Phoenix Suns Practice Practice Report
by Seth Pollack on Sep 8, 2010 6:49 PM MDT
in Phoenix Suns News
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PrintGet it? Practice practice report?
Whatever.
- Still no Jason Richardson, but other than he, all present or accounted for.
- There were a couple of very happy Suns coaches of Serbian nationality having just watched Serbia defeat Spain in a thrilling game. This whole World Championship thing might not be a big deal in this country, but you better believe the Serbs are celebrating like they
reconquered Kosovobeat Spain in a big basketball game. - Suns GM Lance Blanks was on-hand watching the fun today.
- Jared Dudley might not think Robin Lopez is 100%, but he looked fine to me. Now, he might only be 98% or he could be closer to 99.5% or he might in fact be 100% or perhaps even 102%. It's not an exact science. Regardless of his percentages, he looked good and continued to show more offensive moves than we saw last season. He also continues to play with all the intensity and focus that makes Robin so
lovableworthy of our respect. And out of respect, I didn't talk to him today. - Grant Freakin' Hill. It's really hard to fathom how good of a basketball player this guy would have been had his prime years not been stolen by that damn ankle injury. Today, he jumped straight-up from a flat-footed position under the basket to block a charging Robin Lopez's two-handed dunk attempt. Hill went sprawling, but the ball never kissed rim. Grant also somehow managed to be on the wrong end of a three-on-one fast break and still come up with ball. Lesson for the kids? Do not mess with Grant Hill.
- Josh Childress gets his hands on everything. Tips, deflections, rebounds and he can get to the rim and finish. Folks, I think you are going to like him.
- Don't get too excited here, but Earl Clark continues to hit all those open mid-range shots we saw him miss last season. He also backed down that old man Hill into the mid-block and hit a sweet turnaround J over him. The talent is there and I am really hoping he can show some of it in preseason competition. I'm not overly optimistic, but for now will stay on the Bright Side of the Earl.
- Hakim does have a little Amare-lite in him. He puts the ball on the deck and next thing you know he's dunking it. But we already knew that. He also has kind of a long goatee but we already knew that, too.
- Jared is testing out his new, lighter frame, doing some things with the ball that might in fact be quicker. He had a nice floater in the lane that I don't recall seeing before. He was quite vocal on the floor, calling out defensive assignments, etc.
- In the great Matt Janning vs. Zabian Dowdell battle (which will have everyone on the edge of their seats right up through final roster cuts if not considerably sooner), the edge in my mind clearly goes to Janning. He plays with a lot of confidence for an undrafted kid out of Northeastern. He was willing to take (and hit) clutch shots. "Clutch" being a very relative term for early September voluntary workouts. He also likes to put the ball on the deck and can find open guys in traffic. Something Mr. DJ Strawberry never showed. Zabian is solid but didn't stand out in any way. At least not today.
- I am not going to say who or give any more details, but a certain player's girlfriend was present. That I mentioned this much should tell you all you need to know.
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Why isn't JRich there?
"I don't lift weights because they are heavy, and I don't run because it makes me tired." - Charles Barkley
TURRIBLE!
JRich direct messaged me read my fanpost he said
I have a family. They don’t stay with me in PHX during season. So I’m spending as much time poss with them. Believe me I’ll b ready on 26th
"I don't lift weights because they are heavy, and I don't run because it makes me tired." - Charles Barkley
TURRIBLE!
No, I don't think that's what Jaxis is saying
He’s asking you to read his fanpost about his Twitter exchange with J-Rich, not saying J-Rich read his fanpost.
"Clothes make the man. Naked people have little to no influence on society."
~Mark Twain
as a divorced father I totally understand this sentiment
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
The real question is
Whose girlfriend is that?!
by hcblankscreen on Sep 8, 2010 7:26 PM MDT up reply actions
awesome news!
we got a guy with a long goatee again! How long? Brian Skinner long? I dare not hope…
oh yea and all that other practicey stuff was pretty nice too…
uh no, not all of us know about a particular girlfriend
do tell, please!
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
Yeah,
im pretty curious!
"If the Suns can shock the world
Goran Dragic is the name."
by Dragic_is_Magic on Sep 8, 2010 9:06 PM MDT up reply actions
you know
I am just teasing you guys…it wasn’t even a roster player’s GF
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
Oh geez!
