Blazers vs Suns
by antiw0rm on Mar 26, 2009 12:37 PM MDT
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Ed Note: Bumped from the Fan Posts. I've intended to write a detailed preview of this game myself and have a LOT to say on the matter but once again am just slammed today. Maybe later. Thanks to antiw0rm for stepping into the breach
The Suns have more or less dominated the Blazers the last few years outscoring them by an average of 11.7 points and winning 11 in a row until our last meeting. Phoenix beat them twice this year, then came Roy. Roy scored 52 points in 44 minutes to finish his best game of his career and give the Suns a taste of their own scoring medicine. The Suns sit 2 - 1 against the Blazers this season.
However, Last night against Philadelphia Roy went 5 of 18 from the field and watched as his team climbed back from a 14 point deficit to eventually be defeated in extra minutes. Portland in the race for better positioning in the Northwest division will need to avoid adding another loss or risk being caught by Dallas in the 8th seed. Portland is currently tied with Utah at 44 - 27 for 6th in the west.
Phoenix coming into this game will need to shut down Roy and keep close tabs on Steve Blake. These two combined for 72 points and are the reason the Suns lost to Portland in the last meeting.
Match-ups that I will be watching:
Grant Hill vs Brandon Roy: Grant Hill has been a defensive juggernaut in the past 4 games and an offensive genius as well. If Grant Hill is playing decent he should give Roy enough to worry about thus keeping his scoring in check. Not to mention Roy has a minor ankle injury and is listed as probable. + 1 for the Suns.
Steve vs Steve: Nash will need to be aggressive offensively as to keep Blake occupied. However, Nash can never exactly be relied on for defensive stops and continues to react slowly in most cases. + 1 for Portland.
Greg Oden vs Shaqtus: Simply +1 Suns.
LaMarcus Aldridge vs Matt Barns: This is a tough cover for Matt Barns but I see this thing going either way. Matt will need to continue to be aggressive going to the hoop. Matt Gives up a few inches as usual at this position but they end up roughly the same size. I would say these two cancel each other out.
Phoenix Bench vs Portland Bench: As of late our bench seems to be the better of the two. With extreme hustle and improved confidence the Suns should win this one. + 1 for the Suns.
The rest of the Suns need to continue to put a hand in the passing lanes. Richardson will need to continue to make shots and on the other end keep track of his man on the 3 point line.
If the Suns play anything like they have in the last 6 games. We should come out of this with a WIN.
Dallas plays Denver tomorrow night. A win for us in Portland could move us to 2.5 games overall. A win by Denver tomorrow night would put is with in 2 games. This will be a nail biter.
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If you ever say that it would be better to have steve blake than steve nash you should be crucified – the long way, no arm breaking spear in side stuff.
Personally, i would have to say if aldridge shows up that is a big bonus to portland, esp. if Barnes shoots poorly as he is apt to do. Remember that a lot of people pushed for us to trade amare for this guy back in that long lost Terry Porter era.
Otherwise yeah, if Hill can be godlike and continue to slow their best player, shaq will get his numbers steve will at the very horribly worst only cancel out blake, and the bench will do their thing. It all depends on hill to slow down an offense nearly as good as ours.
By the way when the hell and how the hell did Dragic get to be a good shooter – the rap on him was that was one of the weak points of his game, and he has 2 straight solid shooting, atleast from long range games.
Hope LB comes back soon, I pine for him.
Dragic
I remember when we acquired him and the scouting report said that he had nearly a perfect shot mechanically. I think giving him confidence with great mechanics is yielding the result we are seeing. He will be good in this league if he continues on the this track. If Aldridge shows up plus to Portland. If Barns shows up Plus to us. That’s why I have to give it a draw. Aldridge is great but I feel that Matt can play tough enough to at least make him a null factor. However, Aldridge can be beastly at times in which case Matt would be hard pressed on the defensive end. This for me is a wait and see what happens.
