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 Suns Continue to Improve All Aspects of Their Game
Posted By: Joe Gilmartin |
 Shaquille O'Neal jumps for the ball to begin the Suns victory over the Houston Rockets. (NBAE Photos) |
Last night, Amare had 36 points and 13 rebounds and set a franchise record by making all 20 of his free throws. And as the game wound down every time he made a shot the crowd broke into an “MVP…MVP…MVP” chant that had to be sweet music to his ears.
And while I know it’s a shopworn line, his numbers tell only part of the story of how much better he’s gotten in just the last three or four weeks. There just aren’t any stats to describe how he has elevated his game from star to superstar status in every respect and at both ends of the court. He always had the devastating speed to size ratio and raw power, but now he’s using them so much better. And that’s just the good news. The great news is he’s STILL improving
Indeed, when Coach Mike was asked if he was surprised Amare broke the free throw record, he replied, “Nothing he does really surprises me anymore.”
As for Shaq, he continues to post phenomenal numbers, especially when you consider he was pronounced DOA in Phoenix by many “doctors”. Last night he had 23 points and 13 boards and brushed off defenders as easily as one picks a small piece of lint off one’s suit. He also hit the surprising (no, astonishing) number of seven free throws -- a feat of such rarity it inspired his teammates to go 33 for 33.
With Amare and Shaq wreaking havoc inside and Leandro Barbosa shooting like he always does when he is pressed into service as a starter, the Suns scored 74 points on the NBA’s fourth-ranked defense in the first half while shooting 76 percent against the NBA’s second-ranked field goal percentage defense.
But while this trio combined for 82 points on 69 percent shooting, this department’s MCGB (Most Coveted Game Ball) goes to a guy who scored only two points and hit only 25 percent from the field.
That would be Grant Hill, who had 10 assists and zero turnovers at one end, and was the key to harassing Tracy McGrady into 11 for 31 shooting at the other. It’s hard to overstate how much he means night in and night out in so many ways to the Suns, who by the way have now won seven straight and moved up to number the three seed in the West - just two games (counting the tiebreaker factor) behind the number one Lakers.
They pretty much blew Houston away in that first half, building a lead that stretched to 23 points at its widest. And even though the Rockets predictably mounted one or two surges in the second half, they never got any closer than eight points.
And mind you, this is a Houston team that recently ran off 22 straight victories, the second longest such streak in NBA history. Well, okay, it’s not exactly the same Houston team. This Houston team has lost three of its last four games, one by 20, one by 21, and one by very deceiving not-nearly-that close 9.
The main reason this score looked so misleadingly semi-respectable is that while the Suns wound up hitting 57 percent of their shots, they also completed only 57 percent of their passes, finishing with 16 turnovers leading to 24 Houston points.
The bottom line: We’re going to have to add another bandwagon to a parade that was a death march just three weeks ago, because the ones we have now are getting dangerously overcrowded.
Comments
Sherdil Rana - Philippines
Haha... yah... i wonder if the other fans are starting to come back (assuming they were Hype Fans who said the Suns weren't making the Playoffs)... I told you guys, i had all the faith in my Suns, no OUR SUNS... and just like Sir Joe here... we want nothing but the best for OUR SUNS.
=D
Kevin Xu - Beijing, China
Now we are facing Detroit and Boston in front of us. It's time to show something.
John Doney - Greenville, SC
Patience brings chemistry, chemistry makes great teams, great teams win championships!
John S. - Surprise AZ
Break up the Suns Joe, it isn't fair!!! How many fans (including me) ever thought we could utter those words and almost mean it? "Diesel", "Mr. Amazing", and the "Little Engine" who could, aka Shaq, Amare, Nash, are going to be difficult, if not impossible, to contend with in a seven game series. If the Suns get those lingering turnovers under control, were almost unbeatable. The Rockets play excellent defense, and we shredded them like mozzarella through a grinder. My two negatives. Barbossa can't play point, start him at shooting guard, let Bell come off the bench. Diaw can't guard the oppositions best player, he's to soft, play Strawberry more. Why isn't Skinner playing more minutes? Sorry, that was three complaints. Go Suns!!!!
don44 - Boise
A very good article!!!!
Marcelo - Toronto - CA
Please Raja... Stay on the bench...
LB needs more games STARTING... He proved again that the SUNS' game is better when he starts...
Coach, please, keep him STARTING...
