Contrary to what some national TV pundits would have you believe, the sky over Phoenix is not falling and the Suns are not failing.
Granted, nothing that transpired last night is apt to change their gloomy view. Indeed very much au contraire. After all, if the above named pundits could drop the Suns below the Lakers on the talent chart after watching them lose to them on the road, one shudders to think what they might make of watching them barely survive against the lowly, injury riddled, near-sighted Clippers at home.
But here’s the thing. The Suns did what they had to do when it had to be done and when the night was over they had passed San Antonio as the winningest team in the West, run their latest winning streak (actually their only one in the last three weeks) to two games, and put themselves in excellent position to cash in on a relatively soft patch in the schedule the next couple of weeks.
“We basically gutted it out,” said Coach Mike. And while Coach leaves himself open to a charge of misdemeanor inelegance, that’s pretty much what they did. And for once, the much-maligned second group and the even “muchier” maligned Boris Diaw were a positive force.
You hear and read enough about how the Suns come unglued when Nash has to be rested, but Nash was on the bench when the Diaw-led second group put on a 10-2 spurt at the start of the fourth period to open up a 9-point lead that gave the Suns just enough of a cushion to hang on for the “W”.
And Diaw triggered the burst by blocking an Al Thornton shot to set up a three-point fast break by Grant Hill. Moments later he hit a 17-foot jumper.
However, as major as Diaw’s contribution was, he doesn’t get the MCGB (Most Coveted Game Ball). That goes to Amare Stoudemire, who rained dunks on the Clippers much of the night, and then all but finished them off with a 19-foot jumper with the shot clock down to 0:01 and 39.6 seconds left in the game to push an ever-shrinking lead back up to five points.
Amare finished the night with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 of his team’s 16 blocked shots in just 32 minutes. And the Suns needed all of those numbers to offset a monster game by Clipper center Chris Kaman, who finished with 22 points and 20 rebounds, and also had three blocks.
And Grant Hill (is there a more quietly efficient player in the NBA?) was his usual self with 22 points on 8 for 13 shooting.
Although the Suns deserve high marks for the 16 blocks, one wonders why they bothered. The way the Clippers shoot the chances are 12 of those wouldn’t have gone in anyway. Only the Bulls have a poorer field goal percentage, and in missing 62 shots last night the Clips may have overtaken Chicago.
The two starting forwards, Corey Maggette and Thornton, were a combined 4 for 24.
This game included several “firsts”. It was the first time this season the Suns have won without scoring 100 points, the first time Steve Nash missed three free throws in a game (or even a month), and the first time a Suns player (Raja Bell) fouled out of a game.
The bottom line: “W” is the only letter in the alphabet that never looks bad no matter how shakily it’s drawn.
PS--- This being the final order of home business in 2007, one would be remiss in not wishing you all a Happy New Year.
Comments
Dave - Huntsville, AL
I don't care which team it is, when you put a pasting on a team on their home court and then have them on your court the following night, sheer pride will make them play with reckless abandon.
It seems like Barbosa is better playing the back-up 1 spot when there's a fast break and Hill and Diaw are better in the half court set. I also can't help but wonder if bringing Banks in as a 2 when Nash sits might work.
Oh well. Love watching each and every game. Happy New Year to y'all! GO SUNS!
CHRIS - PENSACOLA, FL
How far can we go if we are only playing 8. We either need to get the other 5 involved or get 5 more in via trade. I thought Banks was signed to give Steve some rest. Let's see what the rookies can do. We are getting no contribution from the 2 unless Barbosa is in.
Lori Ann - Sedona Superfan
"W"hat a game indeed! I called Grant Hill, the "quiet giant" in that game. Happy, Healthy New Year to you too, Sir Joe !!! SUNS IN 2008 !!!
Mike N - Richmond B.C.Canada
Some random thoughts:
1. A month ago you stated this is the best team in the last few years ("Mike's best team"). I don't agree. A little weak in the middle and that "swagger" against the elite teams seems to be missing.
2. I guess you were waiting for this but they miss Kurt Thomas. Amare is really not a "big" and if he is he needs some help on the defensive end.
Its hard on Amare being the only person with some presence hence the number of fouls.
3. On Kurt Thomas, how come he was moved for cap purposes, how do the numbers add up? Grant and Brian came in at pretty low salaries how come they had to move Kurt? Was this in anticipation of getting Garnett? I must say Grant Hill is a pleasure to watch (almost as fun as Nash) and Skinner has been an excellent bonus.
4. I love how the Suns have made the game fun again but this is the year they have to make it to the Finals. Steve K now has the real challenge to build on what Bryan C started and keep on improving this team. (B.C. is doing great for Canada's team).
I look forward to your blogs keep them coming.
Carla - Cottonwood, AZ
Happy New Year, Joe!
I'm grateful for the win. Everyone looked exhasted for the 2nd game against the Clippers. Steve looked almost sick..I was concerned for him. But we won and we won the last game of the year. So, I'm hoping the team gets a good rest and start the year off right in a couple of days. We're going to have the chance to get Raja back in shape and hopefully everyone working on those free throws. ;) That's a spot that they've always been strong on and have steamsed to have slipped up on.
I must dissagree with Mike from Canada. I too loved Kurt, but I believe we got a better player in Brian Skinner. Kurt, as much as I liked him, could not keep up when the team was running. Brian can run, defend and make shots too. I'm excited about our new players. They've done a lot coming to our team. Grant Hill is exatly what we wanted and needed for the team.
Coach has tried putting Banks in a few times. Bank really has heart, and he tries his heart out when he's out there. But when he's out there, he fouls the other team, or they score on him, a lot.
We all know that Nash is our little general out there. But it's nice when Boris does step up to the plate and gets going. He's been critized for shooting the ball, but that's what he's been ordered to do...and that's what he must do to get back in the swing. Better now, than trying in the play offs. He's getting there, and it'll happen if we suport him and the rest of the team. He's been getting his agressiveness back, and it's been great to watch.
Happy New Year everyone! May the Suns have the best one yet! 2008 CHAMPIONS!
JOHN S. - SURPRISE AZ
With our Suns the big question remains, which team will be on the floor on a given night? The one with no energy, motivation, or defense of any kind? Or will it be the one that even though were soft in the middle, still blocks shots, deflects passes, rebounds, and runs the fast breaks? Until we establish consistency, the finals are just a dream.
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