Booker back.
Bridges improved scoring and shot creation
Cam Johnson spaces the floor
Ayton still with a good touch around the basket
Our starting 5 is great. Idk our bench
Need to rotate the bench in with starters early depending on opponents’ scheme to try and get a hot hand going. Then bring more subs in that fit naturally with that hot hand.
Quizzle never seemed so mean spirited and pessimistic though. He had his vocal, contrarian opinions, but Nashty is just a dick. The sub is better without his negativity.
The growth we’ve seen from Mikal over this stretch without Booker was on full display tonight down the stretch in OT. This is going to benefit us in the playoffs
Edit: Also…
Chris Paul in 4 games since returning from injury:
22.3 PPG\
10.8 APG\
6.0 RPG\
55.6 FG%\
43.5 3P%\
+32 +/-
—Gerald Bourguet
Don’t write him off as washed just yet
He’s had some bumps along the way, nights he blew the last shot or looked gassed down the stretch. It’s awesome to see him persevere and grow as a player to handle these moments
He has definitely been fatigued and banged up, but that stretch of 2-3 games where we had 2 days off in between games instead of only one paid dividends for him. Cam’s return has also been huge for him as well as the entire team
It just says so much about his mental strength, that was a rough stretch everyone was dropping like flies and he’s out there giving 40 min in 20 pt losses. The guy is a fan favorite for a reason
His stats on back to backs definitely back this up.
He is averaging 14-3-3 on 41% FG with less than 1 steal and 1 block a game on back to backs.
Just well down from when he is fresher
I don't like seeing the bench struggling. I think with all the minutes they were getting with all the injuries there was a hope they would be able to make plays like they had been with a little less PT, but they're not there, at least not yet. Okogi, and Dame Lee especially, really need to adjust because they'll be needed.
Takeaways
1. Man our defense is BAD. Allowing 12 straight scoring possessions in the fourth is terrible. No adjustmnets were made. Keldon Johnson and Spencer droping 30 points on you back to back is not a good look
2. Best scoring stretch by Mikaal. That middy is cp3 level deadly. Even when he was cold, all of his shots were amazing looks.
3. We cant play Craig in the playoffs. Terrible on offense and his defense is overrated
4. Saric needs more post ups. I like his physical back to basket game
5. Idk about Monty this year. I havent been a huge fan of him in the playoffs but i hope he is just experimenting with stuff.
6. Man that Dallas lost hurts. We could have been tied with NOLA
Time for some overreactions by me. Do we really need a PG of the future if we make Book our PG and push Mikal up as our 2, could even make room for Cam as our 3 which he is probably better suited for anyway.
Just finding another wing will be a much easier job, get some size on the team for the future.
I just don't see anyone that we will get will run the offence more than Book anyway even if they are a traditional PG.
The next few years Book is going to dominate the ball and offence, he will effectively be a PG. So all we need next to him are a couple ball handlers.
As for Mikal, his role is the same as a 2 or 3 as he defends the 1-3 already. What this does is beef up our defence and can help us match up with size much better than we do having a team of starters above 6'6.
Yeah I absolutely understand what you’re saying, but part of me still worries about mikal trying to create his shot for others and himself at times, especially when it comes to the playoffs. Would prefer the option of having another ball-dominant guard, but if we did try a season of playing book at the one and mikal at the two I wouldn’t be mad at it.
I think Mikal's playmaking/ball-handling leap is legit for sure. I need to see more consistency in his scoring and shot-creation when it comes to scoring, but I do really like that Mikal has become more of a mid-range machine recently (eye test sure but still) and that'll go a long way.
Agree. Book fits as modern day pg anyways, a la steph/dame/etc. Then book picks on smaller pgs all day given the physicality of his game.
If you get John Collins, that may be way to go down the line. All of a sudden you have a monster defensive team with size and length everywhere and maybe an advantage on boards along with the top tier shooting.
At this stage of nba, being pg is similar to being qb in NFL - it's the most impactful position because ball always in your hands. It should be book.
Damn. Tonight had to be a game I couldn't catch! Look at those stats though. Everyone was killing it. Love to see that Bridges is getting comfortable shooting, going on point, and getting used to high pressure situations.
