Game Day: SUNS vs. Sonics...

[MTSunsFan]

The layoff is over. Let's keep this winning streak going. And here's hoping KT get's a well deserved ovation tonight...

Dis∙cuss

[MTSunsFan]

Preview:


Seattle (9-22) at Phoenix (22-9)

Preview - Box Score - Recap

Game Info: 10:30 pm EST Thu Jan 3, 2008
TV: My45 Add to Calendar
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By KATE HEDLIN, STATS Writer

After a difficult stretch, the Phoenix Suns finished a frustrating December on a high note.

They'll try for their fourth straight win Thursday when they host a Seattle SuperSonics club struggling with injuries.

The Suns (22-9) finished December winning three straight to finish 10-5 for the month. While a good showing for most teams, it was nonetheless their fewest wins in December since 2003, when they went 5-12.

The schedule didn't help, as Phoenix played 11 of its 17 December games on the road, including Saturday's 117-102 victory over the Sacramento Kings.

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"Our schedule this month has been really rough," said Suns coach Mike D'Antoni, whose club is percentage points behind San Antonio for the best record in the Western Conference. "We played 10 of 16 games on the road and played through some rough games. We are just trying to get better and keep playing together."

The Suns now begin January with four straight games at home, where they have played a league-low 12 games but are 9-3 in those contests.

They'll also try to build off a strong offensive effort from Saturday, when Amare Stoudemire had 31 points and a season-high 17 rebounds while Steve Nash added 12 points and 15 assists - his 11th game this season with 15 assists or more.

Racking up assists is easier with a scorer on the court like Stoudemire, who is averaging 29.7 points over the last three games.

"He is turned on right now," Nash said. "It is great to see. He is full of energy and working really hard. He is mentally focused and in the game. He has got a swagger and growl to his game. I am really proud to see what he is doing."

Nash and Stoudemire may find their tasks easier Thursday if Seattle (9-22) takes the court without Kevin Durant and Chris Wilcox.

Durant, the Sonics' leading scorer with 19.7 points per game, sprained his left index finger during Saturday's 109-90 win over Minnesota and sat out Monday's 98-90 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

The second overall pick in the 2007 draft was wearing a soft wrist brace that he said prevents him from handling the ball cleanly.

"LeBron (James) had the same injury and I talked to him about it," Durant said. "He said it took him about five days. I'm hoping that if I get some treatment and ice it a little more I'll be ready next game."

Wilcox, whose 13.6 scoring average ranks second on the Sonics, missed Monday's game due to a sprained left knee.

Without their top two scorers, the Sonics were led by Earl Watson, who had 18 points. Jeff Green added 16, while Nick Collison had 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Phoenix beat the Sonics 106-99 in its season opener Nov. 1 at Seattle. The Suns have also won two straight home meetings with the Sonics.


Updated on Wednesday, Jan 2, 2008 8:23 pm, EST

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Team Comparison
Team Record Standings PF PA Road/Home Streak L10
Seattle 9-22 4th Northwest / 14th West 98.2 104.4 Road 4-11 Lost 1 4-6
Phoenix 22-9 1st Pacific / 2nd West 109.4 103.7 Home 9-3 Won 3 6-4

Seattle Notes
Jan 1 The Sonics were forced to play their first game Monday without G-F Kevin Durant, who was sidelined with a finger injury on his left hand. They also were without F Chris Wilcox due to a left knee injury. ... Seattle struggled without its two leading scorers, mustering a season-low 11 points in the second quarter. It shot 24 percent (5-of-21), including 0-for-4 on 3-pointers. ... F-C Kurt Thomas continued his stellar recent play on the boards, grabbing 13 rebounds. It was his fourth straight game in double figures, averaging 13 rebounds per game.
st 01-01-08 2:42 et

Phoenix Notes
Dec 31 F Grant Hill has started all 31 games for the Suns in his first season with the team. It marks his longest run since the 1999-2000 campaign when Hill played for the Detroit Pistons. ... At 6-7, F Shawn Marion is the shortest player currently ranked in the top 20 in rebounding. Marion leads the Suns, averaging 10 per game. ... Phoenix is 19-0 when entering the fourth quarter with a lead. ... The Suns have won eight of their last nine games against Sacramento following Sunday's victory. ... C Amare Stoudemire set season highs with 17 rebounds and 10 offensive boards on Sunday.
st 12-31-07 3:15 et

[Superbone]

Finally!

