Suns (4-1) @ Bulls (2-3) Friday, Nov 7.

[nba_addict]

The season is still long and I like this idea of forcing the bench and rookies out there once in a while. Like what Steve Kerr said in an interview during the game, we should expect some of games like this one. Porter is still in experimenting phase and im glad he is giving enough time for the rookies to develop.

This is Robin's best game so far and as what most have mentioned he was fouless in 30+ minutes. Robin is still raw in terms of positioning and rotating in defense. I think this is partly because Stanford is using more zone than man-to-man. It will take time for him to adjust to NBA man-to-man oriented defense and he is a long way to go.

Drajic as #2 PG of the draftclass behind Rose is totally out of the line. Drajic looked nervous out there and gets blown by Rose 10 out of 10. First time for me to see Drajic out there and I would say he is more of a point guard that will thrive in isolation plays and his receiver(s) either cutting to the basket or going out for three ball.

Del Negro used his knowledge on how to stop the Suns and partly Amare. The defense bulls thrown to Amare and co. is almost similar to what Spurs employed in 2005 western conference finals. Box four guys out there in the middle instead of having two guys running after Nash on pick and rolls. I would have expected Porter run an isolation play on the baseline through Amare (since Shaq is out) for a change.

[Last-2nd-Shot]

In response to nba_addict, I'll add one more thing: the second squad got an unprecedented amount of time, especially at the end of the game. Porter kept the starters out for the entire last quarter and then some, which I liked a lot. Sure, he could have put the starters back in and hoped for the best, but they had proved ineffective during the first three quarters, and he let the second group try to make a comeback. The plan failed, but by doing this the team will grow stronger and less reliant on the starting five; this shows the patience of Porter and the rashness of D'antoni. Whether or not Porter will be the superior coach is still up in the air, but by making decisions like this we should have a stronger, more rested team come playoff time. Smart decision, even though it didn't pan out.

[flanpaw42]

i like porters recipe. he is doing what the celtics and lakers did last year and getting his bench valuable experiance. the more they play the better they'll get.

losing shaq and barnes was rough, but i am not worried. i am just happy to finally have a coach willing to play the bench.

[nba_addict]

losing shaq and barnes was rough, but i am not worried. i am just happy to finally have a coach willing to play the bench.

+1

Except Singletary I like Porter's rotation so far.

[DaDragicShow]

Our bench played extremely well in the 4th quarter I was impressed. Lopez had a great game, Dragic looked a little better, Amudson is a freak of nature and Diaw played pretty good too.

[Never Fear 33 Is Here]

I know SDU is with me on this, so if the rest of you don't agree then you can go and get..........

Sorry, I have had a bottle of red.

I don't see the point in resting Shaq for this game. Yeah, yeah, it is only one game blah, blah, blah. I am not that upset that we lost, but like SDU said somewhere else, "let's take it one game at a time." That is exactly what Porter didn't do with resting Shaq. His mindset was that the Bucks have a bigger front line and Shaq would be needed more against them than the Bulls.

Seriously, Shaq played a total of 11 minutes and 52 seconds in the game against Indy and then had a day off. Why not play Shaq, especially when we are already a man down (technically two with Tucker out), see how the game is going then pull him if it is out of reach or play him heavier minutes and sit him after the W?

Anyways, I am not a fan of Porters' thinking in this one. Having said that, win against the Bucks and it is null and void.

/rant

[Stix]

I know SDU is with me on this, so if the rest of you don't agree then you can go and get..........

Sorry, I have had a bottle of red.

I don't see the point in resting Shaq for this game. Yeah, yeah, it is only one game blah, blah, blah. I am not that upset that we lost, but like SDU said somewhere else, "let's take it one game at a time." That is exactly what Porter didn't do with resting Shaq. His mindset was that the Bucks have a bigger front line and Shaq would be needed more against them than the Bulls.

Seriously, Shaq played a total of 11 minutes and 52 seconds in the game against Indy and then had a day off. Why not play Shaq, especially when we are already a man down (technically two with Tucker out), see how the game is going then pull him if it is out of reach or play him heavier minutes and sit him after the W?

Anyways, I am not a fan of Porters' thinking in this one. Having said that, win against the Bucks and it is null and void.

/rant

Go ahead... run Shaq down early then when playoffs come around rest him because his Hip is acting up on him.... Remember how G Hill was worn down last year because DA never rested him? I'm sure you do since you have such a man crush on him... Shaq wasn't a factor anyway, RoLo had a very good game, the guards were just ICE COLD...

Rest Shaq NOW, let him dominate in the post season when it matters. We were already a man down... why not try and get more minutes for the bench? So that they too can be effective in the playoffs and not disappear... I like Porter's logic here.

[fallentimes]

Dragic should never be playing more than 10 minutes in a night.

[DaDragicShow]

I disagree, in order for him to get better he must plat lots of minutes and develop into a Tony Parker type of player.

[Never Fear 33 Is Here]

I know SDU is with me on this, so if the rest of you don't agree then you can go and get..........

Sorry, I have had a bottle of red.

I don't see the point in resting Shaq for this game. Yeah, yeah, it is only one game blah, blah, blah. I am not that upset that we lost, but like SDU said somewhere else, "let's take it one game at a time." That is exactly what Porter didn't do with resting Shaq. His mindset was that the Bucks have a bigger front line and Shaq would be needed more against them than the Bulls.

