Nuggets Rout Lethargic Suns Again in Deja Vu Preseason Rematch, 110-85
Deja Vu (all over again).
The Phoenix Suns ran out of energy early in the second half, giving up 58 points in the second half to a more controlled and consistent Denver Nuggets team. The Nugs were led by Danilo Gallinari's game-leading 23 points, and had no trouble driving the lane and, more importantly, creating foul trouble for the Suns. Both Robin Lopez and Markieff Morris were in foul trouble throughout the game.
The fan energy in the U.S. Airways Center was great early on, led by our own Dragic_is_Magic, Eutychus, and Seth Pollack, among others, who no doubt solely contributed to the combined 5 blocks for Morris and RoLo in the first half. Lopez, starting in place of the injured Marcin Gortat (right thumb), seemed quicker and more aggressive in general. Jared Dudley led the Suns in scoring with 17 athletic points on 5-6 shooting, cementing his starting spot over the more erratic Shannon Brown, who ended up 5-11 and -13.
The glaring problem here is the ability of the entire team as a whole to sustain a decent level of play over 48 minutes. From mid third-quarter on, the team looked pretty listless on both offense and defense. Josh Childress answered Alvin Gentry's call-out with a line of 0/1/1 and -14. Actually, using Childress as a scapegoat for this loss would be wrong. By the end of the game, everyone on the team had a negative +/-.
With only a few days before the season opener on Monday, the Suns still have a lot of questions. Join me after the jump if you really just don't like yourself.
The good (sort of): Hakim Warrick, Markieff Morris, Robin Lopez, Jared Dudley, Shannon Brown
The typical: Steve Nash, Grant Hill, Ronnie Price, Lou Amundsen, wait whaaa
The ugly: Josh Childress, Channing Frye, Sebastian Telfair
Questions of the day:
- Is Josh Childress just really bad, or nor a good fit with this team?
- Will Shannon Brown's FG% stay at around 20% for the season?
- How soon will Markieff Morris be our starting PF?
- (Related) Will Channing Frye find his shot?
- Will Sebastian Telfair find the floor this season?
Overall, the Suns have problems with cohesion, coordination, and closing power, among other things. Shooting 37% (29-79) for an entire game will always lead to another tick mark in the "L" column. Alvin Gentry has a tough job on his hands; the cast of characters that he has on this team, along with the abbreviated and fast-paced NBA schedule, will create one of the toughest coaching seasons in Suns history.
[Note by Seth Pollack, 12/22/11 10:45 PM MST ]
Adding this postgame video from Dudley and Morris.
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So...
How ‘bout those 2020 Suns? (Hopefully we’ll be contenders by then)
Joe Saunders: "They played a really good game, so hats off to us"
Good recap, GP
A little disappointed with the level of effort after mid third quarter. but I believe the Suns will figure this out. I am worried about Chill, though, He seems like he is regressing..a trade may be in order to clear his head.
Brown should figure this out, and I like what I saw from Hak and Morris. There are some positives to look at and not just the bad score from tonight…
Alright PHX coaching staff…you all saw what we saw, let’s fix these issues with consistency and “D”
STAT may be gone but the Suns will rise....! BTW, If positivity is a crime, I plead guilty by reason of T-Bird...!
as I said, it’ll be a serious coaching challenge. I think at this point we have a good idea of what our pieces are, but how will Gentry use them? A lot of wins and losses will be put squarely on his shoulders, I have a feeling.
Crashing the [message] boards from the swamps of Louisiana, and blogging Phoenix Suns!
I’m not worried about Channing at all. He’ll find the range before too long.
Morris’ stat line, and the praise he elicited from the BSotSers in the game thread, lead me to believe he really showed something in this game. That makes me happy.
I haven’t watched Chill closely. With-holding judgment (unless he sits the bench when the season starts, in which case I’ll trust Gentry this season).
Brown has been a tad disappointing. But at least he’s trying.
Bassy will find the floor. He’ll have to. I’m not sold on Price, and we’ll need the depth.
And I certainly hope Eutychus and Seth weren’t contributing to the crowd noise. That would be highly unprofessional (says the kid who almost lost his cool on a 4-point play at the CU game).
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
This game wasn't like the other one
In the other one, our offense was good but our defense was abysmal.
This time round, our offense was complete ass, and our defense was merely sub-par.
Voted most likely to say "I told you so"
Everything you need to know about our offense tonight
Steve Nash: 8 assists
Rest of Team: 7 assists
Voted most likely to say "I told you so"
Gentry is going to have to figure out a way to get consisent play out of these guys...
I am confident he can figure it out…It’s just a question of how long it will take…
STAT may be gone but the Suns will rise....! BTW, If positivity is a crime, I plead guilty by reason of T-Bird...!
He's already getting consistent play...
That’s the problem.
I'm Michael Beasley's imaginary friend.
by suns68 on Dec 22, 2011 10:15 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
Creighton had 26 assists on 30 made field goals.
THAT is how you win a basketball game.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
Alvin seemed generally frustrated in fourth qtr by the teams play..
I suspect he’s going to go to there asses about moving the ball around on offense and giving a little more effort. The Suns can play much better than what they’ve showed. If they didn’t have talent, i’d be the first to say it…They have the talent, they just need to get it together on both ends of the court.
STAT may be gone but the Suns will rise....! BTW, If positivity is a crime, I plead guilty by reason of T-Bird...!
ahh but is it the right mix of talent? thats the burning question
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
I missed the game but...
None of the 4th quarter looks seemed like things we’d do in the regular season – http://popcornmachine.net/cgi-bin/gameflow.cgi?date=20111222&game=DENPHO
Telfair, Price, Brown, Landry and RoLo – what are the odds we play that lineup even once all season?
haha Creighton
congrats!
Crashing the [message] boards from the swamps of Louisiana, and blogging Phoenix Suns!
Muchas gracias.
Tis been a joy to watch.
Dougie Fresh went for another 27 tonight, after only playing 8 minutes in the first half. If you don’t know about this kid, look him up. Doug McDermott. Leads all sophomores in career scoring. Yes, that class includes the likes of Harrison Barnes (his HS teammate) and Jared Sullinger.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
Robot spin
I like it
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 22, 2011 10:10 PM MST via Android app reply actions
I have a roomate...
And he got ahold of my laptop…and hes a laker fan
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 22, 2011 11:28 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
Tale of two halves
First half: Really good energy, team Bball, rebounding, passing, etc. Shots weren’t always falling, but I thought there were some good things going on.
Second half: Back to Tuesday night. No offense, loose defense. No passing AND shots weren’t falling.
I was really happy about Morris. He’ll be ok. He’s got a good looking shot and range. And he’s an able rebounder. He knows how to position himself for the ball to come to him. He could teach the other bigs a thing or two (besides Gortat).
Channing will find his shot. Gortat will be back. Lopez looked pretty good- much better than last year, and he might improve as time goes on. And Price was alright- though not as smooth as Tuesday.
Brown was shooting like he was drunk playing horse in someone’s driveway. Every play, he’d get himself in trouble and take the shot instead of passing. His green light needs to be turned back to red. Or at least to caution yellow.
Chilly showed a couple of very quick glimpses of being alright- but mostly he just sucked goat balls. We gotta put him in a container that says “break only in case of emergency”.
I think Telfair might be able to pull out of this nose dive and be a respectable player. It looks like it’ll take time. But he wasn’t nearly as bad as tuesday.
And, you know, Landry seems to be pretty worthy of keeping around. He didn’t produce much, but he plays smart and with effort and pride. I like him. But, obviously, he’s not someone you can rely on to save you. But, I’d play him before Chilly in the SF spot after Hill and Hakim.
Right now, if I were coaching, besides beating the crap out of these players for the next few days to get them to play right and hard for 4 quarters, I’d go with this rotation:
Nash/Price/Telfair if needed
Dudley/Brown/Chilly if needed
Hill/Hakim/Landry
Morris/Frye/Hakim if needed
Gortat/Lopez/Siler if needed
and, lord help us overcome the unsurmountable odds we have in front of us to get through this season as a respectable team.
amen.
Grant Hill for prez.
by sun-arc on Dec 22, 2011 10:20 PM MST via mobile reply actions
Actually passing was that horrible
Shots just didnt fall so the assist line looks way worse. But if we can take a positive from this it is good to see our bench producing
Warrick great
rolo solid
Morris great
Price ok
Brown poop
our starters will get their game going eventually
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 22, 2011 11:32 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
I don't understand.
I’didn’t watch a game but I expected more for Lopez.I looked at stats : FG 1-6; FT 2-6; Reb- 6 ; 4 folts per 27 min, And You used words solid? Really weird.
Lopez played a lot better than his stat line suggests, especially in the first half. His energy was good.
by Chris_Coffel on Dec 23, 2011 12:08 AM MST via iPhone app up reply actions
well his energy is good, but his results are not so good. But that’s an improvement, I guess.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
Solid as in he was better than last years lopez
While he wasnt an offensive force(and nobody but dudz and warrick and morris were) he got boards blocks and was active. Last year 3 blocks and 6 rebounds was unheared of for him. But now that u mention it he might have only had an ok/sub par game. Id like to think having to gortat to do damage with him against denver played a role. Not bad for having sillefras ur wingman
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 23, 2011 12:08 AM MST via Android app up reply actions
I wrote. I didn't watch the game.
However stats always suggest me what happened. Compare this stats to Mozgov.
I think RoLo has more experience to play in NBA. I also know that was preseason game.
It's all relative.
If Nash goes out there and puts up 5 points and 8 assists in 26 minutes then everyone would be like “Oh Sh**! What’s wrong with Nash!” (Wait a second that was Nash’s stat line)
But if Price would have had 5 points and 6 assists in his 19 minutes (instead of 3 and 1) everyone would be like “The Price is right, bi**h!”
Different standards for different players (based on skill level, cuddle factor, etc.)
Kind of like when Amare would go for 25 and 6 and people would bemoan his lack of rebounding, but if LOOOOOOUUUUUU went off on a team like gangbusters and threw up 4 and 5 eveyone would be like “LOOOOOOUUUUUU!!!!!!!”
Rolo is kind of like the stupid kid that sits alone on the bus and eats his own buggers, so if he can limp hunchbacked onto the court without falling all over himself and throwing out his back, then that’s a fantastic achievement.
It was only called the mildly irritated house on McDowell until I showed up.
by Jim Coughenour on Dec 23, 2011 9:10 AM MST up reply actions 5 recs
so reccd
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
by Alex Laugan on Dec 23, 2011 10:48 AM MST up reply actions
THIS!!! lol
Rolo is kind of like the stupid kid that sits alone on the bus and eats his own buggers, so if he can limp hunchbacked onto the court without falling all over himself and throwing out his back, then that’s a fantastic achievement.
by SteveNash, QuantumPhysicist on Dec 23, 2011 10:34 PM MST up reply actions
use the right words.
How the hell do you call a player solid when he’s producing awful results with high energy? I wouldn’t praise them so easily.
Phoenix Suns and Steve Nash. That is all.
by PhoenixSons on Dec 23, 2011 10:54 AM MST via iPhone app up reply actions
Do you think Rolo will stay after this season
Hes a free agent next year and if he can maintain this level of play as a backup he could end up as someone elses Gortat. plus after all the criticism he took last season and trade rumors a new.home might sound good to him. I hope we keep him as a cog for our future but idk if he will stay
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 22, 2011 11:44 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
If we rebuild or try to contend?
Trade gortat for a young future star or 1st round pick if we blow it up. Keep lopez for the new core
if we wanna make some runs or “conbuild” trade lopez before there season ends along with someone else for a star and or draft pick.
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 22, 2011 11:51 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
Rebuilding
Workls better if you keep talent – Boston is perhaps the best example of that with Paul Pierce, because unlike Miami with Wade, Lakers with Kobe, Pierce isn’t the very best at hos position.
Gortat has a solid 7 – 8 years left in him. Given how hard centers are to get, I can’t imagine ever wanting to let him go.
I wouldn’t either, but would possibly consider it for certain players.
by BringBackBarkley17 on Dec 23, 2011 2:02 PM MST up reply actions
Josh smith? Al horford?
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 23, 2011 3:41 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
Not even with picks involed
Jeff teague/1st rd pick and horford/smith for go or RoLo/somebodyelse
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 23, 2011 4:55 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
Hell yes to Horford.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
Oh hell yes
Even though he is a Gator. Too bad Atlanta loves him as well.
"If Gortat pulls off a real Dream Shake in-game this year I will shave my head.
Mark my words." Piotr Szczesniak 12/12/11 2:12 PM
Cardinals, Suns, D-backs for life!
I hopped on that Gator bandwagon.
I really liked Noah, Horford and Brewer.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
I like jchill
But I just dont think he fits our system.
His strengths dont show up for us and his weaknesses are glaring.
If his contract wasnt so bloated alot of half court ,terry porter like, defensive teams would love him. If hes gonna be effective gentry will need to push him to play like chilly. Maybe he can be the back up 2 since brown seems to be playing his way out of phoenix and back to the bench
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 22, 2011 11:59 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
I just don't agree
I think our system would help him, like it did Marion. He just doesn’t look like he’s putting in his full effort. He isn’t in the right places for defense or rebounding, and he isn’t slashing to the basket without the ball like he did with Atlanta. And he’s given no indication he has a problem with the team. If he’s unhappy here, he should let them know.
Grant Hill for prez.
by sun-arc on Dec 23, 2011 7:07 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
To pull one from Euty's playbook....
Steve Nash
strengths: YES
Josh Childress
strengths: NO
It was only called the mildly irritated house on McDowell until I showed up.
by Jim Coughenour on Dec 23, 2011 8:21 AM MST up reply actions
Starters shoot 10-35 = 28% (Hill did start); Bench 19-44 = 43%
???
by SteveNash, QuantumPhysicist on Dec 22, 2011 10:21 PM MST reply actions
Hill was terrible tonight
"I don't lift weights because they are heavy, and I don't run because it makes me tired." - Charles Barkley
Silo shot 100 percent
Maybe he ought to be starting.
I'm Michael Beasley's imaginary friend.
by suns68 on Dec 22, 2011 11:31 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
Release The Silo!!!
no, wait, Release the nuclear fury within the Silo!!!
by SteveNash, QuantumPhysicist on Dec 22, 2011 11:50 PM MST up reply actions
I think he should learn to stop running like the fat kid at the public pool who won't take his shirt off.
No longer trying to light Vince Carter on fire.
by Scott Howard on Dec 22, 2011 11:50 PM MST up reply actions 3 recs
Well...
I’m not bursting with confidence with this team at the moment, they have a lot of work to do. It seems like the effort just isn’t there collectively yet for whatever reason. The bad part is they are going to have to figure it out soon and without the help of long breaks between games for practice and such, meaning a lot of this team getting better will have to be done in game.
Let’s hope they turn it around sooner rather than later.
Member of the "Let’s Make FanShots Relevant!" Club
Frye has laid another egg
Can’t we amnesty him? If 20 games into the season and he hasn’t shot at least 40% from the 3pt. area, I think the Suns should consider the amnesty on him. The minutes he is playing with would be better used in Morris development.
Women were the reason I became a monk - and, ah, the reason I switched back... -Morte, Planescape Torment
Keep Frye regardless
I don’t see why you couldn’t use him and Morris in equal parts even if he is sucking. Having a raw rookie play 35 minutes a game isn’t a good way to develop them. You’ve gotta ease those suckers into it.
Crashing the [message] boards from the swamps of Louisiana, and blogging Phoenix Suns!
That's pretty rough
After just 2 pre season games to say he’s done and wont contribute the rest of the season.
Member of the "Let’s Make FanShots Relevant!" Club
I know it's just pre season but I'm getting tired of him not finding his shot.
I don’t want to see a repeat of his last season shooting percentages.
Women were the reason I became a monk - and, ah, the reason I switched back... -Morte, Planescape Torment
.390 is not a great percentage,
but it’s still pretty darn good. Especially for a big man. And even if he’s not hitting, teams have to respect his ability to knock it down. Frye is one of the 5 or 6 best players on this team. To amnesty him would be very unintelligent.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
.390 is pretty darn good
from 3pt land for anyone, especially a big. We idolize Nash for getting 40% every year. Its the closer in shots Frye needs to get and make more of.
39% is not good especially for someone who get half of his offense from the 3pt. area
Women were the reason I became a monk - and, ah, the reason I switched back... -Morte, Planescape Torment
If a guy shoots over .400, he's an outstanding 3PT shooter.
Frye was just shy of that, and that’s including his post-injury stretch where he sucked.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
you must be joking. the .390 was only on 3-pt shots. That’s above average.
But really, the biggest value of Frye is his ability to draw a big out of the paint. He’s a major threat.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
Huh? Last year he shot 39% from beyond the arc
And the year before that he shot 43% from three. So his average as a Sun in his two years on the team is 41%…That’s pretty darn awesome, especially for a PF/C.
The area I would like to see him improve on is driving to the basket more often and scoring in the paint…But it’s hard to argue that he’s not effective as a long range shooter when clearly the stats show otherwise.
by 7footer on Dec 22, 2011 11:18 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
I just hope he get his shot back soon.
It would cost us games early in the season. I think most of the time Gentry rely on his 3s too much.
by SunsFan@TheOffice on Dec 22, 2011 11:29 PM MST up reply actions
Not too worried about Frye...
He’s Gone through stretches like this before and it all seems to average out in the end. The man can shoot the ball, he just needs a little more time to get his legs under him and get his body used to playing ball again.
by 7footer on Dec 22, 2011 11:34 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
Frye will be fine on offense
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Dec 23, 2011 7:41 AM MST up reply actions
i think
If he’s not shooting above 40 percent from 3 after 20 games we should fire him….out of a cannon.
No longer trying to light Vince Carter on fire.
by Scott Howard on Dec 23, 2011 12:04 AM MST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Save some room in that cannon for Nash, too.
That .395 crap from last year is unacceptable.
Maybe if he could take a break from being perfect to practice on shooting every once in a while we wouldn’t be in this predicament.
It was only called the mildly irritated house on McDowell until I showed up.
by Jim Coughenour on Dec 23, 2011 8:52 AM MST up reply actions 3 recs
.395? My god I just vomited up my breakfast.
We’re going to need a bigger cannon.
No longer trying to light Vince Carter on fire.
by Scott Howard on Dec 23, 2011 9:18 AM MST up reply actions
As of the end of the preseason, Silo is our best shooter...
And I just read the box score on usa today, which was actually kind of funny.
They had Brooks and Buycks as DNP injured.
Gortat, who is injured, was listed as DNP coach’s decision.
Pietrus was listed as DNP coach’s decision.
One out of four ain’t bad, I guess. Although Pietrus could have been listed as DNP everybody’s decision.
I'm Michael Beasley's imaginary friend.
by suns68 on Dec 22, 2011 10:30 PM MST via mobile reply actions 7 recs
"DNP everybody's decision"
I like it.
Crashing the [message] boards from the swamps of Louisiana, and blogging Phoenix Suns!
Well, that was kind of a rough game to watch.
But it’s ok because I had a ridiculously good time at the game. I’m always fascinated by the amount of work that goes into a game night and all the jobs I can see happening when I’m lucky enough to sit so close.
Plus, meeting Seth was cool, (even though I forgot to thank him personally for my Goran eyepatch.)
Overall, I really was not thrilled with what I saw. There were some moments where I felt like I was watching the Suns, but it mostly felt lethargic. Markieff Morris did impress me quite a bit and a couple of times I felt great about what Robin was doing out there.
And of course, Steve was Steve and Grant was a man.
Probably the most disappointing thing to me was the play of J-Chill and Channing.
I know it’s just preseason, but we’re so close to the real season, that I feel like there’s some need for mild to moderate concern. I’d like to think I’m wrong.
NBA Blog: www.nbagirl.tumblr.com
Non-NBA Blog: www.reallycoolshenans.tumblr.com
Follow me on Twitter: @PhxSunsGirl84
"Great things come to those who work."
by Dragic_is_Magic on Dec 22, 2011 10:35 PM MST via Android app reply actions
I'd like to think you were wrong, too.
I'm Michael Beasley's imaginary friend.
by suns68 on Dec 22, 2011 10:46 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
I wish you were wrong, but you're not.
Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo
by East Bay Ray on Dec 22, 2011 10:47 PM MST up reply actions
Unfortunately
It seems like preseason basketball is better predictor of regular season play than baseball or football. Not sure why that is.
well, last year the Suns got blown out by 30 or so by Denver, and I think it was twice then as well. Meant a struggle to reach .500
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
big picture
is that our early season isn’t looking good, but our future probably is (Markieff, JD, Rolo all looked good)
Crashing the [message] boards from the swamps of Louisiana, and blogging Phoenix Suns!
Well this certainly can't be true:
Plus, meeting Seth was cool,
No longer trying to light Vince Carter on fire.
by Scott Howard on Dec 22, 2011 11:08 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
When that is one of the highlights
You know it was a rough game.
Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo
by East Bay Ray on Dec 23, 2011 9:22 AM MST up reply actions
Hey, don't tell me you wouldn't be at least a little happy if you met the person responsible for running this place that we all love so much.
NBA Blog: www.nbagirl.tumblr.com
Non-NBA Blog: www.reallycoolshenans.tumblr.com
Follow me on Twitter: @PhxSunsGirl84
"Great things come to those who work."
by Dragic_is_Magic on Dec 23, 2011 10:52 AM MST up reply actions
That sounds like I'm being harsh now that I'm re-reading it,
but I did not mean it to have that connotation, hahah.
NBA Blog: www.nbagirl.tumblr.com
Non-NBA Blog: www.reallycoolshenans.tumblr.com
Follow me on Twitter: @PhxSunsGirl84
"Great things come to those who work."
by Dragic_is_Magic on Dec 23, 2011 10:53 AM MST up reply actions
Of course, I'm just kidding.
I totally support the idea of putting the staff here up on a pedestal. Carry on.
Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo
by East Bay Ray on Dec 23, 2011 10:56 AM MST up reply actions
I figured you were,
but I’m not always the greatest at detecting it in an online setting, hah.
NBA Blog: www.nbagirl.tumblr.com
Non-NBA Blog: www.reallycoolshenans.tumblr.com
Follow me on Twitter: @PhxSunsGirl84
"Great things come to those who work."
by Dragic_is_Magic on Dec 23, 2011 11:29 AM MST via Android app up reply actions
And we're definitely teasing Seth and not you.
Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo
by East Bay Ray on Dec 23, 2011 11:31 AM MST up reply actions
You say that now, DIM...
But wait ‘til he crashes at your place. I’m not saying Seth’s a bad guy, I’m just saying… small doses.
Twitter: @MikeLisboa
by Mike Lisboa on Dec 23, 2011 11:29 AM MST up reply actions 2 recs
Lolz
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Follow me on Twitter: @PhxSunsGirl84
"Great things come to those who work."
by Dragic_is_Magic on Dec 23, 2011 11:39 AM MST via Android app up reply actions
Nice input DIM...
I think we’re all a bit concerned with what we’ve seen from this team so far…especially being that our biggest area of concern during a compressed schedule was finding competent and reliable depth behind our two ageing stars, and thus far, we haven’t really seen anyone step up in their absence.
Price has done fairly well overall, but everytime Nash goes to the bench our offense seems to derail. I’ve been trying to see the positives, such as the defense that Price has played and done so fairly well, but all in all it seems we are still completely reliable on Nash…I just hope Bassy or Ronnie will figure it out sooner than later.
The depth behind Grant is equally concerning…Chilly went scoreless tonight after a sub-par performance in the first preseason game. Luckily we still have Warrick to step in, and he’s done pretty well offensively, but what happens when he has to play the four and Grant needs rest? I really hope Chilly can get this figured out, we could really use him this season.
by 7footer on Dec 22, 2011 11:31 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
At one point in the 2nd qtr a nashless line-up brought us back
Who was out there? I was listining on the radio so I couldnt see but I remember hearing morris and warrick alot. I think it was price dudz warrick morris lopez/siller.
Very effective D and the shots were HOT
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 22, 2011 11:48 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
yeah, there was a point there
where the team was playing well without Nash. I believe it was Price, Dudz, Hill, Hakim, and Lopez. Not completely sure because there was a lot of rotation in there. I think brown played some, siler played a little, and maybe even Frye in that stretch. There was a little time there when we were outplaying Denver’s bench.
Grant Hill for prez.
by sun-arc on Dec 23, 2011 7:21 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
looked it up
Price, Brown, Hill, Hakim, Lopez
Grant Hill for prez.
by sun-arc on Dec 23, 2011 7:24 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
well, Duds is really Grant’s best backup. But then that means the Suns have to play Brown at SG.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
IMO we should play Brown at SG.
If Suns cover their form ,they did well. But if not? This season will be very sad for fans.
Its just so crazy
If brown had outplayed dudz then he would be named stater.
But since dudz is outplaying brown he might be made the 6th man to help bench production. Wtf?? Lol I wish we could have gotten a vet SG like Redd. Someone whod take a one year.
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 23, 2011 9:16 AM MST via Android app up reply actions
If Redd signs, I hope he wears a big red cape to at least add some flair to the game when he lets every single player run past him…
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
by Alex Laugan on Dec 23, 2011 10:50 AM MST up reply actions
awesome stuff
thanks!
Crashing the [message] boards from the swamps of Louisiana, and blogging Phoenix Suns!
That game was awful, sloppy and boring.
That is all.
No longer trying to light Vince Carter on fire.
That one sentence truly says it all.
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"Great things come to those who work."
by Dragic_is_Magic on Dec 22, 2011 11:34 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
And he hates you
And also probably showering.
No longer trying to light Vince Carter on fire.
by Scott Howard on Dec 23, 2011 12:01 AM MST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Maybe morris has more upside than we think
We draft a guy for his size, D, and rebounding and hes throws in a 15 pt stat line including a couple of 3’s?? STAT 2.0??(jk) but foreal can you see he ass a starter on this team in a few seasons. If plays D rebounds and can hit 3s then what would make frye so special? Trade frye and someone for kevin durant and well be in the promise land(also jk))
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 23, 2011 12:14 AM MST via Android app reply actions
Trade for Durant
and your starting piece is Fyre? The Suns don’t have a starting piece to get a All NBA player like Durant
If Morris keeps up that energy and effectiveness, he will be a long-term starter in the league. Maybe even a Horace Grant with a J.
Frye would be good on the second unit, to give it some scoring ability…
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
The fouls are a worry
But rookies get no love from the refs. Starting Morris, and letting Frye match up with backups, might be a smart move. Frye’s weakness (which is his weakness {see what I did there}) is mitigated against backups. Practically no team has a bench 4 who can destroy Frye, and he can still play 30+ minutes a night.
Seems like the 4th quarter was where we sucked most
http://popcornmachine.net/cgi-bin/gameflow.cgi?date=20111222&game=DENPHO – No Nash for 12 minutes, but a lot of Lopez. Shows we really need Gortat healthy.
by MMotherwell on Dec 23, 2011 3:29 AM MST reply actions 2 recs
sweet graphs!
Grant Hill for prez.
by sun-arc on Dec 23, 2011 7:24 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
Gentry got pissed and wasn't calling plays
so our offense didn’t do much during that time. It’s a statistical anomaly.
Voted most likely to say "I told you so"
i think that chilly's confidence has been utterly destroyed
blame sarver for acquiring him, blame gentry for not knowing how to use him, blame chilly himself for sucking, but this is a bad situation that is only getting worse.
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"
are we tanking already?
starting with the preseason games!!!
I think we give them a pass.
We’re criticizing effort, but the games don’t count and the players aren’t playing regular rotations or minutes. Factitious energy can be hard to produce, it needs to be ingenerate.
The defense has been deplorable – but once again a lot of that comes back to energy and intensity. The tenacity will ramp up when the games count (I hope).
If the Suns get blitzkrieged by the Hornets twice in the first three games, then it’s time to be alarmed. That team should definitely be in a greater state of disarray than the Suns considering the circumstances.
It was only called the mildly irritated house on McDowell until I showed up.
by Jim Coughenour on Dec 23, 2011 8:59 AM MST up reply actions
We MUST to start the seasons well
We need to go 4-2 to both keep the dogs of blow it up away, and to be confident that the old people’s home of a roster we’ve built can cope.
I think we should be able to start 8-3 (only Dallas, OKC and the Lakers are likely better than us -and i figure we win one of those and lose a winable game), and if we do, that might be enough to cover the inevitable stumbles of a shortened, less-rest season.
Can we please stop playing the Nuggets now?
It occurs to me when watching them that they are the team I want us to have: no stars but a lot of good players, deep and well-coached. Although I don’t want our team to have Chris Andersen on it, so at least there’s that.
Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo
A lot of good players would be nice.
I’m not opposed to having stars either. That whole Nash and Amare thing worked out pretty good for me while it lasted.
It was only called the mildly irritated house on McDowell until I showed up.
by Jim Coughenour on Dec 23, 2011 9:11 AM MST up reply actions
I like this post-Melo Nuggets team better.
Not sure if they’ll ever make the conference finals like the Melo team did, but I’m definitely jealous that they re-tooled after losing their star player so much better than we have.
Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo
by East Bay Ray on Dec 23, 2011 9:16 AM MST up reply actions
Yeah.
They did better getting multiple starters in return for Melo than Phoenix did with the trade exception they got for Amare.
That’s why I’ve been in favor of trading Nash. I’m just not in favor of star players leaving and a team getting nothing for them. I don’t even like the idea of a player retiring on a team and the team getting nothing for them.
Taking a huge talent that gives a team an advantage and turning it into cap space just doesn’t seem like a good strategy. A team can’t take their biggest assets and hold them until they’re worthless. The team has to be a business. Buy low, sell high…. or at least sell period.
It isn’t at all uncommon for teams to trade their stars if they aren’t going to or can’t keep them. I think that’s actually the usual strategy. I don’t think that most teams operate like Phoenix where they let their stars hit free agency and give them the option to walk away for nothing.
It was only called the mildly irritated house on McDowell until I showed up.
by Jim Coughenour on Dec 23, 2011 9:27 AM MST up reply actions
There's more than one way to skin a cat.
But I can’t stomach another “should we trade Nash?” conversation right now.
Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo
by East Bay Ray on Dec 23, 2011 9:46 AM MST up reply actions
I just want Lopez and Brown to star playing well, so we can trade them for Millsap at the dealine
Then we can bring in a star SG next off-season and hopefully a better backup PG too.
Don't trade Dudley!
not a bad idea. Not sure they’d want Lopez with all their bigs though or that they would want a guy like Brown.
by BringBackBarkley17 on Dec 23, 2011 2:06 PM MST up reply actions
They've got like what, 3 PF's?
They don’t have many noteworthy centers. A good Lopez for Millsap would be a nice swap in my book because it would balance the rotation for both teams. I am seeing the potential for Morris to become a starter. If that’s the case, I’d put Frye at the backup C again and have Millsap come off the bench with him, only he’d still be getting more minutes here than he did in Utah. All we’d have to worry about next season is re-signing Nash, Hill and then adding a star SG and backup PG and SF that could either come through our first round pick or free agency.
Don't trade Dudley!
Big Al is their starting C, they have the rookie Kanter, and Favors can line up at the 5 if need be.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
Hopefully the Okur trade doesn't mean they are keeping 'Sap.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
Yeah, it might. Good trade for the Nets. Sucks that all these other teams are spending nothing and getting guys that could be good for them. And we have a guy like Childress who we are way overpaying who isn’t doing a damn thing. Sucks.
by BringBackBarkley17 on Dec 23, 2011 2:14 PM MST up reply actions
Yeah, they looked to be in trouble with BroLo out 6-8 weeks, but now they are right back in playoff contention.
Unless Okur dies, which is possible considering his recent injury history.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
Very possible
He hasn’t done anything recently
"If Gortat pulls off a real Dream Shake in-game this year I will shave my head.
Mark my words." Piotr Szczesniak 12/12/11 2:12 PM
Cardinals, Suns, D-backs for life!
It's also a case of different strokes.
I am going to be following the Knicks intently again this season.
A lot of that has to do with a certain apostrophied individual, but I am fascinated to see how the team will turn out in general, especially if they get anything from the former pizza mogul.
I am going to be watching some Clippers games this year.
I like watching the Heat.
I also like watching the Nuggets, but not as much as some of the teams with more “star power”.
Last year I watched a lot of playoff basketball since I wasn’t as myopically focused on Phoenix’s playoff run and subsequently crushed by their ultimate elimination. I found that there was a lot of quality product across the league that I really enjoyed.
It was only called the mildly irritated house on McDowell until I showed up.
by Jim Coughenour on Dec 23, 2011 9:32 AM MST up reply actions
A lot of that has to do with a certain apostrophied individual, but I am fascinated to see how the team will turn out in general, especially if they get anything from the former pizza mogul.
Herman Cain joined the Knicks? I had no idea. Lemme guess, he claimed he’d consistently put up a stat line of 9-9-9?
Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo
by East Bay Ray on Dec 23, 2011 9:34 AM MST up reply actions 5 recs
Id rec this
But I cant from sb nation mobile.
Btw this new app rocks
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 23, 2011 9:36 AM MST via Android app up reply actions
a near triple double!
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
by Alex Laugan on Dec 23, 2011 11:04 AM MST up reply actions
Thats nine points, nine rebounds ...
and nine individual acts of perversion so profound and disgusting that decorum prohibits listing them here.
I'm Michael Beasley's imaginary friend.
Re'naldo Balkman?
No longer trying to light Vince Carter on fire.
by Scott Howard on Dec 23, 2011 9:37 AM MST up reply actions
Landry/Melo/Amar’e/Chandler
All these guys need is a star PG and they’d be the favorites to win the East. I wouldn’t be surprised if both Nash and Hill sign for the veterans minimum with them next year.
Don't trade Dudley!
Is there a way to
gove someone a negative rec. If so, consider it done for you Beavis. This is the Bright side. THe Suns will will sign kevin Love, do a sign and trade for James Harden, and sign Nash and Hill to MLE and vet minimum next year. Title here we come.
Fan of the TEAM not a player.
by Suns Fan For Life on Dec 23, 2011 1:15 PM MST up reply actions
seriously, I can’t disagree more. Amare and Melo in the same lineup will never win a ring. They are too similar in strengths and weaknesses. Chandler cant cover for both guys at the same time. And now they cannot afford a “star PG” since they spent all their money on those guys (unless they trade Amare for one).
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
Trouble is, if we stop playing the Nuggets, we have to play someone else.
I'm Michael Beasley's imaginary friend.
The Suns get the Hornets twice in the first three games.
I think they had 6 players report to camp this year.
Only 6 of the 15 players are holdovers from last year.
Even Hollinger picked them below Phoenix.
I’ll take that instead of another game against the Nuggets in the opener.
It was only called the mildly irritated house on McDowell until I showed up.
by Jim Coughenour on Dec 23, 2011 10:13 AM MST up reply actions
A win is a win...
I don’t care if it’s from Saint Francis High School of the Blind , one-legged, and half-crazy…A win is a win…bring on the Hornets….!!!!
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 Dec 23, 2011 10:22 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
If we don’t win both of those, it’s a very bad sign for the season.
by BringBackBarkley17 on Dec 23, 2011 2:17 PM MST up reply actions
its nearly impossible to sweep a team on a home-and-home in the same week, which is what you’re expecting here. Seriously almost impossible. The human factor plays a big role in that, with all other things being equal (ie. talent).
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
last few years, Suns always do real bad against Nuggs in preseason.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
by Alex Laugan on Dec 23, 2011 11:05 AM MST up reply actions
Two links.
1)
(via Doc Funk)
2) At least one person amongst the SBNation NBA cognoscenti thinks the Suns are a worst record of the year candidate. After these two games, I’m thinking maybe the Suns are a little worse than advertised.
Twitter: @MikeLisboa
by Mike Lisboa on Dec 23, 2011 11:36 AM MST reply actions 1 recs
Oh God, I love Doc Funk.
He started following my Tumblr and I nearly cried.
NBA Blog: www.nbagirl.tumblr.com
Non-NBA Blog: www.reallycoolshenans.tumblr.com
Follow me on Twitter: @PhxSunsGirl84
"Great things come to those who work."
by Dragic_is_Magic on Dec 23, 2011 11:43 AM MST via Android app up reply actions
Let's not forget that the Nuggets did this to us twice last season.
So with that said, the good news is that we haven’t regressed.
Don't trade Dudley!
The scores were
98-132
97-116
It’ll be a while before our team makes any real progress from last season. Give it time.
Don't trade Dudley!
thanks for looking that up. I knew they were blowouts.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
Suns 2nd pre-season loss in a row to the nuggets.
It is only the pre-season (thankfully) and the games don’t really mean anything, but the lack of effort,cohesion and toughness is very disappointing. Maybe we just can’t match up against the nuggets regardless of the circumstances.
I still can’t see us winning the west even though we do have a team with solid pieces off the bench and two aging stars in hill and nash. We still lack energy and star-power. Can anyone here honestly see this team making the playoffs? Or for that matter winning a series or two(not realistic to think we can truly win the western conference title either) and advancing to the western conference finals?
I’m actually leaning towards us pinning our hopes on drafting a potential star in the lottery and then trying to add a max free-agent or two. It might be better for this team in the long run if we put ourselves in position to draft an andre drummond, anthony davis,jeremy lamb or marquis teague(still like kabongo and marshall better but they won’t be drafted this high).
We need to get a high lottery pick and a can’t miss talent and go from there. The bottom line is that unless this team can truly position itself for a legitimate playoff run ending with a chance at a title, there’s not much point to making the playoffs in a shortened season.
Better to shoot for the stars and draft one or two can’t miss college stars to finally off-set the loss of amare and richardson’s scoring.
yes I do agree with this, but I don’t see the Suns agreeing with it.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
I told you guys that Shannon sucks
He has awful defensive instincts, can’t pass, loves to chuck, and is an awful shooter. Criminally overrated player.
by NewCavsfan on Dec 23, 2011 1:29 PM MST via mobile reply actions
Im tired of guys with driving ability coming to phoenix think they can just shoot willy nilly
Brown can get to the hole and draw fouls but hed rather try and shoot. Low bball iq + playing for a big contract = brown. I appreciate dudz heart and wish we could clone the guy. 1 more of him and we’d probably have our leading scorer and sixth man.
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 23, 2011 1:33 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
You know your team sucks when...
you talk about Jared Dudley being your leading scorer.
"I don't lift weights because they are heavy, and I don't run because it makes me tired." - Charles Barkley
by Suns R Us on Dec 23, 2011 2:15 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah. There’s a good chance he will be.
by BringBackBarkley17 on Dec 23, 2011 2:20 PM MST up reply actions
Yea I like him
But he does so much other things to only be focused on scoring for us. Wish we had a star scoring forward
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 23, 2011 3:44 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
Thing is Duds only used 10 possessions
and most of his scores were assisted by Steve. It’s not as if he were asked to create for the team. He was just really efficient at making the most of what he got.
Voted most likely to say "I told you so"
That can be a very valuable role though.
Doug McDermott is tied for first in the nation in college scoring, and most of his points are assisted. He just knows where to be on the court to get good shots. But he’s also capable of posting you up and scoring with his back to the basket, which is nice.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
I don't get the Shannon hate
He just had a much better game than his first one. 14 points at an NBA efficient rate, and no turnovers.
Voted most likely to say "I told you so"
Because he could have played smarter
Dudz was 5/6 including 3/4 from downtown. Thats nba worthy
Brown would be ok if he didnt take bad shots which are in my book the equivalent of turnovers. He did play better than tuesday but I wish hed stop being afraid to get to the hole. Play to your strengths, thats why we signed you
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 23, 2011 6:45 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
So, basically, Dudley made him look bad
because he played so much better?
Voted most likely to say "I told you so"
Idk
Its hard to tell based of just the box score and radio really
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 24, 2011 11:03 AM MST via Android app up reply actions
Brown has been with his new team for what? Like 2 weeks?
Give him some time before we judge too much.
"If Gortat pulls off a real Dream Shake in-game this year I will shave my head.
Mark my words." Piotr Szczesniak 12/12/11 2:12 PM
Cardinals, Suns, D-backs for life!
this.
Though I do see Brown’s upside being low, we at least need to give him a little time before roasting him.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
I still want to see our complete starting line up
Hill was out in the first game and Tat missed the second.
I also wanna see how we fair when everyone is one their game(frye) before we make judgements. Chilly has disappointed me but frye, hill, and even nash wont be shooting like this once the season starts.
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 23, 2011 1:30 PM MST via Android app reply actions
Two things ive learned
in 27 years of suns b-ball,Dont get too hyped up over summer leauge nor the pre season,heck even in our hey day of the late 80s when we won fifty games a year we would always hover rouund .500 the first 15 games every year.im not buying into any doom and gloom yet!
"BALL"- Turkish poet Hedo Turkeyglue
Thats true
Im jist worried that a slow start this season might not allow us to play catchup.
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 23, 2011 4:58 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
The Popcorn Analysis...
http://popcornmachine.net/cgi-bin/gameflow.cgi?date=20111222&game=DENPHO is helpful
…shows several things.
1) The Suns were bad every time Nash left the floor. Expected this.
2) The Nuggets were even worse than the Nash-less Suns when Andre Miller left the floor. We actually made our largest run of the game with Nash on the bench. The entire run occurs with Miller OFF the floor. Don’t get too excited about this lineup for the Suns. Its more the Nuggets sucking than our guys doing well.
3) Lineups including Morris AND Childress were really really bad. A total of -17 in only 8 minutes of combined time. -10 with Nash, and -7 without him, meaning it wasn’t just the Nash effect, they really played poorly together. Morris was +10 when Childress wasn’t on the floor. Childress was +4 when Morris wasn’t on the floor. I don’t know why these players aren’t compatible, but they aren’t.
Voted most likely to say "I told you so"
Wow thats impressive
I guess that means that chilly will be out the lineup. Morris is tons more valuable. jchill will still be useful when weve got back to back to backs and hill needs to rest
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 23, 2011 6:51 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
Yeah, Gentry should take a look at that.
"I don't lift weights because they are heavy, and I don't run because it makes me tired." - Charles Barkley
It is so scary to know we play a regular season game in 3 days
I know it is pre season but things aren’t looking great at the moment.
"If Gortat pulls off a real Dream Shake in-game this year I will shave my head.
Mark my words." Piotr Szczesniak 12/12/11 2:12 PM
Cardinals, Suns, D-backs for life!
I here ya
But I think our best hope this season is how the starters not the bench perform early on.
This bench is good
price
brown
Warrick
Morris
Lopez
All these guys have played decent at one point or another and weve learn that morris and chilly cant play together. Im more worried about how long itll take frye and hill to get back into rhythm.
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 23, 2011 8:32 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
I am not sold yet
Until they prove they can
A) Defend and
B)Run something that looks like an offense without Steve on the floor
"If Gortat pulls off a real Dream Shake in-game this year I will shave my head.
Mark my words." Piotr Szczesniak 12/12/11 2:12 PM
Cardinals, Suns, D-backs for life!

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