Suns @ Wolves tonight

[Amare_32]

Don't get to watch too many Suns games. But, I saw them play Cleveland on ABC the other day and I thought they were actually pretty solid defensively. Not spectacular. Probably not even great. But, they do play defense.

Thank you! No one will ever confuse their defense with the likes of the Pistons but they do play solid on that end not great but enough.

[Findog]

You know, the thing about these Suns fans whining whining about pace and points per 100 possessions and all that...back when we were chasing the Spurs, San Antonio was equally adept at winning up tempo as well as half court. And they were usually able to force a halfcourt tempo. They could beat us our way, and they could beat us their way, and since they were the champs and the superior team, we usually played it their way.

If the game slows into a half court style, Phoenix can't win -- they're not used to playing that way and they don't like playing that way, being forced to work for a change to get their shots. If you try to run with Phoenix, you're dead. Teams like the Spurs and Mavs and to a lesser extent the Lakers can force Phoenix into slowing things down.

Given how weak the East is, if the Suns can make it to the Finals, there's no team that looks like it can hang with them. But getting out of the West is still an iffy proposition for the Suns. At some point in the postseason you're going to find yourself playing halfcourt. You can't run 100% of the time in the playoffs.

[JMarkJohns]

If the game slows into a half court style, Phoenix can't win -- they're not used to playing that way and they don't like playing that way, being forced to work for a change to get their shots. If you try to run with Phoenix, you're dead. Teams like the Spurs and Mavs and to a lesser extent the Lakers can force Phoenix into slowing things down.

Ignorance. Suns are 6-1 when NOT scoring 100 points this year. I'd say they can win.

[Amare_32]

Ignorance. Suns are 6-1 when NOT scoring 100 points this year. I'd say they can win.

They have won games scoring under 100. People tend to think that can't win unless they score 108 plus points.

Vs Hornets 92-83

Nets 99-93

Heat 99-89

Bulls 97-96

Bucks 98-90

They can win scoring under 100.

[johnpaulwall21]

damnnnnnnn kg was a en beast tonight. im glad some one put a end to the streak but i still bet everyones on nashs nutzzz for him gettin that 3rd mvp

[JMarkJohns]

Lone bright spot is that the Suns lost by just nine, which means they still haven't lost a game by double-digits. Down one with minutes to play, which meant they were in the game before KG scored closer to 10 points in the final minutes.

[angel_luv]

Kind of like the Spurs losing to the Bobcats.

Except I am not sorry about it.

[ponky]

haha, KG was on fire tonight...thanx wolves, i *heart* u kg and co.

[Amare_32]

Except I am not sorry about it.

Me either

[Amuseddaysleeper]

You know, the thing about these Suns fans whining whining about pace and points per 100 possessions and all that...back when we were chasing the Spurs, San Antonio was equally adept at winning up tempo as well as half court. And they were usually able to force a halfcourt tempo. They could beat us our way, and they could beat us their way, and since they were the champs and the superior team, we usually played it their way.

If the game slows into a half court style, Phoenix can't win -- they're not used to playing that way and they don't like playing that way, being forced to work for a change to get their shots. If you try to run with Phoenix, you're dead. Teams like the Spurs and Mavs and to a lesser extent the Lakers can force Phoenix into slowing things down.

Given how weak the East is, if the Suns can make it to the Finals, there's no team that looks like it can hang with them. But getting out of the West is still an iffy proposition for the Suns. At some point in the postseason you're going to find yourself playing halfcourt. You can't run 100% of the time in the playoffs.

Wow, was it really that long ago? Sure feels like it!



But I agree with your post, the Suns won't be able to run their way to a championship.

The biggest flaw I see in the Suns is that they don't have strong enough D to lock down opponents in crunch time. I don't doubt they can hit big shots, but what good is a big shot if you're just going to trade baskets.

I don't see this years Suns significantly better than any other year.

I think once D'antoni pulls his head out of his ass and teaches this team how to play D and actually invest in decent bigs (besides Amare, who shouldn't be C but a PF) instead of trying to small ball his way to a ring, the suns will get their first championship

[Amare_32]

Wow, was it really that long ago? Sure feels like it!



But I agree with your post, the Suns won't be able to run their way to a championship.

The biggest flaw I see in the Suns is that they don't have strong enough D to lock down opponents in crunch time. I don't doubt they can hit big shots, but what good is a big shot if you're just going to trade baskets.

I don't see this years Suns significantly better than any other year.

I think once D'antoni pulls his head out of his ass and teaches this team how to play D and actually invest in decent bigs (besides Amare, who shouldn't be C but a PF) instead of trying to small ball his way to a ring, the suns will get their first championship

Time will tell if they have success. However is no secret that the Suns will look to make changes this summer if they fail to get to the Finals. They know thier window is closing as far as Nash remaining healthy. Nash's back problem won't be helped by the fact he is getting older. Quite honestly how much can Nash continue to play like he is before his back calls it quits. I already see the annual Marion trade rumors if they lose in the WCF. I think this current team is good enough to win even though I think the 04-05 Suns were a little better with Joe Johnson and to a lesser extent Richardson.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Time will tell if they have success. However is no secret that the Suns will look to make changes this summer if they fail to get to the Finals. They know thier window is closing as far as Nash remaining healthy. Nash's back problem won't be helped by the fact he is getting older. Quite honestly how much can Nash continue to play like he is before his back calls it quits. I already see the annual Marion trade rumors if they lose in the WCF.

I agree

I mean I think they are VERY close to a ring, I mean maybe their offense can overcome whatever defense comes their way, I think as of right now they can easily beat the Spurs in a 7 game series, I just see the Mavs as more of an obstacle since the Mavs have the best offense to defense ratio in the league.

