Second Half Explosion Catapults Phoenix Suns Past Washington Wizards, Suns Win 125-108
by Trevor Paxton on Dec 5, 2010 8:54 PM MST
in Phoenix Suns: Game Coverage
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PrintIn the midst of a third quarter run that effectively killed the Wizards' hopes at a win, Eddie Johnson said, "And here I thought this was going to be a game decided in the fourth quarter." I thought the same thing, especially after a nearly-defense lacking first half that had the Suns leading 64-61. However, to start the second half, the Suns, would have none of that.
Orchestrated by the near-perfect Steve Nash, the Suns came out firing. Two lob feeds for dunks within the first two minutes of the quarter indicated that we may have been in store for a track meet. However, on the defensive end, the Suns tightened up. Players rotated defensively. They got their hands in the passing lanes. They contested every shot from the Wizards, and the defensive intensity led to a 27-13 run that allowed Nash to leave the game.
It wasn't until a stretch of sloppy play by the Suns reserves that prompted Alvin Gentry to call a time out and put the starters back in. Once that happened, it was game over. Adios. Sayonara, Washington. This was a quality win over a team the Suns should have beaten.
And there was this...
The Suns are finally looking like the team we know they could be. An unconventional, yet efficient team defensively, and a well oiled machine on the offensive end. Things aren't perfect. In fact, they're far from perfect. But improvement is improvement, and this is the first time the Suns have really taken a slumping team out back and given them an old fashioned beating.
Things That Impressed Me
- Two words: Steve Nash. I'll let his stats do some of the talking, which I'll post below. But even more than the gaudy and near-perfect stats, he was every bit of the leader we know him to be. He made perfect pass after perfect pass to set up the second half run. He stepped in front of players. Defended. Gave a pep talk to Dragic in between quarters. There are times when you see someone play and simply appreciate everything that they do. This was one of those games for me. Aside from the two turnovers, it doesn't get any better than that.
- Hakim Warrick's overall play. Yeah, I know he had the amazing dunk. I know he scored 26 points in 27 minutes off the bench. But aside from all the offense, it was the way Warrick conducted himself on the court. The lack of playing time given in the previous two games must have rung true with him. He came out energized, crashed the boards (he picked up 6 tonight) and looked more committed on the defensive end.
- Beating handily a team we should have beaten handily. The Wizards are slumping and John Wall is rusty since returning from an injured knee. Prior to the injection of defense, that wouldn't have meant anything to the Suns. The fact that this game ended like it did showed me that the team is stepping it up when they need to. They're developing that killer instinct. They're beginning to play as if the games mean something.
Recap:
Steve Nash Leads Phoenix Suns To Schooling Of John Wall's Washington Wizards, 125-108 - SB Nation Arizona
Nash's 17 assists and perfect shooting night was only the fifth time since the 1976 NBA-ABA merger that a player has accomplished that feat. Nash has done it twice now along with John Stockton (Feb. 1994), Mark Jackson (Mar. 1987), and Magic Johnson (Nov. 1983).
Game Notes
1st Qtr
- Frye jumping the tip just a sign of how vertically challenged Earl Barron really is
- Suns testing their jumpers early. Frye miss, Hill miss
- Nash draws a foul on Wall, he does that to all the rookies
- JRich goes into the paint against Heinrich. Suns are going to abuse the Wiz guards in the paint
- It's really kind of difficult to describe how sneaky / crafty Nash is. He's just Nash-like in his Nashtyness
- And Earl Barron misses the dunk and tip-back. Once again, that's why he's Earl Barron and not LaMarcu Aldridge
- If the Wizards have a pick and roll defense strategy it is far beyond my ability to comprehend. Basically they are just hoping Nash will miss open shots. Good luck with that
- I need to bear down and force myself to pay more attention to the Wizards offense...but it's painful
- Oop, Wall just hot his revenge on Nash. Steve turned his head for a split second and Wall as in 12 feet past him
- I seriously think that's 8 shots Barron has missed from within 3 feet...It's kind of funny really
- Suns down 21-14, not so funny
- Warrick in for Barron, Gentry looking for some offense here
- Suns go w/ Warrick and Hedo together on the front line. Blatche goes right at Warrick in the paint and draws foul
- Gilbert hits a three, Nash responds w/ a pick and roll dunk for Warrick. Barron can't do that
- Hedo steal and leads the break, JRich three but Nash gets credit for the assist b/c of his quick swing pass. That should have been Hedo's assist
- Suns on a nice little run here to close the quarter. 31-28, Wiz
2nd Qtr
- Suns start w/ a Hedo/Warrick pick and roll. Warrick to the line
- Yi posting up Hedo, that's sad
- Earl Barron had 5 offensive rebounds and no second chance points
- Warrick looking fly
- Josh doing a good job staying in front of Arenas, not that Arenas is all that quick any more
- Suns not shooting the ball but there are at least getting into the paint and getting to the line. Fairly bleh game so far. Not the kind of game we are going to remember in two month...or tomorrow
- Fun to see Dragic try and attack Wall. Didn't work but still fun
- Nice steal from Hedo on McGee
- Suns production peeps trying so hard to get this "Heeeedooooo" thing to catch on after each of his threes. Not working
- Golden Grannies on the court. Time for me to make a little golden stream. Brb
- JaVale McGee found someone he can post up - Hakim Warrick. But Wiz can't stop Suns
- 49-48, 4:55. Nash back in. Very nice stretch for Dragic/Hedo/Warrick they are plus something
- Wow, that looked like an actual play from the Wizards. Highly unusual
- Nash uses various Wizards as screens to shake Wall and get an open shot
- Meanwhile, Wizards like Nick Young and Ji can't miss from outside. Defense!!
