Suns News: Week 5 (11/14 - 11/20)

Discussion of the league and of our favorite team.
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Shabazz
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Suns News: Week 5 (11/14 - 11/20)

Post by Shabazz »

Last Week's Games

DATEOPPONENTRESULTW-LHI POINTSHI REBOUNDSHI ASSISTS
Mon, Nov 8@SacramentoW109-1046-3Payne 24Booker 9Booker 6
Wed, Nov 10vs PortlandW119-1097-3Kaminsky 31McGee 8Paul 7
Fri, Nov 12@ MemphisW119-948-3Booker 17Johnson 7Paul 12
Sun, Nov 14@ HoustonW115-899-3Booker 26McGee 14Booker 6
This Week's Games
DATEOPPONENTTIMETV
Mon, Nov 15@ Minnesota5:00 PMNBALP
Wed, Nov 17vs Dallas7:00 PMESPN
Fri, Nov 19vs Dallas7:00 PMESPN
Suns Power Rankings
NBA.com
#5 (Last week 10)
Record: 9-3
Pace: 102.4 (4) OffRtg: 109.1 (8) DefRtg: 104.0 (8) NetRtg: +5.1 (5)

Remember when the Suns were 1-3? Whether or not that’s enough games to qualify as a “slow start,” they now have league’s longest winning streak of the young season. They’ve won the eight games with Deandre Ayton having missed six and without a ton of offense from Devin Booker. Because who needs Ayton and Booker when you have Frank Kaminsky? The Suns’ third-string center (fourth string if you want to consider the injured Dario Saric) scored a career-high 31 points in the Suns’ win over Portland on Wednesday and might be ready to challenge Chris Paul for the title of best short-mid-range shooter on the team.

The Suns have allowed less than a point per possession over the winning streak, climbing into the top 10 defensively with their last three opponents having shot 21-for-95 (22%) from 3-point range. They ranked 21st defensively and 28th in opponent 3-point percentage just a week ago, so that is some rapid regression to the mean.

It’s also a soft schedule. The last seven wins have come against teams that currently have losing records, though Memphis was 6-5 before they got thumped by the visiting Suns on Friday. After they end a three-game trip in Minnesota on Monday (the second game of a back-to-back), the Suns will play seven of their next eight games against teams currently above .500.
ESPN
#3 (Last week 7)
JaVale McGee has had to step up with Deandre Ayton missing time this season, and he had his biggest game of the year on Sunday in a big win against the Rockets. In just 25 minutes, McGee had 19 points, 14 rebounds and 3 blocks. He became just the 10th NBA player to hit those marks in a game in as little as 25 minutes. In six starts this season, McGee is averaging 12 points and 7.5 rebounds. Phoenix is 6-0 in those games. -- Lopez
Sports Illustrated
#3 (Last week 8)
Even without Deandre Ayton the Suns have straightened out a bumpy start and look again like a formidable championship contender. Frank Kaminsky has provided some quality minutes in a backup capacity and Chris Paul continues to dominate the assists leader board. There are no revelations beyond that: Phoenix is very good.
The Athletic
#3 (Last week 6)
Weekly slate: Win at Kings, Win over Blazers, Win at Grizzlies, Win at Rockets

How did the chaos hit the Phoenix Suns? Sure, the Suns got off to a slow start considering how good they were last season, but the real chaos has come away from the court for them. First, it seemed like Robert Sarver being so adamantly against a Deandre Ayton max extension was going to be the craziest team governor happening possible. Then we saw the report from ESPN about the toxic work environment from Sarver and other departments over the last 17 years. The Suns and their CVS receipt-long run of statements denying these allegations were just punctuated even more by Penny Sarver confirming she’s been sending text messages to former staffers. It hasn’t affected the Suns on the court lately, but it’s safe to wonder if there are more distractions on the way.

Why is the team here this week? The Suns have been on a run lately, and I don’t care that it’s against an easier stretch of the schedule. You just want to see the same process we saw from them last season, and that appears to have returned.

Author’s note: The Suns have been moved back into the Contenders tier on a probationary basis with them winning eight straight games as the schedule softened up a little bit.
Links
BSOTS: Inside the Suns - Topics: Who has exceeded and who has fallen short of preseason expectations?

Phoenix Suns’ defense remains active vs. Rockets in 8th straight victory

Mikal Bridges Ranks His Phoenix Suns Teammates’ Outfits

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SunsRIt
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Re: Suns News: Week 5 (11/14 - 11/20)

Post by SunsRIt »

I just have to wonder at this point what the extent of Ayton’s injury is. Is he actually injured or playing the “I’m hurt” card? Is the injury worse than the Suns are letting on?

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Split T
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Re: Suns News: Week 5 (11/14 - 11/20)

Post by Split T »

They moved him to questionable for tonight’s game. Sounds like he’ll be playing soon. It does seem strange though when he initially seemed to play just fine with the injury.

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Superbone
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Re: Suns News: Week 5 (11/14 - 11/20)

Post by Superbone »

Speaking of tonight's game, who's starting the game day thread? It's like a game of pass the bomb. Who's willing to risk blowing the winning streak or get past one more hurdle?
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Mori Chu
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Re: Suns News: Week 5 (11/14 - 11/20)

Post by Mori Chu »

Wow, nice weekly thread! Love all the tables and info. Not to jinx anything, but I think we can win all 3 of our games this week. I don't believe in Dallas; I think we can take them both times.

