Suns vs. Lakers Thread 11-12-09

[cly2tw]

This loss is a good lesson for us. Actually, we did have many open shots. But for some reasons, we didn't know them down. Amare, trying to learn to adjust to his NEW body, missed many close-range shots. He seemed to be bothered by Bynum's size and would lose the perfect touch he's had against smaller defenders once he gained a good position to get off such a shot. Then LB reverted to his DA-era antics in a time when Dragic was handling the ball quite well. They fastbreaked on us off our rashed misses, the rest is history, despite a good game by Nash.

Let Amare work on finishing those shots and learn from failure. We must know that in playoffs, this kind of defense will be the norm. Opponents will take away your best weapon and let your 2nd or 3rd weapons beat them. Amare's ISO and occational Hill and JRich iso are to be relied on more often than our team want, but we'll have to make it work this way.

 

[KloD]

Suns looked a little too geeked up.

Too many missed layups and FTs and too many tunovers.


Bynum travels nearly every other time he has the ball.

Suns get knocked down, grabbed, and bumped repeatedly.

Ah well. It isn't like the Lakers favoritism is a new thing.

Yep, no worries. Laker play 17 or their first 21 games @ home. They've had only 2 on the road so far. Suns on the other hand have already had 7 road games and they will play 14 of their first 21 on the road. They're coming off a game last night and the Lakers had 3 days off. I didn't see anything that would lead me to believe the Suns can't beat them, they pretty much beat themselves w/ sloppy play and missed easy shots. Plus we all know Bynum's size won't be an issue for long, he'll most likely miss a significant amount of the season with some injury.

 

[Forrestham]

I would not take too much from this loss. The Suns did not play their best game. They had a late game the night before. They are still 8-2 and have had a majority of road games. The lakers are at the top of the mountain. The suns are much better than people have expected. I will take 8-2 with the rough schedule they have had

 

[Yuma]

In a way, I am glad we lost. If we had beat the Lakers, our guys would think they were better than they are, and not work on improving as a team. Now it shows our guys we have a ways to go to be in the elite teams despite our record. Maybe the improvements on defense continue. That's the only way we will get competitive. Plus the Lakers exposed our weakness. We really aren't that good in the paint. Aside from Amare slamming it how 2-5 times a game, we don't have a guy that can consistently play with his back to the basket and make a high percentage of short J's, hooks, etc. Someone on the Suns needs to learn a hook shot, or some kind of jumper that's unstoppable down in the paint. That will open the outside shots much better for us. Defense still needs to improve, although we are playing better defense than we have in a couple seasons, but that's not saying a lot!

 

[82CardsGrad]

Been saying this for the past week or so... this team is nothing more than a reincarnation of the Pre-Shaq teams. Really fun to watch. Will most likely win 55-60 games this season. Might win a playoff series or two. But when it really, really matters and it's late in the 4th quarter they need that bigtime stop, they got nothin...

But as I said, they'll be a great show for most of the season...

 

[chickenhead]

I would have been unbelievably psyched about a win, but I was not expecting it in the least. The Lakers were rested and at home (in addition to being a deep team), and the Suns were winding down a road trip.

I'm not saying that all things equal the Suns would have won--beating the defending chaps is always a tall order, especially in their house. But it's tough to really use this game as a measuring stick.

 

[nashman]

82

Been saying this for the past week or so... this team is nothing more than a reincarnation of the Pre-Shaq teams. Really fun to watch. Will most likely win 55-60 games this season. Might win a playoff series or two. But when it really, really matters and it's late in the 4th quarter they need that bigtime stop, they got nothin...

But as I said, they'll be a great show for most of the season...

Then you haven't been watching because this is NOT the same team it was back then! They have a deep bench that can play defense something they did not have and their is NO WAY you can say right now that this is not a different team. We were ending a road trip against the Champs who were 3 days rested waiting to play us, also on their home court with typical crap ass officiating! They even kept their starters in to pad the number against our bench (classy move) when we had clearly sat all our starters. You can't take anything from this loss except our guys played like crap to be expected with our early season schedule being mostly on the road against tough teams, oh yeah we are 8-2 with both losses coming from the conference champions last season. geesh.

