Game 30: Dallas Mavericks (20-8) @ Phoenix Suns (15-14)

[SunsRback4Good]

+21 for Lakers
oh boy

Maybe I was wrong. I can't believe it

[SunsRback4Good]

bwwood, Arizona St killed UNLV by 22 points while we're struggling against them. lol

[kennydorglas]

Aside from this game, when was last time two players from different teams had 40+ points in a game. Lillard & Westbrook both we 40 tonight.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/547619508232683520[/tweet]

[Kerrsed]

Lakers kicking GS ass. Kobe sat out the game. Coincidence?

[bwgood77]

Personally I would love it if us AND OKC made the playoffs and we both passed up SA or LAC. I hate those teams. I don't mind Dallas as much, but any other team would be nice. OKC is probably my second favorite team and I would never and we likely wouldn't meet if we both got in until the WCF, but if one gets knocked out I'd rather OKC win it all than anyone else. The only other teams I might pull for in a finals matchup might be GS or Portland or possibly Memphis or Dallas. If it was LAC, SA or Houston facing Toronto, Washington or Atlanta, I would definitely pull for the EC team.

Of course that is off topic, and of course I want the Suns to win it all, but that is probably quite a bit to hope for or expect.

Theres like a 1% chance both Clipps and Spurs might miss the playoffs and Suns/OKC getting in. If one team that might miss the playoffs and Suns, Hornets replace them would be the Mavs othen than that everyone else is a lock. I'm surprised how bad the Clippers and Spurs have started this season but Spurs rest half their starts so many games its bound to happen sooner or later. But whats Clippers excuse?

First and foremost, only one of those teams would need to drop out for us both to make it. Secondly, I have never doubted the Spurs even though many have over the years, but I think atfter the heartbreaking finals loss and then winning it all they are going to lose some steam. And lets face it. They are old. Older than they were 3 years ago when people though they were old. Leonard is hurt and the west, and the younger teams are just better right now. I think some of them struggle a bit with the Spurs because of the intimidation factor but most of them still beat them. Duncan is still handing in there and Parker is a stud, but that's not gonna be enough against many of these younger stars. I think they will make it but I think they will be a road team in the first round (in the prediction thread I predicted they would be the 6th or 7th seed and I bet I am one of the few that predicted them so low).

It will likely depend on injuries because OKC keeps getting hurt by them the last 3 years when they were possibly the best team (at worst the second best, and I think when healthy they are the best, so I would kind of hate to see them miss the playoffs unless it cost us a playoff spot in a close contest).

The Clips lack wings....they are ok but they really lack depth. As much as people are always high on them it perplexes me because they have never gone very far in the playoffs. Last year they ALMOST got past the second round but that was against a banged up OKC team and prior to that they would get killed in the second round or lose in the first.

I think Portland, GS, Memphis and OKC when healthy are for real, and you can't ever really count out the Spurs but I would be a bit surprised if the Spurs beat any of them in the first round, especially as a road team. I guess I can't say surprised, because you can't be surprised by them, but I wouldn't bet on them to beat those teams if healthy. Memphis they would have the best chance of beating.

But last year, Memphis lost Gasol, but had the best record in the league once he came back. GS was banged up. Portland was coming into their own.

I think those teams are a bit too far ahead of us now for us to catch them (though we are now closer than I anticipated so it would be nice to catch them). I'd be extremely surprised if OKC was out though if Durant comes back and that team stays healthy and I would bet on them to win it all (like I did in the preseason thread).

Dallas could drop out too, but I think Carlisle is a good enough coach to get them in, but they might be the last seed to get in.

[kennydorglas]

UNLV wins too
Two bad possessions in a row for Stanley.
Huge upset

[bwgood77]

Lakers kicking GS ass. Kobe sat out the game. Coincidence?

No, read my post a few posts back. They have been a TON better per 100 possessions when he sits.

[bwgood77]

bwwood, Arizona St killed UNLV by 22 points while we're struggling against them. lol

I know...this is a bit worrisome, because two other Pac 12 teams killed them too (Utah not by as much, but Stanford killed them and knocked off Texas tonight too).

I don't always mind losses because sometimes it wakes a team up, but they haven't looked overly impressive, which is odd. Nick Johnson and Aaron Gordon were good, but I think Stanley Johnson is a better rookie than Gordon. Nick is missed for his confidence and leadership.

I think by the end of the season and throughout the season Stanley Johnson is going to be the guy to absolutely will us to wins and raise the games of everyone else.

The team just lacks depth. That is a bad loss for RPI purposes, but luckily teams like NC, Kansas and Texas have also had some losses, and Gonzaga is a team we beat, so we shouldn't drop as far as we maybe should, but I'd guess at least to 7th or 8th.

[RaisingArizona]

Isn't there a North Nogales thread somewhere you can post your mildcat discussions at?

[GreenRiddler]

Wow you guys really ran them off the court, so much fast-break pts.

That is a real battle between you and OKC. Gotta beat them in the season series though.

[Revived]

Suns perfect example of living off jumpshots though.... when hot so hard to beat, when cold gets blown out by the third.

Yeah, not sure we win this if Dallas isn't playing its 3rd game in 4th night vs a Suns team with 2 days rest and home court advantage.

Live by the jumper, die by the jumper. Suns motto.

[Revived]

Eric Bledsoe with a monster game. This means that he's gonna probably gonna suck for the next 5 games. Dragic with a very efficient game. Green continued chucking but he finally found rhythm.

