Game Day Open Thread: Phoenix Suns at Portland Trailblazers

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 7:51 AM MDT in Game Coverage Comment 159 comments

Phoenix Suns	at	Portland Trailblazers
44-22		35-32
7:30 PM Pacific / 10:30 PM Eastern
TV: My45 HD, NBA League Pass
Probable starters:
Steve Nash	PG	Steve Blake
Raja Bell	SG	Brandon Roy
Grant Hill	SF	Martell Webster
Amare Stoudemire	PF	LaMarcus Aldridge
Shaquille O'Neal	C	Joel Przybilla

When the Suns faced the Blazers earlier this month, they had to hang on for dear life for a five-point win that was eventually sandwiched between four losses in the early stages of The Big Experiment. This time, the Suns head into Portland on a four-game winning streak that includes two wins over divergent styles of playoff teams, and two blowouts over lottery teams. This will be the Suns' first road game since that streak began, so it's a good opportunity to see if they can carry their new-found momentum away from what has sounded on TV like an awesome USAC crowd.

On paper and with their recent play, this should be a game the Suns win in time to get some nice rest for the second of this back-to-back set tomorrow. However, my "no predictions" mantra has been working, so I'm sticking with it.

I am planning to do live blogging tonight, but it's a little up in the air right now. I'll update this post later today with the status.

Blazer's Edge has the view from the Blazer fan's perspective.

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Comments

LaMarcus Aldridge

Will be interesting to watch. Apparently, he's been waffling on whether to play inside or outside. Apparently, he's more effective inside but is a bit tired of the effort.

Also, I'm wondering how my PG action Roy will take on.

Probably short minutes for Grant today, if we're lucky. I hate that banging his wrist took. Those kind of injuries linger and will probably linger through the post-season. :(

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 8:42 AM MDT reply actions

na,

marcus can bang, he's just not built for it yet, but against an amare, well, I don't know if anyone besides shaq is built for guy's like him, maybe an Oden?..but. roy's pg duties are kind of sporadic, but once the fourth quarter comes, he's got the ball.

I didn't know grant was hurt. nothings broke?

dave is hipocrock racist dove lovin poor excuse for a debate mate, let alone ship mate, mate...

by daveisapecker on Mar 18, 2008 8:52 AM MDT up reply actions

Sprained, not broke

but he'll feel it for the rest of the season.

So, as a Blazers fan, knowing your team is going to get smoked tonight (I kid! I kid!), how to make it a positive?

Specifically, I'm curious, how do the Blazers get the most training, education and development out of it.

Any specific things Nate has been doing with the team?

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 8:54 AM MDT up reply actions

I think

that we're still playing like there is no tommorow, and the slim hope at playoffs drives Nate to Stay in a set rotation, we've just sent Mcroberts to the D league, Oden has begun his 50% runs with the team, and our darius dilemma is sorting itself out as we speak.

I guess we may see a bit more of sergio (thanks by the way for him, and jones) than normal, usualy he makes an appearance with 2 left in the half, but he don't get anymore time than he's earned I suppose.

I'm sure our team takes alot out of playing against the jugernaut of sun's team, Steve Nash, your newly added desiel, not to mention your bench, alot to be learned that's for sure.

Ah, they'll hold their own, watch out at the third though, if we're only down by 6 you can bet we'll make a game of it.

dave is hipocrock racist dove lovin poor excuse for a debate mate, let alone ship mate, mate...

by daveisapecker on Mar 18, 2008 9:48 AM MDT up reply actions

daveisapecker..

Hey man, I have to tell you, I'm very excited to see Oden get into the lineup, I'm going to be checking your team out a lot next year.

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 18, 2008 10:09 AM MDT up reply actions

I like the Blazers

In my perfect world, they would make the playoffs over the Lakers. But they're not good enough, YET. Next year can be something else for them.

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

by Nobs on Mar 18, 2008 9:51 AM MDT reply actions

Amare own s Aldredge

There's no reason STAT can't dominate this matchup. If Shaq can get Pryzbilla in foul trouble, I like our chances. We cannot have Blake score 18 or 20 like last time, and Raja must do a serviceable job on Roy. By serviceable I mean at least make it hard for him. In the fourth quarter last time, Roy was getting whatever he wanted.

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

by Hawk42 on Mar 18, 2008 10:02 AM MDT reply actions

Sort of...

