Game Preview: Phoenix Suns Vs. Golden State Warriors
by Wil Cantrell on Mar 22, 2010 1:09 PM MDT
in Phoenix Suns: Game Coverage
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PrintTonight, the Suns play the second night of back-to-back games against the Golden State Warriors. To say Don Nelson's squad has had a rough go of it is an understatement. Here's Golden State's current medical report:
- C Ronny Turiaf (sore left knee) is day-to-day
- F Vladimir Radmanovic (sore right Achilles tendon) is day-to-day.
- C Andris Biedrins (torn abdominal muscle) had surgery and is out for the season.
- F Anthony Randolph (torn ligaments, left ankle) will miss the rest of the season.
- G Raja Bell (torn wrist ligament) was waived.
- F Brandan Wright (torn labrum) had surgery and is out for the season.
- F Kelenna Azubuike (torn patella tendon) had surgery and is out for the season.
Ouch. And I mean that respectfully. Here is another ouch for the Warriors of the 147 point variety. And to top it off, the team is for sale, which may be a good thing for Golden State, as would a new team name. I'm not talking about the Warriors, that's fine, but Golden State? How about picking a city or something?
Wonder how it feels to owe the Federal Government $160 million? Just ask Chris Cohan.
So Golden State, losers of 8 of their last 10 are set to take on the Suns tonight at home. Jason Richardson predicts:
"Might be 300 points on the board...definitely a track meet."
I urge one and all to check Golden State Of Mind for their preview, which, by the way predicts a 1 point GS victory (albeit tongue-in-cheek). It's enough to almost make you feel sorry for these guys. But not totally. Tonight that is.
The Suns are 2-1 against GS this season, averaging 120.7 ppg while yielding 112.0 to Nellie's squad. But what are the chances that this doesn't turn out to be the "track meet" J-Rich is talking about? What if Los Suns show up, ready to dominate the boards and grind out a 85-60 barn burner? OK, that won't happen. But it would be fun if it did.
The big question in this one is how the Suns react to the back-to-back. The Suns are 6-10 in the second game of back-to-backs thus far. Last night MAX played 42 minutes, while Grant Hill played 37. Nash and J-Rich put in 31 and 30 minutes of work respectively.
Matchups
C: Robin Lopez ... Anthony Tolliver
PF: Amar'e Stoudemire ... Corey Maggette
SF: Grant Hill ... Reggie Williams
SG: Jason Richardson ... Monta Ellis
PG: Steve Nash ... Stephen Curry
I'm expecting paint dominance from the Suns tonight. Obviously it's not too much of a stretch to expect Lopez to pick up 10-12 rebounds over the 6' 9'' Anthony Tolliver, while MAX should be able to dominate Corey Maggette, that is, unless 42 minutes has left him fatigued. Of course a potential MAX money guy shouldn't get tired, so let's man up Amare and hit 50 tonight. Yes?
Commentary
This may be one that the Suns have a difficult time getting up for. The Warriors squad is in shambles, and recently waiving (or int he midst of waiving) the finally healthy Raja Bell in order to bring up a D-Leaguer Reggie Williams to take his spot. (I get there were financial implications in that move), but perhaps we can win this one for a former Suns favorite Raja, who took this one in stride:
"I completely understand. If nothing else, I consider myself a professional. I never want to come off as a spoiled, coddled, NBA player. The fact is, I'm not playing this year. ... I can't expect you to hold on to me for my Bird rights when you're playing with eight players."
I'm expecting big things from Robin Lopez who should be able to run, score and rebound like a beast tonight over the undersized Bay City front line. I'd also like to see the Suns jump out to a comfortable lead and let the bench take over. Perhaps get Leandro some extended minutes and see what he can do. Of course picking up a W is the most important thing, and losing tonight would be...Unacceptable.
