Game Day: Suns (16-10) @ Pelicans (17-8), Sun 12/11/22

[Superbone]

I’m not disappointed in this loss. We fared better than I expected. I was penciling in a double figure loss in regulation. And bringing up Crowder isn’t a party foul. He’s a starting caliber player sitting at home with no replacement for us. If/when we ever get something for him, it could make a significant difference. However, I’m not saying we don’t need another personnel adjustment from Jones. We’re not going far into the playoffs as currently constructed even if fully healthy.

[Uncle_Gene]

Two straight 40 point third quarters. 1st game - 40 points, 2nd game - 41 points. That's a problem.

Also, why didn't Biyombo get any minutes ? I know his offensive arsenal is limited, but he's a great shot blocker.

[specialsauce]

Landale…yeesh. Missing easy shots.

Back up center becoming problem.

Becoming?

Jack was is and will be terrible

Can somebody here please fix this broken record?

I agree, unfortunately Jack sucking is a broken record Monty and James refuse to acknowledge

[specialsauce]

So, I'm upset about this loss, but I'm pretty impressed that the fellas managed to take this team to OT at home without Booker (or CamJ, or Crowder). Ayton played a monster game with 28 points on 13-18 shooting, 12 boards, 5 assists. This was a Dominayton (not Hibernayton) game for sure. Love his efficiency and shooting. Bridges also worked his ass off and gave us 27 points and five 3s in 45 (!) minutes. CP3 was still a bit rusty, especially his shooting (3-10), but he had 11 assists, managed the game well, and made a huge basket to take us to OT. Craig was a real soldier out there, giving us 14 and 7 and playing tough defense on guys like Zion, a thankless job. We got pretty good bench contributions from Payne, Lee, Landale, and even Shamet made a few buckets for us.

Without Book, to hold this Pels team so tight and almost take them in OT is a moral victory. Losing 5 of our last 6 (or whatever it is at this point) is brutal, but I don't feel at all the same way about this one as I do the last Pelicans loss, or being down 96-52 to the Celtics, etc. We can hold our heads high after this one and say that we gave 'em hell for 53 minutes.

If I never see Zion strutting around bobbing his head like a chicken after making some drive to the basket, it'll be too soon. Way to go fatty, you made a layup over a guard. Go strut about it. See you in 3 weeks when you're out injured again.

Can't believe we see these Pelicans AGAIN in less than a week. Who made this schedule? Hope Book will be able to play by then. Let's circle that one on the calendar, for sure.

Totally agree about Zion. The guy is a clown. And he drops the shoulder and runs into his defender(Ayton) and it’s a foul on the defender. How are you supposed to defend that? I feel like Ayton did as well as anyone could.

Zion and Giannis have different rules than the rest of the league.

And there’s really nothing impressive about this loss TBH. They didn’t have ingram or jones for either win.

But wE dIdNt haVe CrOwDeR

I'd argue Booker is more valuable than either of their losses. Especially since he's typically our #1 and #2 scoring option. The Crowder excuse is a nothing burger at this point and I get tired of people bringing it up.

Idk about that. Ingram averaged 27/6/6 on us in the playoffs.

[JeremyG]

I would have liked to see Biyombo today with Landale struggling. Problem is, when Monty plays Biyombo it usually makes me want Landale out there.

[The Bobster]

Ayton, last 10 games - 30.8 Min, 70.2 FG%, 75.0 FT%, 11.6 Reb, 2.3 Ast, 1.2 Blk, 21.8 Pnts

[Split T]

Ayton, last 10 games - 30.8 Min, 70.2 FG%, 75.0 FT%, 11.6 Reb, 2.3 Ast, 1.2 Blk, 21.8 Pnts

Ayton has been balling lately, let’s keep that going, get 1st team Book back, pre-37th birthday CP3, CamJ, and then add someone like Kuzma for Crowder and we just might have a shot to get to the conference finals.