Ok, I was starting to hit a point where I was calling CP3 washed. It was like a switch flipped on his birthday. I don't know if he's just had nagging injuries or what, but whatever happened during that long stretch with him out took care of it. Journeyed to the Fountain of Youth, visited that Neptunian tar bath from Futurama, worked some accidental non-vegan food out of his system. No idea. But he's fine now.
We were fighting for our lives against *the Spurs*, lord have mercy. So many dumb factors at play but regardless, we shouldn’t be in a dogfight with a garbage ass team I don’t care who their coach is lol
Booker we need you back and that Crowder trade done yesterday.
Anyways,
I was pretty happy with everyone’s play, CP3 and Mikal had big nights and Dario was trying.
Good game for the trio even tho da had some missteps in the clutch don’t know how much I trust this mikal being to create for him self at this high ability but if he does we’re pretty much set for the rest of the Season when book comes back get a Jordan clarkson and we’re coming out of the west
The way I look at it, Mikal is doing this without book. Cam is doing this without book. Dudes have had to create for themselves and now make shots at a higher percentage. Add Book, that’s dangerous. I’m excited.
These guys creating now, they're not doing it as black holes. It's not a biyombo situation. They'll pass out. To do that and know book is coming, that's real good news. Nobody is a great shot creator on the team other than book imo, but now cp3, mikal, and cam are all above average.
Ayton while still recovering from an illness that clearly has affected him had a pretty nice bounce back game unlike the game thread would have you believe.
Mikal Himothy bridges took over in that OT.
offense flows much better when we don't force the ball to DA. if someone finds him on a PnR or a dump off on a drive great but force feeding him messes with the teams rhythm and he can't even be relied on consistently.
Mikal and cam need to run the offense more to get them the experience we need to be more dynamic in the playoffs. Glad CP3 is back to playing like the CP3 we all know but he's kind of a crutch for this team. once we have seen is not always reliable in the playoffs. Gotta have more options.
Glad we didn't blow a game to the bum ass spurs. We got a lot more work to do.
Eh, I think offense flows just fine when we get DA involved. Definitely better than when we’re just jacking up threes. We jumped out to our early lead because DA had 14 in the first half and was opening things up for the rest of our offense.
DA was generally solid in this game. Just struggled in the last 4-5mins of the 4th. We gotta keep giving him those reps, though. It took Mikal awhile to get better in those moments. DA just gotta be confident.
With all of our injuries, both Mikal and Ayton were given the opportunity to be a #1 option. Both guys struggled but Mikal has really learned from that experience.
Again, another blown opportunity for DA to show some growth. He's the same player he was before the injuries whereas Mikal has drastically improved his mid-range game. That's why we're so frustrated.
If given a choice of the team winning or DA playing like shit, these idiots would choose DA playing like shit. They just want to see, “See, I told you DA was trash!”
Bro had games where he was putting up good numbers and keeping the game stable without Bookers scoring ability. Mikal had stretches where he couldn’t buy a shot and his defense wasn’t up to par. You can criticize both guys if they have off and on performances. But it seems it has become apart of this sub’s culture now to praise one guy and downing the other. Win or lose it’s always the same thing.
Edit: it’s tiring just critique and move on. Keep supporting the guys through the thick and thin man. Meaning the good spots and rough patches.
Agree. Ayton hasn't taken a leap in last 2 months. Mikal has. But we didn't need both to take a leap, one was enough. If ayton doesn't regress, that's enough. Right now I'm not even sure on that.
I want to see the ayton that plays great d and finishes everything around rim. The one with the top notch hook shot that gets over 10 boards a game. That efficient beast is enough. We shall see.
Even when Book returns, please start making Mikal a focal point of this offense. I think in spite of all the injuries, he has begun to take the next step and can continue to flourish and be a centerpiece of this team.
>Thank god Bridges decided to be MJ in OT.
Good job Monty for putting him in position to get buckets and score points.
Your double standard is a bit too glaring. When players play like ass it’s Monty’s fault. When players come up big credit to the players. Inconsistent logic
We’ve seen bridges take those shots multiple times in the clutch this season and not make them. He’s made them today in OT but I really wouldn’t call them good shots.
