The Suns remain short-handed for tonight’s game against Golden State, but they may be close to having a full lineup fairly soon, writes Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. While Devin Booker is missing his fifth straight game with a left groin strain he suffered last week, coach Mike Budenholzer is optimistic that Booker won’t be out much longer. Phoenix has lost three of its last four games without the star guard.
“He’s making good progress,” Budenholzer told reporters before Friday’s game at Dallas. “We feel good about it. He’s still got a little more to go, but he’s progressing as expected.”
Budenholzer added that Grayson Allen is “close” to being ready as he misses his fourth straight game tonight while in concussion protocol. Bol Bol is sitting out a fifth straight game with a contusion that he suffered when he banged knees with a teammate during practice.
The Suns are also without center Jusuf Nurkic, who is serving a three-game suspension for an altercation in Friday’s game. Budenholzer addressed the incident in a pregame session with the media (Twitter link from Rankin), saying it’s dangerous when players continue trying to fight after being ejected.
“You never want these things to even escalate to probably the point that it did,” he said. “The concern about any other continued situations is not good for anybody.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Even though the Warriors lost to the Clippers on Friday night, Jonathan Kuminga turned in one of the best games of his career, notes Sam Gordon of The San Francisco Chronicle. Kuminga posted a career-high 34 points, along with 10 rebounds and five assists, and led a late rally that made the game close. Although the Warriors were short-handed with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green both nursing injuries, Kuminga continued to come off the bench as coach Steve Kerr used his 18th different starting lineup of the season.
- The first 30 games have shown that the Lakers don’t need to make a desperation trade for Zach LaVine, contends Mirjam Swanson of The Orange County Register. Swanson views the team’s major needs as a three-and-D wing and a reliable backup center, and recommends pursuing Jazz big man Walker Kessler.
- Lakers center Jaxson Hayes, who has only been active for one of the past 21 games because of an ankle injury, has been able to play five-on-five in practice, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN (Twitter link). Hayes hopes to be ready for Tuesday’s game against Cleveland if the ankle continues to improve.
- Lakers star LeBron James will miss tonight’s game with an illness that also forced him to skip Friday’s practice, McMenamin adds (Twitter link). Gabe Vincent is taking his place in the starting lineup.
I highly doubt the Jazz trade Kessler to the Lakers. They’re so stingy with draft picks and they’d have to pry Kessler from the Jazz. Don’t see that happening.
Yes, a 2025 first from the bottom half of the league is probably the buying rate. Steep, but Ainge would take ground balls and throw a basketball at someone’s face before coming to a decision.
You’re clearly trying to lower the asking price. Not going to work. The Jazz aren’t dumb.
Kessler has gotten even better this year. He’s been one of the most consistent players for the Jazz this season. Why would they trade him for a downgrade?
Cuz nobody in the lower half of the draft would be that good. Even if they were, would take multiple seasons just to get to where Kessler is now.
Kessler won’t be moved unless some team gives up 2 first round picks so in other words he isn’t going anywhere
Kerr is just clueless out there. Really bad performance all round by him.
Post Suns game tonight, we heard Kawakami and Slater remind Steve “Mad King” Kerr that he’s given the same high praise and promise a featured role several times over the last few years, only to inexplicably change his mind about Kuminga a few days later.
In any case, Kerr later declared under questioning, it doesn’t matter that Kuminga played like a superstar in consecutive games. No, says the Mad King, Kuminga should remain a bench player because “we think he’s not ready yet to be a starter”. When asked who “we” was, Kerr replied “the coaches”.
What a disgrace Kerr has become.
who would you replace Kerr with?
He always forgets to add that Kuminga’s shooting numbers are down this year, and he doesn’t have an outside shot. Kerr is working with him to maximize his abilities. But, it doesn’t happen over night.
Kerr has said a million times he diesnt want Kuminga shooting. Kerr wants Kuminga to pressure the basket not shoot.
Kuminga scored 34 points in the last two games.
You play your best players or you get loses Kerr doest care:
When did Kerr say he doesn’t want Kuminga to score?
Nobody. Kerr isn’t playing Kuminga and other best players enough.
Giants74 said:
> Kerr is working with him to maximize his abilities. But, it doesn’t
> happen over night.
Ah, that’s the answer for why Kerr won’t play a guy who just had the 2 best games other than Steph’s since 2019: Kerr doesn’t believe he’s “maximized his abilities” yet. (I’m assuming that’s done by giving his minutes to Lindy Waters?)
These last 2 games were arguably the best 2 that any Warrior other than Steph has played since KD left. And that’s not just because of the JK’s extraordiary offense: points, rebounds, assists, and fouls drawn. Those who know anything about basketball saw Kuming play ELITE DEFENSE. KD was -25 with Kuminga on the court. Kuminga put him in jail. Locked is a** up.
This was a superstar-level performance. For the second night in a row. Only Steve Kerr would sacrifice the benefit of the team to deny his own mistakes.
