Suns Morning Links: Mopping Up From The Three-Ball Rain Storm
by Seth Pollack on Nov 15, 2010 9:29 AM MST
in Phoenix Suns: Daily Links
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PrintYup, leave it to me to rain on the rain parade, but I simply can't take too much from that win. Sure, it was fun. A lot of fun to beat the Lakers, but let's not delusionally assume that somehow the Suns have catapulted themselves into the top-tier in the West.
We know that the Suns have a lot of shooters and we know that there are some nights when those shooters will kill teams, but taking 40 three-point shots is not how you win a playoff series. Great win, but just like it's a mistake to overreact to some losses, it would be a mistake to take too much from this one.
We know the Suns are going to put up points and there will be fun nights like yesterday, but you better believe that Gentry and the rest of that team understands they are going to have to rebound the ball better to really win games that matter. As in four-out-of-seven games against the same team in spring time.
Link time
Phoenix Suns With Guns Blazing Down Los Angeles Lakers, 121-116 - SB Nation Arizona
It was a great win for the Phoenix Suns over the Los Angeles Lakers. Any win for Phoenix over the Lakers is a great win. But when it takes a franchise-high, 22 three-point shots, you don't exactly have a recipe for success. It was just one of those games where the guys made shots and the Lakers, for whatever reason, refused to defend the three-point line until it was too late. The vast majority of the Suns threes were wide open attempts.Video: Phoenix Suns Drop 22 Threes On The Los Angeles Lakers - Desert Dirt - SB Nation Arizona
Reading through the post game quotes from both sides, you get a mixed bag of reaction. The Suns certain credit "hot shooting," but also seemed to say the style of play and fast pace created the opportunities. The Lakers, or at least some of them, basically are saying, "Whatever, they got lucky.But to really answer the burning question, "Great (lucky) Suns shooting or poor (lazy) Lakers defense?", we need to check the tape and fortunately YouTube provides a video of each one of the Suns' 22 three-point shots. Watch and learn.
Remember when these guys called the Suns a "speed bump"? Oops..
Lakers 116, Suns 121: An Amber Alert Is Out on the Lakers' Defense - Silver Screen and Roll
The problem was that the concept of guarding outside shooters seems to have been eliminated from the Laker game plan. Every Phoenix possession seemed to start with Steve Nash penetrating past Derek Fisher and forcing another defender to collapse. That set in motion a series of quick passes that ended with a shooter catching the ball outside the arc with no Laker within a city block and five seconds to line up a shot. Goran Dragic buried three triples, and typically that would be a game-high total. Tonight it was only good for fourth-highest on his own team. Channing Frye hit four, Hedo Turkoglu hit five (WTF?! TRADE EVERYONE!!!) and Jason Richardson was unacceptably allowed to hit seven. There were plenty of open looks that just rimmed out, too. All credit to the Suns for generating those shots and knocking so many of them down, but the Laker D was just an epically fucked-up disaster.
More game coverage
Suns 121, Lakers 116: Phoenix Sets Franchise Three-Point Record In Win - SB Nation Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Lakers used Sunday as a day of rest for their defense, and as a result were handed their second straight defeat, by the hot-shooting Phoenix Suns, 121-116 at Staples Center.SUNS: Postgame Quotes: Suns @ Lakers, Nov 14, 2010
"They had a good shooting night. A historical shooting night, not just a good shooting night. That doesn’t happen very often, as we all know, and it happened tonight. Too bad, and you got to move on and understand that we could have done something different, but I think you live with a team shooting 40 [three-pointers]." - Pau Gasol
David Arquette Is Handling Things Well - From Our Editors - SBNation.com
Here's David Arquette at the Lakers-Suns game Sunday night: He seems to be doing well and does not at all seem to be desperately grasping for attention. He is certainly a 39-year-old adult, that much is sure.Phoenix Suns defeat Los Angeles Lakers behind 3-point barrage
Jared Dudley was called for an offensive foul on a baseline drive and lost his balance, falling into Lopez's left knee and spraining it. Lopez will have an MRI exam. "It's a little stiff but I think it's going to be OK," Lopez said. I got a positive checkup on it in the locker room. It was painful, but I'm able to walk it."Lakers lose to long shots - latimes.com
The Lakers (8-2) also had some unsettling medical news, with two players scheduled to visit doctors Monday morning for MRI exams. Lamar Odom was slowed somewhat by a sore right foot, saying it felt like the top of it was burning, and Theo Ratliff continued to be bothered by a sore left knee. "It's been aching, especially in the morning," said Odom, who limped out of the locker room after the game. "But I've been playing a lot of basketball. Hopefully it's just wear and tear. Hopefully there is nothing wrong."Phoenix Suns 121, Los Angeles Lakers 116 -- Live by the 3, die by the 3
"We can’t walk it up the floor against their length," Steve Nash told The Associated Press. "You see Pau against us, it looks like he’s playing with a nerf hoop on the back of someone’s bedroom door. So we had to make them play in transition, spread the floor and make it a game of speed and skill rather than size."Phoenix Suns sorting time for wings
"To be honest with you, it has been hard, because Jason's playing extremely well and Grant's playing great," Gentry said. "We'd like to have JD (Jared Dudley) on the floor more. Josh (Childress) seems to play better every game. It's hard to have four guys in two spots. Ideally, you'd have three guys in two spots. It's a good problem to have."
azcentral.com blogs - Coro's Orange Slices - PaulCoro - What a night in L.A.
