> “Mainly just communicating,” Ayton told The Athletic. “Teams are using smaller guys at different positions, and they’re putting the ball on the ground, making our defense move and getting in the paint. When I go, there’s another big dude rebounding the ball and just crashing the glass and finishing in the paint. And we’re doing a lot of fouling. Playing a lot of defense and it’s putting pressure on our offense. It’s kind of hard to get into a rhythm on offense because we play so much defense and we’re fouling. All that stuff is deflating, man, and mental as hell.
> “We could say a lot. But really man, we just gotta approach these games knowing that teams are coming to knock our head off our body, bro. Defensive-wise, I just think we need to communicate more and play hard. We just gotta be more connected. The teams we see on film aren’t the teams we play — they’re playing harder and with a chip on their shoulder against us.”
[Source (Paywall)](https://theathletic.com/4000392/2022/12/14/phoenix-suns-loss-houston-rockets/)
by iksnet
44 Comments
Well what do you expect when you have that record but look so beatable
What a cop out
Whole league sick of that shit talking these whinny dudes been talking past few years
That’s not how things work
These guys really think they’re the 73-9 warriors and everyone wants to beat them lol
You think teams aren’t doing this against the Celtics, Bucks and Pelicans?
Stop with the excuses. Be better
Opposing teams are much faster in person
> “Teams are using smaller guys at different positions, and they’re putting the ball on the ground, making our defense move and getting in the paint. When I go, there’s another big dude rebounding the ball and just crashing the glass and finishing in the paint.”
Wow, it’s almost like they’re playing basketball.
They just *look* better when they’re playing you
I would hate it if a player on my favorite team said something like this.
“We could’ve won but didn’t expect the other team to play hard :/”
How’s he 24 and not figured out how competitive sports work? acting all surprised that teams are playing to win. Dumbass.
What?
I don’t know where he’s ending up, but sounds like his time at the Suns is counting down fast
The reactions to this are why players always give vanilla answers
DA seems like a good dude and he’s just giving his thoughts (which seem very normal)
Suns seem to have a team culture that encourages whining and excuse-making.
Haha. I like Ayton but this is absurd.
No team gets up for you more than any other team (beyond maybe personal beef/dislike a la the Pelicans).
You have proved NOTHING.
“They’re playing like its game7 of WCF semifinals!!!”
Ayton fast becoming one of my least favourite players.
Always has an excuse or finds a reason to not take responsibility.
They’ve graduated from complaining that people play too hard in pickup games to complaining that people play too hard in actual NBA games.
Lol Suns swear…they haven’t won shit. This has been happening to the warriors, kd teams, lebron teams, Giannis teams for forever now. Suns just aren’t as good as they think they are
These teams are game planning for us and exploiting our weaknesses, it’s not fair!!
He should stop talking
It’s almost like they’re playing basketball and trying to win Mr. Ayton
First time?
lol not a single suns flair commenting on this one
He’s saying we need to play harder and communicate better lol, I can’t tell if ppl are just going off the headline or not
Translation: I got dog walked on the defensive end until I got injured
Suns are so hatable its great
Maybe its cause half your team talks so much shit and gets butthurt when they get it back lol but I respect the honesty to speak your mind knowing you’ll get shit for it
He’s surprised opposing teams are making adjustments. What? Lol
CAVS going thru something similar. They’re getting everybodies best punch right now.
The league is tougher this year.
The PELICANS are legitimate
CAVS improved
CELTICS are at least as good as last year, but with the addition of Brogdon and Browns, elevated play is probably better.
The BLAZERS are better with a healthy Lillard and an improved Simon’s. Plus, the addition of Grant
76’s should improve if Harden performs. Meanwhile, Embid is dropping damn near 60 pts.
BROOKLYN KD looks like he can’t miss , and Kyrie is more than enough to make them as good a duo as anyone out there.
NUGGETS are going to improve as Murray and Porter get their game back.
I don’t think any team from last season can play at the level they did last season without losing ground. The Suns are one of those teams right now. Booker, CP, and Ayton will need to be better than they are to get out of the west, and I don’t think it’s going to happen.
GOLDEN STATE the Champs are struggling with a all time great player in Curry, but I’m confident they will be better.
I was betting on the CLIPPERS getting to the western conference finals with a healthy PG and Kawhi
This level of competition with the level of skill Basketball is being played at this year is awesome. Some vets are still peaking, and the younger guys are mature enough to take their teams to the finals.
Finally, I feel like I’m getting my money’s worth outa league pass….Almost anyway.
Yah no shit, the second your opponents step on the floor they have to deal with CP3’s whining ass so they play harder
This is like when I used to watch a YouTuber do some insane sick stunt shit in Battlefield, then I’d go on and try it and immediately crash the helicopter into a tree and explode. Much easier when you’re just watching it!
I swear it sometimes feels like the Suns players think they won in 2021.
Strong Patrick “Coverages that have never been done before” Mahomes vibes. The alternate answer is that teams think they can beat you and so are going to try more in games they actually have a chance at winning. That’s what happens to mediocre teams. Just good enough to get the good effort, but not so good as to actually win against the big boys.
It’s not because of you Dman don’t worry. People just HATE Book and CP3.
This is crybaby shit. Everybody gets game planned for at this level.
Why is there so much hostility? Bro just said the other teams are playing better 💀💀💀 seemed like a honest answer
“Wait…they’re not suppose to do that 🥺”
Suns have 2015 hawks energy lol.
They’re good and play great team basketball and can have a great rs record.
But ultimately just don’t have the star power to match up with the LeBron/gianni’s/doncic level players.
Lol Get over yourselves. You’re 16-12 and not playing like a contender at all. But yeah other teams out to get ya
Booker being double teamed in the gym vibes.
Lol these guys acting like they’re the defending champs or something getting everyone’s best shot. Still not an excuse for us or them to not show up and compete