Game Day: Celtics (20-5) @ Suns (16-8), Wed 12/7/22

[Split T]

At this point I think we need to wait until we figure out if CP3 is going to give us anything. This team isn’t winning a title if the CP3 we’ve seen is the CP3 we get. That would dictate the direction I go.

If CP3 can get back to being himself, then I think it makes sense to make a go for it trade. If he’s gonna be a shell of himself, then try and move Crowder for an asset that makes sense in the future. Don’t trade for Eric Gordon to get us to the 2nd round instead of the 1st round.

Ultimately long term we need to find Booker a sidekick…I think it’s pretty clear Ayton and Mikal are not that. They are 3rd/4th pieces at best. They are good 3rd and 4th pieces, but we need to find that 1 or 2. This summer is probably a more likely time to figure that out.

Honestly, I don't think you have to wait for CP3. Even if he starts playing better, we've seen this movie before. He can't sustain it through a playoff run. So I don't think there is any point in having him be the determining factor.

You’re probably right, but if he starts looking like himself again, I’d definitely get sucked into thinking it could work. Especially if we add a significant piece that can help take the load off him a little.

[Shabazz]

At this point I think we need to wait until we figure out if CP3 is going to give us anything. This team isn’t winning a title if the CP3 we’ve seen is the CP3 we get. That would dictate the direction I go.

If CP3 can get back to being himself, then I think it makes sense to make a go for it trade. If he’s gonna be a shell of himself, then try and move Crowder for an asset that makes sense in the future. Don’t trade for Eric Gordon to get us to the 2nd round instead of the 1st round.

Ultimately long term we need to find Booker a sidekick…I think it’s pretty clear Ayton and Mikal are not that. They are 3rd/4th pieces at best. They are good 3rd and 4th pieces, but we need to find that 1 or 2. This summer is probably a more likely time to figure that out.

If only there had been a point guard available in a recent draft that could have served as the perfect transitionary player and also been a #2 to Booker going forward.

[Split T]

At this point I think we need to wait until we figure out if CP3 is going to give us anything. This team isn’t winning a title if the CP3 we’ve seen is the CP3 we get. That would dictate the direction I go.

If CP3 can get back to being himself, then I think it makes sense to make a go for it trade. If he’s gonna be a shell of himself, then try and move Crowder for an asset that makes sense in the future. Don’t trade for Eric Gordon to get us to the 2nd round instead of the 1st round.

Ultimately long term we need to find Booker a sidekick…I think it’s pretty clear Ayton and Mikal are not that. They are 3rd/4th pieces at best. They are good 3rd and 4th pieces, but we need to find that 1 or 2. This summer is probably a more likely time to figure that out.

If only there had been a point guard available in a recent draft that could have served as the perfect transitionary player and also been a #2 to Booker going forward.

It really may have cost us a title and a chance at more over the next decade. Biggest draft blunder in suns history.

[Superbone]

Saw a tweet saying Joe Biden made a trade to help a Phoenix team before James Jones did. Made me laugh and also very very sad at the same time.

As well as very, very happy (if you add the human component in).

[Superbone]

That the Celtics beat the Suns shouldn't be a surprise.
Boston handled the Suns easily when they met in the second half of the season.
And that was with Crowder, Cam Johnson and a reasonably healthy Paul.

What was shocking was the way the Suns turned tail and failed to respond ... at home ... to the Celtics run.
When Luke Kornet goes 6-6, that's a telling stat (looking at you, Jock Landale).
This was Watson-era Suns at its worst.

It's hard not to get down as a fan after the last two shellackings. The Celtics have been playing the best basketball of the season and are looking like the number one team to win the championship this year. They showed us how far behind we are in the race. However, we are down two starters (Crowder included) and Paul just had his first game back. We're better than we showed last night.

But even at full strength with a decent Crowder replacement, I don't think any of us think we can win it all as is. We need to do something but I'm not sure what that is. But that's Jones' job. He talks like he just wants to improve from within but let's see what happens over the trade deadline. We know Paul's on the decline. It's a delicate balance of blowing it up right now when we have a good team versus making gradual improvements for a strong shot at a championship in the next few years without Paul when our core is in their primes. Gotta have some patience which is not fans' strong suit but does seem to be Joneses.