"We're just so (inappropriate term) small but we fight," Suns coach Alvin Gentry said. "We tried everything we could to get Pau moved out. That guy's so (inappropriate term) long and he's a lot stronger than anybody thinks he is. We don't have that real physical guy that can be physical with him."
Poor Amare. Not used to being on a crap team and doesn't know what to do ...
Amare Stoudemire Criticizes Teammates After Knicks Lose Fifth Straight To Rockets, 104-96 - SBNation.com
It was the Knicks' fifth straight loss, and the competition hasn't been all that fierce (Philadelphia at home, at Milwaukee, Golden State at home, at Minnesota and Houston at home).Afterwards, Amare Stoudemire had some choice words for his team's effort. Via Jonathan Abrams of the New York Times. "I'm not sure if it's the fact maybe a winning mentality has never been here. I'm just not used to it. I'm used to winning. I'm used to talking about winning and having that confidence toward winning. You just can't have guys complacent and comfortable with losing."
[...] "I don't understand why we're not playing with the urgency. I'm not used to that. We're not playing like we're on a four-game losing streak, now five. We don't have that sense of urgency. It's almost as if it doesn't matter."
For those needing a dose of Scott Howard this a.m.:
For The Arizona Cardinals The NFC West Was Lost In The Offseason - SB Nation Arizona
The Arizona Cardinals should be winning the NFC West this year. But they're not. It's not excusable.
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I'll take it...
the team is still building, in the mean time they find a way too win. and win they did…Vs the lakers…in LA…in yo face sasha!
Gil has the biggest man crush on Kobe I've ever seen (and this is coming from a guy whose handle is 2NASHTY) Dex is secretly infatuated with Nash but will never admit it.
Oh poor Amar'e...
Wasn’t HE supposed to bring back winning in NY? Now turns out he needs help?
Onto the Lakers. Exciting game but I agree with Seth, there’s not much we can take from it. I watched it this morning on “tape” and I kept wondering when we would stop hitting threes and that we were really lucky to be ahead. Turns out we never got cold but it’s not gonna happen very often and it was really painful to see Odom hit layup after layup and Gasol grabbing offensive rebounds like he was an Ent among Hobbits (and with that I fulfilled my obligatory daily dorky reference).
Getting Jason Thompson would be great but I doubt we are going to make any move. It’s early in the season, the problem is that the issues we have might be endemic and not something that can be fixed with more chemistry or time to “gel”. We’ll see…
Follow me on Twitter: @lorenzoFB
by Lorenzo Franceschi Bicchierai on Nov 15, 2010 10:00 AM MST reply actions
yup
and at the same time, I still think this team can be pretty good. Not as bad as a lot of people make it out to be but certainly not in the top tier of the West either.
Of course, I also still think Robin’s going to return to form and that could make a big difference. Looks like the last night’s knee thing will be minor. Phew.
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Nov 15, 2010 10:07 AM MST up reply actions
Dead weight
Rolo has been a slug. He did the best thing for his team when he put himself on the bench. The Suns began to roll and did not stop until the Lakers were flattened like a pancake. When lopez is out of the way the Suns can play with abandon and just have fun. Lopez’s evening gown creates problems when his train trips up his fellow Suns when they try to get into the flow. “Suns just want to have fun.” The Suns do not need Robin “clumsying” up the works. Phoenix plays best when everyone is adding a little of their own ingredient to the soup. Lopez has nothing in the pantry. Shop him now, he is an unnecessary part. He does not fit!
by Arizona Retiree on Nov 15, 2010 11:04 AM MST up reply actions
whoa, already give up on RoLO?
admittedly his head is in his a$$ so far this season. Give him a little more time. He has shown some good potential when healthy.
Just don’t expect Kevin Love type numbers. 30 / 30 on Amare? that was crazy!
rgreyslak@gmail.com ____ twitter @rgreyslak
Not asking for much.
All we need from Lopez is a consistant 10/10. He is a seven footer with length for crying out loud! He has not come close. He has yet to contribute to a win. He has only been consistant in his clumsyness and lack of intensity.
by Arizona Retiree on Nov 15, 2010 11:39 AM MST up reply actions
he's not playing
at full health….just like Amare wasn’t to start last season. How about a little patience?
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Nov 15, 2010 11:45 AM MST up reply actions
No time!
Nash does not have time to wait around for Lopez to “heal” or mature or both.
We need a10/10 guy under the basket now. You know, a guy who can trail behind Nash on a break for an easy lob, without getting winded. I do not see Lopez growing into those shoes.
by Arizona Retiree on Nov 15, 2010 2:17 PM MST up reply actions
Robin Lopez Healthy
Last season, he was good for 8 points and 5 rebounds a game. Per 36, he was good for 16 points and 9 rebounds a game.
And in case you’ve forgotten, here’s some video of how physically gifted he actually is when his back hasn’t ’sploded.
