Time to Come Out and Play…
The name of the game tonight and once again primary focus for the Suns is defense. They're going to get their points against the Warriors...everyone does.
The Suns have yet to beat the Warriors with Steven Jackson and Al Harrington in the lineup but this overstates their importance. While they are both solid and sometimes explosive players, Monta Ellis and Baron Davis are really the keys in every Suns/Warriors matchup.
As Coach D mentioned in his post-practice comments the other night, Nellie is the master of getting mismatches for his team. The funny thing here is everyone can see these mismatches, not just the bloated, chubby guy stumbling in front of the Warriors bench.
Ellis is incredibly fast, almost matching LB's quickness. The main difference between the two is Ellis lights it up between the free throw line and three point line. His ability to knock down the 15-footer makes it all the more difficult to prevent him from penetrating and finishing at the rim, another one of his specialties. The Suns have no one to guard him. Nash has looked lost in past efforts and Raja isn't quick enough.
Which brings us to another mismatch, Baron Davis against the Suns guards. The bearded one is big and strong and has no issues using his significant size advantage to put up crazy numbers. In this instance, Nash doesn't stand a chance for Baron will barrel right through him or back him down. Raja will surely see some time on Davis tonight but a perfect solution for stopping Davis and Ellis does not exist.
One option would be for Coach D to swallow his pride and give DJ some time tonight (riiiiight.) The other option is to take one of them out of the game and hope for the best, feeding the Warriors a steady diet of Shaq on the other end.
The Warriors tend to go through stretches of stupidity and Baron Davis (with Stephen Jackson a close second,) is their ringleader. Keep him on the perimeter and let him chuck. He can be made to crack, so Raja will need to be sure his mouthpiece is nice and snug.
It's strange how the Warriors have taken the reins from the Suns in being the NBA's most explosive team. It's rare the Suns have to adjust but this is one of those occasions. Tough defense, points in the paint and intelligent basketball will get the Suns the victory tonight.
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Posted by Black Jesus Disciples
I Wish I Had Three First Names Like Coach D.
http://blackjesusdisciples.blogspot.com/
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