Phoenix Suns At Portland Trailblazers Game Preview: Gut Check Time

by 7footer on Jan 27, 2012 11:50 AM MST

Tonight, the 6-11 Phoenix Suns will take on the 11-8 Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden, 8:00pm MST, in what is sure to be a test for the Suns regarding their resolve to stay together and willingness to continue competing.

The Suns are coming off of a disappointing two-game losing streak against the Dallas Mavericks without Dirk Nowitzki, and then against the Toronto Raptors at home who the Suns had previously beaten 14 times straight. The confidence of this team is in question and their future together hangs in the balance. The Suns' lone victory against an opponent with a winning record came against the Blazers back on Jan. 6th; when they upset Portland with a blowout victory 102-77. Tonight's game will either further the notion that something must be done to shake things up, or show that this team still has some fight left in it.

The Trail Blazers are coming off of difficult stretch themselves after losing five of their last nine games, with seven of those games on the road, but they have been playing very well at home. In fact, the Blazers are 8-1 at home so far this season compared to 3-7 on the road, so the Suns will certainly see a different team tonight than the one they beat earlier this month in Phoenix.

Will the Suns have what it takes to pull out another upset tonight against the Blazers? Read on for some analysis on what to expect from tonight's game.

A look at the Blazers:

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
LaMarcus Aldridge	19	36.8	9.1	18.4	49.1	0.1	0.2	25.0	4.3	5.5	78.1	3.3	5.7	8.9	2.8	2.2	1.2	0.7	3.4	22.5
Wesley Matthews	19	32.9	4.6	11.1	41.4	1.7	4.8	35.9	2.5	2.9	87.3	0.7	2.4	3.1	1.4	1.1	1.3	0.2	2.2	13.4
Gerald Wallace	18	34.4	5.2	10.8	48.2	0.6	2.3	26.2	2.3	3.5	65.1	1.5	5.8	7.3	2.3	2.1	1.4	0.5	2.7	13.3
Jamal Crawford	19	24.7	4.5	12.7	35.5	1.3	4.2	31.3	2.9	3.1	94.9	0.2	1.8	2.0	3.3	2.0	0.9	0.2	1.5	13.3
Nicolas Batum	19	24.7	3.5	8.1	43.1	1.3	3.2	40.0	2.8	3.4	84.4	1.3	2.8	4.2	0.9	1.0	0.6	0.8	1.8	11.1
Raymond Felton	19	33.8	3.9	10.6	37.1	0.7	3.4	20.0	2.2	2.7	80.4	0.3	2.1	2.4	6.8	2.8	1.1	0.2	2.4	10.7
Craig Smith	17	12.5	1.9	3.6	52.5	0.0	0.1	0.0	1.3	1.8	71.0	1.0	2.3	3.3	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.1	1.4	5.1
Kurt Thomas	19	16.7	1.7	3.1	55.2	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.2	0.3	50.0	0.8	2.8	3.6	0.9	0.5	0.5	0.6	2.5	3.5
Marcus Camby	16	23.4	1.3	3.4	36.4	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.7	1.2	57.9	2.9	6.4	9.4	2.1	1.6	0.8	1.4	2.4	3.2
Nolan Smith	12	6.3	0.8	2.4	31.0	0.2	0.7	25.0	0.3	0.7	37.5	0.3	0.5	0.8	0.8	0.6	0.3	0.1	0.7	1.9
Elliot Williams	6	3.7	0.7	1.5	44.4	0.2	0.8	20.0	0.0	0.5	0.0	0.0	0.3	0.3	0.2	0.0	0.0	0.2	0.2	1.5
Chris Johnson	8	4.0	0.4	0.9	42.9	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.5	0.5	100.0	0.4	0.4	0.8	0.0	0.1	0.0	0.4	1.3	1.3
Luke Babbitt	6	2.7	0.2	0.7	25.0	0.2	0.5	33.3	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.7	0.7	0.0	0.2	0.0	0.0	0.5	0.5

The Blazers' best player continues to be LaMarcus Aldridge who is averaging 22.8 points and 8.9 rebounds a game. Portland is also getting significant contributions with scoring from Wesley Matthews, Gerald Wallace, Jamal Crawford, Nicholas Batum, and Raymond Felton who are all averaging over 10 points a game. Portland is currently the 10th highest scoring team in the league averaging 96.74 points per game, and their numerous contributors help them to overcome bad games from individual players.

