Phoenix Suns - Weekly Roundup - Week 17
- Matt Elvy
- Feb 13, 2023
- 4 min read
Join us as we review the highs and lows of the last week, as well as previewing the week ahead.
Week 17: 6-12 February 2023
Week Record: 2-1
Overall Record: 31-27. 5th in the Western Conference.
Games Played and Results:
W - 116 - 112 Vs Brooklyn Nets
L - 107 - 116 Vs Atlanta Hawks
W - 117 - 104 Vs Indiana Pacers
Centre of The Sun
You know it's been a crazy week when Book's return after not playing for 6 weeks and a new owner taking control, isn't the biggest news of the week.
Well, that's the NBA reality this week, as the Suns traded for KEVIN FREAKING DURANT!!!
Now to the sad news, to get this all-time great we had to give up The Twins; Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson.
I have to admit I was devastated by this news, but Kal and Cam have been asked about the trade and there doesn't seem to be any hard feelings. They understand it's a business and the Suns are aiming for a title.
Our new owner, Mat Ishbia also officially took control of the Suns and within 12 hours of his introductory press conference, had given James Jones the green light to pull off the above - talk about making a splash!
As part of the deal, the Suns also sent Jae Crowder out and received former Sun TJ Warren.
We also had to say goodbye to Dario Saric. He was sent to the Thunder in exchange for Darius Bazley. This move improved the team's overall athleticism and also save a few million in tax dollars.
The trade deadline also means buyouts. Terrance Ross is making his way to the Suns after coming to an agreement with the Magic. Some good 3-point shooting to try and make up for the loss of Kal and Cam.
Superstar Watch (Season stats):
Devin Booker - 26.6 Points, 4.6 Rebounds, 5.5 Assists, 0.9 Steal, 47.3 FG%, 36.4 3PT FG% & 2.5 Turnovers
Kevin Durant - 29.7 Points, 6.7 Rebounds, 5.3 Assists, 0.8 Steal, 1.5 Blocks, 55.9 FG%, 37.6 3PT FG% & 3.5 Turnovers
Deandre Ayton - 18.6 Points, 10.2 Rebounds, 2.1 Assists, 0.5 Steals, 0.7 Blocks, 58.9 FG%, 30.4 3PT FG% & 2.0 Turnovers
Chris Paul - 13.8 Points, 4.2 Rebounds, 8.7 Assists, 1.5 Steals, 42.8 FG%, 38.2 3PT FG% & 2.0 Turnovers
Scorching Suns:
Deandre Ayton
DA continued his strong play from the previous week, but took it up an additional gear.
He produced his first career 30+ point, 15+ rebound game against the Pistons, but then followed it up with another against the Nets, to start this week.
The 2 games in a row with that stat line and +75% shooting, makes him only the 4th player in history to have 2 such games in a row.
He was nominated as Western Conference Player of the Week, but missed out to SGA of the Thunder.
His stats for the week:
26.7 Points, 9.3 Rebounds, 2.3 Assists, 1.3 Steals, 1.0 Block & 70.2 FG%.
Josh Okogie
Josh saw the floor for the first time in a while thanks to the KD trade and he's certainly showing Monty that he wants to see the floor more.
His stats for the week (2 games):
21.0 Points, 5.0 Rebounds, 1.5 Assists, 3.0 Steals, 0.5 Blocks, 51.9 FG% & 54.5 3PT FG%.
Struggling Suns:
Damion Lee
Lee has been a marksman from 3 all season, being one of the leaders in the NBA at 44.5%, but recently he's dropped off. We're going to need him to get locked back with this new look Suns team.
His stats for the week:
6.3 Points, 3.7 Rebounds, 2.3 Assists, 0.7 Steals, 27.3 FG% & 13.3 3PT FG%.
Stat Line(s) of the Week:
Deandre Ayton vs Brooklyn Nets
DA's history making game had to be here.
Game stat line:
35 Points, 15 Rebounds, 1 Steal & 14/18 FGs (77.8%).
Honourable mentions:
Mikal Bridges vs Brooklyn Nets
The stat line wasn't amazing, but I had to put Mikal's last 😭 and 6th straight 20-point game here.
Game stat line:
21 Points, 8 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 1 Steals, 8/18 FGs (44.4%) & 2/6 3PT FGs (33.3%).
Cam Johnson vs Brooklyn Nets
Once again, just to honour his last game with us.
Game stat line:
14 Points, 5 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 1 Steal, 6/11 FGs (54.5%) & 2/4 3PT FGs (50.0%).
Upcoming Games:
We have 2 games this week, both at home.
Only a couple of games because of the All-Star weekend. Both being at home should give us a bit of an advantage and the spark of having new guys, Warren, Bazley and potentially Ross in their first games. KD will not be debuting till after the All-Star break.
The Kings have been a pleasant surprise this season, lighting the beam a lot more than previous seasons. They currently hold the third seed in the West. They didn't make any moves at the deadline, being happy with the performances from Sabonis and Fox.
We won the last match-up, but they have continuity, while we'll be trying to integrate the new guys.
The Clippers made some moves at the deadline and now don't seem to have a starting calibre point guard. Their performance will always depend on whether Leonard and George are able to play, but we won the previous two match-ups, so it'd be great to get a the third before the break.
Predictions:
With the new additions (minus KD) I think the team will come out strong in these games. I'm going with two W's.
Predictions League:
Any Other Business:
KD's Intro
The Suns announced that Kevin Durant's introductory press conference on Thursday, one week after the blockbuster trade took place.
Debuts
Bazley and Warren will debut (re-debut for TJ) on Tuesday when we face the Kings.
There's been no word on when Ross will first appear, but the team has confirmed that KD will be out till after the All-Star break.
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