Bright Side Of The Sun

Just How Good Are The 6-1 Suns?

2009-11-08T23:33:26Z

The Phoenix Suns are 6 and 1 to start the season and playing great team basketball. Can it continue? (Photo by Max Simbron)

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Nobody thought the Phoenix Suns would start the season 6 and 1 and tie the 2000/01 team for a franchise best start through seven games. Nobody.

With Amare working his way back into shape and a tough early season road schedule this team was expected to struggle to find it's footing and hopefully come on later in the season when things rounded into form and the schedule lightened up.

Given the great start is it too soon to rethink the preseason prognostications that almost universally predicted this team would win around 46 games and be happy to make it to the playoffs as a 7 or 8 seed?

Yes. It is too soon but that's not to take credit away from what the Suns have accomplished so far in the early days of the season.

The Suns join only the Celtics, Heat, Lakers and Magic at the top of the league standings with one loss each and of course, Phoenix handed the only losses to the Heat and Celtics and suffered their only defeat from the Magic. Pretty good company to kick things off and clearly not a fluke that the first three wins over the Clippers, Warriors and Timberwolves might have indicated.

Offensively, Phoenix is right back at the top of the association with the best field goal percentage (50%) and one of the most balanced attacks anywhere. In seven games, five different players have lead the team in scoring (Barbosa, Frye, Stoudemire and twice each for Nash and Richardson).

Shaq is no longer clogging up the lane and the Suns back to their running ways although with a Pace factor of 100 possessions per game they aren't anywhere close to reckless abandon.

The team is shooting over 45% from three and while that number will likely come down that isn't a given since most of those shots are coming from excellent shooters getting wide open looks. Inside we've seen the return of Amare's power game and the emergence of Jason's back to the basket post moves.

The Suns are still deadly in transition and are executing the half court offense as well as they did last year and better then in the glory years of 2004-2007.

The only highly correctable flaw is the miserable 70% shooting from the free throw line.

Even more surprising is the defense and rebounding.

The Suns are out-rebounding opponents 301-295 without the presence of The Big Glass Cleaner and are holding teams to a respectable 18 points in the fourth quarter of the last three road wins.

The bench play has been fantastic even with Barbosa missing three games and the Suns no longer have to fear giving up big leads when Nash goes for a rest. Since Alvin Gentry has taken over as head coach the Suns reserves are averaging 33.5 points per game which is higher than at any point in the past five years.

Goran Dragic is looking like a stable backup point guard with a 2.33 assist to turnover ratio which is comparable to Steve Nash (2.44) and Jared Dudley and Louis Amundson are bringing the energy, hustle and toughness that you want from your reserves.

The Suns are getting stops, staying even on the glass, scoring efficiently, attacking from anywhere on the court and playing with depth. This record is legit. All that combined with a feisty team that has an underdog's edge and a toughness that's been missing in Phoenix for many years and you've got a Suns team that is a threat to continue winning at a very respectable pace.

Poll

Does the Suns 6-1 start change your thinking about what this team can accomplish?

Suns Shake Off Slow Start, Down Washington Arenas's, 102-90

2009-11-08T21:32:59Z

More photos » by Nick Wass - AP

Amare Stoudemire plays textbook defense on Andray Blatche Sunday. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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The Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns entered Sunday's contest heading in different directions. The Suns had just come off of a gigantic win versus the Boston Celtics, and the Wizards had just suffered a verbal thrashing from injured Antwan Jamison and the loss of their after game fruit tray; not to mention a nice beating from the Indiana Pacers. The Wizards will have to continue worrying about their chemistry and fruit tray problems as the Suns woke up early enough to defeat the Wiz, 102-90

Four of the Suns starters registered double doubles including Steve Nash(11 pts, 17 assists), Grant Hill, (13 points, 13 rebounds), Amare Stoudemire (17 points, 12 rebounds), and Channing Frye (18 points, 10 rebounds.) The lone starter to not pickup a double double was the lowly Jason Richardson, who led the Suns scoring effort with 22 points. I say lowly in jest obviously, since Richardson was a huge reason why the Suns held off the Wizards in the first half as they struggled to wake up for the early start of this one.

The early start was a concern for the Suns as was a letdown from the huge win in Boston. There was much to be concerned about as the Suns turned in 16 first half turnovers leading to 19 Wizard points. Still, it was virtually a 5 on 1 game with Agent Zero providing the only consistent offensive threat for the Wizards. Without the miscues, this game could have been iced early as the Suns led in virtually every category of the game.

Jason Richardson again played a strong game, posting up a variety of Wizard defenders which eventually led to the Wiz double teaming him. Richardson had his head up to feed the open man for a basket. It's refreshing to see Richardson play a complete game this season after last year saw him focusing too much on three pointers.
Goran Dragic again played confident and aggressively. I'm not sure what his vertical is, but along with his freaky wingspan, the kid can get up, often skying above much taller players when battling for offensive rebounds.
Once again the Suns shot well from the three point line, going 12-27, for (44%)
What can you say about the Suns defense, holding the Wizards to 39% shooting? Sure the Wizards simply aren't that good, and settled for a lot of outside shots (4-16 from three point range), but the Suns' rotations are better than average, and their tenacity is evident as they contest virtually every shot.
Leandro Barbosa made a return after missing the past 3 games. in 18 minutes Barbosa shot 4-7 from the field and 1-3 from three point range. It may take him a game or three to get back into the flow of things, but he was quick as usual and finished at the hoop in typical Barbosa fashion.
Again the Suns found the 15 foot free throw stripe to be an enigma, shooting 6-14 (43%). Although they've been piling up wins despite the poor shooting, they need to get it together as they begin to face tougher Western Conference opponents. Every point matters.
In the 4th, the Suns went 7 straight possessions without a hoop, letting the Wizards within 6 points. Five straight baskets though, including a Stoudemire dunk increased the Suns lead to 13 points as the Suns went on a 7-0 run.

Next up, 76ers on Monday, 5 P.M. MST

Post Game Links:

Full Coverage and Boxscore
Bullets Forever
2-5 - Bullets Forever
Suns' offense stays hot on road
The Phoenix Suns improved to 6-1 with a 102-90 victory at Washington on Sunday.
SUNS: Postgame Quotes: Suns @ Wizards, 11/8/2009
“I don’t think anyone is going to ship it to Springfield to the Hall of Fame, but it was a good win for us. I haven’t seen a bad win in the NBA yet. It’s a road win. I didn’t think we played as well as we possibly could. I just kept telling the guys that we have to get a little separation because with Gilbert on the floor anything can happen and we’ve seen it before.” - Coach Gentry

How about this pass from JRich to Amare!

Preview and Game Thread: Suns @ Wizards

2009-11-08T15:02:25Z

Final - 11.8.2009	1	2	3	4	Total
Phoenix Suns	26	30	24	22	102
Washington Wizards	29	22	20	19	90

Complete Coverage >

This game worries me.

The Suns are coming off a big emotional win while the Wizards got their butts kicked by the Pacers 86-102 which lead to a team tirade with Agent Zero firing off this chemistry building barb, "We have a team where everybody thinks they should be playing," he said. "And when you have a team like that, you have bitter players on the sideline."

