Trail Blazers at Suns 10-5-18 (preason)

[ColdPickleNachos]

Ayton ends up with 19 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks.

Melton scored 10 points in 8 minutes and had some really nice defensive moments. I'd like to see him get a chance to play significant minutes in the next game.

 

[Folster]

Jackson just can't shoot. I was hoping he would take the summer to improve his shot, but dude is building a house out there every game.

I think we drafted Michael Kidd Gilchrist.

 

[elindholm]

I didn't watch this game, but if Ayton had 19 and 14 in 28 minutes, he can't have been that bad.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

I didn't watch this game, but if Ayton had 19 and 14 in 28 minutes, he can't have been that bad.

He wasn't. In fact, he was outstanding on the offensive end and flashed on defense. The whole team had no idea how to defend the pick and roll, and that was most obvious with Ayton on several plays. That should be corrected over time.

 

[Hoop Head]

Ayton ends up with 19 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks.

Melton scored 10 points in 8 minutes and had some really nice defensive moments. I'd like to see him get a chance to play significant minutes in the next game.

Those numbers don't appear progressively worse. I missed the game today but since there is only 1 person making that claim, I won't take it seriously.

 

[Mainstreet]

Final:

Trail Blazers 115 - Suns 93

The Suns poor shooting and defense really stood out.

 

[SirStefan32]

Those numbers don't appear progressively worse. I missed the game today but since there is only 1 person making that claim, I won't take it seriously.

So, he hit his shots. He wasn't "great", but he looked better than Okobo.

 

[1Sun]

I didn't mean worse as in Ayton is bad. I meant it in that he is having more lapses, particularly on defense, and is not looking as impressive. Again, I think Ayton has Hall of Fame potential, but he needs the right culture to realize it. Right now, we don't have that culture.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Those numbers don't appear progressively worse. I missed the game today but since there is only 1 person making that claim, I won't take it seriously.

Also, 7/13 from the floor, 5/6 from the line, had a beautiful assist, and managed a +4 despite the fact that the Suns were down big pretty much the whole game. When Ayton was on the floor, the offense went through him. When he wasn't on the floor, there was no offense.

 

[Yuma]

From Azsports article tonight: "Of Harrison and the two rookie point guards on the roster, at least one of them will have to do that learning in a meaningful role for the Suns with the current roster outlook. That’s one of the many reasons an outcry for a point guard acquisition by general manager Ryan McDonough continues." 1Sun has been calling the station!

 

[sunsfan88]

He wasn't. In fact, he was outstanding on the offensive end and flashed on defense. The whole team had no idea how to defend the pick and roll, and that was most obvious with Ayton on several plays. That should be corrected over time.

The Suns need a good defensive coach. I would try hard to convince Jeff Bzedelik to come out of retirement and be an assistant coach on the Suns for that purpose. He was excellent with D'Antoni in Houston and has experience with Ariza and Anderson.

Not sure Sarver has what it takes to make him a strong $$$ offer that he couldn't refuse.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

When contemplating if Ayton is getting progressively worse, I think it's important to remember that 1Sun's take during the Kings game was: "I guarantee you that with a real NBA level point guard, Ayton would not be getting outplayed by Willie Cauley Stein."

 

[slinslin]

Ayton has 19/14/1/3/1 and is +4

If that is „getting worse“ I dont know

The rest of the team is crap.

Kokoskov will have to shorten the rotation to 8 man.

Canaan, Reed, Harrison, Daniels, Bender etc those guys should play as little as possible.

Josh Jackson should never be able to take more than 7-8 shots

 

[slinslin]

Josh Jackson is doing a great job reminding everyone why I wasn‘t high on him pre-draft and even posted here then that Miles Bridges was better.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Josh Jackson is doing a great job reminding everyone why I wasn‘t high on him pre-draft and even posted here then that Miles Bridges was better.

I wasn't high on him either, I wanted Markkanen or Tatum (eventually). But after seeing him on his good days, I can see why we went after him. I'm sure the game will eventually slow down for him but no matter what, he simply has to improve that shot or he will never be more than a rotation player.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Sorry, but I have been trying to make this point for a while and keep getting lambasted for it. Does anyone really want to put up with another season of this unwatchable play?

