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This is going to be interesting to see how Ott handles getting the Suns to buy in defensively. There's still guys on this team from when Vogel was here. Vogel tried to get them to be a defensive team, and they started out the season that way. Then the players seemed to decide they weren't going to keep it up the whole season. If/when Ott hits that point, how will he handle it if guys quit giving it their all on defense?
I just know the team as a whole seemed to slip back to their normal level of play which was a .500 or lower team. Maybe that was KD, Beal and others. The fact remains, the guys you mentioned were part of that non effort. Maybe it was Vogel. There have been games since Vogel where they did put out the effort on the defensive end and looked great. Then the very next game they go back to the same lackluster play. It's something Ott should be looking for. I love Booker. But if it is him, it needs to be addressed.Who are you thinking of? Royce can defend and always plays with grit and effort albeit he lacks the size to be a difference maker. Grayson is a question mark. He seemed to shirk defensive responsibility as his offensive grew under Vogel. Booker can and does play with intensity when it matters. He lacks the speed to be a high quality defender and is often gassed from carrying too much on offense. Grayson and Book differ in that Book actually does a ton on offense so the occasional lapse can be forgiven while Grayson became a shooter who quit trying.
Who else is here? I think that's it. Those guys buying in is likely not an issue.
Let's hope he lasts more than the one year that our coaches have been averaging under Ishbia.
at the end of every year 3 full seasons 3 firingsLet's hope he lasts more than the one year that our coaches have been averaging under Ishbia.
I expected the Suns to be well coached, play hard and be exciting. Maybe they will be, but the player rotation and lack of rookie play leaves me with questions.
I see that to an extent but it's a long season and I really like what Ott has done to keep these guys focused and playing competitively. I hope Hayes-Davis is glued to the end of the bench right next to Oso in a glass case with instructions to only use in case of emergency. I'll allow time for them to purchase the supplies to build that container and find a strong glue. Should complete construction by game 10 at the latest.
I hope you are right about this. Booker doesn't look like he is having fun out there. It's been that way for a while, at least since last season. I've never been a proponent of trading him, but he deserves better if the Suns can't put a competitive team around him. It would have to be his idea, though. I believe in loyalty.
He looks happier than last season for sure but losing does wear on him. I won't read much into it at this point as he knew it would be tough this year. Hopefully there is a plan beyond getting Jalen Green healthy. Booker is solely carrying the Suns for the first time since the bubble though and even then he had guys he was close friends with as partners in purple & orange. He always did post game pressers with Paul and KD though over the last 5 years so shouldering the weight of the franchise alone is still a little knew to him. He was making a name then and now he has a name but needs to build a regime.
If things don't work out then I'm fine with trading him as long as that's what he wants because this team needs to rebuild their legacy and culture. Forcing him out may seem merciful but that won't last long.
Back to Ott, he has a steep climb and needs leaders on the floor. No one other than Book and Brooks are carrying their load on offense. Time will tell if he can figure it out and also if the front office has any directives in place as well.
Booker doesn’t look right but I remember many of us saying that at the start of last season as well. If this continues his value isn’t going to keep.
I'm more concerned about doing what is right for Devin Booker than his value.
A new NBA owner, NBA GM and NBA head coach haven't proven anything yet.
What I mean by that is if the Suns need to move on from Booker, his value is what is going to allow the Suns to get a maximum return. I am not suggesting he will have zero value and yes that can fluctuate depending on his play.I'm more concerned about doing what is right for Devin Booker than his value.
A new NBA owner, NBA GM and NBA head coach haven't proven anything yet.
What I mean by that is if the Suns need to move on from Booker, his value is what is going to allow the Suns to get a maximum return. I am not suggesting he will have zero value and yes that can fluctuate depending on his play.
In terms of what is best for Booker that depends on what you are referencing.
The only way to do that is to win and eventually win a title. The franchise hasn't accomplished winning a title in it's entire history. The teams that in the NBA that have a history of constantly competing for are title are the teams people take seriously in this league.I understand what you are saying and I don't disagree.
I'm coming at it from a different direction. IMO, the franchise as it stands today, has something to prove to the fans, that it's not a play toy.
I would say the idea of them playing a swarming style of defense, etc, as they outlined with this reset is a good idea. They went and got younger and bigger. They need to start leaning into that more. The young guys will make mistakes. Flemming needs to get more minues. Even Maluach in a back up mode needs some minutes. This team needs threes, and Royce, and Grayson have been the majority of those threes. I think even Brea, in spot minutes with the second team, should be put in and told get us some threes. We could use Brea just as a scorer because our second team just struggles to score at all when they are in.The only way to do that is to win and eventually win a title. The franchise hasn't accomplished winning a title in it's entire history. The teams that in the NBA that have a history of constantly competing for are title are the teams people take seriously in this league.
I get that we are in a reset mode and trying to get younger and athletic. Every franchise goes through that. I love Book. I want him to get a title. I am just convinced it's never going to happen here unless we get a major tier 1 player or get lucky in the draft getting a once in a gen player. Even then you are going to have to have the right coach to get you there and we have no idea if we have that either.
The only way to do that is to win and eventually win a title. The franchise hasn't accomplished winning a title in it's entire history. The teams that in the NBA that have a history of constantly competing for are title are the teams people take seriously in this league.
I get that we are in a reset mode and trying to get younger and athletic. Every franchise goes through that. I love Book. I want him to get a title. I am just convinced it's never going to happen here unless we get a major tier 1 player or get lucky in the draft getting a once in a gen player. Even then you are going to have to have the right coach to get you there and we have no idea if we have that either.