Game Day: Suns (3-12) @ 76ers (11-7), Mon 11/19/18

[Superbone]

Time: 5:00 pm AZ (4:00 pm PT/7:00 pm ET)
Place: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
TV: FSAZ/NBA TV

Those of us outside Arizona are blessed with the Players Only NBA TV broadcast. (Yuck.) It's the first of many times Deandre Ayton will match up with Joel Embiid. This will also be the 4th game of Jimmy Butler's career with the 76ers. He was instrumental in their last win with a block and save on the defensive end followed by hitting the game winner on the other end in OT. Let's just say that the Suns have their work cut out for themselves.

Go Suns!!!

Dis • cuss

[TOO]

Looks like a reddit game for me since it'll be blacked out on LP because on nbatv. Sigh, and its players only which is a total dumpster fire in itself. Hoping Embiid doesnt totally ruin Ayton.

[Democritus]

Not happy to say that but Embiid will kick DA's ass. He will try to send a message to folks who compared Ayton to him. I hope it doesn't get too ugly to watch. Just expecting a competetive loss and another double-digit assist number from Book.

[Indy]

I except Ayton to be more engaged in this game than any so far. Not sure he will be able to do his thing against Embiid, but it will not be due to lack of effort.

[Xylus]

I predict a win

[bajanguy008]

Ayton trying his luck with Embiid might be the biggest story but just a reminder of draft night....

So yup MIKAL's first "Home" game with I'm sure his proud Mom and loads of family n friends guaranteed to be there. Would have been good if Ariza was Out tonight to potentially not screw with his playing time

[Wormwood]

*SPLAT*

Tough to see how the Suns win here. Too many terrible players. Too many holes. No PF. No PG. SG and C who play zero defense. Neither does Warren. Team desperately needs:

PG who can pass, hit the three (Tyus Jones would be a very good option here)

3 and D PF (a la Channing Frye 2009-2010)

[AmareIsGod]

A C who plays zero defense is a total stretch.

[Indy]

*SPLAT*

Tough to see how the Suns win here. Too many terrible players. Too many holes. No PF. No PG. SG and C who play zero defense. Neither does Warren. Team desperately needs:

PG who can pass, hit the three (Tyus Jones would be a very good option here)

3 and D PF (a la Channing Frye 2009-2010)

I agree it is tough to see how the suns win this one. But...

Like AIG said, Frye was never a 3-D. He was all stretch.

And TJ Warren has been an incredibly effective PF for us this year.

Last, who are the "too many terrible players" that have been getting minutes the last few games?

[AmareIsGod]

Lol Indy.

[Wormwood]

*SPLAT*

Tough to see how the Suns win here. Too many terrible players. Too many holes. No PF. No PG. SG and C who play zero defense. Neither does Warren. Team desperately needs:

PG who can pass, hit the three (Tyus Jones would be a very good option here)

3 and D PF (a la Channing Frye 2009-2010)

I agree it is tough to see how the suns win this one. But...

Like AIG said, Frye was never a 3-D. He was all stretch.

And TJ Warren has been an incredibly effective PF for us this year.

Last, who are the "too many terrible players" that have been getting minutes the last few games?

1. Channing Frye had the 2nd best defensive rating on the team in 2009-2010. He also had the best net +/- per 48 on the team that year, ahead of even Nash.

2. Despite Warren's extreme offensive efficiency, his defensive liabilities put him behind Bridges, Ayton, and Booker in terms of on court effect (Net +/- per 48). His defensive numbers over the years have been... awful. (3rd worst among SFs last year).

Daniels, Troy SG 9.032258065
Bridges, Mikal SF 2.923857868
Ayton, Deandre C -7.04587156
Booker, Devin SG -7.052341598
Warren, TJ SF -9.661266568
Holmes, Richaun PF -10.31900139
Anderson, Ryan PF -10.98039216
Canaan, Isaiah PG -11.58953722
Bender, Dragan PF -13.02325581
Okobo, Elie PG -13.29319687
Ariza, Trevor SF -17.30424799
Melton, De'Anthony PG -18.28571429
Jackson, Josh SF -18.46857143
Crawford, Jamal SG -19.26421405
Chandler, Tyson C -36.17547807

3. Josh Jackson has a per of 4.95. His net +/- per 48 numbers are horrific. He's averaging 17.5 mpg this year. Anderson has also been terrible in terms of both PER (5.67) and net +/-. He's averaging 20.4 mpg over 12 games. Trevor Ariza has been putrid as well: 10.28 PER, awful net +/- per 48, and defensive rating on a par with TJ Warren and Devon Booker. He's averaging 33.5 mpg in 13 games this year.

So yes, we have been putting a lot of awful players on the court for extended minutes over this season. The only reason we've looked a little better the last few games is that ANderson, Ariza have been seeing fewer minutes. Problem is, only Bridges and Warren are an improvement. Jackson isn't much of one, if at all. Neither is Dragan bender.

Honestly, someone needs to give Alan Williams a call and see if he can get some minutes at PF/C. Yeah, he's not a stretch 4. But he's competent defensively, rebounds, and actually plays with some energy. He also can move the ball around well for a 4/5.

[In2ition]

*SPLAT*

Tough to see how the Suns win here. Too many terrible players. Too many holes. No PF. No PG. SG and C who play zero defense. Neither does Warren. Team desperately needs:

PG who can pass, hit the three (Tyus Jones would be a very good option here)

3 and D PF (a la Channing Frye 2009-2010)

If they play zero defense, wouldn't it be advantageous for the Suns to just let them cherry pick and stay on the offensive end?

[Mori Chu]

This one could get very ugly. Sixers have Butler and are starting to come together. I could see them beating us by 30+.

[Indy]

Worm, saying Frye was the 2nd best defensive player on our team that year is like saying the same thing this year. At best he was middle of the pack in the league (based on DWS and D-rating). Hard to call a guy a 3-D guy when he plays average D.

As far as TJ goes, again, saying we have no PF is disingenuous. You can not like him, or think he needs to pass more or play more defense. I agree. But he has still been a very effective PF for us. There are 78 guys in the league that play significant minutes at the 3/4 without playing any guard/center. TJ is 8th in PER at 19.2. This isn't like PG where we have a borderline NBA player starting for us. We have a legit starting PF.

On you 3rd point about who is playing a lot and how much they suck, you pointed out Anderson and Ariza haven't been playing of late... that was my point. It only leaves Jackson with significant minutes, and I have a hard time saying JJ alone is "too many awful" players.

I share your outlook on the game, just not for the hyperbolic reasoning.

[Superbone]

[Superbone]

I hope Bridges gets to start tonight.

[Indy]

me too. Any word on Ariza? Still away for personal reasons?

[Indy]

Never mind...

[TOO]

Never mind...

Drats.

[Cap]

Just because he’s back doesn’t mean K has to start him.

Come on, Coach. Give us fans what we want. Start Bridges and Warren.