Top 10 used # net Common player(s)
lineups positive
5 man 5 Ayton (5), Booker (4), Bridges/TJ/Ariza (3)
4 man 2 Bridges, Booker, Ayton
3 man 3 Bridges
2 man 2 Bridges
Top 10 used Bottom 2 net Common player(s)
lineups negative
5 man -30.1, -29.3 Ariza, Ayton
4 man -27.3, -26.1 Ariza, Canaan, TJ
3 man -20.3, -18.4 Ariza
2 man -13.2, -9.6 Ariza
Watching Trevor Ariza as a Sun made me feel a way I haven't felt since Vince Carter was in Phoenix. It's a different kind of annoyance than the Morris Twins, Beasley, etc. He just gave off an "I'm too good to be here" vibe and I couldn't stand it.
Watching Trevor Ariza as a Sun made me feel a way I haven't felt since Vince Carter was in Phoenix. It's a different kind of annoyance than the Morris Twins, Beasley, etc. He just gave off an "I'm too good to be here" vibe and I couldn't stand it.
That Vince comparison is perfect. I didn't have the words for it until you reminded me of that. That season was the low light of my fandom. I don't know if I watched more than 10 games that entire season... coming from a guy that reads every damn post on this site.
It's super important to remember that Booker is still just 22. That is amazing. He is already so good and has improved so much, and the guy couldn't even order a beer until last year. We are blessed to have a guy like that on our roster, especially since he openly glows about how much he likes Phoenix and likes to be here.
Wow, thanks for the link. Great article. Really glad we have him on board. I also learned that David West is really interesting to listen to. NBA TV should hire him.
"Too little, too late, too unbothered."
- Phoenix Suns 2023-2024 season motto.
Phoenix acquired Oubre from the Washington Wizards in the Trevor Ariza deal. Oubre is a two-way player who makes a lot of hustle plays, which is exactly what the Suns needed (especially since certain players weren’t playing their hardest at times earlier in the season).
Not only is Oubre making an immediate impact, he’s only 23 years old. He’ll be a restricted free agent this summer, but it’s very possible he’ll stay in Phoenix and become part of their young core long-term. So far, Oubre is thrilled with the change of scenery.
“Everybody is hungry to win,” Oubre said. “Everybody has the same mindset out there. There are a bunch of competitors here who strive to be the best that they can be… Everybody is super dope. Everybody comes to work every day with an eagerness to get better. We push ourselves to get better each and every day. To be so young and already have that mindset? Everything will be turning [around] very shortly in the next few years.”
“He has been playing super hard,” Ayton said of Oubre. “He is matching the same energy I have, that we all have. It is beautiful. He fits right in. You can tell he wants to win and he tries his best on defense as well. He is [getting] on me already! I don’t know how long he’s been here and he’s telling me to be more accountable and to just to take things more personally. I like that.”
When asked what Oubre brings to the team, Booker smiled and said, “So much swag.”
Love it. Love it. Love it!
"Too little, too late, too unbothered."
- Phoenix Suns 2023-2024 season motto.
Thanks Bone and Bazz! Loved the article as well. Makes me really excited about this team!
What is smallball? I play basketball. I'm not a regular big man. I can switch from the center to the guards. The game is evolving. I'd be dominAyton if the WNBA would let me in. - Ayton
Watching Trevor Ariza as a Sun made me feel a way I haven't felt since Vince Carter was in Phoenix. It's a different kind of annoyance than the Morris Twins, B*****y, etc. He just gave off an "I'm too good to be here" vibe and I couldn't stand it.
That Vince comparison is perfect. I didn't have the words for it until you reminded me of that. That season was the low light of my fandom. I don't know if I watched more than 10 games that entire season... coming from a guy that reads every damn post on this site.
People ask me why I despise Vince Carter and that's exactly it. Great comparison by the way.
If it bums you out that we were the worst NBA team in 2018, 538 has come up with a cross-sports ranking that seven teams worse than us in the calendar year: Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, Miami Marlins, Chicago White Sox, Alabama A&M Bulldogs (basketball), UTEP Miners (football), Kansas City Royals. As 538 says, “MLB was an unbridled tankfest in 2018.”
If it bums you out that we were the worst NBA team in 2018, 538 has come up with a cross-sports ranking that seven teams worse than us in the calendar year: Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, Miami Marlins, Chicago White Sox, Alabama A&M Bulldogs (basketball), UTEP Miners (football), Kansas City Royals. As 538 says, “MLB was an unbridled tankfest in 2018.”
Something tells me Oubre and Booker are going to be tight if they're not already.
Love all those quotes...I usually take stuff like that with a grain of salt but it all seems legit. I think we're a breath of fresh air for Oubre with all the Wizards drama and vice versa with us and Ariza. And he for sure plays hard which is rubbing off. Pleasant surprise all around.
If it bums you out that we were the worst NBA team in 2018, 538 has come up with a cross-sports ranking that seven teams worse than us in the calendar year: Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, Miami Marlins, Chicago White Sox, Alabama A&M Bulldogs (basketball), UTEP Miners (football), Kansas City Royals. As 538 says, “MLB was an unbridled tankfest in 2018.”
If it bums you out that we were the worst NBA team in 2018, 538 has come up with a cross-sports ranking that seven teams worse than us in the calendar year: Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, Miami Marlins, Chicago White Sox, Alabama A&M Bulldogs (basketball), UTEP Miners (football), Kansas City Royals. As 538 says, “MLB was an unbridled tankfest in 2018.”
Just looking back at that road trip and digesting those games...really happy with the progress and productivity of the team as a whole. 5 game East Coast tip, we went 3-2 and easily could've been 5-0. I consider the Washington game a flukey one given Wall's absence and Thomas' 14-14 night. Anytime a star player is out, that team is always dangerous because you get big games from unknowns/role players. 3OTs and then a 6pm start in Brookyn the next night and played the Nets tough all the way thru. The Magic game was more of a struggle than it should've been IMO but I also chalk that up to fatigue.
I really think that is the best thing about Holmes and Oubre , knowing and enjoying their roles
Someone mentioned that Richaun stays hyped for Ayton even though he been subbed and playing behind Embiid I just get the impression that he is fine with that role. Probably pushes Ayton hard in practice and just as happy to see him making the defensive plays as we are.
Similarly Oubre even with injuries the last two seasons I recall Scott Brooks saying he prefers to have Oubre bringing that energy off the bench. We hear the cliche all the time "can't control my playing time just my effort" type thing but I think both these guys believe in that and it's working for our team dynamic
I really think that is the best thing about Holmes and Oubre , knowing and enjoying their roles
Someone mentioned that Richaun stays hyped for Ayton even though he been subbed and playing behind Embiid I just get the impression that he is fine with that role. Probably pushes Ayton hard in practice and just as happy to see him making the defensive plays as we are.
Similarly Oubre even with injuries the last two seasons I recall Scott Brooks saying he prefers to have Oubre bringing that energy off the bench. We hear the cliche all the time "can't control my playing time just my effort" type thing but I think both these guys believe in that and it's working for our team dynamic
This second string group the Suns play has its own dynamic. They play that suffocating defense. They are like middle relievers in baseball that don't necessarily have the whole arsenal but what they do have is really good and really works in short bursts.