Suns Hammer Celtics with Defense, Win Ugly Game 79-71
by East Bay Ray on Jan 20, 2012 9:05 PM MST
in Phoenix Suns: Game Coverage
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PrintWith Rajon Rondo out due to injury and the Celtics only a 90 PPG team with him, the Suns were set up for defensive success, but they exceeded expectations by holding the Celtics to only 71 points on the road in TD Garden tonight. Marcin Gortat was easily the Suns best player with 24 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks and only 2 personal fouls. Gortat led all scorers tonight.
The Celtics "Big Three" tallied only 36 points combined as the Suns played a stifling, ball-hawking defense that is foreign to most Suns fans. Sure, the Celtics are aging and their offense was discombobulated with Rondo out, but the Suns played defense with a ton of energy.
The Suns starting lineup, which again included Ronnie Price and Markieff Morris, played the Celtics to about a draw, but the game changed when the benches came in. Every Suns backup was a + in +/- tonight, led by Jared Dudley's 12 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Five players scored in double figures for the Celtics, but they shot only 41% from the field with 18 turnovers and the Suns held the rebounding edge 36-25. The Celtics leading scorer, Ray Allen, put up only 14 points on 4-8 shooting.
Elston Turner, take a bow. This was a Suns defensive effort we've rarely seen.
Jump it for more of the goodness.
Gortat was the hero tonight, just as he was when the Suns beat the Celtics last year. He scored 10 points to go with 4 rebounds in the first 7 minutes of the game on 7-11 shooting. Nash and Hill were ironmen again, logging 38 and 35 minutes, respectively, and had more impact on the game than their combined 20 points show. Nash had 9 assists, which is a ho-hum night from him, but he provided stability when the team needed it, and Hill played his trademark excellent defense. Hill blocked two shots and had four steals, as the Suns seemed to populate the Celtics passing lanes all night long.
The Suns offense was a little off, since defense is the Celtics calling card and they brought it, and committed 21 turnovers of their own. But when they needed a shot, they got it. After starting the second half slowly, as the Celtics went on a 12-2 run, the Suns righted the ship with a 12-0 run bridging the end of the 3rd and start of the 4th.
This could be called an ugly game with all the turnovers and poor shooting, but a lot of that ugly offense was due to the defenses filling the passing lanes and contesting shots. Historically, the Suns haven't usually won these defensive slugfests; they did tonight. With two straight wins, this road trip isn't looking so bad after all.
Game notes:
- Ronnie Price as a starter might seem like a stretch and his game has obvious holes, but he plays hard every minute he's on the court, hit two 3s in the first half, showed tenacious defense, and took some of the ball-handling pressure off of Nash in his 29 minutes.
- Markieff Morris needs more time to adjust. He started out this season on fire, and he's obviously a key part of the team's future, but Morris showed plenty of rookie moments tonight with 0 points and 4 turnovers.The man's a rookie and will have his ups and downs. Be patient.
- Sebastian Telfair played like a credible backup PG tonight, with 4 points, 2 steals and a +7 in 10 minutes. Like Price, he plays fast and hard, and we can excuse him occasionally trying to do too much in limited minutes.
- Grant Hill is playing closer to the BAMF we all know and love. His defense is still outstanding, although Paul Pierce did blow by him a couple of times in the first half. More importantly, he looks to be regaining his legs and explosiveness.
- The best part about Ronnie Price starting is that Jared Dudley was back to his D and 3 off the bench ways. It's impossible not to appreciate Dudley's desire to be a starter, but he's average at best there. As an energy player off the bench, there are few I'd rather have.
- Kevin Garnett? Oh yeah, that guy. He was sort of a non-factor in 33 minutes, scoring 10 points, pulling down 5 boards, and logging a -9 (worst of all Celtics). But hey, he didn't punch anyone in the testicles so we can call that progress, I guess.
This road trip was looking like the end of the Suns season, but the players aren't ready for that to be the case. 2-2 so far. Mavs up next, which will obviously be a challenge. But bring on some more beatable opponents after that, and let's see what these Suns can do. Are they good enough? Maybe, maybe not. They won't be cheated in the effort to find out.
