Open Game Day Thread: Suns v Bobcats

by Seth Pollack on Feb 4, 2008 6:16 PM MST in Phoenix Suns: Game Coverage

Phoenix Suns	vs.	Charlotte Bobcats
33-14		18-30
7:00 PM Mountain / 9:00 PM Eastern
TV: FSN HD, NBA LP
Probable starters:
Steve Nash	PG	Raymond Felton
Raja Bell	SG	Jared Dudley
Grant Hill (or Boris Diaw?)	SF	Jason Richardson
Shawn Marion	PF	Emeka Okafor
Amare Stoudemire	C	Nazr Mohammed

Let's see, the Jordancats are coming to town and will be without high-flyer Gerald Wallace who is resting up for the ~~Dunk Contest~~. Oops. Wrong Gerald. Of course, here in Phoenix we have the Best Gerald EVER!

Without Wallace the Cats are a less then average team. With Wallace they are a less then average team. That doesn't mean (as we well know) that they can't rise up and beat a well above average team. But seriously, the most interesting thing about the Bobcats is the train wreck that is this phase of the Chosen One's career.

As for the home team, the big "controversy" seems to be if Diaw or Hill will start. No one, myself included, seems to care all that much. Except maybe Le Diaw who seems for some reason to play much better when he's on the floor with Nash and Amare. Go figure.

For the record, I was against this move arguing that Diaw is a better ball handler and can run the offense with LB playing off the ball. A solid enough position but clearly the missing variable here is ~~heart~~ man region. As in Diaw doesn't have the man region to run the team while Grant has spent his entire career being the focal point of the offense. There is that.

So, call me a flip-flopper but I am officially on the Diaw starting/Hill subbing band wagon. At least until it stops working.

Update [2008-2-4 17:27:4 by srp]:
I just heard on local radio that Hill is likely to start tonight. There was a quote from Coach D at practice today that sounded something like this: "er..uh...grr..I don't know...uh...I talked to both guys and neither player cares...". That's some awesome leadership right there. I knew starting Diaw was a horrible idea.

Update [2008-2-4 19:15 by TexSUN]:
Live blogging returns tonight. Check the comments of this post after tipoff. We may be hearing from srp a bit during the game as well. He'll be at the arena, Blackberry in hand. I'll relay his messages as they come in.

srp's Key's to the Game:

Don't look too far forward to the Hornets (wow, I still can't get used to saying that)
and remember that any team can beat any other team if the team in question doesn't come to play
Play solid D and put an "x" on J-Rich
Move the ball and don't play offense like the Knicks again. I am looking for 25+ assists in this one
Don't make me regret not stiffing my buddy for $50 for tix to tonight's game

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Comments

Hill and Diaw - or is it Hill and Dale?

I remember my +- diary where I came across the stat that statistically, Boris produces better (points-rebounds-assists-shooting) stats with Amare on the court, however, the team has a bad +-. Whereas when Boris is paired with the other two playmakers, his stats are not as shiny, but the team does well. Go figure.

'07-'08 Suns: It's clobberin' time!

by Hawk42 on Feb 4, 2008 1:12 PM MST reply actions

pre game rituals

Suns going through there pre game rituals. Boris and LB always play a little 1:1 game at the top of the 3 pt line a bit to the left of center. Steve takes his 3's from the right short corner.

3 min to game time and it is pretty dead in here. No buzz.

Orangutans are this year's Lemurs

by Seth Pollack on Feb 4, 2008 7:01 PM MST reply actions

Game on

Suns get the tip. Grant Hill in the starting lineup and gets Amare going early with a sweet assist for the dunk.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 7:13 PM MST reply actions

Q1 ??? - Three not falling but Matrix in the air

No time showing on the broadcast....

Raja missed his second three attempt and third "long shot" attempt, but Matrix mops up on the boards with the dunk.

...and now the layup by Marion puts the Suns up 7-4 after the free throw.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 7:16 PM MST reply actions

Q1 9:09 - D'oh!

We have our first Homer-esque turnover of the night.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 7:17 PM MST reply actions

Q1 8:02 - Comment from srp

Running well. Shooting fast. Good start

Me: Yep, and Amare is owning the boards.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 7:19 PM MST reply actions

Q1 6:10 - D'oh - for the Bocats this time

Miscommunication leads to a steal by Marion.

...no score for the Suns, though, and they get beat by Felton on the other end. 14-12, Suns.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 7:23 PM MST reply actions

Q1 4:50 - Instant offense

...by LB, taking and hitting a three right off the bat. See, that's what Diaw needs to learn to do (not hit three,s but hop into the game ready to play even off the bench).

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 7:27 PM MST reply actions

Q1 3:52 - LB X 2

LB with another three. Suns up 20-16.

