Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors Game Preview: Get Well, Steve Nash!
by East Bay Ray on Jan 1, 2012 9:41 PM MST
in Phoenix Suns: Game Coverage
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PrintIt's been quite a whirlwind since the Suns' season started a week ago, with four games that have featured a few high points (including promising play from rookie Markieff Morris and a rejuvenated Robin Lopez) but also two ugly blowout losses and one heartbreaker to the Hornets on opening night. It would be nice to take a breather and hit the reset button before moving forward, but this lockout-shortened, abbreviated season won't provide many of those. The Suns (1-3) will play their third game in four days as they face the Golden State Warriors (2-2) in Phoenix Monday afternoon.
The Warriors have endured their own ups and downs, with guard Stephen Curry missing a game after re-injuring his right ankle, his backcourt partner Monta Ellis missing a game due to a death in the family, and impressive wins over the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks sandwiched by a 19 point opening night loss to the Clippers and a drubbing at home to the Philadelphia 76ers (sound familiar?).
Steve Nash continues to be the key to the Suns' fortunes, but he's off to a very slow start after suffering a bruised rib in the season opener. In fact, he's playing about as poorly as he's played in his career through these first four games, and the Suns have little time for him to get healthy and get his game right before digging a deep hole in the talented Western Conference. Make a run for a playoff spot? Only a Steve Nash who's healthy and playing at a high level can make that happen.
Jump it for more on this early season matchup between two teams that are in the same position of trying to improve enough from last season to break into the Western Conference's top eight teams.
Game information:
Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns, US Airways Center, Phoenix, 1:30 PM MST
Last season the Suns swept the Warriors 4-0, with an average score of 108-95. The mediocre Suns handled the Warriors with ease as Warriors' leading scorer Monta Ellis struggled with 41% FG shooting and 19 PPG in the four games. Grant Hill's defense helped to contain Ellis from his season averages of 24 PPG on 45% shooting, and the Suns won each game going away.
The Warriors have a new head coach in former ESPN game analyst Mark Jackson, and are emphasizing defense in the same way the Suns are. In their two wins this season, the Warriors gave up only 91 to the defending Eastern Conference champion Bulls, and 78 to the Knicks.
Hill's defense on Ellis will be a key, assuming Ellis plays, but Nash was also money in those victories, outdueling young grasshopper Curry as he averaged 16 points and 13 assists on 50% FG shooting in truly Nash-ian performances.
We have yet to see a Nash-ian performance this season. Nash is averaging 8 points and 8 assists per game through the first four, and only shooting 31% from the field. He's clearly not right, be that due to the injury or age or needing to find his legs after the lockout. The simple stats are troubling; the advanced stats are alarming.
Win shares per 48 minutes is one of my favorite stats. Like any stat, it isn't a be all, end all but it is a good general rule of thumb. It attempts to quantify positive plays vs. negative on both ends of the floor. It's not comprehensive, but more so than most other measures. This is a very small sample size. Take it all with a grain of salt, but seeing Nash as our lowest performer there (column on far right) is a bit jarring.
