Game Preview: Phoenix Suns at Oklahoma City Thunder

by Wil Cantrell on Feb 23, 2010 11:54 AM MST in Phoenix Suns: Game Coverage

The death of Frosty, the birth of Dragon

OK Suns fans, I'm not here to make you laugh today. I am here to talk about the hearts of men. I am here to talk about the championship spirit, the killer instinct, giving it 110% in the face of adversity. I'm here to talk about the love of the hardwood. Sorry, cut, forget it, the dramatic effect isn't working, and I'm lacking time to polish this up, so...I'll just keep this to the point:

There are some very compelling plot lines in this one tonight:

Steve Nash is out, Goran Dragon Dragic is in. Yeah, he's the Dragon, and he's going head to head with Russell Westbrook. Goran, this is your time to shine. Fresh off your BSOTS Q&A, we have faith you're going to come out and kick some tail tonight.
OKC: 9 wins in a row, shooting for 10 tonight. This squad has looked dominant, gritty, and humble? I quoteth Kevin Durant: "We continue to be humble, knowing that anytime a team can beat us. We're coming in with that mindset that we've got to be focused and be ready for each test that's ahead of us. We're kind of confident, but we're not too arrogant."
This contest could have serious playoff implications for both teams. OKC currently sits in the 5 spot, a half game ahead of the Suns. The Thunder won the first match-up in December and play the next contest and last contest in April, again in OKC. Thanks, David Stern.
Who are these Phoenix Suns? Sure the Thunder are playing great basketball, but the Suns haven't played too shabby, winning 8 of their last ten games. The big story has been the Suns defense the past two games, allowing Atlanta and Sacramento 80 and 88 points respectively. Sure, neither squad are offensive juggernauts, but we'll take what we can get. Can this defense continue? The Thunder will pose a serious test tonight...Amare Stoudemire has obviously been scoring at will, but since his one rebound performance vs. the Mavs on Jan 28, STAT has posted 6 double digit rebounding games, and hasn't pulled down less than 8 boards in any single game. Perhaps there is a reason why he's still wearing a Suns uniform.

The Big Three

I'm not talking about Garnett, Allen, and Pierce, nor am I talking about Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, and Martin Short. I'm talking about Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, and Jeff Green. We all know about Durant. He's scored in double figures in every game this season. He's second in the NBA behind LeBron with 29.8 per game. He boards 7.5 a game, averages 3 assists, a block and nearly 1.5 steals a game. Not to mention 48% from the field, and 88% from the line. And he was born in 1988, about the time guys like me were wearing acid washed jeans, listening to this killer new band called Guns 'N Roses, and buying condoms for no good reason other than delusional wishful thinking. Russell Westbrook is a budding triple double threat at 16/7/5 and another child born in '88 for the Thunder who has put it together at a very, very young age. Jeff Green rounds out this explosive trio of former first round picks, averaging 14 and 6. Green's averages this season from the field don't jump out from the monitor: 44% FG, 31% from behind the arc, but he can do a little of everything. Green's coach at Georgetown, John Thomspon III said of Green: "He's the smartest player I've ever coached."

During their 9-game winning streak, the Thunder's big three of turned it up a notch as follows:

Durant: 32.5 PPG/8RPG
Westbrook: 19.6 PPG/9APG
Green: 16.3 PPG/6 RPG/1.6 SPG

The Game

The Suns have little choice but to compete tonight. Nash or no Nash, this is crunch time. Earlier in the season we could have accepted a blow out and move on, but as Amare said, poignantly:

"Everybody is on everybody else's heels. One game can determine whether you have home court advantage or not. With that being said, we know how important these games are and we attack (them) as such."

Word.

And further:

OKC is 17th in the league in FG%. Their 20th in 3-PT FG%. Make them shoot from outside.
OKC is 4th in the league in rebounding differential at +2.44. Keep them off the boards.
OKC is 6th in the league in steals. Take care of the ball, limit turnovers
OKC is 2nd in the league in opponents FG% and 7th in points allowed. Um...pray to the basketball gods that bench scores more than 12 points and J-Rich/Hill/Dudley/Amundson/Dragic/ shoot better than 13-39 this time out vs. the Thunder?

Game Links:

Suns vs Thunder coverage

Suns vs Thunder preview

Welcome to Loud City

Paul Coro: Dragic Makes Second Career Start For Suns

NewsOK: Thunder Can Make Suns 10th Victim in a Row

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Comments

We owe these guys one.....

But I don’t think it’s gonna be tonight unfortunately. I think we’ll be competitive for a while (say a half) and then just kind of tail off.

http://seasonsofdiscontent.com/

by Scott Howard on Feb 23, 2010 11:58 AM MST reply actions

not if we play the team D we have been of late...

