‘18-19 Suns Schedule release

[Errntknght]

I actually like the schedule for the most part. I know they get screwed a little with long road trips early but the March and April schedule should allow us to finish strong. It wouldn't surprise me if the league is trying to tweak schedules of bad teams like the Suns to keep them from tanking towards the end of the year. We have all of our long road trips early and in February so there isn't an excuse to drop the final 20 games of the season unless there are legit injuries.

Long road trips are not bed for teams that a trying to come together. They'll lose games but they don't have many distractions so they can focus on nothing but basketball. The whole team is forced to be together most waking hours, too, so they have a good chance to bond. They are likely to go 5-10 in those fifteen game, reinforcing the idea that we are a really bad team, so we'll surprise teams that take us lightly. After that stretch I'd guess they'll play .500 ball for the remainder of the season.

 

[Mainstreet]

I actually like the schedule for the most part. I know they get screwed a little with long road trips early but the March and April schedule should allow us to finish strong. It wouldn't surprise me if the league is trying to tweak schedules of bad teams like the Suns to keep them from tanking towards the end of the year. We have all of our long road trips early and in February so there isn't an excuse to drop the final 20 games of the season unless there are legit injuries.

I certainly like 7 of the first 11 games at home.

This will hopefully give Igor more time to get the team ready for the long season.

 

[JCSunsfan]

In college basketball back in the day, I remember a friend of mine, who is an ASU fan, was talking about how ASU might not be as good as Arizona but they've got more balls than Az does because they'd played more top 10 teams in the previous 5 years than Arizona had. Upon deeper investigation it was found that virtually every occurrence for ASU was them playing Arizona.

Strength of schedules are limited by the teams themselves. The Warriors schedule is easier because they don't have to play the Warriors 5 or 6 times. The Suns is harder because they don't get to play the Suns 5 or 6 times.

 

[sunsfan88]

Hey at least we get one national game next year!

Still one less than the LeBron-less Cavs

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[Phrazbit]

Still one less than the LeBron-less Cavs

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We're on national TV 3 times.

 

[95pro]

Could care less when it comes to nationally televised games, the announcers are the worst when it comes to the Suns. Maybe I just like EJ and whomever he's broadcasting with.

 

[SirStefan32]

Could care less when it comes to nationally televised games, the announcers are the worst when it comes to the Suns. Maybe I just like EJ and whomever he's broadcasting with.

I absolutely love EJ. Not a single game goes by that he doesn't say a couple of things that crack me up.

 

[BC867]

I absolutely love EJ. Not a single game goes by that he doesn't say a couple of things that crack me up.

On a related note, I watched Tom Leander doing the last Mercury game on TV. I know there are some posters who did not like his catch phrases (but not minding Al McCoy doing the same).

But Leander's court awareness and seamless presentation of the action is a gazillion times better than the two who succeeded him -- New Yawk's Steve Albert (who didn't have a clue or seem to care what was happening on the court) and our current "staccato man" Kevin Ray who speaks in half-sentences dragged over 30 seconds until he just leaves it hanging or is finally interrupted by EJ or Annie.

 

[95pro]

Annie is good, but so dry. Leander is also good but he is just too cheesy for basketball.

 

[Chaplin]

On a related note, I watched Tom Leander doing the last Mercury game on TV. I know there are some posters who did not like his catch phrases (but not minding Al McCoy doing the same).

But Leander's court awareness and seamless presentation of the action is a gazillion times better than the two who succeeded him -- New Yawk's Steve Albert (who didn't have a clue or seem to care what was happening on the court) and our current "staccato man" Kevin Ray who speaks in half-sentences dragged over 30 seconds until he just leaves it hanging or is finally interrupted by EJ or Annie.

You should be banned for comparing Leander to Al McCoy.

 

[BC867]

You should be banned for comparing Leander to Al McCoy.

I said that they both use catch phrases, which is a specific observation.

That is not the same as your insinuating that I compared Tom Leander to Al McCoy.

I compared Tom Leander to Steve Albert and Kevin Ray as play-by-play announcers.

Don't get so dramatic!

 

[Chaplin]

I said that they both use catch phrases, which is a specific observation.

That is not the same as your insinuating that I compared Tom Leander to Al McCoy.

I compared Tom Leander to Steve Albert and Kevin Ray as play-by-play announcers.

Don't get so dramatic!

You compared them as if we should be as embarrassed by Al's catchphrases as we are Leander's. Next you'll say that Al McCoy should be replaced because he's too short for the position.

 

[BC867]

You compared them as if we should be as embarrassed by Al's catchphrases as we are Leander's. Next you'll say that Al McCoy should be replaced because he's too short for the position.

"As if" ... "Embarrassed" ... "Next I'll say" ... "Too short" ... You're putting words in my mouth, then reacting to your words.

You don't need me in this conversation if you're going to post what I'm 'going to say'. I'll speak for myself! Buh-bye, Chap.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I said that they both use catch phrases, which is a specific observation.

That is not the same as your insinuating that I compared Tom Leander to Al McCoy.

I compared Tom Leander to Steve Albert and Kevin Ray as play-by-play announcers.

Don't get so dramatic!

Don't worry, I am powerless but if Chaplin can ban you I figure I can un-ban you. And I agree, Leander is FAR superior to Albert and Ray. I didn't care for his catchphrases. I think they came across as forced and there were simply too many of them but he was young and finding his way. And he called the game that was going on, something Al has not been able to do for a few decades now.