I think you are exaggerating. Most of the season, Kuminga’s offense has not been superstar level. Superstars do it every night. He is starting to get back to the way he played last year. He still needs to shoot the 3 more often and for a higher average. He is getting better at passing the ball when someone else has a better shot. How is averaging 35+ minutes a night mean Kerr is sacrificing success.
Basketball 101: Every time you say he needs to shoot more you are really saying you do not know the game.
Can you read? he said Kuminga played like a superstar the last 2 games. His defense was also superstar level those games.
Kuminga is averaging 26 minutes not 35+ minutes like you say.
Basketball 101: start your best players because they need rest between shifts. Never play somebody 18 straight minutes especially when they are guarding full court because they will be gassed like Kuminga was against Clippers.
> who would you replace Kerr with?
He’s retiring in 16 months anyway (assuming he doesn’t resign earlier), so even the Kerr sycophants will be asking that question soon. You can bet the front office has begun an intensive process already, and the new coach will be named the minute next season ends.
Even post Steph, GSW is premier coaching destination as the NBA’s wealthiest franchise. They’ll have their pick of available coaches.
The new coach must relate to and develop young players. I’d guess Lakob goes young + energetic + innovative — in the mold of Jordi Fernandez, Will Hardy, Jamahl Moseley, etc
(BTW, 2 things can be true: one, Kerr was a perfect fit in the Championship years AND, two, he’s burned out and refuses to adapt to his current roster. If the this team misses the playoffs, I doubt he’s back next season.)
Consistency is what is needed and right now there are not many warriors players showing that. When Kuminga has a few good games, that is great, but this guy is not a player that makes his team mates better, and is not normally someone to rely on or to get the team over the line. I don’t really like how Kerr handles this team, but this team would be a nightmare to handle.
The expectations are high because Curry is there, but the supporting cast is just not good enough.
Not saying they are terrible players, but as a team they don’t cut it.
Just wander if trades are possible or is this too far gone? Am frustrated watching them, even when they win!
Kerr and his small ball lineup is not working anymore. The league adjusted to it. Also Kerr’s offensive sets are not working. They had to give Kuminga the ball last night for a win because as usual Curry was double teamed the last 5 minutes.
The problem for the Warriors is that they don’t have enough outside shooters. Curry has been double teamed all season, not just the last 5 minutes. Teams can sag towards the key and double Curry.
Basketball 101 is you punish double team by attacking the basket. Teams double and triple Steven Curry lbecause Warriors have no bigs the pain and they have don’t use Kuminga in the open space. It has nothing to do with needing more outside shooters. Basic coaching.
Umm…How can Curry move the ball if he is double teamed?
Is why they bought in Dennis. Steph off the ball, blitz Dennis and Steph will get open. Hasn’t clicked offensive end yet and will never click on the defensive end. Defensively stink overall and the big man rotation is just aweful. Steph and Dennis couldn’t guard a parked car. Need a legit 5, aren’t getting one unless parting with picks. Warriors are telling their fanbase we want to compete, actions are saying otherwise. At this point I’m pretty sure Golden State are happy just making bank.
Giants74 said
> Umm…How can Curry move the ball if he is double teamed?
A brilliant insight. Perhaps we can memorialize it as a testament to your knowledge of the game.
The basketball world has been informed. This changes everything.
How bout this, Guskinn?…….
I know Cavs will probably be hesistant to alter a good thing, but since Atkinson already knows these two guys then maybe Dubs could have an inside track………
WIGGINS, PODZIEMSKI, and two 2nds
for
LAVERT, WADE, JEROME (hated to see him go – still like him more than PODZ) and cash
followed by……
LOONEY, GP2, either WATERS III or SANTOS, and a future 1st
for
“The Other BIGtime Nikola” (VUCEVIC) and two future 2nds
Don’t understand people’s fascination with Vucevic. He’s slow.
Can also spread the floor, open up driving lanes. Is a fantastic rebounder and screen setter. Shoots his free throws well. Has a mid and post game. Has good IQ and feel for the game. Isn’t a locker room cancer or a look at me look at me guy. Can get his efficiently within the offense. Now do looney or that kid. Unless GS give up picks, they aren’t serious about contending. Just counting money.
Why would the Cavaliers want to make any trades? What they have is working. Why screw with it.
PG-Schröder
SG-Curry
SF-Kuminga
PF-Green
C-VUCEVIC
______________
LAVERT, Hield, WADE, Jackson-Davis, JEROME, Moody, Anderson (keep as an emergency 4th center) Waters III or Santos, Spencer, Post, 2-ways
Holy CRAP, you guyyyzz!! All of a sudden, we’ve got shooters GALORE!! And how bout the possibility of also starting Vucevic at the 4 and TJD at the 5, with Green coming off the bench….just to see how it looks. The defenses would not know how to defend this onslaught! HOL-eeee CRRRAAAP!!
Let’s do this, Dunleavyyyyy!!!