Check out the comments at the bottom of the story. I had no idea so many of the Phoenix fans were down on Steve Nash, and blamed him for the defeat. Here's a few quotes:
Wow -- yeah I wouldn't have blamed Nash for that loss. To me, it is just the fact that they have no perimeter defenders left that they can count on after trading Bell. Losing Bell will hurt in games like this.
Hurt them "at times"? Nominated for understatement of the year. Trust me Terry, Brandon also hurt you from the bench with his leadership and comaraderie with his teammates. That's why he's our MVP.
Yeah, it's funny to see how similar the reactions that just about any fan base has when their team isn't doing so well, even when they're talking about key players that fans of other teams would be surprised to hear dissatisfaction about.
Yeah, Bell would have been talking trash, and probably would have gotten a flagrant. I think it's wrong for Sun's to be complaining about Nash. It's not like he used to play defense and stopped all of a sudden. He's playing the same way he has his whole career, it's silly to try and change him at this point.
Speaking of Richardson.... would Brandon put up 50 against Raja Bell? Maybe, but I am still glad he was traded to Charlotte.
positive comments from an opponent following a game are expected win, lose, star, or goat. Thats just part of coming off as a class act in the media relations game. What else could Richardson have said? It's akin to the victory lap watching your vanquished opponent answer questions about how they were dominated... maybe a little petty, but fun nonetheless STOMP
He could have said, "Roy just got hot," or "their crowd was really pumped up," or "they had fresh legs," etc., etc. There are all kinds of excuses to give after a loss if you are so inclined. Just ask Rasheed Wallace. The fact that Richardson lavished praise on Roy is very refreshing, and should be taken at face value.
good grief TH. I'm referring to the overwhelming majority of NBA interviews, but it's wonderful of you to try to steer the thread towards your favorite rut... everyone appreciates that. STOMP
So can I assume you were being cynical, and we should all view Richardson's words through that prism? I thought it was high praise of a third-year player from a veteran player who is known to be a very hard worker.
In my opinion a humble and classy manner of addressing the opponent after a close loss. Props to Richardson, who, himself, is already considered an underrated star.
No, you were referring to the Jason Richardson interview, and you were trying to discount what he said . . . Everyone appreciates that.
truth be told, I am not a fan of Richardson at all. I watch the W's a fair amount with friends here in the Bay Area and basically do not share your views about him being a very hard worker. IMO he's lazy/disinterested on D and I've seen him pouting on several occasions when team mates got hot and were the focus of the W's attack... he's not shy about his inner prima-donna. I wouldn't want him on the Blazers at all because I don't think the guy is a winner. But that really has nothing to do with what my take was about. Do you really disagree that players almost always praise their opponent post game regardless of how the game went for them? It seems to me to be the safe/cliche way to conduct yourself that almost every player (save Sir Charles and a very few others) responds when asked questions about their opponent. I'd probably do the same if I were in the league because I'd rather just go about my business then risk possibly stirring up the media hornets nest trying to say something funny, insightful, or off the cuff. Roy was phenomenal the other night. Everyone watching the game could see it and I'm sure the guys guarding him could as well. Richardson played it by the numbers in the interview and answered the questions how I'd expect most players would... that makes me a cynic? STOMP
I'm not saying that Richardson is lying, I'm contesting HCP's contention that praise from your opponent in post game media recaps are the "ultimate compliment" because it happens in most every post game interview. I'd guess that Brandon would be a lot more flattered by a compliment given to him personally during an off the record talk with Richardson... like if unsolicited JR were to call him to lavish praise on him. I'd also guess that Roy would find coach's voting him to the All Star team or being named to an All NBA team to be more of an "ultimate compliment"... would you disagree? STOMP
