Back in First Place
A few notes on an ugly, ugly game and I’m hitting the sack. The late games on TNT and ESPN are brutal.
-wow that was a lot of turnovers from both teams. That stretch in the middle of the third quarter was exruciating to watch. 23 total for the Suns, 21 for the Lakers. The difference of course is the Suns got out and ran or got shots up before the Laker defense could get set.
-good to see Boris hit open 15-footer after 15-footer but he can’t fall in love with that shot. The Lakers dared him to shoot and he made them pay for it tonight. His game is getting deep in the paint and creating or coming up with an easy bucket. Either way, can’t help but be happy with his aggressiveness
-what happened to Luke Walton? Just four shot attempts and zero points in 21 minutes. Not exactly the guy who many thought could anchor the triangle for years to come
-I don’t understand Kobe Bryant. He comes out firing in the first quarter then pretty much takes the next 30 minutes off. Who knows what’s going on inside that guys head.
The best I can figure is he hoped his teammates would keep it close and then he could swoop in like the superhero he thinks he is and wow the crowd.
He’s an enigma wrapped in a riddle and while I hate his guts, he’s easily the best player in the league right now (yes, I say that knowing full well there’s a guy out there named LeBron James.)
-I mentioned that unwatchable stretch in the third quarter. Kwame Brown may have put together the worst 4 minutes of any player in the history of the league. I was having flashbacks to my play in a rec league as a 13 year old when I turned the ball over three times in a row and fouled a guy for a three point play on the last one.
The best part was the Lakers just kept going to him every time on the block. Again, why Kobe didn’t step in and take over or at least put a stop the stupidity I’ll never know
-it continually amazes me that Ronny Turiaf has found a place in the league. I guess there’s always a spot for big oafs with no discernible skills except flailing and falling.
-the defensive effort was much improved tonight, the Suns really got after it and set the tone early with some big blocks. Except for a couple of breakdowns (see Vujacic, Sasha) they kept it up the entire game.
-Lakers won the rebounding battle 51-45. Doesn’t sound too bad, right? Well, 23 of those boards were of the offensive variety and this alone kept the Lakers in the game. A win is a win and all that but anytime Lamar Odom rips down 13 offensive rebounds, you’re usually going to be in trouble (again, he’s a beast…always a tough, tough matchup for Marion.)
-I’ve been thinking for a few weeks now that LB has regressed this year. His shooting is down and his decision-making ability in particular isn’t what it was last year. I obviously spoke to soon and have focused more on the bad than the good. Yes, he had two terrible possessions at the end of the first and third quarter, but he also hit a couple of big shots in the fourth quarter and was the leading scorer for the game. Hate to complain too much after a win.
-Doug Collins is a great announcer. He’s spot on 99% of the time and I love his insights into the game. He just about called out Coach D’s play to end the half. He does need to stop with the “also too” though.
-Amare needs to look at the tape of this game and understand the Lakers love to bait him into offensive fouls. They love to fall down when he takes his first step and unfortunately tonight, the referees obliged a couple of times. Such a joke.
Big, big win for the Suns tonight. They need to start having fun again and imposing their will on teams. Maybe get some swagger back and understand they’re just talented if not moreso than any team in the NBA.
Join the discussion at The Locker Room Forum. Arizona Sports 24/7.
Posted by Black Jesus Disciples
I Wish I Had Three First Names Like Coach D.
http://blackjesusdisciples.blogspot.com/
(Rate this post)
Loading ...Related Articles:
