Open Gameday Thread - Suns vs Cavs
by Seth Pollack on Feb 11, 2009 3:21 PM MST
86 comments
Phoenix Suns at Cleveland Cavaliers, Feb 11, 2009 5:00 PM MST
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2008/2009 NBA Regular Season |
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|---|---|---|
 |
@ |
 39-11 |
| February 11th, 2009, 5:00 PM MST / 7:00 PM EST |
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| MY 45, 620 KTAR |
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| Probable starters: | ||
| Steve Nash | PG | M. Williams |
| Jason Richardson | SG | W. Szczerbiak |
| Grant Hill | SF | L. James |
| Player to named later | PF | B. Wallace |
| Shaquille O'Neal | C | Z. Ilgauskas |
| Official Suns Game Notes | ||
The Suns world, heck the entire basketball universe, expects the Cavs to win another home game tonight and send the Suns reeling into the All-Star break with only the anticipation of a few days off and more trade rumors.
I expect the same result.
However, just consider:
- The Cavs have dropped their last two
- They might be overlooking the Suns (that's a new one for us huh?)
- They are missing Delonte West and Sasha Pavlo'neal
- LeBron and Mo Williams are thinking about leaving Cleveland and coming to Phoenix for the ASG
- Ben Wallace sucks
Any hope now Suns fans? I didn't think so...
I was curious however about LeBron and whether he's like Kobe back a few years ago where the more shots he took the more likely it was that the Lakers would lose.
I dusted of the spreadsheet and ran some numbers and found this:
- In the Cavs 11 loses LeBron 1.7 fewer points and 2.2 more attempts
- His FG% is 8% lower in loses and his 3P% is 7% lower
- Rebounds and Free Throws were less then .3 differece but he does have 1 full assist more in games they lost. Ponder that.
- In Cavs loses LeBron scored 30% of the teams points vs 28% in Cavs wins
I was hoping that these numbers might give us a game plan. Something like stay home on everyone else and make LeBron shoot more or double up on LeBron and make the other guys beat you.
I think though that the only realistic plan is to hope LeBron doesn't shoot well.
So, stop listening to all those naysayers that claim that "hope is not a plan" and get ready to strap on a big helping of H.O.P.E.
Meta News: I picked up my media credentials for the all star jam session which includes lots of fun stuff like the rookie/sophmore game, the d-league all star game and some called a Fed Ex clinic with Boris Diaw (I guess he's going to demonstrate how to get right up near someone's door and then pass the box to another driver??)
So, expect the next few days around here to be filled with lots of on the scene reporting from the festivities along with more and more trade rumors. Frankly, I hope they wait to actually make a trade until after this week is over so I can focus on this.
All d-league related coverage will be posted over at Ridiculous Upside (I think I need to learn to spell rediculous). All the rest will be here. I will also be twittering assorted random crap here.
Almost forgot. You have until mid night tonight to enter
King of the Trade Machine - The Contest
0 recs |
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So much for HOPE
Coro reporting that Nash isn’t well and probably won’t play
http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/PaulCoro/45955
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Feb 11, 2009 12:46 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Time for another Dragic clinic then
-_- I just hope its not too ugly. I just hope we can keep it within 10 on an occasion or two.
by IrrationalAgent on Feb 11, 2009 12:55 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Yikes.
20 minutes of Goran Dragic is not what we need against the Cavs.
by Azreous on Feb 11, 2009 1:00 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
They are gonna double team him every chance they get
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
by PanamaSun on Feb 11, 2009 1:16 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
OK, Amare...
Now’s your chance. Nash is aching, and Shaq’s probably getting All Star-itis right about now. It’s all up to you. Show us why YOU should be THE MAN in Phoenix.
by TexSUN on Feb 11, 2009 1:06 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm hoping that LB
will kick some butt tonight. I gave up on Amar’e already.
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
by PanamaSun on Feb 11, 2009 1:16 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Hahaha...
“Player to be named later” had me cracking up for some reason.
by brian13 on Feb 11, 2009 1:22 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
More then Pavlo'neal?
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Feb 11, 2009 2:03 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Tale of two franchises
A few years back, the Cava were a team with a young superstar and a bunch of mismatched role players. A couple of years ago, the Suns were a well-oiled machine coming off a dominating game four road victory against the eventual champions.
NNow the Cavs are the well-oiled machine. Their young superstar has matured into a leader and inspired the role players to elevate their game to produce a title contender. All under the tutrlage of a coach most of us thought was a caretaker or babysitter after they had fired the man brought in to babysit the superstar (Silas).