Mostly I thought he took a heck of a lot of 12-15 footers. That's kinda the shot we want to force him in to taking. He just had an amazingly hot hand and hit them all.

by KJ7 on Mar 18, 2008 10:32 AM MDT up reply actions

Amare

may own LMA now, but LMA will probably be among the worst match-ups for Stat in the future.
LMA is quick and has shown some very good defensive instincts, just need more experience and strenght.

by Bruno on Mar 18, 2008 12:33 PM MDT up reply actions

I don't think

they'll be truely comparable side by side, their games differ too much, Aldridge's shot is almost a mirror image of sheeds, and Amare is more of a take it to the rack or shot a three type.
Defense wise Amare own's Aldridge, but that should just be a matter of gym time. I figure if he added 20 pounds he'd be a bruiser in the post, but he needs to polish that part of his game. He'll learn alot from guarding forwards with the skills of amare.

dave is hipocrock racist dove lovin poor excuse for a debate mate, let alone ship mate, mate...

by daveisapecker on Mar 18, 2008 1:01 PM MDT up reply actions

I agree with this...

............................... LMA is basically a finesse guy that should develop a little bit more brawn and rebounding ability over time (he'd basically be a college Senior in the real world, I think -- he's a Baby Blazer).

Amare is a low post MONSTER. Their games are not comparable.

"He shoots.......... He scores!"

by timbo on Mar 18, 2008 1:19 PM MDT up reply actions

And I will not resign from this campaign...

.......................................................... for calling him a MONSTER, because it's true.

"He shoots.......... He scores!"

by timbo on Mar 18, 2008 1:21 PM MDT up reply actions

Calibration.

To follow up on TexSuns original point, people should pay attention to this game simply because we played the Blazers so recently. Think of the first game as a benchmark, and then a simple comparison between the Suns now and then can be made.

If we easily win this game, then one may definitely assert that the Suns are on their way. If, on the other hand, this is an all-round difficult game, then clearly Mike D has work to do.

by Pliny the Elder on Mar 18, 2008 11:23 AM MDT reply actions

Nice idea.

but probably there is too much noise game-to-game will drown the truth. Still, we can pretend, especially if its a rout in our favor! :)

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 12:00 PM MDT up reply actions

There's a difference between being on the way

and being there, no doubt.

But the first Blazers game came at a time, when if we're honest, the Suns were at a low point wrt integrating our new center.

If you concede that the only place we could go from that point in time is up, then knowing how far is probably a good thing. By playing the same competition twice in a short period of time, and compensating for the difference in home court, we should get a good idea of how much better we are now vs. then.

by Pliny the Elder on Mar 18, 2008 12:11 PM MDT up reply actions

This is a road game too

I just forgot to change it when I cut/pasted from the previous game thread. So it's pretty much an apples-to-apples comparison. It's even the front half of a back-to-back, just like last time (although Seattle is no Denver, of course).

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 12:15 PM MDT up reply actions

Sheesh, the way they played the other night...

........................................................... Seattle is no Miami!

"He shoots.......... He scores!"

by timbo on Mar 18, 2008 1:20 PM MDT up reply actions

Great line at Blazers edge

I like...

...the sentence, "They have Shaq but they have Shaq" I think that simply captures the enigma that Shaq has become. He's become like some ancient weapon of war, that gets wheeled onto the battle field, but you never know if it's going to work and smite your enemy, or blow up and end up killing more of your own men.

Pryzbilla does about as good a job against Shaq as anyone, "If" the referee's allow him. It's still going to be a tough game.

"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"
by Krang on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 09:32:00 AM EDT

Hilarious and possibly true. I hope we figure out how to use him like the Ark of the Covenant in Indiana Jones.

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 11:54 AM MDT reply actions

articles

Many of you might have read these, but maybe not

SI.com article
Love this part
"During the 2003-04 season, when Hill was out of the Orlando Magic lineup with an injury, Shaq gave him the keys to the gym in his Isleworth mansion so that Hill could work out alone. "Shaq had a big TV mounted on a wall behind the basket, and I used to shoot free throws and watch the late West Coast games," says Hill. "I was hurt, but those are fond memories." Hill breaks into a laugh. "Shaq always told me that if I got a new deal, he should get 10 percent."

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 18, 2008 11:59 AM MDT reply actions

Nice - I didn't realize they were so cordial

So Shaq gets about $100K more on his $20MM? :)

It meant a lot to me to hear Grant say he wanted to stick around for next year. He probably could pull more than the minimum somewhere else.

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 12:02 PM MDT up reply actions

easily

Grant could get 5-10 or more easily. But he's already made 100 million, its about being where he wants to be, which says a lot about the players and staff for the suns, and a lot about Hill. He's easily one of my favorite players. In a video off the main nba suns website, there's an interview with Hill and his wife. Hill is asked about Nash, and he says..."Steve proves that good things can come out of Canada".. I know he was joking, but I thought it was funny as hell. So did my wife. I'm really liking this team more and more. Those that aren't sure if this team is better or worse than before Marion left, (time will tell obviously..even the next 2 weeks), but there's no doubt in my mind this team is more fun to watch!