| Rk | Player | Age | G | MP | PER | TS% | eFG% | ORB% | DRB% | TRB% | AST% | STL% | BLK% | TOV% | USG% | ORtg | DRtg | OWS | DWS | WS | WS/48 ▾ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sebastian Telfair | 26 | 3 | 25 | 30.3 | .551 | .409 | 8.3 | 0.0 | 4.2 | 30.0 | 4.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 26.9 | 131 | 103 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.2 | .351 |
| 2 | Markieff Morris | 22 | 4 | 68 | 22.0 | .767 | .750 | 6.1 | 21.8 | 13.9 | 11.1 | 1.6 | 3.2 | 16.5 | 16.5 | 129 | 98 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.3 | .246 |
| 3 | Hakim Warrick | 29 | 3 | 81 | 23.1 | .600 | .545 | 5.2 | 10.5 | 7.8 | 10.5 | 0.0 | 1.8 | 4.9 | 23.6 | 122 | 107 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | .207 |
| 4 | Robin Lopez | 23 | 4 | 86 | 17.5 | .594 | .520 | 8.5 | 14.8 | 11.6 | 8.6 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 6.2 | 17.4 | 125 | 106 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.3 | .191 |
| 5 | Marcin Gortat | 27 | 4 | 96 | 21.8 | .577 | .563 | 9.8 | 18.8 | 14.2 | 2.1 | 2.8 | 5.3 | 12.3 | 19.6 | 107 | 96 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.3 | .167 |
| 6 | Jared Dudley | 26 | 4 | 118 | 14.3 | .536 | .469 | 2.7 | 13.5 | 8.0 | 10.2 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 5.2 | 15.1 | 114 | 103 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.3 | .135 |
| 7 | Josh Childress | 28 | 4 | 51 | 7.7 | .375 | .375 | 6.1 | 8.3 | 7.2 | 6.4 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 7.7 | 11.8 | 87 | 104 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | .018 |
| 8 | Grant Hill | 39 | 4 | 102 | 10.0 | .407 | .308 | 1.0 | 12.5 | 6.7 | 10.2 | 0.5 | 2.1 | 4.3 | 21.0 | 90 | 105 | -0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | .011 |
| 9 | Ronnie Price | 28 | 4 | 71 | 8.6 | .493 | .478 | 1.5 | 4.5 | 3.0 | 20.4 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 19.8 | 19.8 | 88 | 107 | -0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | -0.012 |
| 10 | Channing Frye | 28 | 4 | 80 | 7.9 | .263 | .226 | 7.8 | 34.5 | 21.0 | 10.1 | 1.3 | 2.7 | 5.8 | 19.9 | 70 | 94 | -0.2 | 0.2 | -0.1 | -0.046 |
| 11 | Shannon Brown | 26 | 4 | 78 | 7.6 | .420 | .406 | 1.3 | 12.2 | 6.7 | 7.1 | 2.7 | 0.9 | 15.3 | 23.4 | 75 | 101 | -0.2 | 0.1 | -0.1 | -0.069 |
| 12 | Steve Nash | 37 | 4 | 105 | 7.2 | .405 | .372 | 2.0 | 5.1 | 3.5 | 51.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 28.2 | 25.1 | 80 | 110 | -0.3 | 0.0 | -0.3 | -0.121 |
- Monta Ellis is expected to play after missing Saturday night's game following the death of his grandmother, according to Marcus Thompson of the San Jose Mercury-News.
- Hakim Warrick is the Suns leading scorer by far early on. After not playing due to coach's decision in the first game, Warrick has averaged 15.7 PPG in the three games since, on 55% FG shooting as he's doing much more than just diving to the basket for dunks; he's showing improved range.
- The only other Suns player averaging double digit scoring is Marcin Gortat at 10.3 PPG. Gortat is fighting through a broken thumb, but his production is similar to last season.
- The Warriors have been led so far by Monta Ellis' 21 PPG, and David Lee's 19 points and 8 RPG. They've also received surprising contributions from guards Brandon Rush (obtained from the Pacers when they dealt Lou Amundson) and Ish Smith.
- Non-basketball fun fact: the bridge featured in the Warriors' logo isn't the famous Golden Gate Bridge; it's the new Bay Bridge, currently under construction. The Warriors play in Oakland, which is connected to San Francisco via the Bay Bridge, and the new bridge will provide more stability in case of a major earthquake, like the 1989 quake that collapsed a portion of this major thoroughfare. BSotS's Bay Area correspondent reporting for duty.
Losing to the Thunder was to be expected, losing to the 76ers is looking slightly less embarrassing but the Suns need to take care of business at home against teams that are at close to the same level. Let's get a win here!
For more on the Warriors, visit our friends at Golden State of Mind.
Update 1/2/12 12:11PM MST: Paul Coro reports that Warriors PF David Lee will miss today's game with an illness.
@paulcoro David Lee (illness) is out for Golden State today. Epke Udoh might be the starting replacement against the
#Suns today.
Update II 1/2/12 12:27PM MST: Dominic McGuire will get the start for the Warriors.
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Demarcus cousins demanding for a trad; any chance the Suns' make a bid for him?
I'm Biwinning, I win here and I win there!
Things are not good in Sacramento right now.
