Re: Game Day: Suns (3-1) @ Jazz (2-1), Thurs 12/31/20
Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2021 6:30 am
Great win especially against the Jazz. We were shorthanded in the preseason against them and still figuring things out so part of me was a little concerned because they always play tough and the other part of me was like "these guys can't be this good". We locked down on everyone last night and kept them in check. Mitchell was frustrated most of the night and only shook free a few times but Ingles and Bojan were shut down and Clarkson was mental most of the game. Conley was OK but he's not a guy who really asserts himself and wasn't a big threat. It's crazy how good our defense was tho and not just taking away one thing but guarding everyone throughout an entire possession. Little breakdowns, no one taking a play off, no weak link. They made a bit of a run late but that was more because we started taking plays off on offense and putting up some quick 3s. Should've won by more as we were up by 19 at one point.
Ayton, despite the boxscore and some softness on offense, actually played a pretty good game I thought. I think he's done a good job protecting the paint and if he's not blocking shots, it feels like he's changing them just by being solid. Offense is another story as he looks completely out of sorts. Again, I don't think he's a PnR big and has trouble catching the ball on the move with enough coordination and orientation to score the way he needs to. It's almost like Shaq running PnR with Nash. Some bigs don't have the timing or footwork or hands. He's almost never ready to catch the ball or finds himself too far away from the basket or too far underneath when he catches it. He's certainly athletic and coordinated, just not in PnR situations. Gotta figure something out because he looks completely lost and almost dejected offensively. I don't think guys have quit on him by any means but they certainly are frustrated at times. I'm hoping he breaks out of it somehow or Monty schemes a way to get him some offensive to get him going touches. I'd be fine with his middy if he would just take it right away, in rhythm. Just looks like he's thinking too much and trying too hard to make the play in the paint that he's obviously not comfortable with. Take the jumper, take the fadeaway when it's there.
The rest of the team was really solid offensively. Book got it going near the end of the 1st half after looking like he was dragging. He took over down the stretch and it's nice having a guy to give the ball to as your "closer". Still too many TOs but I think those will get cut out over time. Paul was solid also, really playing some good defense and picking his spots in the midrange which really helps soften up the defense.
Our swings were dominant last night. Mikal and Jae 12-20 FGs and 8-15 from 3. 16pts, 6rbs and 2stls from each in 37 minutes. Terrific defense, Mikal took care of Mitchell most of the night. Love what these two bring. Cam Johnson was great in the 2nd half after a quiet 1st half. 4-4 FGs and 2-2 from 3. Cam Payne kept it going with some penetration and some 3s.
Dario's line was ugly but he was really impactful on both ends. Just solid defense on the interior and almost Boris-like with his passing and screening to keep things moving on offense. He's not super quick or athletic but just knows how to play and plays tough. I'm still concerned with our lack of size off the bench, but it's working for now.
Monty seems to have settled on a 8-10 man rotation on any given night with Payne, Johnson and Dario the core part of the bench and Gallo and Carter picking up some other minutes. He's also mixing up the lineups well and it seems like all the guys can play well with each other without any dropoff. I would like to see Cam Johnson pick up a few more minutes and get into that 22-25 minute range but with Mikal and Jae playing well it's hard to do.
Now onto Denver...if we can beat them it'll really put us the map I think.
Ayton, despite the boxscore and some softness on offense, actually played a pretty good game I thought. I think he's done a good job protecting the paint and if he's not blocking shots, it feels like he's changing them just by being solid. Offense is another story as he looks completely out of sorts. Again, I don't think he's a PnR big and has trouble catching the ball on the move with enough coordination and orientation to score the way he needs to. It's almost like Shaq running PnR with Nash. Some bigs don't have the timing or footwork or hands. He's almost never ready to catch the ball or finds himself too far away from the basket or too far underneath when he catches it. He's certainly athletic and coordinated, just not in PnR situations. Gotta figure something out because he looks completely lost and almost dejected offensively. I don't think guys have quit on him by any means but they certainly are frustrated at times. I'm hoping he breaks out of it somehow or Monty schemes a way to get him some offensive to get him going touches. I'd be fine with his middy if he would just take it right away, in rhythm. Just looks like he's thinking too much and trying too hard to make the play in the paint that he's obviously not comfortable with. Take the jumper, take the fadeaway when it's there.
The rest of the team was really solid offensively. Book got it going near the end of the 1st half after looking like he was dragging. He took over down the stretch and it's nice having a guy to give the ball to as your "closer". Still too many TOs but I think those will get cut out over time. Paul was solid also, really playing some good defense and picking his spots in the midrange which really helps soften up the defense.
Our swings were dominant last night. Mikal and Jae 12-20 FGs and 8-15 from 3. 16pts, 6rbs and 2stls from each in 37 minutes. Terrific defense, Mikal took care of Mitchell most of the night. Love what these two bring. Cam Johnson was great in the 2nd half after a quiet 1st half. 4-4 FGs and 2-2 from 3. Cam Payne kept it going with some penetration and some 3s.
Dario's line was ugly but he was really impactful on both ends. Just solid defense on the interior and almost Boris-like with his passing and screening to keep things moving on offense. He's not super quick or athletic but just knows how to play and plays tough. I'm still concerned with our lack of size off the bench, but it's working for now.
Monty seems to have settled on a 8-10 man rotation on any given night with Payne, Johnson and Dario the core part of the bench and Gallo and Carter picking up some other minutes. He's also mixing up the lineups well and it seems like all the guys can play well with each other without any dropoff. I would like to see Cam Johnson pick up a few more minutes and get into that 22-25 minute range but with Mikal and Jae playing well it's hard to do.
Now onto Denver...if we can beat them it'll really put us the map I think.