Game Recap: Suns Slam Celtics 85-77 With a New Energy

by Hawk42 on Feb 23, 2008 12:05 AM MST

This game was a great test, but Suns fans have to be thrilled with the result...

It was with much anticipation that I sat down to watch the Friday tilt between the C's and our Sunnies, and it didn't take long for me to get a feeling of déjà vu. I felt this was the most meaningful game between these two teams since the memorable '76 finals. The Suns came out with fire in their bellies at the US Airways Center Friday night. With Shaq in the fold, the team seems to have a new energy and an attitude that wouldn't back down. This was typified by the back and forth between Amare and Garnett. Shaq has definitely brought an attitude.

The Suns came out of the block in typical Suns fashion, with Amare hitting 14 in the first quarter. If it wasn't for the terrible butterfingers (11 turnovers), the 1st would have been about 40-13 instead of 23-13. The first half was a game of runs, but the Celtic run of 20-6 was mainly a cavalcade of Suns turnovers, as a broken Celtic offense sputtered all night. I was particularly excited to see the 18-4 first quarter rebound margin. You say what? This is the Suns we are talking about. Well, these aren't your dad's Phoenix Suns. Shaq has brought a new work ethic that we rarely have seen. Many of us fans have long been frustrated at our underachieving team that often had overwhelming talent, but always found a way to lose the last game of the year.

I saw Diaw playing passing lanes. I viewed Grant Hill playing like he has found Ponce De Leon's fountain of youth. I saw Amare play good body-up defense with Garnett. I saw LB's eyes light up at the open lanes that Shaq is creating. I saw the whole team play scrappy defense, standing up to the thuggery of Glen Davis and Kendrick Perkins. And then there was the exchange between STAT and KG, followed soon after by Perkins' body slam of Amare. Boston was frustrated. They did not expect the Suns to stand up to them on defense. They probably get their scouting reports from Charles Barkley, who is fond of saying that Phoenix plays no defense.

Looking at the stats, Amare had another monster game, 28 and 6, and Hill's double-double was a consistent boost. Nash killed the C's with a few dagger 3s. There was one sequence that typified the game for me:

Ball's loose, scramble around midcourt, Bell digs it out, gets it to Nash, shot clock running down, Nash is gonna have to shoot, launches a 40 footer, off the back of the rim, rebound by Grant Hill! Gets it out to Nash, and the Suns call a time out.

When was the last time you saw the Suns hustle like that? That's got to hurt Boston's morale..

Player of the Game:

I have to give it to Amare. He set the tone early, shaking off a bad cold and taking it to KG from the start. He avoided early fouls, and did not let the Celt's rough play knock him out of his zone.

Runner up:

It was between Grant Hill or Shaq, but I have to give it to Shaq. His presence set the tone, and his 14 rebounds continued to send the message to the league: This team will no longer take prisoners.

For the Celts:

Most of the C's let their butterfingers, bad shooting, and their surprise at the Suns' play take them out of their game. But I was impressed with Rajon Rondo. I think it is time to admit that the trade of Rondo was a big goof.

Boxscore ESPN.com Recap Arizona Republic Green Bandwagon

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Color me impressed

That was FUCKING AWESOME.

When the time for lockdown D came, they did it. 12:41 without an Field Goal, according to ESPN.com. ...and they kept the lead.

And Shaq did exactly what he should do:

LOOM.

HE WAS HUGE, both physically and in terms of the game. It kept blowing my mind as he and Amare went for rebounds. I kept seeing it happen and saying: "Holy jesus, we've got TWO OF 'EM NOW".

And Grant Hill picking up the rest and looking angry as shit every time he went to the basket...my god....what has been unleashed? They're PISSED OFF, for the lack of respect, and it shows.

There was no Bennett Salvatore bullshit like the Fakers game...just straight up, kiss off basketball. Raja Bell-style, fuck-the-knot-on-the head I'll-take-Ray-Allen-AND-Paul-Pierce ball.

When they all learn to play together, it's gonna be scary.

flim springfield

by DrStrom on Feb 23, 2008 7:16 AM MST reply actions

addendum

I forgot: hearing the Purple Palace scream when Shaq makes a free-throw....it says something...

...something that the West fears:

"Shaq FTs are just a bonus...he can miss 'em all and we're still THAT GOOD"

flim springfield

by DrStrom on Feb 23, 2008 7:20 AM MST up reply actions

Hell of a game!!

