This was a great game, yes, we lost, yes, it looks bad for us right now. But this was not the Suns team that got hammered by Detroit on national tv (side note, if you actually click on this link to read about that Detroit game, make sure your not near a bridge). This was the Suns who beat Boston a few games ago.

Things to feel great about,

1. Raja Bell, his shooting returned in force making 5 for 9 from 3 pt land. His toughness and defense was more evident than usual, it made me think of the Raja Bell who didn't want to be friends with Kobe. Only negative, he hasn't played like this all season, great to see Raja play like this, anxious for more Sunday.



2. Amare, I think he did great, his ability to drive and score kept us in the game and with a little more luck, would've fouled out their top 1-2 players a little sooner. Only negative, 13-18 from the line.



3. Shaq, great also, excpet for having him try to score at the end, (mistake on coach's part? or on Shaq not understanding that he's the worst free throw shooter in the world). But there were many pluses to his game. Shaq hit multiple 3-5 foot jumpers and looked (for the first time with the Suns) good doing it. Shaq really is helping this team, I think it's other areas that we're hurting.



For those areas, I would say team defense, again hurt us. We just couldn't stop Utah at the end.
I read earlier on this blog that Nash could at least hang defensively with Williams, this is not true. But, Nash had 15 assists to 3 turnovers, thats the type of game we need from him if the Suns are going to compete. And as you'd expect from a great player, he sacrificed having Boozer run over him to give the Suns another shot at winning. I've always thought with Nash and defense, he does try hard, hard to compete with the nba getting so much better..



Player of the game, it's a 4-way tie for me between Okur, Korver, Boozer, and Williams. Seriously, watching Okur hit 3 pointer after 3 pointer was a big momentum change I think for the Suns, just as they were trying to build on their lead. Boozer is what he always is, dependable, tough, just a great, non flashy player. Williams tied Nash for 15 assists also, and made some very tough shots at the end. It seems Williams doesn't have to work as hard for his assists while Nash has to use every trick and drive into the paint to get his. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT THING TO UNDERSTAND, Once again, Deron Williams didn't have to work as hard for his 15 assists. Why did I put Korver in there, because he was deflecting Nash passes and hitting his shots while our shooters were folding at crunch time. Yes, L.B. made a three, but he missed many more 1 for 7!! and he's taking our last shots? I would've used Nash or Bell before L.B., or even stuck with Amare drawing fouls and scoring.



Why? It's really simple, Utah played better defense and did a good job of applying pressure and double teams on Nash. Where on defense the Suns had many good moments, but often were 4 on 5 with Shaq still coming up the court and the Suns scrambling to just get a hand in someone's face as they shot. It seemed the Utah Jazz guards could blow past Nash at any time creating a 5 on 4 situation many times.



Bottom line, we're lucky if we're still in the top ten teams in the NBA. But, the good news is we're improving over the last few games and if we hang on and make the playoffs, and if we continue to get better, and Shaq gets his legs back, I think we have a chance. It should be very interesting watching this Sunday's game against the Spurs. The Spurs are on a big win streak (currently 11 I think) and it'd be a great victory to be the team that breaks it. I know it's tough as a Suns fan to see us fall out of the top record so quickly, but there are things to be positive about.

1. We beat the Celtics
   
   
2. We beat the Trailblazers, who had just beat the Lakers
   
   
3. We were close to winning this game
   
   
4. Shaq is playing with motivation
   
   
5. Raja Bell's heart and desire are back
   
   
6. Diaw is playing better and made some great hustle plays and passes
   
   

1. L.B. (need I say more..sadly)
   
   
2. D.J., why aren't we playing him..?
   
   
3. Skinner, why aren't we playing him?
   
   
4. Our perimeter defense comes and goes, there were times in multiple recent games where I actually got excited about the Suns hustle and effort on defense, but it fades like an oasis in the desert. I don't think it fades because of heart, I think it's because of 2 things,
   

This is really tough to write about, any other year with the West not being so close, these loses wouldn't sting quite as much. Also, let's face it, this Suns team isn't built like the Trailblazers or the Lakers who have great long term outlooks, our team looks very similar to the Celtics, this year or next, or nothing.


For all of you who are really upset, I can only say this, I enjoyed the game. Even though we lost,
I enjoyed it.


Watching Shaq dive to tip a ball and keep it in play,


Watching Amare drive and score,


Watching Bell come alive and hit 5 three pointers and play great defense,


Watching Nash drive into the lane and disappear only to make a pass to an open big man for the dunk


Watching Diaw go after his own rebound and score



The team that beat us tonight played well also, and there's always this Sunday, where after this game, I really think we have a fair shot at beating the Spurs. UPDATE - LOOKS LIKE THE SPURS WILL LOSE TONIGHT, DOWN 96 TO 81 WITH 5 MINUTES LEFT.

Second update on Spurs, I'm not a Spurs fan at all, they're enemy number one. But, I can't help but notice as they lose tonight the look on Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili's faces as they look on knowing they lost tonight. It really bothers them, alot, I hate to say this, but I don't think the Suns are angry enough or hungry enough, I don't see that look of "How could we ever lose?" on their faces.

Just for fun Link to Hack a shaq

Also for a quick laugh,

Final note...I think when the Suns finally win a championship, we'll be happier and more appreciative then fans on teams that have won a few titles. With great struggle, comes great reward, it's a simple decision for me, I'M A SUNS FAN.