Suns Drop Sonics: 110 - 98

by Seth Pollack on Mar 19, 2008 10:09 PM MST in Phoenix Suns: Game Coverage

This was a game that the..@#$%..sh-t...@#$!@#$...dropped that one...!@$%@#$...damn...!@#@#@...can't get the handle...

Turnovers. More turnovers. Three's. More three's. Bell's ankle. Game over.

Player of the Game Not Named Steve Clutch Nash

Raja Bell. 6-6 from 3 and once again playing solid D. This time holding down ~~overhyped~~ phenom Rookie-of-the-Year-To-Be to a uninspired 6-13 with about half those makes on uncontested layups off turnovers and couple of really sorry looking charges where he somehow thought that by running through Grant Hill he could get to the locker room faster then by...oh say pulling up for a jumper (a lost art on the break) or you know, going around a Hill with its feet planted. Back to Raja. He was awesome and just starting to really get into a groove. I am seriously hoping that the sprain isn't as bad as it looked. My guess is he's out about three games though. That looked like a bad one.

Full French

To my main man Johan Petro. This summer the Sonics had about 12 big guys and somehow we couldn't figure out how to get this guy when he was barely getting minutes. As he get's more burn his value is going to increase and that window may have closed. But tell me you don't like that guy on the floor w/ Nash and Amare blocking shots, grabbing rebounds, running the floor, hitting an occassional J and most importantly using his length and mobility to guard all kinds of stud centers. For those wondering what we should have done instead of Shaq? This is your man for the low low price of $1m this year and I am betting that he could be signed for something less then the $20m/yr Big Role Player.

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Petro over Shaq?

Please, tell me you didn't suggest this.

Walk on, walk on With hope in your heart And you'll never walk alone You'll never walk alone

by Nobs on Mar 19, 2008 10:28 PM MST reply actions

Shaq > Petro, but...

Shaq > Petro & Matrix?

by hcblankscreen on Mar 20, 2008 12:47 AM MST up reply actions

Shaq < Petro +

$19MM in my bank account.

The SUNS - NOW THE HOTTEST TEAM IN THE NBA!

by ZonaFlash on Mar 20, 2008 2:40 AM MST up reply actions

Petro??

He would be a practical non-factor, he doesn't compare anywhere near Shaq. Sure he's young, athletic, good for what he does, but he wouldn't improve the chemistry or toughness of the team at all. Shaq's 20 mil is not that bad considering he gives the team energy, hustle, toughness, as well as recouping some of that financial burden with media coverage.

That said I wouldn't mind seeing Petro on the team at all, with Shaq here. BTW the Heat lost by like 70 points last night, I wonder how happy Marion is about that and seeing the Suns on a 6 game winning streak and figuring out they didn't REALLY need him as badly as he needed them.

by slyguy183 on Mar 20, 2008 7:45 AM MST reply actions

Its all good

I think this team would have been as good this year w/ Petro (or someone like him) along w/ Marion. I don't think our chances now are any better and I have to admit they aren't any worse. Do you really think that at this point in the season with race like it is that they wouldn't have been playing hard? Its not liked they tanked in the playoff's last year. Despite all Shawn's immature BS - you can't say he didn't bring it when it came time to play. He had a role and he filled it. He didn't take bad shots. He didn't disrupt the flow of the game. He played his ass off and if you add in a big guy to defend and rebound the center position you would have freed Amare just like he is now. We will never know.

This all comes into play even more next year and year after. No matter what happens in the plaoffs this year, do you think Shaq is going to be playing at this level next Oct - Feb? He hasn't played more then 60 games in a season since 04-05.

So, in the big jigsaw puzzle that is an NBA team salary cap you have about 1/3 taken up next year by a guy who's not going to bring it every night early in the season and is likely to miss a bunch of games. And when he does play his role on the floor is to clog the middle and rebound and bring toughness. That doesn't sound like a $20/yr player to me. Despite how funny he is in the locker room and how much the guys love him. They felt the same about Eddie House and Bo Outlaw too.

And finally in 2009-2010 there only three words that are going to matter in Sun's land. Get used to saying this: "Shaq's expiring contract".

Phx - where Player of the Week happens

by Seth Pollack on Mar 20, 2008 9:58 AM MST up reply actions

Shaq

I think he brought a confidence to the team. I really do. Petro wouldn't be getting PT here. It's not just get a big guy to free Amare. The big guy must be able to play. Shaq is a future HoF. I will say it again: Shaq is a future HoF, and Top 5 ALL TIME. Is he old? Well, I wouldn't mind getting an old Kareem Abdul-Jabbar back there if we had the chance.

Shaq is not the same player he was, but he can bring whatever is that we need. And he's not just a nice guy, he's maybe the most charismatic player in the NBA. And you seem to be missing these intangibles, these little things. Having such a great guy around must lift the team's spirit.

