Open Gameday Thread - Suns vs Kings
by Seth Pollack on Nov 14, 2008 5:56 PM MST
in Phoenix Suns Commentary
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PrintPhoenix Suns at Sacramento Kings, Nov 14, 2008 8:00 PM MST
 Phoenix Suns |
 Sacramento Kings |
|
| 6-3 | 4-5 | |
| 8:00 PM Mountain / 10:00 PM Eastern | ||
| TV: My45 HD | ||
| Probable starters: | ||
| PG | Beno Udrih | |
| Raja Bell | SG | John Salmons |
| SF | Jason Thompson | |
| Amare Stoudemire |
PF | Miki Moore |
| Shaq | C | Brad Miller |
Well, this certainly isn't looking like a plain old game against the Kings anymore is it...
Let's see, where to start....suspensions...poor shooting....the Kings bigs...the Kings injuries...LB's departure...no lack of storylines for this one so let's jump right in:
- The Sun's will be down 3 key players tonight with the suspensions of Barnes and Nash and Barbosa's indefinite leave from the team to attend to the passing of his mother in Brazil. Tucker is still recovering from his knee scope.
- We feel for LB who was very close to his mother. This is a big loss and not to be insensitive but will likely impact the team for some time. Even when Barbosa comes back (which I am guessing will be at least two weeks) it is unlikely he's going to be able to refocus any time soon. Matt Barnes went through exactly this situation last year and admitted that it pretty much ruined his season. Hopefully, Matt and the rest of the team can help LB through this.
- As for the suspensions, this seems harsh. No punches were thrown. I can see one game each for Barnes and Rafer. Or even two games for Barnes and one for Rafer but I don't think Nash should have been suspended.
- I've thought for awhile now that the league has gone too far in "cleaning up the game". These things are to be expected and my gut reaction is that lawyers and marketing types in NYC are thinking more about the corporate sponsors and rich season ticket holders then about the players and the "normal" fan. That's a topic for another time though.
- This all leaves the Suns VERY thin with three guards and a wing not available to play. Since the Suns only carry the league minimum of 13 that makes for a very thin available back court of Dragic, Bell and Singletary.
- The good news for Suns fans is that the Kings are without their two long and talented 6'7" shooting guards Kevin Martin and Francisco Garcia. The Suns have done well against Martin in the past but Garcia has been a handful for us.
- The battle of the Slovenia point guards goes to Beno of course with his greater experience but between Dragic and Sean you would think we wouldn't get killed here. If this game were against a different team - like the Grizzlies - we would be in serious trouble. As it is we are only in regular trouble.
- The Kings front line on the other hand is huge. They play 3 7fters in Miller, Moore and Hawes and then Jason Thompson at 6'11" should be starting at the 3. He's reportedly been giving teams fits on the glass and without Barnes we should expect to see Diaw play a lot tonight at the 3 and expect to see Lopez more as well.
- In fact, I would consider starting Diaw at the 3 and bringing in Hill behind Bell at the 2. Or even starting Hill at the 2. AmundSun can get minutes behind Amare and Lopez and Shaq can rotate at Center. Of course Dragic and Singletary will have to handle Beno and I guess Bobby Brown is the Kings backup PG.
- I worry about Q. Douby as well. That guy light it up in Vegas and played well last year. He was a DNP CD in the Kings last game though and only has 14 minutes on the year. Not sure what's up with that.
- This game will come down to Amare for the Suns offense. If Sun Tzu can rebound from a bad night against the Rockets he certainly can carry this team to a win. Containing John Salmons will be critical as well.
- Wins in games like this count more for morale and we will see if this team can not only bounce back from a poor showing against the Rockets but also overcome being down four players.
- What orginally looked like a "break" on the schedule between the Rockets and Pistons now will be a real character test.
Don't miss checking out Tom Ziller's Sactown Royalty for the other side of things.
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Tonight's game
I actually have a good feeling about the game tonight for a couple reasons:
- We’ll get to see Dragic sink or swim
- Bench gets significant playing time
- Amare will need to dominate (and will)
- We get to see how our team bounces back from adversity and a poor showing with lots of criticism
At this point, I would have to think the team is more concerned with LB and making sure he is okay. Like Stan, I’m hopeful that we can rally and get a good win for morale leading into the Pistons game on Sunday. We certainly need a good showing on our home floor.
It's Ba-Nash. It's a no brainer.
i agree with this.
here’s why i’m excited/curious:
1. i’m also curious to see what happens with dragic running the starting job. like ben said, it’s either sink or swim for him…and, with his performance against the rockets, i think it will be a slow doggy paddle. not quite swimming, but not sinking.
