FArting
Lopes Up!
Utah Jazz @ Phoenix Suns 2-6-15
Suns are 0-3 when the second game of a back-to-back is at home.
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Utah Jazz @ Phoenix Suns 2/06
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82CardsGrad
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I'll be there tonight... With the 2nd game of the back to back, along with Len out, I'm not expecting much... 
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Utah starts Exum at PG? Interesting.
ArizonaSportsFan
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Utah is huge along the front line with Favors, Kanter, and Gobert. Going to be a long game without Len, IMO.
Errntknght
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Suns up 12 at the half, due primarily to Marcus playing out of his mind - 8/11 FG, 5/6 3's, 9 rebs and he has shot the only 4 Suns FTs, making 3. Utah is 1/6 at the FT line. Maybe the league forgot to send refs.
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Is it just me or does it seem like there's very little positive emotion out there?
Steve
Steve
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Miles Plumlee is dominating the boards.
Seriously though, I don't see how Earl Barron is worse than him. Barron's improved quite a bit over the years.
Seriously though, I don't see how Earl Barron is worse than him. Barron's improved quite a bit over the years.
SirStefan32
Krycek, Alex Krycek
I think their morale is about as good as ours.
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Miles Plumlee got baptized by Goran Hayward. Best dunk this season on a Suns player.
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It was a pretty boring game. We played tired on a back to back and Jazz just suck so it doesn't make for much exciting basketball.
Plus I think after the last couple games, people probably taking a break from the Suns. Can't blame them. I only watched spurts of this game, the Warriors-Hawks and Pelicans-Thunder were much better games.
binkar
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What happened to this guy?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UBFvcB7Hjo
Plumlee finished last year 13th in the NBA in dunks, and was much higher after the first couple of months.
What happened to that athleticism?
The only players who dunked more last year were Jordan, Howard, Drummond, Griffin, Davis, Durant, James, Faried, Terrence Jones, Mason Plumlee, Ibaka, and Tyson Chandler.
It's really, really strange that he has digressed so much. I remember in training camp they kept talking about how great he looked. It's really too bad...
P.S. I'm fully aware that dunks alone aren't an important stat. I'm just using it as a small example to show that he actually was explosive at one point.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UBFvcB7Hjo
Plumlee finished last year 13th in the NBA in dunks, and was much higher after the first couple of months.
What happened to that athleticism?
The only players who dunked more last year were Jordan, Howard, Drummond, Griffin, Davis, Durant, James, Faried, Terrence Jones, Mason Plumlee, Ibaka, and Tyson Chandler.
It's really, really strange that he has digressed so much. I remember in training camp they kept talking about how great he looked. It's really too bad...
P.S. I'm fully aware that dunks alone aren't an important stat. I'm just using it as a small example to show that he actually was explosive at one point.
Fun game. Crowd was great tonight. We were in the crowd for half time and post game shows. Any way to find the broadcast online?
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He reverted back to his old ways. The reason why he was an absolute scrub for Indiana and Duke.
BC867
Long time Phoenician!
We beat a team at home by 7 points which has won about 1/3 of its games this season.
The Suns karma about playing down to its opponents. Luckily, Mook came to life.
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I'm not just talking about this game. It's become more common in the last several games. From the opening tonight most of the players seemed angry or neutral. The chemistry that had developed in December seems missing and while it might be worse because of the 4 straight losses, it was noticeable going into that losing streak. It's probably coincidental but I first noticed it the night Goran sat on the bench because of a T but it seems to have spread through most of the team.
As for Utah, yes they have lost most of their games but in their last 7 games they have victories over 3 playoff teams (as of now).
Steve
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This is one of the reasons that I said even our wins have looked depressing. Nobody really looks that happy out there.
I'm sure it has to do with guys worrying about trades but I also think some of the guys are playing for their next contract and playing for prospective teams in case they get traded.
BC867
Long time Phoenician!
A generalization might be that it is the role of the Head Coach to light a spark and motivate his players game after game. It takes creativity and not all young coaches have it. Some of the Suns players have already spoken out about their displeasure, as you are noticing.
Another point of view, as has been posted, is that his pitting his players against each for playing time creates angry or neutral players -- an aura of "What's the use?"
Specifically, as has also been posted, most of the starters being bumped from their positions in the 4th quarter in order to make room for 3 Point Guards (by size, but none of them truly running the point).
If the Suns were a football team, they'd be shuffling 3 quarterbacks in and out or playing 4 or more, mostly on the line to block out 260 pound defensive guards and tackles.
