*EARLY START!* Game Day: Suns (33-28) @ Bucks (42-17), Sun 2/26/23

[Uncle_Gene]

ShelC made some great points. Suns never had a good offensive rhythm today. Maybe it was the early start.

Oh well. KD on Wednesday baby.

[MightyMoog]

Still don’t understand how you don’t put Ish or or Landale in there to get that rebound. I understand we don’t have a time out and wanting to keep Ross in for shooting, but those guys can shoot well enough and you need to grab the rebound first.

[The Bobster]

Also, I don't know how slow ass Lopez plays so much bigger than Ayton. He just clogs everything up down there, Ayton is stuck shooting middies.

Lopez has become a smart, crafty player over time.
He picks his spots, and moves with an economy that belies his size.
Re: Ayton, Lopez is roughly 30 pounds heavier ... once he's in the paint, he's about as easy to move as a manhole cover.

You're also comparing a 34-year-old 15-year veteran with a 24-year-old. Lopez has much better timing when it comes to blocking shots and had 3-point range, but Ayton is a better mid-range shooter and rebounder. The only other real difference between them is that Lopez is about an inch taller and 30 lbs heavier.

Lopez is making a lot less money, but that's because he was coming off a season where he avearaged 12/5/1 when he was a free agent and signed a four-year deal. Ayton was coming off a season where he aveaged 17/10/1 when he got his deal and was 7 years younger.

[Flagrant Fowl]

I thought their rhythm was fine for most of the game, and it seemed a bit clunky simply because both teams defend really well right now. It's a different game if Booker doesn't start 0-6 and 1-2 from the line.

The blueprint to beat the Suns is pretty obvious; make Paul and Ayton score the points. Neither guy is consistent enough right now and we'll just have to hope that changes when KD is integrated. For the most part, I think it will change but there will still be certain matchups that give the Suns trouble like the Bucks did tonight.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Also, I don't know how slow ass Lopez plays so much bigger than Ayton. He just clogs everything up down there, Ayton is stuck shooting middies.

Lopez has become a smart, crafty player over time.
He picks his spots, and moves with an economy that belies his size.
Re: Ayton, Lopez is roughly 30 pounds heavier ... once he's in the paint, he's about as easy to move as a manhole cover.

You're also comparing a 34-year-old 15-year veteran with a 24-year-old. Lopez has much better timing when it comes to blocking shots and had 3-point range, but Ayton is a better mid-range shooter and rebounder. The only other real difference between them is that Lopez is about an inch taller and 30 lbs heavier.

Lopez is making a lot less money, but that's because he was coming off a season where he avearaged 12/5/1 when he was a free agent and signed a four-year deal. Ayton was coming off a season where he aveaged 17/10/1 when he got his deal and was 7 years younger.

I think Lopez's career arc is a pretty good blueprint for what to expect from Ayton. I just question where Ayton will clearly improve his skillset going forward. The most obvious is opportunity is a 3-point shot, but he'll have to rework his shot technique a bit to make the defense respect it.

[TOO]

I thought their rhythm was fine for most of the game, and it seemed a bit clunky simply because both teams defend really well right now. It's a different game if Booker doesn't start 0-6 and 1-2 from the line.

The blueprint to beat the Suns is pretty obvious; make Paul and Ayton score the points. Neither guy is consistent enough right now and we'll just have to hope that changes when KD is integrated. For the most part, I think it will change but there will still be certain matchups that give the Suns trouble like the Bucks did tonight.

I think the Bucks are going to be the only team I'm confident the Suns won't beat in a 7 game series, I believe they can beat every other team in the league though.

[Superbone]

Joe Ingles is so washed. All he can do is dark arts bullshit to trick the refs.

Lmaorof.. dark arts bs.

Somebody is playing Hogwarts.

[Superbone]

"If youre Phoenix you want him to miss one and if you're Milwaukee you want him to make both freethrows."

No shit Hubie.

He knows exactly what you're thinking!

[Superbone]

I hope we remember this loss and come out with force in a couple weeks when we meet again as I’ll be in attendance in person for that one.

I hope you have some vocal chords remaining after booing Crowder out of the gym.

[Superbone]

I think the early start had us struggling and while we made it a close game and had the lead down the stretch, it never seemed like anyone got into any rhythm. The team is also obviously still adjusting to the trade, subs/rotations, etc. At the end of the day, we hung in there with the Bucks despite no KD. We're almost stripped down right now in a sense because we sent out 2 starters and haven't seen anyone from the trade play yet on our end. I had no expectations for TJ because it's TJ. Maybe Monty's not comfortable with where he's at, but for a team that needs some scoring you'd think he'd be out there. I'm just not sure he's even interested in playing basketball.

I don't know where CP's middy went. Maybe it's just age where he's lost something but that elbow jumper used to be a layup. He's also more hesitant in the lane generally, looking to pass rather than being aggressive and going for the score so he's missing those runners/layups when he does decide to take the shot. And our clutch time offense has been a joke this season, even before the trade. TOs, bad/forced shots....hopefully it'll come together by the end of the season.

Holiday defends Book probably better than anyone else in the league. Book didn't look like he had his legs today and took half the game to get going. Might be like that another week or so until he's back in game shape.

Thought the bench played well enough tho Payne came back to earth a bit off his return. Love Ross off the bench now but feels like we're missing something. I think Craig might work off the bench better for us when KD gets back. His length and athleticism should help balance out a smaller bench.

