Suns playing the best basketball in the league....

by Galvara1022 on Nov 12, 2009 2:53 PM MST Comment 15 comments

Okay....I'm not saying the Suns are the best team in the league. What I'm saying is that right now, the Suns are playing the best basketball in the league. They're outscoring everyone, blowing teams away with their up-tempo basketball, a plethora of three's, and their ageless field general Steve Nash who is making some incredible passes and getting everyone involved in the game. He is putting on a clinic out there. And I like how Dragic is playing as well, because it allows Nash to get his rest minutes in. This will be big for us down the stretch.

What I'm really impressed with is the chemistry this team has. It's a thing of beauty to watch! It's amazing how one team can look so different from one season to the next. They are exciting to watch and look like they're having fun playing. And, I agree with Coach Gentry's assessment. Amar'e's game is going to get better as he gets in better basketball shape. He's already looking pretty darn good. And, the team will continue to learn to play great together. It looks like J-Rich is looking to fill his role as the second leading scorer on the team. But hey, he might end up the first. The really nice thing about this team is that on any given night, there's about five or six guys that can score over twenty points. As a matter of fact, we've had at least two players with more than twenty points a game already several times this season.

But what I really think is the reason why we're winning and playing so well together is that the entire team, including the bench, is playing hard and making contributions. The whole team has bought into the idea of playing hard and hustling to make shots and rebound the ball. And that translates into wins. We can outscore anyone in the league, but now we're also at least hanging in there defensively and scrapping for the ball. This is something new for this team. One final point, Barbosa is obviously not 100%, and Lopez hasn't been able to play with his foot injury. Just imagine how much better our bench will be if and when we get these two guys back healthy! Right now, it look's like the sky's the limit for this team.

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Okay...

Perhaps I spoke too soon, but this was just one game. The Lakers were rested, and we just finished playing seven games in ten days. We also were playing a second game in a back to back night.

We obviously were not in sync as we’ve been through most of the wins have have so far this season. Most noticably, Armar’e and J-Rich had rough games. Amar’e had a tough time with Bynum and Odom in the paint and his footwork was obviously not there yet. J-Rich had a rough time with Kobe the and his offense never really got going as well. Nash and Hill did what they could to keep us in the game up to a little over half-way through the second quarter. But, the Lakers were just too much for us at this point. And we were not running on all cylinders either.

There were a few positive signs. Dudley continues to look good off the bench. Dragic got some good minutes in and Clark got some valuable playing time as well. Also, I agree with Phoenix Stan, there is a silver lining in getting blown out by the Lakers. We obviously still have work to do in order to get to where we can compete with the top teams in the league. But we do have potential and there are definately clear signs of that. We’ll bounce back, eight and two for the first ten games of the season is better than what most people thought we’d be anyway.

Geo

by Galvara1022 on Nov 13, 2009 8:16 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

i'm all for jumping on the suns' bandwagon.

there’s always room for more. even for those who had jumped off after missing the playoffs last year. but here’s the point of my comment…

i know you posted this before the lakers game. but, the suns are nowhere near playing the best basketball in the league. we clearly have obvious deficiencies to our game (rebounding, defense, etc.) that have been made up for by being scrappy and energetic. we have been a team on a mission.

but look at the celtics. prior to our game, they were completely (and i mean completely) shutting other teams down. now, yes, we did take their defensive prowess and told them to shove it in their pipe and smoke it, but still. there’s no doubt that the celtics and the lakers are among the best teams in the league (even though the lakers got blown out on the second night of a back to back, on the road).

this team has a long way to come. we are nowhere near reaching our full potential as a team, and i think that we, as fans, should stay humble and neutral. suns basketball is back, let’s enjoy it for what it is.

Headlights, deer, and the Suns this season, the Golan Heights from Slovenia, in their own time, affecting half of the court seized Dragic is expected to come a point guard. We will be displayed.

by iamtrevorpaxton on Nov 14, 2009 9:47 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Suprising Suns

As a Laker fan for over 40 years I have been spoiled. Phoenix has had some good teams like Tom and Dick VanArnsdale and the Charles Barkley era. I don’t follow the Suns that much except when they made a huge blunder by picking up Shaq. I could have told you as a Laker fan that he always comes into camp looking like the Pillsbury dough boy. I don’t think anyone besides the Sun fans expected them to be this good. Not to dis the Suns but once Gasol is back and Artest learns the triangle better the Lakers will be a very tough team to beat in a 7 game series. Denver was by far the 2nd best team in the playoffs including the east last year and they couldn’t get past the Lakers. Hey you went into Boston and beat the Celtics. Kudos to the Suns. Boston has a great team. I wouldn’t put much into the Laker loss. The Suns were tired just like the Lakers against Denver. Besides when you are the champs you have a big target on your back. I wish the Suns good luck this season and in the playoffs. I really don’t see them stopping the Lakers. L.A. is just to big and talented. I’m sure that is not what you want to hear. Maybe you can knock off those pesky Nuggets for us. Really no one can predict this game. What if Kobe goes down or Garnet, Howard or James. The Suns could win it all!

by jdcrosier on Nov 18, 2009 3:36 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

I'm getting warm fuzzies

Is this a Suns fan pretending to be a Lakers fan? :)

They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...

by Eutychus on Nov 18, 2009 9:20 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I got a kick

out of his reference to Tom Van, who never really contributed to the Suns in his half season. He probbaly thinks George Mikan played for the Timberwolves.

April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?

by Hawk42 on Nov 18, 2009 11:29 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

alright alright....

…we get the one reasonable, non mentally challenged Laker fan on the entire internet and we’re nitpicking his sun’s history? I’m glad anyone like this would stop by to post…

JD, thanks for your comments…I agree we have a ways to go before we prove we can run with the big boys, but right now most suns fans are just enjoying the ride.

by Fritzy on Nov 18, 2009 1:19 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep........