We win tonight in convincing fashion.

Go Suns!

[JustWinBaby]

Should be fun watching Durant tonight as well as seeing our old buddy KT.

How will Amare do against KT?

Who will guard Durant?

[Billyjoejimbob]

I am going to this game tonight, so please keep up the energy guys. I know I'll be giving KT an ovation even if I'm the only one.

[Xcon]

Should be a boring game with Durant and Wilcox sitting. They better put the smack down.

[Billyjoejimbob]

They said Durant might play tonight.

[MTSunsFan]

There go the Suns again getting lucky w/ the Sonics best player possibly being out tonight due to injury...:wink:

[JustWinBaby]

Yeah those Spurs were dominant as ever while squeaking out a win in game five with Amare and Boris sitting at home, a true dynasty rolled right thru us. I doubt that there will be an asterisk by their feat. Popovich for Coach of the Century.

[SpecialSauce]

Yeah those Spurs were dominant as ever while squeaking out a win in game five with Amare and Boris sitting at home, a true dynasty rolled right thru us. I doubt that there will be an asterisk by their feat. Popovich for Coach of the Century.

No shit it was in the playoffs, you celebrate when the star players are out in the playoffs.

[Nodack]

"He is turned on right now," Nash said. "It is great to see. He is full of energy and working really hard. He is mentally focused and in the game. He has got a swagger and growl to his game. I am really proud to see what he is doing."

Nash had a quote a few days ago that had many here questioning whether Nash and Amare had some animosity going on between them and that their was a serious chemistry problem between the two of them. See what you get for making things up in your head?

[misteradiant]

oh dude, if i couldn't make things up, i'd have to live in the normal world where i'd be a mass-muderer or something. trust me, it's better this way.

actually, i was on the fence about the amare/nash friction if you read/undterstood my mad postings. i did lean to there being friction, though. it just wasn't a big deal. a splinter rather than an amputation.

[Nodack]

I wasn't really thinking of you in particular mr, just scuttlebutt in general.

I'm sure there is a certain amount of friction that goes on on every team. You have egos and a lot of money at stake. It's unavoidable. How many of us have families that never have disagreements? It's no big deal. Us fans and the press have a tendency to turn a one line comment into something a lot bigger than it really is.

[misteradiant]

oh i know, man. i wasn't stressed or feeling a finger pointed.


Us fans and the press have a tendency to turn a one line comment into something a lot bigger than it really is.

straight up.

[gladiator]

I know tonight's hardly a blockbuster game but I'm very much looking forward to it. Just realised it's on TV here and for once I'll actually be able to watch a Suns game

[Velo]

I know tonight's hardly a blockbuster game but I'm very much looking forward to it. Just realised it's on TV here and for once I'll actually be able to watch a Suns game

And its going to be done by Al, no less!

[Superbone]

I know tonight's hardly a blockbuster game but I'm very much looking forward to it. Just realised it's on TV here and for once I'll actually be able to watch a Suns game

And its going to be done by Al, no less!

I'm guessing he's getting the TNT broadcast.

[Andy_S]

This is annoying. The BW was funny for a minute, but now that the game is on, give me a real broadcast.

This marks the first time in Suns history where I will watch the TNT feed over the local feed. That's sad.

[SpecialSauce]

Yeah they've done this before a few years ago. It was cool for 2 minutes.

[EDC]

Man, it is a shame Amare isn't out there working harder. He would have some more shots if he got himself into position. If he was aggressive he might actually have some rebounds as well.

:(

[Andy_S]

The only thing that could make this more annoying is if it were Tom Lea....awww crap!

The worst part is that Portland/Chicago won't end.

[gladiator]

The only thing that could make this more annoying is if it were Tom Lea....awww crap!

The worst part is that Portland/Chicago won't end.

Damn right. The telecast of the Suns game here won't start til that game finishes .. so I'm putting up with some horse polo sh*t at the moment. Bad times.

[admdavid]

Well, it doesn't seem like we're missing much. :(

[EDC]

It would be awesome if we actually had a half court set offense to go to. Something that if we ran right would at least get us an open jumpshot.

