Phoenix Suns/New Orleans Hornets Game Preview: Will The Suns Break Into The Win Column?
by Alex Laugan on Dec 30, 2011 8:46 AM MST
in Phoenix Suns: Game Coverage
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PrintAmid all the doom and gloom, we got a game today. After losing in the final seconds to New Orleans in the season opener, the Suns try to turn the tables in the Big Easy tonight.
I get that the Suns are a middling-to-bad team. I get that Steve Nash and Grant Hill, the team leaders, are struggling big-time to get their old bodies to move at NBA speed. But the panic around these here parts the last couple of days has been quite crazy. Oh, I'm not questioning the conclusion that the Suns are a bad team. I'm just a little surprised at... the surprise, from so many, that the Suns are showing it on the court. The Modern Nashian Age is effectively over. All we have left is the limp to the finish line.
And the limp continues in New Orleans tonight, against a team not afraid to slow it down and win ugly. Their coach - Monty Williams - doesn't care how the team looks, as long as they win at least as many games as they are supposed to win. The Hornets look so beatable every time they play the Suns, yet somehow have won 4 of 5 over the Suns since the beginning of last season.
Here's what I'm going to be watching tonight: Robin Lopez and Markieff Morris. Neither is a future all-star, nor will either player see the floor for more than 30 minutes. But both players are key to the Suns' future.
Update: No final word yet, but Eric Gordon - he of the game-winning shot on Monday - may not play Friday night due to a knee bruise. But don't let that raise your hopes. Without Gordon (and with Jack), the Hornets beat the Celtics by 19 on Wednesday night.
Robin Lopez, the 23-year old veteran, is a rare commodity - 7'2", active and talented. Sure, he's injury-prone and not a great rebounder. But if he keeps playing at this level, he will get DeAndre Jordan money next summer - $8-10 million a year - either from the Suns or from another team. He's not the shot-blocker or dunker that Jordan is, but he's got a better offensive game to make up for it. How the Suns capitalize on this suddenly-healthy asset is KEY to the next 12 months. Do they keep Lopez, and trade Gortat? Or vice-versa? Or keep both, thinking you can't ever have too many bigs?
Markieff Morris is the 21-year old more-talented-than-we-thought rookie who just may be starting-quality caliber on a playoff team. He rebounds, hustles and shoots with range. His pedigree includes strong post defense. Are we looking at the next Rasheed Wallace, the kind of guy who can help win a lot of games? Or is he "merely" a 15-year rotational big man that everyone wants on their roster. Either way, the Suns hit it big with the 14th pick.
Everyone else on the roster? Either disappointing, declining, "known quantities" or some combination of all three. The Suns must decide who stays long-term and who goes for younger assets with more risk yet higher ceiling.
I digress. Back to tonight's game.
We know who the Hornets are. They play slow, they play ugly, they barely know each other. Their best players are pretty good - Trevor Ariza, Emeka Okafor, Carl Landry, Chris Kaman and Eric Gordon. Plus, Jarrett Jack is back at PG. He is not a great PG, but he's better than Vasquez, who led the team to a win on Monday night. Jack had 21, 9 and 4 in the Hornets' second game upon his return from a one-game suspension.
But the Suns CAN beat this team. If Nash, Hill and Channing Frye play to their past levels, the Suns can beat the Hornets.
And if the Suns win this game, BSotS Nation will calm down a bit. But it won't change their future. The 2011-2012 season is self-contained in Suns history. The team will not resemble the talent of the past, and they will not represent the talent of the future. This is a bridge season.
At least there's only 4 months and 64 games left.
Check out the Hornets' blog: At The Hive
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I miss Alex's previews.
and this game previews usually leads to a win. Go Suns!
I don't know what to put in my sig.
thanks for that, but unfortunately my previews led to a losing record last year. Something like 3-10 until a late-season surge.
Sorry.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
but this season is a new season.
I could really feel we would win this game. aww yeah! End 2011 right!!
I don't know what to put in my sig.