" I'm going to root for the Suns when they are winning or losing, but when losing I will point and blame the failing economy on the Referees."- Me.
Dragic
Im not sayin anything bad about him, its a pleasent surprise, just watching him in his pre-draft work out he wasnt great shooting, and people were worried he would be a bad shooter in the phoenix system. I do like his form though, and if he could continue to develop at this rate, he will be a valuable part of suns future. Him and Dudley and if Fropez could ever get on track – how can you be 7 foot and have trouble dunking. Tuuurrrrrible
by egp the great on Mar 26, 2009 11:00 AM MDT up reply actions
Lopez
mechanically what he is doing is a) bringing the ball back behind his head like he’s in a slam dunk contest and/or b) bringing the ball low to gather himself and then going up.
Shaq does b as well but he’s much bigger and stronger and can’t elevate otherwise.
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Mar 26, 2009 12:12 PM MDT up reply actions
Everytime sideshow bob
goes for a dunk I just prey to not hear CLANK! Same goes with Barnes and his three point shot.
by Gorilla Game on Mar 26, 2009 4:17 PM MDT up reply actions
Even the shots that he missed
Looked like they were going in. I’m impressed. The kid looked really good out there.
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
+1
It is highly likely that Barnes could have trouble with him. At the same time I think if Barnes lays off the three Aldridge would have trouble staying in front of Barns. Matt will have to fight to keep him out of the post as that seems to be Matt’s weakness when guarding players out of his position (PF). I wouldn’t be opposed to putting somebody like Lue or Swift on him for some time as well.
Some of the things that Aldridge is good at are completely nullified given the fact that Shaq takes up some space the entire paint.
" I'm going to root for the Suns when they are winning or losing, but when losing I will point and blame the failing economy on the Referees."- Me.
Rewind
“Barnes laying off threes.” We need Barnes to show up but that would be heavenly.
by egp the great on Mar 26, 2009 11:02 AM MDT up reply actions
Very true.
" I'm going to root for the Suns when they are winning or losing, but when losing I will point and blame the failing economy on the Referees."- Me.
Quoting myself here...
From my Twitter feed last night:
Matt Barnes makes no mediocre plays. His two speeds are “hero” and “goat.” There is no middle ground.
High Energy + No Self-Awareness = The Matt Barnes Coin Toss (I’m sure there’s a “Dark Knight” Two Face/Joker reference wanting to be made here).
by Mike Lisboa on Mar 26, 2009 11:32 AM MDT up reply actions
Portland climbed back from a 14 point deficit, not Philly.
Another homework note, both Phoenix wins over Portland this year came while Porltand was on the 2nd game of a back to back and both were played in Phoenix. Tonight it is our turn. Portland is the home team and Phoenix is playing on the 2nd night of a back to back.
Phoenix is on fire, should be a great game.
good catch. Correction Noted.
" I'm going to root for the Suns when they are winning or losing, but when losing I will point and blame the failing economy on the Referees."- Me.
This is probably true.
Except currently Hill is playing … well great as well.
" I'm going to root for the Suns when they are winning or losing, but when losing I will point and blame the failing economy on the Referees."- Me.
Hill is my all-time favorite non-blazer
but roy>>hill
bayless leaves over my dead body
by thomasikehara on Mar 26, 2009 4:35 PM MDT up reply actions
hey Phoenix fans--
Nice game preview but I would give the nod to Aldridge over Barnes, and I am surprised you picked Blake over Nash in your matchups. I am obviously a Blazer fan, but Nash is a great pointguard, and I fear a little schoolin from him tonight.
What the heck has Hill been eating for breakfast lately? The guy is looking very sharp. Imagine what his career would be without the injury problems. Scary.
I have to say, that the Suns are my 2nd favorite team: I want you to lose tonight-of course-but win the rest and catch that 8th seed, preferably with Dallas dropping out.
Good luck on your playoff quest…
It's spelled "PRZYBILLA."
vanillathrillagorillaprzybilla
Thanks Reno.
