Basketball
What to expect from a new star trio in Phoenix or Durant in Phoenix?
Recently, we witnessed the eventual destruction of one super team – Brooklyn – and the construction of another. Phoenix currently has three NBA superstars at its disposal – Booker, Paul and Durant. Will that be enough to beat Golden State? And can such an elite offense finally take down one of the Eastern Conference’s defensive machines?
Over time, these questions will be answered by Monty Williams’s coaching genius and absence of injuries. Now let’s try to understand how powerful this “Phoenix” has become and what it can claim by taking Kevin Durant.
What is the current status of Sans?
Phoenix approached the rookie in fourth place in the regular season. He’s also fourth in points won (110.9), ninth in rebounds (44.3) and blocks (5.0) and 8th in defense per 100 positions. This shows that a good defensive setup has been built by the coaches.
DeAndre Ayton continues to decline, and largely because of this, the Suns were not seen as the main contenders for the championship. Chris Paul’s time is running out. Even his contract is not guaranteed for next season. And Devin Booker dropped 3-pointers per game (almost one shot per season), but improved on average (2.5% more accurate).
Most notably, Bridges (team first in steals and second in block) and Johnson (tall guy with a shot) were traded to the Nets (for the same Durant). These role players didn’t take on leadership responsibilities, but they did a good job on both sides of the field.
It should be noted that from December to mid-January, the Suns had only two wins in 14 games. The reasons for this were the damage done to Booker and later to Paul. This shows the importance of basketball players for the team. And he explains why it was Bridges (who played 40 minutes at the time) who became a bargaining chip in the trade.
What is Durant’s current status?
Kevin has not played since the beginning of January and is not in very good shape at the moment. Prior to injury, he gave Brooklyn a 17-3 win/loss streak and placed second in the Eastern Conference. It also shows the usual high percentage (56%) of field goal conversions.
It should be noted that Phoenix has for some time taken a motivated player who wants to leave the Nets and play in a smarter and more stable organization. What Phoenix accomplished with his arrival.
Will KD’s presence in Arizona be enough to become the West’s main competitor? Let’s try to understand.
What will empower Durant in Phoenix?
The Suns are seventh on 3-pointer percentage and Booker can add to their 3-pointer. The late Durant averages over five assists per game. How? It attracts opponents and finds an empty one. It’ll be good to see this offensive duo in action once Kevin gets Devin to assist.
Also, Phoenix is now perhaps the best team to carry mid-range threats. Chris Paul’s ability to attack the opponent’s ring five meters from the ring has long been legendary. Booker’s shot chart shows that he used 20 percent of his shots from about 5-6 meters from the rim, and converted more than half. By comparison, he shoots only 10 percent more often from behind the arc, with a hit percentage of 35.
The arrival of the famous sniper Durent, who shoots from any distance, will further reveal the defenses of the opponents. Even more, it will make room for Paul and Booker’s average shots. And when the Suns attack stops, KD will take the lead and destroy the opponent from any distance. Thanks to the skill and efficiency of the players, Phoenix will return to NBA fashion for mid-range attacks. True, only within the framework of a single Arizona team.
Meanwhile, in the last 25 years there have been 1,700 cases in the NBA where a basketball player has averaged at least 250 shots from a distance per season. Among this example, there are only three instances where a basketball player has converted at least 55% of their attempts:
- 2018/2019 season – Kevin Durant
- 2021/2022 season – Kevin Durant
- 2022/2023 season – Kevin Durant
What will Sans’ defense be like?
Phoenix’s defensive formations shouldn’t sag too much due to the team’s simulated backbone and a pretty strong coach. During that time, however, the Suns lost three of their powerful forwards at once: Crowder, Johnson and Saric. Who will replace the tall man’s position in an organization that doesn’t trust fast-paced sick basketball (the 22nd in the league)?