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 18, 2008 1:29 PM MDT up reply actions

Some props for the Suns' medical staff?

Not only has Marion been missing games with a sore ~~ego~~ back, now Banks is out too apparently.

Given that Marion pretty much NEVER missed a game in Phoenix, and Banks didn't either (not that he played enough to), it really makes the Suns' medical staff look good, doesn't it? Or else, makes Miami's medical staff and/or Pat Riley's famous lengthy practices look bad. Very bad.

Here's their list of injured/doubtful:

Alexander Johnson
Ricky Davis
Marion
Udonis Haslem
Banks
Dwyane Wade
Dorell Wright
Alonzo Mourning

...of course it could just be an outbreak of tank-itis. I hear it's highly contagious this time of year.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 12:08 PM MDT reply actions

Tankitis may explain Marion but doesn't explain

Jason Williams longstanding injuries. Their too old school and they suck because of it.

Marion would play no matter what - he's probably not injured. Remember the one year we were resting players for the POs and Marion wanted to keep playing anyway?

Did you guys read that article by some team where the medical staff said, "Flexibility? No, we don't like that. Don't do that unless it's done normally in a game."

I forgot what team, but the staff was being praised for archaic anti-stretching principles.

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 12:17 PM MDT up reply actions

Tanking

Miami and Seattle, I expect to catch Tank-itis, but what surprises me is that the Spurs have caught it as well. I guess when the collective age of your team is 75 and some of your players are already dead, getting a good draft position becomes pretty important.

parallel universe

by SilverSprings on Mar 18, 2008 12:19 PM MDT up reply actions

Banks Injury is proof they are not tanking.

If they wanted to tank, they would be playing Banks 48 minutes a game. :)

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 12:22 PM MDT up reply actions

True

This was the first time I laughed out loud at a comment on this board in ages.

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Mar 18, 2008 1:47 PM MDT up reply actions

Miami sucks

We think Miami is tanking because they had some good years and won a chip. But I don't think they were ever a powerhouse, I think they just lucked out on a combination of players, and Dallas Chokers. They had no business winning that title.

Also, they don't need to tank. They are really that much worse than everyone else. How the heck did we lose to them, anyway?

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

by Hawk42 on Mar 18, 2008 5:06 PM MDT up reply actions

How we lost to them

I think at the time, they didn't realize they sucked. It's kinda like the cartoon who runs off a cliff and doesn't fall until he realizes it. They ran off the hill, but didn't realize it until after they beat us. And they are now falling. It would be a utter disgrace if they couldn't pass their franchise low of 15 wins established in their expansion year.

by RealTangiblesGuy on Mar 18, 2008 5:38 PM MDT up reply actions

I heard that whom ever is doing

the rehab with greg is the same person that helped amare with his micro fracture. and if that's the case, it should be a testement to your medical team too!

dave is hipocrock racist dove lovin poor excuse for a debate mate, let alone ship mate, mate...

by daveisapecker on Mar 18, 2008 2:22 PM MDT up reply actions

good

Very anxious to see him, someone that long and athletic, and strong,

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 18, 2008 3:32 PM MDT up reply actions

Status of live blogging tonight

I'm off to take a pre-game nap, and hopefully will be back in time to live blog, however, if not maybe some others will chime in in the comments. Sorry, but I have an early day tomorrow, and the game doesn't start until 9:30 my time. Might have to play catchup on DVR.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 5:59 PM MDT reply actions

Sun's announcers

Gary Bender and Tom Leandro both comment about Shaq's arch on his free throws. The word is arc, not arch. Will someone please send them an email?

arch
n. vault, upward curve; entrance with a curved top, vaulted doorway

arc
n. curve, part of a circle

by OneSunsFan on Mar 18, 2008 8:21 PM MDT reply actions

Hey guys..

Is there any way I can watch this game online?

by PanamaSun on Mar 18, 2008 8:47 PM MDT reply actions

Try this

http://www.janeironation.5gigs.com/cc.html#top

Phx - where Player of the Week happens

by Seth Pollack on Mar 18, 2008 8:58 PM MDT up reply actions

Game on (a little late for me)

Just caught up in time to catch the Blazers announcers dumping more grief on Suns fans for being critical during that tough stretch. Geez, what do these guys have against Suns fans?

Anyway, I'll pick up the live blogging starting with Q2.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 9:10 PM MDT reply actions

Thanks srp!

I´m watching the game now... just on time to see GGs stupid foul...

by PanamaSun on Mar 18, 2008 9:12 PM MDT reply actions

Q2 11:42 - Blogger's jinx?

