Game Day Open Thread: Phoenix Suns vs. Washington Wizards

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 2:50 PM MST in Phoenix Suns: Game Coverage

Phoenix Suns	vs.	Washington Wizards
35-15		24-25
7:30 PM Mountain / 9:30 PM Eastern
TV: FSN AZ HD, ESPN
Probable starters:
Steve Nash	PG	Antonio Daniels
Raja Bell	SG	DeShawn Stevenson
Grant Hill	SF	Andray Blatche
Boris Diaw	PF	Antawn Jamison
Amare Stoudemire	C	Brendan Haywood

The Wizards come to town tonight as the Suns close out a six-game homestand. They may catch a break as both Antonio Daniels and Caron Butler are questionable. The Wizards will definitely catch a break--the Suns are still somewhere between the post-Matrix and Shaq eras. The big man is expected to play his first game in a Suns uniform Wednesday or Thursday at the earliest.

No live blogging tonight. It's a nationally televised game on ESPN, so I'm going to sit back and enjoy, though I may be on for the occasional comment. Srp has the recap after the game. Bullets Forever has the take from the other side.

One last time for the Matrix, who made his Miami debut this afternoon. We've used this one a couple of times before, but I'm bringing it back for a final appearance because (a) it kind of symbolizes what I was hoping the Suns would do with the Shaq trade idea when it was first being rumored (flush it), and (b) it's what I'm now hoping the Suns will do to the rest of the league between now and June:

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Comments

Yawn

Every game now just seems empty without Shaq. I really want to see whether or not this extremely crazy trade has any merit at all. Until then it's just a waiting game where the only thing I look forward to is seeing Diaw improve and DJ prove his worth.

"The Skillful Warrior takes his stand on invulnerable ground; he lets slip no chance of defeating the enemy." Sun Tzu

by Turambar on Feb 10, 2008 6:19 PM MST reply actions

BTW

does anyone know when Shaq will get his first start for certain? I know it could be Wed. or Thur., but has anyone shown any certainty on these dates?

"I have heard that in war haste can be folly, but have never seen delay that was wise." Sun Tzu The Art of War

by Turambar on Feb 10, 2008 6:26 PM MST up reply actions

Game time was incorrect

Sorry everyone. I had the game time wrong at the top of this post (correct in the sidebar). In my defense, it was also wrong on the Suns' schedule on their web site. :) Anyway, the game is at 7:30 Phoenix time / 8:30 central / 9:30 eastern. If you happen to live in California, then 6:30 is right. :)

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 6:40 PM MST reply actions

watched some of miami game today

glad to hear he did pretty good, I'm certain they'll win within one of the next 2 or 3 games, It was tough that their first game (Marion - Heat) was against the Lakers. As far as shaq goes, he could start in 2 weeks and I'd be fine, as long as suns keep position (top 3-4 teams), I say let trainers and shaq work But, as said above, it is very tough waiting..

by jasonsuns1 on Feb 10, 2008 7:41 PM MST reply actions

Wooot

Amare crossover!

by whatisboxhappening on Feb 10, 2008 7:43 PM MST reply actions

New User

Hey guys-

Just registered on this site, but have enjoyed it for a while. Thought i would join up and participate!

Marion looked good with the Heat today, him and Wade could be a good combo down there. Even Banks played ok...

Shaq should start on Thursday, if everyone is to be believed. They just said he will begin practicing with the team on Monday...

by SmittyLite on Feb 10, 2008 7:45 PM MST reply actions

Welcome!

Thanks for signing up. Always nice to see a new member.

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 7:48 PM MST up reply actions

Amare for three!

You know, this Shaq thing has changed my mind about Amare shooting threes. Go for it, big fella!

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 7:47 PM MST reply actions

TV Feed

Are you guys watching the local broadcast or on ESPN? All the ESPN guys have talked about so far is Shaq...

by SmittyLite on Feb 10, 2008 7:51 PM MST reply actions

ESPN for me

No choice.

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 7:54 PM MST up reply actions

Oh come on...

Yeah, Boris should have taken the shot, but still cool to give it up for the rookie.

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 8:09 PM MST reply actions

One other thing

I really like our second unit with DJ in there. Seems to keep the pace up and ball moving much better than either Banks or "LB ball". (Love LB. Just not as the sole option at PG).

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 8:11 PM MST reply actions

DJ

You can tell DJ is still a rook and is deferential with the ball (as he should be), but i also like him in there, providing defense and passing...

by SmittyLite on Feb 10, 2008 8:14 PM MST reply actions

Everybody making three's tonight

First Amare, now Diaw.

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 8:30 PM MST reply actions

Ok, enough LB.

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 8:33 PM MST reply actions

LB

Yeah, bit of a tough night for Barbosa tonight...

by SmittyLite on Feb 10, 2008 8:36 PM MST reply actions

OK, help me out guys....

Gotta come up with a top 10 for MVP and a top 5 for rookie of the year. Anybody got an opinion on this?

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 8:39 PM MST reply actions

MVP, rookies

Hi... I'm a new user from Brazil. I've been a Suns fan since the Barkley era.