2. amaré will have the chance to take advantage of the kings. while i’ve been impressed with spencer hawes’ play early on in the season, and brad miller is doing what brad miller does, they don’t quite have the mobility to keep up with amaré (granted, he does what he does).
3. i’m interested/worried to see how the suns bench situation is handled. here’s my quick predictions:
PG: dragic starts, singletary off the bench. (hill will likely take ball handling responsibilities a lot of the time, too.)
SG: bell starts, and who will come off the bench? with alando out with injury and LB in brazil, we’ve got a bit of a shortage here.
SF: hill starts, diaw off the bench.
PF: amaré starts, amundson off the bench.
C: shaq starts, lopez off the bench.
for once, we actually have more bigs than guards. take this moment in, suns fans.
and, as ben said, i’m worried about barbosa. i know how emotional the guy is, and i know he was pretty torn up about his mother being sick in the first place. i hope he comes back and is still able to concentrate on basketball. i know it’ll take awhile for him to come into form, but i hope the guy doesn’t have a marbury-like self destruction. the good thing is, we have a coach and guys that are willing to support him through his tough time, unlike the marbury/isiah melodrama of last season. best wishes to LB.
by Trevor Paxton on Nov 14, 2008 4:46 PM MST up reply actions
LB
It’s good that Barnes is here to help LB since Matt went through the same thing, around the same time, last year. They were both really close to their mothers. IATP, I agree, we have a great group of guys that will help him through this.
Like what I saw at the end of the 1st. I swear, if Bell keeps complaining about the offense and he keeps missing shots I’ll go crazy.
It's Ba-Nash. It's a no brainer.
Dragic sink or swim or tread water
I don’t think we should rush to judgment as a result of this one game either way. Goran is a several year project. We are just getting started.
Tonight is more like a pop quiz in the first term of the first semester. We can see where he is so far but the score tonight won’t tell us what the final grade will be or how well he swims or sinks.
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Nov 14, 2008 6:29 PM MST up reply actions
Agreed
I just hope Suns fans don’t run him out of town like Spurs fans did to Udrih, who has turned out to be pretty decent, as we should see tonight. So far, Dragic’s performed better than Nash in a couple of games, at least stats wise.
by Suns' Sensei on Nov 14, 2008 7:42 PM MST up reply actions
Again, not that this is the most important thing with LB right now...
But it’s a night like tonight that I really wish we had Tucker available.
Scott Williams
I’m against him as an announcer. I’d rather have Dan get my coffee.
Leander and Williams together might kill me.
Leander is making the same stupid jokes that no one listens to, but at least Thunder made fun of him. Williams just doesn’t know what’s going on and says the same pointless things that I’m saying while watching in my underwear.
Mmmmm ... Guinness
We look better when we're running.
Singletary looks good, and our offense doesn’t look so clunky. Apparently we do have that kind of personnel Senor Porter.
oops
finally shut me up…for the next two minutes
by ArizonaCactus on Nov 14, 2008 9:03 PM MST up reply actions
Shaq
Having a big game … against a team he would’ve had 50 against back in his prime.
I wonder if he’ll twitter smack after this game. Kind of like me feeling tough for beating up kids (which I do often — The Fist Foot Way is autobiographical)
Mmmmm ... Guinness
Nash who?
I am starting to think that Cut Dragic guy is getting to me. Singletary is impressive. He plays with a LOT of confidence and energy. He’s waving guys around and moving his feet. I want to see more of this kid. Not that Dragic is playing poorly tonight.
Oh, and if Bell hadn’t hit those two open 3’s I might have flown to Sacto to smack him myself.
And yes Suns fans. Thank god for Shaq.
Blogging Suns Basketball
Amare btw is getting jobbed
I can’t believe he’s not getting to the line. They are hacking the crap out of him.
And no Lopez?
Blogging Suns Basketball
Sitting on the bench
Don’t put him in just to put him in because he’s there. He’ll get enough free time when Shaq’s out and/or too tired to be useful.
Mmmmm ... Guinness
No jinxing allowed
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Nov 14, 2008 9:23 PM MST up reply actions
I'm not talking about tonight
He’ll get free time throughout the season.
He’ll get garbage time tonight.
Mmmmm ... Guinness
It's not as bad as it seems
He’s also missing some he’s been making.
How is MVP watch after the past 1.5 games?
Mmmmm ... Guinness
Extend Dragic
His shot will start falling. He’s doing well.
Don’t forget that Singletary is a worse defender than Nash and Shaq combined, and he’s really small. A driving guard would eat him eat worse that CP3 or Parker destroys Nash.
Mmmmm ... Guinness
I don't know
He is small and guy like Billups would eat him alive. But he’s quick and works hard.
