Game Day Open Thread: Suns at LA Clippers

Go, Suns!

I know it's still "just December" (barely), but I think how the team responds to the disappointment of yesterday will tell us a lot about how the rest of the season will go.

Especially Amare. He was embarrassed by doughboy yesterday, and I'd like to think he'll come out with a nasty attitude. Not sure if that'll help him get his jumper back, but I hope it helps him get a little more physical. I'd rather have him be a little more physical and risk getting into foul trouble than get overpowered by so-called lesser centers.

Might not be able to watch the game. Still hoping though.

by SueB on Dec 26, 2007 5:57 PM MST reply actions

Watched the LA game at LV

I was at Vegas this Christmas and it was pretty sweet, other than the fact I had to watch my team get beat convincingly in a nicotine thick betting parlor, being surrounded by obnoxious Laker fans and people betting against the Suns, having to hear their stupid "ooooh's" every time Kobe scored (guys, its not the mix-tape tour), and being under the watchful eye of a grumpy bookie. Hope this next game against an LA team is better.

If ya can't jump 'em out, then box 'em out!

by PurplePinoy on Dec 27, 2007 12:03 AM MST reply actions

Ick

There is nothing more annoying than Laker fans and to be surrounded by them when they are beating your team is just torture. Can't quite figure out why people were betting against the Suns though.

A question for anyone out there since I didn't see the game and can't bring myself to watch it on tape, was the win that convincing? It sounds like the Suns could have pulled it out if they hadn't missed so many free throws there in the 4th or gotten behind by 7 pts to start the quarter. If Phx had won, would people be saying that LA blew it or that Phx gutted out a win???

by TwinnerA on Dec 27, 2007 10:02 AM MST up reply actions

Quantify the win

This was a funny game in some ways. For LA it was HUGE for them to beat phx in a tight game and "prove" they could do it and get "over the hump" that we have been for them in the last two years. You could tell how important the game was to the the Laker's fans when they were chanting "Phoenix Sucks" at the end of the game. Nice.

Its kind of like when we beat the Spurs. For us its a big deal and measuring stick, blah blah but for the Spurs (and for us) its not as if there is a new found fear. However, the comparison does stop there b/c the Spurs were w/o Parker and the Suns were at full strength.

I think this win is a big deal for LA. With all the Kobe stuff this win validated their not trading Bynum for Kidd or JO and showed them hope for the playoffs this year. For us, its less meaningful b/c they still haven't beat us in the playoffs just like we haven't beaten the Spurs in the playoffs.

As for the game - it was close until the 4th and then Kobe took over. He made MJ-like shots that were totally defended but he was fresh b/c he didn't have to score in the 1st half (only 12 pts) and by getting his other guys involved early it made it harder for the Suns to double him b/c he established that he was passing so well.

The free throws were tough but about half those misses were from Skinner who can't shot FT's and then Bell missed two out of three. I think the bigger misses were Hill missing two open jumpers in the closing minutes. They defended Nash well and Amare was the 2nd best center on the floor which isn't going to get it done.

But in the end, I think they just wanted it a little bit more. The game meant much more to them and in the closing minutes it showed and Kobe dragged them over the finish line. Kobe showed why he's still the best player in the game. Period.

by Seth Pollack on Dec 27, 2007 11:19 AM MST up reply actions

Exactly

That's the point I was trying to make in my mini-recap yesterday. The verdict is still out, of course, since the Spurs were missing Tony Parker, but it just really seemed to me that the psychological barrier was no longer in play in that December 17 game (that may have been the one good thing to come out of the 2006-07 playoffs). But on the flip side, it would definitely seem that the Suns no longer "own" the Lakers either.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 6:38 PM MST up reply actions

Nash

Well, here's what Steve Nash was up to yesterday. He was having lunch with his wife and Jessica Alba and her boyfriend. Isn't Jessica a Golden State Warrior fan?

http://www.celebrity-babies.com/2007/12/jessica-alba-1.html

http://www.people.com/people/gallery/0,,20168287,00.html

by TwinnerA on Dec 27, 2007 12:50 PM MST reply actions

The game's at 8:30/10:30 right?

