Game Day: Suns (29-26) @ Nets (32-21), Tues 2/7/23

[TOO]

Id settle for 20/12 and consistent elite defense

[virtual9mm]

28 and 15? Come on. I'm fine with expecting a lot from the guy, but, like, those numbers are unreasonably high. Joel Embiid has never averaged 28 and 15. Jokic has never averaged 28 and 15.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/pl ... ijo01.html
https://www.basketball-reference.com/pl ... cni01.html

I see no reason except for Ayton's maturity and Monty's stubbornness why this shouldn't be the case. He's more physically gifted than Jokic, has better lateral mobility than Embiid, and has shown that he can do this in spurts. Consistency is sadly missing, though.

They guy's a hybrid of Ewing and Marion. He's that talented. There's a reason we selected him in front of Luka.

[specialsauce]

28 and 15? Come on. I'm fine with expecting a lot from the guy, but, like, those numbers are unreasonably high. Joel Embiid has never averaged 28 and 15. Jokic has never averaged 28 and 15.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/pl ... ijo01.html
https://www.basketball-reference.com/pl ... cni01.html

I see no reason except for Ayton's maturity and Monty's stubbornness why this shouldn't be the case. He's more physically gifted than Jokic, has better lateral mobility than Embiid, and has shown that he can do this in spurts. Consistency is sadly missing, though.

They guy's a hybrid of Ewing and Marion. He's that talented. There's a reason we selected him in front of Luka.

Lol this has to be nominated for the most homer post of the year

[SunsRIt]

28 and 15? Come on. I'm fine with expecting a lot from the guy, but, like, those numbers are unreasonably high. Joel Embiid has never averaged 28 and 15. Jokic has never averaged 28 and 15.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/pl ... ijo01.html
https://www.basketball-reference.com/pl ... cni01.html

I see no reason except for Ayton's maturity and Monty's stubbornness why this shouldn't be the case. He's more physically gifted than Jokic, has better lateral mobility than Embiid, and has shown that he can do this in spurts. Consistency is sadly missing, though.

They guy's a hybrid of Ewing and Marion. He's that talented. There's a reason we selected him in front of Luka.

Lol this has to be nominated for the most homer post of the year

Instead of just making a comment, why don’t you say what part isn’t true? It’s all true.

[JeremyG]

This is what was talked about in another thread. It comes across like you're looking for an argument when you say that he shouldn't play his hardest every night because all any fan really wants is for the guys on their team to play their ass off every night.

Most people are relentlessly praising him and not posting every fake trade they can muster right now. Stop poking the bear. Enjoy it.

I can see how it could come across that way. Honestly I was just frustrated with comments I saw mainly on Twitter—wasn’t looking for an argument.

But I do think there are different levels of playing hard. Someone mentioned Jordan and Kobe. But even they, especially Jordan, took the level up a notch in the playoffs. So does that mean they weren’t playing their hardest in the regular season? I still don’t think anyone plays at a playoff level of intensity for 82 straight games.

[INFORMER]

No one has a problem with players stepping it up for the playoffs. The problem for Ayton is that "stepping up" means playing at the level that he should be playing at on a regular basis.

[JeremyG]

That's the first time I've heard anyone say that "playoff DA" is still not a high enough level of intensity for the playoffs.

[INFORMER]

Huh?

[TOO]

That's the first time I've heard anyone say that "playoff DA" is still not a high enough level of intensity for the playoffs.

The problem is the vast difference between playoff DA and lazy regular season DA.

[Shabazz]

That's the first time I've heard anyone say that "playoff DA" is still not a high enough level of intensity for the playoffs.

Do you mean New Orleans-series Playoff DA or Dallas-series Playoff DA?

[INFORMER]

That's the first time I've heard anyone say that "playoff DA" is still not a high enough level of intensity for the playoffs.

Do you mean New Orleans-series Playoff DA or Dallas-series Playoff DA?

I was thinking something along the same lines. "Playoff DA" makes it sound like he always is great in the playoffs. He was tremendous in the 2021 playoffs rounds 1-3 and New Orleans '22. He wasn't great against Milwaukee '21 or Dallas '22.

[JeremyG]

Huh?

Your post was implying that the level he steps up to in the playoffs is the level he should be playing at in the regular season. So in other words, his playoff level is not good enough.

[JeremyG]

That's the first time I've heard anyone say that "playoff DA" is still not a high enough level of intensity for the playoffs.

The problem is the vast difference between playoff DA and lazy regular season DA.

And my point when this conversation started a week ago (lol) was that he played at a playoff level of intensity in that particular game and that he shouldn't be expected to do that for 82 games. I was never saying there should be a vast dropoff in the regular season. But of course everyone pounced on my comments to claim I want DA to play lazy and unengaged in the regular season.

[JeremyG]

That's the first time I've heard anyone say that "playoff DA" is still not a high enough level of intensity for the playoffs.

Do you mean New Orleans-series Playoff DA or Dallas-series Playoff DA?

I was thinking something along the same lines. "Playoff DA" makes it sound like he always is great in the playoffs. He was tremendous in the 2021 playoffs rounds 1-3 and New Orleans '22. He wasn't great against Milwaukee '21 or Dallas '22.

Yeah because 22 & 19 in his first ever Finals game must have been "lazy DA"?

He averaged 19 & 10 in the Dallas series in games where he played over 20 minutes. He got in foul trouble in game 2 and it was a blowout win anyway. And game 7...does that game mean that Booker doesn't show up in the playoffs? Every other player on the team? I guess Booker isn't always great in the playoffs, either, then. Look at Book's vs. Ayton's game 6 performances.

I don't get why people keep talking about Ayton being a question mark for the upcoming playoff run. He's been probably the most consistent performer in the playoffs for us the last two years.

[AmareIsGod]

He's playing great right now. Seems ridiculous to be revisiting this right now Jeremy. Let's all be happy and content for the time being.

[Mori Chu]

Ayton's February has been great. One or two small blips, such as that 2-rebound game, but overall play and stats are very impressive. If he can stay at or near this level, I don't think anybody will be bashing Ayton. Plus, if he keeps playing like that, along with Book, KD, and CP3, we have a great shot at a title.

[INFORMER]

Huh?

Your post was implying that the level he steps up to in the playoffs is the level he should be playing at in the regular season. So in other words, his playoff level is not good enough.

Sorry Jeremy, your logic doesn't make sense.

[INFORMER]

I guess Booker isn't always great in the playoffs, either, then.

Correct. I don't think I have ever heard someone on this board say that Booker is always great in the playoffs. He has had his ups and downs too.

[Mori Chu]

I guess Booker isn't always great in the playoffs, either, then.

Correct. I don't think I have ever heard someone on this board say that Booker is always great in the playoffs. He has had his ups and downs too.

After last year's total meltdown in Dallas, I don't think anybody on that roster can claim to have an unblemished playoff record.

[TOO]

A lot of greats have taken a shit in the playoffs, LeBron, Kobe, etc, gotta see how everyone responds after last year's debacle.