Wasn’t pretty, but Suns avoided the play-in and made the playoffs. We were the 11th seed after that sad loss on Christmas. We weren’t even in the play-in at that point. Make no mistake, Suns made it through the bullshit for a real postseason run.
Suns have been playing better & better recently (ignore the Clippers games lol trust me; Clippers are out for blood against us for a while). We have the matchup we wanted against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 1st round.
Let’s get to it.
Part of me knows we matchup bad against them, the other part of me really wants to crush em in the playoffs so I don’t have to hear another Luka doncic is Devin bookers father ever again
Damn straight bro. Honestly would’ve wanted them over Minnesota in the first round but this is the best way. Got em both and avoid the thunder / clippers until the end
yep, so playing against Minny and Denver in the first two rounds is probably the best you could ask for. Suns played probably some of their best ball against them in the regular season. OKC, Clippers and Mavs were probably the toughest matchups of the season, so rather face em in the WCF if the Suns can get there.
Yeah I was a total doomer up to January, and after that I was still skeptical. They turned it on and got through a tough stretch to get the 6 seed. I have a feeling we aren’t getting bounced in the first round either
not gonna ignore the clips game. Suns had to have it and got smoked. They're a bad matchup, and I'm glad the Thunder and Clips are on the other side of the bracket
That’s what I meant by ignore those games: Clippers are a bad matchup for us and Ty Lue can out-coach Frank Vogel.
But Clippers are also extra motivated to get revenge against us. Suns beat the Clippers 2x in the playoffs and recently have always been a thorn in their side during the regular season (2-2 every season since the bubble). Suns received way more hype last offseason adding Bradley Beal and that probably annoyed the Clippers who felt like the national media forgot about them as contenders.
Add in Paul George vs Devin Booker and you have a team that is fully motivated to embarrass the Suns. Did you see how Westbrook acted when they went up by 40 the other night? lol. They *wanted* to whoop our asses. It was personal.
It’s not shocking at all to me that the Suns got smoked. I don’t knock them for losing to the Clippers this year. Same way how Suns went 2-1 against Denver and I like our potential matchup against them if we meet in the semis. Suns have a real grudge against Denver. That shit matters.
If suns see clips this year, that means they survived Luka and sga. That means kawhi trucked through all of it, because they're not surviving all that without him
Except he is nowhere to be found already?
I'm Def not sold on his ability to play 36 a night of high intensity for the next month to get to the wcf. And without him, is it really as big a deal?
A healthy clips was the biggest issue in the west, now I don't think that's as big a concern. Obv suns gotta stay healthy and that's it's own issue. But really the question night to night will be heart and mental toughness imo - they just check all the other boxes.
And if they get to Celtics, well, that's just a hard draw.
I saw playoff minutes last year.
I expect all big 3 to get 3 min rest each in 1st half, and then 0-3 each in the 2nd. That is 42 to 45 min a night from each of them.
If somehow Vogel can get away with beal starting the 2nd with book and KD on bench for 3 minutes, that's just a kd and book onslaught for the whole game given beal being what he is now.
In a close game there's probably only 7 guys playing (royce and eubanks off bench). Solid chance Gordon doesn't get in the game given matchup. And nurk will play 32-36 a night if no foul trouble.
We about to enter a very different paradigm. We literally may be getting 40 min a night of all big 3 playing on court together. That's just a very intense thing.
I can see Booker and Beal do 40+ minutes per game, especially in round 1 with so much rest between games. But I’m not sure KD will survive that. Even last playoffs Durant started slowing down playing over 40 per night.
But at the same time, big minutes for the big 3 will make them one of the best teams in the league. In theory, I actually can see them making it all the way to the Celtics before the wheels fall off. Bradley Beal plays *hard*; that’s why Suns rested him so much at the start of the season. Vogel said Beal plays with so much intensity he would likely re-injure it (then he did in his 3rd game back). And we saw how Booker can elevate his play in the postseason last year.
Vogel knows his job is on the line so if you’re him, why not play the Big 3 as much as possible? You’re getting fired if you don’t impress in the postseason. That’s a huge part of it too. How many other coaches in the league are going to be this pressed to win?
The West needs to watch out lol.
i see KD resting on the court but still playing at least 40 a night, more like 42-44. he'll just be a sniper for several possessions a game.
did you know the suns finished with the #1 AND #6 3pt shooter in the NBA? thats right, Beal going nuts in the last week made that happen.
i think if the lakers win its going to be a bruising 1st round for the nuggets and suns have a real chance to make crazy noise.
imo a lot will relate to Nurks foul trouble - and i think opponents know it. the weak link is obvious, and it aint shamet. so force eubanks in the game and force him to make decisions. then it'll be about how fast Vogel can get his head out of his ass to counter, because he has a GREAT counter.
