Dantoni Homecoming Suns vs Knicks 7pm FSN

[Shzm13]

LETS GO SUNS!!


I think Shaq should be back for this one

 

[mojorizen7]

Looking forward to this one.

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GO SUNS!!

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

ESPN Preview:

Although the Phoenix Suns didn't reach the NBA finals in five seasons under Mike D'Antoni, they averaged 58 wins in the last four with the coach's up-tempo philosophy.
Despite sporting a depleted roster in the midst of a major rebuilding project, the New York Knicks are starting to see why. D'Antoni makes his first return to Phoenix since his summer split with the Suns on Monday night, with his Knicks looking for a third straight win on their five-game road trip.The Suns hired D'Antoni during the 2003-04 season, and after a difficult first season, they went 62-20 in 2004-05 and reached the Western Conference finals.D'Antoni's high-scoring, "seven seconds or less" offense brought Phoenix similar results each of the past three seasons, but the Suns' playoff results never improved, as they lost in the first round to San Antonio last spring.D'Antoni was given permission to pursue other openings and eventually released from the final two years of his contract, with second-year general manager Steve Kerr admitting a difference in philosophy.The Knicks hired D'Antoni in May to pick up the pieces after Isiah Thomas' failed stint as coach and general manager, but the new coach said at the time that he wasn't planning on waiting to start winning."I look at the roster and that's the roster I'm going to win with," D'Antoni said in May. "My focus is to win this coming year."Even though guard Stephon Marbury remains estranged from the team and top scorers Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford have been traded, the Knicks (11-12) appear to have improved. D'Antoni's style has quickly taken hold, as the team ranks third in the NBA with 105.0 points per game and second-worst with 106.8 points allowed.New York has looked good in its last four games, winning three while scoring at least 100 points each time. After a 121-109 victory at New Jersey on Wednesday, they led 43-21 after one quarter and cruised to a 114-90 road win over Sacramento on Saturday."Our team is on a mission, we're trying to win as many games as possible," guard Nate Robinson said. "This system is the best, we're having a lot of fun right now."Al Harrington in certainly having a good time in it, averaging 25.5 points in 10 games since coming over in the trade that sent Crawford to Golden State. He's averaged 36 points in the last two contests and was 5-of-9 from 3-point range against the Kings."This is a dream come true," Harrington said. "I've been waiting for this my whole career."Under new coach Terry Porter, meanwhile, the Suns (14-10) are off to their worst start since they were 8-13 when D'Antoni was hired in December 2003. Point guard Steve Nash, who averaged 17.5 points and 11.2 assists in the last four seasons under his former coach, is averaging 15.2 points and 8.4 assists this season.Defense was one of the team's weak spots under D'Antoni, but the Suns haven't been much different under Porter, allowing more than 100 points in each of the last nine games.Phoenix's roster has undergone changes, as the team traded forward Boris Diaw and guard Raja Bell as part of a five-player deal with Charlotte to acquire swingman Jason Richardson last week. Richardson scored 21 points in his debut Friday, helping his new team to a 113-112 home win over Orlando."I'm just proud to be a part of this (team)," Richardson said. "When it all comes down to it, you just play basketball."Grant Hill's reverse layup with 2.7 seconds left gave Phoenix the victory as the Suns won for the third time in four games. They also figure to get Shaquille O'Neal back Monday after the center missed the last two games following the death of his great-grandmother.The Suns have won four straight against the Knicks, and Monday's game should again feature plenty of scoring. Both clubs have topped 100 points in their last three meetings.

Accuscore projections:

Phoenix: 84% Favorite
New York: 16% Underdog


Injury Report

NEW YORK
· Nate Robinson PG - Dec 13: Day-to-Day
· Cuttino Mobley SG - Dec 11: OUT
· David Lee PF - Dec 10: Day-to-Day

PHOENIX
· Shaquille O'Neal C - Dec 12: OUT



Question of the night:

Will Porter get outcoached?

 

[Kablansky]

I think Shaq goes off for a big game, along with Richardson.... Amare goes through the motions.

Suns 106
Knicks 99

 

[AfroSuns]

:

Will Porter get outcoached?

That is one of my main concern for this game, D'Antoni still knows this team and it will be pretty hard for Porter to beat him at his own game using his favorite PG. I expect Turnovers to be ridiculous tonight. I sure hope our players will go out to prove a point and come out with a win.