The season really needs to start soon. We all got pretty excited about potential girlfriend gossip…
"If the Suns can shock the world
Goran Dragic is the name."
by Dragic_is_Magic on Sep 8, 2010 9:19 PM MDT up reply actions
It was TGriff's gf?!
"I don't lift weights because they are heavy, and I don't run because it makes me tired." - Charles Barkley
TURRIBLE!
Hahahahaha!
Shouldn’t she be in Belgium?
;)
"If the Suns can shock the world
Goran Dragic is the name."
by Dragic_is_Magic on Sep 8, 2010 9:36 PM MDT up reply actions
Poor TGriff probably doesn't have a girlfriend
just his bottles of rogaine :(
"I don't lift weights because they are heavy, and I don't run because it makes me tired." - Charles Barkley
TURRIBLE!
Oh dear.
Now I feel sad for TGriff…
All alone in Belgium! And all we do is make fun of him here! :(
"If the Suns can shock the world
Goran Dragic is the name."
by Dragic_is_Magic on Sep 8, 2010 9:54 PM MDT up reply actions
I KNEW it....
Fucking Ostertag brings all the ladies to the yard
RIP Seasons of Discontent
by Scott Howard on Sep 8, 2010 11:26 PM MDT up reply actions
Oh my...
You seem to really like Ostertag. :)
"If the Suns can shock the world
Goran Dragic is the name."
by Dragic_is_Magic on Sep 8, 2010 11:42 PM MDT up reply actions
Shaq doesn't looked too impressed by what he saw☺
In my opinion, we don't devote nearly enough scientific research to finding a cure for jerks. - Calvin
lol, where exactly is Jrich? My money is that he is back home in Detroit... or something like that.
"Remember this sh*t at christmas!"-Terry Crews, The Expendables
Do you have photos of this practice girl you can post?
Eh come on
by Migonads on Sep 8, 2010 8:12 PM MDT via mobile reply actions
jeez
doesn’t anyone care about Brandon Webb’s rehab update?
http://arizona.sbnation.com/2010/9/8/1677518/brandon-webb-real-happy-with-pitching
No…you people just want girlfriend news
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
Seth, you're such a tease...
"True glory consists of doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read".
by Pliny the Elder on Sep 8, 2010 11:44 PM MDT up reply actions
it's not like I was
taking pictures of the girl with my phone…jeez. How rude would that be :)
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Sep 8, 2010 11:50 PM MDT up reply actions
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Sep 9, 2010 8:29 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
oh wait
you meant a pic of the girl that was there not just a pic…sorry
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
I don't know who that is, but I like
Assuming she is of legal age for me to be ogling her. The Disney logo concerns me.
"Clothes make the man. Naked people have little to no influence on society."
~Mark Twain
by East Bay Ray on Sep 9, 2010 10:24 AM MDT up reply actions
Meagan Fox
at least that’s what google said
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
Ah, she looked different
Didn’t recognize her. My buddy who has an unhealthy fixation on is a fan of hers would be disappointed in me.
"Clothes make the man. Naked people have little to no influence on society."
~Mark Twain
See the toe thumb!
"I don't lift weights because they are heavy, and I don't run because it makes me tired." - Charles Barkley
TURRIBLE!
Seth, can you please pass this message along to Dudz?
Tell him that if he doesn’t stop stirring the pot with his public statements (i.e. about RoLo "not being 100%), we’ll trade him. And that will sink Beavis into a deep depression, from which he might not be able to recover. So, essentially, Beavis’s fate rests on his ability to use a little more verbal discretion.
"Clothes make the man. Naked people have little to no influence on society."
~Mark Twain
Dudley is just playing head games to keep everyone guessing
You know, kind of like if someone said someone’s girlfriend showed up at a practice and then wouldn’t say who it is or post her photo.
That’s just a for instance. Not that anyone would ever actually do anything like that.
by suns68 on Sep 8, 2010 9:38 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Best part of that article:
•Grant Freakin’ Hill. It’s really hard to fathom how good of a basketball player this guy would have been had his prime years not been stolen by that damn ankle injury. Today, he jumped straight-up from a flat-footed position under the basket to block a charging Robin Lopez two-handed dunk attempt. Hill went sprawling but the ball never kissed rim. Grant also somehow managed to be on the wrong end of a three-on-one fast break and still come up with ball. Lesson for the kids? Do not mess with Grant Hill.
