Game Preview - Suns vs Celtics
by Seth Pollack on Feb 22, 2009 12:00 PM MST
in Phoenix Suns Commentary
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PrintBoston Celtics at Phoenix Suns, Feb 22, 2009 12:30 PM MST
| 2008/2009 NBA Regular Season | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
vs. |  |
| 31-23 | 44-12 | |
| US Airway Center |
||
| February 22nd, 2009, 12:30 PM MST / 2:30PM EST |
||
| ABC HD, 620 AM |
||
| Probable starters: | ||
| Steve Nash | PG | R. Rondo |
| Leandro Barbosa | SG | R. Allen |
| Jason Richardson | SF | P. Pierce |
| Grant Hill | PF | B. Scalabrine |
| Shaquille O'Neal | C | K. Perkins |
| Official Suns Game Notes | ||
This preview brought to you by Mike Lisboa who wasn't able to actually bring it to you due to technical difficulties. He lives in California which is probably a factor.
I was driving home trying to figure out a theme for my Sun-Celts preview and coming up empty when fortunately I flipped my radio over to a classic rock station and Van Halen bailed me out. I changed stations just in time to catch the chorus of “Runnin’ with the Devil.”
Which of course is what the Suns are doing. In rejecting Terry Porter’s slow-it-down-to-a-crawl offensive philosophy and returning to “ludicrous speed” as one commenter put it, Alvin Gentry and the Suns have chosen the devil they know over the devil they didn’t.
And why the hell not? There’s rich irony in the Suns scoring 140 points in 3 consecutive games 18 years after, ahem, a Terry Porter-led offense did it the last time. And a 3 game win streak (insert 13-win caveat here) is just what the doctor ordered for a team and a fanbase that was rapidly losing both faith and swagger.
This game was supposed to be the Amar’eless born-again run-and-fun Suns first real test, but that will apparently have to wait until Thursday’s tilt against the Lakers. Which is not to say these Celtics, even without Kevin Garnett, are slouches. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are both legitimate threats to dominate this game given the Suns lack of a lockdown defender at either the 2 or the 3. But when the defending champs are missing The Big Ticket, it does take a significant bite out of their game.
With any luck it will be a tight game. As Alvin Gentry has already said, the 140 Or Bust offense will definitely be “bust” against the Association’s 2nd stingiest defense. But I still think the Suns have the will and the momentum to turn this into a track meet. If the Suns can control the tempo, I like their chances. As creaky and aged as Steve Nash, Shaquille O’Neal and Grant Hill are, they’re at least practiced at the fine art of warp speed basketball giving them an edge over the Celtics’ reconstituted big 3 of Pierce, Allen and Rajon Rondo.
It’s going to be a battle of wills. If the Suns can crank up the pace, I like their chances of stealing this one from Boston. If the Celts manage to slow it down, it could be a long day and yet another nationally televised embarrassment for the Purple Gang. I’m calling it 117-110 for our boys.
Follow along in the comments. Being a nationally televised game, I won’t be doing a live blog play-by-play, but I’ll be present with plenty o’ pith and snark. Enjoy!
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Go Suns!
My favourite Greek team Panathinaikos will face Olympiacos in the Greek Cup Final, but I’m mainly going to watch the Suns game!
My body might be in Greece, but my mind and my heart is in Arizona. When the heck will I visit the Desert?
not another disaster please
i live in the boston area, and being the only d-bag at the bar wearing purple and orange in a sea of drunken green and white while your team is gettling clubbed like a baby seal really doesn’t help the confrontations with that sea of green and white. Please, please, please no blowouts this afternoon, unless we are the one dishin it out. Keeping Leon Powe from playing above his head and turning Rondo into a jumpshooter is most of the battle. Hopefully Grant is ok after the mysterious minutes that happened on Friday nights, and he could have a good game on one of the Big 2. No smiles for Eddie House today. Go Suns!
"Hes very cerebral when he plays out there"--Hubie
I feel you.