Perhaps such a player will be Tory Craig, who will elevate the position and play the role of a stretch forward on offense and will force his opponents with a weight of 100 kilograms on defense. Or Kevin himself will play “big”, the wing will be a special 3&D artist – Okogi, Shemet or Lee.
Given that Kay D and Devin will each take 40 minutes of playing time in the decisive matches, the depth of the playoff roster should be sufficient for the team. Monty Williams knows how to dose the time between role players. So I think it’s totally premature to worry about Terence Ross or Cam Payne getting bored at the bank. But the big guys aren’t enough for Phoenix, so Biombo, Lendale and Baseley (the team’s rookie) have to fight for more than 14 minutes per game. And this is when the main tall Crowder missed almost the entire season and Saric was just Saric.
First game with the new team
As soon as Kevin Durant played his first game in the white and orange Phoenix jersey, Giannis offered to teach him how to win a championship with a team (KD is changing teams for the third time). Kidding aside, the forward made his debut for the Suns in a game against the Hornets. And he made it to 23 points, making 73% of his attempts at close or medium range and shooting two of his four 3-pointers. And his team defended well and only conceded 91 points.
Phoenix players already know that Kevin can be found with a 45 pass, running under the basket, or dropping him one-on-one against an opponent. This is Kay D’s mid-range move, which should end with a shot and two points on the scoreboard.
And that means the team gets a guaranteed 30 points per game, high conversion percentage and hit map – from any distance, a thought and a lifesaver when someone else’s attack stops in half the field. What else? Potentially the most dangerous shooting duo in the NBA, a continuation of Durant-Booker and Paul’s (health) career, he won’t be overburdened (really?) but will save his energy for decisive playoff games that are so lacking. in the summer of 2021.
What does it mean? Golden State’s chances of playing in the NBA Finals are dwindling. And you and I have had an interesting offensive team and we’re looking forward to the qualifiers where this gang can show what they’re capable of. And what Kevin Durant can do outside of Oakland.
Vyacheslav Shevchenko
Source: Sport UA
Ralph Bean is a writer for Sportish. Ralph has written about sports news for the last two years, and is currently an author on the site. He enjoys writing about sports, and hopes to cover more stories in the future.
Kirill Elatontsev may greatly regret his choice.
The departure of Russian center Kirill Elatontsev to the USA became one of the most discussed stories of the winter. A player with a valid long-term contract with Lokomotiv-Kuban suddenly appeared in the application of the University of Oklahoma and soon made his debut in the NCAA. This is an almost unprecedented case for Russian basketball. And for Kirill himself – a chance to start all over again.
A move that no one expected
Elatontsev, 23, was officially recruited by the Oklahoma Sooners, who expect him to quickly fit into the program.
— First of all, we are glad that Kirill is here, since a considerable distance has been covered. He will give us depth, which is extremely important. He’s older and has played against some really tough opponents, which will help us in conference games as well. In addition, he is skilled and has excellent instincts under the rim. “We are encouraged by his transition and are working to ensure that he quickly adapts to our program and system,” journalist Josh Callaway quotes Oklahoma coach Porter Moser as saying on his social media page.
Kirill’s debut took place immediately: on the night of December 30, Moscow time, he played 18 minutes in a match against Mississippi Valley State University. Oklahoma defeated the opponent with a score of 93:69, and the Russian scored 6 points and made 4 rebounds.
How it all started: from health problems to accusations of simulation
The formal conflict started on the night of November 8. Lokomotiv-Kuban reported that Kirill called an ambulance without notifying the medical headquarters. The examination – both at the club and in the clinic – did not reveal any serious problems, and hospitalization was not required. Lokomotiv-Kuban assessed the situation as a possible feigning of illness and a violation of discipline.
For the player, this was the first high-profile episode of the season, which he already missed due to problems with his foot. But in the fall there were rumors that the best young player in the VTB League in recent years was considering leaving for the NCAA. At the time it seemed frivolous. Now it’s reality.