..Richardson hits a three of his own to bring it back to 20-19.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 7:28 PM MST reply actions

Q1 3:04 - Milk carton

...for Raja's shot. Anybody seen it? 0-5 so far they say.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 7:29 PM MST reply actions

Update from srp

Gorilla dressed in a sailor uniform. Not sure why. But subway subs tied to parachutes are raining down.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 7:31 PM MST reply actions

Q1 2:29 - Banks sighting

Guess he gets the ninth man minutes for the night.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 7:32 PM MST reply actions

Q1 1:01 Nice ball movement

Doesn't lead to a score immediately, but the second chance opportunity by LB moves the Suns back ahead, 25-23.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 7:35 PM MST reply actions

Q1 00:52 - Hill for three!

Meanwhile, srp points out that "Banks isn't the shortest guard out there". Boykins makes Banks look positively giant-like.

...meanwhile, speaking of the 5'5" wonder, his trip to the line brings the Bobcats to within two...

...until LB torches them again with another three. 31-26. Where was all this from LB on Thursday?

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 7:37 PM MST reply actions

After one

Suns are shooting 42% to the Bobcat's 60%, but are up by three in part due to three more shot attempts. That's right, the Suns are winning the offensive rebounding battle so far. The three blocked shots haven't hurt either. Suns up 31-28 heading into the second quarter.

srp's comments: Nice start on O anyway
Shot 42% and lead by 3. Let's see some D in the 2nd Q.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 7:40 PM MST reply actions

Q2 11:26 - Three second madness

Bobcats and Suns open the second quarter with one three-second violation each.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 7:41 PM MST reply actions

Q2 10:54 - Nice steal by Banks

...but the lid is still on the basket.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 7:42 PM MST reply actions

Q2 10:16 - JRich knocks the lid off

...with the emphatic slam. Apparently he dunked it hard enough to knock the lid off both ends. Diaw with the assist to LB to open the scoring by the Suns. 33-30, Suns.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 7:45 PM MST reply actions

Q2 9:03 - LB at the line

...after the charging call flipped to a block.

Comment from srp: LB out of control on D.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 7:46 PM MST reply actions

At the break - from srp

Diaw playing well. Good energy
Solid d.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 7:48 PM MST reply actions

Q2 8:14 - LB again

...and again. Blows by Nazr Mohammed for the second straight time. 39-34, Suns.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 7:50 PM MST reply actions

Q2 7:02 - Diaw gets annihilated

... by Okafur. Bobcats tie it back at 39.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 7:52 PM MST reply actions

Q2 6:10 - Bobcats take the lead

41-39. Now, 43-39. Well, the Suns have made a lot of bad teams' fans feel good about themselves this season. Will it be the Bobcats fans' turn tonight?

...let's just say the game is still young.

From srp: Yuck
That was an ugly few minutes

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 7:54 PM MST reply actions

Q2 5:43 - Superbowl hangover?

...at least that's the theory of the broadcasters.

...meanwhile, that last miss by JRich looked a little hung over.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 7:56 PM MST reply actions

Q2 4:36 - Amare!

Hill to Amare for one of those "take off from somewhere around the free throw line" dunks. More, please.

...but not more of that. Amare picks up the foul on the other end.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 7:57 PM MST reply actions

Q2 3:57 - D'oh II

Uncharacteristic bad pass from Nash. Bobcats open a 46-41 lead at the free throw line on the other end.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 7:59 PM MST reply actions

Going through the motions

This stinks.

'07-'08 Suns: It's clobberin' time!

by Hawk42 on Feb 4, 2008 8:00 PM MST reply actions

Q2 3:39 - Nice hustle by the Matrix

Didn't give up on the play even though it looked like JRich had that rebound for sure. Ends up getting rewarded by Nash for the dunk.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 8:00 PM MST reply actions

Nice.

Ring the Bell!!

'07-'08 Suns: It's clobberin' time!

by Hawk42 on Feb 4, 2008 8:01 PM MST reply actions

Q2 2:55 - That looks more Suns-like

Back to running, leads to fast break three-pointer by Bell from Nash's assist.

From srp: That's better. Woke up a bit.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 8:02 PM MST reply actions

More from srp

Rebounding keeping us in it
Out shot 43% to 58%

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 8:03 PM MST reply actions

Q2 2:27 - Three fest

Felton with a three and now Bell with another one. Suns up 49-48.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 8:04 PM MST reply actions

Q2 1:23 - Nice!

Nash bounce pass to Marion for the layup. 51-48, Suns.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 8:05 PM MST reply actions

Q2 00:32 - Ugh

Amare caught in the air leading to a three-point play by Nazr Mohammed. Assist goes to the broadcasters for talking about how bad a free throw shooter Mohammed is. He, of course, canned it no problem.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 8:07 PM MST reply actions

Buzzer-beater Matrix!

Marion banks in a three-point floater at the buzzer. Under review...

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 8:09 PM MST reply actions

...and it's good!

Suns enter the half up 54-51.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 8:11 PM MST reply actions

What in the world? Merry Christmas!

