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

[LazarusLong]

Suns have a surfeit of guards who are more comfortable playing off the ball.
Payne played well in the bubble, but that was then, and this is now.
Galloway after two games, has shot lights out. He's the most impressive (non-Paul) addition so far.
It's early, it's only two preseason games, but still it's something to consider.
What's up for grabs is somebody who can run the offense decently with Paul on the bench.

[ShelC]

I learned a new word today. Thanks, Laz!

[LazarusLong]

[Split T]

I wouldn't even regard Payne as a PG, more of a scoring guard who can play PG. He could fire in the bubble but it's not like he was dishing out assists. It was a group effort with the 2nd unit passing and hitting shots. It's why I think Saric is a key guy, a "connector" as Monty calls him. He can initiate and take the pressure off those bench guards.

Sure, he’s a scoring pg, but he’s still a pg. I’d define a pg as someone who plays on ball. Ideally you’d want one that is better at creating scoring opportunities for his teammates, but guys like Carter, Galloway, and Moore haven’t even really shown the ability to create scoring opportunities for themselves. Payne can do that.

[Superbone]

Masturbayton

Ayton had a front row view. He didn't even flinch or even entertain the idea of getting in front of that.

[Nodack]

Maybe he just wanted to see Mitchell dunk.

[Indy]

I wouldn't even regard Payne as a PG, more of a scoring guard who can play PG. He caught fire in the bubble but it's not like he was dishing out assists. It was a group effort with the 2nd unit passing and hitting shots. It's why I think Saric is a key guy, a "connector" as Monty calls him. He can initiate and take the pressure off those bench guards.

True about Saric. That is why it is so critical he returns to his bubble-self, and not his rest-of-career-self.

[In2ition]

Masturbayton

Ayton had a front row view. He didn't even flinch or even entertain the idea of getting in front of that.

Unfortunately, it feels like I saw that or something very similar about 3 times last night. Part of it is trying to concentrate on Gobert, and part of it is not concentrating on his responsibilities to protect the rim. I shouldn't be concerned about Ayton and the preseason, but I am concerned about him and the preseason.

[Indy]

Masturbayton

Ayton had a front row view. He didn't even flinch or even entertain the idea of getting in front of that.

Unfortunately, it feels like I saw that or something very similar about 3 times last night. Part of it is trying to concentrate on Gobert, and part of it is not concentrating on his responsibilities to protect the rim. I shouldn't be concerned about Ayton and the preseason, but I am concerned about him and the preseason.

That is exactly how I feel.

[specialsauce]

Masturbayton

Ayton had a front row view. He didn't even flinch or even entertain the idea of getting in front of that.

Take it easy on him guys this is all new for him

[Charlie Smithy!]

Masturbayton

Ayton had a front row view. He didn't even flinch or even entertain the idea of getting in front of that.

Take it easy on him guys this is all new for him

This question needs to be asked of the karbasi; truly, what would be the result if we merged Kelly oubre and DeAndre ayton into a singular being?

[Cap]

I’m already starting to regret Split’s sig.

[Flagrant Fowl]

I overreacted yesterday.

I don't know how trading Ayton sometime soon would help this team. I'm just worried about his extension. He continuously looks like big man Andrew Wiggins with each passing game, and contenders can't be paying the third or fourth best guy on the team a max-level salary.

[Indy]

I overreacted yesterday.

I don't know how trading Ayton sometime soon would help this team. I'm just worried about his extension. He continuously looks like big man Andrew Wiggins with each passing game, and contenders can't be paying the third or fourth best guy on the team a max-level salary.

You absolutely can if one of your other 3 are still on a rookie deal, or you are willing to pay the taxes. But all of that assumes he is worth it. And this DA is not worth a 5yr/150M deal. Not even close.

[Flagrant Fowl]

I should've said "don't" instead of "can't", because while possible, neither of those options are available to the Suns or most teams.

[specialsauce]

Masturbayton

Ayton had a front row view. He didn't even flinch or even entertain the idea of getting in front of that.

Take it easy on him guys this is all new for him

This question needs to be asked of the karbasi; truly, what would be the result if we merged Kelly oubre and DeAndre ayton into a singular being?

Lol. I don’t hate DA like I do KO. I’m just really disappointed he hasn’t improved his approach to the game at all and talks such a big game every time he opens his mouth.

How does he say some Bs about this being the hardest he’s ever worked out this offseason, then gets ripped for being out of shape by his coach?

[In2ition]

Masturbayton

Ayton had a front row view. He didn't even flinch or even entertain the idea of getting in front of that.

Take it easy on him guys this is all new for him

This question needs to be asked of the karbasi; truly, what would be the result if we merged Kelly oubre and DeAndre ayton into a singular being?

Lol. I don’t hate DA like I do KO. I’m just really disappointed he hasn’t improved his approach to the game at all and talks such a big game every time he opens his mouth.

How does he say some Bs about this being the hardest he’s ever worked out this offseason, then gets ripped for being out of shape by his coach?

I think his level of "hardest ever" is a little bit different than someone like KG or any of the superstars. He just doesn't know.

Also, do you think that he shoots middies when he plays himself in 2K? I can't recall a player like him that just goes out of his way to avoid contact as much as he does.

[Superbone]

Masturbayton

Ayton had a front row view. He didn't even flinch or even entertain the idea of getting in front of that.

Unfortunately, it feels like I saw that or something very similar about 3 times last night. Part of it is trying to concentrate on Gobert, and part of it is not concentrating on his responsibilities to protect the rim. I shouldn't be concerned about Ayton and the preseason, but I am concerned about him and the preseason.

Yep, I saw it at least one other time.

[Superbone]

Masturbayton

Ayton had a front row view. He didn't even flinch or even entertain the idea of getting in front of that.

Take it easy on him guys this is all new for him

This question needs to be asked of the karbasi; truly, what would be the result if we merged Kelly oubre and DeAndre ayton into a singular being?

Lol. I don’t hate DA like I do KO. I’m just really disappointed he hasn’t improved his approach to the game at all and talks such a big game every time he opens his mouth.

How does he say some Bs about this being the hardest he’s ever worked out this offseason, then gets ripped for being out of shape by his coach?

I'm starting to think he just says what people tell him. For example, coach probably told him that if he just plays great basketball and doesn't worry about his contract, he will get a great new contract naturally. So, he repeats that back to the media. However, he hasn't taken it to heart. It's just a good sound bite.

[Charlie Smithy!]

Ayton had a front row view. He didn't even flinch or even entertain the idea of getting in front of that.

Take it easy on him guys this is all new for him

This question needs to be asked of the karbasi; truly, what would be the result if we merged Kelly oubre and DeAndre ayton into a singular being?

Lol. I don’t hate DA like I do KO. I’m just really disappointed he hasn’t improved his approach to the game at all and talks such a big game every time he opens his mouth.

How does he say some Bs about this being the hardest he’s ever worked out this offseason, then gets ripped for being out of shape by his coach?

I'm starting to think he just says what people tell him. For example, coach probably told him that if he just plays great basketball and doesn't worry about his contract, he will get a great new contract naturally. So, he repeats that back to the media. However, he hasn't taken it to heart. It's just a good sound bite.

Beating the dead horse (reviving and then beating) but getting the #1 pick in the draft with Doncic...I've lived with a lot of things as a Suns/sports fan, but damn.