Suns are going to get scorched tonight. Look for Ike to drop 30 and 15 and Monta to completely lock down Steve Nash. ...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Gohn:</div><div class="quote_post">Monta locked down Nash alright. Held him to 0's across the board including minutes. </div> lol -- that's probably about the only way Nash will ever be locked down. But if there was a player alive who could lock Nash down on the court, my pick would be Monta!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Clif25:</div><div class="quote_post">Why is Pietrus not playing?</div> Pietrus and Troy had minor injuries. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2006041409 It was another meaningless game where the Suns didn't really need to win this game at all costs, but I did like what I saw out there with our big guys and our guards. Low turnovers, good shooting %'s. It didn't even matter if we owned the glass because we played a pretty efficient game in scoring. Plus Ike and Biedrins guarded well inside with blocked shots and the perimeter guys did a good job in staying in front, dribble penetrating, and grabbing steals. Dfish was a maniac tonight. 5 steals, two blocks. Ellis/Bynum were impressive with their athletic ability. Ellis had a good shooting game and his dribbling looks better and better. Same with Jrich. Even though the Suns weren't playing their best guys or really trying their hardest, I really like what the Warriors were doing physically, mentally, and skillset wise. We also shot better at the free throw line than the Suns. That's always good to see. Low turnovers, high free throw %, good field goal %, both inside and outside scoring to keep defenses on their heels. I don't want to crap on the Murphy/Foyle frontline because they do some nice things, but it's pretty obvious to me that the F/C tandem can't get it done. There's a reason why guys like that won't lead the team to the playoffs. But two guys with hustle, physical style of play that can score some, contest shots, and play big have a good chance. Just as long as they are playing the center and power forward position the way it was originally written in most offenses. Being either of the two positions means you have to be tough on both ends of the floor inside the paint. Establish some dominance and authority like guys like Ben Wallace on D or Shaq on O. Even if Ike or Biedrins never have the killer instinct, consitency, the right bodies, or the skills or whatnot, I like what they are showing out there because it's been missing for the longest time in this franchise. It's either stiffs, softies, one-dimensional talents, or guys who don't play with any heart.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AlleyOop:</div><div class="quote_post"> lol -- that's probably about the only way Nash will ever be locked down. But if there was a player alive who could lock Nash down on the court, my pick would be Monta!</div> Nash for MVP again, anyone? Didn't even need Amare Stoudamire, because they had at least another allstar in Shawn Marion + some really good role players that play consistent. Actually, damn lots of good players stepping up this year. Kobe/Elton Brand/Lebron James... damn.
Its amazing how good we look when teams are not playing against us. Its like we played a D3 college team. There is NOTHING good that came out of this win except our guys who have not played very much this year got some PT. I also like how Monty stayed with the young guys at the end of the game when it started to slip away a little bit after those turnovers. This game was utterly meaningless. Nash did not play. Amare is hurt. Marion ALMOST did not play. He did not play his hardest. Diaw had an EASY triple double. Our guys were trying and their guys were playing a charity game basically. Dont start thinking just because we beat the Mavs and Suns that next year we will be up there with them. That was the mistake I made last year. Unfortunately I did not get to see the games like I did this year. I wont be making that mistake again. Enjoy a rare, but meaningless win.
It seems difficult to really give the MVP award to the Eastern Confrence. I mean I like Jason Kidd and LeBron James, but I'd have to say they fall behind players like Dirk, Kobe, Brand, Nash, and heck, the Jazz are creeping up on the Kings, so why not AK47 with that Utah team? AK47 is averaging 3.21 blocks per game, dang. What about Pao Gasol as well? The Griz look like the Warriors in stats when Muss was around, 7 guys averaging double figure points. MVP is tough this year. I'll say Eric Musselman, I mean Mike Fratello as coach of the year. Tony Parker has been pretty amazing this year as well...hehe. There are too many MVP candidates this year...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Warriorfansnc93:</div><div class="quote_post">Its amazing how good we look when teams are not playing against us. Its like we played a D3 college team. There is NOTHING good that came out of this win except our guys who have not played very much this year got some PT. I also like how Monty stayed with the young guys at the end of the game when it started to slip away a little bit after those turnovers. This game was utterly meaningless. Nash did not play. Amare is hurt. Marion ALMOST did not play. He did not play his hardest. Diaw had an EASY triple double. Our guys were trying and their guys were playing a charity game basically. Dont start thinking just because we beat the Mavs and Suns that next year we will be up there with them. That was the mistake I made last year. Unfortunately I did not get to see the games like I did this year. I wont be making that mistake again. Enjoy a rare, but meaningless win.</div> Sure it's meaningless, but I wouldn't say Phoenix wasn't trying. We were out rebounded by 14 or so. So Marion scoring 32 and 12 with Diaw going for a triplbe double wasn't trying. Besides we didn't even start our starters, mostly bench guys. A win is still a win.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AlleyOop:</div><div class="quote_post">As much as it pains me to say it... Kobe for MVP.</div> Nah... would the Lakers be in the playoffs if they didn't get Phil Jackson?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AnimeFANatic:</div><div class="quote_post">Nah... would the Lakers be in the playoffs if they didn't get Phil Jackson?</div> All I can say is 81
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AlleyOop:</div><div class="quote_post">All I can say is 81</div> Thats what the scoring title is for, MVP should only be for someone on an elite team. Kobe is valuable to his team but since his team is barely in the playoffs its just hard for me to justifiy him getting the award. Jordan didn't get his MVP's when he was getting 30+ ppg, he got them when he was contending for championships. The Suns were expected to be under .500 without Amare and worse off without Joe Johnson and Q-Rich but they're second in the west and a top 5 team in the league. I think people just have trouble giving the award to a guy who isn't expected to be in the HOF, not once but twice but hes definitely the most valuable player to his team.
My vote for MVP would be Dirk. That team is nothing without him. Of course the same could be said for a lot of other teams. If not Dirk for MVP, then Avery should definately be coach of the year. What a job he is doing. I am most impressed with how he has that team playing defense instead of the normal run and gun...
Nash is my runner up. And, BTW, I hate the Lakers and am totally NOT a Kobe Bryant fan. That's why it pains me to say it. But I have to say it. Look at that team without Kobe. Smush Parker? Luke Walton? Kwame Brown? Sure Odom is good but not that good. Kobe is a ball hog but dude when you watch him heat up it's magic. Kobe would've scored 81 playing for half the coaches in the league. He dropped 60+ on Dallas just before that. And I'm not saying scoring is everything. Believe me, I know how valuable Nash has been to the Suns. But Kobe has made history this year, and with a bottom-feeder type roster he's winning and taking momentum into the playoffs. He's unstoppable. IMO.
P.S. Plus, he rebounds, blocks shots, dishes assists, gets a ton of steals, and plays some of the best lock-down defense in the league. Plus, he puts the team on his shoulders every night.
We've seen the Lakers without Phil Jackson and with him. Huge difference IMO, goes to show how a change in coach can change such a mediocre team (excluding Kobe).