"We just need to run faster... Try harder... then we can win..."

Edit: Zone Defense > Suns?

[BobbyDogg]

Is that score correct? I haven't been able to see the game yet...

[Sunny_Kid]

Just the 1st qtr and we almost down by 20.
It's real?

[Philbert]

33-13 !?!?!

[FurlanFufi]

Yeah, and we deserve it!

[EDC]

God I miss Al.

[gladiator]

((voice of Simpsons' comic store guy)): "Worst quarter ever"
Fortunately there's enough time to get back into it..now can we get this damn Portland/Chicago game to end so I can actually see what's going wrong??

[Andy_S]

Well, the good news is that the Suns are playing so badly, but I can't tell through all the visual mumbo jumbo being applied to the signal. And, Al's on.

But this is still lame. Is there a game on tonight, or just some crapfest to annoy me with?

[Andy_S]

It would be awesome if we actually had a half court set offense to go to. Something that if we ran right would at least get us an open jumpshot.

Doesn't take you long to crawl out of the woodwork.

Crawl back in, please. :)

[Andy_S]

If Tom Leander ever said, "When in doubt, Amare puts it out!" I would smash my TV with my bare fists until I bled to death.

But when Al says it? SHAZAM! That's why he's awesome.

[EDC]

Be nice. :) I think a little complaining is in order when we are down 20 in the first.

Edit: Where is the link to the blog that shows the greatness of the Dantoni half court offense. Thats what we need now. Make the call coach!

[Philbert]

how did barbosa manage to get 3 fouls in the 1stQ? all defensive, or charges?

[Sunny_Kid]

It's shame to lose this much when the club celebrate some 40 anniversary things

[gladiator]

Looks like a little mor e energy to start the 2nd quarter -- much needed, too.

[BobbyDogg]

If Tom Leander ever said, "When in doubt, Amare puts it out!" I would smash my TV with my bare fists until I bled to death.

But when Al says it? SHAZAM! That's why he's awesome.

LMAO

Al Rocks!

The Suns had one too many days off, apparently.

[Andy_S]

Be nice. :) I think a little complaining is in order when we are down 20 in the first.

Edit: Where is the link to the blog that shows the greatness of the Dantoni half court offense. Thats what we need now. Make the call coach!

Complaining is certainly justified. However, I think the coach is right to play crappy Seattle using OUR gameplan. You can argue about trying to match up to better teams and I won't necessarily disagree (too much). But we're supposed to be an elite team -- we should win or lose against Seattle using our main gameplan. Don't let the players off the hook by having them try something else -- they blew this so far, so make them fight back into it -- our way.

[Andy_S]

See? We're getting back into it, our way.

[SpecialSauce]

how did barbosa manage to get 3 fouls in the 1stQ? all defensive, or charges?

simple explanation: He's running around like a chicken without its head, as usual.

[SpecialSauce]

Boris is playing well right now, and so is the rest of the team. The energy has picked up a bit

[EDC]

I hear what you are saying but I believe if we had a more structured system for half court sets that we wouldn't end up in situations like this. We have the tendency to get trounced by sub par teams quite often. Sometimes we come back and win sometimes we don't. It isn't like we couldn't still be a running team. We just wouldn't put so much pressure on any one player when we do get bogged down in a half court set. The times when we really need a basket.

[Andy_S]

I hear what you are saying but I believe if we had a more structured system for half court sets that we wouldn't end up in situations like this. We have the tendency to get trounced by sub par teams quite often. Sometimes we come back and win sometimes we don't. It isn't like we couldn't still be a running team. We just wouldn't put so much pressure on any one player when we do get bogged down in a half court set. The times when we really need a basket.

OK, I'll give you this much -- it would be ideal at times for D'antoni to call ONE PLAY where we slow things down, giving us a short bit of time to regroup and make a bucket. Kind of as an alternative to using a timeout, which we know he doesn't like to do. Use that as a momentum shifter, then run like hell after we get a block on the other side.

You can remain out of the woodwork now. :)

[BORISDIAW4MVP]

Barbosa is playing just awful right now. I could care less he makes his attempts, he forces everything, and cannot make any decisions out there. He has no patience and when his goofy ass layups and floaters aren't falling, he's detrimental to the team.

