Preview: Kings at Suns

by Ziller on Dec 5, 2009 1:30 PM PST Comment 46 comments

More photos » John Froschauer - AP

THE OPPONENT

The Suns are 14-5. The only good thing about that, for Kings fans, is that the Suns were at one point 14-3, which means the Suns have lost two straight. One loss came at the hands of ... New York (guh), an embarrassing blow-out defeat in which Danilo Gallinari lashed out at the creation of MTV's new hit Jersey Shore. The other loss came at Cleveland, which is a bit more understandable. Actually, it's completely understandable. Cleveland is pretty incredible.

Steve Nash refuses to obey human physiology, and Alvin Gentry's gambit (that getting back up to speed would improve the offense more than starting Channing Frye would hurt the defense) has worked. (That will now be dubbed the Gentry Gambit, by the way. It differs from the Bonner Gambit in that the latter states that if you have a good enough defense from positions 1-4, you can play a tall shooting guard at center.)

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
Amare Stoudemire	19	33.8	7.2	12.5	57.1	0.0	0.1	0.0	4.8	6.4	75.4	2.1	5.0	7.1	1.1	2.9	0.6	1.2	3.5	19.2
Jason Richardson	17	31.4	6.2	12.4	50.5	2.5	5.6	44.2	1.8	2.5	72.1	0.9	4.1	5.0	1.7	0.9	0.8	0.4	2.1	16.8
Steve Nash	19	32.3	6.1	11.7	52.3	1.6	3.6	44.1	2.7	2.8	94.4	0.5	2.3	2.8	11.5	3.8	0.4	0.2	1.2	16.5
Channing Frye	19	30.1	4.6	9.9	46.8	2.7	5.7	46.8	0.9	1.2	78.3	0.8	4.9	5.8	1.4	0.8	0.8	0.8	3.4	12.9
Grant Hill	19	30.2	4.6	9.6	47.5	0.4	1.0	42.1	2.4	3.0	78.9	1.4	5.3	6.7	2.1	1.3	0.6	0.3	1.6	11.9
Leandro Barbosa	14	21.4	4.6	9.4	48.5	1.2	3.0	40.5	1.2	1.7	70.8	0.3	1.6	1.9	2.0	1.1	0.6	0.1	2.0	11.6
Jared Dudley	19	22.1	2.8	6.3	44.5	1.5	3.3	46.0	1.5	2.2	70.7	1.5	2.3	3.8	1.2	0.8	1.0	0.2	1.9	8.6
Goran Dragic	19	15.9	2.5	5.6	43.9	0.7	2.1	35.9	1.1	1.9	56.8	0.6	1.7	2.3	2.9	1.6	0.5	0.2	1.7	6.8
Louis Amundson	18	15.2	1.9	3.6	53.8	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.9	1.6	58.6	1.8	2.7	4.4	0.4	0.9	0.1	0.9	1.9	4.8
Alando Tucker	7	6.1	1.3	3.0	42.9	0.1	0.6	25.0	1.9	2.4	76.5	0.6	0.3	0.9	0.4	0.3	0.0	0.0	0.1	4.6
Robin Lopez	4	9.8	1.8	2.8	63.6	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.8	1.0	75.0	1.5	1.8	3.3	0.0	2.0	0.3	0.8	2.0	4.3
Earl Clark	15	10.3	1.7	3.7	45.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.3	0.5	50.0	0.6	1.1	1.7	0.5	0.7	0.3	0.4	0.5	3.6
Taylor Griffin	1	8.0	1.0	2.0	50.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.0	1.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	0.0	1.0	2.0
Jarron Collins	11	7.3	0.5	0.7	62.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.2	0.8	22.2	0.5	1.5	2.0	0.1	0.3	0.0	0.3	1.2	1.1

The Suns are a bad rebounding team (13th on offense, 30th on defense) so feast away, Mssrs. Jason Thompson and Jon Brockman! The real battles are at ... well, hold on.

THE KEY BATTLE

I think that, assuming at some point Paul Westphal wants to bring Beno Udrih back into the starting unit as he did to open the second half of the Pacers game, this is not the right game to do it. We know factually that Beno can't guard Nash. We assume Tyreke Evans will also have problems, but the chance Evans can slow Nash a bit (plus make him work hard on the other end) plus the idea that Donte Greene will cause more problems on defense for Jason Richardson than Evans would, and ... I think you go Evans/Greene again. The issue would be whether Westphal wants to keep up with Phoenix (score every time they do) or to slow them down enough to keep pace (spend energy defending, hope you make enough shots). Ideally, both. But this is a real world, you know? As such,

Guards vs. Guards.

