Washington vs. Phoenix - game thread

[thegrahamcrackr]

Well, JJ apparently won't let it die. However I think this one is done

 

[SirStefan32]

Look at the bright side- the more we lose, the higher we go in the draft.

 

[Joe Mama]

There in the middle of the fourth quarter the Phoenix Suns settled for outside shots against the zone defense. They also weren't getting the fast breaks because the wizards were making their shots and going to the free-throw line.

Of course if they had just made a few of those wide-open three-point shots it would not have been a problem.

Joe Mama

 

[cardsunsfan]

Wow! That's pretty bad to lose to the Wizards

 

[cardsunsfan]

guess we're not making the playoffs

 

[elindholm]

Look at the bright side- the more we lose, the higher we go in the draft.

This really does feel like the end of the 2001-02 season. Frank Johnson had replaced Scott Skiles, the team was playing with energy and enthusiasm, certain "project" players (Tsakalidis) were starting to look alive -- and the team was losing most of the time. The 2002 team experienced an unexpected surge the following season, but it proved to be short-lived. What will happen this time around?

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by elindholm
Look at the bright side- the more we lose, the higher we go in the draft.

This really does feel like the end of the 2001-02 season. Frank Johnson had replaced Scott Skiles, the team was playing with energy and enthusiasm, certain "project" players (Tsakalidis) were starting to look alive -- and the team was losing most of the time. The 2002 team experienced an unexpected surge the following season, but it proved to be short-lived. What will happen this time around?

Of course, the following summer we also drafted Amare Stoudemire. Now, will lightening strike twice? And will we get a better draft pick?

 

[elindholm]

Of course, the following summer we also drafted Amare Stoudemire.

Heh, I had forgotten about that! But yes, that's an important "minor detail."

Now, will lightening strike twice?

It looks like we'd all better hope so.

 

[Wally]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
There in the middle of the fourth quarter the Phoenix Suns settled for outside shots against the zone defense. They also weren't getting the fast breaks because the wizards were making their shots and going to the free-throw line.

Of course if they had just made a few of those wide-open three-point shots it would not have been a problem.

Joe Mama

That was the same time Harvey was playing the #5. That was a bad lineup. I would have perfered to have Lampe in the game with Harvey at the 4 & put Eisley on the bench.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

There are similarities, however some key differences.

We do not have a big money player that is going to be the focal point of our offense yet.

We are not going to be handcuffed by bad salaries. We had no flexibility at all in between those years, where now we have a ton.

D'Antoni has at least shown he has a concept on how to run game situations, FJ was more of a communicator, but I think we can agree he didn't have a great grasp on sets.

 

[cardsunsfan]

Well I was excited when Barbosa and Zarko were doing well but right now they aren't Sooo I think I'll wait until I see positives...what the hell has happened to Barbosa?!?! I understand Zarko but how did Barbosa go from hitting all these threes to hitting nothing?!

 

[elindholm]

Barbosa's shot is flat and his mechanics are terrible. Unless he changes his shooting technique, which is unlikely, I think he will always be very streaky.

 

[cardsunsfan]

so do we give up on Barbosa then?

 

[scotsman13]

barbosa will spend the whole summer having his shot remake here in salt lake, count on it. they did it last year with casey this summer it will be barbosa.

 

[F-Dog]

I think the main thing they'll be doing is making him shoot with more arc.

His form will probably always be funky, which is fine with me...

 

[cardsunsfan]

it's just the thing is for quite a few games he was shooting about 50% from three. Most players don't come close to that.. I'm wondering if he's just started doubting himself or someone has been trying to change his mechanics already. What I'm kind of worried about is it looks like we might not have any good true point guards for next year... He looks more like a shooting guard to me and he gets low assists. I don't like eisely and Vujanic looks more like a shooting guard to me too...

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Plenty of players shoot 50% from 3 for a few games. Casey Jacobson was shooting that for the first 8-10 games of the season.

Barbosa has only had like 13 games with real playing time. His first 5-6 he shot great from behind the line, and it has steadily decreased. Like Eric said, he will likely be the type of player you worry about getting hot, because when he is on, he is on.



Well, I dont think anyone ever thought Barbosa was a true point, even before the trade. He just doesn't fit the mold. He is a combo guard, just like Vujanic, Eisley, and JJ. However, most PGs in the league are combo guards. JKidd is basically the last true point guard.


Not really an area of concern IMO

 

[F-Dog]

But, the plan is not to run the ball through any one player anyway, right?

Barbosa, Vujanic, Joe Johnson...whenever two of those combo guards are on the court, the ball should move well enough, I think.

 

[slinslin]

JJ = WOW

Run JJ and Kobe in the backcourt, I doubt it will be a big problem if the chemistry is right.

 

[elindholm]

JJ = WOW

In games that don't matter. I'm still reserving judgement until he can do it with the pressure on.

 

[slinslin]

If you overlook the game against Denver that he played with the flu.

That is 23ppg 5.5rpg 5apg 50%FG in 13 straight games.

I would say that is pretty damn good for a 22yr old shooting guard and doesn't take into account that he is a very very good defender and 6'8.

For instance he hold Sprewell to 2pts if you exclude the 2 FTs on an intentional foul.

 

[slinslin]

Kwame Brown looked pretty good.

He could be our starting center for years to come. If Washington would take our first pick for him I'd do it, I'd probably throw in more.

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by slinslin
Kwame Brown looked pretty good.

He could be our starting center for years to come. If Washington would take our first pick for him I'd do it, I'd probably throw in more.

You going to ask them to bend over and hold their ankles while you're at it?

Joe Mama

 

[Chaz]

Originally posted by F-Dog
I think the main thing they'll be doing is making him shoot with more arc.

His form will probably always be funky, which is fine with me...

Fine with me too, as long as he gets enough arc and rotation on his shots. I always thought Reggie Miller had a funny shot but it goes in.



I think this is probably the most disappointing loss so far this season. They should be able to hold on against Washington up 15 in the 4th. If they had they were guaranteed at least 2-5 on the trip. Not bad considering the teams they played. Now they have to beat NY and I don't think that will be so easy, esp on the road.

 

[slinslin]

Washington is challenging us for the lottery balls so it was a good game to lose.