Here are the Suns:

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
Marcin Gortat	17	30.9	6.9	11.6	59.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.6	2.5	64.3	2.2	7.7	9.9	0.9	1.5	0.6	1.7	2.1	15.4
Steve Nash	16	31.9	5.8	10.8	53.5	1.1	3.0	37.5	1.9	2.1	88.2	0.3	1.9	2.2	10.4	3.6	0.5	0.0	0.6	14.5
Jared Dudley	17	29.4	3.6	8.6	42.5	0.9	2.9	32.0	1.5	1.9	78.1	1.0	3.1	4.1	1.6	1.0	0.9	0.2	1.5	9.7
Shannon Brown	17	21.7	3.6	9.3	38.6	0.8	2.5	32.6	1.5	1.9	81.3	0.5	1.6	2.2	0.9	1.1	0.9	0.1	1.4	9.5
Grant Hill	16	26.6	3.6	9.4	38.7	0.2	1.2	15.8	1.8	2.0	90.6	0.7	3.3	3.9	1.4	1.6	0.8	0.8	1.7	9.3
Hakim Warrick	14	17.7	3.2	6.6	48.4	0.1	0.5	14.3	2.1	2.9	75.0	1.2	1.4	2.6	1.0	0.9	0.2	0.1	1.4	8.6
Markieff Morris	17	21.2	2.8	6.4	44.4	1.0	2.1	48.6	0.8	1.1	77.8	1.0	4.1	5.1	1.1	1.4	0.7	0.5	2.9	7.5
Channing Frye	17	21.7	2.7	7.2	37.4	1.2	3.6	32.3	0.5	0.6	81.8	1.1	4.8	5.9	1.0	1.1	0.5	0.7	2.3	7.1
Robin Lopez	17	14.2	1.6	3.5	47.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.5	2.1	74.3	1.1	2.2	3.3	0.4	0.8	0.1	0.6	2.5	4.8
Ronnie Price	17	17.5	1.8	4.4	40.5	0.6	1.6	35.7	0.6	0.7	83.3	0.7	1.2	1.9	2.6	1.3	1.0	0.2	2.4	4.7
Sebastian Telfair	11	9.7	1.3	4.4	29.2	0.5	1.1	41.7	1.3	1.5	87.5	0.3	0.7	1.0	0.9	0.5	0.6	0.0	1.4	4.3
Michael Redd	5	12.8	1.2	4.6	26.1	0.6	2.4	25.0	1.2	1.6	75.0	0.0	0.8	0.8	0.6	0.4	0.2	0.0	0.8	4.2
Josh Childress	5	11.2	0.8	2.4	33.3	0.2	1.4	14.3	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.6	0.8	1.4	0.4	0.2	0.6	0.2	0.6	1.8

The Suns on the other hand currently rank 20th in scoring, averaging 92.71 points per game. The Suns' best players are unquestionably Steve Nash and Marcin Gortat. Gortat is averaging 15.4 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, and Nash is averaging 14.5 points and 10.4 assists. Beyond these two players though, the Suns have struggled to find any consistency whatsoever. Jared Dudley, Grant Hill, and Shannon Brown have all been consistently inconsistent, and rookie Markieff Morris who had a fantastic start to the season has struggled over his last five games averaging only 3.6 points and 4 rebounds in each.

Key Match-Ups:

Steve Nash vs. Raymond Felton - While Felton has been solid for the Blazers this season averaging 10.7 points and 6.8 assists, he's simply no match for the former two-time MVP who continues to defy his age and silence the doubters. (Advantage Suns)

Ronnie Price/Shannon Brown vs. Wesley Mathews/Jamal Crawford - The Suns are still trying to find the right fit at their two guard position to balance their defense and offense on both the first and second units. The Suns will likely continue to experiment with different looks in both units tonight, but it will be a hard assignment for both Price and Brown against the Portland wings. (Advantage Portland)

Grant Hill vs. Gerald Wallace - Hill defended Wallace in the last meeting with the Blazers and held him to only one point on 0-6 shooting from the field. Since it worked so well last time Gentry may stick with it again for tonight's game, but I also wouldn't be surprised if Alvin Gentry asks Grant to defend Aldridge instead. (Advantage Suns)

