Substantial strengths (and glaring weaknesses) on display as Suns beat the Clippers

First, let me just say thank you to those who joined me for my live blog during the game.  For a replay, please click here.  I’ll be doing much more of these in the future so be sure to check back as I think I have many of the bugs worked out.

Now to the game…there were a lot of pluses to take from the 106-98 win; only Barbosa was a - in the +/- column, we made 7 three pointers, had 25 assists, 7 steals, and held the Clippers to 41% from the field and only 35% from beyond the arc.  Nash looked great after coming back from his injury, J-Rich had a phenomenal dunk, and we shot almost 30 free throws as a team. 

Maybe I’m spoiled…I don’t know…the Suns win and I’m kind of disapointed.  However, with the talent we have and the goals we’ve set for ourselves as a team, I think I have a legitimate gripe with how the Suns finished this game.  Let’s start with how our weaknesses were uncovered.

Weaknesses Exploited

• Defensive Rebounding:  Marcus Camby had 23 rebounds and the Clippers as a team had 8 more than the Suns.  I made a comment during the live blog that Louis Amundson is the only one who consistently boxes out to get a rebound.
• Offensive Rebounding:  17 offensive rebounds to the Suns 9.  The Clippers got way too many second chances.
• Complacency:  The Suns had a terrific first quarter scoring 33 points and only allowing the Clippers 15.  Every single time the Suns got ahead by double digits, they gave the lead right back.  This is a glaring problem and one that needs to be corrected to advance anywhere in the playoffs. 
• Turnovers:  14 to the Clippers 11.  It’s only a +3 difference but the ones we had were extremely thoughtless and petty - this led to the Clippers getting back in the game.
• Transition Defense:  We did a good job overall but no where near as consistent as it should be.

The good news is that we know exactly what we need to do to improve and we have made an effort to get better in those areas.  I think I was hoping that more players got minutes (like Tucker, Dudley, and Brown) since the Suns were up by so much early on.  They could’ve put the game away much earlier but, like their ultimate fatal flaw, the Suns gave up their huge lead several times.

Now to the positives…

Strengths Proven

• Fast break:  Once again, the Suns ran more tonight which led to high double digit leads, even with Shaq in the game.
• Nash at the helm:  Nash looked terrific tonight dishing out 11 assists with 9 points and an incredible +/- of +20.
• Inside/Out Game:  We were much more effective utilizing Shaq and Amare in the post.  When they weren’t open or were doubled, they did a good job of passing out of it, thus creating more shots.
• Role Players:  How much does everyone love Louis Amundson?  The dude is making a huge case to get a consistent place in the Suns rotation.  He had an insane dunk off a pass from Barbosa tonight where his head was right at the rim.

All in all, I’m pleased with the win.  We showed some really good signs of what the team could be and through utilizing our post and wing players effectively.  But I was really disappointed with the way the game ended as the Clippers went on a big run to cut the Suns lead into single digits.  Matt Barnes got ejected for losing his cool when the Suns were winning by 20 - what good does that do, Matt? 

Stay tuned for a blog talking about the Suns schedule and how we could make up some ground in the West…

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