Game Day: Suns v. Raptors

[SunsRIt]

Dis∙cuss

One hour until game time and no thread. Did I miss something?

This should be a fun game to watch I hope Amare asserts himself the whole game instead of just crunch. Let's hope Bosh doesn't own him

[AlanS]

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=271222021

Raptors-Suns Preview
STATS LLC

The three-time defending Pacific Division champion Phoenix Suns are again in first place despite not playing with their usual high intensity lately. A matchup against the Toronto Raptors may help to regain that swagger.

The Suns look to sweep their fourth straight season series over the Raptors on Saturday night at US Airways Center.

Phoenix (18-8) won 13 of 15 games from Nov. 9-Dec. 7 to jump out in front of the Pacific, but it has won just two of six since. The Suns averaged 120.8 points during a five-game run from Nov. 30-Dec. 7, but are averaging 102.0 points in their last six.

"Y'all can write what it is you want to, but they're battling out there," Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni said after Wednesday's 108-105 loss to Dallas.

The Suns trailed by 14 midway through the fourth quarter, and had a chance to tie the score but Steve Nash badly missed a 3-pointer in the closing seconds. Phoenix was unable to overcome an early deficit. The Suns were down 37-20 after the first quarter, as they turned the ball over six times.

"We need to get off to better starts," said Nash, who finished with 21 points and 18 assists. "We have to be more consistent with our effort, especially at the start of the game."

The two-time MVP had 10 points and 18 assists in Phoenix's 136-123 victory over the Raptors on Dec. 5. The Suns finished with a season high in points as seven Phoenix players reached double figures.

The Suns have not lost to Toronto since Nash re-joined the club before the 2004-05 season. Phoenix is averaging 115.7 points during their seven-game winning streak over the Raptors, and Nash is averaging 16.4 points and 12.3 assists in those games.

Leandro Barbosa, who is third on the Suns in scoring with 16.8 points per game this season, had a game-high 35 points on 14-of-23 shooting against the Raptors earlier this month.

Amare Stoudemire had 25 points on 9-of-11 shooting against Toronto. He also scored 25 against Dallas and added eight rebounds and four blocks.

The Raptors (15-13) are coming off a 123-115 loss to Seattle on Friday, as their late rally came up short. Toronto trailed by 18 with 4:09 left in the fourth quarter, before pulling within five with 36 seconds left.

"We battled back, but then you have to try and play perfect basketball and you make one mistake and it deflates you," Raptors coach Sam Mitchell said.

Chris Bosh finished with 26 points and 13 rebounds for his fourth double-double in five games. Bosh didn't face Phoenix earlier this month due to a groin injury.

Anthony Parker, who matched a season high with 22 points against the Suns, finished Friday with 18, including four 3-pointers.

Toronto, which is 1-2 on its season-high seven-game road trip, hasn't won in Phoenix since a 101-94 victory on Feb. 10, 2004. The Suns have won seven of 10 at home this season.

GAMEDAY MATCHUP
W-L / PF / PA / HOME / ROAD / STK / L10
TOR: 15-13 / 97.9 / 95.2 / 8-6 / 7-7 / L2 / 5-5
PHO: 18-8 / 109.0 / 104.3 / 7-3 / 11-5 / L1 / 6-4

[AlanS]

Dis∙cuss

One hour until game time and no thread. Did I miss something?

Looks like you finished your holiday shopping early.

[cap]

Are their singing voices really this awful, or are they intentionally dogging it for comic effect?

[frezix]

I believe after all this talk about getting to a better start, we might get one.

[Shabazz]

Please, please, please play Banks or Tucker tonight since Bell is out. PLEASE.

We know what Pike can do; He'll stand around a lot and go 1-3 on 3s. Great!

[BobbyDogg]

Coach really needs to get Tucker in the mix if Bell is out.

[AlanS]

DAMN... Amare was knocked down in the lane, and fell on the back of Marion's knee. Shawn went to the locker room, but is back on the court. I hope it's nothing.

