Phoenix Suns Host the Portland Trailblazers - Mission: Avoid the Sweep
by Eutychus on Jan 14, 2011 12:29 PM MST
in Phoenix Suns: Game Coverage
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On January 9th during the game broadcast commentator Eddie Johnson said, "Getting rid of ugly ain't easy". He couldn't be more right about both things he states in that phrase. First - the Suns are playing extremely ugly basketball right now. It's hard to watch, as a matter of fact I stopped watching the Suns v. Nets game after that one dude that looks like a girl hit a 3 to put the Nets up by 15 in the 3rd. I said to myself (and to the vast numbers of salivating @Eutychus12 fans that follow me on Twitter),
And so to avoid punching small animals or kicking any holes in the wall, I instead chose to vent my frustrations by heading to an empty gym by myself and hitting fade-away jumpers and issuing vicious elbows to imaginary Nets players until Midnight. After I had successfully put up 375 points and defensively limited the Nets to just 10 points, I wiped the sweat from my brow and I was happy to read this text on my phone,"The Suns rallied to beat the New Jersy Nets in overtime 118-109 behind 23 points, 16 assists and 7 rebounds from Steve Nash".
Usually I feel guilty when I turn off a Suns game in frustration because I never like to miss a second of the game. I love the Suns that much. But not this time. It was like I was the fed-up single parent of a rebellious teen that no matter how hard I pleaded for the kid to clean his room the booger wouldn't do it - so I left to work the late shift angry and disappointed that my child wouldn't listen... BUT! When I came home from work what did I find? The turd had actually cleaned his room AND done the dishes to my surprise and I couldn't have been more proud. Does that make sense?
Whatever, it was just the Nets right? Right. But like Alex wrote in the title to his preview of that game, the Suns needed a victory of any kind, and they battled back from a 15 point deficit in the 4th quarter & overtime and got both a moral victory along with an actual W in the column. Now it's time to carryover that momentum and show that same kind of heart tonight as the level of competition is increased and the Suns try avoiding a season sweep in their 4th and final regular season meeting with the Portland Trailblazers (20-19). Now to the actual preview - JUMP IT FOOLS!
Two Weeks
"Getting rid of ugly ain't easy"
The second truth to Eddie's profound statement - getting rid of that ugliness is going to be no easy task. It's like swimming upstream. Before the Denver blowout, Alvin Gentry told his team and told us - that the next two weeks would basically determine success or failure of the season. I haven't quite hit the abort button yet and I'm going to take him for his word. Over these two weeks of seasonal determination there are 8 games - we're 1-1 to this point with 6 very winnable games ahead of us (POR, NY, CLE, WAS, DET, PHI). We have a very real opportunity to get back to at least .500 or even above it if we put a streak together and win out. To let's cross our fingers and pay attention.
Albert Einstein said,
Problems cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them
Similarly and by my own interpretation - the Suns can't get rid of this ugly by only beating teams equal to or less than their level. (Our last two wins have been against terrible teams... Cleveland and New Jersey) Our next two games will allow us to make some progress as we play two teams with mediocre records, which as sad as it is to admit - mediocre is the next level from our position.
Now in this microcosm of a season we're putting in the petri dish (the two weeks mentioned by Gentry), this Portland game tonight will most definitely be the most difficult game for this Suns team as the Trailblazers have dominated us pretty easily this season. It's because their strengths really expose our weaknesses - rebounding, inside scoring (exposes our interior defense), and Wes Mathews. Yeah I said Wes Mathews.
Wes Mathews
Everyone is aware by now that nobody in the league is intimidated by the Suns anymore. In fact, teams look forward to playing the Suns. Just read this excerpt in a major preview of tonight's game,
A favorable opponent and an extra day off give the Portland Trail Blazers a good chance to rebound from one of their worst offensive performances of the season.
The Blazers go on the road to begin an easy portion of the schedule Friday night as they try to pick apart the league-worst defense of the Phoenix Suns and complete a season sweep.
We're the slump buster team. Just look at Denver, they were struggling - then they put up 178 points against us and then go on to put up another 180 points and embarrass the Heat last night (does that make our loss sting a little less? Probably not - we're all probably a little too numb to feel any sting regardless).
Not only are we the Team Slump Busters of the league - but we afford obscure players the golden opportunity to put up career highs, career firsts, and career high averages against us. Just ask Raymond Felton, Manny Harris, etc.
