New Owner - Mat Ishbia

[Hoop Head]

I was thinking of other sports with subjective scoring, like figure skating. Maybe there are compulsory dunks, either assigned by the panel or drawn randomly out of a hat in front of of the crowd. Then each guy is graded on these dunks. So all the participants are compared on the same dunks. Then if you make the next round, you can do your routine, so to speak.

Slightly different but they had the dunk wheel many years back. Players spun a wheel to see what type of dunk they'd do. It killed the creative aspect. I see that being an issue with what you describe as well.

I think they should pause the contest for a couple of years and allow the hype to return. Maybe do it every other year or every 3 years so it doesn't seem so watered down.

The more I think of a team type contest the more I'd be interested in that. Every team competes and goes head to head throughout January leading to a final 4 at All-star Weekend. Then it's more of a free for all instead of head to head. If the Suns made it then Collin could go out there with Fleming to throw lobs in round 1 but Oso could throw lobs to Jalen in the finals, for example. Maybe even allow 60 seconds to put on a show and the team is scored as a whole instead of just a dunk. So like a synchronized scrimmage, kind of.

 

[Hoop Head]

Here's video of that dunk wheel. It was bad. I remember watching it. Some guys were incapable of doing what they landed on due to size, athleticism, or just the inverse where they could do it but made it look simple.

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[Mainstreet]

I was thinking of other sports with subjective scoring, like figure skating. Maybe there are compulsory dunks, either assigned by the panel or drawn randomly out of a hat in front of of the crowd. Then each guy is graded on these dunks. So all the participants are compared on the same dunks. Then if you make the next round, you can do your routine, so to speak.

Maybe, but I think all the dunkers are pretty good or they wouldn't be there. Now match them up with a top defender and it could be quite exciting. Also, grading the defensive players might be a way to spice it up too.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

i don't want to see a dunk contest persay

i wanna see a long distance dunking contest starting from the free throw line and we go from there

same thing with height - keep moving the rim up 2" until there's only 1 person left

have to do different size groups so you don't see wemby out there against ye

 

[95pro]

for the 3pt contest, how about we just see the top shooters, based on percentage, duke it out? of course those with regular rotation minutes, no garbage time.

just do away with the dunk contest.

 

[Yuma]

Slightly different but they had the dunk wheel many years back. Players spun a wheel to see what type of dunk they'd do. It killed the creative aspect. I see that being an issue with what you describe as well.

I think they should pause the contest for a couple of years and allow the hype to return. Maybe do it every other year or every 3 years so it doesn't seem so watered down.

The more I think of a team type contest the more I'd be interested in that. Every team competes and goes head to head throughout January leading to a final 4 at All-star Weekend. Then it's more of a free for all instead of head to head. If the Suns made it then Collin could go out there with Fleming to throw lobs in round 1 but Oso could throw lobs to Jalen in the finals, for example. Maybe even allow 60 seconds to put on a show and the team is scored as a whole instead of just a dunk. So like a synchronized scrimmage, kind of.

I think the problem with the dunk contest is the eras. Back in the seventies and eighties, dunking was the highlight of every game. The NBA was more about taking it to the basket back then. Guys grew up dunking, and being in dunk contests, etc. So a lot of guys had repertoires and showmanship they learned to win dunk contests. Why I want a round of compulsory dunks, is for each guy to do the same dunk, so we can compare their skill levels, not the inventiveness of the dunk. For example, round one, a guy does a 360, while another guy just does a statue of Liberty. How do you grade both dunkers against each other. I think the 360 should get the higher score, but the other judges think a statue of Liberty from the free throw line is higher. That, and back to guys not dunking as much, there's too many misses and attempts. Go back and watch really famous dunk contests, and they weren't trying 15 times to get a dunk down. When it first started, you got one chance, and that was it. So you had to be good. Real good.

Now we are in the era of the three ball, and dudes have more skills related to shooting the three. The audience understand and knows the importance of the three. Plus the three point contest, you don't have to have showmanship. You just shoot threes. You are racing the clock, which gives it a suspense element. And, like I said about compulsory dunks, every guy is doing the same thing, so it's easy to compare each guy to the other.

