Suns at Timberwolves 6:00 MY45

[Hat]

So I was reading one of the Lakers boards after their loss to the Spurs. They seem to be spouting off the same stuff we are. Some things of interest I saw said several times:

1.) Phil Jackson is a horrible coach for not calling timeouts in 3rd quarter (sound familiar?)
2.) Odom jacking up 3's (hmmm, another PF like that?)
3.) Piss poor defense.

 

[krispydude]

- Amare needs help. B. Skinner has reverted back to the journeyman that he is. PHX needs a smart, no scoring, banging, big man that can give the team a solid 10-15 minutes per game. I know they're hard to find, but PHX needs to somehow get a banger in here. Now.

Who would fit (despite their contract status)?: Paul Milsap, Nick Collison, Brendan Haywood, Jeff Foster, or a Kurt Thomas (obviously). PHX needs a "chemistry-fix", hopefully adding a small piece that pays big dividends with the chemistry on the court.

And, I would give up L. Barbosa to get it done.

I'm really displeased with the way Barbosa has progressed. I believed that he would have become one of the premier guard defenders in the league, with the help of his quickness and length.

Instead, he's turned (or remained) a shoot-first scoring guard... with no conception of how the game is played at the point. It's not like the coaching staff asks him to devote his entire game to getting his teammates involved, however he seemingly can't get it done for any length of time.

Despite what Barbosa may think, scoring guards are easily replaced in the NBA. They're a dime a dozen. It's just really apparent the team freezes when he's running the show (for the short amount of time that is).

- Al Jefferson is the epitome of a stud. Doesn't possess unworldly athletic ability. But, gets the job done by taking it right at your throat.... and obviously not phased by much. Kudos to him for having a helluva game.

- Shawn Marion acts and looks like a man without a soul this year. He's so nonchalant, and looks out of his comfort-zone. Unless Nash is delivering the ball to him on the break or he's spotting up from 3, he looks out of sorts.

He'll mix in a energetic game every now and then, but it's definitely a different guy out their on the court.

- Grant Hill looks like he's lot about 20 lbs. since his sickness. That worries me.

- I'm not worried about Nash and Amare. Give me those two during crunch time of any game... especially the post-season. That two-man game is golden.

- For the few basketball gurus on here, Mike D. had nothing to do with this loss. Only thing I would have done different is taken out Barbosa/Diaw, and countered with Marks/Strawberry in the 2nd.

exactly.

 

[scXfreakX]

How do we know that Barbosa wasn't supposed to keep shooting? I think Mike said, "Just go out there and try to score." I think Barbosa really took that and ran with it. I think he is overdoing it a bit. We NEED a pass first PG to come in when Nash comes out, and ONLY when Nash comes out. Way too much of a drop off when Nash leaves.

 

[OldDirtMcGirt]

So I was reading one of the Lakers boards after their loss to the Spurs. They seem to be spouting off the same stuff we are. Some things of interest I saw said several times:

1.) Phil Jackson is a horrible coach for not calling timeouts in 3rd quarter (sound familiar?)
2.) Odom jacking up 3's (hmmm, another PF like that?)
3.) Piss poor defense.

Phil has free reign because of his nine championship rings.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

You seriously think that Antoni would give Kwame or Diop minutes?

no. but i think that's what we need.

 

[Mainstreet]

How do we know that Barbosa wasn't supposed to keep shooting? I think Mike said, "Just go out there and try to score." I think Barbosa really took that and ran with it. I think he is overdoing it a bit. We NEED a pass first PG to come in when Nash comes out, and ONLY when Nash comes out. Way too much of a drop off when Nash leaves.

Exactly since the Suns do not have a backup PG. At least I have not seen one. And yes, I think D'antoni wants LB to think primarily offense while he is on the court. He just brings the ball up the court which gives the illusion he is acting as a PG... but he is not. Sadly, Diaw is as close to a PG as the Suns have.

 

[Mainstreet]

no. but i think that's what we need.

On this I can agree. I think Dalembert would be the perfect solution.