My top 10 MVP:
1 LeBron James
2 Steve Nash
3 Brandon Roy
4 Kobe Bryant
5 Dirk Nowitzki
6 Chris Paul
7 Dwight Howard
8 Carlos Boozer
9 Tim Duncan
10 Paul Pierce

Top 5 rookies
1 Kevin Durant
2 Al Horford
3 Al Thornton
4 Sean Williams
5 JC Navarro

Since I only got one NBA game a week (friday), and so far this season only one Suns game, I always check this great live blogging you guys do. Keep it up :]

by troglodytes on Feb 10, 2008 8:57 PM MST up reply actions

Do you get the national TV ones?

Been thinking of just doing live blogging for the league pass games. What do ya'll think? Is it still helpful during national TV games?

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 9:01 PM MST up reply actions

Not all nationals

Only one friday game. And since it's always a double header, we're only teased about the second game.

The ESPN here is run by argentineans, so whenever they can they broadcast Spurs, Bulls, Pistons games. Since they hate brazilians, Barbosa rarely gets screen time. It's really unfair.

I also follow the games on the ESPN website (gamecast), so I get all the facts. The things I look for on your live blogging are the unusual stuff, like why someone got a technical foul, injuries, Szczerbiak's mistakes, bullshit calls on Spurs games, etc.

by troglodytes on Feb 10, 2008 9:11 PM MST up reply actions

OK

That's something I hadn't thought of is overseas readers not getting the ESPN/TNT games. I'll get back to live blogging after the All-Star game, or maybe even this week.

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 9:25 PM MST up reply actions

interesting...

I wonder if our friend here listens to the nba or ktar radio online..

by jasonsuns1 on Feb 10, 2008 10:42 PM MST up reply actions

Thanks for the rankings, btw

I think I have to put CP3 ahead of Nash for now as a hat tip to his defensive work on Nash Wednesday. And as much as I hate to admit it, Kobe probably goes up there too (gag). I think I have pretty much the same 10 you do, just in different orders. I'm really not that up on the rookies this year. Kind of hard to get excited about rookies when you cheer for a team where rookies aren't exactly a high priority. :)

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 9:04 PM MST up reply actions

MVP's

I hate to say this, but think Kobe could be considered for MVP. I'd also definitely look at Chris Paul, KG... Maybe Nash (admitted homer), but they do have best record in the West...

by SmittyLite on Feb 10, 2008 8:53 PM MST reply actions

Some nice work with Nash and Skinner

Skinner started the second half (I think). Some nice work with Nash.

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 9:05 PM MST reply actions

I think Skinner wants to stay in the rotation

Really playing well the last two games.

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 9:11 PM MST reply actions

ROY

You know what...I'd like you to consider placing Al Horford above Kevin Durant. It probably seems ridiculous at first thought, but here's why:

Horford scores 9.2 PPG to Durant's 19.4 but is shooting over 47% from the field while Durant chucks them up with little remorse at barely 40%.

Durant shoots over 17 FGA per game while Horford takes 8 FGA. I'm sure if Horford took a few more shots a game, he could close the gap in the scoring pretty quickly. I know Durant's supposed to be the next big scorer and all, but hes not so great scoring at the moment.

Horford smokes the rookie class in rebounding per game with nearly 10! He's almost averaging a 10/10 double double as a rookie. He averages 1.2 assists to Durant's 2.3 which, IMO, speaks volumes about Durant's lack of assists considering how long he has the ball in his hand.

Durant may seem a little better because of a few clutch shots hes made along the way but these shots seem less impressive compared to all the times his ridiculously bad shooting percentages give his team merely no chance to succeed from the get-go.

Sure, Horford's had some foul trouble issues but he is working through it and has been improving of late. In addition, Durant's "explosion" games of 30+ points pale in comparison (considering FGA) to Horford's recent 20 rebound game and his two games with over 15 rebounds. Furthermore, Horford plays night in and night out against centers bigger than him due to ATL's ridiculous abundance of forwards but provides excellent defense while hes in the game.

Horford has also had a big hand in changing the attitude of the Hawks to that of a winning team. This may seem ridiculous, but consider that the dirty birds are rarely this close to .500 this late in the year and also consider Horford's winning record throughout college. The connection cannot be missed. Durant, on the other side, is prepared to lead the Sonics to one of the worst season's in the franchise's history.

At the end of it, I'm just asking you not judge the ROY based on what the players used to be or what they might become based on their potential. Or on how many commercials the NBA has made for each. Instead, base your choice on their rookie performance thus far.

by RealTangiblesGuy on Feb 10, 2008 9:12 PM MST reply actions

One more thing...

Also read somewhere that only 3 rookies over the past two DECADES have had a 20 rebound game. Not sure who, but I'd have to guess Shaq and Duncan.

by RealTangiblesGuy on Feb 10, 2008 9:14 PM MST reply actions

I'll think about it

At the moment, here are my picks. This is a scoring system, so the higher number is the top placement.

