Sometimes it feels absurd how much time we spend yelling about officiating after games. Then a night like Friday happens and you get dragged right back into it. When one team is allowed to be physical at the point of attack, bumping, poking, and prodding, while the other gets whistled for every light brush. Frustration is unavoidable. Down the rabbit hole you go.
That was the scene in the Big Easy. For the second time in five games, Phoenix watched an opponent shoot more than 40 free throws. Yes, the Suns play physical. That is part of their DNA. Still, there is a line where it stops feeling normal and starts feeling ridiculous. All anyone ever asks for is consistency. Call it the same on both ends. That is it.
I am realistic enough to know this is probably a fight that never ends, so I try not to burn too much energy on it. Probably about the same amount of energy the Pelicans spend at the line during practice. The saving grace for the Suns last night was simple: New Orleans shot 17 more free throws and missed 17 of them. Without that gift, this morning would feel very different as we argue about Bright Side Baller votes instead of breathing a little easier.
Bright Side Baller Season Standings
Dillon Brooks, with his 25 points and constant levels of irritation, took home his 5ht BSB of the season for his efforts against the Lakers.
Bright Side Baller Nominees
Game 30 against the Pelicans. Here are your nominees:
Devin Booker
30 points (10-of-16, 1-of-3 3PT, 9-of-11 FT), 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, +21 +/-
Mark Williams
24 points (9-of-13, 6-of-8 FT), 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 3 turnovers, +14 +/-
Collin Gillespie
16 points (6-of-13, 4-of-9 3PT), 3 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 4 turnovers, +3 +/-
Dillon Brooks
14 points (5-of-12, 1-of-7 3PT, 3-of-4 FT), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, +15 +/-
Ryan Dunn
9 points (4-of-8, 1-of-4 3PT), 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, +1 +/-
Oso Ighodaro
6 points (3-of-3), 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 steals, 1 block, 0 turnovers, -9 +/-
Time to vote!