Fri Jan 23rd GT: Charlotte Vs Phoenix 7:00pm

[BigSlam]

Thought I would get the GT up nice and early to try and initiate some posting about the game in advance.

BOBCATS Vs SUNS

Vs


Starting Line Ups:

Vs

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Slam's Key To Winning:
Team defence. Can't let Nash have his way with us and get his team going. It all starts with him. We know they like to run (even still) and they like to leak out for fastbreak points. Got to have our heads in the game from start to finish.

Slam's Key Match Up:
Diop Vs Shaq. Hopefully the big fella is the post defender we have been told he is and he gets a chance to hock his wares.

Slam's Danger Guy:
Leandro Barbosa. Our bench is thin and this kid can rack up big points in a big hurry.


And for those of you I know wont be happy this isn't a traditional SM15 creation:

[BigSlam]

If anyone else wants to make GT's while SM15 is having some down time, please feel free!

[spectre_]

I watched some of the NYK/PHO game last night, and in the part I saw Richardson was by far their best player. Hopefully he won't pull on us what he did on GSW when they last came to town.

It also seems the best way to beat the Suns is to outscore them...which we probably don't have a chance in Hades of doing. Be interesting to see how our improving D will fair against their (supposedly) unstoppable O.

[BigSlam]

Hopefully he won't pull on us what he did on GSW when they last came to town

Hopefully it will be more like the 1st time we went there with him!!

It would appear looking at the box score last night that the Knicks beat the Suns through their bench - which is a little bit of a concern for us.

[ohara]

I watched some of the NYK/PHO game last night, and in the part I saw Richardson was by far their best player. Hopefully he won't pull on us what he did on GSW when they last came to town.

It also seems the best way to beat the Suns is to outscore them...which we probably don't have a chance in Hades of doing. Be interesting to see how our improving D will fair against their (supposedly) unstoppable O.

Talk about something fun to see. Bell guarding J-Rich. Two of the key components from the trade facing each other. Dont you know that Raja will be up on J-Rich hard to try and shut him down. Make alot of the doubters realize his talent and how that trade works for us. And Bell can take advantage of J-Rich's lack of defensive skills and try to light them up like he has the past 2 games. Will be fun to watch.

[e4Nf6]

I'm interested to see how LB deals with Shaq/Amare. Does he use his new "big" frontcourt; Diop, Mek, Diaw/Wallace or does he go with his standard lineup even though Mek is a bit too small for Shaq and Diaw is a bit too small for Amare.

We seem to allow big games from bench wing players. I think Barbosa is crucial to this game, I have visions of Singletary/Brown/Ammo chasing him around while he drops 20 in 20 minutes.

[BigSlam]

Talk about something fun to see. Bell guarding J-Rich. Two of the key components from the trade facing each other. Dont you know that Raja will be up on J-Rich hard to try and shut him down. Make alot of the doubters realize his talent and how that trade works for us. And Bell can take advantage of J-Rich's lack of defensive skills and try to light them up like he has the past 2 games. Will be fun to watch.

FYI - JRich averaged against the Suns over the past 2 years:
(2007 x 2 games)
18ppg (44%, 54%, 34%)
5.5 boards
2.5 assists
1 steal

(2006 x 2 games)
25ppg (51%, 59%, 67%)
7.5 boards
3.0 assists
1 steal

With, I assume, Bell guarding him.

[BigSlam]

I'm interested to see how LB deals with Shaq/Amare. Does he use his new "big" frontcourt;

I agree e4.

Diop Vs Shaq and EO50 Vs Amare seems like the logical way to go, but then you have to wonder what happens with Diaw and Crash?

Hopefully we can start with EO50 Vs Shaq and Boris Vs Amare, jump out to a quick lead and dictate the line ups rather than have the Suns dictate them to us forcing the Suns to sit Shaq and go small?

[rsavaj]

This game will make me

[spectre_]

Thing is Bell will end up having to help Felton on Steve Nash...so I don't think he'll be free to concentrate solely on Richardson.

[thruthefire]

Thing is Bell will end up having to help Felton on Steve Nash...so I don't think he'll be free to concentrate solely on Richardson.

Why would Bell need to help Felton on Nash? Felton is plenty capable of containing Nash by himself.

[spectre_]

Thing is Bell will end up having to help Felton on Steve Nash...so I don't think he'll be free to concentrate solely on Richardson.

Why would Bell need to help Felton on Nash? Felton is plenty capable of containing Nash by himself.

Hope you're right. My comment wasn't about Felton but about Nash. He's one of if not the best in the business. A magician with the ball.

[phxsunsrock]

Don't worry guys, Nash will refuse to play against his best friend Raja and it will be an easy win for the Cats!

[BigSlam]

Hope you're right. My comment wasn't about Felton but about Nash. He's one of if not the best in the business. A magician with the ball.

Agreed - so there is a lot riding on Felts for the game. We need to cut off the Suns supply - which obviously starts and stops with Nash.

[doc.end]

I wonder how are Shaq's FTs lately? .) We have some players rarely playing, a lot of possible fauls... Maybe Larry is just calling to Greg to find out:)

[BigSlam]

The Suns are one of the two remaining teams we have never beaten - right?

[phxsunsrock]

I wonder how are Shaq's FTs lately? .) We have some players rarely playing, a lot of possible fauls... Maybe Larry is just calling to Greg to find out:)

Probably as good as usual but hack-a-shaq is sh**, hopefully the Bobcats will win without it.

[thruthefire]

Does anyone think LB might tweak the starting lineup to get more size on the court? I don't think he will, but i'm sure Diop will get heavy minutes when Shaq is on the court.

Okafor is going to have his hands full defensively, but can make up for it on the offensive end. I think if he runs the court like he can, he will get easy buckets and Shaq will give Okafor the 15-16 footers. All straightaway shots from that distance Okafor should take.

[W_HAMILTON]

The Suns are one of the two remaining teams we have never beaten - right?

Yep.

[Walt Cronkite]

With the other still being Dallas?