Suns updates and discussion for the 2019-20 season

[JCSunsfan]

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Good grief. This is getting really annoying.

 

[GatorAZ]

This is why the Jazz didn’t want to re-sign him. He broke down last year, played in FIBA last summer and the olympics are next summer.

 

[Chaplin]

Or could it be that our "training staff" is the worst we've had in 30 years?

 

[Phrazbit]

This is why the Jazz didn’t want to re-sign him. He broke down last year, played in FIBA last summer and the olympics are next summer.

I'd buy that if they hadn't replaced him with Conley. Mike Conley shows up for work less thank a Scandinavian banker.

 

[Hoop Head]

The Jazz made it clear to Rubio's camp he wasn't getting an extension last offseason and that they were going in another direction. His injury history didn't factor into their decision. They wanted more of a defensive specialist to pair with Mitchell and Conley was that last time he showed up for a complete road trip or homestand.

 

[JCSunsfan]

The Jazz made it clear to Rubio's camp he wasn't getting an extension last offseason and that they were going in another direction. His injury history didn't factor into their decision. They wanted more of a defensive specialist to pair with Mitchell and Conley was that last time he showed up for a complete road trip or homestand.

Rubio isnt a defensive specialist? I think of him as more of a defender than Conley. That's odd. I do think Rubio is not a fit for their offense. That offense needs more of a combo guard.

 

[GatorAZ]

The Jazz made it clear to Rubio's camp he wasn't getting an extension last offseason and that they were going in another direction. His injury history didn't factor into their decision. They wanted more of a defensive specialist to pair with Mitchell and Conley was that last time he showed up for a complete road trip or homestand.

Agreed I’m just down on Rubio right now. Still a good signing to this point but could be looking ugly a year from now.

 

[95pro]

Rubio isnt a defensive specialist? I think of him as more of a defender than Conley. That's odd. I do think Rubio is not a fit for their offense. That offense needs more of a combo guard.

Seems like we really need a combo guard for when Booker and Rubio both sub out.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Rubio isnt a defensive specialist? I think of him as more of a defender than Conley. That's odd. I do think Rubio is not a fit for their offense. That offense needs more of a combo guard.

uh... no. Rubio is NOT a defensive specialist. I hate when guys who aren't good offensively seem to just get the "defensive specialist" nod as if to give a reason for why they're on the court. Rubio is good at one thing... being a playmaker. that's about it. and even that is hamstrung because his lack of offensive game outside of that makes it easier for defenses to contain him by just playing off. Rubio's an okay defender. nothing more nothing less.

 

[Ronin]

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[JCSunsfan]

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Things like this hit people pretty hard. I would imagine that Devin would have some real difficulties since he had developed a relationship of sorts with Kobe. Hopefully Monty can help. He has been through this personally. Talking it through decompresses somewhat. The players on his team will likely listen to him more than a grief counselor.

 

[Hoop Head]

Rubio isnt a defensive specialist? I think of him as more of a defender than Conley. That's odd. I do think Rubio is not a fit for their offense. That offense needs more of a combo guard.

Rubio is an above average defender but I wouldn't say he's a specialist. Especially having him try to guard some of the PG's in the West that Utah looks to face in the playoffs like Lillard & Portland, Curry & Warriors, Jamal Murray & Denver, plus Harden in Houston. Even as a good defender, having to guard those guys in a playoff series takes it's toll and Rubio didn't make them work as hard when they were guarding him because he lacks an outside shot.

Conley can't be left on his own like Rubio could be. So it was a mix of defense and outside shooting. Utah wanted an upgrade but Conley hasn't proven to be much of one with his play this year.

 

[Ronin]

Gina Mizell
@ginamizell
·
1m

Learning how to win on the road is typically one of the biggest hurdles for a young team. Yet the #Suns currently have more wins away from home (11) than at TSRA (nine), despite playing three more home games at this point (note: the Mexico City game was a “home” contest)

 

[Hoop Head]

Gina Mizell
@ginamizell
·
1m

Learning how to win on the road is typically one of the biggest hurdles for a young team. Yet the #Suns currently have more wins away from home (11) than at TSRA (nine), despite playing three more home games at this point (note: the Mexico City game was a “home” contest)

It's going to sting if they miss the playoffs because they finish below 500 at home and above on the road. The fans have been there, at least from what I've seen. It hasn't been as dead at home as years past. They need to take care of business at home though.

I think Ayton's suspension happening when it did, when the Suns had something like 8 of 11 games at home, to start the season is part of why they've been playing catchup in that regard. I checked and of the 25 games he missed, 15 were at home. So it's not all that surprising they have a better road record. They went 5-10 in those 15 home games he missed, so that did put them behind.