The club’s reaction: “a dangerous precedent” and appeals to all authorities
After it became known that Elatontsev left Russia and signed up for the NCAA, Loko published a big statement. His key points:
The player has a valid contract until 2029, registered with the RFB.
The club called leaving without approval a gross violation of labor obligations.
History, according to the club, creates a dangerous precedent for Russian sports.
Official appeals and documents have been sent to the RFB, FIBA and NCAA.
The case is being reviewed by the Player Status Commission and the National Center for Arbitration for Sports.
Separately, it was reported that the club contacted FIBA to block Elatontsev’s transfer to teams under the auspices of the federation.
Loko emphasizes that investments in players cannot be “cancelled for the sake of short-term personal interests.” Essentially, the club is afraid that other young players will see Elatontsev’s departure as a path to going abroad, bypassing negotiations.
Legal background: claim to the military registration and enlistment office
Amid the basketball conflict, another layer of history has emerged. It turned out that Elatontsev filed a lawsuit against the Krasnodar military registration and enlistment office. He disputes the legality of the subpoena, which he says was issued while he was studying full-time. The document also mentions “misuse of budget funds” on the part of the department. It is difficult to say to what extent this episode is related to his departure to the United States, but it is obvious that the talented basketball player is mired in legal conflicts.
Elatontsev is at great risk by fleeing to the United States in violation of contractual obligations and not resolving issues with the military registration and enlistment office at home. It will be extremely difficult for him to build a successful career in the NBA, because it is too late to begin adapting to American basketball at 23 years old. Elatontsev has a chance to make a name for himself in the NCAA, get an overseas education and stay in the USA. But this story is unlikely to be associated with basketball at the highest level.
Source: Sportbox
I am a sports journalist who has been writing for a news website since 2015. My work primarily focuses on sports news, but I have also written about other topics such as technology and the arts. I have an extensive background in journalism, having worked as a reporter for a local newspaper before moving to a news website.
Four games were played in the NBA regular season on the night of December 30-31.
Utah hosted and lost to Boston.
Jazz started the game well, took the lead from the beginning and increased the difference to 10 points in the middle of the first quarter: 24:14. As a result, Utah won the first quarter with a score of 38:31. The visiting team started the second quarter better and made a move with 18:2 to not only take the lead, but also take the lead by 9 points (49:40). However, at the big break, Utah managed to turn the game around and made a move at 16:3 to take the lead again at 58:55. It was Jazz who entered the big break as the leader with 64:59.
The third quarter was even. Neither team could make serious progress and the lead changed 12 times. The result is 99:96 in favor of Boston. Thus, the fate of the match was decided in the fourth quarter. The guest team gained a 6-point lead at 103:97 in the first quarter, then kept their opponent within two shots for a long time, and towards the end of the match, they increased their advantage to double digits with 129:119.
Svyatoslav Mikhayyuk In this match, he rested by sitting on the bench for the entire match.
The most productive player of the Celtics was White, who scored 27 points, while Brown also had a double-double with 23 points + 10 assists.
Detroit defeated the Lakers on the road.
The Pistons only allowed the home team to take leads of 6:5 and 9:8 at the beginning of the first quarter, then they were ahead throughout the whole game and gradually increased their advantage, reaching 26 points (122:96) by the middle of the fourth quarter. As a result, Detroit won with a score of 128:106.
Doncic, who made 11 assists in the match, also scored 30 points and scored a double-double, but this did not benefit his team much. The most productive name for Detroit was Cunningham, who had a double-double with 27 points + 11 assists.
NBA. Regular season, December 31
Utah – Boston – 119:129 (38:31, 26:28, 32:40, 23:30)
Utah: George (37 + 7 assists), Nurkic (26 + 8 rebounds + 8 assists), Markkanen (22 + 9 rebounds), Sensabaugh (5), Hendricks (3) – start; Filipovski (10), Collier (7 + 8 assists), Clayton (7), Williams (2).