And I’ve never much cared for his attitude.. Not sure I’d want him here, even if Grant and Steve could “whip him into shape.”
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"Great things come to those who work."
by Dragic_is_Magic on Jan 1, 2012 9:53 PM MST up reply actions
He is uber talented and could be a force if he go his head on straight; he has a nice J and knows how to post up like a true center.
That said, I dont think we can offer a package worth considering.
I'm Biwinning, I win here and I win there!
by Bkj on Jan 1, 2012 9:56 PM MST up reply actions
Oh, he is definitely talented.
But, yeah, like you said, I really don’t even know what the Suns could offer.
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"Great things come to those who work."
by Dragic_is_Magic on Jan 1, 2012 9:59 PM MST up reply actions
ah well; I can dream about Markieff becoming that good one day to
I'm Biwinning, I win here and I win there!
Lopez, Brown, and a pick. I’d consider it.
by BringBackBarkley17 on Jan 2, 2012 1:48 AM MST up reply actions
I would agree instantly.
Feed the cutter!!!
by Piotr Szczesniak on Jan 2, 2012 7:43 AM MST up reply actions
I'm never worried about attitude
Nash and Hill could fix anyone.
Joe Saunders: "They played a really good game, so hats off to us"
Vince Carter? Mickael Pietrus?
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
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Ouch
I just cringed at the sight of those two names…
by Bostonian Suns Fan on Jan 2, 2012 12:15 AM MST up reply actions
I'd trade our whole team minus morris, nash, and hill for him
I'm Biwinning, I win here and I win there!
We´re still going for a run to playoff, remember ? so it is unlikely our FO would think about that
But I would trade both for him, no issue.
Blind enough to believe on Pudgemonster.
problem child
Major maturity issues he may never grow out of. Has had a long history of fighting coaches through high school college and the pros. One man team chemistry killer
by eagleheart on Jan 2, 2012 10:15 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
Woo! Come on, Suns!
I’m going to the game tomorrow so I’m very excited. It feels weird that I’ll be leaving for the game shortly after waking up!
I really think this is a game the Suns need to win – and they should. I’d be upset with a loss tomorrow.
I expect to see the Suns continuing to improve on their offense and to continue playing defense.
I see no reason why they can’t win in a nice fashion tomorrow afternoon.
NBA Blog: www.nbagirl.tumblr.com
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"Great things come to those who work."
Love the Positivity!
I’ve been reduced to adopting the slogan “Hope is Stupid”. I hope you are correct and I am just overly pessimistic!
by Bostonian Suns Fan on Jan 2, 2012 12:18 AM MST up reply actions
Thoughts on the warriors game tomorrow and DeMarcus cousins trade request.
I don’t see any reason we can’t beat the warriors tomorrow, curry is injured and their not exactly a force in the west. But then again the way we’ve been playing, neither are we.
We should be able to pull off a win but the players have to stop sulking and show some pride and effort for the full fourty eight minutes.
In regards to the cousins situation, while he is very talented he’s also very immature and would likely only cause more turmoil if the suns did aquire him and we still kept losing. I like the fact that he’s a tremendous talent but i’d rather have a guy with strong character and less maturity issues.
Meaning if we don’t win the lottery and get drummond then we should take sullinger. Or we could draft perry jones as our 6-11 shooting guard. Either way we still add someone with size and all-star potential down the road.
Frye
Frye to end his shooting slump and connect on over 5 threes to lead the Suns. You heard it here first.
by Toon Army Sun on Jan 1, 2012 10:18 PM MST via Android app reply actions
I was only going to say 3, but what the hell?
Thirded.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
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Fived.
Phoenix Suns and Steve Nash. That is all.
I don't know why Gentry plays guys when they're hurt and ineffective.
It doesn’t help the team win and turns relatively minor injuries into nagging long-term problems.
If Nash is hurt and can’t do much, sit him until he’s better. We all know he’s a warrior and will take the floor if he’s given the chance. But this isn’t the finals we’re talking about here. It’s the fifth game of the season and we’ve got two team’s worth of backup point guards.
I’m also wondering why we’re taking chances with Gortat’s broken thumb. Lopez seems to be doing well enough to start and we have other big men who can step into the reserve role for a few weeks.
