2023 Playoffs: Suns-Nuggets Round 2 News Thread

[Flagrant Fowl]

Ayton has is own set of issues right now, but Jock isn't going to be better than him as a starter. A big reason why Jock has performed well is because he can come off the bench with more energy than his matchups. Jokic would work him over even more than he has Ayton.

[Flagrant Fowl]

I don't think we're done yet. We've got a decent shot in G6 and then G7, anything can happen. I like having Book and Durant in that scenario.

It's such a shame, because the rest of the playoff field looks so beatable.

There's always a chance to win with Booker and Durant, so you're right in having faith. I just think this series also require the Nuggets role players being MIA once again, and my gut is telling me they'll get just enough to eek out a win in Game 6.

I think the Suns have zero chance of winning a Game 7 in Denver barring a significant injury to Jokic or Murray.

[Gladiator]

Ayton has is own set of issues right now, but Jock isn't going to be better than him as a starter. A big reason why Jock has performed well is because he can come off the bench with more energy than his matchups. Jokic would work him over even more than he has Ayton.

Agreed. I like Landale a lot more off the bench than starting. Monty might be able to eke out a few more minutes for him but not as a starter

[ShelC]

Some post-practice videos from yesterday with Monty, Ross and Jock plus CP working out

Spoiler: show/hide

[Superbone]

Ayton has is own set of issues right now, but Jock isn't going to be better than him as a starter. A big reason why Jock has performed well is because he can come off the bench with more energy than his matchups. Jokic would work him over even more than he has Ayton.

I guess we'll see.

[INFORMER]

Jokic has stepped it up, but Denver still has some issues that make me doubt that they can win it all. Murray's confidence is shaky, and when his 3s aren't falling, he seems to shrink and get easily discouraged. They really need MPJ to be a scorer, but too often he just becomes a spot-up shooter. Denver was so deadly in the regular season because Aaron Gordon finally played aggressively. But I felt too many times in this series against the Suns that he reverted back to being a wallflower; maybe it was due to his defensive responsibilities.

They have championship potential, but I think they still could get knocked off.

[virtual9mm]

Jokic ha stepped it up, but Denver still has some issues that make me doubt that they can win it all. Murray's confidence is shaky, and when his 3s aren't falling, he seems to shrink and get easily discouraged. They really need MPJ to be a scorer, but too often he just becomes a spot-up shooter. Denver was so deadly in the regular season because Aaron Gordon finally played aggressively. But I felt too many times in this series against the Suns that he reverted back to being a wallflower; maybe it was due to his defensive responsibilities.

They have championship potential, but I think they still could get knocked off.

I don't see them winning, either.

Where were you the past weeks? Yes, I was skeptical of the Durant trade as well.

[INFORMER]

Haven't had a lot of spare time lately, but tonight was a big night.

[INFORMER]

I feel the Suns didn't attack Jokic. I felt like, besides rebounding, we didn't make him work on the defensive end.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Anyone can get knocked off. The Nuggets are the best team and play together better than anyone else besides maybe the Heat. I also don’t think anyone is going to win in Denver.

I have them as comfortable favorites.

[Shabazz]

I feel the Suns didn't attack Jokic. I felt like, besides rebounding, we didn't make him work on the defensive end.

This.

[Shabazz]

Anyone can get knocked off. The Nuggets are the best team and play together better than anyone else besides maybe the Heat. I also don’t think anyone is going to win in Denver.

I have them as comfortable favorites.

Also this.

[Superbone]

I feel the Suns didn't attack Jokic. I felt like, besides rebounding, we didn't make him work on the defensive end.

Agree about this. Everything appeared to be easy for him. On the offensive end too.

[Flagrant Fowl]

I feel the Suns didn't attack Jokic. I felt like, besides rebounding, we didn't make him work on the defensive end.

Agree about this. Everything appeared to be easy for him. On the offensive end too.

I don’t know how to stop his shots in the paint. Maybe AD will give him some trouble if it comes to that, but I’m not certain of it. I think Embiid is the best matchup but I have no doubt the Nuggets would get past the Sixers.

[INFORMER]

The Sixers are frustrating. I know Tatum finally started making shots, but the Sixers had so many opportunities to close it out. Maxey had some big misses, Harden did his disappearing act where he just started deferring, picking up his dribble without a plan, and refusing to try to get good shots when his team needed a bucket. They have the tools, the pieces, but it always feels like they shrink when the opportunity presents itself.

[Shabazz]

@suns

[Wally_West]

https://m.youtube.com/shorts/GRG1gnaC3e8

A nice video of our future GM and Head Coach
I kid, I kid.

Well, maybe half joking, there’s a decent chance Bob Myers is our next GM.

[JeremyG]

I gotta admit, as much grief as we gave him for it, I think James Jones really had something going before the trade deadline with the whole continuity thing. We were just starting to look really good as we got healthy before the trade.

[virtual9mm]

I gotta admit, as much grief as we gave him for it, I think James Jones really had something going before the trade deadline with the whole continuity thing. We were just starting to look really good as we got healthy before the trade.

What they had in the regular season last year was special. Really don't understand how it fell apart in those last few weeks.

[ShelC]

Jones is damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. If he added guys on the margins to make a more complete roster (like after the Finals), he wasn't doing enough. He held onto assets for the big trade, for Kevin Durant no less, and was left with a depleted roster and it's still his fault. Not to mention it was Ishbia pushing the deal thru giving up all those assets.

We knew going into the year that a trade was likely and would wipe out our depth. We saw him adding minimum guys like Lee (veteran 3pt shooter), Jock (hustle big) and Okogie (athletic defender) for depth around 2 go-to stars like Book and KD. There's only so much you can do with financial and roster restrictions in the middle of an ownership change.