[Split T]

I would have liked to see Biyombo today with Landale struggling. Problem is, when Monty plays Biyombo it usually makes me want Landale out there.

Landale is significantly more skilled, but he can’t play defense without fouling. They’d be pretty great if you could combine them into one player.

[Split T]

Zion doesn’t bug me like he bugs some of you. I’m just impressed. Even when he isn’t able to get himself a great look with his size and strength, he still finishes. His ability to hit difficult shots over contests is pretty impressive. I also didn’t really see him doing the whole barrel over people like Giannis does…that’s what Jonás does…except he gets called for it.

[Split T]

Valunciunas has had about 3 blatant and obvious fouls tonight that he complained loudly about…not my favorite player

He must be playing tag team with Avocado who surprisingly didn’t complain today.

Avocado had a bad game, he is a lot less cocky when he sucks

[Shabazz]

Will James Jones wake up? Or blame it on injuries?

Not enough internal development from last year’s Warriors’, Spurs’ and Wolves 13th men.

[djy2j]

Felt like i was watching the Bucks series all over again. Refs have gifted Zion the full back into the lane and tackle anything in your away ability. Predictable. Nauseating.

Then ifnthat wasn't a big enough kick in the dick, fouling Paul and Ayton out on an already depleted team.

And then if you want more, Pels were in the bonus in the 4th before they even had a team foul. First team foul on the Pels game with a little over 5 left.

Also fuck the fans for chanting Fuck Chris Paul. Keeping it classy down in the butthole of America.

[djy2j]

Dario tried his best but unfortunately he's not going to be real helpful to this team. Made a couple shots but he was pretty awful especially in the 2nd half.

[AmareIsGod]

So, I'm upset about this loss, but I'm pretty impressed that the fellas managed to take this team to OT at home without Booker (or CamJ, or Crowder). Ayton played a monster game with 28 points on 13-18 shooting, 12 boards, 5 assists. This was a Dominayton (not Hibernayton) game for sure. Love his efficiency and shooting. Bridges also worked his ass off and gave us 27 points and five 3s in 45 (!) minutes. CP3 was still a bit rusty, especially his shooting (3-10), but he had 11 assists, managed the game well, and made a huge basket to take us to OT. Craig was a real soldier out there, giving us 14 and 7 and playing tough defense on guys like Zion, a thankless job. We got pretty good bench contributions from Payne, Lee, Landale, and even Shamet made a few buckets for us.

Without Book, to hold this Pels team so tight and almost take them in OT is a moral victory. Losing 5 of our last 6 (or whatever it is at this point) is brutal, but I don't feel at all the same way about this one as I do the last Pelicans loss, or being down 96-52 to the Celtics, etc. We can hold our heads high after this one and say that we gave 'em hell for 53 minutes.

If I never see Zion strutting around bobbing his head like a chicken after making some drive to the basket, it'll be too soon. Way to go fatty, you made a layup over a guard. Go strut about it. See you in 3 weeks when you're out injured again.

Can't believe we see these Pelicans AGAIN in less than a week. Who made this schedule? Hope Book will be able to play by then. Let's circle that one on the calendar, for sure.

Totally agree about Zion. The guy is a clown. And he drops the shoulder and runs into his defender(Ayton) and it’s a foul on the defender. How are you supposed to defend that? I feel like Ayton did as well as anyone could.

Zion and Giannis have different rules than the rest of the league.

And there’s really nothing impressive about this loss TBH. They didn’t have ingram or jones for either win.

But wE dIdNt haVe CrOwDeR

I'd argue Booker is more valuable than either of their losses. Especially since he's typically our #1 and #2 scoring option. The Crowder excuse is a nothing burger at this point and I get tired of people bringing it up.

Idk about that. Ingram averaged 27/6/6 on us in the playoffs.

I guess I just meant they have better options after him like Fatty McDunksAlot. We don't have a Fatty McDunksAlot on our team to rooster strut all over the court everytime he scores with Booker out of the lineup.

