Bright Side Of The Sun - All PostsDedicated to Phoenix Suns Basketball since 2006https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47819/bs-fv.png2024-03-18T15:00:00-07:00http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/rss/current/2024-03-18T15:00:00-07:002024-03-18T15:00:00-07:00Suns’ dribble penetration flashes can be the catalyst for a successful season
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<p>Phoenix’s offense looks so deadly when the Suns take the right approach.</p> <p id="mQXhj5">The tendency of the <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com">Phoenix Suns</a> offense to only be lethal in stretches is making the other stretches stand out like a sore thumb.</p>
<p id="ZDLWlm">In a loss to the <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com">Milwaukee Bucks</a> that was over before it started, the Suns showed flashes of dribble penetration, something many Suns pundits have been clamoring for.</p>
<p id="vZ2RF6">So many of the other possessions start with screens or handoffs that become so predictable, especially when Suns ball handlers are as reluctant to pull up for 3 over the screen as they have been.</p>
<p id="Twwsuz">Plus, the screens are doing hardly anything in the way of actually breaking down the defense. In some cases, screens <em>invite</em> blitzes.</p>
<p id="SpCcyB">But when possessions start with a ball handler getting a foot or two in the paint, it collapses the defense in a way that almost always leads to an open shot, whether its off a drive-and-kick opportunity, continued passing to make waste of a scrambling unit on defense or even just the ball handler taking it all the way himself.</p>
<p id="b8SyYd">Here are some examples from the back half of the third quarter against Milwaukee where Phoenix really found a groove penetrating.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">here's what a little dribble penetration can do for the suns offense. <a href="https://t.co/BN23PebZlS">pic.twitter.com/BN23PebZlS</a></p>— Damon Allred (@iamdamonallred) <a href="https://twitter.com/iamdamonallred/status/1769694928207032474?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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<p id="LWHN7v">For those who notice that some of these are happening in transition, it turns out as a team the Suns are tops in the league in transition efficiency, scoring 1.235 points per possession. However, they’re tied for 23rd in the league in transition frequency, meaning they need to push that envelope a bit more as well.</p>
<p id="hfByBX">It’s also not a coincidence that the heavier ball pressure for this stretch in the third quarter happened as the Suns shrunk their deficit from 21 to six. Not only is it proving to be an efficient mode of offense, it also tires out the opposition not be as effective in their own stuff.</p>
<p id="jK7iHa">Now, I don’t have <em>all</em> the answers to how you generate the lanes to start these penetration opportunities; I’m not a coach.</p>
<p id="OXQ2ga">But one plausible idea is implementing more actions further away from the ball, so defenses have more things they have to pay attention to. That might also go a long way toward solving the Suns’ fourth quarter offensive stagnation as well.</p>
<p id="JzBzOj">Playing faster in general will help too, especially given those numbers about the Suns in transition. The Suns are smack in the middle of the league in pace at an underwhelming 99.3 possessions per game, closer to 30th than 1st.</p>
<p id="gh4LAc">Nevertheless, Phoenix showing these flashes are enough to continue having optimism for playoff success — for me, at least. It’s just a matter of figuring out the right approach and adhering to it consistently.</p>
https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2024/3/18/24104659/phoenix-suns-dribble-penetration-flashes-can-be-the-catalyst-for-a-successful-seasonDamon Allred2024-03-18T11:00:00-07:002024-03-18T11:00:00-07:00The Phoenix Suns need to rack up wins in their upcoming stretch
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<p>The Valley has their easiest games left on the year coming up and they can’t afford to lose them</p> <p id="QMODIB">The <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com">Phoenix Suns</a>’ performance <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2024/3/15/24102185/final-score-suns-hornets-are-lucky-to-play-poor-shooting-hornets-in-107-96-win">in their 107-96 victory</a> over the Charlotte Hornets was sluggish. This uninspiring performance was expected considering that the Valley was coming into the game on the second end of a back-to-back in which the first leg was against the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com">Boston Celtics</a>, the team that boasts the best record in the NBA. On the other hand, the Hornets are one of the worst teams in the league and pose little threat to Phoenix as an opponent. It wasn’t a surprise that the Suns relied mainly on their talent advantage to come out victorious. </p>
