Suns @ Lakers - Game Thread - Sunday April 8, 2007 - 12:30 PM

[Phxchris1989]

I missed the game but at least the Suns won.

 

[Bufalay]

Did anyone else notice that Nash has become very selfish? When he misses a shot after dribbling around for 10-20 seconds it hurts the team a lot more than if someone else misses a shot that he sets them up for. He looks like Kobe out there.

 

[mjb21aztd]

Glad to the suns win a big step into securing the 2nd seed in the playoffs also always feels great beating the lakers in their own place

 

[msdundee]

Did anyone else notice that Nash has become very selfish? When he misses a shot after dribbling around for 10-20 seconds it hurts the team a lot more than if someone else misses a shot that he sets them up for. He looks like Kobe out there.

No. But congratulations, I think you are the first person either inside or outside of professional basketball to label Nash selfish.

 

[Scot1]

Originality is good. I noticed that Nash got a few good rebounds today, I think we should try moving him to PF and tell him to forget this 'assist' garbage. His selfishness would work better with a post-up game.

 

[Chaplin]

This was a great game against a potential first round opponent. Nothing flashy, but definitely solid the entire game, regardless of all the complaining on the first two pages of this thread.

As for James Jones, there are 2 words that explain why he was in so long: Luke Walton. He was nonexistant in this game, thanks to James Jones a lot of the time. But nobody really mentions that, just that he's garbage.

 

[azirish]

Listened to some of the game, but only watched the final quarter when the Suns looked good.

The problem with the Suns is the same they've had for the last three years. They cannot win against good teams when they are missing their jumpers. Sometimes it seems like when the ball isn't dropping, they panic and start taking lower percentage shots which just makes things worse.

It doesn't help when the opponent can get to the basket easily. Nash's biggest problem is that he just isn't strong enough to fight through screens and opponents can force switches where he is forced to defend really quick guys. He's actually better against bigger players, but Tony and Smush both had big games.

Against the Lakers, the Suns could overcome this because their offense works better against the Lakers. Against the Spurs, the Suns cannot afford to miss open shots.

 

[sunsfn]

Did anyone else notice that Nash has become very selfish? When he misses a shot after dribbling around for 10-20 seconds it hurts the team a lot more than if someone else misses a shot that he sets them up for. He looks like Kobe out there.

There are four other suns players on the court that are supposed to try to get open for a pass from Nash, when that does not happen he has to shoot and those shots are against the time clock and not always the best ones to take. His average would be better if he did not have to take them.
But do not think that Nash is selfish, the Lakers try to deny the pass as other teams do, and when the suns are standing still, Nash has to shoot.

Did you happen to notice that?

 

[Jersey Girl]

No. But congratulations, I think you are the first person either inside or outside of professional basketball to label Nash selfish.

Ditto. I didn't find him selfish at all, although I missed most of the third quarter. Personally, I find Steve Nash to be one of the most unselfish superstars of the NBA, and that's coming from a relatively new Suns fan.

 

[az1965]

This was a great game against a potential first round opponent. Nothing flashy, but definitely solid the entire game, regardless of all the complaining on the first two pages of this thread.

You wouldn't be saying this had we not picked it up in the 4th... and one of the reason was Raja's crisp 3 point shooting as well as better ball movement.

 

[DeAnna]

and that's coming from a relatively new Suns fan.

It's official!! We finally converted you!

 

[DeAnna]

. Nash's biggest problem is that he just isn't strong enough to fight through screens and opponents can force switches where he is forced to defend really quick guys. He's actually better against bigger players, but Tony and Smush both had big games.

Nash's biggest problem is that everyone is "making him work on both ends of the court" which is code for "go after him on defense and expose him."

No 3-peat for Nash this year.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Did anyone else notice that Nash has become very selfish? When he misses a shot after dribbling around for 10-20 seconds it hurts the team a lot more than if someone else misses a shot that he sets them up for. He looks like Kobe out there.

This might be the worst post in the history of time.

The only thing that disappointed me about Nash today is he was missing wide open looks that he usually drains. It just goes to show you how high the expectation level is for him.

I have news for you Bufaly. In order for the Suns to win the championship Nash is going to HAVE to be selfish in the playoffs and score at a high clip to boot. I can guarantee you there are going to be teams that fall off him and allow him to shoot. Fortunately I think he understands this and is going to have a huge playoffs MVP or not.

However one thing concerns me. Since his shoulder problem i feel he has not been as fluid with his three point shot or pull up in the lane. I'm hoping by the playoffs he gets back into rhythem. Then it won't matter when Marion takes his annual April - May off as STAT and Nash will be clicking on all cylinders.

 

[msdundee]

This was a great game against a potential first round opponent. Nothing flashy, but definitely solid the entire game, regardless of all the complaining on the first two pages of this thread.