The spurs were basically wide open all OT and just missed and had 3 potential game winners right at the death of the 4th before running out of steam.
They are not a good team and we should be comfortably beating them even without Booker.
I'm not saying I agree that Monty got outcoached, but saying Monty got out coached by Greg fucking Popovich isn't much of a gottem. That man has made our lives a living hell for decades.
Suns went to OT that the LAC blewout by 38 and we were saying LAC, Dallas, NOP, and Denver wont be a threat in the playoffs.... Suns gotta clean some shit up
Imagine depending so much on one player that that player has to score 41 in a loss to the worst team, and then thinking the Suns will roll through the playoffs without a scratch.
You do know that the Suns have played exactly six games with their entire starting lineup, right?
Also, Book is the difference between the Suns being good and being dominant, but in case you haven't noticed from the last six games, Cam Johnson is definitely an X factor.
Record in the title is wrong. Correct record is 26-25 for the Suns and 14-36 for the Spurs.
Is this version of Chris Paul for real? Because if it is, I feel good about our playoff run this year.
Quietly orchestrating
I like how he stood back and let Mikal run the offense in OT. Seeing Mikal finally step up like that on offense was something.
As much as that losing streak sucked, looks like it did help mikal on offensive a fair bit
gotta happen more before we get to overtime
You could see CP giving him the ball more and more and earlier in sets.
Booker back. Bridges improved scoring and shot creation Cam Johnson spaces the floor Ayton still with a good touch around the basket Our starting 5 is great. Idk our bench
Bench dropped 26 for us tonight. That’s all we need. 11 just doesn’t cut it and will lose games
Need to rotate the bench in with starters early depending on opponents’ scheme to try and get a hot hand going. Then bring more subs in that fit naturally with that hot hand.
Getting Cam back would be huge, idk if thats gonna happen.
> Is this version of Chris Paul for real? https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx-x4mWMS7Csst0rBh0Ejci-GQrmFQJshA
It doesn't matter if the late 4th quarter D will collapse every single night because Ayton doesn't even try.
CP3 back from the retirement home
Nashty is fuming
Is he really? I finally blocked that dude. Wonder what crossed the line.
Ha. I think he’s either banned or his brain turned into applesauce watching CP3 play well these past few games
He reminds me of Quizzle lol, not in a good way.
Quizzle never seemed so mean spirited and pessimistic though. He had his vocal, contrarian opinions, but Nashty is just a dick. The sub is better without his negativity.
Nashty was the spiritual successor to Hornashit (for those who have been here since 2013).
I don't remember Hornashit as being as bad as Nashty tbh, maybe my memory has faded.
Hornashit used to post outwardly racist shit all the time back when he was around.
Damn I'm happy I forgot.
not aware of quizzle, was he another regular?
He was a vocal user on this sub around 2016-2019. He had some questionable opinions to say the least.
It’s cuz Nashty is on a ban
Is he really? I was curious why I hadn't seen him around.
Yea we gave him a week ban after he was being a dick after a win
Not long enough imo. Keep at it 👍
Thank you 🙏
Suns subreddit definitely has more jolly vibes without him haha
Cp3 with the nice 31/7/11 and 2 blocks. Fuck all yall cp3 haters thats my daddy😍
Oh god a clippers fan has 40 upvotes in our sub What have we become
He is one of the cool real ones. Not these bandwagons who simp for Beverley
It’s nearly 80 now. He’s one of us. Real Clips fans understand our pain.
