The Suns play game two with the Lakers tonight. I'm very excited, although apparently we haven't won a game two in the last five series that we've played. That's ok, I have faith that today they'll pull through with relatively few headaches.
And then tomorrow it's a double header of games that I care about (even if mostly marginally). First up Denver will hopefully beat San Antonio's ass again. Although I don't know how likely that is with the full court press of doom and the ability to completely control the tempo of the game. The Spurs defense has been written about by much smarter people than me, but suffice it to say that San Antonio worries me more than any other team in the playoffs, even Dallas.
Speaking of, in the second game tomorrow night we get to see if Golden State can win two games in a row in Dallas.
TNT is running a short little ad that makes me very happy. In it they call the team "Leandro Barbosa and the Suns." I know it's because of his team high 26 points, but still to have a bench player be treated by the media like he's the star of the team? Very cool. Also indicative of the way this team works together.
And! Indicative of the fact that Barbosa just got the 6th Man of the Year award. I suddenly can't remember if I had previously capitalized that or not. But whatever, I'm just so very excited that he got it. As a result, there's all sorts of press on him right now. He seems to have appropriate perspective on it too. He still has his focus on the Championship where it belongs.
I've recently started getting Suns podcasts from suns.com, both video and audio. So far they're very good. I may talk about them more later, I may not--but right now it's way past my bedtime. Goodnight, and good luck to our heroes.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Look at that, a power I didn't even know I had!
Last night's games could not have gone any better for me.
Golden State buried Portland guaranteeing that they make the playoffs. The Lakers beat Sacramento, meaning that Golden State gets to face off with Dallas in the first round. (Note this date, I was rooting for the Lakers.) And then the Clippers lost to the Hornets, which just reinforces the other two outcomes and gives the Hornets a nice win at the end of the season.
I'm not too worried about taking the Lakers in a best out of seven. I'm even going to go out on a limb and say that with the way things sit this year, I think it won't even get as far as seven games like it did last year.
The thing that really excites me though, to get back to the games last night, is Golden State versus Dallas. The Warriors have gone 3-0 against the "unbeatable" Mavericks this season. I'm hoping this means that they can translate that kind of play to post-season wins, and eliminate Dirk et al in the first round. If it doesn't mean that, then at the very least I think they will wear the Mavs out, and maybe even take it to seven.
I cannot wait until Sunday. (Yes, I know that the playoffs start on Saturday. But that's not so much true if you're a Suns fan.)
Golden State buried Portland guaranteeing that they make the playoffs. The Lakers beat Sacramento, meaning that Golden State gets to face off with Dallas in the first round. (Note this date, I was rooting for the Lakers.) And then the Clippers lost to the Hornets, which just reinforces the other two outcomes and gives the Hornets a nice win at the end of the season.
I'm not too worried about taking the Lakers in a best out of seven. I'm even going to go out on a limb and say that with the way things sit this year, I think it won't even get as far as seven games like it did last year.
The thing that really excites me though, to get back to the games last night, is Golden State versus Dallas. The Warriors have gone 3-0 against the "unbeatable" Mavericks this season. I'm hoping this means that they can translate that kind of play to post-season wins, and eliminate Dirk et al in the first round. If it doesn't mean that, then at the very least I think they will wear the Mavs out, and maybe even take it to seven.
I cannot wait until Sunday. (Yes, I know that the playoffs start on Saturday. But that's not so much true if you're a Suns fan.)
Sunday, April 15, 2007
One, yeah, it's the magic number
So now the magic number is one. Well unless the Spurs lose to the Mavs today. In which case the magic number is two. As in the number two seed clinched.
The game last night against Utah was so much fun. I love seeing them just take over a game. I also love when Barbosa is the top scorer off the bench.
I'm also amazed with Nash's 18:0 assist to turnover ratio. There's a math geek imaginary number joke to be made there, but I don't feel like thinking of it. The night before versus the Lakers it was 14:1. That's what I like to see.
It's what sets the Suns apart from the rest of the West. Everyone else gives something important to the team, but there is no other player like Nash in the NBA. There are other amazing 6th men (well hello, Manu), other versatile big guys (how are you, Dirk?), other 3 point sharpshooters (sorry, I didn't see you there, Jason), other guys who are even better at defense (use your words, Ron), but there is no other player like Nash at point. No one who is that deadly a shot, but has that kind of court vision and generosity.
I am in no way trying to say that the other guys are disposable, they very much are not. But they aren't on a different plane with their individual skill levels like Nash is.
One final note, and then today's edition of "How Many Games Does He Play?" In the game on Friday versus the Lakers, there was a brilliant camera shot in the fourth quarter that started with Raja grinning from ear to ear and then shifted focus to the foreground where Kobe was scowling. It was something I wish I had on tape. I don't know what I would do with it, but that was how beautiful it was--I just want to watch it again.
So, how many games does he play?
The game last night against Utah was so much fun. I love seeing them just take over a game. I also love when Barbosa is the top scorer off the bench.
