Suns News: Weeks 16-18 2/10-3/1

[In2ition]

I think the rest will be good for Rubio. He was worn out. I want to see if he has a bit of a second wind this season after over a week off.

I am curious when they will get Kaminsky back. I thought his timetable was 4-6 weeks, but he will be at 7 weeks when they come back.

[Nodack]

I feel bad for Monty. We all want to see his rotations in action and most of the time he has had to play whatever bodies were healthy enough to play. “Let’s see, I have one third string center and no power forwards. I guess it will be small ball tonight.”

[In2ition]

I feel bad for Monty. We all want to see his rotations in action and most of the time he has had to play whatever bodies were healthy enough to play. “Let’s see, I have one third string center and no power forwards. I guess it will be small ball tonight.”

No doubt, it puts a strain on what he's trying to do and developing that consistent role for each guy. The Rubio, Booker, Bridges, Oubre, Ayton lineup has been very good, but not having a backup PG, SG, a traditional PF or backup Center puts a ceiling on what can be done in a game. When the bench immediately starts to give up the lead or makes matters worse, it's tough to get any traction in the standings.

[Superbone]

I feel bad for Monty. We all want to see his rotations in action and most of the time he has had to play whatever bodies were healthy enough to play. “Let’s see, I have one third string center and no power forwards. I guess it will be small ball tonight.”

No doubt, it puts a strain on what he's trying to do and developing that consistent role for each guy. The Rubio, Booker, Bridges, Oubre, Ayton lineup has been very good, but not having a backup PG, SG, a traditional PF or backup Center puts a ceiling on what can be done in a game. When the bench immediately starts to give up the lead or makes matters worse, it's tough to get any traction in the standings.

According to INF, it doesn't make a difference.

[Shabazz]

Big section on Ayton's defensive improvement in here:

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2020/2/19 ... nteresting

[Superbone]

Big section on Ayton's defensive improvement in here:

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2020/2/19 ... nteresting

Thanks for the link. Good stuff!

For all the peeps who complain every time they hear this criticism:

he’s averaging just 2.9 box-outs per 36 minutes of floor time, 61st out of 64 centers who’ve logged at least 500 minutes this season

That's the facts, Jacks.

[specialsauce]

I think the rest will be good for Rubio. He was worn out. I want to see if he has a bit of a second wind this season after over a week off.

I am curious when they will get Kaminsky back. I thought his timetable was 4-6 weeks, but he will be at 7 weeks when they come back.

A stress fracture can be tricky. It wasn’t a heavy impact injury that just needs time to heal. This has been a chronic issue over time just from wear and tear. I think any attempt at a timetable was purely an educational guess. He may come back in a week or be out the rest of the year. Could be career threatening in the worst case.

[In2ition]

I think the rest will be good for Rubio. He was worn out. I want to see if he has a bit of a second wind this season after over a week off.

I am curious when they will get Kaminsky back. I thought his timetable was 4-6 weeks, but he will be at 7 weeks when they come back.

A stress fracture can be tricky. It wasn’t a heavy impact injury that just needs time to heal. This has been a chronic issue over time just from wear and tear. I think any attempt at a timetable was purely an educational guess. He may come back in a week or be out the rest of the year. Could be career threatening in the worst case.

Dang, I hope it's not the worst case. Thanks

[Shabazz]

I think the rest will be good for Rubio. He was worn out. I want to see if he has a bit of a second wind this season after over a week off.

I am curious when they will get Kaminsky back. I thought his timetable was 4-6 weeks, but he will be at 7 weeks when they come back.

A stress fracture can be tricky. It wasn’t a heavy impact injury that just needs time to heal. This has been a chronic issue over time just from wear and tear. I think any attempt at a timetable was purely an educational guess. He may come back in a week or be out the rest of the year. Could be career threatening in the worst case.

Dang, I hope it's not the worst case. Thanks

Not to be cold, but the impact that would have on this franchise would be negligible. Would suck for him, though.

[Flagrant Fowl]

For all the peeps who complain every time they hear this criticism:

he’s averaging just 2.9 box-outs per 36 minutes of floor time, 61st out of 64 centers who’ve logged at least 500 minutes this season

That's the facts, Jacks.