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bajanguy008
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Re: Suns News: Week 5 (11/14 - 11/20)

Post by bajanguy008 »

Never was worried about Ayton and I think the staff handled it well. We didn't exactly play many quality opponents in this stretch so just taking time was fine with me.
SUNS Fan from the Land of Sun, Sea and Sand ;)

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Flagrant Fowl
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Re: Suns News: Week 5 (11/14 - 11/20)

Post by Flagrant Fowl »

Speaking of quality opponents, the rest of November is going to be spicy.

11/17 - Dallas
11/19 - Dallas
11/21 - Denver
11/22 - @San Antonio
11/24 - @Cleveland
11/26 - @New York
11/27 - @Brooklyn

IMO, only the Spurs game is "easy", and I'd be fine with 4-3 over the next 7 games.
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Superbone
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Re: Suns News: Week 5 (11/14 - 11/20)

Post by Superbone »

Flagrant Fowl wrote:
Mon Nov 15, 2021 11:05 pm
Speaking of quality opponents, the rest of November is going to be spicy.

11/17 - Dallas
11/19 - Dallas
11/21 - Denver
11/22 - @San Antonio
11/24 - @Cleveland
11/26 - @New York
11/27 - @Brooklyn

IMO, only the Spurs game is "easy", and I'd be fine with 4-3 over the next 7 games.
I would never call a Spurs game easy whether in quotes or not. At least not as long as Pop is still coaching there.
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Flagrant Fowl
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Re: Suns News: Week 5 (11/14 - 11/20)

Post by Flagrant Fowl »

Eh, the Spurs suck.
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Flagrant Fowl
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Re: Suns News: Week 5 (11/14 - 11/20)

Post by Flagrant Fowl »



Good interview with Mikal even if you're not interested in the goofy fashion.

Glad to see he still respects his vet because everyone knows Jae Crowder looks like a walking carpet in that track suit.
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Indy
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Re: Suns News: Week 5 (11/14 - 11/20)

Post by Indy »

Flagrant Fowl wrote:
Mon Nov 15, 2021 11:05 pm
Speaking of quality opponents, the rest of November is going to be spicy.

11/17 - Dallas
11/19 - Dallas
11/21 - Denver
11/22 - @San Antonio
11/24 - @Cleveland
11/26 - @New York
11/27 - @Brooklyn

IMO, only the Spurs game is "easy", and I'd be fine with 4-3 over the next 7 games.
Any team on the 2nd night of a back to back, and it being the 3rd game in 4 days makes it hard.

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ShelC
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Re: Suns News: Week 5 (11/14 - 11/20)

Post by ShelC »




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AmareIsGod
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Re: Suns News: Week 5 (11/14 - 11/20)

Post by AmareIsGod »

I really liked that Amare guy. Had a lot of exciting plays for us. Definitely a fearless dunker.
What is smallball? I play basketball. I'm not a regular big man. I can switch from the center to the guards. The game is evolving. I'd be dominAyton if the WNBA would let me in. - Ayton

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Split T
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Re: Suns News: Week 5 (11/14 - 11/20)

Post by Split T »




Just wanted to give you guys the same jolt I got..whether that’s excitement or disgust haha(it’s fake)
Last edited by Split T on Tue Nov 16, 2021 1:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Superbone
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Re: Suns News: Week 5 (11/14 - 11/20)

Post by Superbone »

AmareIsGod wrote:
Tue Nov 16, 2021 10:48 am
I really liked that Amare guy. Had a lot of exciting plays for us. Definitely a fearless dunker.
Huh. I couldn't tell, @AmareIsGod.

Yep, one of my all-time favorite Suns players. I still remember seeing him in Huntington Beach after drafted by the Suns at a pro summer league before his rookie season. Most ferocious Sun ever!
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Flagrant Fowl
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Re: Suns News: Week 5 (11/14 - 11/20)

Post by Flagrant Fowl »

Split T wrote:
Tue Nov 16, 2021 12:58 pm



Just wanted to give you guys the same jolt I got..whether that’s excitement or disgust haha(it’s fake)
I almost poured hot coffee on myself.
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Drewsprocket
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Re: Suns News: Week 5 (11/14 - 11/20)

Post by Drewsprocket »

Split T wrote:
Tue Nov 16, 2021 12:58 pm



Just wanted to give you guys the same jolt I got..whether that’s excitement or disgust haha(it’s fake)
I almost crapped my pants and tried to justify that it’s ok. Lol. Then I realized the account.

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Split T
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Re: Suns News: Week 5 (11/14 - 11/20)

Post by Split T »

Glad to pass on the feeling, haha

BigLewy
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Re: Suns News: Week 5 (11/14 - 11/20)

Post by BigLewy »

Jeez, I read that and audibly gasped, then laughed at the rising star part.

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AmareIsGod
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Re: Suns News: Week 5 (11/14 - 11/20)

Post by AmareIsGod »

Wow. I about shit myself when I saw that at first!
What is smallball? I play basketball. I'm not a regular big man. I can switch from the center to the guards. The game is evolving. I'd be dominAyton if the WNBA would let me in. - Ayton

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