And Marion, for all he gave us, he was an asshole. He became an asshole. He wanted out, and he wanted out in the middle of the season. And about Shaq's condition... Well... Grant Hill was also likely to miss a bunch of games. How many did he miss?

I don't miss Marion. He went to the worst team in the NBA, and I hope he's happy there. I don't even see him becoming some kind of JJ around there. Let's face it: D-Wade is so much better than him that it is not even funny.

Walk on, walk on With hope in your heart And you'll never walk alone You'll never walk alone

by Nobs on Mar 20, 2008 10:39 AM MST up reply actions

didn't bring it

Second half game 5 SA series. Shawn failed us.

'07-'08 Suns: It's clobberin' time!

by Hawk42 on Mar 20, 2008 12:13 PM MST up reply actions

Oh and Durant...

He's a franchise player with no supporting cast at all, kind of like Lebron in his early years. And yeah their level of talent doesn't even compare at all but people are expecting him to carry the team to new heights but even a superduperstar like Lebron can't bring his team to #1,2, or 3 in the East with his crappy supporting cast.

Put it this way, if you had to put a team of 10 quality players from both the Suns and Sonics rosters, what would it look like? Probably like our main 7-8 + Durant and Petro. Anyone else you'd really want to have? Maybe you can argue taking Ridnour over Strawberry or Green over Skinner but that's it. Durant looked amazing in the fast break and he'd be a huge asset if he were on the Suns... I'd say even at this point he's better than Joe Johnson was.

by slyguy183 on Mar 20, 2008 7:50 AM MST reply actions

better than JJ in 2004-2005?

As I recall JJ in 2004-2005 could hit 48% from 3 and was strong enough to defend powerfully.

Durant may become better than JJ shortly, but come on, he's still a rook and a waif.

We could make a lot of sonics look pretty good in our system. We've shown that with our coaching and core, we can pretty much plug anyone in and make them look better than they actually are.

The SUNS - NOW THE HOTTEST TEAM IN THE NBA!

by ZonaFlash on Mar 20, 2008 7:57 AM MST up reply actions

I dunno...

I mean yeah lots of players come here and look good, but don't you think we target people with talent? Every year we have like 5 guys rotting on the bench doing squat. If we had Donyell Marshall, Robert Swift, Earl Watson, they'd be getting any burn?

by slyguy183 on Mar 20, 2008 8:32 AM MST up reply actions

Man you are killing me

Collison and Wilcox are very solid NBA players. Wilkens and Green have much bigger upside then Strawberry. Ridenour is the perfect backup PG for the Suns.

The Sonics have as much talent if not more then the Blazer's last year and while I don't recall the specifics - I doubt they are less talented then LeBron's first year team.

They suck b/c they they aren't using their resources well and they have an owner who's #1 priority is moving the team.

Durant on the Suns or any other good team would be playing 20-25min / game and averaging about 10pts. He's got a ton of talent but he's not a dominate NBA basketball player. Do you think the Suns would put up w/ him shooting 40% and still taking all those shots? No way.

Phx - where Player of the Week happens

by Seth Pollack on Mar 20, 2008 10:13 AM MST up reply actions

Seattle

Remember that year a few years back when they put it all together? The team this year is not much different talent-wise. Is McMillan that good of a coach? Seattle has the athletes. They just play awful together. If we hadn't played a game the night before, we would have slaughtered them. They had about 35 points off turnovers, where we had only 12.

'07-'08 Suns: It's clobberin' time!

by Hawk42 on Mar 20, 2008 12:20 PM MST up reply actions

Nate just might be that good

It didn't show as much in the game on Monday, but I was really impressed with the coaching in the previous game against Portland. Remember, the Suns got off to a sizable lead over a young team, and according to the announcers, McMillan really calmed his team down and had them think of it in terms of five minute increments. Sure enough, they got back in the game and darn near came away with the upset. He seems like a great coach for a team of young guys.

by TexSUN on Mar 20, 2008 12:23 PM MST up reply actions

DomiNANT

Not dominate...

by whatisboxhappening on Mar 20, 2008 11:56 AM MST reply actions

SaltRiverProject

Don't give him a hard time, he's a Project man. :)

'07-'08 Suns: It's clobberin' time!

by Hawk42 on Mar 20, 2008 12:22 PM MST up reply actions

no grammar/spelling police! :-)

I make a ton of typos too. Not b/c I don't know better, but typically my attention is too divided and I don't bother to read what I have just written.

I hate reading my own typos, but hate reading obvious corrections even more!

The SUNS - NOW THE HOTTEST TEAM IN THE NBA!

by ZonaFlash on Mar 20, 2008 1:15 PM MST up reply actions

Thinks for the asist

Phx - where Player of the Week happens

by Seth Pollack on Mar 20, 2008 5:24 PM MST up reply actions

It's not a typo...

