Mavs at Suns 8:30 TNT

[Bufalay]

Maybe the chemistry issues involved Marion calling Boris names in the locker-room.
"Doris?....knowhatimsayin.....you a puss....yaknowhatimsayinman...yougotootshootheballknowhatimean?.......it's like.....youknow....dosomethin'.....shoot...i meancomeon.....youknowhati'sayin?

I think it's more like: "you better pass me the ball when im behind the line in the corner, no matter how open you are, or I'll kill you"

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Kerr could try to bring in another perimeter defender to help Bell stop guys like that, but the best ones (James Posey, Bruce Bowen, Eddie Jones, etc.) are sort of already taken. It was suggested in TNT commentary in last night's game that the Suns needed another SF behind Hill--and preferably a lockdown defender and garbage man rather than another scorer. What do you think of that?

Uhh yeah. I'm in total agreeance.

I can guaran-damn-tee you that the 13th player, whether by trade or FA will be a player in that mold.

I would love to trade for Mikeal Pietrus. Him and his french buddy Boris could go tear up Scottsdale as world champs this summer

 

[Mainstreet]

Uhh yeah. I'm in total agreeance.

I can guaran-damn-tee you that the 13th player, whether by trade or FA will be a player in that mold.

I would love to trade for Mikeal Pietrus. Him and his french buddy Boris could go tear up Scottsdale as world champs this summer

Maybe this is totally right but I don't think the Suns would hesitate if Giricek became available.

 

[nowagimp]

Maybe the Suns just wanted to keep the game more uptempo as much as possible, however, I did think it strange Skinner did not get any minutes while Dampier was in the game. What a nice game by Diaw.

skinner had the flu.

 

[Budden]

I also think that was one of Amare's worst games of the season. He was catching the ball like a 6'10 power forward. He also only had 3 rebounds!

Of course, I'm being a little sarcastic, because he had 26 points and shot 62.5% (10-16) from the field. However, I think it's a good sign that without Shaq (or, without Marion), the team can be successful without Amare being truly dominant - as he has been since December.

 

[nowagimp]

In fairness, I don't think the rest of the league has answers to the likes of Chris Paul or Baron Davis. But Monta Ellis and Jason Terry are just streak scorers. The former came into the league barely able to jump, worked on it, and now has Olympic-class hops (40+ inch vertical). It's turned him into a great finisher, but I would still expect him to disappear when the Warriors need him most, just like he did in last year's playoffs (averaging a paltry 8.0 ppg). The same "invisible man" issue applies to Terry, who tends to miss big shots in the playoffs more often than not (28% from 3 point land during last year's playoffs). So don't worry about those two...yet.

Kerr could try to bring in another perimeter defender to help Bell stop guys like that, but the best ones (James Posey, Bruce Bowen, Eddie Jones, etc.) are sort of already taken. It was suggested in TNT commentary in last night's game that the Suns needed another SF behind Hill--and preferably a lockdown defender and garbage man rather than another scorer. What do you think of that?

the way to deal with Terry or ellis is to get physical, make them make some foul shots after some hard fouls. This is not the suns style of course, but the idea is to make them think when they jump over the defense. A long quick defender works on terry especially if he's physical. Ellis is in another category, a trememdous athlete with great skills. Ellis relies on hops alot, a few hard fouls will slow him down. Ellis is so fast that it would require more of a team effort to do this. Hard fouls wont help with Davis, and chris paul doesnt commit to giving up the dribble, so its hard to know when he will shoot so you can foul him. With Davis and Paul you try to make them shoot, keep their teammates from getting too many touches, opportunities.

As bruce bowen would tell you, the threat of injury makes guys miss a lot of shots in the NBA. Sub them once or twice and they will be looking for the next one every time they drive the lane. The new allowances for defenders on taking the charge have only made it worse. This is an ugly part of the game that I wish wasnt tolerated, but it is what it is.