 

[Mainstreet]

It's going to sting if they miss the playoffs because they finish below 500 at home and above on the road. The fans have been there, at least from what I've seen. It hasn't been as dead at home as years past. They need to take care of business at home though.

I think Ayton's suspension happening when it did, when the Suns had something like 8 of 11 games at home, to start the season is part of why they've been playing catchup in that regard. I checked and of the 25 games he missed, 15 were at home. So it's not all that surprising they have a better road record. They went 5-10 in those 15 home games he missed, so that did put them behind.

Solid point about the Suns missing Ayton at home early in the season. Also if Ayton had not been suspended he would have been up to game speed instead of catching up as he is now.

One can only hope with Ayton returning to form, they can turn those numbers around down the stretch especially if the Suns get healthy. Maybe the Suns can get some more unexpected wins like at the Celtics and Dallas.

 

[Covert Rain]

Booker youngest guard ever to score 7,000 points passing Kobe.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/...the-youngest-guard-ever-to-score-7000-points/

Also, the 25 Game suspension of Ayton is looming large considering how he has played. If he had hit this stride 15 games or so ago you have to wonder what it could be.

I still need 9 more wins for the team to reach my prediction.

 

[Mainstreet]

Booker youngest guard ever to score 7,000 points passing Kobe.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/...the-youngest-guard-ever-to-score-7000-points/

Also, the 25 Game suspension of Ayton is looming large considering how he has played. If he had hit this stride 15 games or so ago you have to wonder what it could be.

I still need 9 more wins for the team to reach my prediction.

Only 21 more wins for me.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Booker youngest guard ever to score 7,000 points passing Kobe.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/...the-youngest-guard-ever-to-score-7000-points/

Also, the 25 Game suspension of Ayton is looming large considering how he has played. If he had hit this stride 15 games or so ago you have to wonder what it could be.

I still need 9 more wins for the team to reach my prediction.

I mean in theory he could have hit this stride about 25 games ago. Also the rough stretch we had in the middle of his suspension could have been significantly better. I would guess we would have an above .500 record right now if Ayton doesn't get suspended.

 

[JCSunsfan]

This team has the talent to be really, really good. It is just wildly inconsistent.

The way to improve consistency is to start Mikal, who is a more consistent player than Oubre, especially as a defensive player. Still, I would probably start Oubre at the other forward and bring Saric off the bench. Saric is a decent player for a bench player. Adding Baynes, Cam, and Frank back will greatly improve our depth.

 

[Proximo]

This team has the talent to be really, really good. It is just wildly inconsistent.

The way to improve consistency is to start Mikal, who is a more consistent player than Oubre, especially as a defensive player. Still, I would probably start Oubre at the other forward and bring Saric off the bench. Saric is a decent player for a bench player. Adding Baynes, Cam, and Frank back will greatly improve our depth.

I think the biggest variable is our 3 point shooting.

If we shoot above 35% we are really hard to beat. Unfortunately that doesn't seem to happen that often.

 

[Proximo]

Does anyone know what the heck is going on with our injuries?

Is Frank going to be back this season?

Is Cams real injury his hip?

Is Baynes being kept out to keep him healthy for trade?

 

[JCSunsfan]

Does anyone know what the heck is going on with our injuries?

Is Frank going to be back this season?

Is Cams real injury his hip?

Is Baynes being kept out to keep him healthy for trade?

Yes, no, no.

 

[Proximo]

Yes, no, no.

Do you have inside info - or did you hear something in the media about this?

 

[JCSunsfan]

Do you have inside info - or did you hear something in the media about this?

Nah. Just what I believe.

On another note.

Would any of you trade Ayton for KAT now?

 

[Hoop Head]

Does anyone know what the heck is going on with our injuries?

Is Frank going to be back this season?

Is Cams real injury his hip?

Is Baynes being kept out to keep him healthy for trade?

Frank should be back but it won't be until late February or early March. He had a stress fracture in his knee and it was said he'd be re-evaluated in 4 weeks back on January 6th. The 4 weeks is coming up so we may hear something but there's no way they'll rush him out there before the All-Star break. Let him get healed up for a run coming out of the All-Star break, which is February 16th.

I believe Cam's injury is his quad. They were up front about when his hip was bothering him before. Hopefully he's able to return soon. He's been solid as an 8th or 9th man and when his shot is falling he's able to make our bench look less pathetic overall.

I think Baynes will be traded and he's being held out for that reason but that's just a guess. I hope that is why he's out because if a trade falls through then he should be good to return. If he's hurt again, then I hope the Suns have started looking at who could be signed this summer as the backup Center because keeping Baynes for anything more than $2-3 million a year as the 3rd Center would be a mistake. He just can't stay healthy and he's not getting younger.