Phoenix Suns Championship Season - Week in Review (Nov 5, 2006)
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by user Manny Stiles
I will review each game the Phoenix Suns play on my sports blog and also sum up the week here on Armchair.
Week One
To sum up the week; The Suns are clearly not firing on all cylinders yet, and they seem to be reaffirming their identity. Coach Mike D'Antoni has really manned up and taken all the blame for any shortcomings. Clearly, there is still some lag from the training camp and it seems some guys are just trying to play themselves back into shape.
But like any real Suns fan, I am NOT concerned with being 1-3 at this point. After all, the first 10 games really is the toughest stretch of the whole season with 3 back-to-backs in the first six games!
So, let's review each game this week, including scouting reports on each of the opponents.
Game 1:Suns lose! 82-0 will be even tougher now!!!
Oct 31, 2006 - Los Angeles - Lose Angeles Fakers 114, Phoenix Suns 106 - Box Score
The Lakers won 114-106, coming back from a huge 41 point Suns First Quarter. Some quick notes:
Coach D'Antoni's not worried, so I'm not worried; he claims he "hit the panic button" early and ran the lineup from last year out there too early after 2 back-to-back Amare Stoudemire turnovers in the Third Quarter that really swept the momentum to L.A., their young biggun' Andrew Bynum and their fans.
Lamar Odom killed the Suns (again) from inside and when they switched Kurt Thomas to him to stop him inside, he nailed several 3 pointers. He played huge. We'll see how that pans out when Kobe gets back from his extended-for-some-unkown-reason (is he scurrrred by Raja Bell still??) knee rehab.
Leandro Barbosa played great last night, pumping in 30 points. His shot looked good, played excellent defense... that's your 2006-07 Sixth Man of the Year award winner right there, folks.
Amare Stoudemire had flashes of brilliance and moments of thud. One thunderous dunk for his first two points of the season, but his ballhandling skills looked BAD, still... he needs to get his head right, play the season and get into basketball shape in order to dominate. If he just plays with the system, he'll be fine until it's time to take over again (playoffs).
All in All, they're the Suns. This is what they do. When the shots don't fall, they're going to blow some big leads. They didn't play bad inasmuch as the Lakers played out of their minds, but this game should have never been close. Chalk it up to coming into th game with crazy expectations in their heads instead of the task at hand.
The Lakers have some hope for the first time since Shaq left. Andrew Bynum made huge strides in his first start. He looks like a cross between a baby Shaq/Bubba from Forrest Gump. Maurice Evans looked very athletic and productive. Nice pick up. I'm a semi-fan of Vladimir Radmanovic, but is it me? Or does he not look like a good fit for this team? Jordan Farmar looks like he'll make Smush go away in the future. Anyway, I can't help but think the Lakers will make some big deals before the season ends.
Game tonight AT HOME versus those Tim Thomas-signing Lose Angeles Clippers... Look for the Suns to pull to 1-1 on the season.
Yeah! We made it to .500!!!
Nov 1, 2006 - Phoenix, AZ - Phoenix Suns 112, Lose Angeles Clippers 104 - Box Score
In came the Lose Angeles Clippers and out came win #1. The Phoenix Suns scratched and clawed their way, all the way back to .500
Geez, Tim Thomas certainly finds ways to help the Suns win, eh? Even in a Clips uni, Ole' #2 played like #2. But that wasn't the big story.
The BIG story was how good Amare Stoudemire is looking. He threw down a few mean jams, played tough and very strong on the inside and even played pretty good defense! Everyone is concerned with Amare's knees - I'm here to tell you something: his knees AREN'T the problem. He needs to get back into basketball shape, MENTALLY first and physically (handle, passing, rotating on D, stamina). Look, I've watched Amare his whole career. When he is confident he is a MONSTER. He's mean, he's physical, he's ferocious and other guys HATE to play against him. He's not there yet, it's all mental. He remembers HOW HARD he had to work to get to this point. He is concerned with having setbacks, but he is starting to show the fearlessness and reckless abandon that was his trademark. He may remember the pain and the hard work, but he also remembers how to crush the rim... progress will come in chunks, just like his rookie year. He builds confidence in spurts, and I wouldn't be surprised if he has a 50 point game within the month (and a bunch of 6-8 point games as well). As the season moves on, Amare's gonna be fine, and in my opinion, he's not the story at all...
The BIG story last night to me was Boris Diaw!!! Big Boy showed up last night... he is finally getting rolling. He got a little fat this summer (but a good percentage of muscle gain, too) and he played ball all summer for France. He stalled out in the preseason and played pretty bad against the Fakers, but 3D woke up in the second half last night. It was very good to see!
In the first half he continued to play unselfishly (almost to a fault) by taking the ball right to the rim and dishing out, but he also is starting to show a nice stroke on the jumper. He played smarter D and simply turned it on in the second half... Boris has the ability to dominate a game when he chooses and he is getting better daily.