<p id="AKcDkG">After their matinee against the <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com">Milwaukee Bucks</a> yesterday, the Phoenix Suns will play their least difficult four-game stretch remaining. They play the <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com">Philadelphia 76ers</a> and <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com">Atlanta Hawks</a> at home; both teams are missing their top players, Joel Embiid and Trae Young. Then, they will face the <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com">San Antonio Spurs</a> two straight times, who may have beaten the Valley twice in a row earlier in the year but went on an eighteen-game losing streak after beating them and have the third-worst record in the association. </p>
<p id="7LhMQu">The Suns’ second-half schedule difficulty has been well-documented, but this is the best opportunity to move up the ranks and avoid the dreaded Play-In Tournament, where they would most likely have to encounter at least one of Luka Dončić, LeBron James, or Stephen Curry</p>
<p id="4G64Ai">After this stretch, the Suns only have games left against teams in the top six of their conference, and six of the ten games are on the road. </p>
<p id="ld4yu7">As Bradley Beal alluded to yesterday, the team still needs time to figure out who they are.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"We're progressing the way we need to. It's probably not as fast as everybody would've liked, but we're definitely making it work and we're figuring it out on the fly."<br><br>Bradley Beal on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Suns?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Suns</a> closing out regular season.<br><br>"However the flow may be going, we've got to make it work." <a href="https://t.co/D6AieWDCHe">pic.twitter.com/D6AieWDCHe</a></p>— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) <a href="https://twitter.com/DuaneRankin/status/1768857812560498993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a>
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<p id="ZDDUC9">The Suns still need to fortify their chemistry while fighting for playoff seeding, which will require their top players to play heavy minutes. Even against a weak opponent like the Hornets, the entire starting lineup, except for Grayson Allen, played above their average minutes total. The six or seven days of rest the Suns can attain from being a top-six seed can be an opportunity for many Suns to get a much-needed break before the playoffs officially begin. </p>
<p id="MGgVHj">Avoiding the Play-In Tournament for the Suns is vital. While teams like the <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com">Lakers</a> and Miami Heat have shown in recent seasons an ability to advance far in the playoffs being a part of the tournament, those teams benefitted tremendously on their matchups or had solidified cores that had a lot of experience together in the playoffs. Both factors the Suns can’t confidently rely on. Neither team won the championship either; the Suns’ main objective. </p>
<p id="hIkv1o">Sluggish and uninspiring performances the Suns cannot afford to have in the easiest part of their remaining schedule because it could lead to untimely losses, potentially costing them extra needed rest. </p>
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https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2024/3/18/24103294/the-phoenix-suns-need-to-rack-up-wins-in-their-upcoming-stretchholdenmsherman2024-03-18T06:00:00-07:002024-03-18T06:00:00-07:00Suns Week 21 Stock Exchange: The “lazy” Suns, the lack of an edge, and the return of IT
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<p>A 2-2 road trip leaves us questioning the resiliency of the Suns.</p> <p id="MFykec">I’ve given myself a couple of hours after the <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com">Phoenix Suns</a>' disappointing loss to the <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com">Milwaukee Bucks</a> to begin to author my weekly summation of the week that was. I still don’t know which direction I should go or exactly how I feel about this team at this stage of the season. Who is ready for me to figure it out as I type? This could get interesting...</p>
<p id="TqmQIt">On the one hand, I feel disappointed. I expected more. I assumed that when you had three top-scoring talents in the NBA, coupled with receiving a career year from Grayson Allen from beyond the arc, this team would be hard to stop. That is hardly the case. Are they great offensively? Yes. Do they get in their own way? More than any team I remember in recent history.,</p>
<p id="UA2TFx">Every night I find myself frustrated in one or more aspects of the way they execute. Or don’t, for that matter. A team that can look so good can just as equally look so putrid. </p>
<p id="urf33k">On the other hand, I feel acceptance. I’ve accepted who and what the Suns are, and if I get too emotionally invested, I’ll be burned once again. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tonight I’ve achieved acceptance. <br><br>Accept that this Suns team ain’t it.<br>Accept that it isn’t going to work.<br>Accept the flaws.<br>Accept that they are not on the same level as numerous teams in the NBA.<br><br>You’ll be happier.</p>— John Voita (@DarthVoita) <a href="https://twitter.com/DarthVoita/status/1764503670203560021?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2024</a>