10 Mil for Lopez ?
No way i will pay him that, it takes 1 or 2 good games to make that kind of assumption ? besides he is not a great rebounder, i am on board with Seth when he said he was scare about us making a mistake on signing FA, Lopez would get 6 mil from me next year max.
And about the game, i want to see Shannon/Childress as starters and Dudley/Hill in the bench.
Blind enough to believe on Pudgemonster.
Hey pot, my name is kettle. You’re admonishing me about jumping to conclusions too quickly? lol. I love this community!
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
Not admonishing you whatever that means
Not a personal thing, i am just saying that Lopez is not worth 10 mil.
Blind enough to believe on Pudgemonster.
Oh i love the word
1. To reprove gently but earnestly.
2. To counsel (another) against something to be avoided; caution.
3. To remind of something forgotten or disregarded, as an obligation or a responsibility
Felt like Jim Coughenouer
Blind enough to believe on Pudgemonster.
by Lino Canaan on Dec 30, 2011 9:20 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
It's easy to remember as a precursor to punishment.
That’s what I tell my kids.. first an admonishment, then if the behavior persists a punishment.
Admonishment, punishment…. sequentially linked…. easy to remember.
It was only called the mildly irritated house on McDowell until I showed up.
by Jim Coughenour on Dec 30, 2011 12:05 PM MST up reply actions
its all good. Of course Lopez is not worth 10 mill. But if he produces all year like these first two games, some NBA GM will very likely give him that. There are very few (ie. less than two dozen) “available” 7-footers who are 23 years old and can play at Lopez’s level when he’s healthy. The key is health, but free agent offers historically ignore health issues. All it takes is one.
The pot/kettle thing was in reference to your conclusion that 40% of the starting lineup should change after only 1-2 games.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
Alex ,stop talking :if someone will do something.
Maybe we will judge players after season. Lopez played one good game. We know about his skills and now we’re talking about new agreement.
Lopez if
yeah, if he plays like this all year, which is a good possibility, I agree he’ll get big money. But I think because of his rebounding, I think he won’t get more than 6m. But he is a good asset at this point.
Grant Hill for prez.
by sun-arc on Dec 30, 2011 11:09 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
It's similar to the Amare situation
(although definitely not identical)
The Suns could have offered Amare less than the max before his final year and he might have taken it coming off the eye injury – it would have been a calculated gamble.
The Suns let him play the year on an expiring contract and Amare did well and increased his market value.
Same parameters will hold true for Lopez. The Suns aren’t really in a position to take the gamble of attempting to sign Lopez for cheaper now, though, because it would compromise some of their cap space. This is apparently the plan they have chosen to enact.
Make no mistake. Alex, you are right sir. If Lopez performs at his current level of play for the next 64 games he will be worth somewhere close to $10 million per. Then the Suns will be faced with an interesting predicament with regards to cap space allocation….
It was only called the mildly irritated house on McDowell until I showed up.
by Jim Coughenour on Dec 30, 2011 12:14 PM MST up reply actions
Beavis, Beavis....
That’s not the way the Suns conduct their business….
It was only called the mildly irritated house on McDowell until I showed up.
by Jim Coughenour on Dec 30, 2011 12:39 PM MST up reply actions
Truth
We’ll trade Lopez and a 1st round pick for cash.
It’s the Suns way, dammit.
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."
:( this would be funnier
if it wasn’t the truth… Why do they do this to us???
Soo, it turns out I was right!!! Kinda disappointed now..
by Aztiramtempe on Dec 30, 2011 2:31 PM MST up reply actions
Jordan averaged 7 and 7 last year.
Alex is completely right about GMs being willing to pay young 7-footers.
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.
Agreed $8-$10 Mill for the Fropez seems unrealistic.
Even if he smashes the shit out of stats this season.
"What's with today, today?" - Lucas
by Walter ChronKite on Dec 30, 2011 2:03 PM MST up reply actions
isnt he a RFA
someone like golden states gonna want him and theyll pay him the money. then if we wanna keep him well be forced to pay that cash
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
why? Jordan did 7 and 7 and took years to grab a starting spot.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
And he had Chris Kaman behind him too.