One concern from last night, well maybe concern isn't the right word, but... let's get Raja Bell rolling!!! He is the guy that needs to warm up. Sure, it's only two games in but the engine is misfiring on one piston at this point. Raja still brings the toughness, but we need some of that 43% 3pt shooting back... Of course, he'll be fine and I'm just being critical as hell because I want them to play perfectly (even though they never will)
Nice to see JJ (James Jones) hit some key shots and play a little D, Barbosa is our secret weapon and Coach D'Antoni has a wonderful problem he probably never has had before - TOO much talent! Oh yeah, we still have TWO #1 picks coming from Atlanta in the Joe Johnson (I still wish Joe all the luck) deal... I still giggle and get all giddy over that deal - it was like something you could only pull off in a video game, but it was real!!!
So the two LA teams (2 of the few teams with enough bigs to pester the Suns into slowing down) have had their chance at revenge from last year's playoffs... and another team with bigs and a slow-it-down mentality is on the horizon... The Jazz... then we get a rematch with the Clippers again in LA, then on to Dallas and San Antonio...
Coach D said the toughest stretch they have to deal with all year is the first 10 games (3 sets of back-to-back games) but at least 10 of the first 16 are at home... time to open up a division lead!
In other Suns related news, the Suns threw a minimum contract at free agent Jalen Rose (since he's already getting $16mil from New York); word is, he is also interested in the Miami Heat (we'll see if he changed his mind since the opening game in Miami); don't discount Detroit since Rose is a Motor City native.
Next game - Friday against the Utah Jazz - I like the Jazz, but they scare me a little. They are TOUGH and a Jerry Sloan team through and through. I think the Jazz are going to be the surprise team this year...
News: Stinkblossom signs with the Suns, gets ring finger sized
Stinkblossom is a direct Simpsons reference... when Lisa quotes Shakespeare ...a rose by any other name will still smell as sweet", Bart says "What if they called it a stinkblossom?"
Jalen Rose adds his passing, shooting and allergic reaction to defense to an already stacked Suns roster. The local fans are waking from their slumber because they know the name, I'm thrilled because he'll add another dimension to the running style and the Spurs are probably pissed.
Say what you will about Rose's attitude, but D'Antoni is a superior character guy that gets superior behavior from all around him. Jalen will have fun, enjoy a successful title run and fit in perfectly with this team. Maybe we can even get some sideline reporting from him!!!
I like it. After being "Spur"ned by Michael Finley last year, this one feels good. I said after we signed Tim Thomas last year that the "new NBA" was good for this franchise... Guys getting dumped and paid off could come here temporarily to play in a very player-friendly system AND have a shot at that ever-elusive Larry O'Brien Trophy...
"Out of Synch"
Nov 3, 2006 - Phoenix, AZ - Utah Jazz 108, Phoenix Suns 104 - Box Score
I said it before. The Jazz worried me. They are a tough team (Jerry Sloan coached team). They play everyone tough. And they seem to just plain have the Suns number. They have a way of getting the loose balls, fighting for every possession and roughing up players that stymies the Suns' rhythm.
The Suns were "Out of Synch" (Coach D's words). They weren't able to get out on the break, they were taken out of their game, they were pounded inside and when Leandro Barbosa's layup rimmed out with 9 seconds left, it was over.
The Suns went to the line ALOT tonight AND shot free throws very well. But, let's be honest, the Suns play best when the game doesn't get slowed down. The Jazz frustrated Amare, they rendered Boris useless. They clawed, scratched and just plain wanted this game more. But I'm still not worried. There are plenty of things to take away from this game.
Raja Bell kinda warmed up tonight. I'm not sure if it was him getting a rhythm or him just being fired up to play his old 'mates.
The Suns shot very well from the line (even though they're still whiffing from 3-land). Normally the Suns DOMINATE a game when they win the battle of Free Throws, but they were manhandled tonight by a very gritty team.
Leandro Barbosa has been a lion this year. He started tonight and boosted the team's energy. He ahas REALLY stepped up and played good this season. Hell, we'd be 0-3 if it wasn't for him! He shot threes, made plenty of nice defensive plays and he is THE quickest player in the NBA. The thing about him is he doesn't look fast until you see players run next to him. The man is effortless.
Shawn Marion - I've barely mentioned you this year, #31. Don't fret, you are a STUD, Matrix! Inch-for-Inch best rebounder in the League. Solid performance again tonight from the Human pogo stick. We'll get more pub here for you, Shawn!
Amare got frustrated tonight. The Jazz got into his mental framework and flustered him, clearly. Be patient young buck, it will come. (Amare will have a 50 point performance within a month... he's starting to get angry, and someone will pay)
Do you SERIOUSLY think the Suns will shoot 29% from 3 every game this year? If you do, start packing your fishing equipment. Mama said there'll be games like this...
