Suns vs. Sonics 12/17

[jbeecham]

We've won our last 2 games by 22pts and 21pts despite foul trouble in each game. Orlando & Utah aren't playing at the same level as Seattle, but the Suns continue to have other players step up when the team needs it.

Who has been starting for the Sonics in their last couple of games? I thought they had Radmanovic starting at PF with Lewis at SF, but I haven't seen a Sonics game this season. If Lewis is at SF then that'll be a tough matchup for Q. We need JJ to play defense against Allen so Q will have to step up against Lewis.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

the sonics rotation usually goes something like this

Starters:

PG- Ridnour
SG - Allen
SF - Lewis
PF - Evans
C - Jerome James

Then they will bring Fortson in for James. Then Collison in for Evans. Daniels will give Ridnour a breather. Pending on how the game is going they will then bring in Radmanovich for either Lewis or Fortson/Collison.

For most of the season you will see a mix of those 9 players. Recently Flip Murray has returned and provides a true backup to Allen.

It looks like they want to mix potapenko in there, but I don't know why ... he's soft and not exactly gifted offensively ... just a big body.

But much like the memphis team that made a splash last year, seattle can be effective going 10 deep.

They also have a wide range of scorers in Allen, Lewis, Daniels, Flip, Radmanovich and Ridnour isn't bad either.

 

[jbeecham]

If they're going to start Reggie Evans, then I'd have Q guarding him with Marion on Lewis.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

I'd be careful of that ... Evans could work Q on the block and get him in foul trouble

I know that sounds stupid at face value .. however, Evans has been working with Sikma and has developed a nice left handed move and has been mildly aggressive with it

 

[sunsfn]

If Q is having a rough night scoring I look for Outlaw to get some minutes for defense tonight.

 

[F-Dog]

I'd love to see Danny Fortson go out with a major injury tonight...where's Scott Williams when you need him?


Anyway, it should be a great game tonight. I figure it will come down to Amare vs. their offensive rebounding, and the Suns' shooting vs. their shooting.

JJ is as good as anybody against Ray Allen, but Marion has had problems with Rashard Lewis. I guess with the switching the Suns do, the Sonic should be able to pick on Q if he doesn't step up his defense.

Hasn't Barbosa had a good game or two against Seattle? It wouldn't surprise me if he had a big night tonight.


Should be a good one! I'm glad it's on national TV!

 

[JS22]

Dont forget to join the chat!

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/chat.php

 

[jbeecham]

That's the worst 1st half of officiating I've seen this year against the Suns. Pretty much every screen that Seattle sets is illegal and that's what gets thier guys open lanes to the basket and easy shots. Fortson's been shoving people on screens and James threw an elbow into johnson when he went around the screen. Amare's getting fouled on every shot and he's gotten some calls, but he hasn't gotten a lot of them.

I can't believe the Suns are only down 2 at the half (55-53) despite all of the crap their having to deal with. There was one play where Richardson went for a layup, the ball went off the backboard and then got blocked by James......obvious goaltend with no call, then James lands on top of Richardson and tackles him to the ground and lands on him.......no call. WTF!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Chaz]

Not a good start on defense for the Suns.

I think they were maybe a little too hyped up.

Still they have cut the Sonic lead to two at the half. Should be an interesting 2nd half.

GO SUNS!!!

 

[jibikao]

Defense in the 2nd half is much better.

Seems like both teams have slowed down a bit.

Jimmy

 

[jibikao]

Agrrrr....

Let Nash rest now. It's almost the end of 3rd quarter. Nash's shot starts to come short now. I can tell he is tired....

Good job JJ!!! Keep it up.

Jimmy

 

[jibikao]

Ok...only 3pts lead for Sonics going to the 4th....


Jimmy

 

[Lefty]

Great win. I wonder how many more guys on the east coast will jump on the Suns bandwagon? Tim Legler was the one guy who picked the Suns to do well before the season.

 

[Amare32]

GREAT WIN!!

JJ=MVP tonight

 

[Cheesebeef]

bad officiating, bad game by Amare, bad start going down 16 on the road = VICTORY!

What an absolutely huge win. I want a shot at San Antonio to see where we really stand with the only team(and the Wolves) in our way to a title!

Just - absolutely - HUGE! Shawn Marion continues to shut my trap playing big 4th Q after big 4th Q aftyer big 4th Q. Nice game in the 4th by all the swingmen.

SunCard asked why did we sign Q - BECAUSE THE GUY IS A MONEY PLAYER - PERIOD.

I love this team.

 

[nathan]

The Suns were 2 Q points away from having 5 players with 20.

 

[SweetD]

Good game for both teams. The refs sucked it up big time for both teams at times. The only big issue I had was Case was on Allen I mean that is crazy! JJ should have been on him all night but the had him gaurd Rad from some reason.