Wes Mathews is no exception - he's averaging 17.6 points against the Suns this season and is a huge reason the Blazers have scored over 100 points in their 3 meetings so far against us (when the team averages only 95 ppg otherwise). Here's the part where I would say - look for him to have a big game because he's due, especially since he's gone cold shooting over the past 6 games and only hit 2 of 12 from behind the arc. It would seem only fitting that he'd wake up and shake the slump against the Suns right?
Well good news Suns fans - he tweaked his ankle in practice yesterday per the Oregonian practice report. Great news for us eh? Well, don't get your hopes up too high - he'll probably be fine even though they say now his status for the game is questionable.
Watch out for this guy and shoot your finger guns at him from your couch.
Brandon Roy
The Blazers and injuries are almost synonymous nowadays. It's pretty sad and I'm sure it's no laughing matter for Blazer fans. I'm sure you've heard the news by now and though I've joked about Roy's knees in the past, this isn't funny at all. If you haven't heard the news here a snippet from the Blazersedge,
TRAIL BLAZERS GUARD BRANDON ROY TO HAVE ARTHROSCOPIC SURGERY ON BOTH KNEES
PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy will undergo arthroscopic surgery on both knees, it was announced today by General Manager Rich Cho.
The surgery will be performed by Dr. Don Roberts in Vancouver, Wash. next week.
There is no timetable for his return.
I hate him when he's playing against the Suns... but I really enjoyed watching him when he was healthy. Since he's out - this might be a good thing for the Suns tonight, but this is a terrible thing for Roy, the Blazers and the league. My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family.
LaMarcus Aldridge
Though Roy might be out... the Blazers have proven in the past that they can win against the Suns without him in the lineup. They still have a plethora of guys that can take the ball to hole and get high percentage shots or get fouled. LaMarcus Aldridge will be that guy that the Suns will need to lock down tonight. He has been on absolute fire for the past two weeks. The Blazers are coming off of back-to-back home losses coming into tonight's game... but Aldridge is riding a 6 game double-double streak and is averaging 26.4 ppg over the last 7.
I sat and watched Letterman last night because I heard somebody was going to make an appearance...
It was a good interview and I found myself missing the fool like a jealous ex-girlfriend. It made me think about tonight's game and how without Amare Stoudemire to punk and bully-ball Aldridge, as was the case last year - he's likely to continue his hot-streak - but then I remembered that we haven't yet seen how Gortat may help us against the Blazers... here's to hoping he can make a difference in the paint.
Marcus Camby
Dude had 18 rebounds against us last game... he's always a problem for the Suns. Here's to hoping he doesn't do that again.
Starting Match-ups
Grant Hill will most definitely play tonight per Seth.
Steve Nash - Nicolas Batum
Grant Hill - Andre Miller
Vince Carter - Wes Mathews (game-time decision)
Channing Frye - LaMarcus Aldridge
Robin Lopez - Marcus Camby
Strategy
As is usually the case - the Trailblazers will try to force Steve Nash to give up the ball. They are very effective at forcing Nash to do it with traps and full-court presses, so we are really going to need our wings and our bigs to be especially productive tonight cutting, posting up, and handling the ball. Limit the turnovers.
The Blazers will also look to get into the paint early and often - the scouting report on the Suns right now is that if you're able to get a lead on them early, we'll roll over. So our interior defense will need to be ON from the get-go tonight. We cannot afford to have a slow start defensively against Portland, because if they get it going early in the paint - it will only allow open looks all night around the perimeter for their shooters like Mathews, Fernandez, Johnson.. and even Andre Miller seems to hit every 3 he takes against the Suns. How about we change that storyline tonight, what do you say guys?
Most of all, from the Suns we need 48 minutes of effort. We're all tired of the hot and cold spell roller-coaster games. Lets play Suns basketball - get out and run on Camby and Miller and take it to the rim on Batum and Mathews. Let's see the Dragon take out some frustration and be aggressive against Portland's slower guards - there will be no Speedy Ty Lawson or annoying Sasha to pester Dragic - though Patty Mills is quick Dragic should be able to outplay him as well. The Bench needs to play well. But I'm preaching to the choir here.
All I really want to see is effort. Let's do this.
Links
Trail Blazers vs Suns coverage
Paul Coro goodies:
Phoenix Suns forward Jared Dudley finds his own way
Just how does Dudley do all he does without the speed or leaping ability of peers? Cunning, hustle and preparation go a long way, as his 15.7 scoring average over the past 11 games will attest.
