Game Day: Thunder (35-26) @ Suns (19-42), Fri 3/3/17

[Superbone]

Barkley making it all about himself.

You noticed that too, eh?

[Superbone]

What a night in Phoenix! That second quarter with Jones Jr. not backing down from Westbrook was the best quarter of Phoenix Suns basketball of the season. I knew we were going to win when Westbrook was 3 assists away from a triple double with 3 minutes and change remaining. I just knew he was going to go for it at the expense of the win. He did not disappoint. He had a wide open three pointer that he threw down to Adams who was camping in the lane and got the 3 second violation. Westbrook even tried to get that last assist for a triple double down 7 with 2 seconds left in the game. Bush league. The Suns would have none of that.

It was obvious that our second team was much better than theirs when they closed the gap on a double digit OKC lead early in the second quarter. Ulis was balling. It's amazing that now that Knight is sitting that our team is suddenly having a string of 30 assist nights.

[TOO]

For me, Ulis, Williams, and Jones are far and away the most entertaining thing about this team right now. Sorry Devin.

[specialsauce]

Agreed. Booker has almost been an afterthought. So refreshing to see the vets not playing and the youngsters kicking ass

[specialsauce]

The second unit filled in the gaps. In addition to Barbosa, Williams had 14 points and 13 rebounds. Ulis added a season-high 14 points and seven assists. Dudley chipped in seven points, five rebounds and five assists. For the fourth consecutive game, Watson didn't play veterans Tyson Chandler and Brandon Knight.

"We had no clue what to expect," Watson said of the transition after the All-Star break. "Management and ownership put us in a situation of what's best for our present and future. As coaches, we had to deliver a vision no matter what the roster is. ... It's just an amazing opportunity to help build something."

Just shows that Watson has no clue. He was playing Tucker, Knight and Chandler because he thought they gave him the best opportunity to win, even if it was sacrificing the development of the young guys. Not only are the young guys our future but they give us a better chance to win NOW as well. Rather a horrible talent evaluator or a pushover to the vets, or both

[TOO]

Or Watson was playing the vets over the kids because thats what most coaches do. None of the kids had really shown anything in their limited time to show they should be playing over the vets (aside from Knight who's been trash) Tucker and Chandler both played well .

[specialsauce]

Or Watson was playing the vets over the kids because thats what most coaches do. None of the kids had really shown anything in their limited time to show they should be playing over the vets (aside from Knight who's been trash) Tucker and Chandler both played well .

Played so well they played us to the second worst record in the league. Give me a break. Tucker's D has been overrated for years and his offensive limitations were an absolute handicap.

Chandler just rebounds. His D is awful and he has no shot blocking ability or offense whatsoever.

[UglyTruth]

The Suns did this last season too. If you guys go back and check, our record post All Star break wasn't as bad winning % wise as it was before.

The Lakers passed us last season in March as well. We had a good chance at beating them out and getting the #2 pick but didn't tank properly.

The Suns at the All Stat break last year had a worse record than the Lakers at time but they outtanked us the remainder of the season just like their once again doing this season.

[TOO]

Or Watson was playing the vets over the kids because thats what most coaches do. None of the kids had really shown anything in their limited time to show they should be playing over the vets (aside from Knight who's been trash) Tucker and Chandler both played well .

Played so well they played us to the second worst record in the league. Give me a break. Tucker's D has been overrated for years and his offensive limitations were an absolute handicap.

Chandler just rebounds. His D is awful and he has no shot blocking ability or offense whatsoever.

I expected this team as constructed to challenge 25 wins, its not a good team. So the wins thing, is a non issue for me. Tuckers defense is/was superior to everyone player on this team easily, and Chandler while no longer the defender he used to be was more than serviceable at C. Set picks, rebounded, caught lobs. Not sure what you expected from him, but he did his job admirably if you ask me.

It feels like this place just shits on everyone on this team that isnt under 23 years old, its gross.

[TOO]

The Suns did this last season too. If you guys go back and check, our record post All Star break wasn't as bad winning % wise as it was before.

The Lakers passed us last season in March as well. We had a good chance at beating them out and getting the #2 pick but didn't tank properly.

The Suns at the All Stat break last year had a worse record than the Lakers at time but they outtanked us the remainder of the season just like their once again doing this season.

We've won the last 2 games by playing undrafted rookies and a 2nd rounder. I dont know how thats not "tanking properly." The players want to win, stop blaming the FO or Watson for that, its a good thing. I'm 100% behind having a terrible record, but I'm not gonna bitch about winning when we are playing all he kids meaningful minutes. Cant have it both ways.

[UglyTruth]

The Suns did this last season too. If you guys go back and check, our record post All Star break wasn't as bad winning % wise as it was before.

The Lakers passed us last season in March as well. We had a good chance at beating them out and getting the #2 pick but didn't tank properly.

The Suns at the All Stat break last year had a worse record than the Lakers at time but they outtanked us the remainder of the season just like their once again doing this season.

We've won the last 2 games by playing undrafted rookies and a 2nd rounder. I dont know how thats not "tanking properly." The players want to win, stop blaming the FO or Watson for that, its a good thing. I'm 100% behind having a terrible record, but I'm not gonna bitch about winning when we are playing all he kids meaningful minutes. Cant have it both ways.

I'm not blaming it on Watson or the FO so please don't put words in my mouth.

Im just saying that our luck and fate sucks because it's like history repeating itself again. With our win against the Thunder, imo we've clinched a better record than the Lakers comparing remaining schedules for both teams.

Knight is a player that we're supposed to be trading and why not get him some mins and see if he can put up some empty stats and maybe bring up some trade value? His value won't rise with his ass glued to the bench all game. And I'm not saying his minutes should come at the cost of Ulis minutes, but maybe give him more or all of Dudley and Barbosa's minutes. Worst case scenario he'll help us tank and lose games....basically the same thing that Nick Young is doing for the Lakers.

[England Sun]

Well, I for one can't be disappointed with this.
I've moaned all season when we have won and the young guys got little from it in either playing time or experience.
Now we are winning and the young guys, and the second unit are getting all the minutes we wanted. The only negative is Bender still recovering, but other than that, job done.
This will be a better experience for our young guys than those in LA for the sake of one place in the draft.
Yes that drafted player may be a frinchise maker etc, but as a whole for this group of players it's the perfect situation.

[carey]

But it certainly can't be Jeanie's fault, right?

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/24 ... ohnny-Buss

Jeanie Buss has thwarted an effort by Jim Buss and Johnny Buss to oust her as president and controlling owner of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Attorneys for Jeanie Buss sought a temporary restraining order in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Friday to prevent the brothers from holding a meeting next week to elect a new board of directors for the team that didn’t include her.

“This is no doubt the beginning and not the end of the game-playing,” Adam Streisand, the attorney for Jeanie Buss, told The Times. “They don’t have a legal leg to stand on. This is a legal strategy doomed for failure.”

[Sunsfan4life]

I have to say it....The Sauce is Boss!

[EDC]

But it certainly can't be Jeanie's fault, right?

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/24 ... ohnny-Buss

Jeanie Buss has thwarted an effort by Jim Buss and Johnny Buss to oust her as president and controlling owner of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Attorneys for Jeanie Buss sought a temporary restraining order in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Friday to prevent the brothers from holding a meeting next week to elect a new board of directors for the team that didn’t include her.

“This is no doubt the beginning and not the end of the game-playing,” Adam Streisand, the attorney for Jeanie Buss, told The Times. “They don’t have a legal leg to stand on. This is a legal strategy doomed for failure.”

The way they fired them mid season was pretty classless. Sending in Magic Johnson in to interview your brother to see if he keeps his job? Like Magic has a lot of experience in a NBA front office. She made a power play and then tried to use Magic to give it a softer edge with the fans. Ditching a GM that has done great things for that team and starting a fight with her brother. She shouldn't be surprised if he fights back.

What is interesting is how the media and most of the Laker fans are just loving Jeanie right now. She didn't interview to get the best front office people. Instead she just hired Magic and Kobe's Agent.

I am really interested to see how this all unfolds a few years down the line. Unless they get lucky and someone they draft turns into a superstar they are a long way from contending.

[JustWinBaby]

Alex Len - 6/2/1 - 13 Min PT
Williams - 14/13/1 - 30 Min PT

Doesn't Watson know that we are trying to tank?

[TOO]

Alex Len - 6/2/1 - 13 Min PT
Williams - 14/13/1 - 30 Min PT

Doesn't Watson know that we are trying to tank?

[JCSunsfan]

Or Watson was playing the vets over the kids because thats what most coaches do. None of the kids had really shown anything in their limited time to show they should be playing over the vets (aside from Knight who's been trash) Tucker and Chandler both played well .

Played so well they played us to the second worst record in the league. Give me a break. Tucker's D has been overrated for years and his offensive limitations were an absolute handicap.

Chandler just rebounds. His D is awful and he has no shot blocking ability or offense whatsoever.

I hate to say it, but it may be true for Chandler. He gets boards, thats about it. Sauce is getting boards and he seem pretty much automatic around the hoop.

[JCSunsfan]

The Suns did this last season too. If you guys go back and check, our record post All Star break wasn't as bad winning % wise as it was before.

The Lakers passed us last season in March as well. We had a good chance at beating them out and getting the #2 pick but didn't tank properly.

The Suns at the All Stat break last year had a worse record than the Lakers at time but they outtanked us the remainder of the season just like their once again doing this season.

We've won the last 2 games by playing undrafted rookies and a 2nd rounder. I dont know how thats not "tanking properly." The players want to win, stop blaming the FO or Watson for that, its a good thing. I'm 100% behind having a terrible record, but I'm not gonna bitch about winning when we are playing all he kids meaningful minutes. Cant have it both ways.

I'm not blaming it on Watson or the FO so please don't put words in my mouth.

Im just saying that our luck and fate sucks because it's like history repeating itself again. With our win against the Thunder, imo we've clinched a better record than the Lakers comparing remaining schedules for both teams.

Knight is a player that we're supposed to be trading and why not get him some mins and see if he can put up some empty stats and maybe bring up some trade value? His value won't rise with his ass glued to the bench all game. And I'm not saying his minutes should come at the cost of Ulis minutes, but maybe give him more or all of Dudley and Barbosa's minutes. Worst case scenario he'll help us tank and lose games....basically the same thing that Nick Young is doing for the Lakers.

About Knight. The more we play him, the more untradable he becomes. Empty stats will not convince any NBA exec to want him. We have Knight for the time being unless we just waive him. We are below the salary floor so there is no point in that. His biggest problem is his own willingness to play within the team concept. Sitting and watching is drastic, but I do not see any other solution.

[JCSunsfan]

But it certainly can't be Jeanie's fault, right?

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/24 ... ohnny-Buss

Jeanie Buss has thwarted an effort by Jim Buss and Johnny Buss to oust her as president and controlling owner of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Attorneys for Jeanie Buss sought a temporary restraining order in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Friday to prevent the brothers from holding a meeting next week to elect a new board of directors for the team that didn’t include her.

“This is no doubt the beginning and not the end of the game-playing,” Adam Streisand, the attorney for Jeanie Buss, told The Times. “They don’t have a legal leg to stand on. This is a legal strategy doomed for failure.”

Wow. Dr. Buss should have done his family a favor and sold the team. Lesson for everyone. Do not leave your children in business together after you die.