I really enjoyed the Amare vs Garnett thing...It seemed like Amaré was de veteran. He really got under Kevins skin.

Defense, Hustle plays, rebounds! This is what wins championships!!! We still run & gun but we proved that we can play playoff-type basketball.

Grant Hill was awesome...I mean.. the guy is a great defender, gets the rebounds.. hits the lay ups and J´s. What else could we ask for?

This was a team win... I think they were surprised with the Suns defense. You could see it in their faces. We got them into early foul trouble and that was it!

Bring on Detroit!

by PanamaSun on Feb 23, 2008 7:46 AM MST reply actions

Amare and other thoughts

Remember back when we (ok I) was calling out Amare?

I think we can all agree whatever "it" was is now gone. He was awesome. Again. He really played one of his best games last night and I LOVED how he rose to the challenge of KG and dominated him on both ends. His post D was great. His help D was great (3 blks!) and his pick and roll D was really really improved. And even though they "held" him to 28 pts on 43%FG he was just dominate. LOVE IT!

Its a shame LB went out so early too. He had hit his first shot in the lane and really could have added a needed offensive spark. And against the C's he was not going to be exposed on D.

Nash and Shaq are still finding their way together. There were times where Nash tried to probe the lane only to find Shaq in the block clogging things up but there were also some GREAT signs about how they will look once they get it together. See my YouTube of Shaq and Nash in the pick and roll. No worries here. Just room to improve.

Another thing to figure out is the rotation and timing with Shaq. It looked as if he was tiring in the 4th and if the game was closer at the end that could have been an issue. You don't get the sense that have a set plan yet for who's going to be on the floor when. Do you rest Shaq and Nash together or Shaq and Amare together? Or...well, they will figure it out soon enough.

Hill and Bell really were key. I watched some more of the first half this morning and really focused on those two.

Bell must have been licking his chops. After having to play Kobe Ray Allen is an easy cover for him. The guy right now is a one trick pony. All Bell had to do was his usual body up deny the ball D and then chase Allen over screens and make him try and drive. He can't. And he can't pull up and shoot either. He's really an easy cover.

That left Hill on Piece in what was essentially a 1:1 school yard match up and Grant really took the challenge. If I am the Celtics fan this is the matchup they must win to beat us and they didn't.

But even then the Suns still have Diaw and LB that they can't account for. And how good was Boris last night? 9 pts in the 4th? He was fantastic.

Oh, and Nash on Rondo was much easier then I thought it would be. Compare Steve guarding Rondo vs Ellis or Parker or Harris or Davis or Billups or...etc. Anytime Rondo held the ball near the arc Steve cold sag off him and cover passing lanes b/c Rondo isn't going to shoot from deep and Rajon needed to take advantage of his speed and penetrate more but for whatever reason didn't. At least not after that Shaq block early in the game!

So, I hope you see now why I am not buying into the Celtics. They are exactly like the 04-05 Suns except swamp D for O. They are playing great team ball and having fun and are great on one end of the floor. But they have two few options on offense and now against us without another big that can score and pull Shaq from the rim (like Gasol/Odom did) they are left with playing 1:1 with KG and Pierce. That's not going to get it done. And now they can't even use their size and bully the Suns and kill us on the glass!

They seriously needed to get another PG and even more so another wing player that can penetrate and score. And unlike the Spurs, they can't go small and run b/c Rondo is nowhere near the player Parker is and they as a team haven't learned how to score in enough ways. In the playoff's I really don't see how they could even beat the Rockets. In the East they could get to the ECF but there's no way they beat Detroit. Not this year.

They have a lot to build on but I am not sure with how much $ they have tied up in their big three that they can assemble the type of potent offensive team needed to compete w/ the big boys.

There are so many great teams that you have to be able to play on both ends and they can't.

Phoenix - where bitter happens

by Seth Pollack on Feb 23, 2008 8:48 AM MST reply actions

Three salient points

1) Ragin' Rondo is still thawing. He's got techniques that CANNOT be taught: 'court-vision', and good (for his size) rebounding skills. He's of the "Jason Kidd mold". Kidd's an awful outside shooter, and yet he is still a hot commodity.

Shooting CAN be taught, if one has the wherewithal and determination. In the last 20 years, us Suns fans have been far too spoiled with a few bitchin' shooting PGs (KJ and Socks, I'm looking in your direction). So I say we give Rondo the benefit of the doubt and sign him when his rookie contract expires, for amounts similar to those of Bell's.