I live in Lakerland, which was freaking awesome during the playoffs of the previous four seasons (before last year’s flameout against the Spurs). But it’s not fun when the Suns are struggling.
I was out shopping at an outdoor mall when Kobe hit that jumper to win Game 4 of the playoffs 2 seasons ago and it looked like the Suns were done. I nearly threw my cell phone into a fountain when I heard all the Laker fans go nuts. I wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear. So here’s hoping for a W so you can rock the team colors with pride today!
by Mike Lisboa on Feb 22, 2009 10:36 AM MST up reply actions
Our bench needs to play
well today. Barnes and Dragic need to play solid. Just hope Barnes is not jacking from the parking lot.
Lets beat a good team today.
"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"
Parle
I wouldnt be surprised if Captain Barbosa has another great game. I’m not sayin dude’s gonna get another 40pt game, but he’ll make good things happen.
I have to say, I feel that LB is the short-term future of our team. Nash is on his way out, Amare is our franchise player but the team makes it seem like he’s on his way out. And besides those guys, there’s no players on the team that look to be staying here for a long period of time. LB has been here longer than anyone else (besides the previously stated 2). No, he’s not a good backup PG, especially when you have to backup one of he greatest PGs to ever play the game. But he’s definately a very quick, accurate, and smart player. His valu to the team is higher than most people think.
I think LB
is on his way to becoming the next Marion on this team when it comes to defense. Smaller, even faster, better range, fewer dunks, and much less complaining. I don’t think he’ll be the franchise player, but more like the glue guy that does a lot of things very well, and would be sorely missed if traded.
Barbosa FTW!
My body might be in Greece, but my mind and my heart is in Arizona. When the heck will I visit the Desert?
Howdy...
Late to the party… i didn’t expect an actual 11:30 tipoff!
J-Rich lighting it up early, but really an uncontested Scalabrine dunk? Uncalled for.
ugh
I had the time wrong and didn’t even think the game started for another hour. grr. guess i’m going to be late too. (on the phone right now).
If anyone needs score updates, let me know.
17-13 Suns, 6:54 left in the First Quarter. No defense on either end so far.
by Mike Lisboa on Feb 22, 2009 12:44 PM MST up reply actions
Is Jeff Van Gundy reading this blog???
Nash, Hill, and Amare didn’t embrace Porter’s style? and Nash was passive-aggressive?
I know!
It’s awesome to hear him saying that!
by Mike Lisboa on Feb 22, 2009 12:46 PM MST up reply actions
Track meet in full effect...
22-22 with just over 4 minutes to go in the 1st. It could be 4 in a row scoring 140. That hardly guarantees a victory though.
keep repeating that
maybe Boston will start to believe it too.
Wouldn’t have to worry ’bout it IF we played with a little bit of DEFENSE.
I know, that’s a dirty word here.
Human thought is so primitive, it's looked upon as an infectious disease in some of the better galaxies. That kind of makes you proud, doesn't it?
by unnamedDBacksfan on Feb 22, 2009 12:59 PM MST up reply actions
That'll play to our favor if we keep up on our end.
Take care of the little things, and the big things will take care of themselves.
Good luck!
Not much in the way of commercial breaks to get you up to speed.
by Mike Lisboa on Feb 22, 2009 12:51 PM MST up reply actions
Does anyone guard Ray Allen?
Can’t watch the game, but just by looking at GameCast it looks like Ray is playing by himself out there.
Had to be a wet spot.
He’s bringing it today though. Would like to see him look to pass just a skosh more.
Dragic!
Got hosed on the foul call. But, hey, he’s in with the Suns down a couple! Gentry serious about increasing the rotations.
The second line for the Suns...
is getting exposed. That said, I’m good with leaving them in this early. They need to figure out how to hold serve while the old guys get some rest.
Bad defense
There were also times we looked sloppy in offense
My body might be in Greece, but my mind and my heart is in Arizona. When the heck will I visit the Desert?
