Western Conference Round 2, Game 1: Suns (0-0) @ Nuggets (0-0), Sat 4/29/23

[Split T]

I do still think this series is winnable. We have big issues that need to be fixed, but I do think we can fix them.

Cut turnovers down, keep them off the offensive glass, get back in transition, and shoot more 3s.

We did match them point for point if you take out quarter 2. They won by 18 and outscored us by 18 in the 2nd Q

[Mori Chu]

I don't think Ayton played especially well overall, but I do think he did a decent job on Jokic. I don't want to keep Ayton here at the max after this season, but I don't think we lost this game because of Ayton. Denver's wings caught fire and just torched us. Murray had 34 points and gave us fits. Gordon also had a great game with 23 points and 6 boards. Denver shot 43% from 3 as a team; very hard to stop when they are on like that.

I really think the lack of 3s is a huge problem. And I think the bench rotation is really bad and should be changed; no more fucking Landry Shamet, ever. Let Payne go back out there. I like what Lee is doing actually, so keep him out there. Put shooters on the floor.

BTW even in a game where we gave up with 5 minutes left, we found a way to play Booker 40 minutes and Durant 36.

https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401544334

[Mori Chu]

[Kryptonic]

I want to move on as well, though if we win a championship I’ll happily deal with him back next year(as everyone would haha). I hope James Jones knows he needs to go and that he’s the best option we have to add depth.

It just sucks because we're gonna get pennies on the dollar. Which team is gonna be like oh, we can keep him engaged? Can't be a team with hoops junkies as it's core, it's not working here.

Maybe we can contract aytons hype man to talk to the other teams for us…. He’ll make them see what an amazing diamond in the rough ayton is.

[Kryptonic]

https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/ ... 167308007/

JeremyG, here’s an article on azcentral for you….

[Mori Chu]

Another interesting stat:

[Split T]

Ya turnovers and rebounding and transition defense. Those were the problems. Offense is fine…though we are going to need to shoot more 3s if we’re gonna lose the possession battle.

[SunsSince92]

DA standing out of bounds watching a rebounding battle used to be pretty common in his 1st and 2nd yr but he'd gotten better. That play is pretty indicative of his regression this year in terms of effort. I think earlier in the game KD even motioned to him to get down in the paint and rebound when he was caught on perimeter watching.

I'd be surprised if Monty went away from Shamet because that's his safety blanket but he's gotta bend and get more offense out there. We need guys to be threats to score and make the Nuggets work on defense. Ross can light it up and attack, so can TJ. Shamet is there to swing the ball and cut away. He provides nothing.

I really don't understand what Monty has against Warren. Admttedly he's not the best defender but does Shamet's defence really offset his terrible shooting? I'd much rather have Warren or Ross out there to give the Nuggets something else to think about on the defensive end. It just makes no sense to persist with Shamet at this point.

[TOO]

Ya turnovers and rebounding and transition defense. Those were the problems. Offense is fine…though we are going to need to shoot more 3s if we’re gonna lose the possession battle.

Same issues we had during the first finals run. Talent can go a very long way, but your role guys gotta be on point.

[Superbone]

I thought Ayton was good for the first 6 minutes. But like every other game this season, 4 quarters of consistent production and energy was too much to ask.

And he was mad he didn't get the full max. SMH.

[SunsSince92]

I want to move on as well, though if we win a championship I’ll happily deal with him back next year(as everyone would haha). I hope James Jones knows he needs to go and that he’s the best option we have to add depth.

Agreed. I do wonder what the market would be like for him if we crash out in the second round though. It seems unlikely we'd get an upgrade at centre, and at this point I'm not confident that Jones doesn't get fleeced for our one remaining asset (outside of Book and KD).

[Superbone]

Jokic didn't kill the Suns. Their wings did. The damage was done when Jokic was out. That being said...where was Ayton when the Nugz went on a run? He was in.

It's not just me, right? Ayton is a shell of his 2021 playoff self.