You guys may be right about Aldridge but I think Matt and his backups may be able to contain him to a manageable clip. Nash will score usually when ever he wants to score. I think tonight we will need him on the defensive end and that is why i give the go ahead to Blake. Nash has however surprised me with some defensive stops lately. Good luck to you guys as well. Aside from tonight I hope you give Dallas, Utah, Denver and the like a real tough time.
" I'm going to root for the Suns when they are winning or losing, but when losing I will point and blame the failing economy on the Referees."- Me.
Is Barbosa out tonight?
It's spelled "PRZYBILLA."
vanillathrillagorillaprzybilla
by RenoBlazerFan on Mar 26, 2009 1:11 PM MDT up reply actions
Yes he has been out i think the last 3 or 4.
" I'm going to root for the Suns when they are winning or losing, but when losing I will point and blame the failing economy on the Referees."- Me.
another blazer fan here...
agreed… Aldridge is a hard match-up, his high release makes his jumper unstoppable and as of last month or two he’s been attacking the rim with a diverse arsenal of offensive moves. But, I will also second Nash over Blake. Nash is one of those players that just his presence on the court changes defensive schemes. Even if he is not playing to his proven potential, he is someone that every team must pay attention to.
Should be a good game tonight, you guys have owned us for years and even as we are coming up, you’re style of play demands near perfect execution for Portland to compete. That being said, I believe a lot of your dominance over Portland was due to Raja Bell. There are only a couple of players in this league that bother Roy, he will have off games, but Bell was one of those players that actually effected Roy’s game. The last game we played that was obvious. Typically scoring is not Roy’s most important aspect in the Blazer’s offense. It is very important and it keeps the defense honest, but he has an ability to make everyone else play well.
Good luck in your playoff run, I will hang my head a little bit low if you don’t make it… just take out Dallas, will ya?
really
Dallas needs to watch the playoffs at Cuban’s home, and then he fires them all
There is probably no more terrible instance of enlightenment than the one in which you discover your father is a man — with human flesh.
Paul Muad'Dib - Dune (Frank Herbert)
My Translation: My Dad is a dude just like me, and my sons are dudes like me also. I love that.
Season Tix: Section 315, with my sons
good point on bell
roy destroyed us the next time we played after bell was sent packing…i wonder if we could sign him for a 1 night contract…
But Barnes is uglier
seriously
There is probably no more terrible instance of enlightenment than the one in which you discover your father is a man — with human flesh.
Paul Muad'Dib - Dune (Frank Herbert)
My Translation: My Dad is a dude just like me, and my sons are dudes like me also. I love that.
Season Tix: Section 315, with my sons
Thanks for ruining the game Nostradamus.
"I can shoot with my left hand, I can shoot with my right hand, I'm amphibious"
A few things
Roy has like 7 nagging injuries, but said he’ll play. So he’s probably 70-80%, but of course we can’t ignore him.
And OF COURSE Nash > Blake. Blake may performs his role better than Nash but that’s because he’s only asked to bring the ball up the court and hit open shots. But Nash is a borderline HoF’er. Blake is not even a mid-level guy.
And OF COURSE Portland bench > ours. As much as I love our guys, they got all kinds of weapons like Outlaw, Frye, Bayless and Prysbilla/Oden (whoever doesn’t start). There are like 25 teams in this league who’d rather have Portland’s bench than their own.
In a sense, Portland is now the rich man’s Miami Heat. One great SG who does it all and a bunch of other parts. Before Portland used to be so balanced and everyone plays half-decent. Now Roy takes over more. Overall their team is better (’cause at least they have a go-to guy), but then the other plays become (over)reliant on Roy.
One thing I’ll watch closely this game is the pace. I think they are like the slowest team in the league. Would be interesting to see how high/low scoring this game becomes.
Somehow I have a much better feeling about this game than yesterday’s. I so thought we were going to drop that one… but I’m confident that we’ll have this one.