 

[82CardsGrad]

82


Then you haven't been watching because this is NOT the same team it was back then! They have a deep bench that can play defense something they did not have and their is NO WAY you can say right now that this is not a different team. We were ending a road trip against the Champs who were 3 days rested waiting to play us, also on their home court with typical crap ass officiating! They even kept their starters in to pad the number against our bench (classy move) when we had clearly sat all our starters. You can't take anything from this loss except our guys played like crap to be expected with our early season schedule being mostly on the road against tough teams, oh yeah we are 8-2 with both losses coming from the conference champions last season. geesh.

55-60 wins... It'll be fun and I'm thankful for that. I'll believe this team is "different" when they prove it - as in, a meaningful, late in the 4th quarter stop that leads to a win...

 

[mojorizen7]

82


Then you haven't been watching because this is NOT the same team it was back then! They have a deep bench that can play defense something they did not have and their is NO WAY you can say right now that this is not a different team. We were ending a road trip against the Champs who were 3 days rested waiting to play us, also on their home court with typical crap ass officiating! They even kept their starters in to pad the number against our bench (classy move) when we had clearly sat all our starters. You can't take anything from this loss except our guys played like crap to be expected with our early season schedule being mostly on the road against tough teams, oh yeah we are 8-2 with both losses coming from the conference champions last season. geesh.

Its deeper and scrappier which is a step in the right direction but basically it is the same team which will likely produce similiar results past April if they can get in(which is looking like a given at this point).
It always comes down to this: You cannot rely on jump shooting & hustle to win playoff games.....
Amare is going to have to step up in the paint BIG time because something tells me that there won't be any blockbuster trades at the deadline for a 7' footer this year .

 

[jbeecham]

7 games in 10 nights in 7 different cities....

Typical crappy officiating... everything called the Lakers way until the game is out of reach, then a bunch of ticky tack calls against the Lakers at the end to make it look like the Suns got the benefit of the calls. Nash might as well have been wearing a saddle on with the way Fischer was allowed to ride him around the court (bowen-esque). Hand-checking, What's that?

Missing the 1st quarter sucks... at least we are the 1st game on TNT next Thursday... I hope our game runs long and screws up the Laker game (they play the 2nd game).

On the bright side, I saw some flashes from Earl Clark... crashing the boards & scoring with a quick 2nd jump, hustling & playing decent defense. He also looked like a deer in the headlights when he was bricking free throws early in the game, but he just needs more time to get comfortable out there. He looks like Dragic at the beginning of last season... afraid to make a mistake & expecting to be pulled from the game if he does.

 

[Chaplin]

55-60 wins... It'll be fun and I'm thankful for that. I'll believe this team is "different" when they prove it - as in, a meaningful, late in the 4th quarter stop that leads to a win...

I don't get it. Did you really not see the Celtics win? What does this team have to do? They're 8-2 for chrissakes!

And they've been doing 4th quarter stops all season! GAME 1 against the Clippers was the first one.

One loss and everyone is all over the team, but where were you during all their wins?

 

[82CardsGrad]

I don't get it. Did you really not see the Celtics win? What does this team have to do? They're 8-2 for chrissakes!

And they've been doing 4th quarter stops all season! GAME 1 against the Clippers was the first one.

One loss and everyone is all over the team, but where were you during all their wins?

