

[SirStefan32]

I'm hoping the Suns can keep their young players. Hopefully the Suns can swap draft picks if necessary and then add additional picks to sweeten the deal.

I tend to agree. I really want to see what Jackson, Bender, and Chriss turn into.

 

[Mainstreet]

Unfortunately, it's hard to imagine any team with a top 5 pick in this upcoming draft trading that pick.

But wow! If Bender, Chriss, and Jackson start to approach their potential...that opens up some other exciting paths to success.

Exactly. If these three players pan out in addition to Booker and Warren the Suns will have a bright future.

I'm not locked onto obtaining a top five pick because I do not want to be disappointed.

However, the Suns are due some luck.

If not, the Suns need to make their own luck and they have the draft picks to do it.

 

[Superbone]

Reed is still supposed to play tonight Superbone.

Nope, he was scratched before the game.

 

[Mainstreet]

Nope, he was scratched before the game.

This will teach me to listen to Lindsey Smith.

When she said it, I had to believe.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Best game I've seen from the young Suns

Bender 20 points, 6 Rebounds 3 Blocks

Jackson 17 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assist

Warren 23 points

Booker 26 points

Just a well balanced attack everyone was hitting the spacing was really good and I loved Warren just carving them up cutting to the basket.

Jackson is going to be a player

I would trade every pick we have plus anyone of Bender/Chriss or Warren for Donic this year

That's our young core right there. A win over a good team with our young core leading the way.

 

[Superbone]

This will teach me to listen to Lindsey Smith.

I'll listen to her all night... as long as I can see her too!

 

[Mainstreet]

I'll listen to her all night... as long as I can see her too!

Yes! Exactly. LOL

 

[Hoop Head]

Are the new draft odds going into effect this year or is that next year?

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Are the new draft odds going into effect this year or is that next year?

Next year, I'm almost positive.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

http://www.nba.com/article/2017/09/28/nba-board-governors-approves-changes-draft-lottery-system#/

NEW YORK -- The NBA Board of Governors today approved changes to the NBA Draft Lottery system that will reduce the odds so that the teams with the three worst records will share the same chance of receiving the No. 1 overall draft pick. The modifications to the NBA Draft Lottery will be implemented for the 2019 NBA Draft.

 

[pokerface]

'Great to see Bender hitting 3's tonight, but he was pretty much left open. I wouldn't jump to any conclusions based upon one game.

Bender was playing great defense too and he's shown flashes of it in prior games. I think this was a breakout game for him.

 

[BC867]

Bender was playing great defense too and he's shown flashes of it in prior games. I think this was a breakout game for him.

That would be great. What do you think his potential is going against the Power Forwards of the league? Vs. either starters or reserves.

Especially with his lack of rebounding. Even those that he gets seem to be opportunity rebounds. Or is he just a Shooting Guard who happens to be 7' tall? A high instant-offense player vs. a role in the rotation?

 

[JCSunsfan]

That would be great. What do you think his potential is going against the Power Forwards of the league? Vs. either starters or reserves.

Especially with his lack of rebounding. Even those that he gets seem to be opportunity rebounds. Or is he just a Shooting Guard who happens to be 7' tall? A high instant-offense player vs. a role in the rotation?

He's the new Alan Adams. I sure you love that, BC!

 

[Hoop Head]

That would be great. What do you think his potential is going against the Power Forwards of the league? Vs. either starters or reserves.

Especially with his lack of rebounding. Even those that he gets seem to be opportunity rebounds. Or is he just a Shooting Guard who happens to be 7' tall? A high instant-offense player vs. a role in the rotation?