It's more like using the wrong word.... never mind :(

Dominate... lol

by whatisboxhappening on Mar 20, 2008 5:54 PM MST up reply actions

Sorry... I just couldn't hold my tongue...

When people say dominant...or when they mean to say it... in normal speech (not written) they actually say dominate... Well some people...

Anyways... I'm listening to Gambo and Ash...and they say they have bad news...what's this news? It's commercials now... but I can't listen to it for longer cuz I have to go... They talked about their brackets for forever....gahhh.... Is Raja out for the season or something?

by whatisboxhappening on Mar 20, 2008 1:21 PM MST reply actions

to you - LOL! about Raja - oh f*** no!

The SUNS - NOW THE HOTTEST TEAM IN THE NBA!

by ZonaFlash on Mar 20, 2008 1:30 PM MST up reply actions

Unjury Ipdate :-)

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/PaulCoro/19719

Raja Bell is ok - getting better but will likely be out against Houston.

GG will likely play

GH is reaggravating his sprain by taking charges

The SUNS - NOW THE HOTTEST TEAM IN THE NBA!

by ZonaFlash on Mar 20, 2008 1:33 PM MST up reply actions

Wow, you're quick!

I JUST checked Coro's blog to see if there was an update. I guess he posted something right after I looked! :)

by TexSUN on Mar 20, 2008 1:33 PM MST up reply actions

I have a lot of paranoia this afternoon...

The SUNS - NOW THE HOTTEST TEAM IN THE NBA!

by ZonaFlash on Mar 20, 2008 1:35 PM MST up reply actions

GH

I've said ten times his wrist sprain is going to linger till the end of the season.

Every game, he keeps reinjuring it, so yeah, it looks like it won't go away.

The SUNS - NOW THE HOTTEST TEAM IN THE NBA!

by ZonaFlash on Mar 20, 2008 1:34 PM MST up reply actions

He'll be OK

I once rolled my ankle real bad while playing frisbee at a Dead concert. It felt like I broke it. It really hurt. But I was over it in a few days. raja is still young.

'07-'08 Suns: It's clobberin' time!

by Hawk42 on Mar 20, 2008 2:33 PM MST reply actions

I am guessing

that at a Dead Concert you were able to find some pain killers to ease the hurt...

Phx - where Player of the Week happens

by Seth Pollack on Mar 20, 2008 5:19 PM MST up reply actions

Jerry's boys

Like a candy store. But it still hurt. I saw them in Vegas the next night.

'07-'08 Suns: It's clobberin' time!

by Hawk42 on Mar 20, 2008 8:41 PM MST up reply actions

everyone

I've made it bigtime, I'm a number 1 and 2 serach result for dan marjlee off google!

I'll be at the room store this Friday signing autographs from 1 to 3pm. Also, I'll be holding a summer league game outdoors in Canada next week, hope you'all can make it, Canada, Texas (It's a new town)

Shaqadelic

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 20, 2008 4:14 PM MST reply actions

Majerle is the correct spelling

This has been a tragic mistake, forgive me, Side note, Dan's been bumped off my list of top 5 for Jack from Jack in the box, cool ads

Shaqadelic

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 20, 2008 4:17 PM MST up reply actions

and this is why

we need the magical power to erase

Shaqadelic

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 20, 2008 4:17 PM MST up reply actions

All you have to do is

do an advanced Google search on your screen name and you're famous.

by AZSEAfan @ Bright Side Of The Sun on Mar 20, 2008 4:49 PM MST up reply actions

i know, just being silly

thanks though

Shaqadelic

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 20, 2008 8:27 PM MST up reply actions

I did and it wasn't one of my finer moments...

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12886

LOL

The SUNS - NOW THE HOTTEST TEAM IN THE NBA!

by ZonaFlash on Mar 21, 2008 6:25 AM MST up reply actions

Honestly

I'm a lot nicer now that Amare is better. Really.

The SUNS - NOW THE HOTTEST TEAM IN THE NBA!

by ZonaFlash on Mar 21, 2008 6:26 AM MST up reply actions

And I still think Dr. Carter's

estimate of 4 months recovery time was a gross, gross, harmful error.

The SUNS - NOW THE HOTTEST TEAM IN THE NBA!

by ZonaFlash on Mar 21, 2008 6:36 AM MST up reply actions

thanks for the link, that was funny

I also always wondered about that 4 mth estimate which quickly turned into much more. You see with oden he missed the full season,

Shaqadelic

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 21, 2008 5:42 PM MST up reply actions

Yeah and look

[1] Oden was even younger than STAT
[2] Oden's defect was even smaller than STAT's.

To me, as well as to the rest of the medical profession and to players who have gone through microfracture, Dr. Thomas "4 months" Carter really fukt up.

The SUNS - NOW THE HOTTEST TEAM IN THE NBA!

by ZonaFlash on Mar 21, 2008 6:11 PM MST up reply actions