u/ThunderBobMajerle

Offseason discussion for the gang. The bar is often cited as Mitch Richmond, which is actually a pretty good player comp for Booker. Here is how they stack up vs each other:

Mitch Richmond vs Devin Booker Career Stats

Overall, Booker clears Mitch in game averages and most advanced stats. Will eclipse Mitch's total numbers in a season or 2. Mitch has a washed title with the lakers (eh) and has 3 more All NBA team selections than Booker that I think will be hard for Booker to catch, especially with the rule changes.

Obviously there are much worse players in the hall like Mo Cheeks, Gail Goodrich, Bill Bradley but I dont think they get in today with their stats (why Richmond is the modern bar). Then you have other more recent comps like Amare who Book also clears in stats but again is 3 behind in All NBA selections. Or Vince Carter who is far inferior to Booker except for ASG appearances and I dont know why hes in the HOF, the dunk contest?

Overall, I think Book clears the Mitch Richmond bar and some of the recent ringless additions. His Olympic performances matter as well. To me, even if he cant rack up more all NBA appearances, I think he can get in.

What do you think?

Box Score

As summer approaches and those of us in the east pacific begin to enjoy south swells, I often hear in the lineup "this south swell should warm up the water".

This is a common falsehood. Swells do not move water across the open ocean. In this example, south swells do not transport tropical water. Swell energy passes through water. It only moves water when the wave breaks on shore. A large swell breaking along the coast can turnover the water and in most cases will locally cool the water. But it does not transport water from areas of the deep ocean it passes through, ie the tropics.

Just a TIL for everyone out there enjoying this south swell

Recently listened to Lowe and Hollinger discuss the draft lottery reform and potential effect on the trade market. An interesting point Hollinger made is that previously tanking teams will be looking to acquire good role players to keep themselves out of the bottom 3.

In the past, the market for guys like Grayson and Royce was mostly contenders looking to go all in or fix an exposed flaw in the prior playoffs. Generally these players were of no interest to tanking teams, it just gets in the way of them being bad and/or developing draft picks. Or middling teams, there is no incentive to win a few more games and complicate the books. But now there is, nobody wants to fall to the bottom 3.

And while there are a few teams like the Jazz or Wizards that simply need to take their good players off the shelf to stay out of the bottom 3, there are other teams like the Nets, Kings, or Grizzlies that now need veteran talent. Or teams like the Bulls, Pelicans, or Mavericks that could easily fall down there if they dont keep pace.

For once the Suns are a bit ahead of a rule change with a mediocre team. Think how much this reform would suck if we traded Booker last offseason for our picks back and had just started a tank. Instead, we played plus .500 basketball and increased the value of several role players and vets on the team. We are not desperate to add this kind of talent and get out of the bottom of the standings, we have a surplus of it and can be sellers. Moreso, since we dont own our picks anyways we can afford to make deals with desperate bottom dwelling teams that get us great assets back like young players or picks that might drop us in the standings in the short term. We are in a good position because we tried to stay competitive before this rule change came into place.

TLDR: The draft lottery reform will expand the market for the type of players we have to trade

The record. And he’s never missed a single one. He’s 41 and he was busting the league MVPs ass this first half. Unreal. The ringer always says longevity and availability matter in their rankings. I agree with Nick Wright he’s easily still a top 8 playoff guy.

I’m not going to use the Rockwell. But as much as this place acts like a CJ sub and dunks on Bill, myself included, I know we are all super fans and love his content

These last few pods were great. He owned the Celtics loss, he didn’t whine like a homer, and gave due flowers to Maxey and Joel. He laughed about going fishing. He dropped Jokic on his pantheon.

Him and Lowe broke down each series and next series well and then had the offseason “what do you dos” that imo are their true wheelhouse, the blend of a little conspiracy Bill and Lowe straight man salary sheet leads to fun predictions.

Good stuff. Now I will go back to making fun of him with memes

Ive been critical of Ott these last couple months of the season, his stubborn small ball was a head scratcher for a lot of us and he showed the usual rookie coach mistakes in late game management.

Regardless, I think he did a fantastic job and I want the Suns to give him several years to develop. The high level, in-game Xs and Os take time and its great the rookie staff got playoff experience. Statistically the team was very consistent all season. The April dropoff was rough but can be explained by injuries and fatigue.

https://preview.redd.it/cxiwyej917yg1.png?width=1146&format=png&auto=webp&s=d8ec5bd9e7d1472d8fda02645c0a4cf2eaa3afd5

Most importantly, he created a hard working, competitive culture. This is arguably what the Suns needed most and he delivered. These guys want to come back and play for Ott, we haven't had that for 4 years, regardless of fault. His culture reset alone is worth a longer leash.

But equally important he is helping with exactly what we need in the retool: Plus .500 basketball. With limited picks we have to increase the value of players in house. Playing winning basketball makes it look like you have winning players. A big reason why I was so high on keeping Booker this season. He raises your floor, draws doubles, and makes the right play, everyone around him gets better. Many guys increased their production and trade value in Ott's system this year.

https://preview.redd.it/iddr0to127yg1.png?width=465&format=png&auto=webp&s=b0ddbb4bdec556de1df32e9e214e26364683ec60

Do you want the Suns to keep Ott?

Let the offseason discussion begin!

76ers @ Celtics (4pm, ESPN)

Hawks @ Knicks (5pm, Peacock)

Blazers @ Spurs (6:30pm, ESPN)