But who knows, the Suns have many many tradeable pieces, that if the time does come to retool a bit for some bigs it shouldn't be a problem for them

[Greg Oden]

damn, i though some of you nut hugging suns fans claimed they played good defense.

[Amare_32]

damn, i though some of you nut hugging suns fans claimed they played good defense.

What can I say they just didn't have it tonight. This is the type of game where you take the game film throw in the garbage and move on.

[Amare_32]

The Nuggets lost to the Bobcats talk about the underdogs beating the odds.

[nsrammstein]

amerika ist wunderbar!!

[ponky]

What can I say they just didn't have it tonight. This is the type of game where you take the game film throw in the garbage and move on.

Eh, I don't think so, it's not like they didn't try and weren't staying close. They shot a ridiculous number of 3s and wasted too much time trying to rack up points that when they didn't fall, Suns looked lost. This is not a game to just throw away in the garbage like that game the Mavs played with the Bulls. If D'Antoni was smart he'd review it and point out what things the Suns could've done to stay close, like driving to the hole, taking care of the ball (Barbosa is a poor replacement for Nash when he takes a breather) and playing better D. If you don't review those kinds of adjustments and just hope for the best with all the shooting, it's not going to fare well when the shots are not falling every once in awhile....I think the Suns were caught off guard with how well KG was shooting and didn't know how to respond other than to try and continue with the 3s and jumpers.

Anyway, it's not like the Suns played terribly at all, KG was just on fire and that's a hard guy to shut down....of course, he had some nice help tonight.

[ponky]

The Nuggets lost to the Bobcats talk about the underdogs beating the odds.

Bobcats play teams very well at times, they beat the Lakers last week, have beaten the Spurs in S.A. and have given the Mavs a problem or two. They are a *good* bad team...too bad they aren't in the Atlantic division.

[Amare_32]

Eh, I don't think so, it's not like they didn't try and weren't staying close. They shot a ridiculous number of 3s and wasted too much time trying to rack up points that when they didn't fall, Suns looked lost. This is not a game to just throw away in the garbage like that game the Mavs played with the Bulls. If D'Antoni was smart he'd review it and point out what things the Suns could've done to stay close, like driving to the hole, taking care of the ball (Barbosa is a poor replacement for Nash when he takes a breather) and playing better D. If you don't review those kinds of adjustments and just hope for the best with all the shooting, it's not going to fare well when the shots are not falling every once in awhile....I think the Suns were caught off guard with how well KG was shooting and didn't know how to respond other than to try and continue with the 3s and jumpers.

Anyway, it's not like the Suns played terribly at all, KG was just on fire and that's a hard guy to shut down....of course, he had some nice help tonight.

Still all and all they were just on a 17 game win streak and are 36-9. You can't win them all. I am sure they will play alot better Thursday vs the Spurs. I agree though I didn't expect KG to come out like that. He was like a Mack truck running the Suns over.

[ponky]

Still all and all they were just on a 17 game win streak and are 36-9. You can't win them all. I am sure they will play alot better Thursday vs the Spurs. I agree though I didn't expect KG to come out like that. He was like a Mack truck running the Suns over.

nah you can't. i was telling my bf how it's funny when one team on a streak FINALLY loses usually another team with a streak also loses shortly after, seems to often be the case. anyway, it was a good game, you can never tell with KG but i think the announcer said he dropped 47 last time they played each other when KG was in the lineup...he likes to get up for the mavs as well!

i'm looking forward to thursday's game, the spurs fans have gotten all big-headed (haha!) about last night's win so it will be interesting to watch...i can't decide who to root for but i think i'll stay with the suns, i don't have a beef with them the way i do with the spurs

[Amuseddaysleeper]

ponky you're a girl!?!?


that's cool


I just didn't see it coming


also the suns will MURDER the spurs, i don't think any realistic spurs fans sees us winning on a b2b (and no, I'm not making excuses, the suns probably would've beaten the spurs anyway with the way both teams are playing, i can only pray that i'm wrong come thursday night)

[Amare_32]

ponky you're a girl!?!?


that's cool


I just didn't see it coming


also the suns will MURDER the spurs, i don't think any realistic spurs fans sees us winning on a b2b (and no, I'm not making excuses, the suns probably would've beaten the spurs anyway with the way both teams are playing, i can only pray that i'm wrong come thursday night)

I think the Suns will win but it will be a close game. The Suns win by 5-10 points.

[SirChaz]

Wolves shot the ball very well and had more energy from the start.
KG was a beast, hitting just about every tough fade away shot down the stretch.

Back to back game, five game trip, looking ahead maybe? Can't take anything away from the Wolves though, they played well.


In hindsight I am kind of glad they are not carrying the pressure of the streak into the Spurs game.

[Amare_32]

Wolves shot the ball very well and had more energy from the start.
KG was a beast, hitting just about every tough fade away shot down the stretch.

Back to back game, five game trip, looking ahead maybe? Can't take anything away from the Wolves though, they played well.


In hindsight I am kind of glad they are not carrying the pressure of the streak into the Spurs game.

You know every critic would have been over them if the Spurs would have broken thier 18 game win streak and start harping on them being 0-2 vs Spurs and 0-2 vs Mavs. Don't forget also Utah on Saturday.

[ponky]

ponky you're a girl!?!?


that's cool


I just didn't see it coming


also the suns will MURDER the spurs, i don't think any realistic spurs fans sees us winning on a b2b (and no, I'm not making excuses, the suns probably would've beaten the spurs anyway with the way both teams are playing, i can only pray that i'm wrong come thursday night)

uh, noooooo, i'm gay
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
PSYCHE!!! yeah, i'm a girl but sometimes (according to Nashfan) I can be crass with my smack-talking, haha! Anyway, it's all for fun