Game Day: Grizzlies (12-23) @ Suns (19-16), Sun 1/7/24

[SunsSince92]

Just an awful loss - no excuse, just mentally soft. We have given away so many games already, which is super frustrating and will bite us at the end of the season.

If we even make the play-in that is. Could be the difference.

At this point I honestly don't see us making the play-in.

Ehh, would be hard to not make the play-in… we’re in a tie for 8th now and that’s with all the awful play we’ve seen. We’d have to get even worse

That's fair. I guess I'm just not optimistic that one or more of the big 3 won't go down for another bunch of games during that time based on what we've seen so far this season. If that happens I can see us going into freefall.

Probably an overly pessimistic view after a frustrating loss though.

[TOO]

Another 4th quarter meltdown and we've officially run out of excuses surely. This team is not a contender.

Yeah. And we gave up Bridges, Johnson, Crowder, four picks, three swaps, and more for the privilege of not being a contender.

But that’s OK. Not like I don’t have anything else to live for.

Buy a PlayStation.

[Shabazz]

[Shabazz]

In a game full of annoying things, the one that got to me most was Tom Leander’s call of a KD jumper: “Kevin Durant, Rock Bottom!” Uhhh.

Also, KBD being a -24 in 14 minutes.

[Shabazz]

Suns still wholly reliant on Booker. Horrible starts to the 2nd and 4th when he sat doomed us. Need to get Goodwin’s confidence back.

[virtual9mm]

You can't fix these fourth quarter collapses, just a lack of heart, not without a transplant. Durant isn't worth what we gave up. But the problem predates him.

[Superbone]

Yeah, dummy, because your team couldn’t get a defensive rebound to save their lives. They got a lot more extra shots than they should have. Plus, you guys were totally outhustled and outworked.

[Superbone]

I think I’m done with KBD. He’s a waste out there. At least Goodwin would have got some hustle rebounds.

[Flagrant Fowl]

It was the combination of a poor lineup to start the 4th and our actual good players missing shots they otherwise wouldn't. Specifically the layups by Allen, Beal and Nurkic, and the WIDE OPEN 3 pointer by Beal.

The rebounding stuff is always going to be an issue when playing 3 shooting guards and a light weight power forward. Nurkic can only do so much. For the billionth time, if only Okogie had a respectable shot. Then he would've been out there for Allen and doing a lot of the chase down rebounding. That's not to say it's Allen's fault alone.

I was pretty pissed off a couple of hours ago, but this team has repeatedly shown us who they are so it's my own fault for expecting something different. Despite that, I think they'll gradually improve and I still believe they have mostly the right pieces, they just have to collectively get their head out of their own asses. Easier said than done, I suppose.

[SunsSince92]

You can't fix these fourth quarter collapses, just a lack of heart, not without a transplant. Durant isn't worth what we gave up. But the problem predates him.

Agree 100%. He's a luxury player that makes a great team elite and turns an elite team into a dynasty. He isn't someone that's going to turn an average/good team into a great team, especially at this stage of his career.

I hope he proves me wrong, but I just don't see it based on what we've witnessed since he's been here.

[Kryptonic]

Glad I missed this one…. Such a disappointing season.

[Shabazz]

I think I’m done with KBD. He’s a waste out there. At least Goodwin would have got some hustle rebounds.

His play and Eubanks’ has me completely rethinking how I evaluate players who look pretty good on bad teams.

[Superbone]

These guys get it.

[ShelC]

Postgame Quotes and Videos

Spoiler: show/hide

[AmareIsGod]

Ooph. Come on Suns. Don't make me put the pessimist pants back on.

[specialsauce]

We absolutely have to be fully healthy. Cannot have Eubanks KBD and Goodwin out there and expect to win. These guys blow.

[Cap]

During the preseason I thought we had more rotation-quality players than there were room for in a rotation. Couldn’t have been more wrong.

[SunsSince92]

It's crazy how Yuta started the season well and then dropped off a cliff after his parents came to watch him play. He's not been the same player since.

KBD just gives off the vibe that he doesn't want to be here, which is strange considering many were pegging him as the 5th starter in the off-season. You'd have thought he'd have wanted to grasp the opportunity to start for a contender with both hands but he's never looked remotely interested to me.

[Split T]

I think he’s just got a chill personality…some Ariza vibes for sure…we wouldn’t be bothered if he was making shots.

[Superbone]

We absolutely have to be fully healthy. Cannot have Eubanks KBD and Goodwin out there and expect to win. These guys blow.

Somebody didn't watch the game. Goodwin didn't play a minute.