"It's one thing to lose," Babby told KTAR." "it's another thing not to compete. And that's the part of this that I'm having a hard time fathoming and will not accept and our franchise will not accept it and our ownership will not accept it and our community should not accept it.
Phoenix Suns' Channing Frye adjusting to new shot opportunities
Frye is getting used to many new shots, whether it is stepping in for mid-range jumpers when defenders chase him off the 3-point line or backing down a guard when teams switch on his screens for guard Steve Nash.
Last season, he averaged 2.1 two-point attempts per game and 4.8 3s. In the past eight games, he has taken 6.5 two-point shots per game and 3.5 3s.
Suns Extra: Q&A with rookie center Garret Siler
Q: What kind of conversations do people start with you on the street here?
A: Slowly but surely, they'll say, 'I've seen you somewhere.' They don't know who I am but they're like, 'You look kind of familiar.' Most of the time, they ask, 'How tall are you?' I always try to have a good demeanor and a smile on my face so I seem like a nice person and not a butt- hole. If you're nice, good things come back to you.
The mistake now is overreaction which is exactly the biggest mistake the Robert Sarver Suns have made in his tenure. Trading Steve Nash and Grant Hill would be the wrong move unless the deal is brings back an potential franchise player and there's not a single (realistic) trade idea out there that does that.
And visit the Blazersedge -
Game 40 Preview: Trail Blazers vs. Suns
Meanwhile they sport the worst defensive efficiency mark in the league, bar none. They're so-so getting back on "D" and awful at keeping people out of the paint. Only Toronto allows a higher field goal percentage. They're lousy rebounders too.
When you look at it, though, this is exactly how you'd expect a lineup featuring Steve Nash, Vince Carter (playing the role of Jason Richardson), and Grant Hill to play. And where's the help? Channing Frye? Hakim Warrick? Robin Lopez's jersey title should be officially changed to "Not Brook". Marcin Gortat? Josh Childress?
I leave you with a little Steve Nash humor. Enjoy the game.
[Note by Eutychus, 01/14/11 11:17 AM PST ]
Above watercolor artwork of Steve Nash provided by Cindi Tanner (my mom), you can see some of the work she does for the interwebs here -> www.atherius.com
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“Getting rid of ugly ain’t easy”
Great, so now we’re ugly and we suck at basketball. Can’t get much worse than that.
Don't trade Dudley!
Some people are just like slinkys, they're good for nothing
yet can still manage to put a smile on your face
when pushing them down a flight of stairs.
I started a #MakeSteveDunk
Hashtag campaign on Twitter. Let’s make it happen.
by TheAlexSkinner on Jan 14, 2011 12:43 PM MST reply actions
Great write-up, Eutychus (as always).
But I believe that Denver beat the pants off of Miami, not the Lakers last night. It looked much like the game against us – they couldn’t miss – which, btw, DOES make me feel better.
A lot of teams are in flux this year – some are getting worse, but can still show flashes of their past brilliance, and some are young and hungry, and will occasionally show flashes of potential future brilliance. But when every team that plays us looks like world beaters, at least when we win we know we’ve got something going for us. Even the Cavs last win was against the Knicks – any given night, and all that.
We need to win the second and third quarters tonight – if we can do that, I think the first and fourth will take care of themselves. Glad to see Hill will be back. A win tonight would be huge, and could send us un this road trip with some much needed confidence. A road trip might help this team gel a bit more, too – (or not). Carter needs to hustle – especially in the second and third quarters.
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
"In the long run the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip."
Dang you're right
I was half-watching sports center last night when I heard… I guess I’m always secretly hoping for the Lakers to fail
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
Yeah, I Twitter - @Eutychus12
I watched it - and the Heat looked just about as bad as we did.
Did my heart good, for some perverted reason.
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
"In the long run the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip."
Good write up, thanks.
Good to hear that BAMf will be back. He always does an excellent job guarding Miller. We need our 3 bigs to avoid early foul trouble. They gotta dunk, man! No wimpy lay-ups with Camby defending the paint. As you say, the Blazers seem to beat Steve up and force him to pass early and often. Their back court is pretty physical. Maybe the 2 PG line-up with Goran (he of the page boy haircut) will be a useful tactic. I hope we don’t rely too heavily on jump shots again. We haven’t been shooting well lately (see Grant) and we end up conceding too many rebounds to big teams like Portland. Must beat Western conference rival! Go Suns!
p.s. No way Steve should attempt to dunk. He might break something.
