The Phoenix Suns Fan

Finally! Some Rationale To The MVP Debate

Just picked this up on ESPN, someone is actually trying to make some sense of the NBA MVP race.  I've thought all year that Dirk is probably 3 or 4 on the list, but for some reason, he's getting a sentimental vote and will probalby win the thing anyway.  When Nash undressed him in the best-game-of-the-season, i thought that would be it, and it may still be, but Nowitzki's name still keeps coming up.

And then this little beacon of light from Jemele Hill (not my favorite writer, but she gets it right this time).  She feels that the arguments in favor of the Diggler aren't strong enough, and she's right.  The crux of the article is: team wins should not count more than invididual contributions, sentimental arguments like 'he's due' should not weigh heavily and people are unfairly punishing MV3 for having won it already. 

Also, while she doesn't come right out and say it, she's voting for Nash.

Chemistry Problems?

We've talked about this before, and everyone poo poo's it like it's no big deal.  On this team, it's a big deal.  The Chicago Tribune is reporting that there was a 15 minute closed door meeting with Stoudemire and D'Antoni.  Uh oh.  Couple that with Marion's repeated comments about not being in the flow of the game and D'Antoni firing back, and this from Nash:

"Our chemistry has to be one of our strongest characteristics, as it has been the past two years. This year it's fading. The ball sticks too often because guys are worried they're not going to get it back. One guy gets a little selfish, and then the next guy is like, 'Well, if he's not passing it, I may never see it.' And then the next one is a little more reluctant."

For the MV3 to come out in public with something like that, it has to mean something.  The dude would never say something like this publicly unless he was sending a message(s). 

WRONG time of year for this shit...

League NEEDS Nash To Win League MVP

I watched all of last night's Suns - Spurs game.  Every minute of it.  It was all but unwatchable.  Actually, it probably was unwatchable.  Which is why the NBA needs Nash, and not Nowitzki, to be MVP.

I hate watching the Spurs, more than any other team in basketball.  Here's why:

• They're boring.  Call me new skool, but I don't get a great deal of satisfaction watching Duncan's immaculate footwork on a step under and lay in.
• They flop more than anyone in the league.  Obviously, if you have Ginobli on your team, you're in the running for that award every year, but throw in Bowen and you've got a team that wants to play defense flat on it's back.  I normally associate that position with other activities, not basketball.
• They cry more than any team in basketball.  Even when the replay shows an obvious foul, Duncan, Bowen and Pop bitch like someone raped their sister and got away with it.  Which leads me to:
• No one gets away with more with the Refs.  Probably because they complain so  much, and are 'made men' in the NBA, they can hack, swipe and body people and get away with it. 

This is not fun basketball to watch.  And, if you ask the Suns today, it's not fun to play either.  This shit won't sell tickets, it won't sell advertising, and it makes me want to watch Sanjay rather than another game like that.

Which brings me to my MVP point.  I don't get any joy in watching Nowitzki shoot fade away jumpers with a 3" vertical, or Ginobli flopping around like he got shot, or Duncan's little hook shot.  Even in a game like last night, though, I still jump out of my seat several times a game because Steve Nash got a ball to someone where there seemed to be no possible way. 

The point is, the League is just now making the transition from the dark ages of Riley's Knicks / Pistons / Spurs type of slow down, frustrate you type of basketball.  It's only NOW beginnig to get watchable again.  The future of the League is in Suns style of basketball, and Nash is the face of this future.  And, he's the MVP.

Heartless Dallas Worse Than Advertised

I'll be honest, I thought Phoenix would lose this game.  I figured Dallas would be pissed that they got beat in Dallas, and want to make a statement in Phoenix.  I thought Dirk would be a beast, trying to keep his MVP hopes alive, and I also thought that having Josh Howard and Devin Harris back would be a big factor.  I also didn't think Phoenix was playing all that well lately.  Add all that up, and I really thought Dallas would win, and could possibly win big.

The game didn't exactly play out that way.  Phoenix shot a league high in field goal %, Dirk did absolutely nothing and although Harris and Howard made a big difference, it wasn't enough.  Phoenix just destroyed Dallas.

