Game Day Open Thread: Phoenix Suns vs. New Orleans Hornets

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 6:42 PM MST in Game Coverage Comment 59 comments

Phoenix Suns	vs.	New Orleans Hornets
34-14		32-15
7:00 PM Mountain / 9:00 PM Eastern
TV: FSN AZ HD, NBATV HighDef
Probable starters:
Steve Nash	PG	Chris Paul
Raja Bell	SG	Morris Peterson
Grant Hill	SF	Peja Stojakovic
Boris Diaw?	PF	David West
Amare Stoudemire	C	Tyson Chandler

In case anyone missed it amongst the big trade news, there's a game on tonight. Yet another reason why I hate this trade. Now the Suns get to face a New Orleans team that has beaten them twice already, and this time they get to do it while shorthanded, distracted, and in general disarray. Ugh.

There has been some news trickle in that the players and coaches are excited about the deal ("rejuvinated" even). I guess we're about to find out. All signs point to Shaq being in a Suns uniform by this afternoon provided he passes the physical.

[Update 19:09MT] Shaq now officially owns a Suns uniform, but he won't actually put it on in a game until Friday at the earliest, or more likely Sunday. East Valley Tribune has the details.

We'll miss you, Shawn.

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shaq

not available for tonight, right? will he be ready for FRI?

"The only window that exists is this year"-Steve Nash

by jacksonian on Feb 6, 2008 5:11 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Not sure

I think after the All-Star break. I'll need to verify that, though.

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 5:52 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Ok, according to AZ Republic

He might be in uniform for the upcoming game with the Warriors.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/0206shaqpasses.html

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 6:13 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

EVT a little more optimistic

They're saying Sunday against Washington:

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/108302

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 6:25 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Tyson Chandler out w/ the flu

Suns caught a HUGE break tonight on TC being out

Orangutans are this year's Lemurs

by Phoenix Stan on Feb 6, 2008 7:08 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the update

Yeah, that will help. Still think that "rejuvenation factor" is the Suns' best chances tonight. How utterly distracting and upheaval-ing this day must have been (even if it's true that the players like the trade).

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 7:14 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

on players

I honestly believe amare and nash are thrilled, its pretty clear Amare loves the idea and won't miss the marion rift, and nash has to have a big say on this,
everyone knows Nash might as well be on the staff, they think that highly of his opinions, and they should, he has a high basketball iq and a great attitude

I called Dallas losing to G.S. last year when everyone (almost) was saying the opposite. I'm going to go on record, that this trade will help us in the playoffs, give Shaq 10-15 games with us and then we'll see.

But I've noticed (not naming people here on this comment) many suns fans in general are quick to be negative before giving things a chance. Look at how most suns fans booed Dan Marjlee (seriously..you spell it), when we drafted him, or how most fans booed the selection of Nash in the draft! Suns fans tend to react too quickly instead of hanging back a little and trying to be optimistic!

Shaq will become a fan favorite...wait and see...he has more charm than any two players in the league, even if it is goofy charm

of course, if he stays injured you can throw out everything above

by jasonsuns1 on Feb 6, 2008 7:39 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Live blogging status

I'm running way late tonight. Just turned the game on. I'll pop in with a comment now and again, but probably not as prolific as usual.

Suns lead 9-4 in the early going after the Steve Nash three at the 9:00 minute mark.

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 7:16 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q1 7:48 - Could have used Shaq on that play

Nash with the turnover, Hilton Armstrong gets the better of Amare on the other end.

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 7:19 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q1 6:33 - Stuffed!

Amare with the stuff, Diaw with the layup. So far so good for the Marion-less, Shaq-less Suns.

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 7:20 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q1 5:31 - Nash not so bad on CP3 so far

Defended that play pretty well to force the turnover.

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 7:21 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

does

the team look more energized than usual or have the right amount of energy? it seems that a revenge game vs hornets plus likelihood of shaq coming they could come out very strong.

"The only window that exists is this year"-Steve Nash

by jacksonian on Feb 6, 2008 7:23 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Seems like it

I missed the first few minutes, but they seem to be doing OK so far. Of course, like srp pointed out, they caught a huge break with the Hornets being kind of in the same boat with the last-minute lineup change.

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 7:26 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Q1 3:05 - Blogger's jinx in effect

Hornets have gone on a run since my earlier comment, and now lead by 4. LB cuts it to one with a three. 22-21, Hornets.

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 7:28 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

In other news...

The Lakers lost to the Hawks. Good news. I guess. :)

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 7:28 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

After one

Hornets lead by three at the end of the first quarter. Hornets have made one more three than the Suns. That's pretty much the difference in the game.

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 7:36 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q2 10:48 - Amare retakes the lead

I will say one thing, regarding energy--Boris Diaw looks pretty good. Makes a nice dump to Amare for the and-1.

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 7:40 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

as announcer just said

amare has a very good shooting touch, a soft touch and gets a lot of bounces to go his way.

by jasonsuns1 on Feb 6, 2008 7:40 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

nice to see dj playing!!

by jasonsuns1 on Feb 6, 2008 7:43 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q2 9:33 - DJ with the finish

Amare with the pass. That's two straight finishes by DJ in the past two games. If he gets that part of his game going, look out...

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 7:43 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Going to start watching the game

now via Tivo now that I am done w/ my work for the day. My Clark Kent job has been keeping busy on top of all this trade stuff

Orangutans are this year's Lemurs

by Phoenix Stan on Feb 6, 2008 7:45 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q2 8:17 - Suns really in sync right now

Nice move to the basket by Diaw. Maybe we're seeing a bit of "addition by subtraction" effect in the early going. Diaw seems to be at his best when the team really needs him (e.g., all of 2005-06), and this is the best "real minutes" stretch by DJ on offense to date I think.