That's when it shows up on my on-screen guide. Oh, and it's on the calendar that way to the left. Darn, I'm not sure I'll survive that late unless I get a nap right now.

by SueB on Dec 27, 2007 3:03 PM MST reply actions

Oops!

Sorry about the game time gaffe. It is indeed 8:30/10:30 - thanks, SueB for pointing it out. I was in a hurry yesterday, and looks like I grabbed the game time for Friday's game (also against the Clippers) by mistake.

Sorry it's so late for the East coast folks, but it does give me time to eat dinner. :) I'll be back at tipoff for live blogging.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 6:21 PM MST up reply actions

Gonna try to stay up

.... but I might just make it to halftime.

by SueB on Dec 27, 2007 8:20 PM MST up reply actions

Q1 11:13 - Game on!

Amare opens the first possession with a score, helps out on the steal on the other end, then ends up at the line for two. Looks like Amare is in "take charge" mode early in the game.

Clipper robots..er..announcers are going on about the Suns' up and down season.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 8:44 PM MST reply actions

Q1 10:04 - All Amare so far

Amare has taken every shot for the Suns so far. Now back at the line for two...

...which he makes. Clippers have yet to get on the board. 8-0, Suns.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 8:47 PM MST reply actions

Q1 9:13 - Toiugh start for Kaman

Suns dodge the bullet as Kaman can't get it done right under the rim (again). Clippers get on the board for the first time courtesy of Corey Maggette's jumper as I'm typing this. 8-2, Suns.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 8:50 PM MST reply actions

Q1 7:52 - Amare back at the line

Misses one, makes the other. Amare has all 11 of the Suns' points so far.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 8:51 PM MST reply actions

Q1 7:11 - More people getting involved now

Suns get a couple of fast break points (second on a goal tend), adding Raja Bell and Shawn Marion to the scoring column.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 8:53 PM MST reply actions

Q1 6:10 - Nice defense by Marion

The Matrix smothers Sam Cassell to force a miss which leads to the rebound and fast-break score by Hill on the other end. Suns up 17-7.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 8:54 PM MST reply actions

In other news...

The Mavericks just went down at home to Cleveland. Perhaps the "slump bug" has passed onto the Mavs for a while.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 8:55 PM MST reply actions

yep

the mavs just shot horribly

by jasonsuns1 on Dec 27, 2007 9:05 PM MST up reply actions

I like Angry Amare...

by Seth Pollack on Dec 27, 2007 8:57 PM MST reply actions

WORD!!!!

:)

by SueB on Dec 27, 2007 9:02 PM MST up reply actions

me too!!

by jasonsuns1 on Dec 27, 2007 9:05 PM MST up reply actions

Q1 4:41 - Clips getting back in

Sam Cassell blocks LB. No, that's not a typo. Clippers make good on the other end, and Raja gets a tech. Clips close to 4 but it doesn't last long as the Matrix makes the statement dunk from somewhere up in the rafters on the other end. 19-13 Suns.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 8:59 PM MST reply actions

Q1 3:33 - Temper, temper

Nash gets a foul and a tech right after the Clippers got a tech. He's probably lucky he didn't get a second tech for mouthing off with some choice language that was easy to lip-read. :)

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 9:02 PM MST reply actions

Q1 2:42 - Skinner with the And-one

...with the "one" coming after the break. Opens the gap back up to four.

22-18 Suns.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 9:04 PM MST reply actions

Q1 2:40 - Make that five

Skinner completes the and-one, then helps force the three-second violation on the other end.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 9:07 PM MST reply actions

Q1 1:38 - Yawn.

The Clippers announcers are putting me to sleep. Both speak in monotone and the broadcast has kind of a summer league feel to it.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 9:08 PM MST reply actions

LOL

Those summer league games were painful.

by SueB on Dec 27, 2007 9:25 PM MST up reply actions

Q1 00:32 - One part luck, one part hustle

The Suns give up a ton of loose balls and rebounds, but still get the stop anyway thanks to blocks and other pesky defense.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 9:10 PM MST reply actions

After one

Suns lead 27-20. Amare has 11 points, three rebounds, and three blocks. He's gotten to the line six times and made all but one. Suns are at 45%, but holding Clippers to 29.6%. Clippers already have eight offensive rebounds.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 9:13 PM MST reply actions

Q2 11:23 - Panic button on hold

...so says the Clippers broadcast. They say Mike D'Antoni is saying he'll wait until March before trying "more Skinner, less Diaw". Hmmm...

