?

Suns win in typical fashion, execution is everything!

The Suns win yet another game. Scoring, run and gun, and good play from one of the best point guards currently active (a plug for Jeff?s article on the era of point guards in the NBA). That being the case, this is my big chance! Slamdunkcentral.com has given me the opportunity to cover some games. Let me know your thoughts, your feedback is what inspires me! I don?t want to be known as just another AP writer type.

The Suns win 103-98, no doubt due to a superb game by Steve Nash (29 pts/11 assists/10-12 shooting) and Shawn Marion (26 pts/15 rebounds/12-19 shooting). The national media will focus on the fact that Steve Nash is a hero for playing with a chipped tooth, big deal! I love Steve Nash but not because he lost a tooth. If this was the NHL it wouldn?t even be a conversation. Steve Nash is arguably the best point guard in the NBA because of his amazing vision and hard-nosed style. Ironically enough he played against another formidable PG Deron William (18 pts/6 assists/7-17 shooting). Though Williams played well he just didn?t bring his A-game. Tonight, I watched Nash do the basics, the pick and role. I watched two plays in which Marion and Stoudemire worked with Nash and executed the pick and role perfectly in the 4th quarter.You are all saying, big deal! But this is one of the many facets of the game that is sometimes lost in the NBA. With so much being made of individual play, watching the simple pick and role brings such joy to a true basketball fan. Sorry I couldn?t help giving my commentary early.

Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap was one of the few bright spots for the Jazz. Boozer scored 24 pts along with 13 rebounds. Millsap scored 20 pts with 13 rebounds in place of injured Okur (banged up from the physical play of the Blazers the previous night- my dark horse this year!). The Jazz have forgotten what has guided them to a 15-10 record, DEFENSE! They have executed their OFFENSE so well this year they slacked on defense, a hallmark of a good Jerry Sloan team. The Jazz have the highest field goal percentage in the NBA! Tonight, that was not the case. They shot 44%, well under their season average of 50%. Though 44% is a respectable percentage, without defense, it is tough to overcome perhaps the most talented offensive team in the NBA.

The Suns were pretty much in control of this game from the start till finish. The only time the game ever got close was towards the middle of the 4th quarter. The Suns were up by one, 76-75. Marion hit a three which fueled a 9-2 run. After that, there was no looking back. Alright, so I told a white lie. The Jazz did claw back one more time with 2 minutes left, but alas, Grant hill hit a nice lean about 3 ft from the basket to put the Suns up 96-93. Why did I lie? Even though the Jazz got to within 1 twice, I never felt that they had a chance to win; they never quite got the momentum to swing to their favor.

The Jazz are struggling mightily right now, let?s hope they can get back to the basics and beat Portland on Friday. That is a mighty task, since Portland has won 5 straight! Don?t worry Jazz fans, they get the lowly Sonics the following night, we at least know that will help to right the sinking ship!