Meanwhile, with Shawn out, Grant Hill has scored something like 8 straight points. Way to step up, Grant... show them (Boris) how it's done.

[AlanS]

It's a Marcus Banks sighting! In the 1st qtr!

Hmmm... Shawn is back in, and Nash throws him an alley-oop pas for 2 pts. I guess he's ok...

FYI: Leandro started for Bell, so far he's taken just 1 shot with 4 minutes left in the first. Stat is 2/3 FG, 5/5 FTs. The Raptors have no answer for Amare to start the game.

[frezix]

Is Shawn invincible? I always see him take awkward falls but he never misses a game

[AlanS]

The Suns are off to a good start, and lead 35-30 after 1 qtr. But the peremiter defense has been horrible. The Raptors have 4 made 3PT shots already. They have to stay home on the Toronto shooters.

[cap]

How are we only up 5 in this game? Doesn’t it feel like we should be ahead by much more?

[frezix]

I agree cap, we should but our defense keeps letting them back into the game.

[Shabazz]

I just wanted to point out that in the NO-Min which NO won, Sebastian Telfair was a -44. Eat that Boris Diaw!

[frezix]

Our offense is looking good, I guess the Raptors are what the doctor ordered.

[AlanS]

Toronto is starting to play like a team on long road trip.

Suns seem to do very very well in the 3rd qtr. I wish they could bottle that, so they can use some of it during the 1st half of games.

It would be nice to see Shawn get a chance to rest thru the end of the game. I hope the team doesn't do the usual and blow the lead while Nash is getting some rest. We'll see...

[frezix]

ahh these are the games I love to watch, suns win 122-103

[AlanS]

Good win, but you would have expected as much, playing against a road weary team that was missing a major player with TJ Ford out.

Although Bosh went off, i thought the Suns played good defense. Afet allowing 4 3PT shots in the first qtr, Toronto made a single 3PT shot after that. I thought Bosh started to look tired in the 3rd. Meanwhile, Toronto only shot 40% for the game.

Seems like Stat and LB got along just fine together... Amare with 28 pts, LB with 31 pts. It's all good when you're making shots.

Grant Hill was a silent assassin, getting 25 pts in 25 minutes. I especially liked how he stepped up in the 1st qtr when Shawn went down. I am still a little worried about Shawn, though. Hopefully, his knee won't tighten up overnight.

On to LA! get well soon Raja.

[ShelC]

Barbs certainly got out of his funk. He may need to move into the starting lineup.
Amare did a real nice job taking advantage of a smaller Raptors frontline. He was dominant inside, the offensive rebound and dunk was a thing of beauty.

Grant was terrific. Hes really hitting his stride, leaking out on the break properly and getting easy lay-ups. Those arent plays he was making thru the first 5-7 games of the year. Hes definitely adjusted in that regard. Hes a thoroughbred in the open floor. His speed is extremely deceptive as his his explosiveness to the basket when slashing. Could he be a Most Improved Candidate?

Shawn was great but definitely gave a scare with that knee tweak. He comes back wearin a sleeve and what happens? He catches an oop from Nash. Keep the sleeve.

Stevie was stevie. Extremely sharp passing the ball tonight.

Marcus Banks sighting...Didnt see his first stint in the game but i heard Leander said he had a good 10 minutes. His play in the 2nd half was OK. Hes definitely trying hard, especially on defense. Moved the ball well on offense, and didnt seem to be hurting the team at all.

Boris was OK. He was aggressive offensively again but couldnt get much to go down. Did a good jobs on the boards late, looked for post up opportunities. Set-up stevie for a nice 3 and almost had an oop to Amare.

Skinner was solid in limited time. Good presence on the boards but the pace was quicker and we didnt really have anyone for him to defend.

[SwingMan]

Good win, but you would have expected as much, playing against a road weary team that was missing a major player with TJ Ford out.