Coach D admitted after the game that Boris Diaw is a bit hesitant in his play and just needs to get his flow back. Clearly, Boris is in his own head, too. Alot of people have been saying he got fat, he's out of shape... on top of this he just signed a fat new contract. 3D just needs to relax again and play the game, not try to live up to invisible expectations. Of course, he'll be fine. He's a fine character, a smart individual and a player with talents unlike any current player. I call him "Magic Junior"
All in all, I think tonight's game was GREAT for the Suns to experience. Yes, I said GREAT!!! They need to know EVERY TEAM will be gunning for them. Every team is going to:
-try to shut the run down -try to show the Suns are "overrated" -try to get a piece of the Suns since they are so highly rated. -try to muscle the Suns (sorry, but THAT won't work for long) -try to beat the Suns at their game if muscling them doesn't work (that won't work either) -throw the kitchen sink & all their bigs at the Suns
The Suns have another tough game tomorrow in Lose Angeles against the Clippers (again). Me thinks they will take out some more frustration on the Clips and reassert themselves just in time for the Spurs-Mavs back to back coming up. We'll see how Jalen Rose fits into this squad. Maybe the Suns were thinking about that tonight too, instead of concentrating on the Jazz?
Hey, I still LOVE this team, their makeup, their future. I still have one small concern. I feel like I've been here before. This team is SET for the future. Lots of young talent, all signed to long contracts. Everything seems bright. But the fear of something messing this up before it develops is very prevalent within me. I pray that it isn't something tragic, but I'm scared for the worst to screw this all up - Nash's back, Amare's knees, Diaw's whatever... Coach D flipping out, grabbing a pile of guns and taking out a mall... I just hope that NOTHING keeps this from being a run of titles. I want it. They want it. Phoenix wants it. I just know how hard it is! Maybe, I'll just enjoy it each day, every day in the meantime (Oh, wait. That's what I AM doing!)
Utah scouting report - FEAR the Jazz! I kid you not. they're gonna beat your team too! I'm a big as fan of Chris Paul as the next guy, Deron Williams was the right pick for the Jazz. Kid is the real deal and Jerry Sloan-worthy tough! Andrei Kirilenko is STILL a freek talent, Carlos Boozer is the Carlos Boozer the Jazz paid for (and he's very easy to hate) and Matt Harpring is the best football player in the NBA. I respect Jerry Sloan SO much. He has a roster of eh's and so what's and I legitimately fear playing them!!!
Next game - another back-to-back: tomorrow in L.A. against the Clippers (then we won't see them again 'til after the All-Star game.
A Tale of Two Teams
Nov 4, 2006 - Lose Angeles, CA - Lose Angeles Clippers 114, Phoenix Suns 108 - Box Score
Suns record to date: 1-3
Man, this team has been VERY Jekyl and Hyde so far this year. It's like there's two different teams wearing Suns unis. Sure they're a different team when Steve Nash is in versus when he is resting on the bench. But tonight there was several "other" teams playing for the Suns. I'm gonna chalk it up to it being early in the season and still having some training camp in Europe hangover.
The Suns played too much like other teams and not enough like themselves tonight. The settled for jumpers, they fouled WAY too much (Kurt Thomas, Raja Bell and Leandro Barbosa all fouled out). Kurt Thomas had a good game and Shawn Marion played his usual great (25pts, 15 rebounds) and also logged his 1000th career steal. The Suns just missed too many opportunities. They settled for taking too many ill-advised long jumpers. Hell, they had about 5 airballs!
The Suns are a team of runs, good and bad. Coach D'Antoni is still playing mad scientist, trying to find units that will flow and play "Suns basketball". It's there at times, but they haven't sustained their style for more than one quarter in any game yet in this young season.
It seems the Suns want to play to the level of their competition. That's not a good thing considering how tough the Western Conference is this year. On the plus side, we get to see Jalen Rose (instead of just hearing his commentary alongside of TV guy Dan Majerle), who will officially sign with the Suns on Monday try to find a way to mesh into the rotation. He may be JUST what we need right now on this mostly young team, some veteran leadership.
In other Suns news: Leading Ownership Partner, Robert Sarver was the first team owner in the NBA to be fined for complaining about officiating under the league's new "No Tolerance" crackdown. The sub-billionaire was fined $25,000 (or approximately a lunch + tip) for bitching about crappy officiating during Wednesday's win against the Clippers at home. Good for him... maybe next time, he can send ME $25,000 and I'll write a whole article bitching about the crappy officiating (just an idea, Robert)
Clippers scouting report - Elton Brand is the modern day morphed bastard spawn of Charles Barkley with Karl Malone; and a class individual to boot. Chris Kaman has to be one of the best five 7-footers in the league. Corey Maggette is one tough dude considering how much he gets hurt. Everything they say about Shaun Livingston is true including the fact that he can't shoot a jumper with any accuracy. Overall, I'm stil not concerned with the Clippers. Sure they're not your older brother's Clippers, but they're not going to win any Division titles anytime soon, either.
Next game - Monday at San Antonio... I'm licking my chops!
So here we are
A big week ahead, San Antone & Dallas in a back-to-back!
Go Suns!!!