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New JMZ featuring Shannon Brown
Click this is you know what’s good for you.
"We’re going to turn this team around 360 degrees." –Jason Kidd
I love JMZ for two reasons.
1. It means we won.
2. It means that the guys are having fun together and working well together as a team. It seems silly, but I look at JMZ as a chemistry builder (and I think we all know how important chemistry is on a team.)
NBA Blog: www.nbagirl.tumblr.com
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"Great things come to those who work."
by Dragic_is_Magic on Jan 20, 2012 9:59 PM MST up reply actions 6 recs
This
JMZ is just awesome haha. I do agree it builds chemistry though, he always interviews everyone on the team and especially the new guys to introduce them to fans and just mess around. JMZ. JSPN.
"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!
"Swag!"
“swag” indeed, “swag” indeed.
by Bostonian Suns Fan on Jan 21, 2012 12:03 AM MST up reply actions
...Big D Factor
…They didn’t give up the lead. That’s why it’s soooo sweet in their +1 win.
a win is a win
unless it’s beating the original big 3 in Boston. (I know there were other big 3’s before this three, but whatevers)
This was really nice.
It’s another game they could have gone either way on, and I’m glad to see the fight is back. Glad to see it. Hope it stays.
There was some good D, but I see room for improvement, which they’ll need as the season progresses against teams like the Mavs. Do I think they can do it? Hell Yes. Do I think they will? …maybe.
But great games by Marcin, Nash, Price, and Hill. Good games by Lopez, Dudz, and Brown. Ok games by Telfair and Morris. Hope they improve along with the team over the next couple of games.
Sorry Hak isn’t making it out there, but I like the chemistry we are starting to see, particularly with the starters.
Grant Hill for prez.
by sun-arc on Jan 20, 2012 10:19 PM MST via mobile reply actions
Oh and SAC beat SAS!
Day couldn’t have started better!
Alea iacta est!
by PolishHammer on Jan 20, 2012 10:24 PM MST up reply actions
I can’t say the same
"Fuck this shit. Is this fucking season over yet? It is? Jesus H. motherfucking Christ on a stick! Get Nick Holt on the phone NOW! Stupid motherfucker forces us to score touchdowns on every possession, and we still can't win the Alamo Bowl? Hey, asshole! It's Steve Sarkisian. You're fucking FIRED, you FUCK!"
Sorry WO.
We got blown out by them too, without Rose.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
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Just got up!
6:20 in the morning here, great way to wake up. Go Suns!
Now it’s time to go and cut some wood and logs for the fireplace.
Alea iacta est!
I like the line up change.
Dudley and Frye going back to the bench make us a better team, more balanced anyway.
I’m not worried about Morris struggling the last couple of games because he has been sick and we have been winning.
Gortat is a absolute beast out there at the moment. I thought he would be solid but he really does deserve to be a All Star if he can keep it going.
Bucks beat the Knick at the Garden. How long until New York run coach D and S.T.A.T out of town?
they amnesty stat over the summer
and we sign him to a one-year $4m deal to replace Hak. Yeah! he he.
Grant Hill for prez.
by sun-arc on Jan 20, 2012 10:43 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
Good plan
except I think they already used it on Billups.
Twitter: @FredLegittt
by modernage13 on Jan 20, 2012 11:00 PM MST up reply actions
This.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com
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double d'oh!
Grant Hill for prez.
by sun-arc on Jan 20, 2012 11:19 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
darn it! if not for that, we’da had STAT for 4 mil!
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
by Alex Laugan on Jan 21, 2012 10:07 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
While destroying his big ego! WIN!
Got offered 98 mil to stay but leave for more money and fame, only to come back a couple of years later and get paid WAY less.
Twitter: @FredLegittt
I'm thinking about getting some Morris gear
I have no clue why, but ever since the first game of the season he’s been my favorite player (Don’t worry Nash, you’re still up there).
I missed the game, and didn’t expect this at all. I don’t care how ugly it was, we beat the Boston Celtics in a season most of us want to tank. Maybe we’re still in this? Maybe we could shock some people?
Two game win streak. Let’s keep it rolling.
