Phx-Suns.Net

#10 - Suns
The Suns went 2-1 this week without the services of Devin Booker, and Chris Paul took it upon himself to pick up the scoring slack. The veteran averaged 24.7 points and seven assists this week, while Jae Crowder added 15.7 points per game on 40 percent 3-point shooting. Phoenix also made up for the lack of offensive explosiveness by playing suffocating defense, something it has consistently done all season.

#10 - Suns
After falling in their first two games without Devin Booker, who was sidelined with a left hamstring injury, Phoenix bounced back with wins over Golden State and Dallas to finish off the week. The Suns' win on Saturday over the Mavericks featured a vintage Chris Paul performance. Paul registered 29 points and 12 assists and did most of his damage in the fourth quarter. He had 16 points and five assists in the final stanza alone; it was only the third time in Paul's career he has had at least 15 points and five assists in a fourth quarter, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. The last time was Nov. 12, 2008, against the Lakers. -- Lopez

#10 - Suns
After having five straight games determined in clutch time and seeing two last-minute shots for the lead (one, two) rim in and out against Oklahoma City on Wednesday, the Suns finally got their first comfortable win of January. In what was their best defensive game of the season (93 points allowed on 103 possessions), they put the Warriors away with a big, bench-fueled run midway through the fourth quarter. They got back to nail biting on Saturday, but beat the Mavs with a 9-0 featuring three straight Chris Paul pick-and-rolls that resulted in a Paul jumper (he got to his spot), a lob to Deandre Ayton, and a Jae Crowder 3-pointer.

Paul’s 3-point percentage (30%) is his lowest mark since his rookie season. His effective field goal percentage (48.9%) and true shooting percentage (54.9%) are both his lowest marks since his second season. But he remains strong from mid-range (50% between the restricted area and the 3-point line) and his two highest scoring games of the season (32 and 29 points) have come in the last five days.

The Suns scored less than a point per possession in each of their first two games sans Devin Booker, but are now 2-2 without the leading scorer, who’s listed as questionable for the second game in Dallas on Monday. Cameron Payne and Dario Saric remain out.

#8 - Suns
Two weeks ago, I would’ve assumed the Phoenix Suns would be getting an A at the quarter mark. Even without Devin Booker and Chris Paul playing at the level we expect them to perform, the Suns were grading high above expectations. All of the role players were succeeding, and the balance/depth of this team was on full display. However, a couple of misfortunes and a little injury to Booker brought them down to earth a bit. It’s not a bad thing, but it took away the momentum we saw from Phoenix to start the season. We just have to hope they don’t slide like they did last season, but CP3 should help keep the focus sharp enough to avoid it.

James Harden Strip Club Habit Derailed 2012 Finals according to Perkins - https://www.tmz.com/2021/02/01/kendrick ... ba-finals/

Mori Chu wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 02, 2021 10:44 am

Thanks for the thread, carey.

I think those 10 and 8 power ranking ratings are generous. We have had a rough patch lately. I don't think this team looks like a contender, yet. They may get there over the course of the season.

James Harden Strip Club Habit Derailed 2012 Finals according to Perkins - https://www.tmz.com/2021/02/01/kendrick ... ba-finals/

Wow. That's pretty amazing. Can you imagine losing a title because your teammate couldn't stay out of the titty bar?

Indy wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 02, 2021 10:47 am

Mori Chu wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 02, 2021 10:44 am

Thanks for the thread, carey.

I think those 10 and 8 power ranking ratings are generous. We have had a rough patch lately. I don't think this team looks like a contender, yet. They may get there over the course of the season.

James Harden Strip Club Habit Derailed 2012 Finals according to Perkins - https://www.tmz.com/2021/02/01/kendrick ... ba-finals/

Wow. That's pretty amazing. Can you imagine losing a title because your teammate couldn't stay out of the titty bar?

Umm, do you remember 1993 and 1994 and 1995?

Charlie Smithy! wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 02, 2021 4:19 pm

Indy wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 02, 2021 10:47 am

Mori Chu wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 02, 2021 10:44 am

Thanks for the thread, carey.

I think those 10 and 8 power ranking ratings are generous. We have had a rough patch lately. I don't think this team looks like a contender, yet. They may get there over the course of the season.

James Harden Strip Club Habit Derailed 2012 Finals according to Perkins - https://www.tmz.com/2021/02/01/kendrick ... ba-finals/

Wow. That's pretty amazing. Can you imagine losing a title because your teammate couldn't stay out of the titty bar?

Umm, do you remember 1993 and 1994 and 1995?

We really could and should have taken the Bulls to 7. And I really don't know why we couldn't finish the Rockets off when we were up 2 to 0 and 3 to 1, respectively. There's no doubt in my mind we would have beaten the Knicks in 94 and the magic in 95.

Oddly enough, and I should find this interview, but I know Charles Barkley has said that Olajuwon was harder for them to deal with than Jordan and the Bulls

LazarusLong wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 03, 2021 7:05 am

Hakeem was special. He fairly much carried the Rockets to its first championship.
Led the team in points, rebounds, assists (narrowly), blocks and steals.

Nodack wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 02, 2021 10:56 pm

Charlie Smithy! wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 02, 2021 4:19 pm

Indy wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 02, 2021 10:47 am

Mori Chu wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 02, 2021 10:44 am

Thanks for the thread, carey.

I think those 10 and 8 power ranking ratings are generous. We have had a rough patch lately. I don't think this team looks like a contender, yet. They may get there over the course of the season.

James Harden Strip Club Habit Derailed 2012 Finals according to Perkins - https://www.tmz.com/2021/02/01/kendrick ... ba-finals/

Wow. That's pretty amazing. Can you imagine losing a title because your teammate couldn't stay out of the titty bar?

Umm, do you remember 1993 and 1994 and 1995?

We really could and should have taken the Bulls to 7. And I really don't know why we couldn't finish the Rockets off when we were up 2 to 0 and 3 to 1, respectively. There's no doubt in my mind we would have beaten the Knicks in 94 and the magic in 95.

Oddly enough, and I should find this interview, but I know Charles Barkley has said that Olajuwon was harder for them to deal with than Jordan and the Bulls

Totally agree with him. Don’t think he was talking about Olajuwon’s offense. That famous KJ dunk on Olajuwon was a total frustration dunk. The paint was off limits with Olajuwon in there. I can’t remember all the details of that game. I do remember how frustrating it was.

ShelC wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 03, 2021 11:39 am

I think it looks like KD, just that the beard is drawn in too thick.

Indy wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 03, 2021 11:38 am

Is it just me, or does that look nothing like KD? The other two are fine, but that isn't Durant.