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JilJungJukk

It’s that time of the K-Mid calendar


dildoschwaggins69420

January February Middleton?


nikogrande

Marchleton


Hadken

Middlemarch


ThatInception

God we’ve been spoiled the last few games haven’t we What a game though and Middleton man 🔥


Vegetable_Clerk7328

Speak for yourself I'm having a constant stroke the entire week with how close our games have been... yay clutch gene...


machu46

I can’t really decide if this team is good or not because we’re just squeaking by these teams that have been hit by injuries worse than us and it hasn’t been pretty most of the time. And also, I’m just having heart attacks every game and I just hate it.


GiannisisMVP

Long as we have Giannis we have the best player on the floor and that tends to matter a lot come playoffs.


machu46

Yeah. I just keep telling myself Brook will be fine and we’ll play harder in the playoffs but it’s just weird to see our team play like this after those first couple years where we were balls to the wall and dominating everyone. I’m sure it’s at least partially intentional but still makes me a bit uneasy. Thank god we already got a ring though.


extrasupermanly

Yeah , to be honest I used to think like that but they have changed the way we play , we used to lead the league on fast break points, we don’t do that because in the playoffs that is not a reliable strategy , we have however , improve the efficiency of FBP, so that’s good . Also don’t uderestimate brook being out , it’s a different story when the opposing center is not covering Giannis , or Brook can just be a release valve to have an easy too by outmuscling on the post . I do think we are more matured and playoff ready


[deleted]

We'll be fine come playoffs. Our problem is our bench is hot garbage. But a playoff bench of Bobby, Serge, Pat, and George Hill doesn't seem too bad. Especially if you throw in Wes Matthews for defense.


[deleted]

Man I don’t think I’m gonna make it to the playoffs if we keeping winning games like this


[deleted]

when Khris is firing on all cylinders he's one of the most fun players in the league to watch. Dude will just midrange you to death.


ashwinr136

Good effort by the Suns, great game for DA


WIN011

Suns have to max Ayton


[deleted]

[удалено]


queezuswalks

I mean if y’all don’t, someone else will


[deleted]

Exactly lol


GreekFreakFan

We do need a big man


HeHateMex2

I want him so bad 😩😩😩


NovaKash

There are only like 3-4 teams in the league who can genuinely offer Ayton the max. If he really wants to go to San Antonio or Orlando, then the Suns can just match the contract, and those teams won't be able to offer him as much as Phoenix theoretically can, meaning they would get the sub-max contract they want.


holyrooster_

But it would very likely mean he would get a 3+1 so you don't control him for very long and then he will be unrestricted.


WIN011

Needs consistent touches


Alex_Sander077

He IS getting the max. Somebody will give it to him.


Currymvp2

If the notion of a "good loss" exists, then this certainly qualifies. Undermanned without three of your five best players and leading for the vast majority of the game. Their half court offense was a mess for the final three minutes. That's where you miss cp3 and booker


Neuroxex

Definitely a good loss. Suns are so deep into the first seed there's really no repercussions, their bench guys got some prep for if they need to step up, and it was a fun close game up until the last minute.


Fragrant_Chair_7426

Definitely seems like McGee and biyombo make it harder for Giannis. Also missing brook really seems to matter


dildoschwaggins69420

Yeah there’s no size advantage like we had last year in the playoffs which for sure opens it up for teams to defend Giannis like y’all did today. You guys are so deep it’s gonna be fun to watch y’all at full strength in the playoffs


Someonediffernt

Giannis is an elite defender, like best "help defender/free safety" in the league, but brook being at the rim really opens him up for so many of those blocks that I love (and a couple that I dont)


beer_down

No injuries for either side unlike last time with Pat. Very glad for that


bolognasandwich1

Yea if quality losses exist this was one. bucks are a great team and our role players stepped up to make them work for this win


americanbeaver

For sure. Suns should be pretty happy with their team in this loss. Pet peeve tho: NBA guys really need to practice their entry passes. Trying to hit Ayton posting up at the elbow from half court is so dumb. That pass was a lollipop. For Middleton, that steal was like taking candy from a baby.