Glad it's over don't think my wife could handle me for another period.

 

[boisesuns]

one observation i had was q's tendancy to just sit out at the three point line. he's very effective when driving the lane, just look at the last play!! he's also a good three shooter but his offensive game sometimes is to sit there and wait for a three in one spot. if he's on, that's great, but move around and get some other shots q!!!!!!


great game tonight. way to come back. joe johnson is looking very good latley. he's starting to play with a lot more intensity. great effort by the guys to stay in there at the end.

 

[Cheesebeef]

you know what's great? The Sonics played about as well as they could play - at home - and we STILL beat their assess - with Amare having an off game.

So impressed with this team. Finally - I get to root for one of those "from out of nowhere" teams. It's awesome. Everyone doubting your squad, not believeing they are for real, yet they just - keep - winning. 20-3 is pretty damn impressive - and those three losses came in OT, a two-point loss at the beginning of the season and by 4 against a Wolves team that was two games away from the Finals last year. 20-3 - absolutely sick. I hope this game gets us at least 5 ore game son ESPN/TNT for the rest of the season, otherwise, I'm gonn ahave to start going out and bothering bar onwers to use their NBA league Pass.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

So happy we won this game...tough win, on the road, and we prevail.

Next step is beating the Spurs and Wolves...if we can beat them, I feel good about our chances this year.

Mike

 

[George O'Brien]

I missed the first half and I guess that first quarter was painful. Overall, the Suns simply played better than the Sonics in the second half in spite of the Sonics hitting several shots that bounced around a lot before going in. Yet when the chips were down, the Suns came through and played extremely good defense.

It is curious that we think Amare had a bad night. For most NBA players, 20 points on 6-11 shooting, 9 rebounds, a blocked shot, and an assist would be considered a pretty good night. But for Amare it was a bad night.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I missed the first half and I guess that first quarter was painful. Overall, the Suns simply played better than the Sonics in the second half in spite of the Sonics hitting several shots that bounced around a lot before going in. Yet when the chips were down, the Suns came through and played extremely good defense.

It is curious that we think Amare had a bad night. For most NBA players, 20 points on 6-11 shooting, 9 rebounds, a blocked shot, and an assist would be considered a pretty good night. But for Amare it was a bad night.

Amare is not most players George - and that IS a compliment. He looke doutof sort all game long.

Phenomenal win though - absolutely stunning. Barring anymajor injuries - this team wins 60 games - HOLY COW!

 

[Chaplin]

Q's misguided shooting in the middle of the game irked me a little, but he is absolutely money with his positioning and strength. Nobody says much about Q's defense, but in the 4th, he and Shawn switched--Shawn took Lewis, and Q GUARDED REGGIE EVANS--and held him in check! I love watching basketball away fromm the ball--and Q was doing terrific keeping Evans away from rebounds, and either getting them himself or giving space for Amare or Shawn to snatch them. Just a terrific performance that I think he isn't given credit for.

 

[Chaplin]

Amare is not most players George - and that IS a compliment. He looke doutof sort all game long.

Phenomenal win though - absolutely stunning. Barring anymajor injuries - this team wins 60 games - HOLY COW!

The refs didn't help him at all though. Evans and Radmanovich were getting a lot of bad calls. Steve Nash also had a lot of bad calls against him, like that horrible flop that the refs fell for by Evans.

 

[jibikao]

I missed the first half and I guess that first quarter was painful. Overall, the Suns simply played better than the Sonics in the second half in spite of the Sonics hitting several shots that bounced around a lot before going in. Yet when the chips were down, the Suns came through and played extremely good defense.

It is curious that we think Amare had a bad night. For most NBA players, 20 points on 6-11 shooting, 9 rebounds, a blocked shot, and an assist would be considered a pretty good night. But for Amare it was a bad night.

Hahahaha...well, if Amare wants to be an all-star and big contracts, we WILL expect more of him than just his dunks.

I guess sometimes you just need to watch the game and not looking at the stats. It can be deceiving sometimes.

Amare offensively, he got shut down a lot and he wasn't really smart about going inside. And didn't you guys say that Amare has a good jumper now? How come I've NEVER seen it?? He should use it to confuse the opponents, making them think that they can't just guard him in the paint. This will open up inside a lot for other players.

Defensively, I just think Amare wasn't paying too much attention. Maybe he didn't want to get into foul trouble but he doesn't have to jump up to block all the time. Suns can't afford to lose him and since he plays at the Center position, he has 2x the chance to get fouled out than any other players.

Hunter was... well, he needs to improve his FT. That's all I can say for now. He didn't really impress me today. His defense was a bit slow but that could be just because he just stepped in for a while.

Jimmy