Obviously Kaman had durability issues, but he’s still a quality player. Teams just love young 7-footers.
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 would change
kieff for fry in line up
"BALL"- Turkish poet Hedo Turkeyglue
by stevedavis_ on Dec 30, 2011 11:18 AM MST up reply actions
i would too
both for him to play with Nash, to add more D to the starters, and to add Frye back to the bench for the potential of a really good scoring punch. I’m assuming his shot will come back very soon.
Grant Hill for prez.
by sun-arc on Dec 30, 2011 11:25 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
Childress was Lon Babby's Gift that Keeps on giving...
Stats: Josh couldn’t even shoot 50% from the charity stripe last year. 16.6 minutes a game and 5 points. Lon Babby game Childress a 5 years, $33.5 million contract in July, 2010.
A disaster for the team and its balance sheet, but a big piece of the dough went to, James Tanner, a partner of Babby’s former law firm. Williams and Connolly. Lon Babby, a lawyer and former partner at Williams and Connolly, has been President of Basketball Operations for the Suns since summer, 2010. One wonders if Lon is competent at ‘Basketball Operations’ or if he is just good at just fleecing fans money.
actually, no. Childress switched agencies before coming back to the US. He was with Octagon when he returned.
http://www.sportsagentblog.com/2010/06/30/on-to-the-next-one-josh-childress/
This was widely reported and discussed all last summer. While Babby may have had a soft spot for Childress as a former client (2 agent switches ago), it was Childress who dropped them before coming back to the NBA from Greece.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
also discussed in this article last summer as well.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/2010/07/wizards-are-the-tortoise-that.html
Childress was a hot commodity. About 8 teams interested in him when he returned from Greece. Its a real shame he isn’t the same player that left the NBA just 3 years ago to play in Greece because the Hawks wouldn’t offer him market value (they gave Josh Smith lots of money, and had already paid Joe Johnson lots of money).
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
Why must you bring facts...
…into a perfectly good and pessimistic conspiracy theory from BSOTS’s resident pessimist this season?
Twitter: @MikeLisboa
If Gordon doesn’t play, our chances to win go up exponentially. If we steal lose with him out, then we’re in baaaaad shape.
by BringBackBarkley17 on Dec 30, 2011 10:58 AM MST up reply actions
Dear, dear Suns...
Please come out and play tonight. Please, please break into the win column. Please give me a shred of hope for the 2012 Suns, and don’t you dare fall apart just when the game gets good!
"I told him, 'Son, what is it with you? Is it ignorance or apathy?' He said, 'Coach, I don't know and I don't care."
Thanks for the perspective, Alex.
And I like the Markieff/Rasheed comparison. What has most impressed me about Markieff so far is that he has such a wide skill set. Despite his gaffe at the end of the first Hornets game, his ball handling has been promising. Early on it seemed he was forcing the 3s a bit, but he can legitimately make that shot.
I just want a win, any win against any opponent. Otherwise it will start to become a psychological problem for both players and fans. Might as well be tonight, right?
Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo
by East Bay Ray on Dec 30, 2011 9:44 AM MST via Android app reply actions
One big difference between Markieff and Rasheed is that Markieff isn't a stark raving lunatic.
I always felt that little detail held ’Sheed back from reaching his full potential.
I have to go back a ways for a good comparison, but Markieff reminds me a lot of former Sun Truck Robinson, who’s kind of forgotten now but was big-time in his day.
I'm Michael Beasley's imaginary friend.
by suns68 on Dec 30, 2011 10:15 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
he reminds me of
A young terry mills,I said young terry not the older heavy one that jacked up a bunch of shots
"BALL"- Turkish poet Hedo Turkeyglue
by stevedavis_ on Dec 30, 2011 11:21 AM MST up reply actions
Another difference is Keef doesn't have near the post game Sheed did.
He was nearly unstoppable when he decided to get a foot in the paint. Unfortunately for his former coaches, he would rather chuck up left-handed 3s than work down low most times.
