Around the Suns - Weekly Roundup - Week 15

Join us as we review the highs and lows of the last week, as well as previewing the week ahead.

Week 15: 27 January - 2 February

Week Record: 2-2

Overall Record: 25-23. 8th in the Western Conference.

Games Played and Results:

W - 111 - 109 Vs LA Clippers

L - 113 - 121 Vs Minnesota Timberwolves

W - 130 - 105 Vs Golden State Warriors

L - 108 - 127 Vs Portland Trail Blazers

Centre of The Sun

Yes, despite the league altering trade that went down at the weekend, the NBA does still have games going on. Luckily for the Suns their embarrassing blowout loss to the Blazers came when the Luka to the Lakers trade happened, literally. Here's a clip of the Suns bench finding out about the trade.

The Suns had a mixed week, beating the Clippers, blowing-out the Warriors, taking a half-expected loss to the Timberwolves and, as previously mentioned, taking a blowout loss to Portland.

Against the Clippers, Phoenix used a big 1st half, shooting 56% from 3 to build a 13 point lead. LA fought back in the 2nd half though and got within 1 point with just 2 minutes to go. The usual Suns head fart plays allowed LA to get that close. The Suns were able to hold on though for the impressive win. Phoenix were led by 26 from Book and 24 from KD. Grayson had a great shooting game hitting 4 of 7 from 3 for 18 points and Tyus got hot hitting 5 of his own 3's on 8 attempts.

A match-up with the Timberwolves always means Book vs Edwards. Edwards came out on top with more points and the win, but neither player was on top form. Together they combined for 16 turnovers, with Book accounting for 9 of those, which matched a career high. The problem was that 5 of Books came in the 2nd half while Minnesota began to take control of the game on a 23-9 run covering the end of the 3rd quarter and beginning of the 4th. The Suns did try mounting a comeback in the 4th, but it was too little, too late. KD led the Suns with 33 points, Book added 28 and 8 assists and Beal had 17 off the bench.

As has widely been discussed, the Warriors, like us, are not having the type of season they'd been hoping for. The Suns made that slightly worse by beating them by 25 points. It was the type of performance that us Suns fans have been hoping for from this group, as they shot the lights out, while also holding the Warriors to 37% for the game. The Suns high percentage of 48% from 3 and 56% overall was needed, as the Warriors threw up more shots than us, had less turnovers and 14 offensive boards.

Then the embarrassment occurred. I know this was on a back-to-back and Portland are on a bit of a run, but it's crazy that we can blow-out the Warriors, but then lose to a bottom-3 team in the West. I think, at this point, that's just who we are.

The Suns looked rushed by the Portland defence all the way through and shot less than 25% in 3 of the 4 quarters. They went into halftime down 15. Book tried fighting back in the 3rd quarter scoring 18 of his 37 points, but it wasn't enough, losing the quarter 37-33. With half of the final quarter remaining, Bud called it quits and put in the bottom of the bench.

Other Suns Stuff

Book Closing in on Suns Scoring Title

Book is now only 23 points away from being the all-time leading scorer in Suns history and, in my opinion, becoming the best Sun ever. It's a shame he'll most likely hit the mark while on the road. He will pass the late, great Walter Davis for the number 1 spot.

Booker's All-Star Snub

A slow start from Book and relatively bad season for the Suns caused Book to miss out on an All-Star spot. I think it's time that the All-Star rosters were the same size as a regular team roster. This would mean an extra 2 players per team. The league has so much talent nowadays that it's a crime some of these guys don't get picked.

Dunn makes the Rising Stars roster

Ryan Dunn was initially a snub for the rookie - sophomore showcase. He was added to the team as an injury replacement, righting the world.

Trades & Rumours

No, the Suns acquiring Jimmy Butler has not happened and now will not be the biggest trade of the deadline (assuming it does happen).

According to reports, alongside the Suns, the Warriors have shown the most interest in Jimmy Butler, but Brian Windhorst has reported that Butler has informed the Warriors that he will not sign an extension with them if sent their and his only goal is to be traded to the Suns.