This turned out to be a statement game, or as the local media have been calling it a 'restatement game', ie they made the statement already in Dallas and are just reaffirming that statement.  The statement made, was that Dallas couldn't come up with a big game when they needed one, Dirk is NO ONE'S MVP, and Phoenix can beat anyone when they want to.

Two possibilities: 

1. Dallas didn't show up for this game.  If they couldn't get up for this one, they have no heart and have very little shot to beat this team in the playoffs
2. Dallas played their asses off, and just got beat.  Given that they were blown out, seems like they have very little shot to beat this team in the playoffs.

Either way, Dallas can't feel very good about themselves this morning.

Based on what I've seen the past 2 games, if these teams meet in the playoffs, it's Phoenix in 5.

Oh, and anyone see Stoudemires shooting % the past 2 games?  He's 26 for 32 (a tidy 81%), 65 points, and throw in 19 rebounds just for fun.  Dallas has NO answer for Stoudemire.  Then again, who does?

Digruntled Marion Huge in Defeat of Nuggets

The game started out like the last few, with Phoenix falling way behind early behind hot shooting from AI.  In the 2nd quarter, Phoenix was already down 18, and by halftime Melo and AI had combined for 36 points.  But, midway throught the 2nd quarter, Raja Bell gave a hard foul to Linus Kleiza and drew a Flagrant Foul.  Replays showed a hard foul, not a flagrant foul, but it seemed to ignite the Suns who closed out the half with a 15 -6 run, and ended up down only 5.

Presciently, we predicted that field goal % would determine the outcome, and that bore out as Phoenix shot 55% and Denver only 47%.  A few other stats from the box score:

• Melo had a KG-like stat line with 32 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and only 1 turnover
• Pheonix had 30 assists, and Denver only 12
• Amare Stoudemire shoots only 1 free throw, and played only 28 minutes

None of that really tells the whole story.  I was amazed to read this morning that Shawn Marion was a little peeved.  "It's the first time in a long while that I've touched the ball a lot and gotten into the offensive flow...You can't score without the ball."  In retrospect, I've seen Nash look for Stoudemire and Barbosa more, and the back-door stuff hasn't been there so much for Marion.  At the same time, it sounds like sour grapes.  This team doesn't run set plays for people, they execute in a flow and if he's not in the flow then it's not entirely everyone else's fault. 

D'Antoni didn't seem to buy it, though, "If he supplies the energy we'll supply the possibilities on the floor".  The beginnings of locker room discord?  Let's hope not.  I trust the MVP to get them on the same page, even if he has to look for Marion a little more.

Both Teams NEED The Win

Line: Phoenix Suns by 8 points. Oddsmakers are giving Phoenix a lot of credit in this one.  Denver destroyed Phoenix in their last meeting, and Pheonix hasn't been consistent in the past 10 games. At the same time, Denver has got to be emotionally tired from a couple of heartbreaking losses in Toronto and Detroit. The line still looks to high, though. We'll take Denver and the points. (But hope Phoenix wins).

 

Preview: We're going to start calling ourselves 'The Oracle'. We said yesterday that all it would take is for one or two Warriors to get hot, and Richardson goes for a season high. This is starting to become an ugly trend – Bibby, then Jackson both go for season highs against the Suns. Tonight, it could be JR Smith, AI OR Melo.

 

Denver has lost 4 their last 5 games, and Phoenix is only 6-4 over it's last 10 games. Combine that with the pressure on both teams – Denver to keep itself in the playoffs, and Phoenix to hold off a San Antonio team that's playing very well. This is a must-win for both teams. We think this will have a play-off like atmosphere.

 

Look for a close, intense game, with a lot of points and not a lot of defense. The team with the higher shooting % wins, period.

 

Key Matchups:

• Shawn Marion on Carmelo Anthony.  Marion is a very quick, long defender, but Melo's strength may be a problem.
• Nene on Amare Stoudemire.  Both are lightening quick, very strong inside players.  Nene has been a beast the past 5 games, so this will be the best matchup of the game.
• Who guards AI?  Way too quick for Nash, look for Marcus Banks to get some playing time if AI gets hot, especially after his great defensive effort in the second half against Baron Davis last night.

