Game Day: Suns (1-2) @ Jazz (1-1), Mon 10/27/25

[O_Gardino]

Oso is not a rotation piece if he doesn't develop a 3 ball or FT shooting ability.

His offense is basically limited to dunks and pray that he doesn't get fouled. Traditionally the guys that have absolutely no FT shooting ability or a 3 ball are 7'0 and 280 pounds. He's not a big bruiser and yet he's not a shooting small ball stretch 5 either. He's just not going to be on the court for a winning team if he doesn't develop a shot. We're wasting our time. I'd rather give all his minutes to Maluach.

He also has that nice push shot in his offensive repertoire. But yes, he is very limited in terms of shooting, and the poor FTs really hurt him because he has nice footwork and moves inside, but it doesn't matter if you can just hack him and he'll miss one or both of the FTs every time. His FTs look really bad and maybe unfixable. So then he turns into more of a facilitator, screener, passer on offense, which is helpful but very limited if you don't have to respect him and guard him. I don't really care if he can shoot 3s, but if he can't hit a mid-range jumper or FT it really hurts us on that end. And I don't think you can play him as a 4 alongside another C if he can't hit any shots; we'd just have too many non-shooters on the floor.

On defense he is smart and hustles fine, but he is still undersized and not a great rebounder, so we're kind of losing on both ends. He's much better against backups and smaller centers.

He HAS to get to 70% or better from the FT line. He just has to. And I think he can. It might be mostly a mental issue. When I went to the home opener and he was going to the line for an "and one", I told my buddy he's a horrible FT shooter. And then he shot a perfect swished FT. So I know he's capable. He just needs to get the mental aspect down and be able to replicate his motion when he shoots it well.

Well now gotta tell your friend that Oso sucks before every FT attempt for the rest of the season.

[Superbone]

Oso is not a rotation piece if he doesn't develop a 3 ball or FT shooting ability.

His offense is basically limited to dunks and pray that he doesn't get fouled. Traditionally the guys that have absolutely no FT shooting ability or a 3 ball are 7'0 and 280 pounds. He's not a big bruiser and yet he's not a shooting small ball stretch 5 either. He's just not going to be on the court for a winning team if he doesn't develop a shot. We're wasting our time. I'd rather give all his minutes to Maluach.

He also has that nice push shot in his offensive repertoire. But yes, he is very limited in terms of shooting, and the poor FTs really hurt him because he has nice footwork and moves inside, but it doesn't matter if you can just hack him and he'll miss one or both of the FTs every time. His FTs look really bad and maybe unfixable. So then he turns into more of a facilitator, screener, passer on offense, which is helpful but very limited if you don't have to respect him and guard him. I don't really care if he can shoot 3s, but if he can't hit a mid-range jumper or FT it really hurts us on that end. And I don't think you can play him as a 4 alongside another C if he can't hit any shots; we'd just have too many non-shooters on the floor.

On defense he is smart and hustles fine, but he is still undersized and not a great rebounder, so we're kind of losing on both ends. He's much better against backups and smaller centers.

He HAS to get to 70% or better from the FT line. He just has to. And I think he can. It might be mostly a mental issue. When I went to the home opener and he was going to the line for an "and one", I told my buddy he's a horrible FT shooter. And then he shot a perfect swished FT. So I know he's capable. He just needs to get the mental aspect down and be able to replicate his motion when he shoots it well.

Well now gotta tell your friend that Oso sucks before every FT attempt for the rest of the season.

Yeah, we said that at the time. The reverse psychology worked.

[Carno]

I thought his form looked better recently than it did lat year. Still not great but better. I don't think he'll ever be a competent jump shooter. His shot mechanics are just broken.

I was just about to post something like this, but you beat me to it. His form does look better. His elbow is higher, near parallel at the set point. It used to be much lower. He clearly is working on it. It takes time to bear fruit when changing shooting mechanics. I think there is hope to fix it. I'm an Oso fan but acknowledge this as his biggest weakness.

[Superbone]

The Jazz moved up from last to 19th this week in the Athletic's power ranking while the Suns remain at 25.

25. Phoenix Suns (1-2)

Last ranking: 25
In the last week: W vs SAC, L at LAC, L at DEN
Offensive rating: 109.5 (23rd place)
Defensive rating: 124.8 (29th place)

The Big Question: How will this center situation unfold?