Markieff Morris vs. LaMarcus Aldridge - Aldridge has been playing at an incredibly high level this season, and Morris has been struggling lately to defend his man. Over the last two games, the player he defended has been the opponents' leading scorer; with Shawn Marion scoring 29 points for Dallas and Andrea Bargnani scoring 36 points for the Raptors. It will be interesting to see if Alvin Gentry sticks with Morris guarding Portland's best player or if he asks Hill to do it instead. (Advantage Portland)

Marcin Gortat vs. Marcus Camby - The one area that Camby could out play Gortat in tonight is with rebounding. Although Gortat averages more rebounds than Camby per game (9.9 to 9.4), Camby averages more rebounds per 36 minutes (14.4 to 11.6). Gortat is more effective in all other aspects of the game though, and he should be able to create mismatches though with his mobility and ability to score inside the paint and out. The Suns need to look for Gortat early and often to help them establish their offense. (Advantage Suns)

Suns Bench vs. Blazers Bench - Portland has been getting excellent contributions from guys like Jamal Crawford, Nicholas Batum, and even Kurt Thomas. The Suns are a much deeper team and have a bevy of contributors on their bench, but have yet to find a winning formula for consistency. If Jared Dudley, Channing Frye, Hakim Warrick, and Shannon Brown play well then the Suns bench could be the difference in the game. (Advantage ?)

Summary:

Like the title of the article states, this is gut check time for the Suns. This could easily be a game that the Suns fail to show up in as they continue to spiral downward in their descent, or this could be a game in which they pull themselves up by their boot straps and come together as a team for another upset against a very good opponent. The Suns have already shown they are capable of beating the Blazers when they are playing well, but they will need a team effort in order to do so, as well as consistent play from their supporting cast.

Going into this game it would be hard to pick against the Blazers who are playing so well at home, but I'll still give the Suns a punchers chance of getting a much needed win tonight.

Other Notes:

- Robin Lopez will not be playing tonight as he is serving out a one-game suspension for purposely bumping into a ref during Tuesday's game against the Toronto Raptors.

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Comments

It will be too much to hope for a win tonight,

so I’m doing my part in betting on the Blazers. Statistics say that this has to make the Suns win.

by Lompe on Jan 27, 2012 12:08 PM MST reply actions

Lopez suspended for the game

Selfish, inmature, spoiled, self centered, lack of respect for the team, ingrate etc. Better look in the mirror Robin Lopez. What you see should look pretty repulsive.

by da suns on Jan 27, 2012 12:21 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

He's 23

Many people have done much, much worse. It’s not like the guy killed someone.

Don't trade Dudley!

by Beavis 25 on Jan 27, 2012 12:33 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs

i.e Demarcus Cousins

Twitter: @FredLegittt

by modernage13 on Jan 27, 2012 1:56 PM MST up reply actions

Or Jr. smith or barbra bush

Look it up. Theyve both killed a guy

"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"

by phxpurple on Jan 27, 2012 2:23 PM MST via Android app up reply actions

Yeah I know

But J.R was just being a stupid driver…didn’t literally stab or shot his friend. Not an excuse though for what he did.

Twitter: @FredLegittt

by modernage13 on Jan 27, 2012 6:05 PM MST up reply actions

Question?

Where is michael Redd?
Still out of shape? If so why is he not in the dleague?
Isnt that another reason its there. drop players down so they can get reps. Especially this season where the suns arent practicing as much. Between him warrick and jchill never playing thst like 11 millions NOT aying. And between frye dudz hill and brown playing like poop thats like 18 mill playing like crap. now thats inefficiency

"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"

by phxpurple on Jan 27, 2012 2:28 PM MST via Android app up reply actions

Good point.

Even Bledsoe from Clippers is in the D League. I think it’s not that he’s out of shape but his knees and they’re not saying anything about it. How long does it take anyway? Dirk only missed like 4 games.

Twitter: @FredLegittt

by modernage13 on Jan 27, 2012 6:04 PM MST up reply actions

Yea I saw that about bledsoe

And a knee problem would explain things. Because you shouldnt be out of shape to the point of not being able to play 2 solid 10 minute spurts here and there

"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"

by phxpurple on Jan 27, 2012 6:47 PM MST via Android app up reply actions

Yea I saw that about bledsoe

And a knee problem would explain things. Because you shouldnt be out of shape to the point of not being able to play 2 solid 10 minute spurts here and there

"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"

by phxpurple on Jan 27, 2012 7:05 PM MST via Android app up reply actions

He may be a punk but at least he's not as gross as Bynum.

