Suns @ Magic game thread...

[rsavaj]

"It's frustrating, very frustrating," Barnes said. "Everybody's talking about this team being old and doesn't have it. It's the same team we had last year, and now they lead the league in scoring, shooting and 3-point percentage. That's what I thought I was going into."

"I definitely miss being there," said Barnes, who signed with Orlando after Phoenix did not try to re-sign him. "I miss it when I see them scoring 120-something a night. That's what I thought I was going to do last year."

I liked Barnes.

[TASTIC]

I'll take the blame.

We're 4-6 in live games for me.

Seriously though, the ONE guy that effed us royally was Ryan Anderson. His ability to just camp out taking 3s, coupled with nobody boxing him out made so many easy baskets and it was frustrating the hell out of Amare.

Nash was trying to do too much last game - but he HAD to or it would have been an even bigger hiding.

Dragic was AWFUL, I don't care what the boxscore says - he literally has NO right hand and even JWill shut him down by making him go right every time. And this D that they said he has, maybe he only does it against Rubio cos he got torched last night.

Dudley was AWESOME. That dude just does not give up, diving for loose balls, waving his arms everywhere and basically just being a pest.

Collins looked ok to be honest, he seems to be able to do the KT role by setting screens and taking charges - only thing he doesn't have is that 15ft jumpshot.

Amare...he's lucky he wasn't T'd up twice in the first quarter, and then again at the start of the 3rd. Dwights was a BS call, Amare and Anderson both should have been T'd up after jawing at each other after Anderson made a 3 in Amare's face.

Hill looked solid, but a little old to be honest when matched up against Pietrus

Our bench is AWFUL. Clark looks too uncertain of his role, and he looked rock solid on D but had bad shot selection

Suns need another swingman - an ATHLETE - off the bench, and another PF/C who can rebound/block shots - but we already knew that...

Going to be a long season. But we'll make the playoffs

[TASTIC]

*Forgot Richardson. He was TERRIBLE. He looked lost on offence, but at least tried on D, even if he couldn't stay in front of his man. He basically did nothing all game, and we ran a lot of post up plays for him against Redick and he still couldn't do Jack. Disappointing, but he has it in him to be near-All Star level

Personally I think the rest of the league may have figured out how to stop the Amare-Nash pick and roll - they tried running it A LOT and nothing came of it.

[justinb80]

TASTIC, your assessment seems rather harsh. You feel the bench is awful? It seems to me that, unlike the rest of the Run n Gun Suns teams, the bench this season can hit the floor and NOT lose a lead. That, to me, is about all I ask from them: keep the other team under control and don't screw things up while the starters rest.

Clark was 4 of 6 shooting ... his shot selection wasn't too terrible if he's shooting 66% from the field.

[Cash]

*Forgot Richardson. He was TERRIBLE. He looked lost on offence, but at least tried on D, even if he couldn't stay in front of his man. He basically did nothing all game, and we ran a lot of post up plays for him against Redick and he still couldn't do Jack. Disappointing, but he has it in him to be near-All Star level

Personally I think the rest of the league may have figured out how to stop the Amare-Nash pick and roll - they tried running it A LOT and nothing came of it.

The rest of the league doesn't have Dwight Howard. You realize that last year Orlando led the league in defensive efficiency, and are probably improved this year?

[Cash]

TASTIC, your assessment seems rather harsh. You feel the bench is awful? It seems to me that, unlike the rest of the Run n Gun Suns teams, the bench this season can hit the floor and NOT lose a lead. That, to me, is about all I ask from them: keep the other team under control and don't screw things up while the starters rest.

Clark was 4 of 6 shooting ... his shot selection wasn't too terrible if he's shooting 66% from the field.

Clark's shot selection was worse in the preseason, but he still made two jumpers that he had no business taking.

"So what? They went in."

They won't continue to go in, and that's the problem.

[Mr. Sun]

I predict we will beat the Magic next time around (think Lopez).

[Mr. Sun]

we'll be alright. gotta finish 3-2 in this road trip that will put us at 6-2. not bad. Amar'e was just a beast and out played Dhoward.

That wouldn't be bad at all. Lakers would be fighting to come out 3-2 on this brutal road sched as well.

[grumpysaddle]

At least the Suns aren't on the second night of a back-to-back for the Boston game. Hopefully Hill won't be tired and sore, and can give them the spark he's been giving at the beginning of the game.

[aIvin adams]

surprised that you knocked the bench, tastic. i only heard the game on the radio but it seemed like everytime they (dragic, dudley, lou) came into the game the suns started making up ground.

[Steeldog]

At least the Suns aren't on the second night of a back-to-back for the Boston game. Hopefully Hill won't be tired and sore, and can give them the spark he's been giving at the beginning of the game.

That is not much of an excuse though. The Magic were also coming off a back to back (physical loss to Detroit) and had played their 3rd game in 4 nights. The Magic didn't have Vince or Lewis on top of that. They are simply that much better.

[grumpysaddle]

At least the Suns aren't on the second night of a back-to-back for the Boston game. Hopefully Hill won't be tired and sore, and can give them the spark he's been giving at the beginning of the game.

That is not much of an excuse though. The Magic were also coming off a back to back (physical loss to Detroit) and had played their 3rd game in 4 nights. The Magic didn't have Vince or Lewis on top of that. They are simply that much better.

They were also playing at home. I don't think the loss would have been by so many points had it been in Phoenix. But still, Orlando is the better team now. Dwight Howard commands so much attention from everyone on Phoenix that it leaves everyone else on the Magic with an opportunity to have career nights. (ex. Ryan Anderson) Until the Suns have someone that can control Howard one-on-one, there is no way they can have consistent success against the Magic.

[Mr. Sun]

The b2b had an effect because of the time zones diff, but I agree it isn't a excuse. If Suns can shoot better and contain Howard they can prevail next time.

[TASTIC]

Well maybe that was a little harsh, the bench wasn't THAT bad, they just got outplayed by ORL's bench - but they have a really solid bench.

There are holes in that bench however, I really don't understand why we didn't sign Udoka straight away - he'd have been perfect