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<p id="gOhD5z">Being a Suns fan means knowing that the end of the season comes early. Watching this team nightly, because of the aforementioned lack of execution, the realization that this team won’t go far in the postseason has begun to set it. I’m letting myself down easy this year, instead of having my heart ripped from my chest like years in the past.</p>
<p id="qixTak">I’m somewhere in between, I guess. I can’t quit the Suns. It’s clearly a toxic relationship. No matter the abuse, no matter the desire for it to work out, I’ll keep coming back time and again. How am I feeling? I’ve accepted disappointment and I’ll ride this ship until it sinks.</p>
<p id="DOJYqm">Well, this got somber. Let’s...uh...look at some stats...</p>
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<li id="gSp62a">Week 21 Record: 2-2</li>
<li id="Z6XBtw">Week 21 OFFRTG: 119.5 (3rd)</li>
<li id="8MxaKo">Week 21 DEFRTG: 121.9 (26th)</li>
<li id="NrpzfT">Week 21 NETRTG: -2.3 (18th)</li>
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<p id="2hVApg">A four-game road trip, and the Suns walk away from it 2-2. That really isn’t that bad, especially when you consider they played the three top teams in the Eastern Conference. But it was an ugly road trip. Yes, even the W’s were mucky and discombobulated. The Suns played one good quarter against a depleted Cavs team to earn that win, and the Hornets' victory was an unenergetic performance against a team that couldn’t hit the three-ball.</p>
<p id="v9tm9v">What a weird road trip. What an interesting week on the Suns Stock Market.</p>
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<h2 id="dUjBFl">“Lazy” Perimeter Defense: Stock ↓</h2>
<p id="hyttik">Perimeter D? What perimeter D? The Suns' poor rotations continued throughout Week 21 and opposing teams enjoyed taking wide-open three-pointer after wide-open three-pointer. </p>
<p id="yeeAKJ">In total, the four opponents the Suns faced took 48.2% of their shots from beyond the arc this week, making 37.1%. And that is factoring in the Hornets going 11-of-38 (28.9%). The defensive miscommunication at this point of this season has become comical. The Suns can’t stop the point of attack and can’t recover after collapsing.</p>
<p id="HMQxbd">The worst part? you can visibly see them simply giving up on the play. There were times in the Milwaukee game when they didn’t even waste the energy it took to raise a hand in the face of their opponent.</p>
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<p id="BpDIvw">“The ball just moved well,” Damian Lillard said after their win. “They had some lazy switches. We were able to get into the paint and get them in rotation and the ball just went where it was supposed to go on a lot of those plays and when that happens, you get quality shots.” </p>
<p id="QCLC6c">That’s right, after being clowned on national television all morning long by Hubue Brown, even the Bucks were calling the Suns’ lazy.</p>
<p id="qrg4YH">“We were trying to fly around l, but we were getting our ass kicked,” head coach Frank Vogel stated. “Sometimes it happens.” </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"We were trying to fly around l, but we were getting our ass kicked. Sometimes it happens." <br><br>Frank Vogel in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Suns?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Suns</a> allowing 82 points in first half of loss to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bucks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bucks</a>. <a href="https://t.co/hV8eBmfU7j">pic.twitter.com/hV8eBmfU7j</a></p>— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) <a href="https://twitter.com/DuaneRankin/status/1769455197355425860?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="3NTFlN">It happens a little too often for my liking. And this coming from a “defensive guru”? There will be plenty of topics to discuss this offseason. Given the level of talent this team possesses, combined with failed expectations, non-existent defense, and the poorest fourth quarters since Clinton was in office, Vogel’s job will be atop the list.</p>
<h2 id="1YoP2J">Having an Edge: Stock ↓</h2>
<p id="faZhBz">Ugh. I’m feeling negative energy right now, and my apologies for passing it your way. But the Suns lack any semblance of an “edge”. Perhaps I spoke too soon. Jusuf Nurkic has an edge. He has a chip. He plays with controlled aggression. He imposes his will.</p>
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<p id="yrwHKB">But the rest of the Suns? It’s just not in their DNA. </p>
<p id="a52VBC">You can have hoop heads like Devin Booker and Kevin Durant on your team, and you’re better for it. You need players who operate using what’s between the ears, understanding when and where to take advantage of matchups. You also need enforcers. You need players who complement those scorers and offset it with physical and dominant play, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Or you need defensive hoop heads.</p>
<p id="gTYWcN">I’m falling into my thoughts from above on perimeter defense, I know. It’s that lack of an edge and grit that makes watching this team an adventure every night.</p>
