Team Suns vs Team Kobe
by Seth Pollack on May 26, 2010 12:58 AM MDT
in Phoenix Suns Commentary
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When I picked the Suns in six, there was a lot of assumptions I (naturally) made. The one that's proven most false was that the Suns would be able to somewhat contain Kobe Bryant. So far, not so much containing of the Kobe is going on. He's been truly amazing so far despite all my hoping and wishing that eventually he will stop hitting contested jump shots at such an incredibly efficient rate.
55.7% from two. 46% from three. 9.7 assists and 6.5 rebounds per game. Amazing and significantly better than he's played all season and that has nothing to do with the Suns. That's Kobe being great.
The Suns have done the best they can with the Mamba and have shown incredible resilience in the face of his irresistible play. They stayed together and stuck with the game plan on the offensive end and in the process have decimated the Lakers defense.
Kobe understands this as well as anyone, "We've got to do a better job defensively, period."
That's the only post-game quote that matters. That simple truth.
The Suns, as they have all postseason, have been successful on the offensive end because they play team ball. They get the most out the players they have and, more than any other group, can respond both tactically and with different personnel to whatever opponents try to do to stop them.
In Game 3, the Lakers were afraid of the Suns three-point shooting, so unlike the Spurs and Blazers before them, they extended their defense and stayed home on the shooters. Amare wrecked havoc in the lane and decimated that already thin Laker front line with foul trouble.
42 Amare points and a 118-109 defeat later, Phil Jackson switched things up to start Game 4.
In the first half, he stayed home on Amare and dared the Suns to hit long range shots. 8 for 16 from three by the half made him change that tune and so in the third quarter, it was back to defending the three-point line and Amare went to work.
The Suns only had 21 points in the 3rd but more importantly Amare (6) and Nash (4) led their team back to the free throw line. The Suns' 12 FTAs in the 3rd doubled the 6 for the entire first half.
Jackson might have been feeling good going into the fourth down only one point, but the Suns then did something they've done numerous times this season. The Goran Dragic-led bench came in and attacked a weary team in an entirely different way.
A defense that had adjusted to the Nash/Stoudemire attack was suddenly faced with the relentless two-headed speed demons in Goran and Leandro, who were able to penetrate the Lakers from the perimeter and force the defense to collapse.
You can forget about guarding the three-point line when those two are driving and kicking. Add to that a scrappy defensive effort and there was just no way for the tired Lakers starters to keep up with the second wave of Suns intensity. That is how you end up with a 17 to 5 advantage on the glass in only 12 minutes of play.
Team basketball. Fresh legs. Guys that aren't playing for individual glory or to avoid Kobe's wrath. The Suns are a team that plays hard for each other and if you believe in such things, that will overcome a team that is playing out of fear of failure.
Tonight the Suns only shot 37% from three, hitting 11 of 30 compared to 9 of 28 for the Lakers. Those six extra points were not the difference in the game.
The Suns were 32 to 42 points in the paint and despite being +5 on the offensive glass only had 1 more second chance point. The Lakers even shot the ball better than the Suns, 49.5% - 48.8%.
Those offensive rebounds at least kept the ball out of the Lakers hands and the 14 to 4 advantage on the defensive glass in the fourth quarter was where the game was won. Lou Amundson had 6 of those 14 and personified the Suns real advantage in this series. The Suns were able to maintain 48 minutes of constant effort that the three-man rotation of Bynum, Gasol and Odom were not able to match.
So tonight, the story was of a team. A group of guys that love each other, that run through walls for each other, that gladly sacrifice their minutes and individual stats for the great glory of winning. And while the Kobe Bryants of the universe might be wired such that winning is all they know, this Suns team is wired collectively to succeed for each other.
It is the communal David beating the individual Goliaths.
The series is now tied at 2 all and guaranteed at worst, the Suns will have made this a long series and have bounced back from two tough beatings to earn the respect of their peers, fans and media. There is nothing that can happen from here on in that can take away from what's been accomplished so far.
At yet there's only two more wins to get to the NBA finals. 17 years after the 1993 team who followed 17 years after the 1976 team. Destiny awaits.
The Lakers are still the bigger team. Their other guys have shot the ball very well at home and they still have Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol to carry them.
But the Suns have shown continued improvement as the series has progressed and their depth should become more of a factor as the schedule now moves to an every other day affair. Might Kobe actually start to tire and shoot his team out of a win? Can Gasol and Odom manage to play at a high-level, given the responsibility they carry? Or perhaps, just maybe, they will be just a tiny bit satisfied having already won their rings and give the Suns just enough of an edge to continue this impossible Phoenix Suns run.
I can't wait to find out.
Oh and one person who does not fear Kobe Bryant: "Yeah, he's a great player -- one of the best players in NBA -- but I am not, how do you say, I'm not afraid of him." - Goran Dragic.
Here's what Team Suns looks like. Great video from Suns.com
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Suns in six would be nice, but you want them to win four straight?
Okay…I admit I think they can. Except that I’m skeptical of whether they can steal the next game in L.A.
I absolutely want them to win four straight...
Staples Center is toxic…not a place you want to be for a game 7 that’ll decide who goes to the finals. If the Suns can outhustle and defend their way to a win in game five, the Suns, who are excellent in close out games, will be incredibly confident heading into game six and will, assuredly, put away the Lakers at home.
But game five is where the hard work is going to have to come in. It’s going to be one of the toughest games this postseason for them…
by TheAlexSkinner on May 26, 2010 1:27 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
Hmm...
I’d say no, but then we don’t really know what to expect anymore, right? “Suns Unquantifiable” and all that jazz.
But like I said, if we win on Thursday, I expect a win on Saturday…So, maybe I do expect them to, but I still have to see it to believe it.
by TheAlexSkinner on May 26, 2010 1:42 AM MDT up reply actions
I certainly do.
It’s strange but the Suns are the team that look to be playing good defense right now. The Lakers have given up way too many points. The Suns naturally give up this many points due to their style of play, but the Lakers, who are a “good” defensive team, shouldn’t be giving up this many points to our Suns.
In Nash I Trust! Steve Nash DOES play defense, foo!
they're not going to have to win four straight
they’re going to have to win TWO straight.
the past is the past…
Read.
by jog on May 26, 2010 3:48 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
+1
We only need to win 2 more straight and the series is ours.
Steve Nash can only give 100 percent. The other 10 percent he donates to his families.
And we can do this!!!
Suns on the move!
