Week 4: 11 January - 17 January 2021
Week Record: ??-1
Overall Record: 7-4. 4th in Western Conference
Games Played and Results:
L - 107 - 128 Vs Washington Wizards
Postponed Vs Atlanta Hawks
Postponed VS Golden State Warriors
Postponed Vs Indiana Pacers
When writing last week's weekly review, I was expecting an easy night in DC, looking forward to watching Steph Curry, then Trae Young put up a ton of points in losing efforts and then another enjoyable game against the Pacers.
Alas, what we actually got was an embarrassing loss the the Washington COVIDs, Wizards and then our 3 game homestand postponed, thanks to those Wizards. The league could clearly see that the organisation didn't have their outbreak under control - the game should never have gone ahead. We would have avoided that game, then had the other 3 to look forward to and watch.
It's a new week and we have a game today (Monday), which is Martin Luther King Jr Day. Many, including myself, don't believe this game should go ahead either. Jonas Valanciunas of the Grizzlies has tested positive for COVID, so it's fair to assume that others within the organisation have also contracted the virus. It's even more perplexing when you consider this tweet from Woj last night:
Going ahead with this game is putting everyone involved at risk and even if none of our players get the virus, I can see us being in a situation identical to last week, where contact tracing will cause the league to postpone our games again.
The problem is, this is a nationally televised game, in Memphis on Martin Luther King Day - one of the biggest dates on the NBA calendar - the league will not call this off.
Let's hope this is not the only Suns game we get to see this week, as we have some fun games coming up, against a rejuvenated Houston, following the James Harden trade (don't know whether anyone mentioned that one) and a back-to-back at home Vs a struggling, yet dangerous Denver Nuggets team.
Superstar Watch:
Booker - 23.4 Points, 3.3 Rebounds, 4.3 Assists, 1.1 Steals, 48.6 FG%, 34.8 3PT FG%, 4.1 Turnovers
Chris Paul - 13.3 Points, 4.6 Rebounds, 8.7 Assists, 0.7 Steals 43.4 FG%, 28.6 3PT FG%, 1.6 Turnovers
Scorching Suns:
Devin Booker
As we all know there was only one game, our loss against the Wizards. I chose Book as this was his highest scoring game of the season:
33 Points, 11/21 FG - 52.4%, 10/10 FT, 1 Turnover
Struggling Suns:
Everyone that took a 3 point shot in the Wizards game.
As a team we shot a awful 4/27 from 3, which is 14.8%. We seem to live and die by the 3 pointer so far this season.
Stat Line of the Week:
Chris Paul vs Washington Wizards
14 Points, 5 Rebounds, 11 Assist, 1 Steal, 5/10 FG - 50%, 6/8
Paul had a double-double in this game and I didn't want to choose Booker, as I'd chosen him for my Scorching Sun.
Rookie Watch:
Jalen Smith - 0 games this week.
Following his sprained ankle in week one, he has remained out due to the NBA's Health and Safety protocols, which suggests he's had COVID. He is still on the injured list for the same reason to begin this week.
Therefore his stats remain:
2 Games, 10 mpg, 2.0 Points, 2.5 Rebounds, 0.5 Assists, 0.5 Blocks, 40.0 FG%
Upcoming Games:
(Brackets show UK date and time)
This coming week we have 4 games
Monday @ Memphis Grizzlies (18/01/21 10:00 PM) Live on Sky Sports Arena and Sky Sports Main Event
Wednesday @ Houston Rockets (21/01/21 2:30 AM)
Friday Vs Denver Nuggets (23/01/21 3:00 AM)
Saturday Vs Denver Nuggets (24/01/21 2:00 AM)
Any Other Business:
I've already touched on it above, but the league's decision to allow the Washington Wizards game to go ahead was just foolish. To have that one game has meant our players and staff were needlessly put in danger and have missed out on the subsequent 3 games. The league really needs to review how they're handling this outbreak. I don't believe that there has been anything concrete published on when teams will replay these games. The All-Star break and end of the regular season has been mentioned. I have a feeling, that not all fixtures will be re-scheduled, as there won't be time for them. It's also a disadvantage to teams entering the Playoffs, as some teams may have only one postponed game whereas others, like us and Boston will have multiple games.
Please let me know if there's anything extra you'd like to see in these weekly reviews.
Thank you for reading. Please like, comment below what you think and share on social media.
You can also use the code 'SUNSFANSUK' on The Throwback Store to receive a 10% discount on any order you make.
Comments