Game Day: Suns (20-17) @ Knicks (19-18), Mon 1/2/23

[Superbone]

I have lost any faith I have in Monty - he just seems out of his leauge when it comes to getting the team ready and making adjustments in game.

That's what made Phil Jackson and Greg Popovich great. They knew how to make adjustments on the fly.

Not Monty’s strong point.

[Superbone]

If Bridges is playing hurt, he needs to just sit for a month. Playing to keep his streak alive is just stupid.

He’s absolutely hurt so he needs to sit for rest of the season. Same with Ayton, he’s clearly hurt too. Book out for season too.

#Tank4Wemby

Lol 20 wins is already too many.

The way we’re playing, we’re going to start getting negative wins.

[Superbone]

Kevin Ray doing his best to convince us the Suns are still in this one.

I’m glad I listened to the Knicks broadcast today. They felt sorry for us.

[Superbone]

Kevin Ray doing his best to convince us the Suns are still in this one.

If the Suns don't put you to sleep, Ann Meyers Drysdale monotone and clichés will ...

Yep, she’s pretty dry. I will say that Ray has gotten better in time. Nothing special but he’s solid.

[Superbone]

If Bridges is playing hurt, he needs to just sit for a month. Playing to keep his streak alive is just stupid.

He’s absolutely hurt so he needs to sit for rest of the season. Same with Ayton, he’s clearly hurt too. Book out for season too.

#Tank4Wemby

Lol 20 wins is already too many.

It’s a lottery, bro. As long as you in you have a chance. 3.8% of the time we get the number 1 pick every time. #Tank4Wemby.

So, you’re saying there’s a chance.

[Superbone]

Suns are now 4-11 in their last 15 games.

It hurts.

[Wally_West]

If Bridges is playing hurt, he needs to just sit for a month. Playing to keep his streak alive is just stupid.

He’s absolutely hurt so he needs to sit for rest of the season. Same with Ayton, he’s clearly hurt too. Book out for season too.

#Tank4Wemby

Lol 20 wins is already too many.

It’s a lottery, bro. As long as you in you have a chance. 3.8% of the time we get the number 1 pick every time. #Tank4Wemby.

So, you’re saying there’s a chance.

Never tell me the odds.

[AmareIsGod]

DominAyton max dollars Ya'll! Getting his time to shine with Book out. Or is Monty not able to figure out how to make Ayton the go to with Book on the shelf? I've been really busy with life situations lately and this team has been playing disappointing ball so I haven't been watching the games. Curious to know what the hell is going on.

[Flagrant Fowl]

These are the growing pains a lot of people wanted to endure. Or at least they thought they did.

[Shabazz]

DominAyton max dollars Ya'll! Getting his time to shine with Book out. Or is Monty not able to figure out how to make Ayton the go to with Book on the shelf? I've been really busy with life situations lately and this team has been playing disappointing ball so I haven't been watching the games. Curious to know what the hell is going on.

Ayton got the ball plenty in this one. With a few exceptions he was content to face up and take a contested mid-range shot rather than attacking the basket. So, same old stuff.

[Charlie Smithy!]

These are the growing pains a lot of people wanted to endure. Or at least they thought they did.

It's been a death of 1,000 cuts since your prophecy of two years ago:

I understand people wanting to like "their guys", but championship organizations don't let their feelings get in the way of winning.

Here's the reality. The Suns aren't going to win the title this year. But they're going to learn a lot about the guys they have, mainly how they perform when it really matters in the playoffs. If any of the young guys (Mikal, Ayton, Cam) obviously disappear in those moments, James Jones wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't consider trying to upgrade the player in their role to someone more reliable and experienced.

Obviously this is just conjecture because we don't know how those guys will perform in two months. What I am certain of is the title window for this team lead by Paul and Booker is narrow. If it requires losing a young player to really put the Suns in the title discussion next season, then it must be done.

What I'm describing is exactly what Denver did at the trade deadline. They loved RJ Hampton, and he'll probably be pretty good someday, but they had to make that move now before Porter Jr. signs his next contract. They were in the same spot as the Suns two weeks ago, but now they're second in the West behind the Lakers in my mind because they acquired a more reliable player.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Well the Suns went as far as they ever have in franchise history 2 months later, so...

I think I got a lot right in that post. The Paul and Booker title window is closed after two seasons and Jones might've missed his trade opportunity with one of the young guys on their rookie contracts.

I still think there's a push left in this team that we'll see in the Spring baring a significant injury. That said, everyday that goes by with Chris Paul still on the roster is one day too many if they aspire to win the title.

[ShelC]

Postgame quotes and videos

Spoiler: show/hide

[bajanguy008]

As much as CP3 been a shell of himself at times
I wonder if this has ever happened before

When he scored early 3rd quarter and commentators said First bucket and only one assist so far I was like say what ?!?!
CP3 having low points in a half isn't breaking news but there would probably be 5-6 assists......



This is brutal

[In2ition]

I'm tired of this team. CP is clearly on the backside of his career and slowly getting worse by the day. They need another creator and scorer, since the internal development of Ayton and Bridges isn't creating that. Book can't do it by himself and everyone else seems to be stuck in a role player ceiling.

[wpmiller42]

As much as CP3 been a shell of himself at times
I wonder if this has ever happened before

When he scored early 3rd quarter and commentators said First bucket and only one assist so far I was like say what ?!?!
CP3 having low points in a half isn't breaking news but there would probably be 5-6 assists......



This is brutal

To be fair, we missed a ton of shots that first half. He could have had more assists if we made some open looks. But I agree that in general, CP3 is not playing well right now.

[Mori Chu]

I still think we should consider trading Jae Crowder for a PG. We have Payne but not really anybody else who can lead an offense.

[Split T]

Someone who can run offense would be great, but I would not trade for a 3rd pg. We have 2 pg’s in our top 6 players this year, we need a wing.

[JeremyG]

DominAyton max dollars Ya'll! Getting his time to shine with Book out. Or is Monty not able to figure out how to make Ayton the go to with Book on the shelf? I've been really busy with life situations lately and this team has been playing disappointing ball so I haven't been watching the games. Curious to know what the hell is going on.

Honestly I would have to say it's both right now. Ayton did not play with enough force yesterday (just look at his rebounds). But Monty also is doing a terrible job of adjusting the game plan without Book.

[JeremyG]

I’m not sure who you can trade Paul to that A) wants him, B) He’d want to go to as well.

The Lakers? Maybe but seems like wishful thinking.


I’m not sure what the answer is here. He’s only going to get worse at this point.

Tough convo/decision but might be time to start Payne and bring CP off the bench. Play him a little less, let him work against opposing backups and finish games when needed.

Even if it's the correct move to make, Monty would never do that.