Suns say game 5 was a "throwaway game"

[Man of Steel]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/0518suns0518.html

[OldDirtMcGirt]

Well Mike, if it was a throwaway game, then why the hell did you have our starters play 45+ minutes?! Consider yourself lucky Spurs fans, it must be nice not having a coach who's a complete fucking retard.

[gino>yourlife]

Well Mike, if it was a throwaway game, then why the hell did you have our starters play 45+ minutes?! Consider yourself lucky Spurs fans, it must be nice not having a coach who's a complete fucking retard.

i don't know about that, some of the shit pop pulls makes me wonder sometimes..

[degenerate_gambler]

well what do you expect them to say?

obviously it was not a 'throwaway' game or Nash, Marion and Bell would not have played 45+ minutes with another game 48 hrs later.

[samikeyp]

A throwaway game D'Antoni? Nice....now I know why they gave you Beno's number back in the day.

[angel_luv]

A throwaway game D'Antoni? Nice....now I know why they gave you Beno's number back in the day.

Hey! :nope

[MadDog73]

I thought yesterday he said the game was a "disaster." (reported on 760).

[samikeyp]

Hey! :nope

I'm Sorry. :depressed


What I meant to say was...er...um...You are a disgrace to Beno's number! Yeah!

(better?) :)

[CubanMustGo]

Well Mike, if it was a throwaway game, then why the hell did you have our starters play 45+ minutes?! Consider yourself lucky Spurs fans, it must be nice not having a coach who's a complete fucking retard.

It certainly seems that way, doesn't it? I can't understand how he is allowed to get away with his antics, both during games and afterwards. Similar outbursts and actions by other teams usually result in fines, public reprimands, and/or techs.

[OldDirtMcGirt]

It certainly seems that way, doesn't it? I can't understand how he is allowed to get away with his antics, both during games and afterwards. Similar outbursts and actions by other teams usually result in fines, public reprimands, and/or techs.

Well could you imagine the colossal bitchfest that would ensue if he actually got T'ed up or ejected for his shit? All of the games would run four hours long.

[L.I.T]

Yeesh, this is just getting sad. Their comments smack of desperation and frantic attempts to find any psychological edge they can going into the game.

That must be the answer, why else would a team so obviously call into question their will and drive to win games?

[OldDirtMcGirt]

Yeesh, this is just getting sad. Their comments smack of desperation and frantic attempts to find any psychological edge they can going into the game.

That must be the answer, why else would a team so obviously call into question their will and drive to win games?

While I'm definitely a D'Antoni hater, we never did anything like that. He said that we gave it our all but came up short, and said that he really likes our chances next game and that we're playing with great intensity. So I believe that this whole "throwaway" bit is taken out of context.

[Extra Stout]

Steve Nash should be named player-coach of the Phoenix Suns.

[MadDog73]

So, did anyone else hear if he called it a "disaster" yesterday?

[ThomasGranger]

Steve Nash should be named player-coach of the Phoenix Suns.

I had the exact same thought, I guess since he is sort of the de facto coach once the game starts anyway.

[Amare_32]

I had the exact same thought, I guess since he is sort of the de facto coach once the game starts anyway.

I would love it if Nash gets into coaching once he retires.

[Budkin]

Don't worry Suns... only one more game and then you guys can worry about the offseason.

[CosmicCowboy]

Well, considering that DAntoni probably DID throw that game away by not resting his starters when he had the big lead the statement was totally appropriate.

[L.I.T]

While I'm definitely a D'Antoni hater, we never did anything like that. He said that we gave it our all but came up short, and said that he really likes our chances next game and that we're playing with great intensity. So I believe that this whole "throwaway" bit is taken out of context.

Hmmmm...ok, I was a bit surprised since the article does spin it that way. "Interrupted team" and "give only six chances to win four games". The article makes it sound like they're searching for some psychological edge. And really, when you say you just couldn't win in one game out of seven, when by all appearances they tried their damnedest too...that does call into question their belief in themselves. Probably just a crappy writer, though cuz that is weird.

But anyway...I do find it funny that they make mention of having a 6-man unit...you know because the league suspended their bench players and all.

[Extra Stout]

I had the exact same thought, I guess since he is sort of the de facto coach once the game starts anyway.
Well, if he really were the coach, the team would take on his demeanor, which means they would all be steely, scrappy gamers who man up no matter what the opponent dishes out.