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.
that's a great point about ball handling
and decent at moving the ball, he’s already had a few heads-up passes to Lopez in the paint
by ninecharacters on Dec 30, 2011 1:15 PM MST up reply actions
I hope we run, run, run
I know we’re not built for speed anymore, but we’re still at our best when we push it whenever we can.
I don’t care if it’s not SSOL, but as long as they try to play fast and frenetic, I think we’ll be able to score more than 83 points.
I think.
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."
Why are you writing off Kieff as not a future all star?
I’m definitely expecting to see him in the rookie-soph game this season.
Who knows what he’ll be in a few years with starter minutes? Especially if the Suns get better and as the current crop of Western Conference PF studs ages out of the all-star mix.
Lots of guys who came out of college in the mid first round went on to be all-stars. Marion springs immediately to mind.
I'm Michael Beasley's imaginary friend.
by suns68 on Dec 30, 2011 10:07 AM MST via mobile reply actions
My guess would be his athleticsm
He doesn’t really have an elite level of that which I feel like the majority of all-stars do.
No longer trying to light Vince Carter on fire.
by Scott Howard on Dec 30, 2011 10:12 AM MST up reply actions
plus the depth of power forwards in the league. It’s tough to make the ASG as a PF.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
by Alex Laugan on Dec 30, 2011 10:57 AM MST up reply actions
Yeah, both of those are so true. It will be tough, but he could get there some day.
by BringBackBarkley17 on Dec 30, 2011 10:59 AM MST up reply actions
Works hard...who knows...Karl Malone wasn't very athletic...
But he made himself an All-star through hard work and dedication to improving his shot…
STAT may be gone but the Suns will rise....! BTW, If positivity is a crime, I plead guilty by reason of T-Bird...!
I see him as being similar to Kurt Thomas
Strong, lower body strength, smart player, good rebounder, and consistent jump shot.
Voted most likely to say "I told you so"
This morning I was just wondering
who is the 2nd best player on our team? Gortat? Hill?
And how many teams have a worse 2nd best player? The Bobcats?
If I were Nash or Grant HIll, I couldn’t help but asking myself… “Why?” I’d think they’re too good of human beings to not continue to act classy and play hard and say the right things. But they know this team has no hope. And they’re the leaders of this team.
Sorry for hibernating for 8 months and then coming back with such a doom and gloom comment. Just had to get it outta my system.
Grant Hill is totally the next MJ!!
by gadogry on Dec 30, 2011 10:08 AM MST reply actions 1 recs
When Grant signed here he was maybe the 4th best player on the team
behind Nash, Marion, Amare
Now he’s our second banana.
Wow.
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."
Gortat is the second-best player, I believe. He’s just injured right now.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
by Alex Laugan on Dec 30, 2011 10:58 AM MST up reply actions
Disagree, Grant is sort of our anchor on defense
He defends the best player every night. Until Gortat has that much responsibility, he’s the 3rd guy.
Don't trade Dudley!
Our second-best player...
Is playing Chinese checkers with Stephon Marbury at this writing.
I'm Michael Beasley's imaginary friend.
by suns68 on Dec 30, 2011 12:15 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
The key to winning tonights game....
Is getting that round orange thingy into the hoop. Preferably more times than the other team.
AKA: Alex Karandreas co-founder of AZ based social polling site Wepolls.com
by Revkrazy on Dec 30, 2011 10:17 AM MST reply actions 2 recs
[ Furiously grabs pen and note pad ]
Tell me more…..
No longer trying to light Vince Carter on fire.
by Scott Howard on Dec 30, 2011 10:18 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
It helps to jump or alteast a little hop when making a jumper
But the most important thing is that they dribble the ball…
I think if they remeber to score, dribble and jump they have a good chance at winning.
AKA: Alex Karandreas co-founder of AZ based social polling site Wepolls.com
go on....
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."
Time to revenge.
Dear Suns Forget about last two game. Just play your best basketball tonight and win this game.