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 9:15 PM MST reply actions

Q2 10:55 - Nice defense

...to get the stop, and nice tipping of the ball up the court to make a fast break score for Hill.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 9:16 PM MST reply actions

Q2 10:24 - Block party!

Grant Hill blocks Kaman. The Caveman can't get any love tonight as he's now 0-7, and still waiting to get on the scoreboard.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 9:17 PM MST reply actions

Q2 9:22 - Double-digits again...

...on Hill's jumper after the ball movement got him an opening. 34 points still seems a little un-Suns-like three minutes into the second quarter, but at least it's 10 more points than the Clippers.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 9:20 PM MST reply actions

Q2 7:48 - Amare on fire!

Took (and made) what looked like a forced turnaround jumper on the previous possession, and now gets the long jumper to go down. Amare is playing like somebody recently criticized the Suns' inside game.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 9:23 PM MST reply actions

Q2 5:48 - Skinner gets rewarded

For a YouTube-worthy block and some nice hustle to keep the possession alive on the other end. Slam off the Nash feed brings the Suns up 18.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 9:29 PM MST reply actions

Nice run w/ Nash on the bench

and even w/ Amare resting for about 1/2 the 1st qtr the offense slowed down but the D was still there.

Good effort tonight. Nice to see the team bounce back after getting embarrassed by the Lakers.

Oh - and does anyone else notice how quiet Staples Center is?

by Seth Pollack on Dec 27, 2007 9:29 PM MST reply actions

Yes.

That and the snooze-fest of a broadcast make me want to save this game on my DVR to replay anytime I find myself besieged by insomnia.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 9:35 PM MST up reply actions

Can't help you there

I am enjoying Thunder Dan and former Suns ball boy Tom Leander :)

They can be a bit goofy and certainly homerlicious but they are not boring...

by Seth Pollack on Dec 27, 2007 9:37 PM MST up reply actions

Q2 3:56

Great double block! Magetti blows by Amare but then Amare and Skinner both reject him at the rim and Bell commits a smart foul on Caveman before he can put the rebound in. I wonder who got credit for that block? Do they aware 1/2 blocks like they do for sacks in football?

by Seth Pollack on Dec 27, 2007 9:35 PM MST reply actions

Q2 2:35 - This is getting painful...

...for the Clippers. LB nails the three. Suns up by 22 at 54-32.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 9:38 PM MST reply actions

Q2 2:26 54 - 32

LB for three!

Then a great pass from Nash to Amare and Amare to Marion but Marion can't finish the easy lay in.

Let's hope for a Marks, Banks, Tucker appearance about 1/2 through the 3rd Q.

by Seth Pollack on Dec 27, 2007 9:40 PM MST reply actions

Yeah, too bad DJ's in the D-League

Sounds like DJ's doing pretty well in Albuquerque though. See link here. I recommend skipping to the bottom. The rest of the article is too painful.

Meanwhile, the Suns are up by 19 after a few plays I missed while I was fetching that article.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 9:43 PM MST up reply actions

Since you took the time

to track it down I will be sure to read it during half time. :)

by Seth Pollack on Dec 27, 2007 9:48 PM MST up reply actions

Q1 00:12 - Suspense is killing me!

Can the Suns end the half up by 20 or more?

...that would be a "negative". Suns with the turnover when Amare forgets to look for the ball on the Nash pass. Keystone Kops play of the night.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 9:45 PM MST reply actions

Nash's no look pass

hit Amare in the head. It was supposed to go to Hill in the corner. Oops. I hope that just keeps Amare mad...

by Seth Pollack on Dec 27, 2007 9:55 PM MST up reply actions

Oh ok

I didn't catch that he was trying to pass to Hill. Thought it was just a miscommunication.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 10:00 PM MST up reply actions

At the half

Suns lead 59-40 at the half. Amare leads the way with 20 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks, and the blooper of the night on that play mentioned above. (SueB: Any chance we could get a YouTube "blooper reel" for plays like that?)