The Suns superstar refused to take the leadership mantle, content to blame others and worried only about his points. The Suns sacked the first coach and brought in Porter, who has only managed to make things worse.
The Cavs don’t have anyu more talent than the Suns, but they have the right personalities in the position of superstar and coach. The Suns have neither. There are only three solutions here:
1) get rid of Poerter
2) Trade Amare
3) Do both
I maintain that the only road to success is to do both, however, the perfect storm is
1) Find a coach to get the most out of Amare or
2) Bring in enough talent to make up for the loss of Amare
I will admit, if Portland is indeed offering Aldridge, Bayless, and LaFrentz, we could easily make the playoffs, and even obtain a guy who has given Amare trouble.
The Shaq-Cleveland rumor sounds preposterous, but I would take it in a second if it is legit.
I know PStan, I am the Amare apologist. But I am sick of seeing this every other game effort.
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
by Hawk42 on Feb 11, 2009 2:13 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Blazer fan here
No way we pull the trigger on an LMA, RLEC, Bayless deal.
MAYBE LMA + RLEC, but no Bayless. The staff is high on that guy.
Want more aggressiveness? Try less Baylesslessness.
by prezofdeath on Feb 11, 2009 5:38 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I’d still do the deal, even without Bayless. Though it’d be great if Sergio could be included.
by jburning on Feb 11, 2009 7:51 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
with that said,
Amare looking good this game. He’s shown some range on his jumper i didn’t know he had.
Want more aggressiveness? Try less Baylesslessness.
by prezofdeath on Feb 11, 2009 5:40 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
he's one of the best big man shooters in the league
Steve Nash, the league's MVP, is a longhaired Canadian who spoke out against the war in Iraq and reads The Communist Manifesto. Quentin Richardson declared after a game-winning shot that it "was like Hamlet. It was a suspense thriller, and I killed them at the end." Amare Stoudemire, when asked to comment on a 22-point third quarter against the Kings, said, "I've got a tendency to jump over some guys' heads and throw it down."
by rsavaj on Feb 11, 2009 7:07 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting
piece in Yahoo about Sarver stepping in to make the deal himself, I am not a great one that can write fanposts.
This is all we need Sarver to make the deal. Goodness have all the wheels fallen off the cart yet?
"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"
by Grockcubs on Feb 11, 2009 2:26 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
anyone know?
if the Suns find someone willing to take Shaq off our hands, would we be more inclined to keep Stat?
by Funky Flapsack on Feb 11, 2009 2:55 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Any thoughts
on who from the Cavs will have a career night?
by Gorilla Game on Feb 11, 2009 3:32 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Hey Stan
Your spelling of ridiculous is fine, it’s ’losses’you might want to take a look at :)
by nash-n-burn on Feb 11, 2009 3:33 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Still looking for an editor/proof reader?
volentires?
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Feb 11, 2009 4:15 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I could do it. I got a Bachelor of Arts in English linguistics.
by jburning on Feb 11, 2009 7:52 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
LeBron with 40 +
What do you think? Can the Suns stop LeBron?
by BettorFan on Feb 11, 2009 4:35 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Can we get a new owner?
wtf is this? I saw it on Yahoo sports.
Take care of the little things, and the big things will take care of themselves.
by SunDolphin on Feb 11, 2009 4:41 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
I saw the same
as posted above. Sarver/Kerr/Porter, what a freaking trifecta.
"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"
by Grockcubs on Feb 11, 2009 4:42 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
match made in basketball heaven, no? insert sarcastic jeer
I'm just like you, only ten times better.
by noonoo on Feb 11, 2009 5:18 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I’d much rather have my Parcells/Ireland/Sparano trio than this screwed up, deformed version of three’s company.
Oh, wait, I do have my Parcells/Ireland/Sparano trio!
Too bad it’s basketball season and the Suns are acting more like a corporation (a bank, in particular) than a sports team. Pretty soon Sarver will be asking to trade Shaq and Nash for a government bailout. I cannot freakin’ stand owners who put making money over winning championships. Open a goddamn restuarant chain and let someone own the team that wants to win first and make money as a side effect.
Take care of the little things, and the big things will take care of themselves.
by SunDolphin on Feb 11, 2009 8:10 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
what the deuce? i hate when they miss their freethrows
I'm just like you, only ten times better.
by noonoo on Feb 11, 2009 5:19 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Suns lettin James iso 1-on-1?
That could be trouble.
Want more aggressiveness? Try less Baylesslessness.
by prezofdeath on Feb 11, 2009 5:28 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
10 already for Amare
raising his trade value
Want more aggressiveness? Try less Baylesslessness.
by prezofdeath on Feb 11, 2009 5:29 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
i effing hate watching matt barnes play. it always ends in disaster
I'm just like you, only ten times better.
by noonoo on Feb 11, 2009 5:36 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Being a Portland fan...