[SpecialSauce]

Barbosa is playing just awful right now. I could care less he makes his attempts, he forces everything, and cannot make any decisions out there. He has no patience and when his goofy ass layups and floaters aren't falling, he's detrimental to the team.

wordddd. Classic example where he didn't give the extra pass to Shawn. And a few posessions earlier, he got the ball from Boris I think, and just stood there crouched for like 4 seconds before dribbling and then finally passing. Raja bailed us out on that posession with a fadeaway J. LB is plain GARBAGE this season.

[Andy_S]

Barbosa is playing just awful right now. I could care less he makes his attempts, he forces everything, and cannot make any decisions out there. He has no patience and when his goofy ass layups and floaters aren't falling, he's detrimental to the team.

Yeah, but Boris Diaw for MVP?

I'll take Barbie's goofy ass layups and floaters.

[sehan]

Barbosa is playing just awful right now. I could care less he makes his attempts, he forces everything, and cannot make any decisions out there. He has no patience and when his goofy ass layups and floaters aren't falling, he's detrimental to the team.

wordddd. Classic example where he didn't give the extra pass to Shawn. And a few posessions earlier, he got the ball from Boris I think, and just stood there crouched for like 4 seconds before dribbling and then finally passing. Raja bailed us out on that posession with a fadeaway J. LB is plain GARBAGE this season.

Agreed - Reggi says championship teams make the extra pass and Barbs needed to pass that ball on that play and I totally agree.

In one of the recent articles, Mike D'Antonie said our second unit usually just stand there and watch barbosa play. well there is a reason for that - it is cause barbosa is a ball hog.

[DrSublime]

he kinda is...
but thats kinda his niche for the team, is to be the offense when Nash/Amare are out....

Diaw needs to be the facilitator and Barbosa needs to be the finisher w/the 2nd unit

[Andy_S]

Agreed - Reggi says championship teams make the extra pass and Barbs needed to pass that ball on that play and I totally agree.

In one of the recent articles, Mike D'Antonie said our second unit usually just stand there and watch barbosa play. well there is a reason for that - it is cause barbosa is a ball hog.

That is ridiculous. First of all, Barbosa did not have a clear pass because Marion was out of position. Barbosa is leading the break because he was in control of the ball -- Marion needs to get himself into position to score. He didn't -- he was dead even with Barbosa, perhaps a little ahead, with a defender between them (within arm's reach). Had Barbosa tried to pass, the ball would have been knocked out of bounds or stolen. But Marion was looking for a poster dunk, not the easiest jump shot of his life, so he ruled himself out.

Marion should have fallen back about four feet -- then, Barbosa would have still been able to see him and throw a lazy bounce pass that Marion could have scooped up, but the defender would not have been able to touch, because his momentum would be going the wrong way.

That play was Marion's fault, not Barbosa's. And it still worked out ok. And Barbosa is not a ball hog, he's just not Nash.

[Andy_S]

he kinda is...
but thats kinda his niche for the team, is to be the offense when Nash/Amare are out....

Diaw needs to be the facilitator and Barbosa needs to be the finisher w/the 2nd unit

Very true. But Diaw still needs to be more aggressive himself.

[sehan]

Agreed - Reggi says championship teams make the extra pass and Barbs needed to pass that ball on that play and I totally agree.

In one of the recent articles, Mike D'Antonie said our second unit usually just stand there and watch barbosa play. well there is a reason for that - it is cause barbosa is a ball hog.

That is ridiculous. First of all, Barbosa did not have a clear pass because Marion was out of position. Barbosa is leading the break because he was in control of the ball -- Marion needs to get himself into position to score. He didn't -- he was dead even with Barbosa, perhaps a little ahead, with a defender between them (within arm's reach). Had Barbosa tried to pass, the ball would have been knocked out of bounds or stolen. But Marion was looking for a poster dunk, not the easiest jump shot of his life, so he ruled himself out.

Marion should have fallen back about four feet -- then, Barbosa would have still been able to see him and throw a lazy bounce pass that Marion could have scooped up, but the defender would not have been able to touch, because his momentum would be going the wrong way.

That play was Marion's fault, not Barbosa's. And it still worked out ok. And Barbosa is not a ball hog, he's just not Nash.

