Suns News: Week 21 (3/6 - 3/12)

[Shabazz]

I feel like the one team we can’t really afford to be figuring out our offense against during the playoffs is the Warriors. They’re a well-oiled machine. Unfortunately, that’s looking like our first round opponent after last night’s game. It’s pretty critical we retain home-court.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Really? The Warriors defense isn't good at all this year. I said it last week, their only chance at doing something is if they have both Wiggins and PG2 playing real minutes and it's because they both defend better than anyone else.

[ShelC]

I don't know that there's any one team that scares me, so long as KD is healthy and our bench is settled and somewhat consistent.

Denver- We've handled Denver before, DA's handled Jokic, Murray and MPJ can't win a series against us

Memphis - They're always a play away from a meltdown and while they have firepower and some defense, we're still better. Not to mention there's no telling how the Ja stuff ends up

King - We take them in 5. They're solid, but we'll have the best player on the floor and DA will negate Sabonis. They barely beat us without KD

Golden State - Curry and Klay can go off, Dray is a 0. Poole and Wiggins will have to beat us. We have the defenders to cover off Curry and Klay, they don't have the size to cover off both KD and DA

Clippers - I don't trust Kawhi to last a whole series. Westbrook and Gordon haven't moved the needle for them yet and might not.

Minny - could be a sweep for us

Dallas - For whatever reason, they might be the most dangerous to us. They just play us well, we struggled with their shooters and defending Doncic

Everything hinges on KD but overall it feels like the West is ours to lose.

[Flagrant Fowl]

It's paywalled (sorry), but the headline feels a bit like damage control.

[AmareIsGod]

It's paywalled (sorry), but the headline feels a bit like damage control.

Thanks. It was a good read. Some interesting quotes and new information.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Care to share a few? I'm sure most are like myself and don't have (or want to pay) for access.

[Flagrant Fowl]

[The Bobster]

Really? The Warriors defense isn't good at all this year. I said it last week, their only chance at doing something is if they have both Wiggins and PG2 playing real minutes and it's because they both defend better than anyone else.

And the Warriors are one of the worst road teams in the league. Only the Spurs and Rockets are worse away from home.

[ShelC]

It's paywalled (sorry), but the headline feels a bit like damage control.

I think he might've missed a game or 2 and then played on it. It'd have definitely been sore, but you can tape and stabilize the ankle and play on it. I don't think he would've played that night or a day after the sprain, but he wouldn't need 3-4-5 weeks. This is precautionary obviously.

[Aztec Sunsfan]

That's so true, that it have to be said twice hehe

[ShelC]

Just in case anyone missed it the first time.

Just in case anyone missed it the first time.

[SunsRIt]

I think it’s beyond pigeonholing a player and extending to whole teams. The Suns do not get calls. Period.

[AmareIsGod]

Here's the AZ Republic paywall article:

► Show Spoiler

Kevin Durant’s left ankle sprain wouldn’t prevent him from playing if the Phoenix Suns were in the postseason right now.

“If the playoffs started today, he’d be out there,” Suns president of basketball operations and general manager James Jones said. “He’d be struggling a little bit.”

Durant twisted his left ankle during his pregame workout before what would’ve been his home debut Wednesday and will be re-evaluated in three weeks, the team announced Thursday evening.

Jones sat down with The Republic before Saturday’s home loss to Sacramento and discussed several topics. In Part 1, he talked about Durant, the status of the team as the Suns (37-30) play Monday at defending NBA champion Golden State (35-33) and the play of Devin Booker since teaming up with the two-time finals MVP.

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant interacts with a fan during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 5, 2023, in Dallas.
What were those 24 hours like from when Durant twisted his ankle to receiving the diagnosis?
“I was on the floor when he did it. So, I saw when it happened. It was just wait-and-see. He sprained his ankle. He continued to finish working out. Went to the back, said he was a little sore and hobbled around a little bit. Then he got on the table and was like ‘I feel a little stiff.’ We examined it. Got him on the table. Doctors took a look at him and said, ‘Hey, he sprained it pretty good. We should probably just go and be cautious. Take it slow. He wanted to play, he was still itching to play but we have a long-term view. Come to find out it’s a pretty moderate sprain, good enough to hobble him around a little bit."

The Suns are 3-0 with Durant on the floor. Averaging 26.7 points in those games, Durant went for 37 in last week’s win at Dallas as he hit the game winning basket with 12.4 seconds left.