It's odd because other than his rebounding, he is a PF. He can guard PF's well, and even some Centers. He's just not a good rebounder. He could have had quite a few more rebounds tonight if he grabbed the ball rather than trying to hit it. Some times it seemed he was just swatting the boards away, in no direction other than away from the OKC player who was also going for the board. When Chandler does the same, he taps it towards a Suns player but Bender just swats it wildly. Offensively he's more of a SF but the way the NBA is now almost all players can play out to the 3 point line so position there doesn't matter as much. Bender needs to be paired with a strong rebounder though, I think Big Sauce and Bender would make a solid frontcourt since they're both odd sizes for their positions but Williams is a great rebounder and Bender is a really long shooter with good handles that could guard players too big for Williams.

 

[Shaggy]

Nice win!

 

[SirStefan32]

Nice thing about Bender is that he plays defense consistently. He still makes some mistakes, but for the most part, you can count on him defensively every on every possession. Offense will come. His three-point shot keeps getting better, and he shows the ability to drive to the hoop every once in a while. He just needs to keep being aggressive and confident, and he will be fine.

As far as rebounding goes, I am not sure what his deal is. He blocks out well enough, and the Suns centers have been doing a good job rebounding. Offensively, he plays too far away from the basket. Now, that's fine, but when the shot goes up, he really needs to go for some offensive rebounds.

EDIT: I still maintain that he will be most successful as a Center. He still needs to add twenty pounds of muscle, but he will be more effective as a Center than anything else.

 

[pokerface]

That would be great. What do you think his potential is going against the Power Forwards of the league? Vs. either starters or reserves.

Especially with his lack of rebounding. Even those that he gets seem to be opportunity rebounds. Or is he just a Shooting Guard who happens to be 7' tall? A high instant-offense player vs. a role in the rotation?

Well the rebounding is a shortcoming but at least he plays defense which is very much needed. Plus his three shooting is getting more and more deadly. He was very instrumental in tonights win.

 

[JCSunsfan]

It's odd because other than his rebounding, he is a PF. He can guard PF's well, and even some Centers. He's just not a good rebounder. He could have had a quite a few more rebounds tonight if he grabbed the ball rather than trying to hit it. Some times it seemed he was just swatting the boards away, in no direction other than away from the OKC player who was also going for the board. When Chandler does the same, he taps it towards a Suns player but Bender just swats it wildly. Offensively he's more of a SF but the way the NBA is now almost all players can play out to the 3 point line so position there doesn't matter as much. Bender needs to be paired with a strong rebounder though, I think Big Sauce and Bender would make a solid frontcourt since they're both odd sizes for their positions but Williams is a great rebounder and Bender is a really long shooter with good handles that could guard players too big for Williams.

He and Sauce would be a good fit. Yep.

 

[pokerface]

He and Sauce would be a good fit. Yep.

Like had been alluded to...their games would probably compliment each other.

Still, I hope someday Bender will crash the boards!

 

[Phrazbit]

Bender and Jackson with their best games as pros.

But props to whoever it was on here that liked Adams a lot going into the '13 draft. He's good, even with Len piecing it together somewhat this season (tonight aside), Adams is unselfish, smart, physical. When Adams is on the court you are always aware of his presence, which is basically the opposite of Len for most of his career.

 

[Mainstreet]

Bender and Jackson with their best games as pros.

But props to whoever it was on here that liked Adams a lot going into the '13 draft. He's good, even with Len piecing it together somewhat this season (tonight aside), Adams is unselfish, smart, physical. When Adams is on the court you are always aware of his presence, which is basically the opposite of Len for most of his career.

@SunsTzu was the first poster I recall that talked up Steven Adams.

 

[SunsTzu]

@SunsTzu was the first poster I recall that talked up Steven Adams.

To be fair I also thought Gobert would be a massive bust.

 

[Mainstreet]

To be fair I also thought Gobert would be a massive bust.

A lot of teams passed on Gobert. However, you were right on Adams.

 

[JCSunsfan]

A lot of teams passed on Gobert. However, you were right on Adams.

Adams is just one of the most physically intimidating/imposing players in the league. He is not just tall, his frame is huge.

 

[Mainstreet]

Adams is just one of the most physically intimidating/imposing players in the league. He is not just tall, his frame is huge.

He is indeed massive.