Game Day (Preseason): Suns @ Jazz, Mon 12/14/20

[Shabazz]

DISAPPAYNTON!

[Shabazz]

ADTB, end of game: 0

[Flagrant Fowl]

I didn't see most of the game but I'm just guessing that he also drew zero fouls.

The guy isn't going to grow out of this, it's who he is as a player. The sooner the FO comes to terms with that reality, the better.

[djy2j]

I’ll be curious as to what magic Paul can work on Ayton but I’m sure if he didn’t know before tonight, he has his work cut out for him.

Hoping we can get some key guys back soon to try and start to but the pieces back together because those 2 games against the Jazz left me with doubts about a lot more things with this team than I planned on

[Indy]

ADTB, end of game: 0

same for FTAs

[Charlie Smithy!]

Ayton for Doncic - who says no?

[Oatmeal]

Ayton for Doncic - who says no?

Cuban sends that call directly to voicemail.

[Superbone]

Look at Stix just getting the ball, pump fake and go. Right to the rim.

Is that what you are supposed to do?

Only if you're not out there Dominayton.

Can we get a do over on the 2018 draft?

[Superbone]

These preseason games are just showing that with so much roster turnover, we’re not just going to immediately get back to where the bubble team was at. It’s going to take some time to get everybody integrated. Saric and Crowder haven’t even played yet. The rotations are going to tighen up considerably and it’s going to take time to figure out what the rotations even will be. This team is going to be a work in progress and I think it’s going to take some time into the season before things start gelling. I’m not as confident going into game 1 now. We’ll just have to see how long it’s going to take for things to come together.

[ShelC]

I don't even think there was that much turnover. We're integrating Paul and Crowder. Book, Mikal, Cam, Ayton, Saric, Carter, and even Payne have been with the team and in the system. Paul showed last night he can step on the court and make a positive impact and fit in immediately. I'm expecting the same from Crowder. We'll miss some athleticism and slashing from Oubre, but there really haven't been any wholesale changes. Kamisnky? Diallo? Jerome and Lecque? We just haven't seen the full rotation of Paul, Book, Mikal, Cam, Ayton with Crowder and Saric plus whoever else gets minutes from Carter, Payne, Moore, Nader, Gallo, Stix and Jones.

Monty needs to figure out guard rotation off the bench between Carter, Payne, Gallo and Moore. Saric and Crowder will see the most minutes at the 4/5 with Stix getting and Jones getting some time. Book, Mikal and Cam Johnson will see a bulk of the minutes at the 2/3/4, with Crowder. I think the key is Ayton. He's gotta be impactful otherwise he's just out there taking up space. If he's coasting on defense and giving up points inside and rebounds, it's going to make things a lot more difficult overall.

[Danimal]

It’s preseason folks, there’s a new pg, they’ve had very limited practices, a little patience is still in order.

Agreed but none of this is an excuse for what ails Ayton.

Exactly. That’s a tired take. I’d accept a 2-10 line from Ayton with 5 turnovers if it was because he was being aggressive and trying to find his way.

It was the same old lazy pussy play he’s trademarked. His tattoo on his back should be HALFASSAYTON

How about castrayton?

[ShelC]

"I worked out 4 days a week this offseason."

"What did you do the other 3 days?"

"Spent those masturbayton."

[specialsauce]

lol. Both good tat options

[Split T]

I still think it’s way too early to be concerned about our team. We’ve played 2 preseason games against a good team, who was relatively healthy and has really no new players. Of course Utah is going to be hitting their stride earlier than us.

Also, we had 3-4 rotation guys sitting both games. We haven’t seen Crowder or Saric yet, and CP3, and the Cam’s both missed 1 of the games.

I’m concerned about Ayton, but I’m not concerned about our team.

[ShelC]

Ayton's not a PnR big. The sooner we understand that and work around it, the better off we'll all be.

[Split T]

Ayton's not a PnR big. The sooner we understand that and work around it, the better off we'll all be.

If that’s true, he either needs to learn or we need to trade him.

[O_Gardino]

I still think it’s way too early to be concerned about our team. We’ve played 2 preseason games against a good team, who was relatively healthy and has really no new players. Of course Utah is going to be hitting their stride earlier than us.

Also, we had 3-4 rotation guys sitting both games. We haven’t seen Crowder or Saric yet, and CP3, and the Cam’s both missed 1 of the games.

I’m concerned about Ayton, but I’m not concerned about our team.

I mostly agreed.

Monty spent training camp putting the defense in place, and most of his adjustments after game 1 were on that end of the floor. We aren't seeing the ball movement or player movement we saw last season, because the team hasn't worked on that very much.

I think the concern about Ayton is valid. I'm also concerned about our lack of point guards and size. There are going to be lots of games when we need more of both.

[Split T]

The pg issue is a problem. I was hoping Moore would be able to handle some ball handling, but he hasn’t looked good in that role. Maybe adding Saric to the rotation will help? I think we should be ok when Payne and Paul are both healthy, but if we’re missing 1 of them, it’s pretty obvious. We have one roster spot left I believe, we should add another pg.

It was curious at the time that we signed both Moore and Galloway. Two pg sized players that aren’t pg’s. Did Shabazz Napier ever sign anywhere? Seems like he might have made some sense instead of 1 of those guys.

I’m not worried about size. Saric and Crowder haven’t played yet and they’re big parts of our front court rotation.

[ShelC]

Ayton's not a PnR big. The sooner we understand that and work around it, the better off we'll all be.

If that’s true, he either needs to learn or we need to trade him.

It's just a feel and timing thing. He doesn't stick guys on screens, doesn't work smaller players down into the post, doesn't have the timing down the lane to catch and gather for the finish. He always seems off balance catching the ball on the move. He may just be more of a pick and pop guy. Shaq wasn't a great PnR big either when he was first got here. Amar'e was great at it with his footwork and getting momentum down the lane for the dunk off the pass. I just don't think Ayton has the feel or body control for it.

[Split T]

Ayton's not a PnR big. The sooner we understand that and work around it, the better off we'll all be.

If that’s true, he either needs to learn or we need to trade him.

It's just a feel and timing thing. He doesn't stick guys on screens, doesn't work smaller players down into the post, doesn't have the timing down the lane to catch and gather for the finish. He always seems off balance catching the ball on the move. He may just be more of a pick and pop guy. Shaq wasn't a great PnR big either when he was first got here. Amar'e was great at it with his footwork and getting momentum down the lane for the dunk off the pass. I just don't think Ayton has the feel or body control for it.

I just don’t see what his role is if he can’t be a pick n roll player. He’s not a good enough shooter to just pop every time. People won’t guard him. 1 because he doesn’t make enough shots and also because he won’t dribble towards the hoop anyways. He’s going to either shoot the 18 foot jump shot or stand around waiting for someone to come take a handoff.