Suns at Raptors 3-16-14

[Mainstreet]

The Suns play at the Raptors today with an early 10 AM Arizona start time. The Raptors have been playing well and have won 11 of their past 14 games. They have a solid starting lineup. The Suns catch a break that Patrick Patterson is out. See more from the Paul Coro article at azcentral dated 3-16-14.

Suns (37-28) at Raptors (37-27) … 10 a.m. Phoenix tip time

C: Miles Plumlee … Jonas Valanciunas

PF: Channing Frye … Amir Johnson

SF: P.J. Tucker … Terrence Ross

SG: Goran Dragic … DeMar DeRozan

PG: Eric Bledsoe … Kyle Lowry

Key Raptors injuries: Patrick Patterson (elbow sprain) is out.

Key Raptors reserves: Greivis Vasquez, John Salmons, Steve Novak, Chuck Hayes, Tyler Hansbough.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/coro-blog/2014/03/16/game-day-preview-suns-raptors/6488001/

 

[Superbone]

Whoops. You beat me too it, Main. Mods please delete the thread I started.

 

[Mainstreet]

And I thought I would be the only one awake so early.

Great minds think alike.

 

[Superbone]

And I thought I would be the only one awake so early.

Great minds think alike.

That they do! Enjoy the game.

The funny thing was I was trying to follow your style guide for the thread name using the @ sign and then you didn't use it!

 

[sunsfan88]

Nobody can quite make the GD threads like Mainstreet

 

[Mainstreet]

Jonas Valanciunas is tearing up the Suns. The Suns are looking lethargic.

 

[AfroSuns]

"Red Hot Green"...Just what the Dr ordered. Hope he keeps it going

 

[Mainstreet]

Nobody can quite make the GD threads like Mainstreet

As long as someone makes a thread, I'm happy, but thank you.

 

[Mainstreet]

This game quickly turned into a shootout in the 1st quarter.

If Len could develop into a player like Jonas Valanciunas, I'd be happy.

 

[Mainstreet]

Bledsoe seems to be out of the groove right now with only 2 points.

 

[AfroSuns]

Nice drive by Plumlee.

 

[AfroSuns]

Bledsoe seems to be out of the groove right now with only 2 points.

Yea, hopefully its just tiredness and not pain

 

[AfroSuns]

Now, that is the Plumlee we saw at the beginning of the season

 

[Cheesewater]

Miles Plumlee woke up.

 

[Mainstreet]

Nice drive by Plumlee.

Plumlee seems like he has returned to early season form.

 

[Cheesewater]

Toronto is trying to push Phoenix around.

 

[AfroSuns]

That is the best defensive sequence i have seen from the Suns in a while. PJ bringing the heat

 

[Mainstreet]

That is the best defensive sequence i have seen from the Suns in a while. PJ bringing the heat

Down the road, Tucker would make a good defensive coach.

 

[Catlover]

Down the road, Tucker would make a good defensive coach.

I'm not so sure. To me he's not a particularly smart player. He's a player that excels because of his tenacity, strength and energy. He just goes out there and outworks his opponent and I don't think you can coach that.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm not so sure. To me he's not a particularly smart player. He's a player that excels because of his tenacity, strength and energy. He just goes out there and outworks his opponent and I don't think you can coach that.

Tucker's defense is not just hustle. He gets excellent position on defense which I think can be taught as a defensive coach.

 

[Mainstreet]

Feeling better with Dragic and Bledsoe on the court at the same time at the end.

 

[Cheesebeef]

it really is a shame that Bledsoe got hurt this season. This team could have been a scary 1st round match-up for someone.

and while Bledsoe definitely doesn't have his shot back yet, the guy attacks the rim unlike anyone I've seen on the Suns since a young Amare.

the KJ/Horny comparisons might just turn out to be true. They're both studs.

 

[Catlover]

Tucker's defense is not just hustle. He gets excellent position on defense which I think can be taught as a defensive coach.

I guess we'll just have to disagree. It appears to me that he shades to the wrong shoulder often and sometimes seems completely unaware of his teammates.

I look at Bowen for an example of a smart defender. The guy was dirty and should have been suspended several times but he knew his opponent's tendencies and their every strength and weakness. I just don't see that with Tucker. I don't see him directing other players, I see nothing in the way of communicating from him out there other than some motivational stuff. I absolutely want him on my team but I'm unconvinced I'd want him on my coaching staff. Maybe I'm missing something though.

 

[Cheesewater]

Why isn't Casey ejected?

 

[ProdigalSun]

Tucker with a UFC style TKO there