SEASON OPENER- Suns @ Lakers Offical Game Thread

[Renz]

Let's not forget Chuck Nevitt, Slava Medvenko, Chris Mihm, Jack Haley, and Benoit Benjamin. They've had their fair share of stiffs over the years.

None of those players you mentioned were drafted by the Lakers.

 

[msdundee]

Nasty disappointing game, but it's not time for a pill party yet. Earlier on the other thread I looked for a slow start and a strong finish, and that was even before seeing the schedule. It's hard to see how we could expect anything else with changes the Suns need to deal with early on, but obviously we should be able to expect an all-out team effort for more than one quarter and that sure didn't happen last night.

The first 10 days -- 6 games -- of the schedule are tough enough that Collins mentioned it twice. Starting tonight they're hit with back-to-backs against strong opponents, the Clippers twice, the Spurs, the Mavs, and Utah. Utah at home should be the easiest but some have predicted the new improved Jazz as a sleeper #4 seed so that one won't be a freebie either.

Even those of us labeled optimists have to be realistic and Suns fans should be pretty psyched with a win or two by November 9th. After that the schedule eases up and isn't bad at all through November/December. Considering what the Suns need to accomplish, if they can finish December at .500 it will be a really good sign they're getting it done.

As for opening night, I'd rather be a Suns fan than a Heat fan -- and that slaughter followed the big ring presentation. Stern was one of the few with a stomach strong enough to stay the whole game. Still I doubt Miami fans are jumping ship after that one game.

 

[Mulli]

For Laker picks, I can think of David Rivers? I got nothing else.

 

[CaptainInsano]

The thing that both scares and excites me is the question of did miami get waxed so bad because they played bad/are rusty or because chicago is one Mega-Nasty team.

I know the heat might be a little rusty but I think chicago could be dominating this year.

 

[Nash]

The thing that both scares and excites me is the question of did miami get waxed so bad because they played bad/are rusty or because chicago is one Mega-Nasty team.

I know the heat might be a little rusty but I think chicago could be dominating this year.

Chicago was very good yesterday. I expected them to be good, but not this good. They played all 12 guys they had on their roster for over 10 mins each. yeah it was a blowout, but they managed to sustain it in spite of the fact that their lineup was constantly changing - all 12 of them had played by half-time. If it had been the Suns, the second string would've squandered the lead. I'm not saying this because of last night's game but we had this problem all of last season.

The reason is the Bulls played good, solid defense. I have a feeling they will be the top defensive team this year. Part of the reason looked so good was because the Heat were remarkably sluggish last night. Heat's ball movement was non-existent -- there was an occasion when Shaq was quadruple teamed, but the team was so messed up, they couldn't exploit this situation. Miami's defense was poor as well -- they didn't rotate, transition defense was poor.

Whether the Bulls looked so good because they were playing a team of geezers or they really are awesome will be known in the next couple games.

 

[D-Dogg]

Bulls are going to be a team to be reckoned with I think. Kirk Hinrich is one of my favorite players in the NBA....that team took Miami to the mat last year in the playoffs...they've only improved since then.

Chicago is for real.

 

[Nash]

Bulls are going to be a team to be reckoned with I think. Kurt Hinrich is one of my favorite players in the NBA....

you mean Kirk Hinrich?
I'm sensing some Kurt Thomas love leaking out of a Laker lover.

 

[D-Dogg]

you mean Kirk Hinrich?
I'm sensing some Kurt Thomas love leaking out of a Laker lover.

Yikes...yes Kirk.

I think Crazy Eyes was looking at me or something.

I always trade for Kirk in NBA video games...but not Kurt.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

None of those players you mentioned were drafted by the Lakers.

neither were shaq and wilt.

 

[Renz]

neither were shaq and wilt.

I was thinking more along the lines of Magic, Worthy and Kobe. As FA's, I doubt that anyone was expecting guys like Nevitt and Mihm to be the next Chamberlain and Kareem.

 

[Chaz]

neither were shaq and wilt.

Or Abdul-Jabbar or Kobe.

 

[D-Dogg]

Or Abdul-Jabbar or Kobe.

Kobe was...drafted FOR Jerry West by Charlotte. So no, not technically, but that's who West told them to draft.