Suns News: Week 4 11/5-11/11

[In2ition]

He could literally score everytime with a baby hook 3-5 ft from the basket. There aren't many who can match up with him in the post. He's got the feel and the touch and yet we never post him. We never PnR to get a mismatch in the post, and even when he has the ball at the top of the key not only is he not in a position to score, he's not even thinking about scoring.

Another thing that drives me crazy are the switches on D. I feel like he's always guarding a PG at the 3pt line which gives us no rim protection or advantage on the boards, especially when we have no PF. That's why I'd almost want to experiment with Holmes at the 4 next to Ayton. Just to see if there's a difference with a defensive, rebounding, high energy PF in the lineup and not Anderson, Warren or Ariza in that role.

In the few games I did watch, I feel like Ayton could really use some work on his post up footwork. He tries to bang the guy backwards and if they are as strong as him then he basically slides off and launches a running hook. He's quite accurate with it, but I wish he could be more creative and get himself closer to the rim with both creativity and power. I don't ever see him flying through the lane for a dunk Griffin style, or rising up over guys and powering the ball down Shaq style. I realize that he has a different physical profile than those guys but with his tools and body he should do more than simply catching lobs when there's nobody within 3 feet of him.

Has anyone else noticed this? I don't think the Suns try to throw bounce passes to Ayton when they run a PnR with him rolling. Maybe I've missed it, but they've exclusively been trying to lob it to him. Let him roll, drive in for a jam, slip a screen, etc. Are we seeing a limitation that can be easily guarded against? If he's only going to roll and they are only going to try to lob it into him, you could just keep your body next to him close to the rim and keep him from getting full extension and vertical and therefore limiting his touches and lob opportunities. I'm not sure if this is totally the case, but it's been my observation of it.

[O_Gardino]

He could literally score everytime with a baby hook 3-5 ft from the basket. There aren't many who can match up with him in the post. He's got the feel and the touch and yet we never post him. We never PnR to get a mismatch in the post, and even when he has the ball at the top of the key not only is he not in a position to score, he's not even thinking about scoring.

Another thing that drives me crazy are the switches on D. I feel like he's always guarding a PG at the 3pt line which gives us no rim protection or advantage on the boards, especially when we have no PF. That's why I'd almost want to experiment with Holmes at the 4 next to Ayton. Just to see if there's a difference with a defensive, rebounding, high energy PF in the lineup and not Anderson, Warren or Ariza in that role.

In the few games I did watch, I feel like Ayton could really use some work on his post up footwork. He tries to bang the guy backwards and if they are as strong as him then he basically slides off and launches a running hook. He's quite accurate with it, but I wish he could be more creative and get himself closer to the rim with both creativity and power. I don't ever see him flying through the lane for a dunk Griffin style, or rising up over guys and powering the ball down Shaq style. I realize that he has a different physical profile than those guys but with his tools and body he should do more than simply catching lobs when there's nobody within 3 feet of him.

Has anyone else noticed this? I don't think the Suns try to throw bounce passes to Ayton when they run a PnR with him rolling. Maybe I've missed it, but they've exclusively been trying to lob it to him. Let him roll, drive in for a jam, slip a screen, etc. Are we seeing a limitation that can be easily guarded against? If he's only going to roll and they are only going to try to lob it into him, you could just keep your body next to him close to the rim and keep him from getting full extension and vertical and therefore limiting his touches and lob opportunities. I'm not sure if this is totally the case, but it's been my observation of it.

I've seen them try the bounce pass and it hits him in the knees, or he catches it low and the defender swipes it. I think they are being coached to throw the ball up and let him go get it.

[In2ition]

He could literally score everytime with a baby hook 3-5 ft from the basket. There aren't many who can match up with him in the post. He's got the feel and the touch and yet we never post him. We never PnR to get a mismatch in the post, and even when he has the ball at the top of the key not only is he not in a position to score, he's not even thinking about scoring.

