Suns finally beat Hornets as playoff hopes officially end

by Seth Pollack on Apr 9, 2009 7:03 AM MST in Phoenix Suns: Game Coverage

After six straight tries, the Suns finally managed to overcome the Hornets in game that saw a surprisingly stingy defense.

Granted, the Hornets were on the second of a back-to-back that saw most of their starters play 44 minutes in an OT win over the Heat the night before, but they still managed to explode for an early lead.

It looked as if we were in for another defensive collapse when the Suns bench, playing with Shaq, went on a 9-2 run to take the lead halfway through the 2nd quarter. Before we get too excited, it should be noted that Chris Paul was resting for most of that stretch.

Remember the days when the Suns would stagnate offensively when Nash went out? That's New Orleans. They struggle to make anything happen outside of what Paul can create, which why the Spurs were able to beat them last year and likely will again this year even without Ginobili.

Final - 4.8.2009	1	2	3	4	Total
Phoenix Suns Bright Side Of The Sun	26	23	26	30	105
New Orleans Hornets At The Hive	32	19	14	35	100

Full Boxscore »

Nash had a brilliant offensive game. Coming off his 4-12 game Sunday against Dallas, Nash bounced back with a strong 24 points on only 9 attempts. Combine that with 13 assists and a couple of charges and this was one of the better games Steve has played against the CP Hornets.

Shaq was dominant as well against the Chandler-less New Orleans front line. They employed an effective hack-a-Shaq, sending the guy to the line 8 times, where he only managed to connect on 3. It seems that Shaq's FT form was reverted back somewhat but that is the only sign of his game slipping as he was lively on the boards and went 7-10 from the field -- in Shaq's case, the painted field 3 feet from the rim.

Barbosa, after two solid games, had a sub-par performance, only managing 7 points on 7 attempts. It is not uncommon for LB to be up and down like this and I think he still looks a bit rusty after his injury. Especially on the defensive end.

Fortunately though, the Suns bench is no longer only dependent on a Barbosa spark, as Dragic led the way with 9 points and 5 rebounds in 13 minutes and Dudley chipped in 10 points and his usual hustle. Lou was Lou and Lopez is looking better and better in his increased minutes.

I love how Gentry brought in Robin to play with Nash, which of course helps Robin but then also allows Shaq to be on the court with Dragic.

A good win for the Suns on a night when Dallas clinched the final playoff spot and sent Suns fans' hopes officially into summer remission.

Next up are the Grizzlies on Friday. The Grizz have been playing very well of late and the combination of Gay and Mayo along with an improved Conley will test the Suns perimeter defensive metal once again. Of course, this will be the Suns first truely meaningless game in five years. No playoff seeding on the line. No playoff teams involved. The out come will simply not matter beyond individual and team pride.

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Dragic

I really liked Dragic’s numbers. He was agressive, making FTs, 3 point shots and drives. I’m really start to thinking that this guy is not a true point guard, the same as LB. If that`s so, it will take us back to our long guest for a point guard to replace Steve.

Just a thought: Why don’t send Amare to the Raptors and bring Marion back with a sign-and-trade in this off season? I think he would fit a lot better in the Suns new system with Shaq and feel better about his role. Marion was the best Suns player for years (even with the fuzz around Amare and Nash) and was the player that led us to the Finals against the Mavs. I just think a lineup next year of Shaq, Marion, Jason Richardson, LB and Nash, with a second unit of Robin, Lou, Dudley, Dragic and Tucker (plus the draft pick) would be a great one, especially on defense.

by Diego Queiroz on Apr 9, 2009 8:16 AM MST reply actions

sounds intriguing

But this will mean that everyone involved in the first trade (most notably, Kerr and Marion) has to admit they made a mistake. Given the egos, I just don’t think that’s possible.

by sonicking on Apr 9, 2009 9:01 AM MST up reply actions

I'd much rather send J-Rich out for Marion

Trade Amare at the deadline, you’d get more value for him.

3 way trade w/ Shaq going to Dallas, Tyson Chandler+Stackhouse(then we cut him for cap) to PHX, Dampier going to NOH.

Nash
Hill
Marion
Amare
Chandler

SICKNESS

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 Apr 9, 2009 9:08 AM MST up reply actions

no

No. There’s no way Marion is coming back, and Chandler is even worse than Shaq.

by Bostwik on Apr 9, 2009 12:43 PM MST up reply actions

How is Chandler worse than Shaq?

He can’t do squat offensively other than putbacks, easy finishes off of PnRs and alley-oops(which is fine), but he does all the dirty work; rebounding, blocking shots, and he comes out to cover the pick and roll. Sounds like the perfect guy to have next to Nash and Amare

by rsavaj on Apr 9, 2009 12:46 PM MST up reply actions

I'd love to get Chandler..

If we kept Nash and had him with Amare, it would be a dunk fest all year. Haha.. I’m not so sure about NO trading him for Dampier though.

by brian13 on Apr 9, 2009 1:43 PM MST up reply actions

NOOCH

New Orleans would be getting absolutely hosed in that trade. Chandler for Erika Dampier? They can do much better than that.

by Worthy J. on Apr 9, 2009 11:37 PM MST up reply actions

oops

quest, not guest.

by Diego Queiroz on Apr 9, 2009 8:16 AM MST reply actions

Sigh...