[ShelC]

PostGame Quotes and Videos

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[specialsauce]

Totally agree about Zion. The guy is a clown. And he drops the shoulder and runs into his defender(Ayton) and it’s a foul on the defender. How are you supposed to defend that? I feel like Ayton did as well as anyone could.

Zion and Giannis have different rules than the rest of the league.

And there’s really nothing impressive about this loss TBH. They didn’t have ingram or jones for either win.

But wE dIdNt haVe CrOwDeR

I'd argue Booker is more valuable than either of their losses. Especially since he's typically our #1 and #2 scoring option. The Crowder excuse is a nothing burger at this point and I get tired of people bringing it up.

Idk about that. Ingram averaged 27/6/6 on us in the playoffs.

I guess I just meant they have better options after him like Fatty McDunksAlot. We don't have a Fatty McDunksAlot on our team to rooster strut all over the court everytime he scores with Booker out of the lineup.

That’s true. Fuck fatty mcdunksalot.

Although it does show us that there’s just a talent gap between the two teams, as crazy as it sounds that a team that has made the playoffs once in however many years has already surpassed a team that is two years removed from being up 2-0 in the finals and then got cheap AF and sat on their hands

[In2ition]

Zion and Giannis have different rules than the rest of the league.

And there’s really nothing impressive about this loss TBH. They didn’t have ingram or jones for either win.

But wE dIdNt haVe CrOwDeR

I'd argue Booker is more valuable than either of their losses. Especially since he's typically our #1 and #2 scoring option. The Crowder excuse is a nothing burger at this point and I get tired of people bringing it up.

Idk about that. Ingram averaged 27/6/6 on us in the playoffs.

I guess I just meant they have better options after him like Fatty McDunksAlot. We don't have a Fatty McDunksAlot on our team to rooster strut all over the court everytime he scores with Booker out of the lineup.

That’s true. Fuck fatty mcdunksalot.

Although it does show us that there’s just a talent gap between the two teams, as crazy as it sounds that a team that has made the playoffs once in however many years has already surpassed a team that is two years removed from being up 2-0 in the finals and then got cheap AF and sat on their hands

It's hard to say that they've gotten cheap AF, when they haven't made the first reactionary trade possible. That never ends well for those that panic. They have about $30 million of salary doing essentially nothing. James Jones is likely very very conservative in his approach. Not about to rock the boat, but keeps looking for the trade that makes sense. Or he just can't bring himself to trade away guys that he really likes. Let's see what happens on or soon after Dec. 15th.

[Shabazz]

It’s the second year in a row they haven’t used the exceptions available to them.

[In2ition]

Who do you think that they could sign or could have signed with the exception would be helping them right now?

[Drewsprocket]

I'd argue Booker is more valuable than either of their losses. Especially since he's typically our #1 and #2 scoring option. The Crowder excuse is a nothing burger at this point and I get tired of people bringing it up.

Idk about that. Ingram averaged 27/6/6 on us in the playoffs.

I guess I just meant they have better options after him like Fatty McDunksAlot. We don't have a Fatty McDunksAlot on our team to rooster strut all over the court everytime he scores with Booker out of the lineup.

That’s true. Fuck fatty mcdunksalot.

Although it does show us that there’s just a talent gap between the two teams, as crazy as it sounds that a team that has made the playoffs once in however many years has already surpassed a team that is two years removed from being up 2-0 in the finals and then got cheap AF and sat on their hands

It's hard to say that they've gotten cheap AF, when they haven't made the first reactionary trade possible. That never ends well for those that panic. They have about $30 million of salary doing essentially nothing. James Jones is likely very very conservative in his approach. Not about to rock the boat, but keeps looking for the trade that makes sense. Or he just can't bring himself to trade away guys that he really likes. Let's see what happens on or soon after Dec. 15th.

If he doesn’t make a big swing by the trade deadline, we know he will have failed and I can’t imagine having anything good to say about him. This team is a first round exit or a tank if the roster isn’t fixed.