We’re 10-13 with DA and 12-20 without him, so it looks like he does make a difference.
Those records illustrate my point. It doesn't make a significant difference whether we are a .434 team or a .375 team; in either situation, we aren't good. Ayton doesn't change the fact that we still have problems at the 1 and 4. Ayton doesn't change the fact we need more production and consistency from Bridges.
That is my point.
For the .434 / 10-13 record, Rubio has been statistically half the player he was before his injury for at least 8 of those games while missing at least one of them:
Rubio, Booker and Ayton have started together for 15 games only, going 7-8.
But Rubio has been physically battling since the San Antonio game 9 games ago (although he's only played in 8 of those, going 3-5).
Up to and including the SA game he was averaging 13.5pts, 9.4ast, 4.8rbds, after it's 7pts, 5asts and 3rbs.
It's not a stretch at all to say we'd be .500% or better if Ayton played and then Rubio didn't get injured.
Whether we're playoff good I don't know - the optimist in me says we could be - but this question, and those questions around Saric, Rubio and Kelly, are surely best answered with half a season of continuity first.
Re: Suns News: Week 16 2/10-2/16
Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2020 9:34 am
by specialsauce
Lots of stretching this morning! Good for the blood flow
Re: Suns News: Week 16 2/10-2/16
Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2020 3:01 pm
by 3rdside
Haha yes, fair point in relation to that specific post - the general idea remains! Standing still at the deadline was the right thing to do.
Re: Suns News: Week 16 2/10-2/16
Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2020 3:04 pm
by 3rdside
Surely the right thing to do.
Re: Suns News: Week 16 2/10-2/16
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2020 3:32 am
by Danimal
So will we have everyone back besides Kaminsky for the first game back against the raptors?
We’re 10-13 with DA and 12-20 without him, so it looks like he does make a difference.
Those records illustrate my point. It doesn't make a significant difference whether we are a .434 team or a .375 team; in either situation, we aren't good. Ayton doesn't change the fact that we still have problems at the 1 and 4. Ayton doesn't change the fact we need more production and consistency from Bridges.
That is my point.
This is a very solid take, regardless of injuries, or strength of schedule, or "so and so wouldn't be injured if this and that had happened." We know we don't have a starting PF, and our starting PG is great at one NBA skill, and well below average at what we need most (shooting/defense). You can't compete meaningfully with 60% of a starting lineup, and with nearly zero from your bench.
Bridges, whether he be starting at the 4 or coming off the bench, really needs to come around on the offensive side. If he can keep up his 40.0% over the last 20 games, while taking more shots per game, it will make a huge difference. You just can't rely on a guy for 32 minutes per game and only get 10 points out of him.
Re: Suns News: Week 16 2/10-2/16
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2020 12:31 pm
by SunsRIt
I wonder if Cam Johnson can bulk up some and be a stretch 4? He is 6’ 8”. Another 20 pounds would make a huge difference.
