Game Day: Suns (20-15) @ Wizards (14-21), Wed 12/28/22

[INFORMER]

They just need to remain in striking distance. Keep the record at .500 until everyone returns from injury.

[virtual9mm]

They just need to remain in striking distance. Keep the record at .500 until everyone returns from injury.

Good enough for me

[Shabazz]

For anyone saying the regular season doesn’t matter: if the goal is a title, you’re not meeting that if you finish with the 7th seed or below. You’re just not. I’d probably say the same for the 5 and 6 seed. It’s just too hard to win 4 straight series without HCA.

“Get healthy and peak in the playoffs” doesn’t work if you’re in the play-in.

[Flagrant Fowl]

All of that is true ‘bazz, but they’re not winning a title if Chris Paul has to be the 2nd best player in 8 or more playoff wins.

I’m not saying give up or the season is lost, just that winning these games wouldn’t mean a whole lot if the roster is the same come April.

[INFORMER]

For anyone saying the regular season doesn’t matter: if the goal is a title, you’re not meeting that if you finish with the 7th seed or below. You’re just not. I’d probably say the same for the 5 and 6 seed. It’s just too hard to win 4 straight series without HCA.

“Get healthy and peak in the playoffs” doesn’t work if you’re in the play-in.

I think this year in the West it is possible.

[Shabazz]

For anyone saying the regular season doesn’t matter: if the goal is a title, you’re not meeting that if you finish with the 7th seed or below. You’re just not. I’d probably say the same for the 5 and 6 seed. It’s just too hard to win 4 straight series without HCA.

“Get healthy and peak in the playoffs” doesn’t work if you’re in the play-in.

I think this year in the West it is possible.

I agree that there’s parity and no dominant team, but to me that makes seeding even more important. You need every advantage you can get.

And our last 2 playoff series losses are not instructive.

[Superbone]

Glad to see DominAYTON show up tonight.

Eh. Only 7 boards and not much defense.

[ShelC]

I haven’t seen enough from Rui to trust him in the playoffs. I’d rather not trade Crowder for that type of player.

I've always liked Rui but yea, not sure he's a guy you move Crowder for. He would help provide some of what we need at the 4/3 but probably not enough to really make a difference. He's a bit bigger than CamJ but not by much, has more of a well rounded inside-outside game but not dominant by any means, isn't overly athletic or a particularly strong rebounder/defender. But I would definitely take him over Deni, whom the FO seems to prefer over Rui according to a Windhorst report. Maybe there's something we don't know, maybe they have more info on both going back to the draft or feel one fits better over the other.

[ShelC]

Postgame quotes and videos

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[djy2j]

For anyone saying the regular season doesn’t matter: if the goal is a title, you’re not meeting that if you finish with the 7th seed or below. You’re just not. I’d probably say the same for the 5 and 6 seed. It’s just too hard to win 4 straight series without HCA.

“Get healthy and peak in the playoffs” doesn’t work if you’re in the play-in.

Exactly. Lakers took this same approach last year. This roster has had so many injuries that I'm not sure getting everyone healthy at the same time is a realistic thought. Also, how long will it take Booker and CamJ to get back to normal once healthy? CamJ was dog shit last year when he came back. This current roster will not beat the Mavs or Pels in a playoff series regardless if they are 100% healthy or if they have home court. Jones has a lot of work to do to make this team a contender.

[INFORMER]

Glad to see DominAYTON show up tonight.

Eh. Only 7 boards and not much defense.

I am a beggar, so I won't be a chooser...

[INFORMER]

But I would definitely take him over Deni, whom the FO seems to prefer over Rui according to a Windhorst report. Maybe there's something we don't know, maybe they have more info on both going back to the draft or feel one fits better over the other.

Rui struggles to stay on the court. He also had that long leave of absence for personal reasons. So there are some yellow flags there. But he is a very gifted offensive player, similar to Cedric Ceballos.

Deni has more upside in that he has 2-way ability and playmaking ability. But he has the "will it ever come together" feel in that a lot of what is appealing is still more potential than reality. Saucy goes a little too far (as usual) with the Bender comparisons, but there is legitimate concern there that Deni may never put it all together.

[INFORMER]

This roster has had so many injuries that I'm not sure getting everyone healthy at the same time is a realistic thought.

I was screaming for better depth at the point guard spot before the season started because Paul and Payne always miss a bunch of games. And look what has happened, and it is only December.

Jones needs to go forward with the understanding that we have a bunch of guys that are going to miss double figure games: Book, Ayton, the Cams, Paul. You need to build the roster accordingly.

[Superbone]

For anyone saying the regular season doesn’t matter: if the goal is a title, you’re not meeting that if you finish with the 7th seed or below. You’re just not. I’d probably say the same for the 5 and 6 seed. It’s just too hard to win 4 straight series without HCA.

“Get healthy and peak in the playoffs” doesn’t work if you’re in the play-in.

Exactly. Lakers took this same approach last year. This roster has had so many injuries that I'm not sure getting everyone healthy at the same time is a realistic thought. Also, how long will it take Booker and CamJ to get back to normal once healthy? CamJ was dog shit last year when he came back. This current roster will not beat the Mavs or Pels in a playoff series regardless if they are 100% healthy or if they have home court. Jones has a lot of work to do to make this team a contender.

Maybe not but top four works as the Warriors showed last year. A solid Crowder replacement will go a long way. I'd like to see what Ishbia's deep pockets can produce as well.

[bajanguy008]

CP3 looked better than I expected on a back to back
Plus I think his 3pt shooting is coming along which will be important if he's being effective off ball