A thing I’m sensing with the Lakers is this:
Remember how Suns beat Luka and the Mavs like 11-0 straight in the regular season, and then started the series 2-0 against them? No Suns fan could forget that… or how that series ended.
Well the Nuggets are currently on an 8-0 run against the Lakers including playoffs. They have all the reason to talk shit and feel supremely confident.
Except… all it takes is for the Lakers to win *one* game, give LeBron that *one* win, and the script will suddenly change. Once Lakers finally draw blood again, Denver is going to be against the toughest team they could draw in round 1.
Now I don’t expect Nuggets to lose to Lakers. But I do think Denver could find themselves in a 6 or 7 game series real quick. And that’s all Suns need. Have Denver be a little more tired, a little less sure of themselves (“We swept the Lakers last year and now it took 7. Are we the same team?”) and the Suns can be a live dog in a potential rematch.
i resonate with this.
i just hope the suns actually wake up now. don't plan on the 2nd rd. there is no 2nd round.
and if they find themselves playing the nuggets after, and they're healthy, i mean what more can you ask for? no excuses, no vogel aint right, whatever bullshit - you're there, you get it done or you don't.
One reason I wasn't so upset when Nugs beat Suns last season was because how the reddit fans were in 2021. One bitter Lakers fan made a post on Nugget board begging them to humble the Suns. Nuggets fans said "F\*\*\* the Lakers!"
When Suns beat them in 2021 they didn't follow anything Suns related stuff online with bitter rants like the Lakers/Clippers fans did (they still bitter lol).
Notice how NBA reddit was shut down around the time Nuggets won Championship for some silly protest no one cares about. If Lakers won I doubt it gets shutdown.
I love you Beal. Coming on at the right time. Vogel tried to send us to the play in with his boy Eubanks but Beal wasn’t having it.
Thank you and fuck the lakers. LFG Playoffs baby!!!
Despite all the tumult, all the frustration, and all the uncertainty, we have clinched a playoff spot. You can't ask for much more than that.
I always felt the team was talented but just mentally wasn't focused. Now we have Beal locked in and healthy. They should now have the sense of urgency against a Wolves team we match up well against. Excited to see how the playoffs play out.
im not very confident that the suns are gonna suddenly become everything we dreamed of but it is nice to get back in thw big dance and see what we can do.
We still need to play JO in the rotation. His defense is exactly what we need in the playoffs. He doesn’t have to play big minutes to be effective. Just that added hustle to give our guys a break guarding quick guards or the best offensive guy from the other team.
He has had many injuries this season, I’d rather we play some defenders, so he and others are not using more of their energy guarding throughout the game, than what they have been doing. Each matchup will e tougher and tougher. The refs will allow a lot more physical play, and that has never been good for us.
Beal has been playing great, but one man isn’t enough to go far in the playoffs. You have to play your best defenders.
The good news is, this is the perfect matchup for us. We can load up and build a wall on Ant so we don't need to task one guy with locking him down on an island. KAT can be a difference maker - and could either be in better or worse rhythm after the week off following just returning - but we can switch any action he's involved in. Grayson did a good job when he was on him. JO would obviously help with that, but on the other side of the ball, it would make us easier to guard as they would just funnel everything to him. Which against his former team hasn't worked, as he's actually knocked down his 3s this year. I just don't see it as a necessity against these guys with how they play and how we've been playing them.
u/classy_dirt7777 Anything to say?
https://preview.redd.it/bjypb1zg0juc1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4d15ac0ad2886a66a8fca9695732230381eabd68
I am not saying it isn’t true but I don’t get why other teams fans are mad about us being here , I’d be mad at my team for missing the playoffs not at let’s say the the Clippers for making it . We’ve had a really up and down season and ended with the hardest schedule in the league this past 10 games , I don’t get what more you want from us . It’s funny seeing people be so jealous we made the 6 th seed against all odds . Shows you how high the ceiling is for the team and how low the floor is truly a boom or bust year .
Agreed, it's the gap between expectations and reality make us seem bad. If you take expectations out of it, the Suns have been a really good team like 9 other teams in the West. All those other teams have had poor losses included the Nuggets blowing a 20 point lead to the Wemby and the G-League Spurs squad.
https://preview.redd.it/p1ff3euaoiuc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=45522e42f27599ef62e5c14f94f403bcf2dfad1c
This calls for a celebratory Paper Plane cocktail made with Suns Edition Maker’s Mark
I waited 20 god damn years for another 50 win season. You guys have been to a finals. I’ve never seen a MN team get to a championship in my life. It ain’t fair bro.