 

[jf-08]

I think the problem with the dunk contest is the eras. Back in the seventies and eighties, dunking was the highlight of every game. The NBA was more about taking it to the basket back then. Guys grew up dunking, and being in dunk contests, etc. So a lot of guys had repertoires and showmanship they learned to win dunk contests. Why I want a round of compulsory dunks, is for each guy to do the same dunk, so we can compare their skill levels, not the inventiveness of the dunk. For example, round one, a guy does a 360, while another guy just does a statue of Liberty. How do you grade both dunkers against each other. I think the 360 should get the higher score, but the other judges think a statue of Liberty from the free throw line is higher. That, and back to guys not dunking as much, there's too many misses and attempts. Go back and watch really famous dunk contests, and they weren't trying 15 times to get a dunk down. When it first started, you got one chance, and that was it. So you had to be good. Real good.

Now we are in the era of the three ball, and dudes have more skills related to shooting the three. The audience understand and knows the importance of the three. Plus the three point contest, you don't have to have showmanship. You just shoot threes. You are racing the clock, which gives it a suspense element. And, like I said about compulsory dunks, every guy is doing the same thing, so it's easy to compare each guy to the other.

This makes sense.

Furthermore, they should make the dunk contest mandatory in the WNBA All-Star weekend. That would draw a lot of attention and viewership

 

[Hoop Head]

I think the problem with the dunk contest is the eras. Back in the seventies and eighties, dunking was the highlight of every game. The NBA was more about taking it to the basket back then. Guys grew up dunking, and being in dunk contests, etc. So a lot of guys had repertoires and showmanship they learned to win dunk contests. Why I want a round of compulsory dunks, is for each guy to do the same dunk, so we can compare their skill levels, not the inventiveness of the dunk. For example, round one, a guy does a 360, while another guy just does a statue of Liberty. How do you grade both dunkers against each other. I think the 360 should get the higher score, but the other judges think a statue of Liberty from the free throw line is higher. That, and back to guys not dunking as much, there's too many misses and attempts. Go back and watch really famous dunk contests, and they weren't trying 15 times to get a dunk down. When it first started, you got one chance, and that was it. So you had to be good. Real good.

Now we are in the era of the three ball, and dudes have more skills related to shooting the three. The audience understand and knows the importance of the three. Plus the three point contest, you don't have to have showmanship. You just shoot threes. You are racing the clock, which gives it a suspense element. And, like I said about compulsory dunks, every guy is doing the same thing, so it's easy to compare each guy to the other.

I can definitely see that to an extent. You'd think less is more though. There's fewer dunks so they should be more exciting but it doesn't feel that way.

The league needs to pause the contest briefly as it feels like a real afterthought nowadays. Maybe Ishbia paying big money will help some, if can't hurt, that's a bandaid at most, IMO.

 

[Yuma]

This makes sense.

Furthermore, they should make the dunk contest mandatory in the WNBA All-Star weekend. That would draw a lot of attention and viewership

I can definitely see that to an extent. You'd think less is more though. There's fewer dunks so they should be more exciting but it doesn't feel that way.

The league needs to pause the contest briefly as it feels like a real afterthought nowadays. Maybe Ishbia paying big money will help some, if can't hurt, that's a bandaid at most, IMO.

Yeah, I saw the line up of guys for this last one, and went, who?

 

[Adrian]

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[Adrian]

I’ll take that over the chicken dance that Sarver did against the Spurs!

 

[SunsTzu]

I’ll take that over the chicken dance that Sarver did against the Spurs!

I'll also take having more than 8 warm bodies on the roster.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

a literal crash course - young talent gone chemistry gone - head coach gone - playoff hopes gone - draft picks gone gone gone - i thought the team was done for now it's almost as good as it was before and we're developing

 

[95pro]

a literal crash course - young talent gone chemistry gone - head coach gone - playoff hopes gone - draft picks gone gone gone - i thought the team was done for now it's almost as good as it was before and we're developing

Sounds like Karate Kid II where Sato takes everything away...everything gone!, homes! Church! Everything Gone.