Just a shot in the dark here but I am guessing he's talking to Nick Young, Andray Blatche, DeShawn Stevenson and JaVale McGee and not to Fabricio Oberto who's started all six games.

Reading through these reports from the Wizards camp you see a team in early disarray that is struggling with more than injuries (Jamison, Miller and Crittenton).

With all this going on there's a good chance they will respond with fire in today's game and come out guns blazing. Or maybe they will continue their Iverson like pouting and continue to implode. Either way, it's a statement game from the Wiz and not so much for the Suns. That worries me. That and the early start which has long been a problem for the Suns.

Reading through various previews and reports the one note that caught me eye was the possibility that Randy Foye would start in the back court with Arenas. Foye is having a decent season so far and is a capable player but he's far too small to guard Richardson so look for the Suns to try and exploit that match-up.

On the front line Haywood and Blatche are not Howard and Gortat but those guys are still big and physical and are going to give Frye, Amare and Amundson fits on the glass.

A pissed off Gilbert. A big front line. An early start. This game worries me.

Be sure to go visit our friends at Bullets Forever

The JYD Bark

2009-11-08T05:04:31Z

What I can't figure out is why the PA doesn't have a bark every time Dudley makes a hustle play.

Amundson has got the "Louuuu!" thing.

LB gets a "beep, beep"

Dudley yelps and barks if he gets a box out that prevents the other team from grabbing a rebound, resulting in a Suns' side-out.

He deserves a bark. Let's vote on it.

If I was talented like Stan, I might have included clips so everyone could hear what I'm sayin'

Poll

Which bark is most appropriate for JYD?

Boston, MA: Where the Suns Bench Happened (to kick the C's in the teeth)

2009-11-07T18:01:05Z

More photos »

Jared Dudley demonstrates how he and his bench-mates held down the Boston Celtics. (Photo by Max Simbron)

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The play of the Suns bench in this win can not be overstated. While Rasheed Wallace and his Vitiligo spot was going 0'fer six behind the arc and Goran Dragic was running Eddie House of the line and forcing him to do something he doesn't like to do - dribble - the Suns bench was a combined + 42 compared to the Celtic's - 48.

And it wasn't the offensive punch from Leandro Barbosa that got it done for this group of 6th men. LB is still nursing a sore wrist so it was up to these scrappy youngsters to play...wait for it... DEFENSE!

In fact, Dragic, Dudley, Amundson and Clark only scored 18 total points in their combined 71 minutes of play as compared to 19 points from Daniels, Wallace, House and Mr. Candace Parker.

So how do 4 guys who scored one less point end up having such a huge impact on the game? Wait for it....DEFENSE!

In the second quarter the Suns went on an 11-1 run over a 4 minute stretch with the bench all playing big roles in that period. Dudley hit a big three to start the run. Clark stripped Wallace on the perimeter which lead to a Dragic-lead fast break and Lou did his Lou thing with a rebound and two missed free throws (oops).

Even more impressive and more impactful to the win was the opening stretch of the fourth quarter. The bench went on a 11-2 run to stretch a 2 point lead to 11 points with Nash on the bench. When was the last time that happened Suns fans? 2004? Nope. 2007? Nope. We are seeing something here that we've been waiting for a long, long time.

I am not a big fan of the +/- stat because there are so many other factors but in this game it is fair to say that Dudley (+14), Dragic (+12) and Lou (+10) deserved those numbers compared to Nash (-7), Amare (-9) and Hill (-7).

In fact the only Suns starters in the positive were Richardson (+7) and Frye (+5) and they both played significant minutes with the reserves.

That's not to say that Nash's big shot to seal the win wasn't BIG. Or Amare's block and late basket weren't key. And of course Richardson's (34 and 10) were crucial. But the importance of this young bench unit playing so well on the road and allowing Nash to be fresh for the final run and only play 35 minutes can not be overstated. I think I stated that already.

Here's what Boston coach Doc Rivers had to state about the Suns bench:

"And, hell, it’s rare when I’ll say ‘Keep Grant Hill on the floor,’ but we wanted him on the floor instead of Dudley, the way Dudley was playing. He was just a thorn in our butt. I mean, the biggest, one of their biggest plays is that back-cut down the stretch. But he did it all game. He was absolutely fantastic tonight. I thought Dudley was – him and Amundson – I thought those two were fantastic.”

The bad news is that the C's big front line of KG and Perkins killed the Suns in the paint (60-36) and in a series between these two teams there's no question that the Suns would be at a severe disadvantage. You just can't shoot 54% from behind the line every night.

The Boston defense rightly gets all the pub but the offense from their starting unit is much better than it was a few years ago. They move the ball really well and with a healthy KG they can score from pretty much anywhere.

This was a great road win for the Suns but in the scheme of things it doesn't change the power structure in the NBA but it is a shot across the bow to teams like New Orleans, Utah, Houston and the currently dysfunctional Portland Trail Blazers that the Suns are not going to go quietly into the night.

Linkage:

Richardson, Suns take down Celtics
The not-ready-for-primetime Suns are going to have a hard time staying undercover now.
Notes: Suns not rushing rookie Clark
True to the summer plan, the Suns are not rushing Clark. He has played important minutes some nights and mop-up ones on others. On Friday, it was the former. He entered in the first quarter and spent time guarding Rasheed Wallace, the type of shooting big man they drafted Clark to cover.
TruFan - :: Why the Celtics will beat the Suns
Ooops
For Boston Celtics, loss to Phoenix Suns can be used as learning tool - ESPN Boston
But unlike Wednesday night in Minnesota, Boston's hallmark defense wasn't there. For the first time this season, its bench couldn't hold the fort when the starters desperately needed rest.
Stoudemire stating his case - The Boston Globe
"There’s a lot of times where we should be going to Amar’e more,’’ Gentry said following the game. "But we have somebody else going or somebody else is doing a good job, we don’t go to him as much as we used to in the past. But he’s all right with that. He’s still trying to work hard on his defense and get better at that. He knows somewhere along the line he will get the touches.’’
Kevin Garnett Can Still Score - CelticsBlog
Despite the L, Positive signs from KG last night
Suns deal Celtics their first loss - CelticsBlog
Well, the Celtics couldn't go undefeated this season after all. The Suns defeated the Celtics 110-103 Friday night at the TD Garden.
Stoudemire questions Perkins' maturity - Celtics Blog - Boston.com
"He''s a solid player out there, he loves to get physical. He's aggressive," Stoudemire said. "He keeps a lot of confrontation going. We try to play smart basketball from our standpoint. We try to stay out of the confrontation, really and just execute our plays offensively and defensively. But seeing sometimes he wants to keep it up, always mean, always mad. He don't even have fun out there. He needs to learn to have fun on the basketball court and enjoy his life, enjoy the game."
Jared Dudley an above-par sub - BostonHerald.com
Even when he was the ACC Player of the Year at Boston College, Jared Dudley never had the type of game typically associated with star players. No one skill made Dudley stand out. Instead, it was the sum of all the little things he did on the court that made him successful. With that in...
SUNS: Postgame Quotes: Suns @ Celtics, 11/6/2009
PopcornMachine's GameFlows
GameFlows or graphical boxscores of NBA games
The Suite Life - TrueHoop - ESPN
As if you needed more reasons to hate the Lakers...a fancy 200 person super club for the rich and famous to be rich and famous while a basketball game goes on beneath them. This is what sports is all about....in LA.