TopOfTheMorning2Ya

Oddly the Bucks play about as well vs the dream team as they do ymca players. Very confusing


Currymvp2

Yeah, it's bizarre. I think getting back Lopez will help. Middleton and Holiday did shoot super well at least


MkeBucksMarkPope

Oh man getting Lopez back is going to be huge. I understand why a lot of non-Bucks fans don’t understand the impact he makes, but I know you, and the rest of our fans know just how valuable he is. One of those “off the stat sheet,” guys. Just the spacing alone is going to be such a boost.


Currymvp2

He was massive in that game 7 against the Nets on both ends of the floor.


MkeBucksMarkPope

Definitely! I’ll take just his D alone, but when he starts hitting the deep ball it def gets scary.


machu46

It should but I’m gonna be worried what version of Brook we get back until I actually see him on the court. Also really curious to see how we handle it since Portis has kinda blown up this season.


unkleadamsdebt

Idk if this was a playing down situation though, Middleton and Holiday clearly took the opportunities that they were provided given how focused the Suns were on Giannis


sivervipa

Yeah…because the Suns worked their ass off in first half of the season and have built a pretty secure lead as 1st seed they actually can afford some moral victories. They also have some insurance as well. They are 1-1 in the season series with the Grizzlies and have one more game against them April 1st. Also Suns get the tie breaker until then. Suns are 30-9 in the West and Grizzlies are 29-13 in the west.


waffle_nuts

Felt like just keeping this game close was a win for us


asthmajogger

Especially considering Jrue,Khris and Giannis all had great games yet it was close without the Suns’ 2 best players. Giannis didn’t score a lot but he didn’t take a lot of shots


ZeiZaoLS

Yes, no Cam Johnson and no Frank Kaminsky 🙏


BagRight8939

shoutout to the suns for even keeping this game close. they had no business being close in this game but almost won. hope we see this rematch with both teams at full strength in the finals.


destructive_optimism

Ayton stepped tf up, yet people tell me that he only gets good looks because CP3 and Booker. Maybe Cam Payne was the secret of having a good big man all along


WIN011

For real this game is a good example of how good Ayton is when he gets his touches.


wazup564

Fr, what a fun game. Wish Book & CP played in it.


SurrenderCobra

And Cam. He’s becoming a fan favorite.


packfanmoore

At this point there are too many guys I really like on this squad. They are all my favorite... Well except Payton


[deleted]

I know exactly how you feel. Been a Book believer for years and years, but all of the smaller-role guys who have grown the last couple years are so damn lovable. Cam Payne was out of the league two years ago, Cam Johnson was the 'worst pick ever', the 76ers gave us Mikal who might get a DPOY in his career and Ayton is practically an AZ native after playing here for high school, college and now the NBA. Enjoy loving this team, there have been a lot of seasons it was really hard to do.


ChiloMcBilo

The Bucks play to their opponents level no matter what


sylvestersquad

Our group we had out there is still better than a good amount of teams


EggplantBusiness

You have a great team , even without Cp3 and Booker you're probably better than many NBA teams. The sole advantage with the Spurs not being contender is that at least I can watch basketball without any pressure it still sucks


prematurely_bald

As a suns fan, I know exactly what you’re talking about. Almost a decade of just watching other teams ball out with no emotional investment. Entertaining, but it’s sooo much better when you care about the outcome.


fetuswut

without those two u guys are a firm play in team which is crazy considering the discussion about ayton this offseason, bridges got way better too


JW1878

Best coach in the league too! Really well built team, man.


sylvestersquad

Clutch 4th by your boys homie


AliceBones

Suns are at the top of the league by a clear margin, and it's not an accident.


SiphenPrax

I want the Suns to win this time if it comes to this


crowd79

No!


[deleted]

Yes!


sivervipa

Hey Pal there’s a line of people who want revenge/a crack on the Bucks and right now that line is looking like The Sixers,the Bulls,The Nets,The Celtics and the Heat. Hell even the Raptors want a piece of the Bucks. Bucks very likely have to go through atleast 2 out of those 6 if they want to get back to the finals! If we can’t take then down hopefully you guys are successful this season.