2) If I may josh about the lack of punctuation:

"Bell must have been licking his chops. After having to play Kobe Ray Allen is an easy cover for him. The guy right now is a one trick pony"

"Kobe Ray Allen" sounds like the name of a serial killer, from Arkansas.

3) But they have two few options on offense and now against us without another big that can score and pull Shaq from the rim (like Gasol/Odom did) they are left with playing 1:1 with KG and Pierce

No, they have THREE few options.... THREE POINT FIVE if you wanna get technical. Just ask Eddie House.

4) and most important: They've finally got a team that can make some noise and rejuvenate NBA fans fans from Rhode Island to Maine.

flim springfield

by DrStrom on Feb 23, 2008 9:57 AM MST up reply actions

Rebuttal

I am not saying he is worthless. He's just no where near the talent that those other guys are. Right now. And we are talking about now. This year. Ring. No. In fact, talent wise I would say he's about one full year ahead of DJ. Except DJ is bigger and has better genes.
Kobe Ray Allen is, actually: a- serial/ killer.;!
huh?
Oh, sure. They are great for the hordes of Celtics fans that start w/ the Big Moron himself. But I don't give a rat's ass about them. Can they win the ring this year? No way.

Phoenix - where blocks

by Seth Pollack on Feb 23, 2008 10:29 AM MST up reply actions

response to rebuttal

Agreed. Also, I bet DJ can do some blow and get away with it ("MOMMY DID THREE RAILS JUST TO BIRTH ME, AND DADDY LEFT HIS STASH ON THE COFFEE TABLE") ;) I still don't know how/why he slipped so far in the draft.
Great, more stuff from the UK I probably can't...erm...'discover' on the internet. I've been looking for "Harry's Game" for YEARS.
I'll call your "huh"? and raise you a "wuh?"
The Celtics can beat the West...if they have home court (which they will). Shadows of '76, and cheatin' ass refs abound.

flim springfield

by DrStrom on Feb 23, 2008 11:34 AM MST up reply actions

OMG you two are funny

I see your "wuh?" and "huh?" and raise you a "na-ah" I've never been more happy and excited about the suns as a fan. I think Amare needs as much or more credit than maybe the media is giving him, not that they're not giving him some, but having Amare play in his natural position has been like trading for the mvp of the league or something, what has been unleashed, I can't explain it, it's simply awesome!! I would've never said this a month or two ago, but I feel excited to play Detroit now, or S.A., or even the Lakers again, if the suns are doing what they're doing now, the league has just been sent a wakeup call, and the call says WATCH THE F... OUT FOR THE SUNS, BECAUSE SOMEONE STOLE THEIR TITLES (blanket...shout out to my little kids) AND THEY'RE COMING OUT SHOOTING AND SLAMMING FIRST, AND ASKING QUESTIONS LATER, simply wow!!!!!!! Steve Kerr, I liked this guy before, but he looks like a God now, and stupid pat riley and the never win again Miami, not so good...(ok, side note, I am pulling for Miami to win, it's kind of sad to see Wade and Marion on a team that can't beat my high school team), but, the reaction to this trade as being a mistake was more negative and louder in Miami than anywhere else. Payback is a bitc. awesome!! What's scary is this is the level I was hoping we'd get out of Shaq in the playoffs, if he's doing this w/o knowing what he's doing, but off of will and effort, we're in great shape, nice recap Hawk, still want to go see that game in April (in S.A. vs the Suns?)

by jasonsuns1 on Feb 23, 2008 12:32 PM MST up reply actions

have to like this

Link to Spurs Barry Be a nice turn around after the suns picking up K.Thomas

by jasonsuns1 on Feb 23, 2008 12:38 PM MST reply actions

nash quote from coro

But the Suns survived it in the sort of grinding, mental-test battle that pleases Steve Nash like no 100-and-whatever win can.

"Those are playoff-type games," Nash said. "Those are the games you got to win in the playoffs to win a series. When things aren't going well, find a way to win a game. I enjoy those wins more than any."

downintx.com

by kidjay on Feb 23, 2008 2:02 PM MST reply actions

know I'm kinda late...

But I just want to edxpress my giddyness at having two monsters at the low post and the rebounds being racked up. The trade results still need time, but its nice to see this squad with smiles and intensity once again.

"Act well your part: there all the honor lies"-Alexander Pope

by PurplePinoy on Feb 24, 2008 1:26 AM MST reply actions