Dwight Howard
This may not be too pertinent to us, but it seems as though the Magic are taking offers from all teams for Dwight, so does anybody see any offer from us even being contemplated by Orlando. Is so what offer do you envision?…
rahh hulk smash, ok not really
by yung.hulk on Dec 30, 2011 10:38 AM MST via mobile reply actions
We oughtta trade gortat for dwight!
by Migonads on Dec 30, 2011 11:13 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
not sure we have the assets for him
but if we were to trade possibly gortat, lopez, dudz and morris, they MIGHT take it. I think the guy is amazing. I’d love to have him- but it would be nice to get him as a FA rather than a trade, if its possible. At this point, I’m not sure we have the trade assets to nab him. Someone with better talent (minnesota, for instance) would be better trade bait for him.
Grant Hill for prez.
by sun-arc on Dec 30, 2011 11:30 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
lol that would tick Marcin off
My best offer for Dwight….any and everyone who is not Nash, Hill, Robin or Markieff, plus a 2013 first rounder.
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7zgx9zk
+6 wins, so maybe we’ll get to .500!
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."
ps: I know ORL wouldn't do this
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."
Really, I think we could offer more than the Nets did
Thing is, their ego may be too big to take back Gortat.
Then it’s about getting Dwight to extend his contract with us. Sarver would have to convince him that he’d do whatever he can to land Westbrook and or Eric Gordon next summer.
Don't trade Dudley!
However, just for fun
Gortat, Lopez, Morris, Brown and two first round picks for Dwight Howard.
I’d take Gortat over Brook Lopez any day. Robin Lopez is finally healthy. Getting back two centers I think would be big for them. Morris is a good piece as well and so are the 2 first round picks. Brown is a throw in.
Then, Dwight can tweet Westbrook all the way to Phoenix and when he gets here, Sarver will be ready to throw some money at him. It’s the perfect plan! I wish…
Don't trade Dudley!
I would not trade all 3 of those bigs. Maybe Gortat, Frye, Brown and two picks.
by BringBackBarkley17 on Dec 30, 2011 1:47 PM MST up reply actions
I would trade the entire Suns roster for Dwight Howard.
If the Suns had Howard, cap space, and 14 empty slots to fill they would be in MUCH better shape moving forward than they are now.
Howard and what’s left of my sandwich could win 40 games a year. If Howard was in Phoenix, the Suns would have no problem getting another premiere talent to join him.
The problem with these scenarios is that Howard doesn’t want to play in Phoenix (and subsequently won’t sign a contract to play in Phoenix).
Neither does any prominent player that I know of.
Hopefully the Suns prove me wrong and don’t end up embarrassing themselves by begging players to take their money this offseason as a result of their brilliant plan to clear cap space….
At the very least it should be entertaining. Kind of like that Sixers game.
It was only called the mildly irritated house on McDowell until I showed up.
by Jim Coughenour on Dec 30, 2011 2:45 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
wow, you’ve seriously applied the “only losers would date me” complex to the Suns.
Chris Paul is excited to be a Clipper. Stranger things have happened.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
I think the Clipper phenomenon is a great sign for Suns fans.
It shows that the owner truly doesn’t matter. If superstars will play for Donald Sterling, they will definitely play for Robert Sarver.
Unfortunately, they had on court talent to draw that superstar to them. That’s something we still have to work on.
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.
It only takes only lucky bounce of that draft ping poing balls....
for the Clippers to go from cursed to respectable….
STAT may be gone but the Suns will rise....! BTW, If positivity is a crime, I plead guilty by reason of T-Bird...!
Terrible deal
Although, good players, JJ isn’t worth it because of his contract. If they could get Josh Smith, some first round picks and a couple other pieces then it’s not so bad.
Don't trade Dudley!
What's Altlanta left with after that.. trade...