I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for McCoy dating back to his KRUX days but his time has passed. He's rightfully a legend in the business but I'd love to see the Suns give Leander the chance to become a legend in his own right.

 

[BC867]

Don't worry, I am powerless but if Chaplin can ban you I figure I can un-ban you. And I agree, Leander is FAR superior to Albert and Ray. I didn't care for his catchphrases. I think they came across as forced and there were simply too many of them but he was young and finding his way. And he called the game that was going on, something Al has not been able to do for a few decades now.

I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for McCoy dating back to his KRUX days but his time has passed. He's rightfully a legend in the business but I'd love to see the Suns give Leander the chance to become a legend in his own right.

Thank you, Steve. I haven't listened to Al call a game on radio in quite awhile. Has he really declined? Nonetheless, he is a legend, as you said, and has a soft spot in my heart as well, going back to the 1970's.

I recognize that Tom Leander has a somewhat less mature persona than most announcers but, in listening to him call the Mercury game just a few nights ago, he has become smooth and kept catch phrases to a minimum. But I don't expect the Suns to give him another chance.

This isn't my first disappointment. Whether calling basketball or baseball, I had high hopes for Jeff Munn. The velvet tones reminiscent of Vinnie and a deep knowledge of the game and sports history. He was a sports trivia expert as a young man. But Phoenix never gave him the chance, other than doing pre- and post-game (as Leander) and as a play-by-play fill-in (as Leander).

 

[AzStevenCal]

Thank you, Steve. I haven't listened to Al call a game on radio in quite awhile. Has he really declined? Nonetheless, he is a legend, as you said, and has a soft spot in my heart as well, going back to the 1970's.

I recognize that Tom Leander has a somewhat less mature persona than most announcers but, in listening to him call the Mercury game just a few nights ago, he has become smooth and kept catch phrases to a minimum. But I don't expect the Suns to give him another chance.

This isn't my first disappointment. Whether calling basketball or baseball, I had high hopes for Jeff Munn. The velvet tones reminiscent of Vinnie and a deep knowledge of the game and sports history. He was a sports trivia expert as a young man. But Phoenix never gave him the chance, other than doing pre- and post-game (as Leander) and as a play-by-play fill-in (as Leander).

I don't often get the chance to listen to Al do radio games anymore so maybe other's will feel differently. To me, for decades now he's been much more artist than announcer. This was evident in his simulcast days, his words simply didn't match what was happening. And yet, he still called a great game, just not necessarily the one happening on the court. But I wouldn't hesitate to listen to him call another radio game.

 

[Mainstreet]

On a related note, I watched Tom Leander doing the last Mercury game on TV. I know there are some posters who did not like his catch phrases (but not minding Al McCoy doing the same).

But Leander's court awareness and seamless presentation of the action is a gazillion times better than the two who succeeded him -- New Yawk's Steve Albert (who didn't have a clue or seem to care what was happening on the court) and our current "staccato man" Kevin Ray who speaks in half-sentences dragged over 30 seconds until he just leaves it hanging or is finally interrupted by EJ or Annie.

I like Leander better than Albert and Ray as well.

 

[BC867]

I don't often get the chance to listen to Al do radio games anymore so maybe other's will feel differently. To me, for decades now he's been much more artist than announcer. This was evident in his simulcast days, his words simply didn't match what was happening. And yet, he still called a great game, just not necessarily the one happening on the court. But I wouldn't hesitate to listen to him call another radio game.

Ah, I remember when Al's "Looks good, is good" call (predicting that it would go in) was exposed when he started doing simulcasts, and we saw that he didn't say it until after it went in.

Al is getting on in years. I wonder how many more seasons he will do. His idol was Chick Hearn of the Lakers and Al is still going after, IIRC, Chick passed away.

 

[Chaplin]

"As if" ... "Embarrassed" ... "Next I'll say" ... "Too short" ... You're putting words in my mouth, then reacting to your words.

You don't need me in this conversation if you're going to post what I'm 'going to say'. I'll speak for myself! Buh-bye, Chap.

Wow lighten up old man!

 

[BC867]

Wow lighten up old man!

Age discrimination, of course. Cheers, brother.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Age discrimination, of course. Cheers, brother.

You're jumping to conclusions. Maybe he just called you fat instead when he told you to lighten up? And for those of us that are watching our waistlines increase a little each year, that's body shaming.

 

[GatorAZ]

I don't often get the chance to listen to Al do radio games anymore so maybe other's will feel differently. To me, for decades now he's been much more artist than announcer. This was evident in his simulcast days, his words simply didn't match what was happening. And yet, he still called a great game, just not necessarily the one happening on the court. But I wouldn't hesitate to listen to him call another radio game.

They need to move on from them. Especially Kempton who is just brutal to listen to.

 

[Chaplin]

You're jumping to conclusions. Maybe he just called you fat instead when he told you to lighten up? And for those of us that are watching our waistlines increase a little each year, that's body shaming.

I'm an equal opportunity insulter.

 

[AzStevenCal]

They need to move on from them. Especially Kempton who is just brutal to listen to.

Yeah, I've never liked Kempton in that role. Has Al slipped noticeably?

 

[BC867]

You're jumping to conclusions. Maybe he just called you fat instead when he told you to lighten up? And for those of us that are watching our waistlines increase a little each year, that's body shaming.

Lighten up ... that's funny! Or maybe he's telling me to stay out of the sun.