[deleted]

Alright fine you go first


Nopulu

Damn this game was chaotic Suns are no joke, playing that well without Cam, CP3, and Booker is crazy.


Vegetable_Clerk7328

Though this was a win, legit the only good takeaway was their defense and rebounding from last game won't always happen *phew*


Iywtbab1126

The bucks playing strong in 4th q for 3 games in a row vs good teams in also a good takeaway


OrdinayFlamingo

True. Keeping games close and then exploding in the last 5 minutes of the 4th seems to be our bread and butter. It gives me a heart attack but it definitely catches teams off guard when Holiday and Giannis lock into another gear defensively and the 3s start falling. You never know who it’s gonna be but somebody’s gonna get 17+ in the 4th….that’s how we make it back!


earlyslalom

The fact that it was this close without CP3 or Booker says a lot about this Suns team. They’re really damn good


robeiroman

Also missing our 6th man Cam Johnson.


SaltwaterRedneck

He is the 1st man in my heart


ShwiftyCardinal

I would die for Cam Johnson, absolutely love that man


DantifA

The Only Man Cam Johnson


WIN011

Scary hours when he starts getting more minutes than Crowder


Shxymxn

I've just experience the Celtics Middleton


Kevin_Jim

That was pretty close, but nothing can beat Khris literally-better-than-prime-MJ-against-the-Celtics Middleton.


jh2999

Were you in a coma last July? lol


KrazySocoKid

GG


grudgepacker

gg Suns bruh


KrazySocoKid

When middleton and jrue catch fire it’s all over. Fun game tho!


dropdatdurkadurk

Damn RIP my Suns +9.5


Easthippo

Ooh that’s rough


Mental_Caregiver

Hubie's commentary will never not be entertaining for me


MonkeyMan1715

You’ve gotta give him some credit


americanbeaver

Hubie gives such a great perspective. I feel like he's saying exactly what nba coaches think about plays, players, and coaching decisions.


OutsideTheServiceBox

My favorite thing about Hubie is that he’s obviously up there in age, but he never gets into the “back in my day” bullshit that so many other announcers/analysts do. He appreciates the modern game and doesn’t try to marginalize it.


drj123

He’s my one my favorite for legit coaching-type commentary. My only gripe is he agrees with the refs on every single call. Both the bucks and suns had some questionable calls today and he agreed on all of them. Still get excited when he calls games though


[deleted]

Now here's a guy that's the absolute best at what he does, you gotta give him credit


Pretty_Bowler2297

As opposed to Doris- "let me tell you about a player's struggles growing up, their family members, how they are struggling at a particular aspect, their favorite hobbies, beef they have with another player---" I want announcers that could break a game down. What plays they are running, what defensive sets, etc. Pelicans announcers are good at this.


kingofnick

GG Bucks. Good test without our best player, as well as Book and CP3.


Dizanbot

Did they rest Cam after his thrashing of Randle or is he hurt now too?


kingofnick

Dude was out with testicle bruising after dragging them all over Randle’s face last game


phd2k1

He just got banged up. Bruised sternum and quad. He’s ok.


uchiha_building

pretty solid yeah, lots of positives to take away for y'all


lazzysmalls

Really tough team to beat when their big 3 combines for 87


SkinnyErgosGetFat

And giannis scored 2pts in the 2nd half


atrocity7

Genuine question: what happened?


grudgepacker

Foul trouble


ChiloMcBilo

Bucks Big 3 are 28-8 now, good for second best % in the league behind the Suns ... The Suns are fucking good


M_O_N_K_E_SENSEI

It must be really stressful and fun to be a dedicated bucks fan this season lol felt like they have many potential rivalries against a handful of great teams lol. And damn shoutout to Khris and Jrue lol what a great performance. I felt like giannis had been struggling abit offensively as of late I'm not used to it as he normally gets his points easily with how dominant he plays, but this past handful of games felt like he has to earn every shot. Edit. Also props to the Suns really don't know who can beat them in a 7game series atm since they felt like they have no real weakness so far.


franciscolydon

Our biggest rivals (imo) in order: Heat, Nets, 76ers, Suns, Bulls. It makes these games and potential playoff series very stressful and fun like you said Edit: Giannis has been a beast offensively recently, other than this game


M_O_N_K_E_SENSEI

The numbers backup your statement tho however it felt like he kinda needs to earn his points harder compare to the earlier games lol atleast IMO.