Bynum prefers elbowing players while said player is up in the air and could fall to a severe injury.
Running into a ref..while stupid is kind of understandable.
(Blazer fan)

by Natsthecat on Jan 27, 2012 5:08 PM MST up reply actions

Welcome

R u chillin on bsots tonite?

"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"

by phxpurple on Jan 27, 2012 5:18 PM MST via Android app up reply actions

nice work Beavis. nevertheless da suns is right. its a team sport, ya? so, Robin should have woken up after the broken glass door incident. Maybe we can blame his psychiatrist.

Blogging Suns Basketball. Twitter: @willcantrellphx

by Wil Cantrell on Jan 27, 2012 6:27 PM MST up reply actions

What I'll expect.

I am curious about Suns attitude. Will they play with “heart” ? No doubts this will be also kind of exam for whole team.
IMO not only RoLo should look in the mirror.

by roby07 on Jan 27, 2012 12:34 PM MST reply actions

I'm glad that it's a late start so I can

catch the second half of the game thread.

I’m not sure if there is an amount of “guts” sufficient to overcome the Suns apparent destitution of talent. It just hasn’t been clicking so far. The Suns needed a team bursting with role players to overachieve this season to reach a rather modest ceiling.

Even Steve’s ability to turn marginal into majestic has faltered. We’ve seen some of these players produce at a higher level, but sometimes the chemistry and make up of a team is altered and they are unable to recreate the same magic they did in the past. These vicissitudes are unfortunate, but not unexpected in situations akin to the Suns “future building” state.

Gortat’s numbers are really starting to look impressive. I genuinely hope he’s given some consideration as an all star reserve and doesn’t get ignored on a cellar dwelling team… There’s no reason to preclude from possibility that he could be averaging something ridiculous like 18, 12, and 2 by the break, since he’s been putting up rockstar numbers after overcoming the thumb fracture.

Another fabulous write up 7f.

It was only called the mildly irritated house on McDowell until I showed up.

by Jim Coughenour on Jan 27, 2012 12:54 PM MST reply actions

I had no idea rock stars averaged double-doubles.

Maybe we should sign Bon Jovi out of free agency.

"I'm a nobody." - Steve Nash in 1997

by PHXSunsRunNGun on Jan 27, 2012 1:00 PM MST up reply actions

"This is a rock star, this is a rock star team."- Dennis Rodman on the 95-96 Bulls

Don't trade Dudley!

by Beavis 25 on Jan 27, 2012 1:14 PM MST up reply actions

Bench edge

Portland

"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"

by phxpurple on Jan 27, 2012 1:15 PM MST via Android app reply actions

I hope we pull a Celtics Vs. Magic like last night's game

Down by 27 at one point and then winning the game by 9 or whatever. With the way we’re playing though and sucking at 4th, we’ll be the Magics being up so many points and blowing it at the end of the game.

Twitter: @FredLegittt

by modernage13 on Jan 27, 2012 1:59 PM MST reply actions

This game...

Has “Suns get down and completely quit on their way to a huge loss” written all over it.

No longer trying to light Vince Carter on fire.

by Scott Howard on Jan 27, 2012 2:39 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

some may see your thoughts as negative

cant fool me though lol this way you cant be disappointed.

by miketheboss on Jan 27, 2012 5:02 PM MST up reply actions

Nice preview 7footer

Even though I love me some Grant Hill, I’m don’t think he gets the advantage over Gerald Wallace. I’d call it a push.

Fun Fact:
Marcin Gortat is currently 11th in the league in rebounding. Out of the 10 players ahead of him, only 5 are averaging more points. All 5 are former or current all-stars (including Bynum who is a lock to start this year).

BAMF goes HAM.

by brian13 on Jan 27, 2012 3:48 PM MST reply actions

He has done well against Wallace

But if he isn’t scoring as well then it will be more of a wash.

"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!

by Airwave on Jan 27, 2012 4:31 PM MST up reply actions

That's an interesting match-up...

If Grant can shut down Wallace like he did in Phoenix then I definitely give Grant Hill the edge. However, I’m not even sure he’ll be guarding Wallace after Markieff’s recent struggles. LaMarcus is Portland’s most dangerous player, and Gentry may want Grant to guard him this time instead.

The thing is, Grant did so well against Wallace in the first game that Gentry may not want to mess with a winning formula, but Markieff will have to play MUCH better defensively against Aldridge tonight than he did against Marion and Bargnani or it’s going to get ugly fast.

by 7footer on Jan 27, 2012 4:38 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

Should we start frye then?

"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"

by phxpurple on Jan 27, 2012 4:41 PM MST via Android app up reply actions

Frye will be our backup C tonight...

So I don’t think Gentry will start him at the 4.

by 7footer on Jan 27, 2012 4:43 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

Oh yea I forot I forgot

Damn rolo, you fuggin up man

"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"

by phxpurple on Jan 27, 2012 4:44 PM MST via Android app up reply actions

I would say we'd be better w/o him

but I think Warrick will get most of the minutes, so…

Voted most likely to say "I told you so"

by jc79 on Jan 27, 2012 6:39 PM MST up reply actions

So BAMF is leading the team in FT %?

You can follow me on twitter.

sports_dude33

Looking ahead for Grant Hill's 1000th game.

by sports_dude33 on Jan 27, 2012 4:10 PM MST reply actions

There's no way in hell we win this game -

so it won’t bother me too much when we lose. At least not as much as the ugly home losses to weak-ass teams we used to beat in our sleep. There’s a slogan at Senor Frogs in Cancun which says: “If our service isn’t up to your standards, please lower your standards.” Sigh. We’ve become the Senor Frogs of the NBA. Wake me when the season’s over.
(This dumb kind of gallows humor is as good as it gets for us hapless Suns fans these days.)

by Van2010 on Jan 27, 2012 4:27 PM MST reply actions

WOW

We have 2 scorers averaging double figures. SO BAD!

"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!

by Airwave on Jan 27, 2012 4:30 PM MST reply actions

I want to believe in this team, I really realy do but...

Like jerry sandusky on the set of sesame street. Its soooo harrrrrd

"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"

by phxpurple on Jan 27, 2012 4:40 PM MST via Android app reply actions

That's what she said

Twitter: @FredLegittt

by modernage13 on Jan 27, 2012 6:07 PM MST up reply actions

No, I think that's what he said

Voted most likely to say "I told you so"

by jc79 on Jan 27, 2012 6:31 PM MST up reply actions

Boom

Twitter: @FredLegittt

by modernage13 on Jan 27, 2012 7:04 PM MST up reply actions

Oh, come on fellas...

…no pessimism allowed ‘til at least 3rd quarter on game nights. The rest of the time (after a loss and up to the day of the next game) feel free. That’s the rule, right?

Yeah, I’m struggling along with you.

"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."

by Basketball GF on Jan 27, 2012 4:53 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

Hey, GF, miss ya.

Let’s keep it clean, and positive, and win.

That is all.

"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."

by haremoor on Jan 27, 2012 5:46 PM MST up reply actions

its so hard to want a win now

can’t decide if i want a lottery pic or a barely make the playoffs.

by miketheboss on Jan 27, 2012 4:53 PM MST reply actions

Yea that to

If I knew nash was returning id tank so hard. But with that uncertain I cant root for nash to suffer

"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"

by phxpurple on Jan 27, 2012 4:58 PM MST via Android app up reply actions

ya but wanting Nash to return

is rooting for him to suffer in a way sigh

by miketheboss on Jan 27, 2012 5:12 PM MST up reply actions

Barely make the playoffs?

Don’t think you have to worry about that.

by hcblankscreen on Jan 27, 2012 5:03 PM MST up reply actions

same could have been said for makeing the WCF two season ago

by miketheboss on Jan 27, 2012 5:12 PM MST up reply actions

we had the 3rd best record in the wcf snd were extremely hot....

5/02/2006The night Raja Bell's Clothesline was heard around the world -- I STILL REMEMBER!
Follow me @_ItsNotUItsMe

by Wichita SunSteeler on Jan 27, 2012 6:08 PM MST up reply actions

so you anticipated making it to the WCF?

by miketheboss on Jan 27, 2012 6:13 PM MST up reply actions

uhhhh... lol

5/02/2006The night Raja Bell's Clothesline was heard around the world -- I STILL REMEMBER!
Follow me @_ItsNotUItsMe

by Wichita SunSteeler on Jan 27, 2012 6:14 PM MST up reply actions

2 words

Amare Stoudemire, we don’t have Amare Stoudmire again or Jason Richardson.

"I don't lift weights because they are heavy, and I don't run because it makes me tired." - Charles Barkley

by Suns R Us on Jan 27, 2012 6:33 PM MST up reply actions

The OLD Amar'e you mean

by MMotherwell on Jan 27, 2012 6:56 PM MST up reply actions

Portland is also getting significant contributions with scoring from Wesley Matthews, Gerald Wallace, Jamal Crawford, Nicholas Batum, and Raymond Felton who are all averaging over 10 points a game

On combined 41% shooting. Crawford may be a hometown fav but they signed a bona fide chucker. Blazer’s Edge writers venting after that last GS loss, from the highlights it looked like a deflating loss. The Blazers will be looking for payback after that 102-77 blowout, though. Record of 8-1 at home, in those 8 wins an avg. margin of victory of almost 12.5!

by ninecharacters on Jan 27, 2012 5:22 PM MST reply actions

yeah Blazers guards are terrible right now

Jamal and Ray are putting up a ton of shots at about 36%. That not from 3pt either. Ray is 20% from 3pt while Jamal is 31%.

On the bright side, the 3s, 4s and 5s are consistently awesome.

by poorwebguy on Jan 27, 2012 5:56 PM MST up reply actions

Im all in with the sucking for the rest of the year thing

were like almost half way to through the season, ill still watch every game. But i’d love a marquee free agrent + a young stud… like austin rivers lol

5/02/2006The night Raja Bell's Clothesline was heard around the world -- I STILL REMEMBER!
Follow me @_ItsNotUItsMe

by Wichita SunSteeler on Jan 27, 2012 6:05 PM MST reply actions

Can your dad be your coach in the NBA?

Like what if he gets drafted by Celtics and have Doc as his coach? Is that allowed?

Twitter: @FredLegittt

by modernage13 on Jan 27, 2012 6:08 PM MST up reply actions

I don't see why not!

I think Doc was contemplating retirement anyways though

5/02/2006The night Raja Bell's Clothesline was heard around the world -- I STILL REMEMBER!
Follow me @_ItsNotUItsMe

by Wichita SunSteeler on Jan 27, 2012 6:14 PM MST up reply actions

i thought he just signed another contract?

That would be cool though coaching your son after being a player yourself. Can’t think of any player that became a coach and then coached their son in the NBA

Twitter: @FredLegittt

by modernage13 on Jan 27, 2012 6:17 PM MST up reply actions

Would definitely be interesting to see

I wonder if it would cause problems though, both with the team and with their relationship

5/02/2006The night Raja Bell's Clothesline was heard around the world -- I STILL REMEMBER!
Follow me @_ItsNotUItsMe

by Wichita SunSteeler on Jan 27, 2012 6:22 PM MST up reply actions

Yup

Same reason why your parents can’t be your teacher in school…at least that’s how it is when I went to high school.

Twitter: @FredLegittt

by modernage13 on Jan 27, 2012 7:06 PM MST up reply actions

Doc retire

After a 7 year contract this offseason

"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"

by phxpurple on Jan 27, 2012 7:07 PM MST via Android app up reply actions

Oh and if we suck enough we can get the next Stat, Andre Drummond!

5/02/2006The night Raja Bell's Clothesline was heard around the world -- I STILL REMEMBER!
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by Wichita SunSteeler on Jan 27, 2012 6:22 PM MST up reply actions

I thought he was bigger and less athletic?

by MMotherwell on Jan 27, 2012 6:56 PM MST up reply actions

Alright guys...

Nobody expects a Suns win tongiht..Time to show the the league what this team is capable of…Let’s go Suns…!

Let's do this...!

by Daryl Ray on Jan 27, 2012 6:10 PM MST reply actions

Let's all bet how much points Portland would beat us by

I say 25!

Twitter: @FredLegittt

by modernage13 on Jan 27, 2012 6:18 PM MST up reply actions

no he said Capable of

i think the Suns are capable of only losing by 15

by miketheboss on Jan 27, 2012 6:19 PM MST up reply actions

Think positive...

This will be a close game.

