Of Futility and Frustration

by ZonaFlash on Nov 14, 2008 12:03 AM MST

Although we've all probably heard nearly enough of that much ado about nothing against the Rockets and sage advice that may pass for wisdom, but let's do get to the bottom of this.

Barnes bitch move was most like the power block that sends a basketball out of bounds and into the stands. It's a statement. It's an energizer. It's a crowd-pleaser and a fan favorite.

However, it's also bad basketball. You know it and I know it. That's why we're here. All a power block does is put the ball back in the hands of the opponent when a soft block could have easily deflected the ball to a teammate and earned a possession.

What Barnes did was the power block. Praise his toughness. Praise his fire. Sure. But it was bad basketball. How does a tough guy really handle a hard pick? How about setting a few himself? Get a knee in the thigh? Don't get mad and throw a clothesline or a haymaker or a cheap shot and then complain about the big mean Rockets on the radio. How about simply returning the favor? How about returning the favor when it could actually help the game rather than when you're down 16 going on 19? Sure, maybe Barnes could have gotten away with chucking his man a had Rafer not come back to him. But aren't there more subtle ways of doing it? Besides, why not put a hand in TMac's face while he shot that open 3 instead of hitting Alston?

What we saw was someone getting upset because he's supposed to be lockdown defender and got shined down not by big star TMac but by another bit player making his way in the NBA. Alston's 15 in the first half was way bigger than TMac's 22 in the 2nd half. We saw futility and frustration, not tough basketball. Tough basketball, if played well, you won't see at all but hear about it in the radio shows and quotes of opposing players.

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Comments

Barnes was right

It wasn’t that big a deal, and I don’t know why we’re still talking about it. It wasn’t a punch to the nuts when no one was looking, he didn’t stick his foot under someone coming down from a jump shot, it was a shove to the chest right in front of a ref.

It’s not Tim Thomas being a punk and walking through the Mav’s huddle, it’s not Raja clotheslining Kobe, it’s Barnes saying “You want to play rough? Fuck you.”

by hcblankscreen on Nov 14, 2008 1:16 AM MST reply actions

we're talking about it mainly b/c we're waiting on the next game and we lost the last one. =)

Suns Re-ignited.

by ZonaFlash on Nov 14, 2008 3:01 AM MST up reply actions

“it’s Barnes saying "You want to play rough? Fuck you."”

That worked out well for him and the Suns, didn’t it?

by Jeffrey on Nov 14, 2008 9:11 AM MST up reply actions

Right

And playing the normal style, missing open shots and getting bullied all over the floor was working out so well, too. Oh wait, we were down by almost 20.

by Azreous on Nov 14, 2008 11:05 AM MST up reply actions

agreed but the option is to set hard picks and do that stuff in the flow of the game

Suns Re-ignited.

by ZonaFlash on Nov 14, 2008 12:07 PM MST up reply actions

I don't disagree.

That’s exactly what Barnes should have done. I only take exception to the idea that somehow this had an impact in the Suns losing to the Rockets.

by Azreous on Nov 14, 2008 5:08 PM MST up reply actions

Here's the problem. And I like it.

The problem: I’m tired of watching the Suns bend over grab their ankles and do the “right thing”. I’m tired of seeing “good basketball”. The NBA has allowed (not just concerning the Suns) teams to get abused due to the rules / referee bias / conspiracy / whatever you want to call it.

The solution: Be meaner and stop caring about good basketball, suspensions, referees, Kobe Bryants, The San Antonio Sterns. If they give you lip and push you around you know them the **** out and win the game. It only ever is what you make of it.

by antiw0rm on Nov 14, 2008 7:57 AM MST reply actions