- Both sides scoring but I have to think the Suns are more sustainable..they are at least getting into the paint and getting to the line. Wiz just hitting from outside...open shots but still from outside
- OOOOOHHH Warrick Mega Slam end of half. Looks back at Suns bench like "Earl Barron who"
- 64-61, Suns
3rd Qtr
- Suns 20 FTAs. Wizards 5. Wiz 4-8 from three. Suns 2-6. Suns 22-19 TReb
- Nash to Frye lob dunk...wow. Frye has seriously increased his hops this year. Whatever exercise he's doing, Jared needs to do twice as many
- Time for the Suns to pull away, need some stops
- Even Earl Barron couldn't miss that wide open dunk Steve created for him
- 78-67, Suns
- For some reason JaVale McGee thought he could jump over Grant Hill. Who does he think he is, Blake Griffin?
- Those open outside shots the Wiz were hitting are no longer falling
- JRich / Barron pick and roll. That's new
- Suns crowd now groans when Frye misses a three b/c they expect him to make all of them
- And that's why Warrick can't rebound...he had position on Blatche and jumped straight up but couldn't secure the ball over the bigger dude. He at least tipped it out of bounds though
- Suns are now just toying with Wizards....lob passes galore. If Dudley gets a lob dunk the fans will much just storm the court
- 91-75, Suns
- Goran in, Nash out. 1:13 to go in the 3rd. Suns have 93 points. I think tacos will happen
- Warrick just leveled Nick Young with that screen...lol
4th Qtr
- Suns won the 3rd qtr 31-17
- Hedo flies in for the tip-in. Both he and Warrick got the message that Gentry was sending
- Refs tired of sending Warrick to the line, but it doesn't matter -- he's just jumping into guys and still finishing
- Hedo is pissed that Ji jumped over him for a tip-in put back. That's good that he's pissed about it
- Sorry, I spaced out there a bit. Did I miss anything? I guess someone called Trevor Booker did something nice
- 102-85, 8:08 to go. Bench on the floor
- Arenas trying to go into hero mode, kind of working to be honest
- Hmmmm, wonder if the Wizards know who Goran Dragic is and that he can shoot if they leave him wide open?
- I wish there was something more profound to say about this game
- A couple of sloppy possessions for the Suns, lead down to 107-95. Gentry time out. 5:13 to go
- Starters back in except Warrick instead of Barron....and there's the reason why as Nash dumps the ball off to Hak and he explodes to the rim w/ a no-step jam
- And that fast, Suns back up by 20. Bench coming back in now with 3:00 to go
- Frye had a goal tend, can't imagine he's had many of those in his life
- Grant Hill with the double fist pump after taking the charge
- Siler in!!
- If Siler's in, I think we can call this one over. Later peeps
- Unlike Earl Barron, Siler can finish around the rim. Too bad his feet are made of concrete blocks
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great
but its kinda weirding out the thread, slowing it down for me, and I have a cable internet connection.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
Dang, Warrick has some good eye hand coordination, almost a TO by Steve.
Riding shotgun on the Earl Clark carpool with Bkj on the wheels and EricSun89 navigating. Our car has the "Extend J-Rich!!!" bumper sticker, you can't miss it.
this
is what I came to look for. What a facial!
Steve Nash can only give 100 percent. The other 10 percent he donates them to charities.
I feel for YA
Mr Yi……
Don’t feel bad. It was only Hakim. Not Blake / not Amare / not LeBron.
Only Hakim…..
On the Gani Lawal Bandwagon.
Suns Future All-Star
Mark these words........
Where'd it go?
Anthony Tolliver says "Get that weak stuff outta here!"
EXTEND JASON RICHARDSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this isis going to sound hollow
but I am pretty sure the Suns’ are giving up the shots they want to give up – jump shots – and other teams just continue to hit more of them than they should.
I’m waiting for it to even out (lots of misses), but it hasn’t yet.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
and maybe it never will
but the Wizards made a LOT of jump shots tonight, and still finished at 50% shooting
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
Live by the jump shot
die by the jump shot. It will even out, eventually.
totally agree
Suns are giving up a few too many uncontested ones, but through 21 mins, the Suns played ok defence and still gave up a ton of points.
On the other hand in the 3rd quarter when they did amp up the energy on the defensive side, the Wiz suddenly did miss a few.
word
There is a huge difference between a wide open jump shot and a contested one. It is way more difficult to shoot with some one in your face. Contesting is much better D than just hoping for some misses.
by Waggy on Dec 6, 2010 7:48 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
of course, that stands to reason
and I didn’t mean to imply that the Suns’ strategy is to leave people totally open.
