Suns @ Warriors Monday game thread 3-13-2023

[Finito]

I think everyone’s in a panic because KD isn’t playing. Amazing how quickly y’all forgot the 3-0 stretch where he and book looked unstoppable.

We looked amazing in game 1

We struggled in game 2 and blew it wide open with about 5 minutes left in the 4th

Game 3 we barely hung on against the Mavs and needed Luka to miss a bunny.

 

[Finito]

If DA doesn't show up for the playoffs trading him is how we can improve and recoup some of those picks.

The reality is Chris Paul is the biggest liability on this team at this point well him and Cam Payne. There’s no rhythm to this offense

 

[Covert Rain]

I'm for Ayton being dealt but if last off-season was any indication, his value isn't very high around the league. We aren't going to get another starting Center, a replacement for CP3, and depth for him alone and he's basically the only asset we have outside of Booker.

That's not entirely accurate. Even though I think Suns fans overvalued Ayton, there were only a hand full of teams that could afford a max contract. That doesn't mean there won't be other teams lining up for him if they have a max contract type money available.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I see the Suns with a three game losing streak and not a lot of quality depth. Do you see both Craig and Okogoe as starters?

Maybe one not both.

Also, how do you feel about Wainright as a rotation player? I like Wainright but he is a deep bench player if that.

I see you freaking out about a team that doesn’t have KD playing. Newsflash: if we don’t have KD we ain’t going anywhere anyway. KD is supposed to return in another week or two at this juncture. He makes a small bit of difference.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

We looked amazing in game 1

We struggled in game 2 and blew it wide open with about 5 minutes left in the 4th

Game 3 we barely hung on against the Mavs and needed Luka to miss a bunny.

So two blowouts and a win against a team who has owned us recently. In only three games together.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I see you freaking out about a team that doesn’t have KD playing. Newsflash: if we don’t have KD we ain’t going anywhere anyway. KD is supposed to return in another week or two at this juncture. He makes a small bit of difference.

To be fair we've been freaking out all season long about a team that at various times didn't have Booker, CP3, CamJ, CamP, Ayton, Jae, Shamet and assorted end of bench players. Durant makes a huge bit of difference but unless CP3 pulls off a miracle and plays like a top 40 player in the postseason, we're likely in trouble no matter when KD returns.

 

[Mainstreet]

I see you freaking out about a team that doesn’t have KD playing. Newsflash: if we don’t have KD we ain’t going anywhere anyway. KD is supposed to return in another week or two at this juncture. He makes a small bit of difference.

This is not news at all. It's why a some Suns fans would not have made the Durant trade as formulated. The Suns gave up too much.

Mikal Bridges should never have been included in the trade.

 

[Covert Rain]

To be fair we've been freaking out all season long about a team that at various times didn't have Booker, CP3, CamJ, CamP, Ayton, Jae, Shamet and assorted end of bench players. Durant makes a huge bit of difference but unless CP3 pulls off a miracle and plays like a top 40 player in the postseason, we're likely in trouble no matter when KD returns.

The team looked good when he was out there. So, that’s last sentence seems baseless unless you are assuming another injury.

 

[AzStevenCal]

The team looked good when he was out there. So, that’s last sentence seems baseless unless you are assuming another injury.

Baseless??? It's not like we beat 3 world beaters and it's not like we haven't looked great in 3 or 4 game stretches this season before the trade. If we get everyone healthy and IF CP3 is playing like a top 40 player, I'd put us in the top 6 teams. If CP3 plays like he has most of this season, I think we go out in round 2 (at best). And if KD isn't healthy, we lose in the first round or the play-in. JMO.

 

[Covert Rain]

Baseless??? It's not like we beat 3 world beaters and it's not like we haven't looked great in 3 or 4 game stretches this season before the trade. If we get everyone healthy and IF CP3 is playing like a top 40 player, I'd put us in the top 6 teams. If CP3 plays like he has most of this season, I think we go out in round 2 (at best). And if KD isn't healthy, we lose in the first round or the play-in. JMO.

Why are you bringing up before the trade when you said when KD gets back? Specifically with KD in the lineup what says we are in trouble? I have seen nothing with KD in the lineup that supports what you said.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Why are you bringing up before the trade when you said when KD gets back? Specifically with KD in the lineup what says we are in trouble? I have seen nothing with KD in the lineup that supports what you said.

Because you used the fact we played well in 3 games with KD as evidence that my opinion was baseless. I watched the KD games, I liked what I saw from him and Booker but I've seen better team performances from the Suns this year and from other teams too. Hence my prediction we don't win it all with KD unless CP3 really steps up. Again, JMO, clearly, yours differs.

 

[Covert Rain]

Because you used the fact we played well in 3 games with KD as evidence that my opinion was baseless. I watched the KD games, I liked what I saw from him and Booker but I've seen better team performances from the Suns this year and from other teams too. Hence my prediction we don't win it all with KD unless CP3 really steps up. Again, JMO, clearly, yours differs.

Because it is. There was nothing with KD in the lineup that supports “we are in trouble”.

However, that’s why I also asked if you are assuming additional injuries. I figured there was some added assumptions.

 

[Phrazbit]

Because it is. There was nothing with KD in the lineup that supports “we are in trouble”.

However, that’s why I also asked if you are assuming additional injuries. I figured there was some added assumptions.

The margin for error is nonexistent. Come the playoffs, any injury to Ayton, Paul, Booker or Durant is going to be difficult to overcome.

Assuming that grouping can stay healthy for ~2 months straight is a stretch.

 

[Yuma]

The margin for error is nonexistent. Come the playoffs, any injury to Ayton, Paul, Booker or Durant is going to be difficult to overcome.

Assuming that grouping can stay healthy for ~2 months straight is a stretch.

That's true of any club, though. I am scared of both LA clubs, but the odds of them both staying healthy, or even having one of them healthy is a tall order.

 

[Covert Rain]

The margin for error is nonexistent. Come the playoffs, any injury to Ayton, Paul, Booker or Durant is going to be difficult to overcome.

Assuming that grouping can stay healthy for ~2 months straight is a stretch.

Not so sure about Paul. With Durant here he is more complimentary IMO. Having said that any team losing their #1 or #2 down the stretch is in trouble. The good news is people are saying Durant looks good in shoot around. Possibly a good sign and confirmation resting him was mostly precautionary.

 

[cheesebeef]

Not so sure about Paul. With Durant here he is more complimentary IMO. Having said that any team losing their #1 or #2 down the stretch is in trouble. The good news is people are saying Durant looks good in shoot around. Possibly a good sign and confirmation resting him was mostly precautionary.

I’ll be honest… I’ve wondered at times if we’re better off with Paul getting injured and Payne actually starting. He seems to be so much more in control as a starter and wouldn’t have to be the primary or even secondary ball handler with a healthy KD and Book.

 

[BirdGangThing]

Wait I thought we were ready to send Payne packing?

 

[cheesebeef]

Wait I thought we were ready to send Payne packing?

nah.

 

[BirdGangThing]

nah.

Not gonna lie it was nice seeing him play well again

 

[GatorAZ]

Wait I thought we were ready to send Payne packing?

I packed his bags a while ago and hope he catches his flight.

 

[Covert Rain]

Not gonna lie it was nice seeing him play well again

We have not seen that Payne in ages. I hope this means he is back. We need him to deepen the bench.