<h2 id="JwPD5B">Bringing Back IT: Stock —</h2>
<p id="q1CKBa">In the first few moments following the reacquisition of 5’9” point guard Isaiah Thomas, I felt indifferent. I typically find myself on the side of the line that says, “Let bygones be bygones”. There is no need to re-live the ghosts of Christmas past and no desire to bring back players who played for the organization once upon a time.</p>
<p id="xufNFl">But then I got to thinkin’, which I typically do. My conclusion after a moment of thought fueled by a couple of St. Patty’s Day Guinness? Why not?</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Isaiah Thomas comeback should be a Netflix Original <br><br>Shoutout IT </p>— Kevin Garnett (@KevinGarnett5KG) <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinGarnett5KG/status/1769149378768351460?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a>
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<p id="YDezBj">The Suns have a need at backup point guard. That is abundantly clear. The playmaking, especially from their second-team offense is putrid. So why not? Thomas played for the Suns so long ago — and successfully, I might add — that it feels as if it is was in another dimension. For context, Obama was still president, so we’re not that far off.</p>
<p id="an8rtG">Now that I’ve separated from the moment more, I actually like the move. Do I feel that the Suns could have used someone with a defensive mindset to fill that roster spot? Sure. But they acquired Tahd Young and we haven’t seen him sniff the court, so who cares?</p>
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<p id="cOry2j">Thanks for reading along. I don’t know where I’ve ended up outside of having a couple of beers along the way.</p>
<p id="WlGq24">Week 22 is the easiest one left on the schedule. Will the Suns take care of business? Or will opposing teams continue to set records when they play Phoenix?</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Suns best attribute this season is allowing opposing teams to set season bests against them</p>— John Voita (@DarthVoita) <a href="https://twitter.com/DarthVoita/status/1769424334651793550?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="qV3Q8z">Phoenix needs a boost. After Week 21, the Suns find themselves slotted as the 8th seed in the Western Conference. They carry a three-game lead on the Warriors and <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com">Lakers</a>. Being in the Play-In is not where you want to be, especially given the Suns’ track record of crumbling when the lights are brightest this season.</p>
<p id="Mf8baB">We’ll see how it all plays out in Week 22.</p>
https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2024/3/18/24103861/phoenix-suns-week-21-stock-exchange-lazy-lack-edge-isaiah-thomas-booker-durant-beal-vogel-nbaJohn Voita2024-03-17T12:23:32-07:002024-03-17T12:23:32-07:00Game Recap: Bucks pinch Suns for not wearing green on St. Patty’s Day, win 140-129
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<p>Unable to complete a comeback, the Suns found themselves weak against the three</p> <p id="b88RMG">The <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com">Phoenix Suns</a> failed to overcome 24 made threes from the <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com">Milwaukee Bucks</a>, losing 140-129. Hitting 18 threes in the first half — the most by any team in a half all-time- — the Bucks halted a Suns run in the fourth quarter, leaving them stunned and still searching for answers. </p>
<p id="khqTyR">Bradley Beal became the true leader at point for the Suns, scoring 28 points and dishing out seven assists. The Suns as a team moved the ball well and as a team tallied 36 assists. Grayson Allen was a key contributor in ball movement and also hit six threes, but the Suns failed to get any contribution from Kevin Durant, finishing the game with only 11 points. </p>
<p id="N1oXTQ">With his head down following every three that was made by the Bucks, in particular Bobby Portis Jr. who knocked down five threes and had 31 points, Durant was unable to find his stroke. </p>
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<h2 id="KSRmFV">Game Flow</h2>
<h3 id="2uaGqd">First Half</h3>
<p id="bZGz0t">The Bucks who have struggled this year defensively with or without Giannis (worse without), had a hard time keeping up with the Suns on ball rotation. The Suns were able to move the ball, landing everyone a touch with high-percentage looks at the rim. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Veer out of Elbow for the Durant middle pindown to get this one going <a href="https://t.co/HBL5vpejOg">pic.twitter.com/HBL5vpejOg</a></p>— Stephen PridGeon ☯️ (@StayTrueSDot3) <a href="https://twitter.com/StayTrueSDot3/status/1769412310555103525?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="cszfB8">With Durant moving around screens, and Bradley Beal getting to the rim, the buckets were dropping early for the Suns. Capped off by Grayson Allen, who again was hot from three in the first quarter, leading the Suns with 12 points to the end of one. </p>