Like I said. I want to see him more.
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Nov 14, 2008 9:20 PM MST up reply actions
In the preseason
I saw Augustin shred him. Worst of all, he was — literally — playing ole defense. He was standing midcourt shading Augustin to one side — which happened be the side of the lane that Augustin blew by.
He’d also get eaten alive by big guards. Double whanmy.
Mmmmm ... Guinness
Btw Suns fans
The Kings also just look horrible against the Suns zone. They only got it inside once on a baseline cut to Miller who passed it off to someone else cutting for a dunk.
They are settling for outside J’s and not getting rebounds.
Blogging Suns Basketball
How about this
Rockets get beat by the Spurs…I guess Rafer really was their key
Blogging Suns Basketball
Singletary
Stan – that Cut Goran guy may be getting to me too…it’s not that I’m anywhere near wanting to cut him it’s just that he has me watching and nitpicking his play.
It's Ba-Nash. It's a no brainer.
Goran
That was a message from God. As soon as I submitted that comment Goran stole the ball.
I
It's Ba-Nash. It's a no brainer.
Leaving Soon
Let me know what happens. At 10 I’m swithing over to the new Star Wars: Clone Wars episode on the Cartoon Network. It’s part 2 of last week’s episode. R2D2 has been captured by General Grievous and Anakin and Ahsoka (Anakin’s Padawan learner) are going looking for him. R3 (aka "Goldie") has replaced R2, but R3 is incompetent. I think he’s probably a Separatist Plant.
Anyway, keep up the commentary here so I can follow while watching Star Wars. Thanks, guys.
Mmmmm ... Guinness
huh? Star who?
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Nov 14, 2008 9:45 PM MST up reply actions
Hill and Shaq combination
Old age and treachery will always defeat youth and skill. Too bad the Kings don’t even have the “skill” part.
We’re seeing the really good old guys team down at the Y schooling some youngsters.
Mmmmm ... Guinness
I like seeing Goran drive and kick
Hes got a nice handle in the lane, I thought we’d be seeing him drive a little when we got him.
He's playing well
Good to see.
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Nov 14, 2008 9:45 PM MST up reply actions
Robin
Would be nice to see how he plays against a center like Brad Miller. Hopefully we’ll see him in the 4th.
It's Ba-Nash. It's a no brainer.
Turnovers
I’m putting the over-under on the turnovers against Detroit at 25. Which do you want?
Mmmmm ... Guinness
Amundson
He sure gets to the basket well but misses (barely) every time. Love his energy and athleticism though.
It's Ba-Nash. It's a no brainer.
Singletary/Dragic
Singletary has impressed me so far tonight – seems to have good ball control and vision. Same thing with Goran but better defense.
No doubt we’ll see a post from the Cut Goran dude on this…
It's Ba-Nash. It's a no brainer.
where's STAT?
This is where we need him most. come on, help me guys. I can’t see the game. Why isn’t he doing better?
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
STAT never likes to get more rebounds than points
The only reasonable explanation for him blowing that rebound.
by hcblankscreen on Nov 14, 2008 10:29 PM MST up reply actions
on the verge of losing
It’s like Stoudemire thought he did enough work for the month in that 49 point game. This would be a really stupid loss.
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
Porter
is really starting to piss me off.
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
For a second I thought
you were talking about Josh Howard
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
Porter
I’m not sure that was Porter’s fault as much as Hill’s and Amare’s. Both the screen and shot came way too early.
It's Ba-Nash. It's a no brainer.
OT
a chance for Amare to redeem himself
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
Singletary in
With Hill running the point.
Good choice as Singletary’s shown he can shoot but Dragic hasn’t.
Mmmmm ... Guinness
To be fair, our point guards not only are bad defenders
But they also have to play with the worst pick n’ roll defender in teh league.
Who the heck is Bobby Brown?
Is this a Frank Zappa rerun?
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
the kind i have after a night of heavy drinking and filibertos. greasy, painful, and ultimately unrewarding.
by ArizonaCactus on Nov 14, 2008 10:53 PM MST up reply actions
Quick!!
what are the odds we win in this OT?
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
STAT
I guess he didn’t want to play another overtime.
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
Lakers about to lose
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
LA sucks
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
I'd rather play them with AI...
than with Billups. Did you see what e did to the Celtics?
Man, Lakers, Celts and Hawks lost on the same night. No more undefeateds.
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
No Nash
A win without Nash. There’s something about that.
On the replay, Doris looks like he’s trying to take the foul for Amare.
Mmmmm ... Guinness
Thank our lucky Cactus
Even though Amare won the game with a shot and a block, we would have been killed without Shaq. Score one for Steve Kerr.
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
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