Western Conference Playoff Picture:
1. Lakers -
2. Dallas 5 GB
3. Denver 5.5 GB
4. Utah 7 GB
5. LOS SUNS 8 GB
6. Oklahoma City 9 GB
7. San Antonio 10 GB
8. Portland 10.5 GB
Game Links:
So Long Raja: "Bell has been nothing but professional during his short stay with the Warriors..."
Paul Coro's Game Chat: Mike D'Antoni: "I don't play rookies? I don't like to play bad rookies..."
Other Links
Wolves Waive Tucker - Canis Hoopus
The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has waived forward Alando Tucker.
Where Getting Better Happens: The NBA's 10 Most Improved Players | Bleacher Report
A list of the top 10 candidates for the Most Improved Player award. Is it any surprise that Channing Frye is on this list?
azcentral.com blogs - Coro's Suns Dish - Reviewing Blazers, Previewing Warriors
Bullet points, hitting on everything from the Blazer's game, zone defense, Suns and NBA records, Coach Sloan and Michigan State's buzzer beater to advance to the Sweet 16.
March Madness For The NBA Fan: How Have Top Prospects Fared Thus Far? - SB Nation
How did some of the top NBA prospects do in the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament? Mike Prada writes that the biggest statements were made by a D-I transfer and an overlooked freshman.
Dwight Howard: Refs Are Like Cops, I'm Most Wanted -- NBA FanHouse
Not sure whether Dwight's trying his hand at a rap career or not, but this quote was good: "I'm not going to change who I am. I'm an emotional player. You should have the right to be emotional. And when I get called for fouls that shouldn't be fouls, I get emotional.''
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yeah, i still have a bad taste in my mouth from that December debacle in GS
Blogging Suns Basketball. Twitter: @willcantrellphx
by Wil Cantrell on Mar 22, 2010 1:16 PM MDT up reply actions
Yay, I get to watch this game since I live in the bay area :P
"What I've achieved now is something that I always figured I would as a kid. I've had that type of determination since I was a youngster playing around the playgrounds, getting dirty after school." - Amare Stoudemire
Bell
As much as I clamored for his benching for over a year and celebrated his departure … I’m glad he’s not on GS tonight to steady any young players and/or hit a hot streak
Maybe Coach D is advertising to LeBron that he’d be surrounded by shooters?
Mmmmm ... Guinness
i think he's healthy
Blogging Suns Basketball. Twitter: @willcantrellphx
by Wil Cantrell on Mar 22, 2010 1:31 PM MDT up reply actions
Sure they can
they can’t void the contract so he still gets paid. The only reason they do it is to clear roster space to sign D-leaguer Reggie Williams for the rest of the season
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Mar 22, 2010 1:34 PM MDT up reply actions
I know Bell’s past his prime, but at least on the surface, waiving him to sign some D-Leaguer seems pretty insulting.
he's not played all season
and it’s not like he’s going to make a difference on a team like the Warriors. Plus they are tanking for lotto balls
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Mar 22, 2010 1:42 PM MDT up reply actions
The NBA lottery system was supposed to fix the tanking issue...
I for one can’t imagine alieniating your fanbase just for the remote possiblitlity of getting the Number 1 in a draft…If it was a once in a lifetime player like Duncan or James…Maybe, but for the Odens and Kwame Browns of the world…no way…
"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...
There are ways to make it not obvious that a franchise is tanking, such as David Robinson’s injuries the year before the Spurs drafted Tim Duncan. Or a franchise could go ahead and alienate the fans for a while, thinking they’ll come back eventually.
I am not sure that was a good example...
With David Robinsonson onboard and healthy, the Spurs were a decent team and had made it deep into the playoffs several times….Just his foot injury early in the season caused to Spurs to be overwhelmed. I also don’t think scounting then was what it is today…In particular, people knew Duncan was going to be good, however, they didn’t think hge was going to be the best power forward of all time….
Kinda lucky situation more than anything else…
"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...