Nash has taken a grand total of two shots, making one. He has seven assists.

Speaking of assists, Marion has four. Is it just me, or has he been racking up the assists more than usual lately? (Often with Grant Hill as the receiving party, which is very nice to see).

10 apiece for Hill and LB. Suns' overall percentage is up to 52.6% and the Clippers at 30.8%. The Caveman is 1-11. Only three offensive rebounds for the Clips in the second quarter after getting eight in the first. Rebounding edge is almost non-existent at 22-24. The Suns have eight blocks to the Clippers' three, with four different Suns having at least one.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 9:53 PM MST reply actions

Signing off

I am putting up the laptop so I can focus on the 2nd half. I keep missing plays trying to type and watch...

I hope the Suns come out hard in the 3rd qtr and put this away early...here's to a 30 pt lead and lots of minutes for our bench guys.

Enjoy.

by Seth Pollack on Dec 27, 2007 9:57 PM MST reply actions

From the halftime report...

...on the Clippers' broadcast:

All Aboard the Kaman All-Star Campaign

...Um...maybe tonight isn't the best timing for that, given that Kaman is probably having his worst night of the season (I'm guessing).

Meanwhile, looks like the fans attending this game are being treated to the "Quick Change" show. Best halftime performers in the league, hands down.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 9:59 PM MST reply actions

Q3 9:52 - Ugh

DVR flaked out causing me to miss the first two minutes of the second half. Looks like the Suns didn't waste time getting that 20-point lead they stopped just short of in the first. The lead is up to 25 at 65-60 after what I presume were a couple of nice possessions by the Suns.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 10:05 PM MST reply actions

Make that 65-40

Typos R Us

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 10:10 PM MST up reply actions

Q3 9:00 - Amare owns Kaman!

...at least for tonight. Steals the rebound, then slams on Caveman's head. Clipper fans have broken out the boos. (At least they're finally making some noise).

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 10:07 PM MST reply actions

Q3 7:55 - Nash beats up on Kaman too

Gets the and-one on the flying jumper on the way out of bounds.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 10:08 PM MST reply actions

Q3 7:31 - Clippers may not score again...

...so says the announcers. Meanwhile, Bell scores again, bringing the lead to 33. 74-41, Suns.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 10:09 PM MST reply actions

Q3 6:28 - Pouring on the salt

Nash with the three.

...Clippers finally make a shot on the next time, but Hill gets it right back. 79-43, Suns.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 10:13 PM MST reply actions

Q3 4:28 - Amare can't miss tonight

...Looking like one of those "anything he throws up goes in" nights now.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 10:15 PM MST reply actions

Q3 3:45 - Here come the Clips!

Cut the lead to 29. Doesn't last long as Skinner makes the short jumper on the other end.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 10:17 PM MST reply actions

Q4 2:40 - Nash in foul trouble

Picks up his 4th. Doesn't look like that's much of an issue right now.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 10:19 PM MST reply actions

Q3 2:34 - Ross can't make a free throw

That was ugly. Couldn't get it in, even with a second attempt from the lane violation.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 10:22 PM MST reply actions

wow

this is crazy, I had to leave to do some work and put up some shelves

TexSun...your comment above "so says the Clippers broadcast. They say Mike D'Antoni is saying he'll wait until March before trying "more Skinner, less Diaw". Hmmm..." interesting....

by jasonsuns1 on Dec 27, 2007 10:23 PM MST reply actions

Should probably be more clear

The "more Skinner, less Diaw" was in reference to JSun's one-line recap of a recent Suns loss. What they actually said is that Mike D'Antoni isn't ready to go to the Skinner+Amare lineup at the expense of cutting minutes from someone else (although they did specifically mention Diaw).

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 10:29 PM MST up reply actions

go AMARE!!

I don't know what is more impressive, 11-14 fg or 10 free throw attempts! Amare has 30 and has only take 14 shots, I say let him get 50 tonight, really let him make a statement!

by jasonsuns1 on Dec 27, 2007 10:25 PM MST reply actions

As much as I would love to see Amare get 50...