INTERESTING SIDESHOW

I have no idea whether any current Phoenix residents actually lived there during Westphal's tenure. But if so, this is like ... Dick Motta returning, right? How would I react if Dick Motta got hired by the Grizzlies and came to ARCO? Hmm. I hope I don't spend the first quarter ignoring the game while pondering this.

BOLD PROCLAMATION

Florida's white helmet-white uni motif is worse than the Kings' short-lived gold lamé kits.

NUMERIC PREDICTION

Suns by 5.

DETAILS

This will be a 6PM Pacific tip. Game thread at 6, post-game thread at 8:45. Recap under the sea.

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Comments

GO KINGS

tyreke needs to stay out of foul trouble.

by Kenneth256 on Dec 5, 2009 1:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

TZ with the Jersey Shore reference

That’s why I love this blog. That show is an effing trainwreck and I’m watching every second of it.

Ohh yeah.. the Suns. I think with the emergence of Casspi and Greene we have some weapons to throw at Phoenix. I totally agree that this is not a good game to bring back Beno to the starting lineup; we have to take advantage of anything possible against good teams and creating constant mismatches gives the Kings a good chance of staying in the game.

I’m really looking forward to tonight and the next coming weeks. Let’s see what this team is really made of.

Godfather of the "nice ass" movement.... the future begins now...

by edm7 on Dec 5, 2009 1:38 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Assuming Donte can guard Richardson

the matchup would favor the Kings. Over the last 10 games the Kings lead the league in turnovers. Playing a rookie with 16 games experience at PG and a 2nd year SF/PF at the 2, may not be the best way to stem that trend. But, considering that the alternative is Beno or Sergio defending Nash, we might have to live with the turnovers.

We outscored them from the field in preseason. Assuming the substitute refs won’t be there tonight, it’s unlikely we get outscored by 30 from the FT line.

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom

by HighTops on Dec 5, 2009 1:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

IF I were a gambling man...

Suns are favored by 11.5
Over/under is 224

Do you feel lucky?

Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal

by 27freethrows on Dec 5, 2009 1:54 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

That spread is outrageous

No team over .500 should be 11.5-point dogs this early in the season against anyone.

The over is intriguing.

by Ziller on Dec 5, 2009 1:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

So very very intriguing

GREENE! You’ve been superfluously apostrophe’d! - andy sims

by iashwash on Dec 5, 2009 2:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

224 is a hell of a big number too

but I don’t play the gambling reindeer games.

Professional Hyperbole Slayer

by ForThree on Dec 5, 2009 3:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It's because the Kings have lost by an average of 27 points since Rick Adelman was "let go"

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea

by pookeyguru on Dec 5, 2009 3:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Avreed

I wouldve put it at 7.5 or so. I’ve always thought you couldlearm a lot about public perception through betting lines. Vegas doesn’t play favorites.

Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal

by 27freethrows on Dec 5, 2009 5:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Kings and the points

I think I’d pass on the over/under, but if you held a gun to my head I’d say over.

I think Donte will have a big game and might get a new career high. This is the kind of game that maximizes his abilities.

"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."

by coolcatreportdotcom on Dec 5, 2009 3:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting on Donte'

Because of the lack of D? Pace? I’m curious.

So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Dec 5, 2009 4:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Pace and lack of D

Look back at his performances against the Warriors and Knicks and what do you see? Fast pace, not much D, no shot blockers. That pretty much sums up the Suns as well.

"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."

by coolcatreportdotcom on Dec 5, 2009 5:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You've onlygot to get one in six right

To break even at that rate. Tempting indeed.

Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal

by 27freethrows on Dec 5, 2009 10:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Doh!

That was meant to be in response to your moneyline comment below

Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal

by 27freethrows on Dec 5, 2009 10:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

My take

Suns to cover and the under. Sorry.

Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal

by 27freethrows on Dec 5, 2009 5:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I hope you make money on all the bets you lay down

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea

by pookeyguru on Dec 5, 2009 5:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No way

I just want to average 60% on the season. After the Casino takes it’s cut, you walk away 5% richer and had fun. So far I am WAY up this year though.

Or at least I would be if I were a gambling man.

Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal

by 27freethrows on Dec 5, 2009 10:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Heh LOL

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea

by pookeyguru on Dec 5, 2009 10:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Money line

KIngs +650 straight up sounds interesting.

"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."

by coolcatreportdotcom on Dec 5, 2009 6:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll be at the game tonight!!