I'm glad people can now see why I was bi**ching so much about Alex Len not starting.

Eventually you will all see the point behind me b**cing about TJ Warren not getting playing time over Marcus Morris as well.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Don't be a martyr, SF88. No one cares.

[LV-Suns]

UNLV wins too
Two bad possessions in a row for Stanley.
Huge upset

I was at the game sitting in the middle of the student section. Best day ever! lol

[Sunsdeuce]

It was a Good win but I am not going to take a lot from this game. Dallas has been playing like poop since they got rondo. And we were super hot from three. Take away the hot three point shooting and this game is a nail bitter. Clearly IT has to go. Some how some way. The flow of the game was so much better when he wasn't on the court. Ball movement was good in stretches but died too much again. There still needs to be some roster changes is the Bottomline.

As SF88 has stated we live by the jumps shot/three point shot. Tonight we lived. But if we go against a team that defends the three we are not going to win. We were losing the game when at the start because we couldnt hit the 3 ball than we hit fire and couldn't miss at which point we starting winning. Good teams don't rely on the three to win games, it's an extra weapon for good teams. The three ball is the Suns "whole offense" right now.

[JMac1]

The three ball is the Suns "whole offense" right now.

Doesn't have to be <insert Len>.

[JMac1]

The Suns are back ladies and gentleman. Looked like they hit rock bottom at 12-14 and now with 4 game streak we're at 16-14 before we head on a 4 game road trip. We beat a Hornets team that are clicking now regardless of their record they won 3 straight, Knicks are garbage but a win is a win on the road, Wizards are top 3 in the East and Suns played great against them and now beating a west playoff team Dallas at home. Good days are here to come.

Yet some people still tried to convince everyone how this team is bad and how tanking and trading everyone who isn't a teenager (not literally) was the "right way". Bottom line, this team is very incosistent, but they're young, it happens. Just don't tell me they're bad!

The TEAM isn't bad, some players are bad and they have the Suns playing bad basketball; and those are the guys people want out of the way. You don't have to trade, just bench them, but having them on the team sitting the bench will cause more trouble.

Play Warren and try to feed Len down low on the Pick and Roll sometimes by choice and not because you have no choice is what I am saying. Ennis can wait until next season, but I REALLY like him. Dude has a controlled game. I envision/hope a Ennis, Len, Warren core being our foundation in 3 years.

[Frank Lee]

These guys go on a shooting streak, it will be very tough to convince the FO this style is not effective. Wins are a trump card argument.

I think we may have to tough it out with GGreen and IT for this yr, which, when balling like this, is not that hard to do. Green will shoot it most of his possessions, but he did have a nice dish/oop to Plum(?). Perhaps it is better for the staff to modify and keep Thomas. He can flat out score.

I think the 'stand around and wait for the ball' tendencies has made the hero balling more evident. (I know, its a chicken or egg discussion) Man, I would love to see more off the ball movement coupled with the drive and score/dishiness. That and the notion that our bigs should roll to the hoop when our guards blister by their man. Last night was a great example of that as Len had 5 or 6 point blanks for two.

I guess what I am saying is, if nobody is moving to get open, no structured plays are set,
how can we find fault w Thomas and his 'me-ball' when it seems that is what he is instructed to do.

[NavLDO]

The Suns are back ladies and gentleman. Looked like they hit rock bottom at 12-14 and now with 4 game streak we're at 16-14 before we head on a 4 game road trip. We beat a Hornets team that are clicking now regardless of their record they won 3 straight, Knicks are garbage but a win is a win on the road, Wizards are top 3 in the East and Suns played great against them and now beating a west playoff team Dallas at home. Good days are here to come.

Yet some people still tried to convince everyone how this team is bad and how tanking and trading everyone who isn't a teenager (not literally) was the "right way". Bottom line, this team is very incosistent, but they're young, it happens. Just don't tell me they're bad!

Making minor trades are fine as long its the right players that don't fit with this team like Plumlee, IT, and Tolliver while others should improve since their young they just need more time. The deal early in the season was our starting lineup, it never clicked and im glad Hornacek finally changed it up. If Tucker never had his DUI, Marcus would never be a starter and our only problem would of been Plumlee until Len replaced him later in the season. We could of won an extra 1-2 games. Also, if Griffin & Middelton didn't pull crap outta their azz with their lucky shots this team right now could be 19-11 or 20-10 instead we're 16-14. But losing at home is unacceptable we should take care of business against Hornets and Magic and another one I might be forgetting. Suns are 7-7 @ home and 9-7 on the road thats says it all.

But there's the rub right there. EVERY team has at least 2-3 players they want traded. Nobody wants our garbage, just the same as we don't want theirs.

IT is the only player that is worth something to another team. But Plumlee, Randolph, and Tolliver are just garbage that no other team would consider 'assets' in a trade, so honestly, they would be included to match salaries if needed, bit we all need to recognize that they are worth much to another team anymore than we view them. Point being, IT alone is not going to give us even a starter worthy big, so in order to get a decent PF or C, we're going to have to give more than just IT, so someone like Green, PJ, or young 'unknowns' with potential like Warren, Ennis, or Goodwin would likely have to be included, and honestly, Green and PJ aren't that great of players and are straight backups on most other teams.

We are going to need to be willing to throw in something else 'worthy' with IT to get a decent big, and IMO, I believe it will take one of those young pieces to make it happen.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Plum has value. Don't dispute it; he just does.