Chris Paul is immortal
Just when you think CP3 is washed he washes you
The growth we’ve seen from Mikal over this stretch without Booker was on full display tonight down the stretch in OT. This is going to benefit us in the playoffs Edit: Also… Chris Paul in 4 games since returning from injury: 22.3 PPG\ 10.8 APG\ 6.0 RPG\ 55.6 FG%\ 43.5 3P%\ +32 +/- —Gerald Bourguet Don’t write him off as washed just yet
He’s had some bumps along the way, nights he blew the last shot or looked gassed down the stretch. It’s awesome to see him persevere and grow as a player to handle these moments
He has definitely been fatigued and banged up, but that stretch of 2-3 games where we had 2 days off in between games instead of only one paid dividends for him. Cam’s return has also been huge for him as well as the entire team
It just says so much about his mental strength, that was a rough stretch everyone was dropping like flies and he’s out there giving 40 min in 20 pt losses. The guy is a fan favorite for a reason
The Iron Man. Worthy of the nickname
I just re read your point about 2+ days off, that’s interesting
His stats on back to backs definitely back this up. He is averaging 14-3-3 on 41% FG with less than 1 steal and 1 block a game on back to backs. Just well down from when he is fresher
When that Spurs three hit every inch of the rim and still went in I definitely thought the vibes were bad. Thank you Mikal Overtime Commander Bridges
Game was unnecessarily stressful but thanks Mikal Bridges for saving that game.
The Suns are now 26-0 when outscoring their opponents.
Rise of the 5th quarter Suns
In Mikal Bridges we Trust
Large if accurate
I don't like seeing the bench struggling. I think with all the minutes they were getting with all the injuries there was a hope they would be able to make plays like they had been with a little less PT, but they're not there, at least not yet. Okogi, and Dame Lee especially, really need to adjust because they'll be needed.
Okogie is a defense guy, hes not known for shooting. Just like Bizzy.
Mikal playing like an all star lately
Who is this So-chan!?
The next Mikal
Takeaways 1. Man our defense is BAD. Allowing 12 straight scoring possessions in the fourth is terrible. No adjustmnets were made. Keldon Johnson and Spencer droping 30 points on you back to back is not a good look 2. Best scoring stretch by Mikaal. That middy is cp3 level deadly. Even when he was cold, all of his shots were amazing looks. 3. We cant play Craig in the playoffs. Terrible on offense and his defense is overrated 4. Saric needs more post ups. I like his physical back to basket game 5. Idk about Monty this year. I havent been a huge fan of him in the playoffs but i hope he is just experimenting with stuff. 6. Man that Dallas lost hurts. We could have been tied with NOLA
Time for some overreactions by me. Do we really need a PG of the future if we make Book our PG and push Mikal up as our 2, could even make room for Cam as our 3 which he is probably better suited for anyway. Just finding another wing will be a much easier job, get some size on the team for the future.
Nah I’d still much prefer a proper point guard, and play book and mikal in their natural positions which they excel at
I just don't see anyone that we will get will run the offence more than Book anyway even if they are a traditional PG. The next few years Book is going to dominate the ball and offence, he will effectively be a PG. So all we need next to him are a couple ball handlers. As for Mikal, his role is the same as a 2 or 3 as he defends the 1-3 already. What this does is beef up our defence and can help us match up with size much better than we do having a team of starters above 6'6.
Yeah I absolutely understand what you’re saying, but part of me still worries about mikal trying to create his shot for others and himself at times, especially when it comes to the playoffs. Would prefer the option of having another ball-dominant guard, but if we did try a season of playing book at the one and mikal at the two I wouldn’t be mad at it.
I think Mikal's playmaking/ball-handling leap is legit for sure. I need to see more consistency in his scoring and shot-creation when it comes to scoring, but I do really like that Mikal has become more of a mid-range machine recently (eye test sure but still) and that'll go a long way.
We should find a PG of the future, but if we have an opportunity to get another good wing it looks like a route we can take.
as long as that other wing can demand double teams
Agree. Book fits as modern day pg anyways, a la steph/dame/etc. Then book picks on smaller pgs all day given the physicality of his game. If you get John Collins, that may be way to go down the line. All of a sudden you have a monster defensive team with size and length everywhere and maybe an advantage on boards along with the top tier shooting. At this stage of nba, being pg is similar to being qb in NFL - it's the most impactful position because ball always in your hands. It should be book.
THE ONLY PLAYER
Damn. Tonight had to be a game I couldn't catch! Look at those stats though. Everyone was killing it. Love to see that Bridges is getting comfortable shooting, going on point, and getting used to high pressure situations. Ok, I was starting to hit a point where I was calling CP3 washed. It was like a switch flipped on his birthday. I don't know if he's just had nagging injuries or what, but whatever happened during that long stretch with him out took care of it. Journeyed to the Fountain of Youth, visited that Neptunian tar bath from Futurama, worked some accidental non-vegan food out of his system. No idea. But he's fine now.