Although Bosh went off, i thought the Suns played good defense. Afet allowing 4 3PT shots in the first qtr, Toronto made a single 3PT shot after that. I thought Bosh started to look tired in the 3rd. Meanwhile, Toronto only shot 40% for the game.

Seems like Stat and LB got along just fine together... Amare with 28 pts, LB with 31 pts. It's all good when you're making shots.

Grant Hill was a silent assassin, getting 25 pts in 25 minutes. I especially liked how he stepped up in the 1st qtr when Shawn went down. I am still a little worried about Shawn, though. Hopefully, his knee won't tighten up overnight.

On to LA! get well soon Raja.

Ford's quick - that's about it. Calderon's been the better point.

On another note, what the hell have I been squawking about - as recently as last night? Ain't no coincidence that Babs is like night & day when in the starting 5, folks. It isn't fucking rocket science, people - play the boy, let Raja heal, then bring Raja off the bench as a defensive pest with a 3 shot.

Besides, like you stated Alan, there's indeed enough room on the court for both Amare & Babs.....

[Wormwood]

Good win tonight... if Bosh wasn't getting bailed out quite so much by the refs this would ve been a 30 point blow out.

Hill was phenomenal, Barbosa had his stroke back, Amare was aggressive, and Nash was rebounding and passing as well as I've ever seen him.

Banks didn't do anything either way... shot poorly, only got badly burned once on P&R, one really dumb foul right before the end of the 3rd quarter. I know I'm biased, but there wasn't much difference in his output from what I'd expect of a solid second round pick (Taureen Green). Definitely not 3.88 million's worth though.

[cap]

Record with Raja: 13-8
Record without Raja: 6-0

[JustWinBaby]

Good win tonight... if Bosh wasn't getting bailed out quite so much by the refs this would ve been a 30 point blow out.

Hill was phenomenal, Barbosa had his stroke back, Amare was aggressive, and Nash was rebounding and passing as well as I've ever seen him.

Banks didn't do anything either way... shot poorly, only got badly burned once on P&R, one really dumb foul right before the end of the 3rd quarter. I know I'm biased, but there wasn't much difference in his output from what I'd expect of a solid second round pick (Taureen Green). Definitely not 3.88 million's worth though.

Think you are being a little tough on Banks. He always has had a nice looking stoke in my book. All he needs is some consistent PT and he could help.

[JustWinBaby]

Good win, but you would have expected as much, playing against a road weary team that was missing a major player with TJ Ford out.

Although Bosh went off, i thought the Suns played good defense. Afet allowing 4 3PT shots in the first qtr, Toronto made a single 3PT shot after that. I thought Bosh started to look tired in the 3rd. Meanwhile, Toronto only shot 40% for the game.

Seems like Stat and LB got along just fine together... Amare with 28 pts, LB with 31 pts. It's all good when you're making shots.

Grant Hill was a silent assassin, getting 25 pts in 25 minutes. I especially liked how he stepped up in the 1st qtr when Shawn went down. I am still a little worried about Shawn, though. Hopefully, his knee won't tighten up overnight.

On to LA! get well soon Raja.

Ford's quick - that's about it. Calderon's been the better point.

On another note, what the hell have I been squawking about - as recently as last night? Ain't no coincidence that Babs is like night & day when in the starting 5, folks. It isn't fucking rocket science, people - play the boy, let Raja heal, then bring Raja off the bench as a defensive pest with a 3 shot.

Besides, like you stated Alan, there's indeed enough room on the court for both Amare & Babs.....

The start Barbosa campaign was started by someone else, then I jumped in. Now Swing is on the Bandwagon.

How can we convince Raja to tell the coach to make him our sixth man and put LB in the starting lineup. We can have back to back sixth man of the year awards, plus a better team.

Just do it

[illmatic]

Swing I'm right there with you. Barbosa NEEDS to start. Besides, when Raja signed with the Suns he planned on backing JJ before JJ demanded a trade.

[SwingMan]

I've been on that wavelength since Babs went in the lineup for Raja earlier this season, JWB. The results have been so blatantly obvious, it's a wonder that almost no one else has raised hell about it.