I hope the players don’t share my (over)confidence :)
against vets...
Portland typically follows the pace that they play. I’ll probably be more along the scorching pace than the slow (efficient) Portland pace
I felt pretty confident
about last night’s game, the one in SLC not so much.
"I can shoot with my left hand, I can shoot with my right hand, I'm amphibious"
Not taking anything away from Nash
We just need his defense in this game. His offense is always there and will never be questions. We just need him to stay in front of Blake so that Nash is easily in the plus. I think he can do it but I have my doubts as he doesn’t always perform. Nash does often get scored on only to take out his frustrations on that same player the next time down the court.
" I'm going to root for the Suns when they are winning or losing, but when losing I will point and blame the failing economy on the Referees."- Me.
Blake
is one of the better match-ups in the league for Nash. He’s not much quicker then Nash and certainly not bigger or stronger. Nash generally does well against him unless Blake gets hot from three and Nash sags off too much.
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Mar 26, 2009 2:18 PM MDT up reply actions
I choose option 3.
" I'm going to root for the Suns when they are winning or losing, but when losing I will point and blame the failing economy on the Referees."- Me.
The Sagging part.
Is what scares me. Although improved we typically have poor perimeter defense. I would give Nash the +1 after tonight if he can stay in front of him (meaning that he doesn’t overly sag in an attempt not to get beat off the dribble or screen). But you are right it is a pretty decent match up one of the better for Nash.
" I'm going to root for the Suns when they are winning or losing, but when losing I will point and blame the failing economy on the Referees."- Me.
Help defense
is what it’s all about. The whole team should be familiar by now with Nash’s shortcomings, so there’s really no excuse for blown rotations.
"I can shoot with my left hand, I can shoot with my right hand, I'm amphibious"
Me too.
Unfortunately they still have to outgun their opponents every night to have a chance. I will say this though, the defense has improved somewhat with Gentry.
"I can shoot with my left hand, I can shoot with my right hand, I'm amphibious"
I hate zones
but for whatever reason it seems to be working as of late. At least better than man to man.
" I'm going to root for the Suns when they are winning or losing, but when losing I will point and blame the failing economy on the Referees."- Me.
Zone...
This is part of the brilliance of Gentry (watch for another post tomorrow on this…what 3 in 3 days – that’s crazy…I know!), Gentry understands the shortcomings of his players and has made the necessary adjustments to mask these. The zone allows the Suns to not worry as much about getting burned in 1-on1 matchups but instead worry about rotating quickly when the zone shifts – much easier for perimeter defenders and so far, they have had very good rotations in the zone and havn’t given up the wide open shots that kill zones in general.
Hustle.
If only they had been working this hard the whole year.
"I can shoot with my left hand, I can shoot with my right hand, I'm amphibious"
We would be
fighting for the Lakers for first place. As opposed to hoping for 8th.
" I'm going to root for the Suns when they are winning or losing, but when losing I will point and blame the failing economy on the Referees."- Me.
- a 'for' .
it has been a long day.,
" I'm going to root for the Suns when they are winning or losing, but when losing I will point and blame the failing economy on the Referees."- Me.
Oh, by the way
You all are classy fans, thanks for letting us Blazer fans come by and say a few words.
not much hate for portland here
in fact, any team that consistently beats the lakers is welcome here anytime!
ah...
I love a blogolovefest
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Mar 26, 2009 5:10 PM MDT up reply actions
We only dislike
Stern…. Spurs…. Lakers. Everybody else is great win or lose.
" I'm going to root for the Suns when they are winning or losing, but when losing I will point and blame the failing economy on the Referees."- Me.
in that order?
bayless leaves over my dead body
by thomasikehara on Mar 26, 2009 5:22 PM MDT up reply actions
Yea pretty much.
" I'm going to root for the Suns when they are winning or losing, but when losing I will point and blame the failing economy on the Referees."- Me.
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