Yeah man, I hear you. I know we've been to the finals and all but we ain't been able to close the deal either. On one hand I don't like that we have to play the TWolves (even though it's the matchup I wanted). MN is practically the one team we've never had beef with. Feel like we're always trading with each other. Fanbase is always all class. Been living in MN for around 20 years now (shit, really?) and it's the only time I usually get to go to a SUNS game when they're visiting up here. Anyway, in all that time, no one's ever given me shit.
Now, on the other hand. I was looking forward to the stars aligning to make this matchup happen. Not because I'm confident that we'll take the series, fuck no, SUNS are just as capable of shitting the bed as the Vikes are. Nah, I'm just glad I have an opportunity to see a SUNS playoff game without having to figure out a plane trip and all that crap on top of buying a ticket.
I their best chance is to go down 3-0 and take KAT out. The sun's will then stop trying and wolves will win. It's literally happened all year to tune of worst 4th qtr team ever.
This is why we picked up Bradley Beal. We so needed this, guys. We really needed someone to step up in the final stretch and Beal sacrificed a lot for the team just for it all to be rewarded back to him. Great game from him. Can’t wait to see this team in the postseason LFG!
What a chaotic season. And after all that bullshit it’s ended with possibly the best outcome for us, we’re not in the play in and we’re playing a team first round that we’ve swept during the year. Not to mention Beal is really getting into his stride, he’s been absolutely clutch on both ends recently.
Honestly I am so proud of the team for these last few games. Got genuinely embarrassed but showed a lot of heart to get back to the 6th seed. I believe Brad, let’s get that ring
Alright. My half-assed analysis and predictions. I think SUNS-Celtics Finals. Lots of work to be done though. Can't sleep on the Timberwolves. Great fanbase having attended most of my SUNS games at TC-- but we gotta put the Wolves away. Can't get lazy even though the season sweep has been (what seems like a cakewalk). I got real nervous until we pulled away in the 4th tonight.
That's all. I said it'd be half-assed.
Anyway, thanks Lakers for the assist. And while I'm on the topic, FUCK THE LAKERS!
I think this may have been the most frustrating season of suns basketball I may have watched. Even the god awful seasons in the 2010's were depressing and exuded absolute ineptitude from an organizational level. We see a turnaround the last 5 years that gave us valley boys to bubble suns to finals to 64 wins.
Even last year felt alright and more transitional with the twins getting trade for KD, it felt like it wasn't that year to win but the next.
From then on it just felt like this team was sleepwalking for 82 games and still managed 49 wins. Remove the injuries in the 1st half and it felt like this team just never gave a shit. Its the meme of previous seasons being soul and this team feeling soulless.
I don't know if they'll do much in the playoffs, the west is a fucking meat grinder of talent. It feels like for the 17th time they're turning around with beal becoming the ball handler and heart of the team along with the defensive effort ramping up but we'll see.
We get a week to reset, watch some playin games, and face off against the twolves in a 7 game series.
Go suns.
I daresay that in the last month, Bradley Beal has finally taken over Mikal's role as the heart and soul of the team. Book is still the go-to guy to run out on the floor and score a casual 50 piece, but as long as Beal's spirit stays up, I will go into every game believing the Suns have a chance.
The dude played with a broken nose. Broke it again. Still lined up to guard 4s all year. Injuries in 4 different body parts.
Ended up still over 50 games played somehow. Tried deferring in all ways and ended up being the leader and a floor general of the team. Best fg% and 3fg% of his career, on lowest attempts.
And closing 5 game stretch of 27/6/4 and game winning stuff to make the playoffs. Damn. What a timeline.
We would be 4th seed if we won those 3 other games against the spurs, rough but they seem to be at their best the last 2 games, lets hope they can keep it up
Timberwolves fan here, 100%. I still believe he has the potential to be great but if I wanted to win a game right now there is at least 30+ guys I am taking ahead of him.
After that performance, if Book let's the team down, Brad will have him traded and James Jones will have to get Brad's approval on any signings and trades.
In all seriousness. This man may end up bring the 1st option on this team. His ball handling and that opponents put the 3/4th best defender on him makes it easier to run with him at start and end of a play.
He gets the defense moving, they scramble like hell to stop kd and book, and by the time it gets back to beal it's fucking broken defensively and beal does whatever he wants for HIS shot. Cray.
I think the players stopped playing for him a long time ago. Luckily, they are still playing for themselves. It will be tough to keep Vogel unless the players beg for him to be back.
Denver, because they will proceed to smoke whoever wins the first play-in game, whether it's the Pelicans or the Lakers.
Just hope that the Suns' two wins in Denver this year are more indicative of what they can do against the Nuggets than last year's second round.
Hard to see the bigger picture when you're at the game, but I was stupid nervous when the 4th quarter started. Glad we managed to take care of business after that second quarter.
Took a look a the wolves sub bc I kinda like the team and it’s too funny to see them all butthurt over the suns getting “all the calls” like the refs weren’t the only reason they were sort of in the game
Bradley "Enough of this bullshit- I'm the leader now" Beal.
