Game Thread: Suns vs. Warriors

[elindholm]

Musselman's not too bright. GS played little zone to speak of.

And he got gulled into matching the Suns with small ball. Dampier was having his way inside, but when the Suns went small, Dampier got parked on the bench.

It was nice to see Frank Johnson not get thoroughly outcoached for a change.

This is more what I expected from White -- he really is like a Mark West throwback, someone who tends to commit a foul every time he exhales. But on those occasions that he can keep himself in the game, he'll be a good presence.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Originally posted by elindholm

This is more what I expected from White -- he really is like a Mark West throwback, someone who tends to commit a foul every time he exhales. But on those occasions that he can keep himself in the game, he'll be a good presence.

Hopefully EJ was correct when he said that White will probably have less foul problems once he gets his conditioning in order.

If Jahidi could have stayed in, we would have won by more. We seemed to gel when he was in the game. It is hard for an opponent to sneak by him for an ORB.

West is still the best comparison.

This guy moves a little better than West though, and he get higher up off of the floor than Mark.

 

[jbeecham]

What I want to know is what was wrong with Marion tonight? I realize he had 7 assists and 7 rebounds tonight, but only 8 points on 4-6 fg shooting. I thought he was supposed to be a leader on our team. I know JJ had a great offensive game, but Marion shouldn't take a backseat. The Suns had 22 assists tonight and they were all by Marbury 8, JJ 7 & Marion 7. No one else had an assist and I think Penny shot the ball every time he touched it, well except when he made his required stupid turnover for the night.

Zarko apparently has an ankle sprain and that's why he didn't play tonight.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Originally posted by jbeecham
What I want to know is what was wrong with Marion tonight? I realize he had 7 assists and 7 rebounds tonight, but only 8 points on 4-6 fg shooting. I thought he was supposed to be a leader on our team. I know JJ had a great offensive game, but Marion shouldn't take a backseat.
Zarko apparently has an ankle sprain and that's why he didn't play tonight.

He was playing team ball, thats what he was doing. JJ was hot tonight and Shawn focused on doing other things. He had the defensive assignment on Richardson alot of the night (sometimes Dunleavy) so he had his hands full defensively.

However, down the stretch, Shawn stepped up with several key hoops. With the amount of talent on this team, this is the way it is going to be. Good teams go with the player that is hot any given night. I thought Shawn played a great game.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

I honestly thought he sat during the entire third quarter. It was just odd not seeing him in every play.

However I agree, he had a good quiet game. It will be nice if JJ can continue this so we have the luxury of1 of our weapons having an off night.

 

[Chaplin]

So Jahidi only played 8 minutes according to CBS, but only 1 rebound? That seems really low, even for only 8 minutes.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

It is a decieving stat. He was guarding Dampier every time he was in teh game. Especially in the first 4 minutes (before he got 2 fouls) he kept Dampier out and let Amare get those 5 quick rebounds.

Then when he came back inthe second half, same story. Without White down there, Amare would have only had 10-11 boards.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Someone, somewhere along the line taught Jahidi to box out. I know he's got that huge body, but he also is very fundamentally sound in positioning himself for rebounds.

Amare and Shawn depend more on leaping ability and athleticism to get their boards.

The way Jahidi boards make everyone on our team better rebounders.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Didnt he go to Georgetown? If so, guaranteed that is where he got it

 

[Errntknght]

I heard the announcer say that Musselman was keeping Dampier on the bench to match up small with the Suns. But those guys are just guessing at what's going on in a coaches mind while the game is going on. I'd be more inclined to think that he pulled Dampier for a breather and kept him out because the lineup was gaining ground on the Suns. He could have even been thinking that FJ would counter with White who still had two fouls to give. How is he to know FJ wouldn't ever think of doing that?

Casey had his best game as Sun tonight, though I still haven't seen him defending particularly well. I did notice Claxton hanging him out to dry on one play down low... at least CJ didn't grab him and give a chance for a 3pt play. FJ is obviously of the opinion that his defense is wonderful but then we know Franks perceptions often have little to do with reality. His opinions can flip-flop in a hurry, too... remember last year when Casey was getting pretty steady minutes then that one dumb play by JJ where he flicked the ball to CJ at the last second for a miss of game winning shot - and CJ didn't get back in a game for three weeks.

I think it was a good win for the team... GS ain't a power but they're looking respectable. Richardson and Dunleavy are blossoming and I think trading Jamison was case of addition by subtraction. Even Dampier is finally doing something after years of disappointing them - well, I guess he was okay last year. They've got a very good PG duo in van Exel and Claxton. Foyle and Donahue being out is giving Cardinal a chance to show his stuff, and he was impressive tonight. Great sort to have to bring off the bench when the regulars come back. Heck, Cheaney is contributing significantly in most of their games. I'd guess Cliffy is going to sit a lot more when they're at full strength... he'll be the resident defensive specialist.

