(05-08-2022, 05:23 PM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]![[Image: FSRNnSLX0AE3uW3?format=jpg&name=large]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FSRNnSLX0AE3uW3?format=jpg&name=large)
It was in large part, Lukas experience that got him ejected. He tricked him in so many defensive situations, its incredible a 23 yeard old can do that to a 37 year old veteran. Lukas defense was amazing once again and is not mentioned enough.Luka does give one or two free plays away on defense, in almost every game, mostly on plays he knows he cant make a defensive play and would only get a foul. They might appear worse than they are these plays. He makes so many great defensive plays in every single game. He did many tonight as well that won the game, including getting into the mind of Paul and ejecting him. What he does on defensive end including his rebounding, is not given enough credit.
(05-07-2022, 04:53 PM)Jommybone Wrote: [ -> ]What’s the story with Cam Payne? Last year he really impressed me in Phoenix’s playoff run. Against the Mavs, he’s gone:
Game 1: 4/8, 1/3, 9 points, -7 in 19 mins
Game 2: 2/4, 0/1, 4 points, -10 in 12 mins
Game 3: 0/4, 0/2, 0 points, -3 in 14 mins
For those of you dogging on Dinwidde, be grateful he isn’t playing like Cam.
Game 4: 1/5, 0/2, 2 points, -1 in just 16 mins (even with Paul fouling out)
Rough series for Cam.
(05-08-2022, 06:40 PM)Jommybone Wrote: [ -> ]Game 4: 1/5, 0/2, 2 points, -1 in just 16 mins (even with Paul fouling out)
Rough series for Cam.
He was great last year too. I thought maybe he need a bigger opportunity but tonight flies in the face of that.
Cam is struggling but Mikal Bridges has been taken out this series.. Him having to guard Luka has really sapped his production and energy on offense. He's usually good for 18-20 ppg.
Devin Booker. I’m probably making too much out of this. But he seemed to start the last 2 games on fire. Got me to go back through the play by play to see whether I had merely imagined it or what. Here’s what I got:
In the first 90 seconds of games 3 and 4, Booker shot 4/4 (3/3 from 3) for 11 points, a rate of 3.7 points per minute and 5.5 per shot.
Over the remaining 83 minutes he played in the 2 games, Booker shot 12/31 (4/9) for 28 points, a rate of 0.3 points per minute and 0.9 per shot (free throws excluded).
Fresh legs? Pregame routine? Who knows. But I really think there could be something going on there.
Edit: Bad math on first 90 seconds stats. 2.8 points per shot, not 5.5. Sorry.
(05-08-2022, 08:16 PM)Jommybone Wrote: [ -> ]Devin Booker. I’m probably making too much out of this. But he seemed to start the last 2 games on fire. Got me to go back through the play by play to see whether I had merely imagined it or what. Here’s what I got:
In the first 90 seconds of games 3 and 4, Booker shot 4/4 (3/3 from 3) for 11 points, a rate of 3.7 points per minute and 5.5 per shot.
Over the remaining 83 minutes he played in the 2 games, Booker shot 12/31 (4/9) for 28 points, a rate of 0.3 points per minute and 0.9 per shot (free throws excluded).
Fresh legs? Pregame routine? Who knows. But I really think there could be something going on there.
5.5 pts per shot is not going to be sustainable, imo.
(05-08-2022, 08:14 PM)HoosierDaddyKid Wrote: [ -> ]Cam is struggling but Mikal Bridges has been taken out this series.. Him having to guard Luka has really sapped his production and energy on offense. He's usually good for 18-20 ppg.
This. Guarding Luka is taking its toll on Bridges, I am fine with letting him (and Crowder) shoot rather than CP3 and Booker.
Hopefully the process of a lifetime ban has already started for the kid that harassed CP’s family and put hands on his mother.
Or maybe they should just let him come to game 6 and give CP a free pass to go “chat” with him.
I’m all for raucous crowds but this is the latest example of just idiotic behavior by an NBA fan that would be drinking dinner through a straw if they actually encountered one of these players.