Boston: White (27 + 7 rebounds + 6 assists + 7 blocks), Brown (23 + 10 assists), Pritchard (18 + 6 assists), Keta (12), Walsh (6) – starts; Simons (20), Garza (15), Houser (5), Gonzalez (3), Scheierman (0).
Lakers-Detroit-106:128 (30:36, 35:34, 23:26, 18:32)
Lakers: Doncic (30 + 11 assists + 8 losses), James (17 + 5 losses), Ayton (10), Larevia (9), Smart (6) – starts; Hayes (13), Knecht (10), Vanderbilt (8 + 8 rebounds), Smith (3), Thiero (0), James Jr. (0), Kleber (0).
of Detroit: Cunningham (27 + 11 assists + 5 losses), Düren (14 + 8 rebounds + 5 steals + 5 losses), Thompson (7), Harris (7), D. Robinson (6) – start; Sasser (19), Stewart (15), Holland (11 + 7 rebounds), Ivey (9), Green (8), Reed (3), Lanier (2), Jenkins (0).
Memphis – Philadelphia – 136:139 Overtime (40:34, 32:38, 28:31, 28:25, 8:11)
Memphis: Morant (40), Coward (28 + 16 rebounds), Jaren Jackson (15 + 12 rebounds), Wells (14), Koloko (0) – start; Aldama (15 + 4 blocked shots), Spencer (7), Jackson (6), Landale (6), Small (5).
Philadelphia: Maxey (34 + 12 assists), Embiid (34 + 10 rebounds + 8 assists), Edgecombe (25), George (17), Barlow (12) – start; Grimes (11), Bona (4), McCain (2), Edwards (0).
Clippers – Sacramento – 131:90 (34:20, 39:20, 27:31, 31:19)
cutting machines: Leonard (33), Harden (21), Collins (16), Dunn (10), B. Lopez (8) – starter; Niederhaeuser (16), D. Jones (8), Senders (7), Miller (6), Brown (3), Batum (3), Christie (0).
sacramento: Westbrook (12), Reynaud (12 + 12 rebounds), Murray (11), DeRozan (8 + 7 rebounds), Achiuwa (0) – start; Clifford (18), Schroeder (11), Eubanks (6), Carter (4), McDermott (3), Monk (3 + 5 turnovers), Ellis (2).
tournament tables
Western Conference
Eastern Conference
Source: Sport UA
Ralph Bean is a writer for Sportish. Ralph has written about sports news for the last two years, and is currently an author on the site. He enjoys writing about sports, and hopes to cover more stories in the future.
On December 30, four matches were played in the 19th round of the Euroleague regular championship.
Hapoel Tel Aviv lost sensationally at home to Zalgiris.
The home team started the match successfully, quickly took the lead by 7 points, 9:2, and was ahead +12 – 25:13 towards the end of the first quarter. Only after this did the Lithuanians begin to close the gap. They made a 9:0 move at the intersection of the first and second quarters and came back with one shot at 25:22. After that, Hapoel again managed to lead by 9 points at 35:26, but even before the big break Zalgiris was ahead by 1 point at 40:39.
In the third quarter, the Lithuanians quickly took the lead and then made a 10:0 move to pull away by 11 points, 58:47. In fact, this decided the fate of the match, because afterwards Zalgiris maintained a double-digit advantage in the score and took the match to victory 93:80.
The most productive player of the winning team was Williams-Gross, who scored 17 points.
In the main match of the matchday, Barcelona lost to Monaco.
Monegasques started the game well and were ahead by 9 points in the first quarter – 22:13. They increased the advantage in the second 10 minutes and brought the score to 21 points at 47:26. At the big break, Barça reduced the difference to -17 – 30:47, but could not increase this local success further in the third quarter. Monaco then calmly controlled the course of the game, retained the double-digit advantage and won a landslide victory – 90:74.
James scored 19 points for Monaco and became the team’s top scorer.
