Game Day: Suns (16-24) @ Knicks (11-30), Thurs 1/16/20

[Bucktastic365]

I think he truly is too nice. He needs to learn how to play mad. Amare played like he was pissed off. Ayton even dunks nicely. I remember a game last year where he got pissed off at something or someone and played with that fire for a brief moment in time.

This

I remember ONE game where he got angry and dunked on someone; was it Plumlee?

[jonh]

Okay actually I take it back, Luka is really good.

Dammit Mori! We were just starting to become complacent with Ayton! Why do you do this?

Moro is low key trolling trying to increase site traffic.

[virtual9mm]

Back on topic. Not so long ago, everyone was justifiably concerned about Ayton's desire and effectiveness on defense.

Check out these statistics:



He's already become a crazy good man-on-man defender and we're starting to see him cover the weak side much better, mainly because he's learning to trust his teammates on switches.

https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2020 ... oenix-suns

We're starting to get to the point where we can imagine DA being a Gobert with star offensive potential.

[INFORMER]

Okay actually I take it back, Luka is really good.

Dammit Mori! We were just starting to become complacent with Ayton! Why do you do this?

WORD. Terrible post Mori. Terrible. I'm depressed again.

[INFORMER]

We're starting to get to the point where we can imagine DA being a Gobert with star offensive potential.

He can be better than Gobert on the defensive end, and I'll tell you why. Gobert can lock down the paint, but he is vulnerable in the pick and roll. Houston exposed this big time. Ayton has the mobility and coordination to defend all over the court. We saw a preview of that in the NY game.

[INFORMER]

If I'm being honest, I understand where Cap, Indy, Informer and others are coming from. Ayton is so physically gifted and dominant that last night shouldn't be a "OMG did you see that?! I told you he's not a bust" type of event. They should be proof that he's as talented and dominant as any big man in the league. And that's the frustration. When he figures out that he's dominant and plays aggressive, there's no stopping him. I hope he figures out how to channel that effort consistently otherwise I, again, understand the frustration. He could be one of the greats. But it all comes down to him realizing and wanting that.

Post of the year.

[virtual9mm]

We're starting to get to the point where we can imagine DA being a Gobert with star offensive potential.

He can be better than Gobert on the defensive end, and I'll tell you why. Gobert can lock down the paint, but he is vulnerable in the pick and roll. Houston exposed this big time. Ayton has the mobility and coordination to defend all over the court. We saw a preview of that in the NY game.

Agree, perhaps a better metaphor is the best parts of Gobert, Garnett, and prime Dwight Howard in the same player. Only things that are lacking are experience and the willpower to be consistent.

If this vision materializes...Doncic may not end up being the best player in the class after all. But this is still a big if.

[virtual9mm]

If I'm being honest, I understand where Cap, Indy, Informer and others are coming from. Ayton is so physically gifted and dominant that last night shouldn't be a "OMG did you see that?! I told you he's not a bust" type of event. They should be proof that he's as talented and dominant as any big man in the league. And that's the frustration. When he figures out that he's dominant and plays aggressive, there's no stopping him. I hope he figures out how to channel that effort consistently otherwise I, again, understand the frustration. He could be one of the greats. But it all comes down to him realizing and wanting that.

Post of the year.

This is his second game as a starter under a coach that isn't downplaying his strengths as part of the system. Let's give him a bit of time.

[INFORMER]

And honestly, I don't need Ayton to be better than Doncic. I just need him to be GREAT. I need him to be a difference-maker. I don't need him to be 20/10 Elton Brand, no offense to Mr. Brand, of course.

[Superbone]

And honestly, I don't need Ayton to be better than Doncic. I just need him to be GREAT. I need him to be a difference-maker. I don't need him to be 20/10 Elton Brand, no offense to Mr. Brand, of course.

Yep. He and Doncic are different players obviously. Greatness out of our first ever #1 pick in the draft is what we're all clamoring for. If Ayton can start approaching what he did in the Knicks game on a consistent basis I would be overjoyed!

[Indy]

And honestly, I don't need Ayton to be better than Doncic. I just need him to be GREAT. I need him to be a difference-maker. I don't need him to be 20/10 Elton Brand, no offense to Mr. Brand, of course.

This is the key.

[Mori Chu]

Moro is low key trolling trying to increase site traffic.

You got me. AND IT WORKED!

[virtual9mm]

Consensus on a topic here. Who would have thunk it?

[Nodack]

Ayton missed the beginning of the season, comes back for 1 game and twists an ankle, comes back and is hesitant. I can see why he would be. Him joining the team seemed like it also messed up the groove the team had going too, especially Baynes. Doncic has been tearing up the league and we have been criticizing Ayton heavily as a result. A little time has passed and Ayton has gotten better in every game it seems. They are getting used to him and he is getting used to them. The team is starting to gel with him and we are starting to win again. It’s no coincidence.

With Baynes and Ayton out we were getting abused on the boards. Not anymore. Suns 52 rebounds. Celtics 39. Baynes has been in a little funk since Ayton has come back. Hopefully he will stick to only shooting 3s from the top of the key.

[ShelC]

I'd like to see us hang around until All-Star, then make a post All Star run with a (hopefully) fully healthy and rested team (namely Rubio and Baynes).

[Flagrant Fowl]

These last two wins have been encouraging, but I need to see a win like the one against the Clippers in the first week to believe that this team can turn a corner and really challenge for a .500 season and playoff spot.

Otherwise I'll just assume they'll continue to do this Jekyll and Hyde stuff where they can't put together more than three wins in a row.

[O_Gardino]

These last two wins have been encouraging, but I need to see a win like the one against the Clippers in the first week to believe that this team can turn a corner and really challenge for a .500 season and playoff spot.

Otherwise I'll just assume they'll continue to do this Jekyll and Hyde stuff where they can't put together more than three wins in a row.

The Suns are undefeated in the second half of the season, and all of our wins are against playoff teams.