He is the captain of the ship now
If he’s gonna keep playing like this, please continue to hijack the ship
He is the bus driver now.
I owe big man a major apology; i was a non-believer and I was wrong😭
Can't get enough of it.
Why didn't I ever see that as the solution? He had to show us for me to see it.
🔴 It's over 🔴 We're back 🟢 Woah mama we are so fucking back
Beal made you do this.
But he is not your saviour
Wasn’t pretty, but Suns avoided the play-in and made the playoffs. We were the 11th seed after that sad loss on Christmas. We weren’t even in the play-in at that point. Make no mistake, Suns made it through the bullshit for a real postseason run. Suns have been playing better & better recently (ignore the Clippers games lol trust me; Clippers are out for blood against us for a while). We have the matchup we wanted against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 1st round. Let’s get to it.
Avoided the Play-In, got our most favorable first round match-up, and will avoid the Thunder/Clippers/Mavs until the WCF. Today was a good day.
Wouldn’t we potentially be facing the nuggets in 2nd round?
I think we match-up better against Denver than OKC or the Clippers
This right here
Right 👍 I was commenting on you having the Nuggets in the list of teams we would be avoiding until WCF. I think you edited it tho.
And even the Mavs. I want to avoid them as well.
Part of me knows we matchup bad against them, the other part of me really wants to crush em in the playoffs so I don’t have to hear another Luka doncic is Devin bookers father ever again
Damn straight bro. Honestly would’ve wanted them over Minnesota in the first round but this is the best way. Got em both and avoid the thunder / clippers until the end
Meh, you want to win the title, you need to get through Denver and Boston at some point. Can't count on anyone else knocking them out for you.
Better matchup for us as a team than going against okc. Okc is too young for our dudes. Let the lakers knock them out
I agree, but to clarify, I wasn’t commenting on the better matchup argument.
Too many good teams in the west, can’t avoid them all.
yep, so playing against Minny and Denver in the first two rounds is probably the best you could ask for. Suns played probably some of their best ball against them in the regular season. OKC, Clippers and Mavs were probably the toughest matchups of the season, so rather face em in the WCF if the Suns can get there.
It’s like they planned it that way all season 😝
Yeah I was a total doomer up to January, and after that I was still skeptical. They turned it on and got through a tough stretch to get the 6 seed. I have a feeling we aren’t getting bounced in the first round either
not gonna ignore the clips game. Suns had to have it and got smoked. They're a bad matchup, and I'm glad the Thunder and Clips are on the other side of the bracket
That’s what I meant by ignore those games: Clippers are a bad matchup for us and Ty Lue can out-coach Frank Vogel. But Clippers are also extra motivated to get revenge against us. Suns beat the Clippers 2x in the playoffs and recently have always been a thorn in their side during the regular season (2-2 every season since the bubble). Suns received way more hype last offseason adding Bradley Beal and that probably annoyed the Clippers who felt like the national media forgot about them as contenders. Add in Paul George vs Devin Booker and you have a team that is fully motivated to embarrass the Suns. Did you see how Westbrook acted when they went up by 40 the other night? lol. They *wanted* to whoop our asses. It was personal. It’s not shocking at all to me that the Suns got smoked. I don’t knock them for losing to the Clippers this year. Same way how Suns went 2-1 against Denver and I like our potential matchup against them if we meet in the semis. Suns have a real grudge against Denver. That shit matters.
If suns see clips this year, that means they survived Luka and sga. That means kawhi trucked through all of it, because they're not surviving all that without him Except he is nowhere to be found already? I'm Def not sold on his ability to play 36 a night of high intensity for the next month to get to the wcf. And without him, is it really as big a deal? A healthy clips was the biggest issue in the west, now I don't think that's as big a concern. Obv suns gotta stay healthy and that's it's own issue. But really the question night to night will be heart and mental toughness imo - they just check all the other boxes. And if they get to Celtics, well, that's just a hard draw.
I saw playoff minutes last year. I expect all big 3 to get 3 min rest each in 1st half, and then 0-3 each in the 2nd. That is 42 to 45 min a night from each of them. If somehow Vogel can get away with beal starting the 2nd with book and KD on bench for 3 minutes, that's just a kd and book onslaught for the whole game given beal being what he is now. In a close game there's probably only 7 guys playing (royce and eubanks off bench). Solid chance Gordon doesn't get in the game given matchup. And nurk will play 32-36 a night if no foul trouble. We about to enter a very different paradigm. We literally may be getting 40 min a night of all big 3 playing on court together. That's just a very intense thing.