Then Daniel son comes in, and Miyagi rebuilds the village.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

Sounds like Karate Kid II where Sato takes everything away...everything gone!, homes! Church! Everything Gone.

Then Daniel son comes in, and Miyagi rebuilds the village.

potheads love the og karate kid movies

 

[95pro]

potheads love the og karate kid movies

Sarver is Sato
Ishbia is Miyagi
Ott is Daniel

 

[Mainstreet]

Mat Ishbia could buyout minority owners.

See ESPN article below:


Baxter HolmesMar 16, 2026, 12:31 PM ET

The lawsuit between Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia and two Suns' minority owners is expected to head to a confidential binding mediation, which could lead to Ishbia buying out the minority owners' 13% stake at a price determined by a mediator, according to a new court filing obtained by ESPN.

The proposal was filed Monday in Delaware state court, and, if approved by the judge overseeing the case, will ultimately lead to the lawsuit being jointly dismissed.

Suns' ownership dispute to be settled through mediation

Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia and two Suns minority owners are heading to a confidential binding mediation that could result in Ishbia buying out the minority owners' 13% stake in the team.

www.espn.com

 

[Superbone]

Mat Ishbia could buyout minority owners.

See ESPN article below:


Baxter HolmesMar 16, 2026, 12:31 PM ET

The lawsuit between Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia and two Suns' minority owners is expected to head to a confidential binding mediation, which could lead to Ishbia buying out the minority owners' 13% stake at a price determined by a mediator, according to a new court filing obtained by ESPN.

The proposal was filed Monday in Delaware state court, and, if approved by the judge overseeing the case, will ultimately lead to the lawsuit being jointly dismissed.

Suns' ownership dispute to be settled through mediation

Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia and two Suns minority owners are heading to a confidential binding mediation that could result in Ishbia buying out the minority owners' 13% stake in the team.

www.espn.com

Probably what the minority owners wanted all along.

 

[Mainstreet]

Probably what the minority owners wanted all along.

It may be what both parties want, a fair mediated buyout.

 

[Yuma]

Probably what the minority owners wanted all along.

Depends on the price. The mediator could lowball them. Probably why this got ugly. Ishbia not willing to pay the price they wanted.

 

[Adrian]

Mat Ishbia


@Mishbia15
·
27m



I am 100% behind Devin Booker here. Last night was not a good look for our league. Let me be clear, we didn’t lose because of officiating, but that doesn’t make last night any less important. If the referees are going to demand respect from the players - as they should - then the players should demand respect from the referees. When a referee is missing calls and clearly disrespecting the players, almost mocking them, they must be held accountable. Nobody who loves this game enjoyed watching that last night. They want to see the players compete at the highest level. The league needs be far more aggressive about this kind of thing. All players and all fans deserve it.

 

[Hoop Head]

Mat Ishbia
@Mishbia15
·
27m



I am 100% behind Devin Booker here. Last night was not a good look for our league. Let me be clear, we didn’t lose because of officiating, but that doesn’t make last night any less important. If the referees are going to demand respect from the players - as they should - then the players should demand respect from the referees. When a referee is missing calls and clearly disrespecting the players, almost mocking them, they must be held accountable. Nobody who loves this game enjoyed watching that last night. They want to see the players compete at the highest level. The league needs be far more aggressive about this kind of thing. All players and all fans deserve it.

That's a solid statement on his part. Backs the players without undercutting the officials or league while highlighting a major discrepancy.

 

[Dan H]

That's a solid statement on his part. Backs the players without undercutting the officials or league while highlighting a major discrepancy.

Probably still going to get fined, though, huh?

Hopefully he writes “F you” in the memo line.

 

[Hoop Head]

Probably still going to get fined, though, huh?

Hopefully he writes “F you” in the memo line.

Booker will, 100%. Ishbia probably skirts the fine.

 

[Superbone]

Booker will, 100%. Ishbia probably skirts the fine.

Maybe Ishbia pays the fine for Book.