I'm also amazed with Nash's 18:0 assist to turnover ratio. There's a math geek imaginary number joke to be made there, but I don't feel like thinking of it. The night before versus the Lakers it was 14:1. That's what I like to see.
It's what sets the Suns apart from the rest of the West. Everyone else gives something important to the team, but there is no other player like Nash in the NBA. There are other amazing 6th men (well hello, Manu), other versatile big guys (how are you, Dirk?), other 3 point sharpshooters (sorry, I didn't see you there, Jason), other guys who are even better at defense (use your words, Ron), but there is no other player like Nash at point. No one who is that deadly a shot, but has that kind of court vision and generosity.
I am in no way trying to say that the other guys are disposable, they very much are not. But they aren't on a different plane with their individual skill levels like Nash is.
One final note, and then today's edition of "How Many Games Does He Play?" In the game on Friday versus the Lakers, there was a brilliant camera shot in the fourth quarter that started with Raja grinning from ear to ear and then shifted focus to the foreground where Kobe was scowling. It was something I wish I had on tape. I don't know what I would do with it, but that was how beautiful it was--I just want to watch it again.
So, how many games does he play?
Friday, April 6, 2007
A few articles and some talk of the Suns v Spurs
First of all, I'm linking to a few Barbosa articles that made my day yesterday (regardless of the outcome of the Spurs game).
This article is about the "race" for 6th Man of the Year. Mostly it's a nothing article, but the head to head stats at the end are kinda interesting. I didn't see anything too surprising or notable in them though. Just kinda interesting.
This one is also about the 6th Man of the Year award, but it has nice little details about Barbosa's path in the NBA as well as a kind of discussion about the difference between a bench player and a 6th man.
Basically, Suns coach Mike D'Antoni does not consider either Barbosa or Ginobili "bench players." A true sixth man, D'Antoni said, is just as valuable as any starter.
I had been arguing that for awhile, well at least to my former roommate and to my sister, but this article says it much better. I'm not sure anyone really would argue differently, but I get tired of there being such emphasis on being a starter.
This is basically Paul Coro saying, "I think Barbosa is great, you should love him too!" I do, Paul. Thanks. (There's not a lot more that can be said about that one, but it's still worth a read, IMHO.)
I also found a blog entry tonight about Raja Bell being a vegetarian from the time he was two and Boris Diaw being difficult.
Speaking of Bell and the Spurs game on Thursday, it struck me as odd that he was the highest rebounder (with 13) in the entire game. He's not a big guy like Duncan and Stat, and he's much more of a perimeter player than those guys. No other Suns player was even in double digits. I have no answer as to why or what it means, but it was weird.
Nash also didn't do as well as usual with his assists (7, which isn't shabby in general), and he had a bunch of turnovers (well, 6). I think it's because of the amazing Spurs defense. I mean, they kept us to 38% shooting. Obviously, if the team can't make the shots, then the passes for the shots don't count as assists.
I wish Amare had caught that beautiful would-be pass between Duncan's legs, though.
Sometimes when I look at box scores I get irritated with announcers. They kept saying things like, "and another Phoenix turnover..." Which lead me to think that the Suns must be doing really poorly in that regard compared to the Spurs. But no, it was about the same for both teams.
This article is about the "race" for 6th Man of the Year. Mostly it's a nothing article, but the head to head stats at the end are kinda interesting. I didn't see anything too surprising or notable in them though. Just kinda interesting.
This one is also about the 6th Man of the Year award, but it has nice little details about Barbosa's path in the NBA as well as a kind of discussion about the difference between a bench player and a 6th man.
Basically, Suns coach Mike D'Antoni does not consider either Barbosa or Ginobili "bench players." A true sixth man, D'Antoni said, is just as valuable as any starter.
I had been arguing that for awhile, well at least to my former roommate and to my sister, but this article says it much better. I'm not sure anyone really would argue differently, but I get tired of there being such emphasis on being a starter.
This is basically Paul Coro saying, "I think Barbosa is great, you should love him too!" I do, Paul. Thanks. (There's not a lot more that can be said about that one, but it's still worth a read, IMHO.)
I also found a blog entry tonight about Raja Bell being a vegetarian from the time he was two and Boris Diaw being difficult.
Speaking of Bell and the Spurs game on Thursday, it struck me as odd that he was the highest rebounder (with 13) in the entire game. He's not a big guy like Duncan and Stat, and he's much more of a perimeter player than those guys. No other Suns player was even in double digits. I have no answer as to why or what it means, but it was weird.
Nash also didn't do as well as usual with his assists (7, which isn't shabby in general), and he had a bunch of turnovers (well, 6). I think it's because of the amazing Spurs defense. I mean, they kept us to 38% shooting. Obviously, if the team can't make the shots, then the passes for the shots don't count as assists.
I wish Amare had caught that beautiful would-be pass between Duncan's legs, though.
Sometimes when I look at box scores I get irritated with announcers. They kept saying things like, "and another Phoenix turnover..." Which lead me to think that the Suns must be doing really poorly in that regard compared to the Spurs. But no, it was about the same for both teams.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
One nocturnal son of a gun
Contrary to a post that I wrote last month, until this morning I hadn't yet tried my hand at shooting my basketball (or anyone else's basketball for that matter).