Ron - Chandler
The SUNS now have a real center. For 40 years they have needed a world class center. The SUNS can now play half-court ball or small ball. The thing that I see most, is that since Shaq arrived they are playing HARD BALL. The SUNS are playing with an 'attitude' and won't be pushed around. I also am seeing all the SUNS playing a lot harder. That is something we have not seen alot of with the SUNS. GO SUNS.... I like what I see.
peter lopez - Paranaque City, Philippines
Now, this is the Phoenix Suns we have come to know in the past three years, but only better. With the Big Cactus on board, STAT has become peerless in the four spot. Hopefully the current swagger will spill over the towards the playoffs & beyond. Great blog, Mr. Gilmartin, keep it up. God bless the Phoenix Suns!
Robert S - Heber Az, Trinidad Co.
The bandwagon will still welcome the suns converts as long as they love the team, we love them!!!!!!! I predict that John S. from Surprise Az is the new prophet and will indeed see us in the finals!!!!!!!!
Ards - Phillipines
I’m very happy with the progress of the suns team especially how Big Cactus played the game, now all who criticize on how will Shaq fit in with the style of Suns of running game can eat their words. I believe the team is more competitive with the last year roster. The team is flexible, can play small as well as match up with the big players in the West. And I’m congratulating Steve for the right decision he made.
Sun Queen - Charlotte, North Carolina
Great writing Joe and thanks for always making us feel we in the stands taking in the game, especially since I am in BOBCAT land and didnt see the game; its nice to feel like I was in the stands after reading your piece.
SunsRup - Phoenix
Gotta give the Suns credit, I was dancing in the death march a few weeks ago no doubt, but the Suns looked to have turned it around, a win against Detroit and Boston would really boost the confidence of this team. Great job guys! Win that championship this season, the window is getting smaller!!
Amare is a STUD!!
Stan - California
I was on the Suns bandwagon soon as they got Shaq. People forget that Kareem was 38 & 39 years old when he led the Lakers to an NBA title. Shaq is still in great shape at 36. Amare is an MVP now. He is playing so much better at the 4 spot. Amare is enjoying the game now playing with Shaq. They make an awesome twin tower combo. Not since Robinson & Duncan have I seen 2 better big men playing together and working off each other. The suns are looking unbeatable in a 7 game series.
Lori Ann - Sedona Superfan
Great article, Sir Joe!
Be it known that this Suns fan has NEVER left the building! (Okay, so I initially DID have a temporary meltdown of sorts) --- but I'd NEVER give up on MY PHOENIX SUNS!
Our timing in facing the Eastern teams, couldn't be better! It's reprieve time vs. Detroit tonight!
GO SUNS!!!!!!
John S. - Surprise AZ
I don't complain about the officiating much in the NBA, my opinion is you win or lose on ability or the lack thereof. But the Suns were robbed in Detroit, which would be a funny comment if it wasn't so frustrating. How three critical, game changing calls could be made, all against the Suns, all with the game on the line, is amazing. One no call on an obvious foul on Shaq, a no doubt charge, called blocking on Nash, and the most pathetic, a phantom foul on Bell with seconds to go in overtime. Stern must, based on the referee scandal earlier this year, make some moves to correct this area of the game. The officiating as a whole is deplorable, with way to many differences in calls, all depending on which crew is calling the game. Officiating, like the Suns, Detroit game, will continue to fuel the speculation that the refs can indeed control the outcome of a close game.
sad - scw
It's so sad to see our Suns lose to the famous Boston Celtics tonight. They were superb the first half but just didn't do it and were out of sync the second half... This means our Suns have a lot of hard working to do still... We still love you guys. Just keep your spirits up and high with all humility... Always remember the DOR (defense, offense, rebounds)... You are not going out of the play-off yet... We still have time... We believe in you guys... You can still make it, we know you would and you could!!!
John S. - Surprise AZ
Oh!! Joe, what a difference two days make. The Detroit game we can overlook, we played hard, although Suns win easy without the turnover binge. The Boston game however you can't explain away. Where is the direction and/or discipline? The turnover problem is directly related to not being a disciplined, precision unit, with some form of direction. With ball handlers like Nash, Hill, and Bell there is no excuse for 20+ turnovers a game. Amare still running around and fouling at half court, all the sloppy passes, Diaw not hustling after loose balls, Nash trying to put every pass through a key hole. Add that to Di'Antoni's magical, mystery substitutions, and sometimes I wonder if anyone is really coaching this team? That person better start providing some discipline, direction, and rear end kicking, because twenty plus turnovers a game is not a championship going to provide.
drew c - Athens GA
I am a big Suns fan and wonder why you don't pitition the NBA headoffice to inforce the hack-a-shaq rule as an intentional foul with a clear path to the basket? This is a no-brainer, if it applies to other intentionals, then surely hacking at Shaq under the basket is intentional: 2 free shots and the ball back. Andrew
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