"The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can and slap the crap out of him before he figures out you are there...."
- me into a mental stupor after forgetting the rest of Ulysses S. Grant's speech....
Absolutely...
The lakers inability to slow us down is a key issue. Given that when they don’t stop our offfense, Kobe has to be on the floor for an extended time each game. His and Gasol’s fatigue are not going to be enough to overcome a confident Suns team. If the lakers could have taken one here I would not think we could do it, but we are improving on the defensive end of the court and the lakers are maintaining their status quo on defense. Our bench is refreshed again after finally being able to play on their homecourt again. And we have seen that regardless where we play, when our bench gets confident they are hard to stop. Suns in 6!!!!
"Life's battles don't always go to the stronger or faster man. Sooner or later the man who wins is the man who thinks he can." - Vince Lombardi
The past doesn't matter
It’s only two straight :)
Loved that quote from Goran.
I’ve been trawling the web for match reports and reactions, and some Lakers fans are still can’t give the Suns any credit.
It just shows how confident Goran is.
When you’re a confident player, you can take on anyone. Hell, Goran has taken on the Redeem Team before, hasn’t he? THAT’S the team you should fear.
In Nash I Trust! Steve Nash DOES play defense, foo!
If the Suns win game five, USAC for game six will be out of control loud.
And I want it that way. However, I think the Lakers are going to come out, pound the Suns in game five, and send every national media outlet into the “Oops, we just said, ‘Maybe you shouldn’t have overlooked them’, but we really wanted to tell you, we were on the Lakers’ side the whole time.”
Then the Suns, a team who a.) plays well at home, and b.) rise up to the competition much better than they play in the limelight, will win game six. A “win or go home” game seven will be necessary.
At that point, everyone would be wise to choose the Lakers. Playing at home, championship/playoff experience, Phil Jackson, Kobe Bryant, the list could go on and on. However, I’m going to say that I honestly think if it comes to that, the Suns will win. You can argue it all you want, but I’m standing by my words.
Suns in seven.
Bright Side of the Sun, for all things Phoenix Suns. Twitter: @iamtrevorpaxton
P.S.
My apologies for having been so absent lately…got a promotion at work that has me working twice as much. Good for the bank account, bad for my sanity (especially when I’m working and running back to my office to listen to the game feed on KTAR).
Bright Side of the Sun, for all things Phoenix Suns. Twitter: @iamtrevorpaxton
by Trevor Paxton on May 26, 2010 2:38 AM MDT up reply actions
Trev, good stuff...
I’ll pray that you learn the art of surfing BSOTS all day and still keeping the boss happy…
…or at least from firing you…
"The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can and slap the crap out of him before he figures out you are there...."
- me into a mental stupor after forgetting the rest of Ulysses S. Grant's speech....
True that!
I’m thinking I’m going to be just fine from now on. I don’t have to go in until 2pm now, whereas I was having to go in at 11am for the past week and a half.
Bright Side of the Sun, for all things Phoenix Suns. Twitter: @iamtrevorpaxton
by Trevor Paxton on May 26, 2010 12:57 PM MDT up reply actions
Wow, I am impressed...
Going in at 2 & leaving at 5…and I thought I was good at stealing company time…
"The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can and slap the crap out of him before he figures out you are there...."
- me into a mental stupor after forgetting the rest of Ulysses S. Grant's speech....
Also...
Does anyone have a higher quality (or just plain larger) version of that picture of Jared Dudley screaming while Kobe just looks away? I want it. So badly.
Bright Side of the Sun, for all things Phoenix Suns. Twitter: @iamtrevorpaxton
This one?
Click for more
courtesty of @sunswebgeek
You'd better stop that, it's not being decided by that. It's being decided by two Phoenix Suns who knew about the rule, forgot about it, couldn't control themselves, and didn't have coaches that could control them. And don't you forget it.
David Stern on the Dan Patrick Show 5-16-2007
Yessir!
Hadn’t checked the Suns: Artwork page yet. Thanks!
Bright Side of the Sun, for all things Phoenix Suns. Twitter: @iamtrevorpaxton
by Trevor Paxton on May 26, 2010 12:56 PM MDT up reply actions
I'd agree with that
besides, I think Kobe will run out of gas in the 6th game. He can’t stay that hot for 6 game.
I'd be careful
about saying what Kobe can or can’t do. He’s scary. Not that Goran’s afraid haha
stealing one in LA would be awesome though, just as awesome (or even more) than sweeping the Spurs.
Read.
if he doesn't stay hot, that's good for us
but we must expect him to hit every single shot, and score 40 per game.
It’s the other guys the Suns need to contain.
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.
Disagree about Kobe...
Kobe can and probably will stay hot. He will put his team on his back and try to beat the Suns. He will fatigue, but unlike lebron, Kobe won’t quit. I expect to see more tension on the lakers bench the next two games as Kobe starts to tire and again is let down by his team. I say Kobe will get 40+ in a loss game 5, and another near, if not, triple double in game 6. He will have to be the ‘selfish’ Kobe, but that won’t beat this team. One man against ten is an uphill battle.
"Life's battles don't always go to the stronger or faster man. Sooner or later the man who wins is the man who thinks he can." - Vince Lombardi
We should just give up on the idea of Kobe ever not shooting well or running out of gas.
The only time I ever seen that happen is when he has choosen to give up. It happen a couple of years ago in the playoffs. The guy is extremely talented, & if he thinks he can do it. He will. We should be hoping & praying that both Odom & Artest have more game 4 then game 1’s cause Kobe can’t do it all. I’m also secretly hoping that Fisher trips & falls ( but that’s just me). I want to say SUNS in 6! But am still terrified of the Lakers.
"Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming!!!"
by Aztiramtempe on May 26, 2010 12:00 PM MDT up reply actions
Huge props to Goran and the bench.
If Marv Albert is calling Goran’s amazing move the shot of the playoffs, you know it’s something special. Also, the bench was just amazing. Knocking down 3s, hustle plays, fighting for loose balls, and those sweet dishes to Lou from Dudley and Dragic… bah dah bah bah bah, I’m lovin’ it.
In Nash I Trust! Steve Nash DOES play defense, foo!