Game Highlights via They Who Shall Not Be Linked

It should not pass without notice that Amare is getting his lift back. Two weeks ago he doesn't make either of these plays:

Did you notice in this one that he literally dunked on KG's head while KG wanted no part of contesting that dunk?

Between being and becoming..

2009-11-07T08:17:49Z

There are some of us here who remember the 05-06 team with fond memories. Not because they won a championship, which they didn't, and not because they played flawless ball, which they didn't either.

But because a team consisting of maybe two legitimate NBA starters, and a collection of anonymous and otherwise underachieving players won 54 games and got to the WCF. And not smoothly either: They lost their all-star center for the whole year, before the season started, and his backup/replacement for a third of a season, just after the all-star break. And sometimes that team was beaten like a red-headed stepchild caught with cigarettes.

But that group had heart, grit, tenacity, fearlessness, self-belief and unity. Some players, like Boris and Raja, stepped up from nowhere to show how good they really were. Others like Trix, wallowed in their new found respect and status. All of them, though, played the season of their careers, because of their trust in each other and their leader. That team, ultimately failed, but not for reasons of it's own doing or control. They went down fighting and with defiance.

It's too early to make a true comparison, but this team is starting to have that kind of feel. As back then, the departure and absence of a domineering, egotistical personality, has allowed the current set of players to find their space. Just like Trix, Amare is content to subdue his considerable ego, to be a quiet Doc Holliday, to Nash's Wyatt Earp, all for the team (and a new contract), because that void isn't being filled.

It occurred to me, after this evening's game vs Boston, that we're winning games we're not supposed to win. And not by luck, but by identifying winnable opportunities, and pursuing those chances aggressively; by teamwork, communication and a willingness for each player to play with and for his teammates, and to accept his role, however big or small, with relish.

We're seeing a near 36 year old, two time MVP, roll back time and play at a level close to that of his award winning years, and show what a true playmaking point guard can do for his teammates, and what it actually means to be one (as opposed to the consensus best point guard, whose limitations as a player, despite gaudy stats, have been cruelly exposed this season).

We're seeing the self proclaimed star of this team, find some humility, and through that, transform himself into a different, more intelligent and selfless, and ultimately more dangerous player. And this time it feels like a permanent change, and not the result of misplaced self pity. We're seeing an allegedly washed up veteran small forward, heal himself, ride shotgun for his point guard and provide quiet but confident and firm leadership, and whatever the team needs on the floor.

We're seeing a young backup point guard mature, and finally fill the role on this team that has been missing these past few years; a backup PF/Center play with fire and resolute tenacity, and other bench players come in, and spark both the offense and the defense. For the first time, since Nash came back to Phoenix, we have a solid bench that's capable of maintaining and even building leads.

In short.. this is a real team, where the union of the parts exceeds the sum of each individual contribution.

I think we know what this team, as constructed, is and what it can do, right now. The real question is how good can it become? Is the current level of play simply a mirage, or an artifact of the start of a season, when all teams aren't quite there? Or is it the real thing? Is this team really that tough, mentally? Can this team become profoundly better? And do we owe Steve Kerr an apology?

Sometimes, the journey is it's own reward.

Richardson, Stoudemire Lead Suns to Big Win Versus Unbeaten Celtics

2009-11-07T04:53:26Z

More photos » by Winslow Townson - AP

J-Rich was feeling it Friday night against the Celtics. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

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"Compete on the Boards" was written on the chalk board in the Suns locker room before the game. Not only did the Suns compete on the boards, they actually won against the undefeated Boston Celtics in Boston Friday night, 110-103.

Jason Richardson played a monster game, leading the way in scoring for the Suns with 34. Richardson had to have been motivated by his 0 for in Orlando. Tonight he made up for the zeroes all over the floor in TD Garden, including 6-7 from three point range.

Richardson played a complete game tonight. He mad Ray Allen a non-factor, holding the Celtics guard to 16 points. But J-Rich wasn't satisfied just bombing away from outside, he drove to the hoop, posted up Allen, and even battled for rebounds, leading the team with 10. He even made free throws which hasn't been a given the past two games for the Suns.

Similar to two nights ago against Orlando, not much was expected from this Suns squad. A loss was acceptable,a blowout was suspected, especially against the 6-0 Celtics, especially in Boston. But the Phoenix Suns would have none of that. They started off strong, and even though they were over matched in the size department, they fought against constant pressure by a very talented and explosive Celtics team. Every time the Celtics made a run at the Suns lead, the Suns answered.

In the third quarter the Suns defense began to fall apart. The Celtics began the third shooting 7-8, all of the makes on layups. But the Suns fought back, with Steve Nash awakening offensively and J-Rich staying hot, holding on to an 85-83 lead.

As the Celtics closed in on the Suns in the 4th, Steve Nash slammed a dagger in the Celtics hearts icing the game with a three pointer with 54 seconds left.

Amare Stoudemire is officially back. Is it not obvious? His second quarter posterization of KG was nothing short of beautiful.
The Suns shot 13-24 from behind the three point arc (54%) and finally looked respectable from the free throw line (76%)
Goran Dragic continued to play with poise and confidence. The Slovenian made a nice leaner over Eddie House in the second quarter, rebounded one of his own misses in traffic and wasn't afraid to battle the big boys underneath the basket. More than once Dragic went to the floor for a loose ball. Even after one of his passes was intercepted, he hustled down the court and stole the ball back on the other end.
The Suns lead swelled to 11 in the second period after Stoudemire hit a 15 footer. The squad of Hill, Clark, Dudley, Amundson, and Dragic more than held their own against the Celtics bench.
The Suns defense was good tonight. They were over matched in the size department, but giving up 26 to Garnett was good enough. While the Celtics dominated the points in the paint, the Suns were able to keep Paul Pierce in check. Shooting over 50% from three point land also helps to balance things out.
The first half ended with the Suns leading 57-51 and a nice little scrap between Channing Frye and Kendrick Perkins. See, Frye isn't soft! "Hit us and we're going to hit you back," said a grinning Richardson about the tussle after the game.
Dudley and Amundson continue to impress. It is clear that Amundson was successful in working on his offensive game in the off-season. It isn't so much that he's putting up huge numbers as much as his foot work and confidence has improved. He still has a long way to go from the free throw line. Dudley looks more and more impressive from behind the arc with every game. Both understand what they need to do not only to stay in the rotation but in the NBA, and they bring it every night.
Leandro Barbosa was a game time scratch due to his wrist injury. He is certainly missed, but the team is still playing at a high level without him.
The Suns are 5-1 for the first time in nearly a decade.
Lastly, let us thank Rasheed Wallace for taking six three pointers, because he missed them all. Keeping bombing, 'Sheed, we love it!