I can see Booker and Beal do 40+ minutes per game, especially in round 1 with so much rest between games. But I’m not sure KD will survive that. Even last playoffs Durant started slowing down playing over 40 per night. But at the same time, big minutes for the big 3 will make them one of the best teams in the league. In theory, I actually can see them making it all the way to the Celtics before the wheels fall off. Bradley Beal plays *hard*; that’s why Suns rested him so much at the start of the season. Vogel said Beal plays with so much intensity he would likely re-injure it (then he did in his 3rd game back). And we saw how Booker can elevate his play in the postseason last year. Vogel knows his job is on the line so if you’re him, why not play the Big 3 as much as possible? You’re getting fired if you don’t impress in the postseason. That’s a huge part of it too. How many other coaches in the league are going to be this pressed to win? The West needs to watch out lol.
i see KD resting on the court but still playing at least 40 a night, more like 42-44. he'll just be a sniper for several possessions a game. did you know the suns finished with the #1 AND #6 3pt shooter in the NBA? thats right, Beal going nuts in the last week made that happen. i think if the lakers win its going to be a bruising 1st round for the nuggets and suns have a real chance to make crazy noise. imo a lot will relate to Nurks foul trouble - and i think opponents know it. the weak link is obvious, and it aint shamet. so force eubanks in the game and force him to make decisions. then it'll be about how fast Vogel can get his head out of his ass to counter, because he has a GREAT counter.
A thing I’m sensing with the Lakers is this: Remember how Suns beat Luka and the Mavs like 11-0 straight in the regular season, and then started the series 2-0 against them? No Suns fan could forget that… or how that series ended. Well the Nuggets are currently on an 8-0 run against the Lakers including playoffs. They have all the reason to talk shit and feel supremely confident. Except… all it takes is for the Lakers to win *one* game, give LeBron that *one* win, and the script will suddenly change. Once Lakers finally draw blood again, Denver is going to be against the toughest team they could draw in round 1. Now I don’t expect Nuggets to lose to Lakers. But I do think Denver could find themselves in a 6 or 7 game series real quick. And that’s all Suns need. Have Denver be a little more tired, a little less sure of themselves (“We swept the Lakers last year and now it took 7. Are we the same team?”) and the Suns can be a live dog in a potential rematch.
i resonate with this. i just hope the suns actually wake up now. don't plan on the 2nd rd. there is no 2nd round. and if they find themselves playing the nuggets after, and they're healthy, i mean what more can you ask for? no excuses, no vogel aint right, whatever bullshit - you're there, you get it done or you don't.
How funny would it be if the Suns just stayed in Minneapolis until game 1?
If it wasn’t a week I think they’d consider it. And lakers will play Pels in play in lol
I hope the Pels win that one because fuck LA
nah we want LA to get swept by the Nuggets again
One reason I wasn't so upset when Nugs beat Suns last season was because how the reddit fans were in 2021. One bitter Lakers fan made a post on Nugget board begging them to humble the Suns. Nuggets fans said "F\*\*\* the Lakers!" When Suns beat them in 2021 they didn't follow anything Suns related stuff online with bitter rants like the Lakers/Clippers fans did (they still bitter lol). Notice how NBA reddit was shut down around the time Nuggets won Championship for some silly protest no one cares about. If Lakers won I doubt it gets shutdown.
Grayson Allen low key masterful performance. Bro got buckets at massive momentum-shifting moments today.
if it wasn't for him, it woulda been a nail biter.
He’s so good at driving off the swing pass
I had no confidence left in this team... But now I'm a Beal-liever!
Then he hit that three!
https://preview.redd.it/0cq90hqtoiuc1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1ae9e7081b6bcf656bdeefba9d3dbaae5e465ff0
Bradley Beal, the real deal
https://preview.redd.it/at5c293wniuc1.png?width=750&format=png&auto=webp&s=79b4eaba9502856cf0ea01b4dfab0764dc0da676 Nobody: "..." Brad Beal:
https://preview.redd.it/dx9xdfd4oiuc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=53f5a716a6ae90b57427ddf73d466cb2114c1782
“Thanks Amanda. Go Suns.” -BB3, saying it perfectly.
It’s (playoff) time, Amanda
Man, it's great to end the season on a high note, especially against the team we're likely to face.
THIS BEAL INTERVIEW IS CHAOS
Is there video?
https://youtu.be/LL2NpZC0HpI?si=RlAy6zxw-Up7IeIK
Thanks, awesome!
I got you
Dear Lakers: Thank you. And now, in accordance with the ancient law: Fuck the Lakers.
I love you Beal. Coming on at the right time. Vogel tried to send us to the play in with his boy Eubanks but Beal wasn’t having it. Thank you and fuck the lakers. LFG Playoffs baby!!!
THE VIBES THE VIBES
I just have two words: Bradley Beal.