Andy, I didn't see it that way neither die Reggi on the TNT broadcast. If it was any one of our other guards, Bell, Nash, or Hill they would have made that pass.

[SpecialSauce]

he kinda is...
but thats kinda his niche for the team, is to be the offense when Nash/Amare are out....

Diaw needs to be the facilitator and Barbosa needs to be the finisher w/the 2nd unit

Well his niche sucks, his niche should be to pass the damn ball, drive right in for the basket, or shoot immediately. It should not be to dick around for 20 seconds and then turn it over or throw up a fadeaway

[SpecialSauce]

Can I just say that Amare is feeling good?

[BORISDIAW4MVP]

Amare's postgame quotes always end up sounding like a President Bush press conference. He always misdispruhnunciates stuff and mixes up all that word stuff.

[gladiator]

Can I just say that Amare is feeling good?

And looking very good. He seemed to have a lot of spring in his step and was getting up very easily for dunks, which was good to see after reading a few comments about his athleticism dropping off

[Andy_S]

Andy, I didn't see it that way neither die Reggi on the TNT broadcast. If it was any one of our other guards, Bell, Nash, or Hill they would have made that pass.

I did, though. Bell probably would have done what Barbosa did, or just pulled back and reset. Nash or Hill MIGHT have made the pass, even though Marion was not in a good position. I think Nash would have pulled back from the shot, reset, and let the other players catch up. It's not news that Barbosa is not as good as Nash or Hill, or even Raja (although those two are so different that the comparison doesn't make a lot of sense). Not being as good does not make him a ball hog, and doesn't mean that the play was such a horrible disaster. He still got the foul.

Reggie was trying to find something interesting in a game that the Suns, despite their first quarter, were about to run away with. A backup point guard making a SLIGHTLY stupid play is not newsworthy. Reggie should have said that Barbosa should have held up and waited for someone else to get open, because Marion was not open, and there was no pass.

But I'd rather he try to make the shot himself than pass it into an easy steal.

[Andy_S]

Amare's postgame quotes always end up sounding like a President Bush press conference. He always misdispruhnunciates stuff and mixes up all that word stuff.

As opposed to other athletes, or the guy with the French accent.

[sehan]

I did, though. Bell probably would have done what Barbosa did, or just pulled back and reset. Nash or Hill MIGHT have made the pass, even though Marion was not in a good position. I think Nash would have pulled back from the shot, reset, and let the other players catch up. It's not news that Barbosa is not as good as Nash or Hill, or even Raja (although those two are so different that the comparison doesn't make a lot of sense). Not being as good does not make him a ball hog, and doesn't mean that the play was such a horrible disaster. He still got the foul.

Reggie was trying to find something interesting in a game that the Suns, despite their first quarter, were about to run away with. A backup point guard making a SLIGHTLY stupid play is not newsworthy. Reggie should have said that Barbosa should have held up and waited for someone else to get open, because Marion was not open, and there was no pass.

But I'd rather he try to make the shot himself than pass it into an easy steal.

Well, I didn't see it that way so there.

All jokes aside, I really thought it was perfect place for a jump and hand off pass for an easy dunk. It looked wide open to me. But I guess what frustrates me is not just this one play, but a pattern of one trick pony tendencies.

If I am a big man running down the floor like Shawn did that time, I expect to rewarded. If he doesn't get rewarded, he may soon stop running with Barbosa. Hence, the tendency of the team to stand around and watch barbosa play when he is handling the point.

I agree with earlier post, we should just take the ball out of his hand and accept the fact that he is not a 1 at all. So some one on the coaching staff tell him to stop calling for the ball out of bounds. Just leave that to Hill and run up the floor and setup for that corner 3. That is what is good at.

[darrkin]

lets keep this up, we are getting better in all aspects of game, great to see. Amare is turning back into Amare. Lets get sweet revenge on NO, then we really need to get Lakers next week. Barbs can be frustrating sometimes, but he puts pressure on teams as they know he will try to go right to hole. Wish Boris would try this sometimes, he still is very passive. Team should start practicing freethrows, what happened this year?

[sehan]

Amare's postgame quotes always end up sounding like a President Bush press conference. He always misdispruhnunciates stuff and mixes up all that word stuff.

To be fair, he did come strait from high school and he changed schools many times (i.e. probably didn't pay too much attention in english or communications class when he was having to move or go bail his mom out of jail).

