Suns say they were bullied in preseason loss
Less than 24 hours after theywere beaten up on their home floor by the Utah Jazz, the Suns’ players and coaches came to the same conclusion: They didn’t play with the kind of energy or physicality needed to win.
“I think they were the aggressor,” said guard Devin Booker, who sat out Tuesday’s practice with a sore left knee that he banged in the 120-102 loss. “They came out from the tip-off and hit us first and we didn’t respond. We’ve got to come in with a better attitude, a better mindset and not take the game for granted. Coach said, ‘If you come in here and cheat on the game, the game will show you what you deserve.’ That’s what we did. We didn’t have any energy.”
Coach Earl Watson used the term “bullying” to describe how the Jazz took the Suns out of their offensive game and that Phoenix can expect other, more experienced teams to try to break their spirit.
“I think Utah did a great job applying pressure, just using their strength and athleticism to take us out of a lot of our sets,” Watson said. “It’s a great opportunity and our young guys will grow from it. Sometimes it can look like the situation is pretty overwhelming but it’s an opportunity to grow.”
Center Tyson Chandler admitted his body check on Utah guard Raul Neto in the second quarter – resulting in a flagrant foul 2 and his ejection – was not just a reaction to Neto hitting him in the stomach earlier in the possession but a message to his teammates that they can’t be 99-pound weaklings.
“We can’t let anybody come out on the court and bully us,” Chandler said. “That can’t happen. Regardless, home or on the road we always have to be the aggressor.”
Position battle?
Point guard Mike James was one of the few Suns who played well Monday with 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals in 18 minutes. In Phoenix’s preseason opener against the Jazz he had 11 points, four assists and three steals in 12 minutes.
Meanwhile, second-year point guard Tyler Ulis played just seven minutes and 40 seconds and was 0 for 2 from the field. It’s been assumed that Ulis, who averaged 16.1 points, 8.5 assists and 1.2 steals in 15 starts last season, would be the backup to Eric Bledso.
But Watson said after Monday’s game: “We have two starters. That’s Eric Bledsoe and Devin Booker. Everything else is up for grabs, even playing time. You can’t feel entitled, especially on a team that’s so young.” Watson praised James’ aggressiveness. “He did a great job of pushing the pace,” Watson said. “No matter what the minutes were, he competed and took steps forward.”
Too many turnovers
James said Phoenix’s 32 turnovers Monday – which led to 46 Utah points – were a result of impatience on the offensive end.
“Mental mistakes,” he said. “I think since we’re so young sometimes when we get down we try to play hero ball instead of getting into our stuff. I think that might be normal for a young team. Just have to work on it. Sometimes it’s a step that comes with growing pains.”
Westbrook comparison
Rookie forward Josh Jackson filled up the box score Monday with 14 points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal and one blocked shot. He was 3 of 4 from 3-point range – and had seven turnovers. Watson said it reminded him of Russell Westbrook’s rookie season for Oklahoma City.
“Very exciting to watch,” Watson said. “Shooting the ball great from (3-point range). We knew that would eventually would happen. It’s before we thought it would happen. And sometimes, like Russ, it leads to turnovers. Reminds me of Russ but his future is bright.”