Seriously, Shaq played a total of 11 minutes and 52 seconds in the game against Indy and then had a day off. Why not play Shaq, especially when we are already a man down (technically two with Tucker out), see how the game is going then pull him if it is out of reach or play him heavier minutes and sit him after the W?

Anyways, I am not a fan of Porters' thinking in this one. Having said that, win against the Bucks and it is null and void.

/rant

Go ahead... run Shaq down early then when playoffs come around rest him because his Hip is acting up on him.... Remember how G Hill was worn down last year because DA never rested him? I'm sure you do since you have such a man crush on him... Shaq wasn't a factor anyway, RoLo had a very good game, the guards were just ICE COLD...

Rest Shaq NOW, let him dominate in the post season when it matters. We were already a man down... why not try and get more minutes for the bench? So that they too can be effective in the playoffs and not disappear... I like Porter's logic here.

C'mon man, there is a HUGE difference between playing someone 20-25 minutes per game as opposed to 35 minutes every night. My point is that Shaq played not even 12 minutes 2 nights before, not strenuous by anyones imagination. Play Shaq in the first game and rest him in the second game, don't just assume you are going to beat someone because they have no front line.

[Stix]

I know SDU is with me on this, so if the rest of you don't agree then you can go and get..........

Sorry, I have had a bottle of red.

I don't see the point in resting Shaq for this game. Yeah, yeah, it is only one game blah, blah, blah. I am not that upset that we lost, but like SDU said somewhere else, "let's take it one game at a time." That is exactly what Porter didn't do with resting Shaq. His mindset was that the Bucks have a bigger front line and Shaq would be needed more against them than the Bulls.

Seriously, Shaq played a total of 11 minutes and 52 seconds in the game against Indy and then had a day off. Why not play Shaq, especially when we are already a man down (technically two with Tucker out), see how the game is going then pull him if it is out of reach or play him heavier minutes and sit him after the W?

Anyways, I am not a fan of Porters' thinking in this one. Having said that, win against the Bucks and it is null and void.

/rant

Go ahead... run Shaq down early then when playoffs come around rest him because his Hip is acting up on him.... Remember how G Hill was worn down last year because DA never rested him? I'm sure you do since you have such a man crush on him... Shaq wasn't a factor anyway, RoLo had a very good game, the guards were just ICE COLD...

Rest Shaq NOW, let him dominate in the post season when it matters. We were already a man down... why not try and get more minutes for the bench? So that they too can be effective in the playoffs and not disappear... I like Porter's logic here.

C'mon man, there is a HUGE difference between playing someone 20-25 minutes per game as opposed to 35 minutes every night. My point is that Shaq played not even 12 minutes 2 nights before, not strenuous by anyones imagination. Play Shaq in the first game and rest him in the second game, don't just assume you are going to beat someone because they have no front line.

The guy is freakin 36 years old and 325 pounds... cut him some freakin' slack, do you really want to wear him down this early??? I'm pretty sure if he had played against the Bulls the night before there is no way he posts 29 points and 11 boards against the Bucks. It was smart for Porter to keep him fresh, and it payed off in the end. Its better to win 1 outa 2 with a shorthanded roster than to possibly lose both games because Shaq wasn't fresh enough. I sure as hell don't want him pulling a Hill on us and having hip problems late in the season.

[Never Fear 33 Is Here]

Go ahead... run Shaq down early then when playoffs come around rest him because his Hip is acting up on him.... Remember how G Hill was worn down last year because DA never rested him? I'm sure you do since you have such a man crush on him... Shaq wasn't a factor anyway, RoLo had a very good game, the guards were just ICE COLD...

Rest Shaq NOW, let him dominate in the post season when it matters. We were already a man down... why not try and get more minutes for the bench? So that they too can be effective in the playoffs and not disappear... I like Porter's logic here.

C'mon man, there is a HUGE difference between playing someone 20-25 minutes per game as opposed to 35 minutes every night. My point is that Shaq played not even 12 minutes 2 nights before, not strenuous by anyones imagination. Play Shaq in the first game and rest him in the second game, don't just assume you are going to beat someone because they have no front line.

The guy is freakin 36 years old and 325 pounds... cut him some freakin' slack, do you really want to wear him down this early??? I'm pretty sure if he had played against the Bulls the night before there is no way he posts 29 points and 11 boards against the Bucks. It was smart for Porter to keep him fresh, and it payed off in the end. Its better to win 1 outa 2 with a shorthanded roster than to possibly lose both games because Shaq wasn't fresh enough. I sure as hell don't want him pulling a Hill on us and having hip problems late in the season.

Dude. If you are getting worn down after playing under 12 minutes and a days rest then there is no way you would even be able to score 29 points and 11 boards. I'm not saying to not rest the guy, I am all for it and please tell me where I have said to play him in every game? I simply think that he should have played against the Bulls and if we won that game then go ahead and rest him up. It is obvious Porter wasn't even thinking about the Bulls game as he stated that he wanted to play Shaq against the Bucks because they had a bigger front court. We should have just gone straight through to Milwaukee with that sort of thinking.