...You won't find me yelling at the TV with Mike D'Antoni opting to start the 4th with Amare on the bench and the Suns up by 30. I'd rather see him get another 30 tomorrow night.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 10:32 PM MST up reply actions

if bell was on target

we'd be up by 35-40

scary when our offense is on

by jasonsuns1 on Dec 27, 2007 10:26 PM MST reply actions

After three

Suns take a 30-point lead into the fourth. They're up 89-59. Amare has 30 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks, with 11-14 shooting. Suns' shooting is up to nearly 57%, and the Suns even have the edge on the boards now too.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 10:28 PM MST reply actions

Q4 10:24 - Victory cigars have started

Banks starts the fourth and nails a three. Suns up 92-61.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 10:30 PM MST reply actions

Q4 8:34 - Diaw

Is really trying to pick up where Amare left off, but it just isn't falling for him tonight.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 10:33 PM MST reply actions

Q4 6:50 - Pike sighting

Into the game as victory cigar #2. One more to go.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 10:39 PM MST reply actions

Q4 6:02 - He's the one guy you like to see shoot

The Clippers announcers on Diaw. Ouch.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 10:40 PM MST reply actions

Q4 5:40 - Forgot about Marks!

I was referring to Alando in the previous "one more to go" comment about "victory cigars". But Marks is the one who takes the floor with Pike, Banks, Diaw and LB.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 10:44 PM MST reply actions

Q4 4:05 - Kaman with his first...

..."single-single" they say. I guess it really was his worst night of the season.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 10:46 PM MST reply actions

Q4 3:27 - Josh Powell with the...

...um..interesting block attempt. Gets the technical foul for hanging onto the net while trying to block the shot.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 10:47 PM MST reply actions

Q4 3:09 - Pike with the blooper

Gets the dubious "assist" when he accidentally "passes" the ball to a wide-open Clipper under the basket.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 10:48 PM MST reply actions

Q4 2:46 - Alando is in!

...and so continues the parade of victory cigars. Banks, Marks, Pike, Diaw, and the rookie to finish the fourth.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 10:52 PM MST reply actions

Q4 1:37 "Instant Offense" from Banks

11 points in the garbage time version of the "Eddie House" role.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 10:53 PM MST reply actions

And that's the game

Suns win 108-88. Amare locked up Player of the Game somewhere in the first half. Amare in the post-game interview: "We needed that". Couldn't agree more.

...now let's do it again tomorrow!

Recap coming up shortly. Thanks everyone who followed along and chimed in on the live blogging.

by TexSUN on Dec 27, 2007 10:57 PM MST reply actions

My favorite part

When the Suns dominate they way they did tonight, my favorite part is not the plays, but the opportunity for the reserves to play. Out of all the bench, Banks impressed me the most. Was not happy to see Marks take 3's (even though I know he can make them). He needs to be perfecting his post play, a role he will be needed for in the long haul and the playoffs.

"Act well your part: there all the honor lies"-Alexander Pope

by PurplePinoy on Dec 27, 2007 10:58 PM MST reply actions

thanks for posting your comments TexSun

Helped me to do other things back and forth, this is the Amare that will carry us to the finals, the big question, why didn't he play like this against the lakers....probably a mix of not as strong opponents in the clippers and he was more motivated tonight.... anyone else's thoughts?

Did I read that right, 15 rebounds for Amare, that's double what he's been getting, if he can do this 4 out of 5 games, we're back on track for being the team we have the potential to be!!

by jasonsuns1 on Dec 27, 2007 11:07 PM MST reply actions

Phoenix Suns	at	Los Angeles Clippers
19-9		9-17
8:30 PM Mountain / 10:30 PM Eastern
TV: FSN AZ HD, NBA League Pass
Probable starters:
Steve Nash	PG	Sam Cassell
Raja Bell	SG	Quinton Ross
Grant Hill	SF	Corey Maggette
Shawn Marion	PF	Al Thornton
Amare Stoudemire	C	Chris Kaman

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Game Day Open Thread: Suns at LA Clippers

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