End of 1Q, Celtics lead 38-33
Decent first quarter. The Suns will need more stops if they want to win this thing, but I like Gentry’s faith in his back-ups. These guys need confidence and unless they get blown off the floor, this can only help.
Come on Barnes!
At least he didn’t shoot the 3 :p
My body might be in Greece, but my mind and my heart is in Arizona. When the heck will I visit the Desert?
Van Gundy's on fire today.
He also said that if Thunder Dan suited up, he’d automatically become the Suns best defender and 3-point shooter.
Ever notice...
… how you never see Phoenix Stan and Jeff Van Gundy in the same room at the same time? Hmmmm…
Maybe Van Gundy's sensitive...
to defensive minded coaches getting fired. Or he’s auditioning for Kerr’s next big hire.
Yes!
One more Shaq dive!
My body might be in Greece, but my mind and my heart is in Arizona. When the heck will I visit the Desert?
we have to keep it within 10
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."
Nice shot Barbs
My body might be in Greece, but my mind and my heart is in Arizona. When the heck will I visit the Desert?
Refs. Are. TERRIBLE.
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."
+11
We must NOT lose control of the game
My body might be in Greece, but my mind and my heart is in Arizona. When the heck will I visit the Desert?
Rondo is the guy that I fear the most on the C's
HOW THE FLURGE WAS THAT A BLOCKING FOUL?
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."
FUCK THOSE REFS!!!
My body might be in Greece, but my mind and my heart is in Arizona. When the heck will I visit the Desert?
meh nash was sidestepping :(
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."
i thought you're allowed to backpedal, but not move laterally?
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."
Can't blame the refs.
Not a poor enough performance to warrant throwing them under the bus. Suns just need to calm down and execute.
zomg rondo's good at math
GOAT
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."
JVG all kinds of astute.
The Suns need to shut up and play. Complaining = weakness. Execution in the face of adversity = strength.
Yep.
Suns could have traded Nash this season, moved Rondo to starter, and Presto! Instant defense-first/Spurs system.
That was my argument all along.
If you’re going to play like the Spurs, you can’t have bad defenders at PG,. PF, and Center position. You just can’t.
Of course now it's...
PG, PF, Center AND SG. When Grant Hill is your best defender, you’re NOT going to play Spurs-caliber defense, no matter who is coaching.
OK, now this is getting ugly
My body might be in Greece, but my mind and my heart is in Arizona. When the heck will I visit the Desert?
lol flop
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."
aight can we call a time out?
and this is why you don’t trade away all of your competent defenders steve kerr
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."
that should have been an over the back foul on the Cs
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."
Barnes shooting 3's was the last thing we needed
My body might be in Greece, but my mind and my heart is in Arizona. When the heck will I visit the Desert?
End of 1st Half: Celtics 68, Suns 54
Oddly, I’m not terribly disheartened by this. Alvin Gentry needs to chill the fellas out at half time. If they can cut it to 7 in the 3rd, the Suns are still in it. If not, the Suns will allow 140 in a blowout.
truth
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."
and this is a man
who wants more minutes. I would’ve cut his ass by now. Wanna drop cap space? There’s your guy. I expected more out of him, but its just not happeing. Call it funk, call it outright suck.
Announcing
Actually, the announcing isn’t bothering me much today. Sure it’s pro-Celtics a bit, but they’re not only the champs, they’re on pace to win this game by 28. Until the Suns show they belong on the same floor with this team, I think the announcing is fair.
The aboe doesn't apply to Stuart Scott
…I wasn’t in the room for that bit. I was referring to JVG and crew calling the game.
excuses
Human thought is so primitive, it's looked upon as an infectious disease in some of the better galaxies. That kind of makes you proud, doesn't it?
by unnamedDBacksfan on Feb 22, 2009 3:57 PM MST up reply actions
Big men on the bench
You’ve got Rondo getting into the lane at will. No one can really stay in front of him. You need mobile big men that can come over and help…
If only we had a couple of those on the bench…oh wait. We do!