As opposed to whiny bitches.

[suns in 7]

So, did anyone else hear if he called it a "disaster" yesterday?


No...I think the throwaway comment was the fact that they were with out 2 key players, they weren't supposed to win or lead the game for 43 minutes.

[DarrinS]

A throwaway game lost by 3 points?


I guess that makes D'Antoni a brilliant coach. They should get someone like Dan Majerle to coach that team.

[Amare_32]

Throaway game? Right! :rolleyes

[dougp]

I'm starting to hate D'Antoni more than I hate Cuban.

[SpursWoman]

Well, they sure played like they wanted to win it.


*shrugs*

[suns in 7]

Throaway game? Right! :rolleyes

At least the Suns weren't in a coma for 43 minutes. Jesus Christ. What was YOUR excuse? Please tell me Barkley wasn't right when he said you guys were "affected" by the bad press. Please.....no......act like champs!

[GrandeDavid]

Well Mike, if it was a throwaway game, then why the hell did you have our starters play 45+ minutes?! Consider yourself lucky Spurs fans, it must be nice not having a coach who's a complete fucking retard.

Bro, since Phoenix has proven capable of playing some physical ball in addition to running and gunning, management ought to fire D'Antoni and hire P.J. Carlesimo. P.J. could mix a little Spurs thuggery into Phoenix's grace.

JUST KIDDING, SPURS FANS!! :lol

[Amare_32]

At least the Suns weren't in a coma for 43 minutes. Jesus Christ. What was YOUR excuse? Please tell me Barkley wasn't right when he said you guys were "affected" by the bad press. Please.....no......act like champs!

I agree they played well but don't tell me it was a throwaway game when the starters played practically the whole game.

[OldDirtMcGirt]

Bro, since Phoenix has proven capable of playing some physical ball in addition to running and gunning, management ought to fire D'Antoni and hire P.J. Carlesimo. P.J. could mix a little Spurs thuggery into Phoenix's grace.

JUST KIDDING, SPURS FANS!! :lol

Personally, I think that we should promote Marc Iavaroni. When he played, he was a legitimate tough guy (I remember him in a few fist fights, most notably with Larry Bird) and he actually played in the NBA. Plus, he doesn't seem to have a huge gaping vagina. IMO, this Suns team is just as talented as San Antonio, and we've had the talent to get to a championship for the past three years and have come up short every time. It's time for a change in coaching.

[Amare_32]

Personally, I think that we should promote Marc Iavaroni. When he played, he was a legitimate tough guy (I remember him in a few fist fights, most notably with Larry Bird) and he actually played in the NBA. Plus, he doesn't seem to have a huge gaping vagina. IMO, this Suns team is just as talented as San Antonio, and we've had the talent to get to a championship for the past three years and have come up short every time. It's time for a change in coaching.

Stan Van Gundy

[ChumpDumper]

:lol Had Burke, Marks and Banks played 40 minutes each I could understand the throwaway remark.

[Obstructed_View]

Jeff Van Gundy. Perfect mix. Get the ball upcourt as quickly as possible and then stand there for the remainder of the shot clock.

[cherylsteele]

I thought yesterday he said the game was a "disaster." (reported on 760).
Actually he used the word "devastated".

[kskonn]

Stan Van Gundy


That would actually not be a bad fit. there would probably be a couple of roster changes(nothing major) but he would bring a good defensive system in to the club. As long as he has steve nash he would not have to even touch the offense.

[mardigan]

Personally, I think that we should promote Marc Iavaroni. When he played, he was a legitimate tough guy (I remember him in a few fist fights, most notably with Larry Bird) and he actually played in the NBA. Plus, he doesn't seem to have a huge gaping vagina. IMO, this Suns team is just as talented as San Antonio, and we've had the talent to get to a championship for the past three years and have come up short every time. It's time for a change in coaching.
:lol This would be a key factor for me

[mavsfan1000]

D'antoni pisses me off. The dude needs to shut his mouth. He is an embarrassment with his cocky ass words.

[nkdlunch]

when asked on tv if he would guarantee a victory for the SUns, D'antoni actually considered it, but then finally backtracked. LOl what a fucking retard.

[degenerate_gambler]

Personally, I think that we should promote Marc Iavaroni.


How long has Iavaroni been an assistant.

If Alvin Gentry got a shot or two, this guy might as well.

[BeerIsGood!]