I rwmwmber marv albert
actually his voice stuck in my head as in ‘91 he was announcer for bulls-lakers finals, that was my first finals I saw live here in europe (actually my parents allowed me to stay awake so late for the first time lol)… I don’t know if that was one of his first, as sure he doesn’t look that old… what I want to say is that this is a guy who saw MJ, magic etc to present… and if he is amazed, wow, that is a huge compliment
LB
so happy for the guy … after the injury we were all so scared he will ruin bench flow, that he cannot play with dragon… during ssol era he was my favorite guy, and I was so sad to see him struggle lately, well trade ideas were popping up and all… and now, he is integral part of our success, putting up not only points, but hustle play I never knew he had in himself… bravo LB
by zeze_999 on May 26, 2010 5:01 AM MDT reply actions 1 recs
Bravo is right
I always liked LB, seems like a great guy. And when is stroke is going it really makes our bench deep.
I live in Vegas
And when Barbosa came to the summer league as a walk on in the summer of 2006, I was litterally the only one to get his autograph. He wasn’t even on the team yet, so no one else wanted his autograph. But I got it, and now its almost like treasure to me.
UNLV is going all the way this year!
Just a fun win
This team truly likes each other.
JRich scores only 11, Amare had periods of disappearance, Lopez goes from 20 points to 6, and the Suns still win. Yes this is a team.
Game 5 will be interesting. Suns need to handle the push in the first and the begininng of the 3rd. Suns have to stay close, don’t get behind by 12-15 points, stay within reach. Kobe will get his, and that is fine, keep Gasol and Odom under raps.
Go Suns.
Definitely the best part of this team
They’ve won in so many different ways. They’ve won with their superstars, they’ve won with their 3rd and 4th options, they’ve won solely with their bench (like tonight), they’ve won grinding it out, they’ve won speeding things up, they’ve won raining threes, they’ve won with a mid-range game, etc.
by Justin Burning on May 26, 2010 7:25 AM MDT up reply actions
And that is what I love about this iteration of the Suns..
They are finding ways to win…By stars, bench, rebounding, defense or a timely three…
This team finds a way to get it done…And it makes them hard to prepare against…
The old versions of this squad could never lose a FG% battle or shoot 5-20 from 3PT Land and still win…This team does it as a matter of fact! GO SUNS!!!!!
"The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can and slap the crap out of him before he figures out you are there...."
- me into a mental stupor after forgetting the rest of Ulysses S. Grant's speech....
actually it would be a perfect role model nba champion
:-)
lopez was ready to check in and after frye hit his 2nd 3pointer, he said “I am going back to the bench”…and went to the bench… you gotta love this team…
So much fun
The bench rocked the place. Gasol’s face on the bench was priceless.
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
I believe.
Suns in 6.
Steve Nash can only give 100 percent. The other 10 percent he donates to his families.
How hard is it going to be waiting for Game 5
And I thought waiting for Game 4 was hard enough. Strangely, Suns wins get me hungry for more. :D
Read.
So...who do you guys think is gonna say "I'm going to Disneyland!!" after the finals...Nash, Amare, or DA BENCH MOB!
I would like to preorder my “2009-2010 Phoenix Suns Championship Race to Greatness Commemorative DVD” right now…any links to the sight where I can do this…I’m drunk off the spiked Sunkist baby…I this TEAM man….keep your LA Kobenators and your LB James Gang…we don’t need em, but I have to say…I have been in serious aw of Kobe this series…I still think he a b!tch though
We know it will be Robin
He’s a huge Disney fan.
You'd better stop that, it's not being decided by that. It's being decided by two Phoenix Suns who knew about the rule, forgot about it, couldn't control themselves, and didn't have coaches that could control them. And don't you forget it.
David Stern on the Dan Patrick Show 5-16-2007
Go Suns!!
I have been keeping up with this series with Gamecast and reading game recaps here and on Silverscreenandroll … I cancelled cable recently, but now must get to where I can watch Game 5!
It was hard rooting for the Suns this season as they constantly kicked my team’s butt (Nuggets), but you can’t not root for this TEAM. Key word … TEAM. I love how this team plays and I love how the two units really compliment each other. Hope the team keeps it up!
What a great time to be a Suns fan!
Denver Stiffs.com: Defending the sovereignty of Nuggets Nation.
yeah, it's the 2 units concept
that does it for me. Thanks for saying the words to the undefined feeling that I had of liking this year’s Suns. It was the 7SOL concept that drew me in. But man, having 2 units is even better. It’s not even like Starters > Second Unit, but the two having different but equally great impacts on the outcome.
Read.
Lakers fans complaining about calls...
is like sweet music to my ears
by alimoe on May 26, 2010 8:36 AM MDT reply actions 1 recs
A whole lot of sweet music is coming our way...
"The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can and slap the crap out of him before he figures out you are there...."
- me into a mental stupor after forgetting the rest of Ulysses S. Grant's speech....
It's extremely annoying. They are everywhere, & all seem to think the same..
The refs gave us the game, the only reason we won was bcause of them. Oncethe game goes back to LA, the refs will b back on their side. Ugh.. No respect for our great 12 players!!
"Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming!!!"
by Aztiramtempe on May 26, 2010 12:07 PM MDT up reply actions
Laker fans love giving the readers of Denver Stiffs hell for complaining about officiating … funny when you feel your team is getting robbed how things change.
Denver Stiffs.com: Defending the sovereignty of Nuggets Nation.
by Nate Timmons on May 26, 2010 3:33 PM MDT up reply actions
I think the Suns should be happy they got as far as they have....
Regardless the outcome, come Thursday we all know the outcome…Kobe and the Lakers will be pissed like an awakened GIANT. The Suns and Steve Nash have had a great season even if they have a NOBODY team….I mean other than Nash and Hill maybe Richardson, theyer a bunch of nobody’s. But I have always had respect for Nash he’s a class act, too bad he has never been or will be on a team that will enshrine his great legacy with a ring……
oh puhleez
you HOPE thats what happens. You hope youre stars, like Fisher and Bynum and Farmar and Brown and Artest, outshine the Suns’ nobodies…
But a part of you feels queasy even writing that, doesn’t it? admit it. Your resolve is shaken. And so is the Lakers’.
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.
LOL...
So again our team didn’t win this game? The lakers just gave us the last two right? I must have missed the game, and the replay I watched at 1am this morning. You’re right though, the Suns will fold now.
If you were an actual fan of a team and you payed attention to you foes this year, you would realize that this is how we play. Not like we performed in games 1&2. But I guess you don’t get cable under the bridge you come from?
"Life's battles don't always go to the stronger or faster man. Sooner or later the man who wins is the man who thinks he can." - Vince Lombardi
We ain't happy till we slip on the ring...
