Game 20: Phoenix Suns (11-8) @ Dallas Mavs (14-5)

[Revived]

I don't expect greatness out of Plunlee. I just want him to stop with the low IQ plays and actually protect the rim.

He's such a liability offensively and he doesn't do enough on the defensive and rebounding end to make up for it. I don't know if the stats show it by Tyson Chandler made Plumlee his b**ch yesterday. And Chandler hasn't been the first to do that.

[RunDogGun]

I really hate reading before I log in. I need to stop doing that.

Not to throw facts at you, but Plumlee only shot two shots and made both of them, how the heck is that a liability on offense? Chandler is an accomplished center in this league, and he wasn't all that great his first few years in the league, but he is great now.

Plumlee isn't great, but for Goran and Bledsoe, he isn't bad. We never have to run plays for Plumlee. Moreover, we shot 56% from the field there weren't many rebounds to have offensively, yet Plumlee still had two of those. Chandler is a handful boxing out, he gets around many with his length, and vet savviness. He knows where to push guys, and refs don't call him that much on ones where he goes over the line into fouling. Plumlee doesn't have that with the refs, but that isn't all that shocking for what is technically a sophomore season.

[kennydorglas]

I dont have any expectations at all about Plumlee.
He just needs to defend the rim and at least boxout his opponent to avoid easy O-REB for them.
Right now, he isn't EVEN TRYING to do those things. Just let anyone scores over him and doesnt bother at all to boxout other bigs.
If he continues to play like this, he'll lose his job for Len/other big that we'll eventually trade for.
Just do the little things and we'll be fine. We all can forgive his low IQ and stone hands if he's playing great D#

[RunDogGun]

Well again, I hate to bring facts into all these opinions, but according to the stats posted in the defensive thread, Len is worse at the rim protection gig than Plumlee. Granted it's slight (55-57%), but if rim protection is your gripe, then Len is not going to fix that. Oddly Markieff would be our answer, and I think Jeff chose to end the game with Markieff at the five.

So I would guess Jeff isn't so worried about who starts at the five, but who finishes at the five.

[Revived]

Sooooo...our rooks don't even get minutes anymore in garbage time? Also - I know I keep repeating myself - but now we are a quarter into the season and stop-gap Tolliver gets a chance night in night out despite having had only one ok game? I don't see how Warren could do any worse and he could have had valuable playing time by now. Annoys the crap out of me.

I am not one of the Thomas haters but I am also wondering if him being part of the rotation has screwed up last year's chemistry and rhythm...would be ok with a trade. His contract is still a freaking steal for any team trading for him, so I think his value is up there despite not being a good fit with us.

Apart from that, great game, very enjoyable for the most part had a 'last year' feel like someone else mentioned!

Do you realize that there are very few rookies contributing on playoff caliber teams. Houston has a couple and Chicago has one. They are 23-24 year olds and two are international players. We have 20 and 21 year old rookies. Not as physically mature and games not NBA ready.

Suns aren't a playoff team in the West barring a huge trade.

[RunDogGun]

Did it again, rat farts!

Hate to interject facts again, but we are currently the eighth seed in the West, and we just got our chit together. We have beaten all but two of the teams ahead of us in the standings, and haven't played Portland yet.

Research man, research!

[thamadkant]

Thunder will make a huge push...

I have Suns finishing 9-10...

[RunDogGun]

Good thing I don't trust your judgement Madman.

[Blackification]

Reminds me of our game against the mavs, we make a run they cap a three on our ass

[thamadkant]

Grizzlies, Mavericks aren't going anywhere and the rest of the west should be the same as last year.
Thunder would have to be really bad to not make the playoffs.
Mavericks are first in like 10 offensive categories as they showed in the Suns game... They look top 6 at worst even if they drop off a bit.

Suns would have to win 55 games or projected to win that much to be a playoffs team.

[Zelaznyrules]

Grizzlies, Mavericks aren't going anywhere and the rest of the west should be the same as last year.
Thunder would have to be really bad to not make the playoffs.
Mavericks are first in like 10 offensive categories as they showed in the Suns game... They look top 6 at worst even if they drop off a bit.

Suns would have to win 55 games or projected to win that much to be a playoffs team.

I think that's near impossible. Didn't we tie the modern record for most wins for a non-playoff team last year with 48? It makes no sense that the West would be even tougher this year and that a team would have to ECLIPSE the previous best by at least 7 more wins.

[RaisingArizona]

Just give the ball to Dragic and profit... Kinda hope that Thomas doesn't play today, so they can win another one in Houston with the Bledsoe Dragic combo. They are in the top 5 bacourts in the league for sure, you got to use them!

3-3 without IT. Clearly, he's the problem /sarcasm.

[RunDogGun]

Just give the ball to Dragic and profit... Kinda hope that Thomas doesn't play today, so they can win another one in Houston with the Bledsoe Dragic combo. They are in the top 5 bacourts in the league for sure, you got to use them!

3-3 without IT. Clearly, he's the problem /sarcasm.

But....but... That doesn't fit what I think I see. Probably incorrect stats is the issue?