There is no guarantee that sitting Nash will improve his health at this point. Over the last month the Suns have had layoffs of 6 days and 4 days and neither of those layoffs seemed to improve Nash's health or his play. Unless they shut him down for the rest of the regular season (and maybe not even then) his health is going to be an issue. If they did shut him down, how many games would it take him and the team to get back in rythm. We can't afford to lose even 1 playoff games due to a rusty Nash.
The Race for 2nd
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Nobody is offering guarantees here. The only thing that comes close to a guarantee is that without Lopez and with an ailing Nash we will not advance in the playoffs.
According to Nash, the 6 day layoff greatly helped him and his first couple of games back seemed to support that. I didn't notice any improvement after the 4 day rest but who knows.
How many can we afford to lose due to an injured Nash? In truth, it probably doesn't matter. Nash won't sit out more than 1 or 2 games at the most down the stretch and we'll get knocked out in the first round.
It's not all doom and gloom though. I guess we've shown the world that without a healthy Nash and Lopez we're still better than Minnesota and Chicago. Yea us!
Steve
You must not have been watching very much NBA over the past few weeks. Here are a few results:
LAL - Losses to @NO, Close wins against a lot of bad teams
DAL - Losses to NYK (by 34), BOS, @NO (by 16)
UTAH - Losses to @Ind, @Phx (blowout)
DEN - Losses in 5 out of last 6, incl @ NYK
OKC - Losses to @Char, @Ind
SA - Losses in 4 out of last 8, incl @NJN
PORT - Lost @Phx (probably playing the best lately of all these teams)
We have won 8 in a row. I will agree that it will be tough to win long-term without Lopez and a healthy Nash but to say that we are practically guaranteed not to get out of the first round is being way overly pessimistic. None of the 6 teams below that Lakers have proven to be world-beaters this season and even the Lakers are a question-mark right now. Lopez is supposed to be back before the playoffs so I will take my chances with a team that has a rejuvenated Amare, Lopez in the lineup and Nash at 70% over most of their likely 1st round competition.
LAL - Losses to @NO, Close wins against a lot of bad teams
DAL - Losses to NYK (by 34), BOS, @NO (by 16)
UTAH - Losses to @Ind, @Phx (blowout)
DEN - Losses in 5 out of last 6, incl @ NYK
OKC - Losses to @Char, @Ind
SA - Losses in 4 out of last 8, incl @NJN
PORT - Lost @Phx (probably playing the best lately of all these teams)
We have won 8 in a row. I will agree that it will be tough to win long-term without Lopez and a healthy Nash but to say that we are practically guaranteed not to get out of the first round is being way overly pessimistic. None of the 6 teams below that Lakers have proven to be world-beaters this season and even the Lakers are a question-mark right now. Lopez is supposed to be back before the playoffs so I will take my chances with a team that has a rejuvenated Amare, Lopez in the lineup and Nash at 70% over most of their likely 1st round competition.
mojorizen7
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Playoffs are a different animal. You can throw most of that out.
Getting "hot" going into the playoffs is certainly a factor...but IMO health trumps all...and without a presence at the 5 and an ailing Nash there is little reason for optimism beyond defeating a rd 1 scrub team.
Not to mention this team isn't built to win cham...oh nvr mind.
Arizona's Finest
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How much of a difference do some of you think that resting Nash a game or 2 is really going to make on him being "healthy" for the playoffs?
Answer: Its not going to make much of difference at all.
There are no back to backs in the playoffs. The plan would be to clinch a seed ASAP and rest Nash for 2 games before the playoffs so he's had a good 5-6 days of rest.
Answer: Its not going to make much of difference at all.
There are no back to backs in the playoffs. The plan would be to clinch a seed ASAP and rest Nash for 2 games before the playoffs so he's had a good 5-6 days of rest.
jagu
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Nash resting for 1 to 2 games is not giong to make any difference. We all know his back condition is not going away. I say run the horse out there and lets play ball. If he really wants to win , suck it up and win win win!
The Suns could have tied Dallas tonight, but the Grizzlies blew a 13 point lead with 4 minutes to go at home and Dallas got a gift-wrapped win. So we remain a game behind and with the likely Utah victory tonight, we shall remain in 4th.
maybe not, but the lakers have had their number in the playoffs. I don't see the spurs being a force in the playoffs. they just aren't as deep as the other teams. they are playing better, but I think lack of depth has been their problem the last couple of years.
very true none of those crap teams mentioned in that post will be in the playoffs... those teams above are playing spoiler. do you really think dallas or other teams get up to play the knicks at home like they do denver or LA? you can't judge that. What I would look at is how the top teams fair against one another. Dallas is the last team to beat ATL in their building. They won at Orlando and Boston. they split with cleveland and the lakers. I think they won the season series against the suns and spurs as well. I think matchups are everything come playoff time. Young fast teams scare me as a mavs fan. Teams like portland/OKC.Playoffs are a different animal. You can throw most of that out.