We are proud of this team of what we don, but we know they can go all the way…No matter what the critics say…Keep your negativism for SS&R..I am sure you can discuss how the Lakers got screwed by the res their with your other budz…
"The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can and slap the crap out of him before he figures out you are there...."
- me into a mental stupor after forgetting the rest of Ulysses S. Grant's speech....
Does this guy even know basketball.
He says we have NOBODY then lists off three players and even forgets to mention our all-star big man. Anyway, the patriots have been nobody teams and look where that has got them. 3 titles in the last decade.
by Suns Fan For Life on May 26, 2010 1:01 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
Funny.
That’s what Lakers’ fans were saying after losing Game 3. “The Lakers’ are going to come back with a vengeance!”
It must be that time of day, the time to focus on sports.
The Suns did what they were supposed too.....
Protect theyre home games…..
That's exactly what the Lakers did...
But everyone thought it was gonna be a sweep at that point…
Funny how things change… :)
by GiantBehemoth on May 26, 2010 12:48 PM MDT up reply actions
exactly,
which is all the lakers have done thus far as well… Your first post is actually comical. Where would Walton, Farmar, Morrison, and Brown be in the Suns rotation? My guess is they would be in suits behind our bench. Nobody Team? wow, what a ridiculous statement. You should watch the Dragic move on Fisher and Odom a few times and then think long and hard about the Nobody Comment. I doubt there is a true NBA fan out there right now that couldn’t name off atleast 9 players in the Suns rotation… I doubt the same could be said for the Lakers…
Alvin Gentry is far surpassing the expectations I had for him when he took over as coach...
I always knew he was a good players coach in that everyone seems to like him and like to play for him but I have to give him a ton of kudos for the following things:
1) His poise – I can’t understate the importance of this for our team. We tend to panic when the going gets rough and Gentry constantly just preaches calm.
2) His priorities – He doesn’t worry about the results just that the players are doing the right things. The fact that Channing Frye was in a major slump would have most coaches trying drastic things to break him out of it, Gentry just preached take good shots, do what you do because you put in the work and we can live with the results.
3) His trust – The fact that he trusts all of the players that see the court enough to ride their hot streaks even when conventional coaching wisdom would say otherwise.
4) His adjustments – The fact that the Suns will use an odd amount of Zone or other unorthodox playing styles, lineups, matchups, etc. because they are smart enough to react when something isn’t working or working well enough. Just how he recognized that Amare was getting going after Game 2 and then developed a team strategy to get him more involved.
Overall, Gentry is a very intelligent, well thought out, players coach who is willing to make adjustments and fits this team perfectly. He is basketballs version of Tony Dungy.
Gentry deserves a Coach of the year award... at LEAST once...
by GiantBehemoth on May 26, 2010 12:50 PM MDT up reply actions
No No'er No'est and hell No
have you noticed what keeps happening to coaches of the year…
"I did not write this" by Not me
by 2NASHTY on May 26, 2010 12:51 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'll add Nicht, Nein, Nyet & Verboten....
I have to make sure you all remain culturally attuned…
"The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can and slap the crap out of him before he figures out you are there...."
- me into a mental stupor after forgetting the rest of Ulysses S. Grant's speech....
Suns in 7
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
anyone see Gasol's postgame press conference?
He was trying to explain how the Suns won and he said, “Well they shot the ball really well…” As he looked at the stat sheet his voice trailed off before finishing the sentence, because he realized the Suns shot worse than his own team (48% to 49%) and about the same on 3s.
It took him a few seconds to realize the big diff was the rebounding. He recovered well, but I couldn’t help laughing that his impression of the game was off – that the Suns won without shooting better than the Lakers. They won on hustle and effort.
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.
They just don't have a clue, do they...
They are still thinkg this is the 2007 version of the Suns…
"The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can and slap the crap out of him before he figures out you are there...."
- me into a mental stupor after forgetting the rest of Ulysses S. Grant's speech....
What is mr Plaschke saying now?
http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-plaschke-lakers-20100520,0,4077026.column
Eat your words Billy…
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
Son of a bitch...
I just read that entire article and now my eyes are bleeding. What a $ucking idiot.
Reading is good...
That's fucking hilarious!
He’s sounds like all the people here in SoCal did after the first 2 games. I bet he’s regretting the “undermanned” statement he made about the Suns at the moment.
It must be that time of day, the time to focus on sports.
totally sure Jordan Farmor hasn't got a clue..
"The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can and slap the crap out of him before he figures out you are there...."
- me into a mental stupor after forgetting the rest of Ulysses S. Grant's speech....
Rec'd
Letting our bullpen pitch is like playing Russian Roulette...
...with an automatic.
by DbacksSkins on May 26, 2010 11:27 AM MDT up reply actions
Rec'd
Letting our bullpen pitch is like playing Russian Roulette...
...with an automatic.
by DbacksSkins on May 26, 2010 11:28 AM MDT up reply actions
Suns in 6 = Optimism with Balls'
I cant really think, don’t want to think that far ahead. I know its a cliche but – one game at a time fellas.
"... & you can win if you dare."
- S. Shelly
I can't even stand to read Silver Screen and Roll
Just ref-blaming nonsense over there. Even when they give the Suns some credit, they still expend a paragraph blaming the zebras. It’s pretty indigestible.
don't bother going over then
we won’t get credit till the series is over
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 try to get both sides of the story
So I try to go over there and see what they have to say. Most of the analysis is pretty good, but when a whole paragraph is inserted again blaming the refs, it’s just a quick turn-off.
by Justin Burning on May 26, 2010 10:29 AM MDT up reply actions
I doubt we'll even get credit then...
by GiantBehemoth on May 26, 2010 12:54 PM MDT up reply actions
In fact they'll probably say something like
“Stern realized that everyone was onto him so he decided to change things up and let the Suns win”
by GiantBehemoth on May 26, 2010 12:55 PM MDT up reply actions
I can see it now...
Excuse 1) The Refs collaborated on this with the powers that be to take away the Lakers birthright….They should have know everybody wanted a Lakers vs. Celtics finals…
Excuse 2) The Zone is a gimmick that should be outlawed by the the NBA…A real champion wouldn’t use that to win…
Excuse 3) The Lakers were so vastly superior to the Suns that they were only playing at 50% to make it an interesting series….Phil said “what the heck, I don’t need another ring” and they let the series fall to the Suns…
Excuse 4) Our City Council was concentrating so much on the “travesity” that is the Arizona Immigration Law that it affected the mood over thewhole city….