Great breakdown from a Suns fan perspective
(05-08-2022, 10:01 PM)MaxiThreeba Wrote: [ -> ]Hopefully the process of a lifetime ban has already started for the kid that harassed CP’s family and put hands on his mother.
Or maybe they should just let him come to game 6 and give CP a free pass to go “chat” with him.
I’m all for raucous crowds but this is the latest example of just idiotic behavior by an NBA fan that would be drinking dinner through a straw if they actually encountered one of these players.
First of all, let me say that I respect your username.
Second of all, innocent until proven guilty! We need to see the facts before we judge them. I thought the TNT crew had a pretty fair take.
https://youtu.be/anx4MyQKjl0
(05-08-2022, 11:34 PM)BolsDamols Wrote: [ -> ]
Great breakdown from a Suns fan perspective
Excellent analysis of Luka gravity.
(05-08-2022, 11:43 PM)IamDougieFresh Wrote: [ -> ]First of all, let me say that I respect your username.
Second of all, innocent until proven guilty! We need to see the facts before we judge them. I thought the TNT crew had a pretty fair take.
https://youtu.be/anx4MyQKjl0
I'm with you. They did have a fair take.
When I first heard about it during the game I figured it was a drunk fan got loud and deserved to get booted. It didn't seem anything like that.
I've seen several videos of it and it's a Suns coach just talking to a kid. Then, security takes out what looks like a suburban mom and her teenage son along with his little brother I would guess. Those kids looked about 10 and 13? Meanwhile, CP is telling him "I'll see you later". Really? The kid looks utterly shocked.
They were surrounded by Suns fans and literally sitting BEHIND the Suns bench. How scared could CP's family have been of a teenager and his little brother. I don't think we are getting the full story here.
(05-09-2022, 12:59 AM)audiosway Wrote: [ -> ]I'm with you. They did have a fair take. When I first heard about it during the game I figured it was a drunk fan got loud and deserved to get booted. It didn't seem anything like that.
I've seen several videos of it and it's a Suns coach just talking to a kid. Then, security takes out what looks like a suburban mom and her teenage son along with his little brother I would guess. Those kids looked about 10 and 13? Meanwhile, CP is telling him "I'll see you later". Really? The kid looks utterly shocked.
They were surrounded by Suns fans and literally sitting BEHIND the Suns bench. How scared could CP's family have been of a teenager and his little brother. I don't think we are getting the full story here.
Hopefully there is video of the incident prior to what's online. I don't care what age the kid is, if he put his hands on CP3's mom then I hope there are consequences beyond not being allowed at games anymore. Fans have been going way over the line and a ticket to a game doesn't entitle you to it.
(05-09-2022, 01:02 AM)cow Wrote: [ -> ]Hopefully there is video of the incident prior to what's online. I don't care what age the kid is, if he put his hands on CP3's mom then I hope there are consequences beyond not being allowed at games anymore. Fans have been going way over the line and a ticket to a game doesn't entitle you to it.
If he did something then there absolutely should be consequences. I was just saying we don't have the facts and something doesn't seem right.
So game 3 narrative was "Suns are ok because CP3 and Booker uncharacteristically turned it over and missed bunnies" ... but a deeper look analytically told another story. The Suns shot the three uncharacteristically well so those missed shots near the rim were balanced out.
Surely the narrative would change if the Mavs won game 4, right? Wouldn't a win open some eyes? "Hey, both teams held serve, this series hasn't started yet." Or better "Mavs figured some things out and won two in a row," or maybe "Mavs are on a roll," or something simple like, "Watch out, Dallas has nothing to lose."
Nope.
Game 4 narrative is all about the officiating and Chris Paul uncharacteristically fouling out. Seems the Mavs win was another anomaly. I listened to a post game analysis on NBA TV and the consensus was literally "Suns are ok because if Paul didn't foul out he would've had more points and assists." Nevermind that Paul was -3 in the minutes he did play, guys seem to think the Suns would've eventually pulled away.