How am I "all over this team"?? Would you not be happy with 60 wins from this team? I sure would.
I've stated weeks ago that while it's nice to see Hill lead our team in rebounding, and Frye being a chief 3-point threat, this is not a recipe for sustained success... Could it help us reach 55-60 wins? You bet. But isn't that what we did in the Pre-Shaq era?? I believe in order for this team to be "different", which means get to the Championship series... they will have to prove they are a tougher team when it really matters. Beating up on the Clippers doesn't prove they are a tougher team, nor does an early season win against the Celtics. 8 & 2 is awesome and puts them well on their way to a 55-60 win season. Which again, will be fun!
I also think December will be a very interesting test for the Suns. They have a very, very prolonged and difficult stretch of games against a number of historically tougher teams. Should be very interesting to see how they come out of that stretch.

Anyway, you need to calm down dude... I'm a Suns fan. I just don't see anything all that different with this team than what I saw in the pre-Shaq days... However, I will say that what I've seen thus far has been a pleasant surprise as I really didn't believe this current team was on par with the pre-Shaq teams. So again, 55-60 wins is a bonus as far as I'm concerned! Gonna be a fun season!

 

[joshstmarie]

I just don't see anything all that different with this team than what I saw in the pre-Shaq days...

Your observation skills are poor.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Your observation skills are poor.

Oh wait... I did notice Amare wearing goggles now!

 

[nashman]

Its hard to fathom how someone can't see a difference between NO BENCH and a very good defensive minded bench! To each his own I guess just seems like some aren't paying attention, those past teams had pathetic bench which would lose a lead every single time they came in, this team does NOT do that....thats the difference. Oh that and Nash will actually get some rest all season with a backup that actually plays minutes that Nash used to and would be worn out at seasons end. Just 2 major things which are already clearly better than those other teams!

 

[82CardsGrad]

Its hard to fathom how someone can't see a difference between NO BENCH and a very good defensive minded bench! To each his own I guess just seems like some aren't paying attention, those past teams had pathetic bench which would lose a lead every single time they came in, this team does NOT do that....thats the difference. Oh that and Nash will actually get some rest all season with a backup that actually plays minutes that Nash used to and would be worn out at seasons end. Just 2 major things which are already clearly better than those other teams!

The bench - 10 games into the season, certainly does appear to be a bit deeper than what we once had in the pre-Shaq era... However, again... when it matters, deep in the playoffs... late in the 4th quarter in a tight game... when we need a defensive stop... I don't see this team being any different than the teams in the past. I just don't.. I see Duncan, Jefferson, Dirk, Kobe, Bynum etc... doing what they always do... making the shot they need to make in order to bury the Suns... I of course hope Im wrong, but the Lakers putting up 76 points from inside the paint last night seems to suggest otherwise...

 

[mjb21aztd]

Well suns defintaly looked tired vs the lakers just look like they didn't have much energy , I was really hoping the game would be close but just one of those games i'm sure the suns will bounce back.

 

[mojorizen7]

The bench - 10 games into the season, certainly does appear to be a bit deeper than what we once had in the pre-Shaq era... However, again... when it matters, deep in the playoffs... late in the 4th quarter in a tight game... when we need a defensive stop... I don't see this team being any different than the teams in the past. I just don't.. I see Duncan, Jefferson, Dirk, Kobe, Bynum etc... doing what they always do... making the shot they need to make in order to bury the Suns... I of course hope Im wrong, but the Lakers putting up 76 points from inside the paint last night seems to suggest otherwise...

Agreed. I think the deeper bench will help in terms of fresher legs late in the season, and will prove invaluable if we suffer a major injury.....but i'm not ready to put my faith in this "scrappy" team to suddenly be able to get stops at critical points...or secure those critical rebounds.

Damn, if this team could just find another Kurt Thomas i'd be alot more confident in our chances when they start to count. Someone with saavy smarts guarding the post that can shoot a little and rebound would be ideal IMO.

 

[elindholm]

Could it help us reach 55-60 wins? You bet. But isn't that what we did in the Pre-Shaq era?? I believe in order for this team to be "different", which means get to the Championship series... they will have to prove they are a tougher team when it really matters.