Excuse (Kobe’s) 5) I didn’t have any help out there…..
"The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can and slap the crap out of him before he figures out you are there...."
- me into a mental stupor after forgetting the rest of Ulysses S. Grant's speech....
I think the fact
that ESPN is pushing the fact that a LAL/BOS series is what everyone wants to see. Based on actual evidence though, it sure seems like only LAL and BOS fans want that series. Having PHX in the Finals would probably end up being more interesting to the majority of the nation.
It must be that time of day, the time to focus on sports.
I'm regretting this even before posting it
because surely its a lost cause.
But just try to put yourself in our shoes. Every other team still playing in the playoffs has seen the free throw line either be a non-factor or a bonus to the cause. Meanwhile, the Lakers are a grand total -87 at the FT line over the playoffs, and in every game they’ve lost, they’ve outscored their opponent from the field.
These numbers don’t mean anything. Maybe the Lakers deserve every foul they get called for. Maybe they deserve even more. But, if you saw it happening to your team, if you saw your team continually get more fouls called against them than for them, would you have the strength of moral character to avoid talking about it?
Yes, lots of our members are hung up on it, and yes, even our official analysis makes mention of it in passing. Perhaps it is in poor taste. But I have to believe if you look at the numbers, it IS a talking point, and I’d love to see how your fanbase (or any other) would react if placed under similar circumstances.
How about this...
Listen to your man Kobe and quit hacking our players. I will bring one instance out. Lopez under our rim, missed shot, Gasol holding one arm while Lopez tips the ball twice to finally get the basket. No fould. Gasol was holding him, no foul. It sucks to actually have your team called for the fouls they commit, but at least your leader understand that the fouls are there. Don’t want to lose at the FT line? Quit fouling.
"Life's battles don't always go to the stronger or faster man. Sooner or later the man who wins is the man who thinks he can." - Vince Lombardi
by sunsfever83 on May 26, 2010 10:14 AM MDT up reply actions
hey c.a.clark
good post really. I don’t have much in the way of facts/proof to give you. But I can say this. Your big three – odom / gasol / and bynum, there’s nothing like them in the league. They’re that good as a 3-some of bigs. I think Amare, Lopez, Dragic, JRich, Hill and others strategy would be to attack the rim and draw fouls to help get them out of the game. I’m not saying the Suns can’t win with your big 3 not in foul trouble. But it’s clearly an advantage to have Bynum hurt, or one of the 3 go out early with fouls.
On the flip side, Nash has historically been mauled by the lakers without fouls being called. There is a famous kobe winning shot against the suns in the playoffs 2-3 yrs ago in which kobe steals mauls Nash, and then hits a game winner. Of course the suns went on to win that series. But my point is this.
The nba is easily harder to ref than the nfl / hockey / baseball. I strongly believe the nba should be taking advantage of technology instead of 3 old guys that might be betting (helping betting) ref. If done right, a game could still be played in close to the same amount of time. I wouldn’t remove the on court refs, but I’d add 5 video refs who have 15-20 screens and could recheck something and over rule it within 4-5 seconds.
good luck to you
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger....or makes you a Suns fan
but with stern in charge
and punishing kerr for joking about Lebron…it’s clear that..even though I love basketball, the nba is run by an absolute dictator who happens to be an idiot…sadly. Seriously, he needs to be out. If the nba has another strike, they should focus on getting rid of Stern and getting someone in there people actually respect. Grant Hill comes to mind,
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger....or makes you a Suns fan
Ahh.
Stern was a classmate of my grandpa’s.
Letting our bullpen pitch is like playing Russian Roulette...
...with an automatic.
by DbacksSkins on May 26, 2010 11:29 AM MDT up reply actions
did he know him? anything else? (or just joking :-).......)
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger....or makes you a Suns fan
Well,
it was in law school, and he was already married w/ my dad and 2 of my uncles, so…
Letting our bullpen pitch is like playing Russian Roulette...
...with an automatic.
by DbacksSkins on May 26, 2010 12:49 PM MDT up reply actions
You... uhh..
do realize you are speaking to Phoenix Suns fans right? The same team that has never won a title with several years of being the best team in the league. Several years of questionable situations and bad calls and broken players?
It’s really not something you can come here and talk to us about with your, championship rings. …
TO THE NBA - " Yeah, you have created a rift within me ; Now there have been ; several complications ; that have left me feeling nothing ; I might say, you were ; wrong to take it from me ; Left me feeling nothing " - Disturbed, "Numb"
by antiw0rm on May 26, 2010 10:16 AM MDT up reply actions 4 recs
+1
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.
by Alex Laugan on May 26, 2010 10:59 AM MDT up reply actions
+ 2
"The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can and slap the crap out of him before he figures out you are there...."
- me into a mental stupor after forgetting the rest of Ulysses S. Grant's speech....
it's impossible
for a team that has the benefit of the calls, (i’m not saying bias, I’m saying the team that shoots more free throws) to see the perspective from the other side of the ball. Fans and players and coaches are gonna bitch about the refs until the end of time, it doesn’t bother me, it’s your right as fans. When it’s all said and done if we have a 20+ free throw advantage every single game, we’re gonna be in the finals, and I’m alright with that, whether it’s biased or not.
Honestly, I think this blog does a good job of keeping the blame off the refs
As the saying goes, “to the aggressor goes the spoils.” The Suns attacked the rim more. Unless there’s an obvious charge, the call mostly goes to the offensive player if there’s any contact.
by Justin Burning on May 26, 2010 10:22 AM MDT up reply actions
I dont know how you can blame the refs at all in these last two games... maybe if you were actually going to the rim and not getting calls but all you guys did was chuck up 30 3's... of course people don't get fouled on 3's that often...
what stupid Laker fans
by Superelkman on May 26, 2010 11:25 AM MDT up reply actions
EXACTLY!
The Suns have been driving in the paint like crazy the last 2 nights, and subsequently getting the foul line a lot. On the other hand, the Lakers’, frustrated with the “girlie” zone, have been taking lots of jumpshots. Jumpshots do not get you to the foul line. Aggressive drives do. There ya go, FT disparity EXPLAINED, and it’s NOT a conspiracy!
It must be that time of day, the time to focus on sports.
Look at us in recent years.
