Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia here, the hosts of the daily Locked On Suns podcast, with your daily Locked On Suns newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Suns and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Did the Suns Ever Have a Chance Against Orlando?
Oct 26, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) against the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of the home opener at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images|Mark J. Rebilas/Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
All these Suns losses can start to feel the same.
But while Monday night’s 109-99 loss to the Orlando Magic had elements of other recent Ls, this wasn’t destined.
The Magic came into Footprint Center with a distinct rest advantage, but also without their best player in Paolo Banchero. And while Orlando boasts a huge roster and elite defensive chops, allowing them to crowd Devin Booker and cut off the paint, they are no OKC Thunder on the other side.
Let’s start with those differences. The Magic don’t have a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who can put the offense on his back while the rest of the team clamps down on defense. That means the Suns had a real chance to gut out a low-scoring, inefficient slugfest. Plus, getting stops is the easiest way for the Suns to ignite the fast break and get their transition game going.
Instead, the Suns allowed 109 points to Orlando on 51 percent shooting and just 10 turnovers. Franz Wagner and Anthony Black combined for 52 points alone.
At the same time, the similarities stung the Suns. Teams know by now that they can overload defensive attention toward Booker when he is the only elite scoring threat on the court. The Magic were no exception. While Booker made the right decisions to beat that defense and keep the ball moving, Orlando got its way. Booker took very few shots — fewer than point guard Tyus Jones.
On today’s episode, we break down these explanations and whether there was anything the Suns could have done to overturn this result.
The Sixers are no longer just bad, they’re cornered
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) looks on against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Kaseya Center|Photo by Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Look, I held off as long as I could, told myself it was only an awkward start. I looked to silver linings, to the tendency that things going wrong for this long tend to right themselves. I looked to the surrounding conditions for clues and when none revealed themselves, I decided to stay positive but now, it’s time: time to talk about the Philadelphia 76ers.
Beyond what Sixers fans know intimately and don’t need reiterated (things are bad), the mood around the franchise is starting to feel closer to cornered than merely frustrated. Last night, after a third quarter collapse against the Heat in Miami, the Sixers held a postgame meeting that lasted over an hour. The game already had a bizarre feel to it, Philly led by 19 before being down 20, and Joel Embiid went from being listed as doubtful to starting. No one on the Sixers roster looked especially comfortable, a trend that’s emerged throughout the team’s first full month of regular season play.
Slipping now to the bottom of the Eastern Conference, with a record of 2-11 I still feel the need to double check as I write this, one thing has become abundantly clear — the Sixers don’t have room to hedge.
There’s no scapegoat to pin the team’s shoddy performance on, not this early in the season. Even when healthy, and Embiid, George and Maxey are on the floor together, it’s been for naught. Both the teams wins came in arduous overtime, one without George and both without Embiid. The Sixers win against the Hornets was missing Maxey completely.
Here’s a problem I’ve wondered about since Daryl Morey landed George in what was declared an undisputed win for the franchise and the best move of the offseason — what about Philadelphia’s role players? To clear the books for cap space enough to sign George, Daryl Morey liquidated the team’s working roster — 13 of the team’s 15 man squad became free agents. Tobias Harrias and Nicolas Batum may not be spring chickens in NBA terms, but they provided the mechanical support the Sixers are now woefully lacking. This isn’t the Sixers only problem, that much has been made clear, but it’s a big one.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Stat After riding a seven-game winning streak, the Suns are now on a four-game skid. (Bright Side of the Sun)
Rumor Could Kevin Durant be on the move again? Sports Illustrated reports on a rumor sending KD to Houston.
Biz Former NBA stars Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady are looking to buy a minority stake in the NFL’s Buffalo Bills (CityTV)
Must Read Knicks forward OG Anunoby says he’s tired of being known for his defensive prowess. (The Athletic, subscription required)
3peat (ICYMI)
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Suns podcasts.
Phoenix Suns No-Show 5th Straight Loss To Knicks, Is the Issue Bigger Than Injuries?
The Phoenix Suns gave up a season-worst 138 points and looked lifeless for much of their fifth straight loss to the New York Knicks. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia break down the loss, including how much blame Devin Booker deserves and why the defense was so ugly just days after several solid performances.
The Kevin Durant Balancing Act Plus Are the Phoenix Suns Any Closer To An Answer At Center?
As the Phoenix Suns await the return of Kevin Durant, are there ways to balance his workload while still winning and building chemistry? Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia debate KD’s minutes and role before diving into three-headed monster at center and whether the Suns are any closer to addressing that weakness. To close, a preview of Suns-Knicks on Wednesday night.
Phoenix Suns Outmatched By Orlando Magic As Devin Booker Gets Bottled Up Again
The Phoenix Suns lost a third straight game to a tough defensive Orlando Magic team as Devin Booker went quiet once again. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia react to another Suns L, including why Booker struggled, why they lost, and how they could have overcome Orlando.
