Notes from the game....

[da_suns_fan]

Couldn't believe the energy in the building last night. First of all there was about 30 tv cameras surrounding the Suns as they did their intros waiting for Shaqs name to be called.

Shaq has been added to the Suns video intro. He goes last and they show him walking through downtown a la Godzilla. The place went crazy when they showed this and I have to admit I got sucked in too (I was agains this Shaq trade).

They play a diesel horn everytime Shaq does something. Is it me or does it also sort of sound like King Kong?

During the national anthem, Laker fans felt the need to scream how much they loved their team or Kobe. I guess its not THAT surprising. Most Laker fans at our games are degenerates who jump onto bandwagon teams (I think they're all also cowboy fans).

In the first quarter, I felt like I was cheering a mentally handicapped kid. Just praying that Shaq would do something, ANYTHING good. He looked like a big oaf in the first quarter but the fans were cheering him like no other. It was reminiscent of when Amare came back from microfracture against Portland. Same type of vibe for a player.

As the game went on, Shaq just started playing better and better and he won me over. I kept looking at the boxscore up in the corners and couldn't believe how badly we were out-rebounding them. This is the SUNS we are talking about! The worst rebounding team in the history of the NBA! How in the world can one guy make such a dramatic difference?

In the second half, the Lakers were seriously scared of Oneal in the post. When he hit those two hooks shots the place was just going crazy and I thought "HEY, this guy is pretty good!"

Tough losing the game. The Lakers just hit all of their outside shots, but I was still impressed with how we played. Chances are it will be easier to stop the Lakers from scoring 130 than it will be to stop the Suns from scoring 124. I have no doubt the Suns can be even more offensively efficient, but is it possible the Lakers can play a better offensive game than they played last night? Judging by all the jump shots Kobe, Odom and even RONNY TURIAF hit, Im guessing not.

 

[DeAnna]

Yep, the place was pretty wild - like a playoff atmosphere.

When Shaq went to midcourt to say hello to Derek Fisher, ALL the cameras were on them. Faker fans were obnoxious (as usual).

Some of you stat geeks will love the fact we outrebounded them, but, bottom line is we still lost. I kept hoping they would sit Shaq the last 5 minutes so the Suns could go on a run.

ChickenFace (aka Paul Gasol) was killing us in the paint. Apparently, no one could defend him .

By contrast, ChickenFace was guarding Shaq most of the time in the 2nd half. This is one matchup Shaq should've DOMINATED (even I know he's not a good defender).

All in all, I was not that impressed with Shaq. Yeah, he did some good things but interior defense is still a problem.

I am willing to give them some time and see how the players adjust.

 

[DevilPrideBAS]

I was very pleased with Shaq in his first game hes played in months. He was real rusty early on, but i liked what I saw during the 4th quarter. It was immediately clear the difference Shaq will make on both ends of the court, simply because he is a monster. Sure he was not dominant last night, but he hasnt played in a game since december. That is expected. But i will take his stat line for his first game back. Once he gets back into the game flow, it will be scary what they can do.

If Kobe shoots like he did last night, there is nobody in the league that can beat them. Like you said even Turiaf was knockin down jumpers. You know theres nothing you can do, when Turiaf is hitting jumpshots. I am still not worried about the lakers---the suns had a damn good chance to win in shaq's first game in months. Its gonna be an exciting 2nd half of the season. Go Suns

 

[WuRaider]

In the first quarter, I felt like I was cheering a mentally handicapped kid. Just praying that Shaq would do something, ANYTHING good. He looked like a big oaf in the first quarter but the fans were cheering him like no other.

felt the same

 

[carrrnuttt]

Yep, the place was pretty wild - like a playoff atmosphere.

When Shaq went to midcourt to say hello to Derek Fisher, ALL the cameras were on them. Faker fans were obnoxious (as usual).

Some of you stat geeks will love the fact we outrebounded them, but, bottom line is we still lost. I kept hoping they would sit Shaq the last 5 minutes so the Suns could go on a run.

ChickenFace (aka Paul Gasol) was killing us in the paint. Apparently, no one could defend him .

By contrast, ChickenFace was guarding Shaq most of the time in the 2nd half. This is one matchup Shaq should've DOMINATED (even I know he's not a good defender).

All in all, I was not that impressed with Shaq. Yeah, he did some good things but interior defense is still a problem.

I am willing to give them some time and see how the players adjust.

You better check your glass of Kool-Aid. Someone's been pouring vinegar in it.

 

[DeAnna]

You better check your glass of Kool-Aid. Someone's been pouring vinegar in it.

Yeah, ever since Matrix left. I blame Shaq.

 

[BeeBeard]

Yeah, ever since Matrix left. I blame Shaq.

It's a good thing that this moment is frozen in time, and that Shaq will never, ever, ever get more comfortable playing in the Suns system from here on, nor the other players with him. Ever. In fact, we should all just assume that we'll be chasing Portland for an 8th seed in the playoffs from here on out.

 

[DeAnna]

Oh, I've already said I'm willing to give them some time.

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/showpost.php?p=1629259&postcount=2

Just didn't impress me that much last night.

 

[D-Dogg]

Chances are it will be easier to stop the Lakers from scoring 130 than it will be to stop the Suns from scoring 124..

With Bynum, the Lakers defense is far better. Rebounding will balance out as well. You aren't going to score at will against the Lakers with Bynum and Ariza.

Judging by all the jump shots Kobe, Odom and even RONNY TURIAF hit, Im guessing not

Lamar missed a lot of layups, too.