[SwingMan]

Swing I'm right there with you. Barbosa NEEDS to start at the 5. Besides, when Raja signed with the Suns he planned on backing JJ before JJ demanded a trade.

Babs at the 5?

Alright, I get it - you've either been macking some serious egg nog early or you're Mike D'Antoni in disguise..... ;)

We're you using 10-key in typing the #?

[AlanS]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2007122221&prov=ap

Phoenix 122, Toronto 103
By BOB BAUM, AP Sports Writer
December 23, 2007

PHOENIX (AP) -- The Toronto Raptors were a one-man show. That wasn't near enough with the Phoenix Suns revved up and running.

The Suns raced past Toronto 122-103 on Saturday night despite Bosh's career-high 42 points.

Leandro Barbosa, starting in place of injured Raja Bell, scored 31 points, Amare Stoudemire added 28 and Grant Hill 25 as Phoenix swept the season series from Toronto for the fourth consecutive season.

"That's our game," Stoudemire said. "We've got players that can score easily. Tonight we showed a great supply of getting guys involved."

The Suns are 8-0 against the Raptors since Steve Nash came to Phoenix in 2004. Nash had 16 assists with no turnovers.

"I thought the third quarter was great. We had a five-point lead turn into a 20-point lead with a really good effort. It was a good performance."

Phoenix did not double-team Bosh. "We wanted just to let him go one-on one," D'Antoni said. "It's when you let the other guys go crazy from the '3' that they're really dangerous."

Bosh made 22 of 24 free throws, both career bests. His 22 makes are the most from the line in the league this season. "The free-throw line is my friend," Bosh said, "so I just always try to be aggressive, always try to attack the basket and get those easy points."

Phoenix reached 19 wins before Christmas for the third time in franchise history. The Suns were loose despite losing three of five going into the game. "We try to play without a conscience and try to play hard," D'Antoni said. "This year it's been a little more difficult in nitpicking little things, and I think sometimes we get guys hesitating. We don't want to do that."

The Suns won at Toronto 136-123 on Dec. 5, in the highest-scoring NBA game this season. This one was on a similar pace until the fourth quarter.

Phoenix used a 20-6 run in the third quarter to open a 98-79 when Nash grabbed an offensive rebound, the whipped a behind-the-back pass to Barbosa, who made the 3-pointer.

Barbosa didn't even attempt a 3-pointer in the Suns' loss at Dallas on Thursday night. "He's a terrific scorer and a terrific basketball player," D'Antoni said. "He's back on track."

Stoudemire had 24 points, Hill and Barbosa 23 apiece in the first three quarters as Phoenix blew open a 103-83 lead entering the fourth.

"The offensive rebounds in the third quarter just killed us," Toronto coach Sam Mitchell said. "We had the lead cut down to five and were playing pretty good considering all the mistakes we had made, but they're a good basketball team."

Marcus Banks started the final quarter with a 3-pointer to put the Suns up 106-83. The Raptors got no closer than 13 after that.

Bosh's previous career best was 41, set against Orlando last Feb. 7 and tied against Cleveland on Nov. 24.

The Suns improved to 6-0 when Barbosa has started this season. Bell sat out the game with back spasms. The Suns, plagued by slow starts in recent games, outscored the Raptors 20-11 to go up 34-22 with 1 1/2 minutes left in the first quarter.

Toronto used an 11-4 spurt to cut it to 44-43 on Bosh's two free throws with 6:53 left in the half. Barbosa responded with a 3-pointer, but moments later Toronto sliced it to 55-53 when Bosh made a turnaround 10-footer.

Barbosa, who scored 15 in the second quarter, made a driving layup in a 7-0 run that gave the Suns a 62-53 lead 2:10 before the half. Phoenix led 66-61 at the break.

Bosh scored 22 in the first half, including 10-of-11 free throws. Barbosa made 6-of-7 shots in the second quarter.