<p id="jU8r8f">On the other side, the Bucks were hitting every attempt from behind the arc. The defensive rotation on the perimeter for the Suns failed to compete at the high point of release, leaving the Bucks in rhythm and set on every attempt. The Bucks shot 50% (7-14) from three, led by Bobby Portis Jr. off the bench, scoring 12 points to the help Bucks carry a 39-36 lead into the second quarter. </p>
<p id="Za4ket">Contest or not, Portis continued to school the Suns, hitting fade-away jumpers and wide-open threes from the top of the key. The Suns looked helpless on the defensive end, unable to keep up, and finding themselves down early to start the second quarter, 49-42. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Portis fire has to be put out, & him going unaccounted for on a very modest Bucks break is not going to help<br><br>Subtle defensive lapses compiling early in this one, certainly fixable <a href="https://t.co/hn7r9tj7sr">pic.twitter.com/hn7r9tj7sr</a></p>— Stephen PridGeon ☯️ (@StayTrueSDot3) <a href="https://twitter.com/StayTrueSDot3/status/1769420523937620065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="7eheSK">Even Patrick Beverly had great looks around the rim, luckily it was Beverly, and he was unable to capitalize on the opportunities. The Suns' defense continued to look atrocious and almost worse on the offensive end, with Durant and Beal trying to navigate the double teams, the supporting cast was unable to knock down shots, and fumbled the ball at times. </p>
<p id="Weo8Pe">The Suns were unable to find answers and were scrambling for attempts and stops at the defensive end. The Bucks could sense a lack of confidence in the Suns, and you could see it as well. </p>
<p id="XqbexZ">Hitting 18 threes, the Bucks held an 82-58 lead entering the half. </p>
<h3 id="hyiARn">Second Half</h3>
<p id="KQ8fkI">The belief in any other player other than Allen was slim. Leadership on the defensive end started to show, but the Bucks managed to find second-chance points and Kris Middleton was countering every blow the Suns would throw to start the second half. </p>
<p id="gJU1q6">It wasn't until halfway through the third quarter when we saw the lead for the Bucks dip to 10 points and the Suns were riding high on Allen's back. Draining three after three, Allen gave the Suns life. The intensity was back on the defensive end for the Suns, closing out on the perimeter and running hard through screens. </p>
<p id="TerAic">Beal stood out as the true leader on the defensive end and offensively, he was slowly rebuilding everyone's confidence. Finding Eric Gordon as the hot player to end the quarter, the Suns were able to stay within striking distance to end the third. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">EG running the lane ♂️ <a href="https://t.co/KK2M4Zq5Jc">pic.twitter.com/KK2M4Zq5Jc</a></p>— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) <a href="https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1769435855134019646?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="w1r4Zn">The Suns were down by 15 entering the fourth, 109-94 after Lillard was able to drain a buzzer-beating three from long distance. </p>
<p id="4LK4pf">It was clear that the Suns had to ride Beal to finish the end of the game, with Booker missing the emotion and the drive to help bring the Suns back. Durant managed to gain more attraction from the refs during timeout conversations about non-foul calls than he did with the bottom of the net. The refs continued to miss calls and the Suns as a whole continued to release their frustration for a whistle. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hey, <a href="https://twitter.com/AlbertSandersJr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AlbertSandersJr</a>, can you tell me what Karl Lane is looking at right here?<br><br>I look forward to your continued commitment to full transparency for <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialNBARefs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OfficialNBARefs</a>… <a href="https://t.co/tyaAF9bbTf">pic.twitter.com/tyaAF9bbTf</a></p>— PositiveVibesOnly (@SoSaysJ) <a href="https://twitter.com/SoSaysJ/status/1769440767485841599?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="QQwUQI">With Durant and Beal waiting for calls, Royce O’Neale got busy, hitting big threes to cut the lead to seven with six minutes left in the game. </p>
<p id="N0M1JV">The Suns came within seven points, but the Bucks pulled away 140-129, in another let-down game by the Suns. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="mdiHJo">
<h2 id="oWpPyx">Up Next</h2>
<p id="zsDVfs">Phoenix comes home to play the <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com">76ers</a> on Wednesday.</p>
https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2024/3/17/24103964/suns-bucks-final-score-pinch-suns-for-not-wearing-green-on-st-pattys-day-win-140-129Matthew Lissy2024-03-17T12:10:00-07:002024-03-17T12:10:00-07:00Suns JAM Session Podcast: Suns (39-29) @ Bucks Post Game Podcast
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nvlGkBlqPuSiGKrVN2CTiImsHuk=/200x0:2360x1440/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213517/2024_AWAY.0.png" />
