Suns @ Kings Game Thread - 12/16/06

[hsandhu]

At the beginning of this quarter diaw was freakin brilliant.

He looked like scottie pippen bringing th ball up, setting up, scoring, doing whatever he wanted on offense. This guy has so muich talent it iscary, just be consistent and be agressive.

 

[gdiddy]

Up 11, with 5:35 left. Lookin good so far...

 

[Card Trader]

This is what we missed early in the year....Amare getting to the line at the end of the game.

 

[hsandhu]

Ugh, missed fts by amare.

If we lose this game because of missed fts, i'm gonna be sick, simply because with the upcoming suspensions of anthony/smith in denver, if we win this, the streak could easily go to 17.

 

[gdiddy]

I think we can pull it off: up by 8 with 2:33 left.

 

[slinslin]

Too many second chances for the Kings.

 

[slinslin]

Every posession they get offensive rebounds until we foul or they score..

 

[Card Trader]

Nash is clutch. Funny that was one of his knock's with Dallas.

 

[gdiddy]

It's a wrap! Another one in the win column!

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Watching the Kings chuck up threes for about a good thirty seconds was hilarious.

It wasn't a pretty win tonight, but they count just the same. What a great shot by Nash near the end.

 

[mjb21aztd]

looked like the streak might have ended tonight but great comeback win for the suns can you say 3rd straight mvp for nash

 

[hsandhu]

toronto, at denver (w/o anthony/smith), wash, port.

Unless we screw up, this is going to 18, with a big showdown in dallas. Man, and people were panicing at 5-1 saying we may not win 50.

 

[sly fly]

Well earned win. Especially when teams are gunning for them.

Props to Raja for shooting his way out his funk.

 

[Covert Rain]

Wow. Last couple wins were a struggle. However, its nice to see the team winning close games this year. I just don't understand why James Jones is seeing any playing time right now. Over the last 3 weeks, that guy has looked horrible coming off the bench. Coach D must know something we don't because James getting time and you can't find a spot for Jalen? I just don't get it.

 

[Ciani]

I'm happy with these ugly wins. The 2nd half was pretty good, though our rebounding was really bad.

And at last I liked the way we played the last few minutes. The ball was only in Nash's and Amare's hands - OK he missed a few FTs but he created the fouls which is the point.

 

[Sundance]

Thank Jeebus Raja finally found his stroke again in the second half.

 

[Folster]

I'm happy with these ugly wins. The 2nd half was pretty good, though our rebounding was really bad.

And at last I liked the way we played the last few minutes. The ball was only in Nash's and Amare's hands - OK he missed a few FTs but he created the fouls which is the point.

Agreed. It's no coincidence that the Suns finished strong when the ball was in their hands. I hope D'Antoni was behind that decision, if not I hope he took note.

 

[cly2tw]

Diaw and Bell redeemed themselves in the 2nd half. Diaw particularly was huge at the start of 4th who was THE offense for 3 minutes with great success.

Amare's only weakness seems to be blocking out on defensive rebounds and some lack of feel for where the rebounds are more likely to fall. Otherwise, he played a perfect game. Most telling about his maturity on offense is when he avoided an off. foul on a fast break by passing it to Marion for dunk while stepping sideways to avoid collision with well set Martin.

Very encouraging win!

 

[elindholm]

Jones was pretty good on defense but a disaster on offense. The Suns would be better off if he never came across the halfcourt line.

To think that the Suns almost had Salmons instead of Banks ... wow. Salmons can really play.

As usual, Marion was useless in the halfcourt offense against a good defensive team, but fortunately Diaw made up for it.

Stoudemire seems very business-like. I think he's really trying to play more under control, and it is working well.

 

[Covert Rain]

Jones was pretty good on defense but a disaster on offense. The Suns would be better off if he never came across the halfcourt line.

To think that the Suns almost had Salmons instead of Banks ... wow. Salmons can really play.

As usual, Marion was useless in the halfcourt offense against a good defensive team, but fortunately Diaw made up for it.

Stoudemire seems very business-like. I think he's really trying to play more under control, and it is working well.

They go to Diaw and Amare in half court. They don't run any plays to Marion..period. They made Nash pretty ineffective and for several trips prevented the Suns from doing anything in half court sets.

The one thing that makes me happy is that the team is proving they can grind it out in half court sets where I kind of felt they couldn't do that last year. It helps when you have guys like Marion and Kurt who can concentrate on rebounds and being ont he defensive end as well.

Also, the Suns are actually going to the free throw line this year. That fustrated the heck out of me last year because they never went to the line...especially at the end of the games. Amare changes all of that.

 

[Nasser22]

Wow. Last couple wins were a struggle. However, its nice to see the team winning close games this year. I just don't understand why James Jones is seeing any playing time right now. Over the last 3 weeks, that guy has looked horrible coming off the bench. Coach D must know something we don't because James getting time and you can't find a spot for Jalen? I just don't get it.

I'd love to see Jumaine or Jalen get some time, but maybe D'Antoni is getting him in the rotation because Jones looks much better shooting with the leather ball in practice and that's going to be back soon. His D is also much better than Rose's. Hopefully he starts shooting better because we need to find an 8th man.

Great win tonight against a tough Kings team. They were killing us in the first half and Artest was looking great, but the Suns are just unstoppable right now! Would be nice to see them break the franchise win streak record on Tuesday.

 

[az1965]

I had to leave at half time and was fully expecting a loss when logged back in to check the score out.

WOW... We won! Even playing like crap in the first half!!

This team never ceases to amaze me... Great, great win!!!

 

[jbeecham]

It did help that Kevin Martin went down with an ankle sprain in the 3rd qtr.

 

[DevonCardsFan]

I was at the game woot!!! Repping the Suns in SAC loving the win!! Not the most exciting game to go to though

 

[DeAnna]

Wow. Last couple wins were a struggle. However, its nice to see the team winning close games this year. I just don't understand why James Jones is seeing any playing time right now. Over the last 3 weeks, that guy has looked horrible coming off the bench. Coach D must know something we don't because James getting time and you can't find a spot for Jalen? I just don't get it.

I think they might be showcasing him for a trade.