For gods sake man, NO! NONE of us want that. We’ve been saying it over and over and over and over and over. But it doesn’t happen by magic. Two teams or one team and a player have to agree. And then there’s the price component. I don’t want to overpay for a short term solution for a long horizon team. But for the love of all that’s holy we get it, and no one is arguing that we have the answer on the team. Good lord just enough.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

One player should not make the difference between competitiveness and historically bad, especially with all of the other lottery picks on the roster. In any event, they look worse without Booker now than they did without Booker last year. This team continues to head in the wrong direction.

But isn’t that exactly what you are arguing a pg will do???? A single player making the difference between competitiveness and historically bad???

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

What is your opinion about what the consequences will be if we go with the current roster of four bad Point Guards? How severly do you think they will affect the play of Ayton and the rest?

Zero for the long term.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Apparently most of the board doesn't think it will be a big deal because Devin Booker will be the cure-all savior...

Omg you’re totally ridiculous.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Like I said - The Booker will be our savior point. I will bet you just about anything that THIS will continue to exist with or without Booker if the point guards remain as is.

No, this is you blowing his comments way outta proportion.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

+1,000

I will now shut up about this point, because this post expresses my position and concerns perfectly.

I would only add that the inability to add in 2019 remains relevant to me insofar as I believe it is therefore futile just to sit back and wait until 2019, and therefore the only way to get the point guard we need to facilitate a winning culture is through trade, and sooner rather than later (before the losing culture perpetuates itself that much more).

My favorite 1Sun post.

Says “I will now shut up . . .”

Followed by “I would only add . . .”

I don’t think he understands the words he uses.

 

[JCSunsfan]

You all keep responding to him. I have him blocked. I suggest you do the same.

 

[SirStefan32]

You all keep responding to him. I have him blocked. I suggest you do the same.

I second this. Block the fool and enjoy the board again. It is so much more pleasant.

 

[Hoop Head]

I didn't mean worse as in Ayton is bad. I meant it in that he is having more lapses, particularly on defense, and is not looking as impressive. Again, I think Ayton has Hall of Fame potential, but he needs the right culture to realize it. Right now, we don't have that culture.

I agree that he has HOF potential. I would like to think he'll realize that also, based on what I've seen from him and what I've heard him say also. He seems committed to the sport and does want to be great. I don't think it's just the typical "I want to be the best ever" fluff most players put out either. He seems particularly serious about reaching his goals and realizing his potential. He also seems happy to be with Booker, Jackson, and company. The Suns are building that culture and Ayton sees his role in that. He knows why we brought in Ariza, Anderson, Bridges, and others. He knows what Sarver, McD, and Kokoskov want much better than we do. Nothing he has said or done has hinted at him being upset here. He knows it takes time to build a contender.

The Suns might not be a playoff team this year but they won't be an easy win for playoff teams, that's this seasons goal. If that's not, I'm not sure what would be. These young players grew up fans similar to us. Maybe they don't obsess over the intricacies of team building and the CBA like some of us do but they know the salary cap, trade restrictions, and rebuilding takes time. He knows he's the centerpiece added this summer, with Kokoskov in a way. He knows Kokoskov is putting him in a position to win. He's dedicated to learning defense and being the defensive anchor. He knows the guys around him have bought in and will do all they can for him. It's a really good move by Kokoskov to call him the "Defensive Coordinator" because it gives him focus, something to feel responsible for, something to work on, and even as a rookie it gives him the right to yell at others for slacking. It elevates Ayton's role without putting too much on him. He's given him a voice, which is good. So long as our PG's are playing all out on defense and trying to do what they can on offense, with minimal mistakes, I can't see him growing disgruntled and derailing his career in his rookie season. That's preposterous.

 

[Hoop Head]

You all keep responding to him. I have him blocked. I suggest you do the same.

I second this. Block the fool and enjoy the board again. It is so much more pleasant.

As tempting as it is, I won't. Perhaps once the regular season stars I will but at this point it's too soon. His first couple of posts were good, IMO. That was before he went all in on his PG obsession. I can understand why, I can't understand the depths it's gone to though. Our PG's are not going to keep Ayton or anyone from becoming good or great in 3-4 years. If this was Ayton's 2nd year with PG's like this, I might even understand the frustration but this is too much too soon.