Ask me about my moustache! http://us.movember.com/mospace/658192/
Twitter: @MikeLisboa
by Mike Lisboa on Nov 15, 2010 2:29 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
In other words...
… he doesn’t need to grow into those shoes. He already did. Then an injury happened.
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Twitter: @MikeLisboa
Mike
stop making sense…much more fun to just call him a bust (again) and then when he plays well (again) we can call him the savior (again) until he gets hurt (again) and we can lament how hard it will for the Suns to win without him (again)
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Nov 15, 2010 2:42 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Or
We could just get a servicable big that doesn’t crumble to the floor when competition rears it’s ugly head. I’m not a fan of “Fragile”. I’m from the “What have you done for me lately league?”.
signed – Steve Nash
by Arizona Retiree on Nov 15, 2010 3:13 PM MST up reply actions
wait wait
I know…Brian Zoubek!!!
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Nov 15, 2010 3:26 PM MST up reply actions
That video doesn't exactly bestow confidence in me.
Just sayin.
Peyton Manning= Better.
by JesusNinja13 on Nov 15, 2010 5:14 PM MST up reply actions
Lovers gonna love.
Haters gonna hate.
Ask me about my moustache! http://us.movember.com/mospace/658192/
Twitter: @MikeLisboa
Haters gonna hate lovers wanna love i dont even want none of the above...
i wanna p…
Riding shotgun on the Earl Clark carpool, the Chilly Bandwagon was packed and the Hedo Apologists is invitation only.
Heh everytime someone says that I recall this great image:
If you say anything, I'll thump you again.
we need Fropez
he’ll come around…
"I feel younger almost every year. I feel like I'm getting better every year. I feel like the season gets easier for me the last two years." Steve Nash
Jason Richardson...
…just hit another 3-pointer.
Ask me about my moustache! http://us.movember.com/mospace/658192/
Twitter: @MikeLisboa
nice. He was a monster lastnight. That move he put on Kobe when he pivoted into the paint....
rgreyslak@gmail.com ____ twitter @rgreyslak
"that move had the flu"
-kenny
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
Lucky or not,
That was one hell of fun game to watch last night as a Suns Fan!
rgreyslak@gmail.com ____ twitter @rgreyslak
While it is obvious that we can't beat them this way all the time..
Or even very often, I don’t want to make “too little” of this as well. We are in really pretty much a total rebuild mode, having lost the core of the offence and two other nice pieces and our 2 best rebounders. So we are in a struggle right now, and one area where the struggle will be most pronounced is on the defensive end, which REALLY depends on team cohesion and chemistry.
All we need right now, is to stay competitive while some of this is worked out, or February arrives and we can make the kind of moves we need to shore this up. So I say it is a huge win, not because it is repeatable but because, WE BEAT THE LAKERS IN LA, however it was we did it.
And what about the other side of the equation, the Lakers. Yes we hit 22 3’s, but we had plenty of rim outs, and could easily have made another 4 or 5 3’s. They played awful defence. So their strength (Gasol down low, combined with Odom crashing the boards, and Kobe there to do whatever is necessary) also has a yin and yang.
These guys looked a bit shocked last night, and there was a moment there near the end of the 3rd quarter where they looked positively defeated. So ya its one game and ya we can’t shoot like that again, but lets not forget that of the leading western teams we are in the biggest rebuilding mode. Given all of that a W is a W, especially when that W is in LA.
What ever it takes!
The Suns have shooting talent and player depth no other team in the NBA can match. We were not big enough for a knock-out blow, so we peppered the Lakers with a flurry of jabs that closed their eyes, lights out! Stop the fight ref! Throw in the towel! “These guys are animals, they’re going to kill you!” Get out of the Suns way and you won’t get burned too badly, just enough to teach the lesson about playing with fire.
I see the Suns getting better as the season wares on, until we roll through the playoffs with a series of four game sweeps. Can you say “NBA Champs!”
by Arizona Retiree on Nov 15, 2010 11:19 AM MST up reply actions
Are you manic depressive or what.
You are all over the map. One minute you are in Fiji soaking up the sun. The next you are in the arctic freezing your balls off. What gives. Change your meds or something
by Suns Fan For Life on Nov 15, 2010 11:23 AM MST up reply actions
Stand back, I'm fix'n to blow!
“The Suns are the greatest of all time!!!”
by Arizona Retiree on Nov 15, 2010 11:43 AM MST up reply actions
"total rebuild mode"?
Don’t agree at all.
More like “beginning of the season mode”
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
Fair enuf
I looked back at the post, and perhaps in retrospect it was a little over the top. We have an obvious hole in the middle and I just checked and we are 30th in defensive rebounding, by a very wide margin, so that is definitely a concern.
I am just saying 3 things. 1) we are much more re-worked than any of the really strong teams, so that is a difference where they are in early season mode and we are finding ourselves with one of our major pieces gone, 2) this team is tough and deep, and has a lot of different ways to score the ball and a lot of different ways to win. 3) you can ALWAYS say, well x didn’t play well or we’ll never do y again or they’ll never do Z again, so that when that is reversed the outcome is reversed, AUTOMATICALLY. The reality is that this is fluid, so that the next time we meet maybe Gasol or Odom is injured or Dudley goes nuts, or Lopez is much improved, or we’ve traded for a new 4, or they’re in a shooting funk, (they are also generally shooting the ball extremely well)………
Bottom line, we are not yet better than the Lakers and there are 3 or 4 other western teams that will give us serious trouble. But we are way further along, imho, than even the most optimistic envisioned. so lets celebrate that.