Figures I pick up the keyboard and the Blazers take the lead, then the Suns make a turnover. We'll see how this goes. Might need to go dark again.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 9:12 PM MDT reply actions

Q2 9:45: G2 running the point?

For a second, I thought Nash was back in. And that he grew a couple of inches.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 9:14 PM MDT reply actions

Around the league

Well, the Mavericks almost came back to beat the Lakers, but fell a couple of points shy. And this is sad.

Meanwhile, Miami actually won a game! Not the best line ever by the Matrix, though. 8 points, 12 rebounds.

It's looking likely that Houston's streak will end tonight. Boston up by 12 in the third quarter. Too bad. I was hoping they'd hang on for another couple of games so the Suns could do the honors. But at least we might catch them in a post-streak malaise.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 9:21 PM MDT reply actions

Announcers are funny

Why would fouling out Pryzbilla be our main objective? :)

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 9:23 PM MDT reply actions

Hey, at least they're not griping about Suns fans

That's like scraping nails on a blackboard to me. Why is it any of their business?

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 9:24 PM MDT up reply actions

Q2 5:58 - We have a ballgame

I would say a shootout, but you can't have a "shootout" if it's only 43-42 halfway through the second quarter.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 9:23 PM MDT reply actions

Shaq

Nice night, so far. Stupid foul now, however.

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

by Nobs on Mar 18, 2008 9:24 PM MDT reply actions

How have we given up 7 offensive rebounds?

Low energy - this is the first game "After Shaq" that we are not leading the rebounding early.

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 9:28 PM MDT reply actions

Q2 4:03 - Announcers living a year in the past

I love Steve Nash. He's still my favorite player in the league, despite the fact I think Amare should be taking the reigns of the team soon. But to say Nash belongs in the MVP discussion this year is just plain silly.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 9:31 PM MDT reply actions

Good god

What a block! Was it going down already? I missed that. But great play.

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

by Nobs on Mar 18, 2008 9:32 PM MDT reply actions

how's CP3's defense? :)

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 9:33 PM MDT reply actions

LOL

And I thought I got rid of that CP3 comment in time. Didn't want to get that discussion going again just to make a point about the announcers. But CP3's defense is light years ahead of Nash's.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 9:34 PM MDT up reply actions

Q2 2:08 - Nice teamwork

Ends in Raja with a three. The lead is seven. Believe it or not, that's high for this game.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 9:35 PM MDT reply actions

Q2 1:09 - Ditto

This time the crisp team passing ends up with LB for the three. Sweet. 57-45, Suns.

...Of course this lead-extending run has happened largely with both Amare and Shaq on the bench, proving once again that the Suns are still a small-ball team at heart.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 9:39 PM MDT reply actions

Yep

Its frustrating that Amare (1st) and Shaq (3rd) lead the league in fouls accrued. They give good defense but you won't always have them.

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 9:40 PM MDT reply actions

Nice half

But those misses in the end costed us a big lead.

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

by Nobs on Mar 18, 2008 9:42 PM MDT reply actions

I like all the highlights with blazers

mopping the floor. Shaq really throws them down!

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 9:46 PM MDT reply actions

And Amare dogging it on defense - again.

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 9:46 PM MDT reply actions

At the half

A bit of chaos there at the end. I was just about to write a comment about how Nash was giving LB a clinic on how to control the clock at the end of a quarter, but he missed the three, leaving time for Channing Fry to hit a jumper, then botched the pass to LB for what should have been the buzzer-beater attempt. Suns lead by 8 heading into the half.

Meanwhile, it looks pretty certain now that Houston's streak ends tonight. Celtics up by 22 in the fourth quarter. Is KG the best streak-killer ever or what?

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 9:47 PM MDT reply actions

Pretty Physical So Far

Really hope Amare can avoid more fouls down the stretch. I still believe most possessions without Steve on the floor should go through Shaq. I love the return of the three pointer as a major offensive point.

by MichiganSunsFan on Mar 18, 2008 9:49 PM MDT reply actions

If we win this one, Houston is set to lose

we'll be just one game back in the standings!!

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 9:51 PM MDT reply actions

Nash assists

Pacers announcers pointing out that Nash only has three assists. Assuming that pace holds for the second half, I think that would mean CP3 officially takes over the assist lead. (Anybody noticed how he's averaging around 15-18 in just about every game in the past month?)