PHO 1.0
Shawn Marion made 3-pt. Running Jump Shot

'07-'08 Suns: It's clobberin' time!

by Hawk42 on Feb 4, 2008 8:14 PM MST reply actions

At the half

Suns are at 43.5%, Bobcats 52.5%. Rebounds nearly even at 20-21. Suns have two more offensive rebounds than the Bobcats, and one fewer rebounds overall. Suns six extra shots, and superior three-point shooting are the difference here. LB leading the way with 19 points, 7-10 shooting, and three three-pointers. Steve Nash has just two points, and is shooting horribly (1-5), but has eight assists. Marion is a perfect 5-5 for 12 points, has five rebounds, two steals, a block, and one buzzer-beater. Prediction: Nash's percentage will be considerably higher than 20% by the end of the game.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 8:16 PM MST reply actions

srp's halftime report

Despite a blah 2nd q this game doesn't feel at all in doubt. Big run in the 3rd coming. And the hornets are losing in Utah.

When the suns are playing fast and taking the first open shot they do better even if it doesn't fall.

Temptations signing at the half. I got Sunshine on a cloudy day.....

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 8:18 PM MST reply actions

Strange 1st half

All I can say is, Thank God for LB! Without him, we'd be heading for a loss.

Bobcat's shooting finally cooled off.

'07-'08 Suns: It's clobberin' time!

by Hawk42 on Feb 4, 2008 8:18 PM MST reply actions

Q3 11:38 - Bobcats open the third with an airball

Sign of things to come?

...Suns don't have much better luck.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 8:27 PM MST reply actions

Q3 9:54 - Raja's three is back!

Guess that milk carton worked. Two threes by Bell on consecutive possessions gives the Suns a six-point lead and sends the Bobcats to a timeout.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 8:30 PM MST reply actions

Q3 9:26 - Raja with three the hard way

Gets fouled at the three-point line, gives the Suns a nine-point lead from the charity stripe. 63-54, Suns.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 8:32 PM MST reply actions

Q3 8:37 - D'oh! III

Amare outruns Nash's pass. Or Nash's pass can't keep up with Amare. Either way, it's a turnover.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 8:33 PM MST reply actions

Q3 6:37 - Double-digits

Nash's three brings the Suns to 71-61.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 8:37 PM MST reply actions

nash doesnt like

When his guy scores

Orangutans are this year's Lemurs

by Seth Pollack on Feb 4, 2008 8:39 PM MST up reply actions

I thought you put that thing away?

Blackberry = addicting.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 8:43 PM MST up reply actions

Q3 5:26 - Nice .....

...by the Bobcats. Suns get burned for the double-team when JRich sneaks in from behind. Suns still up 10 at 73-63.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 8:42 PM MST reply actions

Q3 4:12 - Amare in foul trouble

Picks up a couple of quick ones, bringing Skinner in for the first time.

Bobcats cut it to five on the two free throws by Okafur. 73-68, Suns.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 8:44 PM MST reply actions

Q3 3:52 - Steve for three II

Hope for the Bobcats doesn't last long. Nash hits a three to stretch it back to eight. 76-68, Suns.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 8:45 PM MST reply actions

Q3 2:43 - Living by the three

Raja hits another one for the 79-68 lead.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 8:49 PM MST reply actions

Q3 2:09 - LB gets tied up on the layup attempt...

Nazr Mohammed easily and predictably wins the tip. Not to be a whiny homer or anything, but that sure looked like a foul to me.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 8:50 PM MST reply actions

Hornets being blown out

Jazz seem to have their number

'07-'08 Suns: It's clobberin' time!

by Hawk42 on Feb 4, 2008 8:51 PM MST reply actions

Q3 1:10 - Go second unit!

Skinner hustling on the boards, Diaw with the playmaking, Hill with the jumper, biggest lead of the game. 81-68, Suns.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 8:52 PM MST reply actions

Defense kicking in!

Hornets shooting down to 45%

'07-'08 Suns: It's clobberin' time!

by Hawk42 on Feb 4, 2008 8:54 PM MST reply actions

Q3 00:50 - Beep beep!

LB leaves the Bobcats in the dust for the three-point play. 84-70, Suns.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 8:54 PM MST reply actions

Q3 00:23 - That was way to easy...

...for us! Raja wide open for the three. Too easy for Felton too. Suns will enter the fourth up 87-74. Suns outscored the Bobcats 33-23 in the third. You know, kind of like srp predicted.

Meanwhile, srp with a few choice words about Diaw:
Ok le Boris really wants to start. He isn't even close to taking a shot. Not a thought in his head to even try one.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 8:57 PM MST reply actions

Q4 11:38 - Grant Hill opens the fourth

...with a basket that I missed due to the broadcast showing a replay of one of Nash's earlier passes. Meanwhile, the stop on the other end and yet another LB three puts the Suns up 18 at 92-74.

If this keeps up, we may not see Nash or Amare again tonight.

by TexSUN on Feb 4, 2008 9:00 PM MST reply actions