Game Day: Suns (1-1) @ Clippers (2-0), Sun 10/23/22

[JeremyG]

I don’t have a clue who that is

Lol, longtime NBA broadcaster, currently the Blazers' TV play-by-play.

Did he spend the whole broadcast talking about how Ayton is the next Shaq? If not, then no he doesn’t have the same blinders.

Stop claiming that's what I'm saying. We were talking about whether you have to dribble a lot to be a max-worthy center, or whether your teammates should be able to find you. That was the only comparison.

[JeremyG]

Jeremy, you do know you are hypo-critical of Ayton and hyper-critical of anything you can find to justify your hypo-approach to him, right?

There is nothing wrong with it; I am just trying to confirm you know it exists and is clearly not objective. We all have those things in our lives. Like Saucy's hate of Oubre or Marty's love of the Warriors.

I think the majority of the fanbase is as frustrated as I am with the way they underutilize Ayton (just not on this forum). For example, look at the replies to the tweet:

[Shabazz]

I don’t have a clue who that is

Lol, longtime NBA broadcaster, currently the Blazers' TV play-by-play.

Did he spend the whole broadcast talking about how Ayton is the next Shaq? If not, then no he doesn’t have the same blinders.

Stop claiming that's what I'm saying. We were talking about whether you have to dribble a lot to be a max-worthy center, or whether your teammates should be able to find you. That was the only comparison.

My guy, you're arguing that the Suns did not look for Ayton in a game where he literally had more shots/minute than any other Sun and when I'd wager almost every one of those shots was created by a teammate.

Also, please explain what happened at the 13:50 mark of this link: https://nbahd.com/suns-vs-blazers-oct-21-2022/18258/ Looks to me like an open lane to the basket except mean old Jeremy grant gets in Ayton's field of vision causing him to brick a bunny, lest there be some actual contact. I think what Split is advocating for here is a power dribble and strong finish so we could get 2 points.

[ShelC]

I wouldn't go so far as saying the "majority" of the fanbase is frustrated at his utilization. I could probably just as easily claim a majority of the fanbase is frustrated at his lack of aggression around the rim.

As far as underutilizing him....thru these 3 games he's matching his career high in FGAs at 14.5/game (2nd on the team) and has a career high usage rate of 25.2% (tied w/Payne for 2nd on the team). And those were the only 2 replies to the tweet.

It was a missed pass by our backup PG, not a season ending mistake or egregious look-off. Let's not make a mountain out of a molehill.

[JeremyG]

I wouldn't go so far as saying the "majority" of the fanbase is frustrated at his utilization. I could probably just as easily claim a majority of the fanbase is frustrated at his lack of aggression around the rim.

I think both claims would be true, if you ran polls on both.

As far as underutilizing him....thru these 3 games he's matching his career high in FGAs at 14.5/game (2nd on the team) and has a career high usage rate of 25.2% (tied w/Payne for 2nd on the team). And those were the only 2 replies to the tweet.

It was a missed pass by our backup PG, not a season ending mistake or egregious look-off. Let's not make a mountain out of a molehill.

I made it clear that I was using it purely as an example. There have been probably dozens of times through three games where he was in great position and they didn't get him the ball. But the original discussion was about the Clippers game. I just threw that video clip in there because it was such an obvious example.

[Indy]

Jeremy, you do know you are hypo-critical of Ayton and hyper-critical of anything you can find to justify your hypo-approach to him, right?

There is nothing wrong with it; I am just trying to confirm you know it exists and is clearly not objective. We all have those things in our lives. Like Saucy's hate of Oubre or Marty's love of the Warriors.

I think the majority of the fanbase is as frustrated as I am with the way they underutilize Ayton (just not on this forum).

For example, look at the replies to the tweet:

1) there are a total of 3 replies to that tweet for an account with 9k followers...

2) You avoided the question.

Here is another one--Do you agree that Ayton shows a shocking lack of aggression? Or that Shaq showed more aggression in anyone ONE of his first 4 seasons than Ayton has shown in his entire 4 seasons? Or that all of the best centers in the league today can dribble except Ayton?

[specialsauce]

DA is simultaneously shooting a ton and yet showing nothing new.

He is just catching the ball and taking a ton of weird mid range jump shots. Looking at the box scores you’d think he’s being aggressive but he’s just launching from wherever he catches it. I really need to see him post more or DRIVE with the ball. He’s essentially Kurt Thomas.

[specialsauce]

I would much rather see him put the ball on the ground, drive to the lane and turn it over 5 times a game attempting to develop that game during the regular season than continue on the path he’s been on his whole career.

[JeremyG]

I don’t have a clue who that is

Lol, longtime NBA broadcaster, currently the Blazers' TV play-by-play.

