Dec 6, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) reacts in the final seconds of the game against the Phoenix Suns at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Utah Jazz defeated the Phoenix Suns 112-105. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Thoughts from the Valley of the Suns
Adam Maynes – Site Editor
Oh my goodness were the Suns soooo close to pulling this one off.
For three quarters, three miserable quarters in which the Suns might as well have been playing the Golden State Warriors with the way they were getting beat down, they didn’t look like they even wanted to be on this trip, or playing this game.
And yet, the bench did it again.
With the starters once again outplayed both offensively and defensively, Head Coach Earl Watson went to, and stuck with, a mostly bench unit as they clawed their way back into the game in the fourth quarter, tying it up at 103 with 3:07 remaining.
Unfortunately from there, the Jazz starters were able to muster the strength to outrebound and outscore the Suns over those final minutes and Phoenix was sent home with the loss, their second in a row, and their 15th on the season.
Just flipping through the stat book, the Phoenix starters finished with combined -83 (and Tyson Chandler was part of the comeback in the fourth quarter with the bench players).
The Suns bench finished with a +43, and Alex Len finished with a 0.
At this point, for the rest of the season I will be focused on two particular groups of players statistically: Bled and Book – specifically their shooting percentages – and to the rookies – specifically how much floor time they receive each night.
Booker had a great shooting night, although he only took three three-point shots making one. Book finished 9-13, and combined with Bledsoe for 14-23. (By the way, prior to the game, the Suns were the worst team in the league in assists and the Jazz were second-worst. After 14 assists by the Suns (only 2 from Eric Bledsoe) and 23 assists by the Jazz, the Suns remained anchored to the bottom, while the Jazz bumped up one spot).
Marquese Chriss started his 14th straight game and scored 6 points and 4 rebounds – right at about his averages. However, he received very little time in the second half as Dragan Bender played in a career-high 28 minutes, his defense helping to lead the comeback.
Unfortunately neither player’s role in the offense seems very effective, with Bender’s role apparently to stay behind the three-point line and not really move around a whole lot. Since this was all he did tonight, his 1-5 shooting, all from beyond the arc, was expected. I honestly hate seeing him run to a spot on the court on offense and anchor himself there while the guards iso.
Which is literally my biggest problem with the offense. I have no idea what a motion offense is if at least 20% of the team is supposed to stand in a spot and wait while a ball-handler tries to make something out of nothing. Often the passes that Bender is on the receiving end of there is a defender within a couple of feet because the defender knows that since Bender isn’t moving around he doesn’t have to move far because Bender will be right there.
It’s just…Ugh…
Anyway, Tyler Ulis didn’t play, the Suns had a terrible first three quarters, solid fourth, but the bench couldn’t pull it out.
See you tomorrow.
Kory Miller – Contributor
This Suns team may not be very good, but they are fun to watch.
It’s always tough to watch a loss but they never give up, and play hard until the buzzer. I really liked having Bender in during the comeback in the 4th quarter. Since the draft, I’ve maintained that Chriss has the higher upside between the two but now I’m not so sure. Dragan has some obvious holes offensively but his basketball IQ and defensive awareness is really solid for a teenage rookie.If he can develop a consistent shot on offense, he can be a starter very soon in this league.
Barbosa has been great recently, his leadership and smart play off the bench is something this young Phoenix team will all season long and into next year.
Stay the course Suns fans, this team is young and talented (albeit incredibly inconsistent). The future is still bright. The rest of this season should be about getting the young guys minutes and figuring out which veteran pieces are moveable and which will still be here next season
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Phoenix Suns Trivia
Prior to tonight, the Utah Jazz had held the Suns under 90 points. How many times have the Phoenix Suns held the Utah Jazz under 90 points, and still lost?
Next: Phoenix Suns Trivia Answer
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Phoenix Suns Trivia Answer
2
February 11, 1999 – Jazz win 82-74
January 4, 2013 – Jazz win 87-80
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