Reply With Quote
Terry guarded him when they were both in the game together. I think I saw Kidd matched up on him. If he's out on the perimeter and doesn't drive, Kidd can guard him. If he tries to post up Kidd, Kidd is too strong to get knocked out of position.
I understand that. I'm saying there's no excuse for letting him score more than every other team did.
There's a good chance you're right and EC would have gotten shredded by Dirk, but Dirk was shredding everyone else, what harm would it do to stick Clark in for a few possessions and see how he does? He's 6'10" and has the quickness of a SG, the prototypical guy you want guarding Dirk.
There's no particular person to put this loss on (except for maybe Hill but since he's a nice guy and likes to have fun it's ok). I'm simply saying those two combining for 9 turnovers contributes to losses and there's no excuse for it to be a re-occurring theme. I understand the bad rebounding given PHX's lack of size, but the huge turnover nights are inexcusable.
5 RPG isn't his standard MO, but regardless, a player who won't shut up about how much better his defense and rebounding got over the summer needs to prove it.
Who was guarding him then? He has a huge size advantage on Barea, and a quickness advantage on Kidd. Last night should have been a big night for J-Rich.
Terry guarded him when they were both in the game together. I think I saw Kidd matched up on him. If he's out on the perimeter and doesn't drive, Kidd can guard him. If he tries to post up Kidd, Kidd is too strong to get knocked out of position.
He should be able to post Terry up no problem, him posting up Ray Allen was the key to the Suns beating Boston in Boston earlier this year. Oh, and if Kidd is guarding him, why can't he drive? You just proved my point, he can either drive against Kidd or post up against the Jet, either way it's a mismatch.
Every time I watch Jason Richardson, he tends to just jack up jumpers. I think he has Michael Finley disease, which usually happens to every 2-guard at a certain point in their careers.
And he shouldn't get away with that. With his size and athleticism, he should be able to create a higher percentage shot against Kidd.
He's a 28-year-old SG that's been in the league 8 years. That's what they do, they get older and shy away from contact in the paint.
Then he should be benched if he wants to avoid contact. It's ridiculous to say a 28 YO is allowed to avoid contact. 28 is still a prime year in most careers.
I didn't say it's right, it's just the career arc of almost every 2-guard.
I'd agree if J-Rich ever took the ball to the hole on a consistent basis. With him, it's just a lazy bag who's content collecting his check and chucking threes, and always having coach who's too pussy to bench a player for it, Gentry being no exception.
Matzel, Matzel, good things below
Wednesday's News: No Offense, but Suns are Slumping
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns...avs-gamer.html
Suns come up short at Dallas
by Paul Coro - Dec. 8, 2009 | The Arizona Republic
DALLAS - The Suns and Mavericks were looking for a remedy to their offenses, limping into Tuesday night's game amid their worst scoring stretches of the season.
Both figured to oblige, considering the Western Conference rivals' history of classic shootouts since point guard Steve Nash left Dallas for Phoenix in 2004.
Neither found the cure, but Dallas got back Josh Howard from an ankle injury and has the Band-Aid for a lot of problems in the form of Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitzki scored 33 points, and Howard made a surprise return from injury to score 16 second-half points off the bench in the Mavericks' 102-101 victory at American Airlines Center.
Phoenix has lost four of its past five, shooting 44 percent during that span after leading the NBA at 50.7 percent.
The Suns played harder and were compe ive, as the teams were within a basket of each other until the final minute of the third quarter. That's when Nash left, and the Suns effectively lost the game in the next four minutes without him. Dallas went on an 11-2 run after Nash exited.
The Suns did not have a chance to tie the score until a flurry of 12 points on four consecutive possessions down the stretch provided hope. Out of timeouts with 2.4 seconds to go, Dallas' Jason Terry intentionally missed a second free throw and Amar'e Stoudemire had to heave a desperation shot from the Mavericks' end that fell short.
With 1:16 to go, Stoudemire's 3-point play started a run that was followed by three 3-pointers by Nash and Jason Richardson. It was the best the offense looked all game, as the Suns' woes continued without injured guard Leandro Barbosa and with center Channing Frye struggling.
"We don't have rhythm to our game," Suns coach Alvin Gentry said. "We've got to get back to the rhythm of running screen-and-roll. If it's not there, we've got to be able to move the ball, move people and keep the game going. We have to have a tempo and rhythm to the way we play. If they're going to switch, we have to be able to punish them inside. We don't get that done."
The Suns last led the game midway through the third quarter (61-60), about the time that Dallas began to find its offensive rhythm. The Mavericks struggled with their shooting much of the game but made 15 of their final 26 shots.
"Poor performance," Nash said. "We tried. We just didn't have it. We couldn't find it. It should have been a game that we score 110 points easy."
"We just didn't play up to our standard. I had a few too many turnovers (six). We missed a couple shots we normally make, and that's the difference between scoring 100 or 110. We've got to fight through it. We're a little tired, but we can't use that as an excuse. We've got to fight through it until we get some home cooking."
Phoenix summoned a better defensive effort that, early on, seemed to be plenty for its usual offensive output.
Dallas missed 23 of its first 32 shots, but the Suns led just 35-30 four minutes into the second quarter. Their inability to capitalize on Dallas' offensive struggles was the fault of their offense, particularly in the four-minute, second-half stretch without Nash. The Suns shot 1 for 7 and committed a turnover during that span.
"That's what happens when Steve comes out," forward Jared Dudley said. "You see the difference. There's no doubt about it. We have to do better when myself and the bench come in. We have to hold the fort and give them breathing time. I know he's Mr. Healthy, but everyone needs some rest."
Key player
Dirk Nowitzki's 33 points weren't a surprise, but Dallas got a bonus with Josh Howard scoring 20 (16 in the second half) in his first game back from an ankle injury.
Key moment
In the third quarter, the Suns stayed within one basket either way until Steve Nash left on a Dallas free throw that began an 11-2 Mavericks run.
Key number
44: The Suns' shooting percentage in the past five games. They led the NBA with 50.7 percent shooting before that.
View from press row
The Suns pondered a few Dallas lineup possibilities before the game with the sudden availabiltiy of Josh Howard, who had been out all but three games this season. Would Howard, Jason Terry or Rodrigue Beaubois start? Nope, just like the previous two games against the Suns, Dallas started Jose Juan Barea and enticed Phoenix to put Steve Nash on him. Barea averaged 14 points on 50 percent shooting in the previous two meetings and made six of eight shots Tuesday for 14 points and six assists. He had averaged 8.1 points and 3.0 assists this season.
Kidd and that ball breaking 3. I about myself, Depends withstanding.
How Tragic...Dallas missed 23 of its first 32 shots, but the Suns led just 35-30 four minutes into the second quarter. Their inability to capitalize on Dallas' offensive struggles was the fault of their offense, particularly in the four-minute, second-half stretch without Nash. The Suns shot 1 for 7 and committed a turnover during that span.
"That's what happens when Steve comes out," forward Jared Dudley said. "You see the difference. There's no doubt about it. We have to do better when myself and the bench come in. We have to hold the fort and give them breathing time. I know he's Mr. Healthy, but everyone needs some rest."
Another thing about J-Rich is that he very rarely, if ever, jumps off one leg. He always has to reset himself and jump off both legs, which of course gives the defense another split second to react.
Sup DoK?
Well at least I can know that if Suns lose, at least Cubby is having a good night.
I'm always happier after a Suns loss than a Lakers victory. It's just the way it is.
Well at least I can know that if Suns lose, at least Cubby is having a good night.
So CutSelfBery you'd rather be a Sunhater than a Lakerfan.
Zipped 'nuff!
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
