Official Round 1, Game #3 Thread.

[Cheesebeef]

if anyone says a word about the officials tonight I will throw up. The next time Shawn Marion plays well in a big game, will be the first. He is the trade bait for the final piece of this team - mark my words.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Originally posted by cheesebeef
I can't wait for this freaking game!!!!! Although I am rather disgusted by the fact that as of today almost 2000 tickets remianed to be sold - that sucks - it just plain out sucks. We fans on this board and our players deserve better - as for the rest of the city - you are nothing but a bunch of

[cheesebeef, cut out the vulgar references. I'm getting really tired of them. Exhibit some decorum.]

Skorpp- I must really rub you the wrong way, because I never see people called out for worst stuff than I do - and it's plenty - but whatever - it's your site and you decide what goes and doesn't . . .

 

[elindholm]

Well, I wasn't able to watch the game, but the box score looks ugly. The Spurs do have excellent team defense, and it may be that the Suns' offensive weapons just aren't enough. It looks like the Suns defended pretty well overall, but couldn't rebound and couldn't score.

Let's see whether Johnson can make some offensive adjustments. The team has to score at least 90 to have a chance.

 

[cheng]

Originally posted by Errntknght
Playoff series are about adjusting to the other team and the Spurs have adjusted to the Suns strategy - they're using Claxton to slow down Marbs, Bowen is staying home on Marion and Duncan is keeping Amare in check. They're also looking for Rose in the post. If the Suns don't make some adjustments I can't see them winning the series - and, sadly, the only adjustments FJ knows are more small ball and more double teaming. Frankly, IMO, small is only working because the Spurs perimeter shooters are passing up and hesitating on the wide open shots we are giving them. Once they stop, and I expect them to, all they have to do is shoot a normal percentage and they'll run away from us.
I also expect them to improve on their handling of the situations where our big men are jumping out on their guards - which isn't even a good plan against anyone but Parker. Just because FJ and Skiles before him never had an answer for other teams doing that to Marbury doesn't mean it can't be done. It's not critical to the Spurs to handle it better but if they do it's another advantage they'll have.
It's not so clear what the Suns can do - it's too late to fix the offense and San Antonio has adapted to our playground style - even in game 1 it wasn't as effective as during the regular season against them. Maybe Penny and JJ could post up their guards more... oh I forgot JJ is playing PF these days. It can't hurt to vary our strategy some - like having Big Jake play TD straight up some of the time. I do think Frank should tell Amare to keep taking it to the rim against Duncan - refs are more likely to start calling Tim for fouls if Amare keeps forcing the action. In fact, it's only way to get them to start 'seeing' it differently - that's just a fact of life in the NBA for a rookie against a premier player.

Exactly as you described for Game 3. No adjustments from Frank Johnson, more small ball and more double team resulted more layups, wide open looks and got dominated in the paint.

I was surprised the Spurs guards shot so bad when given wide open looks in Game 1 & 2, now they finally look like a team with the best record in the NBA. We should be 0-3 had Marbury not hit that running 3 pointer.

 

[Cheesebeef]

we will win game 4.

 

[Wally]

Originally posted by cheesebeef
we will win game 4.

That would be a nice surprise, but unless adjustments are made, I doubt it. Spurs used 9 players mixed throughout the game - we used seven with token minuets to Outlaw and desperation minuets for Jacobsen. At least some of our players are getting playoff experience. I imagine big Jake will be gone next year, which I think is sad... I'd rather keep him and trade FJ for a big guy coach……Have I mentioned how much I dislike constant small-ball. FJ thinks Amare is our answer for a big man and doesn’t understand the difference between a PF and C.

 

[elindholm]

FJ thinks Amare is our answer for a big man and doesn’t understand the difference between a PF and C.

Of course he does. A PF is someone like Dan Majerle or Shawn Marion. He wouldn't put those players at center. What do you think he is, stupid?

 

[JS22]

Just got home.

I want my money back.

 

[JS22]

I was SCREAMING for Big Jake to come in and guard duncan. ITS SIMPLE. JAKE GUARDS TIM. THE SUNS CAN ACTUALLY PLAY REAL DEFENSE. NO MORE WIDE OPEN SHOTS FOR SA.

 

[cheng]

Game 4 is now must win.

Duncan didn't even look to shoot tonight, only 6 field goal attempts. He just had to find the open man and concentrate on defense and rebound, that's too easy for him.