Joe Saunders: "They Giants played a really good game, so hats off to us"
Also, the bench is one of the main reasons the Suns made it to the WCF
With Frye and Dudley back on it, it’s actually respectable again.
Joe Saunders: "They Giants played a really good game, so hats off to us"
Funny timing
He had a rough game to say the least 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!
Awesome game. I love the Suns
"I'm a nobody." - Steve Nash in 1997
by PHXSunsRunNGun on Jan 20, 2012 11:36 PM MST reply actions 1 recs
That Clippers Wolves game was more fun to watch than the Suns game BUT WE WON!!
Another reason I want Kevin Love and Mo Williams on this team. That 3 point winning shot by Love was awesome. He walked away with his arms wide open like WHERE’S MY MAX CONTRACT?! Someone should tell him the Suns have it.
Back to the Suns game. I’m not worried about Morris. He’s a rookie and players have their bad games…but Channing Frye is seriously pushing it. Dudley got some good shots but still need some work. As for Gortat, all I have to say is that I’ll be upset if he’s not an All Star this year…at least make him a bench or something. I also enjoyed seeing Pietrus’ brick shots…suckaaa
Twitter: @FredLegittt
Great win.
With each passing game, I think it’s pretty obvious that Gortat is going to be a strong contender for Most Improved Player this season. He certainly is playing like a top ten center in this league.
Just because Steve Nash has that "dirty hipster" look doesn't mean he's in need of a shower. Steve Nash bathes in the tears of his victims on a nightly basis.
Mark of a Beast, baby. Mark of a Beast.
I hope he gets it
Or goes to the all-star game. Either one would be nice.
"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!
Right now, he's playing like an all-star..
we need him if we are going to make aplayoff push to keep it up…
Let's do this...!
Please dear God...
…no Big Baby Davis. That is all I ask.
by Bostonian Suns Fan on Jan 21, 2012 12:06 AM MST up reply actions
Would this keep Howard from signing with the Lackers?
If so, I would have to consider it. What would we be getting back is a big question.
Voted most likely to say "I told you so"
I found another article saying how getting Nash still wouldn't let Howard stay long term
Dude who wrote is has obviously not been watching Suns games. He said Nash was playing poorly or something from being old.
Twitter: @FredLegittt
by modernage13 on Jan 21, 2012 12:15 AM MST up reply actions
Sounds like a rumor somebody on SB Nation made up to me...
we’re pretty good at concocting shitty Nash trade rumors…
Let's do this...!
Nobody.
To be quite honest, all this “trade Steve Nash” talk has been nothing but annoying since the beginning.
Trading Steve Nash for anybody from the Magic would ruin the cap space we have going into the offseason. I’m pretty sure our FO is going to hold onto Steve Nash for the remainder of the season and make a play for any of the available big name free agents in the offseason.
And depending how well/poorly we do, we might even land a high enough draft pick that will net us even more young talent. So the smart choice would be to keep him.
Just because Steve Nash has that "dirty hipster" look doesn't mean he's in need of a shower. Steve Nash bathes in the tears of his victims on a nightly basis.
Mark of a Beast, baby. Mark of a Beast.
by NashMV3 on Jan 21, 2012 12:10 AM MST up reply actions 2 recs
Indeed.
He’s probably so fed up with this trade talks. He comes in 2nd behind Howard on a poll asking who’s going to get traded before the March deadline. I think Deron Williams was third.
Twitter: @FredLegittt
by modernage13 on Jan 21, 2012 12:16 AM MST up reply actions
Half of these so-called analysts are morons who get paid to rosterbate.
They talk and talk about how the “ideal” time to trade Nash was in the 2010 offseason when Amare left. Considering how well Steve Nash has played for us since we acquired him in 2004, there never really was an “ideal” time to deal him.
He IS the Suns offense. Everything revolves around him and dealing him would completely bite us in the ass. Plus, trades are often about trying to get comparable value back and no one we trade for could possibly be as valuable as Steve Nash unless we were getting a superstar back and David Stern would probably become a fair and honest commissioner before that ever happens.
Is it really that hard for those idiots to understand?
Just because Steve Nash has that "dirty hipster" look doesn't mean he's in need of a shower. Steve Nash bathes in the tears of his victims on a nightly basis.