I’m not really up-to-speed on where all the anti-hype concerning Amare is coming from
What has Amare done specifically to warrant the wrath of Phoenix fans? I know the Suns are “underperforming” right now, but why the disdain for Amare?
Want more aggressiveness? Try less Baylesslessness.
by prezofdeath on Feb 11, 2009 5:45 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Where do we start?
For one he actually thinks his defense has improved (it hasn’t), he talks big and doesn’t follow up, he threw Grant Hill and Steve Nash under the bus by saying since he isn’t a captain it isn’t his job to “rally the troops”. How’s that for starters.
by TwinnerA on Feb 11, 2009 6:45 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
he sounds kind of like a rasheed wallace
good when he wants to be, but doesn’t like being a leader…
Want more aggressiveness? Try less Baylesslessness.
by prezofdeath on Feb 11, 2009 6:50 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
did dragic just dunk?
I'm just like you, only ten times better.
by noonoo on Feb 11, 2009 5:46 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
but then he follows it up with an offensive foul. bravo
I'm just like you, only ten times better.
by noonoo on Feb 11, 2009 5:48 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
lol
Want more aggressiveness? Try less Baylesslessness.
by prezofdeath on Feb 11, 2009 6:10 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I think..
Varejao would fall down if a fly landed on him.
by brian13 on Feb 11, 2009 5:48 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
i can’t stand that eff-ner
I'm just like you, only ten times better.
by noonoo on Feb 11, 2009 5:51 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
can someone, ANYONE defend the 3? fucking A
I'm just like you, only ten times better.
by noonoo on Feb 11, 2009 6:00 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
The answer to your question, noonoo
is noo and noo.
by TwinnerA on Feb 11, 2009 6:42 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Mo is crazy
Want more aggressiveness? Try less Baylesslessness.
by prezofdeath on Feb 11, 2009 6:10 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
29 points at the half...
are you kidding me!
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
by PanamaSun on Feb 11, 2009 6:22 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
29 points at the half? what game are you watching? if you mean the magic then yes, that is rather pathetic
I'm just like you, only ten times better.
by noonoo on Feb 11, 2009 6:23 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
wait
I just got home and I’m looking at the boxscore and MO williams has 29 points. Is that accurate?
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
by PanamaSun on Feb 11, 2009 6:29 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
oh. uh, yea that would be accurate. and looks williams is the one that’s gonna get the career night against us
I'm just like you, only ten times better.
by noonoo on Feb 11, 2009 6:31 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
A few things pissing me off....
1. Barnes.. Wasn’t he playing good at the start of the season? WTF happened?
2. J-Rich.. His offense has not impressed me. He’s a good shooter and good at taking his man 1on1, but he loses the ball a lot dribbling and he’s not a very good passer.
by brian13 on Feb 11, 2009 6:14 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
I hate Barnes
When was the last time he actually contributed to a game other than to just be the 5th player on the floor?
by TwinnerA on Feb 11, 2009 6:41 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
i just want to punch him. when is porter going to grow a brain and not put him in games?
I'm just like you, only ten times better.
by noonoo on Feb 11, 2009 6:46 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
look at those turnovers pile up.
I'm just like you, only ten times better.
by noonoo on Feb 11, 2009 6:16 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
How many?
I’m afraid I’ll go blind if Iook at the box score, so lay the gargantuan number on me. Last I knew it was 16.
by TwinnerA on Feb 11, 2009 6:38 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
box score says 19
I'm just like you, only ten times better.
by noonoo on Feb 11, 2009 6:39 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
So sad man..
This is horrible…
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
by PanamaSun on Feb 11, 2009 6:49 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Damn
We get within 5 and now it’s back up to 15.
by TwinnerA on Feb 11, 2009 6:49 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
isn’t that usually the case? and the opposite holds true too… we build a big lead and then end up giving it back
I'm just like you, only ten times better.
by noonoo on Feb 11, 2009 6:52 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
yowzers
Want more aggressiveness? Try less Baylesslessness.
by prezofdeath on Feb 11, 2009 6:50 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
all star mo williams currently tallying 41 points
I'm just like you, only ten times better.
by noonoo on Feb 11, 2009 7:00 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
ok enough of this game for me.
i can’t take this anymore.
by brian13 on Feb 11, 2009 7:05 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
I've switched over to Lost
Watching last week’s episode and then a new one at 8 p.m.
by TwinnerA on Feb 11, 2009 7:16 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Can't watch this anymore
Night guys.