Howard ain’t going to want to play with what’s left of that trade carnage…
STAT may be gone but the Suns will rise....! BTW, If positivity is a crime, I plead guilty by reason of T-Bird...!
actually
if Dwill goes to ATl then
Dwill
Mcgrady
x
Horford
Howard
Thats a pretty good team. way better than what orlandos got plus with JJ and Jsmooth off the books then can go sign some more role players and vets who are hungry for rings like mcgrady
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
Big assumptions, and no money left to fill out the team.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
We won't be able to trade for Howard
because we aren’t able to take back Turkoglu’s contract they are trying to get rid of in the deal.
Voted most likely to say "I told you so"
Am I the only onr not interested in Howard? I rather have a Williams or really good SG.
But hey what do I know?
AKA: Alex Karandreas co-founder of AZ based social polling site Wepolls.com
My thinking is
If you are only going to have 1 superstar to build around I would rather have a PG who can run the team.
AKA: Alex Karandreas co-founder of AZ based social polling site Wepolls.com
Howard wants to win Championship.
He looks team with other 1 or 2 very good players -All star lavel.
maybe...
we are just waiting to be on national TV to get our first win!!!
Great takeaway, Alex.
The 2011-2012 season is self-contained in Suns history. The team will not resemble the talent of the past, and they will not represent the talent of the future. This is a bridge season.
The Suns squad of 2012-2013 will look nothing like the current roster. Hopefully the current iteration gives us something more than just the Wait-Till-Next-Year Blues.
Twitter: @MikeLisboa
I think that's the pitch they used to sell Grant.
Funny thing – it worked.
Guess sometimes it’s more about how you say something than what you say….
It was only called the mildly irritated house on McDowell until I showed up.
by Jim Coughenour on Dec 30, 2011 12:52 PM MST up reply actions
Wow, they have 3 players averaging over 17ppg
Does anybody remember what that felt like?
Don't trade Dudley!
two of those only played 1 game so far. Gordon and Jack. just saying.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
by Alex Laugan on Dec 30, 2011 12:32 PM MST up reply actions
The Suns leading scorer is Hakim Warrick.
I knew that signing would pay dividends when they brought him on board last summer!
Kudos to the front office for such a bargain value! How many front offices across the league can boast a free agent signing that nets a leading scorer for a paltry $4 million?
I’m pretty much speechless based on what they’ve managed to pull off.
It was only called the mildly irritated house on McDowell until I showed up.
by Jim Coughenour on Dec 30, 2011 12:47 PM MST up reply actions 4 recs
I detect no sarcasm...
and in no way find the fact that Hakim Warrick is the Suns’ leading scorer alarming.
Twitter: @MikeLisboa
They even have Warrick listed in the sample
for the ticket giveaway as the Suns leading scorer.
Warrick is a stud.
When people across the country think “Suns leading scorer” they think Hakim Warrick.
He’s practically the face of the franchise.
It was only called the mildly irritated house on McDowell until I showed up.
by Jim Coughenour on Dec 30, 2011 2:54 PM MST up reply actions
What if Garret Siler goes off for 16 tonight...?
STAT may be gone but the Suns will rise....! BTW, If positivity is a crime, I plead guilty by reason of T-Bird...!
16 what? 16 quick steps? that would be amazing.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
by Alex Laugan on Dec 30, 2011 5:09 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
If we put a Jumbo Jack on the baseline...Who knows what can happen...?
STAT may be gone but the Suns will rise....! BTW, If positivity is a crime, I plead guilty by reason of T-Bird...!
Redd had offers elsewhere, but the former All-Star known for sweet shooting and brutal knee injuries, on Thursday signed a $1.05 million, one-year, prorated veteran’s minimum contract with the Suns. The deal is guaranteed. Redd and the Suns are counting on the team’s superstars — the athletic trainers, not Nash and Grant Hill — to help rediscover some of the form that had Redd average more than 20 points each season from 2003-04 through 2008-09. – Arizona Republic
AKA: Alex Karandreas co-founder of AZ based social polling site Wepolls.com
Sorry wasn't sure if it was a guaranteed thing.
Thought I would share.
AKA: Alex Karandreas co-founder of AZ based social polling site Wepolls.com
Money - guaranteed.