And Ronny makes that shot all the time...he's money from out there. That wasn't anything surprising.




The Shaqzilla intro was flat-out amazing, as well as the shot of Nash, Shaq and Amare and Nash throws the ball into the camera. That was a fantastic intro, and I even got hyped up by it and I'm not even a Suns fan...the people in the building must have lost their freaking minds.

 

[BeeBeard]

Oh, I've already said I'm willing to give them some time.

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/showpost.php?p=1629259&postcount=2

Just didn't impress me that much last night.

Oh I know, it's no comment on you or anything, just a knock on the media who are now eager to dismiss the Suns outright because of the result of one game. "That's it. It's over. Pack it up."

I thought Phoenix was a much better team with Shaq on the floor, particularly in the second half when the big fella started to develop a comfort level and find a rhythm on the offensive end.

And in terms of future matchups with the Lakers, I'm encouraged because there is plenty of room for the Suns to gel as a team.

 

[abomb]

The Shaqzilla intro was flat-out amazing, as well as the shot of Nash, Shaq and Amare and Nash throws the ball into the camera. That was a fantastic intro, and I even got hyped up by it and I'm not even a Suns fan...the people in the building must have lost their freaking minds.

I felt the same way. I smiled and said "Wow, that was well done."

 

[DeAnna]

I saw Bertrand Berry was at the game with Donovan McNabb. I just heard the Cards re-signed Berry; no wonder he was in town!

 

[D-Dogg]

I felt the same way. I smiled and said "Wow, that was well done."

When he yelled in the video, it was the first time I really missed him. True story. That was simply bad ass.

 

[KOBEnPAU]

I Really Dont Understand Why, Everysingle Phnx Suns Fan Think, That Ever Laker Fan Is A Bandwagon.
No Dissrespect But. Im A Laker For Life I Grew Up Watching The Lakers. I Bleed Purple And Gold.
Its Ok To Hate Kobe Bryant, But You Have To Respect Him.
And If You Havnt Heard Espn Or In The News??
Kobe Bryant The Best Player In The Nba.
Much Respect For The Phnx Suns.

 

[WuRaider]

The Shaqzilla intro was flat-out amazing, as well as the shot of Nash, Shaq and Amare and Nash throws the ball into the camera. That was a fantastic intro, and I even got hyped up by it and I'm not even a Suns fan...the people in the building must have lost their freaking minds.

That was a nice ending. Nash-Amare-Hill-Shaq-Bell all walking together....wait Bell??. Something doesn't belong, get that scrub out of here, we need a star SG to make the intro even better!

 

[Suns_fan69]

That was a nice ending. Nash-Amare-Hill-Shaq-Bell all walking together....wait Bell??. Something doesn't belong, get that scrub out of here, we need a star SG to make the intro even better!

Is that intro online anywhere?

 

[D-Dogg]

Is that intro online anywhere?

If it isn't on the Suns site, it should be. I'd love to watch it again.

 

[Suns_fan69]

Found it on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3n93pV9wHk

 

[da_suns_fan]

I Really Dont Understand Why, Everysingle Phnx Suns Fan Think, That Ever Laker Fan Is A Bandwagon.
No Dissrespect But. Im A Laker For Life I Grew Up Watching The Lakers. I Bleed Purple And Gold.
Its Ok To Hate Kobe Bryant, But You Have To Respect Him.
And If You Havnt Heard Espn Or In The News??
Kobe Bryant The Best Player In The Nba.
Much Respect For The Phnx Suns.

Why do you have to respect Kobe Bryant? I don't respect anyone who's phony. I don't respect his game, he's proven he cares much more about scoring than winning.

Phil Jackson doesn't respect Kobe (read "The Last Season"). Why should I?

If you are a life long Laker fan, than I can respect THAT. But there's no denying the bulk of Laker fans in Phoenix are the stereotypical bandwagon fans.

And your fan base just fell a few notches during the national anthem.

I couldn't even believe it. A bunch of punk kids want to acknowlege each other by screaming "go lakers". Laker fans are uneducated, short, cholos for the most part.

 

[D-Dogg]

I don't respect his game, he's proven he cares much more about scoring than winning.

 

[jbeecham]

I Really Dont Understand Why, Everysingle Phnx Suns Fan Think, That Ever Laker Fan Is A Bandwagon.
No Dissrespect But. Im A Laker For Life I Grew Up Watching The Lakers. I Bleed Purple And Gold.
Its Ok To Hate Kobe Bryant, But You Have To Respect Him.
And If You Havnt Heard Espn Or In The News??
Kobe Bryant The Best Player In The Nba.
Much Respect For The Phnx Suns.

I really don't understand why you can't type in complete sentences, use proper punctuation or why you're capitalizing every word..... Your making the Laker nation proud with this post.

 

[Suns_fan69]

I've got loads of respect for Kobe the player. He's on a whole other level compared to the rest of the league save LBJ.

Kobe the person on the other hand I detest with a great passion.

 

[da_suns_fan]

Eyeroll?

Is this not true? Don't tell me! Tell Phil Jackson!

 

[Louis]

So DSF just about hit all the cliches.

Not many players in the NBA care more about winning than Black Mamba.

Read about his problems with Shaq. A lot of them were because of Shaq's lazy attitude and penchant for mailing in his performance until the latter half of the season and the POs. Not to mention getting surgery/rehab on Laker time.

 

[da_suns_fan]

Please, Kobe is and always will be just a poor-man's Michael Jordan. All the talent but too much of a head case to be a leader.

Call me when he wins a playoff series without Shaq. Its been three years.