 

[Treesquid PhD]

you guys, can we trade players on their up? Trading someone like Barbosa now when he is struggling is only going to get you robbed. His contract is too good.

IMO, the Suns will be fine and if they don't fix the issues by the End of March then I think it could be an issue.

I still feel Nash and Amare and Marion will keep us in any Playoff series because they can score all the time in the PO's, it's how the rest of the 5 do in games, that will determine how far the Suns can go.

I kind of like the fact that they aren't trying to break any records here with this team, maybe they can pace themselves better.

 

[krispydude]

barbosa is a trainwreck trying to distribute the ball. so many bad passes and turnovers. he should just go back to the black hole like he was.

marion definitely was the invisible man this game. aside from those 2 fast break gimmes he got from nash, he did jack.

ive finally given up on amare learning how to box out properly or play tough defense without getting into foul trouble. its just not for him. he is amazing on offense though and will keep getting underutilized until dantoni is gone.

please bring in a big to play center...please kerr!!!!!!

 

[mojorizen7]

IMO, the Suns will be fine and if they don't fix the issues by the End of March then I think it could be an issue.

I still feel Nash and Amare and Marion will keep us in any Playoff series because they can score all the time in the PO's, it's how the rest of the 5 do in games, that will determine how far the Suns can go.

^
I get the feeling that the SUNS are still trying to find their continuity as a team this season. I think they need to find that before they can legitimately begin to pace themselves.

 

[Black Jesus]

Dalembert would be perfect. Here it is.... the trade that puts us over the top...

Dalembert, Iguadala, Andre Miller

for

Marion, Barbosa, Banks, and Tucker and maybe a first rounder

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/featur...2386~557&teams=20~20~20~20~21~21~21&te=&cash=

Why would Philly pull this trade? First, they dump Andre Millers' scheduled 10 million, while cashing in on Iguadala while they can. This way they lose Marions scheduled 16 million dollars this season while still getting a quality player in Barbosa

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Why would Philly pull this trade?

They wouldn't. Next topic.

 

[Black Jesus]

by the way... philly has 15 million in expiring contracts already, with marion they would have close to 30 million in free agency to spend.

 

[Black Jesus]

add the rights to Vujanic....
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/featur...6~557&teams=20~20~20~20~20~21~21~21&te=&cash=

Philly would get to start over with 30+ million dollars a year to spend in free agency to build around a core of Barbosa and Louis Williams.

 

[cly2tw]

add the rights to Vujanic....
.

There is the deal breaker!

 

[ebow]

This team seems to be FUBAR sometimes. I get to see the Suns VS the Spurs on JAN 31st, and after watching tonight's embarrassment. I'm not sure if I want to make the effort to drive from Tucson, because I'm not sure if they will put forth any effort. They still have a good record, but I almost feel like there should be a rule against teams making the playoffs after losing to the worst team twice!! They lost to the Heat as well. This is pathetic!

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

I will take those tickets off your hands

 

[oneofthesedays]

So I was reading one of the Lakers boards after their loss to the Spurs. They seem to be spouting off the same stuff we are. Some things of interest I saw said several times:

1.) Phil Jackson is a horrible coach for not calling timeouts in 3rd quarter (sound familiar?)
2.) Odom jacking up 3's (hmmm, another PF like that?)
3.) Piss poor defense.

To be fair all Laker fans know the real reason we lost is because we were outclassed by the Spurs. They clamped down in the 3rd and our guys choked, it doesn't matter if no timeouts or substitutions were called. Guys have to work their way out of a slump. We need to be at full strength to take on a team like SAS.

 

[ebow]

I will take those tickets off your hands

I'm sure you would, but I will make the effort. Hopefully the Suns will show some too!

 

[mojorizen7]

(The SPURS)

They clamped down in the 3rd and our guys choked,

Yeah they tend to do that. They tend to snuff out whatever you're doing on offense thats working for ya. Must be nice.

 

[DeAnna]

It just seems to me like Amare doesn't even want to try to play defense. Everyone knows he hates playing the 5, so this is his way to force mgmt's hand to get a center.

I mean, Al "pretty boy" Jefferson only has monter games against the Suns apparently.