Game Thread: Summer Suns vs Vegas Raptors

by Phoenix Stan on Jul 15, 2009 4:28 PM MDT in Summer League Comment 48 comments

Suns are about 2 hours away from tipping off their second game against the Raptors summer squad.

No word yet if Dragic will play against two of the better known point guards he might face here: Quincy Douby and Roko Ukic. Earl Clark should play.

The front court match ups will be interesting, with Lopez going against Patrick O'Bryant, who is big and has some NBA experience in Golden State and Boston. He didn't play much in either place, but he at least should be a better test for Robin than the Dallas centers.

In their last game -- a win over the Blazers -- the Raptors started 6'11" 270lb Paul Davis at power forward. He logged 20 minutes in that game. If the Suns start Clark at PF as expected, this will be a very interesting test for him against a guy who's much, much bigger. The other Raptors front court player that will test Clark is the highly athletic Brent Petway. "Air Georgia" is a former D-league dunk contest winner and defensive player of the year. Petway is an experienced player who will certainly test the young Clark.

I don't know yet if Tucker will play in this game, but I hope he does or DeMar DeRozan might go off for 30.

Steve Kerr, David Griffin and Alvin Gentry are up in the stands watching the Bulls/Bucks game which precedes the Suns.

And hey, our own Mike Lisboa just arrived and sat down next to me! Hi Mike!

[Note by Phoenix Stan, 07/15/09 4:42 PM MST ]

I stalked Steve Kerr in the lobby and talked to him for a few minutes about the talks with Nash's agent, Bill Duffy, the progress of Amare's eye, and seeing Earl play today.

This was a little interesting on Amare's eye situation: He said, "Amare's not out of the woods yet. He's got to be disciplined the next few days and follow the doctor's orders and keep his head down."

No news on the Nash front. Nothing's changed, although Bill Duffy is here.

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Alando Tucker in street clothes.

Looks like he’s had his fill of summer league play.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 5:12 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

anyway to watch the game online

not that im cheap but even the 5 bucks or whatever it costs is too much for since this is the rare chance i get to watch it….so anyone know where you can watch it for free

by NSU Stud on Jul 15, 2009 5:26 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

All of the games are archived

So even if you can’t catch it live you can still watch it. I doubt there’s any way to watch it for free since it’s online only, but you can always look.

by hcblankscreen on Jul 15, 2009 5:32 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

so you can watch the archived games for free?

by NSU Stud on Jul 15, 2009 5:41 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

O'Bryant

Won’t be a test for anyone on the Suns.

Apparently he’s been horrible in the games so far…

by Adi C on Jul 15, 2009 5:33 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

True

more of a test then the guys the Mavs ran out there though

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Phoenix Stan on Jul 15, 2009 5:45 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well...

You’d think someone named Patrick Fitzgerald O’Bryant was born to be a star for the Celtics, but I guess not. Even though he’s been a huge bust since the Warriors drafted him (another case of a team drafting for need over talent), I think O’Bryant will be a good test for Lopez because of his size and bulk. If RoLo puts up a solid double-double today, I’ll have a little more confidence that he can be the starting center next year.

by Kwama79 on Jul 15, 2009 5:52 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

O’Bryant has size, but he doesn’t use it..

by Adi C on Jul 15, 2009 6:08 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ok guys

Closing the laptop. I want to focus on the game

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Phoenix Stan on Jul 15, 2009 5:51 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

anyone here?

by NSU Stud on Jul 15, 2009 5:58 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I'll be covering the game from the baseline...

… while Phoenix Stan does his thing up above.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 6:03 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Rough start for Dragic

But Taylor Griffin just had a nice move underneath.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 6:05 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Robin got lost on defense

and dunked on by O’Bryant.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 6:07 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

And Goran's recovered a bit

with a pair of nice passes: one to Lopex for a dunk and one to T-Griff for a wide open 3 that he passed on.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 6:09 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Earl Clark looked strong in his first few minutes

but both the Suns and the Raps went to the bench quickly.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 6:15 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Petway again...

demonstrating the whole Air Georgia thing. Suns have gone completely to their bench now.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 6:18 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Question for Stan

Is Kerr aware of BSotS?

Let the fools have their tartar sauce!

by Funky Flapsack on Jul 15, 2009 6:20 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I'll answer since Stan's away from his laptop.

Absolutely. I think P-Stan’s interviewed him 17 times in the last 2 days. Or twice.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 6:22 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

just kind of curious

if management checks out the site at all

Let the fools have their tartar sauce!

by Funky Flapsack on Jul 15, 2009 6:33 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

End of 1Q

Raps 15- Suns 14. And neither squad looking terribly impressive in the process.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 6:24 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Haven't seen Dragic since midway through the 1st

Groin again?

