Phx-Suns.Net

I missed this one traveling. We have really lost our mojo. At least Cam Johnson is keeping up his good shooting streak...? And Kaminsky had a good game? Oubre's stat line looks like a real stinker. Rubio also seems like he isn't 100% yet.

https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=401160950

I knew the Magic would play us tough because that's what Clifford coached teams do. But to give up 124 points?

Right now we're essentially last year's team except we have a PG and no center rather than a center and no PG.

Games 1-9 (6-3) Games 10-20 (3-8) Same FGAs and 3PAs, but man that efficiency has gone out the window. -8% from the field, and down 22% from 3.

The Suns have reverted to the mean.

Either trade for a PF that makes us competitive for a playoff spot, or throw in the towel and collect lotto balls. Going 38-44, while paying $30M to Ty Johnson, Frank Kaminsky, and Kyle Korver helps us not in the least.

I agree Worm. They need something right now. I'm worried that they are settling in as 'this is who we are and how we play' now. It's going to be AZ long season if that's the case. Booker has been neutered and will he get his mojo back? It sucks not having a legit hralthy center right now, but get over it quick.

No one could have predicted that the Suns will be 9-11 after 20 games. Calm down and enjoy the ride. Anything above 40 wins is a miracle anyway. Will see how this season will unfold. Just remember we won 19 games last year. So the Playoffs are a long shot for us.
My biggest concern is Booker's game. Everyone except him plays within their strength.

Democritus wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 05, 2019 7:24 am

So the Playoffs are a long shot for us.

Current 43% according to 538. Was as high as 70% when we were 7-4.

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/20 ... ions/suns/

Anybody take advantage of the 13-1 odds that were offered before the season?

Really? We're like 5 games from getting Ayton back. Baynes should be back soon too. This is where we're feeling the suspension. Even if we were at full strength and going thru this lull, I'd still call it growing pains. Making any kind of move based on the last 6-7 games would make no sense.

What we need is for Booker to wake up

specialsauce wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 05, 2019 8:35 am

What we need is for Booker to wake up

This!

If someone had told us before the season that they'd be looking at being a .500 team without Ayton playing, we would have been estatic.

The Bobster wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 05, 2019 8:58 am

If someone had told us before the season that they'd be looking at being a .500 team without Ayton playing, we would have been ecstatic.

I agree with this, but we should also adjust expectations. I can be really happy we aren't on pace again to win 20 games, but also upset we are not showing the same energy and focus on defense we showed in the first 10 games.

I just think Baynes is incredibly important to our defense. He’s smart and has been responsible for directing everyone in defense. Also, he’s a big body who changes shots and keeps the opposing team off the glass. Having to play Kaminsky at C is absolutely brutal to our defense. I’d be curious to see what Baynes DRPM is, I bet it is very high.

Split T wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 05, 2019 9:49 am

I just think Baynes is incredibly important to our defense. He’s smart and has been responsible for directing everyone in defense. Also, he’s a big body who changes shots and keeps the opposing team off the glass. Having to play Kaminsky at C is absolutely brutal to our defense. I’d be curious to see what Baynes DRPM is, I bet it is very high.

I don;t know his DRPM, but his DRB% is lower than Ayton, Diallo, Saric, and Frank.

Keeping the opposing team off the glass isn’t necessarily about getting the rebound yourself. DRPM hasn’t been released yet for the year.

Edit:

Suns have been out rebounded by 53 rebounds in 7 games Baynes missed, so about 7.5 per game.

Suns are out rebounded by 29 rebounds in 13 games Baynes played, so about 2.3 rebounds per game.