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 9:57 PM MDT reply actions

Q3 10:49 - Credit where credit is due

Aldridge with an Amare-like fly in and dunk. Not our guy, but still a sweet play.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 9:58 PM MDT reply actions

Again Amare sleeping getting back

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 9:58 PM MDT reply actions

Q3 10:01 - Amare's turn

Gets a nice flying dunk of his own.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 9:58 PM MDT reply actions

Q3 9:20 - OK, that was too good

Nash with the "how the heck did he do that" pass to Amare. But the Suns forget to play "D", and the Blazers get it back. Lead is down to three at 63-60.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 9:59 PM MDT reply actions

Q3 8:51 - Shaq at the line

These are becoming much less visually painful, even though he's still not terribly accurate. Much better arc, although he still looks extremely uncomfortable there.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:01 PM MDT reply actions

Shaq got arc this game.

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 10:01 PM MDT reply actions

Q3 8:20 - Amare with the steal...

...and the clear path for the dunk.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:02 PM MDT reply actions

KG is killing the Rockets

Just flipped over during the commercial to watch the official ending of the streak. (Still 2 minutes to go, but it's going to happen with the Celts leading by 17).

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:04 PM MDT reply actions

Q3 7:01 - Nice block by Shaq

leads to nice dunk by Hill.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:06 PM MDT reply actions

Q3 6:36 - That Amare foul was Nash's fault

...for letting Steve Blake go by.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:07 PM MDT reply actions

it not like Blake is a major midrange threat

so why hug him there?

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 10:09 PM MDT up reply actions

Q3 6:04 - Hill and Shaq...

...really love to play together. Nice chemistry between those two.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:08 PM MDT reply actions

Lamarcus making Amare looking like an MVP... :-)

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 10:08 PM MDT reply actions

Q3 5:54 - D'oh!

Shaq with another nice block, but not so nice with the outlet pass.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:09 PM MDT reply actions

how's the Amare owns Aldridge

talk looking right now?

by Bruno on Mar 18, 2008 10:09 PM MDT reply actions

looking pretty moronic!

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 10:12 PM MDT up reply actions

I love Nash as a shooter!

Who would have thought our backup PG would be an MVP center?

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 10:11 PM MDT reply actions

Hmm...

I do like Nash as a shooter, but he's much more fun to watch as an assist man. And I'm not sure about the Diaw for MVP talk. :)

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:13 PM MDT up reply actions

Come on! Just because Boris' mom was better

in the middle than he his means nothing!

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 10:14 PM MDT up reply actions

Q3 4:34 - May as well just book that

...before it even leaves his hand. Nash with the wide-open three. Meanwhile, the Blazers announcers continue their Nash-love by bragging on his "underrated" defense on Blake. Might be more credible if Blake hadn't just burned Nash for a three of his own on the previous possession.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:11 PM MDT reply actions

Then again...

...maybe they've got a point. Blake is just 2-of-5. Just that both of his two were from three, make it look worse than it was I guess.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:14 PM MDT up reply actions

Lights out GG!

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 10:15 PM MDT reply actions

Around the NBA update

OK, it's official. Houston's streak has ended.

Also, the Bulls beat the Nets, nudging the Hawks back into the playoffs.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:16 PM MDT reply actions

Diaw posting

The announcer said leave Diaw alone with his post up game... is he kidding? Diaw's the best post player on the team, he'd destroy Blake.

by slyguy183 on Mar 18, 2008 10:17 PM MDT reply actions

Q3 2:43 - A little help please?

Grant Hill tries to save the possession while falling out of bounds, but nobody there to take the pass.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:18 PM MDT reply actions

Our assists look so great now

Everyone getting them now.

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 10:18 PM MDT reply actions

Outlaw

is nasty

by slyguy183 on Mar 18, 2008 10:18 PM MDT reply actions

Q3 2:02 - Proving slyguy's point above

Diaw takes advantage of the "mouse in the house" as EJ would say.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:19 PM MDT reply actions

Q3 1:03 - The assassin strikes again

Making up for the miss on the previous possession.

...meanwhile, one too many passes leads to the turnover, but the Blazers oblige with one of their own.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:21 PM MDT reply actions

Did Nash just play the full 3Q??

Against the blazers?

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 10:22 PM MDT reply actions

Suns have a bench

It's official

by slyguy183 on Mar 18, 2008 10:22 PM MDT reply actions

Credit Nash again for carrying that surge

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 10:22 PM MDT reply actions

what a shot!

By Nash!!!

by PanamaSun on Mar 18, 2008 10:23 PM MDT reply actions

Nash is going to play 40 this game

and Amare 30. Where's the justice?

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 10:24 PM MDT reply actions

Foul trouble

Amare with four, Nash with just two. Although, Nash deserves one of Amare's for letting Blake get by at an inopportune time.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:26 PM MDT up reply actions

true

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 10:27 PM MDT up reply actions

Not like Amare's been hot tonight

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 10:27 PM MDT up reply actions

ok, I take that stupid post back.