Personally, I love it. All woulda, coulda, shoulda. Funny how the team that's getting touched up always complains about fouls. Funny how Paul can make bad basketball decisions yet do no wrong simply because he's a veteran point god.
I mean, Chris Paul is 37 and his team blew it last year. He's not getting any younger. Is the pressure starting to mount? Is this his last best chance at a title? Saying nothing about the Mavs defense, are expectations affecting his decision making?
Phoenix can surely get back on track. They are clearly a fantastic well balanced team. And Game 5 is at home ...
BUT ... Dallas knows what to expect out of the Phoenix crowd. And now they know how to win. They're fearless and if they steal one on the road, they have all the momentum and can close out at home.
Game 5 is going to be a battle.
(05-08-2022, 11:43 PM)IamDougieFresh Wrote: [ -> ]First of all, let me say that I respect your username.
Second of all, innocent until proven guilty! We need to see the facts before we judge them. I thought the TNT crew had a pretty fair take.
https://youtu.be/anx4MyQKjl0
Fair. Reading snippets from social media produced a visceral reaction in me. Dumb on my part.
Hopefully they have the camera angles and witnesses to sort it all out.
(05-08-2022, 11:43 PM)IamDougieFresh Wrote: [ -> ]I thought the TNT crew had a pretty fair take.
I was OK with it until Barkley went on a rant about Luca having too much time holding the ball.
While it sometimes seems that way, our entire game plan is predicated on Luca or Bunson getting to the paint and either kicking out for a three or scoring themselves. The offense is massaged by Luca making sure people are in position. Bullock and DFS are supposed to be on the wings. This is our offensive system.
Barkley mistakenly thinks that Luca isn't moving the ball around enough. That's what the eyeball sees, so I kind of get that. But the fact is, Luca (and Brunson) quarterback everyone's positions and then they try and find the likely mismatch or open shot. It doesn't do Dallas much good to just move the ball around the perimeter so that everyone touches it. There has to be a strategy - usually one where Luca or Brunson make it to the paint and force Phoenix defenders to collapse a little so that they continue pushing the ball in and out with pick-and-rolls and push the ball out of the wing.
Barkley should know this really. After all, Luca had 11 assists in this win. It's not like the system is ineffective.
(05-09-2022, 09:28 AM)vfromlmf Wrote: [ -> ]So game 3 narrative was "Suns are ok because CP3 and Booker uncharacteristically turned it over and missed bunnies" ... but a deeper look analytically told another story. The Suns shot the three uncharacteristically well so those missed shots near the rim were balanced out.
Surely the narrative would change if the Mavs won game 4, right? Wouldn't a win open some eyes? "Hey, both teams held serve, this series hasn't started yet." Or better "Mavs figured some things out and won two in a row," or maybe "Mavs are on a roll," or something simple like, "Watch out, Dallas has nothing to lose."
Nope.
Game 4 narrative is all about the officiating and Chris Paul uncharacteristically fouling out. Seems the Mavs win was another anomaly. I listened to a post game analysis on NBA TV and the consensus was literally "Suns are ok because if Paul didn't foul out he would've had more points and assists." Nevermind that Paul was -3 in the minutes he did play, guys seem to think the Suns would've eventually pulled away.
Personally, I love it. All woulda, coulda, shoulda. Funny how the team that's getting touched up always complains about fouls. Funny how Paul can make bad basketball decisions yet do no wrong simply because he's a veteran point god.
I mean, Chris Paul is 37 and his team blew it last year. He's not getting any younger. Is the pressure starting to mount? Is this his last best chance at a title? Saying nothing about the Mavs defense, are expectations affecting his decision making?
Phoenix can surely get back on track. They are clearly a fantastic well balanced team. And Game 5 is at home ...
BUT ... Dallas knows what to expect out of the Phoenix crowd. And now they know how to win. They're fearless and if they steal one on the road, they have all the momentum and can close out at home.
Game 5 is going to be a battle.
I enjoyed hearing all the pre-game guys, including Stephen A, essentially pick Phoenix in a rout.