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
by PanamaSun on Feb 11, 2009 7:05 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
I see from the boxscore that Amare is having a Kobe-esque night
…Kobe of the 2004-2007 Lakers that is. Amare gets his, team loses by 20, and Amare is a team-worst -20. Way to step up to my challenge, Amare. :(
by TexSUN on Feb 11, 2009 7:06 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
GSW is sitll waiting to take him off your hands.
by dungeness crabdribble on Feb 11, 2009 7:10 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Ok, maybe I was a little harsh...
…especially given that I was basing my analysis solely on the boxscore and not from having actually watched the game. But 6 rebounds from Amare on a night when Shaq only got five does not impress me (from either player, actually)
by TexSUN on Feb 11, 2009 7:13 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Phx Suns
where career games happen
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Feb 11, 2009 7:12 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
how do you lose a game by 20 points?
turning the ball over 23 times, giving up 11 3’s, giving up 19 more shot attempts, and letting matt barnes shoot 4 empty 3’s
I'm just like you, only ten times better.
by noonoo on Feb 11, 2009 7:17 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
I say trade them all away
except Nash and Barbosa and AmundSun.
by TwinnerA on Feb 11, 2009 7:19 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
sure except no one wants them. i certainly wouldn’t
I'm just like you, only ten times better.
by noonoo on Feb 11, 2009 7:20 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Spurs just lost to Toronto
Roger Mason missed the game-tying shot in the last 6 seconds.
by TwinnerA on Feb 11, 2009 7:29 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
losing sucks
getting blown out in every loss makes me want to go jihad on everyone’s ass
by Funky Flapsack on Feb 11, 2009 7:29 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Now back to the trade watch....yay
Well now that that is done time to see who we’ll get for STAT. I have this nagging fear that we are about to get shafted in a trade. God I hope I’m wrong
"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 Feb 11, 2009 7:44 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
no you are correct
Face it. We’re not getting equal return. And everyone seems to believe we won’t get anything close to equal return. The move is strictly financial, and apparently saving money at this point is more important than rebuilding with talent. So expect a crap team for the next 5-10 years. Think: Sacramento Kings
by Funky Flapsack on Feb 11, 2009 7:47 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
I'm not sure it'll be that bad
We’ll see though, we’ll see.
"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 Feb 11, 2009 7:48 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Hopefully we get first round, unprotected draft picks in return, along with the lesser talent. But then that’d just give Sarver something to sell. Why doesn’t he just trade all of our players away for D-leaguers so we can get lottery picks, so Sarver can make more money for each sale. Then, since we can’t be the team with the best record or the NBA championship, we can be the team with the least amount of fans but the highest bankroll. Gotta have something to aspire to, no?
Take care of the little things, and the big things will take care of themselves.
by SunDolphin on Feb 11, 2009 8:15 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
No recap tonight folks
I have moved on to the all star game…what else is there to say about this one anyway?
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Feb 11, 2009 7:54 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
i dunno
same shit, different day?
by Funky Flapsack on Feb 11, 2009 7:55 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
It is official.
The only thing the suns are good for, is allowing opposing players to have a career night. I say we start a petition to Stern and ask that the suns are allowed to play each team in the nba an equal number of times, this will allow for all the teams stats to increase evenly. The only team we cannot play are the Kings.
Also, do not forget that they had 25 TO’s in the game, another record. When I saw that I thought, did Nash steal Dragic’s jersey or something.
The only thing that the suns are doing consistantly this year is TO’s. The game killer tonight, 34 points allowed off turnovers. Just pathetic….
by Gorilla Game on Feb 11, 2009 10:38 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Good thing Nash was sitting, so we could have some defense at the PG position...
oh wait… Williams went 18-26, and 7-9 from downtown… my bad..
Doesn’t anybody who played tonight, apart from Grant Hill, understand the notion of team/help defense ??
at least we stopped WallyWorld from going off..
"True glory consists of doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read".
by Pliny the Elder on Feb 11, 2009 10:57 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
We didn't stop him from going off
Wally would have had his 40 if he wanted to. He just let Mo have it more cos Wally would have shot a mere 17-26 against the Suns’ tenacious lockdown defense.
Our perimeter D, interior D, man-to-man D, zonal-D, pick-and-roll D, one-on-one D, dribble penetration D, shooter-coverage D, motion offense D, princeton offense D, half-court D, superstar D, role-player D, early-game D, crunch-time D. Those are about the only problems with our defense. Other than that we’re fine.
by felixthm on Feb 12, 2009 8:05 AM MST reply actions 1 recs
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