Open Gameday Thread - Suns vs Blazers
by Seth Pollack on Dec 18, 2008 4:58 PM MST
in Phoenix Suns: Game Coverage
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PrintPhoenix Suns at Portland Trail Blazers, Dec 18, 2008 8:30 PM MST
 Phoenix Suns |
 Portland Trailblazers |
|
| 15-10 | 16-10 | |
| 8:30PM Mountain / 10:30 PM Eastern | ||
| TV: TNT HD | ||
| Probable starters: | ||
| Steve Nash | PG | Steve Blake |
| Jason Richardson | SG | Brandon Roy |
| Grant Hill |
SF | Nick Batum |
| Amare Stoudemire |
PF | LaMarcus Aldrigde |
| The Big Tweet | C | Grandpa Greg |
Now half way through December the Suns have won 4 of their last 5 while the Blazers have dropped 4 of 6 of late.
Nothing about the Blazers have convinced me that they are ready to beat the Suns and now with our newly energized team I think that's even more true. The Blazers will have to decide soon if they are going to move some of their deep young bench to bring some of the veteran pieces they need to win now or if they are going to be patient and let their guys grow together and see how good guys like Batum and Rudy really are.
Despite the Suns being the better team, it would not surprise me in the least if the Blazer's win this game. No team wants to get swept and playing at home they are going to be fired up. When those guys are hitting their three's they are very hard to stop.
But the Suns are coming off a lot of rest and have had plenty of practice time to work JRich into the mix. The work isn't done progressing but I expect to see a Suns team that looks much more fluid and together then what we saw last week.
Unlike last year, you KNOW that some of that practice time was used on the defensive end. The rotation and help assignments that were a mess against the Magic and Knicks should be much improved tonight.
Matchup of the Night - JRich vs. Brandon Roy
Raja Bell for all his defensive reputation was a guy that got a lot of attention for his effort but was too small to do well against a big guard like T-Mac and too slow to help on the quicker tiny two's like Iverson or Ellis.
The one guy he always seemed to play best against though was Brandon Roy. I guess Brandon wasn't quick enough to take Raja off the dribble and didn't have Kobe's ability to rise up and shoot over him. Raja always fought through screens and stayed on Roy's ass as he entered the lane and this seemed to give Roy trouble.
Tonight, it will be very interesting to watch how JRich defends Brandon. This will be a real test for Jason to see what kind of defender he is against a team who's leader is his assignment.
On the flip side, Raja never bothered Brandon (he never bothered anyone) so we will also get to see Roy pushed on the defensive end and see what that does to his overall game.
This should be far more fun to watch then Shaq and Grandpa Greg or LMA and Amare (who do match up well but we've seen enough times already).
Suns Keys to Blazing a Path to Glory and Walking the Trail to Redemption
Defensive improvement - as mentioned, the Suns rotations and team D looked horrible in the past two games (which is to be expected). I am not expecting a finished product tonight but I do expect to see improvement.
Kick 'em where it hurts - The Blazer's have a huge hole in the lineup at the small forward position and the Suns need to take advantage of that. You can make the case that at every other position the teams match up well but in Batum they are playing a very raw rookie who the Suns need to go right after. I look for Barnes to abuse him (and Outlaw) in the paint and Hill to use his veteranness on the wings.
Amare on the glass - Amare is averaging 23 points, 11 rebounds and is shooting 53% in his last 8 games. If Amare grabs 5 offensive boards and 12 or more total this game will be very hard for the Blazers to win. Let's see if Amare's turned the corner and is embracing his inner KG.
Give the Blazers fans some love - Blazer fans are gaga over Terry Porter. They worship the ground he walks on. Let's give them one more reason to be in awe of his awesomeness and extend the streak to 12.
The Suns own an 11-game win streak over the Blazers, their longest active win streak against a single opponent. It's also the Blazers' longest active losing streak against a single opponent.
A 12th consecutive series victory would match the longest active win streak by one NBA team against another. Dallas owns an NBA-best 12-game series win streak over Memphis.
As always, be sure to checkout the best NBA blog around at here
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You quit? Hill quits? I quit!
I don’t even know who this Jason Richardson guy is. Is he the same as JRich?
Did we trade him for JSun RichardSUN?
Mmmmm ... Guinness
You lost that vote
it was close but you lost. Get over it
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Dec 18, 2008 3:00 PM MST up reply actions
Late Game
Cant say that I like these uber late games too much, but I am looking forward to this one.
Suns need to keep the good times rolling tonight. We need to win this game and especially the next if we want to be considered truly back in the playoff equation. The Suns got a long way to go before they’ll be in the upper echelons of the West, but winning these next games will sure help along that path.
"Yeah I could have been king, but maybe I already am king. Hail to the king baby." Ash from Army of Darkness
I hated to do it, but as a Blazer fan, the Suns are killing us.