Mark of a Beast, baby. Mark of a Beast.
We would have to have a 3rd team facilitate the trade
by sending us an expiring contract. There aren’t too many expiring contracts of this size out there.
We would have to take one of these players back:
Chris Kaman, Marcus Camby, Antawn Jamison, Boris Diaw, Leandro Barbosa
from a 3rd team.
Voted most likely to say "I told you so"
I'm down for Mo Williams as our starting PG
It’ll be hard to attract a star player here so might as well go for a decent ones.
Dude needs to get out of Clippers. My realistically starting roster next season:
PG Mo Williams
SG Eric Gordon ( or James Harden in 2013)
SF Jared Dudley (or whoever they sign)
PF Morris (or Kevin Love if we get lucky)
C Gortat
Not championship caliber, but I think it’s playoff material. Goodbye defense though.
Twitter: @FredLegittt
by modernage13 on Jan 21, 2012 12:47 AM MST up reply actions
No D? Come on.
Dudz is no BAMF but he’s very good fundamentally on D, except for the occasional lapse, he always has his hands up and plays his man to the best of his limited athletic ability. Gordon and Mo Will are one of the dozen “undersized in theory” guys in the league, they both play a lot bigger due to their wingspans (6’6 for MoWill and 6’9 for EJ). Gortat is Dortat (See what I did there?) and Keef is only going to get better and he’s already very good for a rookie.
If they meshed well in the off-season that team would be a strong contender for anywhere from the 8th to 4th seed, maybe even better. Those players would compliment each other very well on offense. You’d have major range, guys that can post-up in the front and backcourt, two playmakers that can create on their own as well, one of the best glue guys in the league and one of the best defensive centers in the league who also happens to be one of the best pnr guys in the league and a legit power forward that can stretch the floor on top of being a good post player. Making that squad a losing team would be pretty hard for anyone, even if we somehow hired Kurt Rambis. Okay, maybe not Kurt Rambis, but still…
I’d love to see a team like that… And maybe, just maybe, Mo Will will turn out to be a late bloomer at the PG spot like some of those other guys we had here, whatshisname and uh, Olddman?
Mo Wil is way past the “late bloomer” stage. Under those rules, I could be a late bloomer too.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
by Alex Laugan on Jan 21, 2012 10:10 AM MST up reply actions
Unless you're Steve Nash,
if you haven’t hit your prime by 29 you’re probably not ever going to be much more than you already are.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
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Wasn't Mo an all star once?
Willams and Gordon can be our go to scorers. Williams just kept shooting 3’s last night and was almost 100% field goal for a while before he got ejected. Definitely playing a lot better since Chris Paul got injured. I don’t remember him playing that well last season.
Twitter: @FredLegittt
by modernage13 on Jan 21, 2012 12:32 PM MST up reply actions
He was an All-Star playing with LeBron. I wouldn’t really count that. He’s a decent player but i don’t want him starting for my team.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
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He'd be an ideal 6th man in a 3 guard rotation
Expensive, but good.
Maybe we can tease him out of LAC for Lopez and JChill?
There probably won't be any big name available free agents this offseason
I wrote a fanpost about it
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."
Or trade him for a team that's willing to take his 10 mil for a season and then re-sign him in the off-season.
In the end we get a high draft pick, another 1st round pick, Steve Nash and capspace.
Don't trade Dudley!
I don't know what they would trade us either
They have to keep their 1st round pick this year, as they traded last year’s first (to us), and it doesn’t figure to be a high pick anyway.
They don’t have expiring contracts. The best they could do would be to take our bad contracts away – Childress and/or Warrick, and replace them with shorter contracts for mediocre players (Reddick, Nelson, etc)
Ryan Anderson is probably their most valuable young asset, and he’s nothing to write home about.
Voted most likely to say "I told you so"
Ryan Anderson and JJ Redick are the best they can do
Is that better than letting Nash leave for nothing?
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."
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
by Alex Laugan on Jan 21, 2012 10:11 AM MST up reply actions
No.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com
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Here's another horrible article about where Steve should be traded
Number five made me face palm and grab a beer. Number two is the only one I’d be okay with but horrible for the Celtics.