Getting to the Finals this year isn't on the table. Never was, never will be. The ceiling for this team is mid-50s wins and maybe, if everything breaks perfectly, a fluke spot in the WCF. Anticipating disappointment if they don't go any farther is just negativity for its own sake. The Suns right now are making the most of the situation they have, and for that, we should be happy.

 

[jagu]

When we entered the season we did not expect them to be this good, lets keep it that way. They are not going to beat all the top teams every time out. They are a good team though and it will be fun.

 

[Chaplin]

The team is 8-2, losing only to the NBA Finals participants from last season. We've also already had 3 back-to-backs and as far as rest periods go with no travel, this is the first time this season we've had 2 straight days without a game and virtually no travel for it. (We've had 2 instances where we had 2 day breaks, but one was right before the road trip, and the other was in the middle of it)

Think about it, if on October 21st, if someone would have told you that 10 games into the season we'd be 8-2, they would have been ridiculed as a complete homer. On this board. By fellow Suns fans.

And isn't it interesting that both times that the negative people come out were right after our losses? And not just negative about the games, mind you, negative about the entire season. That's probably what will happen the entire year. Crickets chirping during wins but massive complaining and sky is falling posts during our losses. Not surprising, actually, but a little depressing that so many fans are so negative.

We aren't going to win the championship this year, might as well enjoy it. And if you don't enjoy it, then don't watch. Because in the end, what's the point?

 

[AfroSuns]

Well suns defintaly looked tired vs the lakers just look like they didn't have much energy , I was really hoping the game would be close but just one of those games i'm sure the suns will bounce back.

Well, looks like they are going to own us the next time too. Schedule shows that our next meet on Dec 6th is also after another back-to-back.

The Suns are just too small compared to the Lakers, from our guards to our "center". I do like how JRich is sending a message to Kome he wont taking his BS.

 

[Mainstreet]

The team is 8-2, losing only to the NBA Finals participants from last season. We've also already had 3 back-to-backs and as far as rest periods go with no travel, this is the first time this season we've had 2 straight days without a game and virtually no travel for it. (We've had 2 instances where we had 2 day breaks, but one was right before the road trip, and the other was in the middle of it)

We aren't going to win the championship this year, might as well enjoy it. And if you don't enjoy it, then don't watch. Because in the end, what's the point?

I agree. IMO, the Suns are definitely overachieving this early in the season having faced (facing) a tough road schedule and quality opponents.

If the Suns can provide the fans a winning, entertaining and a playoff bound team not much more can be asked.

 

[mojorizen7]

The team is 8-2, losing only to the NBA Finals participants from last season. We've also already had 3 back-to-backs and as far as rest periods go with no travel, this is the first time this season we've had 2 straight days without a game and virtually no travel for it. (We've had 2 instances where we had 2 day breaks, but one was right before the road trip, and the other was in the middle of it)

Think about it, if on October 21st, if someone would have told you that 10 games into the season we'd be 8-2, they would have been ridiculed as a complete homer. On this board. By fellow Suns fans.

And isn't it interesting that both times that the negative people come out were right after our losses? And not just negative about the games, mind you, negative about the entire season. That's probably what will happen the entire year. Crickets chirping during wins but massive complaining and sky is falling posts during our losses. Not surprising, actually, but a little depressing that so many fans are so negative.

We aren't going to win the championship this year, might as well enjoy it. And if you don't enjoy it, then don't watch. Because in the end, what's the point?

Hey Craplin, if you're referring to me, check out the Heat & Hornets thread...and get your facts straight.
I've been pleasantly surprised by this team's scrappyness and drive.....that isn't gonna keep me from telling it how i see it.
I know how you see it and thats cool....we're all SUNS fans.
If you're gonna keep calling people out i'm going to do the same.
Enjoy!

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[devilalum]

I've been a Suns fan since 1970. My favorite seasons are the ones when the Suns surprised everybody and exceeded all reasonable expectations. This is starting to look like one of those seasons.

If everybody stays healthy this team might win 55+games and get home court in the first round. A month ago I would have laughed at that assertion.