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<p>The original Phoenix Suns post game podcast. Pop a teeth-cracking cold beverage with us and listen to a not too-serious-podcast dedicated to the Phoenix Suns, hosted by John (@DarthVoita) and Matthew (@MatthewLissy).</p> <p id="blzuom">Suns were pinched by the Bucks as they allowed an NBA record 18 three-pointers in the first half. Defense? Who needs it, right?</p>
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<li id="5JmNVG">Click the <strong>Subscribe</strong> button.</li>
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<p id="03MjMd">Follow John (<a href="https://twitter.com/DarthVoita">@DarthVoita</a>), Matthew (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatthewLissy">@MatthewLissy</a>), and the podcast (<a href="https://twitter.com/SunsJAM">@SunsJAM</a>) on Twitter. </p>
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<li id="Lz8bgZ">Link to podcast on Apple: <a href="https://apple.co/3l0XsD7">https://apple.co/3l0XsD7</a> </li>
<li id="c5G1Bh">Link to podcast on Spotify: <a href="https://spoti.fi/3kSgP0P">https://spoti.fi/3kSgP0P</a>
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<p id="CbTeHW">If you use one of those platforms, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review.</p>
<p id="jY1Tgi">#GoHomeAndLoveYourFamily #ForDaveKing</p>
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https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2024/3/17/24103155/suns-jam-session-podcast-suns-bucks-post-game-podcastJohn VoitaMatthew Lissy2024-03-17T09:00:00-07:002024-03-17T09:00:00-07:00Open Thread: The Suns (39-28) battle the Bucks (43-24) in early morning matchup
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<img alt="Milwaukee Bucks v Phoenix Suns" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pP9l-L-r2USnx78YC2RyFV_ukF8=/0x1241:5504x4910/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213277/1983634702.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Top ‘o the morning to ya!</p> <p id="Expd87">Do you have your cup of coffee ready? Or is it a Guinness this morning?</p>
https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2024/3/17/24103258/open-thread-the-suns-39-28-battle-the-bucks-43-24-in-early-morning-matchupJohn Voita2024-03-17T06:00:00-07:002024-03-17T06:00:00-07:00Game Preview: Rise and shine! It’s the Suns and Bucks on ABC!
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<img alt="Milwaukee Bucks v Phoenix Suns" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/57VRp9Nzst5BcmXoQsY3Fv01Gps=/0x346:3200x2479/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213031/1996787688.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Kelsey Grant/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Of course the Suns play a team whose primary color is green on St. Patty’s Day.</p> <p id="dYw4Ih"><strong>Who</strong>: <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com">Phoenix Suns</a> (39-28) @ <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com">Milwaukee Bucks</a> (43-24)</p>
<p id="jpmVoc"><strong>When</strong>: 10:00am AZ Time</p>
<p id="dysaRP"><strong>Where</strong>: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin</p>
<p id="cCi1m3"><strong>Watch</strong>: ABC</p>
<p id="nPuci4"><strong>Listen</strong>: KMVP 98.7, ESPN Radio 620AM</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="sVixsr">
<p id="aUJivX">Here we are, three years removed from the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba-finals">NBA Finals</a>, and when you see the Bucks on the schedule, it still stings a bit. There will never be redemption for what happened in the 2021 NBA Finals. It was a specific place and time in which we came together and cheered on the surprising Suns in hopes that they would finally win their first championship.</p>
<p id="ausBfM">This is quite a different team now. On;y Devin Booker remains from that team. On the other side of the ball, the Bucks roster seven players who were in that series, six of whom were members of the Bucks. The seventh? Former Phoenix Sun starter Jae Crowder.</p>
<p id="noyqZu">It has been a season of adjustments for the Bucks following their acquisition of 8-time All-Star Damian Lillard. They’ve dismissed a coach along the way as Doc Rivers now runs the x’s and o’x for the team. All the while, they’ve been winning games, and find themselves with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.</p>
<p id="B4sA79">Phoenix is at the end of a four-game road trip, and a win in Cream City would make it 3-1 on the East Coast swing. Playing the top three teams in the East on the trip, that would be quite an impressive run as they head back to the Valley to play the <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com">76ers</a> on Wednesday.</p>
<p id="rt2U1h">The Suns did beat the Bucks earlier this season, holding Giannis Antetokounmpo to a mere 34 and 10. Khris Midleton exited that game with an ankle injury, you may recall, and 85 points by the Big Three led Phoenix to a 114-106 victory.</p>
<div id="F1koTJ"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eIsWBtBZa5w?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="wYdjHO">Khris Middleton has missed the previous 16 games with the injury he sustained against the Suns on February 6. It appears that he will be back, however, returning to play the Suns.</p>