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 6:25 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

He's back. Never mind.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 6:31 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Were you worried about free throws?

Dragic 0-1
Earl Clark 0-2

The rest of the “Suns”? 3-4

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 6:34 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Dragic looks scared, but...

assertive. It’s a weird combination.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 6:35 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

it'll click for him

eventually

Let the fools have their tartar sauce!

by Funky Flapsack on Jul 15, 2009 6:37 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really wish I could believe that...

But I guess time will tell.

http://seasonsofdiscontent.wordpress.com/

by scotthoward42 on Jul 15, 2009 6:39 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

For the Raptors

I like what I’m seeing from Demar DeRozan on the offensive end of things. Kid is schmoove.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 6:40 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Dragic note.

I think he gets fouled about half the time he touches the ball. Maybe that’s Summer League par for the course. Or he’s just clumsy. Whatever it is, he attracts contact.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 6:45 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Earl Clark.

Playing like he’s got something to prove. Not quite proving it, but making his case. Stong on the glass and with a nice touch so far.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 6:47 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Clark makes me a liar

with a TERRIBLE shot from outside. I take it all back. At least the part about his touch. But he did have a couple of nice jumpers.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 6:49 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kaspar Berzins

Not so much with the hops.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 6:48 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

z dowdell

like what i have seen in both games should give him a 1 year min contract.(poor dragic still is up and down)

hoopsworld coach mike moreau talk

Nimmihn in denmund:
Most impressive undrafted Rookie in Vegas?
Mike Moreau:
Zabian Dowdell is technically a rookie, has been fabulous overseas. He’s an NBA player, just hasn’t found the right situation. He’s got the whole package. He just looks like an NBA vet in this setting. Why he’s getting overlooked is beyond me.

by phxuk: Ap on Jul 15, 2009 6:55 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

From a Suns perspective

It’s VERY unlikely they would add a 3rd point guard. And by unlikely I mean, impossible.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 7:15 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am very glad

I didn’t have to pay to watch this game…32% shooting. No flow. Ugly.

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Phoenix Stan on Jul 15, 2009 6:58 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

maybe they'll pull it together in the second half?

we can only hope.

by iamtrevorpaxton on Jul 15, 2009 6:59 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd like to see a little more

Dragic/Lopez pick and roll. Wasn’t a PnR but they just connected for a nice dunk by RoLo.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 7:00 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Kasper Berzin

Has had a nice 3rd so far with a few put-backs. But he is one white man who cannot jump.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 7:18 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Link if you guys want to watch online.

http://atdhe.net/

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 Jul 15, 2009 7:18 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Robin Lopez does not like to give up easy buckets.

Sadly, he also likes to foul, too.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 7:24 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

i don't know if he likes to foul...

but he does it enough to convince someone he does.

by iamtrevorpaxton on Jul 15, 2009 7:26 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

i swear, if the suns lose this game...

by iamtrevorpaxton on Jul 15, 2009 7:42 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

More Dragic

I’m obviously keying on him today. His body language is atrocious. Maybe it’s the perma-fear on his face. Whatever it is, he looks like he doesn’t think he belongs out there.

The other striking thing is that despite the constant deer-in-the-headlights look, his skill is fairly undeniable. He’s got exceptional court vision and the ability to make those passes. Just needs to act like it.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 7:43 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Turnoverpalooza

Suns down 1 with 10 secs.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 7:44 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

UGLY COLLISION

At the end of regulation. The Raps’ Ekene Ibekwe went up to block Goran Dragic’s last second shot and collided with Dragic. He’s been on the floor for almost 10 minutes now.

Suns lose 74-73. Game notes to follow.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 7:50 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

dragic has been on the floor for 10 minutes...

or ibekwe?

by iamtrevorpaxton on Jul 15, 2009 7:51 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

IBEKWE

My bad. I really meant to make that clear.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 7:52 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ibekwe now getting taken off the court on a gurney

with his neck immobilized. You just hate to see that.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 15, 2009 7:53 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

from what i watched of the second half...

i liked clark’s determination for boards. i don’t know if it’s just because they fell to him, but he wound up with 12. his shot looked a little wary at times, but there were a few times when i was really impressed.

rolo didn’t do quite as hot. he had a few nice plays, but all in all, a throwaway game for him. i was impressed with his free throw shooting. hopefully he’s improved that this year.

dragic does have the perma-fear (i like that, mike) look, and he’s a very talented player. i just wish he’d get out of his own head and play like it.

griffin is becoming one of my favorite players on this squad. does well with the chances and time he’s given. very lou amundson-esque.

dowdell shot too much. but i don’t really care that much, because i don’t think the suns will (or should) sign him.

everyone else…eh.

by iamtrevorpaxton on Jul 15, 2009 7:50 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs