Phoenix Suns vs. New Orleans Hornets Game Preview: Season On!
by East Bay Ray on Dec 26, 2011 11:19 AM MST
in Phoenix Suns: Game Coverage
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Yesterday's slate of five NBA games provided an appetizer for today's main course of the Phoenix Suns season opener. The Suns start the season facing the New Orleans Hornets, whose defeat of the Suns late last March pounded one of the final nails in the coffin of a lost season.
It will be a radically altered Hornets team the Suns see tonight, after the trade of Chris Paul for Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Al-Farouq Aminu and a draft pick. Greivis Vasquez was acquired from the Grizzlies in a separate trade and will receive a lot of playing time at point guard for the Hornets as well. The Hornets also lost power forward David West to the Pacers in free agency.
The Suns will return the same starting lineup they closed last season with: Steve Nash, Jared Dudley, Grant Hill, Channing Frye and Marcin Gortat, but will try to fill the role of Nash's backup with Ronnie Price and Sebastian Telfair after Aaron Brooks' departure to China. Vince Carter is gone, replaced by Shannon Brown, and rookie Markieff Morris will hope to join the rotation at power forward.
After the short pre-season providing little time for teams to gel, this difference in team cohesion should provide the Suns an advantage. Oh, and not having to face Chris Paul will help too.
Jump into the 2011-2012 season!
When we last saw the Hornets, they pushed the Lakers to 6 games in the first round of the playoffs before being eliminated. Then came the drama of the Chris Paul almost-trade to the Lakers and eventual trade to the Clippers after the NBA's lockout ended.
New Orleans is a defensively-oriented team under head coach Monty Williams, giving up only 94 PPG last season and featuring the strong inside presence of Emeka Okafor. Eric Gordon, the centerpiece of the return for Paul, is an explosive scorer and figures to be the Hornets' go to player. Vasquez will replace Paul at point, which is obviously a huge downgrade, as starter Jarrett Jack is suspended for a DUI.
While the Suns were stable in comparion, they didn't look like it in getting run out of the building twice against the Nuggets in pre-season. Channing Frye is in one of his shooting slumps, Josh Childress still can't find his role on the team and Marcin Gortat suffered a broken thumb in the pre-season opener. But Steve Nash looks as sharp as ever, Jared Dudley demonstrated that his hard offseason work is paying off, and Markieff Morris made a strong case for some serious minutes in the rotation.
A home opener versus a team that's in flux after losing its best player and top two scorers from last season (Paul and West) should be a win for the Suns. After Gordon, the Hornets don't have a lot of scoring options as Carl Landry is their leading returning scorer, and Landry only averaged 11.8 PPG last season.
Let's be blunt. It will be disappointing if this game isn't a win for the Suns. A condensed 66-game schedule will provide many unique pitfalls and few breathers. The Suns are a borderline playoff team at best, and must take advantage of all opportunities to have a successful season.
New Orleans Hornets at Phoenix Suns, 7PM MST, US Airways Center, Phoenix, AZ
Starting Lineups:
PG: Steve Nash vs. Greivis Vasquez
SG: Jared Dudley vs. Eric Gordon
SF: Grant Hill vs. Trevor Ariza
PF: Channing Frye vs. Carl Landry
C: Marcin Gortat vs. Emeka Okafor
Game Notes:
- Marcin Gortat says he will be ready to go tonight, and it sounds like his broken thumb isn't hurting his shooting much, according to Paul Coro. However, he says he's unable to dunk.
- The Hornets go into the season feeling like they have something to prove after the major roster shakeup, according to Jimmy Smith of the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
- Coro wrote an excellent Steve Nash feature for yesterday's Arizona Republic. Spoiler alert: Nash says he doesn't want to be traded.
And I leave Nash with the last word, from the Coro piece:
"You can find reward or fulfillment in every situation. Everyone wants to be in the position where they go into the locker room and say 'we can win a title this year.' But I feel like we've got a lot to prove and a lot to play for, and we can find a way to make it an exciting, rewarding year. Who knows how many people we can surprise? It's not a lost cause. We can be a good team."
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PUMPED!!!
And am I the only one that is (cautiously) optimistic about Warrick moving to the 3 spot? The man seems to possess a smooth jumper and is a good pick’n’roll partner. If Hak can at least attempt to guard the other team’s backup SF (I know, a big “if”), I really like his chances of contributing this year.
by Bostonian Suns Fan on Dec 26, 2011 11:42 AM MST reply actions
There is never a good reason to be optimistic about Warrick
"What's with today, today?" - Lucas
by Walter ChronKite on Dec 26, 2011 11:43 AM MST up reply actions
I agree.
I don’t really understand all the massive Warrick hate. I think he’s perfect for our bench. The biggest weakness of our bench, to me, seems to be the inability to initiate offense without Nash, so we need to have an aggressive scorer that comes off the bench, and Warrick is exactly that. His downside is obviously defense, but if he can be moved to the back-up 3 spot behind Hill, that weakness shouldn’t be as exposed. Guarding backup SFs should be a lot easier for him than PFs. And his offense, judging by the preseason, doesn’t seem to diminish at the 3 spot.
Chilly is painfully unimpressive and Morris looks extremely intriguing, so I’m really hoping Warrick backs up Hill and Morris backs up Frye. I’d actually prefer Frye off the bench behind Morris tho.
by iwasneveryoung on Dec 26, 2011 1:33 PM MST up reply actions
Maybe, just maybe...
Warrick is really a SF which has been misplayed as a PF?
Some signals from the preseason really seem to support this claim. Warrick is quick and explosive and while he seems oversized for SF, he doesn’t seem to be powerful enough to contain opposing PFs. However, he does seem to have developed a jumper which might be similar to that of Grant Hill (nice 20ft jumper with some 3pt potential) and it might just be so that his defensive woes at PF come more from his natural frame and lack of physical power than an innate inability to defend. I mean, if it turns out that Warrick is also a semi-competent defender at SF and that his jumper is real, he will be a really, really strong bench point for the Suns.
Well that's exactly the caveat
How well will he match up against the SF’s of the league defensively? If his footwork is too poor to keep up with those SF’s on the perimeter, then he’s a tweener who’s a blackhole on defense, both as a SF and a PF.
yeah
that’s kinda the problem no matter where you play him. plus his jump shot is really really erratic
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
by Alex Laugan on Dec 26, 2011 4:15 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
I don't trust Warricks shot like I do Grants
He will have to do it consistently for that to be similar. And I don’t think there is any way he can pull up the same way Grant can.
"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!
Well yeah,
no one was saying he is comparable to Hill. Hill is obviously the better player. I just think as a backup SF, Warrick can potentially provide the offensive agression that our bench lacks while simultaneously being (hopefully) less of a failure on defense.
by iwasneveryoung on Dec 26, 2011 4:41 PM MST up reply actions
Hmm yeah
I only saw the second preseason game but I gotta see a game of his I guess cause I remember seeing the Warrick fade away here in Phoenix against the Nuggets. He did shoot over 50% from the field though. He didn’t hit a 3 in preseason and nothing outside 20 ft. I have to see for myself I guess.
"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 am too, BSF. He played well in the preseason and anything is better than Chilly. Warrick could get more time than Chilly this year. We’ll also probably play Brown at the 2 with Dudley at the 3 a fair amount.
by BringBackBarkley17 on Dec 26, 2011 3:20 PM MST up reply actions
Suns win because the Hornets don't know the name of they guy they are passing to.
"What's with today, today?" - Lucas
by Walter ChronKite on Dec 26, 2011 11:44 AM MST reply actions 1 recs
I like this.
It’s like a high-stakes shirts vs. skins game at a gym court.
Twitter: @MikeLisboa
by Mike Lisboa on Dec 26, 2011 12:33 PM MST up reply actions
Kind of like when Wilcox passed the ball to Melo yesterday.
by BringBackBarkley17 on Dec 26, 2011 3:21 PM MST up reply actions
Wow, Gortat looks like he's ready to beat the crap out of someone.
I hope that means a win.
Don't trade Dudley!
phx cant catch a break
sucks that march broke his thumb. there is always something else.
I am really hoping that one of our bench players (im looking at you chill) has a breakout year and that we can unload warrick for a draft pick.
Today is the Day
Do we start on a high note or a low?
Member of the "Let’s Make FanShots Relevant!" Club
Just in time
The Cardinals are out of the Playoff run, so now we get basketball and hockey to fill in.
I’m hoping that they can shock the world and somehow pull into the Playoffs, but I’m doubtful. Although it’s still Phoenix Suns basketball though, so let’s go Suns!
