Join us as we review the highs and lows of the last week, as well as previewing the week ahead.
Week 10: 23-29 December 2024
Week Record: 1-3
Overall Record: 15-16. 11th in the Western Conference.
Games Played and Results:
L - 90 - 117 Vs Denver Nuggets
W - 110 - 100 Vs Denver Nuggets
L - 89 - 98 Vs Dallas Mavericks
L - 105 - 109 Vs Golden State Warriors
Centre of The Sun
What is it with the Suns and this time of year? It feels like, "tis the season for the Suns to fall apart", as this is the 3rd year in a row where December has been terrible for us. Our losses have caused us to fall below .500, the 1st time that's happened since last December's implosion.
We got KD back, but Book then picked up a groin injury missing the last 5 games. Grayson Allen also missed all of last week's games as he had to go through the NBA's concussion protocols, then Nurk got himself suspended. He missed the Golden State game and will miss both our games this week.
On court things haven't been great either. One game our stars play well, but the supporting guys don't, then its the other way round. We ply with no energy, then get an injection from the bench - Okogie and Dunn have been propping us up in that department. Finally there have been turnover issues from everyone and some odd coaching decisions, like not putting all the offense through KD in tight game in the 4th, or not adjusting to get the ball to KD easier, as he faces extra pressure from defences.
It was a disappointing week overall, but hey, at least we won on Christmas day, which means I wasn't completely unbearable on Boxing Day.
Happy New Year all! The Suns certainly need the reset.
Superstar Watch (Season stats):
Devin Booker - 25.1 Points, 3.7 Rebounds, 6.4 Assists, 1.1 Steals, 43.9 FG%, 34.5 3PT FG% & 2.3 Turnovers
Kevin Durant - 27.7 Points, 6.4 Rebounds, 3.7 Assists, 0.8 Steals, 1.3 Blocks, 50.9 FG%, 41.1 3PT FG% & 3.0 Turnovers
Bradley Beal - 19.0 Points, 3.9 Rebounds, 3.1 Assists, 1.2 Steals, 0.8 Blocks, 49.4 FG%, 38.9 3PT FG% & 2.3 Turnovers
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Scorching Suns:
No one was truly hot this week. By watching the games and the energy displayed Josh Okogie and Ryan Dunn would be here, but their shooting does not match that. On the other end of the scale, Bradley Beal's box score for the week looks solid, however watching the games he was lacklustre at the time when we most needed him.
Kevin Durant
KD had an average week by his standards, but as usual he was our offensive force.
His stats for the week:
29.0 Points, 5.5 Rebounds, 2.8 Assists, 1.0 Steal, 1.8 Blocks, 45.2 FG% & 35.3 3PT FG%
Struggling Suns:
Monte Morris
Monte's 3-point shooting has completely fallen off a cliff, after starting the season quite solidly. He's at 29% on the season, but was an awful 16.7% last week.
His stats for the week:
6.5 Points, 2.5 Rebounds, 2.5 Assists, 1.0 Steal, 32.1 FG% & 16.7 3PT FG%
Stat Line(s) of the Week:
Kevin Durant vs Dallas Mavericks
Game stat line:
35 Points, 3 Rebounds, 11/19 FGs (57.9%) & 3/4 3PT FGs (75.0%).
Bradley Beal vs Denver Nuggets (Game 1)
Game stat line:
23 Points, 2 Assists, 9/17 FGs (52.9%) & 5/7 3PT FGs (71.4%).
Rookie Watch (Season stats):
Ryan Dunn - 27 games, 12 starts
6.2 Points, 2.7 Rebounds, 0.8 Assists, 0.6 Steals, 0.7 Blocks, 42.6 FG%, 29.9 3PT FG% & 0.5 Turnovers
Oso Igodharo - 25 games, 2 starts
3.9 Points, 3.8 Rebounds, 0.9 Assists, 0.5 Steals, 0.3 Blocks, 61.4 FG%, 0.0 3PT FG% (0 attempts) & 0.5 Turnovers
Jalen Bridges - 2 games
0.5 Points, 0.5 Rebounds, 0.0 Assists, 0.0 Steals, 0.0 Blocks, 0.0 FG%, 0.0 3PT FG% & 1.0 Turnovers
Upcoming Games:
Here are the UK tip-off times:
This will be our 1st match-up with Memphis this season and with Ja Morant back, they're having a quietly good season, currently sitting 2nd in the West. They've been average in road games, but have won 7 of their last 10 games. Morant and Jackson Jr continue to lead the Grizz, both averaging 21 points, however Ja did miss their game Sunday against OKC. They could end up running out of our own building, as they lead the league in pace.
We head to Indiana to kick off a 3-game East road trip. The Pacers beat us in Phoenix a couple of weeks ago and it was the game where Book picked up his injury that's kept him out the past 5 games. They're coming off a big win against Boston and have won 7 of their last 10 games.
Prediction:
There's no word whether or when Book and Grayson will be back and without Nurkic, it'll be hard to stop these team's above average bigs, but I'm going to hope Book and Grayson might be back for the Pacers game.
I'm going to say we lose to Memphis and beat the Pacers.
Predictions League:
Other Suns Stuff:
Nurk Suspended
This to Nurk's tough guy routine, he got himself suspended for 3 games. He'll miss the Grizzlies and Pacers games, where they both have very good Centers and we could have used him.
Trade Chatter
The Jimmy Butler talk has quietened down a bit, but the Suns are still linked to him and the rumblings got so hot that the Heat had to release a statement saying they won't trade Butler. Heat insiders are also saying that the Heat still have no interest in Beal, so a 3rd team would need to be involved and Beal would have to agree to the trade.
According to Duane Rankin, the Suns are shopping Jusuf Nurkic. His value is probably at an all time low after his recent play and suspension.
You can read his full article here: https://t.co/pIu9V5j0uo
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