Sometimes it seems that these guys worry about everything but the game. It's a miracle that a team that worries and spins so much off the court can actually play damn well on it. This is absolutely ridiculous.

[Stargazer]

The context makes it clear he's saying that it's a "thowaway" only in the sense that he doesn't think it should interrupt Phoenix's momentum from Game 4. I.e., now that it's over, throw that game out, because it wasn't representative. He uses this idea a lot when something extraordinary happens, like the team shooting 30% for no apparent reason, or whatever. He means that you shouldn't draw hasty conclusions from the game. His comments before the game were crystal clear that he thought the Suns could win and would go all out to try to win, so it wasn't a "throwaway" in the sense that he was throwing in the towel before the game was played.

[OldDirtMcGirt]

How long has Iavaroni been an assistant.

If Alvin Gentry got a shot or two, this guy might as well.

He joined the Suns in '02 and worked with Pat Riley before that. The reason I bring him up is that he's been mentioned as a potential head coach for Memphis or Toronto. Plus, he's seemed to do a good job in the games when he had to coach after D'Antoni was ejected.

[Despot]

Cuban pisses me off. The dude needs to shut his mouth. He is an embarrassment with his cocky ass words.

Fixed it for you

[ChumpDumper]

The context makes it clear he's saying that it's a "thowaway" only in the sense that he doesn't think it should interrupt Phoenix's momentum from Game 4. I.e., now that it's over, throw that game out, because it wasn't representative. He uses this idea a lot when something extraordinary happens, like the team shooting 30% for no apparent reason, or whatever. He means that you shouldn't draw hasty conclusions from the game. His comments before the game were crystal clear that he thought the Suns could win and would go all out to try to win, so it wasn't a "throwaway" in the sense that he was throwing in the towel before the game was played.Oh, so he's in denial.

[OldDirtMcGirt]

Oh, so he's in denial.

I'm not so sure if it's denial, it seems more like it would be attributed to him being a gigantic dumbass.

[Obstructed_View]

No, he's just a little girl coaching a team of little girls. It's really sad when a six foot white guy from Canada is the toughest guy on the squad.

[OldDirtMcGirt]

No, he's just a little girl coaching a team of little girls. It's really sad when a six foot white guy from Canada is the toughest guy on the squad.

I'm a firm believer that for the most part, the team takes on the personality of its coach.

However, I'm all for trading Amare for KG this offseason. Not so much because of Amare's whining, but because he's a total dumbass, and I don't want to wait to see him mature and waste Nash's final good years. KG and Nash are both class guys who have received all other accolades besides a championship, and I think that their collective drive would lead us to a ring.

[degenerate_gambler]

He joined the Suns in '02 and worked with Pat Riley before that. The reason I bring him up is that he's been mentioned as a potential head coach for Memphis or Toronto. Plus, he's seemed to do a good job in the games when he had to coach after D'Antoni was ejected.


gee....i wonder what in the world would cause d'antoni to get ejected from a game? :wtf

[Obstructed_View]

I'm a firm believer that for the most part, the team takes on the personality of its coach.

However, I'm all for trading Amare for KG this offseason. Not so much because of Amare's whining, but because he's a total dumbass, and I don't want to wait to see him mature and waste Nash's final good years. KG and Nash are both class guys who have received all other accolades besides a championship, and I think that their collective drive would lead us to a ring.
That's a big difference in age, and KG has showed up for about the same number of big playoff games as Amare has, which shouldn't be encouraging. KG doesn't help get the Suns past the Spurs. They'd be better off teaching Amare how to play D without fouling and maybe install a seat belt in his place on the bench.

[picnroll]

Just trying to get themselves psyched and confident. Hopeully Spurs, knowing they don't have Horry, will come out from the beginning with a cornered dog mentality.

[mardigan]

That's a big difference in age, and KG has showed up for about the same number of big playoff games as Amare has, which shouldn't be encouraging. KG doesn't help get the Suns past the Spurs. They'd be better off teaching Amare how to play D without fouling and maybe install a seat belt in his place on the bench.
yea, but KG never has played with the caliber of players the Suns have

[BeerIsGood!]

That's a big difference in age, and KG has showed up for about the same number of big playoff games as Amare has, which shouldn't be encouraging. KG doesn't help get the Suns past the Spurs. They'd be better off teaching Amare how to play D without fouling and maybe install a seat belt in his place on the bench.

I don't think they make a "Spurs Championship Caliber Defense for Dummies" book.