I think we should shut down their guards and not let them get into comfort zone early by not double teaming Duncan through first 3 quarters, then start double team hard on Duncan in the 4th.

Frank Johnson should've made this adjustment after 1st quarter or at least during the half time.

JJ went 1-11, I guess Outlaw would do better than that while providing more energy.

 

[Joe Mama]

Everybody keeps talking about how the Phoenix Suns defense broke down. Hogwash. The defense is almost exactly the same. The difference is that the San Antonio Spurs other players made their shots in this game. It's strange that they shot so much better on the road.

Joe Mama

 

[jbeecham]

I feel like I was just at the Lakers-Wolves game except the team getting screwed didn't win. Sure the Suns weren't hitting shots or free throws. Sure their double teaming left people wide open. Still a lot of this loss had to do with horrible officiating. The Spurs got tons of rebounds over the back. They were allowed to hack and foul on almost every play. The Suns were over the team foul limit 2-4 minutes into what seemed like every qtr. Duncan had over 25 fouls tonight and had only 2-3 while the game was still possibly within reach and then after it was out of reach the refs started making calls against him to make it seem like they called the game fairly all along.

I'm not saying that the Suns played well enough to win, I am saying that the refs took the Suns out of the game, they took the fans out of the game, and they handed the Spurs the game.

 

[Chaplin]

To make matters worse, Tony Parker walks ALL the time. I couldn't believe that the refs wouldn't call it. There was an instance in the 1st quarter that was absolutelyl ridiculous. If Parker doesn't pass the ball right away, watch his feet. He drags them all over the place--he has NO pivot.

 

[cheng]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
The defense is almost exactly the same. The difference is that the San Antonio Spurs other players made their shots in this game. It's strange that they shot so much better on the road.

Joe Mama

Errntknght explained why even before tonight's game.

"the only adjustments FJ knows are more small ball and more double teaming. Frankly, IMO, small is only working because the Spurs perimeter shooters are passing up and hesitating on the wide open shots we are giving them. Once they stop, and I expect them to, all they have to do is shoot a normal percentage and they'll run away from us."

This's what exactly happened tonight.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Originally posted by cheesebeef
if anyone says a word about the officials tonight I will throw up. The next time Shawn Marion plays well in a big game, will be the first. He is the trade bait for the final piece of this team - mark my words.

Dude, I was saying the same game. What is it with Shawn anyway. I'm starting to think that we need something different from the small forward spot. Shawn just seems like he loses his confidence in big games and gets real nervous.
Hopefully it will change, and it's just me being all doom and gloom, but I can usually tell when it's over.

The Suns, imo won't win another game in this series. We can look at this year as phase one of putting together a title team. That would probably be hard to do with a small forward that has crazy athleticism, but takes too many jump shots and tends to play poorly in big games.

 

[elindholm]

Didn't Marion have some very big games just a few weeks ago, when the Suns were securing this playoff spot? Those were crucial games, and he stepped up just fine. It seems to me that he has been streaky all year, and that just hasn't changed yet. Maybe he'll always be streaky, or maybe he'll find more consistency as he matures. But to throw him off the team for two bad playoff games seems rash.

 

[JJ Slim]

Originally posted by elindholm
Good luck Suns! I can't watch the game because of a work conflict. I'll be hoping for the best.

Well if it's any consolation, I got called to work too and just got finished so I missed the whole game. I haven't had a chance to read any recaps yet but it doesn't sound like I missed much.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by elindholm
Didn't Marion have some very big games just a few weeks ago, when the Suns were securing this playoff spot? Those were crucial games, and he stepped up just fine. It seems to me that he has been streaky all year, and that just hasn't changed yet. Maybe he'll always be streaky, or maybe he'll find more consistency as he matures. But to throw him off the team for two bad playoff games seems rash.

It's not like Bruce Bowen is a good defender or anything also...

I agree with you Eric. Let's look at the circumstances...

1) He's guarded by one of the best defenders in the league.

2) When playing the notorious Phx Small Ball, he guards Tim Duncan.

We can all bitch and moan all we want, but to expect Shawn to put up 25 points while having to deal with the above two things is not only wishful thinking but unrealistic.

 

[hcsilla]

Originally posted by elindholm
FJ thinks Amare is our answer for a big man and doesn’t understand the difference between a PF and C.