FINAL - 11.6.2009	1	2	3	4	TOTAL
Phoenix Suns	29	28	28	25	110
Boston Celtics	27	24	32	20	103

Next up, Washington on Sunday, 1 PM Eastern

How great was this!

Game Thread: Suns vs Celtics

2009-11-07T00:15:19Z

Jason Richardson bounced back from a poor performance in Orlando with 34 points against the Boston Celtics (Photo by Max Simbron)

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Phoenix Suns Roster

	#	Pos.
Louis Amundson	17	F
Leandro Barbosa	10	G
Earl Clark	55	F
Jarron Collins	20	C
Goran Dragic	2	G
Jared Dudley	3	F
Channing Frye	8	C
Taylor Griffin	32	F
Grant Hill	33	F
Robin Lopez	15	C
Steve Nash	13	G
Emir Preldzic	-	G
Jason Richardson	23	G
Amare Stoudemire	1	F
Alando Tucker	29	F

	#	Pos.
Tony Allen	42	G
Ray Allen	20	G
Marquis Daniels	7	G
Glen Davis	11	F
Kevin Garnett	5	F
J.R. Giddens	4	G
Eddie House	50	G
Lester Hudson	26	G
Kendrick Perkins	43	C
Paul Pierce	34	F
Rajon Rondo	9	G
Brian Scalabrine	44	C
Bill Walker	12	F
Rasheed Wallace	30	F
Shelden Williams	13	F

Game Preview: Suns @ Boston (Will Tacos Happen?)

2009-11-06T18:03:45Z

One of my favorite terms in baseball lore is the Mendoza Line. For the Suns this season we have the Taco Line.

If the Suns score 99 points you win (yes, you!) two free tacos. This applies to both home AND away games.

Ed Note: I would link to the page on Suns.com that shows this promotion along with lots of other promotions but the NBA doesn't allow that.

Two free 182 calorie snacks aside, the Taco Line provides a very meaningful measure for the Suns likely success. New defensive and rebounding focus is nice but this team needs to score the ball to win games and stay happy.

The C's are holding teams to a measly 81 points per game and the Suns are averaging a league 2nd best 111 ppg (link to stats page not allowed) .

I am so confident that the 99 point mark is the key in this game that I promise to both buy and eat two tacos if the Suns don't score 99 point and still manage to win the game. I am laying it all on the line here.

Keys to Crossing the Taco Line:

To reach the Taco Line it is going to take more than zero combined points from Grant Hill and Jason Richardson and after two bad shooting games, I am looking for Frye to light it up again.
The Nash - Rondo tussle is always fun if by "fun" you enjoy seeing Rondo drive by Nash repeatedly and use those freakishly long arms to disrupt Steve's passes.
Amare and KG have had some nice battles in the past if by "nice battles" you mean that one game that one time where Amare scored 28 points and actual pushed KG around and not this other time where he had 3 points.

Seriously now, this game is going to be a tough win just like winning in Orlando was always a long-shot. That doesn't excuse a blow out and getting absolutely torched in the 3rd quarter.

Tonight the Suns are better rested after barely playing on Wednesday so I am looking for a full 110% effort and a competitive game. And if they are able to find a way to beat the Celtics vaunted defense and reach the Taco Line you never know...

Be sure to check out CelticsBlog

Pregame Links:

Suns-Celtics Preview - Nov. 5, 2009 - NBA - CBSSports.com
Coach Alvin Gentry joked that his Phoenix Suns squandered a chance at an undefeated season following their first defeat this week.
Suns don't fret about top teams
It used to be that a season's defining moments for the Suns came against the top teams. They were games that would state grandly whether Phoenix was living up to its championship-caliber dreams. This week, Wednesday night's loss at Orlando and Friday's visit to Boston are simply for good measure. Nobody expects the Suns to operate at the level of those teams. Many wonder whether the Suns are a playoff-caliber team. Their 4-0 start this season and their wins against the league's bottom half all the more important.
Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics has been at his best against the Phoenix Suns - ESPN Boston
Rondo's latest challenge comes vs. Suns, Nash
BostonHerald.com - Blogs: Celtics Insider" Blog Archive " Everybody loves Jared
The Suns visit to Boston to play the Celtics tonight at 7:30 has given former Boston College star Jared Dudley the chance to return to the place that saw him transform from unheralded recruit to ACC Player of the Year. Dudley should have some fans in the Garden crowd tonight, though it’s not like he’s in short supply. Anyone and everyone who is asked about the gritty reserve forward offers positively glowing reviews.
azcentral.com - coro report
Suns guard Leandro Barbosa put up some shots after today's shootaround in Boston but is planning to sit out a third consecutive game tonight against the Celtics. Barbosa said the wrist was "way better but it's still bothering me." He said he feels pain, a "pop," when he shoots. "I think I'm gong to wait one more game," Barbosa said.
Celtics Set for Showdown With Surprising Suns at Garden - Boston Celtics - NESN.com
The Suns are no longer undefeated, but they're still one of the elite teams in the Western Conference. With Steve Nash still going strong at 35 and Amare Stoudemire still looking like a wizard on the offensive end, Phoenix is in business. Expect this team to hang tough with the Lakers for the Pacific Division title this season.
SUNS: Suns-Celtics Game Preview: 11/6/2009

Other Links:

Why No Outcry Over Sterling? - Bethlehem Shoals - The Baseline - Sporting News
Where are the hordes of angry liberal Clipper fans? Where's LeBron James standing up for people everywhere? Where is Kayne West!
Stephen Curry will not be easily hazed - TrueHoop By Henry Abbott - ESPN
The kid's court awareness is phemonenal
Don't forget Bobcats in Stephen Jackson sweepstakes - TrueHoop By Henry Abbott - ESPN
Diaw to the Warriors for S Jax?
SUNS: Suns Honored with Three Emmys
Congrats to the suns.com crew
Comedy Central orders the Onion TV pilot--The Live Feed | THR
CAN'T WAIT!!! The as-yet-untitled pilot will be based on the Onion Sports Network online video series and take on teams, fans, sports products and sports coverage. The show will be geared toward sports lovers and long-time followers of the Onion.
Friday links | Fanster.com -
I don't know what it is about these goofball pictures of Channing Frye and Steve Nash that make me laugh, but it never fails. Maybe it's the s*#t-eating
Amar'e Stoudemire will be at Boost Mobile's grand opening of their first retail store in downtown Phoenix.
Boost Mobile Retail Store 4031 North 24th Street Phoenix, AZ 85016 602-955-3880 1:30 pm. – 2 pm. – Meet and greet and photo opportunity with Amar’e Stoudemire as he signs autographs for fans

[Preview by Suns Fan For Life 11/06/09 4:46 PM MST ]

I think the key to this game could come down to two things. The Amare KG match-up and if our hustle players can match the know commodities that the Celtics have.

