GameThread: Suns at Half Jazz
by ZonaFlash on Nov 17, 2008 2:07 PM MST
57 comments
Phoenix Suns at Utah Jazz, Nov 17, 2008 7:00 PM MST
 Phoenix Suns |
 Utah Jazz |
|
| 8-3 | 6-4 | |
| 7:00 PM Pacific / 9:00 PM Eastern | ||
| TV: My45, KJZZ |
||
| Probable starters: | ||
| Steve Nash | PG | Ronnie Price |
| Raja Bell | SG | Ronnie Brewer |
| Matt Barnes is Back! | SF | C.J. Miles |
| Amar'e Stoudemire |
PF | Carlos Boozer |
| Shaq? Rookie Robin Lopez? |
C | Rookie Kosta Koufos |
It's hard to keep up with the Suns' roster these days, following 2 suspensions, two ejections and waiting on a possible suspension for Shaq in the first 11 games for the "NBA Bad Boys".
I have no sympathy for all these suspended players, because, hey, the Suns are winning.
However, I am really starting to convince myself that a change in NBA management is due. Term limits for the commish are in order.
On the one hand, it's pretty bad that players are now resorting to padded protective gear under their unis, as the level of contact has devolved to that in a football game. On the other hand, the eagerness with which Stern has chosen to punish Suns players while turning a blind eye elsewhere is mesmerizing. Just as Suns management has realized physical play is the only way to compete with the perennial physical (dirty) teams like San Antonio and Utah, the Sternites decide to clean up the game? Just when the Suns go out and get these tougher players like Bell, Barnes and Shaq does the league start wagging their fingers "no"?
Stern will not be attending the All-star game in Phoenix this year. I know it already. The latest round of retribution will not patch up the wrongs of years past. Not so secretly, David Stern hates the Suns. I want to see him retired by the end of the season. iViva la revolucion!
In the meantime, the physical suns need to learn more subtlety.
Today is a good day to learn it from the Utah Jazz, who have been one of the more physical teams in the league for 20 years. However, The Jazz are a shadow of their normal selves, with injuries sidelining star Deron Williams for 8 games so far. Key players and former all-stars Andrei Kirilenko, Mehmet Okur and Matt Harpring have also been out, for a least 4 games each. For this reason, Utah tanked its 5-game East Coast road trip, going a pitiful 1-4.
Therefore, Shaq or no Shaq, and regardless of the sizeable Energy Solutions home court advantage, the Suns should get this game without too much x's & o's help from me.
I hope to see Rookie Robin Lopez start against 19 year old rookie Kosta Koufos and a good battle between MVP contenders Boozer and Stoudemire, especially Amar'e defense on the Big Booze.
Check out the action on SLC DUNK. Want more? Try True Blue Jazz. Also the blogger power rankings are there.
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I hope we don't get any more guys suspended this game
Probably Stern and his cronies will find some way to ban Nash for his “unnecessary and excessive violent fouls” for the next five games after watching Nash roughhouse poor little Ronnie Price.
I can already see the headlines.
Btw I forgot to rant about Bogut’s ejection. He was struggling for control of the ball and his elbow inadvertently bumped KG’s chin. It hardly looked intentional, and even if it did, it was way too soft to be described as anything other than a foul. Not even a hard foul. C’mon man, Andrew Bogus is the Australian Yoghurt, you can’t eject him for something so totally weak!
by felixthm on Nov 17, 2008 7:27 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
And I thought we were thin
Yikes – that’s quite the 2nd unit we are facing tonight.
If Sloan were smart he would go small and make Shaq try and guard Boozer – which he can’t but of course as well as Shaq has been playing (yes, yes I know) he would destroy the little fella on the other end.
What the Suns should watch tonight in Utah (besides the white out at the arena) is the way the Jazz pass the ball. Its seems like we are improving each game a little bit but Nash and Hill especially are trying too hard and not making smart passes. The off the ball movement still isn’t.
Guys like Bell and Grant need to move more and the offense still needs to figure out what to do when Shaq has the ball in the low block. Standing and watching is my job. Moving, cutting and disrupting the D is there’s.