Ownership changes on top of all of this doesn't help. I have no choice but to just sit back, kibitz with you all, and try to enjoy the ride.

[specialsauce]

All I have to say is: Deandre Ayton is trade eligible in 8 days.

He can't be traded until January 15.

Shut up nobody asked you wiseguy with your facts

[Mori Chu]

The only good thing about a rough week like this with 3 bad losses is that it hopefully shows we aren't "there" yet. I hope the FO knows that this team as constructed can't reasonably win an NBA title. We need to make some moves. Hopefully they're working actively to make the team better.

For the first time in a while I've started thinking I would be okay with them trading Mikal Bridges. I looooove Mikal. But he just isn't a reliable shooter or scorer, he can get lost in games offensively, and though his defense is awesome, some of the very best guys in the league like Luka are too much for him and he can't slow them down. If Mikal were the key piece to getting somebody like KD, I would be open to it.

[Split T]

Mikal isn’t a consistently reliable scorer, but he’s is shooting 50/42/89 on the season. Hard to say he’s not a reliable shooter.

[Shabazz]

Suns don’t do well with either the “5 out” teams like Boston and Dallas or the jumbo teams like New Orleans and Milwaukee. It will be hard to address both issues in the trade market. Hopefully they just upgrade overall talent at the top of the roster. Then we cross our fingers that playoff matchups fall our way.

[Split T]

I’ve been thinking that we should really adopt the 5-out strategy going forward. I think that’s the future of the nba. Boston really seems to have the ideal team. They’ve got multiple 2-way wings that can create offense, shoot 3s, and defend multiple positions. They play bigs that are skilled and shoot well(outside of I guess Robert Williams).

I think if I had my way, I’d pair Booker with another playmaking wing(Siakam was my dream last year, but he’s too good now to acquire). Keep Bridges and Johnson and add another big wing like Kuzma.

Booker/Bridges/Johnson/Kuzma/Siakam

All 6’5-6’9, all can shoot, all can at least attack a closeout, all can defend multiple positions, at least 3 can reliably create their own shot, and 2 can create for others.

I’d be fine running a more traditional C/PG off the bench, but I’d take the Clippers/Celtics/Raptors approach of loading up on 2-way wings.

A true C that can legitimately space the floor would also work, but I’d want them to be able to switch consistently and I’m not sure there are many of those guys in the league.

[Aztec Sunsfan]

The only good thing about a rough week like this with 3 bad losses is that it hopefully shows we aren't "there" yet. I hope the FO knows that this team as constructed can't reasonably win an NBA title. We need to make some moves. Hopefully they're working actively to make the team better.

For the first time in a while I've started thinking I would be okay with them trading Mikal Bridges. I looooove Mikal. But he just isn't a reliable shooter or scorer, he can get lost in games offensively, and though his defense is awesome, some of the very best guys in the league like Luka are too much for him and he can't slow them down. If Mikal were the key piece to getting somebody like KD, I would be open to it.

That's my hope as well, last year everyone got so full of themselves, that they failed to recognize -not just address- glaring needs that are still present (size at the four, another creator), so I think we are getting the best of both worlds right now: We are not sinking in flames, but this spankings clearly show that we are far from ready to be title contenders.

Jones have the pieces, he needs the will to make it happen, even if it cost something over his ideal deal. This awful outings hopefully make him more comfortable with striking a deal, instead of his beloved internal development.

[JeremyG]

Devin Booker has played like a Supermax player in only 3 of the last 10 games.

[TOO]

Devin Booker has played like a Supermax player in only 3 of the last 10 games.

Booker is the best 2nd best player in the NBA. He needs a Batman.

[In2ition]

Devin Booker has played like a Supermax player in only 3 of the last 10 games.

I haven't looked through every post, but could the news that Kendal has been hanging out with Harry Stiles possibly be affecting him right now?

[INFORMER]

Devin Booker has played like a Supermax player in only 3 of the last 10 games.

[virtual9mm]

I’ve been thinking that we should really adopt the 5-out strategy going forward. I think that’s the future of the nba. Boston really seems to have the ideal team. They’ve got multiple 2-way wings that can create offense, shoot 3s, and defend multiple positions. They play bigs that are skilled and shoot well(outside of I guess Robert Williams).

I think if I had my way, I’d pair Booker with another playmaking wing(Siakam was my dream last year, but he’s too good now to acquire). Keep Bridges and Johnson and add another big wing like Kuzma.