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 10:28 PM MDT up reply actions

After three

This is another one of those games where the Suns are doing better without Shaq (or even Amare) on the floor. The Suns have nice balance in every way imaginable. Five guys in double figure scoring. Six with two or more assists. Everybody who's stepped on the floor has at least one rebound except Nash (who makes up for it by having four threes). 58% for the Suns, 44% for the Blazers. 11-point lead heading to the fourth.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:25 PM MDT reply actions

wow

Diaw's passing is amazing tonight

by slyguy183 on Mar 18, 2008 10:26 PM MDT reply actions

I dont like Diaw crosscourt hook pass. Wierd

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 10:26 PM MDT reply actions

I love it

...except when it leads to a turnover. Which is often.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:27 PM MDT up reply actions

Jarrett Jack

looked a lot like Tony Parker there

by slyguy183 on Mar 18, 2008 10:28 PM MDT reply actions

Q3 10:18 - Fight, Fight!

Shaq and Priz jawing at one another. How did that not end in a tech for one or both?

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:28 PM MDT reply actions

Trash talking!

Damn I love this new Phoenix team. Nasty Shaq > Passive Marion

by slyguy183 on Mar 18, 2008 10:29 PM MDT reply actions

Me 2.

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 10:30 PM MDT up reply actions

Six in one hand...

...half a dozen in the other. I think Marion has prettier alley-oops.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:31 PM MDT up reply actions

homer!

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 10:32 PM MDT up reply actions

Pretty don't win chips

SA, Detroit, SA, Miami, SA...

by slyguy183 on Mar 18, 2008 10:34 PM MDT up reply actions

Neither does trash talking

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:35 PM MDT up reply actions

Misuse of the word "homer"?

Wouldn't a "homer" be somebody who was drunk on the koolaid, no matter who was wearing the uniform or how the team is doing?

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:35 PM MDT up reply actions

Q3 9:20 - LB catches a break

Have to agree with the announcers. That should have been a charge. Instead, two free throws for LB making it 94-78.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:30 PM MDT reply actions

the announcers are pretty nice to us.

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 10:32 PM MDT up reply actions

OHH

Amazing Shaq block! Plus a Diaw dunk?! Crazy

by slyguy183 on Mar 18, 2008 10:33 PM MDT reply actions

Q4 8:30 - Let's get the quarter right

Apparently, I'm still stuck in Q3.

In the meantime, Shaq annihilates the Blazers again.

Somebody was mentioning Nash having to play all of the third? I think D'Antoni might have told Shaq to make sure Nash can have the entire 4th off.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:34 PM MDT reply actions

Coolest Block Ever

That was one of the coolest things I've ever seen.

First, the baby hook, then smack-talk down the court, then the reverse block on the little man, and then the no-look 3/4-court outlook pass.

Shaq Attack

(Maybe I'm guilty of a little hyperbole in the heat of the moment, but it was still pretty cool)

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Mar 18, 2008 10:34 PM MDT reply actions

Announcers

The Blazers announcers are all class. They were last game as well.

by MichiganSunsFan on Mar 18, 2008 10:35 PM MDT reply actions

they like the Suns

they just don't like Sun's fans.
:)

by Bruno on Mar 18, 2008 10:41 PM MDT up reply actions

of course

our team is headed towards the playoffs and has a fair shot at winning it all, they're not in the playoffs. It will be very interesting to see Oden next year, how much of a difference he will make. As opposed to most rookies, I'm inclined to believe he will make a big difference if he can figure out how to stay in games.

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 18, 2008 11:16 PM MDT up reply actions

That was my beef with them as well

Got tired of hearing them rag on Suns fans in the previous game. They were much better this time.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 11:29 PM MDT up reply actions

Hmm...

If Portland offered Outlaw, Blake, and Frye for Hill and Barbosa, would you do it?

by slyguy183 on Mar 18, 2008 10:35 PM MDT reply actions

NO!

Blake not so good. Outlaw and Frye good, but meh.

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 10:36 PM MDT up reply actions

Don't think so either

...if for no other reason than trading Hill after he came to the Suns for a near-minimum deal would be just plain classless.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:38 PM MDT up reply actions

lol...

jack and frye, and lafrenz for marion?.. >;) awe, that's right....well cut lafrenz out and who would you give up for jack and frye?

dave is hipocrock racist dove lovin poor excuse for a debate mate, let alone ship mate, mate...

by daveisapecker on Mar 19, 2008 12:11 AM MDT up reply actions

that mickie D's commercial

Is the gayest one ever. What guys make each other breakfast? No way.

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 10:35 PM MDT reply actions

Roy ouch!

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 10:38 PM MDT reply actions

Q4 6:30 - So much for my...