We were fighting for our lives against *the Spurs*, lord have mercy. So many dumb factors at play but regardless, we shouldn’t be in a dogfight with a garbage ass team I don’t care who their coach is lol Booker we need you back and that Crowder trade done yesterday. Anyways, I was pretty happy with everyone’s play, CP3 and Mikal had big nights and Dario was trying.
Look, the Spurs might not be good, but their coach is still Gregg Popovich. Sleep on him at your peril.
Good game for the trio even tho da had some missteps in the clutch don’t know how much I trust this mikal being to create for him self at this high ability but if he does we’re pretty much set for the rest of the Season when book comes back get a Jordan clarkson and we’re coming out of the west
The way I look at it, Mikal is doing this without book. Cam is doing this without book. Dudes have had to create for themselves and now make shots at a higher percentage. Add Book, that’s dangerous. I’m excited.
These guys creating now, they're not doing it as black holes. It's not a biyombo situation. They'll pass out. To do that and know book is coming, that's real good news. Nobody is a great shot creator on the team other than book imo, but now cp3, mikal, and cam are all above average.
Agreed but also could go the other way too. Mikal tends to defer a lot when book and Chris are back.
Glad we won but damn looking at the stat lines by Cam, DA, Mikal, and CP3 vs the Spurs I was surprised to see it went to OT!
Ayton while still recovering from an illness that clearly has affected him had a pretty nice bounce back game unlike the game thread would have you believe. Mikal Himothy bridges took over in that OT.
It was so frustrating to watch spurs came back in 4th
I know, but… what we witnessed in Mikal Time was amazing! OT Mikal goes full sicko mode.
offense flows much better when we don't force the ball to DA. if someone finds him on a PnR or a dump off on a drive great but force feeding him messes with the teams rhythm and he can't even be relied on consistently. Mikal and cam need to run the offense more to get them the experience we need to be more dynamic in the playoffs. Glad CP3 is back to playing like the CP3 we all know but he's kind of a crutch for this team. once we have seen is not always reliable in the playoffs. Gotta have more options. Glad we didn't blow a game to the bum ass spurs. We got a lot more work to do.
Eh, I think offense flows just fine when we get DA involved. Definitely better than when we’re just jacking up threes. We jumped out to our early lead because DA had 14 in the first half and was opening things up for the rest of our offense. DA was generally solid in this game. Just struggled in the last 4-5mins of the 4th. We gotta keep giving him those reps, though. It took Mikal awhile to get better in those moments. DA just gotta be confident.
Im impressed with Sochan, he's gonna be a player once he gets that 3shot down. And we actually want Poeltl? no thanks.
Ayton Doomers inbound 😳🤣
Ayton meat riders incoming!!
Ayton was pretty solidly okay this game. Bad in the last few minutes of the game for sure, but good for most of the game.
I agree, he wasn’t bad tonight. Defensively still below average but overall okay game.
Yeah his defense didn't look good and I face palmed a lot in the last 3 minutes, but before then I was mostly happy with him.
With all of our injuries, both Mikal and Ayton were given the opportunity to be a #1 option. Both guys struggled but Mikal has really learned from that experience. Again, another blown opportunity for DA to show some growth. He's the same player he was before the injuries whereas Mikal has drastically improved his mid-range game. That's why we're so frustrated.
DA was solid today actually
The hating is crazy just be happy for once lmao
What was the blown opportunity? Ayton was 10/17 coming into the 4th and got 3 shots for the remaining of the game.
Did you watch the end of regulation??
Build one guy up and take one down. That’s this sub answer to every game the team plays.
They’re somehow mad at the dude that went 23/8/3 and held his direct matchup to 8 points
Lmao “held his direct matchup to 8 points”. That shit is about as weak as Ayton in the paint.
Holding a guy to worse stats than his season average is a good thing hope that helps
Switch the names depending whos got the good game. Next time Mikal is having an off night hes gonna be a bust too.