It’s just that the “long 2” is the worst shot in basketball statistically, yet Suns’ opponents so far are hitting them so well. Despite the poor D giving up open shots, I’m still thinking the number will go down over the course of the season.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
True
I would much rather see the effort to track down the shooter on the long twos than play the odds. It also seems that players that have no business scoring in double digits do it on a consistent basis against our D. I think the number will go down as well, and I also like the improvement in our defense these past few games.
Also,
If we are going to force the long two we have to stay home and rebound otherwise the putback is one of the higher percentage shots in the NBA so we erase any good defensive effort by leaking out for a fast break. Plus anyone who leaked is not there to play defense on the new possesion.
by Suns Fan For Life on Dec 7, 2010 11:36 AM MST up reply actions
That's how the Suns play D
Last season in the playoffs, we swept the Spurs because we gave Jefferson jump shots and he couldn’t hit them. Same thing with LAL but Artest kept hitting his open jump shots.
by Smoooth Criminal on Dec 5, 2010 9:06 PM MST up reply actions
Fisher hit his wide open shots not artest; ron had those two good games and that was pure luck, imo
Driving the Earl Clark bandwagon with Larfleeze as we welcome EricSun89 to our roadtrip. Extend Jason Richardson!!!!!!!!!!!!
by Bkj on Dec 5, 2010 9:13 PM MST up reply actions
Both Fisher and Artest
What I meant is that the Suns D is predicated on giving other players jump shots they think can’t make
by Smoooth Criminal on Dec 5, 2010 9:38 PM MST up reply actions
Luck?
Amar’e get off of BSOTS and get ready for your game tomorrow! You’re playing Kevin Love and you’re going to need to box out if the 40 points you’re about to drop are going to matter.
Audaciously combating BSOTS's regime of optimism since, oh, about a week ago.
that's exactly what
Gentry said…they took the shots they wanted them to take. Except he called them contested jump shot but mostly they were open jump shots in the 1st half
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
I remember thinking that
opponents were hitting too many last year too, until the second half when this strategy worked a lot better.
Maybe end of season – more pressure, less energy from long season – those are a lot tougher to hit.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
Excellent win.
Nash, Hak, and JRich. Beast-men.
Auntie Em: Hate you, hate Kansas, taking the dog.
Dorothy
It just goes to show
that we needed a little more size inside to make us a more complete team. And Nash was …well….NASHTY..that pretty much sums it up.
This was a great win!
I can’t even decide who to give the man award to!
I mean, obviously Steve and Hakim deserve it most so I will give it to them in a tie.
But J-Rich was a beast tonight and Grant Hill was a total man (as usual).
And even Hedo was quietly wonderful tonight!
Such an awesome team win! Everyone scored!!!
:D
"If the Suns can shock the world
Goran Dragic is the name."
Steve is the Man tonight.
Warrick wouldn’t have done anything close to what he did if Steve wasn’t in beast-mode.
Anthony Tolliver says "Get that weak stuff outta here!"
EXTEND JASON RICHARDSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by Omaha Sun on Dec 5, 2010 9:37 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Very true, sir.
Very true.
"If the Suns can shock the world
Goran Dragic is the name."
by Dragic_is_Magic on Dec 5, 2010 9:44 PM MST up reply actions
I too give credit to Gentry
Putting Barron in the starting lineup is a great move. A player that is not looking for his shot and who understands the importance of having a job in the NBA.
Wizards are a horrible team, however putting wins together is so important no matter who you play.
Lets get the 4th in a row on Tuesday.
Roblo should learn/watch how barron rolls to the bucket
Driving the Earl Clark bandwagon with Larfleeze as we welcome EricSun89 to our roadtrip. Extend Jason Richardson!!!!!!!!!!!!
If anything,
Robin should watch how Barron USES TWO HANDS to grab rebounds
right
Lopez could learn a bit on rebounding, but Lopez already knows how to finish a lot better than Barron
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
I'd like to jump on the Earl Barron bandwagon...
And I’m happy we won.
But a little reality check is in order.
I just looked at the box score and Barron was 3-9 from the floor tonight.
Eight boards, but watching the game, I noticed several of them were cleanups on his own misses around the basket that I don’t think got converted to points.
I did like his energy, though, and his poster dunk was sweet. I’d like to see him do more (a lot more) of that.
the main probelm with Earl B.
is that he has hands of stone. If he had softer hands to catch the ball better, and to control the ball when he gets his hands on offensive rebs, he would be a real solid player, from what I have seen. Most of those misses were on put backs again.
Of course, if he did have great hands, he would probably have found his way onto another team by now, or cost the suns 5 times as much.
It's not as bad as it seems
A lot of his bobbled passes have come when he just wasn’t ready for the pass from Nash, which is something he’ll get used to. He also seems to be rushing on those o-rebs/putbacks, and hopefully within the next few games he’ll realize that he can just gather and put up a real shot instead of just trying to tip the ball in.
by hcblankscreen on Dec 6, 2010 12:00 AM MST up reply actions
but still
we cannot expect too much from this guy. He’s not an NBA starter on a quality team, beyond the “Collins+” model.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
The hands of stone thing should make a lot of people around here happy.
It’s like watching a black Lou!
RIP Seasons of Discontent
by Scott Howard on Dec 6, 2010 12:01 AM MST up reply actions 6 recs
As long as you exist...
There will be a (Sun) God to counter your darkness….
STAT may be gone but the Suns will rise....!