Boxing out comes from understanding the game. It has almost nothing to do with physical size or talent.

I want to believe even the most ardent Ayton truthers recognize that his awareness, hoops IQ, etc. is the most deficient part of his game.

I finally got around to listening to the Book of Basketball podcast with Steve Nash. At one point, he talks about how Amare didn't read the game well until late in his career. So I guess Ayton just needs Steve Nash to make him look good and all will be well in the Suns universe.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Honestly, the Suns are better off with Kaminsky on the bench in street clothes. This team isn't making the playoffs, so don't waste minutes on a guy who has little to nothing left to develop. Even more importantly, he sucks more often than not. It's a wise strategy to play 5 guys who don't suck at every opportunity.

[In2ition]

I think the rest will be good for Rubio. He was worn out. I want to see if he has a bit of a second wind this season after over a week off.

I am curious when they will get Kaminsky back. I thought his timetable was 4-6 weeks, but he will be at 7 weeks when they come back.

A stress fracture can be tricky. It wasn’t a heavy impact injury that just needs time to heal. This has been a chronic issue over time just from wear and tear. I think any attempt at a timetable was purely an educational guess. He may come back in a week or be out the rest of the year. Could be career threatening in the worst case.

Dang, I hope it's not the worst case. Thanks

Not to be cold, but the impact that would have on this franchise would be negligible. Would suck for him, though.

It wouldn't be much, but every plus is just that, a plus and a help to the team at this point.

[In2ition]

Honestly, the Suns are better off with Kaminsky on the bench in street clothes. This team isn't making the playoffs, so don't waste minutes on a guy who has little to nothing left to develop. Even more importantly, he sucks more often than not. It's a wise strategy to play 5 guys who don't suck at every opportunity.

I just don't agree with this. I think winning, no matter if they make the playoffs or not is important. Kaminsky playing the role he was supposed to play this year would be plus to this team. I don't agree with packing it in and count it as development of someone else. I could care less about developing Chieck Diallo or Tariq Owens right now. The team misses Frank's shooting and he has had some savy moves. Now, I didn't enjoy seeing him miss layups at the rate he did, but I think he probably shoots much better as the backup PF.

[Superbone]

Honestly, the Suns are better off with Kaminsky on the bench in street clothes. This team isn't making the playoffs, so don't waste minutes on a guy who has little to nothing left to develop. Even more importantly, he sucks more often than not. It's a wise strategy to play 5 guys who don't suck at every opportunity.

I just don't agree with this. I think winning, no matter if they make the playoffs or not is important. Kaminsky playing the role he was supposed to play this year would be plus to this team. I don't agree with packing it in and count it as development of someone else. I could care less about developing Chieck Diallo or Tariq Owens right now. The team misses Frank's shooting and he has had some savy moves. Now, I didn't enjoy seeing him miss layups at the rate he did, but I think he probably shoots much better as the backup PF.

You and I are on the same page.

[Shabazz]

Depends who you think has more of a future with the franchise, Kaminsky or Bolden.

[Flagrant Fowl]

I stand by the crux of my point; Frank Kaminsky isn't good and it's a big problem if he's on the court for more than 5 minutes in a game.

[Nodack]

“The Suns are outscoring opponents by a healthy 5.1 points per 100 possessions when Ayton and Booker share the court; they’re an ass-kicking plus-12 per 100 when the two franchise centerpieces are flanked by pace-setting point guard Ricky Rubio and emerging 3-and-D stud Mikal Bridges. “

[INFORMER]

emerging 3-and-D stud Mikal Bridges

[Superbone]

emerging 3-and-D stud Mikal Bridges

It’s not a joke. Why do you find it necessary to downplay the Suns’ players so frequently?

[Indy]

emerging 3-and-D stud Mikal Bridges

It’s not a joke. Why do you find it necessary to downplay the Suns’ players so frequently?

A career 33% 3P shooter is not a 3-D guy. He is certainly making his presence known on D, and building a reputation there, but not on the 3 part of 3-D. That is especially true when you only take 3 threes a game and play 25 minutes a night.