Posts tagged ‘Nash’

Your upstart Warriors got taught a lesson in Phoenix.

Box Score

Early on it looked as if the Dubs were going to run right over the Suns. The swarming team defense forced Phoenix into nine first half turnovers and provided a stream of easy points on the break. Shaq’s first contributions were a missed shot, and a turnover. He hit the bench early.

Shaq’s later appearances were equally brief and awkward. He ended the game with 9 points, 4 rebounds, 3 turnovers, and 5 fouls in just over 14 minutes. Monta thrived in the scattered style and was able to consistently get to the rim for a bucket or a foul. The threes were dropping from Baron and the frustrated Suns earned two technicals for arguing calls. It looked good for the Warriors. They were keeping their defenders on their heels and were in their heads on defense.

Everything changed in the second half.

Amare and Nash erased the Warriors’ five point lead with their first two possessions after the half, and the Suns started clicking. Shaq hit the bench for good halfway through the third after earning his 5th foul, then adding a technical in for good measure. With Shaq out of the way the lane opened up and the Suns reverted to what they do best - running and gunning.

Amare Stoudemire feasted on Al and Jack in the paint and Nash was able to dribble through the open space, attract attention, and find an open shooter or cutter. Barbosa and Bell got into rhythm and the Suns were up by nine going into the fourth.

The end of the game was like a Steve Nash highlight reel. He started looking for his own shot and scored eight points in a little over a minute. The Suns game is beautiful to behold when they get rolling. I could only sit back and shake my head as they completely reversed the momentum and out maneuvered the Dubs handily. Baron did his best to keep the game within reach, but there was no stopping the Phoenix machine.

There was a noticeable lack of defensive pressure from the Warriors in the second half. After being so successful in getting the Suns to turn the ball over early in the game, everyone seemed to forget to go for steals in the third and fourth quarters. Perhaps it was due to tired legs after the Raptors game the night before, but it was a shame to see them lose that hungry intensity after appearing to be in control for the first two quarters.

Still holding on to the 8th seed, two games ahead of the Nuggets.

This loss makes the next three games against the Grizzlies, Kings, and Clippers all that more important. Those are the last three lower level opponents that the Warriors will see in March.

Your Warriors showed the Suns how it’s done.

Box Score

From Al’s opening jumper to Baron’s final layup, this game was a classic. In this small-ball, uptempo war of offensive gladiators, the Suns and Dubs slugged it out in the middle of the ring until the final bell.

It was a flurry of drives, some acrobatic (Monta), some brutal (Baron), smooth pull up jumpers, tight passes on the break and crowd-rocking threes. No team took any substantial lead and both shot over 50% for the entire game.

No one seemed to be able to miss in the first quarter and the score going into the second was a gaudy 38-32 Warriors. The footrace stayed close throughout the rest of the game with each team answering any type of run with their own offensive onslaught. The highlights came fast and furious and only a turnover or block here and there pointed towards any sense of defensive pressure. Jeff Van Gundy, who was calling the game for ESPN, struggled to keep up. He admitted that the pace was making him dizzy, and that he couldn’t even tell who had the ball. His fourth quarter exclamation of “I don’t want this game to end! Keep playing through the All-Star break!” was right on. This is the most entertaining match-up in the entire league.

Despite JVG’s wishes, the game had to end. Baron made sure it ended right. Monta had been the star for the Warriors all night, but BD took the game into his hands with 2:31 left to play and the score tied 113-113. Baron reeled off six unanswered points off of two tough drives and a trademark step-back jumper to give the Dubs a precarious lead.

Phoenix answered back with four points of their own, but Amare couldn’t make both his free throws to tie it up. Monta made one of his to maintain a two point lead, and Barbosa barely missed a open, game winning three at the buzzer. Warriors win - the third in a row against the Suns - now everyone breathe.

The stars on both teams showcased their best offense and did nothing to silence the critics of their defense. Steve Nash was quietly amazing with his precise passes and rare, effortless drives and shots. Amare Stoudemire was a brute in the paint, gobbling up rebounds and destroying his defender on isolation plays. Grant Hill was everywhere, snatching boards (15 total!) and draining jumpers. Barbosa was his usual speedy, consistent self, hitting threes and skittering his way to the basket for pretty finishes.

For the Warriors, it was a battle for the spotlight between Baron and Monta with Jack, Al, Matt and Kelenna contributing at just the right time.

Baron

Brooding over hurt feelings? Secretly injured? Exhausted and shutting it down? Not tonight. Baron was back on point and hungry for the big plays. He’s a Hollywood dude and although we’d all like to think that every game means as much to him as it does to us, the case is that ESPN had their cameras and mic on him all night and he played better than he has all month. He was after the ball on defense and drove hard rather than settle for jumpers. When the Warriors needed the killer plays, Baron pulled the trigger.

Monta

All Day is the toast of the town. The ESPN guys couldn’t get enough of him. His jumper is so clean and automatic that I’m genuinely surprised when he misses. Every drive seems to involve a highlight finish, and his rebounding is off the charts for a guard. His defense and foul shooting needs cleaning up, but there’s no way to not love this kid. Last year, people were hoping that Monta could evolve into a Barbosa-like player. At this point, Barbosa should aspire to be more like Monta.

Monta’s shooting numbers for February:

Date FGM-A PTS

2/01 vs. CHA 7-10 21

2/07 vs. CHI 11-12 25

2/09 vs. SAC 12-15 34

2/11 vs. WAS 9-18 22

2/13 vs. PHX 18-27 37

Soak it in, 50% for 22 points against the Wizards was an off night for our third year guard straight outta high school. With all respect to LeBron, we are all witnesses.

Enjoy the high note going into the All-Star break. Go J-Moon!