Joe Saunders: "They played a really good game, so hats off to us"
so Ray,
are you prepared to start at least 3 gamethreads tonight? Lot’s of pent-up energy amongst the BSotS fanbase!
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
by Alex Laugan on Dec 26, 2011 12:28 PM MST up reply actions
I'll be at the game, Alex.
Can you help a brother out? I’ve got the first thread ready to roll but you’re right. It will take a few!
Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo
by East Bay Ray on Dec 26, 2011 1:34 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
finally
it might sound stupid but I’m excited that I can finally set alarm-clock at 3 a.m. and watch the Suns
Greetings from Poland, chn.
by chn on Dec 26, 2011 12:32 PM MST reply actions 1 recs
yup.
back to my regular schedule (12.00 – sleep; buzzer 3.05; 5.30 sleep; 8.00 buzzer nr 2)
Feed the cutter!!!
by Piotr Szczesniak on Dec 26, 2011 1:21 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
i’m not even gonna sleep
@jatrex
is the Phoenix about to rise after burning or the ashes has been blown away
by jatrex4suns on Dec 26, 2011 2:24 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
You guys are crazy
I love my Suns but that would be so rough to do all season…. I don’t know if I could pull it off.
"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!
You guys are awesome
I wish we could ship in more devout fans such as you.
"I could have been king, but in my own way I am king. Hail to the king baby." Ash from Army of Darkness
by Turambar on Dec 26, 2011 2:50 PM MST up reply actions 3 recs
You international fans are redonkulous
Much respect
by lixuec on Dec 26, 2011 2:53 PM MST up reply actions 3 recs
Go Suns.
I doubt ,that MG will play tonight. He wants but I think Gentry start with Lopez. Time to wake up, Frye and Chill. I hope, the Suns will show solid basket and they’ll win.
The car has passed . Move the net back into the street cuz it's, GAME ON!!!!!
by SunKing on Dec 26, 2011 1:20 PM MST reply actions 5 recs
Stacy Alert!
"Who are we kidding?..."
by Larfleeze on Dec 26, 2011 3:03 PM MST up reply actions 2 recs
Party on Wayne
Party on Garth
"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!
LETS GO SUNS!! I have been waiting forever for this...
COACH GRANT HILL 2013
Oh man
So excited for our season to start! You will find me camped at the TV tonight, that is for sure.
"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!
Hoping to watch at least a bit
In the JFK airport chili’s. So pumped for this game and I really wish I could see it! Looking forward to some more excellent games though.
Crashing the [message] boards from the swamps of Louisiana, and blogging Phoenix Suns!
by PHXgp on Dec 26, 2011 2:15 PM MST via mobile reply actions
Any vague hope of seeing new uni's tonight?
For once i want to be able to go into the team shop and actually want to buy a uni.
Oh well, at least I’ll get to have some fun at the opening game rocking my Thunder Dan jersey
"I could have been king, but in my own way I am king. Hail to the king baby." Ash from Army of Darkness
There are plans for new unis
Had no idea
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 26, 2011 2:55 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
Not necessarily
There were plans before Kerr left and then once he left they tapered off.
Seems to me that at some point they’d like to, but only God knows when
"I could have been king, but in my own way I am king. Hail to the king baby." Ash from Army of Darkness
They wont do it until nash leaves and/or we get a new superstar
As a “New Era” of suns bball thing.
I want to see a black and purp/orange uni. With flame trim
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 26, 2011 3:49 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
Woot League Pass is free until...
sometime early January 2012. Sun’s team effort on defense is all i ask. I might not even care for a win tonight.
"Who are we kidding?..."
Direct tv or dish
Or both?
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 26, 2011 3:04 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
It should be free for every which way you can view League Pass
Not sure about that though
"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!
Ok ive got dish
Hopefully when I get home ill be able to view some planet orange goodness. Otherwise its back to the streams/radio
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 26, 2011 3:14 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
I tried it with Cox cable and
All the league pass channels are blank right now but I was able to get on the stats central channel they have so not quite sure if it means I have league pass available or not.
"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!