Dragic is an upgrade on the defensive end from Nash but no where near the offensive creator… If he can distribute a little and prevent Westbrook from penetrating we should be fine at the PG spot… the bigger issue is probably stopping Durant… who is going to guard him this game? Hill?

by Superelkman on Feb 23, 2010 12:02 PM MST up reply actions

That presents a problem

As game as Grant is, It’s unlikely for him to do more than make Durant work a little hard to get his 29…We need guys like Jared Dudley & Earl Clark to step up. Robin & Amare are going to have to pack a lunch and hit the boards tonight against a very good rebounding team. Bottom line is, if we play hard, there is no teanm we can’t beat. We can do it and I am being positive….Final Score: Suns 95 – Thunder 89

"I especially liked the part where I dunked on the McDonalds All-American dude..."

Anonymous high-school player after a Virginia basketball state championship game...

by Daryl Ray on Feb 23, 2010 12:18 PM MST up reply actions

There isnt much anyone can do but make Durant work a little harder for his points...

he is just that good… i do like the idea of just playing Clark on him all game and saying your only responsibility is to guard this guy and get garbage buckets…

by Superelkman on Feb 23, 2010 12:21 PM MST up reply actions

I was thinking

about suggesting Lou on him…Knock him around a bit, get him off his game…I just don’t think Lou can keep up with though.

Blogging Suns Basketball. Twitter: @willcantrellphx

by Wil Cantrell on Feb 23, 2010 1:27 PM MST up reply actions

Teams have been trying that all year...

It just doesn’t work …! Durant has that wiry, long, Stacy Augmon frame that never seems to take a direct hit from anyone…He looks like a strong wind would blow him over, but he is surprisingly durable…

"I especially liked the part where I dunked on the McDonalds All-American dude..."

Anonymous high-school player after a Virginia basketball state championship game...

by Daryl Ray on Feb 23, 2010 1:58 PM MST up reply actions

He'd need clear instructions...

Not to shoot everytime he touched the ball…And I thought ZeBo was a black hole…

"I especially liked the part where I dunked on the McDonalds All-American dude..."

Anonymous high-school player after a Virginia basketball state championship game...

by Daryl Ray on Feb 23, 2010 1:56 PM MST up reply actions

I would like to see Dudley and Clark getting some time guarding him.

Can anyone tell Earl Clark he doesn’t have to shoot the ball every time his teammates pass to him? That guy really needs to continue to play good defense and let his shots work their way into the game.

It’s positive to see that he can create those shots for himself, just mean down the line he will start to make them

rgreyslak@gmail.com ____ twitter @rgreyslak

by RGreyslak on Feb 23, 2010 12:57 PM MST up reply actions

Lets just hope

Dragic can stay out of foul trouble

by hcblankscreen on Feb 23, 2010 12:25 PM MST reply actions

how do I put quote in that gray square?

“And he was born in 1988, about the time guys like me were wearing acid washed jeans, listening to this killer new band called Guns ’N Roses, and buying condoms for no good reason other than delusional wishful thinking.”

that really brought some memories… just to add condoms were used at the end… alone… ;-) …it was like “just to get the feeling” :-)

so tonight,, I don’t know, just have this weird feeling that we will win… streak has to end and they barely won over lousy teams lately… they are on the way to lose one after so many wins, it is perfect timing, rather than after 3-4 game winning streak… I actually think to put some money on suns…

by zeze_999 on Feb 23, 2010 12:48 PM MST reply actions

and you effectively just jinxed us

by Superelkman on Feb 23, 2010 12:55 PM MST up reply actions

how do I put quote in that gray square?

so you write some text. then you highlight it with your mouse. then you click on th " button next to the ~~strikethrough~~, which is next to the Italic, which is next to the bold.

Blogging Suns Basketball. Twitter: @willcantrellphx

by Wil Cantrell on Feb 23, 2010 3:37 PM MST up reply actions

why?

I never did so far, maybe the first time I am predicting… it can turn out positive, right? :-)

by zeze_999 on Feb 23, 2010 12:58 PM MST reply actions

If Dragic steps up and puts up huge numbers we win this game

rgreyslak@gmail.com ____ twitter @rgreyslak

by RGreyslak on Feb 23, 2010 12:58 PM MST reply actions

great... now you jinxed Dragic

by Superelkman on Feb 23, 2010 1:19 PM MST up reply actions

Dragic doesn't need huge numbers

Especially in the TO column. Run the point effectively, efficiently, drop in 10-15, 8 assists and hope that the bench and J-Rich show up.

Blogging Suns Basketball. Twitter: @willcantrellphx

by Wil Cantrell on Feb 23, 2010 1:31 PM MST up reply actions

I think we win if he gets 10/6/2/2

Keeping down turnovers is more important than tossing up Nash like assist numbers…Play under control and stay out of foul traoble and we get the “W”

"I especially liked the part where I dunked on the McDonalds All-American dude..."

Anonymous high-school player after a Virginia basketball state championship game...

by Daryl Ray on Feb 23, 2010 1:53 PM MST up reply actions

Rebounds, Defense, Turnovers

There’s really now way the Suns are going to put up more than 90 points in this game baring a complete Thunder collapse combined with some kind amazing hot shooting night.