And now we are learning how to rec
Is that guy 26 or 36?
by sun_equalizer on Dec 6, 2010 4:43 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
except luo could jump
this guy makes dudly look like jordan
"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
He can out jump Jarron Collins...
Always look at the Bright Side…
STAT may be gone but the Suns will rise....!
In the game thread last night
Somebody asked how it’s possible for Barron to be such a bad finisher when he’s so big. I had typed “because he would have a hard time jumping over a garden hose”, was about to post it, and then he made that dunk so I erased it. But, you’re right that Lou is more athletic. It’s just that both guys are clumsy as hell.
"I'm sort of a pessimist about tomorrow and an optimist about the day after tomorrow." ~Eric Sevareid
Either way
6 offensive boards, whether they were off his own misses or not. Sometimes a role player is a better fit.
On to Portland.
agreed 68 but
even though there his own misses when he boards em those are “several” possesions that are not coming back the other way in transition the weakest part of our game.
We don't win this game without Siler
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 Dec 5, 2010 9:48 PM MST reply actions 2 recs
Granted, not a huge impact on the score...
But I did enjoy seeing one of our guys out there pushing people around, even if it was in garbage time.
It's +1 in the win column, which is all that really matters.
The Wizards suck and we were at home? Yeah, sure, that’s correct. But, win the games you should win, and we did. There was also some pride involved. I’m sure Nash doesn’t appreciate all the buzz that John Wall is the next great PG while he is fading, so he beasted and showed everyone what is what. Hakim Warrick didn’t appreciate that he was pushed to the end of the bench and showed us that he’s definitely worthy of minutes as a contributor to this team. I love it when guys are challenged and meet the challenge. Ball.
"I'm sort of a pessimist about tomorrow and an optimist about the day after tomorrow." ~Eric Sevareid
by East Bay Ray on Dec 5, 2010 9:59 PM MST reply actions 1 recs
a win is a win
but is a loss a loss?
Banzai!
by Suns' Sensei on Dec 5, 2010 11:47 PM MST up reply actions
nash definitely had a chip on his shoulder tonight
and Wall got some higher education tonight from the school of Nash
Sweet win. We beat a team that we're supposed to beat and we did it with defense!
The defense is really starting to pick up and you can definitely see signs of what this team will become when everyone’s reached their comfort zone. Everyone looks like they have better chemistry now and it’s just great to watch. Can’t wait till the next game. I definitely plan on joining the next game thread!
I'm hitching a ride on the Earl Clark bandwagon with Larfleeze and Bkj and serving as navigator.
I had no idea Steve Nash directed "How to train your Dragon".
We got 59 points from the bench.
We out-rebounded them 53-41. We played 12 men, and 10 of them got 3 or more rebounds. Nash had 17 assists, but we had 30 altogether. Dragic had a relatively tough game, but he still ended up shooting 50%, got 3 boards, and 4 assists. Turk had some nice minutes, 7 pts, 4 boards, 3 assists, 2 steals and a block – and a lot of energy. Dudz was fat tonight, Chill was great, and Siler was like somebody let him out of a cage – 3 pts and 3 boards in 2:42. Stat-monster. All our starters were great – and I’m gonna owe Eagle Sun a steak if EB doesn’t start sucking. He finally relaxed a little bit, and got a tip-in and a slam. I don’t know how he’s going to be on Gasol, Duncan, or Dwight, but he’s out played the guys he’s started against.
So, great streak!
Auntie Em: Hate you, hate Kansas, taking the dog.
Dorothy
by haremoor on Dec 5, 2010 11:01 PM MST reply actions 1 recs
that is hilarious
I wonder why Eagle Sun isn’t all over these boards right now
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
Exactly.
I’ve only seen a handful of his posts where he even remotely relates to what I or anyone else has said on the thread.
The only difference in his posts is EB and Silo both get better and get new nicknames with each new post.
Anthony Tolliver says "Get that weak stuff outta here!"
EXTEND JASON RICHARDSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, if he ever reads a follow up, I'll pay up.
With pleasure. But I’m taking Scott with me – I don’t want to listen to Eagle Sun talk for an hour and a half while he eats his steak.Maybe I’ll just send him an Omaha steak.
Auntie Em: Hate you, hate Kansas, taking the dog.
Dorothy
That four day break has done wonders.
For the first time this season I feel like I’m watching a Suns team that is on board with each other. Feels like our chemistry is building really well right now. I love watching this team cheer each other on. Watching Nash jump off his back because our 2nd unit makes a big play. Grant and JRich waving towels because Hedo or Warrick or Frye or whoever it is that night is going to town.
We’ve had a tough schedule to start and we’ve probably got 3 or 4 really tough opponents this month. This win is encouraging and makes me proud to wear Orange and Purple on the streets of Los Angeles.
YES,
SWEET !!!!! I am getting this total Man-Crush on MVSteve and I am not even sure its in a good way. If I ever come to the States I’ll be camping like a homeless dude outside his house until they pass a restraining order or something (And Even that might not work)
After all the talk about the man who bores Alex, I have a suggestion and it is something I shall follow in future. All Assists in the game to be called Nash’s
So, tonight Nash had 17 Nash’s and Goran had 4, Hedo contributed with 3 Nash’s and the Suns had a total of 30 Nash’s. That’S almost 50% of our points came through Nash’s……
On the Gani Lawal Bandwagon.
