SB Nation User Blog: Phoenix Stan

One year ago today was two days before...get a start on remembering now by reading this great post.

Phoenix Stan — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:46:36 -0000

One year ago today was two days before...get a start on remembering now by reading this great post.

Monta Ellis Injured - Yippie!

Phoenix Stan — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:59:34 -0000

Monta Ellis Injured - Yippie!

I know, I know we shouldn't cheer players (or people) getting hurt.

But this guy has KILLED the Suns so I for one am cheering his inability to play until January.

Besides, it was Mr. Ellis who undercut Grant Hill towards the end of last season that cost Grant his ability to contribute to the Spurs series which in turn got D'Antoni run from town.

That Karma. She's nasty.

Using the stink to get pub...

Phoenix Stan — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:37:35 -0000

Here is a classic case of a grand standing politician (up for re-election this year) who is famous for using any excuse in the book to get his name in the paper jumping on board a local sports issue to get attention.

This guy would go after cat litter dumping if he thought it would get him a few lines of press.

Farewell DJ

Phoenix Stan — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:18:56 -0000

With the Suns making official the end of DJ's time with Phoenix, I thought I would share a few reasons why I was so down on the kid after seeing him in Vegas a few weeks ago.

A lot of Suns fans were taken by his great attitude and enthusiasm along with some freakish athletic skills. DJ was known in Phoenix as a hard working hustle player who could play defense and just needed more minutes. He did well in Albuquerque during his D-league stints and there were reasons to hope he could develop into a solid role player. There was a time I agreed with that.

But as the last season wore down and DJ got some minutes he struck me as a guy that really didn't seem to instinctively understand the game at this level. He took ill advised shots and at times just seemed lost. That's to be expected though for a rookie that saw so little burn in D'Antoni's "rotation".

It also made his time in the Vegas Summer League this July so much more important.

It was DJ's opportunity to shine as a sophomore. He was expected to both lead the team and play well if not feast on the lesser competition.

Unfortunately, that's not what happened. DJ didn't look great in the first two games against the Spurs and Knicks where he showed great speed and the ability to put defenders back on their heals but he was also unable to use his size and hops to finish in traffic. Time and again he blew by his man only to either draw the foul or miss at the rim. He also seemed to have given up on his in-your-face defensive pressure that earned him so much love in Phoenix.

His points totals were padded by free throws when what you wanted to see from DJ was either a drive and kick or him finish after taking a bit of contact. He did neither. And of course his outside shot hadn't improved.

I think this all could have been acceptable to a Suns team looking for hustle, energy and defense from its rotation players. Then the end came.

DJ took a beating on both ends of the floor and showed a startling lack of mental toughness in his 4th game against Portland. That lead me to write this sitting court side just a few minutes after the game ended: Jarryd Bayless Ends DJ Strawberry's Career

What I saw and clearly so did the Suns, was a player that lacked the poise to play through difficulties and for whatever reason had lost his ability to play lock down D. Giving up 17 points to Bayless in fourth, combined with two key end of the game turnovers hurt. What I think sealed his fate was how he handled the situation. He got down on himself and crumbled. One poor play lead to another and his head sank lower and lower.

I hope for the best for DJ and perhaps in a few years his confidence will grow and he will find a way to make it in the NBA but I think it's going to be an uphill battle. He plays the not overly valuable combo guard position without the height to guard three positions like a Bruce Bowen or Tayshaun Prince and without the mental toughness and grit of a Raja Bell.

There's too many talented players fighting for too few roster spots and DJ is going to really have to kick it up a notch to make it.

USA! USA!

Phoenix Stan — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 17:12:34 -0000

USA! USA!

I personally got far more joy watching this team win knowing that an Olympic gold is truly the pinnacle of their career.

But you can't help but be thrilled with the NBA stars victory over a tough and resilient Spanish team. The boys in red, white and blue celebrated like college kids and at that point you knew how much it meant to these guys.

Congrats to Kobe for going Kobe in the 4th when it mattered.
Congrats to Flash for coming back with a vengeance and reminding us how great you are.
Congrats to LeBron for being the best all around player in the universe.
Congrats to Jerry C for putting this team together and instilling in them the pride and desire needed to win.

and because I am a cynical bastard - congrats to Dwight Howard for not being the best center in the tournament and for Shaq-like free throw shooting. I am sure the Magic fans are thrilled right now.

Btw - I wonder how Amare felt watching last night?

Q & A with SASUX.com

Phoenix Stan — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:40:16 -0000

The haters over at SASux.com wanted to fill some off season time with a

conversation so we did what bored bloggers do and exchanged questions.

My answers to their questions are here.

Between you and me, I think this is just way to sell more T-shirts. Maybe I should be asking for a commission?

Oh, well...enjoy.

What's up with the extreme Spurs hate?

What do you mean, extreme? It's not like I've actually placed the orders for the Manu Ginobili voo-doo dolls or the gag boxes of douche with Tony Parker on the cover... yet. I just spend a couple hours a day online "chatting" with other Suns fans and happen to have an enormous on-hand inventory of t-shirts, hats and window stickers featuring a logo I created for fun that I sell online at www.SASUX.com. Sure I host huge parties every time the Suns and Spurs play, but that's just to root for the Suns. It's not like it's a "bash the Spurs" event or anything. Look, I don't have a problem. Stop accusing me! Leave me alone!!!

We all get how hateable the Spurs are and certainly the Spurs have punked the Suns enough times over the past few years to warrant some hate but you guys seem to take it to an entirely new level. What's up with that?