We've got their attention.
The Suns are in the head of the Lakers. They will try and make adjustments when we next meet. Problem for them is, the Suns are Chameleons. Gentry will also come up with alternative styles to hamstring the Champs.
We have them at a disadvantage, they no longer expect to win in a walk. They will be pressing for the rest of the season to stay on top. The Suns just have to make the playoffs, then we will take control of the West before demolishing the Eastern reps.
Look at the Heat, they are already pressing and it shows in Labron’s game ending bricks. "There is no “La” in team.
by Arizona Retiree on Nov 15, 2010 2:29 PM MST up reply actions
Oh!
EXCUSE ME! but I kinda like the feminine implication, consider it freudian. Anyway, you caught the drift.
by Arizona Retiree on Nov 15, 2010 3:19 PM MST up reply actions
Very good points
Although everything Seth said is 100% correct, I think you bring up a very good point too. On paper, this team beats us 10 out of every 10 times. We just don’t have to personnel to realistically compete with them. But somehow we managed to do it anyways. That’s no small feat.
And tactically speaking, it was exactly the correct move to make..if they dominate in the paint, then the smart thing is to take away that advantage by going outside. Yes, that’s not going to win a series (probably), but neither is our inside presence. So, Kudos to Alvin for taking a chance and having faith in his guys.
So yea, we are who we are, but it’s a win, so we’ll take it.
Maybe not.
We beat ’em with our fast ball. Next time we can fool ’em with our curve and after that we will mix in a couple of knucklers and sliders. In the end we will own them and hoist the trophy. “We are the Champions, - of the world”.
by Arizona Retiree on Nov 15, 2010 3:24 PM MST up reply actions
A win is a win.
I look at it as simply that. This early in the year is not indicative of what a team will look like come April and May… The key is simply playing well so you have a chance to play into May and early June. Getting through the early part of this schedule above 500 would be huge for this team while they learn to play with one another. This team seems to be improving, and they have put together some nice wins without the services of their lone big man who seems to be late for the party. As ha gets back into form, the rest of the team just needs to grind it out and get some gritty wins, whether they rack up 22 3’s or 5, a win is a win.
great points
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
Seth,
Another writer said, “There was a timeout late in the fourth where Earl Clark seemed to make a big deal about distancing himself from the huddle, and walked off-camera looking like he had no interest in coming back …” on a blog.
Is he showing bad body language around the team since he did not get his option? Have the suns completely lost Earl at this point? Just curious what you have seen, looking to one of the best.
rgreyslak@gmail.com ____ twitter @rgreyslak
Hard to say
since Earl’s always been kind of a loner but he’s no longer staying later after practice to get in extra work with the coaches like Janning, Lawal, Siler, Goran, Hedo, Robin almost always do.
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Nov 15, 2010 10:46 AM MST up reply actions
He's a lame duck.
In addition to being a lame lottery pick.
"One defends when his strength is inadequate, he attacks when it is abundant."
~Sun Tzu
by East Bay Ray on Nov 15, 2010 10:48 AM MST up reply actions
If he does good in another Dleague stay does that help his trade value?
Or does he already have ZERO?
rgreyslak@gmail.com ____ twitter @rgreyslak
Look to his fro-bro
He will always have value to any team that has Brook Lopez in the starting lineup. That is where we will get our payoff. The trade must involve moving Robin to be with his bro. Even if it takes three or four teams to get us a servicible big with hands, speed and durability. A guy good for 10/10. Get-Er-Done!
by Arizona Retiree on Nov 15, 2010 3:32 PM MST up reply actions
That writer at Silver Scream and Roll seems to think whether the Lakers in or lose, it’s all about the Lakers. Couldn’t be that the other team played well.
by 8472species on Nov 15, 2010 10:39 AM MST reply actions
very typical
people always look at the game through the lens of their own team….we all do it
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Nov 15, 2010 10:47 AM MST up reply actions
That's why...
…every team has its own blog. Here’s the order most fans rank influences on the outcome of games:
1) Their team
2) Their team’s injuries
3) The refs
4) The schedule
5) The Crowd
6) David Stern
7) Announcer Jinxes
8) Mascots
9) Dancers
10) The Other Team
Ask me about my moustache! http://us.movember.com/mospace/658192/
Twitter: @MikeLisboa
by Mike Lisboa on Nov 15, 2010 11:32 AM MST up reply actions
You forgot "the Blazersedge"
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
No way!
What is “The other team” even doing on the list!
by Arizona Retiree on Nov 15, 2010 11:45 AM MST up reply actions
also on that list
lucky undies/ jerseys and any gametime rituals they may be performing
Totally forgot...
superstition.