Let's do this...!

by Daryl Ray on Jan 27, 2012 6:24 PM MST up reply actions

thats positive, Daryl.

I just hope the Suns dont get blown the F out.

Blogging Suns Basketball. Twitter: @willcantrellphx

by Wil Cantrell on Jan 27, 2012 6:25 PM MST up reply actions

Me too.

Sigh….

Let's do this...!

by Daryl Ray on Jan 27, 2012 6:28 PM MST up reply actions

If Duds and Fry shot their averages from two years ago on 3 pointers, we could easily blow them out.

by haremoor on Jan 27, 2012 6:28 PM MST up reply actions

If not

we can at least blow their knees by doing run and gun offense.

Twitter: @FredLegittt

by modernage13 on Jan 27, 2012 7:02 PM MST up reply actions

random but, Flip Saunders?

by miketheboss on Jan 27, 2012 6:23 PM MST reply actions

No.

Paul westphal is an option if Gentry gets the boot. I don’t wan’t Flip

Let's do this...!

by Daryl Ray on Jan 27, 2012 6:27 PM MST up reply actions

i was thinking the line of succession…..cartwright, majerle.

i dont know if Thunder is equipped to be a head coach.

Blogging Suns Basketball. Twitter: @willcantrellphx

by Wil Cantrell on Jan 27, 2012 6:28 PM MST up reply actions

That's why maybe it would be interim for Dan..

Bring in a guy like Westphal tpo do the heavy lifting…

Let's do this...!

by Daryl Ray on Jan 27, 2012 6:32 PM MST up reply actions

why not?

he’s not horrible

by miketheboss on Jan 27, 2012 6:30 PM MST up reply actions

I always thought he was overrated..

KG made him look better than he really was…

Let's do this...!

by Daryl Ray on Jan 27, 2012 6:31 PM MST up reply actions

he was good with the Pistons too though

and yes he did have Star players but Nash is better than KG.

by miketheboss on Jan 27, 2012 6:37 PM MST up reply actions

Westphal isn't an option

Gentry’s a players coach, so the next guy has to be the fire and brimstone variety.

Voted most likely to say "I told you so"

by jc79 on Jan 27, 2012 6:34 PM MST up reply actions

i concur on that deal. i was thinking jerry sloan. he’s still alive yeah?

Blogging Suns Basketball. Twitter: @willcantrellphx

by Wil Cantrell on Jan 27, 2012 6:34 PM MST up reply actions

Heard he's still interested in coaching, too

Voted most likely to say "I told you so"

by jc79 on Jan 27, 2012 6:35 PM MST up reply actions

Sloan's offense would put me to sleep...

Let's do this...!

by Daryl Ray on Jan 27, 2012 6:35 PM MST up reply actions

Really?

Because we run part of it already.

Voted most likely to say "I told you so"

by jc79 on Jan 27, 2012 6:36 PM MST up reply actions

sigh...

Let's do this...!

by Daryl Ray on Jan 27, 2012 6:36 PM MST up reply actions

1-4 sets

with a lot of high screen-roll… that doesn’t sound familiar?

Voted most likely to say "I told you so"

by jc79 on Jan 27, 2012 6:37 PM MST up reply actions

wait. did Gentry get fired?

Blogging Suns Basketball. Twitter: @willcantrellphx

by Wil Cantrell on Jan 27, 2012 6:29 PM MST up reply actions

Yesterday...didn't you hear...

Let's do this...!

by Daryl Ray on Jan 27, 2012 6:29 PM MST up reply actions

no i just dont like him

coacherbating?

by miketheboss on Jan 27, 2012 6:29 PM MST up reply actions

why dont you like genrrty? just curious.

Blogging Suns Basketball. Twitter: @willcantrellphx

by Wil Cantrell on Jan 27, 2012 6:33 PM MST up reply actions

He just seems to make the wrong decisions to often

Indecisive with the line up benching players that haven’t proven themselves and benching player who have proven to be productive etc… doesn’t call time out when needed. put players in the game who cant make a shot over players who haven’t played at all. When a shot is needed he will run a play for Frye or Dudley even if they are 0-? and the most annoying thing of all is No Passion! win or lose he keeps that same stupid about to drool face! i hate that face almost as much as VC’s smirk.

by miketheboss on Jan 27, 2012 6:50 PM MST up reply actions