Phoenix @ Atlanta - Game thread - Sun Feb 25, 2007 - 4:00 pm

[Covert Rain]

Who is this passing guy named Amare? Wow. Amare was dominating in almost every way in this game. Those 2 dunks were NASTY!!!!

If Amare continues to look for his teammates then that opens up a entire new dimension in Amare's game. That makes the Suns that much harder to cover on offense. Amare's passing the last couple of games has been great.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

and what happened to marion's much vaunted defense? i assume he's now getting schooled by jj (the five fouls).

Perhaps you missed the fact that Joe Johnson shot 36% from the field with Marion doing most of the guarding.

Oh but you didn't watch the game did you?

 

[jbeecham]

Did you guys miss Marion's 3 blocks at the end of the last game to help preserve the lead? Also Joe Johnson had a pretty poor game tonight and Marion guarded him 50% of the time.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

In fact, when Marion picked up his 4th and 5th fouls, at that time Johnson was 6 of 18 for 33%.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Did you guys miss Marion's 3 blocks at the end of the last game to help preserve the lead? Also Joe Johnson had a pretty poor game tonight and Marion guarded him 50% of the time.

He lives in LA. My guess is he didn't watch the game and is looking at the box score.

 

[Covert Rain]

Perhaps you missed the fact that Joe Johnson shot 36% from the field with Marion doing most of the guarding.

Oh but you didn't watch the game did you?

Don't forget the blocks at the end of the game. I am sure the Marion bashers won't remember those things.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

It was awesome to see Amare dominating as he should. The Hawks went midget sized and he did exactly what he should do when they brought the double team.

The Hawks reminded me of us without Amare.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I laughed at the Anthony Johnson deal when the Hawks made it but it looks solid after this game. I have even less faith in a high draft pick with Miami's injury and the Hawks looking fairly strong recently.

 

[Folster]

Is it too late to switch out Diaw for Smith. I wonder if the Suns could have gotten him instead. I would have let them keep the Lakers pick if they would have included Smith instead of Diaw. It just seems like Diaw is missing that edge. On the other had that's what was Joe Johnson's big downfall.

All that being said, I think Diaw might be the one traded this offseason not, Marion. What do you guys think?

 

[elindholm]

All that being said, I think Diaw might be the one traded this offseason not, Marion. What do you guys think?

Interesting speculation. My guess is that Marion's trade value is higher, but it may not be much higher. Diaw's contract goes on longer and is more affordable, and he's a lot younger, of course. So if a team actually wants either player, Diaw may be the better choice.

However, as others have correctly pointed out, a lot of teams will be skeptical about whether Diaw's skills can translate to other systems. That this is Diaw's fourth year in the league and he's had only one good season. Any team that acquires him in a trade is facing a big risk. With Marion, the only risk is that he'll be slightly overpaid and whine constantly, and everyone already knows that those problems can be overcome.

Marion and Diaw for Garnett and Troy Hudson?

 

[cly2tw]

Is it too late to switch out Diaw for Smith. I wonder if the Suns could have gotten him instead. I would have let them keep the Lakers pick if they would have included Smith instead of Diaw. It just seems like Diaw is missing that edge. On the other had that's what was Joe Johnson's big downfall.

All that being said, I think Diaw might be the one traded this offseason not, Marion. What do you guys think?

If playoffs were the only thing that counts, then I'd like to keep Diaw over Marion. Marion has never stepped up to even half of Diaw's level of last year playoff play.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Marion and Diaw for Garnett and Troy Hudson?

In a heartbeat which means probably no =)

 

[Folster]

Marion and Diaw for Garnett and Troy Hudson?

I was thinking more of a Diaw and the Atl pick to move up and get the player that we want in the draft. Obviously it would have to be a team with some cap space like Charlotte.

If playoffs were the only thing that counts, then I'd like to keep Diaw over Marion. Marion has never stepped up to even half of Diaw's level of last year playoff play.