This is going to be a great, great game, one we've been looking forward to all week. 

Links:

ESPN

covers

The Denver Post

sportsbook.com

Sun / Warriors Game Preview

Line:  Phoenix favored by 4.5.  I think the line is about right, I'd take PHX and the money but not the points.

Preview:  Maybe we're just getting paranoid because the playoffs are looming and I'm feeling the pressure, but this game scares me.  The Warriors are only a 1 1/2 games out of the 8th playoff spot, and playing for their lives.  Phoenix is already being asked questions about Dallas, and I heard D'Antoni talking ahead about that game earlier today, too.  Yes, Phoenix owns the matchups, and their playing at home, but I still see Golden State making it tough.  Baron Davis gets hot, or Stephen Jackson, and who knows.

Links:
ESPN
Covers
Sportsbook.com
Contra Costa Times
San Francisco Chronicle
Scoresreport

Suns - Grizzlies Preview

Line:  Phoenix by 15, but the spread is getting larger as it gets closer to gametime.  That's a huge margin, but Memphis is one of the two worst teams in the league.

The Fan Preview:  Like my colleague at BrightSideoftheSun, I'm not sure who is going to show up tonight.  But, I'm not sure it will really matter.  Memphis is not a good team, and they're playing younger players trying to get some development time in for them. It's at home, and Phoenix should have the right frame of mind after getting shot down by Mike Bibby's career night. 

Mike Miller sat out the second half of last night's game in Utah, and he's really the only reason Memphis would have a shot in this game.  Pau Gasol is playing well, but he's not going to beat you all by himself.

The other thing to watch will be D'Antoni's rotation.  He doesn't juggle much, and he's been tinkering for a few games.  Barbosa started in the second half against Sacramento, and it will be interesting to see if Jalen Rose gets more PT.

Links:

ESPN
Sports Network
Covers

Final - In Game Review

Final

2:51 - Bibby has a career night, Artest is solid, this is why I was nervous about this game.  Had a funny feeling about those two.  Hard to overcome 37 points + 24 from Artest.  More later, but the bottom line on this game is that Sacramento played inspired ball on every leve.  Pheonix played very well, I thought they were up for and into the game, but it's hard to over come 9 3-pointers by Bibby.

Links in a bit.

2:22 - Strange start to the 4th quarter.  Tie game, and both teams are out of sync, wierd fouls and missed layups.  I blame the Apache, but who knows.

2:33 - just looked at 4th quarter stats...5 players in double figures, but Diaw has only 4 points and 5 assists.  Phoenix looks good all things considered.  The Apache just said Barbosa is a 'Ten' -- oh yeah, his number is '10'.  I think I feel better, but I'm not sure.  Nash has 7 turnovers.

2:37 - I just saw the worst call all night.  Garcia drives into the late right into Stoudemire who gets all ball...call against Stoudemire.  Horrible.

2:40 - aside.  My 16 year old got a black cat he thought was a boy cat...he named it Lucifer.  Turns out, the cat goes into heat, which would imply it's a girl cat.  We start calling the cat femine derivitives of the word 'Lucifer'...to which the 16 year old Apache says "if I wanted it to be a gay cat I would have named it Dr. Quinn Medicide Woman".  Pretty funny for a commercial break.  Crunch time, and I'm not sure...4 point game and Sacramento is playing with confidence.  Bibby and Artest combine for 53. 

3rd Quarter

1:53 - Steve Nash steals the ball, runs down and hits a 3, turnover and then Raja hits a shot with 20 seconds left on the shot clock -- time out Sacramento.  The Apache (my wife) said 'these Suns, they remind me of Sharks, like the way they circle around and kill kill kill'  Couldn't have said it better.