Ask me about my moustache! http://us.movember.com/mospace/658192/
Twitter: @MikeLisboa
by Mike Lisboa on Nov 15, 2010 11:52 AM MST up reply actions
The reason that this is a big win,
isn’t because it means we’re entering the top tier in the west. It’s a huge win because it’s a solid start this brutal 4 games in 5 night stretch (LA, Den, Mia, Orl).
First, we took care of business against the Kings. And now, we just won the first game of that stretch against the team that seemed like we’d have the toughest time with. Not to mention, it’s always a good confidence builder when you can beat LA, especially in their house.
Exactly - its a big win because we weren't supposed to win.
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
by Eutychus on Nov 15, 2010 11:25 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
If we beat Denver tonight I'll be totally cool with losing twice in Florida
Like we all keep saying…hang around .500.
RIP Seasons of Discontent
by Scott Howard on Nov 15, 2010 11:41 AM MST up reply actions
I think this game proves to be big for Hedo.
He is not going to give us traditional PF stats but, he seems alot more comfortable as the game goes on. That clutch 3 lastnight in Kobe’s EYE was a dagger. That showed huge confidence with that shot. No way he takes that earlier in the season.
rgreyslak@gmail.com ____ twitter @rgreyslak
I'm with you there
he looked more engaged in the game overall and it seems like when he is on the bench he is one of the more active guys jumping up and reacting to how the other guys are playing. Those are all great signs of ‘chemistry’ and ‘cohesion’ progress
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
Great win
We Battled in the paint for rebounds, even if we didn’t get them. They left us open behind the line for warm up jump shots, and we made it rain in the staples center. Hedo stepped up in the clutch and shows us that the suns might have a cold blooded closer for the first time in a long time.
Everyone knows that we cant rebound. You do not need to beat us over the head with it some more.
This is a good win from the stand point of building a winning team. I do not mean a +.500 team, but a team of winners.
Anyone know if Robin will be playing tonight? Tonight might be a good night to try out Gani or Silo behind Frye.
D league
Rolo should be sent down to the D-league until he proves he can step it up in intensity and speed. In his present form he is an impediment to winning. The Suns do not need to tow a stumbling block out to the hardwood to slow them down. We have enough hungry talent waiting in the wings who want to have fun.
by Arizona Retiree on Nov 15, 2010 11:28 AM MST up reply actions
We have enough hungry talent waiting in the wings
By this I assume you mean Siler?
Banzai!
by Suns' Sensei on Nov 15, 2010 11:37 AM MST up reply actions
Siler.
Definitely hungry.
Play me off, keyboard cat!
Ask me about my moustache! http://us.movember.com/mospace/658192/
Twitter: @MikeLisboa
by Mike Lisboa on Nov 15, 2010 11:53 AM MST up reply actions
haha
I just watched a cat playing a keyboard in a commerical for pistachios. So thanks for that.
Banzai!
by Suns' Sensei on Nov 15, 2010 11:55 AM MST up reply actions
no
he’s just hungry and eating wings
"I feel younger almost every year. I feel like I'm getting better every year. I feel like the season gets easier for me the last two years." Steve Nash
One word to improve Robins game:
DUNK
He needs to stop into his role as a center and clear the paint with some tear the rim down dunks.
We do not need Amare throw downs from the free throw line from Robin, but at 7’1" this guy should not be tossing up hook shots from under the hoop. He does not need much hop to stuff it. I say that even though Robin is a pretty average leaper in the NBA and has okay hops anyway. GET UP THERE AND TRY TO TEAR THE RIM DOWN.
Can we throw together a Shaq highlight real for him as a learning aid?
It goes back to his health again
Have you seen how he’s not getting any lift? He looks like he’s moving through molasses out there.
"One defends when his strength is inadequate, he attacks when it is abundant."
~Sun Tzu
by East Bay Ray on Nov 15, 2010 1:55 PM MST up reply actions
Thank goodness!
I thought my new big screen had a slo-mo feature that was malfunctioning. Again, send him down to the DL for some motivational instruction.
by Arizona Retiree on Nov 15, 2010 2:39 PM MST up reply actions
Did you read what he (and Seth) said?
It’s PHYSICAL, not mental. He doesn’t need motivation. He just needs to play to get back into game shape and get in sync with the rest of the team.
It appears as if my signature carries a certain weight with the Suns front office. I called for Jared Dudley to be extended, and they obeyed. I'm kind of a big deal. So BSotS, what should I demand next?
EXTEND JASON RICHARDSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah Seth -
already Debbie Downering the season 9 games in?
Check it – we probably wouldn’t have won against the Kings had it not been Steve Nash stepping up and laying down a special effort… we probably wouldn’t have won against the Lakers last night had it not been for the special effort put forth by the entire team and their shooting and fighting spirit…
The way I look at it – this team is all about developing chemistry and gelling together – games and efforts like this early in the season are important just like the formative years of a baby. Our little Suns baby is getting the vitamins it needs to develop into the monster it will be by season’s end – mark my words.
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
don't get too high or too low
this game really didn’t tell much we didn’t know about the Suns….it would be a mistake if they now think they can go back to their gunning days and just try and out-shoot teams. I don’t think Gentry will let that happen however.