First. The matchup. KG is just one of the best PF of all time. Offense defense or otherwise. He has adapted as he has lost some athleticism and continued to remain at the top of his game. We have yet to see this with Amare. There have been flashes but how far along is overall process. Is he ready to carry this team on his back not just physically but mentally. Does he play a complete game. At this point in their prospective careers Amare should be able to get his offensive game going. Maybe not dominate butt score when needed. He has to be mentally there for rebounds and be able to completely control KG on defense. He needs to force the double team while on offense and control KG while on defense. If he can do this the rest of our game should come into place.

This leads to our other question. Does all of our potential players come out and play. Do they chechout at certain points in the game or do they stay focused. Does Frye get frustrated when his shot doesn’t fall or does he just find a way to contribute no matter what. Does Dragic continue to build his confidence. Can Collins fill the role is wide butt is capable of doing. Can Clark also find ways to contribute and start putting together a complete game.

I know we are missing Barbs, but if the other pieces come together and we get production from Grant and JRich. this should be an interesting game.

This game is more mental than any other game we have played so far or will play. The Celtics are perhaps the most fundamentally sound team in the league. If we can stay engaged we have the potential to beat this team even on their home court. On that there are too many questions to post a guess o the score. It should be good.

When Lawyers Rule the World...This Happens

2009-11-06T15:52:57Z

Thanks to our friends at Binary Basketball, we learn today that the legal eagles over NBA.com have this policy in place on their web site's terms and conditions.

As you will see, I can't actually link to their linking policy without being in violation of their policy on linking which states that by linking to them (in accordance with their linking policy) that I have accepted their terms and conditions with regards to the aforementioned policy on linking, links, linkage, linkering, linkermania, and any and all off spring of the term "link" whether in use currently or at any time in the future. Ever.

Here's the good parts...

E. All links to Site from a Permissible Site must be to the Site's home page or to the homepage of a particular team -- links to internal pages within the Site (e.g., a player page, a photo gallery or a feature article) other than to the home page of a team are not permitted.

F. The posting or creation of any link to the Site signifies that you have read these Linkage Restrictions and agree to abide by their terms.

When you think about it, this makes perfect sense.

Why would the NBA want a site like ours to link to the player page of Steve Nash when instead we could be linking to the SBN, ESPN, Yahoo! or CBS Sports player page of Steve Nash?

Can I even use the phrase, "Steve Nash"? I better check the terms and conditions covering the use of property owned by the NBA.

Clearly, anything the NBA can do to make it more difficult to talk about their sport is going to benefit their sport. Clearly.

In other related news, Bright Side of the Sun has instituted a new policy in our terms in conditions stating that any time you type, speak or think about Bright Side of the Sun you must stand on your left foot and touch your nose. Your use of the Internet at any time for any reason implies your consent with this policy.

Carlos Powell Goes First in the D-League Draft

2009-11-06T00:30:50Z

Carlos Powell hopes to return quickly to an NBA uniform (Photo by Max Simbron)

View full size photo »

Congratulations to Carlos Powell for being selected #1 overall by the Albuquerque Thunderbirds!

With the 9th pick the Iowa Energy pick Rashad Anderson, a 6-5 guard from Connecticut.

And for all the rest of your draft coverage check out Ridiculous Upside

D-League: Energy pick says team got a steal | desmoinesregister.com | The Des Moines Register
"One big knock on me coming out of college was that I couldn't get my own shot," he said. "But in the last two years my game's changed tremendously. Just working hard, shooting 500 shots every night, running the treadmill every day. Iowa got the steal of the draft."

Daily Links: D-League Draft Day Love (and balding men)

2009-11-05T17:42:26Z

Someday we might have a D-league team in Tucson but for now our affiliation is with the Iowa Energy. They've been a great organization to work with and I look forward to following their season. Here's an update on their current roster going into tonight's draft from Coach Nurse.

Coach Nurse’s Notes: First Pieces of Team- Energy Hoopla – Iowa Energy Basketball Social Site
Matt Trannon (Michigan State)–Two sport star for the Spartans. Played both basketball and football. Has been in several NFL training camps, and played in Australia last year. Very athletic and tough. Plays hard.

This is pretty cool. Matt worked out for the Energy in Phoenix and ran with our boy Dustin. According to the Energy, Matt will be one of 17 players attending training camp. He's described as a big, physical player who has a ton of athleticism.

"If he comes in and does the dirty work that he did at Michigan State......he could have a shot at sticking," said Energy General Manager Chris Makris.

Another player who worked out in Phoenix, Joel Smith, was allocated to the Bakersfield Jam based on "regional allocation" which tries to get local players connected with their "home" D-league team.

Also making the Energy camp roster is Shyron Ely who worked out in Chicago and is the brother of WNBA player Shrya Ely of the Chicago Sky. There were 4 or 5 other players from various Energy try-outs that were recommended for D-league contracts and are available in tonight's draft.

I guess those work-outs weren't just for PR purposes after all so start training now for next year!

And here's a more detailed look at tonight's D-league draft which includes Carlos Powell. Powell, who you might remember was on the Suns preseason roster, was described to me as a likely top 5 pick.

Carlos told me while he was in Phoenix that he had no interest in playing overseas again but on his Facebook page this morning seemed to be thinking through his options, "is thinking VERY hard ...Should i give the D League another chance or should i go back overseas(tax-free $)??"

2009 D-League Draft Preview - Ridiculous Upside
A preview of tonight's D-League draft, looking at some notable players and team needs.

Speaking of the D-league and the WNBA, this is interesting news indeed

NBA.com: Lieberman to become D-League's first female head coach
Nancy Lieberman is set to become the first female head coach of a NBA Development League team. Congrats to Nancy L!

And speaking of balding (future) D-league players, why didn't Taylor Griffin make this list?

Bald Spot-Light: 5 NBA Players Who Need To Cut Their Hair | Complex Blog
Close-cropped Manu Ginobili is setting an example for players whose thinning heads are beginning to resemble basketballs.

Day After Getting Whooped in the First Loss of the Season Links

SUNS: Suns Cant Keep Streak Alive, Lose to Magic
Post-Game Media Availability: A Complete Effort on Both Ends of the Floor - Third Quarter Collapse
Post-game media availability with Stan Van Gundy, Ryan Anderson, and Dwight Howard.
Game to pay attention to: Suns vs. Magic - Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sports
Pay attention. This could be ugly, or it could be fantastic. Gut-check time, in the season's second week. Nice. - It was ugly
Magic 122, Suns 100 -- Magic defeat the undefeated| Valley of the Suns
Dwight Howard and the reigning East champion Orlando Magic showed exactly why they were playing in the NBA Finals last season while the Suns were sitting at home.
Barnes happy with Magic, 'bitter' about Suns
As happy he is for his friends, Barnes admits being "bitter" about the Suns' about-face regarding their style of play. "It's frustrating, very frustrating," Barnes said. "Everybody's talking about this team being old and doesn't have it. It's the same team we had last year, and now they lead the league in scoring, shooting and 3-point percentage. That's what I thought I was going into."

