Why did Suns Collapse in Playoffs?

Mainstreet

Cruisin' Mainstreet
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Posts
112,372
Reaction score
51,554
IMO, Suns fans deserve an explanation of their epic Suns collapse against the Mavericks. I can understand if it doesn't happen right away but it needs to happen.

The NBA investigation, Playoffs, Draft and summer trades will likely delay any news for now.

However, something happened to the team more than Chris Paul reportedly getting injured, Ayton having "internal" issues and Monty forgetting how to coach.

This team came unglued in games 6 and 7 and I want to know why.


This was so unlike the team earlier in the season that set a record for franchise wins.

It's important to know because this will be a blotch on the Suns history forever. Maybe casual fans will not care but long term fans will care.
 
OP
OP
Mainstreet

Mainstreet

Cruisin' Mainstreet
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Posts
112,372
Reaction score
51,554
James Jones will speak to the media at 2:30 p.m. today.

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
 

sdscard4

ASFN Lifer
Joined
Oct 30, 2016
Posts
3,574
Reaction score
2,592
Location
Louisville
Mentally something happened. I want Ayton gone 1st. 2nd Monty has changed cant put my finger on it but his coaching has hit bottom even as COY...it's not the same. The players ALL struggled in game 7..coincidence?
 
OP
OP
Mainstreet

Mainstreet

Cruisin' Mainstreet
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Posts
112,372
Reaction score
51,554
Mentally something happened. I want Ayton gone 1st. 2nd Monty has changed cant put my finger on it but his coaching has hit bottom even as COY...it's not the same. The players ALL struggled in game 7..coincidence?

I believe something happened to the team mentally as well. They weren't playing organized basketball in game 7.
 

Peter Sheldon

Veteran
Joined
Apr 19, 2019
Posts
173
Reaction score
237
Location
South Carolina
A complete and utter inexplicable inability to:
1) analyze what Dallas was doing defensively and make adjustments
2) play some semblence of defense
3) Get team prepared even with extra day's rest
4) Get CP3 out of there if he was in fact injured
5) Have counter-moves on the ready for when Booker got double-teamed
6) Get Ayton involved down low and on pick and rolls and with adequate caffeine or whatever he freaking needs to wake up
7) Make changes on the fly
8) Call timely time-outs
9) Have team make outside shots that they have made all season (entire team)


...what am I missing?
 

AZCrazy

ASFN Lifer
Joined
May 18, 2014
Posts
3,964
Reaction score
2,507
The psychological aspect of the game is the hardest to solve or even pinpoint.
Since the #1 seed was clinched, the team played .500 ball to end the season, struggled against a losing team in the Pelicans, and
got whipped by a vastly inferior team in the Mavericks. They were even, as far as we know, all healthy.

So it was between the ears.

Monty didn't forget how to coach. Remember the vileness that was here before he started, and how remarkable the team has been since he arrived.
His relationship with Chris Paul is one of the reasons Paul came here, and the two of them together helped mold this thing. That and some finally good drafting paying
dividends.

There is something, and we aren't privileged to know what, that has disrupted the team for the last month. It's internal. But it's significant and has derailed the best chance we've ever had this generation for a title. I feel myself rapidly becoming a casual fan instead of a rabid one here in this town. I don't want to keep on being let down by these teams that just tease me.
 

Dr dumas

Veteran
Joined
Dec 27, 2018
Posts
144
Reaction score
142
Location
Arizona
A complete and utter inexplicable inability to:
1) analyze what Dallas was doing defensively and make adjustments
2) play some semblence of defense
3) Get team prepared even with extra day's rest
4) Get CP3 out of there if he was in fact injured
5) Have counter-moves on the ready for when Booker got double-teamed
6) Get Ayton involved down low and on pick and rolls and with adequate caffeine or whatever he freaking needs to wake up
7) Make changes on the fly
8) Call timely time-outs
9) Have team make outside shots that they have made all season (entire team)


...what am I missing?
Maybe be able to fight through a screen.. not once did I ever see anyone fight through a screen so Dallas wouldn’t have the desired matchup on EVERY play.
 

BigRedRage

Reckless
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2005
Posts
48,274
Reaction score
12,520
Location
SE valley
they got outcoached and outplayed by dallas. simple. even the pelicans almost knocked them out.
 

sdscard4

ASFN Lifer
Joined
Oct 30, 2016
Posts
3,574
Reaction score
2,592
Location
Louisville
Also I love having shooters but most teams have players that create their own shot...we don't have that except Book and Paul so if the others go cold and the other 2? Ouch
 
OP
OP
Mainstreet

Mainstreet

Cruisin' Mainstreet
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Posts
112,372
Reaction score
51,554
Also I love having shooters but most teams have players that create their own shot...we don't have that except Book and Paul so if the others go cold and the other 2? Ouch

The Mavericks essentially beat the Suns using three point guards: Doncic, Brunson and Dinwiddie.

Doncic and Brunson could create their own shot.

The Suns were left rudderless without Paul.
 
OP
OP
Mainstreet

Mainstreet

Cruisin' Mainstreet
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Posts
112,372
Reaction score
51,554
Arizona Sports is saying James Jones will be on at 3:30 p.m.
 

dreamcastrocks

Chopped Liver Moderator
Super Moderator
Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 19, 2005
Posts
45,519
Reaction score
10,629
In a simple thought... I think they lost as soon as they got Doncic angry. They (and Dallas) were different teams after that.
 
OP
OP
Mainstreet

Mainstreet

Cruisin' Mainstreet
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Posts
112,372
Reaction score
51,554
James Jones will explore all options to get back in the draft.

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
 
OP
OP
Mainstreet

Mainstreet

Cruisin' Mainstreet
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Posts
112,372
Reaction score
51,554
Suns want to keep their continuity. RFA will be addressed at the proper time.

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
 
OP
OP
Mainstreet

Mainstreet

Cruisin' Mainstreet
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Posts
112,372
Reaction score
51,554
The luxury tax will not prevent the Suns from improving their roster.

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
 

Cheesebeef

ASFN IDOL
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2003
Posts
87,977
Reaction score
60,173
The luxury tax will not prevent the Suns from improving their roster.

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
Talk is cheap. Let’s see if our new owner is as well.

(And yes… I’m secret-ing a new owner into existence once the NBA investigation drops.)
 
OP
OP
Mainstreet

Mainstreet

Cruisin' Mainstreet
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Posts
112,372
Reaction score
51,554
Again, the luxury tax will not prevent the Suns keeping the team together and building it.

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
 
OP
OP
Mainstreet

Mainstreet

Cruisin' Mainstreet
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Posts
112,372
Reaction score
51,554
James Jones says the approach to team building will not change.

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
 

Ouchie-Z-Clown

I'm better than Mulli!
Joined
Sep 16, 2002
Posts
59,675
Reaction score
50,817
Location
SoCal
James Jones will explore all options to get back in the draft.

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
Huh. He’s been rather dismissive of the draft lately and now he wants back in. Rebuilding? Or recognition the only way to grow will be via the draft if you’re paying big $$$ to book, Ayton and the rest? I can’t read these tea leaves.
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
533,954
Posts
5,239,798
Members
6,270
Latest member
Golfermcr
Top