Blogging Suns Basketball
eric lewis
eric lewis sucks at being a ref. replace him suns!!!
it's not just missing shots
it’s an off-game in every aspect, from getting unnecessary fouls to missing layups, to knocking the ball out of bounds and getting called on defensive 3 seconds. I hope Nash and Gentry get their team’s HEADS IN THE GAME over half. We need to come out burning hot to have any chance here.
Suns lucked out on that one
Nash with the charge, after it looked like he was going to be boxed out by JRich(?) on the play.
rondo is unstoppable
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."
Rondo is not unstoppable
We are just refusing to even try to stop him. If you give someone the lane and a wide iopen basket, they should be able to score.
I need to pause this and go away for awhile
The Suns were doing better when I was watching it on time delay.
The Suns defense is atrocious.
If Nash isn’t going to defend (he can’t, to be fair), then he needs to make it happen at the other end. Nothing is falling from outside for the Suns so it doesn’t look good at this point.
If you gonna Run'N'Gun against a team like the Celtics...
…you either have to get some stops or MASTER your offense. Neither is happening…
My body might be in Greece, but my mind and my heart is in Arizona. When the heck will I visit the Desert?
by Giannaros on Feb 22, 2009 2:13 PM MST reply actions 1 recs
There's a point at which a team doesn't deserve to make the playoffs.
That point is rapidly approaching. I’d feel better if we were actually trying, but the APATHY is pretty overwhelming.
even someone with limited skills...
….can out their body into the lane and just get between their guy and the goal.
I love LB
In fact, I think I’ll just watch him the rest of the game, and stop watching the score. That was just amazing. One minute, he’s totally behind the defense, the next he’s at the rim.
…and now he hits the three.
this is bad
i have a feeling someone is going to get hurt in the game, whether it be a player or ref
Whining
will get us nowhere. And the officiating has not been that bad. The Suns have been sloppy and are paying the price.
Barbosa...
Does everything J-Rich can do 2X times better (at this point)!
My body might be in Greece, but my mind and my heart is in Arizona. When the heck will I visit the Desert?
I don't know...
I’m quite dissapointed of him. Misses a lot of shots and is quite sloppy at times on offense. You might be right though
My body might be in Greece, but my mind and my heart is in Arizona. When the heck will I visit the Desert?
Anyone think....
…that Dragic could be someday put into the game as a decent distributer and better defender?
Yep
I actually think that’s where the Suns were going with this pick. Hasn’t panned out so far, but maybe someday.
lol how sad is that statement
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."
Deficit is "down" to 12
After Grant Hill.
..not for long. Ray Allen with the three. Gotta stop with those positive comments.
jared dudley stepping up
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."
why is steve nash guarding paul pierce?
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."
Why is Steve Nah guarding anyone?
Earlier comment from the announcers: “Suns should put Nash on Scalabrine”. Not sure who that insults more.
by TexSUN on Feb 22, 2009 2:28 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
misses the free throw?
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."
No way!
I’m going positive here. Suns with a chance to cut it to 12 after some defense that can best be described as “not embarrassing.”
matty barnes? wtf
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."
dang it, back to 13
lou amundson should never shoot the ball
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."
he used to make those
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."
End of 3Q: Celtics 96, Suns 83
At this point, I advocate bombing away. If the Suns are going to truly embrace drowning their opponents with offense, let’s uncork the 3 ball from Nash, J-Rich, Barbosa and even Matty Ice. The Suns are not going to win with defense. May as well go down swinging.
+1
Defense didn’t show up at all, but what’s killing the Suns is that their offense apparently slept in too. More zip, less standing around.
Is there such a thing as a good travel?
He turned it over, but it was at least in an aggressive attempt at some O.
Lead down to 9
on a 3 ball. Too bad the Celtics still have Ray Allen to tie it up with a 3 of his own.
