Game Day: Suns (20-18) @ Cavs (24-14), Wed 1/4/23

[djy2j]

Cavs announcer Mike Fratello just called Ayton a shot blocker. Sure he is. Remember this "other teams" at the trade deadline.

Ayton is a shot blocker as Bizzy is a free throw shooter in the sense that he has done it.

[JeremyG]

If we lose this game it's because Ayton is 6 for 8 and we keep refusing to go to him, while Bridges is 2 for 11.

Maybe if Ayton would catch the ball

Show me one decent pass he hasn't caught tonight.

[ShelC]

So many shots/layups rimming out on us tonight.

[djy2j]

Welp. Another deflating loss. Lookin real lotteryish this year.

[JeremyG]

If we lose this game it's because Ayton is 6 for 8 and we keep refusing to go to him, while Bridges is 2 for 11.

What a stupid team and coach.

#FireMonty

[Split T]

If we lose this game it's because Ayton is 6 for 8 and we keep refusing to go to him, while Bridges is 2 for 11.

Maybe if Ayton would catch the ball

Show me one decent pass he hasn't caught tonight.

I watched him fumble away at least two…I don’t care enough to find them

[Split T]

If we lose this game it's because Ayton is 6 for 8 and we keep refusing to go to him, while Bridges is 2 for 11.

What a stupid team and coach.

#FireMonty

[LazarusLong]

Suns outscored 14-5 by Cleveland in last five minutes.

Bridges was 3-15 from the field. That's 20% shooting.

[Split T]

Ya it’s clear Bridges isn’t a 1st or 2nd option…can be a 3rd option on a good day, but he needs to go back to 3rd/4th option

[djy2j]

If we lose this game it's because Ayton is 6 for 8 and we keep refusing to go to him, while Bridges is 2 for 11.

What a stupid team and coach.

#FireMonty

I share similar frustrations with this team but replacing Monty would only set this team back even more. He's been real complacent lately it seems but there's not a coach out there that would get more out of this active roster. This team is just going to take lumps until roster moves are made.

[MightyMoog]

It's clear the bookies and the NBA is trying to make back all the money it lost on us last year.

[Split T]

If we lose this game it's because Ayton is 6 for 8 and we keep refusing to go to him, while Bridges is 2 for 11.

What a stupid team and coach.

#FireMonty

I share similar frustrations with this team but replacing Monty would only set this team back even more. He's been real complacent lately it seems but there's not a coach out there that would get more out of this active roster. This team is just going to take lumps until roster moves are made.

Ya not saying he’s without fault…but not really sure what he’s supposed to do with this roster. Honestly the fact we were even in the game is a feat. Jeremy just wants Ayton to be used like he’s prime Shaq or Wilt and anything less means Monty is a failure.

[JeremyG]

If we lose this game it's because Ayton is 6 for 8 and we keep refusing to go to him, while Bridges is 2 for 11.

What a stupid team and coach.

#FireMonty

I share similar frustrations with this team but replacing Monty would only set this team back even more. He's been real complacent lately it seems but there's not a coach out there that would get more out of this active roster. This team is just going to take lumps until roster moves are made.

Ya not saying he’s without fault…but not really sure what he’s supposed to do with this roster. Honestly the fact we were even in the game is a feat. Jeremy just wants Ayton to be used like he’s prime Shaq or Wilt and anything less means Monty is a failure.

Lol, going to Ayton in the 4th was clearly the only way we were going to win this game. Don't tell me he didn't show up with energy tonight when he had 18 freaking rebounds. This is on the coach, pure and simple. After Ayton put us up by 3 with 3 minutes left, he didn't touch the ball the rest of the game.

[Split T]

Two plays stand out to me for why we lost..1st there was a play Craig and Mikal both went with the same guy on a screen and Mitchell got a wide open 3. 2nd, CP3 stayed back to try and steal it from Mitchell in the backcourt and Mitchell found Cedí wide open down the court for a 3 and Shamet was late covering.

[ShelC]

Good fight, good defense helped by bad Cleveland offense. We just didn't have a closer to seal the game, they did. Osman, LeVert and Neto hurt us and then Mitchell hit a big 3 late and Mobley made the go ahead basket. Just gotta keep scrapping and trying to win ugly because we don't have the firepower to go shot for shot with teams. Good job by Mikal on Mitchell and good job by Ayton on the boards. CP carried the offense but is having to work harder for his shots at this point in his career.

[Shabazz]

I’m not trying to make excuses for him, as he’s been really bad these last few weeks (and even worse in the clutch), but I think something must be off with Mikal. The shots he’s missing are ones we’ve seen him make most of his career, all of last season and for the first month of this season.

He had that play where it looked like he got injured a few weeks back and he hasn’t been the same since.

[The Bobster]

Ya it’s clear Bridges isn’t a 1st or 2nd option…can be a 3rd option on a good day, but he needs to go back to 3rd/4th option

We'll really have something if his balls ever drop.

Like Al McCoy said in his intervie today - this team's offense is designed for the forwards and guards to score.

The only problem is that none of the forwards and guards out there are consistent scorers.

[JeremyG]

Scapegoating DA again?

[Split T]

I’m not trying to make excuses for him, as he’s been really bad these last few weeks (and even worse in the clutch), but I think something must be off with Mikal. The shots he’s missing are ones we’ve seen him make most of his career, all of last season and for the first month of this season.

He had that play where it looked like he got injured a few weeks back and he hasn’t been the same since.

I don’t know, he seems to be moving fine. I lean more towards it just being a role he hasn’t played and the weight of it is getting to him. Maybe the knee is bothering him though…need to sit him if so

[Split T]

Ya it’s clear Bridges isn’t a 1st or 2nd option…can be a 3rd option on a good day, but he needs to go back to 3rd/4th option

We'll really have something if his balls ever drop.

Like Al McCoy said in his intervie today - this team's offense is designed for the forwards and guards to score.

The only problem is that none of the forwards and guards out there are consistent scorers.

Ya our best two are hurt. Mikal hasn’t been good, he’s been rough, but this isn’t the role he should be in…I think we all hoped he could do it, but it looks like he can’t