[Superbone]

DA standing out of bounds watching a rebounding battle used to be pretty common in his 1st and 2nd yr but he'd gotten better. That play is pretty indicative of his regression this year in terms of effort. I think earlier in the game KD even motioned to him to get down in the paint and rebound when he was caught on perimeter watching.

I'd be surprised if Monty went away from Shamet because that's his safety blanket but he's gotta bend and get more offense out there. We need guys to be threats to score and make the Nuggets work on defense. Ross can light it up and attack, so can TJ. Shamet is there to swing the ball and cut away. He provides nothing.

Payne showed me something at the end there. He needs to be back at the top of the rotation. Shamet isn't bringing anything. Everybody but one seems to know that.

[Superbone]

Ayton being blasted all over social media today, just brings me joy.

Not me. I'm severely disappointed.

[Superbone]

I do still think this series is winnable. We have big issues that need to be fixed, but I do think we can fix them.

Cut turnovers down, keep them off the offensive glass, get back in transition, and shoot more 3s.

We did match them point for point if you take out quarter 2. They won by 18 and outscored us by 18 in the 2nd Q

We could not stop them to save our lives. Even if we stopped their first attempt, they got the rebound and usually scored on the 2nd attempt. That. Can't. Happen. We got outworked and that is unacceptable.

[Superbone]

https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/ ... 167308007/

JeremyG, here’s an article on azcentral for you….

I had one free article. Here it is:

► Show Spoiler

Phoenix Suns' Deandre Ayton blasted for lack of effort vs. Denver Nuggets: 'Inexcusable'

Many Phoenix Suns fans have been critical of Deandre Ayton's effort and "heart" on the court through the years.

A play during the Suns' 125-107 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 didn't help his cause in quieting his critics.

With just over 5:08 left in the first half, Ayton was shown watching Kevin Durant battle with Nikola Jokic for a rebound … instead of coming to his teammate's aid by trying to secure the rebound himself.

The moment did not go over well on social media, where many used the video of the play to slam Ayton's effort, a recurring theme on social media.

Ayton finished with 14 points and seven rebounds in the game. He went 7-for-11 from the field. But Jokic, whom he was responsible for guarding for a lot of the night, had 24 points and 19 rebounds in the game.

<followed by a million tweets of Ayton watching the rebounding battle from outside the playing area>

[JeremyG]

I genuinely can't tell if everyone just likes to find something to hate Ayton for, or if nobody understands what what was happening on that play or the reasons why it happened. Regardless, it was one freaking play. The social media age is ridiculous.

[JeremyG]

https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/ ... 167308007/

JeremyG, here’s an article on azcentral for you….

And here's one for the rest of you: https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/ ... 167283007/

[JeremyG]

Could Ayton have had more rebounds? Sure, maybe two or three, but much of the time Ayton was out on top guarding perimeter shots. How is he supposed to keep them off the boards?

[Split T]

I genuinely can't tell if everyone just likes to find something to hate Ayton for, or if nobody understands what what was happening on that play or the reasons why it happened. Regardless, it was one freaking play. The social media age is ridiculous.

It’s just a bad look…I don’t remember what happened right before, but even if he forced the missed shot, he needs to try and get back in the play. He obviously thought Jokic wouldn’t miss the putback from point blank and that’s why he just stood there, but this is the playoffs. Can’t afford to just stand there. He’s just a low energy guy. He doesn’t waste any unless absolutely necessary.

And it’s not just 1 play…stuff like this happens all the time. Do you think 19 boards to 7 was acceptable? Yes his teammates need to help and are to blame too, but can you tell me exactly what we’re paying Ayton the max for? He’s not a top tier offensive player(can’t dribble), he’s not a great defensive player, he’s not controlling the glass. What is he doing that makes him worth the max? He’s billed as a guy who’s not elite at anything but great at everything and it’s been trending more towards just ok/good at everything. He’s just underwhelming. If he was making 15 million a year and we could spend the other 15 on 1-2 more rotation players, I’d be just fine with him, but at his salary and with our depth, we absolutely need him to dominate in certain areas(rebounding, rim protection)