Twitter: @FredLegittt
I have not clicked the link, but lemme guess: Bleacher Report?
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
by Alex Laugan on Jan 21, 2012 10:11 AM MST up reply actions
Nope. Some site called Not Your Father's Water Cooler
Twitter: @FredLegittt
by modernage13 on Jan 21, 2012 12:29 PM MST up reply actions
Check the FanShots.
I already tore that thing apart.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
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I might be ok with #4 too
Felton and Wallace for Nash and Hak. This could totally work. Felton is good and Wallace is great. Both are younger and would thrive in our offense.
Grant Hill for prez.
by sun-arc on Jan 21, 2012 12:30 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
Wallace is 29 or 30 and about to become a FA.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
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So we can sign him them?
He’d be a great signing. We need a post-Hill 3, and Wallace is very simiolar.
Whoops, no, looks like he has a player option: http://hoopshype.com/salaries/portland.htm
NBA TV reported he wouldn't be signing an extension with POR.
That’s all I knew.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
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Tricky situiation
One year at $11 mil. He can probably get $8-9 for three or four years, taking him to his mid thirties. As his last contract, what to do?
If I was him, I’d learn from Marion – who knocked back huge money from Boston and ended up with about the MLE. Opting-out at seasons end is smart, even if it costs money in year 1.
That's what I was thinking.
Especially for a player like him, who has an injury history and plays extremely hard. He’ll make more in the long run by opting out.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
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True.
We’ll have to see what their teams do first. I’m guessing DEN will extend Gallo and POR will let Wallace go to keep Batum. Chandler should be a true FA though and will likely go to wherever he can get the best deal.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
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Wilson Chandler will be a UFA this summer, yes. Can score very well. Would be a nice addition.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
Except the end result would basically be the same
Unless the FO has Felton and Wallace at the top of their 2012 FA list we might as well hold onto Nash .
If that crazy #1 trade actually went through I’d be ecstatic though. We get back two legit starters on long term contracts just about to enter their prime without taking on any ugly contracts.
Amnesty Childress, let Lopez walk and we’ve still got ~$10 mil to fill in the starting SG spot. Might put Harden or Gordon out of reach but there are some affordable options out there. It’s an absolute pipe dream but -
PG Conley
SG ??/Courtney Lee/Landry Fields/Wilson Chandler/JR Smith
SF Gay
PF Morris
C Gortat
by hcblankscreen on Jan 21, 2012 4:42 PM MST up reply actions
We don't get Gay in that trade though, we get Jamison.
However, Nash and Hak for Wallace and Felton would indeed make TOO MUCH SENSE.
We get a borderline All-Star PG who has proven he can run the crap out of a PNR (as he has shown last season in NY) and a legit All-Star in Wallace, to boost our second weakest position, SF?
Portland gets a PG upgrade in Nash (who McMillan would fall in love with, no doubt, as he’s been pushing the tempo up every season in Portland) and a sweetener in Hak for a guy that most likely won’t resign with them and frees up the SF spot for Batum?
Yep, too much rational thinking going on here.
I can't watch Steve destroy his knees on his last remaining years in Portland.
Something about that franchise just screams injured knees.
Twitter: @FredLegittt
You can always post off-topic links as fan shots.
Nash rosterbation is bad enough, but so much worse when it takes us away from the topic of having beaten the Celtics.
Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo
by East Bay Ray on Jan 21, 2012 10:08 AM MST up reply actions 3 recs
Amen, Ray.
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
"In the long run the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip."
Good luck charm
The Suns are now 2-1 when playing Boston with yours truly in attendance. You are welcome, everyone.
by Bostonian Suns Fan on Jan 21, 2012 12:07 AM MST reply actions 4 recs
Did anyone notice Rondo was wearing purple?
He was secretly supporting us.
Twitter: @FredLegittt
by modernage13 on Jan 21, 2012 12:22 AM MST up reply actions
Nice work.
Suns are also 2-1 in the games I’ve covered this season, so I’m taking credit for that. Wil, Alex, Euty, 7footer, PHXgp: you guys need to pick it up!
Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo
by East Bay Ray on Jan 21, 2012 9:19 AM MST up reply actions
Great game to watch from my phone.