I'd leave Dragic in
…for the rest of the game. If the Suns aren’t going to run anyway, then keep the guy with the better defense running the show.
In addition to 3-second defensive violations...
… I think we’re also seeing some record for charging/blocking calls that could have gone either way. Lots of defenders standing in front of barreling offensive players.
Yep, so question....
Would the Suns, fully bought into Terry Porter’s system and with Amare have won this game if the Celtics had Garnett?
no way in hell.
How does having Amare help their defense at all?
Terry Porter’s “system” caused the Suns to be in a multiple-personality mode which doesn’t help defense or offense.
With KG in this game, it’s over after the first quarter. Shaq fouls out, Amundson left to guard KG?
That was a pre-emptive strike...
…at what is likely to be the mother of all “I told you so!”’s from Phoenix Stan after the Suns just tailor made his point that this system will not work against any semblance of good teams.
dang...harsh
I made my point before not so I could say “I told you so” but b/c calling something a bust after the fact isn’t exactly….interesting
I also said we would know more about this system after 10 games not one
I also predicted in the podcast the Suns would win this game
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Feb 22, 2009 3:34 PM MST up reply actions
On a lighter note...
I have to snicker every time I see U-Turn from “Weeds” shilling for Coors Light.
I was just thinking how much I miss the Pussycat Dolls
Gave me something to puke at during timeouts.
U-turn died hard
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Feb 22, 2009 3:35 PM MST up reply actions
Oh, and this is my least informed Oscar season ever.
And as a straight man, I unapologetically think Hugh Jackman is positively dreamy.
Couldn't care less
I never watch the Oscars. Nor many of the movies nominated for them either for that matter.
I'll watch
but as usual I haven’t seen any of the movies nominated (or any movies in the theater this year for that matter). I just watch to see the stars.
go see slumdog millionaire, it's excellent
i hear gran torino is good as well
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."
I do plan to see Slumdog Millionaire
unless it’s out on DVD and then I’ll rent it. I really do need to get to the movies more often.
Hey, if the Suns can win 75% of their games the rest of the way
…they make the playoffs.
/end pathetic attempt at positive thinking
One more loss televised by national TV...
And our longest winning streak remains at 3… At least Panathinaikos won the Cup!
My body might be in Greece, but my mind and my heart is in Arizona. When the heck will I visit the Desert?
Good night guys
I’m off
My body might be in Greece, but my mind and my heart is in Arizona. When the heck will I visit the Desert?
Maybe Gentry is sending a message?
…to Nash? Can’t think of any other reason for him to be int he game other than maybe trying to embarrass him into playing better defense.
..and this time Grant Hill IS in the game
…Why? I know the Suns have done last-minute comebacks from way down before, but this just doesn’t feel like one of those times to me.
Most telling moment of the game.
If you hadn’t been aware of how completely overmatched Nash is by Rondo, Rajon just walked the ball into the lane like he was sizing up his little brother. He is completely unafraid of Captain Canada.
I think they're treating this game as ...
…practice for now. I can’t think of any other reason for the starters to be in there. Risky move given that one more injury pretty much sticks the fork into the season if it wasn’t already.
Listening to Mike Breen
…and playing devil’s advocate for the moment…
What if…
The Suns had truly bought into Terry Porter’s system, and tried their guts out to learn defense, and master the half-court game….
…would Breen be saying that “he has made them better individual defenders” ?
..I say no, given the age of the Suns’ players in question, but in fairness to both sides, it’s a question worth posing.
yes...interesting question
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Feb 22, 2009 3:37 PM MST up reply actions
To be honest
I thought Kerr would keep Porter and there would be trades and there wasn’t, so I guess we’ll never know the answer to the “interesting question.”
Season/career highs galore
Rondo career high
Somebody else (Scalabrine?) season high
Celtics as a team = season high
…can’t tell if the PHX crowd is booing, or cheering that the massacre is over.
Off to rest my eyes now. They’re sore after sitting through that.
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