 

[shazaam6]

Should be a high scoring game if we run with the Knicks. We are the original running, gunning team. Playing the running, gunning team part 2. I hope Porter doesn't panic and slow us down. Hold the throttle wide open and pour on the nitrous oxide this game could be very entertaining. This is like waiting for a pay per view event.

136 Suns
124 Knicks

Barbosa 26

 

[dodie53]

shaq not playing?

go suns!

 

[cly2tw]

where is the e-bookie stuff when we need it most?

 

[Griffin]

We are at home, at full strength, and playing against a team with a losing record that won a total of 23 games last season and just traded its two best players. It would be embarrassing to lose this game.

 

[Ronin]

Suns 122
Knicks 115

Amare will probably score 40 points in this game, but will it be enough?

 

[Mainstreet]

I think there will be a lot of ghosts out there tonight. The Suns will probably need Jason Richardson to represent the here and now for the Suns.

 

[Louis]

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Yahoo has a handful of Suns photoshops up. This is the best by far. The rest are at http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ba...t=AoFRJGpCmdOq5jk3njk.LCW8vLYF?urn=nba,128035

 

[chickenhead]

I'm really hoping the fans don't boo D'Antoni too much. If for no other reason than it will just be distracting.

 

[sunsfn]

Shaq should be here and play, but do not look for big minutes from him. D'Antoni teams usually run shaq off the court. They let him score and then take the ball out quick and run............

 

[95pro]

run all game long.

then hopefully this half court stuff & "D" pays off near the end of the game.

 

[Mainstreet]

run all game long.

then hopefully this half court stuff & "D" pays off near the end of the game.

I thought the Suns really looked tired in the second half of the game against the Magic. Then the thought occurred to me, the Suns might not be in shape to run the whole game as in previous seasons. I know DA will really try to push the ball hard.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I'm really hoping the fans don't boo D'Antoni too much. If for no other reason than it will just be distracting.

I can promise you D'Antoni will arrive to cheers and applause.

 

[95pro]

I thought the Suns really looked tired in the second half of the game against the Magic. Then the thought occurred to me, the Suns might not be in shape to run the whole game as in previous seasons. I know DA will really try to push the ball hard.

well, i was being a little sarcastic.
not all game long. it'll be interesting to see how it plays out.
unfortunately i wont be watching the game, darn job.lol

 

[Bufalay]

Blow out city. Knicks by 21.

 

[nashman]

You can bet your ass they have the green light to shoot 50 3's tonight if they want. Mike will try to have them score as much as possible, we will see how Porter adjusts. This game could get ugly if Porter trys to play half court with Shaq too much.

 

[Chaz]

Suns need to defend the 3 point line and not turn the ball over. Stay focused on defense and don't let them get off early. Take the ball to the basket and get their inside players in foul trouble. The Knicks are the second worse defensive team in the league. If the Suns can hold them to under 105 then the Suns should win easily.

With the recent trade or their "best players" the Knicks didn't get worse, they got better. Better in the regular season at least. Harrington and Thomas are perfect fits for the D'Antoni system.

 

[HooverDam]

I'm really hoping the fans don't boo D'Antoni too much. If for no other reason than it will just be distracting.

Why would they boo him at all? The guy lead them to the most wins in any 4 year span in the teams history, I hope D'Antoni gets a standing ovation.

 

[shazaam6]

I thought the Suns really looked tired in the second half of the game against the Magic. Then the thought occurred to me, the Suns might not be in shape to run the whole game as in previous seasons. I know DA will really try to push the ball hard.

Bring it on.

 

[DeAnna]

I'm gonna bring my binoculars to the game tonight and keep them on Porter on the bench. Want to see his facial expressions when Shaq is run off the court and has to take a seat.

 

[nowagimp]

We are at home, at full strength, and playing against a team with a losing record that won a total of 23 games last season and just traded its two best players. It would be embarrassing to lose this game.

Yup the suns will look like crap if they lose to the short handed, talent depleted knicks. the knicks have nothing to lose. My concern is Al Harrington and some other knicks getting hot from '3'. The suns defense of the 3 pt shot is just terrible, one of the worst in the NBA.