“You have to kill… It’s difficult to kill someone. Survival instinct says 'I want to stay alive.' So you've got to be able to be able to kill them.”
JJ Redick when asked about the challenges of closeout games.
(via @DStarkand)
For the first time in a while, the Phoenix Suns enter this offseason with excitement than panic.
Yes, they were the only team to be swept in the first round.
Yes, Devin Booker will be 30 next season.
Yes, they don't have a first-round pick in this year's draft.
But to be an 8th seed in the West after all they've been through this season is very impressive.
Everyone loves to use the phrase "exceeded expectations" when talking about the Suns' season.
As cliché as it sounds, it's not even debatable.
🔸Jalen Green missed most of the first half of the season with a hamstring injury.
🔸Dillon Brooks missed 18 games after the All-Star break with a fractured left hand.
🔸Booker missed more than 10 games late in the season with an ankle injury.
🔸During the play-in and playoffs, they didn't have Mark Williams and a fully healthy Grayson Allen
Their big 3 of Booker, Brooks, and Green only played 10 games together in the regular season.
Yet, they finished with a record of 45-37.
Suns fans have nothing to hang their heads about.
The future is bright ☀️
@SpectrumSN If we chose to lose game four on purpose, that was not the proper way to do it. JJ should've played Smith, Thiero, Bronny, and Knecht alot of minutes to acclimate to playoff pressure. Starters are exhausted and second guessing the Rockets ability to regroup after that ass whuppin
@LakeShowYo Who cares. He lets his team down wherever he goes. Huge self centered distraction. A complete waste of talent. In the other hand you have Lebron fighting and coaching with every fiber in his body at 42 years young.
Lebron will close out the series against the Rockets tomorrow night. His will to triumph and incredible basketball IQ will prevail over a dangerously desperate Houston team.
@LakersLead@smacktok JJ should rely on Scotty B and Nate Mc for in game decisions. 110 NBA wins between them. JJ's largest weakness is failing to make timely in- game adjustments. It's haunted him for 2 years. Here comes the JJ groupies.
@LakersLead St Jean always construct a solid game plan with match ups but JJ falters with in game decisions unless Lebron bails him out. JJ doesn't listen enough to ScottyB and Nate McMillin. 1100 NBA wins between them.
JJ has run our starters into the ground, AGAIN ! Thank goodness no one was injured. JJ just doesn't understand player development nor proper substitutions. He's a rookie clown. Here come all the JJ groupies lighting me up.
JJ on two of his players being ejected:
"I didn't get a great explanation on Adou. I'm sure James will give you that. DA he's got such a sweet, kind soul. That wasn't dirty or intentional. He was trying to brace himself with that off arm against Sengun's body and it looked like his arm just kind of slipped. I don't think DA would ever do anything malicious"