[OldDirtMcGirt]

That's a big difference in age, and KG has showed up for about the same number of big playoff games as Amare has, which shouldn't be encouraging. KG doesn't help get the Suns past the Spurs. They'd be better off teaching Amare how to play D without fouling and maybe install a seat belt in his place on the bench.

If I remember correctly, in the his last elimination game (I believe the year he won MVP) KG got something like 35 points and 22 rebounds even though his team still lost. The dude has just a killer competitive spirit and I like his attitude.

KG would help us get past the Spurs because he's a better rebounder than Amare and a much better defender, and we wouldn't have to sacrifice anything on offense. He's a relatively unselfish superstar. I think that we'd stand a much better chance with Garnett than STAT.

[cherylsteele]

Calling any game a throw away game in the playoffs is why the suns haven't/arent' going anywhere in the post-season. Games at this time of year are to precious to just "throw away".

[suns in 7]

Calling any game a throw away game in the playoffs is why the suns haven't/arent' going anywhere in the post-season. Games at this time of year are to precious to just "throw away".

I think the Spurs CLEARLY threw away Game 4 at home...how else do you explain it?

[Obstructed_View]

If I remember correctly, in the his last elimination game (I believe the year he won MVP) KG got something like 35 points and 22 rebounds even though his team still lost. The dude has just a killer competitive spirit and I like his attitude.

KG would help us get past the Spurs because he's a better rebounder than Amare and a much better defender, and we wouldn't have to sacrifice anything on offense. He's a relatively unselfish superstar. I think that we'd stand a much better chance with Garnett than STAT.
Kevin Garnett excels at filling up the stat sheet in losses. His competitive spirit keeps him playing long after the game is no longer in doubt.

KG is, however, smart enough to keep his mouth shut to the press and would know the rules well enough to stay on the bench. That's a plus right there.

[OldDirtMcGirt]

Kevin Garnett excels at filling up the stat sheet in losses. His competitive spirit keeps him playing long after the game is no longer in doubt.

KG is, however, smart enough to keep his mouth shut to the press and would know the rules well enough to stay on the bench. That's a plus right there.

It has less to do with him not whining and more to do with him actually playing defense and rebounding (which have absolutely fucked us over these past couple of years). Plus, if we actually keep D'Antoni, Garnett has a long past with dealing with the mentally incompetent from his time in Minnesota.

[degenerate_gambler]

I think the Spurs CLEARLY threw away Game 4 at home...how else do you explain it?


i give phx some credit for not giving up and matching baskets w/the spurs in the third qtr when they could've been blown out. it kept them close enough to make a run in the 4th qtr.

and the double team on duncan at the end was good strategy.

[itzsoweezee]

i've seriously never hated a coach more than dantoni. this guy is a shithead in every imaginable way.

[bdictjames]

But the Spurs now know what to do when Duncan is double teamed.

It'd be interesting to see what move D'Antoni plans to make. That goes for Pop too.

[suns in 7]

i give phx some credit for not giving up and matching baskets w/the spurs in the third qtr when they could've been blown out. it kept them close enough to make a run in the 4th qtr.

and the double team on duncan at the end was good strategy.

I think if SA plays solid for an entire game, they win. I just haven't seen them do that in a few days. Its unlikely that they would blow the Suns out no matter how well they played so the key for the Suns is to stay in it and score quickly. Its going to be a great game.

[MadDog73]

Its going to be a great game.


With that, I agree!

[degenerate_gambler]

I think if SA plays solid for an entire game, they win. I just haven't seen them do that in a few days. Its unlikely that they would blow the Suns out no matter how well they played so the key for the Suns is to stay in it and score quickly. Its going to be a great game.


throw out everything else except two teams playing their guts out between the lines....and these two teams are very close. but the mental edge the spurs have is the difference.

[cherylsteele]

I think the Spurs CLEARLY threw away Game 4 at home...how else do you explain it?
They didn't throw it away in the way D'antoni was saying.
They didn't play well down the stretch, much different than just a throw away game completely like Mike implied he felt.

[ca®lo]

spurs threw away game 4 also. whats d suns point?

playing your starters that much minutes is not throwing away a game.

that is being stupid and burning your players out.

[T Park]

problem with Garnett is that hes a perimiter player.

You can stick an Oberto on him and get away with it at times, due to hes not driving to the hole.

Amare is agressive and draws fouls, KG won't.