Notes

Banks played for the first time in eight games and only the second time in the team's last 13. ... Rasho Nesterovic didn't play for the Raptors by the coach's decision. ... Entering the game, Phoenix had played the fewest home games in the NBA (10). The Suns play the Lakers in Los Angeles on Christmas Day. ... The Raptors will go home for Christmas, then resume their road play Friday at San Antonio.

[illmatic]

Swing I'm right there with you. Barbosa NEEDS to start at the 5. Besides, when Raja signed with the Suns he planned on backing JJ before JJ demanded a trade.

Babs at the 5?

Alright, I get it - you've either been macking some serious egg nog early or you're Mike D'Antoni in disguise..... ;)

We're you using 10-key in typing the #?

Check the Edit buddy. I caught it before you could reply to it. =)

[SwingMan]

Is it just me, or does Grant Hill, despite a good start, look like he's getting even better with each passing game? Hell, vintage even.....

[AlanS]

I've been on that wavelength since Babs went in the lineup for Raja earlier this season, JWB. The results have been so blatantly obvious, it's a wonder that almost no one else has raised hell about it.

Assuming Raja is out vs the Lakers, who will guard Kobe? Barbosa is a match-up problem vs big SGs. Unless the approach is that he will negate the disadvantage by scoring as much as they do.

[illmatic]

[quote=illmatic;8500]Swing I'm right there with you. Barbosa NEEDS to start at the 5. Besides, when Raja signed with the Suns he planned on backing JJ before JJ demanded a trade.

Babs at the 5?

Alright, I get it - you've either been macking some serious egg nog early or you're Mike D'Antoni in disguise..... ;)

We're you using 10-key in typing the #?

And no, I'm not MACKING on the eggnog. ;)

[SwingMan]

Swing I'm right there with you. Barbosa NEEDS to start at the 5. Besides, when Raja signed with the Suns he planned on backing JJ before JJ demanded a trade.

Babs at the 5?

Alright, I get it - you've either been macking some serious egg nog early or you're Mike D'Antoni in disguise..... ;)

We're you using 10-key in typing the #?

Check the Edit buddy. I caught it before you could reply to it. =)

Ah, it's all good. I just wish I had some egg nog around myself - or Jack Daniels. :lol:

[Phoenix219]

Raja definately needs to heal, and Barbs definately is starter material these days. If we can use this time to get Banks adjusted to some playing time, all he needs to do is hit that 3 (which, despite his faults, is something he should be able to do) and thats all we really need from him.

Grant Hill is looking amazing. I guess he wasn't lying when he said he's an old car with low mileage and has a few years of running and abuse left in him.

Just remember... Grant Hill Drinks Sprite!

[SwingMan]

I've been on that wavelength since Babs went in the lineup for Raja earlier this season, JWB. The results have been so blatantly obvious, it's a wonder that almost no one else has raised hell about it.

Assuming Raja is out vs the Lakers, who will guard Kobe? Barbosa is a match-up problem vs big SGs. Unless the approach is that he will negate the disadvantage by scoring as much as they do.

Throw a ton of different looks at him. Babs to start, Banks on the 2nd wave, Matrix on an occasional drive-by, Hill on switches. Get Bryant pissed off enough to where he starts freezing his teammates out with his ego-driven will to want to dominate.

[Phoenix219]

Any chance Grant and Marion will take turns guarding Kobe? I wonder how Hill would do on him, at this point.

I only saw parts of the game; It looks like Shawn had a quiet game, was that because of the injury scare or just the flow of the game? The 5 assists is really nice though.

[Phoenix219]

Posted that before Swingy's take on the Kobe situation.

Chicago fans must be wishing right now, but it looks like that window has closed...

[JustWinBaby]

Record with Raja: 13-8
Record without Raja: 6-0

Coach D is big on numbers.

Make LB the Starter, the W/L should be the most important numbers.

Eddie Johnson had a great comment tonight on Boris. He said if he can get back to just part of how he played in 05/06 we are almost a cinch to win the Championship.