Did he spend the whole broadcast talking about how Ayton is the next Shaq? If not, then no he doesn’t have the same blinders.

Stop claiming that's what I'm saying. We were talking about whether you have to dribble a lot to be a max-worthy center, or whether your teammates should be able to find you. That was the only comparison.

My guy, you're arguing that the Suns did not look for Ayton in a game where he literally had more shots/minute than any other Sun and when I'd wager almost every one of those shots was created by a teammate.

Also, please explain what happened at the 13:50 mark of this link: https://nbahd.com/suns-vs-blazers-oct-21-2022/18258/ Looks to me like an open lane to the basket except mean old Jeremy grant gets in Ayton's field of vision causing him to brick a bunny, lest there be some actual contact. I think what Split is advocating for here is a power dribble and strong finish so we could get 2 points.

Looks to me like he saw a double-team coming, not an open lane. In that situation, I have no problem with him taking a wide open short jumper. But instead of going straight up, he leaned into it and put it up with only one hand, sort of turning it into an awkward floater. I've noticed him leaning forward into jump shots more this season (including his threes), which is a bit concerning. It usually doesn't end well.

[JeremyG]

Here is another one--Do you agree that Ayton shows a shocking lack of aggression? Or that Shaq showed more aggression in anyone ONE of his first 4 seasons than Ayton has shown in his entire 4 seasons? Or that all of the best centers in the league today can dribble except Ayton?

1. No (every player has their own style)
2. Yes (irrelevant to the point I was making when I mentioned Shaq)
3. No (Ayton can dribble fine. He showed it in preseason.)

[Shabazz]

Again - more shots/minute than any other Sun that game with 85% of them (at least) likely being set up by teammates. What are we arguing about here? I'm sure they missed Mikal and Book and Cam on plenty of possessions too. Not every possession has to end with Ayton getting the ball even if he's establishing position. It's not always the optimal play. It's not always an easy pass. And shit happens in a read and react game.

[JeremyG]

Again - more shots/minute than any other Sun that game with 85% of them (at least) likely being set up by teammates. What are we arguing about here? I'm sure they missed Mikal and Book and Cam on plenty of possessions too. Not every possession has to end with Ayton getting the ball even if he's establishing position. It's not always the optimal play. It's not always an easy pass. And shit happens in a read and react game.

Again, the discussion was about the Clippers game. I just used the Blazers video to show the type of thing I'm talking about. As I've said multiple times, I wasn't able to even watch the Blazers game.

[Indy]

My guy, you're arguing that the Suns did not look for Ayton in a game where he literally had more shots/minute than any other Sun and when I'd wager almost every one of those shots was created by a teammate.

Also, please explain what happened at the 13:50 mark of this link: https://nbahd.com/suns-vs-blazers-oct-21-2022/18258/ Looks to me like an open lane to the basket except mean old Jeremy grant gets in Ayton's field of vision causing him to brick a bunny, lest there be some actual contact. I think what Split is advocating for here is a power dribble and strong finish so we could get 2 points.

Looks to me like he saw a double-team coming, not an open lane. In that situation, I have no problem with him taking a wide open short jumper. But instead of going straight up, he leaned into it and put it up with only one hand, sort of turning it into an awkward floater. I've noticed him leaning forward into jump shots more this season (including his threes), which is a bit concerning. It usually doesn't end well.

[Superbone]

I don’t have a clue who that is

Shame on you!

[Superbone]

Again - more shots/minute than any other Sun that game with 85% of them (at least) likely being set up by teammates. What are we arguing about here? I'm sure they missed Mikal and Book and Cam on plenty of possessions too. Not every possession has to end with Ayton getting the ball even if he's establishing position. It's not always the optimal play. It's not always an easy pass. And shit happens in a read and react game.

I've seen Book force that pass for a turnover too. Glad to see he's being more judicial with that pass.

[AmareIsGod]

Thankfully there's only 79 more games to analyze how many times Ayton is overlooked or sprains his vagina trying to perform a layup over 6ft2 players that are trying to guard him.

[pickle]

Jeremy, you do know you are hypo-critical of Ayton and hyper-critical of anything you can find to justify your hypo-approach to him, right?

There is nothing wrong with it; I am just trying to confirm you know it exists and is clearly not objective. We all have those things in our lives. Like Saucy's hate of Oubre or Marty's love of the Warriors.

Uh, Rubio?

[Split T]

Mori knew his love of Rubio was over the top

[Mori Chu]

YOU TAKE THAT BACK

[AmareIsGod]

YOU TAKE THAT BACK

Them pitties! Mmm mmm. I can smell the Patchouli penetrating my nostrils.