 

[Joe Mama]

I know I sound like a broken record, but I lose almost all respect for any coach that does not run a lot of zone defense against the Phoenix Suns. I'm not sure I ever saw the Warriors go to a zone last night. Had they played zone for just five minutes the Warriors probably would have won that game. They also did not go to Eric Dampier nearly enough. They had a serious advantage there, and they really did not take advantage of it.

Shawn Marion played just fine last night. If Joe Johnson is going to take 20 shots someone else is going to have to sacrifice. Last night that was Shawn Marion. He also scored some key baskets down the stretch when the Phoenix Suns needed them. I thought Marion had a nice game.

I just heard the guy on SportsCenter say the Phoenix Suns had lost three straight games before last night. Someone needs to slap him. While this team has not been really impressive so far they have not been really bad (except for the game against Utah). I know "if" and "could have" are generally words for losers, but the Suns suffered two of their three losses to the two best teams in the NBA in the final minute of each game. Remember that last season almost every game was close. If they had just eaked out a few victories from those close losses they might have been a sixth or seventh seed in the playoffs. On the other hand if they had lost a handful of those close victories they would have missed the playoffs altogether.


Even though the Phoenix Suns are one of the worst teams in the NBA as far as assistant game they are the second-best team in the lake so far that hanging onto the basketball. So far they are only averaging 12.2 turnovers per game. They may be shooting just 41% from the field, but they are averaging the fifth most shots attempts also.

Next up Atlanta. This is yet another team the Phoenix Suns cannot afford to overlook. They may have only one victory, but they have played everybody closely. Are there any easy games in the NBA anymore?

Joe Mama

 

[JCSunsfan]

Originally posted by Joe Mama

Even though the Phoenix Suns are one of the worst teams in the NBA as far as assistant game they are the second-best team in the lake so far that hanging onto the basketball. So far they are only averaging 12.2 turnovers per game. They may be shooting just 41% from the field, but they are averaging the fifth most shots attempts also.


Joe Mama [/B]

I wonder if one has something to do with the other. I know that if Amare had a alot of assists at this point, we'd also have alot more turnovers.

I think you had a situation last night where both coaches are reactionary types. They think of matchup up with the other team rather than creating matchup problems. Jahidi goes out, so Dampier goes out. Dampier never comes back in, so Jahidi never comes back in.

We need a blowout sooner or later, so I can watch Trybanski a little before they cut him.

 

[Joe Mama]

Don't count on Trybanski getting cut. He has over $3 million in guaranteed money coming to him for this season and next.

Joe Mama

 

[hcsilla]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
I know I sound like a broken record, but I lose almost all respect for any coach that does not run a lot of zone defense against the Phoenix Suns. I'm not sure I ever saw the Warriors go to a zone last night. Had they played zone for just five minutes the Warriors probably would have won that game. They also did not go to Eric Dampier nearly enough. They had a serious advantage there, and they really did not take advantage of it.

Shawn Marion played just fine last night. If Joe Johnson is going to take 20 shots someone else is going to have to sacrifice. Last night that was Shawn Marion. He also scored some key baskets down the stretch when the Phoenix Suns needed them. I thought Marion had a nice game.

I just heard the guy on SportsCenter say the Phoenix Suns had lost three straight games before last night. Someone needs to slap him. While this team has not been really impressive so far they have not been really bad (except for the game against Utah). I know "if" and "could have" are generally words for losers, but the Suns suffered two of their three losses to the two best teams in the NBA in the final minute of each game. Remember that last season almost every game was close. If they had just eaked out a few victories from those close losses they might have been a sixth or seventh seed in the playoffs. On the other hand if they had lost a handful of those close victories they would have missed the playoffs altogether.

Joe Mama

Good post.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
Don't count on Trybanski getting cut. He has over $3 million in guaranteed money coming to him for this season and next.

Joe Mama

I would prefer they did not cut him. I kind of like the idea of having a 7-2, somewhat athletic, shot-blocker on our roster. I would like it alot more if he played a minute or two here or there.

 

[SweetD]

Originally posted by JCSunsfan
I would prefer they did not cut him. I kind of like the idea of having a 7-2, somewhat athletic, shot-blocker on our roster. I would like it alot more if he played a minute or two here or there.

Not sure I would say he is a shot blocker. He reminds me more of Daniel Santago than a shot blocker. He can shoot a mid range jumper but not sure he is ready to come off the IR.