Suns @ Lakers

[slinslin]

OK so we are still bashing Joe Johnson?

He made one shot and missed one in crunch time. If everyone shot 50% in crunch time I would be perfectly happy.

 

[Chaz]

Very entertaining game. Some great basketball played by both teams. I definately like how they are running the offense now. Everyone seems to be making quicker decisions with the ball.

They need some work on the screens and timing to give the ball handler passing options. These guys are playing more in thier roles and capabilities. JJ is driving and setting pretty well on the short jumper.

Nice job by White tonight leaning on Shaq, even though he fouled out.

This team hasn't won many games lately but they are showing some signs of life.

 

[Joe Mama]

I've really, really like the man-to-man defense. Joe Johnson, Shawn Marion, and even Penny Hardaway did a great job on Kobe Bryant tonight. I thought Jahidi White also did a fine job on Shaquille O'Neal. I had fully expected White to foul out in 10 minutes.

As well as Russell and George played I thought the guy that really killed the Suns tonight was Fisher. He played Marbury very well when he was in the game, and he hit some shots when he was well defended.

For the most part I have not had any problems with the officiating this season. I mean there are always a couple of games where the officiating is bad. This was one of them. I won't complain about some of the travels by the Lakers because I some Marbury doing the same thing. In fact Marbury travels quite a bit without getting called for it. The Lakers really could have been called for defensive three second violations every other time down the floor when Shaquille O'Neal was in the game. The referees were clearly protecting him too.

It's too bad Hardaway couldn't shoot like he has over the last several games. He really struggled with his shooting tonight, but he did a lot of other things well. This JJ finally going to play aggressively, or is this just a tease? I like the way he and Shawn Marion are going to the basket with more regularity.

The Suns missed some easy shots from point-blank down the stretch tonight. I said before the game started that I would be happy with a competitive effort. We definitely got one from the tonight, and I was happy.

Joe Mama

 

[George O'Brien]

3 Point Shots

Once again, the Suns shot almost 49% inside the 3 point arch but only 27.8% outside. Marbury was 1 of 6, Marion was 1 of 4, Hardaway was 0 fo 2, and JJ was 1 of 3. The only positive ones was Casey hitting 1 of 2 and Barbosa hit his only three.

 

[Chaplin]

Look, we can point out little bad things about every player, but this loss was a loss predicated simply by the fact that we were playing a better team. Period. None of the guys tonight lost the game for us. Not JJ's offense, not Penny's defense. This was a solid game all around, but I think the main thing was that they underestimated Luke Walton. That was the key at the end of the game.

 

[Chaz]

Karl Malone

I don't wish an injury on anyone, but I must admit I do not feel a great deal on sympathy for him. He has put many players in the lockerroom early over the years.

Karl Malone sprains right knee


December 21, 2003
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Lakers forward Karl Malone sprained his right knee in the opening four minutes against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night, causing him to leave the game for good.

With the Lakers trailing 9-2, Malone fell to the floor and grabbed his knee after being fouled by Scott Williams.

After a brief delay, Malone made one of two free throws, but left 10 seconds later, walking to the locker room.

A team spokesman said X-rays didn't reveal any damage, but Malone will have an MRI exam Monday.

Malone, the NBA's second-leading career scorer behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, has missed only 11 games in his career -- six due to injuries or illness and five because of suspensions.

The 40-year-old Malone joined the Lakers as a free agent last summer after 18 seasons with the Utah Jazz.

 

[F-Dog]

I wouldn't wish an injury on any NBA player except Karl Malone.


If you told me beforehand that the Suns would be competitive in this game, and that Karl Malone would be the only player hurt, I would be OK with that...

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by Chaplin
Look, we can point out little bad things about every player, but this loss was a loss predicated simply by the fact that we were playing a better team. Period. None of the guys tonight lost the game for us. Not JJ's offense, not Penny's defense. This was a solid game all around, but I think the main thing was that they underestimated Luke Walton. That was the key at the end of the game.

I really did not have a problem with the three-point attempts tonight for the most part. There was a couple where I thought they could have easily worked the ball inside, but otherwise I didn't care. Most of the more relatively wide-open shots.

I agree with you Chap. Even without Karl Malone the Lakers are a better team, and the Suns played them competitively as visitors.

Even though the record is discouraging I have been encouraged by the direction of this Phoenix Suns team. And many here can attest that I am not always a "glass half full" guy regarding sports. I hope that when Amare Stoudemire returns D'Antoni can find a way to get him into the offense without disrupting the good thing they have going. I don't think it will be a problem with Zarko.

Joe Mama

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by SirChaz
Nice job by White tonight leaning on Shaq, even though he fouled out.

White had 9 rebounds and 11 points on 4 for 8 shooting in 25 minutes. He held Shaq to 18 points (he had 24 points on Nov 1).

BTW, I checked out Big Jake's stats. After a couple of strong performances in early November he has not played much and often is DNP.