Despite that he does speak with somewhat of eloquent confidence. At least a lot better than Shawn who had the benefit of a college education (even though it was UNLV hehe).

[scosuns]

At least we won. It wasn't pretty. Amare was a beast again. Skinner should have gotten more minutes....

[sehan]

Oh yeah - don't let me harping on babosa fool you. I am happy about the team and game and where we are headed.

Love the fact that we are continuing to feed the beast. Everything seems to come easier when we do that.

[sunsdotcom]

Marcus Banks (5): Always had All-Star talents, and somebody just might gamble that he now has the mind-set to match.

MORE on Banks: Has as much sheer talent as any point guard in the league, but can't get along with anybody. Should be a perennial All-Star.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/7633536?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=73

[jkalldaway]

Amare's dunk with seven minutes left in the third was 04-05 material with the head ducking and knee raising. It was awesome.

[Shabazz]

I'm with Andy on that Barbosa play. There wasn't a good angle to make that pass. And I've seen Barbosa pass off on a 2 on 1 many, many times before.

"Championship teams make the extra pass" was a dumb blanket statement from Reggie that wasn't relevant to our team. We're a team that's known for making the extra pass and Barbosa even made that pass a few times tonight on the perimeter to Raja.

I missed the 1st quarter b/c of the freakin bulls game, but I thought LB played well in the final 3. Some games he hogs a little, and this may have been one of those games, but at least he was hogging by taking it to the basket aggressively. 11 Free throws is very good for 23 minutes of play, and IMO they were essential to us winning tonight.

[v9]

Loved how Amare took apart his former mentor in the post...if anyone knows how to guard him, it should be KT.

Edit: did anyone else notice Amare CONSISTENTLY boxing out KT?

Also loved Boris' play this game (!) - under control, didn't jack up too many shots - but just aggressive enough in the post to keep defenses honest. Sure, he didn't put up gaudy stats, but he did a credible job of being a "glue guy."

[OE]

Amare looked great on offense and we went to him down the stretch. Banks at least got some minutes. I thought Boris played well. Shots were falling; energy picked up after first. It was a good night.

... Near the end, Reggie and Fratello were in agreement that the Suns still needed one more piece - a center - to win it all. I'm not as sure as I was a few weeks ago since Mike D's shown some flexibility and we've started to play better and with more energy, but I'd still very much like to have one classic defensive center in the rotation. With Shawn hitting his 3s, however, I no longer have a viable goat.

Let's keep this going against Nawleans!

OBAMA!

[jkalldaway]

The only re expendable pieces are Diaw, Banks and arguably LB. I don't know what team would give up a center. If only we had KT's expiring deal to send to Philly for Dalembert.

[SunsJunkee]

I'm with Andy on that Barbosa play. There wasn't a good angle to make that pass. And I've seen Barbosa pass off on a 2 on 1 many, many times before.

"Championship teams make the extra pass" was a dumb blanket statement from Reggie that wasn't relevant to our team. We're a team that's known for making the extra pass and Barbosa even made that pass a few times tonight on the perimeter to Raja.

I missed the 1st quarter b/c of the freakin bulls game, but I thought LB played well in the final 3. Some games he hogs a little, and this may have been one of those games, but at least he was hogging by taking it to the basket aggressively. 11 Free throws is very good for 23 minutes of play, and IMO they were essential to us winning tonight.


For what it's worth EJ also said that LB needs to give up the ball on that play to Shawn for the easy bucket. He also said that LB has a tendancy to have a one track mind on those types of plays, and was lucky he didn't get hurt.

[Superbone]

If Tom Leander ever said, "When in doubt, Amare puts it out!" I would smash my TV with my bare fists until I bled to death.

But when Al says it? SHAZAM! That's why he's awesome.

Did Al really say that?!

[Superbone]

I missed the 1st quarter b/c of the freakin bulls game...

That is what they call a "blessing in disguise". 33-13 after one. I'm glad I missed it.

[frezix]

on another topic, how bad did steve look with that headband on? Atrocious lol

[Mori_Chu]

I'm not upset about the 33-13 first quarter. But 43 minutes for Raja Bell? Only 8 minutes for Skinner? Groan. At least Banks got 5 minutes; it's a start.