I think that is why I and most of planet Orange is so frustrated with Boris.

If I am Kerr he has until the trading deadline to get his ass in gear and it has to be more than one game a week or month.

Tonight - in a game he should have done well - most everyone else did.

23 Minutes
6 points
1 rebound
2 assists

Now all of you Boris backers come to his rescue for another Clunker.

Here are a couple of the excuses you might use.

Oh he was a plus 16 when on the floor (thanks to others efforts).

He shot the ball 8 times, he was really agressive shooting the ball.

I ain't buying it - trade his ass

[JediSkywalker]

I hope Raja heals completely before he starts playing. Hopefully rest f the team will pick up the slack against Kobe. I hope Marion is OK. We will be really hurting on defense if both of them are out.

I wish coach had played Tucker tonight. I watched the first half, before I fell asleep, and I had not set the VCR for this game. Glad to hear the Suns won, but more important- they seemed to play well in the first Q.

[JustWinBaby]

Is it just me, or does Grant Hill, despite a good start, look like he's getting even better with each passing game? Hell, vintage even.....

I said he would end up around 40 % from the three by seasons end, that is when he was tossing up bricks early on and everyone was looking at his past history from the three. He is inching up to 40 %, but what is really impressive is the quality of his overall game.

He is a scoring agressive Boris that can get a rebound and has a heart beat. He passes when it is the best play otherwise he scores, in many different ways.

He is fast becoming one of my favorites

[illmatic]

Anyone check out Phil Weber's comments on Boris Diaw in The Republic? He's basically sticking up for the guy, and in a non-direct way calls the fans dumb. He says that Boris is "always a play ahead of everyone else" and "sees things in the future before we do". I've always been a Phil Weber fan but that's a bit much. Diaw's a pussy, pardon my french, heh no pun intended but he doesn't have the balls to take it inside and dunk the fuckin ball or lay it up even. We are all sick of his apathetic nature.

By the way, I'm not too concerned about who's guarding Kobe on Christmas. He strained his quadricep against Golden State I believe and has had a couple crappy games since. His scoring average this year is below 30 points a game and hasn't been as low as it is since I think 2004. I'm not sure if he's given up on the Lakers and is going through the motions or what.

[JackArse]

i think it was his groin that he pulled..

either way, yes he is a bit on the hurt side.

[bjebaz]

I went to the game today (first time I've been home, and to a home Suns game, in about 3 years!)

Thoughts:

Amare's offensive game is pretty much where it needs to be for this team. He set screens when he needed to, shot when he needed to, with his only problem being some careless passes. However, his defensive and rebounding prowess still left a lot to be desired. He doesn't close out on his man well (got burned the first play of the game by slow Bargnani for a dunk) and goes for too many shot fakes (which contributed to foul trouble.)

Barbosa plays so, so well with Nash. He is not a point, will never be a point, but looked unstoppable alongside Nash.

Diaw needs to drive the damn ball to the basket. He settled for jumpers when he easily could have taken the ball to the basket for easier looks. He's talented, he can do it, he's just a lazy player.

Banks was horrendous today, as always. He made some really stupid fouls when the Suns had momentum and on offense stopped the flow of the game.

I love how Hill attacks the basket but he either needs to improve his finishing (not likely) or learn how to dish off the pass when he nears the basket. He has missed several easy shots, where if Nash were driving, he would have passed it for a dunk.

[JackArse]

i had actually no problem with banks.. EXCEPT.. he may have been a bit tentative on the offensive end because he didn't want to make a mistake

he needs to take his jumpers in the flow of the game, one time he didn't and missed badly, the other times.. was more rust. the fouls were.. meh, one i thought was a good foul, and for a bench player, if they make a good hard foul, it can't be bad, because.. he's not gonna get fouled out.

diaw. i have no problem with the last few games. he may not be driving the ball, but he normally has a VERY solid outside shot. tha tshould bring people out, and allow him to drive out if necessary but they were giving him the outside shot, gotta take it. just like amare does.