That was the whole point exactly with my initial assessment of the season so far. I am enjoying the ride to this point. But I agree with the earlier comments. I’m going to try to take this season in stride one game at a time. I think December will be a good indicator how good we truly are and if we’re good enough to make a run with this current team. Has anyone seen our schedule in December? Lakers and Cavs twice, Boston and Orlando and Denver and Portland and San Antonio and Dallas once each. Tough month.

Geo

by Galvara1022 on Nov 18, 2009 2:48 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for sticking up for me!

I was just barley old enough to follow basketball when the Vanarnsdales played. My bad. Ask me some Laker trivia and I can probably give you an answer!
Back to the suns. It almost looks like the Suns and Spurs traded places. Everyone expected them to challange the Lakers and look at them now. The Suns have been a real suprise to me this year. They have the best record in the NBA right now. I think that speaks for its self. I don’t envy your December schedule but if the Suns come out on top in December then I think they are for real. The Lakers better watch out. Anything can happen in the playoffs. Example. In 1989 the Lakers went 11-0 in the playoffs. Game 1 against the Pistons Magic went down for the entire series then Byron Scott went down. The Lakers were swept! Being a life long Laker fan really spoiled me. If they don’t win a title every year I consider the season a failure. I’m not one of those Faker fans who show up at the game just to get noticed. If the Lakers don’t win it all this year I usually root for the team without a title! So go Lakers then go Suns. I think the Suns are only a player or 2 from being a real contender. Is Steve Nash ever going to slow down and what a catch getting Richardson. Good luck to all of you Suns fans. Sorry but my heart really lies with the Lakers. Oh and I thought Miken did play for the T-wolves. :-) No need to bag on people!

by jdcrosier on Nov 19, 2009 6:49 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Laker trivia

I heard the report that Kobe just went into second place on the career scoring list, and I njust assumed Jabbar was #1. Then I remembered Jabbar played a lot in Milwaukee, which would put his Laker total in the 20s. I checked it out, and sure enough, Kobe passed KAJ. I remembered then that West was #1, qlthough Kobe will pass him soon.

April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?

by Hawk42 on Nov 20, 2009 10:50 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for sticking up for me!

by jdcrosier on Nov 19, 2009 7:23 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Hey Fuzzy

Believe me, I am not a Suns fan. I just like to talk basketball. If you think I am here’s some Laker facts. I have been a big Laker fan right about the 71-72 season. The Lakers won 33 in a row. When the streak started they were 6-3. When it was ended buy Lew Alcinder (Kareem) and the Bucks they were 39-3. They beat the Bucks in the playoffs 4-2 then went on to beat the Nicks in 5 games. They ended up 69-13. A record they kept untill the Bulls won 72 games.

Magic era. When the Lakers got the first pick GM Jerry West wanted to draft Sidney Moncrief but the owner then Jack kent Cook wanted Magic so they drafted him. His rookie year they played the 76ers in the finalls. Kareem sprained an ankle and went back to L.A. to get ready for game 7. But in game six Magic scored 42 points and dished off enough assists to Jamal Wilkes to beat the 76ers in six games game six was 123-107

1982 The Worthy era. That year the Lakers had the first pick again. It was a deep draft with Worthy, Dominique wilkins,and Terry Cummings. The Lakers took Worthy for his speed and non selfish play. The Bucks took Wilkins and the Clippers took Cummings. Those Magic years had great teams/ They picked up Mychael Thompson and Bob Mc adoo both were number one picks at their beginning years. Who could forget Kurt Rambis (Clark Kent) Not very talented but Magic would always find him under the rim where his quick hands would lay it in b4 anyone could guard him. Here’s Magics era. 1980 won title 1981 lost to rockets 1982 Won title, 1983 were swept by the 76ers, 1984 lost to Celtics partly do to Worthy’s bad inbound pass wich was picked off by Dennis Johnson for a bucket. 1985 Finally beat the Celtics 1n 6. Last game was 111 to 100. 1986 lost to Houston again, 1987 beat Celtics in 6. Game 5 Magic hit his famous baby sky hook with seconds left. 1988 beat Detroit in 7. 1989 were swept by Detroit. 1990 won the first game against the Bulls but lost the next 4.

This should be enough to prove I’m not a Suns fan. If it’s not ask me some question. And no I didn’t get any of this off the internet. This is stuff I still remember like it was yesterday!

by jdcrosier on Nov 20, 2009 7:15 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

I know all of that

what does that prove? What do you know about the 1970 Lakers-Suns playoff series? This was the one where the Suns came back and almost won. In game 5 and 6, Connie Hawkins went off. I seem to remember a strtetch when none of the Suns could cover Wilt. So the skinny Hawk tried it, and actually shut the guy down. West would try to lob it in to the Dipper, but Connie could outjump anyone.

Of course the young Suns finally realized they were in with the big boys and got blown out in game 7. And then Colangelo was dfuped into trading Goodrich for Mel Counts, and a the Suns were’nt heard from playoff wise until 1976.

April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?

by Hawk42 on Nov 20, 2009 10:58 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

You are older than me

In 1970 I was in the sixth grade. How would I know anything about the Sun Laker series b4 I was a fan!!!!

by jdcrosier on Nov 20, 2009 5:42 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Gasol is back.

We’ll see how good a rested suns team is when they play the lakers in dec, The Suns have proven the experts wrong so far. Sorry but I just don’t see this lasting the whole season. Every team steps it up in the playoffs but I don’t see the suns getting past the 2nd round!

by jdcrosier on Nov 22, 2009 6:50 PM MST reply actions 0 recs