I have to admit that… I really didn’t care much about this game. I think I’ve been emotionally drawn by them that I need to be be detached for a while.

I’m also glad that Dallas won last night. The last thing I want is for them to lose a couple, then us win a couple, then on the last night of the season we go “If we win and they lose, we get playoffs!”. And then we FAIL again.

I really think the backbreaker was the game in Utah. That game really took a piece out of me (and according to the Suns, them too). If we got that one, there’s no way we lose to the Kings the next day. Then we’d go into Dallas smelling a little blood. Of course, that’s all hypothetical. It’s just sort of comforting to think that we weren’t far from having a good chance to succeed.

Sigh.

With the 14th pick of the 2009 NBA draft, the Pheonix Suns select... 3 million dollars!

by gadogry on Apr 9, 2009 8:25 AM MST reply actions

Chandler?

Chandler is a head case. No way I’d like to see that guy on the team. He doesn’t work very hard. He’s like one of those guys who is tall all his life so he kind of breezes through by being tall. At this level where hard work is needed to stay in shape and play hard, he just doesn’t have that mentality.

by LA Eric on Apr 9, 2009 9:13 AM MST reply actions

No to chandler

not only that, but there is no way to tell how Amare and Chandler would work on the same team. They have a thing that goes way back.

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

by Hawk42 on Apr 9, 2009 10:03 AM MST up reply actions

and why

would the Hornets possibly make that deal?

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Seth Pollack on Apr 9, 2009 10:51 AM MST up reply actions

because they tried moving chandler for expirings this trade deadline

and damp only has guaranteed money until 2010; they’re in worse financial shape then we are

by rsavaj on Apr 9, 2009 12:04 PM MST up reply actions

Really?

I’ve heard nothing but good things about him out of NOH. Guy always seems to be in phenomanal shape as well. Hmm, are you sure you’re not getting him mixed up with the other ex-Bulls center, Curry?

by Worthy J. on Apr 9, 2009 11:41 PM MST up reply actions

Chandler

is always hurt. Every time I look up.

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

by Hawk42 on Apr 10, 2009 8:13 AM MST up reply actions

So is Howard

and Peja…and Bynum and Oden for that matter. And lets not forget that Grant Hill character that couldn’t get on the court for like a five year stretch :)

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Seth Pollack on Apr 10, 2009 8:35 AM MST up reply actions

well, it was a damned good win however you look at it..

and on the road, no less…more than any other game lately, I’d say last night demonstrated that we have the pieces to win not only pretty but ugly as well. There was a stretch when NO was about 2/11 and we were 3/11 but we managed to gut it out, thanks once again largely to our bench..

In fact, this game started out very similarly to the dallas game- they jumped out to a bit of a lead, we kept hanging around, and then we put the bench in…and suddenly all the things that were working before for them stopped working. The difference is that Coach let them play a bit more tonight..

It’s such a shame because I can can finally see the potential of this lineup, and in all likelyhood it’s gonna be gutted before too long..

by Fritzy on Apr 9, 2009 9:30 AM MST reply actions

Wait, it's preseason already?

I can’t believe the starters got so many minutes in a meaningless preseason game. What a treat for Hornets fans!

by SoCalSun on Apr 9, 2009 9:36 AM MST reply actions

I feel for you guys

This is exactly what happened to the Warriors last year. I was rooting for your team to make it!

by ryogahibiki on Apr 9, 2009 9:42 AM MST reply actions

i remember that..

didn’t they miss it by 1 game or so?

by Fritzy on Apr 9, 2009 10:11 AM MST up reply actions

2 games

Denver finished 50-32, we were 48-34.

We also lost against Denver in the most important game of the year, when we were both 47-31.

by ryogahibiki on Apr 9, 2009 10:16 PM MST up reply actions

Defense

One bright spot is that for some stretches, we have played some honest to goodness defense in the last 20 games. If we can figure out how to get the players to play it consistently, we might actually have something. I am not talking about changing Nash and Shaq. But they need to have a sit down with Jrich and Amare to see what kind of commitment they will bring. Then I think we get rid of the guy(s) who won’t buy in.

Three big questions have to be answered.

Is Dragic the long term answer at point guard?
Is Richardson going to play defense to compensate for his streak shooting?
Is Amare going top step up?

The answers to these three questions will determine our direction.

If Dragic is not the answer – I still say we keep Nash and draft Lawson. Lawson can have one year playing under Nash.

If JRich is not going to be anything other than a high flying streak shooter – trade him in a package for a solid bench player and an extra draft choice for 2010. Pick Willie Warren. Barbs can start while Warren learns the ropes.

If Amare does not convince me that he will step up and be the leader on offense and defense – trade him to New York for Lee and the Knicks’ #1. Draft Cole Aldrich with the Knicks pick and Eric Maynor/Sam Young with our pick.

Finally, if a deal can be made to get rid of Shaq, do it.

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

by Hawk42 on Apr 9, 2009 10:22 AM MST reply actions