Western Conference First Round Game 3 - Suns @ Grizzles Game Thread

[thirty-two]

steven hunter is playing really well this series

 

[Chaplin]

Sprained shoulder for Nash?

 

[sly fly]

This is delicious. The Suns are everywhere.

So much for that brilliant prediction by Charles Barkley. Yeah, we needed to blow out Memphis in Game 2 to send a message.

It's ok to get excited with this team, Skorp. No need to harness your emotions. Let it flow, man.

 

[Lefty]

I can't wait to hear what the guys from ESPN have to say about the Suns after this game.

 

[devilalum]

I'm worried that the Suns have home court advantage throughout the playoffs.

Why do they play so much better on the road?

 

[Chaplin]

Well, in case you've forgotten, we DID win our 2 games at home. We dominate on the road and play well enough to win at home. Let's run the table!

Just a great win for the Suns. Total domination--and some spectacular defense.

 

[Treesquid PhD]

some maybe arrogant but I hate the overly modest more. Phoenix is the better team.

lets get the sweep.

 

[Lefty]

Now Legler is saying the Suns are deep. Jeez, before they were saying the Suns don't have much depth and that could hurt them.

 

[jandaman]

Hah


20 point trashing... Good defense by suns tonight.
I wouldnt be surprise if any more grizzly fan bet a grand this to go 7.

And this team is probably the team that gave suns most trouble in the regular season...... keeping them way below their offensive capability... yet 3-0 all high scoring.

 

[Treesquid PhD]

I can't believe people are whinning becuase the Suns are a great road team.

Are these the same people who complain about Amare getting 30 and 9?

 

[sly fly]

This is getting serious.

- The Suns D completely shut down Memphis. The weak-side help was there every damn time. Not only does PHX possess offensive quickness, they're starting to use that quickness on D. When they do that, it's lights out.

- Joe Johnson is elevating his game to another level. Every time the ball leaves his hands, you expect it to go in. When it doesn't, I'm surprised.

- I'm still half-expecting some of you to come on here and nit-pick Amare's rebounding or defense.

 

[devilalum]

Stephen Hunter,

They're like an animal that's dead, you gotta keep 'em dead.

 

[jandaman]

This is what all of us have been saying all season. When the suns want to play defense they can. They aren't terrible... its just that they rather not play defense as it hinders their running game.



Jim Jackson is underrated as a bench player, Im still not sure why people ignore that we have him in our bench. Suns doesnt have the best bench. But we have probably what standards will imply as a "capable" bench.

 

[asudevil83]

this was a flatout takedown on all aspects of the game.

a lineup with Amare and Hunter should be feared, and it got to the point where the grizz didnt want to shoot in the lane.

we played some inspiring defense tonight. sweeping this series (hopefully) will be VERY sweet indeed. i'm disliking pretty much everything that has to do with the grizzlies lately.

 

[Lefty]

Greg Anthony and Tim Legler are a bunch of hypocrits. They were preaching all year that the Suns would not be able to continue to play an up-tempo game and win when it came playoff time. Now they're talking about how dangerous they are with this offense. These guys make me sick.

 

[Treesquid PhD]

- I'm still half-expecting some of you to come on here and nit-pick Amare's rebounding or defense.

Amen brotha, I get tired of hearing losers talk Amare down and in the same breath pimp up someone like Hunter. Amare is the present and future deal with it haters.

The guys on ESPN 2 were like in shock how good Amare is. This is his comming out party.

I also thoughy Joe Johnson was nails he hit so many huge shots when memphis was trying to make runs. People don't realize how good this guy is.

 

[newfan101]

I like Mike Fratello. But he is helping our cause as much as anyone on the floor. He coaches just like John MacLeod in that he plays his guys specific minutes regardless of how they're playing. MacLeod drove me nuts with that back in the late 70's & 80's, and now Fratello's doing the same ... for our benefit.

Pau Gasol and Jason Williams should be on the floor 40+ minutes a game. If they were, this series might be 2-1. Fratello's strict substitution patterns is absolutely stifling his team. I can feel for Memphis fans, because I saw this with our team under Macleod.

Those who criticize D'Antoni for playing his guys too many minutes should watch this series. He is completely out coaching Fratello.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I like Mike Fratello. But he is helping our cause as much as anyone on the floor. He coaches just like John MacLeod in that he plays his guys specific minutes regardless of how they're playing. MacLeod drove me nuts with that back in the late 70's & 80's, and now Fratello's doing the same ... for our benefit.

Pau Gasol and Jason Williams should be on the floor 40+ minutes a game. If they were, this series might be 2-1. Fratello's strict substitution patterns is absolutely stifling his team. I can feel for Memphis fans, because I saw this with our team under Macleod.

Those who criticize D'Antoni for playing his guys too many minutes should watch this series. He is completely out coaching Fratello.

I agree. D'Antoni is living up to Coach of the Year billing right now. That move of keeping JJ as the point on Watson was awesome. JJ got his shot off all game against him.

 

[arthurracoon]

Great win!!!

 

[CardinalLaw]

Nice Game Suns!!!

 

[Chaz]

Great game by the Suns.

They weathered the storm early but still took the lead to end the quarter. Memphis had to be dejected to shoot 70% and still trail by 1.

KEEP UP THE PRESSURE SUNS>

Memphis cannot score with us if the Suns play their game. Lets bury this team early on Sunday and get this round over with.

Hopefully Dallas can extend their series against Houston.

As far as Anthony and Legler go, better late than never.

In fairness to Legler he was picking the Suns all the way in this series while Anthony talked like he wanted to pick Memphis.

 

[TopGamer]

Greg Anthony and Tim Legler are a bunch of hypocrits. They were preaching all year that the Suns would not be able to continue to play an up-tempo game and win when it came playoff time. Now they're talking about how dangerous they are with this offense. These guys make me sick.

I noticed too. Especially before the playoffs started when he was suggesting Memphis could upset Phoenix but didn't come right out and say it because he knew he'd get lit up by the panel. He's been dishing out more criticism than praise for the Suns all year. It's always about how Suns play no D when there are much worse defensive teams out there yet we win more than anyone. I'm glad he put the defense talk to rest.

 

[Biclops]

Can anyone tell me how bad Nash's shoulder got injured?

LETS GO FOR SWEEP ON SUNDAY !! GO SUNS

 

[George O'Brien]

I'm really sorry I missed this one. Memphis is a bad road team that finds a way to lose when out of town, but a very good home team - so this meant even more than the first two. This was the Suns long anticipated "statement" game.

I agree that D'Antoni should be coach of the year, but he does seem a tad slow in figuring out that the combination of Hunter and Stoudemire would simply shut down the Memphis inside game. Gasol has 11 points prior to Hunter entering the lineup and 2 the rest of the game.

 

[jbeecham]

Can anyone tell me how bad Nash's shoulder got injured?

LETS GO FOR SWEEP ON SUNDAY !! GO SUNS

Nash came back into the game and played another 10 minutes or so after it happened. It was diagnosed as a mild shoulder sprain, but it looked like it might have just been a stinger.