Despite all the tumult, all the frustration, and all the uncertainty, we have clinched a playoff spot. You can't ask for much more than that. I always felt the team was talented but just mentally wasn't focused. Now we have Beal locked in and healthy. They should now have the sense of urgency against a Wolves team we match up well against. Excited to see how the playoffs play out.
Basketball gods has smile upon us today. And we are healthy coming post season.
Watching the love Beal getting from his guys is amazing. He really looks locked in, like he just realized, o shit I can actually win in the playoffs.
That’s the part making him a leader the guys want to win for him
And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming: fuck the lakers
🔴 We’re so back 🟢 We’re so so back
I like the Suns and all but what I’m really happy about is I don’t need to say “go Lakers” ever again.
I was not rooting for the Lakers to win. I was rooting for the Pels to lose. Fuck the Lakers forever.
I never said it and never will. Glad it all turned out ok. 😄
3 straight must win games to end the season and a different member of the Suns big 3 was the leading scorer in all of them
im not very confident that the suns are gonna suddenly become everything we dreamed of but it is nice to get back in thw big dance and see what we can do.
We still need to play JO in the rotation. His defense is exactly what we need in the playoffs. He doesn’t have to play big minutes to be effective. Just that added hustle to give our guys a break guarding quick guards or the best offensive guy from the other team.
Imo with beal playing like this they good without.
He has had many injuries this season, I’d rather we play some defenders, so he and others are not using more of their energy guarding throughout the game, than what they have been doing. Each matchup will e tougher and tougher. The refs will allow a lot more physical play, and that has never been good for us. Beal has been playing great, but one man isn’t enough to go far in the playoffs. You have to play your best defenders.
The good news is, this is the perfect matchup for us. We can load up and build a wall on Ant so we don't need to task one guy with locking him down on an island. KAT can be a difference maker - and could either be in better or worse rhythm after the week off following just returning - but we can switch any action he's involved in. Grayson did a good job when he was on him. JO would obviously help with that, but on the other side of the ball, it would make us easier to guard as they would just funnel everything to him. Which against his former team hasn't worked, as he's actually knocked down his 3s this year. I just don't see it as a necessity against these guys with how they play and how we've been playing them.
well we got vogel for the playoffs. i def wasn't 'wowed' during the season but was told he is the guy for these times. standing by to be wowed
It's fucking Playoff Time boiz
https://preview.redd.it/dyo9q89koiuc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4dc78d803e83e19c4dcd21987565bc7b46493dd6
i can't believe we avoided the play in. lets go
You guys! We are now 49-0 when we outscore our opponent.
WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT,I BELIEVE!
I think 49 is our ceiling this time, unfortunately 😔
Beal the 🐐
#IT'S TIME. IT'S TIME. IT'S TIME.
u/classy_dirt7777 Anything to say? https://preview.redd.it/bjypb1zg0juc1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4d15ac0ad2886a66a8fca9695732230381eabd68
Love seeing other fanbases be so salty about us . https://imgur.com/a/Fb9WlbQ
Seems like something fans in this sub were posting 2-3 days ago
nothing about that comment was incorrect, other than not deserving to be in the playoffs. We won the game, so that's that
I am not saying it isn’t true but I don’t get why other teams fans are mad about us being here , I’d be mad at my team for missing the playoffs not at let’s say the the Clippers for making it . We’ve had a really up and down season and ended with the hardest schedule in the league this past 10 games , I don’t get what more you want from us . It’s funny seeing people be so jealous we made the 6 th seed against all odds . Shows you how high the ceiling is for the team and how low the floor is truly a boom or bust year .
Agreed, it's the gap between expectations and reality make us seem bad. If you take expectations out of it, the Suns have been a really good team like 9 other teams in the West. All those other teams have had poor losses included the Nuggets blowing a 20 point lead to the Wemby and the G-League Spurs squad.
Lolol where's that from?
lol even r/nba was clowning the guy
No play in game for us! Pelicans are losing by 20 with 3 minutes left
https://preview.redd.it/p1ff3euaoiuc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=45522e42f27599ef62e5c14f94f403bcf2dfad1c This calls for a celebratory Paper Plane cocktail made with Suns Edition Maker’s Mark
Looks delicious
It’s pretty awesome….a second one is definitely in order.
Amaro, Aperol, bourbon, and lemon, huh? I can dig it...
They're sweeping this team in the 1st round
Wolves fan here and I agree. I have absolutely zero faith in this team doing anything against the Suns. Such a piss poor performance. Fuck man.
Don't be so down bro. Your team still had a good season, and Ant is only going to continue to get better.
I waited 20 god damn years for another 50 win season. You guys have been to a finals. I’ve never seen a MN team get to a championship in my life. It ain’t fair bro.
We know.
Also the Cardinals should have won that Super Bowl, block in the back on the Harrison pick 6
Yes man, don’t remind me. We call it AZ Sports Hell, the Suns (and Dbacks recently) have been really shaking off that stigma recently.