Anyone else on here going?

"Are you tryin to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?"

by mvhsbball on Dec 5, 2009 2:01 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

A 'View' post is expected

have fun – GO KINGS!

So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Dec 5, 2009 3:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Get to see Kings live for 1st time!!

Finally I will get to see the Kings live and from courtside!! Looking forward to the matchup. Well actually I did go up to see them play during the summer in Las Vegas but that doesnt count does it? I am really going to be focusing on Tyreke and Nash. Obviously Nash is the engine that makes the Suns go. I would think Evans would be covering Nash although I am sure Nash wont be covering Tyreke. Lets hope Tyreke throws some sand into the Suns main motor.

With the Suns you never know who will show up. If my memory serves me correctly one of the 17 wins last year cane against the Suns. They have not lost at home this year so this will be a tough matchup but I am hoping for the best. I am also interested to see the type of fan reaction to PW. Anyway GO KINGS!!

by PWfan on Dec 5, 2009 2:02 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

so....

you’ll be there?

"Are you tryin to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?"

by mvhsbball on Dec 5, 2009 2:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

so

yep

by PWfan on Dec 5, 2009 2:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

nice. the Suns have a nice arena. and the Gorilla is a badass

"Are you tryin to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?"

by mvhsbball on Dec 5, 2009 2:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

We can ompare notes :)

by PWfan on Dec 5, 2009 2:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

MAtchup problem for the Suns

So Nash will be on the floor ALOT and has to guard someone so who does he guard between Tyreke and Donte? If those 2 are on the floor at the same time they should be able to post him at will and command double teams…meanwhile on the other end, Tyreke can use his long arms to keep nash out of the lane and force him to shoot or give it up rather than drive and dish.

Isn’t this the hypothetical epic scenario everyone envisioned when pairing Tyreke and Speed in the backcourt? Phoenix has to play Nash and has no answer on D.

Dannyboy

by dannyboy55 on Dec 5, 2009 4:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Can the Kings beat the Suns in Phoenix?

Phoenix and Sac are both in the top 7 in all offensive categories over the last 10 games (pts, fg%, 3p%). The only category where Sac has a decisive advantage is 3P% allowed. But, that is a double-edged sword. Did we hold our opponents to a lower 3p% with our defense, or did we have the advantage of playing against poorer 3pt shooting team?

The Suns are undefeated at home, but it’s unlikely that they finish the season 41 & 0. So, how does a team beat Phoenix at home? The answer is ‘the same way they have been beaten on the road.

In the NYN lose Phoenix shot (35-77) or 46%, (4-17) 24% from 3, 12 ORB, 17 T0
NYN shot (47-95) 50%, (12-31) 45% from 3, had 19 ORB, and 10 TO

In CLE, Phoenix shot (32-80) 40%, (10-23) 44% from 3, 11 ORB, & 16 TO
CLE shot (45-93) 48%, (6-22) 27% from 3, 15 ORB, & 10 TO

In Orlando, the Suns shot (40-88) 45%, (7-22) 32% from 3, 16 ORB, 18 TO
The Magic shot (46-88) 46%, (12-23) 52% from 3, 14 ORB, 15 TO

So, one way is to keep the possessions close like Orlando, and then simply outscore them. They made 6 more shots (5 more from 3) in the same 88 possessions by staying close in TO’s & ORB’s. Or, you can outscore them by controlling their number of possession. NYN had 18 more possessions on 7 fewer TO’s & 7 more ORB’s. And, CLE had 13 more possessions on 6 fewer TO’s & 4 more ORB’s.

After Amare & Frye, the top rebounders for Phoenix are Hill (6.5), Richardson (5.0) & Amundson (4.4). These are the players who’s rebounds we must limit. Offensively, Frye, Richardson & Nash take half of the Suns 3pt shots and shot 47%, 44%, & 44% respectively.

So, the answer to beating the Suns is not necessarily shooting at a higher percentage but just get more looks. Control the Offensive Rebounds and limit our TO’s. No small task since the Kings average the highest number of TO’s in the NBA over the last 10 games. We must keep Hill & Richardson off the boards. And, we must challenge Frye, Richardson & Nash when their shooting 3’s. If PW starts Donte at the 2 again, his defense of Richardson could be the key to the game. Then again the difference in the preseason game was the 30 extra points the Suns received from the Refs. Ultimately, the Kings need to control the tempo,limit TO’s and take good shots, and please don’t try and run with the Suns.