Great points
foul trouble could be big – we’ll see how the refs are calling the game. They always seem to give credit to Portland (meaning calls go their way) when things get physical because of their rep… hopefully some home court cookin’ is in effect
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
Yeah, I Twitter - @Eutychus12
Check the spread.
That’s how you will know how the refs are going to call this.
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
"In the long run the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip."
that's a shame
but probably not too far fetched in some cases
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
Yeah, I Twitter - @Eutychus12
Do you sincerely believe games are fixed?
And, if so, how is that the “optimistic” viewpoint?
"You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist."
~Friedrich Nietzsche
by East Bay Ray on Jan 14, 2011 1:55 PM MST up reply actions
It's certainly not the optimistic viewpoint.
But I watch a lot of basketball – not just the Suns. Last year – all year – I felt like the refs had fixed a lot of things in the wake of the gambling scandal and the allegations coming from Tim Donaghy. But this year, I find that there are many, many more questionable calls – particularly on the home teams. Game/momentum changing calls. Coincidentally, a lot of the results are suspiciously correlated to the Vegas line.
Now, I’m not blaming them for the Suns troubles – they don’t need much ‘help’. Nor do I have solid evidence, beyond the allegations of a convicted referee who claims to know of 47 different refs throwing games and making lots of money. These allegations have been ignored and suppressed by the league, there is no investigation, and Stern flatly denies it. I only have my eyes, and I think they are cheating to make money.
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
"In the long run the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip."
by haremoor on Jan 14, 2011 2:08 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
If it's fixed, how can you stand to watch?
"You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist."
~Friedrich Nietzsche
by East Bay Ray on Jan 14, 2011 2:15 PM MST up reply actions
i dont watch the spread.
that way im surprised.
NYC Suns Fan!!!
by DustinAe on Jan 14, 2011 2:16 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Sports gambling has been a hobby of mine for years.
You can choose to look at how close a game finishes to the spread and think it’s fixed, or choose to think that Vegas oddsmakers are really good at their jobs. I choose the latter. Oddsmakers are essentially gamblers themselves. They have to know what they’re doing since they’re putting the casino’s money on the line, and we’re talking potentially millions of dollars if a large sports book messes up.
As for what Donaghy said, the parts that rang true to me are that refs do “have it out for guys”. This is simple human nature. Rasheed Wallace is a jerk to refs? Well, yeah, they can’t wait to T him up at the first chance. That kind of stuff happens. But an organized scheme to fix games based on Vegas spreads? I don’t see that.
"You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist."
~Friedrich Nietzsche
by East Bay Ray on Jan 14, 2011 2:23 PM MST up reply actions
I'd like not to believe it.
But my eyes tell me there was a big difference between what I saw two years ago and last year, and from last year to this year. I get enjoyment out of teams who can overcome it. And I don’t think it’s every game, either.
I’d like to see (or have seen) an independent investigation into it. If there’s really nothing there, what could it have hurt?
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
"In the long run the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip."
I watch a ton of basketball at every level,
and the refs just plain suck. If they really were trying to run a big scam, they would likely fail miserably. They suck that bad. I share Ray’s POV.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
And go Shawn Watson and Barney Cotton! Seriously, leave Lincoln. Now.
That's a big part of it for me.
They wouldn’t be able to pull it off even if they tried. And, if they did, there would be more whistle blowers than just Donaghy.
p.s. In thanks for your support, go Packers! I want to see a Packers/Patriots Super Bowl.
"You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist."
~Friedrich Nietzsche
by East Bay Ray on Jan 14, 2011 6:38 PM MST up reply actions
So, what did Donaghy go to prison for, then?
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
"In the long run the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip."
As per CNN
Donaghy received payments for providing co-conspirators with winning picks based on classified information he obtained as an official with the league, prosecutors said in an affidavit. He tipped his co-conspirators through the use of encoded language based on information about players’ physical condition and information about the relationship between referees and players in the league. The two felony counts — conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and transmitting wagering information to other individuals — carry a combined maximum sentence of 25 years.
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/law/08/15/nba.ref/index.html
That isn’t “fixing” games in the way you’re describing, and there is no evidence that what he did is ongoing and widespread.
"You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist."
~Friedrich Nietzsche
by East Bay Ray on Jan 14, 2011 6:57 PM MST up reply actions
Except what Donaghy has himself said - which was never investigated.
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
"In the long run the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip."
Source?
Hey, I provided one.
"You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist."
~Friedrich Nietzsche
by East Bay Ray on Jan 14, 2011 7:07 PM MST up reply actions
Donaghy's book.
His 60 minutes interview. His specific allegations in Federal Court about the 2002 Lakers-Kings series, plus the 2006 Spurs-Suns series.
It’s OK – some people are more comfortable with single bullet theories.
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
"In the long run the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip."
That's fine if you don't want to do the research.
And link us to specific allegations and sources. Agree to disagree. Game time is a-coming.
"You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist."
~Friedrich Nietzsche
by East Bay Ray on Jan 14, 2011 7:49 PM MST up reply actions
No, I started doing the research, and preparing links -
Then I thought to myself – why? You’ve never believed anything I said anyway – I might as well go bang my head on a wall. So I did, and it felt better.
So have it your way, Ray.
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
"In the long run the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip."
It's never a personal thing with me.
You’re making some strong accusations. It’s only fair to expect you to provide some supporting evidence.
"You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist."
~Friedrich Nietzsche
by East Bay Ray on Jan 14, 2011 9:48 PM MST up reply actions
When it comes to this whole conspiracy theory thing. I can look back and say that game 3 of the Suns/Spurs series was a conspiracy, but I can also bring myself to say it was just a very poorly reffed game and I think that’s more likely. However, when I look back at game 6 of the Lakers/Kings series I have a hard time bringing myself to say that that was just a very poorly reffed game. It was beyond terrible, almost to the point to where you’d really believe the refs are literally stupid and blind or they’re is something fishy going on. It’s much easier for people to just call the refs stupid and blind though even if that isn’t true because they know that if there was something fishy going on they’ll never know the truth for themselves and so they can’t explain it.
Don't trade Dudley!
Some people are just like slinkys, they're good for nothing
yet can still manage to put a smile on your face
when pushing them down a flight of stairs.
This made me laugh.
Not sure if it was supposed to, but it did.
You can get with this, or you can get Gortat.
Card-carrying member of the CTLVCOF. Let's get it done.
That's what I tell my dad.
He always says they’re fixed and sometimes teams are allowed to go on runs to match the spread. I don’t buy into that crap. It takes the fun out of watching games if I start believing that BS.
BSotS' trio of rec whores: haremoor, RMason, & Sun God.
BSotS' threesome of actual whores: 2NASHTY, East Bay Ray, & yours truly.
Nice work Euty
but seriously nobody managed to pour ten in on you….that’s bad
rec’d for using the word plethora
......
Say what?
pour ten in on me?
Do I need urban dictionary for that one?
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
Yeah, I Twitter - @Eutychus12
I had to let them feel good about somethign
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
Yeah, I Twitter - @Eutychus12
nvm - I caught it
I though you were saying something like “I got 5 on it”
to the point - you think it was nobody! But obviously you’ve never played the imaginary Nets
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
Yeah, I Twitter - @Eutychus12
Let's not get swept by these &$@#-ers.
As a measuring stick for how far we’ve fallen, a 4-0 sweep to a Blazers team that is also down from a year ago would be a tough pill to swallow. And, as woeful as we’ve been this season, we’re only 3 games out of the last playoff spot. The Blazers are the current holders of that spot at 20-19 and, as Eutychus notes, Brandon Roy is having surgery performed to rebuild his knees with bubble gum and paper clips, so they aren’t exactly a lock to hold onto that spot.
Making the playoffs is still very do-able and, really, is a low lottery pick so much better than a high non-lottery pick? I think not. So, you know, let’s go ahead and try to make the playoffs.
"You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist."
~Friedrich Nietzsche
agree - no tanking please
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
Yeah, I Twitter - @Eutychus12
Nice write up Euty...
i too have sought to taking to the courts to take out my frustrations as a Suns fan this season. I am reading books as well to exercise my mind. Who would have thought that being a fan of a shameful squad could be so enriching?
by oLLiE Boombayay on Jan 14, 2011 2:09 PM MST reply actions
seriously! I'm exercising more
when I get pissed during a game I start doing pushups and pull-ups and pretty soon I’ve done 7 sets of chest, arm and back and core… basically it’s like – who needs P90X? I gots me some Suns!
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
Yeah, I Twitter - @Eutychus12
I see everyone liking it but not reccn'
What are you waiting for?
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
We never used to rec this much...
It was ryansunsfan’s fault. He caused the rise of the rec whores.
BSotS' trio of rec whores: haremoor, RMason, & Sun God.
BSotS' threesome of actual whores: 2NASHTY, East Bay Ray, & yours truly.
I've noticed a dropoff lately.
Seth raised the bar and we haven’t risen to the challenge.
You can get with this, or you can get Gortat.
Card-carrying member of the CTLVCOF. Let's get it done.
One man can only rec so much.
BSotS' trio of rec whores: haremoor, RMason, & Sun God.
BSotS' threesome of actual whores: 2NASHTY, East Bay Ray, & yours truly.
Good writeup, Eut.
I’m hoping our team comes in strong. They need to build on that momentum they had late in the Nets game. They have to fight. We can’t allow ourselves to get swept. I’m glad BAMF will be back. I also wonder if Gentry will close out the game with a similar roster that he used on the Nets near the end: Nash, Dragic, Carter, Dudley, and Frye. The entire lineup could shoot 3s and space the floor. They also fought and played some good defense. It was interesting, to say the least.
I’m actually looking forward to tonight’s game. Will join the game threads late, as per ushe.
BSotS' trio of rec whores: haremoor, RMason, & Sun God.
BSotS' threesome of actual whores: 2NASHTY, East Bay Ray, & yours truly.
Great write-up.
Hoping for a great game tonight. VC is 26 points away from 20,000 for his career so it’ll come either tonight or Monday at New York. Thats pretty cool. Lets just start a streak!
Be nice if he got it tonight.
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
"In the long run the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip."
Nice write up.
As for the poll, I voted that Steve couldn’t dunk anymore…and I’m not quite sure that he ever really could. However, I didn’t say not to try because i would love to see him attempt it. In the small chance he could actually pull it off it would really be a sight to see! I’m not too worried about him pulling something by attempting it, he puts his body through much more strain every night he plays a game.
By the way, of Steve Nash does successfully dunk, I vote that he needs to punch Robin, Frye, and Gortat square in the face for each lay-up they’ve missed this season.
by 7footer on Jan 14, 2011 2:38 PM MST reply actions 1 recs
Haha! Seriously tweet hiim that or I will!
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
Yeah, I Twitter - @Eutychus12
I'm 6'1" in shoes and as unathletic as they come.
Yet I can at least get close to the rim. If Steve can’t do it it would be pretty embarrasing.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
And go Shawn Watson and Barney Cotton! Seriously, leave Lincoln. Now.
one of my dreams. to dunk
I’m only 5’9" higher than average Filipino. and I can’t dunk haha
Mr. chef and your assistants please cook your food better because every unsuccessful dish you made is like onion tears for us.
by sun_equalizer on Jan 14, 2011 5:34 PM MST up reply actions
Eutychus, your mom is awesome.
You can get with this, or you can get Gortat.
Card-carrying member of the CTLVCOF. Let's get it done.
..you... 're mom. .. .
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
Yeah, I Twitter - @Eutychus12
So a win will make us 2 games behind portland(#8) or 4
Mr. chef and your assistants please cook your food better because every unsuccessful dish you made is like onion tears for us.
1 game behind in the Loss column
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
Yeah, I Twitter - @Eutychus12
You Nailed it Euty
Glad to hear you have your own personal gym to go to when things get tough for the Suns.
How about Grant shuts down Miller tonight? And Gortat shoves Aldridge around until he can’t take it anymore!
Go Suns!!!
Frye (of Victoria, Canada) - No more messin' around - time to rise from the ashes!
by Frye (of Victoria, Canada) on Jan 14, 2011 4:20 PM MST reply actions
Haha I wish
I went to my Church (which has an indoor basketball court) and I was the only one there
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
Yeah, I Twitter - @Eutychus12
Daily Rosterbation
Vince Carter and Magic 1st rd pick for Gerald Wallace and DeSagana Diop and Bobcats 1st rd pick
Wallace is owed about $10m this year and next two (player option in 2012/13). Diop makes about $6.5m this yr and next two (player option in 2012/13). Diop is done for the season due to an Achilles tear so there could be so insurance coverage on his part of his contract.
Yes, Wallace is ANOTHER SF but he rebounds the shit out of the ball and I think he could possibly play PF for the Suns as well.
In a perfect world, you throw in Childress and take back Diaw as well. Yes, Boris Diaw. I still have a pastry-sized soft spot for the guy and he’s only got $9m this yr and next while Chilly is 5 yrs.
I think the Bobcats do that since they are reportedly trying to ditch salary and this saves them $16m overall.
Carter and Childress for Wallace, Diop and Diaw and swap picks?
What say you?