Amare and Shaq have both killed us this year. When will it stop? I picked Phoenix in my match-ups, I can’t really pick us until we finally win a game I guess.
http://www.bustabucket.com/2008121870/articles/december-2008/trailblazers-vs-suns-730pm-tnt.html
And obviously we love your coach….What are Suns fans feeling as far as Terry Porter goes?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUM2W_BT21g
www.bustabucket.com
i speak for all blazer fans when I say
terry porter is garbage
+1 2 the -1
YOU DO NOT!!! Porter is portlands flava D flav!!!!
The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out burns out farms and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.
Shaq
With something to prove?
Nice board by Amare to keep the poseesion alive.
Nice, soft touch on the free throw, Shaq.
Mmmmm ... Guinness
I'm enjoying Amare
5 boards, 2 assists and a block.
He’ll score. Don’t worry, he’ll score. Enjoy the other stuff
Mmmmm ... Guinness
funny stuff
LB makes a steal and Marv Albert (or whoever that is) says, “Fernandez tries to cut off Barbosa”
unlikely
Mmmmm ... Guinness
Highly unlikely
Barbosa has been playing well since he’s been back. Nice to see him not taking his woes out onto the court.
Barnes for 9?
3 X 3?
It’s all a blur.
Barnes doesn’t need to start. Whenever he plays, he starts out well. He doesn’t alwasy finish strong, but his first minutes in a game are always good
Mmmmm ... Guinness
Nash
Nash has become a turnover machine
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
speaking of machines
Oden is a foul machine. He can’t guard Amare.
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
Good sequence
Suns 8-0 since 76-72. I like Richardson more every time I see him.
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
I was most impressed
during the Magic game (while Howard was still in it). HIs doubles on Howard were fast and effective. Howard scored mainly when JSun RichardSUN was not doubling down on Howard.
He doubled Howard, caused trouble and was still able to get back out to his man. Bell never did anything remotely similar — even in his best days.
Mmmmm ... Guinness
Bell comparison
I thought Bell got caught up too much in the mano a mano macho thing. You’re right, I never saw him double.
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
Except that now
We can foul people out. Remember how 7SOL v1.0 could never get to the foul line?
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
Roy is going nuts
Where is that Bell guy when you need him? (just kidding)
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
I use to refer to Amare as
The Silencer. He would just have monster dunks everytime the crowd got riled up.
lay his ass down...
where’s Shaq¿? someone needs to put Outlaw on the floor.. He looks too confident out there. I’m not saying hurt the guy but at least make him feel uncomfortable!
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
Right
Because he has such a great post game and him hitting jumpers is just gravy (insert sarcasm here … and here)
Mmmmm ... Guinness
I know
I know enough to know that LMA is better at shooting and cutting than playing with his back to the basket.
The kid can shoot jumpers. When he hits those, its not like Shaq hitting 75% of his free throws or something
Mmmmm ... Guinness
you dont know
that when LMA hits his early jumpers, the blazers are 11-0
Blazers slowing down
Outlaw misses and Roy is spent (JSun doing a good job on him)
Mmmmm ... Guinness
We're not in the stretch yet
Although, he should wait until there are only 2 minutes left
Mmmmm ... Guinness
the "stretch"
that’s the last .2 miles of a 26.2 mile marathon
If it’s “the stretch” then where’s Nash?
Mmmmm ... Guinness
Porter in timeout:
Who goes out and slams Roy?
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
Hard Screen
You know Barnes is just hoping Roy tries to set a hard screen …
return of the Hanson Brothers!
Mmmmm ... Guinness
Good sequence
2 blocks and score by STAT
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
OK, OK
I’ll take that - Barnes 3 pointer
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
and so much over the back...
refs call that early in the game…late calls went to the blazers such as the complete lack of a foul
on outlaw by barbosa they called
by ArizonaCactus on Dec 18, 2008 11:20 PM MST up reply actions
not much coming from Jsun
keeping his rookie mouth shut
still waiting
for your calc as to an “early” jumper
dumb question? should be an easy answer
Mmmmm ... Guinness
that's what I thought
when?
first period? first 6 minutes? first half?
what is hitting? over 50? 75 in the first period?
I’m just looking for some criteria.
Mmmmm ... Guinness
okay
if he goes 3 for 3 within the first 8 minutes the Blazers are 11-0?
Show me those games. I bet 82games.com has that stat, right?
Mmmmm ... Guinness
i have it written down
i dont go to internet sites for my stats, i do it myself…. rook
show me
which games, per your alleged stats.
It’s really hard to argue with someone who “keeps his own stats” that I cannot verify somewhere. Kinda convenient how that supports your argument.
Don’t respond with, “I keep the stats” — prove it.
If I were to use your logic, I’d say something like “When Steve Nash makes his first two shots, the Suns are undefeated. I know because I wrote it down while watching games in my mom’s basement. Anyone who disagrees with me is a ‘rook’ but no one can verify my statements.”
Mmmmm ... Guinness
lol
December 18, 2008.