The Bucks were missing a better player than the Suns were. They are a very tough match-up for this roster, they are just so damn big and defend so well. If the Suns had a prime Paul I can see this being a better match-up, but old man Paul makes it tough because him and Ayton are lunch inside and out.

I felt Suns/Spurs vibes in this one.

[TOO]

Joe Ingles is so washed. All he can do is dark arts bullshit to trick the refs.

Lmaorof.. dark arts bs.

Somebody is playing Hogwarts.

Nerds.

[Superbone]

13-22 from the free throw line for the Suns. That won't get it done either.

Ballgame.

[TOO]

I think the early start had us struggling and while we made it a close game and had the lead down the stretch, it never seemed like anyone got into any rhythm. The team is also obviously still adjusting to the trade, subs/rotations, etc. At the end of the day, we hung in there with the Bucks despite no KD. We're almost stripped down right now in a sense because we sent out 2 starters and haven't seen anyone from the trade play yet on our end. I had no expectations for TJ because it's TJ. Maybe Monty's not comfortable with where he's at, but for a team that needs some scoring you'd think he'd be out there. I'm just not sure he's even interested in playing basketball.

I don't know where CP's middy went. Maybe it's just age where he's lost something but that elbow jumper used to be a layup. He's also more hesitant in the lane generally, looking to pass rather than being aggressive and going for the score so he's missing those runners/layups when he does decide to take the shot. And our clutch time offense has been a joke this season, even before the trade. TOs, bad/forced shots....hopefully it'll come together by the end of the season.

Holiday defends Book probably better than anyone else in the league. Book didn't look like he had his legs today and took half the game to get going. Might be like that another week or so until he's back in game shape.

Thought the bench played well enough tho Payne came back to earth a bit off his return. Love Ross off the bench now but feels like we're missing something. I think Craig might work off the bench better for us when KD gets back. His length and athleticism should help balance out a smaller bench.

The Bucks were missing a better player than the Suns were. They are a very tough match-up for this roster, they are just so damn big and defend so well. If the Suns had a prime Paul I can see this being a better match-up, but old man Paul makes it tough because him and Ayton are lunch inside and out.

I felt Suns/Spurs vibes in this one.

Just feels like they are too well equipped to stop the Suns.

[Mori Chu]

I think the Bucks are going to be the only team I'm confident the Suns won't beat in a 7 game series, I believe they can beat every other team in the league though.

The Bucks at full strength are an awful matchup for us. Though I don't really know if that will be as true once KD is back. KD will be awful hard for them to stop. I think I'd still rather see Boston than Milwaukee should we be so fortunate to advance to the Finals. Boston would have a really hard time stopping our starters from scoring.

[TOO]

I think the Bucks are going to be the only team I'm confident the Suns won't beat in a 7 game series, I believe they can beat every other team in the league though.

The Bucks at full strength are an awful matchup for us. Though I don't really know if that will be as true once KD is back. KD will be awful hard for them to stop. I think I'd still rather see Boston than Milwaukee should we be so fortunate to advance to the Finals. Boston would have a really hard time stopping our starters from scoring.

Boston or Philly I'm fine with, but Milwaukee scares the pants off me.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Joe Ingles is so washed. All he can do is dark arts bullshit to trick the refs.

Lmaorof.. dark arts bs.

Somebody is playing Hogwarts.

I'm not. Harry Potter is lame.

It's a borrowed phrase from my soccer consumption.

[Flagrant Fowl]

I think the Bucks are going to be the only team I'm confident the Suns won't beat in a 7 game series, I believe they can beat every other team in the league though.

The Bucks at full strength are an awful matchup for us. Though I don't really know if that will be as true once KD is back. KD will be awful hard for them to stop. I think I'd still rather see Boston than Milwaukee should we be so fortunate to advance to the Finals. Boston would have a really hard time stopping our starters from scoring.

Boston or Philly I'm fine with, but Milwaukee scares the pants off me.

Don't go full Ja and overlook the Western conference.

Memphis can match up pretty well because they have a lot of guys to throw at KD and Ayton gets manhandled by Adams. Jamal Murray kills the Suns and Jokic is a much improved defender this year. They'll be tough. The Clippers are versatile and have a lot of quality depth that can win any random game in a series. In no way are the Suns clear underdogs against any of those teams, but they're certainly good enough to worry about.

[Kryptonic]

Joe Ingles is so washed. All he can do is dark arts bullshitc to trick the refs.

Lmaorof.. dark arts bs.

Somebody is playing Hogwarts.

You know it! Expelliamus!

[TOO]

I think the Bucks are going to be the only team I'm confident the Suns won't beat in a 7 game series, I believe they can beat every other team in the league though.

The Bucks at full strength are an awful matchup for us. Though I don't really know if that will be as true once KD is back. KD will be awful hard for them to stop. I think I'd still rather see Boston than Milwaukee should we be so fortunate to advance to the Finals. Boston would have a really hard time stopping our starters from scoring.

Boston or Philly I'm fine with, but Milwaukee scares the pants off me.

Don't go full Ja and overlook the Western conference.

Memphis can match up pretty well because they have a lot of guys to throw at KD and Ayton gets manhandled by Adams. Jamal Murray kills the Suns and Jokic is a much improved defender this year. They'll be tough. The Clippers are versatile and have a lot of quality depth that can win any random game in a series. In no way are the Suns clear underdogs against any of those teams, but they're certainly good enough to worry about.

I think the Suns can beat all of those teams though, I do not believe they can beat the Bucks. That's all I'm saying.

[Wally_West]

Fuck it, I think we can beat the bucks.