A second look at the Suns last night tells us that things are as they should be. Nash with 17 dimes and running the floor extremely well. Marion doing the dirty work and getting reward with some VERY easy looks. Byant torching us, but he'll get his points one way or the other. But the part that got me was the shooting late in the fourth. James Jones looked like he had ice in his veins, and he impressed me, a lot. More than that, what a transition game this team plays, a guy like Smush Parker seemed to be nowhere near ready for that. Anyway, great game, and check out the highlights here: Highlights
I am impressed with the Suns. They did give up that 17 point lead, but they played the Mavs tough without Amare. I think the reason the lost was because D'Antoni didn't put Thomas in near the end. I think we needed him. He did play at the end in LA and we kept our lead there and won by 10. I am very happy. This team is giving a great effort. They are doing well scoring, and defending. And, to me, they are one of the deepest teams. Diaw has been a surprise. His defense is incredible. Barbosa is finally playing up to his potential. Jim Jackson is good like last year. Grant is great, but won't get too much playing time because of his knees. He brings a little toughness when we need it for a bit. And Eddie House has also been great as our 10th man. He is a great shooter. I really hope we do get Amare back, because I think this team will go far this season, but with how they are playing I hope Amare takes some more time to heal.
I am impressed with the Suns. They did give up that 17 point lead, but they played the Mavs tough without Amare. I think the reason the lost was because D'Antoni didn't put Thomas in near the end. I think we needed him. He did play at the end in LA and we kept our lead there and won by 10. I am very happy. This team is giving a great effort. They are doing well scoring, and defending. And, to me, they are one of the deepest teams. Diaw has been a surprise. His defense is incredible. Barbosa is finally playing up to his potential. Jim Jackson is good like last year. Grant is great, but won't get too much playing time because of his knees. He brings a little toughness when we need it for a bit. And Eddie House has also been great as our 10th man. He is a great shooter. I really hope we do get Amare back, because I think this team will go far this season, but with how they are playing I hope Amare takes some more time to heal.
I am impressed with the Suns. They did give up that 17 point lead, but they played the Mavs tough without Amare. I think the reason the lost was because D'Antoni didn't put Thomas in near the end. I think we needed him. He did play at the end in LA and we kept our lead there and won by 10. I am very happy. This team is giving a great effort. They are doing well scoring, and defending. And, to me, they are one of the deepest teams. Diaw has been a surprise. His defense is incredible. Barbosa is finally playing up to his potential. Jim Jackson is good like last year. Grant is great, but won't get too much playing time because of his knees. He brings a little toughness when we need it for a bit. And Eddie House has also been great as our 10th man. He is a great shooter. I really hope we do get Amare back, because I think this team will go far this season, but with how they are playing I hope Amare takes some more time to heal.
The key move last night came from coach D'Antoni. He took the ball out of Barbosa's hands and let Diaw run the offense. D'Antoni and his staff, are creative with their lineups, having Diaw at 6-8 playing point-center, amazing. The trio of House, Barbosa, and Diaw on the floor gave the Lakers a lot of match up problems and the defense couldn't close out on the shooters. This played a role later on in the game, because the Lakers were scared to leave their man late in the game on help defense. This gave Nash all kinds of space to create for Thomas and Marion. The Suns put on a pick and roll clinic at one point in the game. The Lakers did make it exciting near the end, I guess the Suns are going to deal with blowing leads all season long without Amare in the lineup. How about Joe Johnson watching his ex-teammates out there as a spectator?
Well, they did better this time. I think they needed to have a big man inside so Amare will be missed, but this time D'Antoni put Kurt in and he did well at the end and we kept our lead. I think they well be fine. They just need to get used to playing without Amare. They have a lot of depth. And about Barbosa, he is awesome. I guess he should be a SG now, but even when he's there he got 5 assists... great shooter. And I love having House on our team. Hopefully this ASU grad can make a nice career for himself in Phoenix.
I have to hand it to the Suns- they stick with a style of play and live and die by it...I didnt think they were gonna be able to stick with their frenetic style of play after the losses of JJ, Q, and Amare (for the next 4 months) but these past two games have shown differently...props to them...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Houston:</div><div class="quote_post">I have to hand it to the Suns- they stick with a style of play and live and die by it...I didnt think they were gonna be able to stick with their frenetic style of play after the losses of JJ, Q, and Amare (for the next 4 months) but these past two games have shown differently...props to them...</div> That's a good point though, running was central to last year's team, and they did lose an awful lot of hustle from those three, but they gained in back in a smaller form. To call Diaw a replacement for JJ I would've thought to be sacilege, but Diaw has been pretty darn good I'd say. Barbosa hasn't impressed me, he's been pretty boneheaded with the offense, getting the ball into Diaw's hands was probably the best thing they could have done at that point.
Our second unit is really playing well. Last year this team struggled with Nash on the bench, but this season they have excelled. I love the small lineup of Jackson, Diaw, Barbosa, House, and James Jones.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting emannen:</div><div class="quote_post">Our second unit is really playing well. Last year this team struggled with Nash on the bench, but this season they have excelled. I love the small lineup of Jackson, Diaw, Barbosa, House, and James Jones.</div> Agreed, and on that note, D'Antoni needs to play House some more. The way he's been defending and handling the ball warrants his getting more time than Barbosa, who's been questionable lately.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Crywalker:</div><div class="quote_post">Agreed, and on that note, D'Antoni needs to play House some more. The way he's been defending and handling the ball warrants his getting more time than Barbosa, who's been questionable lately.</div> I would like to see more of both players, but with a player of Steve Nash's caliber that will be very unlikely. I think LB is playing his best basketball right now. When he is not pressured and does not have to control the ball he has excelled. House is shooting the ball very well. He is another player that surprised me. I did not expect this team to gel, and play this well early. I am impressed and look for continued improvement. CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW GOOD THIS TEAM WILL BE WHEN AMARE IS HEALTHY??????!!!!!!!!!!!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting emannen:</div><div class="quote_post">I would like to see more of both players, but with a player of Steve Nash's caliber that will be very unlikely. I think LB is playing his best basketball right now. When he is not pressured and does not have to control the ball he has excelled. House is shooting the ball very well. He is another player that surprised me. I did not expect this team to gel, and play this well early. I am impressed and look for continued improvement. CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW GOOD THIS TEAM WILL BE WHEN AMARE IS HEALTHY??????!!!!!!!!!!!!</div> Who could imagine? And you make a fair point about Barbosa. This guy's confidence has been shaky at best, all through his career, and for him to just now step into a role that suits him and he feels comfortable with, that shows mastery on the part of D'Antoni. He and Mark Iavaroni seem to really have a great brains for getting a bead on player's personalities and needs. For Barbosa to not even share the same language, and for them to be able to see the issue at hand, is some pretty impressive sports psychology work. With all the great play we've seen so far, I definitely give credit to D'Antoni for thinking outside the box to figure out matchups and playing styles that work so well for such a seemingly shallow talent pool. Talk about getting the most out of your players.