“I’ve been around this long enough to know that injuries happen. Sprained ankles are common. So, for us, it was wait to see and make sure he’s good. For the rest of the guys, it just creates an opportunity for the rest of the guys to step up. It actually created some space for guys like Terrence (Ross) to really get a rhythm and get a flow and get acclimated because Kevin is a big part of what we do. Like I said, he fills a big space in the offense so when he’s not with us, other guys get a chance to just hoop a little bit.”

Ross, who Phoenix acquired in the buyout market, has scored 42 total points on 57.6% shooting (10-of-20 from 3) in Phoenix’s last two games Durant has missed.

Mar 11, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Terrence Ross (8) looks to the referees for a call as they take on the Sacramento Kings at Footprint Center.
Are you concerned at all because Durant has had a history of injures?
“No. Players that play and play a lot it get banged up, but it’s a sprained ankle. It’s the type of thing that if we’re in the playoffs, if the playoffs were to start today, he’d be out there. He’d be struggling a little bit. I’m always concerned for our players’ health when guys are hurt. I’ve been in that seat where you’re hurt. You’re always concerned about health, but anything long-term, severe, no, not (concerned) at all.”


Durant missed 20 games this season with a right MCL sprain suffered Jan. 8 at Miami when he was with Brooklyn.

Are you happy with where the team is right now considering the injuries, different lineups (23) and bringing in new players via trades?
“I like the group. I like where we’re headed, and I like what we’re building. We’re different than what we were in the past. We’ve added some more experience. We’ve added different types of players and we’ve added some motivated players. We have guys that are playing for something and see any opportunity here to win. They were coming from situations where their circumstances were up and down, too, trying to figure it out, but it’s a fresh start them and it’s a fresh start for our team."

Mar 11, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Josh Okogie (2) celebrates his dunk against the Sacramento Kings with teammate T.J. Warren (21) at Footprint Center.
The Suns traded Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-round picks and a pick swap to Brooklyn for T.J. Warren and Durant right before the Feb. 9 trade deadline as well as dealt Dario Saric and a second-round pick to Oklahoma City for Darius Bazley.

“Anytime you make a trade with good players, and you trade good players, it injects a sense of urgency. It injects some excitement because it kind of reshuffles everything. Everyone kind of picks it up because you’re competing and fighting again for those minutes in that position in the rotation you had. It’s a healthy competition and I love healthy competition.”

Mavs coach Jason Kidd said he felt as if Booker has been even more aggressive with Durant on the team. Is this him taking his game to another place or just a continuation?
Mar 11, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) is introduced before their game against the Sacramento Kings at Footprint Center.
“Devin is just continuing to progress. A lot of it is just Devin is healthy. He’s rolling into form at the right time. He had a groin injury, which is the toughest type of injury to sustain because you can’t move. You have to guard yourself. You have to be guarded, but him coming back fresh and adding Kevin. Kevin has a lot of gravity. So, it gives Devin more space to operate. It’s allowed him to explore his game and be more creative.”


Booker averaged 36 points in his three games with Durant in earning Western Conference Player of the Week honors, but he’s followed that up with 44 against Oklahoma City and 28 versus Sacramento without Durant.

“You’re seeing it with his ball handling. You’re seeing it with his attacks, his aggression. There’s one less defender paying attention to him, sometimes two less defenders because he has Kevin. Anytime you can have those two primary guys operating on each side of the floor, it just makes it easier to play and (Booker) has just been aggressive because those opportunities are presenting themselves. He’s seeing lanes. He’s seen driving lanes and open spots on the floor that he hasn’t seen in the last few years.”

[Split T]

That’s an article we never would’ve gotten before. Is it because it’s Kevin Durant or is it because Sarver is gone. We were always so closed lipped before. It makes me wonder if that was a Sarver bring over a James Jones thing.

[Mori Chu]

Just in case anyone missed it the first time.

Just in case anyone missed it the first time.

Oh man, I'm seeing double! Four ShelC posts!

[Superbone]

Just in case anyone missed it the first time.

Just in case anyone missed it the first time.

Oh man, I'm seeing double! Four ShelC posts!

He's padding his stats.

[ShelC]

I get a bonus on my 11,000 post. Poppa needs a new pair of shoes!

[Flagrant Fowl]

That’s an article we never would’ve gotten before. Is it because it’s Kevin Durant or is it because Sarver is gone. We were always so closed lipped before. It makes me wonder if that was a Sarver bring over a James Jones thing.

The interview could’ve been scheduled before KD’s ankle injury.

[Aztec Sunsfan]

I get a bonus on my 11,000 post. Poppa needs a new pair of shoes!

As long as you won't came up with "hearing a pop" after the 11,001 post, and check out for the season... we need you!!!

[djy2j]

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