Tonight's contest was a sort of microcosm of the Phoenix Suns season. They started shaky-then looked fair-then looked awful-then looked pretty good-then they fell apart at the end.
Chris Paul went for 26 and 9 while Omeka Okafor added 16 and 11 for the Hornets. The Suns didn't have much of an answer for either Hornet.
The Suns shot 43% lost the rebounding battle by 7, turned the ball over 15 times, and gave up 46 Hornet points in the paint.
If that doesn't tell the story of the game, then how about these lines:
- Robin Lopez: 12 minutes, 1 point, 3 rebounds, 2 turnovers, -5. Way to come out and make a difference, Rob.
- Hakim Warrick: 17 minutes, 0-4, 0 points, 1 rebound, -8. Way to rise to the occasion, Hak. To think I once called you WarMachine this season.
- Aaron Brooks: 14 minutes, 2-7, 1 assist, 6 points, -4. Brooks reminds me of waking up Christmas morning and seeing a pink Schwinn with a bell instead of the kick ass Mongoose with chrome everything that you begged your parents for.
- Mickael Pietrus: 11 minutes, 2-8 (6 of those 3 point attempts), 5 points, 3 assists, -3. Trade Throw in to balance the salaries.
There isn't much one can say positive about this game. Yes at leas they fought back, and yes Dudley's 25 were nice. Anything else?
Well then back to reality. Reality is:
- 4 game losing streak
- 11th place
- 33-33
- 16 games left
There's really no bright spot I guess. Perhaps a semblance of hope. Channing Frye could come back Friday. Maybe Nash will be healthy soon. Maybe Brooks will get it soon, maybe, maybe, maybe.
It's pretty dark right here near the sun. But there is some hope. 12-4 maybe? 13-3? Stranger things have happened. Remember this is the exciting time of year. Just one game. yes, one viciously ugly and psychologically crushing defeat. But there's another come Friday.
We ain't done yet.
(exits with inspirational accompaniment)
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