The Suns have four centers, all of them in completely different situations. Oso Ighodaro, a 2024 second-round pick, is Jordan Ott’s new starter, a role that might be a little too much for him. Mark Williams is a starting-caliber center in a contract year who cost the Suns a late first-round pick to acquire, but he’s being load-managed to begin the season. Nick Richards was brought in last winter, and he’s only playing spot minutes. Khaman Maluach is a lottery-pick rookie, but the future isn’t now, apparently, as he’s behind all of these players. Whether it is a lack of size, motor, athleticism or experience, Phoenix might have issues with interior defense all season, though it won’t be for a lack of options or reasons.

19. Utah Jazz (1-1)

Last ranking: 30
In the last week: W vs LAC, L at SAC
Offensive rating: 120.1 (fifth place)
Defensive rating: 110.9 (eighth place)

The Big Question: Is Lauri Markkanen back?

I had the Jazz ranked last in the opening week, but I specifically said that, if head coach Will Hardy has a full complement of talent, then he will make defenses uncomfortable. Markkanen dipped below 20 points per game last season, but he’s out to re-establish himself as a mismatch nightmare to begin this season. His 20 points against the Clippers was merciful, as Utah led that game by 37 points in the third quarter and Markkanen made it very clear in that first quarter that he was unbothered by Kawhi Leonard. The ball found him at a higher volume in Sacramento, and Markkanen dropped 33 points in a one-point loss where he didn’t get a touch on the final possession. There are two types of Jazz teams: the one that will be shadow-banning their own talent to save a lottery pick and the team that has a rare offense bolstered by a 7-foot-1 small forward. Teams will have to deal with the latter for the time being.

[Mori Chu]

I feel like a "good" outcome for the Suns would be for Mark Williams to be very good when he plays, but to suffer nagging injuries to the point that it tanks his FA value and causes him to sign a fair contract with us for 3-4 years at a reasonable price point. Then we rest him all summer and he is healthy for the years of that contract.

[Superbone]

[Superbone]

I feel like a "good" outcome for the Suns would be for Mark Williams to be very good when he plays, but to suffer nagging injuries to the point that it tanks his FA value and causes him to sign a fair contract with us for 3-4 years at a reasonable price point. Then we rest him all summer and he is healthy for the years of that contract.

Sounds like you have it all figured out. Easy peasy.

[TOO]

#FreeBolBol

[Superbone]

#FreeBolBol

Dude... That ship has sailed. He ain't it. Only plays one end of the court.

[ShelC]

[Superbone]

Doesn't help our chance to win but more chances for others. I hope Dunn gets more minutes.

[bajanguy008]

Oh ho
This will be fairly interesting without Brooks

I wonder where those 30mins go. We've been OK in spots, not gonna get down too much losing to Clippers n Nuggets plus I only got done watching over the game and think we're getting the "bottom team whistle" from the refs

[ShelC]

Thinking we go with Royce but would like to see more size - NHD is a bit bigger but kinda sucks. Fleming would be cool. Or Dunn at the 3, Oso at the 4 and Williams at the 5 with absolutely no spacing.

[Mori Chu]

I want to see Grayson Allen pick up some of the shots that Brooks won't be around to take. And I want to see him do more ballhandling and facilitating for us. Basically my theory is that we need More Grayson. Specifically I think we should try some light amounts of Point Grayson and run more stuff through him. I also think it would be smart to showcase him in Utah where their FO might get a giant boner seeing a white boy put up stats against them, leading them to trade for him and give up picks and assets.

[TOO]

#FreeBolBol

Dude... That ship has sailed. He ain't it. Only plays one end of the court.

Which end?

[ShelC]

Bol Bol was the answer the same way PointBook is the answer.

And here's Coach Chad getting real creative

[carey]

Can anyone PM me a link not SE b/c it's not working tonight for some reason?

[Mori Chu]

We have 'em right where we want 'em, boys! (We are down 13-2)

[ShelC]

I don't know what Ott was expecting with that lineup to start. Puts the SL at a total disadvantage and they look like they don't even believe they can hold up. He better get creative.

I also hate that we're so rigid with what feels like some overarching plan for the team and the young guys.

[Mori Chu]

Down 19-2 now.