Other Fun Link(s) O'Today

Guarded: How the Media Struggles to Cover Delonte West | '64 and Counting: Scene's Sports Blog | Cleveland Scene
Interesting look at the Delonte West situation

Suns Hope for Undefeated Season Ends in Orlando

2009-11-05T05:56:03Z

More photos » by John Raoux - AP

4 days ago: Phoenix Suns forward Amare Stoudemire, right, gets around Orlando Magic forward Ryan Anderson (33) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. Orlando won 122-100.(AP Photo/John Raoux)

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We all saw this coming from far away. The cards were stacked against our beloved Suns from the opening tip. They clawed their way to victory in a rugged game last night in Miami. Tonight they were up against one of the best teams in the league, the Orlando Magic. Only an astounding effort could have put the Suns over the top tonight and while Amare Stoudemire did his best, putting up 25 points and 14 rebounds, the rest of the Suns couldn't follow his lead.

Perhaps tonight the Suns were simply tired. Or perhaps we have seen our first glimpse of one of the Sun's potential Achilles heals already: age. For the second night in a row the Suns rebounding leader, Grant Hill looked tired.

Steve Nash wasn't much of a factor as well as the Suns bigs found themselves in foul trouble early on and fell behind an angry Magic squad that dropped a game in Detroit they should have won the night before.

Funny thing was, for much of the game, Dwight Howard wasn't his dominant self. Howard did manage to put up 25 points, but finished the first half with a technical foul, 3 personals, and only 2 rebounds while the Magic led 56-52.

It was efforts from Ryan Who? Anderson, (20 points, 10 rebounds), the infamous Matt Barnes, (13 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists), and Jameer Nelson (16 points and 10 assists) that did much of the damage for the Magic.

Oh and let us not forget the Suns helped out with cold shooting: (45% FG, 31% 3PT), and for the second night in a row, hovered near 50% from the free throw line for much of the night, finishing at 65%.

But enough of the negative. There was some good that came out of tonight's game besides Stoudemire's performance: the bench once again proved solid, even before garbage time:

Goran Dragic once again played well, adding 15 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds
Jared Dudley scored 17, and played like his usual junkyard self
Earl Clark saw action and looked confident, going 4-6 from the field and pulling down 5 boards
There was a T-Griff sighting HEY-OH!!

Amare Stoudemire's recovery appears ahead of schedule. Alvin Gentry has been reminding us all that Sun Tzu will need 15-17 games to get back to form, but he looked very good for the first half of this game. Perhaps he felt at home in Florida, or perhaps he's feeling good and seeing dollar signs, either way he was a monster for the Suns tonight.

"It’s tough on Grant (Hill) back-to-back, but I never fault his effort or anything that he does. I’ll go to war with him every single night and most of the time we’re going to win. It was just a tough situation. He and J Rich (Jason Richardson) struggled tonight. You can’t have your two wing players struggling against these guys. You’ve got to play well, but I think we’re going to be okay. Obviously we were missing LB (Leandro Barbosa). LB can change the course of a game like this in that he gives us so much speed and he just gives us another weapon out on the floor. And there’s very few times where you’ll have LB (Leandro Barbosa), J Rich (Jason Richardson) and Grant (Hill) where they’re struggling. Usually two of those three guys are always playing pretty good. But I don’t want to take anything away from Orlando. They did a great job.” - Coach Gentry

Game Thread: Suns vs Magic

2009-11-04T23:30:26Z

Final - 11.4.2009	1	2	3	4	Total
Phoenix Suns	25	27	26	22	100
Orlando Magic	29	29	34	30	122

Complete Coverage >

Suns vs Magic boxscore

Third Quarter Collapse

Preview: Suns vs Magic (Forget about that Dwight Guy)

2009-11-04T18:27:18Z

More photos » by J Pat Carter - AP

Don't even try and explain what Nash is doing on the court. Just sit back and enjoy the artistry.

Browse more photos »

With all the focus (understandably) on that big guy in the middle with fancy muscles and jumping and what not, I want to turn our collective heads and give a cough out to the point guard match-up in tonight's game.

On one side we have the Hot Older YMCA White Guy Actress who is dominating and on the other side the young guy who's not so shabby ~~her~~ himself.

From NBA.com, lets check the tale of the tape...

Not even close. So lets not get all bent out of shape worrying about how many Frye's Howard might eat tonight. This is a team effort and for the time being our team is being driven by the best in the league.

There, I said it.

Right now Steve Nash is the best point guard in the league.

Suck it, Chris Paul and your 1-3 Hornets. Chew on that Deron Williams and your 1-3 Jazz.

Quick, someone stop me before I declare this Suns team the best ever and a lock for the 2009/10 NBA Championship after going 4-0....

Next Game

Phoenix Suns
@ Orlando Magic

Wednesday, Nov 4, 2009, 5:00 PM MST
Amway Arena

Complete Coverage >

Preview Mash-up

[Preview by Paul Coro, 11/04/09 11:59 AM MST ]

azcentral.com - members
It seems like a tough call for the Suns to play Orlando on the second night of a back-to-back but the Magic is coming off a game Tuesday night at Detroit. The Magic lost 85-80 and Howard is going to be ornery. Howard fouled out in 17 minutes of play, reminiscent of a December 2006 against Phoenix in which he fouled out in 19 minutes against Stoudemire.

[Preview and Recap by Al McCoy and Steve Kerr via KTAR, 11/04/09 12:44 PM MST ]

[Note by Phoenix Stan, 11/04/09 2:52 PM MST ]

I can't help it. I've been thinking about the front line match-ups.

Ryan Anderson is a PF that likes to hang out beyond the 3 point line and bomb away. Channing Frye is a C that likes to hang out beyond the 3 point line and bomb away.

What are the chances that Howard leaves the paint to cover Frye?

Zero.

Which means Howard will have Amare and that means putting D-Ho in about 3,000 different pick and roll situations with both Nash and Amare going straight after him. If they are calling the game tight and Howard is overly aggressive coming off the Magical loss last night in Mo-town than we've got a solid chance.

On the other end, let Frye deal with Howard in the paint and Amare can stay safe by chilling with Ryan on the wings.

Hell, I am looking forward to seeing Amundson on Howard or even Collins. But I don't need to see Amare trying to handle him 1:1 in the post.

This is a game where we need to keep Amare out of foul trouble and attacking on the offensive end.

And let's not for Mattie Barnes

What's the over / under on him making bad plays (silly turnovers or ill advised three's)?

I'm going with 4.5

[Preview by Eutychus , 11/04/09 3:00 PM MST ]

I have to study for a test (that I take at 5pm… right when the game starts..) so I don’t time to write a good preview – so here’s a quickie -

I think the Magic will sink or swim depending on how Howard plays. If he plays out of control because he’s still upset about yesterday’s loss and officiating – then I can see him picking up more fouls tonight and self-inflicting bench time. Plus because his shoulder is sore it will be interesting to see how (if at all) that will affect his game.

Other than Dwight – the Vince Carter Grant Hill match-up will be a fun blast to the past affair that Grant Hill will come out on top of. As for everyone else on the Magic – we have the advantage.

The other Eutychus Keys

Shoot better - earlier. Come out smelling blood in the water (I love my shark references)
Put last night's Defense on repeat.
Perimeter defense needs to be tight whenever Redick - Carter - Nelson - or even Williams are on the floor and roaming about that shazam line - they can knock down the outside shot.
Carter and Nelson will be driving machines - put a boot on em'.

