<div align="center"> <font color="orange">The Phoenix Suns (25-13)</font> vs. <font color="purple">The Los Angeles Lakers (21-18)</font> Friday, January 20th, 2006 US Airways Center, Phoenix, Arizona 7:30 Pacific; BSPN </div> [div=50%] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="orange"> <font size="1">(S. Nash, R. Bell, B. Diaw, S. Marion, K. Thomas)</font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Shawn Marion - 21.2 PPG Leading Rebounder: Shawn Marion - 12.0 RPG Assist Man: Steve Nash - 11.4 APG The 'X' Factor: Leandro Barbosa (13.7 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.9 APG)</font> <font size="3">Backcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/steve_nash.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Steve Nash</font> PPG: 18.8, RPG: 4.2, APG: 11.4 The reigning MVP of the league is tearing it up again this season. Everyone thought the Suns would struggle without Amare, but Nash, along with Marion, have kept them atop the Pacific Division. I don't even want to think about the game Nash will have, as I invision lob after lob for him. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/raja_bell.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Raja Bell</font> PPG: 13.7, RPG: 3.4, APG: 2.4 Raja's big thing tonight will be hindering Kobe Bryant. If he lets Bryant explode for a huge game, the Suns still have a good chance of winning, but the chance still decreases. He'll also have a tough time on offense, Bryant is no slouch of a defender, himself. </font> <font size="3">Frontcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/boris_diawiaw.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Boris Diaw</font> PPG: 11.8, RPG: 6.5, APG: 6.0 Diaw brings to the table an all around game. 11, 6, and 6 is something the Lakers should be concerned about from a role player. Lamar Odom, being the schmuck that he is, can't slack off on defense tonight. Diaw, also a good defender, could give Odom some fits on the offensive end. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/shawn_marion.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Shawn Marion</font> PPG: 21.2, RPG: 12.00, BPG: 1.89 Marion is having another stellar season. He can do everything. Kwame Brown might give him some fits on the inside, so Marion should think about taking Brown out to the perimeter, since he has that kind of range. Marion should also have a huge night on the boards, seeing as the Lakers tend to give big rebounders, big games. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kurt_thomas.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Kurt Thomas</font> PPG: 9.0, RPG: 8.3, BPG: 1.03 Kurt Thomas just needs to play his game. The Suns have enough support from the other 4 in their starting lineup. If Thomas comes in and gets his 9 points, 8 boards, and alters some shots, he's done a good job. He needs to keep Mihm in foul trouble, and keep the Laker bigs from the offensive glass. </font> [/div] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="purple"> <font size="1">(S. Parker, K. Bryant, L. Odom, K. Brown, C. Mihm) </font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Kobe Bryant - 34.7 PPG Leading Rebounder: Lamar Odom - 9.3 RPG Assist Man: Lamar Odom - 5.6 APG The 'X' Factor: Smush Parker (11.5 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 3.1 APG)</font> <font size="3">Backcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/smush_parker.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Smush Parker</font> PPG: 11.5, RPG: 3.2, APG: 3.1 I don't have anything positive for Smush this game. I just hope he comes out with one of those nights where he is just hot. He's feeling it all game. If not, Nash is going to SHRED him. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kobe_bryant.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Kobe Bryant</font> PPG: 34.7, RPG: 5.6, APG: 4.4 Kobe threw another MVP performance in the other night, but once again, his help crumbled down the stretch. Bell is no pushover on defense, so Bryant might have a hard time getting what he wants in this game. He needs to get to the free throw line and look for open teammates, who need to knock down the shots. He'll get his 30 points, it's the defense and the creating we need from him in this game. </font> <font size="3">Frontcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/lamar_odom.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Lamar Odom</font> PPG: 14.6, RPG: 9.3, APG: 5.6 What was Odom thinking last game? I don't know, I don't think he even knows either. Odom needs to realize that Boris Diaw can be a lethal X factor in this game and has to stick it to him defensively. Odom will get others involved, but he has to get himself involved and be smart with the ball. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kwame_brown.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Kwame Brown</font> - PPG: 6.3, RPG: 6.2, BPG: .62 Uhm, memo to Kwame: In the past, you've had rock solid games against big name players against you. Tonight, you have a fellow known as Shawn Marion, a big name player. That means, if history repeats itself, you get up for this game and have a big game yourself, or you can be that lazy slouch that you turn into when you get discouraged. It's up to you, but we'd like the hard ass kwame. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/chris_mihm.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Chris Mihm</font> PPG: 10.3, RPG: 6.6, BPG: 1.33 We need Mihm to come out active and look for his shot down in the post. We need to slow the pace of the game down, and that involves Mihm getting going. Mihm, please stay out of foul trouble. We need you more than we have all year right now, realize it. This is Mihm's game to make or break in my eyes. If he gets going and the Lakers can slow this game down, than we have a great shot. If we don't, the Suns will be able to play their pace, which translates to a Purple n Gold massacre. </font> <font size="3">Keys to the Game</font><ul>[*]<font color="orange">Push the Tempo</font> - If the Suns want a for sure victory, they need to force a fast-break, uptempo pace to the game. A pace in which the Lakers can't hang with.[*]<font color="orange">Eliminate the Laker Big Men</font> - This goes back to the uptempo style of play. If the Suns take the Laker bigs out of the game, then they have the Lakers at their mercy. Every single one of the Suns players can run the floor, something the Lakers don't have the luxury of, especially with their big men. Use that, make the Laker bigmen travel up and down the floor constantly.[*]<font color="orange">Other Laker Players</font> - The Suns can afford to let Kobe Bryant get his, they need to be concerned with stopping the role players for the Lakers stepping it up. When they're effective, the Lakers look like they can beat any team in the league, even the Suns. Eliminating the role players will leave just Kobe to beat you. As good as Kobe is, beating a team like the Phoenix Suns one-handed is nearly impossible.[*]<font color="purple">Slow the Tempo</font> - Opposite of the Phoenix Suns, the Lakers need a half court game to win. They can't keep up with the Suns on the run, if they get sucked into that running game, it'll be a long night for the Lakers and their fans[*]<font color="purple">Role Players</font> - Calling all role players, we need you tonight. We need Smush to have a hot hand, Lamar to be aggressive, Kwame to be aggressive, and Mihm to be smart enough not to pick up stupid fouls. Help Kobe out, score and defend like their is no tomorrow.[*]<font color="purple">Don't Get Discouraged</font> - With last night's ugly lost still on their mind, the Lakers have to come out not thinking about it. If the Suns get out early, take a timeout, talk things over and go from there. They can't get down on themselves or we can expect a 15+ point loss tonight.[/list]<font size="3">Prediction</font> Uhm. Nothing good to say, so I'll save it. Lakers: 104, Suns: 116.