How awesome can a guy be?
I don't think anyone can get more awesome. The fact that he's an awesome player AND has awesome sportsmanship makes him one of my favorite players of all time.
I’ll never forget that MONSTER block he had in the Portland series.. I believe it was on Bayless, but I could be remembering it wrong..
But yeah. I think “Grant Hill” should be an adjective.. As in,
“Did you see that dunk?! It was so Grant Hill!”
But that’s just my opnion.
"If the Suns can shock the world
Goran Dragic is the name."
by Dragic_is_Magic on Sep 8, 2010 9:46 PM MDT up reply actions
Oooh
Good one.
:) Hahaha
"If the Suns can shock the world
Goran Dragic is the name."
by Dragic_is_Magic on Sep 8, 2010 9:54 PM MDT up reply actions
Anthony Tolliver?
Really?
"If the Suns can shock the world
Goran Dragic is the name."
by Dragic_is_Magic on Sep 8, 2010 9:59 PM MDT up reply actions
He went to Creighton. Creighton is in Omaha. I plan to attend Creighton next year.
AT is the only current player I’ve talked to. I went to a CU camp about 5 years ago and he was one of the counselors (he taught me proper shooting form). He’s my favorite CU player of all time. He’s also a great guy and smart individual.
Ahh. Well that's pretty cool.
I liked his 1 Minute “Decision”.
I posted it on Facebook, but none of my friends got it…
"If the Suns can shock the world
Goran Dragic is the name."
by Dragic_is_Magic on Sep 8, 2010 10:09 PM MDT up reply actions
That was awesome.
I really wanted the Suns to sign him before they signed Warrick. His skillset would fit in great in PHX.
Oh well, maybe in a couple of years.
dude it has to ryme
like Hill_is_Skill
"I’ve been in the league 14 years and I don’t think I’ve been called for a carry yet. It’s news to me," "I’ve never heard anyone complain about me carrying the ball. The best coach in the league Gregg Popovich didn’t have a problem with it last week."
I'd support that too
he’s such a dreamboat….sigh…
Bayless
still has nightmares over that block…this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ_Vh4LzFF4
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Sep 8, 2010 10:03 PM MDT up reply actions
God yes...
That block and the look on his face afterwards… Dang.
You don’t mess with that man and get away with it.
"If the Suns can shock the world
Goran Dragic is the name."
by Dragic_is_Magic on Sep 8, 2010 10:06 PM MDT up reply actions
One of my favorite plays from last year's playoff run.
"Clothes make the man. Naked people have little to no influence on society."
~Mark Twain
by East Bay Ray on Sep 8, 2010 10:07 PM MDT up reply actions
Wow. I know that was a block and not a dunk, but still, it makes me think of Kevin Johnson’s dunk on Hakeem Olajuwon, the greatest highlight in Suns history that I know of. Except that Kevin Johnson jumped and screamed ridiculously after his dunk. Grant Hill…too much of his expression after the dunk is blurry, but I think he’s screwing up his face to say “Don’t mess with me.”
just watch youtube
“GRANT HILL AT HIS BEST”
and decide.
by Christian_33 on Sep 8, 2010 10:46 PM MDT up reply actions
just watch youtube
“GRANT HILL AT HIS BEST”
and decide.
by Christian_33 on Sep 8, 2010 10:46 PM MDT up reply actions
who's of Serbian descent?
The Suns have two (assistant) coaches of Serbian descent? Who is the other besides Igor Kokoskov? I thought the Suns had Kokoskov, Cartwright, Majerle, and…John Shumate?
new guy
Nenad Trajkovic …they just hired him this year as kind of a shooting/development type coach. He’s here working with guys on specific things before and after scrimmages.
I think he was Goran’s personal coach prior to the Suns hiring him.
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Sep 8, 2010 11:39 PM MDT up reply actions
Oh, I remember hearing about that...
"If the Suns can shock the world
Goran Dragic is the name."
by Dragic_is_Magic on Sep 8, 2010 11:42 PM MDT up reply actions
philosophical question...