...Nash gets the 4th off theory. Can this small-ball unit make one more run to put it away for good?

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:39 PM MDT reply actions

man

Diaw should learn from Shaq and elbow Jones in the face.

by slyguy183 on Mar 18, 2008 10:39 PM MDT reply actions

Aldrich is really impressive

Could his upside be higher than Amare?

by slyguy183 on Mar 18, 2008 10:41 PM MDT reply actions

Amare jinxed himself

With all that "why aren't I getting love for MVP" nonsense.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:43 PM MDT up reply actions

David Stern was right...

These Blazer's announcers are a bunch of homers. I'd put it on mute but I like to hear Amare yell "Eyyy and one!"

by hcblankscreen on Mar 18, 2008 10:42 PM MDT reply actions

Funny thing is...

...Sometimes they seem to be trying a little too hard NOT to come off as homers. But they're clearly not current on their knowledge of the Suns. Like with all that Nash for MVP talk earlier in the game.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:45 PM MDT up reply actions

yeah

one sounds like the old dude from ESPN, who I still haven't decided if he's great or irritating

by slyguy183 on Mar 18, 2008 10:45 PM MDT up reply actions

Q4 4:44 - Shaq is going to hit somebody

...before this game is over.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:44 PM MDT reply actions

Q4 3:51 - Nash must have heard...

...the announcers pumping him up for MVP earlier in the game.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:46 PM MDT reply actions

HIll's

wrist is still bothering him.

by Bruno on Mar 18, 2008 10:49 PM MDT reply actions

Love this

When does the home team praise the officiating in a loss?

:-)

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 10:55 PM MDT reply actions

oh they nailed PAD-STAT!

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 10:56 PM MDT reply actions

They are bagging on Amare so much! :-)

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 10:56 PM MDT up reply actions

boxscore typeo?

just got done with homework and noticed a nice shaq stat line that looks a lot like shawn's boxscore used to.....this is awesome

"Hes very cerebral when he plays out there"

by Snowbird on Mar 18, 2008 10:56 PM MDT reply actions

yeah, but Shaq hits HARDER

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 10:57 PM MDT up reply actions

and marion never motivated anyone

like shaq has motivated this suns team!!

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 18, 2008 11:19 PM MDT up reply actions

And that's the game (finally!)

Refs banter about the shot clock for what seems like forever, which is more than ridiculous with a 16-point margin and 14 seconds to go (and especially annoying since it's nearly midnight here).

Final score 111-98 after the meaningless three by the Blazers. Bleary-eyed recap coming up shortly.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 10:57 PM MDT reply actions

I like that the announcer said

No one cares about the last possession except Amare, he wants to get another shot off.

Too true, Amare's last 5-7 points were meaningless pad-stat-ing.

"You can never have too many shooters." - Cotton

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 10:59 PM MDT up reply actions

Frenchie

Doris almost got over the Maginot Line but was two assists short.

Rats! Foiled again!

Shaq, however, blew threw that line and shook Jacque Chirac's hand (is that guy still in charge?). Does he get a full French for his efforts?

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Mar 18, 2008 11:03 PM MDT reply actions

Non non non

As amazing as Shaq was - and yes, he was Shaqtastic - You CANNOT give anyone other then Le Boris a Full French. That's the rules!

Phx - where Player of the Week happens

by Seth Pollack on Mar 18, 2008 11:21 PM MDT up reply actions

Cleaning up this thread

I have removed the "bash on Blazer's Edge" comments from this thread. Not only were they irrelevant to the topic at hand, they also fall under the category of "personal attack" which is inappropriate. I apologize for not doing this earlier today when they first got posted. Not sure what I was thinking, except that some other users had already replied, and to keep the thread from becoming confusing, I would have to delete the replies of "innocent" users as well. But after further thought, I still think that is a better solution than the alternative. In the future, I'll try to keep a better hand on that. (This type of thing is something we haven't had to deal with much around here until recently).

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 11:20 PM MDT reply actions

since shaq replaced the matrix..........

can we give him the morpheus award when he pulls a full french......hes certainly not the one like shawn, but hes definitely a morpheus

"Hes very cerebral when he plays out there"

by Snowbird on Mar 18, 2008 11:24 PM MDT reply actions

Hey, I like that!

Shaq does kind of have a Morpheus role on this team, with Amare playing the role of Neo. I guess that would make Nash Trinity. (Hope he doesn't mind playing a girl's part).

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 11:30 PM MDT up reply actions

Can Nash be Seraph instead?

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 11:32 PM MDT up reply actions

Who is Seraph?