The quarterbacks would probably play . . . angry or neutral.
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A generalization might be that it is the role of the Head Coach to light a spark and motivate his players game after game. It takes creativity and not all young coaches have it. Some of the Suns players have already spoken out about their displeasure, as you are noticing.
Another point of view, as has been posted, is that his pitting his players against each for playing time creates angry or neutral players -- an aura of "What's the use?"
Specifically, as has also been posted, most of the starters being bumped from their positions in the 4th quarter in order to make room for 3 Point Guards (by size, but none of them truly running the point).
If the Suns were a football team, they'd be shuffling 3 quarterbacks in and out or playing 4 or more, mostly on the line to block out 260 pound defensive guards and tackles.
The quarterbacks would probably play . . . angry or neutral.
I really don't know what the problem is (or problems are) but I don't think you've nailed it. The timing doesn't work AFAIC. These guys were very much enjoying playing together a month and a half ago. I remember watching an interview with Goran I think it was a few days before Christmas when he talked about how things had improved so drastically for him and the team. He said it all changed when a group of them got together and starting getting to know each other away from the court.
In December and most of January you could just see how much happier they all were and how much better they all played. That is, until about 2 weeks ago. Goran, who had been tearing it up for awhile, suddenly reverted to his November form. It wasn't as dramatic but Markieff tailed off also right around the same time. Len dropped off too but that's understandable, having hit the rookie wall. Anyway, I think the decline started right around the Houston game. We still played well enough to beat Chicago and Washington and should have beat Memphis but we just haven't looked quite right. JMO.
Steve
I've missed maybe a dozen games this season for various reasons but this was the first I missed because I had no desire to watch. The overall poor play of the team in the last 2 weeks or so combined with the Jazz being one of the worst teams in the league and Len's injury just didn't seem worth the time. I'm glad they won because I'm a fan but it was a game they should have won, regardless of Len's injury. It might have served things better long term if they'd lost though. I'm not saying the team should tank but I think they need to start looking to the future rather than clinging to the 8th seed. Warren, Ennis, Goodwin, and even Bullock should be getting minutes to see what they bring to the table. If that means trying to get something in return for players like Green who is expiring and won't be brought back next season then the Suns need to start doing that. They also need to pick 2 of the 3 PG's we have, Bledsoe, Goran, and IT and move the odd man out. I'd prefer IT to be moved because the idea of losing Goran in FA for nothing and starting IT & Bledsoe next year isn't something I want to see.
BC867
Long time Phoenician!
I was a little surprised that Jeff started Plumlee at Center with Len out. As I watched them line up for the opening tip, I thought that Wright would have more success at it. And, sure enough, Plumlee lost the opening tip as he usually did when he started.
The opening tip in itself is not that important. But wasn't Wright brought in to move ahead of Plumlee in the Center succession? Why not play him for the first six minutes, then bring in Plumlee in his current role as his backup?
Especially since who finishes the halves, and at what positions, is not based upon who starts.
It just seems that, after having demoted Plumlee from starter to backup, then to third Center, it would have been toying with him less to leave him in that role. Unless moving Wright ahead of him was a total mistake.
If you were Coach, would you start Plumlee or Wright at Center until Len returns . . . and why? Or might your opinions be "what does it matter?"
The opening tip in itself is not that important. But wasn't Wright brought in to move ahead of Plumlee in the Center succession? Why not play him for the first six minutes, then bring in Plumlee in his current role as his backup?
Especially since who finishes the halves, and at what positions, is not based upon who starts.
It just seems that, after having demoted Plumlee from starter to backup, then to third Center, it would have been toying with him less to leave him in that role. Unless moving Wright ahead of him was a total mistake.
If you were Coach, would you start Plumlee or Wright at Center until Len returns . . . and why? Or might your opinions be "what does it matter?"
82CardsGrad
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Was at the game last night and the biggest thing I noticed is how smooth and flowing the Jazz play on offense. Back door cuts... Nice screens and passing. Compared to the Suns offense which seems as-hoc, make it up on the fly and pray that someone gets hot from the outside... Thanks Marcus had a career game last night, otherwise we would've lost.
We have to remember he didn't take any time off during the summer. He was on the US team and traveled. Also Dragic had a long summer as well.
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We're talking about Miles Plumlee right? Are you sure he was on the US team? I know Mason Plumlee was on it but I didn't realize Miles was.
Steve