(Side note: How did Raja get 3 blocks, to lead the team for the night? LOL.)

[ShelC]

Banks had a positive numbers for the +/- finally!!!

I saw about 3 minutes of the game. First i got dicked with the TNT broadcast cuz the Bulls and Blazers couldnt figure out who wanted to win the game. So i got tuned in just as Banks was about to come out at the 7minute mark. He assisted Amare on the 3 (which looked like a good shot from the corner) and finally got a charge call (after the refs screwed him the other night with 3 blocking calls when 2 were charges). His defense was also very good. A little out of control, but his ball denial was very good i thought and he didnt foul.

I dont know why we started off so slow and got down by 17. Fortunately we were able to catch up and started doing so right about the time i went to bed. But i dont want to see us make a habit of it, as it happened against Dallas; the difference obviously is that Dallas is a very good team and was able to hold us off.

[LazarusLong]

Seattle games, for some reason, have the potential to be entertaining over the years. In the mid-80s, I remember the Suns led at half by about 10, then the Sonics came out in the second half to trample Phoenix and win by about 25.

A couple of years later, Seattle had three players score 30 or more points in a game, yet they still lost to the Suns. ( I think the players were Dale Ellis, X-man and Tom Chambers.)

[Billyjoejimbob]

Seattle games, for some reason, have the potential to be entertaining over the years. In the mid-80s, I remember the Suns led at half by about 10, then the Sonics came out in the second half to trample Phoenix and win by about 25.

A couple of years later, Seattle had three players score 30 or more points in a game, yet they still lost to the Suns. ( I think the players were Dale Ellis, X-man and Tom Chambers.)

I believe it was also against Seattle that Chambers got his 60 point game as a Sun.

[Billyjoejimbob]

I was at the game last night and the 1st quarter was atrocious. They started playing good defense in the 2nd quarter and the offense started to follow. They also decided to take off the headbands after the 1st quarter, maybe that's what the problem was. I don't know why this team has such a hard time figuring out that good defense feeds the fast break on offense. When they are hustling on defense their offense just seems to flow much better. I'm glad they decided to show up and start playing after the 1st quarter or it could have made it a long crappy night, instead they got down by 20 and made it exciting with a comeback.

[harry_pair]

gotta love reggie.

the extra pass comment was a thing of beauty. this coming from a guy with all those rings on his fingers for making the extra pass.

[Philbert]

Would Manu give the ball up in that situation to Bowen/Horry? How many rings does he have?

[bobster]

Agreed - Reggi says championship teams make the extra pass and Barbs needed to pass that ball on that play and I totally agree.

no offense, but what the hell does reggie miller know about winning championships? did i miss the one he won in jr. high or something?

anyway, barbosa has been forcing things way to much lately, but i wouldn't have had to much of a problem with that play if he was shooting his free throws like he did last year.

last night wasn't an impressive win, but a win is a win.

amare and nash played pretty well, but i can't say i was overly impressed with anybody else.

amare's last four games - 32.2 minutes, .671 fg%, 13.2 rebounds, 2.75 blocks, 30.8 points

[Shabazz]

It's funny how all the players took the headbands off after the awful 1st quarter except Diaw. I think he found it to be an extra source of mediocrity.

[AmareIsGod]

It's funny how all the players took the headbands off after the awful 1st quarter except Diaw. I think he found it to be an extra source of mediocrity.

I just spit up some coffee at work. That was hilarious!

[scosuns]

Diaw is a woman. We'll call her Borissa. Anyways, yeah, an ugly game last night. I only caught the first half, but from what I say from the first to the second quarter, we really got good quickly. Nobody shot particularly well. Its still a win.

[MTSunsFan]

Some pretty telling stats from the season thus far:


The Suns are 20-0 when leading into the fourth quarter and 12-0 when Stoudemire has at least 20 points and 10 rebounds.

I also read that the Suns were assist-less in the 1st quarter last night. 1st time that has happened in a quarter of play for this team since 1986...

[scosuns]

That's why its so important for Amare to get the most touches.

I liked in Banks' five minutes, how he moved the ball. I really hope D' Antoni gives him some more time. He was distributing, even though no one could finish.