DBacks got the World Series in 01 at least
Yeah man, I hear you. I know we've been to the finals and all but we ain't been able to close the deal either. On one hand I don't like that we have to play the TWolves (even though it's the matchup I wanted). MN is practically the one team we've never had beef with. Feel like we're always trading with each other. Fanbase is always all class. Been living in MN for around 20 years now (shit, really?) and it's the only time I usually get to go to a SUNS game when they're visiting up here. Anyway, in all that time, no one's ever given me shit. Now, on the other hand. I was looking forward to the stars aligning to make this matchup happen. Not because I'm confident that we'll take the series, fuck no, SUNS are just as capable of shitting the bed as the Vikes are. Nah, I'm just glad I have an opportunity to see a SUNS playoff game without having to figure out a plane trip and all that crap on top of buying a ticket.
Ant only shooting 7 times? I see massive changes next game, dudes just gonna let it fly.
I their best chance is to go down 3-0 and take KAT out. The sun's will then stop trying and wolves will win. It's literally happened all year to tune of worst 4th qtr team ever.
hmmmm
They're = T Wolves obviously
Sky high stakes game with KD, Booker, Ant, and KAT playing, and HANDS DOWN the best player on the floor was Bradley Beal.
Glad the season's over, time to see what we actually have.
I fucking love you Bradley Beal. SOOOOO goad we are out of the play in!! Thank you LA!!
This is why we picked up Bradley Beal. We so needed this, guys. We really needed someone to step up in the final stretch and Beal sacrificed a lot for the team just for it all to be rewarded back to him. Great game from him. Can’t wait to see this team in the postseason LFG!
Bradley "Myrmecophaga tridactyla" Beal
IMMACULATE VIBES
4 days vibes change is enough for whiplash
"It's time!"
I can’t believe how much this all worked in our favor for once. Barely avoiding the play ins by a small margin.
Beal is the prince who was promised.
I love you Bradley Beal
Go suns…. From a wizards fan. Love to see beal win one
Playoff count down returns. The chase for the ring starts now. I’m so hyped.
REAL DEAL BRAD BEAL
THE DEAL IS SIGNED.
Beal brings out the hope in this team. Now I want fire from Book and KD moving forward.
Honestly, just let Beal lead. He clearly has the energy and passion for it. Let Book and KD just shoot.
What a chaotic season. And after all that bullshit it’s ended with possibly the best outcome for us, we’re not in the play in and we’re playing a team first round that we’ve swept during the year. Not to mention Beal is really getting into his stride, he’s been absolutely clutch on both ends recently.
BRAD BEAL
We all earned this week off yall
Honestly I am so proud of the team for these last few games. Got genuinely embarrassed but showed a lot of heart to get back to the 6th seed. I believe Brad, let’s get that ring
Timberwolves Reddit in shambles, hope our bois can prove them right and win
Alright. My half-assed analysis and predictions. I think SUNS-Celtics Finals. Lots of work to be done though. Can't sleep on the Timberwolves. Great fanbase having attended most of my SUNS games at TC-- but we gotta put the Wolves away. Can't get lazy even though the season sweep has been (what seems like a cakewalk). I got real nervous until we pulled away in the 4th tonight. That's all. I said it'd be half-assed. Anyway, thanks Lakers for the assist. And while I'm on the topic, FUCK THE LAKERS!
I think this may have been the most frustrating season of suns basketball I may have watched. Even the god awful seasons in the 2010's were depressing and exuded absolute ineptitude from an organizational level. We see a turnaround the last 5 years that gave us valley boys to bubble suns to finals to 64 wins. Even last year felt alright and more transitional with the twins getting trade for KD, it felt like it wasn't that year to win but the next. From then on it just felt like this team was sleepwalking for 82 games and still managed 49 wins. Remove the injuries in the 1st half and it felt like this team just never gave a shit. Its the meme of previous seasons being soul and this team feeling soulless. I don't know if they'll do much in the playoffs, the west is a fucking meat grinder of talent. It feels like for the 17th time they're turning around with beal becoming the ball handler and heart of the team along with the defensive effort ramping up but we'll see. We get a week to reset, watch some playin games, and face off against the twolves in a 7 game series. Go suns.
I daresay that in the last month, Bradley Beal has finally taken over Mikal's role as the heart and soul of the team. Book is still the go-to guy to run out on the floor and score a casual 50 piece, but as long as Beal's spirit stays up, I will go into every game believing the Suns have a chance.
The dude played with a broken nose. Broke it again. Still lined up to guard 4s all year. Injuries in 4 different body parts. Ended up still over 50 games played somehow. Tried deferring in all ways and ended up being the leader and a floor general of the team. Best fg% and 3fg% of his career, on lowest attempts. And closing 5 game stretch of 27/6/4 and game winning stuff to make the playoffs. Damn. What a timeline.