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom

by HighTops on Dec 5, 2009 2:05 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

yes, limiting TOs will decide the game

If 1. we take care of the ball and 2. protect the 3 pt line, we have a real shot, if we turn it over a lot they’ll turn those into points fast and the game will probably get away from us in some 40 pt phx quarter.

So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Dec 5, 2009 3:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm looking forward to tonight's matchup

I think the kings are more than a bunch sophomores and rookies playing above their heads and the Suns are always a fun matchup to watch.

by Kevin.S on Dec 5, 2009 2:16 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Not only lived here when Westphal was coach

but grew up on the Suns with Westphal running the point…and technically I didn’t live in Phx during the early 90’s Westy coaching stint…

Anyway. Love the guy. Glad to see he’s working out so far for you

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Dec 5, 2009 2:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

You're a liar

Nobody in Phoenix likes PW! Nobody! You hate everything about him!

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea

by pookeyguru on Dec 5, 2009 3:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Force Nash to guard Tyreke

Start Greene and force Nash to guard Tyreke and have Tyreke post up Nash. Hopefully Nash will get into foul trouble. Nash can’t handle Tyreke or Greene down low and he’s going to have to guard one of them.

by AyyJude on Dec 5, 2009 2:46 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Nash is a sneaky bastard

I’m sure he hopes to get the rookie in foul trouble first

So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Dec 5, 2009 3:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Game Delay: After Tyreke's crossover causes Nash's ankles to corkscrew into the court

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom

by HighTops on Dec 5, 2009 3:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Those conniving Canadians.

by russak on Dec 5, 2009 3:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Even if Beno starts

Nash can’t guard him either, and I would rather try to limit our mistakes starting off with the veteran guard. I am not particularly worried about Richardson guarding Evans, I think Tyreke is too quick for him.

As far as “the Show” I actually think we play small and tell Greene his assignment is to guard Frye. I think that is better than JT or Spencer chasing him around. I like Noce on Stoudemire on D, I think he can force Amare into some bad shots. Nash is gonna get his, but if everyone plays solid D and we pass well without turnovers, this is a very winnable game.

Another flaw in the human character is that everybody wants to build and nobody wants to do maintenance. Vonnegut

by Ice_9ine on Dec 5, 2009 5:44 PM PST via mobile reply actions 0 recs

i think with we should try to go small and keep up

Play Sergio, Beno, Evans, JT, and Greene to guard Frye. I think Evans is a winning matchup at 3 positions tonight. Hill can’t guard him at the 3.

Another flaw in the human character is that everybody wants to build and nobody wants to do maintenance. Vonnegut

by Ice_9ine on Dec 5, 2009 5:56 PM PST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Frye

Just noticed he’s shooting almost six threes a game and making almost 47% of them. I am sure Westphal has noticed that as well.

"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."

by coolcatreportdotcom on Dec 5, 2009 5:57 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Frye

killed us in the preseason game as I recall.

Professional Hyperbole Slayer

by ForThree on Dec 5, 2009 6:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't even know he could shoot a three.

Seems like most of the shots I recall him taking were in the free throw circle.

"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."

by coolcatreportdotcom on Dec 5, 2009 6:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No- he's always wanted to bomb from 3

thats why he didn’t play in Port.

So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Dec 5, 2009 6:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Frye is definitely the biggest matchup problem for us

And I hope Westphal is creative enough to let Greene and Nocioni to go chase him off his spots. I know Hawes and Jason aren’t going to do that consistently. No center and few power forwards will. That is one of the biggest reasons Phoenix has had such success.

Another thing to keep in mind is while the Suns will be at home, and their bench will play well, they are missing a healthy Barbosa. That is good for the Kings.

Another flaw in the human character is that everybody wants to build and nobody wants to do maintenance. Vonnegut

by Ice_9ine on Dec 5, 2009 6:04 PM PST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Brockman

I am assuming he gets to battle with Louis Amundson tonight, who averages about 15 minutes a night. Pretty ugly dude, too.

"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."

by coolcatreportdotcom on Dec 5, 2009 5:59 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

no Jerry and Peaches for me tonight

we’ll see what the Suns announcers are like.

Professional Hyperbole Slayer

by ForThree on Dec 5, 2009 6:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Competition

I think the Kings match up well vs. a team like the Suns vs. say a team like the Spurs. If the Kings limit turnovers to under 14, they have a real chance of winning this game. I look forward to seeing our Kings compete against upper echelon teams.

Just bought some courtside seats to the 76ers game can’t wait for that. Good birthday present to myself.

by gtrman1973 on Dec 5, 2009 6:01 PM PST reply actions 0 recs