Last night was gimmick game just like running the zone too much is a gimmick. It might work here and there but it’s not a plan.
The biggest thing for me was Hedo hitting that big shot. For him and the team’s confidence in him but I was still on the Hedo bandwagon so it wasn’t a surprise either. That’s what He-do.
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Nov 15, 2010 11:55 AM MST up reply actions
That may have been the shot of the year so far. Not just for importance to a game but also a team, a player, and it's chemistry.
by Suns Fan For Life on Nov 15, 2010 12:13 PM MST up reply actions
maybe
but he would have made a big shot eventually….I guess it accelerated things but I think he’s been slowly improving anyway so I don’t think it would have been that big of a deal if he missed it either.
Hill missed a big three late there as well and it meant nothing.
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Nov 15, 2010 12:16 PM MST up reply actions
Hilly no 3man
Hill is not a knock down three point shooter. He is a driving jump shooter. I never expect the 3 ball to drop when it leaves Grant’s hands. Just keep him creating as he moves toward the basket and everything will be just fine.
by Arizona Retiree on Nov 15, 2010 2:43 PM MST up reply actions
you expect Grant to make good decisions late in games though.
I personally said, “no way in hell,” when he let that shot fly, but inside i was hoping i was wrong.
Well?
You forgot to cross your fingers?
by Arizona Retiree on Nov 15, 2010 3:52 PM MST up reply actions
Grant was a 43.8% 3 point shooter last year on 35 of 80 attempts.
He is a Sun, he is supposed to take the open shot.
Auntie Em: Hate you, hate Kansas, taking the dog.
Dorothy
The alley-oop to JRich
was bigger. That game helped build confidence. The Suns pulled it out of the fire – a miracle win. Even if Hedo misses that shot, hte Suns could have still won the Lakers game.
by Jim Coughenour on Nov 15, 2010 1:25 PM MST up reply actions
eh, watch the body language of the Lakers
That was THE demoralizing shot of the game. It was by a player who has had an up and down start to the season, against their best perimeter defender, from like 3 ft behind the arc and when they had rallied to being down by three. Hedo’s trey broke the Lakers backs.
Also Rich’s dunk was not a game winner, per se. It just kept us alive. The game winner was somewhere in those two overtime periods . . .
How is it a gimmick
To take open jump shots? Ill take those no matter where they are on the court.
Anytime you are taking
40 three’s in a game that’s an anomaly…not saying they shouldn’t have taken them since the Lakers were determined not to defend the three-point line AND they were going in but that’s not a game plan. It’s a game that happened to go that way.
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Nov 15, 2010 1:54 PM MST up reply actions
Ill agree with you, but. . .
40 threes is an anomaly and not a winning formula, but you said it yourself man, they were open shots. Ill take an open trey v.s. a contested dunk or layup all day everyday.
The Lakers played piss poor defense on the arc and the suns exploited it. As a result the shot the shit out of the three. You give any NBA team 40 open, warm up jump shots from the arc and they will take 40 shots. A smart Offense takes what the D gives them.
Hoisting up contested three’s is a shitty plan and is not okay unless your name is Ball Turkoglu and its a last min. go-ahead bucket to seal the deal.
lol
splitting hairs…clearly they played well and smart yesterday but can’t expect or bank on getting those kind of looks on most nights.
Hedo actually was open on that play. The Suns ran a little Nash/Hedo screen and when the Lakers switched that left Kobe on Hedo. This is where being a 6-10 outside shooter gets you open looks. Kobe had his hand up in Hedo’s face but it was well after he was in his shooting motion and Kobe had no chance to disturb the shot.
Hedo’s made a killing on exactly that shot…
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Nov 15, 2010 2:24 PM MST up reply actions
he had a crap
year in Toronto for a lot of reasons…not the least of which is they had no one else to take defensive pressure and pass him the ball beside Bosh who was mostly just a black hole on offense
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Nov 15, 2010 2:43 PM MST up reply actions
Yes!
I can see Hedo’s smile growing bigger and being flashed more often as he settles into the role of being “one of the guys” instead of “The Guy”.
Nash is “The Guy”, always was, always will be. Good for us he is not an a$$hole about it and the rest of team can play loosy goosy and have fun, while not having the pressure of carrying the team alone.
by Arizona Retiree on Nov 15, 2010 2:51 PM MST up reply actions
Actually, Nash ran a screen with Channing on that play.
Grant Hill came over and screened Artest so he couldn’t get over to Hill after Nash made the pass. Kobe was guarding Hill, and closed out on Hedo as Artest was being screened by Hill.
Peyton Manning= Better.
by JesusNinja13 on Nov 15, 2010 5:23 PM MST up reply actions
the other big thing for me..
The team looks tough. They look like a winning team looks. Whatever they “had” last year. doesn’t seem to be gone in the “re-shuffle”. Its hard to put them down, there are a bunch of guys who can beat you, and there is a ton of smiling and obvious joy all over the place. And yes, Hedo is finding a place.
by HarvMel on Nov 15, 2010 1:48 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
yes
this is very true…not a surprise though
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Nov 15, 2010 1:55 PM MST up reply actions
News Flash!
That is Steve’s job!