I agree. Playoff performance is going to be the deciding factor in who is traded. Diaw has been just so disappointing this year.

 

[Treesquid PhD]

I was thinking more of a Diaw and the Atl pick to move up and get the player that we want in the draft. Obviously it would have to be a team with some cap space like Charlotte.



I agree. Playoff performance is going to be the deciding factor in who is traded. Diaw has been just so disappointing this year.

In the broad sceme of things, trading somone soley for their playoff performance or lack there of is almost as bad as changing your mind on a player after one game against the Suns.

 

[devilalum]

and what happened to marion's much vaunted defense? i assume he's now getting schooled by jj (the five fouls).

JJ was 9-25?

 

[cly2tw]

I was thinking more of a Diaw and the Atl pick to move up and get the player that we want in the draft. Obviously it would have to be a team with some cap space like Charlotte.



I agree. Playoff performance is going to be the deciding factor in who is traded. Diaw has been just so disappointing this year.

True. But the circumstances this season have not been good for Diaw too. He was playing the tournament late into August, came to camp overweight, had to adjust to Amare's comeback, and injured lately. But he stepped up his play last playoffs from regular season, I'm confident once healthy he'll step up his year too, though not to the stats of last year. He is a really smart player and knows how to help the team.

 

[Mainstreet]

Anybody but me worry about the Suns just running a three guard rotation (Nash, LB and Bell). There is no doubt it is effective but I worry about fatigue and injury. I now worry more about the Suns thin back court more than their frontline these days.

 

[msdundee]

Okay, I get it now. I don't know the advance schedule, which is why I had no idea what your point was.

But: Blizzards are pretty common. NBA games getting snowed out is extremely rare. I wouldn't worry about it yet.

I wasn't concerned about game cancellations. Having suffered through a dozen Chicago winters, I know a foot of snow's enough to shut down O'Hare or at least mess it up with some serious delays. Suns will have to get to the airport and fly out after the game Tuesday with a max of 15 hours to get from Point A to Point B, make it to the arena, suit up and play.

Everybody needs a hobby. I worry.

 

[msdundee]

Anybody but me worry about the Suns just running a three guard rotation (Nash, LB and Bell). There is no doubt it is effective but I worry about fatigue and injury. I now worry more about the Suns thin back court more than their frontline these days.

We have the same hobby!

 

[Mainstreet]

We have the same hobby!

Agreed.

I've always found that if you plan for the worse case scenario, you are prepared for the worst and can only be be pleasantly surprised if thing go well. I understand your concern about the weather after the Suns got snowed in at Denver, however, I'm just hoping the odds of this happening again in the same season is remote.

 

[Bufalay]

Throughout the season I have seen 5 different suns players attempt alleyoops (Nash Barbosa Marion Diaw and Bell) and the only guys that I have seen throw a good pass were Nash and Diaw, until tonight. Amare threw a beautiful alley-oop to Marion. Amare played amazing tonight.

 

[mribnik]

Throughout the season I have seen 5 different suns players attempt alleyoops (Nash Barbosa Marion Diaw and Bell) and the only guys that I have seen throw a good pass were Nash and Diaw, until tonight. Amare threw a beautiful alley-oop to Marion. Amare played amazing tonight.

Jalen Rose threw a nice one to Banks the other day, but point taken.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I wasn't concerned about game cancellations. Having suffered through a dozen Chicago winters, I know a foot of snow's enough to shut down O'Hare or at least mess it up with some serious delays. Suns will have to get to the airport and fly out after the game Tuesday with a max of 15 hours to get from Point A to Point B, make it to the arena, suit up and play.

Everybody needs a hobby. I worry.

I've got a 17 year old daughter whose been stuck for 24 hours at O'Hare as we speak. I hate that airport.

Oh, and I'm worrying.

 

[The Commish]

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[Treesquid PhD]

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Nothing like Amare's nuts in a guys face to close the weekend.