[Phoenix219]

Did Grant get hurt? One of the commentators was saying it looked like he was tryin to loosen up, and a few seconds later, he fell or got trampled or something, the Suns took a time out and he didn't come back. No one has said anything about this play. What happened?

[misteradiant]

banks should have been given more burn with as well as he played when lb sat early. and 7.5 minutes for skinner? a win is a win but geez, 43 minutes for raja? arg.

boris plays 24 minutes, gets 4 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. i wish he could have had a little more in each category, but he was solid. it's enough for a +12 rating and he was part of the 2nd string that started getting the game closer. i'm happy with his output.

what can we say about amare? he started off sucking horse-donkey but for the final 3 periods did a great job. good for him.

i wish we would not have let them come back after we had them by 15. that was lame.

9 blocks. that's the minimum i think we need to have every game. it's intimidation and it's great. raja with 3! wow.

also read on yahoo/ap that the reason there were no retro jerseys was because the players were against them. boo! what, were the shorts going to be short, too?

[Billyjoejimbob]

also read on yahoo/ap that the reason there were no retro jerseys was because the players were against them. boo! what, were the shorts going to be short, too?

I think maybe they were. I saw an article about the Lakers playing in the short shorts and then changing part way through the game.

[Superbone]

I was at the game last night and the 1st quarter was atrocious. They started playing good defense in the 2nd quarter and the offense started to follow. They also decided to take off the headbands after the 1st quarter, maybe that's what the problem was. I don't know why this team has such a hard time figuring out that good defense feeds the fast break on offense. When they are hustling on defense their offense just seems to flow much better. I'm glad they decided to show up and start playing after the 1st quarter or it could have made it a long crappy night, instead they got down by 20 and made it exciting with a comeback.

Hey, BJJB, did Kurt get a nice reception from the fans? I sure hope so.

As an aside, isn't it amazing that Quentin Richardson hasn't played a game in Phoenix since he was traded?

[ShelC]

As an aside, isn't it amazing that Quentin Richardson hasn't played a game in Phoenix since he was traded?

FWIW, the Knicks have barely played basketball anywhere since Thomas took over.

[sose]

So I got into LA and found that DirecTV had FINALLY fixed my Tivo recording issue.. So that meant I had this game waiting for me.. It recorded the TNT broadcast, so I thankfully missed the awful 1st quarter and all the retro night crap..

I'd love to give an in depth review of the game, but I was a bit trashed, and very tired by the time I started watching it..

I will say this, Amare is looking awesome. He ferociousness has returned, and he is dunking HARD! Keep it up big fella! We need a few wins in a row to silence the dissident masses.

[JustWinBaby]

{It's funny how all the players took the headbands off after the awful 1st quarter except Diaw. I think he found it to be an extra source of mediocrity.}

Boris marched to his own drummer.

My wife noticed how he wore his headband like a girl would rather than like guys normally wear them.

I noticed that as well and also watched him strut around with his nose up in the air. He did have a few nice moments, but we need more.

[cap]

Suns win second quarter 30-12. How much more proof do we need? Al should do TV full time.

[SwingMan]

Suns win second quarter 30-12. How much more proof do we need? Al should do TV full time.

Actually, Al only did the first half of the 2nd quarter. I'm watching the game on DVD for the first time (had to work Thursday night/Friday morning) and, truth be told, it's one of the worst broadcasts I've ever heard Al call - he wasn't into it at all, like he was letting it be known exactly how lame the half-assed retro attempt really was.

George Allen guested the last 6 minutes of the 2nd quarter (with Leander back) and did the call for the last minute - needless to say, he out-performed Tom. :lol:

[Andy_S]

I once heard Al call a Suns victory when, in fact, we were going to overtime. Actually, he called it twice.

He did a fine job in the retro-show.

[Billyjoejimbob]

Hey, BJJB, did Kurt get a nice reception from the fans? I sure hope so.



Yes, at least from the fans that were there. There were a lot of people who came late and the arena was only about half full during introductions. The people that were there cheered for him though, I didn't hear a single boo.

[Superbone]

Hey, BJJB, did Kurt get a nice reception from the fans? I sure hope so.



Yes, at least from the fans that were there. There were a lot of people who came late and the arena was only about half full during introductions. The people that were there cheered for him though, I didn't hear a single boo.

Cool! Good to hear.