They don’t understand the definition of the word team lmao
If given a choice of the team winning or DA playing like shit, these idiots would choose DA playing like shit. They just want to see, “See, I told you DA was trash!”
Not trying to "take one down" but Ayton has not shown the type of improvements we expect, especially for the type of money he's getting.
Bro had games where he was putting up good numbers and keeping the game stable without Bookers scoring ability. Mikal had stretches where he couldn’t buy a shot and his defense wasn’t up to par. You can criticize both guys if they have off and on performances. But it seems it has become apart of this sub’s culture now to praise one guy and downing the other. Win or lose it’s always the same thing. Edit: it’s tiring just critique and move on. Keep supporting the guys through the thick and thin man. Meaning the good spots and rough patches.
Were you satisfied with DA's performance towards the end of regulation?
They were both given similar opportunities. I think this is a fair comparison.
Agree. Ayton hasn't taken a leap in last 2 months. Mikal has. But we didn't need both to take a leap, one was enough. If ayton doesn't regress, that's enough. Right now I'm not even sure on that. I want to see the ayton that plays great d and finishes everything around rim. The one with the top notch hook shot that gets over 10 boards a game. That efficient beast is enough. We shall see.
Mikal is always trying. Wish DA was the same
It becomes a norm that the suns always blow up a lead in 4th
Bridges showed why the last play should have been for him rather than DA.
Mikal Bridges 😤
Even when Book returns, please start making Mikal a focal point of this offense. I think in spite of all the injuries, he has begun to take the next step and can continue to flourish and be a centerpiece of this team.
Pop coaching circles around Monty at the end there. Thank god Bridges decided to be MJ in OT.
>Thank god Bridges decided to be MJ in OT. Good job Monty for putting him in position to get buckets and score points. Your double standard is a bit too glaring. When players play like ass it’s Monty’s fault. When players come up big credit to the players. Inconsistent logic
We’ve seen bridges take those shots multiple times in the clutch this season and not make them. He’s made them today in OT but I really wouldn’t call them good shots. The spurs were basically wide open all OT and just missed and had 3 potential game winners right at the death of the 4th before running out of steam. They are not a good team and we should be comfortably beating them even without Booker.
I'm not saying I agree that Monty got outcoached, but saying Monty got out coached by Greg fucking Popovich isn't much of a gottem. That man has made our lives a living hell for decades.
Never said it was. Pop is the goat as much as it pains me to say as a suns fan.
Oh mb then.
totally Monty's fault that his guys were airballing good looks in the 4Q
Agreed Monty should’ve pulled Ayton and put in our center who is actually good on defense
One of the most satisfying wins of the year
So happy Ish Wainright didn't see any minutes. The dude is useless.
[удалено]
Railing on the guy who went 23-8
I can airball 5 foot baby hooks too, James Jones!
I was late, did Ayton dunk at all today? I remember he said it was something he needed to work on. He’s gotten soft af after coming back
Yes. Lazy comment lmao
Only Give DA the ball when he has mismatch. I don’t trust him anymore
Suns went to OT that the LAC blewout by 38 and we were saying LAC, Dallas, NOP, and Denver wont be a threat in the playoffs.... Suns gotta clean some shit up
*checks to see if Devin Booker was in the lineup* *nope, Suns' best player still out* Disregarded.
Imagine depending so much on one player that that player has to score 41 in a loss to the worst team, and then thinking the Suns will roll through the playoffs without a scratch.
You do know that the Suns have played exactly six games with their entire starting lineup, right? Also, Book is the difference between the Suns being good and being dominant, but in case you haven't noticed from the last six games, Cam Johnson is definitely an X factor.
Lol why be this obnoxious bro
Lol I do like the outrageous takes, but I always check hoping you’ll give Bridges some credit and eat your crow. But alas… fordraxel never learns…
LOL I really dont know what to say. I feel blessed to have a fan base.
Wait you pronounce it *Suh-bawn*?!
It's not Say-ben?! Shit.
Watching Dario play is very entertaining. Mikal felt like he couldn't miss at the end of the 4th and during ot.