Since we started our three point barrage a few years ago we have always averaged less free throw attpempts per game than our opponent. That is just the facts of life. How many times a person get fouled on a 3 versus a two. Don’t have the numbers, but it is not too many.
by Suns Fan For Life on May 27, 2010 9:20 AM MDT up reply actions
Calling people stupid accomplishes nothing.
State the stats and move on. Don’t make it personal.
Twitter: @MikeLisboa
I get it as a talking point.
I actually read your article at SSR. Don’t comment there because as a Rocket first and second choice Suns fan, not thinking there is much I agree with in Lakerland.
I would have to work very hard I suspect to keep perspective if my team had those kinds of FT disparities. I will say, as a lifelong Rocket, I have a mind geared to good defense. I have screamed at my television the same sorts of things Kobe is discussing. Hacking is lazy defense. Everyone does it and at least half the time gets away with it.
Teams without a good defensive identity do it when they find themselves in unfamiliar situations like being behind and getting beat. A team that blows by you, scores from everywhere and comes from everywhere like the Suns, or even the Thunder would definitely bring out that tendency.
I call my guys for lazy D all the time. Even sometimes when the Refs don’t. Some players are just notoriously prone to doing the lazy D moves. Good defenders don’t usually. I thought when I read your article at SSR that it should have included the lazy D in the analysis. Fisher is a primary poster child for it. And, he also does the hard foul send a message stuff, so…..
Wondering, and you probably know from your analysis, if the discrepancy is largely situated in your bench players who are not very good, by the admission of Lakers themselves. I watch LA all the time and haven’t missed a playoff game and don’t remember your starters being in much real foul trouble, other than Bynum of course. He pumps your numbers up as well. But, if the FT disparity is being created by your bench, then it is just more of the bench problem lack of effort or maybe playing time issue.
So, that’s my 2 cents worth since you asked.
I also regret your post
come on C.A. your better then this man,,,,
On SSR discuss it away…but not here. however; for the most part i enjoy your write ups. its part of why i always check in on SSR
"I did not write this" by Not me
I'm not trying to discuss it here
I have no interest in taking on all of Suns nation on the subject of officiating.
I was just trying to defend my site’s content, because I do believe that if the situations were reversed, BSOTS would actually be failing to do their job if they didn’t even mention the refs.
It’s not fun to see your site bashed. Whatever. I’ll go switch into my thick skin now.
BSOTS does mention the refs...Bad calls are to be expected
But Seth and the others always state unequivocally, that “aggressive play gets you the calls…” Blaming the refs mentality is not put up with on this site and the regulars quickly squash any threads that try to pin a loss on bad calls. If the game was that close where one bad call could change the outcome, then probably something else would have affected the outcome as well.
"The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can and slap the crap out of him before he figures out you are there...."
- me into a mental stupor after forgetting the rest of Ulysses S. Grant's speech....
understandable...
but it’s not much fun to read about how the Lakeshow is already gearing up for the finals weeks before the WCF because all that stands in the way are the PHX suns. and now that they have momentum there is lots of talk about refs????
"I did not write this" by Not me
Exactly..!
When we loist games 1 & 2, the only tak on this forum was how poorly our defense played and the colletive failures of Frye and Company from the bench. Now that the situatin is reversed we see the ref blame card being tossed out insteas of looking squarely at the problems that the Lakers are having right now.
The problem is for all you don’t get it is that the Lakers can’t begin to stop the Suns attack…We haven’t really slowed yours down either, but we accept it and look for ways for our team to mitigate the 48-50% FG PCT THat you all are shooting…We ain’t blaming the refs for our defense…
"The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can and slap the crap out of him before he figures out you are there...."
- me into a mental stupor after forgetting the rest of Ulysses S. Grant's speech....
i have no problem with your post C.A
it wasn’t full of attacks or stupid comments, you were just stating your thoughts. I welcome your future posts
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger....or makes you a Suns fan
I think u have a valid point.
Historically, I know I have done my fare share of wining about the refs. I know as I have gotten older I have grown out of it to a certain extent. However, if the roles were reversed I am not sure I would not be doing the same thing. Especially if i was used to a certain level of success (which I am, just not to the level of the Lakers). I personnally have been on SSR quite a bit. I have seen fair amount of complaining, but nothing I would take as exhorbitant. Most of the analysis is good. Alot of that analysis should be on how to fix the problem of FT’s (yes I believe it is a largely fixable issue). Again, I appreciate you being here and understand your position. We are not in that position right now so I am not sure how I would react. Good on you for coming on here and being honest.
by Suns Fan For Life on May 26, 2010 1:17 PM MDT up reply actions
I appreciate CA's point as well
The content over at SSR is, as a rule, pretty tight, as is the way in which they run their site. I disagree with CA’s proffered line of reasoning behind the FTA disparity in games 3 and 4, (jacking up 60 3 point attempts in those 2 games did not help the Lakers get to the line) but that’s analysis for you.
And frankly, complaints about officiating can reach embarrassing proportions here as well. To break out my broken record: No fanbase in the history of any sport has ever tacitly admitted to nor expressed gratitude for a bad call that goes their way, because when it doesn’t go against your team, it’s not a bad call, it’s “break.” The only bad calls are the ones that go against the team you’re rooting for.
Twitter: @MikeLisboa
I do appreciate that Chris
and there’s been times when we’ve questioned calls as well
I will say though in the past two games the difference isn’t just the refs. The difference is the Lakers mostly taking jump shots while the Suns are attacking the rim. In the first half last night both teams were bombing away and neither team got to the line. It wasn’t until the 3rd quarter that the Suns started attacking based on how the Lakers defense adjusted to stay out on shooters.
Calls can go your way and against you but in game 3 and 4 the disparity was clearly a result of the way both teams were playing.
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on May 26, 2010 10:50 AM MDT up reply actions
you're saying this to SUNS FANS
who have never, ever gotten calls in the postseason before?
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.
by Alex Laugan on May 26, 2010 10:58 AM MDT up reply actions
You know the answers so why even post this drivel...?
Crying about the officiating is a waste of effort and detracts from what really needs to be done. Refs always, always, always reward the more aggressive team. The reason that homes teams generally get the advantage on calls is that 1) Teams historically play more conservatively on the road, and have less energy (Travel, sleeping in strange beds, time lag, etc…) to generate the aggressiveness needed to sways the refs. It’s a fact of NBA life, that all fans and players should recognize…
Sure the refs blow calls. They’ve blown them for you all and they’ve blown them for us…In the end, nobody will remeber a bad call here or ther., they just remeber if you won or lost. Just the way it is…Other words, shut up & play ball!!!!!