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 7:46 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q1 7:33 - Here we go....

DJ vs. CP3.

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 7:48 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Ok, that lasted...

...all of one possession. DJ kept CP3 from scoring though. Quickly recovered when he got lost, and had a hand in the face when CP shot. Nash back in the game now.

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 7:51 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Q2 4:54 - Raja with the three

..but Peja answers. 48-45, Suns.

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 7:56 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q2 1:27 - Hornets closing the half well

Up seven. Several times in this sequence it looked like the Suns were waiting on someone cough*Marion*cough to grab the rebound or loose ball.

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 8:00 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

haha

that was funny! haha

by jasonsuns1 on Feb 6, 2008 8:05 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

isnt

that to be expected as it is their first game without him?

"The only window that exists is this year"-Steve Nash

by jacksonian on Feb 6, 2008 8:02 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Of course

Just making the observation.

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 8:05 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

lots

of makes for paul and west. tex, whos playin them on defense? bell and amare, with some occasional help is what i would do.

"The only window that exists is this year"-Steve Nash

by jacksonian on Feb 6, 2008 8:07 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

At the half

Nice quarter by the Hornets to retake the lead headed into the half. Rebounding, as usual, is the primary culprit. The Hornets have 8 offensive rebounds. Turnovers by the Suns (specifically, Nash) aren't helping either. As a result, the Hornets have 6 more shot attempts, and are shooting almost the same percentage as the Suns. The Hornets are also on fire from the three-point line, going 6-9. The Suns aren't doing too bad their either at 5-11. LB leads the way in accuracy for the Suns at 4-5 and 12 points. Amare is at 12 and 8 rebounds. Diaw has 8 points and four assists. Some nice minutes by DJ Strawberry. Wish he could have stayed on the floor with CP3 a little longer.

Stepping away for a bit. No interest in listening to the guys on NBATV put in their two cents of negativity about the trade. Already had plenty enough of that for one day out of my own head, thank you very much. Don't need to hear it from these guys too. Back for the third quarter.

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 8:12 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Distracted But

Guess I'll just look at the trade as positive until it isn't.

by MichiganSunsFan on Feb 6, 2008 8:34 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 5:48 - Suns on top

I've missed the first six minutes of the second half. Clearly I have too many irons in the fire tonight, trying to wrap up things that didn't get done at work today because I was um...distracted with something else. :)

Anyway, the Suns have outscored the Hornets by 10 so far in the third to take a two-point lead. From the sound of it, and the look in the boxscore, Nash has been a big factor in that, with 13 points and 10 assists. Amare's up to 20 and 9. Diaw is at 10, 5, 5 (triple-double time for him?). I'll have to go back and watch the part I missed, but anyway, looks like we have a dogfight going in the third.

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 8:34 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 3:27 - CP3 vs. LB

LB makes a desperation play to stop the shot, gets some lip from CP3 after they both go to the floor. No call (rather amazingly if you ask me).

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 8:37 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 00:56 DJ Part 2

DJ enters for a stint in the second half. Meanwhile, LB makes two of three free throws to bring the Suns back to within three. 85-82, Suns.

DJ's first possession on CP went well. Smothered him, and the Suns get a stop when Pargo misses.

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 8:44 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

After three

DJ narrowly misses a Marion-style running buzzer-beater. Hornets lead 87-82 entering the fourth quarter.

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 8:49 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Calling it a night

I'm just too tired to do this properly tonight. Plus I'm trying to do two things at once, and as a result, am not doing either very well. Srp will have the postgame recap after the game. Thanks everyone who was following this. Sorry to bail early tonight. I'll do better on Friday, promise.

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 8:51 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

wow

nice to hear dj hitting the three!!

by jasonsuns1 on Feb 6, 2008 8:52 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

But one more note....

DJ just made a three. I think that may be his first in meaningful Suns minutes? Brings the Suns back within three. 82-79, Hornets.

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 8:53 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Full French

Boris is across the Maginot Line.

Maybe it was Matrix hurting his feelings?

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Feb 6, 2008 9:10 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Chemistry?

Fist-pump from Nash?

Isn't this the Suns we've grown accustomed to?

No Marion and we're beating the No.2 team in the West?

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Feb 6, 2008 9:14 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

well, don't forget...

..they're missing a guy too. No Tyson Chandler. Still, great game, and that fire and passion is exactly what we haven't seen nearly enough of this year.

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 9:16 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Lovin' it from Nash

Waving his arms at the crowd to get them (and himself) fired up. See, that's the kind of stuff I meant earlier when I said "something's been missing" this season.

...this game won't let me go away.

by TexSUN on Feb 6, 2008 9:14 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

wow

this is a great game

nash is really doing well here at the end

by jasonsuns1 on Feb 6, 2008 9:14 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

CP v. Steve Nash

The Old Man isn't going to let the young up-and-comer steal his mantle.

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Feb 6, 2008 9:23 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

What?

Mantle? You know what I mean

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Feb 6, 2008 9:24 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

9 turnovers by nash

seriously, we need to use diaw & dj, hill, etc to handle the ball and take some pressure off nash, and use him off and on. Take advantage of Nash's shooting.

by jasonsuns1 on Feb 6, 2008 9:26 PM MST reply actions 0 recs