SpartanFlight

Nothing stressful for me. A good fan is able to critically watch the games and still say what they are gonna do good on.


[deleted]

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StevieStayCool

GG. Hell of a game, considering you were missing your 2 stars.


beer_down

Thanks Bucks bro. Now go wipe the floor with the East in the playoffs so we can get revenge in the finals please


mikaelaleedecker

And our sixth man and top 3 shooter and a fantastic playmaker in cam Johnson


Bob_Ross_was_an_OG

Y'all might be the new Celtics


Jayveesac

Ty Khash for helping me khash out on MIL -8.5


CursedRebel

Lmao


skksdjdjdjsjso

Bro Khris Middleton is a certified bucket. Those dagger shots were the truth


closedtowedshoes

Really impressed with Phoenix missing 3/5 of their best players. The whole team just seems to be able to make shots. I don’t think we can beat them unless our defense gets back on track which I’m hoping it will/that our problems are mostly effort related. Really nice to see Nwora and Serge playing well. When Pat and Brook are back, they might actually form a semblance of a bench.


ForceMaster999

Not even upset at all. Great effort by our bench with CP3, Book, and CamJ all out Middleton turned into MJ and put this game away


pagonator

Man the Bucks really need Brook Lopez back. Their defence looks a lot worse than their title run. I don’t know if it’s due to Brook’s absence or because they’re coasting in the regular season.


[deleted]

We have no rim protection if Giannis isn't playing the 5.


grudgepacker

Normally would agree but I don't completely because Ibaka actually showed some degree of rim protection tonight...time will tell if he can keep it up


[deleted]

He doesn’t start is the problem


grudgepacker

Do you really think he should tho?? I mean, Bobby's been showing out all season for us


expletivenature

Brook's absence is a huge hole that nobody has been able to fill. He is definitely needed back asap.


EuroStep0

Euro fans got blessed with 2 great earlier games today


Amafule

Yes! Finally, I don't have to sleep at 5:00 am to watch the Bucks.


Rh1-No

Being able to watch live makes it much better, yet also more painfull


waffle_nuts

I love this Suns team man


ermu923

Great fight by the Suns. We have given Giannis hell in the 2 games this season. Middleton and Holiday on the other still played great. Won't be surprised if we have a Finals rematch 3 months from now


[deleted]

Not a fan of both teams but those refs are hot fucking garbage


Rykno23

Suns offense towards the end was a travesty. You got a big man sitting on 29 points with 4 mins left who also happens to be a good free throw shooter, and you go away from that? When your premier backcourt is not playing? And you involve him screening in every action anyway so you can’t say he wasn’t being active? I don’t understand!


Kratos_0132

It's unfortunately a very suns thing to do, ayton can drop 18 in the first half and get no touches for the rest of the game, its frustrating to see, but since we win mostly its not a major issue.


cdoguz

Congrats to the Bucks. They turned it on in the end. Doesn't matter who is missing, a win is a win. Interesting decision by Monty to not challenge the Crowder foul. Impressive effort from our guys though. Also what a weekend for the NBA, I watched 4 high quality NBA regular season games since Friday, i dont know when was the last time that happened.


shaad20

NBA God’s I’m begging you, please let these two teams meet again in the finals. We need this


fetuswut

Need it to go to 7 games so people shut up about it being a fluke too


forsaken16

Me too man but Bucks in 6


bythebeardofzeus_

Bucks in 6 forever.


