Suns @ Wizards 3-26-14

[Mainstreet]

The Suns play at the Wizards today with a 4 PM Arizona start time. I thought I should put up a game thread early today as a reminder. Here is part of an article written by Paul Coro at azcentral dated 3-26-14 about the game and the success of the Dragic/ Bledsoe backcourt.

WASHINGTON – If you are into winning 72 percent of your games, this whole Goran Dragic-Eric Bledsoe backcourt thing just might be for you.

The Suns are 18-7 when the Slobama backcourt of a crafty Slovenian and shifty Alabaman start together. Even with a 10-week gap between stints, Dragic and Bledsoe have stayed in synch like a metronome.

The Suns' season was built on the premise of a system thriving with two point guards to expose mismatches, avoid overloads and be relentless attackers with one or both playing at all times.

The Suns have won six of seven games since Bledsoe resumed starting. It is a run qualified by beating five teams with losing records, but the premise of sharing the playmaking duties is being executed even more than before Bledsoe's knee injury. That was the idea to start the season, but Bledsoe gravitated to the point more often. In these seven games, the playmaking is shared more with 33 assists from Dragic and 32 assists from Bledsoe.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/spor...suns-mad-mismatch-creating-backcourt/6898805/

 

[sunsfan88]

*crickets*

 

[Cheesewater]

Ish needs to knock it off with the playground stuff.

 

[Superbone]

*crickets*

Most of us work for a living. I'll be watching tonight after work.

 

[Cheesewater]

Al Harrington. Drew Gooden. Andre Miller.
Somebody call AARP.

 

[sunsfan88]

Most of us work for a living. I'll be watching tonight after work.

That sucks. I just sit on my couch all day and then go pick out money from the maple palm that's right outside when I need it

 

[AfroSuns]

Al Harrington. Drew Gooden. Andre Miller.
Somebody call AARP.

Hahaha... whats that? like 43 yrs combined?

 

[Catlover]

Goran had a couple of layups in that first half that were jaw-dropping.

 

[Mainstreet]

I was just able to tune-in. It's Goran, Bledsoe and Green. Plumlee looking active in the third quarter.

 

[Mainstreet]

Bledsoe putting on a performance.

 

[Cheesewater]

Wow. Bledsoe, Plumlee, Dragic...all looking really good here.

 

[Cheesewater]

Is Gortat TRYING to look like Rusty Venture?

 

[Cheesewater]

Dragic just CAN NOT get a call.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Suns are determined to give up what was once a 25 point lead.

 

[Cheesewater]

John Wall is a flopper?

 

[Cheesewater]

How is there no whistle on that Dragic layup?

 

[Mainstreet]

That was one awesome pass to find Dragic open. I didn't identify the passer, maybe Bledsoe but I'm guessing.

 

[Cheesewater]

A call!!!! Woooooo!

 

[Mainstreet]

Markieff and Gortat both flopping.

 

[Cheesewater]

So glad to be rid of Gortat.

 

[Mainstreet]

Bledsoe putting an assortment of weird shots near the rim down the stretch and missing. Then he takes a very long 3 and makes it. Go figure.

 

[Catlover]

Bledsoe putting an assortment of weird shots near the rim down the stretch and missing. Then he takes a very long 3 and makes it. Go figure.

Dragic was the best player on our team today but that shot by Eric was huge. It was made even more huge because ego-driven John Wall felt the need to match Eric so he came right down and threw up an equally long 3 pointer. His shot didn't fall and that was pretty much the game. I don't understand those players that can't see the difference between a shot like Wall took and the one Bledsoe made. Eric took it as the clock was winding down but Goran set it up by his drive and kick. One shot was by a ballhog and the other was part of the offense.

 

[Mainstreet]

Dragic was the best player on our team today but that shot by Eric was huge. It was made even more huge because ego-driven John Wall felt the need to match Eric so he came right down and threw up an equally long 3 pointer. His shot didn't fall and that was pretty much the game. I don't understand those players that can't see the difference between a shot like Wall took and the one Bledsoe made. Eric took it as the clock was winding down but Goran set it up by his drive and kick. One shot was by a ballhog and the other was part of the offense.

Before Bledsoe was injured he had looked to be a go-to player. He has that big play ability that he demonstrated at the end today. However, what I found interesting down the stretch, both Bledsoe and Dragic took turns trying to get to the rim and provide the Suns an inside game in latter part of the 4th quarter. I think this is a flawed strategy if done over and over again when the defense is expecting it. I especially think Bledsoe tried to force things too much inside. I don't think Bledsoe was showboating on that long 3 point shot as you pointed out. He just made a big shot like stars do.

 

[Catlover]

Before Bledsoe was injured he had looked to be a go-to player. He has that big play ability that he demonstrated at the end today. However, what I found interesting down the stretch, both Bledsoe and Dragic took turns trying to get to the rim and provide the Suns an inside game in latter part of the 4th quarter. I think this is a flawed strategy if done over and over again when the defense is expecting it. I especially think Bledsoe tried to force things too much inside. I don't think Bledsoe was showboating on that long 3 point shot as you pointed out. He just made a big shot like stars do.

I don't think it's a flawed strategy especially if you have good spot up shooters to space the court. I don't think it's the ideal strategy but given our roster I think it's the best use of our assets. I think it will get even better for us though if both Goran and Eric work on that little floater. It seems to be all the way to the hoop or nothing for these guys and that middle area is pretty soft. Dragic at least has that little step-back shot he takes if he finds the hoop area too crowded .

 

[Mainstreet]

I don't think it's a flawed strategy especially if you have good spot up shooters to space the court. I don't think it's the ideal strategy but given our roster I think it's the best use of our assets. I think it will get even better for us though if both Goran and Eric work on that little floater. It seems to be all the way to the hoop or nothing for these guys and that middle area is pretty soft. Dragic at least has that little step-back shot he takes if he finds the hoop area too crowded .

It just seemed that Dragic but more particularly Bledsoe were taking the ball to the rim without much passing. It was like these were the Suns go-to players near the end and they were trying to win the game on their own. Bledsoe was forcing some weird shot attempts inside without success. Of course, he makes that big 3 point shot and all is well. I think the Suns choked a bit in the 4th quarter and they wanted to seize control by some one-on-one stuff.