Other than that – Orlando goes deep to the bench and has a great (and huge) front line…. but with that huge front line they will more than likely have trouble coming out on Channing Frye or dealing with how well we have been spacing the floor lately. It will be a great game tonight and I’m interested to see how we play on our first back 2back!!!

LET’S GO FIVE AND OH YEAH!!!

see you for the second half maybe..

[Whine by Dwight Howard, 11/04/09 3:27 PM MST ]

What really bothers me is they are letting guys hammer me at one end of the floor, yet I’m being called for everything. All of those hits take a toll on my body after a while.

As for my shoulder, it’s really sore right now and it really hurts when guys are hanging on me and pulling on my arms. The trainers have done all of the tests and they say everything is fine, but it’s still hurting me a little. They said my shoulders are plenty strong enough around the injury, but it’s like a bruise and will take some time to get fully better.

Steve Nash, The Inexplicably Hot Older Actress

2009-11-04T17:57:09Z

Steve Nash, The Inexplicably Hot Older Actress

Nice article but I would beg to differ that his hotness is "inexplicable". Jennifer Aniston works hard to keep that body toned. So does Nash

Nash, Defense Spark Suns Victory in Miami

2009-11-04T06:09:34Z

More photos » by J PAT CARTER - AP

5 days ago: Phoenix Suns' Louis Amundson tries to block Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade from shooting during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game in Miami, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

Browse more photos »

At Suns Media Day a couple months back, Steve Nash was asked how he felt. The 36 year old point guard looked down and thought for a moment, then replied with a smile: "joyous." The joyous Steve Nash led the Suns with 30 points in a hard fought come-from-behind victory against the Miami Heat tonight, 104-96. While going 4-5 from three-point range, Nash also became the Suns All-Time 3-point leader.

The Suns looked sloppy and fell behind early during a 17-1 Miami run in the first half but managed to keep things close until Nash caught fire and the defense tightened in the second half. While Amare Stoudemire, Jared Dudley, and Louis Amundson scrapped for rebounds and blocked shots, Grant Hill, Jason Richardson and company held Dwayne Wade to a meager 23 points. After the game, Stoudemire quipped, "the guys are really taking defense to heart." It is easy to believe Sun Tzu after his words followed a gutsy team performance. From a fan's perspective it doesn't get any more exciting than watching your team fight back from a deficit and show so much fire in doing so. Seeing Jared Dudley scream in delight after scoring a hard fought basket warms my heart and makes me want to be ORNG.

The bench played excellent tonight including Jarron Collins, whose box line doesn't do him justice. The guy played tough and didn't hurt us. The rest of the rotation played inspired, aggressive basketball:

Louis Amundson: 10 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks
Jared Dudley: 8 points and 3 boards
Goran Dragic was solid in 11 minutes of play with no (zero) turnovers and a nice take to the hoop

Grant Hill struggled from the field going 2-11, yet managed a double double with 10 points and 12 boards, nicely complimenting Stoudemire's 11 rebound, 3 blocked shot performance. While everyone contributed in this victory, it was Nash's 25 point second half that led the way to an improbable win. For a half the Suns looked destined to give this game to the Heat, shooting nearly 40% from the field and 50% from the free throw line. Dwayne Wade picked apart the defense while Jermaine O'Neal and an oddly athletic looking Quentin Richardson buoyed the Heat offense.

Some more items of Suns interest:

Grant Hill is leading the Suns in rebounds, averaging 10.3 per game
The Suns bench of Amundson, Dudley, Dragic and Collins shot a combined 10-18 from the field
Channing frye has made more three pointers in 4 games this season than in 63 games last year. In his prior three seasons in the league he made a total of 9.
Earl Clark registered his first DNP of the season tonight
The Orlando Magic are the Suns next opponent tomorrow in Orlando at 5 P.M. MST. The Magic are returning from an 85-80 loss in Detroit.

[Note by Phoenix Stan, 11/04/09 6:49 AM MST ]

The Suns in the fourth quarter of this game were simply amazing outscoring Miami 29 to 15 and holding the Heat to 22% shooting. 22%!!!

The quarter started with the Suns down 81 - 76 and Nash on the bench. The unit of Dragic, Richardson, Dudley, Collins and Stoudemire went on a 10 - 3 run so that when Nash and Frye came in at the 7:18 mark the Suns had taken a 2 point lead.

Catch that? The Suns took the lead with Nash on the bench. How huge is that?

Here's what Gentry said about the bench, "I thought our reserves did a good job. It's really tough to have Steve sitting over there especially when the games on the line and you want him in there all the time. I thought Goran [Dragic] did a really good job of coming up with a few baskets and just being aggressive and getting guys some open shots. Jarron [Collins] came in and it was the first time he played for us and I think he set some really good solid screens to open guys up for shots and did a good job defensively. We're happy with the win but like I said, we're not ready to crown ourselves yet."

Sure, it helped the Wade was on the bench as well but credit where credit is due and that goes to those bench guys for giving Steve the time to rest so that when he came back in he could score 8 points and 3 assists and zero missed field goals.

But Wade was back in the game when Dragic blew by his man on the wing and went hard to the rim. Wade, a fantastic defender, came over for the block but Goran was able to adjust in mid air and drop the ball into the front of the rim. It's not the kind of play that ends up on a poster - but it should.

The Suns used the zone defense with great effect as well as which Nash said worked well, "We haven’t really used it much or had much success. It really came out well for us tonight."

Amare was fantastic. Richardson and Dudley did great work on Wade. Nash is playing as well as he's had in at least two or three years.

To overcome a night in which the Suns missed 10 free throws and Frye's shot finally went cold (we knew it would eventually) was very impressive. This was a great win.

Post Game Links

Suns vs Heat coverage
Suns vs Heat recap
Suns vs Heat boxscore
SUNS: Postgame Quotes: Suns @ Heat, 11/3/09
Suns defense key in road win
Their first use of the zone defense this season kept Wade out of the lane and made the Heat shoot over the Suns. Miami made just 10 of 38 shots after that point.
PopcornMachine's GameFlows
GameFlows or graphical boxscores of NBA games
Suns are in the zone, beat Heat in battle of unbeatens | Philadelphia Daily News | 11/04/2009
"I thought the zone was for college, personally," Quentin Richardson said. "I thought that was the difference between the NBA and college." - Q, if you make your shots then the zone doesn't work

and remember this one?

Game Thread: Suns vs Heat

2009-11-04T00:00:38Z

Final - 11.3.2009	1	2	3	4	Total
Phoenix Suns	23	21	31	29	104
Miami Heat	26	26	29	15	96

Complete Coverage >

Preview: Suns vs Heat (JRich's Defensive Challenge)

2009-11-03T18:47:38Z

More photos » by Wilfredo Lee - AP

The task of slowing down Dwyane Wade will fall on Jason Richardson as the Suns and Heat meet in a battle of undefeated teams. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Browse more photos »

On Monday before the team headed to the airport they held a brief practice with only the "low minutes" guys actually working up a sweat. Lou, Clark, Collins, Dragic, Tucker and Griffin got some floor time in while the rest of the guys went to the treatment room for..~~brownies~~ treatment before the flight to Florida.