One good thing about League Pass is that you can watch games after the fact. I think I’ll be doing that here even though it was an ugly game.
Hill and Nash amazing as always, and isn’t it always when you think the team is just down and out that they go on a run?
Darn Suns, playin with my heart….
Crashing the [message] boards from the swamps of Louisiana, and blogging Phoenix Suns!
It was blacked out on my phone, and still is.
It’s pissing me off.
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
"In the long run the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip."
It's an iPhone 4...
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
"In the long run the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip."
It's not my phone, it's the NBA.
It’s blacked out. And I’ll NEVER give up my iPhone!
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
"In the long run the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip."
I'm diggin the lineup change
It’s like instead of trying to replicate the ultra offensive ‘10 WCF squad we’ve gone more ’06-07, featuring Ronnie Price as Raja Bell and introducing Markieff Morris as ’Ol Crazy Eyes.
I really love Gortat
his mid range game greatly improved, he’s a beast on the boards, pretty reliable from FT. I really hope he do play in all star this year. one thing I hope he could improve is his off rebs, should got more for someone w/ his talent
by Chafid on Jan 21, 2012 4:04 AM MST via mobile reply actions
He has lots of room for improvement still...
Not major, but efficiency-wise this is still not his peak this season:
1. He will get his FT% back to over 75% – his form is to good to be shooting 60%, it’s all mental, probably because of the splint messing with his head the opening month.
2. He will go inside more and draw shooting fouls once other teams start respecting his J. When he starts faking defenders into the air that’s a whole new world for his offensive game.
3. He is just starting to attack the rim again – the dunk against the Celtics was his first in 8 games. He finally is not scared of re-injuring his thumb.
4. He will get more comfortable in the post – Boston game was just a start – he has a nice repertoire of moves already – left and right hand hook shots, fade-aways, spin moves, you name it, he’s got it. If he can use some more Hakeem shakes he is capable of scoring at ease against majority of NBA big men beating them with speed or technique.
My projection:
Barring any major injury if his minutes remain around 32 per game he will finish the season with 18/12/2 with FG% around 55% and FT% over 70%. And he will get at least one 30 point game!
Feed the cutter!!!
by Piotr Szczesniak on Jan 21, 2012 8:43 AM MST up reply actions
I do agree with this. Gortat will only improve. I have been impressed with his moves. (just wish he would draw more contact on his forays to the basket)
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
by Alex Laugan on Jan 21, 2012 10:13 AM MST up reply actions
I think that is a respect thing
Once teams know Gortat can score, they’ll start to hack him more. That is why his shooting is so efficient, and he isn’t getting rushed.
That, and refs start to call ticky-tacky fouls for him, not against him (that he didn’t draw a foul when Garnett hit in the head as he was pushed out of bounds was pure lack of ref respect).
And I think while Gortat shot poorly from the line early, he had a touch of the Biedrins about him – avoiding contact. But as he’s getting better , I hope he’ll draw fouls at a better rate
Time out...
How do we call this an “ugly” game when the Suns shot nearly 50%, beat the Celts in almost every category (decimating them on the boards btw) and held them to just 71 points AND have done this twice in a row? When you do something more than once its not a fluke, its a pattern. The Suns have slowed down significantly in order to get their offense set and as a result their defensive prowess has really bulked up. The only thing “ugly” about this game was the turnovers, but that is more typical than anything.,,
"We never tried Amar'e, Nash, and a live Grizzly bear." -Scott Howard, January 18, 2010
"All they’re fighting for is to stay as obscenely rich as they are now, based on their ability to bounce a ball and throw it in a hole." East Bay Ray, October 10, 2011
"the players and owners are squabbling over how to divide the pie that WE BAKE FOR THEM." East Bay Ray, October 31, 2011
Because this is the "Bright Side"???
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
"In the long run the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip."
Quotation marks go outside the period/comma/question mark/exclamation point.
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.
Not if the quotation marks indicate indecision and not speach
He is a “man”. Despite waiting for the final surgery, Chad said “I am a man.”
Inside, outside.
"Kiss my Ass".!.!.!
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
"In the long run the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip."
eh.
So those 10 minutes were ugly, but the game wasnt.