Unfortunately, your first game preview loss might be followed the next night by your second game preview loss. The Lakers hopes fall on the shoulders of their frontline, and against one of the best offensive teams, I don't like the Lakers odds tonight. I'm hoping the Suns over look us tonight and come out flat. The Lakers just aren't good enough and consistent enough to hang with this team. The Suns offense and small-ball matchups worry me tonight. After watching Mike Bibby do whatever he wanted against Smush Parker last night, I don't like his chances of containing Steve Nash. The key to beating the Suns is controlling tempo and slowing the game down. Slowing the game down limits the opportunities for the Suns to run and get easy baskets in transition. How do you control tempo? 1) Pound the ball inside for high percentage shots. The Suns rely on their speed to play defense, but they don't have any size. The Lakers have to be disciplined and work the ball inside for easy baskets. Lamar Odom, Chris Mihm, and Kwame Brown have to be aggressive in the paint and finish strong. The Suns allow teams to get back into games by giving up offensive rebounds. The Lakers have to crash the offensive glass and take advantage of the Suns lack of size. Staying on the court and out of foul trouble will be crucial for the Laker big men. I watched the Clippers come back against Phoenix after they started pounding on the inside with Kaman and Brand. They fought back from a 19 point defecit after they went to the rim and stopped settling for jumpers. Making baskets inside also allows your defense to set up, so the Suns can't cherry pick for easy dunks or layups. 2) Don't settle for jump shots. The Suns love when teams try to out shoot them and settle for perimeter looks. Not only are those shots lower percentage, long misses lead to long rebounds and the Suns are the best at switching from defense to offense in transition. The Lakers transition defense has been horrible all season and they have to avoid being baited into shooting from the outside. Smush Parker better be ready to be the plug at the top of the key, because the minute a Laker basket goes up, the Suns have two or three guys sprinting down court. 3) Recognize the shooters. A huge problem last night for the Lakers was not recognizing who can shoot from the outside. Everyone on the Phoenix roster is a decent shooter, but some are far better than others. The Lakers cannot leave Nash, House, James Jones, Barbosa or Bell open for wide open looks. They have to force other players to beat them like Kurt Thomas, Boris Diaw, and even Marion from the perimeter. All shoot a lower percentage from mid range than the Phoenix guards. 4) Get the ball out of Nash's hands early. The Clippers did a nice job of this in the 4th quarter of their game against Phoenix. They sent a double team over forcing Nash to give up the ball at midcourt. Without Nash creating and initiating the Suns struggle more to find easy looks. 5) Rotations have to be quick. The ability of the Suns to pass the ball around means the Lakers rotation defense has to be alert and fast. The big men have to step out harder on the Pick and Roll, and the help defense has to be there for the Lakers, with another player responsible for cleaning the glass. Do not allow Shawn Marion to get any second chance opportunities off of weakside rebounds. The Lakers are capable of doing all 5 keys to victory, now it becomes a question of will they do these things? The Lakers are going to be very tired from the late OT game last night. Going into OT was probably one of the worst things that could have happened to the team. The Laker starters are going to have to log heavy minutes again tonight against the fast paced Suns. We need Lamar Odom and not Lamar Odumb or Lamar Odoom to show up tonight.
well, we wouldnt have lost yesterday if dumbass odom didnt do his stupid drive to the hoop! but today's game is going to be hard, i dont think we will win tonight.
Steve Nash makes guards look stupid on defense. I didn't expect the Lakers to have a chance in this game. The Suns are just too, good with their offense. Eddie House pimped Sasha Vujacic all game long and got the Suns rolling after the Lakers took an early lead after the 1st quarter. Lamar Odom got off to an amazing start, and then pulled a disappearing act in the 2nd and 3rd quarter. The Lakers just played right into the Suns style of basketball. Kobe Bryant shot too, often from the perimeter and should have taken it in when he was struggling with his jumper. He got hot in the final quarter, but by then the deficit was too, much for him and the Lakers to overcome. The Lakers were in the game early on because they were pounding inside and capitalizing on second chance opportunities. After the 1st quarter they had a 10-0 lead in that area of the game, but went away from the rest of the game. Suns are just a superior team and won the game by double digits easily.
I'm not really going to complain. I expected a loss, I'm now 4-2 making game previews, with a two game losing streak...this isn't good haha. I really don't know if I want Odom on this team. He looks so good one play, and like a CBA reject the next. I don't know, I think we should shop him this summer, see the offers we can get for him. Nash just picked us apart, and Marion killed us on the boards, like I said. There's always the next game, which should be a win at home against Golden State.