In a first for me, Coach Gentry took his media questions while sitting in a chair getting his hair cut. You will be glad to know that he did a great job keeping his head still while answering.

A couple of Gentry points of emphasis:

He's not all that impressed with being 3 and 0, "It's not like we are 30 and 0"
While winning every game is always the goal, he also talked about getting the team better so the Suns are playing their best ball in April. He talked specifically about getting more consistent defensively and mentioned the break downs in the transition D in the game against the T-wolves
Also mentioned Amare's continued week by week improvement and asked once again for patience saying that in 10 or 15 games he'll be finishing some looks that he's not yet able to convert
Gentry is pleased with where the team is conditioning-wise saying the the team is further along then he thought there were after seeing the first three games. He felt conditioning was important at the end of both the Clippers and Warriors game and that the let down at the end of the T-wolves game was more mental than anything else
Amare is doing a good job attracting a crowd and most coaches prefer to stop the dunk and try and rotate out on the three point shooters. That's getting Channing a lot of open looks along with Steve's ability to read the defense and find the open man
Gentry called this road trip a good test and expects Jarron Collins to play against the bigger centers the Suns will face in Miami, Orlando and Boston
Coach said that he likes having either Frye or Amare in with the second unit so look for Lou Amundson to sub in early

Miami Game Preview

The Heat start and go and score and destroy and live and so far this season have not died behind D Wade. This will be a great early season test for the new and defensively improved Jason Richardson.

Hopefully, Jason will take the challenge and realize that he doesn't need to score 25 for the Suns to win this game. If he can hold Wade to an inefficient game (sub 40% shooting) that would be amazing. So amazing.

Of course, the Bulls held Flash to 25 points on only 8 of 19 shooting and still gave up 95 points in the loss.

Miami is reportedly playing pretty solid defense this year which will certainly be a change over what the Suns faced in the Clippers, Warriors and Timberwolves. The Heat have the best opponent's field goal percentage with 38% and have held the Knicks, Pacers and Bulls to an average 88 points per game.

The Suns are going to need to score at least 105 to beat Miami which will likely come down to Channing Frye's ability to continue to hit the three. When his shot goes cold the Suns are going to struggle in the half court with Amare still in recovery mode.

Paul Coro is reporting from Miami that Leandro's wrist is still very sore and he likely won't play today despite what the team said yesterday.

Game Links

Preview Mashup

[Preview by Eutychus , 11/03/09 2:09 PM MST ]

Along with their match-ups against the Wizards and the Sixers – tonight’s game against the Heat is going to be one of the Suns better opportunities to get a W in the next 5 game stretch. Not to mention it will be an opportunity for redemption after the Heat swept the two game series with us last year. . . (and BTW… the first game we lost last year against Miami – Nash was a DNP because of a thigh contusion and D.Wade put up 40+ on Bell… the second game we lost Amare was out with his eye and D.Wade put up a 35 point 16 assist clinic on Richardson.. and it sounds like we won’t have LB contributing much if at all today, so it should be pretty interesting yet again)

Regardless, tonight will be the first game of the season for both the Heat and the Suns against an opponent who isn’t a bottom-feeder – so it should be a good initial measuring stick for our defensive improvements before heading into 2 games against Orlando and Boston in which our defense will need to be operating at maximum capacity.

Though everyone has mentioned a few of these already, here are a few questions I have for tonight’s game:

JRich v. D.Wade? : If it’s a question of who’s the better player there is no doubt it is D.Wade, but it’s not – it’s a question of whether or not JRich’s rekindled focus on improved defense will prove effective in his 2nd game of the season against the reigning scoring champ (welcome back JRich). Like already mentioned – I can see Dudley, Hill, and even Clark sharing some big responsibilities tonight in attempting to contain D.Wade.
3 for 6? : As in, will Frye continue his hot streak and have a third consecutive game with 6 three pointers drained? I’m anxious to see if Frye’s outside game will stay somewhat consistent or if we’ll see him lay an egg as he faces tougher defenses here on this road-trip… that being said, I don’t know if I consider J.O. to be a great center who can close out fast enough on a three point shooting big like Frye – add to that his broken nose and a possibility that he might play extra soft today and I like Frye’s match-up with J.O.
Guarding the Other Guards? : Another question is if Steve Nash and Goran Dragic can keep the versatile guards in 3 point sleeper Cook (who is also coming back from being recently injured) and Chalmers from having big offensive nights. I’m not terribly worried about this match-up – I’m actually confident that Nash will frustrate them on the offensive end while Goran will frustrate them on D – should be fun to watch regardless.
Who Will Step Up? With LB hurt and likely not playing we will need one of our 2nd unit players (besides the Starters A.G. hopes to play with the bench at times) to step up offensively for a big night. Will it be Goran with another slick shooting night? Will Studly Dudley find his corner touch? Will Lou Pogo his way to the FT stripe and show off his new skills? Or will Clark come up big and give us some rookie footage to be proud of? We’ll have to see – and with the Heat bringing both Haslem (who has been on fire) and Cook off the bench they have a few good weapons.
Continued Improvement from Amare? Will we see continued improvement from Amare tonight? Though this might be a reoccurring question every night STAT will get a good look at a few good PFs in Beasley and Haslem as well as having his weak side and/or help D tested as D.Wade will no doubt make constant moves down the lane and through the paint throughout the night. I’m confident Amare will have a big game.

It will be a fun game to watch for sure!

The unofficially official Phoenix Suns comic strip

2009-11-03T16:26:06Z

Welcome to the fifteenth edition of Box n' 1 - a comic strip featuring the Phoenix Suns. Don't forget to rec it if you like it and/or leave feedback even if you don't.

Bright Side Of The Sun

Just How Good Are The 6-1 Suns?

Does the Suns 6-1 start change your thinking about what this team can accomplish?

Suns Shake Off Slow Start, Down Washington Arenas's, 102-90

Preview and Game Thread: Suns @ Wizards

The JYD Bark

Which bark is most appropriate for JYD?

Boston, MA: Where the Suns Bench Happened (to kick the C's in the teeth)

Between being and becoming..

Richardson, Stoudemire Lead Suns to Big Win Versus Unbeaten Celtics

Game Thread: Suns vs Celtics

Phoenix Suns Roster

Boston Celtics Roster

Game Preview: Suns @ Boston (Will Tacos Happen?)

When Lawyers Rule the World...This Happens

Carlos Powell Goes First in the D-League Draft

Daily Links: D-League Draft Day Love (and balding men)

Suns Hope for Undefeated Season Ends in Orlando

Game Thread: Suns vs Magic

Preview: Suns vs Magic (Forget about that Dwight Guy)

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Steve Nash, The Inexplicably Hot Older Actress

Steve Nash, The Inexplicably Hot Older Actress

Nash, Defense Spark Suns Victory in Miami

Game Thread: Suns vs Heat

Preview: Suns vs Heat (JRich's Defensive Challenge)

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The unofficially official Phoenix Suns comic strip