"Roy is Roy, and if I were to bet my life on a game of 5-on-5, I’d bet on whichever team Roy was playing on." by HurraKane212
by maid tu rek on Dec 19, 2008 12:50 AM MST up reply actions
and by lol, i mean,
wuts the excepted “troll tag” around hear?
December 18, 2008.
"Roy is Roy, and if I were to bet my life on a game of 5-on-5, I’d bet on whichever team Roy was playing on." by HurraKane212
by maid tu rek on Dec 19, 2008 12:53 AM MST up reply actions
lol...you're annoying, but funny.
When Aldridge can put in 17 points without taking 20 shots, usually the blazers win…..
when aldridge play’s like puke….we lose. Portlands not so dependant on roy as the league thinks (even though we are :)), it’s all about Aldridge getting his first shots to fall….
that happens…the whole team does a “sigh….” worthy of diareaha relief. and we win….(but it’s not a exact science) :)
The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out burns out farms and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.
enjoy the victory…1st time since 2006…
by ArizonaCactus on Dec 18, 2008 11:23 PM MST up reply actions
because steve blake is really leading you to the promised land….
by ArizonaCactus on Dec 18, 2008 11:26 PM MST up reply actions
thats why no one listens to you
when you say terry is superior to ROY
I wouldn't say that
I won’t go into the allstar voting debate as it doesn’t matter to me, but you could check the stats before making such bold statements…
Terry is having a good scoring season but he’s statiscally inferior to Roy, then we could agree on the fact that you don’t judge players only by stats, but I’m not sure impact on game is in Terry’s favor neither…
Yeah
It’s me and Hocky that keep secret stats.
you can’t win arguments when we cite our secret stats
Mmmmm ... Guinness
That's why I stopped arguing...
Not that I intend to ‘win’ when debating rather than exchanging ideas, but… I guess we gotta know what we talk about and obviously I don’t about your stats
Actually
I was responding to Hockey. He has secret stats, too.
Normally, without undisclosed stats, I’d agree that Roy should get more votes than Terry. Even more so since he gave me that Nano with his highlights.
You got in at the end of the conversation.
Mmmmm ... Guinness
i thought you had to be 16 or over to run these
SB nation thingies. I guess I thought wrong :/.
You’ve been honored by my presence. Nightly nite.
when i get sad, i stop being sad & become awesome again. true story.
Just to clarify
“Hockey” is probably commenting over here because he’s been banned at his own team’s blog for a couple weeks. We didn’t like him much either. Sorry about the baiting and trolling. Most Portland fans are actually rather decent. Unless, of course, you wear purple and gold.
Props to the Suns for the hard-fought game. Too much Roy turned out to be just enough.
—Dave from Blazersedge
Thanks. I like him for now. Adds a little color as long as he doesn't get too insulting or belligerent.
His posts here were stupid, but amusing and not seriously insulting.
Thanks for the note, Dave.
Everything must go.
thats what im sayin
dave bans me for basically having a different opinion than him. I say nothing insulting to people, i get called an idiot, and then I get banned.
I will continue to be a thorn in his ass until he apologizes for his arrogance.
tried that, ... :) don't work...his resolve is harder than any that I've known before him.
and besides….
I’m almost positive you said something that wasn’t….kosher…
I know I did, and then read his rules….then…understood.
KIDS MAN!!! kids. and being a bloomin babbling bafoon all the time, just isn’t…..good news it’s just a bunch of false info…..most of the time. so I’ve learned to use the cancel button more and use proper english a wee bit better becuase of it….. I guess I owe him a thanks….one day you might too….but then again….I haven’t a clue how many people he’s banned vs…unbanned….
k I’m shutting up now. :)
The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out burns out farms and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.
ZF is much more patient w/ trolls
then I am…one thing to come run some friendly smack but there’s a line
Besides – Dave is a known Hard Ass. I wouldn’t do anything to piss off that guy :)
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Dec 19, 2008 4:42 PM MST up reply actions
and to his credit he showed up at the start of the game, not after. I respect that.
Everything must go.
lol....Anyone talking smack after one win, despite getting KILLED by the same team no more than 4 weeks ago....
needs to have their head examined….with a sledge hammer.
Don’t respect it…BAN IT!!!! ;0
Good Game Pheonix, and I hope that trade keeps working out for ya’ll, (least until you play portland again :))
The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out burns out farms and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.
my point exactly
I say something like “when aldridge hits his early jumpers we always win”
Someone responds by saying “take a sledgehammer to his had, and ban him”
then I get banned.
whatever, Dave
I think B-Roy wears purple and gold – on the inside.
Amazing game. I love Roy.
M, period. Fresh, comma.
Nice thread guys
and what a FUN game to watch…
I dodged a bullet last night. Came home from work and found that Cox was failing me on the internets front and on cable tv too. Something related to signal strength killed all but 3 HD channels. Thank the cabel gods that TNT was one of three working….
Anyway – the game was a joy and until I watch the replay I am just going to tip the hat to Roy and Trout and move on.
Blogging Suns Basketball
That bar is set
pretty low
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Dec 22, 2008 11:31 AM MST up reply actions
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