Suns News: Season Resumes

[Charlie Smithy!]

Very sad news about Westphal. I was Googling it and it seems like most patients do not make it more than 5 years. Does anybody know more about this form of cancer?

It's glioblastoma, had a friend die of this - and quickly at that.

[Nodack]

Speaking of time. There is a game in 10 hours and no game day thread.

Unacceptable.

You’ve been paying attention to the pattern, right? There’s a reason I haven’t started one. The question is, why haven’t you?

The pressure of starting a game day thread on a serious winning streak is too much for me. I’m not taking the blame. That’s someone else’s job. That’s why you get the big bucks.

[Superbone]

Speaking of time. There is a game in 10 hours and no game day thread.

Unacceptable.

You’ve been paying attention to the pattern, right? There’s a reason I haven’t started one. The question is, why haven’t you?

The pressure of starting a game day thread on a serious winning streak is too much for me. I’m not taking the blame. That’s someone else’s job. That’s why you get the big bucks.

Nope, it’s got to be somebody other than me. I nominate you. It’s musical chairs. Somebody is going to have to be the fall guy. Or will they?

[Wally_West]

I kinda half expect no one making a game thread in time because of the fear of being blamed.

[LazarusLong]

As many of you probably know, Westphal is my favorite Suns player, so this is tough to hear.

Wishing the best to him and his family, he's always been a class guy.

Westphal is one of the smartest players to ever play for the Suns.

For such a smart player, he was really a disappointing coach.

Well ... he had a winning record as a coach. His record as a Suns coach wasn't anything to sniff at.
And his team got to the finals ... more than what we can say about D'Antoni.

Also, great players aren't always great coaches.
Exhibit A: Bill Russell who did very well with his teammates, had an uneven record with Seattle and Sacramento.

[bajanguy008]

A nationally televised game and a mainstream article in one week
I know Book speaks on Kobe alot but that part of this article is still

https://www.si.com/.amp/nba/2020/08/09/ ... ssion=true

[Split T]

There is a Woj podcast with Ayton as well

[ShelC]

Yea saw Woj tweeting about the podcast. I don't do podcasts but might have to listen to hear about how Monty reacted to hearing the suspension.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p ... 0487667276

[Split T]

ESPN has us 15th in the power rankings, here’s the blurb about us:

The longest winning streak in the NBA? The bubble Suns, rising to firmly assert themselves into the play-in picture with three games to go. Before the shutdown, the Suns ranked 16th in offensive rating (110.2) and 19th in defensive rating (111.3). In the bubble, the Suns are seventh offensively (115.0) and suddenly elite defensively, ranking fourth (107.0). One major area of improvement is how the Suns are holding up when Devin Booker sits. Pre-hiatus, their offensive rating dropped to 98.7 with him on the bench. In the bubble: 107.1. -- Young

[Oatmeal]

Yea saw Woj tweeting about the podcast. I don't do podcasts but might have to listen to hear about how Monty reacted to hearing the suspension.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p ... 0487667276

Ayton lives in his own world when it comes his own personal assessment.

[ShelC]

Yea I'm about halfway thru and it's getting a little cringe.

[Split T]

A nationally televised game and a mainstream article in one week
I know Book speaks on Kobe alot but that part of this article is still

https://www.si.com/.amp/nba/2020/08/09/ ... ssion=true

They really should move the suns-sixers to the Pelicans-Kings TNT slot tomorrow.

[Indy]

Yea I'm about halfway thru and it's getting a little cringe.

I likely won't listen. Does he take any responsibility at all?

[Indy]

A nationally televised game and a mainstream article in one week
I know Book speaks on Kobe alot but that part of this article is still

https://www.si.com/.amp/nba/2020/08/09/ ... ssion=true

They really should move the suns-sixers to the Pelicans-Kings TNT slot tomorrow.

They aren't giving up a Zion game.

[Nodack]

As many of you probably know, Westphal is my favorite Suns player, so this is tough to hear.

Wishing the best to him and his family, he's always been a class guy.

Westphal is one of the smartest players to ever play for the Suns.

For such a smart player, he was really a disappointing coach.

Well ... he had a winning record as a coach. His record as a Suns coach wasn't anything to sniff at.
And his team got to the finals ... more than what we can say about D'Antoni.

Also, great players aren't always great coaches.
Exhibit A: Bill Russell who did very well with his teammates, had an uneven record with Seattle and Sacramento.

I liked Whestphal. I really didn’t like the way Barkley disrespected him. I got the feeling Barkley just ignored everything Wesphal said all the time. Part of me was disappointed that Westphal just took it but, I suppose confronting your super star player who is known for being somewhat uncontrollable would be a risky move too.

[Split T]

A nationally televised game and a mainstream article in one week
I know Book speaks on Kobe alot but that part of this article is still

https://www.si.com/.amp/nba/2020/08/09/ ... ssion=true

They really should move the suns-sixers to the Pelicans-Kings TNT slot tomorrow.

They aren't giving up a Zion game.

Both teams are eliminated, honestly I don’t expect Zion to even play.

[ShelC]

Yea I'm about halfway thru and it's getting a little cringe.

I likely won't listen. Does he take any responsibility at all?

They don't get into what he took or why or responsibility. Just how he heard from the PA first and called Sarver, Jones, then went to Monty's room and told him.

It's more him talking himself up a bit, not egregious or anything, just how he became a student of the game during the suspension and how he's the anchor now calling things out, learning other teams' plays and other guys' moves and being right on it. How the NBA putting him in the bubble is the worst thing for the rest of the league because now he's so focused.

He's doesn't really come off bad, just more of the Ayton loud talk and kinda BS that doesn't hold up when you actually watch him play.

[specialsauce]

It’s all bullshit. I’m working so hard out there best shape of my life nobody can call me out on my effort so if I hold someone accountable they understand because they see how hard I’m working out there. BARF as he was sleepwalking last game, and has has a below average bubble by the eye test (from someone who was really happy with what he brought overall as the season went on this year)

[Split T]

DeAndre has been good defensively, no complaints there. The offense is where I want to see some changes. We have the 4th ranked defense in the bubble.

[Superbone]

Yea I'm about halfway thru and it's getting a little cringe.

I likely won't listen. Does he take any responsibility at all?

They don't get into what he took or why or responsibility. Just how he heard from the PA first and called Sarver, Jones, then went to Monty's room and told him.

It's more him talking himself up a bit, not egregious or anything, just how he became a student of the game during the suspension and how he's the anchor now calling things out, learning other teams' plays and other guys' moves and being right on it. How the NBA putting him in the bubble is the worst thing for the rest of the league because now he's so focused.

He's doesn't really come off bad, just more of the Ayton loud talk and kinda BS that doesn't hold up when you actually watch him play.

Where was that focus on Sunday when he was supposed to be getting his coronavirus test?!