Suns Future All-Star
Mark these words........
by SS21 on Dec 6, 2010 12:56 AM MST reply actions 1 recs
get in line buddy!
"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
Also, the Teams looking nice
Kudos to all the players and I think we should be EVEN better after Dec 15 when we have a 4 day break.
GEL Baby GEL……
On the Gani Lawal Bandwagon.
Suns Future All-Star
Mark these words........
Im concerned about Hedo and Turk in the Second unit
With them in as our front court the wizards were scoring at will. Alvin will have to figure out something but my guess is that Channin needs to play with that group, and either Hedo or Hack needs to sit (i vote we ship Hedo and his ugly ass contract)
actualy I think
Hedo is looking comfortable and is beign aggressive in his new role.
by stevedavis_ on Dec 6, 2010 8:58 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
I'm concerned that Hedo and Turk are two different people
This is a quandary indeed
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
hedo and turk? that could be a problem
only four on the floor…
I’m just kidding I assume you meant Warrick?
Even when Robin is back
I expect hime to play with the second unit, at least until he gets his legs back.
Known fact, you’ve got to earn your starting position and PT on this team unless you are not named Grant Hill / Steve Nash / J-Rich.
So we’ve got
Nash / J-Rich / G-Hill / Frye / Barron
Dragic / JYD / Turk / Warrick / RoLo
We look Big and mean at the same time on both units.
Honorary Mentions for J-Chill / Clark who come for certain situations (Injury / Fatigue / JYF & Turk sucking / Defensive asssignment with J-Chill getting first preference so far) OR until they get into the right page with the team.
Siler / Gani / Matt will have to role with the pine a little longer.
Please hold on Turk,
Imagine this scenario as going to the theater – buying the ticket for the movie releasing next week and then watching the preview of the same movie, while watching the current movie. And the preview still looks good.
Turk being next weeks release and Grant being the Current movie.
On the Gani Lawal Bandwagon.
Suns Future All-Star
Mark these words........
im assuming
the one on the maine red claws bench,word gets around slow in this age of piss poor technology!
REmember in joe dirt
when the guard rags joe ds car and he says “shit ill buff out”.Well I think our suns have finaly started to buff there shit out!!!
The Suns r just lucky that they faced a bad team, that’s all. they are still a severly flawed team and might not make the playoffs as that team is severely flawed
by Jeffrey Thompson on Dec 6, 2010 11:22 AM MST reply actions
Well I mean it was on the schedule and you've got to play everyone.
RIP Seasons of Discontent
by Scott Howard on Dec 6, 2010 11:31 AM MST up reply actions
Thank you for your logically constructed position.
And here I was thinking we were perfect.
Peyton Manning= Better.
by JesusNinja13 on Dec 6, 2010 11:36 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Glad you could drop by and give us your ever so educated assessment.
Auntie Em: Hate you, hate Kansas, taking the dog.
Dorothy
He's a Raptors fan. I can understand. I'd be bitter too.
"I'm sort of a pessimist about tomorrow and an optimist about the day after tomorrow." ~Eric Sevareid
by East Bay Ray on Dec 6, 2010 11:41 AM MST up reply actions 6 recs
Well, that explains a lot.
After all the promise of those pre-season wins, I can understand his bitterness.
Auntie Em: Hate you, hate Kansas, taking the dog.
Dorothy
But, hey, that 8-12 record of theirs is good for the 8th spot in the East.
"I'm sort of a pessimist about tomorrow and an optimist about the day after tomorrow." ~Eric Sevareid
by East Bay Ray on Dec 6, 2010 11:53 AM MST up reply actions
But aren't the Raptors 'severly' flawed, too?
Or do they never play bad teams? Oh, wait, they lost to Washington.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Auntie Em: Hate you, hate Kansas, taking the dog.
Dorothy
Also they are severly flawed.
What line of work did you say you were in Bob?
RIP Seasons of Discontent
by Scott Howard on Dec 6, 2010 11:47 AM MST up reply actions
Good win
I don’t know why this is happening, but I can remember at least three wins (against Denver, Indiana and now Washington) that we fought back and shut the other team down on the 2nd half after an awful (at least defensively) first half. And two of them were back to backs.
Nash was amazing yesterday. Oh, man. He was playing like a man who is in chase of his 3rd MVP title. And, judging from yesterday, he deserved it very much.
Sidenotes:
- Why Turkoglu didn’t get more court time yesterday? I think he played very well and got good stats until he blew a defensive assignment and was benched by Gentry. I’m liking his dedication and his leadership on the 2nd unit. I know he is struggling to find his niche, but he seems to have a great attitude about it. Imagine how it is for a guy to play 30 min as a starter and then averages about 20 min as a reserve.
- And why Earl Clark didn’t get at least 5 min again? I think he played really well against Indiana and also the last couple of games he entered.
- Man, I was shocked yesterday when I knew that JRich never played in the All Star game. That’s just crazy and I hope this changes this year. I mean, if a guy like Caron Butler gets to play…
- And Warrick is pretty bad on defense: he doesn’t know how to set screens. He doesn’t block anything. He can’t rebound. But at least he can fill the scoreboard and that’s helping us on a lot of games this year. That dunk on Yi was amazing.
