Game Day: Suns (1-0) @ Clippers (0-1), Fri 10/24/25

[Shabazz]

NHD might be the least noticeable man in America

Out there getting his cardio in.

Those CG/Allen/Royce/NHD/Richards minutes were absolutely brutal. The Death Lineup, but the bad kind of death.

[3TheHardaway]

I have to echo the Royce and Allen sentiment. They’re above average players that are only going to serve as inning eaters and prevent the young guys from playing.

This team should look very different pre and post trade deadline.

I’m also not sure what exactly NHD does here. He’s the definition of a JAG.

[SunsSince92]

I have to echo the Royce and Allen sentiment. They’re above average players that are only going to serve as inning eaters and prevent the young guys from playing.

This team should look very different pre and post trade deadline.

I’m also not sure what exactly NHD does here. He’s the definition of a JAG.

I'd keep one of those two around but move the other one (my preference would be to keep Allen over Royce).

I agree on NHD, he was a curious pick-up to begin with but I was happy to give him the benefit of the doubt on the basis that Ott saw something in him that we didn't. Based on what we've seen he offers nothing more than Dunn, Fleming or Oso would at the 4 and shouldn't be taking minutes away from any of those guys.

[ShelC]

Letdown game? Reality check? Just a bad night?

No excuse for Book taking 10 shots. Teams are going to force the "others" to beat them and Ott better have a plan for it. Yea we're missing Green but it won't matter if Brooks is shooting like he's the first option. I don't blame him that much because that's what defenses are giving, but we have to force the issue, create mismatches and get Book open. The subs looked like trash because we're small and can't get to the rim. Green will help with some scoring once we're able to stagger him and Book but he's still not helping the frontcourt. The Clips were bigger and more physical and we couldn't match it, which will be an issue until we fix it. I don't understand the defensive strategy of Williams/Richards on Kris Dunn in the corner while NHD or one of the guards is trying to match up with Brook Lopez. I don't understand Ryan Dunn getting only 16 minutes when he was cutting and creating opportunities to begin the game.

Williams looked rusty and gassed which are byproducts of no real training camp. He'll need some time to get his legs. Either keep giving him minutes or pull back a bit and use Richards more until Williams is really ready to play a full clip night in and night out.

This game is an example where hustle will only get you so far. 16-47 from 3 won't win any games. There should've been more of an effort to get into the paint and get to the line. We need more size but size that can score and even create some opportunities.

The test now is seeing how we respond against Denver on a B2B. Will we come out with the same energy? Will Book be more aggressive? Will Ott have a plan to counter what defenses are doing? If it's another blowout, then the real fun begins.

[ShelC]

Postgame Quotes and Videos

Spoiler: show/hide

[Gladiator]

Letdown game? Reality check? Just a bad night?

No excuse for Book taking 10 shots. Teams are going to force the "others" to beat them and Ott better have a plan for it. Yea we're missing Green but it won't matter if Brooks is shooting like he's the first option. I don't blame him that much because that's what defenses are giving, but we have to force the issue, create mismatches and get Book open. The subs looked like trash because we're small and can't get to the rim. Green will help with some scoring once we're able to stagger him and Book but he's still not helping the frontcourt. The Clips were bigger and more physical and we couldn't match it, which will be an issue until we fix it. I don't understand the defensive strategy of Williams/Richards on Kris Dunn in the corner while NHD or one of the guards is trying to match up with Brook Lopez. I don't understand Ryan Dunn getting only 16 minutes when he was cutting and creating opportunities to begin the game.

Williams looked rusty and gassed which are byproducts of no real training camp. He'll need some time to get his legs. Either keep giving him minutes or pull back a bit and use Richards more until Williams is really ready to play a full clip night in and night out.

This game is an example where hustle will only get you so far. 16-47 from 3 won't win any games. There should've been more of an effort to get into the paint and get to the line. We need more size but size that can score and even create some opportunities.

The test now is seeing how we respond against Denver on a B2B. Will we come out with the same energy? Will Book be more aggressive? Will Ott have a plan to counter what defenses are doing? If it's another blowout, then the real fun begins.

Yep, the Denver game is a good early check of where this team is at. It is hard to mount a case for a Suns win but I’d like to see us at least keep it close and make it a game down the stretch. At the moment we’re 1-1 but kinda 2-6 in quarters won (with a few bad blowouts against). We’ve given up a 40 point and 38 point quarter - need to find a way to somehow slow the other team down when they get going so that we’re close enough when we get going.

[specialsauce]

I'll start with "allow less than 70 points in the first half" as a success

[Mori Chu]

Yep, the Denver game is a good early check of where this team is at.

I mean, Denver is probably going to brutally murder us. But that's okay; I don't expect us to compete with teams like that. If we just commit to playing the right guys (particularly the youngs), playing the right way, playing hard, growing, developing, etc., I don't care too much what the W/L total is.

[Superbone]

Dillon Brooks on Devin Booker having just 10 field goal attempts in Suns 129-102 loss to Clippers: "He needs to shoot them even if it looks like a bad shot. I played against Devin a long time. He's a natural scorer. Finds ways to score. He just need to be a little selfish out there."

And Dillon knows what he's talking about on shooting even if it's a bad shot. But seriously, he's right. Book doesn't like taking bad shots but I'd rather he's taking them than Dillon or anybody else on the team for that matter. Book needs to be more aggressive.

[AmareIsGod]

Book needs to go on a 38++ PPG run to start the season. Get in some early talks and help the team get some early wins. Not happening if he isn't shooting. Brooks is 100% correct.

[3TheHardaway]

I have to echo the Royce and Allen sentiment. They’re above average players that are only going to serve as inning eaters and prevent the young guys from playing.

This team should look very different pre and post trade deadline.

I’m also not sure what exactly NHD does here. He’s the definition of a JAG.

I'd keep one of those two around but move the other one (my preference would be to keep Allen over Royce).

I agree on NHD, he was a curious pick-up to begin with but I was happy to give him the benefit of the doubt on the basis that Ott saw something in him that we didn't. Based on what we've seen he offers nothing more than Dunn, Fleming or Oso would at the 4 and shouldn't be taking minutes away from any of those guys.

Yeah I could see the argument for retaining one of them. I think Allen provides a high level skill that Royce just does okay. But still too many guys 6’5” or under on this roster. We’ll see how useful Grayson is once Jalen starts playing.

[ShelC]

My preference would be to keep Allen too. Younger, plays with a bit more juice and is a more steady shooter.