Another thing that drives me crazy are the switches on D. I feel like he's always guarding a PG at the 3pt line which gives us no rim protection or advantage on the boards, especially when we have no PF. That's why I'd almost want to experiment with Holmes at the 4 next to Ayton. Just to see if there's a difference with a defensive, rebounding, high energy PF in the lineup and not Anderson, Warren or Ariza in that role.

In the few games I did watch, I feel like Ayton could really use some work on his post up footwork. He tries to bang the guy backwards and if they are as strong as him then he basically slides off and launches a running hook. He's quite accurate with it, but I wish he could be more creative and get himself closer to the rim with both creativity and power. I don't ever see him flying through the lane for a dunk Griffin style, or rising up over guys and powering the ball down Shaq style. I realize that he has a different physical profile than those guys but with his tools and body he should do more than simply catching lobs when there's nobody within 3 feet of him.

Has anyone else noticed this? I don't think the Suns try to throw bounce passes to Ayton when they run a PnR with him rolling. Maybe I've missed it, but they've exclusively been trying to lob it to him. Let him roll, drive in for a jam, slip a screen, etc. Are we seeing a limitation that can be easily guarded against? If he's only going to roll and they are only going to try to lob it into him, you could just keep your body next to him close to the rim and keep him from getting full extension and vertical and therefore limiting his touches and lob opportunities. I'm not sure if this is totally the case, but it's been my observation of it.

I've seen them try the bounce pass and it hits him in the knees, or he catches it low and the defender swipes it. I think they are being coached to throw the ball up and let him go get it.

You're right, I've seen them throw horrible passes below his knees many times, and it's frustrating as hell. I'm talking about a decent bounce pass that comes up where he can catch it on the go. I think I've been spoiled by Nash and I'm still feeling the echos of that. I saw some nice bounce passes to other bigs around the league as they are rolling, but can't remember any decent ones to Ayton.

[Superbone]

Ayton would be a hell of a player if he had Amare's aggressiveness on offense.

Agree.
If the Suns had any brains ( ) they'd find Amare' and hire him to tutor Ayton.
Ayton already has a decent jumper, so it would be a matter of schooling him how to finish at the basket.
Inject some of Stoudemire's old "Hellboy" persona ...

Great idea!

[Superbone]

He could literally score everytime with a baby hook 3-5 ft from the basket. There aren't many who can match up with him in the post. He's got the feel and the touch and yet we never post him. We never PnR to get a mismatch in the post, and even when he has the ball at the top of the key not only is he not in a position to score, he's not even thinking about scoring.

Another thing that drives me crazy are the switches on D. I feel like he's always guarding a PG at the 3pt line which gives us no rim protection or advantage on the boards, especially when we have no PF. That's why I'd almost want to experiment with Holmes at the 4 next to Ayton. Just to see if there's a difference with a defensive, rebounding, high energy PF in the lineup and not Anderson, Warren or Ariza in that role.

In the few games I did watch, I feel like Ayton could really use some work on his post up footwork. He tries to bang the guy backwards and if they are as strong as him then he basically slides off and launches a running hook. He's quite accurate with it, but I wish he could be more creative and get himself closer to the rim with both creativity and power. I don't ever see him flying through the lane for a dunk Griffin style, or rising up over guys and powering the ball down Shaq style. I realize that he has a different physical profile than those guys but with his tools and body he should do more than simply catching lobs when there's nobody within 3 feet of him.

Has anyone else noticed this? I don't think the Suns try to throw bounce passes to Ayton when they run a PnR with him rolling. Maybe I've missed it, but they've exclusively been trying to lob it to him. Let him roll, drive in for a jam, slip a screen, etc. Are we seeing a limitation that can be easily guarded against? If he's only going to roll and they are only going to try to lob it into him, you could just keep your body next to him close to the rim and keep him from getting full extension and vertical and therefore limiting his touches and lob opportunities. I'm not sure if this is totally the case, but it's been my observation of it.