The Suns are tough!
Warrick's per 36 rebounding average is 7.2.
Not great, but I don’t think you can say he ’can’t’ rebound. And he set some nice picks last night – Nash even remarked on it. If he is having such success in the pick and roll, there must be some picking going on.
The reason that Clark and Hedo didn’t get more minutes is – thee aren’t enough minutes. We played 12 guys, it was a tight first half, and we needed the win. Gentry has his reasons, and he’s doing a good job.
Auntie Em: Hate you, hate Kansas, taking the dog.
Dorothy
You know, Nash doing something that has only been done like 5 times in history (8 shots, no misses, with dbl digit assists)
got us a tiny mention on the front page of nba.com. On NBA TV, they raved about Amar’e and his’ leadership’, and commented that instead of worrying about what Amar’e is doing without Nash, that people should start worrying about what Nash is doing without Amar’e, in kind of a ‘yuk, yuk’ fashion. Yet I spent time lurking on the Wizards game thread last night, and the respect for Nash is overwhelming there – and most other blogs I’ve visited.
If Nash gets this team into the playoffs, he at least needs to be in the discussion for MVP. Of course, his averages are a little off, but last night’s performance got him over 50% from the field, he’s now at 35.4% from 3, and 89.8% free throw shooting. He’s averaging 18.2 points per game. He’s averaging 10.4 assists per game, and if Barron could make shots, he’d probably average 14. I haven’t looked into the assisted ratios of JRich, Hill, Frye, and Warrick, but he’s certainly a big factor in their success.
But, of course, he’s not Lebron.
Auntie Em: Hate you, hate Kansas, taking the dog.
Dorothy
I think they’re both doing well without each other. I have to give props to Amar’e. Ever since he called out is team for not having a winning attitude they’ve played better; in fact they’re getting the best from their starting line-up right now. I’m impressed with Amar’e, he’s showed some leadership which I wasn’t sure he had.
However, in less the Knicks magically get Melo they won’t go as far as Nash and his Suns. The thing is that the Knicks are playing at their possible best while the Suns are still trying to get their mojo back. Both have similar records. The Suns potential is much higher. I wouldn’t say contender potential though. Too early to tell.
Don't trade Dudley!
Also, if Barron does start making his shots while keeping up his active play he will remain a starter and if that’s the case I think that goes to prove that Nash really is a genius at making the players around him better. His MVP’s aren’t a joke.
I hope Barron continues his play. He’s like an upgraded version of Jarron Collins. Lopez is going to have to earn his playing time back. That will be good motivation though.
Don't trade Dudley!
It's possible...
Although I still believe once Robin comes back Siler will be released and Barron will take his place as the emergency big-man. I think Earl has done a terrific job filling in and I would like to see him continue to develop with our team, but unless he becomes a double-digit scorer or re-bounder before then, I think Robin will get all his minutes once he returns.
He’s like an upgraded version of Jarron Collins.
Here’s another.
Boll.
by waxmonkey on Dec 6, 2010 4:41 PM MST up reply actions 6 recs
I'm not sure how much faster a rooted fencepost is than Jarron Collins...
I think Jarron would keep the race close….
STAT may be gone but the Suns will rise....!
Low blow sir
The fence post should at least be taller
by AcucracK on Dec 6, 2010 4:52 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
ok make it 5
turn it green
Is that guy 26 or 36?
by sun_equalizer on Dec 7, 2010 1:47 AM MST up reply actions
yea…I’m also somewhat impressed by Amar’e
"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
Amare is only impressive
if you like guys that completely turn around a ruined franchise overnight.
The Suns were smart to give up on him before he hit his prime years. His iniquities and infirmities will catch up to him. His mvp/scoring title will be a hollow victory…..
Amare will probably only provide for New York what Nash or Barkley provided to Phoenix, an addictively exciting brand of basketball that captures the hearts and imaginations of basketball faithful as well as fairweather. His lack of defense will culminate in the same playoff futility….
Sometimes the prudent thing to do in life is realize that you can’t afford to make the payments on the ferrari and settle on a volvo.
Go Phoenix Volvos!
Never confuse activity with achievement.
by Jim Coughenour on Dec 7, 2010 9:29 AM MST up reply actions
wow Jim, your love for Amare is topped
only by your pessimism for the Suns.
I am totally impressed by Amare and take back everything I said about him maybe possibly not being as good without Nash.
However, let’s not equate Amare’s impact on NY with Charles’ impact on the Suns. Charles took the Suns to a 62-20 record and the NBA Finals. Nash took the Suns to a 62-20 record and the Western Conference Finals.
Amare so far has taken the Knicks to a 13-9 record against the easiest schedule of opponents in the league. It will get harder for him when he’s playing against comp that wins more than 40% of their games. Sure he MAY step up even further than he has. But don’t annoint him until that time.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
Nash won't be a candidate unless we make the top 3 or so in the west
just making the playoffs is not enuf to be in any MVP race.
Now I don’t want to get to ahead of myself, but I say we could still be in the running for a very high place in the west. Right now we are 8th in standings, but have played a tougher sched., as we all know, but I think the vibes from Denver and NO say those 2 teams are passable. I would also say that OKC while impressive at times, are still too young to be really “elite” and will not be a better team than us come say February/March.
