The Suns started both Deandre Ayton and Aron Baynes together for the first time when the team hosted New York on Friday, testing a larger lineup which resulted in a 120-112 win, Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic writes.
Suns general manager James Jones and head coach Monty Williams discussed the possibility on Thursday, Rankin notes, with the team sporting the same frontcourt against Memphis on Sunday.
“We’ve been having discussions about it,” Williams said. “James and I had a long talk (Thursday). I had been thinking about it, but James kind of pushed me in the corner on the phone and started talking about DA (Ayton) and his ability to not just dive, but pick-and-pop and do some things a lot of fours can do.”
Baynes finished with 20 points, 12 rebounds and two assists in 29 minutes of work against the Knicks, with Ayton recording 15 points, 13 rebounds and five assists in 37 minutes. The coaching adjustment has drawn praise from many within the organization, including other players.
“I love it,” Suns wing Kelly Oubre Jr. said. “A lot of size. A lot of length, athleticism. You got athletes. You got strong, physical specimens like Aron Baynes. It’s just amazing we can switch up the lineups and still play the right way.”
After hosting Memphis on Sunday, Phoenix (14-21) will wrap up its five-game homestand with games against Sacramento on Tuesday, Orlando on Friday and Charlotte the following Sunday.
There’s more from the Pacific Division tonight:
- LeBron James has remained at the center of the Lakers‘ revamped roster this season, Rod Beard of The Detroit News writes. The Lakers overhauled its roster by upgrading James’ supporting cast, pairing him with All-Star forward Anthony Davis and adding veterans such as Danny Green and Dwight Howard. “First and foremost, you have to be able to control the game from the mental aspect,” coach Frank Vogel said of James. “He was always able to do that as a young player — and particularly in his prime — but I think that’s boding well for him later in his career. Also, it’s the around-the-clock attention that he gives to his body just to make sure that he’s doing everything the right way to put his body in the best position to have success.”
- Warriors rookie Jordan Poole rediscovered his shot during a recent stretch in the NBA G League, Marcus White of NBC Sports writes. Poole scored 24 points to help lead Santa Cruz to a 110-106 win over Salt Lake City on Friday, getting recalled by the team the following day. Poole has averaged seven points per game in 30 contests with Golden State this season, shooting just 26% from the floor and 24% from 3-point range.
- Kings big man Richaun Holmes has acted as a much-needed anchor for the team this year, head coach Luke Walton said, as relayed by Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee. “He plays with that passion and fire that I think the Sacramento fan base really gets behind because he just leaves it all out there every time he plays,” Walton said, praising the 26-year-old. “He’s made a lot of winning plays for us. He’s having a heck of a year so far.” Holmes has averaged a career-high 13.3 points, 8.6 rebounds and 29.6 minutes per game on the season.
Not sure even Lebron wants to see another article lionizing himself while belittling ADavis, referring him to being a part of an upgrade to the players around Lebron.
But all those posters, year after year, gremlinized by Lebron, saying they see Lebron’s diminishment. HWM, imindless, the Cleveland snake-in-the-grass, (Swanson? I forget). Wait another year.
A year from now LeBron will be 36 and looking like Tom Brady.
Looking just like Tom Brady at 42.
Still talking about LBJ.
Rockets suck!
You think? I am not a fan of LeBron, but the dude is averaging 25 points, 8 boards and 11 assists. You think next year he might be down to 23 7 and 10?
Is it time we just ignore any guy that makes a case for Westbrook being mvp yet disses lebron not based on current performance but what he conjures about future performance based on his cracked, second-hand, raggety-a$$ crystal ball?
Even if LeBron fell off the “cliff” in production, his numbers would still look better than Westbrook’s lmao.
Heavy minutes , injuries , foul trouble n postseason are the main obstacles. Would love Collison to come in and stableize the 2nd unit
Guess Big Rob could give Riley a call. See if he’s willing to swap Winslow for Kuzma, Caruso straight up. Then the Lakers would have the perfect PG for LeBron and AD.
Then again, maybe not.
I doubt that Lebron would appreciate Winslow at the 1 or 3 any more than Kuzma at the 4.
And Caruso is a good change-of-pace bit player.
It would be amazing if Riley can’t move Winslow.
As a victim of The Process Sixers years, I’m glad Richaun Holmes is doing well. Always liked his game.
Underutilized until now; IDK maybe he wasn’t ready to be relied upon back then; but the Sixers were ready to say Bye.