Think it's just LP Broadband
Free period ends 9th Jan. But I’d get on it early because it was overloaded as hell yesterday for the first 2 games.
by Toon Army Sun on Dec 26, 2011 3:23 PM MST up reply actions
Just checked and it’s working on my U-Verse. Sweet!
by BringBackBarkley17 on Dec 26, 2011 5:34 PM MST up reply actions
Alrighty just got home n checked
League pass is a go
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 26, 2011 5:18 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
The two losses to Denver has me a little on edge.
I know they were only pre-season games but we got smashed. The one positive was Morris looks like he’s ready to play his role now, not 5 years away ready now. He did foul out of both games but we have plenty of depth with our bigs.
I would be heart broken if we lose to the Hornets. The only match up in their favour i can see is Gordan vs Dudley. Having said all of this it’s great to have Suns basketball back in my lounge room.
No matter what happens though Kobes last minute melt down against the Bulls made it a very merry xmas.
Pacific division.1-2 yesterday
Gotta capitalize especially against a western opponent.
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
by phxpurple on Dec 26, 2011 3:32 PM MST via Android app reply actions
And Steve Nash said "Let there be basketball!"
And there was basketball.
Suns basketball is officially back!!!
Once you go Nash, you won't wanna go back.
by NashMV3 on Dec 26, 2011 3:57 PM MST reply actions 1 recs
So glad to be back on BSOTS
The only place where I feel understood when I’m talking about BAMF, ICMF, Dudz, Chilly, Fropez and Silo.
"After the game, my teammates congratulated and joked around with me. Alvin came to me and said, "Kid, you see? Every game you can play like that!" The players were joking around with me, calling me Goran Jordan"
Going to the game tonight... got tickets from Fry's..
How much does parking cost?
"Did Michael Jordan join the Pistons when he couldn't beat them? No. He dug down deep and went out and kicked their fucking ass."
Really depends on where you want to park
I prefer the parking garage personally but it doesn’t really matter. I usually pay like 10 bucks for the garage.
"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!
Thanks everybody!
"Did Michael Jordan join the Pistons when he couldn't beat them? No. He dug down deep and went out and kicked their fucking ass."
No problem man
Enjoy the game. I am really jealous! Hahaha
"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!
Cheap usually
you can get $5 parking pretty close to the stadium
"I could have been king, but in my own way I am king. Hail to the king baby." Ash from Army of Darkness
depends
on how close you park. find a meter on the street a couple blocks west of stadium. free after 6pm. outdoor lots $5. garages $10+.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
by Alex Laugan on Dec 26, 2011 4:19 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
light rail is free
w/ tickets
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Dec 26, 2011 4:21 PM MST up reply actions
Also this
I moved to Tempe at the start of this semester so I need to utilize the light rail to the arena this year for sure.
"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!
but its a bitch to take it back after the game. long lines.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
by Alex Laugan on Dec 26, 2011 4:22 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
Good point
I do remember seeing that now that you mention it….
"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!
so go grab a beer and wait….??
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Dec 26, 2011 4:27 PM MST up reply actions
that works!
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
by Alex Laugan on Dec 26, 2011 4:28 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
by the way
I like this DROID app for BSotS. cept why can’t we rec comments or articles yet?
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
by Alex Laugan on Dec 26, 2011 4:30 PM MST via Android app up reply actions
send in that feedback
I’m just glad they got the commenting function working
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Dec 26, 2011 5:54 PM MST up reply actions
60% of the time it works
Everytime
"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!
21 in less than 2 months....
So very soon
"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!
ahahahahaha
touche fine sir, touche
"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!
Time to get it on...
Let’s go Suns…!!!!!
STAT may be gone but the Suns will rise....! BTW, If positivity is a crime, I plead guilty by reason of T-Bird...!
These last 2 hours are going to go by really slowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwlllllyyyyyyy
"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!
Impossible right now
Too excited for first game of the NBA season for the Suns haha
"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 know why Jarret Jack can't play tonight
he’s still in trauma after this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv6ezgCmsno&feature=player_embedded
I don't know what to put in my sig.
by shawndy on Dec 26, 2011 5:06 PM MST reply actions 1 recs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv6ezgCmsno&feature=player_embedded
I don't know what to put in my sig.
hahaha gotta love BAMF. So glad he’s back. I can hardly wait for the game also!
by BringBackBarkley17 on Dec 26, 2011 5:36 PM MST up reply actions
LIVE STREAMINGS
Visit www.mynbatv.com to watch high quality NBA live Streams !
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