So that puts 5th in our reach for now, imho, but even if we can get there, there would be 4 very tough teams ahead of us in Utah, Dallas, the Spurs and Lakers, and 5th is not MVP material. We will need to pass 2 of those guys for Nash to be in the running.
Anyway, its a long season so its very early to be speculating.
What I am finding interesting is that there is the potential for the Suns to be very good and the Knicks to be top 4 in the East, with other ex-suns, Raja, Matrix, Diaw, Shaq, House/Jones in Miami, Barbosa, figuring prominently in playoff scenarios. that would be fun to follow.
that would be funny..
we should have a suns playoff tracker..who will make it the longest…well at least shaq is on the celtics now…
but the eight seed was decided during the last few weeks of the NBA
Is that guy 26 or 36?
by sun_equalizer on Dec 6, 2010 4:44 PM MST up reply actions
fair enuf, but I still think this is different
first of all, Durant puts up the crazy numbers. Second, its a new team on the rise, and we are a team that almost won the WCF last year, so for us to finish 8th this year…not MVP material.
3rd big reason….there is a ton of resentment around the NBA for Nash’s 2 mvp’s already, from among other the Kobe nug hutters, plus other sordid “aggrieved” parties. Nash would need to climb everest, win the democratic nomination for pres, make 2 feature films, average 16 assists per game, and 30 points per game, and lead us to 65 + wins to be in the MVP running.
Who said we're going to finish 8th (besides everybody)?
Your assumption is based on a static scenario, and this team and this league are dynamic. Injuries, trades, streaks, a lot of things could conspire to change what it looks like right now. LA isn’t immune from injury, and they just had a 4 game losing streak. We’ve surprised a couple of teams already, and we could surprise quite a few more. Besides, if Nash were to average 12 assists and 18 points, while doing the 40-50-90 thing that only he has done multiple times (while making it seem routine), it would be quite a bit better than his 2 MVP campaigns – which were pretty good. And at age 37?
I really don’t think Lebron will get it, He’s generated a lot of resentment. If the Lakers keep riding Pau this hard, he could go down, as could Kobe. That leaves – Durant? Amar’e?
Nobody knows where we’ll end up, but I’m just sayin’. He’s scoring more, with a team that is barely expected to make it to the playoffs. He’s getting a lot of assists, and he’s well respected and 37 by the end of the year. He should at least be in the conversation.
Auntie Em: Hate you, hate Kansas, taking the dog.
Dorothy
I agree
I think the suns finish in the top 4 somehow, but don’t quote me on it.
I was only responding to the one comment you made in the first post about “if we make the playoffs” and saying that that is not enough.
Other MVP candidates….Ginobli, Tony Parker, CP3, Dirk, Tyson Chandler? (yes its very early for that, but you never know), Derron Williams if they get hot, Rondo, Dwight H, Amare (gulp!)..
Anyway, its still very early.
Lol, Tony Parker, Manu and Chandler aren’t realistic options. I can see Rondo, Dwight, Dirk, CP3 and Deron getting an MVP. Gosh, I can really see Amar’e getting an MVP if he takes that Knicks team all the way to the playoffs, especially if they end up with more than an 8th seed.
Don't trade Dudley!
Me too.
I can really see Amar’e getting an MVP
In fact, if they voted today he’d probably win.
Never confuse activity with achievement.
by Jim Coughenour on Dec 7, 2010 9:20 AM MST up reply actions
Agreed.
What makes this even more impressive is that he has just lost his favorite long term playmate and has had to adapt to an unfamiliar line-up. You can still the new guys hesitating, being surprised by his passes, messing up spacing, not finishing etc. Hak is catching on very fast and is so happy now. Wait until he and the other new guys have played half the season with Steve. Dragic is great, but he’s nowhere near as comfortable with the changes yet. I repeat the mantra: We’re not there yet, but barring injury we have the potential to become a better team without Amar’e.
Thank the GOD for that
The man who bores Alex would not have stuck for so long with the franchise like MVSteve.
“He may not be the Hero we need, but the HERO we deserve.” (Dark Knight reference)
Dollar to Dollar value, I would still have Steve for at least 2 more years until time may actually catch up with him.
On the Gani Lawal Bandwagon.
Suns Future All-Star
Mark these words........
We may be ready!
I posted, after the 6-6 start against the NBA elite teams, that if we could go 8-4 in the second dozen games, we would be primed to go after the NBA Championship this year. Well, we have three games left in the first twenty-four and if we win two of the three, we have succeeded.
Best of all, the Suns appear to be having fun! That is a direct reflection of Alvin Gentry’s big smile. I’m loving it.
Wins + Fun = Championship Team! Two out of the next three and I will be walking on clouds.
by Arizona Retiree on Dec 6, 2010 12:34 PM MST reply actions
Check!
Mistake! I mean three of the next four, we must play Portland twice, Memphis and Minnesota. If the guys keep having fun, we will do it. Go Suns!!!
by Arizona Retiree on Dec 6, 2010 12:46 PM MST up reply actions
Vintage Steve - so efficient!