MVP:

Chris Paul (hat tip for taking our guys down on Wed's 2OT classic)
LeBron James
Kobe Bryant (gag)
Steve Nash (shameless homer vote but the guy's also good)
Dwight Howard
Kevin Garnett (down a bit for the injury absence)
Carlos Boozer (nice run by the Jazz to get back on top in the Northwest)
Dirk Nowitzki
Tim Duncan
Paul Pierce (narrowly knocks off Brandon Roy for holding down the fort nicely in KG's absence in Boston)

Rookies (I'm using the list above for the moment; I'll think about swapping Durant and Horford):

Kevin Durant
Al Horford
Al Thornton
Sean Williams
JC Navarro

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 9:31 PM MST up reply actions

4th Quarter

Ok guys, time to put this team away. The Wiz have been playing pretty good, but we should be able to shut them down without three of their starters. Let's get this done Suns!

by SmittyLite on Feb 10, 2008 9:31 PM MST reply actions

Ventage Suns

Wide open three for Raja.

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 9:34 PM MST reply actions

thanks TexSUN

Wow, I didn't think the Wizards would give us so much trouble without Arenas, Butler and Daniels.

Who do you guys think the Suns will/should sign for the 13th spot? And would D'Antoni give this new player any minutes?

The best free agent available IMO are Richie Frahm, Ruben Patteron and DerMarr Johnson.

by troglodytes on Feb 10, 2008 9:36 PM MST reply actions

I'm hoping they use the

8 million exception the suns still have which they got from the k.thomas recent trade, with that, and some luck, maybe a strong player like mike miller, that would give us that extra great shooter (plus rebounder) we need. If only...there's little doubt in my mind that the suns might go after someone using that 8 million exception..

by jasonsuns1 on Feb 10, 2008 10:44 PM MST up reply actions

LB with the flu

Out for the rest of the game.

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 9:40 PM MST reply actions

Flu?

Bar-bizzle with the flu tonight. That helps to explain his 2-12 performance tonight...

by SmittyLite on Feb 10, 2008 9:41 PM MST reply actions

13th Player

I think Luke Jackson would be ok as the 13th man. Ruben Patterson would be a terrible sign in my opinion. Frahm would be ok.

by SmittyLite on Feb 10, 2008 9:43 PM MST reply actions

Go Skinner!

Tying people up left and right.

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 9:44 PM MST reply actions

The morale-crusher

Wizards were doing so good on Nash and Amare, only to get burned by a wide-open Bell three.

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 9:45 PM MST reply actions

Nice almost-steal by Nash

...but it gave the Wizards a wide-open three attempt. Which fortunately they missed.

...and speaking of Nash there he is with the killer three.

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 9:53 PM MST reply actions

Nash-ty!!!!

Big 3!!!

by SmittyLite on Feb 10, 2008 9:53 PM MST reply actions

3-D

Huge rebound!

by SmittyLite on Feb 10, 2008 9:54 PM MST reply actions

LOL

Nash does a good job delaying the inevitable foul. Guess he's not in a hurry to shoot free throws after missing that technical earlier in the game.

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 9:55 PM MST reply actions

Wizards aren't dead yet

Hit a three, then nearly steal from Nash when he slips. Gets the ball to Hill who misses the first one. Hits the second, so at least it's still a 2-possession game. 16 seconds left, so Wizards aren't dead, but they're on life support.

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 9:56 PM MST reply actions

Phew...

Thank you Grant !! Who is this Roger Mason dropping 18 pts on us?

by troglodytes on Feb 10, 2008 9:59 PM MST reply actions

Designated no name All-Star of the night

Always gotta be one, right? Maybe that changes with the big guy out there?

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 10:01 PM MST up reply actions

Nash with the block

Didn't catch that at first, but on the replay, looks like he got it. Wizards at the line for two, and we have a two-point game. 106-104.

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 10:00 PM MST reply actions

DJ in for the cluch play

Diaw fouled out. DJ in for the final seconds.

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 10:02 PM MST reply actions

Nice work by the Wizards

Taking advantage of DJ's presence to deny Steve the ball. Announcer says "maybe next year". Two possession game with 8 seconds. Suns have it in the bag.

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 10:04 PM MST reply actions

Win is a win!

Go Suns!

by SmittyLite on Feb 10, 2008 10:04 PM MST reply actions

...and now it's official.

Three-ball by the Wizards changes the final score, but not the outcome. final score: 108-107.

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 10:05 PM MST reply actions

Amare's free throws were key

once again

by troglodytes on Feb 10, 2008 10:09 PM MST reply actions

nice to see him get those :-)

by jasonsuns1 on Feb 10, 2008 11:20 PM MST up reply actions

Thanks everyone

Sorry for the lack of formalized live blogging tonight. Since we hadn't had a lot of comments over the weekend, I thought maybe everyone was just biding their time until Shaq returned. Now I know better. I'll try to live blog at least one of the two games this next week, and will definitely be back to it full time after the All-Star break.

by TexSUN on Feb 10, 2008 10:11 PM MST reply actions