Game Day: Suns (8-5) vs Nuggets (7-7), Friday, 1/22/2021

[INFORMER]

Call the damn time out Chris

You just can't do that. You can't talk about this being a young team needing to learn, carry on with all that Coach Paul stuff, and then make a high school mistake like that.

[Wally_West]

At least we get to play them again tomorrow...hope Book is ok

Yeah, so we can lose again. Ugh.

[The Bobster]

Ayton last 3 games - 35.7 Min, 29/42 FG (69%), 13/14 FT (93%), 15.3 Reb, 2.0 Blk, 23.4 Pts

[INFORMER]

I hate CP3 and Book in crunch time.

To Paul's credit, he hit some big shots down the stretch of regulation. But he had that critical turnover and then the last second brain fart...those are game losing plays.

[Charlie Smithy!]

Call the damn time out Chris

You just can't do that. You can't talk about this being a young team needing to learn, carry on with all that Coach Paul stuff, and then make a high school mistake like that.

But... Just think of what a lesson that would have imparted unto the Younglings if he had hit that half court shot!

[Charlie Smithy!]

Ayton last 3 games - 35.7 Min, 29/42 FG (69%), 13/14 FT (93%), 15.3 Reb, 2.0 Blk, 23.4 Pts

I am certainly not overreacting to this game or the sun's season...

...Luka, who?

[Wally_West]

[specialsauce]

I hate CP3 and Book in crunch time.

To Paul's credit, he hit some big shots down the stretch of regulation. But he had that critical turnover and then the last second brain fart...those are game losing plays.

Bad, bad shots.

We have two things ongoing at the same time this year: Montys offense when anyone else has the ball, and the CP3 show whenever he feels like it. The show gets a guest appearance by Book when he gets into Books ear. This has got to stop. He is not 25 anymore. We will not
Win with the CP3 iso show. When he stops on the PNR drives 15 feet from the basket, I know it’s a failed possession. He can’t hit the roll man from there and he just does it so he can dribble 12 times and then shoot it with a guy right in his face.

So many missed opportunities to get the ball to DA down the stretch when he rolled wide open or with a smaller guy on him. This was such a winnable game. So frustrating. Now booker is hurt and we’re gonna lose tomorrow.

[INFORMER]

Losing Book at the end hurts.

It really does. That sucked.

[INFORMER]

Paul - 14 assists, 0 turnovers

Incredible.

Turn it off now.

[Wally_West]

Ayton last 3 games - 35.7 Min, 29/42 FG (69%), 13/14 FT (93%), 15.3 Reb, 2.0 Blk, 23.4 Pts

I am certainly not overreacting to this game or the sun's season...

...Luka, who?

It’s time to have the conversation about what we can get for Booker and Paul to build around Ayton.

[INFORMER]

If this DeAndre is for real...

This loss sucks, and I am definitely not the moral victory guy, but I can't help but feel good with him playing like this. This is one game. And I only have 145 games left in the Coach Paul era (not including playoff games). But Ayton's play is the future of the franchise.

[INFORMER]

I still don’t like Cam in the starting lineup...he really hasn’t had a good game since moving in. Our bench is a little rough missing him and Saric right now.

Not having Saric makes the change less effective, but the roster construction also limits its effectiveness. If we had added a wing scorer to replace Oubre or had a legitimate power forward behind the Bridges/Cam combo, then we'd be set. But we don't. We have Jae Crowder. And he is a fine role player; he just doesn't provide a need.

[INFORMER]

That is what I thought as he winced on his way back to the bench. Man that sucks; he was making progress in sharpening his game and returning to form.

[Charlie Smithy!]

If this DeAndre is for real...

This loss sucks, and I am definitely not the moral victory guy, but I can't help but feel good with him playing like this. This is one game. And I only have 145 games left in the Coach Paul era (not including playoff games). But Ayton's play is the future of the franchise.

I wonder what the chances are of Chris Paul reining in his style of play over the next 145 games? I mean, he obviously gives us an element Rubio never did, but...man, it's been frustrating to see his late-game execution.

[Split T]

I still don’t like Cam in the starting lineup...he really hasn’t had a good game since moving in. Our bench is a little rough missing him and Saric right now.

Not having Saric makes the change less effective, but the roster construction also limits its effectiveness. If we had added a wing scorer to replace Oubre or had a legitimate power forward behind the Bridges/Cam combo, then we'd be set. But we don't. We have Jae Crowder. And he is a fine role player; he just doesn't provide a need.

I’m willing to wait and see how it looks with Saric back.

[djy2j]

Cam really needs to start hitting more shots. 90% of his shots are wide open.

Our defense needs to get back to being good again. We have the talent but the OT defense was embarrassing.

I keep hoping CP figures is out. Right now it’s not good

[Wally_West]

I’m confident CP3 will figure it out but the growing pains as a team will be frustrating. Dominayton has been unlocked, Booker was finally playing like Booker. Paul is the last piece, but this Booker injury suuuuuucks.

[INFORMER]

I still don’t like Cam in the starting lineup...he really hasn’t had a good game since moving in. Our bench is a little rough missing him and Saric right now.

Not having Saric makes the change less effective, but the roster construction also limits its effectiveness. If we had added a wing scorer to replace Oubre or had a legitimate power forward behind the Bridges/Cam combo, then we'd be set. But we don't. We have Jae Crowder. And he is a fine role player; he just doesn't provide a need.

I’m willing to wait and see how it looks with Saric back.

Oh, it will definitely look better because Saric is significantly better than Kaminsky. I think it is our best lineup(s) going forward, it just has its issues because of things we can't change during the season.

[Superbone]

Paul - 14 assists, 0 turnovers

2nd half:

1 assist and 4 turnovers