Europa League. Regular season. 19th round, 30 December
Hapoel Tel Aviv – Zalgiris – 80:93 (25:18, 15:21, 13:24, 27:30)
Hapoel: Jones (18+5 assists), Bryant (14 points + 4 rebounds + 1 assist), Oturu (12+2+1), Motley (10+3+2), Blakeney (9+2 rebounds), Wainwright (9+3+6), Madar (4+3+5), Malcolm (4).
Zalgiris: Williams-Gross (17+2+4), Wright (15+3 rebounds), Francisco (13+2+8), Tubelis (12+8 rebounds), Brazdeikis (10+3 rebounds), Butkevicius (9), Law (8+2 rebounds), Sol (7+6+2), Ulanovas (2+4+2), Biruttis (2 rebounds + 1 assist).
ASVEL – Paris – 94:89 (20:23, 21:23, 20:18, 33:25)
ASVEL: Watson (28+3+1), De Colo (17+5+5), Harrison (10+5+1), Ndiae (9+9+2), Massa (8+6+1), Yurtel (8+1+8), Vautier (7+4 rebounds), Traore (4+2 rebounds), Lighty (2+1 rebounds), Jackson (1+1+1), Ajins (3 rebounds + 2 assists).
Paris: Heaphy (26+4+7), Herrera (11+4 rebounds), Willis (10+2 assists), Robinson (8+2+5), Fae (8+4 rebounds), Dokossi (6+1 rebounds), Morgan (6+7+2), Cavalier (5+5+1), Stevens (5+7+1), M’Baye (2+1+2), Ouattara (2+3+1).
Barcelona – Monaco – 74:90 (13:22, 17:25, 23:22, 21:21)
barcelona: Brizuela (25+1 rebounds), Norris (14+4+2), Fal (8+6 rebounds), Panther (8+2+4), Hernangomez (7+3 rebounds), Cale (7+3+1), Laprovittola (2+1 rebounds), Satoranski (2+4+4), Parra (1+3 rebounds), Marcos (2 assists).
Monaco: James (19+4+5), Hayes (15+5+1), Mirotic (13+4 rebounds), Okobo (12+4+5), Diallo (9+4 rebounds), Nedovic (8+1+1), Theis (7+4+3), Strazel (5+1+2), Blossomgame (2+5+2), Tarpey (2 rebounds).
Valencia – Partizan – 86:73 (18:22, 25:21, 22:20, 21:10)
Valencia: Thompson (17+3+6), Badio (14+1+3), Rivers (14+7 rebounds), Montero (13+3 rebounds), Pradilla (11+7+2), Costello (9+2 rebounds), Sakho (5+7+1), Taylor (2+1+2), Key (1+1 assist), Moore (2 rebounds + 2 assists), Puerto (2 rebounds + 1 assist).
Partisan: Bonga (17+7+2), Brown (15+2+2), Jones (9+6+1), Washington (7), Parker (7+4+1), Fernando (6+3 rebounds), Osetkowski (6+2+3), Payne (6+1+4), Calathes (4 rebounds + 6 assists).
tournament table
Source: Sport UA
Ralph Bean is a writer for Sportish. Ralph has written about sports news for the last two years, and is currently an author on the site. He enjoys writing about sports, and hopes to cover more stories in the future.
-
Ligue 13 years agoRenato Sanchez signed in Paris for five years
-
Europa League4 years agoIn transfer alert at Olympiakos for additions and concessions
-
Europa League4 years agoFenerbahce – Eintracht 1: 1: The Germans took 1st place in the Olympiacos group
-
Europa League4 years agoWithout Nainggolan and Samata, the 11th team from Antwerp
-
Europa League4 years agoEuropa League
-
Europa League4 years agoAtalanta announced the acquisition of Boga
-
Europa League4 years agoFears that Zapata will be out for 4 months
-
Premier League4 years agoExcept for the rest of January, Sean was injured