[Nodack]

Nice Game! I don't care if it was Toronto.

Amare was active and aggressive. Barbosa shot the lights out. Marion didn't blow out his knee when Amare fell into him. Hill was awesome.


OK everybody, time to make our post game adjustments to tough fan dog house list. Nash, Amare and Barbosa have now moved off the doghouse list and back to the fan favorites list again.

Marion gets bumped up a few pegs on the stud list, but unfortunately stays on the 3pt. doghouse list.

Banks is happy to be on a list again even if it is the doghouse list.

Diaw stays on the doghouse list. For the record, I didn't mind his game tonight.

Hill is definitely stays on the fan favorite list after that game.

Skinner shot a par and stays on the fan favorite list due to low expectations to begin with.

Tucker didn't accumulate enough minutes to qualify for any lists.

Remember, don't forget to adjust your trade proposals to correspond to the updated lists for this game. You have less than two days to get your proposals in before the next game is played and the list gets updated again.

:)

[ShelC]

Remember, don't forget to adjust your trade proposals to correspond to the updated lists for this game. You have less than two days to get your proposals in before the next game is played and the list gets updated again.

LOL. Basically that seems to be the way it works. I cant wait til Hill has a 3 game slump. Then the usual suspects will be calling for his head, saying hes done, we never shouldve signed him, he should be sitting next to Pike....etc. People gotta grow up.

[Mori_Chu]

A good game and a good win. Several things to feel happy about:

- We did a much better job getting the ball to Amare tonight.

- Nash looked sharp and had tons of great assists. 16 asts and 0 turnovers, wow!

- LB stepped up extremely well in his starting role. He ends up catching a bunch of those Nash passes. It's clear that LB plays best when Nash is also on the floor, and not as a primary ballhandler.

- Marcus Banks played, and he played WELL! I was really proud of the guy. His minutes in the first half in particular were excellent in my opinion. He hit a few open shots and even got a few assists. If he can play that way consistently, I think he deserves our (currently nonexistent) 9th rotation spot for a dozen minutes a night or more. Call me crazy.

- Marion wasn't hurt. Thank God. If he's out, we're out.

[OE]

I think the trademongers are being outnumbered by the people complaining about them.

Maybe everyone's become a big grumpy sourpuss, and maybe this has something to do with us not being a team on the rise any longer. Who wants to go be a Blazers or Sonics fan? Sigh. If only it were so easy.

I'm waiting for Beasley to come out so I can jump on that bandwagon. It should be rockin!

[JustWinBaby]

We get a win

and Boris gets off the hook.

Weber comes to the rescue, he is working on his shooting. I guess he was too busy this off season due to Tony's wedding and figuring how to get to play for team France, to put in the time during the off season. Maybe he was playing chess with Bobby Fisher so he can think more than two plays ahead. He should sign up with Cuban and Meriweather for that mixed martial arts fighting so he can be tough enough to get more than one rebound - now that would be thinking ahead.

Banks get's mixed reviews

Same minutes as Boris
Hasn't played in a Month
7 inches shorter than Boris
Not French
2 more points than Boris
Sames number of rebounds as Boris 1
1 more assist than Boris
1 less turnover than Boris

We get beat on the boards agains by 7 and Boris has one, people he is playing the 4/5 they are supposed to get rebounds - he is not off the hook.

Sorry he was probably thinking ahead - like figuring what he should wear at Tony's next wedding after Eva dumps him.

I ain't convinced.

[JediSkywalker]

A good game and a good win. Several things to feel happy about:

- We did a much better job getting the ball to Amare tonight.

- Nash looked sharp and had tons of great assists. 16 asts and 0 turnovers, wow!

- LB stepped up extremely well in his starting role. He ends up catching a bunch of those Nash passes. It's clear that LB plays best when Nash is also on the floor, and not as a primary ballhandler.