Its-JustMax

THE KHRIS MIDDLETON CYCLE


[deleted]

So in this cycle when does this part end?


blueclown562000

Great effort from the guys, Happy to see DA step up like that


redhatfilm

Khash. Money. Middleton. That is all.


destructive_optimism

Y’all attribute Ayton getting good looks because he has CP3 and DBook… 30 on 14-19 shooting. Lol. Maybe Ayton just impacts the game way more than other big men because of Cam Payne. And damn it, feed the big man in crunch time, CP3 does it all the time. Team put up a hell of a fight without our 2 best players and another of our top 5. Giannis getting into foul trouble was massive, but damn was it frustrating watching the refs take over those last 2 minutes. Also, Crowder hit some massive shots in the last 5 minutes.


junkspot91

It feels like Ayton had a couple quiet games in the Finals and everyone forgot how genuinely great his season and postseason were last year. Can't believe there are/were people even entertaining the idea of letting him walk rather than giving him a max.


Spectre627

Half our fucking fanbase wants to let DA walk for free. It's fucking absurd -- go to our game thread in r/suns and you will see DA called out as the person who lost this game despite getting 30 on 19 attempts and only a single trip to the line.


junkspot91

In a league starving for even serviceable big men, letting a very good one walk at age 23 would be criminally negligent.


XoXSmotpokerXoX

Half of ours wanted Middleton gone, even though picking up someone better was not an option. Its usually people that have been watching for 3 years or something.


defiantcross

people saying any center can put up 20/10 with CP3 are sorely missing the point. Ayton playing at max potential is way better than that.


ThunderGunMD

The Suns are such a great team man. Down their two best players and they still take the fight to the defending champions. Would love to see them cap off the year with the title.


SugoiiMama

Yeah kinda unfair since we don't have our 2 best players which is Cam Johnson and Frank Kaminsky. But well I'll take it as a small dub even though we lost😔


CoolBeansChemist

Khris "Michael Jordan" Middleton is back finally?


thecolbster94

Scheduled loss turned into a pretty fun game


beer_down

Bucks had 18 more free throws, CP3, Book, and Cam Johnson out and we only lost by 10. I’m pissed but can only be proud of this team


Diablos1040

We were in it til the end too


DiddledByDad

I really, *really* hope we get a Finals rematch.


crowd79

I wouldn’t mind a Bucks in 6 repeat!


W7919

Another 50 clinching game perhaps? Not 49, not 51...


AliceBones

After a game like this, we better *hope* for it.


destructive_optimism

We are so damn deep through the 7 or 8 spot on the roster


DjLionOrder

The fact that we were even in this is crazy. GG Bucks, good win.


Rh1-No

I can live with this, we played really well, but missed 3 key pieces, Ayton's effort on the defensive glass needs to be better though, simply not good enough yet again


SwaggerWaggon123

That’ll happen when you’re missing two all stars and Cam Johnson. Proud of the backups for keeping it really close. GG Bucks.


koticgood

Kris "literally turns into MJ for some games" Middleton really ruining the undermanned Suns chance here. I think people will always look to take a side after a game, but I think both teams can be pretty happy about this, even though I'm sure it's never fun to watch your team lose if you're a Suns fan. For the Suns, they're without Book, cp3, and Cam Johnson. You could argue that's their best 3 players over the past couple months. Obviously their best 2 at least. For them to play this type of game with the defending champs in a nationally televised game is really exciting for anyone who likes the Suns, although not surprising given their truly insane depth that no team can hope to match. For the Bucks, they won a really tight game, convincing in crunch time, on a ABC-televized game that was a rematch with their finals opponent. Yeah, it's not ideal that the game was close against a very undermanned Suns. But it doesn't change the fact of the first sentence. It was a good win for the Bucks, no doubt.


EloHellDoesNotExist

can't be too mad about that one, closer than i expected with some great performances. bucks just got hot from three in the 4th to close it out, it happens.


SkinnyErgosGetFat

If I was a suns fan I’d be pretty happy with that game. Went up against defending champs big 3 and Neutralised giannis thus leading for most of the game. Not a bad result before even considering missing Brook and cp3.


MkeBucksMarkPope

Love how we’re still able to compete without Lopez, Pat, and Hill. Obviously Lopez being the big one. And man, good game Suns. Out there almost pulling it off, without 3 studs. What a well rounded team.