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
Wallace will ba a cavalier soon
Mr. chef and your assistants please cook your food better because every unsuccessful dish you made is like onion tears for us.
by sun_equalizer on Jan 14, 2011 4:38 PM MST up reply actions
Cavs are looking to get a first round pick just for taking the contract off of Charlotte's hands.
If we gave them something, we’d get him.
I was thinking about this very thing today, Seth. Gerald Wallace is a stud, for sure, and I think Boris could help us, too. But I’d still like to hang on and see what we can get when we can package the players together, close to the deadline. That being said, I wouldn’t hate this.
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
"In the long run the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip."
PS
I’d rather send Warrick or Pietrus than Chilly, too.
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
"In the long run the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip."
With just
Carter for Wallace and Diop, the Bobcats save $23.9m plus they get to sell their fans on having Vince Carter for the rest of the year.
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Jan 14, 2011 4:44 PM MST up reply actions
Maybe we could work something out with both the Cavs and Thunder? A 3 team trade, ok I’ll stop.
Don't trade Dudley!
Some people are just like slinkys, they're good for nothing
yet can still manage to put a smile on your face
when pushing them down a flight of stairs.
Carter for Wallace and Diaw would work, then we could use the TPE for Diop.
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
"In the long run the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip."
anyway…just felt the urge to bang this one out
I am sure nothing will come of it
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Jan 14, 2011 5:56 PM MST up reply actions
Our fearless leader has initiated a round of rosterbating in a game preview?
Et tu, Seth???
"You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist."
~Friedrich Nietzsche
by East Bay Ray on Jan 14, 2011 6:45 PM MST up reply actions
I think Wallace is going to be a Cavalier, but with that said I’ve always liked the guy and wouldn’t be surprised if the Suns traded for him, but it might be too late. I had thought about the Suns trading for Wallace at some point, but I kept hearing rumors that he wouldn’t be down with playing PF, so my rosterbation never went that far. With that said, I think he could play PF in our system like Marion. As for Diaw…ugh, if we get him we’d have to find a way to get rid of Warrick.
Don't trade Dudley!
Some people are just like slinkys, they're good for nothing
yet can still manage to put a smile on your face
when pushing them down a flight of stairs.
I heard Carter can't be packaged with other players in a trade
and P.S. I threw a party when we traded Boris Diaw… in no way and in every lumpy shape and form he comes in would I want him back. Just not a fan.
I like Wallace – but no Diaw please.
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
Yeah, I Twitter - @Eutychus12
if we could get 'motivated boris' back
I’d be all for it…
I think motivated Boris was last seen playing blackjack with Sasquatch.
You can get with this, or you can get Gortat.
Card-carrying member of the CTLVCOF. Let's get it done.
HELL TO THE YES
MAKE IT HAPPEN SETH!
Steve Nash, the league's MVP, is a longhaired Canadian who spoke out against the war in Iraq and reads The Communist Manifesto. Quentin Richardson declared after a game-winning shot that it "was like Hamlet. It was a suspense thriller, and I killed them at the end." Amare Stoudemire, when asked to comment on a 22-point third quarter against the Kings, said, "I've got a tendency to jump over some guys' heads and throw it down."
Not no...but hell no.
STAT may be gone but the Suns will rise....! BTW, If positivity is a crime, I plead guilty by reason of T-Bird...!
Interior Defense
..may be asking too much
I would like to see Wallace on the suns. He’s similar to J Rich.
But what I’d really like to see is some offensive chemistry, and who knows how long that could take.
http://nbhate.blogspot.com/
Wallace similar to JRich?
Not sure about that one
Welcome to the Bright Side though!
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
Yeah, I Twitter - @Eutychus12
Yep, total oppposites outside of being great athletes.
I suppose J-Rich is a good rebounder as well, but Crash is Wallace’s nickname for a reason. He’s an average outside shooter but goes at the rim hard. he and Steve would be a great combo to watch. Crash reminds me more of Chilly than J-Rich.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
And go Shawn Watson and Barney Cotton! Seriously, leave Lincoln. Now.
But Wallace's 3 point shot should be more reliable than Chilly's.
BSotS' trio of rec whores: haremoor, RMason, & Sun God.
BSotS' threesome of actual whores: 2NASHTY, East Bay Ray, & yours truly.
Chilly's only taken like 3 deep shots, hasn't he?
I have no clue how reliable he is.
But I do agree that Crash has worked on that part of his game. He’s pretty decent from that corner.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
And go Shawn Watson and Barney Cotton! Seriously, leave Lincoln. Now.