If Earl continues to make all those bad shots he failed to make last season, are they still bad shots?
"True glory consists of doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read".
by Pliny the Elder on Sep 8, 2010 11:42 PM MDT reply actions
lol
good point…the coaching staff insisted they were good shots even though he was missing them but I guarantee they are better shots if he’s making them
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Sep 8, 2010 11:51 PM MDT up reply actions
They were good shots which hadn't yet matured..
s’why I wasn’t worried.. imho, his instincts were right, and it was just a matter of time before he started to make those shots.
hopefully, he’ll continue to progress.
"True glory consists of doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read".
by Pliny the Elder on Sep 9, 2010 12:01 AM MDT up reply actions
yea
we’ll see…I wasn’t ever too worried about the shots either. It was the other stuff about understanding the game and where and how to play at this level.
My jury very much still in deliberation.
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Sep 9, 2010 12:38 AM MDT up reply actions
but it's more than just shots, it's decision making
He wasn’t suffering from Kobe-itis, and just chucking it. Those were good opportunities, he was open, and did what he was supposed to do. And bear in mind that we never actually lost (or won, for that matter) a game because of Earl’s shooting.
IMHO, by taking those shots, he was making the right decisions, even though the shots weren’t falling. Because he has the tools, and at some point, he was going to start to make those shots, and when he did, the opposition would have to start defending him, and so on and so forth.
I think the decision making part is actually the most difficult aspect of the pro game, and it’s something most players in the NBA never come close to understanding. So it’s good to see it working out for him, even if praise is a little premature at this stage.
"True glory consists of doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read".
by Pliny the Elder on Sep 9, 2010 1:14 AM MDT up reply actions
well as long as
he doesn’t make it fallaway jumper when he doesn’t have to.
He needs to set his feet and lean into the shot, using his legs. But too often he’d turn toward the basket, watch the defender sag (or refuse to rotate to him) and STILL jump backwards as if he had a defender draped all over him and there was 1 second left on the clock.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
I think JRich is in Mich now.
His kids live in Mich – I think, and he might be getting them ready for start of school?
are u guessing
or did you hear/read that somewhere?
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
Clark"s problem
The problem with Clark is that he is not a gamer like DUD. He makes most of his shots in practice and misses most of them during the games. He needs some kind of fire up his behind. He does not have it yet. Is he going to get it? Who knows. I certainly hope so.
this year might be a lot diff for him
just like it was for Robin and Goran
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
gee thanks
maybe we need to talk to him. Like in a BSotS or something?
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
Yup...
Gani live chat – next Tuesday at noon
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Sep 10, 2010 10:27 AM MDT up reply actions
World Championship update: USA beats Russia 89-79. Russia led for about 15 minutes in the opening until USA’s defense tightened and went on a run. They never looked back from there. Russia put up a fight and out rebounded USA 45-37, but USA was just too much. They only lost by 10 points to a pretty good team. We all know Turkey is better than the Russians and now I really feel that Turk just might be coming back to Phoenix waving a Gold Medal around in the Locker room.
On another note; that Voronsevitiv guy from Russia really impresses me. I saw him play twice. Although he just got hurt, he’s had a really good tournament and in the two games I saw him play he got double-doubles. I think he would be great for our system. He’s tough, hits threes, big and can rebound really well and run the floor. Something to consider in the future.
Don't trade Dudley!
Trade update: The Bulls are interested in including Hakim Noah in a trade for Carmelo Anthony. Dang it! I really think that would make the Nuggets better. Al Harrington(free agency) and Noah(trade) to replace Carmelo is a pretty darn good deal. I don’t know why the Bulls would consider to trade Noah. John Paxson has lost it mentally. They will regret it if this does go through. On another note, if this is true, why couldn’t we get Noah for Amar’e! I guess this just goes to show how the rest of the league really feels about Amar’e.
Don't trade Dudley!
Grain of salt.
The report I read listed the Bulls as a player for Melo but there was no mention of Noah, only Deng, Gibson and James Johnson. Once a team is identified as being an interested party, the AP usually fills in the blanks with the players that are supposedly being offered.
"We didn’t go for coffee and this kind of stuff."
-El Dragon on his relationship with Sasha Vujacic
Matt Barnes' arrest was much more interesting.
