Not out of the woods yet!

[seattle_sunsfan]

I have to assume Houston will beat Memphis and Denver. So it's up to the Suns to beat one of these three:

SA
@Port
@Seattle

If the Suns can play with the intensity they have lately, they should beat at least one of these teams. But SA is probably playing the best basketball of anyone and Portland and Seattle will be playing at home and are both tough teams. Damn the schedulers who give us such a tough season-ending schedule!

And it seems Houston has had it comparatively easy of late.
GO SUNS!

 

[Joe Mama]

I assume the Rockets will beat the Nuggets, but by no means what I say their game against the grizzlies is an automatic W. still, I agree that the Suns really need to just take care business themselves. They need to keep up their winning ways heading into the playoffs to maintain confidence.

Joe Mama

 

[jbeecham]

Earlier this season, San Antonio came into town sporting a 6 or 7 game win streak and they got beat by the Suns. It'll happen again tonight.

 

[arthurracoon]

I'm worried.

Everyone belives(including me) that the suns are a shoo-in for the eigth spot.

The magic number is still 1. It is NOT 0. (yet)

It would be nice to clinch at home and not have to play our starters many minutes. It would give BIG Jake a chance to get in shape and allow JJ to be a #1 offensive option.

 

[capologist]

Originally posted by arthurracoon
I'm worried.

Everyone belives(including me) that the suns are a shoo-in for the eigth spot.

The magic number is still 1. It is NOT 0. (yet)

I'm not worried.

I believe that we're good enough to compete in the playoffs, and that we're good enough to clinch.

However, if we're not good enough to win one of these last three games, then we're not good enough to belong in the playoffs -- and if we're not good enough to be competitive there, then maybe we're better off not being there.

 

[Goldfield]

Originally posted by capologist
I'm not worried.

I believe that we're good enough to compete in the playoffs, and that we're good enough to clinch.

However, if we're not good enough to win one of these last three games, then we're not good enough to belong in the playoffs -- and if we're not good enough to be competitive there, then maybe we're better off not being there.

Thats how I see it, either bust down the door or get the %$@& off the door step!

 

[BC867]

Three teams fought for the final Western playoff spot . . . and the Suns won it.

Good job!

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by BC867
Three teams fought for the final Western playoff spot . . . and the Suns won it.

Good job!

Did you notice that it was the small lineup that carried the Phoenix Suns tonight? In fact that small lineup has worked quite well lately.

Joe

 

[elindholm]

Did you notice that it was the small lineup that carried the Phoenix Suns tonight?

Your move, BC867.

 

[BC867]

Originally posted by elindholm
Did you notice that it was the small lineup that carried the Phoenix Suns tonight?

Your move, BC867.

'Sorry, elindholm, but I still believe that you put the best player AT EACH POSITION on the floor during playoff basketball for best success . . . rather than the best players REGARDLESS OF POSITION.

I'll be pulling for the Suns, as usual. But if we play small . . . well, we'll see what happens! We've beaten the Spurs 3 out of 4 and lost that one in OT.

A good opportunity for the Suns to advance.

 

[Goldfield]

whats different about OUR small ball now rather than a few years ago is that we have TALL small guys now...

JJ is what 6'8" ?

Penny 6'7" ?

Marion 6'7"

That isnt SUPER small, but they are very mobile and active and good ball handeling unlike when u have a big lineup out there.

I would like us to play Big Jake more, but our NEW small ball isnt bad at all!


Its alot better than Delk, & Rodgers out there...

 

[elindholm]

Well, just for the record, I think asking Marion to guard Duncan at PF -- which is what happened several times during last night's game -- is a joke, no matter how quickly a double comes. Somehow the Suns got away with it last night, but I don't expect it to hold up in a seven-game series.

 

[NDSunsfan]

I don't think the Suns have anyone that can match up defensively against Duncan, so instead of sacrificing someone, FJ put his best players on the floor and took his chances, with the hope of making up for it on the offensive end. I agree that it probably won't work as good every game as it did last night, but the Suns had more offensive options with the group they had on the floor last night than putting someone out there specifically to 'd' up on Duncan. JJ, Penny, Marbury, Marion, Amare is a pretty tough match up for any team to play defense against. And defensively, they run at the ball, close out on the shooters and play the passing lanes better than any other Sun (other than Bo and maybe Little Jake).

I do think this brand of small ball is far more preferred over previous versions.

I like the speed match-ups better than size match ups.

Brad

 

[SirStefan32]

Originally posted by BC867
'Sorry, elindholm, but I still believe that you put the best player AT EACH POSITION on the floor during playoff basketball for best success . . . rather than the best players REGARDLESS OF POSITION.

I am one of the people who agree with you, BC.
I think that line -ups ought top consist of a point guard, a couple of swingmen, and a legitimate power forward/ center duo.

Small ball works for short periods of time, untill the opposing team figures out how to take advantage of it. Some teams struggle against smaller lineups, and one can argue that San Antonio is one of those teams.

I still think that the Suns have to have a legitimate center (Tsakalidis, Voskhul or Williams) in the game at all times, accompanied by either, Stoudemire, Googliota or Outlaw on 4. In some situations I would like to see Williams on 4 as well.

 

[BC867]

It's now April 27th

Originally posted by elindholm
Did you notice that it was the small lineup that carried the Phoenix Suns tonight?

Your move, BC867.

Last night, Tim Duncan had more rebounds than the entire Suns starting lineup. And Big Jake dnp!

The Spurs took back 1st Round home court advantage . . . in Phoenix.

I haven't changed my long-standing opinion that, as a primary approach, small-ball does not work in the post-season. 'Never has! And here we go again!

I know that making the Playoffs was a good accomplishment this year. But, now that we're here, do we have to give away the chance to do better?

 

[JS22]

Frank doesnt know how to coach. Isnt it that simple? He is a good CHEMISTRY guy (from quotes that I have read.) but thats about it.