Of course he does. A PF is someone like Dan Majerle or Shawn Marion. He wouldn't put those players at center. What do you think he is, stupid?

lol

 

[hcsilla]

Originally posted by elindholm
Didn't Marion have some very big games just a few weeks ago, when the Suns were securing this playoff spot? Those were crucial games, and he stepped up just fine. It seems to me that he has been streaky all year, and that just hasn't changed yet. Maybe he'll always be streaky, or maybe he'll find more consistency as he matures. But to throw him off the team for two bad playoff games seems rash.

Again,I completely agree.

Why does the half of Suns fans bash Marion when he has two bad games in a row?
Wasn't our demand from Marion at the start of this season to become a better and more dangerous 3P-shooter?
And he DID it.He INDEED became a real weapon from beyond the arc.

Even Peja Stojakovic wasn't a better 3P-shooter this season than Marion.
I proposed a trade in August where Suns would have traded Marion for Stojakovic.
One of the goals of that proposal was that Suns needed a good 3P-shooter.
And right now Suns have this good 3P-shooter.Of course without trading of Marion.

Shawn Marion a 25-year old All-Star SF who is the second of option of his team.
He improved every season.Also this one.

I simply don't understand what would he still have to do for getting of some credit finally.

 

[Billythekid]

Why are we double teaming Tim Duncan everytime??

We didn't play him like that in the games during the season, so why start doing it now. I understand doubling sometimes, maybe often, but our defense becomes predictable. It's a matter of them getting in good position when the double occurs and it's an open jumper. San Antonio are well schooled so it's not rocket science to swing the ball to the open man, because the switches aren't always going to work.

Whatever beef Frankie has with Big jake he should get over it. Give the guy a chance. I'd rather get him out there and see it fail and know, yes, he should stay on the bench, rather then have a 7'2 monster scratching his ass on the bench and us wondering what if Big Jake was in there to gaurd TD?? Give him a gO!!!!

 

[JS22]

my thoughts exactly billy.

If ANYONE can guard Duncan on this team it would probably be Jake. But oh no, we constantly see Marbury / Marion on him. Wow, effective there.

Lets not ignore the fact that this is the THIRD DAMN GAME IN A ROW WHERE FRANK HAS COME OUT WITH THE *EXACT* SAME GAME PLAN.

Im 20, and have obviously never coached but even I know exactly what Frank is going to do...come on..

 

[Chris_Sanders]

FJ

Looks like FJ=F'n Joke is back.

The guy makes zero adjustments during the game. I can't believe he hasn't even tried Tskalidis for one minute this series.

Wake up Frank, what you did tonight flat didn't work.

Chris and others, let's try and clean up the language please. Thanks

 

[Chris_Sanders]

However,

Ultimately the Suns lost because of this:

Penny Hardaway 3-10
Joe Johnson 1-11


4-21 from the field from two players who each played over 30 minutes.

I really do blame Frank. Going small when guys aren't shooting is stupid. It takes away the advantage that small ball has (clearing the lane for Marbury) and puts us in the hole for rebounding and shot blocking.

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by Chaplin
To make matters worse, Tony Parker walks ALL the time. I couldn't believe that the refs wouldn't call it. There was an instance in the 1st quarter that was absolutelyl ridiculous. If Parker doesn't pass the ball right away, watch his feet. He drags them all over the place--he has NO pivot.

Tony Parker and Malik Rose did get away with a lot of traveling last night, but Marbury does it all the time also. Tim Duncan should have been in foul trouble much earlier. He set a clearly illegal pick on Marbury when Marbury's elbow got hurt. He was also all over people's backs on rebounds.

That said, I thought the officiating was pretty even. There were several calls and no calls that went against San Antonio which were questionable. I complained about some of the calls while the game was happening, but looking back I certainly wouldn't complain about the overall officiating.

The Suns got their butts kicked because:

1. The Suns did not shoot well from outside and San Antonio went to that dreaded zone defense for much of the game. Any decent coach should be constantly throwing zones that the Phoenix Suns. They have shown an inability to handle it all year long.

2. The Suns double teaming defense was not working at all because San Antonio's other players were making their outside shots. Frank Johnson and the coaching staff failed to make any adjustments. At some point they are going to have to play some man-to-man defense.

I really cannot understand how as a coach you can leave Big Jake on the bench for the entire series. When you are down by 19 points in the fourth quarter why not try him for just a few minutes? FJ seems incapable of adjustments.

Joe Mama