"We never tried Amar'e, Nash, and a live Grizzly bear." -Scott Howard, January 18, 2010
"All they’re fighting for is to stay as obscenely rich as they are now, based on their ability to bounce a ball and throw it in a hole." East Bay Ray, October 10, 2011
"the players and owners are squabbling over how to divide the pie that WE BAKE FOR THEM." East Bay Ray, October 31, 2011
The problem is, Nate
You lose credibility because of those terrible quotes you have in your sig.
Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo
by East Bay Ray on Jan 21, 2012 9:21 AM MST up reply actions
those are some really crappy quotes.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
by Alex Laugan on Jan 21, 2012 10:14 AM MST up reply actions
Indeed, my good man.
But there are just some quotes that are too good to risk forgetting!
"We never tried Amar'e, Nash, and a live Grizzly bear." -Scott Howard, January 18, 2010
"All they’re fighting for is to stay as obscenely rich as they are now, based on their ability to bounce a ball and throw it in a hole." East Bay Ray, October 10, 2011
"the players and owners are squabbling over how to divide the pie that WE BAKE FOR THEM." East Bay Ray, October 31, 2011
It was a slow game though
As in pace wise – very slow.
Like I said in the victory thread, the effort and results weren't ugly
But 39 turnovers in the game and neither team exceeding 80 points? That counts as ugly. Was still a great game for Suns fans to watch.
Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo
by East Bay Ray on Jan 21, 2012 8:51 AM MST via Android app up reply actions
Good job team..
Now you know what it takes to win: figuring out how to use what you have for the game…They rode the Gortat express because it’s what worked last night and played solid defense…
This goes to show you can still win even if you are turning the ball over ….A very good win for the Suns…
Let's do this...!
for an ugly game, it was super fun to watch.
what a difference a couple games make. AG is proving this team has the pieces and potential to win. and this:
Ronnie Price as a starter might seem like a stretch and his game has obvious holes, but he plays hard every minute he’s on the court, hit two 3s in the first half, showed tenacious defense, and took some of the ball-handling pressure off of Nash in his 29 minutes.
straight up truth. i love this guy. he even hit a couple of 3’s.
Dudley needs to be coming off the bench. He has a different mentality then when he starts. He doesn’t depend on anyone, he knows he needs to be the guy leading the 2nd squad.
Blogging Suns Basketball. Twitter: @willcantrellphx
by Wil Cantrell on Jan 21, 2012 8:08 AM MST up reply actions
agree with ALL of this. Price stays within himself, and Duds is better on the second unit.
However, Suns only scored 79 points so let’s not annoint Price as the future quite yet…
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
by Alex Laugan on Jan 21, 2012 10:16 AM MST up reply actions
Suns beat Celtics at their own game
because they finally have a low post threat.
by oLLiE Boombayay on Jan 21, 2012 12:24 PM MST up reply actions
And the Celtics are old and Rondo-less.
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.
The Suns Front Office said Nash can stay in Phx as long as he likes. So Nash would have to ask for a trade, leave as a FA or retire. Orlando has nothing we want for Nash….well Howard would be nice, but that’s probably not gonna happen. And if the Suns do make big moves next year Nash is in the perfect position, to resign and stay or go if he doesnt like the moves the SUNS made.
Ahhh, that felt good.
Price has been a nice surprise and watching him hound Ray Allen through 5 screens ended up being a a good strategy to keep Allen from being the hero. Price will not be able to guard bigger SGs, but I like the strategy against the quicker, jump shooting guards.
Morris has had a rough few games in Chicago, NY and Boston, but going through the gauntlet will hopefully improve his game as he has now seen some of the best PFs in the league.
Bradley did pretty good hounding Nash, but Gortat was unstoppable against weak sauce Boston big men. The Boston bench is pathetic and you have to give it up to Gentry for exploiting the biggest weaknesses of the Celtics.
by oLLiE Boombayay on Jan 21, 2012 12:21 PM MST reply actions
Agree with all that
Bradley hounding Nash had me spooked. Why not pass up to price or hill to give Nash breathing room? Those persistent guards really can give Nash fits at times, though not so much last night, as shown by him keeping a hold on the ball pretty well. But I felt bad for him. Seemed like the team was ok with him expending extra energy for nothing.