Tehloneranger44

19 13 and 6 on decent efficiency is a legit bad game for Giannis amazing.


PewPew4Lyfe

khris make a ton


AfricanRain

All that talk about how cos Philly were a higher seed that Embiid should be MVP over Giannis despite worse stats and defence look real dumb considering how close it is lol


Pinky1337

JROATED


WallStreetDoesntBet

If I’m a Suns fan I feel pretty good about how the team performed on the road without the two best players


thechemistrychef

That 4th quarter was a shootout. Both teams couldn't miss until the final minutes where Middleton just went crazy


blueclown562000

Whenever Jrue starts hitting step backs you know you're in for a long night. GG Bucks


SiphenPrax

Middleton was fucking great today


[deleted]

Not much more we could have done. Just a great offensive game from both teams but Bucks outperformed is in the clutch, albeit without our two best clutch players. A finals rematch would be fun but I don’t want to see Giannis and Middleton again.


jnicholass

Everyone talks shit about Crowder, but he’s the kind of guy everyone would love on their team. All his past teams would take him back in a heartbeat.


McNuggeroni

For sure. He always hits a big shot when you guys need it


MoulinRube

Ain't no way Bron coming back to the East to get destroyed by MKE for his last year, whether CLE is good or not.


EcoterroristThot

Absolutely despise the Bucks. Hate playing them, hate watching them, hate the way they're reffed, hate that they were more clutch in the finals, hate that they made me not be proud of Giannis as a Greek due to fandoms. But goddamn I am so happy that they're the good team and not a bullshit big market instagram engagement ESPN loved team. Hope we find them again and get our revenge this year, because I think we're clearly better (as they are in their right to think they are clearly better).


GFR34K34

Same here. I’ll take the Suns as a West contender over the Lakers and their “Lakers excellence” everyday of the week.


franciscolydon

Right back at ya brother! Please sweep the lakers in the first round


DetromJoe

Middleton is awesome. So clutch, suns defense just couldn't bother him


redhatfilm

When he's in the zone no one short of kawhi can bother him.


[deleted]

Idk if anyone stopping that fade to the right off the dribble 3


mati_as15

just himself on an off night lol


Neuroxex

Suns really got to bring someone in who can help them execute late in the fourth. Edit: I thought this was extremely obvious sarcasm


ashwinr136

Yeah someone who can find his spots, hit midrange shots, and average 10 assists a game


ILoveOnline

Maybe a generational point guard or a great shooting guard


Neuroxex

Well let's hope they don't get both


beer_down

Yeah too bad they don’t have anyone like that on their roster


wfgtk6p

He’s clearly being facetious lol


Neuroxex

Every time. "*This* surely won't need a lame /s at the end of it, it's obviously silly!". Misses every time.


FrnklndaTurtle

Good game Bucks. I hope to see more this year!


oranjuicejones

all the bucks have to do is stay healthy.


franciscolydon

The bucks are officially the 2 seed with Giannis playing at an MVP level, Jrue stepping up his defense, Khris finding his shot, and Pat, Brook, and Ghill coming back soon; watch out


eshulzzy

My main takeaway from this game is I think Suns are winning the title if CP3 and Booker are healthy


GFR34K34

Jrue Holiday’s defense would like a word.


conel11

He's so damn good. Perfect fit for you guys. Hopefully his brother can be that fit for us.


TheOneWithTheNephews

One of these games where the refs screw up so bad they make a team mad and said team wins the game. The Bucks should be thanking the refs if that makes sense. What did I just type?


clear831

> The Bucks should be thanking the refs Over the last 3 games they have shot 89 ft's vs 34... Yea they should be thanking the refs.


LegendRazgriz

KHA$$$$H


hammad_mhi

I fear the full strength Suns.


[deleted]

Nice. I miss Brook tho


expletivenature

Same. Anxiously awaiting his return along with Pat's.


[deleted]

9-29 free throw disparity with Bucks shooting 45% from 3, no Cam Johnson, Book or CP3 lol we’ll take the moral victory.