Suns News: Week 10 (12/25 - 12/31)

[Mori Chu]

Last Week's Games
Tue, Dec 19 @ Portland LOSS 109 - 104
Fri, Dec 22 @ Sacramento LOSS 120 - 105

This Week's Games
Mon, Dec 25 vs Dallas 7:30 PM ESPN
Wed, Dec 27 @ Houston 5:00 PM
Fri, Dec 29 vs Charlotte 6:00 PM
Sun, Dec 31 vs Orlando 5:00 PM

https://www.espn.com/nba/team/schedule/_/name/phx


Suns Stories
Studying Udoka Azubuike's minutes against the Sacramento Kings:
https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2023 ... ento-kings

Suns players help out with Christmas gifts and holiday essentials:
https://arizonasports.com/story/3540256 ... ssentials/

Report: Eric Gordon wants bigger role in Suns offense
https://www.si.com/nba/2023/12/23/eric- ... vin-durant

Kevin Durant voices frustrations as Suns struggle
https://www.si.com/nba/2023/12/25/phoen ... rting-cast


Power Rankings
A lot of them didn't update this week. Here's one, though:

Bleacher Report
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/101 ... -christmas

13. Phoenix Suns (14-13)
18 OF 31
Kevin Durant and Devin Booker
Kevin Durant and Devin BookerCameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images
Previous Rank: 10
Net Rating: +1.1

The alarm isn't sounding yet, but the bell-ringer is at least limbering up for his climb up the tower stairs.

The Phoenix Suns are 3-7 in their past 10 games, with the most recent defeat coming in embarrassing fashion. Phoenix led the rebuilding Portland Trail Blazers by 15 in the second half on Tuesday before fully collapsing on the way to a 109-104 loss.

And while it's easy to pin what's been an underwhelming campaign on various injuries to Devin Booker and Bradley Beal (who's appeared in just six games), lack of durability was always a concern for this group, especially after it added Beal. The former Washington Wizard only made 51.8 appearances per season over the four prior to this one.

For a top three with as many age and injury questions as this one (Kevin Durant has been the iron man of the group so far, but he's 35 years old with an Achilles tear in his history), depth is crucial.

Right now, Phoenix just doesn't appear to have much.

Suns not named Booker, Durant or Beal are shooting 35.2 percent from three (league average is 36.5), and the trio has 8.0 estimated wins while the rest of the roster has 4.1.

[AmareIsGod]

Seems we're a popular topic of conversation nationally.

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/s/XVHEcgYuuG

[ShelC]

[Flagrant Fowl]

Gotta give the cornball some credit for this one.

I also have a feeling James Jones is going to relieve himself of this situation during the summer. Maybe he'll go to Detroit?

[Split T]

The only thing giving me hope is the Celtics being in almost the same position 2 years ago before they became the best team in the league over the final 3 months or so and went to the finals

[Flagrant Fowl]

Or how the Timberwolves were a mess last season but eventually figured it out this year. (although they clearly don't have defensive issues)

[AmareIsGod]

I'm going to begin being optimistic. I think the team has hit their collective floor and will start playing better.

[Split T]

I can’t decide if I’m watching tomorrow or not…I’ve skipped the last two.. might wait till Friday against Charlotte

[Mori Chu]

I'm going to begin being optimistic. I think the team has hit their collective floor and will start playing better.

The NBA season is long. There is still a real possibility that we figure this out. Despite all our woes we are still basically .500. a few wins in a row would cure a lot of what ails us.

[Mori Chu]

Article: KD is not the problem.

[Split T]

Definitely a questionable source but this is the most direct he’s been about something imo…

[ShelC]

Not trying to validate that but I'd have thought Vogel and Fizdale would be the ones to go and Young would take over. Vogel and Fizdale seem to be the team, with Young as the coach they were forced to take on. Jones knows Fizdale from Miami, would he make him Head Coach? He crashed and burned in Memphis and really looked bad in NY.

[Split T]

Ya it does seem weird to get rid of both…the only reason to do that is if there’s someone outside you want to take over…guys out there are Doc, Bud, MDA…Fizdale has not been a good head coach, I’d be surprised if he’s the choice.

[ShelC]

Nurk's back with the team

[TOO]

Gimme MDA with this firepower, at least be fun to watch.

[Superbone]

Gimme MDA with this firepower, at least be fun to watch.

Right now neither the offense or defense looks good. I'd take one side of the ball for starters.

[TOO]

Gimme MDA with this firepower, at least be fun to watch.

Right now neither the offense or defense looks good. I'd take one side of the ball for starters.

Yeah, it's a total chore to watch the team, even the die hards are taking a step back, KD and Book should be enough squeak out some wins, they were ballin against Denver in the playoffs so we've seen they can do, but they are just fartin right alone too.

[Split T]

Ya their play is pretty inexcusable…no business losing to Portland or trailing the whole game against Washington. Not with Booker and KD, I don’t care who else is out.

[Mori Chu]

Gimme MDA with this firepower, at least be fun to watch.

If you want to see Book and KD play 42 minutes a night and be injured before the playoffs, sure, why not.

[TOO]

Gimme MDA with this firepower, at least be fun to watch.

If you want to see Book and KD play 42 minutes a night and be injured before the playoffs, sure, why not.

As opposed to this? Gimme that every time. I'd like to enjoy watching basketball, not be disinterested because the Suns look like dog water.