YAWN: "We can't keep giving games away."

Mr. Sun · Post #1 » by **Mr. Sun** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 6:26 am

"We can't keep giving games away. We've already given away 10 games with silly mistakes or turnovers," O'Neal said before addressing Thursday's last-second loss to the Spurs, in which Richardson left San Antonio's Roger Mason open for a game-winning 3-pointer.

"That really wasn't a mistake. You've just got to be aware of what's going on. Pop (Spurs coach Gregg Popovich) put the guy in the game for a reason.

"We shouldn't have even been in that position anyway. We've got to get that killer instinct. . . . We've got to get it back . . . or else."

Purple Palace · Post #2 » by **Purple Palace** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 6:29 am

He's right. Richardson was pretty (Please Use More Appropriate Word) on that play. I still can't believe he did that.

NashtyNas · Post #3 » by **NashtyNas** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 6:33 am

I agree that Richardson wasn't right in coming off his man, but seriously, it was a result of SLOW rotation from our big(s). They wouldn't leave their man (justified, to some extent) and therefore J-RICH HAD to help (or so he felt). So, he does need to take some of the blame, but it wasn't all his fault. Remember, Amar'e did miss 3 shots on Duncan that could've put the game away..

Purple Palace · Post #4 » by **Purple Palace** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 6:46 am

sd1306 wrote:I agree that Richardson wasn't right in coming off his man, but seriously, it was a result of SLOW rotation from our big(s). They wouldn't leave their man (justified, to some extent) and therefore J-RICH HAD to help (or so he felt). So, he does need to take some of the blame, but it wasn't all his fault. Remember, Amar'e did miss 3 shots on Duncan that could've put the game away..

Uhhh...Grant Hill did a solid job of keeping Parker in front of him. I'd much rather have Parker go 1on1 with Hill and take a shot rather than passing over to one of the best 3 point shooters in the game right now for the win.

Post #5 » by **TASTIC** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 8:52 am

Yeah that particular game winner was solely on JRich. Parker makes that layup and we're tied is worst case scenario. He stays on Mason and lets Hill etc put Parker off, then he's either missing, or making and we're going OT

He's a Sun already...haha

Post #6 » by **lilfishi22** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 9:22 am

sd1306 wrote:I agree that Richardson wasn't right in coming off his man, but seriously, it was a result of SLOW rotation from our big(s). They wouldn't leave their man (justified, to some extent) and therefore J-RICH HAD to help (or so he felt). So, he does need to take some of the blame, but it wasn't all his fault. Remember, Amar'e did miss 3 shots on Duncan that could've put the game away..

J-Rich had the right intention, but again, that is just the difference between a defensive-minded and a offensive-minded player. A player like Raja would've hedged over and bothered Parker with his hands while being ready at the second Parker passes it off to jump back at Mason. Hill did a good job on Parker but we've seen Parker put up some ridiculous 3 point plays on the drive, so it was fair to bring in some help defense on the side seeing our slow rotations in our big men. But this is just the difference between two types of players. Offensive minded players tend take more chances rather than taking it slow and wait for an opportunity like defensive players do. J-Rich opted to go for the steal by trying to jump into the passing lane and we all saw the results.

Yeah, Amare could've hit those 3 shots but he didn't so props to Duncan for playing great D and that's expected from a great defensive player like Duncan. In the end we were tied up and on that last play is where we lost it, so the blame has to be given to J-Rich.

Post #7 » by **TASTIC** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 9:28 am

The Amare on Duncan thing...I dunno...Amare could and should have made SOMETHING happen, but remember this is Duncan - the guy should be Defensive Player of the Year B every year. Can't believe he hasn't got one. Porter was as much to blame there as Amare was - why he didn't run it through Shaq vs Duncan I'll never know

Never Fear 33 Is Here · Post #8 » by **Never Fear 33 Is Here** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 12:07 pm

Maybe because Duncan wasn't playing on Shaq? :wink:

The whole problem wasn't with JRich helping, it was with JRich jumping. As soon as he did that, it was game over. If he had have hedged over he would have been able to get back and at least bother Mason's shot. The jump is completely what screwed it.

As for Amare V Duncan, I still think that 2 out of those 3 "stops" we fouls so I can't put too much blame on Amare. 1 of them to me was blatant.

orange blood · Post #9 » by **orange blood** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 6:02 pm

I do blame amare, it was clutch time and he got the ball, he was supposed to be the man and he couldn't.... Maybe during the second quarter they would've call the foul on Duncan but not at the end of the game.. That's what the game becomes more phiscical and amare was just trying to get the foul against Duncan. He should've tried and dunk it... Or if he was wide open from 15 then he should've taken that shot.. And he did it 3 times in a row!!!! That's pathetic. As for Jrich no doubt, he F-up. He was thinkin block shot and forgot about his man.. Was way too far when the shot was up.. How the F are you gonna leave the best 3 shooter open when we're up by 2!!!!!!!!!? i'd be fine if Parker would've beaten hill for the layup and tie it.. As long as hill contested the shot and made him take a tough shot..

harshey1388 · Post #10 » by **harshey1388** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 7:12 pm

i may sound really stupid for saying this... BUT why cant we foul them and put them on the line? granted it would be parker going to the line and he'd make both ATLEAST we would have the last possession before OT...id rather have it be tied and have the ball with us. yes JRICH failed but he failed when he was put in that situation? thats the way i thought of it when i was watching the game.

yes or no?

valle del sol · Post #11 » by **valle del sol** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 9:29 pm

Everyone knows that JRich messed up. But I'm surprised how many people want to give Amare various excuses as to why his 3 misses weren't to blame. In my opinion it was those three possessions that did us in. 3 straight tries with no points. Blame Porter for not making a better call on those plays. (How about giving shaq 3 tries?) Or the guy we call " A beast!" A real beast will dunk it on Duncan or anyone else. This is what being "the man" is all about. I'm not saying Amare can't be the man, Duncan just showed that He's not there yet. Altogether I was pleased with most of the Suns play and we need to continue being pacient. Remember chemistry doesn't just happen cause you want it to. You need lots of familiarity and that everyone shows 100 % loyalty to team. Your not going to hear Duncan say things like "My loyalty is to my team right now". The talent is there but the chemistry isn't.