Game Day: Kings (5-4) @ Suns (8-1), Sun 11/10/24

[Superbone]

Don't like the way we played, but given that we have a depleted team, this is a pretty forgivable loss in OT against a good opponent. I just hate when I see us playing this style where every offensive possession is a slog, every basket is hard to get. Run the offense through the PGs, guys.

This boils it down nicely. No need to overreact about Book missing some shots. This one feels bad because we are used to winning close games. We're going to lose a few, and OT against the Kings isn't embarrassing. Plenty to learn here, and this can be a growth loss.

I think the team will learn how to play without Durant, and KD won't have to play 38 when he comes back.

However, there was no mention of our defense which was horrible. It felt like they Kings scored on 90% of their possessions.

[O_Gardino]

Don't like the way we played, but given that we have a depleted team, this is a pretty forgivable loss in OT against a good opponent. I just hate when I see us playing this style where every offensive possession is a slog, every basket is hard to get. Run the offense through the PGs, guys.

This boils it down nicely. No need to overreact about Book missing some shots. This one feels bad because we are used to winning close games. We're going to lose a few, and OT against the Kings isn't embarrassing. Plenty to learn here, and this can be a growth loss.

I think the team will learn how to play without Durant, and KD won't have to play 38 when he comes back.

However, there was no mention of our defense which was horrible. It felt like they Kings scored on 90% of their possessions.

The Kings missed one shot in OT. Pretty rough. But our defense was good in the 2nd and 3rd, so there's plenty to look at in the film room and compare what worked to what didn't.

[1tinsoldier]

I feel like Book hasn't looked like Book since Monty was coaching the team.
...
Also this team can't defend for shit. We let Fox and DD walk right into easy midrange 2s.

i agree with both points.

1. Fox & DD easily got to those spots. Perhaps KD would have made a difference. He can play good D when he kicks it up in crunch time.

2. Book looked his most capable under Monty (with Paul) and most comfortable under Igor because they were both soft, player's coaches. But we're also talking about team's with historically low wins and historic collapses in the playoffs.

i think/hope Bud is an improvement. But he looks the opposite of Monty and Igor -- instead of relaxed, perhaps under the great strain of managing more superstars after nursing Giannis.

[1tinsoldier]

You may want to find another team; Booker isn't going anywhere
(Unless, of course, HE demands it)

May I ask; who is your favorite player?

thanks for asking. i'm perfectly capable of sticking with the suns and enjoying every game for 32 years while still calling out the flaws of poor play or coaching.

my favorites have always been the smart, unselfish players. Lived in LA a few years, loved Magic because he was both, hated Kobe because he was selfish.

loved KJ/Barkley, Nash and Kidd for their bb iq and leadership

i was against the KD trade because we gave up waaaay to much, but i've been impressed with his level headed maturity so i'm rooting for him in particular

i think Grayson is smart. I like Beal but i think he's another one with flawed judgement. Takes too many risks reaching in instead of playing lock-down D in crucial moments.

i've got my eye on Dunn because he's particularly smart for a rookie.

[pickle]

So much about the NBA is narratives. Does anybody think Giannis is a deserving 2 time MVP if they didn't beat the Suns in that one series because (yes I'm biased) of Scott Foster? Sure he's got the counting stats to get the All Star nod, but do you really want a guy who routinely shoots in the 50s or 60s on super high volume free throw who cannot be counted on in pivotal moments other than to try to bully his way into either a costly offensive foul or a trip to the line where he'll likely miss at least 1 of 2 freebies?

Giannis is selfish, but he's not the only problem in Milwaukee. The Bucks have terrible perimeter defense. Lillard can't guard his shadow. Counting on Middleton to be great when he comes back is fool's gold as injuries have diminished him seriously. Age is catching up to Lopez. Rivers can motivate, but has never been a great Xs and Os.

Agree with everything you say here LL but I guess I wasn’t trying to talk Bucks. My point was more about the narrative driven coverage and consumption of the league. Maybe I didn’t connect this Giannis example to my point too well and it became a diatribe about nothing. What I was trying to say was, maybe with another two weeks and a couple of good shooting nights from Book where we maintain a roughly 600 winning percentage with him taking 20 shots a game this anger will subside.