Booker/Bridges/Johnson/Kuzma/Siakam

All 6’5-6’9, all can shoot, all can at least attack a closeout, all can defend multiple positions, at least 3 can reliably create their own shot, and 2 can create for others.

I’d be fine running a more traditional C/PG off the bench, but I’d take the Clippers/Celtics/Raptors approach of loading up on 2-way wings.

A true C that can legitimately space the floor would also work, but I’d want them to be able to switch consistently and I’m not sure there are many of those guys in the league.

I would hate to see 5-out being the dominant style of play. I already think it is too much about guys jacking up 3's with a hand in the face. Maybe they need to start thinking about moving the 3-pt line back.

[virtual9mm]

Mikal isn’t a consistently reliable scorer, but he’s is shooting 50/42/89 on the season. Hard to say he’s not a reliable shooter.

Mikal is fine at his salary for his role on the team. Have him focus on being a stopper for 1's, 2's, and normal sized 3's. We need a bigger, more physical 3/4 as well. But we knew this.

[Split T]

Mikal isn’t a consistently reliable scorer, but he’s is shooting 50/42/89 on the season. Hard to say he’s not a reliable shooter.

Mikal is fine at his salary for his role on the team. Have him focus on being a stopper for 1's, 2's, and normal sized 3's. We need a bigger, more physical 3/4 as well. But we knew this.

I agree, I’m perfectly happy with what Mikal is. Of course I’d love for him to develop into something more, but he doesn’t need to to justify his salary. Ayton on the other hand…

[Split T]

I’ve been thinking that we should really adopt the 5-out strategy going forward. I think that’s the future of the nba. Boston really seems to have the ideal team. They’ve got multiple 2-way wings that can create offense, shoot 3s, and defend multiple positions. They play bigs that are skilled and shoot well(outside of I guess Robert Williams).

I think if I had my way, I’d pair Booker with another playmaking wing(Siakam was my dream last year, but he’s too good now to acquire). Keep Bridges and Johnson and add another big wing like Kuzma.

Booker/Bridges/Johnson/Kuzma/Siakam

All 6’5-6’9, all can shoot, all can at least attack a closeout, all can defend multiple positions, at least 3 can reliably create their own shot, and 2 can create for others.

I’d be fine running a more traditional C/PG off the bench, but I’d take the Clippers/Celtics/Raptors approach of loading up on 2-way wings.

A true C that can legitimately space the floor would also work, but I’d want them to be able to switch consistently and I’m not sure there are many of those guys in the league.

I would hate to see 5-out being the dominant style of play. I already think it is too much about guys jacking up 3's with a hand in the face. Maybe they need to start thinking about moving the 3-pt line back.

I wouldn’t be upset if they made some rule changes to incentivize a more diverse style of play…but it does feel like a shift is happening.

[SunsRIt]

I’ve been thinking that we should really adopt the 5-out strategy going forward. I think that’s the future of the nba. Boston really seems to have the ideal team. They’ve got multiple 2-way wings that can create offense, shoot 3s, and defend multiple positions. They play bigs that are skilled and shoot well(outside of I guess Robert Williams).

I think if I had my way, I’d pair Booker with another playmaking wing(Siakam was my dream last year, but he’s too good now to acquire). Keep Bridges and Johnson and add another big wing like Kuzma.

Booker/Bridges/Johnson/Kuzma/Siakam

All 6’5-6’9, all can shoot, all can at least attack a closeout, all can defend multiple positions, at least 3 can reliably create their own shot, and 2 can create for others.

I’d be fine running a more traditional C/PG off the bench, but I’d take the Clippers/Celtics/Raptors approach of loading up on 2-way wings.

A true C that can legitimately space the floor would also work, but I’d want them to be able to switch consistently and I’m not sure there are many of those guys in the league.

I would hate to see 5-out being the dominant style of play. I already think it is too much about guys jacking up 3's with a hand in the face. Maybe they need to start thinking about moving the 3-pt line back.

I wouldn’t be upset if they made some rule changes to incentivize a more diverse style of play…but it does feel like a shift is happening.

Maybe allow hand checking again, call carrying the ball and eliminate the “gather” step. Call the game the way it used to be called and it would eliminate a lot of the advantages the offense has right now.