"The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can and slap the crap out of him before he figures out you are there...."
- me into a mental stupor after forgetting the rest of Ulysses S. Grant's speech....
Sorry if I seem a bit animated there or disrespectful...
My tighty-whities keep wedging up…Putting me in an irritable mood …I’m sure you understand…
"The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can and slap the crap out of him before he figures out you are there...."
- me into a mental stupor after forgetting the rest of Ulysses S. Grant's speech....
That's why
I wear boxerbriefs.
Letting our bullpen pitch is like playing Russian Roulette...
...with an automatic.
by DbacksSkins on May 26, 2010 12:53 PM MDT up reply actions
Tried that...
But I have a problem with retaining myself….
"The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can and slap the crap out of him before he figures out you are there...."
- me into a mental stupor after forgetting the rest of Ulysses S. Grant's speech....
I suppose
it’s a nice problem to have?
Letting our bullpen pitch is like playing Russian Roulette...
...with an automatic.
by DbacksSkins on May 26, 2010 12:56 PM MDT up reply actions
VIDEO: The Steve Nash Era
I created this video 4 years ago, when I launched my SunsDynasty.com fan site. While the Suns roster is different, the message and emotions have never been more relevant! LET’S DO THIS, SUNS FANS!!
by SunsDynastyXcom on May 26, 2010 9:51 AM MDT reply actions
I saw this before...
and it gave me chills, nice work.
4 years ago and he’s even older and even better
"I did not write this" by Not me
If that is a “Girlie Zone Defense”, then the LA Losers have an Erectile Dysfunctional Offense, cause they couldn’t penetrate that!!!!
TO THE NBA - " Yeah, you have created a rift within me ; Now there have been ; several complications ; that have left me feeling nothing ; I might say, you were ; wrong to take it from me ; Left me feeling nothing " - Disturbed, "Numb"
Uh, why would you say that PHX is toast?
I might be midunderstanding your intent with this picture, but the message it actually portrays is not a good one for Suns fans..
It must be that time of day, the time to focus on sports.
No actually
It wouldn’t be good if the toaster had a Lakers logo on it
by GiantBehemoth on May 26, 2010 9:39 PM MDT up reply actions
Yeah Suns.
I couldn’t bring myself to watch fully until the Dbacks game was over, but I DID flip back and forth between pitches in the 9th inning.
Letting our bullpen pitch is like playing Russian Roulette...
...with an automatic.
yes it was a good come back
and etc.. but lets have calm now..
im Sure the OKC where all exited same as we are now, and we know how that ended.
Before ppl start trow rocks at me, yes I BELIEVE SUNS!!! but we cant forget we playng the actualy world champion team.
i still think its gonna be a 7 game series, i dont believe it will end in 6.
i hope the suns can put together the same good energy they played in home, to play at Staple Center as well
Go Suns!!!!!
im Sure the OKC where all exited same as we are now, and we know how that ended.
OKC was a two trick pony, they had two players that presented problems to the lakers and wreaked havoc, we’re a 5-6 trick pony, counting the bench as one, we can hurt teams in waaay more ways than okc can. Not even close to the same team.
by Ceek on May 26, 2010 10:32 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
rec'd
"Life's battles don't always go to the stronger or faster man. Sooner or later the man who wins is the man who thinks he can." - Vince Lombardi
by sunsfever83 on May 26, 2010 10:34 AM MDT up reply actions
I agree that we can't get too ahead of ourselves
But a few articles have mentioned this already: The Suns are more talented than the young Thunder, the undermanned Rockets, and the unstable Nuggets that tied up a series 2-2 with the Lakers. When the Suns play with confidence, it amplifies their already formidable talent.
by Justin Burning on May 26, 2010 10:34 AM MDT up reply actions
Kobe's defense
Kobe went on to harp on how L.A. needs to increase their defensive intensity, but did anyone see anything from Bryant that screams ‘First Team All Defensive’? He constantly sags off his man and always gambles for steals.
You'd better stop that, it's not being decided by that. It's being decided by two Phoenix Suns who knew about the rule, forgot about it, couldn't control themselves, and didn't have coaches that could control them. And don't you forget it.
David Stern on the Dan Patrick Show 5-16-2007
While you're right
I don’t think anybody expects the guy to play all-star caliber defense when he’s got his entire team on his back @ the offensive end, for 45+ minutes.
I agree
The addition of Gasol was supposed to take some of the load off Kobe on offense so Kobe could focus more of his energy on defense. However, there’s always nights where Gasol isn’t really effective on offense and Kobe has to dominate. For whatever reason, the Lakers didn’t ride the Kobe train last night so I don’t know wtf is going on over there.
In Nash I Trust! Steve Nash DOES play defense, foo!
Gotta say... I think most people are a little too high on the Suns after tying the series 2-2...
They have been playing really well but just keep in mind there are 3 games left and nothing has been decided yet… as much as we pwned in games 3 and 4… the Lakers pwned that much more in games 1 and 2….
I do like our chances but lets not get too ahead of ourselves here at the risk of jinxing this awesome playoff run…
As Justin stated earlier..We can't get besides ourselves...
On the other hand, this is a team that the so-called experts had written off in pre-season…I am so proud of what they have accomplished… I will continue to believe that they can and will do this!
GO SUNS!!!!
"The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can and slap the crap out of him before he figures out you are there...."
- me into a mental stupor after forgetting the rest of Ulysses S. Grant's speech....
i agree
but i understand why, to see the bench finally play like they’ve been playing the last half of the year was exciting. And to see Frye break out was earth shattering. Seriously, I think Laker’s players were even happy for the guy!…before they lost of course.
Me, personally, I’m just glad we’re tied up and anxious for the next game. I will say this, and I rarely jump ahead like this…but it’s more of a comment. I think the Suns matchup better with the celtics than the lakers. In other words, I think the Lakers are a better team than the Celtics, to me, this is the finals. Yes the celtics have great defense, but we’ll run them out of the gym. I’ve seen video of jrich and amare jumping over their entire team…similar to the cow jumped over the moon…in fact, i think that story is based on amare/jrich and the celtics
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger....or makes you a Suns fan
Yes the series is tied 2-2...
but look at it this way. The Suns found a way to slow the LA offense to a manageable level. Our bench is starting to build confidence. Will they score 54 in game 5, maybe not. But as long as we keep LA in the 100-105 range, we will be in the game. The lakers have not made any adjustments to slow us down. We are still scoring how we normally do. Yes they will try to make some adjustments tomorrow, but we just need to maintain the intensity. Anyone that doesn’t believe our second team can do it hasn’t been paying attention. Yes it’s LA, but Kobe cannot beat this team alone. Let the lakers fire from the 3 all night again, not going to get it done. If Kobe has to score 30+ pts tomorrow, I honestly foresee a win. Kobe is frustrated now, at most of it towards his team. Not good coming into a pivotal game 5.
