Grades: Spurs vs. Suns - Feb. 20, 2025

[Seventyniner]

I'd add another level to it.
Suns are more likely to blow it up with every loss they suffer.
I'd rather have Rockets get Booker than have all those Suns picks.

Booker is an all-star, but he's paid like a superstar and as we can see he doesn't move the needle without CP3.
And he'll be 29 when the next season starts, so it's not like he's on their timeline.

Booker is only a year older than Fox and the Rockets are more than a year ahead of the Spurs in the building process. They also need that #1 scoring option. imo Booker makes perfect sense for them.

[LeBowen]

Booker is only a year older than Fox and the Rockets are more than a year ahead of the Spurs in the building process. They also need that #1 scoring option. imo Booker makes perfect sense for them.

I could be wrong, but I just don't rate Booker.
He'd be a great fit for the Rockets because they need a 25ppg scorer, but to me he's not good enough to be the #1 option on a legit contender.
He's a modern basketball DDR.
Career 35% shooter, not enough to actually be a legit threat from behind the arc and force teams to scheme around it.
Not athletic enough to get to the rim whenever he needs to, he's got way more mid-range shots than layups.
Yeah, it looks aesthetically pleasing and it can win some games, but the game has moved past it, whether we like it or not.
His assist numbers look great, but he's an executioner, not a playmaker who generates better looks for the team.

He's probably a better player than Fox individually, but Fox is way better for the team due to his ability to collapse the defense at will.

I don't think Rockets will get anywhere with Sengun as their center. Shame because he's a great player offensively, but 3pt shooting and defense are two most important things in today's game.
Rim protection being the most important aspect on defense. Sengun is a non-factor as a rim protector and can't shoot, Sabonis is the best possible outcome for him and noone is afraid of Sabonis in the playoffs.

[John B]

Spurs are better without Wemby.

Dangerous thinking there. But it follows my line of thought before that Wemby needs to “adjust” his offensive game within the flow of the team. Him chucking 3’s for instance sometimes are ill-advised. Until Wemby learns a go-to move, some kind of post up, the ball should be in CP3, Fox and Castle hands to initiate the offense. Giving Wemby on top of the key, mostly results to either shooting 3’s or a fadeaway shot. Now for the reaction in 3, 2, 1…

[scott]

Wonder why the Suns pulled the plug on Nick Richards so quickly yesterday? Dude had 6 rebounds in 9 minutes, and was crashing the boards pretty hard for them early in the game, and it's not like he was the one bricking all the shots for Phoenix. Seemed to me that he was the least of their problems but they just completely went away from him. Seemed odds to me.

[Slippy]

Biyombo is like a breath of fresh air compared to Zollins. Though he only grabbed 3 rebounds, he was good at boxing out and was solid defensively.

His showing as a big was of massiv importance. He sets a damn good screen & to close the 3rd when he met Durant at the rim. Loved it. Hard foul but this spurs team needed that statement.

Hope to see more of that going forward

[RC_Drunkford]

He's probably a better player than Fox individually, but Fox is way better for the team due to his ability to collapse the defense at will.

I don't think Rockets will get anywhere with Sengun as their center. Shame because he's a great player offensively, but 3pt shooting and defense are two most important things in today's game.
Rim protection being the most important aspect on defense. Sengun is a non-factor as a rim protector and can't shoot, Sabonis is the best possible outcome for him and noone is afraid of Sabonis in the playoffs.

yet their defense is miles better than ours and we got Wemby

That's what happens when you have a competent coach.