"We didn’t go for coffee and this kind of stuff."
-El Dragon on his relationship with Sasha Vujacic
Yup. Domestic violence.
But he looks so wholesome!
"We didn’t go for coffee and this kind of stuff."
-El Dragon on his relationship with Sasha Vujacic
espn has something about Noah now
but yes, beavis, that does tell us what people thought of Amare’s long-term potential vs. Melo’s.
Although, their were plenty of “rumors” about Amare too
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
another thing to consider on Noah
is that now he just might be labeled as injury-prone, plus he’s a year away from getting a max extension (there’s only so many C in the league who can do what he does).
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
It’s true.
http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nba/news/story?id=5550421&campaign=rss&source=NBAHeadlines
And it’s Joakim. :)
ESPN = truth?
Again, grain of salt.
"We didn’t go for coffee and this kind of stuff."
-El Dragon on his relationship with Sasha Vujacic
by RMason on Sep 9, 2010 3:10 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Oh, you had me worried there. I thought you were losing your cynicism.
"We didn’t go for coffee and this kind of stuff."
-El Dragon on his relationship with Sasha Vujacic
by RMason on Sep 9, 2010 3:30 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Amundson
Any word on how Lou Amundson’s search for a team is going? What a hard-luck case. Works his * off, and his reward is to be crowded off the roster and then seemingly snubbed by all other teams.
Too bad it makes no sense at all to sign and trade him. You can’t sign-and-trade a player that nobody wants.
I know the Hawks were stupid enough to overpay Joe Johnson, but I would suppose they’re not stupid enough to make what would seem to be a “Gasol move.”
We need to convince Horford to say he wants out and come play with us. I mean Bosh and Lebron did, why can’t we.
Don't trade Dudley!
Bosh and LeBron said they were signing with the Heat anyway
and it was up to their respective teams to get the most out of them moving. Horford would be restricted even when he gets to FA so the Hawks have no such incentive to deal.
It seems like the Warriors and Pacers are 2 of the interested parties.
The Pacers might make more sense since they just traded away Troy Murphy. They could use another big man who is young and athletic.
Steve Nash is my mancrush. But Goran Dragic is the 2nd coming of Manu Ginobili, which makes him just as tasty.
Suns trade for Melo!
I wish… But they could trade something like JRich and Clark for Melo. Why not? Put Hill at the 2 and Melo at the 3. Nash, Hill, Melo, Turk and Lopez sound like a good starting 5 to me.
Yes, but put Frye at center in that squad for spacing reasons
and post up Hill and Melo constantly. Pity opposing 2-guards.
Hill can play back up SF. Now that Dudley has lost some weight he just might be fast enough to play SG.
Although, I like J-Rich I don’t think another Forward even if its Carmelo(Lebron is the exception) is the answer to winning a Championship. Think more along the lines of a Big, power PF/C kind of guy.
Don't trade Dudley!
what if Grant Hill plays PF?
Say, why couldn’t Hill play power forward? He rebounds and plays defense better than Turkoglu. Whether the starting PF was Hill or Turkoglu, the only thing Turkoglu has over Hill as a PF is height. I think this would make more sense than starting Turkoglu besides Hill and pretending Turkoglu is a power forward.
There’s no point in thinking about Carmelo Anthony replacing Hill, because Carmelo Anthony isn’t coming to the Suns.
by 8472species on Sep 10, 2010 11:38 AM MDT up reply actions
It's a matter of weight
You can’t guard a guy who weighs 40 lbs more than you down on the pivot for more than a short time.
unless you're a lot faster.
"True glory consists of doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read".
by Pliny the Elder on Sep 10, 2010 2:49 PM MDT up reply actions
I agree with Beavis
We need a defensive big man. Offensive contributions can be limited to shooter/screener. A Bill Laimbeer type.
Its gonna be a great year
We used to win 50+ games a year from 88-92 without a big low post presence it was kj and tc on the pick and roll, That was a long time ago and the leauge has changed but the suns are going to be just fine.I would put suns intrest in melo at 0.I as a fan am not intrested!
Well, these Suns do have a developing post presence in Robin Lopez.
I’m not interested in Carmelo Anthony either.
by 8472species on Sep 10, 2010 12:11 PM MDT up reply actions
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