Three points. That was the difference between the Phoenix Suns (5-4) being either 6-3 or 7-2 to start the season. They witnessed three brutal game changing shots that led to losses this week and the hope is that something was gained.
The one thing to be gained in these types of emotional losses - character.
Game Recaps
@ Portland Trail Blazers - L (90-89) Full Recap
vs. Brooklyn Nets - L (100-98 OT) Full Recap
In games (or weeks) like this it is always better to come out on the winning end, but these type of losses build team unity and character. As players and coaches the feeling of these losses sting and the feeling lingers. They do not want to feel it again. That is the positive that comes out of these losses.
"The first one, yeah, they were probably upset," Coach Hornacek after the Nets loss. "Two in a row they are probably going to need a couple of days to get it out of their system. That is the way the game goes."
With three days off between games this is a week that could bring the team closer together. They are already a group that plays well together and fights for each other, but losses like this can build character. They can build a foundation. They can help a team grow-up faster than expected. And, they can make a young athletic team with everything to prove, angry.
Key Stat
-16.8 PPG -3.0 RPG -46.3 FG%
How do you lose that kind of a stat-line? Markieff Morris went from Player of the Week to unfortunate sidenote this week. In the two games since winning the honor he put up a paltry 12 points total on 4-17 (23.5%) shooting from the field. This was highlighted by getting a third quarter start against the Nets and producing a -16 plus/minus that loss. What will be in the cards for Markieff this week?
Quote of the Week
"They had (Brook) Lopez out there with a sprained ankle. The guys knew there was a 20 second timeout in there and to just attack him and see if you can make a play. It was a case where he wasn't moving very well." -- Coach Hornacek , candid, honest about the plan of attack in the Nets loss
Surrogate Watch is starting to look a little better as the Suns, Timberwolves, and Pacers have all moved down the standings and up the draft boards. The Suns are in the lottery (weird, but true) and if you are more of a fan of this years prospects than wins this year, this is for you.
Here is a snapshot of the four picks today:
Indiana Pacers (8-1) -- No. T-29 Overall - (Pick to Phoenix based on protections) This is a Hail Mary pick like last year. Take a swing at a guy you like with potential, like Duke sophomore wing Rodney Hood. He can shoot, he can defend, and he is a quality athlete. Think, Bryon Russell or Shandon Anderson type of glue player.
Minnesota Timberwolves (7-4) -- T-No. 22 Overall - (Pick to Phoenix based on protections) The Suns can go a lot of different directions here, but Creighton senior forward Doug McDermott would be a solid pick-up in this spot. Great shooter, craftier and more skilled than given credit for, and a very good rebounder. Think, somewhere between Kyle Korver and Peja Stojakovic.
Phoenix Suns (5-4) -- No. 14 Overall - (Pick stays in Phoenix) This pick winds up in the lottery despite being better than four eastern conference teams. On my updated mock draft this pick would be Kansas guard Wayne Selden. So far this season Selden has displayed great body control, strength, and an ability to make plays from the two. Think, Wesley Matthews.
Washington Wizards (2-7) -- T-No. 2 Overall - (Pick stays in Washington based on protections) The Wizards clearly know what they are doing. They already have John Wall, Bradley Beal, and traded away their 2014 1st Round pick for Marcin Gortat. Or did they... If the balls bounce this way the ‘Zards might have the best young core in the NBA.
Follow along with the 2014 NBA Draft as the season progresses.
Suns History Lesson
November, 23 1994 with the Utah Jazz Jeff Hornacek scored a career high 40 points (still remains his career-high) and went 8-8 from three. At that point, that was an NBA record, before Latrell Sprewell went 9-9 in a game in 2003 removing Hornacek from the record books.
He was the first to do it. He did it with flair. Coach Hornacek was once the BAMF.
Previewing the Week Ahead:
This season the Suns have had a hot and cold schedule, that against non-playoff caliber teams they were hot and against potential playoff teams they were not necessarily cold. In the four games the Suns have gone 1-3 so far with a total margin in those games of +2 because of a decidedly one sided victory against the Blazers early in the season.
Tuesday, November 19th @ Sacramento Kings (2-7)
Wednesday, November 20th vs. Sacramento Kings (2-7)
Friday, November 22nd @ Charlotte Bobcats (5-5)
Sunday, November 24th @ Orlando Magic (4-6)
With this schedule there are a few teams hovering around .500 that might pose some trouble for the Suns, but they could also have a big 4-0 week to get things back on track.
The Kings are one of four teams that are taking this upcoming draft very serious. They won the first game of the season and since then have gone 1-7 playing a fairly tough schedule early on. This week they trade venues with a home-and-home with the Suns before they hit the road for a three game east coast road trip.
This week will do one of three things: One, it will get the Suns back on track with three or four wins. Two, drop them back down to earth with three or four losses. And, three, remain a team hovering around .500 which is what this team has felt like through the first nine games of the season.