12/23: Suns at Heat Game Thread

[desertdawg]

Gortat in!

 

[cly2tw]

Looking really good so far, though Heat are without Wade.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Refs hating on Lopez.

Nash needs to shoot instead of always trying to get other involved.

I will never make that complaint about Nash. After watching the Jason Kidd years, I just can't rip any other PG for that. I loved Kidd but he was notorious for giving up wide open layups and 5 footers. I trust Nash.

Steve

 

[Ronin]

how in the blue heck is that a foul on nash. CMON!

 

[desertdawg]

Bad call on Nash. Nice D by by Petrius? Gotta learn how to spell that one.

 

[Budden]

When I was watching the Magic-Spurs game, I realized that I had literally forgotten what it looked/felt like to be a strong rebounding team that rebounds the basketball in a traditional way. As I think about it, Gentry may have coined the term "gang rebounding" as it relates to the Suns, but being as long as I've been a Suns fan (about 15 years), it's always been such a struggle. That doesn't mean the Suns haven't ever been a decent rebounding team, but it's always been in an unconventional way. Shawn Marion used to be among the league leaders in boards per game, statistically, and Amar'e was always okay on the glass (9 boards per game for a power forward isn't as terrible as some would have you believe), but man... what a difference having a big, imposing rebounder has on a team's ability to defend. With the Suns, every miss is basically a 50-50 ball coming off the rim. When they are energetic and active, they have shown the ability to rebound well over the years, but what a luxury it is to not have that empty, uncertain feeling in your stomach everytime the other team shoots the ball as you hope the Suns get a friendly bounce!

On another note, I'm intrigued by Steve Kerr being the color comentator for tonight's game. It'll be nice to hear a national commentator with a nuanced view of the Suns' play. Typically, it's just "the Suns love to run and gun, but I don't know if they can outscore their opponent tonight.."

 

[AzStevenCal]

I. HATE. REFS.

Steve

 

[jagu]

I'm really upset about Dragic, he has no aggressiveness and runs the time out like its Game 7 of the finals. Plus he can't shoot free throws.

 

[desertdawg]

Getting robbed tonight. Whats up with that?

 

[Ronin]

lol dragic gets an elbow to the head...and its a foul on dragic.

 

[desertdawg]

Gortat is begging for the pick and roll, and Dragic is playing like a dork again.

 

[sunsfan88]

Dragic lookin scared early.

We hav scored 1 pt since Nash left. GOTTA CHANGE!!

 

[Folster]

The offense bogged down when Nash went out. I was hoping Gortat would get some court time with Nash.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Suns need a backup PG in a bad way. Dragic is not a PG. He cannot effectively run the Suns offense.

 

[jagu]

Dragic has no idea what he is doing out there.

 

[sunsfan88]

Idk if anyone else has noticed but Gortat has got his hands on the ball on every possesion.

Too bad he's the only one working in the paint.

 

[jagu]

You give Dragic a pick he runs through it and stops and lets the defense recover. What's the point of a pick and roll then? Keep doing it till the shot clock runs out?

 

[Proteus]

Suns up 22-19 after the 1st quarter. Suns were up 21-10. Suns shooting 42% with 3/8 3 pointers, 44% with 0/2 3 pointers.

Suns have committed 6 turnovers (Lopez 3), Heat 7.

Suns have 3 offensive rebounds, Heat 1.

Suns have hit 3/5 free throws, Heat have hit 5/5 free throws.

Suns started well but ended poorly.

 

[jagu]

The HAMMER!!!

 

[desertdawg]

Idk if anyone else has noticed but Gortat has got his hands on the ball on every possesion.

Too bad he's the only one working in the paint.

I'm with you homie, he just got his first bucket too. Gortat good.

 

[Folster]

Come on Warrick! Get the board!

 

[jagu]

Is that Joey Crawford as one ref? Grrr.

 

[desertdawg]

Gortat better foul some hard and soon.

 

[Folster]

Warrick again letting Bosh shoot

 

[AfroSuns]

What the hell is Warrick doing backing off Bosh