Performance – not so much.
It was only called the mildly irritated house on McDowell until I showed up.
by Jim Coughenour on Dec 30, 2011 12:48 PM MST up reply actions
Suns need to get some momentum going,starting with a win tonight.
Okay, this is another chance to get our first win and try to build some positive energy and momentum. If gordon isn’t playing tonight that should help our chances a little bit. If we come out focused and with a chip on our shoulder there’s no reason to think we can’t get this win. Go Suns! Show some energy and fight and squash the bugs!
Don't make me sacrifice another puppy.
Positives from awful Philly loss: Warrick showing some aggression (on offense), Price playing hard occasionally (I kinda like the guy), Fropez passing well a few times, Morris’s size and strength. Um, done.
Reality check: We look old, slow, confused, soft and demoralized. Turrrrible shooting. TO’s R Us. Gentry doesn’t know how to coach a bad team.
Bright side: [Long pause] That may have been Nash’s worst and shortest game ever, but he’s well rested and I’m sure hungry. Frye just can’t be this bad all of a sudden. Grant’s knee may be bothering him but he’ll BAMF back. Predict low scoring ugly W – but have dognapped an adorable poodle just in case.
by Van2010 on Dec 30, 2011 1:27 PM MST reply actions 1 recs
Warrick was good on offense
But WOW, his defense was even worse than I remembered. The man he was guarding (aka watching from a distance) was constantly getting open under the hoop. Good offense means nothing if you give up twice as many points on the other end.
"The Knicks with the swiss cheese defense.
...Vince Carter likes cheese." -Walt Frazier
lol great post, Van. I agree. Rec’d. Love the TO’s R Us.
by BringBackBarkley17 on Dec 30, 2011 1:50 PM MST up reply actions
The Panic?
I’m just a little surprised at… the surprise, from so many, that the Suns are showing it on the court. The Modern Nashian Age is effectively over. All we have left is the limp to the finish line.
The Panic is that Nash returns to form and the Suns lose out on a top-10 pick next year.
Mmmmm ... Guinness
All this rooting for failure is just wrong.
I know it could nab a good player in the draft, but no “Fan” should cheer on there team to suck. Good thing for us the Suns
probably won’t need any encouragement.
Yeah Packers! Yeah Badgers?! cmon NBA, quit screwing the fans!
Unless...
Sometimes when you win, you really lose, and sometimes when you lose, you really win, and sometimes when you win or lose, you actually tie, and sometimes when you tie, you actually win or lose. Winning or losing is all one organic mechanism, from which one extracts what one needs.
It was only called the mildly irritated house on McDowell until I showed up.
by Jim Coughenour on Dec 30, 2011 2:36 PM MST up reply actions 2 recs
I agree that no fan should root for the team to suck
And it is because I want this franchise to be successful in the future that I want them to do poorly this season.
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."
by rsavaj on Dec 30, 2011 3:54 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
I just got a text that the "REAL" suns team
Is showing up today.. Not the weird, old, can’t shoot a basket one we seen the past 4 games. Hopefully I wasn’t lie to.
Soo, it turns out I was right!!! Kinda disappointed now..
Yah...we win by 50 tonight...!
STAT may be gone but the Suns will rise....! BTW, If positivity is a crime, I plead guilty by reason of T-Bird...!
what a knock on Rolo and keiff
“neither will be future allstars”
hell keiff is playing reat for a rook with no offseason training. and on bench minutes no doubt. hes also looking like the good twin
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
Enjoy the game folks.
It figures it would be an early game tonight. I have practice tonight from 6:30-8, so I’m going to miss basically the entire first half. Hopefully we are within 10 when I turn it on.
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.
Be positive, Omaha...
STAT may be gone but the Suns will rise....! BTW, If positivity is a crime, I plead guilty by reason of T-Bird...!
I predict we win by 8-10 tonight...
And play like a real NBA team….
STAT may be gone but the Suns will rise....! BTW, If positivity is a crime, I plead guilty by reason of T-Bird...!
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