I've seen them try the bounce pass and it hits him in the knees, or he catches it low and the defender swipes it. I think they are being coached to throw the ball up and let him go get it.

You're right, I've seen them throw horrible passes below his knees many times, and it's frustrating as hell. I'm talking about a decent bounce pass that comes up where he can catch it on the go. I think I've been spoiled by Nash and I'm still feeling the echos of that. I saw some nice bounce passes to other bigs around the league as they are rolling, but can't remember any decent ones to Ayton.

Zion had a GREAT bounce pass the other night.

[AmareIsGod]

I can't imagine the damage Ayton could do with Nash. Amare was phenomenal with him and Ayton has more talent.

[Superbone]

http://arizonasports.com/story/1727688/ ... ov-sarver/

Yep...

That's a nice rant from Bickley. He says what a lot of us are feeling. Then, listening to James Jones, he's overly calm about the whole situation. That bothers me.

[Cap]

I can't imagine the damage Ayton could do with Nash. Amare was phenomenal with him and Ayton has more talent.

Amar’e was an offensive beast even when he was a rookie and LB was starting at PG.

[bajanguy008]

Most are tired of Josh and his mindset/attitude is one of the main things often questioned but I'm glad to see this quote

“The game determines who is going to play, but that’s not what he controls. The game controls that and then you have to make decisions, but his response (Wednesday) was good. He came ready to practice and play and keep himself ready.”

https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/ ... db003a0e4e

for someone who keeps holding out hope that things turn around I took some positives from this article. as I don't think Josh just coached up on his PR skills and know to say the right things it is good that he is realizing he needs to slow down and pick his spots better. last game he had turnovers again but it wasn't head down dribbling into traffic, it was trying to force feed Ayton from a bad angle (yea another fundamental issue) but one step at a time lol.
will see how tonight goes as it is to the point where there is lil to no expectations on the forum for him on a game to game basis

[Shabazz]

There was a point last year where Ayton took the training wheels off for UA and went nuts. I'm waiting for that to happen here.

[JeremyG]

I can't imagine the damage Ayton could do with Nash. Amare was phenomenal with him and Ayton has more talent.

If we could replace Canaan with Nash in his prime right now, we would be a 60-win team this year.

[JeremyG]

I can't imagine the damage Ayton could do with Nash. Amare was phenomenal with him and Ayton has more talent.

Amar’e was an offensive beast even when he was a rookie and LB was starting at PG.

He had Marbury his first 1 1/2 seasons. LB started 46 games (as a rookie) in Amare's second season.

[TOO]

I can't imagine the damage Ayton could do with Nash. Amare was phenomenal with him and Ayton has more talent.

If we could replace Canaan with Nash in his prime right now, we would be a 60-win team this year.

Nah, this team doesn't shoot or defend well enough (or at all) to win 60 with Nash added.

[Cap]

I can't imagine the damage Ayton could do with Nash. Amare was phenomenal with him and Ayton has more talent.

Amar’e was an offensive beast even when he was a rookie and LB was starting at PG.

He had Marbury his first 1 1/2 seasons. LB started 46 games (as a rookie) in Amare's second season.

Ah, right. We went to the playoffs his rookie year, and the blow-it-up-midseason thing was his second season. Thanks for catching that.

[Superbone]

There was a point last year where Ayton took the training wheels off for UA and went nuts. I'm waiting for that to happen here.

Good to know.

[Superbone]

TOO. Really, with the avatar?

[TOO]

TOO. Really, with the avatar?

He looks like an incompetent dweeb, it fits.

[Flagrant Fowl]

TOO. Really, with the avatar?

He looks like an incompetent dweeb, it fits.

I give it two thumbs up...into my own eyes.

[Superbone]

TOO. Really, with the avatar?

He looks like an incompetent dweeb, it fits.

I give it two thumbs up...into my own eyes.

LOL

[TOO]

TOO. Really, with the avatar?

He looks like an incompetent dweeb, it fits.

I give it two thumbs up...into my own eyes.

I hope they were your thumbs at least...