Suns News 12/14/20-12/20/20

[ShelC]

Carey's slackin' on his mackin' so I'll give it a shot:

We took the L on Saturday in our first preseason matchup with the Jazz, looking for some revenge tonight with CP in the lineup and maybe Crowder. No Cam, No Payne, No Dario

Last Week's Game
@ Utah LOSS 105-119

This Week's Games
Monday, December 14th @ Utah 9:00 PM EST
Wednesday, December 16th vs LA Lakers 9:00 PM EST
Friday, December 18th vs LA Lakers 10:30 PM EST

Suns Stories

Suns expect to improve in 2nd go vs. Utah; Damian Jones impresses -- https://arizonasports.com/story/2479070 ... impresses/

Center of the Sun: Suns lose first preseason game to Jazz, rematch tonight -- https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2020 ... onight-nba

Some love in the ESPN offseason survey for teams that could surprise but also left off the list for best offseason
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/304 ... yers-teams

And here's CP cookin' the rook

[Flagrant Fowl]

You know it's elementary when Paul provides his own sound effects on each dribble hesitation.

[Superbone]

That's what you do to a rook!

[Mori Chu]

Thanks for making the thread!

[carey]

I never start them until week 1.

[Split T]

What do we think of Jalen at the 4 so far? He actually seems to have the offensive game for the 4. I haven’t seen enough of him defensively there yet. He got switched onto Mitchell at one point and I made note of it. I was hoping to see if he could stay with him on the drive, but he backed up too much and Mitchell just hit a 3.

I’d like to see him at the 5 too. He does seem too small at the moment to play a lot of minutes there. A Saric/Smith combo could pair nicely though off the bench.

[Indy]

What do we think of Jalen at the 4 so far? He actually seems to have the offensive game for the 4. I haven’t seen enough of him defensively there yet. He got switched onto Mitchell at one point and I made note of it. I was hoping to see if he could stay with him on the drive, but he backed up too much and Mitchell just hit a 3.

I’d like to see him at the 5 too. He does seem too small at the moment to play a lot of minutes there. A Saric/Smith combo could pair nicely though off the bench.

I think he is moving better than I expected on offense. And is more aggressive than I expected from a rookie. All good signs so far. Kinda the opposite of our center.

[O_Gardino]

Jalen has the habits of a center on defense. A few times he tried to float down and cover the basket when he should have stayed on the shooter. That's fine, he can learn new habits. I like that he wants to go stop the ball and make a play.

[ShelC]

He seems a little stiff, mechanical compared to taller faceup players with more natural perimeter games but his shot looks pure and he showed (at least last night) he can put in on the floor and make a move towards the basket. More of a straight line driver than a big with handles but in some matchups it should be good enough. I would've liked to have seen him more at the 5 as well with either the starters or backup guards as the main big. Monty may not trust him yet or want to throw too much at him but he used Motley and Jones in that kind of role.

[Mori Chu]

I never start them until week 1.

You the OG and the GOAT.

[Mori Chu]

What do we think of Jalen at the 4 so far?

I wanted him to be a 4, and maybe he can play some time there. But he seems to have the overall stiffness and movement of a small center to me. I do like his game and am encouraged by his play so far.

[O_Gardino]

He seems a little stiff, mechanical compared to taller faceup players with more natural perimeter games but his shot looks pure and he showed (at least last night) he can put in on the floor and make a move towards the basket. More of a straight line driver than a big with handles but in some matchups it should be good enough. I would've liked to have seen him more at the 5 as well with either the starters or backup guards as the main big. Monty may not trust him yet or want to throw too much at him but he used Motley and Jones in that kind of role.

I think Monty knows what he has in Stix and wants to see more of the other guys.

[ShelC]

Eh Stix is still a rook who never got SL play or a real training camp. I'm sure he wants to get a look at all those guys but he was talking up Damian Jones. We'll see if he can carve out a role.

I know we're still missing Saric and Crowder but wouldn't mind adding a vet like Taj who we know can defend and rebound in case Saric misses tme or Ayton mails it in for a game or 7. Dedmon is out there, Tolliver isn't great but isn't signed.

[Wally_West]

Hmm.

[Superbone]

What do we think of Jalen at the 4 so far? He actually seems to have the offensive game for the 4. I haven’t seen enough of him defensively there yet. He got switched onto Mitchell at one point and I made note of it. I was hoping to see if he could stay with him on the drive, but he backed up too much and Mitchell just hit a 3.

I’d like to see him at the 5 too. He does seem too small at the moment to play a lot of minutes there. A Saric/Smith combo could pair nicely though off the bench.

He looks like a pure 4 in the NBA to me. Maybe after he puts on more weight he can slide into the 5 position occasionally.

[Indy]

Hmm.

Hmm, indeed. I get the no practicing today after playing last night and it being pre-season. But I would have expected some media availability.

[Superbone]

Hmm.

Hmm, indeed. I get the no practicing today after playing last night and it being pre-season. But I would have expected some media availability.

Is it a travel day or did they leave SLC last night. Either way, that may have a lot to do with it.

[ShelC]

I think they're all taking turns pink-bellying Ayton.

[Indy]

Hmm.

Hmm, indeed. I get the no practicing today after playing last night and it being pre-season. But I would have expected some media availability.

Is it a travel day or did they leave SLC last night. Either way, that may have a lot to do with it.

They have their own plane, right? Why would anyone stay in SLC over night instead of sleeping in your own bed?

[Superbone]

Hmm.

Hmm, indeed. I get the no practicing today after playing last night and it being pre-season. But I would have expected some media availability.

Is it a travel day or did they leave SLC last night. Either way, that may have a lot to do with it.

They have their own plane, right? Why would anyone stay in SLC over night instead of sleeping in your own bed?

Good point! And this is coming from a guy that had his own bed in SLC for about 7 months of his life.