Getting "hot" going into the playoffs is certainly a factor...but IMO health trumps all...and without a presence at the 5 and an ailing Nash there is little reason for optimism beyond defeating a rd 1 scrub team.
Not to mention this team isn't built to win cham...oh nvr mind.
Terry kept the game somewhat close and dirk bailed them out in the end after playing terrible for 3 quarters. The grizzlies are a tough matchup for dallas, but dallas found a way to win a game very ugly. beaubois is becoming a secret weapon.
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Maybe I am being overly pessimistic but it's hard to imagine this current team coming out on top in a playoff series. Now, add Lopez back in and maybe we stand a chance but we'd stand a much better chance if Nash was in top form.
I think Lopez falls in the "might be back" rather than the "supposed to be back" group.
Dallas, Utah, San Antonio, OKC , Denver and Portland have all been impressive at times this season. It's hard to dismiss any of those especially since our track record indicates that we struggle in the postseason when less than full strength. And I certainly wouldn't look at the past few weeks to judge the Lakers. Besides missing Bynum, they know they have nothing to play for. They're not going to catch Cleveland and they're not in jeopardy of losing the top spot in the West.
Steve
I agree with this post. 82 games is a lot especially for teams that are sometimes just going through the motion and taking everyones best shot. In the playoffs the cream will rise to the top.
Chaplin
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The best and most realistic thing to do is to cut back on Nash's minutes. If he is playing well, let Dragic play for the entire 2nd quarter. Give Nash more time on the bench before coming in during the 4th quarter.
Sitting him for entire games aren't going to help--it won't make a difference. But giving him 5-10 minutes less per game... That gives him some rest AND gives us a better chance of winning basketball games.
Chaplin
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Minute distribution is the key right now, not sitting for entire games.
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That will help from an exhaustion standpoint but I don't think it's going to do much for his injury. OTOH, I'm not sure that days off will do it either.
Steve
Nash had a great game last night. He led the team in every major statistical category (24 points on 9-16 shooting, 14 assists, AND 7 rebounds). Without him they don't win that game. And this was a second game of a back to back. Give the guy some credit. I can't believe that practically none of you guys give this team a shot in the playoffs regardless of the fact that this team is much different than any of the previous D'Antoni teams. I choose to stand behind my team, especially when there is no evidence to support the idea that they have no shot. I support the idea that this team is better with Lopez in the lineup but I am willing to listen the arguement that it isn't as much Lopez as it is Amare playing Power Forward with a center who will do the dirty work (which Collins is now doing). I refuse to believe that Lopez is the difference between a deep playoff run or going down in flames in the 1st round.
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I don't care what seed the Suns get 2-7 as long as the Spurs play the Lakers in the first round.
elindholm
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Unfortunately, that isn't going to happen. The Lakers have all but clinched #1, and the Spurs have moved up to #7 and are still charging hard. I think San Antonio will finish at #6 or possibly as high as #5.
I hope the Suns finish fourth and kick Denver to fifth. I certainly don't like us taking on a young hungry OKC in the first round. If we don't have Lopez it probably don't matter.
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San Antonio clinched a playoff berth today by beating the Lakers. Im preparing for De Ja Vu when the Suns meet them in the first round
mojorizen7
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If so,the SUNS have already lost that series regardless of who's the better team. If you don't believe me,then you need a history lesson.
I would rather walk on hot coals thru the Sahara with Oliver Miller strapped to my back than witness another PHX/S.A. playoff series.
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Well hopefully Raja Bell can prepare some special concoction to spike the Spur's gatorade now he has lots of spare time. Kerr might even reward him with a contract next season.
Btw.. Its not cheating. Its called revenge...
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We have had painful memories of Nash's Suns team losing to the Spurs. We have yet to witness the Amare's Suns team do the same. youknowwhatimsaying
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I don't think you (and there are a lot of YOU) give the Spurs enough credit. They didn't just beat the Suns. Most of those years the Spurs beat everyone else also. The trio of Parker, Ginobili and Duncan is far better than any of our best "trios". You can argue the merits of the rest of the players involved but most contests are decided by the best players not the 6th best player.
Steve
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