Just this afternoon reports have also surfaced that, "the Suns are believed to be listening at the very least to various teams' pitches for Durant", but he is aware.

For those that are worried upon hearing this, it roughly translates as, Some teams have called the Suns and asked whether KD is available. The Suns have allowed them to give a pitch, but then said, "no".

Gambo has corroborated this on X replying to a fan:

The Suns front office would not be doing their job if they didn't at least listen to other team's proposals. I'm sure it happens all the time, but the reports are out there because of the deadline and the Luka trade.

The Suns also know that if they want Jimmy, KD needs to be around.

Both Gambo and Gerald Bourguet have reported that the Suns are focusing on a Butler for Beal trade, but do also have some other smaller trades that they're working on, if the big one falls through.

Superstar Watch (Season stats):

Devin Booker - 25.9 Points, 4.0 Rebounds, 6.7 Assists, 1.1 Steals, 45.0 FG%, 34.4 3PT FG% & 2.6 Turnovers

Kevin Durant - 26.9 Points, 6.1 Rebounds, 4.1 Assists, 0.8 Steals, 1.3 Blocks, 52.5 FG%, 40.5 3PT FG% & 3.0 Turnovers

Bradley Beal - 16.9 Points, 3.3 Rebounds, 3.4 Assists, 1.1 Steals, 0.6 Blocks, 49.2 FG%, 40.1 3PT FG% & 1.9 Turnovers

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Scorching Suns:

Devin Booker

He said that he was ok with the All-Star snub, but putting up 31 then 37 in the games after suggests otherwise.

His stats for the week:

30.5 Points, 5.0 Rebounds, 8.0 Assists, 53.1 FG% & 41.2 3PT FG%

Grayson Allen

Allen is back in his 23-24 season form. He had an incredible January shooting 53% from 3 and 55% overall. At 43.4% he is currently 8th in the league in 3-point percentage.

His stats for the week:

10.8 Points, 5.8 Rebounds, 2.5 Assists, 1.3 Steals, 57.7 FG% & 52.4 3PT FG%

Struggling Suns:

Nick Richards

Not many struggles this week, so had to put Nick here. He faced some tougher Centers and was exposed for being the back-up he probably should be. He did have a big 16 rebounds against the Warriors, but they don't really have any Centers.

His stats for the week:

7.0 Points, 9.5 Rebounds, 1.0 Block & 46.2 FG%

Stat Line(s) of the Week:

Devin Booker vs Portland Trail Blazers

Game stat line:

37 Points, 4 Rebounds, 5 Assists, 11/18 FGs (61.1%), 2/6 3PT FGs (33.3%) & 13/14 FTs (92.9%).

Rookie Watch (Season stats):

Ryan Dunn - 43 games, 26 starts

7.0 Points, 3.4 Rebounds, 1.0 Assists, 0.5 Steals, 0.6 Blocks, 44.9 FG%, 31.5 3PT FG% & 0.4 Turnovers

Oso Igodharo - 39 games, 2 starts

3.6 Points, 3.3 Rebounds, 0.9 Assists, 0.5 Steals, 0.3 Blocks, 56.6 FG%, 0.0 3PT FG% (1 attempt) & 0.6 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:

We face the Trail Blazers for the 2nd game in a row. After our embarrassing loss, we need to come out and put them down quickly. I'm worried whether this team even has it in them though.

The best team in the West is next and I'm not hold out much hope. They're playing on a completely different level to some of the other contenders, let alone us.

The Jazz are floundering and this is match-up 4 for us against them this season, so there's not much to say, that I haven't already said. The only issue I have lingering in the back of my head is this is the day after the trade deadline and if we make big changes, we could be missing a few players.

Last up is the Nuggets, our 3rd match-up after facing them back on December. We split those 2 games, but the Nuggets are playing together a lot better now and we're up and down like a yo-yo.

Prediction:

I'm just going to go with the obvious this week. We beat the Trail Blazers and Nuggets and lose to the Thunder and Nuggets.

Predictions League:

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