<div id="uwjUfi">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Milwaukee Bucks F Khris Middleton (ankle) plans to make his return to the lineup vs. the Phoenix Suns Sunday on ABC, he told reporters today.</p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1769078333059334436?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a>
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<h2 id="6lGoi5">Probable Starters</h2>
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<h2 id="WwPGFV">Injury Report</h2>
<p id="T25zhH"><strong>Suns:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="6fz7Kk">Josh Okogie — OUT (Lower Abdominal Strain)</li>
<li id="zEDILT">Damion Lee — OUT (Right Meniscus Surgery)</li>
</ul>
<p id="RTKtak"><strong>Bucks:</strong> </p>
<ul>
<li id="l1DZuR">Giannis Antetokounmpo — QUESTIONABLE (Hamstring)</li>
<li id="oahaNy">Malik Beasley — QUESTIONABLE (Back)</li>
<li id="7FFrgD">Marjon Beauchamp — QUESTIONABLE (Back)</li>
<li id="dZj4GP">Chris Livingston — OUT (Ankle)</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="hHvRwk">Uniform Matchup</h2>
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<h2 id="8TkEdx">What to Watch For</h2>
<p id="D3bZYP">Can the Suns stop Giannis? I feel like I’ve typing those words for a decade. Giannis is starting to lock in as the team prepares for the postseason. The team is 8-3 since the All-Star break and Giannis is second in the league in scoring, averaging 31 points and 11.1 rebounds in those 11 games.</p>
<div id="Ve2hSs"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P-GG5NdRA34?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="wxlvLg">The team can be an offensive juggernaut. With Giannis powering the way and Damian Lillard adding 25.0 points per game, they can put the ball in the bucket. Add to the fact that Malik Beasley is having a career year from beyond the arc (43.2%) and Phoenix will have their hands full on the perimeter.</p>
<p id="4hQgRo">How do the Bucks rank in some offensive statistical categories?</p>
<ul>
<li id="1eG1DI">49.0 FG% (7th)</li>
<li id="BKRQWt">14.3 3PM (5th), 38.1 3PA (6th), 37.4 3PT% (10th)</li>
<li id="Q7AvpK">25.2 FTA (1st)</li>
<li id="viuaBz">34.9 DREB (2nd)</li>
<li id="qmP29i">120.4 PPG (4th)</li>
</ul>
<p id="rYJGdQ">Can the Suns shut down the Bucks' offense?</p>
<h2 id="N1IVxF">Key to a Suns Win</h2>
<p id="1gkJgW">Two things are needed for the Suns to win this game. </p>
<h3 id="ze4Q9b">Guard the Perimeter </h3>
<p id="eIY3Qi">Based on what we discussed above, Phoenix must guard the perimeter. The Bucks like to shoot threes and have the talent to make them. If Jae Crowder is in the game, don’t leave him alone in the corner. He’s a career 39.3% shooter from that spot on the floor.</p>
<p id="saJ2HM">The Suns have been less-than-stellar guarding the three-point line. They have an affinity for collapsing on defense, allowing teams to abuse them with the inside-out game. When this happens, shooters are left open and (unless they are the Hornets) they seem to knock them down. </p>
<p id="j7e4W3">89.1% of opposing three-point shooters are considered either open or wide open, per NBA stats. Opponents are shooting 37.2% on those attempts.</p>
<h3 id="e7MMhx">Outscore the Bucks</h3>
<p id="7TVEMz">The Suns will need to find an offensive rhythm and attack. The Bucks don't have the greatest defense in the league — they are 20th in points allowed and 17th in defensive rating — so holes do exist. Damian Lillard, per B-Ball Index, is in the 7%tile in on-ball perimeter defense. He grades out pretty poorly across the board in defensive statistics.</p>
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<p id="S7szyl">The Phoenix Big Three will need to be much sharper than they were in Charlotte on Friday night. The three combined for just 39 points. </p>
<h2 id="ivdhgx">Prediction</h2>
<p id="jQHuIO">Can Phoenix win the game? Sure. They can win any game. They have the talent, each and every night, to go out and win. Will they? This is where I struggle. You simply never know which team is going to show up for the Suns. Will it be the locked-in and engaged version? Or will they play disinterested? </p>
<p id="XRVADE">There is one factor here that I will use to sway my opinion. The Suns are 9-4 this season on Sundays. That trend continues again today.</p>
<p id="2WBJ3i"><em>Suns 118, Bucks 116</em></p>
https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2024/3/17/24103195/game-preview-rise-and-shine-its-phoenix-suns-milwaukee-bucks-on-abcJohn Voita2024-03-16T17:38:38-07:002024-03-16T17:38:38-07:00Phoenix Suns reuniting with Isaiah Thomas, will sign a 10-day contract with the team
<figure>
<img alt="Phoenix Suns v Sacramento Kings" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MMl660AR3aW2qWDHeFlYec-MuWQ=/0x0:4896x3264/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73212481/464318264.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The 35 year-old 5’9” point guard has been in the G League. Now he’s back with the Suns.</p> <p id="mhKw3S">Once upon a time, the <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com">Phoenix Suns</a> had an interesting roster dilemma. They had too many point guards. And then one day, that didn’t have enough. You may recall the 2014-15 Suns roster, which is now nine years in the rearview mirror. GM Ryan McDonough had stock-piled point guard talent, so much so that it became a struggle to provide everyone minutes. </p>