Which is making his comparison to Chilly less fitting.
If anything, he’s more like our local 38 year old BAMF.
BSotS' trio of rec whores: haremoor, RMason, & Sun God.
BSotS' threesome of actual whores: 2NASHTY, East Bay Ray, & yours truly.
Rick Fox just picked the Suns as his sleeper pick of the night on NBA Gametime
not sure how to interpret this…
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
Yeah, I Twitter - @Eutychus12
He' can be relied on...
Anybody that would kick Vanessa Williams out of bed ain’t right…
STAT may be gone but the Suns will rise....! BTW, If positivity is a crime, I plead guilty by reason of T-Bird...!
by Daryl Ray on Jan 14, 2011 8:11 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Yup Wallace is more of a defensive first player rather than Offense. Therefore i do think that Gerald Wallace would definitely fit the SUNS system. He’s more of Raja Bell on steroids.
If we don’t play defense tonight and focus all on Offense, we have chance to win it tonight…LOL..jk
GO SUNS!
Why does everyone keep comparing Wallace to perimeter shooters?
Bell? JRich? I’m pretty sure Wallace lives in the paint – all day. Every day. And even on Sundays.
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
Yeah, I Twitter - @Eutychus12
Like I said,
he’s more like Chilly on steroids.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
And go Shawn Watson and Barney Cotton! Seriously, leave Lincoln. Now.
Agreed
He is the closest thing to Matrix in the league. We could even start him at the 4 if we wanted to run.
Steve Nash, the league's MVP, is a longhaired Canadian who spoke out against the war in Iraq and reads The Communist Manifesto. Quentin Richardson declared after a game-winning shot that it "was like Hamlet. It was a suspense thriller, and I killed them at the end." Amare Stoudemire, when asked to comment on a 22-point third quarter against the Kings, said, "I've got a tendency to jump over some guys' heads and throw it down."
There’s a reason why I want Gerald Wallace. He inspires fear; see for your self-
Don't trade Dudley!
Some people are just like slinkys, they're good for nothing
yet can still manage to put a smile on your face
when pushing them down a flight of stairs.
Don't trade Dudley!
Some people are just like slinkys, they're good for nothing
yet can still manage to put a smile on your face
when pushing them down a flight of stairs.
Key to success: rebound, don't give up corner 3s, and RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN
Steve Nash, the league's MVP, is a longhaired Canadian who spoke out against the war in Iraq and reads The Communist Manifesto. Quentin Richardson declared after a game-winning shot that it "was like Hamlet. It was a suspense thriller, and I killed them at the end." Amare Stoudemire, when asked to comment on a 22-point third quarter against the Kings, said, "I've got a tendency to jump over some guys' heads and throw it down."
I hope so
these guys are pretty good at taking away the passing lanes, which makes running tough.
......
good point
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
Yeah, I Twitter - @Eutychus12
Daily horoscope
Suns will win 110-94
Mr. chef and your assistants please cook your food better because every unsuccessful dish you made is like onion tears for us.
It's too bad JitB doesn't give out 4 tacos when the Suns complete both objectives
of scoring 99+ and keeping their opponents under 99.
BSotS' trio of rec whores: haremoor, RMason, & Sun God.
BSotS' threesome of actual whores: 2NASHTY, East Bay Ray, & yours truly.
Am gone for a week & gave no clue
What everyone is talking about!!! Boris is coming back???
"Hey let's keep the profanity down!" Angels in the outfield
no no no no
just some rosterbation by Seth : )
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
Yeah, I Twitter - @Eutychus12
i hate the f***ing blazers. go suns.
Just remember what ol' Jack Burton does when the earth quakes, and the poison arrows fall from the sky, and the pillars of Heaven shake. Yeah, Jack Burton just looks that big ol' storm right square in the eye and he says, "Give me your best shot, pal. I can take it."
~Jack Burton, "Big Trouble in Little China"
BSotS Breaking News:
Scott Howard wants Nash to be traded:
http://www.nba.com/2011/news/features/scott_howard_cooper/01/14/suns-nash/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1
is he the same scott?
Mr. chef and your assistants please cook your food better because every unsuccessful dish you made is like onion tears for us.
by sun_equalizer on Jan 14, 2011 7:29 PM MST up reply actions
For all intents and purposes of this discussion, let's say yes.
BSotS' trio of rec whores: haremoor, RMason, & Sun God.
BSotS' threesome of actual whores: 2NASHTY, East Bay Ray, & yours truly.
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