I thought he had a back injury
I didn’t even know about the foot injury. As far as I remember, David Robinson had a back injury that required season-ending back surgery.
His back did flare up in the pre-season...
But he broke his foot six games into the season against the Miami Heat…The Spurs chances for that season was pretty much done at that point…
"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...
oh ok thanks
but what if a player needs to have surgery or needs to use a team’s facilities for rehab. Could he still be waived?
Steve Nash plays D!!
Imagine....
The trade that was being finalized was
GSW Gets: Amare Stoudemire
PHX Gets: Brandon Wright, Anthony Randolph, Kelenna Azubuike, Andris Biedrins
Wow…that would have been the worst trade ever. And no Curry wasn’t in the trade that was about to go through but Amare said no to as he didn’t want to be a Warrior.
"What I've achieved now is something that I always figured I would as a kid. I've had that type of determination since I was a youngster playing around the playgrounds, getting dirty after school." - Amare Stoudemire
Well ... would have been a bad trade for this year, considering injuries
But if we had done that trade last year, then maybe the injuries wouldn’t have occurred. Having Biedrins wouldn’t be so hot anymore, given Lopez’s development.
And considering Biedrins shoots less than 20% from the FT line...
"What I've achieved now is something that I always figured I would as a kid. I've had that type of determination since I was a youngster playing around the playgrounds, getting dirty after school." - Amare Stoudemire
ouch, my grandmother could do better than that
and she doesn’t have any legs.
Yup he shoots 16%
"What I've achieved now is something that I always figured I would as a kid. I've had that type of determination since I was a youngster playing around the playgrounds, getting dirty after school." - Amare Stoudemire
That's just sad
"Yeah I could have been king, but maybe I already am king. Hail to the king baby." Ash from Army of Darkness
even sadder when you consider he was shooting 65+% last year
somethings gone wrong in that boys head last summer
Hate "what ifs" and "what could have beens...."
But I honestly think if Biedrins had been traded here, his FT percentage would at least be about 65-70%. I think he was just out of it earlier in the year…
"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...
And if Amare was traded there, he would probably be averaging
33 ppg, 11, rpg, 4 apg, 2 bpg and be an MVP Candidate :P
Biedrins would probably be injured if he were here.
"What I've achieved now is something that I always figured I would as a kid. I've had that type of determination since I was a youngster playing around the playgrounds, getting dirty after school." - Amare Stoudemire
You never know...
Like I said, I hate “what ifs” and “what could have beens….”
If anyone of us could tell the future, we would be rich as a thrid world dictator and sure not as hell be pontificating stuff on a Sports Blog site…
"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...
Is there any reason to think the Suns can’t handle the Warriors? I doubt it, because they have handled almost every recent challenge.
Murphy's law
and all of its attendant corollaries: The Nick Vanos Effect, The Randy Livingston Syndrome, The Penny Hardaway disaster,The White Hope, The Corky Calhoun codicil, , and of course the Stern curse, all point to a Suns loss, as Monta Ellis scores 40, Anthony Tolliver gets 29/15, and Morrow hits 10 threes.
Sorry dogs.
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
All corallaries aside...The suns need this win...
If the Suns can’t win on the road against a tanking team like this, then they can’t be consider a serious playoff threat…
Treat these guys like the Lakers and play em as hard and as physical as you play the Jazz…
If we blow em’ out, it’s what is expected…If we lose, we get the same old excuse about a back to back…At this point in the season, it’s time to cowboy up and just get the job done.
"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...
Well...this had better be a Win
The second game of a back-to-back always makes me nervous, even if it is against a sub-par team.
"Yeah I could have been king, but maybe I already am king. Hail to the king baby." Ash from Army of Darkness
Well, this increased toughness and focus (as exemplified by Grant Hill’s behavior and by the grind-it-out victory against the Blazers) will probably carry the Suns. I mean, I can probably imagine them thinking, “We’re not going to be punked by these ******** losers.”
They better be going into the game with that mentality
"Yeah I could have been king, but maybe I already am king. Hail to the king baby." Ash from Army of Darkness
I don't like this feeling...
when beating them 130-107 is par for the course. Losing would royally suck and eeking out a win is still a disappointment.
So let’s just hope that we win and no one gets hurt or suspended.
Grant Hill is totally the next MJ!!
by gadogry on Mar 22, 2010 2:14 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
So let’s just hope that we win and no one gets hurt or suspended.
This comment made me laugh, lol. The fact that you said “suspended” makes it seem like our team is filled with a bunch of trouble makers. I get what you mean after what’s happened in the past. It’s just funny having to worry about our players getting suspended. Usually, you would worry about those kind of things if Ron Artest or Rasheed Wallace was on your team. We don’t have either yet we still worry.
Here's my Golden State of Mind imitation
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
by Eutychus on Mar 22, 2010 2:26 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
legit LOL
Blogging Suns Basketball. Twitter: @willcantrellphx
by Wil Cantrell on Mar 22, 2010 2:42 PM MDT up reply actions
I want to post it on GSoM...
but I don’t want to piss everyone off. I think it would be funny though.
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
May as well, they're down and out
did you check their current front page of the barn on fire? they’ll prob laugh
Blogging Suns Basketball. Twitter: @willcantrellphx
by Wil Cantrell on Mar 22, 2010 3:17 PM MDT up reply actions
go for it...
post it as a Fan Post…they’ve got a good sense of humor over there
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Mar 22, 2010 3:50 PM MDT up reply actions
I’d like to see Barbosa get a lot of minutes tonight, so lets take them out early.
Tolliver huh. Him again. That guy torched us last time. Good to see that GS had some sense and kept him.
this one
is the most dangerous of all of the upcoming games.
Kinda like when we were 14-3 and faced an ‘easy to beat’ 3-14 Knicks team in their building.
Twitter: @dahking
Too late to change the stupid twitter name. Did it as a joke to my teenager, but now I'm hooked on the news-feed aspect of twitter.
I agree
I am not very confident about this one….but the Suns have been playing really well. JRich could go off tonight. Or even Barbosa
Amare should DESTROY them as well
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Mar 22, 2010 3:51 PM MDT up reply actions
It's a reunion for JRich. And it would be for Bell.... :P
"What I've achieved now is something that I always figured I would as a kid. I've had that type of determination since I was a youngster playing around the playgrounds, getting dirty after school." - Amare Stoudemire
I'm King Pessimist....and I expect us to roll.
http://seasonsofdiscontent.com/
by Scott Howard on Mar 22, 2010 7:22 PM MDT up reply actions
Yeah...come out hard...come out fast...come out with focus
If we do that we win…
If we come out like we did with the Knicks, we will lose…Not only that, but I think it seriously impacts our chances of getting out the first round of the playoffs
"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...
Does anyone else think that Barbosa is the kind of player who would fit on the Warriors? Can score copiously, is very fast, and doesn’t care much about defense (notwithstanding that he’s allegedly playing defense recently).
Anybody would do well with the Warriors…
Do the Warriors really have a style to fit into? I mean I know they like to run, but we would call the D’Antoni teams “Organized Chaos”, I think Nelly’s current style is just plain “Chaos” and it wouldn’t be hard for anyone to fit into that system.
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
Barbosa needs minutes
The team needs as many weapons as possible ready for the playoffs, and after only two or three games, Barbosa probably isn’t ready to greatly contribution. I say throw him into the fire by starting him or at least making him play most of the minutes at SG. Jason Richardson doesan’t deserve to be benches; maybe he could play SF.
Channing Frye
AND Rolo AND Frosty should all be put on the list for consideration of most improved player.
Need a game thread up :P
"What I've achieved now is something that I always figured I would as a kid. I've had that type of determination since I was a youngster playing around the playgrounds, getting dirty after school." - Amare Stoudemire
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