An absolute thrill and pleasure to watch. Wall must still be shaking his head. Hak was awesome. So quick. Major hops and he (unlike EB) finished some pretty tough shots in traffic. Reminded me a bit of apostrophe-man in that sense. He can shoot free throws too, which is huge because if this continues (which I hope it will) he will get Hak-ed, especially in crunch time. Glad to see more of Dudz. I find he gets better if he’s left in and allowed to get into the flow. Even Silo looked like he belonged. Overall, a nice example of enough of our V-12 engine firing on any given night. Nice to get a win as expected against a second tier team without undue nail biting. The second half was fun to watch. For once the lead looked comfortable. Gentry deserves lots of credit for using 11 guys so effectively. We’ve improved a ton – and we’re winning without our starting C. V. cool!
We have improved... it's beginning to look like we're no longer fighting ourselves...
the gelling, or meshing of personalities, or aligning of trajectories, or ‘chemistrifying’ of the team does seem to be improving…(though Nash was obviously frustrated with Barron fumble-fingering his passes, EB seemed to be moving and spacing a little, tiny bit better in relation to Nash).
But Hak came in, he and Nash just clicked!! And Dudz seems to be working harder, moving his feet and stretching and spinning to get his hands in a face on D even better, his best of this young season. Hedo does so many deft little things with his hands— poking a ball out, tipping a pass, bothering his man.
Everyone (ok, almost everyone) seemed to play his own part to a magnified level last night— Steve was more Steve than ever (nearly a perfect Steve!), Hak was the best Hak we’ve seen for a while— and so on.
Sure it was against the Wiz— but hopefully the game was good for the longer term— for the gelling, or crystalizing of the team. Once we get past the struggling with our selves to find the chemistry and rhythm, maybe… just maybe… we can turn that energy against our enemies, and light them up like we did in the 3rd, with lob after lob and beautiful ball movement!!
by SteveNash, QuantumPhysicist on Dec 6, 2010 2:04 PM MST reply actions
11-9 is better than 10-10
glad we won the game
Is that guy 26 or 36?
by sun_equalizer on Dec 6, 2010 4:02 PM MST reply actions 1 recs
Mark stein is an idiot
Power rankings are a joke yes im biased but come on,suns are starting to get it together .DOes anyone else here believe indiana or amares knicks are better than us even on a good day?I want some of the espn kool-aid,But I would say between broussard and stein there aint none left.
I have just come to accept the fact that ESPN hates the Suns
The sooner you realize this, the easier it is to just laugh when you go to ESPN and read the garbage the put on there.
by AcucracK on Dec 6, 2010 4:54 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Marc Stein is a big fan...
I would have expected a bit better than 14th from him, but we had some bad games on national TV, and have dropped off the radar. And it seems very fashionable to assume we are toast now that Amare the superstar is gone (which we may yet be).
So stick it out. Hollinger’s rankings which are a pretty good gauge has us 17th. He was one of the few that had us up there throughout, so can’t really call him biased. But his rankings are volatile and can change big time, with a nice 5 games in a row. We were around 19th, at the end of January last year for reference.
power rankings
are about as informative as a fortune teller that only predicts your present.
team x just won a bunch of games and are therefore at the top of your list?? wow..what amazing basketball knowledge
the E in ESPN stands for 'eastern conference biased'
I just can’t see where the M or the H is for Miami Heat.
Good thing miller will be out tomorrow
Is that guy 26 or 36?
by sun_equalizer on Dec 6, 2010 6:29 PM MST reply actions 1 recs
Hilarious
They’re about to Saint him over at Bedge, even have video and screenshots explaining why Blake deserved to get blindsided. Same guys that were crying for Stern to punish the Dirty Suns and Amar’e’s imaginary elbow.
by hcblankscreen on Dec 6, 2010 7:18 PM MST up reply actions
its like a thread proclaiming how good miller is
how bad stern is.
I guess, losing consecutive games make them &%&$&^$..
Is that guy 26 or 36?
by sun_equalizer on Dec 6, 2010 7:23 PM MST up reply actions
Tell you what, I'm glad we have EB for this game.
Prydzilla is a thug. Amar’e used to get under his skin, and I hope Earl can do the same.
Auntie Em: Hate you, hate Kansas, taking the dog.
Dorothy
have you checked out blazers edge?
some pretty big news
"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
wait where?
"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
well yeah
but i was more referring to Miller being out tomorrow for flattening Griffen
"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
awh it's been coverd...my bad
"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
embrace your inner scott howard
"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
oops
sorry grant although my respect for Miller just went up
"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
Bollocks.
Petition to have him suspended for 62 games.
Taht should be the nail in Portland’s Coffin and no more playoff race with them.
Anyway, Anyhow we gotta beat the rest this year.
On the Gani Lawal Bandwagon.
Suns Future All-Star
Mark these words........
How is the title of this post not:
Steve Nash: Aged to Perfection
by tptman on Dec 7, 2010 10:56 AM MST reply actions 2 recs
ohhhh good one
rec
"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
What I liked most about this game
I noticed a play when Nash went inside then passed out to Richardson, Nash and another Suns stayed below the basket. Now Richardson did hit the 3, but at least they’re not running back the other way as soon as someone shoots.
The Suns made me proud because I can’t believe they used the third quarter to win the game because without that the Wizards would have posed a great threat in the fourth quarter had it gone there. Wizards are known to win in the fourth quarter and tat would be disastrous.
Slam Like Michael Jordan
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