So what's the verdict on Jalen Rose?

[DeAnna]

He played almost 15 minutes. Eh...I thought he did ok. Nothing spectacular, nothing that would warrant him going to the bench again.

The good thing was that Raja got to rest his bad knees - I know Coach D has talked about cutting down Raja's minutes.

 

[scoutmasterdave]

The nice thing about Jalen Rose is that he can create his own shot, which gives the Suns one more option when Nash is out of the game and the offense is stagnating.

 

[AZBALLER]

It'll take Jalen a few games to find his role on the team. We might not see much at first, but we're going to need him at some point in the playoffs, so it's important that he gets these minutes and helps to give Raja a little break...

 

[Covert Rain]

I think it was a decent start. It's going to take him some time to gel with the team. Jalen is going to be important come playoff time so he needs to get minutes now.

 

[msdundee]

I think it was a decent start. It's going to take him some time to gel with the team. Jalen is going to be important come playoff time so he needs to get minutes now.

D'Antoni post-game (On Jalen Rose): “It’s going to be a while; I don’t think we can judge the first time. We need a couple weeks, let him play four or five games and kind of go from there and look at it. But he did make a couple shots and he looked OK. He’ll just build from there and we’ll see down the road a little bit.”

 

[Bada0Bing]

I think he’s a great fit to be out there with the Amare/Nash/Marion combo. He can hit the baseline three and do a little bit of everything. I'm looking forward to watching him more closely over the next few games.

 

[Covert Rain]

D'Antoni post-game (On Jalen Rose): “It’s going to be a while; I don’t think we can judge the first time. We need a couple weeks, let him play four or five games and kind of go from there and look at it. But he did make a couple shots and he looked OK. He’ll just build from there and we’ll see down the road a little bit.”

That is the most important part of that quote. I believe this is the first time I have heard D'Antoni comment on giving a bench player a long term look. Wow. Next thing you know D'Antoni will be making half time adjustments. I am impressed.

I think he’s a great fit to be out there with the Amare/Nash/Marion combo. He can hit the baseline three and do a little bit of everything. I'm looking forward to watching him more closely over the next few games.

 

[Mainstreet]

If Jalen can give Raja some rest, I'm all for it. Two players that need and respond well to rest is Nash and Raja.

 

[HooverDam]

Next thing you know D'Antoni will be making half time adjustments.

What are you talking about? D'Antoni makes halftime adjustments, he says "run more!"

 

[Faithful]

I was impressed with Jalen's D! On offense his being a veteran showed in that he didn't shoot everytime he touched the ball. I think he's a good fit to spell Raja here and there. As everyone has already said, that will be needed in the playoffs!

 

[Diamondback Jay]

So, if he starts playing well, does that mean the Suns are going to trade all of their first round picks so they can clear up cap room to re-sign him, ala Tim Thomas?

 

[Skumbag]

Need more burke... less rose... or KT for that matter.

 

[OldDirtMcGirt]

Need more burke... less rose... or KT for that matter.

No... Rose far outplayed Burke. He should definitely be the ninth man in our rotation, and D'Antoni should actually use him.

 

[Chaplin]

Need more burke... less rose... or KT for that matter.

Does this say "less KT"? If so, your credibility just flew out the window, Skumbag.

 

[Mainstreet]

There is a place for Burke now and in the playoffs if he does not patronize Suns fans. There are two sides of Burke... one that shot the three pointer and missed last night and the other Burke that swooped in after a missed shot and slam dunked the ball. The latter impressed me and I was very critical of Burke until he has started to focus seriously on team needs in recent months... play inside and bang.

 

[Covert Rain]

No... Rose far outplayed Burke. He should definitely be the ninth man in our rotation, and D'Antoni should actually use him.

Your all wrong. WE NEED MORE COW BELL.

 

[msdundee]

There is a place for Burke now and in the playoffs if he does not patronize Suns fans. There are two sides of Burke... one that shot the three pointer and missed last night and the other Burke that swooped in after a missed shot and slam dunked the ball. The latter impressed me and I was very critical of Burke until he has started to focus seriously on team needs in recent months... play inside and bang.

The three shot last night doesn't fall into the same category as those threes he popped up earlier in garbage time with the fans yelling for him to shoot. Last night he was on the perimeter and they passed him the ball and he had the open look. Nobody in the crowd was yelling for him to shoot it, but we know every player on this team has the green light for threes if they have a good look. Burke hits roughly 1 out of 3 his attempts, so that wasn't really showboating.

I do agree Burke has both the size and the ability to be effective inside and stand up to some of the bigs. We may very well need his six fouls in a physical game up ahead so I'm happy to see him getting some "real" time.

 

[ma_falaa_50]

I think burke has shown he can be useful. I dnt think he was trying to showboat when he took the 3. Mike system philosophy is an open shot is the best shot. I think he did that to show other teams to be honest whenever he is on the floor. If amare is on foul trouble ppl wont double nash on the pick and roll.

 

[DeAnna]

You're all wrong. WE NEED MORE COW BELL.

"Coach D, what does this team need to get to the NBA Finals?"

 

[F-Dog]

I'm still waiting for the Suns to run the Boris Diaw pick/switch/post with Jalen. Maybe the problem is that they have to send Jalen to the other block.

I do think Jalen can help off the bench, though, so the next few games might turn out to be important for the Suns' chances later on.

 

[Griffin]

I always wanted to see Rose have a role with this team, but I hope that role is not just to come in and shoot threes (even though he's done that fairly well in limited opportunities so far). He is a lot more skilled offensively than say Piatkowski.

 

[OldDirtMcGirt]

I always wanted to see Rose have a role with this team, but I hope that role is not just to come in and shoot threes (even though he's done that fairly well in limited opportunities so far). He is a lot more skilled offensively than say Piatkowski.

He played pretty good D too.

 

[Covert Rain]

That's 3 games in a row that we have seen some production out of Rose. What's more interesting is that also 3 games in a row we have seen nothing out of James Jones. He is in another slump. Wouldn't mind seeing Rose get more of his minutes if he continues to struggle.

 

[JCSunsfan]

That's 3 games in a row that we have seen some production out of Rose. What's more interesting is that also 3 games in a row we have seen nothing out of James Jones. He is in another slump. Wouldn't mind seeing Rose get more of his minutes if he continues to struggle.

This is true. I was at the Detroit game (8th row) and I began to cringe every time JaJones got the ball. I've really liked him all along, but his shot has left him again.

The Suns also did poorly on defensive double-teams. Detroit quickly moved the ball to the open man and made them pay.

I am convinced that the Suns need to play man to man straight up. Somebody is going to get beat--and often--but its still better than giving up wide open looks or driving lane. They need to switch it up with a zone.

Course, whoda thunk Flip Murray would go nuts on that night.

 

[DeAnna]

Jalen looked really winded last night - an he only played 19 minutes. Standing around at the free throw line he was gasping for air