As for James Jones, there are 2 words that explain why he was in so long: Luke Walton. He was nonexistant in this game, thanks to James Jones a lot of the time. But nobody really mentions that, just that he's garbage.

But that's just SOP here, I finally figured that out. Raja was garbage in the Hornets game, today he's the hero. The one criteria used for rating a player's game is points scored -- forget the guys who do the dirty work, all the little things that free up the heroes. It's why the game threads are such great "fun" reading.

 

[Chaplin]

You wouldn't be saying this had we not picked it up in the 4th... and one of the reason was Raja's crisp 3 point shooting as well as better ball movement.

Actually, yes I would.

 

[jbeecham]

But that's just SOP here, I finally figured that out. Raja was garbage in the Hornets game, today he's the hero. The one criteria used for rating a player's game is points scored -- forget the guys who do the dirty work, all the little things that free up the heroes. It's why the game threads are such great "fun" reading.

Raja wasn't the hero just because of his offense, he put in a hell of an effort making Kobe work hard and take difficult shots. Kobe was never comfortable out there when Raja was on him. Kobe only had about 23 points in the 1st 44 minutes of the game (probably 6 to 8 of those points were over LB).

 

[Lorenzo]

Raja wasn't the hero just because of his offense, he put in a hell of an effort making Kobe work hard and take difficult shots. Kobe was never comfortable out there when Raja was on him. Kobe only had about 23 points in the 1st 44 minutes of the game (probably 6 to 8 of those points were over LB).

raja looked like he had manu floppitus out there. but he did a good job at making kobe work. kobe is just that good that he still scored 30 pts despite not playing his best game. raja was probably the difference offensively.

 

[msdundee]

Raja wasn't the hero just because of his offense, he put in a hell of an effort making Kobe work hard and take difficult shots. Kobe was never comfortable out there when Raja was on him. Kobe only had about 23 points in the 1st 44 minutes of the game (probably 6 to 8 of those points were over LB).

Oh yes, I know exactly how good Raja was -- I watched the game too. He's a great player and he's been a great player all season long. And that's the whole point I was making -- against the Hornets he had a bad shooting night, missed all 10 of his 3-point shots and this board was ready to throw him out the door. It is what it is, and I think it's comical.

 

[Covert Rain]

Did anyone else notice that Nash has become very selfish? When he misses a shot after dribbling around for 10-20 seconds it hurts the team a lot more than if someone else misses a shot that he sets them up for. He looks like Kobe out there.

Huh?? I think he is also the first person to put Kobe, selfish and Nash in the same area code..let alone compare the the two and how "selfish they are.

 

[Jersey Girl]

It's official!! We finally converted you!

Gotta root for somebody in the postseason. (Thanks, once again, for nothing, Sixers.)

 

[Mainstreet]

Raja wasn't the hero just because of his offense, he put in a hell of an effort making Kobe work hard and take difficult shots. Kobe was never comfortable out there when Raja was on him. Kobe only had about 23 points in the 1st 44 minutes of the game (probably 6 to 8 of those points were over LB).

I couldn't agree more. Raja played excellent position defense today with his body. I think he really frustrated Kobe and the Lakers by establishing position where they wanted to run a play. I really enjoyed seeing how good defense can be played without using the hands.

 

[TJ]

listened to the game on the radio while driving back from LA (kudos to Spero Didas and Mychael Thompson for being objective about the Suns) Im glad we won this game, because I know the Lakers play us tough...plus this time they were healthy. MY assumption is that San Antonio is not going to lose the remainder of the season, so we need to take it up a notch. If the starters want rest, they need to put away teams in the 1st half rather than late in the 4th

 

[D-Dogg]

plus this time they were healthy.

No, they weren't. Kwame out (best big defender on the team and a big difference maker on the outcome of games). VladRad still out (outside shooting much needed). Lamar's shoulder isn't even close to 100% and he's having surgery in the offseason.

Injuries are no excuse, but you can't go running around saying the Lakers were healthy when they were missing their starting center and the guy who is basically the sixth man, with the number two option still dinged up and playing about 80%.

 

[arthurracoon]

No, they weren't. Kwame out (best big defender on the team and a big difference maker on the outcome of games). VladRad still out (outside shooting much needed). Lamar's shoulder isn't even close to 100% and he's having surgery in the offseason.

Injuries are no excuse, but you can't go running around saying the Lakers were healthy when they were missing their starting center and the guy who is basically the sixth man, with the number two option still dinged up and playing about 80%.

quite true.

is Odom going to be near 100% at all? or is it going to be an ongoing injury until he has surgery?

 

[arthurracoon]

The only good thing about playing against the lakers in the first round is that (assuming we beat them) it would be a VERY good warmup for the Spurs