You are correct, this is a monster in the making, an will not be denied this season.
Get ready to pick up your ring Stevie.
Funny thing, Lebron just doesn’t get it. It was supposed to be delivered to his crib in Miami. He thinks it’s a popularity contest, but he would still get beat out by Steve. Wake up Mr. James, if you want the Championship you must show up first.
by Arizona Retiree on Nov 15, 2010 3:41 PM MST up reply actions
The more I think about it
win against any team= a win
win against interdivision rival= playoff implications in april=win+1
win on the opening of a long road trip against interdivision rival where wins will be scareces = win +1+1
So, on balance, I do think the effects of this game do extend beyond the scoreboard. Add some team cohesion in and it’s entirely possible that we look back on this game as a turning point in the season
anyone else notice
Jchill battling for rebounds against those trees…I love that guy.
"I feel younger almost every year. I feel like I'm getting better every year. I feel like the season gets easier for me the last two years." Steve Nash
by 2NASHTY on Nov 15, 2010 12:04 PM MST reply actions 2 recs
I noticed every time a shot went up he was the only Sun to consistantly crash the boards.
He was such a steal. Can’t wait till he is at 100%
rgreyslak@gmail.com ____ twitter @rgreyslak
lol
rec’d indeed.
It appears as if my signature carries a certain weight with the Suns front office. I called for Jared Dudley to be extended, and they obeyed. I'm kind of a big deal. So BSotS, what should I demand next?
EXTEND JASON RICHARDSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2009 NBA Draft ... do over anyone?
I sure wish we could have that 14th overall pick back get a do-over. Dejuan Blair should would fit a nice PF roll with the Suns these days.
rgreyslak@gmail.com ____ twitter @rgreyslak
nah
those knees aren’t going to last….and he’s being exposed for his lack of mobility on defense already. Not a #14 pick.
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Nov 15, 2010 12:18 PM MST up reply actions
the guys to look at
are the ones the Suns were considering…James Johnson, Austin Daye or my fav, Ty Lawson.
Of course, the Suns didn’t need Lawson. Daye is probably the best of those but he’s not exactly tearing it up either.
Clark was a gamble that busted out. Mid-first round picks historically are hit and miss
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Nov 15, 2010 12:19 PM MST up reply actions
Daye is going to be a beast
he needs to pack on the pounds though. He and Silo should switch diets.
The guy seems more like an even taller Tayshaun Prince than a PF.
It appears as if my signature carries a certain weight with the Suns front office. I called for Jared Dudley to be extended, and they obeyed. I'm kind of a big deal. So BSotS, what should I demand next?
EXTEND JASON RICHARDSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Would have preferred James Johnson or Taj Gibson
Or Omri Casspi but not because we needed Casspi….I just love the dude
RIP Seasons of Discontent
by Scott Howard on Nov 15, 2010 12:20 PM MST up reply actions
James Johnson has proved to be almost as bustish as Earl.
It appears as if my signature carries a certain weight with the Suns front office. I called for Jared Dudley to be extended, and they obeyed. I'm kind of a big deal. So BSotS, what should I demand next?
EXTEND JASON RICHARDSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May not be a formula for winning every night
But this team has held tough during a really rough stretch of schedule. Beaten very good home teams on the road.
Bloggin' 'bout AZ sports ... SB Nation Arizona
by Justin Burning on Nov 15, 2010 12:31 PM MST reply actions
Fun win vs. best in the west in LA
Whatever it takes. LA defended poorly in spite of their size advantage. They didn’t adapt when the 3’s started falling. We need to keep playing to our strengths. I do agree that we need to address the rebounding asap. IMHO this is one of Nashs’ best stretches of games ever in spite of his domestic problems. Absolutely unreal. JRich is so strong and moves beautifully off the ball. Frye is improving every game. Chil is an energy guy, very mobile. Hak is surprisingly good on both ends in spite of being smallish. We haven’t had to rely on the bench as much lately. Should have lots in the tank tonight. Give Siler a shot if Rolo can’t go. Hurt ’Melo!
I'm filing the Amare/Knicks situation under
“Least surprising development ever.”
"One defends when his strength is inadequate, he attacks when it is abundant."
~Sun Tzu
Although sometimes
developments need time to develop. Remember when the Suns were 1-3 and getting ready to trade Nash to the Knicks for a jockstrap and a six pack?
I don’t think there are many things set in stone about the season at this juncture. The Suns were talking about incorporating new players into their system and needing cohesion and chemistry, right? I’m pretty sure the Knicks had more changeover than just about anyone…. Is D’Antoni actually back to starting Amare at center?
Give Amare some time. Last year a lot of people had written him off through December. I’m sure they’ll be in a heated battle for the eighth seed. Maybe next year they get a little more interesting.
by Jim Coughenour on Nov 15, 2010 1:34 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
The Suns were never "getting ready to trade Nash"
A weird statement coming from a realist like yourself, Jim. That was all completely made up stuff.
This is only the beginning of Amare being disgruntled. There’s no adult in the room for that Knicks team. Who is their team leader if not Amare? And his style of “leadership” is just what you see here: pointing fingers. Not to mention that their team is simply lacking talent to be a contender. That’s it’s not even Thanksgiving and Amare is already complaining in the media is a big, huge “uh oh” to every Knicks fan.