"Life's battles don't always go to the stronger or faster man. Sooner or later the man who wins is the man who thinks he can." - Vince Lombardi
by sunsfever83 on May 26, 2010 11:39 AM MDT up reply actions
Yes I could see the combustion if we weather the initial onslaught... there is no doubt that the Lakers are going to try to force feed the ball into the post and try to abuse our bigs that way ala the first two games...
by Superelkman on May 26, 2010 12:01 PM MDT up reply actions
I like our chances with Big Rob & STAT up front...
If Frye can shoot anywhere near 40% and Ammundson & Dudz do what they do..It will be a long night for the Lakers…
I am praying for this just so I can see the pissed off look on Kobe’s face…
"The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can and slap the crap out of him before he figures out you are there...."
- me into a mental stupor after forgetting the rest of Ulysses S. Grant's speech....
I do too... I just hope they are ready because initially the Lakers are going to try to out physical us...
I like our chances I just hope we don’t get slammed initially and then are fighting our way back the entire time…
BSOTS getting love at ESPN
http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/16231/wednesday-bullets-160
Why did the Lakers have so much trouble defending Phoenix’s second unit? Seth Pollack of Bright Side of the Suns cites one factor: “A defense that had adjusted to the Nash/Stoudemire attack was suddenly faced with the relentless two-headed speed demons in Goran and Leandro, who were able to penetrate the Lakers from the perimeter and force the defense to collapse.” Dragic didn’t put up a gaudy scoring line, but his Nashian performance (eight assists in 17 minutes) tells you how much control he was exerting while manning the point for the bench during their two prodigious stints in the second and fourth quarter.
by Justin Burning on May 26, 2010 11:42 AM MDT reply actions 3 recs
We big time now...
If we win game 5, they will be trampling down our door….
"The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can and slap the crap out of him before he figures out you are there...."
- me into a mental stupor after forgetting the rest of Ulysses S. Grant's speech....
The whole country is pulling for the Suns
ESPN POLL – Can the Suns pull of the upset of the Lakers?
Nobody want to see the Flakers in the finals again – even in California 42% of people pulling for Suns.
2010 Phoenix Suns – TEAM OF DESTINY!!
GO SUNS!!!
It's not how you play the game it's how you win it
you have no idea how much the kid in me wants this ring!
there’s a part of me that is still sore about that paxon three and kevin johnson 16 footer no all foul.
"The way they are beating us," Ginobili said, " … it was demoralizing."
Some great insight into the Suns' D in the 4th quarter last night
There was a reason why Kobe only took 4 shots in the 4th after shooting so well in the 2nd & 3rd quarters.
Great insight from nbaplaybook.com
“… a terrific defensive adjustment by the Suns coaching staff. Kobe Bryant was really going from the three point line last night (6-9 for the game), but the Suns were able to keep him from even attempting a three in the fourth quarter. In fact, Kobe only had 7 (he scored 38 for the game) points in the 4th on 3-4 shooting. This wasn’t because it was "passive Kobe" either. This was a defense keeping the basketball out of his hands (as shown in video 2) and forcing him to pass it late in the clock so he couldn’t get it back.”
I am more and more impressed with Coach Gentry and staff – they are coming up with some great adjustments in every series this year (something you rarely saw during D’antoni’s heyday).
GO SUNS !!!
It's not how you play the game it's how you win it
IF we wind up winning the title
I want ZERO moves to be done in the off-season. I’m quite sure that winning a title will convince Amare to stay. If not extend, then opt-in for the final year and try to repeat. We’ve got the best TEAM, by far.
I agree, however ...
it may be more challenging than people think to resign Amare – but I sure hope they can. Amare is going to enjoy being in the free agent scrum this summer, and D-Wade will be calling for him to come to Miami (Amare is from Florida with a lot of family and friends there, so I’m sure it will be tempting for him). Also, Lou is likely not going to be resigned to make room for Clark. Still, everyone else is on board to come back.
Title or not, I hope they bring this team back in tact, I think they’ve won over a lot of fans and it would be dumb of management to not bring them back for another run. In the meantime – I’m just going to enjoy this improbable run to the fullest!
GO SUNS !!!
It's not how you play the game it's how you win it
by Johnny Ryall on May 26, 2010 1:29 PM MDT up reply actions
yeah the unfortunate victim in all of this is Amundson
The Suns have to develop Clark next season, and Amundson is the one to clip out of the playing time equation.
by Justin Burning on May 26, 2010 1:31 PM MDT up reply actions
I don't see Lou being the odd-man out
It makes sense, but he is a fan favorite and provides something that not many can with his energy… I agree we have to make room, but it seems there is always room for a little LOU…
Who else would you cut out?
Ain’t gonna be Dudley, and Clark’s not competing for the PG, SG, or center slots …
by Justin Burning on May 26, 2010 2:39 PM MDT up reply actions
Hill's not going anywhere next season
Unless, maybe, they win the title this year, then perhaps he’ll retire. Overall, though, I’d rather that Clark be the starting SF and we leave Dudley on the bench. The bench needs a guy who’s as heady as Dudley to lead the charge.
by Justin Burning on May 26, 2010 4:04 PM MDT up reply actions
Not saying he's going anywhere
but you asked ‘who else’ you would cut out – it’ll have to be a combo of Lou/Hill’s minutes
Unless Lou gets a huge offer from another team and takes it – that’s what I see… Or dare I say if Amare is not with us next season that will help Clark’s cause.
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
J Collins, maybe
"I heard Tonya Harding is calling herself the Charles Barkley of figure skating. I was going to sue her for defamation of character, but then I realized I have no character."
I think Lou gets overpaid this summer
The Suns will have to choose between Frye and Lou, because both will get more money than the two of them make together this season (about $3 mil total).
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.
From Lakers Fan
Nothing to say. Your team out played us. Great game!
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