Grant Hill for prez.
by sun-arc on Jan 21, 2012 1:13 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
How many bigger 2s have a postup game?
Kobe and who else? Redd does, but we’ve got him.
I think that is the advantage we have, with Hill and Dudley, is that they can take the bigger 2s when / if we play those teams. Most teams, even those with 2 guards that can post, won’t have a posting backup. Price gets the backup more in those games, and in most games can guard the 2s.
Bradley did pretty good hounding Nash
Why didn’t Price bring up the ball more? Bradley hounded Nash, and surely that is just wasting Steve’s energy. Let Price bring the ball up, and first pass goes to Nash, same difference, less work for Steve.
but Gortat was unstoppable against weak sauce Boston big men
Why doesn’t Stiemsma play more? Big, ugly, white, American 4/5s really get no respect in the NBA (and I’m Australian – so I’m not biased). Stiemsma looked solid, and surely could have done at least as bad a job as Jermaine O’Neal. Give the kid a chance!
Boston bench is pathetic
Indeed, and it shows how losing 2 players at the same position can kill an NBA team.
It's not just a post game.
More powerful penetrating guards like Wade would probably give him trouble as well.
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.
Who doesn't Wade give trouble?
I can’t see many matchup issues, and even guys like JRich – who don’t use their size a lot – he should be good to guard. Certainly, Price can take a JJ Redick.
In any case, with Brown and Dudley as backups, more than likely there is 15-35 minutes a game where Price can cover a 2 (Jason Terry, Willie Green, whoever LAC plays at 2), and the rest of the time Hill, Dudley and Brown can take over.
Interesting times.
Price vs. NBA SGs
I’m thinking size could become an issue for Price on defense not due to post up game of SGs, but the other advantages size gives you like getting a shot off, being fouled, passing, picks, etc. Should be intense matchup vs. Beaubois and Wes Matthews on Friday will be too big for him.
I think Steisma needs more minutes to earn trust of Rivers. What happened to Erden? He played decent last year. Bass needs to be more defensive minded with his size.
by oLLiE Boombayay on Jan 22, 2012 5:53 PM MST up reply actions
Erden was traded to CLE with Luke Harangody for nothing.
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.
Grumpy Old Men vs. Grumpier Old Men
Had I been playing a drinking game where I took a shot for every missed wide open jumper I would have passed out.
by oLLiE Boombayay on Jan 21, 2012 12:26 PM MST reply actions
No kidding
Why is Jermaine O’neal still in the league 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!
Not shooting well
But plays O’Neal OK defence I guess.
The problem in the NBA is that there is no place to develop NBA skills. Europe is nothing like the NBA, and the D League is a bit of a joke for 4/5s because the style is so frantic, and there are so few good bigs outside the NBA.
That means old 4/5s, like Kurt Thomas, O’Neal and Rasheed Wallace, stick around far longer than their physical talents suggest, because they understand the NBA game – especially defence – whereas younger, more athletic guys never get to learn these skills.
OKC has tried to address that through the D League, but really, there is just a lack of 6’8" to 7’0" guys who can play 4/5 in the NBA, both theoretically, in terms of height distribution of the population, and in practice, as so few players learn the required NBA skills to be a 4th man off the bench.
That is why I predict a guy like Sheldon Williams will play close to 15 years in the league, and why Scott Williams ends up a colour commentator, despite having only one NBA level talent (6’10" tall and not completely stiff).
Ainge loves him
He loves all veterans really. Look how he got the ring for Boston and the teams he was successful with as a player.
They should try anything at center like Miami because KG is not the stopper he once was.
by oLLiE Boombayay on Jan 22, 2012 5:58 PM MST up reply actions
some more luck
DIrk has just been ruled out for the next 4 games!!
first manu, (nt that it made a difference) then rose, then an allegedly injured carmello, then rondo, now dirk!
are the bball gods finally cutting us a break?!
He did..
only problem is that we still lost most of those games. Even the basketball gods can’t help us.
Twitter: @FredLegittt
11/13/2002
…the last time Phoenix scored fewer than 80 points and won.
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