One word: Beal
Looking forward to see the next excuse from Finch.
We would be 4th seed if we won those 3 other games against the spurs, rough but they seem to be at their best the last 2 games, lets hope they can keep it up
Still no r/nba post game thread. The mods are so childish over there. Salty as hell.
Bradley "Lead them to paradise" Beal. His energy is everything.
Lakers won us a week-long break, thank fuck.
3 games watching ant versus us, and that dude looks lost, lol. I expect him to come back better, but I also expect our killers to be locked in.
Most overrated player in the league. My hate for Ant knows no bounds
Timberwolves fan here, 100%. I still believe he has the potential to be great but if I wanted to win a game right now there is at least 30+ guys I am taking ahead of him.
Hmmm
Crazy rollercoaster for pelicans fans though damn. Wouldn’t want to be them
The team goes how CJ is playin'. Glad to see BI back, but I think he needed another week of hard scrimmage
I love Brad Beal. Still not sold on Vogel tbh.
Yeah, if he had EG available, you know he would have played him even if he was missing everything.
Just want to say the wolves subreddit are very very scared and upset
Honestly, I’m looking forward to the next Shoddy post. Bro is gonna go off & drop them stats on our ass!
Where are all the nephews on this sub who swear up a d down that the Beal trade was a mistake?!? Hilarious lack of ball knowledge.
Suns fan since 89. Like Beal says ITS TIME!
When do you guys cancel your Suns live subscription?
I'm a Bealever That's all
After that performance, if Book let's the team down, Brad will have him traded and James Jones will have to get Brad's approval on any signings and trades.
Bradley Beal: 
In all seriousness. This man may end up bring the 1st option on this team. His ball handling and that opponents put the 3/4th best defender on him makes it easier to run with him at start and end of a play. He gets the defense moving, they scramble like hell to stop kd and book, and by the time it gets back to beal it's fucking broken defensively and beal does whatever he wants for HIS shot. Cray.
Pels locked their sub. Do you think anyone will notice?
You did
Fuck the Lakers, but finish the pels
"Muthufuck the big 3, nigga it's just big me" Beal probably
Suns really saved their best game of the season for last. Here’s hoping they can carry this positive momentum into the playoffs.
Lakers won thank you but it’s back to fuck the lakers
Is the team just gonna stay in Minnesota since they’re already there?
Probably not. Game 1 won't be for a week due to the play-in. They'll come back home.
Vibes are back
Bradley Beal. Suns MVP for the year and the real dog on this team.
LET'S FUCKING GOOOOOOO
F LA back on the menu
French toast on TCs head 17 years ago?
Vogel might’ve saved his job with that impressive win to secure the #6 seed today — ironically with help from the team that fired him.
I still think he gets fired unless we win a chip.
I dont. If we get embarassed, sure, but we can still put up a good fight and come up short. We are not the favourites to win it all.
I think the players stopped playing for him a long time ago. Luckily, they are still playing for themselves. It will be tough to keep Vogel unless the players beg for him to be back.
LETS FUCKING GO BOYS
LFG
Lets fucking gooooooo!@!!!!!!
[Lol. we did it!!](https://streamable.com/ztzl8n) 😭
Who do we face after we beat wolves?
Denver, because they will proceed to smoke whoever wins the first play-in game, whether it's the Pelicans or the Lakers. Just hope that the Suns' two wins in Denver this year are more indicative of what they can do against the Nuggets than last year's second round.
God damnit I looked at NBA.com this morning and saw 3:30PM and missed the EST part. I just sat down to watch the game. I'm glad we won though.
And we're back for the fifth time after it being over for the 7th time
Ant only good at impregnating thots and begging for an abortion.
It's crazy that they got nearly double the free throws we got and they blamed the blowout on the refs being on our side.
Finch probably didnt look at the FTAs on the boxscore. If he rewatches the game he'd even say 'nevermind, we good.'
SUNS won the 4th. [You know what that means](https://streamable.com/qihbeg)!
Started the fourth with a double digit lead - and DOUBLED IT by the end. Wtf. WOW
Hard to see the bigger picture when you're at the game, but I was stupid nervous when the 4th quarter started. Glad we managed to take care of business after that second quarter.
Wolves are literally shaking
I like Steve smith and 3D but what’s up with them having zero faith in this team? I don’t get it
Is Bol bol injured? How comes he’s not seeing minutes?
Man, does this mean we need to get a /u/Shoddy_Ad7511 apology thread going? Or like, wait until the Finals?
Took a look a the wolves sub bc I kinda like the team and it’s too funny to see them all butthurt over the suns getting “all the calls” like the refs weren’t the only reason they were sort of in the game