So, the Suns D needs to be hyper-aggressive and sharp and really step up to the challenge. Dudley, Lou and Frye especially. Durant is going to get his points but we can’t let Green, Ibaka and Collison kill us in the paint.

The matchup we need to take advantage of is Robin vs Kristic. Need I say more?

Amare vs is Green will be fun. That dude is exactly the kind of defender that gives Amare problems but if Amare can get 12+ rebounds and maybe drop some fouls on Green early…

Most important is turn overs. When the Suns run their half court movement sets they actually turn the ball over less. The pick and rolls generate a lot of points but a lot of turnovers => run outs as well.

Patience on the offensive end. Use the clock. Control tempo. Rebound. Defend….basically play like the Spurs (not this year’s Spurs either…)

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo

by Seth Pollack on Feb 23, 2010 1:32 PM MST reply actions

why no more than 90 points?

I know that the Suns bench can’t score as well as the starters but sometimes I feel that when Dragic is in the game, the pace of the game seems to be even faster than when nash is in. I also know that OKC is a good defensive team but I really can’t see the suns averaging 90 points for too long.

by TheBlur on Feb 23, 2010 2:30 PM MST up reply actions

he was jinxing the other team

by Superelkman on Feb 23, 2010 2:33 PM MST up reply actions

lol

And he was born in 1988, about the time guys like me were wearing acid washed jeans, listening to this killer new band called Guns ’N Roses, and buying condoms for no good reason other than delusional wishful thinking.

Personally, I went w/ the pegged jeans and The Cure and Smiths in the 80’s and I used my condoms…chicks digged the early alt rock

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo

by Seth Pollack on Feb 23, 2010 1:34 PM MST reply actions

I know

we called them mods and they wore all black. I was a jock, and not a particularly tall or strong one.

ah regret….

Blogging Suns Basketball. Twitter: @willcantrellphx

by Wil Cantrell on Feb 23, 2010 2:03 PM MST up reply actions

ah that's right...mods

I wasn’t fully mod’d up but road that line. Especially in after high school when I went to northern cali and hung out in the San Jose Ska clubs

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo

by Seth Pollack on Feb 23, 2010 2:45 PM MST up reply actions

Thunder Big 3 Past 9 Games

DURANT (PTS/RB’S)
32/5
36/5
25/14
33/11
29/8
30/3
33/11
45/11
30/4

WESTBROOK (PTS/ASSISTS)

22/14
31/10
17/8
8/7
21/10
26/10
12/9
28/8
12/8

GREEN (PTS/RBS)

17/14
16/11
17/6
17/3
18/3
14/3
19/6
14/7
15/5

Blogging Suns Basketball. Twitter: @willcantrellphx

by Wil Cantrell on Feb 23, 2010 3:41 PM MST reply actions

Defensive game plan

Here it is – How to Beat The Thunder:

1) Don’t double Durant. Especially early in the game. Maybe late in the fourth if it’s close and he’s hitting everything you need to get the ball out of his hands but early on, just do your best on him but if he’s going to shoot don’t put him on the line

2) Help of Nenad or Collison or whatever other center. Use Lopez as the back stop to keep Westbrook and Green out of the paint.

3) Solid D by Goran and Amare on Russell and Jeff. Accept the challenge

4) Mix in the zone (but just a little bit)

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo

by Seth Pollack on Feb 23, 2010 3:57 PM MST up reply actions

Visiting Thunder fan here.

Not doubling Durant is sound if you have a physical wing that can handle the challenge. I don’t know if Phoenix does. If single covering, you absolutely need to body up on him. He can get flustered when he doesn’t have space to operate. The key is not fouling. He’s one of the best in the league at turning mediocre shooting nights into huge scoring nights by getting to the free throw line. It’s what’s allowed him to maintain his 60%TS, which is an astounding figure for a first option wing.

Keeping Westbrook out of the paint is easier said than done. He’s one of the best at getting to the basket and really pretty poor at finishing once he’s there. A lot of his misses at the rim have nothing to do with the defense. To me, this is the biggest hurdle to him reaching all-star status, more so than the poor mid-range jumper.

Amare will dominate Green on offense. On D, Green’s effectiveness lives and dies by the jumper.

OKC exploits zones really well, mainly due to Westbrook’s ability to slice seams and force the d to collapse.

by sammy on Feb 23, 2010 5:30 PM MST up reply actions

Amar'e

i wonder how STAT will perform tonight with nobody to bring the stockton for his malone. I don’t think the Suns run play much of the pick and roll game when Dragic is in, will Amar’e still get his points.

by DaveJD on Feb 23, 2010 4:28 PM MST reply actions

Big test for our crew tonight

Great preview as always, Will. The Suns will need help from every single player that steps on that court. If we win I’ll be very but I mean very happy.

"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"

by PanamaSun on Feb 23, 2010 5:20 PM MST reply actions