Blazers @ Suns Tuesday NBA Play-In Game Thread, 4-14-2026

[Raindog]

The problem is not Booker. It's the Suns made that horrible trade for Durant.

Again, check out the bench production. The Trail Blazers bench scored almost twice as many points as the Suns, 33 vs 17.

Perhaps not in this specific game. But in terms of projecting into the future, Booker IS a big problem. He's going to be paid like an alpha tier star and he has proven time and again that he exactly isn't that. People are going on about it now because last night was yet another significant data point.

 

[Carolinacacti]

The problem is not Booker. It's the Suns made that horrible trade for Durant.

Again, check out the bench production. The Trail Blazers bench scored almost twice as many points as the Suns, 33 vs 17.

The problem is Booker. Where is Houston right now?

 

[Chaplin]

The problem is Booker. Where is Houston right now?

Come on. I know the fad of the day is beating on Booker, but no need to make crap up just to try to prove a point that's already been made.

The Rockets have a better roster. Period.

 

[Raindog]

Exactly. He is a rookie head coach. Let's let him learn from this and improve.

IF he learns from it, sure. Only time will tell, but he sure looked massively incompetent in his first quasi-playoff situation.

 

[Carolinacacti]

Come on. I know the fad of the day is beating on Booker, but no need to make crap up just to try to prove a point that's already been made.

The Rockets have a better roster. Period.

Because of Duant

 

[carrrnuttt]

The refs really screwed us.

FTFY

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

nine 3 pointers the whole game

goody had 3 jalen had 2 brooks had 2

they were starters - open partially because you know who was on the court

oneale and gillespie (who've made nine 3s in a single game when they were starters) made one single solitary 3 apiece - that's uno in spanish - they played for 44 full minutes but couldnt get open partially because defenders didn't have to worry about you know who being on the court

i wonder what you know who could've done if he wasn't being doubled playing against a team with no power forward or center in at the end of the game

but it didn't work out like that and you know who crapped the bed again - it happens to everyone - it'll happen again and again - and you'll say he can never make it to the mountain after having already watched him make it to the mountain top with 2 young twins - a fake enforcer - a decrepit hall of famer and a mentally deficient center

you know who isn't the best and he'll tell you that himself - his most famous quote has him telling you he's not the best at anything - that he has to do everything else and at a higher level - if you can't be a fan of that - or if you think that can be easily replaced idk what to tell you but im pretty much done defending booker in here - it's pointless and happens after every big loss but have at it - compare us to other teams while failing to make any point - forget about all the accomplishments and what is what like before - it's your world

 

[carrrnuttt]

If the Suns could add add more quality size in mix at the forward position, namely power forward, they could suffice by adding more role playing centers.

The Suns LITERALLY had/have all of this.

On. The. Bench.

 

[Chaplin]

Because of Duant

So all of a sudden Durant is a proven winner amd not a cancer?

The Rockets ain't winning the title this year.

 

[Carolinacacti]

At least they have a shot with a star

 

[Chaplin]

At least they have a shot with a star

We had the same star and didn't even make the playoffs. Are you blaming last year on Booker?

 

[Covert Rain]

Disclaimer. I have not validated this. However, if it's true? DAMN!

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[boisesuns]

I'd think blowing a 2-0 lead in the Finals, followed the next season by having the best record in the league by 8 games and losing a humiliating Game 7 at home by 53 points, would be the ultimate fuel. If that can't inspire you to look deep within yourself to figure out how to become a true winner, nothing will.

Those series of events were a near fatal blow for many suns fans

 

[TJ]

Disclaimer. I have not validated this. However, if it's true? DAMN!

You must be registered for see images attach

$70/mil per year well spent

 

[TJ]

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[Mainstreet]

The Suns LITERALLY had/have all of this.

On. The. Bench.

A coach has to have confidence in his bench. Monty had similar issues with his bench in the playoffs.

 

[Carolinacacti]

We had the same star and didn't even make the playoffs. Are you blaming last year on Booker?

I wanted Booker traded instead of Durant. I took hell for it. I also changed my mind after the great start this year. Now I realize I was right. Bookers good nights are further apart every year in the bad way

 

[Cheesebeef]

nine 3 pointers the whole game

goody had 3 jalen had 2 brooks had 2

they were starters - open partially because you know who was on the court

oneale and gillespie (who've made nine 3s in a single game when they were starters) made one single solitary 3 apiece - that's uno in spanish - they played for 44 full minutes but couldnt get open partially because defenders didn't have to worry about you know who being on the court

i wonder what you know who could've done if he wasn't being doubled playing against a team with no power forward or center in at the end of the game

but it didn't work out like that and you know who crapped the bed again - it happens to everyone - it'll happen again and again - and you'll say he can never make it to the mountain after having already watched him make it to the mountain top with 2 young twins - a fake enforcer - a decrepit hall of famer and a mentally deficient center

man - that Kush you smoke keeps you in a dream world. the only time the Suns have had any success with Booker, literally AT ALL IN 12 Years, is when "the decrepit Hall of Fame" was the clear alpha of the team and still playing at an ALL-NBA level. And literally the second he fell off a cliff, the entire team became a perennial early playoff joke - if they even got there in the first place... even when heavily favored.

 

[Chaplin]

I wanted Booker traded instead of Durant. I took hell for it. I also changed my mind after the great start this year. Now I realize I was right. Bookers good nights are further apart every year in the bad way

This is a crazy take.

Durant was a cancer.

 

[Mainstreet]

The problem is Booker. Where is Houston right now?

The Suns had a losing record with Durant last season.

If you want to blame someone, blame the GM who traded the Suns future for Durant and Beal.

 

[Mainstreet]

Perhaps not in this specific game. But in terms of projecting into the future, Booker IS a big problem. He's going to be paid like an alpha tier star and he has proven time and again that he exactly isn't that. People are going on about it now because last night was yet another significant data point.

I get it, fans want a scapegoat.

Who was on the Suns team when they made their last Finals appearance?

 

[Mainstreet]

Book has been a above-average to great regular season player. With physical defenders in a playoff context though, he routinely comes up empty.
This isn't going to get better, we're at the tail end of Book's prime and he's going to lose a step.

Devin Booker should be treated with respect like Kevin Johnson who asked not to be traded and the Suns respected that.

Now, if he should want out, the Suns should respect that too.

The Suns owe him that for his loyalty when he could have easily asked to be traded earlier in his career when the team was really bad.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

man - that Kush you smoke keeps you in a dream world. the only time the Suns have had any success with Booker, literally AT ALL IN 12 Years, is when "the decrepit Hall of Fame" was the clear alpha of the team and still playing at an ALL-NBA level. And literally the second he fell off a cliff, the entire team became a perennial early playoff joke - if they even got there in the first place... even when heavily favored.

lol hate away

 

[Raindog]

I get it, fans want a scapegoat.

Who was on the Suns team when they made their last Finals appearance?

I'm not scapegoating him, just stating the facts. He is not currently the type of player who justifies a top tier contract (and realistically, probably never was), he is slipping from his peak skill level, and he likely represents the only trade piece the Suns have that could return pieces that could potentially make them better in the future.

If you want an actual scapegoat for last night, that would mostly be Jordan Ott.

 

[Mainstreet]

If you want an actual scapegoat for last night, that would mostly be Jordan Ott.

We can agree on this.

Unfortunately, too many fans want to dump on Booker when there is plenty of blame to go around. The Suns haven't played well in months, not just last night. Their defense has been trash.