Sorry, been a while since I saw the Matrix trilogy.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 11:42 PM MDT up reply actions

BTW, I said Trinity

Because in the movie Trinity was the one who recruited Neo, and kind of started his path toward his destiny. Much like Nash got things rolling with the Suns, and led the way until Neo (Amare) is ready to take his rightful place.

by TexSUN on Mar 18, 2008 11:45 PM MDT up reply actions

Couple of things

This was a great win. Much better then the Warriors at home actually because they played solid D against a "normal" team and showed some outstanding offensive balance.

Bell on Roy was great. He was playing him tight and then when Roy got by him he rode his ass like a tail-gaiting Texan. He gave him no room to manuever and feed him right into the lane for some good help D by the big fellas. That was a well concived and executed game plan against one of the games top guards.
LA looked solid taking the ball into Amare. Stat got some lousey calls and also had a few dumb ones. Overall, it wasn't a good game from Amare and you have to give LA credit. Still, I will take Amare every day of the week. But watch out in a few years w/ LA and Oden together..wow.
I have thought for month's now that the team's secret plan for the playoff's is to make offense less dependent on Nash. They are back to that. Now, you have Hill, Diaw and Shaq out there and even GG can handle the ball and dish. Nash's assists are down but in this case that's a good thing. Team's aren't going to be able to load up on him and take the Suns out of their game come playoff time. Nash had 37min tonight but they seems like easy minutes. He wasn't having to work so hard every time down the floor to create something. And of course Blake/Jack is Baron/Ellis.
The bench is improving. I like that LB is taking less stupid shots and Diaw is playing much more consistently. And of course GG is a great addition. It was nice to see Coach go w/ Skinner, Diaw, GG, LB and Hill on the floor in the first half.
The Big Daddy. Ok. I am starting, just starting, to come around. His effort is fantastic and his offense is starting to gel as well. This is a good matchup for him though. Pryzbo isn't going to pull him from the rim and abuse him like the Pistons and Jazz can. But still. Very nice game and the team really seems to be responding to him. I am not there yet, but the signs are getting better and better.

Overall - great win. I really liked what I saw in this game. No let down tomorrow.

Phx - where Player of the Week happens

by Seth Pollack on Mar 18, 2008 11:36 PM MDT reply actions

Amen

Yup, gotta say pretty good W. Been a while since the Suns have been on any kind of decent win streak, here's hoping they keep it going. I'm so thrilled to see Shaq just own the boards. I mean these games with Shaq have been the first all season where we havent gotten owned on the boards and for the most part have won the rebound contests.

Let us pray they keep improving.

"Of old, the Skillful Warrior first ensured his own invulnerability;then he waited for the enemy's vulnerability." Sun Tzu

by Turambar on Mar 18, 2008 11:43 PM MDT up reply actions

Good win - almost boring even! :-)

by ZonaFlash on Mar 18, 2008 11:48 PM MDT up reply actions

down right hurtful...

but true.

dave is hipocrock racist dove lovin poor excuse for a debate mate, let alone ship mate, mate...

by daveisapecker on Mar 19, 2008 12:08 AM MDT up reply actions

nash and trinity

also share the same haircut at times

"Hes very cerebral when he plays out there"

by Snowbird on Mar 18, 2008 11:47 PM MDT reply actions

bigfoot sighting

<http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba>

"Hes very cerebral when he plays out there"

by Snowbird on Mar 18, 2008 11:54 PM MDT reply actions

that was great :-)

I now believe, he's out there, bigfoot

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 19, 2008 12:11 AM MDT up reply actions

well....

that didn't go exactly how I expected..close, but I did envision us having a few more points than ya'll... ;p I'm not sure our Pryzbilla is Oneil's favorite person to match up against, but for some reason they alway make for a good show, if none of you happened to see our first meeting with miami, shaq wasted no time trying to pop Joel's head, via ball with all of shaq's heaviness upon it...It really did look intentional, all in all there is no scheduled pre game din din for them two. fyi,iydk anyway, congrat's and we'll get ya'll next time.

dave is hipocrock racist dove lovin poor excuse for a debate mate, let alone ship mate, mate...

by daveisapecker on Mar 19, 2008 12:07 AM MDT reply actions

now...

I feel pretty strong about tomorrow night's game going well, it's all about MONDAY FOR ME, yes, being a back to back game with our team being older, tomorrow is another test. And yes, Houston on Sat is tough also. But MONDAY, DETROIT, a team that absolutely killed us on national tv a few weeks ago, right at the beginning of the shaq era,

I'm already on the Suns side, but a win against Detroit will wake up the nation as to this team can win it all. It'll make those f..... at espn change the 1.2% chance of winning the finals into the number it should be, 20%.

Link to b.s. rankings on suns chances to win it all this year

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 19, 2008 12:22 AM MDT reply actions