2:07 - Phoenix came back hard in the 3rd quarter.  What strikes me most, is that Nash has dominated the ball and the play on both ends of the court.  Barbosa kept the Suns in the game for awhile (thanks to The Apache's kisses), but he didn't score in the 3rds quarter.  It was all Nash all the time.  Bibby and Artest both with 20 point games so far, which means Sacramento is playing as well as they can play and yet Phoenix ends the quarter with the lead.

Half Time

1:10  Leandro Barbosa!!  My wifes favorite Brazilian is on a tear with 12 points already, and a couple of tough 3's.  He just hit his 3rd 3 in a row, and my wife blowing kisses at the TV!!  17 points, 7-9 from the field and 3-5 3 pointers.

1:32 Some interesting notes from the box score:

• Bibby with 17 points on 58% shooting
• Sacramento with 3 people already in double figures (Salmons 10, Artest 14 and Bibby 17)
• Sacramento shoots 58%, Phoenix shoots 47%
• Leandro has 17 points in 13 minutes, thanks largely to my wife blowing kisses, shoots 70%

In general, Sacramento is very 'up' for the game.  Bibby hits a 3 pointer and you see 3 other Kings running down court pumping their fists, that type of thing.  This is going to be a tough 2nd half for the the Suns.  D'Antoni's rotation is very intersting.  I don't remember me last time I saw him play 8 people in the first quarter, with Jones Jr, Rose and Barbosa getting significant minutes.

The wife is considering running errands in the second half, which could bode ill for Barbosa.  I'll try and keep her on the couch in the Cave.

1St Quarter

12:32:  First, a comment on DirecTV.  This game is on ABC, which means I'd normally not get the game in HD.  However, yesterday, I had a new dish installed (for a large fee), and ow I have all my local channels in HD.  Good god, what a difference this makes.  The Suns Cave has a 65" LCD TV, and once you've seen a Suns game in HD, you'll never go back again.  For all you DirecTV subscribers, get the big 5-Lim dish.  Worth every penny!

12:35: Artest is already making a difference...blocked an Amare shot, has a steal, drew a foul on Marion and being generally disruptive.

12:47  Starting to look like a replay of game 1.  Amare is killing them with 7 points on 3-5 shooting and a couple of rebounds already.  Bibby plays much better at home (7 points on 3-5 shooting), but so far so good.  Nash just made one of those incredible passes that only Nash makes...to Marion between 3 or 4 Kings.  He finds room for the ball where there just isn't any room for the ball.

12:56:  End of Q1.  Kings up 4, but it the game is being played a PHX's pace with both teams on pace to score over 100.  Phoenix has very balanced scoring, with Amare still high man with 9.  Artest has 10 points, so he's making a difference already.  It's interesting to see D'Antoni oing so deep into his bench already...Jalen Rose, Leandro and James Jones Jr. got 1st quarter minutes.

Suns - Kings Preview

Line: ESPN is showing it at Even but that has to be a mistake.  Real line looks more like Phoenix at 6.5 - 7 point favorites.  I'm taking the Suns, but not the points, although they easily could cover.

Injuries: 

Sacremento - Brad Miller is day-to-day with Plantar Fasciitis, Kenny Thomas is just coming back from a bone chip in his foot.  Not sure how effective either will be.  Not an injury, but Ron Artest is playing in this one - he missed the last game because his flight was diverted because of thunderstorms.

Phoenix - None listed

The Suns Fan Preview:

This game makes me nervous.  Sacramento will be pissed because they got embarrased last game, and it was just a few days ago.  They have Ron Artest back, which makes the last game a bit of an abberation, and it's early (12:30pm start Phoenix time), and Kenny Thomas will be back, too.  I don't see Amare going for 30 / 20 with these two back.

Even with Artest, Sacramento is not a great team.  Like a lot of teams right now, they are struggling to find chemistry.  Artest and Bibby do not get a long, and they'll struggle to get Thomas and Miller back into the flow of the team.  And, lots of drama on this team with ongoing Artest legal problems, Musselman's DUI arrest, and don't forget the city is balking at a new arena and making the Maloof brother's lifestyle part of the conversation. 

Links:
ESPN
Sacramento Bee
Sacramento Bee, talking about Kurt Thomas return
Official Media Guide