So yeah. I'm not very good, which was my prediction. I'm gonna keep going out there and trying, but I don't know what my chance of improvement is without help. I got 5 baskets in a half hour. I had a lot of fun though. And really in the end, that's what matters. That and exercise.
I'm just glad that the Suns have learned to shoot better than I have. Even Marion's ugly free throw shot goes in more than eighty percent of the time.
The Mavs game was beautiful on Sunday. I just literally have no complaints about it. It was replayed last night on ESPN and I got to watch it in all it's glory again.
Tonight v the Grizz at 8pm EST. It won't be on TV and I'll really only be able to pay attention to the first hour or so, but I'm not too worried about it. Even if it is an away game.
This week is going to be kind of tough, with the four away games in six days (including the Spurs and the Lakers). But I have faith. They're a good team, and everyone's healthy (knock wood). I mean, I've been disappointed by them before, and I know enough about their franchise history to understand that they have the power to generally disappoint, but I still have faith. They can win.
I'm a little worried about Atlanta losing so much. I really want their first round draft pick. Although without it, maybe they won't trade someone big to stay under the cap.
So yeah. I'm not very good, which was my prediction. I'm gonna keep going out there and trying, but I don't know what my chance of improvement is without help. I got 5 baskets in a half hour. I had a lot of fun though. And really in the end, that's what matters. That and exercise.
I'm just glad that the Suns have learned to shoot better than I have. Even Marion's ugly free throw shot goes in more than eighty percent of the time.
The Mavs game was beautiful on Sunday. I just literally have no complaints about it. It was replayed last night on ESPN and I got to watch it in all it's glory again.
Tonight v the Grizz at 8pm EST. It won't be on TV and I'll really only be able to pay attention to the first hour or so, but I'm not too worried about it. Even if it is an away game.
This week is going to be kind of tough, with the four away games in six days (including the Spurs and the Lakers). But I have faith. They're a good team, and everyone's healthy (knock wood). I mean, I've been disappointed by them before, and I know enough about their franchise history to understand that they have the power to generally disappoint, but I still have faith. They can win.
I'm a little worried about Atlanta losing so much. I really want their first round draft pick. Although without it, maybe they won't trade someone big to stay under the cap.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
A quick post while he's away
Here I am watching Flip Wilson and eating a bowl of Steve Nash Wheaties before bed.
I thought I'd pop in and post something before this afternoon's game of stress.
On my way home from work this morning I stopped at CVS for something that I needed and (as I always do) checked out Slam Magazine. It's far too busy and overwhelming in terms of layout, but it's the only magazine that they have there that's dedicated solely to basketball.
In this issue (with Allen Iverson on the cover, meh) there's a page article about Candace Parker (!), a poster of Steve Nash (!!), and a three page article about Leandro Barbosa with pictures (who am I kidding, there isn't enough space for the exclamation points I want to use here).
So it came home with me. After I comb through it completely, some of those pictures may make their way to my walls.
This afternoon, if I can manage it without dying from the game, I'm making a Suns cake. It's gonna have blueberries and orange frosting. I thought about making cupcakes like these, but I decided to do this instead.
Dirk's back from his ankle injury and I'm a terrible person, because his recovery this soon makes me not happy.
Ok, one last thing before I go to sleep:
Dear cbs.com,
I know that the final game is tomorrow. What I don't know is what time it is. If you don't help me out, I probably won't watch it. I know I haven't been watching at all so far, but I'm kind of excited about a game between Ohio State and Florida.
Love,
me.
Oh my goodness, I'm going to bed before ESPN gives me a coronary about the game today. I'm gonna be a mess during playoffs.
Is there a game that he doesn't play? Really is there?
I thought I'd pop in and post something before this afternoon's game of stress.
On my way home from work this morning I stopped at CVS for something that I needed and (as I always do) checked out Slam Magazine. It's far too busy and overwhelming in terms of layout, but it's the only magazine that they have there that's dedicated solely to basketball.
In this issue (with Allen Iverson on the cover, meh) there's a page article about Candace Parker (!), a poster of Steve Nash (!!), and a three page article about Leandro Barbosa with pictures (who am I kidding, there isn't enough space for the exclamation points I want to use here).
So it came home with me. After I comb through it completely, some of those pictures may make their way to my walls.
This afternoon, if I can manage it without dying from the game, I'm making a Suns cake. It's gonna have blueberries and orange frosting. I thought about making cupcakes like these, but I decided to do this instead.
Dirk's back from his ankle injury and I'm a terrible person, because his recovery this soon makes me not happy.
Ok, one last thing before I go to sleep:
Dear cbs.com,
I know that the final game is tomorrow. What I don't know is what time it is. If you don't help me out, I probably won't watch it. I know I haven't been watching at all so far, but I'm kind of excited about a game between Ohio State and Florida.
Love,
me.
Oh my goodness, I'm going to bed before ESPN gives me a coronary about the game today. I'm gonna be a mess during playoffs.
Is there a game that he doesn't play? Really is there?
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