Gentry did this with Childress (broken finger) last year and an injury that should have been over in six weeks rendered him useless for the entire season afterhe knocked his splint flying on a dunk.
I'm Michael Beasley's imaginary friend.
by suns68 on Jan 1, 2012 10:43 PM MST via mobile reply actions
Exactly my thoughts
He is just pushing for a injury, let Price and Telfair play instead, having 2/4 of Nash is not good enough and at the end he might get even more injure and we will have 0/4 of Nash, anyway the next game is very winable so we rest him may help to develop our bench guys.
Blind enough to believe on Pudgemonster.
The thing that keeps me hoping
Is our starters slump. The minute they break out of it, the entire team will improve. Yesterday, the bench outplayed the starters. If Frye, Nash, Hill, etc. can all pick up their play, we’ll see a very different team.
Hopefully they can do it tomorrow.
Joe Saunders: "They played a really good game, so hats off to us"
Ugh, couldn't this game start an hour later?
The Nebraska bowl game is at noon. Hopefully I can hustle to the nearest free wifi provider after the Huskers crush SoCar and catch the second half of this one.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
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Also, I like Ish Smith. He needs to learn how to be more efficient, but I liked what I saw when he was with Houston and he;s done well with GS as well.
What do we expect from the frontcourt matchups? Does Gortat cover Biedrins, or does he take the more dangerous Lee?
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
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frye
Frye isn’t exactly a average or better defender
by eagleheart on Jan 2, 2012 10:47 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
Hill, Nash and Gortat need to sit it out for a while.
We’re losing anyway. Even without these guys we should be able to beat teams like the Eric Gordan less Hornets, but we’re just going to lose to the good teams with or without them like we are now. Might as well sit them out and let them heal.
Don't trade Dudley!
Without those guys we won't beat my grandma on crutches
Guys, it’s a short season we gotta grind our teeth and play regardless of injuries.
If you have both legs – you play.
Injured Nash is still better than healthy Price. simple as that.
Gortat is injured but performs on par/ better than Lopez.
No time to lose in a 66 game season
Feed the cutter!!!
by Piotr Szczesniak on Jan 2, 2012 7:47 AM MST up reply actions
Exactly. If we're trying to win, we have to go for it.
Players play dinged up all the time and fight through it. This short, fast season will offer no time to heal. The good news is that other teams face the same challenges.
Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo
by East Bay Ray on Jan 2, 2012 10:30 AM MST up reply actions
So DeMarcus wants out.
I thinks it’s clear we are not going to make the playoffs. We don’t have the talent or the time to get it together in the shortened season. If this happens to be the case after 20 or so games we might as well build for the future.
The next draft has plenty of talent and we are going to have some serious coin to throw at free agents and restricted free agents. We have a loaded front court at the moment with Gortat, Fye, Lopez, Morris and Warrick. I believe we could put something together to get DeMarcus, or at least be part of a 3 team deal to get drat picks.
If we can get DeMarcus, draft picks plus our own pick. Sign either one or two free agents the rebuilding process may not take too long. The Suns front office has to shit or get of the pot.
Talent wise we need DeMarcus but will he be too much of a cancer and rot a team from the inside out? He might be a bit like Z-Bo and just might need some time and the right place to fit in, or be the next Eddie Curry and eat his way out of the NBA.
Having said all this lets go out and get a win against the Warriors.
cousins might be worse than eddy curry (in terms of attitude/work ethic)
he’s just an immature kid, it doesn’t look like he’ll ever grow out of it, i wouldn’t touch him with a 10 foot pole! And its not like his only problem is with outbursts; he doesn’t even play well on the court! he plays sooo stupid! and he loves chuckin up 15 foot fade away jumpers. He looks in shape now, he really does. But he still doesn’t seem explosive. He’s very skilled, but can anyone get him to use his skills for good? this guy could be a vlade divac type player, hes got the skills. But he is such a dummy…i doubt he will ever reach his potential.
There's no doubt he's immature...
But you can’t argue against his talent, potential, or even his level of play so far this season. He’s averaging 13pts 11rbs in 27min this far…that’s not too shabby for a second year player who still has substantial lapses in judgement.