"One defends when his strength is inadequate, he attacks when it is abundant."
~Sun Tzu
by East Bay Ray on Nov 15, 2010 1:53 PM MST up reply actions
Sometimes I write things that are
brilliant confusing.
That was all completely made up stuff.
Next thing you’re gonna be telling me my dad isn’t Santa Claus! But I know he is because I caught him putting my presents under the Christmas tree, so there!
I was simply stating that the slow start and Amare’s comments weren’t necessarily the alpha and omega of the situation. Things aren’t always as they appear. Just like the Suns aren’t really trading Nash for a six pack and a jockstrap…. but if they do I have dibs on the sixer.
by Jim Coughenour on Nov 17, 2010 1:06 PM MST up reply actions
Yogi Berra in the house!
developments need time to develop.
Thank you for this.
Ask me about my moustache! http://us.movember.com/mospace/658192/
Twitter: @MikeLisboa
dodn't see the game
just downloqading… I kind of hoped my son would wake up around 4am and I would volunteer to change his dypers (since I can’t breast feed lol) so that I can take a look to the game… but little angel was sleeping pretty well so I will watch it in a few minutes…
so… I am on board with seth… sure, incredible win, but sure, nothing that will launch us to the sky… what I like that rebounding is so much emphasized, like maybe never in nash era… I just have a feeling that we are one trade away from really competing in the west… it would be sad to part with any of the valuable pieces… but people, are we happy just beeinng 6 or 7 in the west??? been there, done that, even better than that… I am all for trade, don’t have idea about personel, thompson or anybody else, that is for gentry, sarver and babby to think about… nash and hill don’t have much left so let’s give them another opportunity…
great win…
great point
in the past, this would have been seen as validation for D’Antoni’s system. Now it is seen in context for being a game that kind of just happened but doesn’t change what the Suns need to improve on.
Guarantee Gentry thinks that way.
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Nov 15, 2010 2:26 PM MST up reply actions
Yes thank god for Gentrification
I hated how every game in the D’antoni era came down to the wire.
by GDD on Nov 15, 2010 2:30 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed
This latest version of the Suns, under Gentry, makes me feel like we are going to win unless something unfortunate occurs (Rolo taking the place of a starter). It still feels as if the Sus are undefeated. What a great season so far. Gentry approaches each game as a new adventure, and he has the henchmen to pull off any caper they have in mind at tipoff.
I’m loving it!
by Arizona Retiree on Nov 15, 2010 3:04 PM MST up reply actions
I read this from Basketbawful regarding A'ma'e:
The New York Knicks: I want to point out that Amar’’’’’’e Stoudemire wanted this. He wanted his own team. He wanted to be The Man. More accurately, he wanted to be The 100 Million Dollar Man. Well, he got what he wanted.
[…]STAT is averaging 20.8 PPG (on 46 percent shooting) and 8.1 RPG. And it looks like he’s heading for another 50-loss season.
I’m just sayin’.
Leaders lead. Finishers finish. Nash is the former. Stoudemire is the latter. That’s why a team built around Amar’’’’’’e is never gonna work. Not unless they can bring in somebody who can actually make his teammates better.
Pretty much in a nutshell.
If you say anything, I'll thump you again.
Exactamundo.
"One defends when his strength is inadequate, he attacks when it is abundant."
~Sun Tzu
by East Bay Ray on Nov 15, 2010 4:08 PM MST up reply actions
While this may not be a prototypical win, nobody seems to have grasped the obvious.
We may not hit 22 three’s ever again – but we beat the Lakers on their home court – in a game where Gasol had 28 and 17, Kobe had 25 and 14 assists, and Odom had 22 and 11, I believe. Their bench played very well, the whole team played well, and we beat them.
This win is very valuable to our team psyche. It will carry over into the next bunch of games, and it’s something for us to draw on. It will be in the Lakers minds next time we play, and it will be in both teams minds if we meet in the playoffs.
I felt like the first two games of the WCF last year were as bad as they were because the Suns didn’t believe that they could beat the Lakers. I know we thumped them once, but they were on the 2nd of a B2B, and we were at home. I think this game means we aren’t ever going to concede anything to the Lakers again, and I’m very excited about that.
Next time, the Lakers will defend the perimeter – and open some things up inside. We’ll have a chance to win. That’s important.
Auntie Em: Hate you, hate Kansas, taking the dog.
Dorothy
An exercise in mind control that doesn't break a sweat
I think that the game might be good for the Suns collective psyche, but I don’t think it did anything to change the way the Lakers perceive the Suns.
I don’t think that the Lakers see the Suns as any kind of a legitimate threat. This game didn’t change anything about that. I’m sure they think the Suns are just a cute little team that got lucky. Sort of a nuisance.
To be perfectly honest, I agree with them to an extent. If I have to pick the winner of a seven game Lakers/Suns series and my life depends on it, I’m going with the Lakers. I don’t see the Suns being capable of taking the Lakers down…..
by Jim Coughenour on Nov 17, 2010 1:17 PM MST up reply actions
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