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Phoenix Stan on Nov 17, 2008 8:38 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Always hard to win in Utah
It's Ba-Nash. It's a no brainer.
by Suns Ben on Nov 17, 2008 9:22 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Reports
are saying Okur got back in town last night and there’s a good chance he’ll play tonight.
by Azreous on Nov 17, 2008 11:18 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
That's the guy
I didn’t want to see play. Amare will do the Honors of guarding him cause Shaq will be useless on the perimeter.
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
by PanamaSun on Nov 17, 2008 1:04 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
No problem now!
Window Closed? Shit, just break it then.
by ZonaFlash on Nov 17, 2008 4:52 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
my worryu is that we don't defend the 3 anyway. Okur can bomb away and we'll let him
Window Closed? Shit, just break it then.
by ZonaFlash on Nov 17, 2008 4:52 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Power Rankings
This weeks rankings are actually at True Blue Jazz and not SLC Dunk.
This will be a great game. The Jazz desperately need a win and the Suns are looking for some retribution for all of the bad press they’ve received lately.
I say Jazz by 4 and around 195 pts.
We bleed True Blue.
www.truebluejazz.com
by CB Jack on Nov 17, 2008 2:24 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Sorry CB - I'm a bit slow on this
Thanks for hosting the power rankings at TBJ!
Window Closed? Shit, just break it then.
by ZonaFlash on Nov 17, 2008 4:44 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
No Okur
Okur returns, won’t play tonight
http://www.sltrib.com/jazz/ci_11006069
Article says Jarron Collins will start in his place.
by SueB on Nov 17, 2008 5:33 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Lol. Jarron Collins. That's quite a relief
I don’t really think anyone on our team can guard Boozer. Amare has all the physical tools but right now, I still don’t see the defensive skills/footwork, intensity, or desire in him. With his length and athleticism, he’s the type of defender that completely has Boozer’s number.
by felixthm on Nov 17, 2008 6:28 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Zone
I except to see a LOT of the zone tonight
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Phoenix Stan on Nov 17, 2008 7:06 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
way too early in the season for the mohawks
Window Closed? Shit, just break it then.
by ZonaFlash on Nov 17, 2008 7:12 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
CJ ridiculous!
Window Closed? Shit, just break it then.
by ZonaFlash on Nov 17, 2008 7:20 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
5 for 5 13pts...
Window Closed? Shit, just break it then.
by ZonaFlash on Nov 17, 2008 7:22 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Nice play Amare!
Window Closed? Shit, just break it then.
by ZonaFlash on Nov 17, 2008 7:29 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Oh great!
Jeff Hornacek in the booth!
The only guy both Suns and Jazz fans can love.
Window Closed? Shit, just break it then.
by ZonaFlash on Nov 17, 2008 7:41 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
does anyone have a link
anybody have a link to watch the game?
beat the cats!
by 314twin on Nov 17, 2008 7:45 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
http://www.atdhe.net/
here is a good one!
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
by PanamaSun on Nov 17, 2008 7:52 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
raja ejected? what happened?
I kind of like Suns = Bad Boys 2008
by cah05 on Nov 17, 2008 7:51 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Maybe I need to take back what I said about Scott Williams
He blamed Raja’s technical for the Jazz’ mini-run. Love that Scott Williams
Mmmmm ... Guinness
by JSun on Nov 17, 2008 7:53 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Wait, Raja only got 1 tech right?
Did Porter send him to the locker room?
by hcblankscreen on Nov 17, 2008 7:57 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Jazz Out-hustling the Suns..
Nash in foul trouble?
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
by PanamaSun on Nov 17, 2008 8:00 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
stat too a bit. He completely backed out of a play to avoid the foul
Window Closed? Shit, just break it then.
by ZonaFlash on Nov 17, 2008 8:01 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
What's up with the stupid fouls...
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
by PanamaSun on Nov 17, 2008 8:03 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Oh and Shaq looks winded...
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
by PanamaSun on Nov 17, 2008 8:04 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
there’s a stoppage in play every 2 seconds… at this rate they’ll all foul out by halftime
I'm just like you, only ten times better.
by noonoo on Nov 17, 2008 8:05 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
hey man, welcome back!
Window Closed? Shit, just break it then.
by ZonaFlash on Nov 17, 2008 8:15 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Free Throws
Good thing the Jazz are missing some.
It's Ba-Nash. It's a no brainer.
by Suns Ben on Nov 17, 2008 8:07 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
It's our gigantour lineup
Diaw be dunkin’
by hcblankscreen on Nov 17, 2008 8:08 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
HAHAHA
That drunk Suns fan is cracking me up man.. lol
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
by PanamaSun on Nov 17, 2008 8:13 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
2nd Half
I’m looking for Nash and Amare to play much more this half (provided he watches his fouls). Both of their shots looked good in the 1st half. Remember, we have 2 days rest before the Lakers.
It's Ba-Nash. It's a no brainer.
by Suns Ben on Nov 17, 2008 8:25 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Steve and Shaq 4 a piece
Gimme some RoLo
by hcblankscreen on Nov 17, 2008 8:35 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Where is Diaw??
Porter needs to play him…he’s been on the bench forever
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
by PanamaSun on Nov 17, 2008 8:50 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Someone
Needs to step the hell up.
It's Ba-Nash. It's a no brainer.
by Suns Ben on Nov 17, 2008 8:52 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
We haven't been able to get over the hump
everytime we get close the Jazz hit the dagger…
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
by PanamaSun on Nov 17, 2008 9:00 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Lopez and Amundson
Why are they getting no PT tonight? They both played well and had a lot of energy last game.
by brian13 on Nov 17, 2008 9:01 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
The Refs are blowing the whistle at everything..
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
by PanamaSun on Nov 17, 2008 9:03 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Dammit!!
Why is Grant shooting a Three?!!
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
by PanamaSun on Nov 17, 2008 9:12 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Complete meltdown
Jazz deserve the win. We can’t even get back on the break when we’re down by double digits.
It's Ba-Nash. It's a no brainer.
by Suns Ben on Nov 17, 2008 9:20 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Nash missing everything down the stretch
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
by PanamaSun on Nov 17, 2008 9:21 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
can’t rebound to save their life
I'm just like you, only ten times better.
by noonoo on Nov 17, 2008 9:26 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Guess we really suck on back to backs...
Shaq is tired man.. I saw it since the 2nd quarter
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
by PanamaSun on Nov 17, 2008 9:26 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
yep
i don’t know if they’d do this, but with lopez and amundson, I’d take shaq out on the first or second game of back to backs. But Shaq only played half the game last night….
If shaq went right up instead of bending down to jump 2 inches, he’d have scored instead of having his shot blocked so many times tonight…don’t ya think?
by be-the-ball on Nov 17, 2008 10:21 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
It's okay though
We have our “balanced coach” along with our “missing piece” and our “MVP” PF, so we should be just set.
The effort out there was pathetic.
by rsavaj on Nov 17, 2008 10:19 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
I am really proud of you guys as fans.
You credited the Jazz for the win, even though there were some awful calls. I am a Jazz fan, but I really like the suns too. And the refs called some horrendous calls on Nash. With that said, the Jazz played with more hustle tonight. You will get us back when we get you guys on the road.
The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.
by clarkpojo on Nov 17, 2008 10:22 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Thanks
kinda expected a letdown tonight, especially on the second part of a back to back.
I just wish the refs had swallowed their damn whistles for just a little bit.
Good effort by the Jazz though, they wanted it and they took it.
The Suns were tired and confounded and they just couldnt making it all click
Moving on
"Yeah I could have been king, but maybe I already am king. Hail to the king baby." Ash from Army of Darkness
by Turambar on Nov 18, 2008 12:05 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I was ready to blame the fouls
And maybe I could’ve if the Suns lost by 3. Rebounding killed the Suns, not the refs.
Mmmmm ... Guinness
by JSun on Nov 18, 2008 8:16 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Pathetic
Shaq looked like he played 40 minutes last night rather than 12. I guess he should sit out the 2nd game of a back to back. And what happened to playing our bench tonight?
by TwinnerA on Nov 17, 2008 10:53 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
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