- Marcus Banks played, and he played WELL! I was really proud of the guy. His minutes in the first half in particular were excellent in my opinion. He hit a few open shots and even got a few assists. If he can play that way consistently, I think he deserves our (currently nonexistent) 9th rotation spot for a dozen minutes a night or more. Call me crazy.

- Marion wasn't hurt. Thank God. If he's out, we're out.

WORD. I was actually surprised by how well LB played. He is 6-0 as a starter this season, but I would also look at the teams he played against. Were they teams that don't play a very physical game or are generally slow teams? I don't have that data, but may be someone can provide it (Worm?) Toronto is not the most physical team. I still believe that against teams like LAL, Spurs, Mavs we need Raja (if healthy) to start. However, that goes out the window if LB is successful starting against both physical and not so physical opponents.

I was happy to see Banks play well. My ire about his past failures is no longer there (may be it got transferred to Diaw:lol: I don't know why coach has not given him any opportunity for the last several games. He could actually fill the point guard gap at times when Nash is not there. He had 3 assists in the short time he had on the court. May be he has learned. I was hoping that Tucker would get his chance but he only got about 2 minutes and he did not score any points. He needs a little more time to settle down and play with the team.

BTW how is DJ doing in the D league?

[AlanS]

BTW how is DJ doing in the D league?

DJ plays his 1st D-league game tonight.

[Wormwood]

Why does everyone say Barbosa is so bad defensively? He used to be, and he can't guard big swingmen (like Stackhouse) or Small forwards, but against guys his own size, and smaller, he does a very creditable job these days.

I don't see it as much on this board, but on places like espn people are all over him. Frankly, though, the stats I can track down us don't seem to support it.

[DrSublime]

i actually loved Banks in that game, i really think he might be the missing ''shooter'' that the team has been lacking .. he has a really solid looking 3point shot

[DrSublime]

also i want to add
i dont know who he is but i LOVE the guy calling the Raptors game...
so nice to listen to a really solid pro play by play guy.

[Mori_Chu]

I had to listen to Leander and Eddie Johnson. Johnson has solid insights, but he talks like he has marbles in his mouth. Leander ... I have heard you guys making fun of him for years now, but I never really understood until now. What an annoying motherfucker. I only heard him once or twice all year and already I can remember a bunch of his moronic sayings:

- Absolutely! (He says this after EVERY basket!)
- Straight and sweet!
- Straight ... but strong.
- The NET result!
- Free for three!
- RAJA that!

... The guy is terrible. He really strikes me as being the caliber of a high school announcer or something. How does he have a job??

[Shabazz]

I had to listen to Leander and Eddie Johnson. Johnson has solid insights, but he talks like he has marbles in his mouth. Leander ... I have heard you guys making fun of him for years now, but I never really understood until now. What an annoying motherfucker. I only heard him once or twice all year and already I can remember a bunch of his moronic sayings:

- Absolutely! (He says this after EVERY basket!)
- Straight and sweet!
- Straight ... but strong.
- The NET result!
- Free for three!
- RAJA that!

... The guy is terrible. He really strikes me as being the caliber of a high school announcer or something. How does he have a job??

As annoying as Leander is, I'd say he's in the top half of the league in terms of play-by-play quality. And that's much more of a reflection of other teams' play by play and color guys than it is of Leander.

I'm also not in PHX and for some reason about 90% of the games I've gotten from league pass have been the other team's feed. There are some really, really bad announcing teams out there.

My biggest beef is having to listen to these homers argue with the refs the whole game. I know it's not a national broadcast team, so they are supposed to be slightly slanted, but some of these guys complain after every single call. It's worse than listening to Bill Walton wax allegorical for 2 1/2 hours. I remember one of the games against Houston where the Rockets got called for a foul and the announcing team (one of the worst) went on for 10 minutes about what a bad call it was. Then they went to the replay, the foul was clearly committed and they refused to back off their initial takes on the play. Golden State is another example of an awful crew. I like Toronto's though. Very hoops-savvy and professional.