Game Day: Suns (26-17) @ 76ers (23-18), Tues 1/20/25

[iLLmatic]

Goodwin was extra aggressive tonight and played the whole game with tenacity on defense and a knack for finding offensive rebounds. He has an ability to put shots up quickly once getting the board.

Grayson Allen’s 3s are damn near automatic, the dude cannot miss.

[pickle]

[iLLmatic]

Goodwin was on Maxey most the night harassing him.

[AmareIsGod]

Goodwin was INCREDIBLE tonight. He was doing everything. My goodness.

[BKinSJC]

It’s really fun to watch Goodwin pull offensive rebounds away from guys who are eight inches taller and outweigh him by fifty pounds, just by sheer tenacity and wanting the ball way more than they do.

He’s been one of the most surprising parts of a really surprising team. The number of little things in the margins that have worked out better this season than anybody could have ever anticipated is astounding.

[Superbone]

Suns win 3 in a row on their road trip after two tough losses to start the trip. I'll take it!

[pickle]

It’s really fun to watch Goodwin pull offensive rebounds away from guys who are eight inches taller and outweigh him by fifty pounds, just by sheer tenacity and wanting the ball way more than they do.

He’s been one of the most surprising parts of a really surprising team. The number of little things in the margins that have worked out better this season than anybody could have ever anticipated is astounding.

Sure glad we chose him over Butler.

[ShelC]

Postgame Quotes and Videos

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[ShelC]

Looking at the boxscore, we're a legit 10 deep now. Last night Dunn got squeezed but I think the bench minutes will shake out OK. Green played 20 minutes, Gray and CG got 28 each so you can probably pull back some there for more Green minutes. Goodwin played 20 but I think Ott could use some of those minutes for Dunn depending on the opponent and matchups.

Our bench was huge. 58 points (same as the starters) and all of our subs were between +8 and +12. CG was +7 while the rest of the starters lost their minutes. Only 18 minutes for Williams but 28 for Oso who had 12/5/3. A lot of lineup versatility, shooting, speed, length and athleticism now with everyone healthy. Hopefully it stays that way.

Agree that Brooks is a liability late in games with his ballhandling and decision making. He forces a lot instead of getting the ball to others. Book didn't handle pressure well either and it's why you not only need CG out there but also need guys getting him the ball in those situations.

The one fear in the back of my mind is that we have the roster to look strong in the regular season and get these wins because of our perimeter players but when the game slows down or we're up against a lot of size we'll get exposed.

[TOO]

I don't think there is a world where Dunn currently deserves minutes over Goodwin, regardless of size. Id just keep playing Goodwin.

[pickle]

I’m pretty sure we are a regular season team, but I’m still enjoying the heck out of it (last night’s late game turnovers notwithstanding).

[Mori Chu]

I don't think there is a world where Dunn currently deserves minutes over Goodwin, regardless of size. Id just keep playing Goodwin.

Goodwin is having the much better season, but I think Dunn has value and that we can find minutes for both of them. For a start, there are times like ends of quarters where I think it'd be good to put Dunn in to get stops on key possessions. Also I think Dunn has shown a lot of improvement as a corner 3-point shooter. I just don't think it is a binary choice or that we have to choose between Goodwin and Dunn.

[BKinSJC]

I’m pretty sure we are a regular season team, but I’m still enjoying the heck out of it (last night’s late game turnovers notwithstanding).

Depth typically means less in the playoffs, since teams often go 8 or even only 7 deep and ride their best players for heavier minutes. That would be a negative for this squad.

Defense is typically allowed to play somewhat more physical, which would be a positive, but big stars still tend to get the same calls they've gotten all season. Since Booker hasn't ever been officiated like a "big star" in that way, those things might more or less even out.

Good coaching often means more in the playoffs, given the need to adjust game-to-game as well as within individual games. That should be a positive for this Suns team and coaching staff.

I think this could be a good playoff team, but as always it will be matchup dependent. I don't expect them to be an easy out, though, regardless of who they end up playing.

[pickle]

I agree about not being an easy out. But I was more referring to us being an effort team which helps win regular season games but in the post season in theory all the teams give maximum effort and we do have a pretty serious size problem. We will win a couple on effort and 3 point variance but I think we’d be unlikely to make it to the second round, and certainly won’t make it to the conference finals.

Unless Green blows up. I would love to be wrong.

[specialsauce]

I don't think there is a world where Dunn currently deserves minutes over Goodwin, regardless of size. Id just keep playing Goodwin.

Goodwin is having the much better season, but I think Dunn has value and that we can find minutes for both of them. For a start, there are times like ends of quarters where I think it'd be good to put Dunn in to get stops on key possessions. Also I think Dunn has shown a lot of improvement as a corner 3-point shooter. I just don't think it is a binary choice or that we have to choose between Goodwin and Dunn.

Uh, no. Jordan plays much larger than his listed size, is a better rebounder, passer, and more steals per 36 minutes. That's not even talking about his shooting.

Dunn is not a rotational piece when this team is healthy. Also realize that Jalen Green and Mark Williams are the same age as Dunn, and you understand how he is a way lower tier "development" guy.

Please do not take away from the pure FILTH that Goodwin, CG, Allen and Co (even Oso) have been displaying of late.

[specialsauce]

I agree about not being an easy out. But I was more referring to us being an effort team which helps win regular season games but in the post season in theory all the teams give maximum effort and we do have a pretty serious size problem. We will win a couple on effort and 3 point variance but I think we’d be unlikely to make it to the second round, and certainly won’t make it to the conference finals.

Unless Green blows up. I would love to be wrong.

We don't match up well against the Rockets and I don't want to face OKC. Other than that, there's not a team in the league that is anything more than a toss up against us IMO

[pickle]

Sauce, I hope you are right. I’d add tho that we also don’t match up well against Denver. Beyond that I won’t name teams because I’m convinced I’ll jinx them. Just like when I said in the weekly news thread before we started this trip that I’m not super concerned about Miami. I hated myself after that loss.

[pickle]

Goodwin was INCREDIBLE tonight. He was doing everything. My goodness.

[specialsauce]

Sauce, I hope you are right. I’d add tho that we also don’t match up well against Denver. Beyond that I won’t name teams because I’m convinced I’ll jinx them. Just like when I said in the weekly news thread before we started this trip that I’m not super concerned about Miami. I hated myself after that loss.

We could easily lose in the first round, but I think the league is a total toss up right now. I'm not betting against the Suns at current state against any team in a 7 game series.

[Superbone]

I agree about not being an easy out. But I was more referring to us being an effort team which helps win regular season games but in the post season in theory all the teams give maximum effort and we do have a pretty serious size problem. We will win a couple on effort and 3 point variance but I think we’d be unlikely to make it to the second round, and certainly won’t make it to the conference finals.

Unless Green blows up. I would love to be wrong.

Haven't you been wrong all season? Like most of us?