<p id="xjdpSP">The team rostered Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic during the 2013-14 season, which was a year in which the team went 48-34. They finished in 9th place in the Western Conference, however, and did not make the postseason. After drafting T.J. Warren with the 14th overall pick in the 2014 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft">NBA Draft</a>, McDonough made a trade with the Sacramento Kings.</p>
<p id="pNltHS">That trade was Alex Oriakhi for 24-year-old point guard Isaiah Thomas. The move was met with positivity at the time as Thomas was coming off of a season in which he scored 20.3 points and dished 6.3 assists. </p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Phoenix Suns Media Day" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9pCKJ7IRmosc5hO_IJMAaZBLhKs=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25340111/456450954.jpg">
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<p id="uq4l2f">The plan was to have Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic start for Phoenix and then insert the spark plug Isaiah Thomas into the game to continue the energy and scoring. It sounded like a solid plan in theory, and we were all here for it.</p>
<p id="DE48ym">Then the 2014-15 season began. And Goran Dragic wasn’t happy.</p>
<p id="1d4Bsf">“I don’t trust them anymore,” <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2015/2/18/8064813/dragic-blunt-in-displeasure-of-suns-direction">Dragic said</a>. “They give promises, OK. It’s hard. I just hit that point of my career that it’s better for me and my family to move on.”</p>
<p id="mmVMcf">The Suns moved on from Dragic, but shockingly they moved on from Isaiah Thomas at the 2015 trade deadline as well. Phoenix, who was contending for the 8th spot in the Western Conference at the time, simply chose to blow it up and center their focus around just one point guard, Eric Bledsoe. We know how that story ended. </p>
<p id="qrTzDe">They sent Thomas to the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com">Boston Celtics</a>. The journey for IT is well documented after this point. In three seasons with Boston, Thomas was a force in the postseason. He averaged 22.6 points and 6.3 assists in 25 postseason games with the Celtics. He became a two-time All-Star. </p>
<p id="oxv353">But injuries derailed his career. He played five more seasons with seven different teams, last playing in 2022 with the Hornets. He recently signed a G League deal with the <a href="https://www.slcdunk.com">Utah Jazz</a> in an effort to make a comeback.</p>
<p id="vfq2xH">And here we are, once again a team lacking point guard depth. The Suns are making a move, signing the 35 year-old Thomas to a 10-day contract.</p>
<div id="YVfKlu">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">IT is back: 11-year vet and two-time All-Star Isaiah Thomas is planning to sign a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns, sources tell <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAthletic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheAthletic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Stadium?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Stadium</a>. Thomas averaged 33 points on 45 percent 3-point shooting for Salt Lake City in the NBA G League, scoring 30 in four games. <a href="https://t.co/4XrKEINKut">pic.twitter.com/4XrKEINKut</a></p>— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1769147257755254810?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
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<p id="se46FI">Thomas has played 3 games with the Salt Lake City Stars, averaging 32.0 points on 37.9/40.9/94.1 shooting splits. He has added 5.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in that time. </p>
<p id="FplKAs">“Ultimately I’m just fighting for an opportunity,” <a href="https://kslsports.com/512337/isaiah-thomas-g-league-salt-lake-city-stars/">Thomas said</a> of joining the G League affiliate. “I’m just trying to show teams that I’m still able to produce on the court, but I’m also most importantly, I’m able to teach these young guys.”</p>
<div id="OzyccD"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q63kH2wiQPY?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="ta97v7">It’s surely a full-circle moment for the 5’9” Thomas, as well as the fan base that once would debate who the Suns should keep and part ways with. I was in the Bledsoe camp once upon an argument. He will fill a need the Suns possess, someone who can come in off the bench and provide bench minutes. Saben Lee has seen some run as of late and perhaps that run is over for the two-way guard.</p>
<p id="2UWMbl">Welcome back, IT!</p>
<p id="acgOal"></p>
https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2024/3/16/24103492/phoenix-suns-reuniting-with-isaiah-thomas-will-sign-a-10-day-contract-with-the-teamJohn Voita