He would still be a gamble for any team willing to take the risk of aquiring him, but he is an immensely skilled big man who can literally do it all from the post. He’s a young guy who is already playing at a very high level and could quickly flourish into an all-star C/PF if given the right mentoring and tutelage.
I believe Gentry would be an excellent coach for a player like Demarcus…and with high character leadership from vets like Nash and Hill, I believe Cousins would have an excellent opportunity to start fresh and become a valuable member of the team both now and going forward.
In my opinion this is the type of low-risk, high-reward acquisition that the Suns’ should look to capitalize on. We aren’t a contender as we stand now, so what do we have to lose?
If the Suns are able to put together a deal to bring in Cousins now as a relatively cap-friendly, affordable first piece to their planned rebuilding in 2012, it could go a long way toward expediting what could otherwise be a lengthy and drawn out process and help in attracting other young, up-and-coming free agents to sign with the Suns as well.
by 7footer on Jan 2, 2012 12:14 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
Nice preview above
Though, mentioning that Hakim has done well with “limited minutes” isn’t really true. He’s played well with good minutes, with the starters and from the bench. I think he’s just much improved.
And, though I’ve been against playing chilly at all, I think Gentry has done a pretty good job with the rotation between Chilly and Hak. Though, I’d have a very short leash on Chilly. I’d also like to see Hak backing up Hill at the 3 rather than Chilly.
Let’s go out an get a win!
Grant Hill for prez.
by sun-arc on Jan 2, 2012 10:04 AM MST via mobile reply actions
Warrick has played 27 MPG in the last three after not playing at all in the opener.
So yeah, you have a point there. With Hak, it’s more a matter of seeing him do this consistently for longer than three games. Because of his slight build, he’ll never be a strong defender or rebounder but I’m glad he focused on the one thing he really could improve on to enhance his value: the mid-range shot. Still, if he’s our leading scorer……well, what that means more than anything else is that we need another scorer, and we need our current scorers to pick up their games.
Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo
by East Bay Ray on Jan 2, 2012 10:35 AM MST up reply actions
Warrick is still bad as a PF because of rebounding
I like it when they put him at SF, and I don’t think there’s a “spacing issue” when you consider Warricks improved jumper, and the fact that the guy who comes in at PF is Morris, who can space the floor.
Knock Childress out of rotation and make Warrick the backup SF.
Voted most likely to say "I told you so"
But does he have the mobility to stay in front of opposing SFs?
I know he’s not a good defender, but if we play him at SF, will he at least be able to keep up with his man? He doesn’t have to shut him down, but I want to at least know he’s able to bother the player he’s guarding.
Once you go Nash, you won't wanna go back.
I think the body type as far as rebounding
Is BS look at trix,I think its skill and desire as much as anything.
skitsophrenics are never alone-Just ask scott howard
And can he handle the ball when he needs to?
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.
lineup
We should but never will start the top 5 guys on the list above. What a lineup! Yeah telfair shouldn’t normally be there but Nash is injured. If an opposing 2 guard saw Morris out there he’d have to alter his shot or try to drive by him into our huge front line. There are few guys that shoot off the dribble really well. Hak has been playing pretty good as a 3. Gortat could easily play 4, Robin probably doesn’t have the footspeed.
by eagleheart on Jan 2, 2012 10:58 AM MST via mobile reply actions
Cotton always said
He wouldnt always start with his best five, but sure would try to finish with best five on the floor.
skitsophrenics are never alone-Just ask scott howard
Added key update
Paul Coro reports that David Lee is out for today’s game with an illness.
Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo
I wonder
If Ellis will suit up tonight?
by Toon Army Sun on Jan 2, 2012 12:32 PM MST up reply actions
Confirmed that he will, per Marcus Thompson of San Jose Mercury-News
Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo
by East Bay Ray on Jan 2, 2012 12:36 PM MST up reply actions
our luck though
Mcguire or udoka has the game of there life.
skitsophrenics are never alone-Just ask scott howard
finaly!
This east coast transplant who works night shift can join in on a game thread.
skitsophrenics are never alone-Just ask scott howard
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