Suns lose again to Hornets in 2OT, on the night Shaq became a Sun
(AP Photo/Matt York) On a night nobody really cared about the game, the night Shaq officially became a member of Planet Orange, the Hornets beat the Suns for the third time this season, 132-130 in double OT.
Peja Stojakovic’s jumper at the buzzer gave New Orleans the win and proved once again Phoenix is having a tough time against the best teams in the West: 5-9 against the Western Conference playoffs teams, if I am not wrong.
The Suns forced a second OT after a couple of key 3-pointers by Barbosa and Nash. During the final extra time Leandrinho tied the game at 130 with another triple with just 3 seconds left.
When these two teams face each other it tends to become a duel between possibly the two best point guards in the NBA and this time was no exception as Chris Paul scored 42 points (9 assists, 5 rebounds and 8 steals) and Steve Nash had 32 points and 12 assists (with 10 turnovers).
The Suns got 26 points and a season-high 20 rebounds from Stoudemire and 22 apiece from Barbosa and Diaw, starting in place of Shawn Marion (Good luck in Miami, Shawn)
With Chandler out it was Peja (26 points), West (21) and Pargo (22) helping out Paul in leading the Hornets to victory.
The game was vastly entertaining and the crowd was really into it but the biggest roar of the night belonged to our new big man, who saluted the fans from a suite up in the building.
I have to admit, as reported by Matt, that Shaq does indeed look great in a Suns uniform. The man still command great respect and awe, I have to admit. Didn’t realize that until I saw him last night. Shaq looked even in great shape !
It seems like Suns’ fans are really excited about the newest Suns’ acquisition, and quite frankly, apart from all the technical considerations (I don’t like that trade anyway), Shaq will bring new enthusiasm to a nation of fans that was getting a bit nervous and somewhat bored (by the most spectacular form of basketball on the planet….go guess).
Next game, or the night Shaq will make his Suns debut, is scheduled for Friday night (7 PM) as the Sonics come to town.
Yours truly, Steve Fan
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Posted by Steve Fan
Blogger and Steve Nash enthusiast. Don't get in his way, he'll MVP your ass.
http://sonsofstevenash.blogspot.com
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The Suns could add depth on wing defense by taking another gamble–signing Ruben Patterson as that thirteenth player they must have. He’s a stupid thug, but he can defend four positions. If you combined Shawn Marion with Ron Artest and add more childishness, crime and public menace, you’d have Patterson. He could spell Raja Bell in guarding Nanu Ginobili and Ko-me Bryant, if he cooperated long enough.