- Feb 17, 2010
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I know this team inside and out.
Losing Lopez has not been an issue till NOW.
Portland is by far one of the worst matchups for the SUNS. I know it. They know it.
I am shocked that the books hung -8.5 & -450 game 2.
Sure one would expect a bounceback and beating of Portland by the SUNS tonight but.............
Lets go back to Jan 1, 2009 since then Portland has beaten Phoenix 4 out of the last 5. Twice in Phoenix and now twice without ROY.
So let me break this down for us...
Why is Portland so effective vs the SUNS ?
Simple. Nash is damn good on offense (one of the best) but as defense goes he cannot guard Miller.
Switching is constant between....Miller/Nash and Rudy/Richardson.
Horrible matchup for Phoenix.
Inside----------AMARE - 6"10 has been an absolute beast since the trade deadline. UNTIL NOW. Why ?
Portland offers 6"11 - BEAST in Aldridge who is in many ways as good as AMARE cause of his inside out game & 6"11 CAMBY who is still a defensive beast and defensively better than ANY PLAYER THE SUNS HAVE. Lets not even mention COLLINS who should not even be playing in the NBA.
Amare has been killing teams because of he goes inside one on one and drew the double team that left sharp shooters in Nash, Richardson or Hill open outside.
NOW.
Aldrige and Camby clog the middle and Amare's only game is outside jumpers unless a blown defensive coverage allows him an occasional DUNK.
Pick and roll with NASH is rendered USELESS.
Aldridge can put up big numbers....So you have the SUNS defense chasing Miller all night and afraid he can virtually get any shot he wants and a sharpshooter in Rudy who only managed 5 points last game and PORTLAND STILL WON.
The SUNS worst nightmare was being matched up to play Portland in the opening round. Without Lopez the Suns only chance of getting out of the first round is a miracle.
Losing Lopez has not been an issue till NOW.
Portland is by far one of the worst matchups for the SUNS. I know it. They know it.
I am shocked that the books hung -8.5 & -450 game 2.
Sure one would expect a bounceback and beating of Portland by the SUNS tonight but.............
Lets go back to Jan 1, 2009 since then Portland has beaten Phoenix 4 out of the last 5. Twice in Phoenix and now twice without ROY.
So let me break this down for us...
Why is Portland so effective vs the SUNS ?
Simple. Nash is damn good on offense (one of the best) but as defense goes he cannot guard Miller.
Switching is constant between....Miller/Nash and Rudy/Richardson.
Horrible matchup for Phoenix.
Inside----------AMARE - 6"10 has been an absolute beast since the trade deadline. UNTIL NOW. Why ?
Portland offers 6"11 - BEAST in Aldridge who is in many ways as good as AMARE cause of his inside out game & 6"11 CAMBY who is still a defensive beast and defensively better than ANY PLAYER THE SUNS HAVE. Lets not even mention COLLINS who should not even be playing in the NBA.
Amare has been killing teams because of he goes inside one on one and drew the double team that left sharp shooters in Nash, Richardson or Hill open outside.
NOW.
Aldrige and Camby clog the middle and Amare's only game is outside jumpers unless a blown defensive coverage allows him an occasional DUNK.
Pick and roll with NASH is rendered USELESS.
Aldridge can put up big numbers....So you have the SUNS defense chasing Miller all night and afraid he can virtually get any shot he wants and a sharpshooter in Rudy who only managed 5 points last game and PORTLAND STILL WON.
The SUNS worst nightmare was being matched up to play Portland in the opening round. Without Lopez the Suns only chance of getting out of the first round is a miracle.
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