Personally, I don't do anything in moderation. It's all-or-nothing. When my dad used to tell me to go mow the lawn, I would use the riding mower for the little strip in the front of the house. When my wife tells me to wash the dishes, I boil water and bring the pressure washer in from the garage. I just won't half-ass it.

But seriously, I f*cking hate the Spurs. It's not a dislike of their style, or a matter of being upset that they get a lot of the calls or being jealous. I am so sick and tired of the cheap plays and honestly the Suns finding a new way to lose to those bastards each and every year in the playoffs! And this past season really did it in for me. With the Shaq trade and the fact the Suns won the regular season series 3-1, getting down in the playoff series and with the whole Red Sox theory (of having to face your demon's head on from a point of no return),

I really thought that was going to be the year they climb back, beat the Spurs and win the NBA championship. But it didn't happen. And now the proverbial "window" is closing (on both teams) and it just won't be the same if this core group of guys doesn't beat that core group of gals in the playoffs.

Both teams are still competitive and the main players are still playing. If in 5 years the Lopez and Dragic-led Suns beat the Spurs with an old Tony Parker and four guys named Jorge, it won't feel like redemption. And that's what's up with the extreme-ness. I am a black hole that can only be filled by redemption.

Do you have room in your black hearts to hate anyone else? Lakers? Mavericks? Panda Bears?

The Suns have made the Lakers their b!tch for some time now in the playoffs. I enjoy a good Raja's horsecollaring of Kobe as much as the next guy, but they don't hold a candle to the hatred I have for the Spurs. The Mavericks are a joke. Yes, they got over on the Suns like once in recent years, and that was in the Western Conference Finals (if I remember correctly). No extreme bad blood there.

But don't you dare get me started on those God damn panda bears! I mean, come on - stop eating all the f*cking bamboo! Save some for the rest of the ecosystem, you selfish little fat bastards. And who are you trying to fool? You aren't disguising yourselves in the jungle with that black and white camouflage. Just goes to show how stupid those so-called "bears" really are. What a joke!

Putting down the hate-filled glasses, do you think the Spurs will rebound and contend or is their run over?

As much as I hate everything about the team and virtually every single individual player, coach, person on the medical staff, ticket booth workers, concession vendors, and even the guy who changes the blue breath mints in the urinals of the stadium, I respect the fact that they will find a way to remain extremely competitive for years to come.

All "Stern's favorite team" jokes aside, this franchise knows how to stay competitive for a LONG period of time. This run of theirs, as league assisted as it may seem, goes back to the David Robinson era. I have no doubt they will be a thorn in the side of every Western Conference team for years to come. Which is fine by me. I don't want the Suns to beat them when they are in a massive decline. I want the Suns to embarrass the crap out of them when they and their fans have expectations of winning it all. And that would give me enough redemption to sleep a little better at night.

Go Suns! San Antonio SUCKS!!

Surprise Surprise, Shaq steps in it again

Phoenix Stan — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:31:27 -0000

Look, there were a lot of reasons that I never liked this trade and most of them had to do with what the Big Breather brought (or no longer brought) on the court.

But I never liked the big guy's act either and here's just another example.

According to court docs Shaq wrote her one email that reads, "I dnt no who the fuk u think u dealin wit u will neva be heard from one phone call is all I gotta make no try me. Sho me."

The docs also allege Shaq sent her "an unsolicited vulgar and offensive illustration of a man physically restraining a woman while forcing her to engage in sexual intercourse with him."

I still contend that we shouldn't judge NBA players based on their personal lives and I agree with Sir Charles that if you let your kids look up to professional athletes as role models then that's on you.

But Shaq is a $20m / year salary cap busting exception to all the rules. So let's hear it all you Shaq Lovers about how he's just misunderstood and boys will be boys. Maybe Shaq was just breathing heavy because he finished a workout so he would be in peak physical condition for the up-coming season.

And while we're at it, let's see how all those self-righteous Phoenix fans react to this one.

Can't stand AI and Melo because they're "thugs"? Never would trade for Kobe in a million years? Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson should be in prison?

How are you all feeling about Superman right about now?

And yes Mr. Kerr, if you are tasting a big helping of my own self-righteous I told you so this morning then just mix it with your coffee and drink it right down. Its time we call this one answered.

"If it works, I'm a genius," Kerr said. "If it doesn't, I'm a moron, I guess."

Goran Dragic Speaks

Phoenix Stan — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:06:47 -0000

Here's Goran's first interview with the Phoenix media

Dragic interview on Sport 620 KTAR

Audio provided by Sports 620 KTAR:

Here's the cliff notes:

Goran's bags got lost on the way over so he only has a T-shirt and pants. Send donations of clothing to www.savegoranfromburinghiswhiteassinthearizonasummersun.com
He debunked the scurrilous rumor posted on this wikipedia page that he ran a cigar shop. Could wikipedia be wrong? My world view is shattered!
On second thought and third listen perhaps he thought Gambo was asking him for a cigar and Dragic's response of "I have nothing of this. I don't smoke" wasn't an actual denial of the wikipedia report. My faith is restored in the truth of the Internets.
Nope....sorry in the next bit he does in fact flatly deny having worked in a cigar shot claiming he's a "basketball player". Whatever.
He "do really well in work out with Suns" but didn't know he was going to be picked. He was happy. Happy enough to give up the cigar shop business? hmmm
In response to a brilliant question Dragic reports that playing as a kid helped him play better now
He's excited to play with Steve Nash. I guess he doesn't get the Internets in Slovenia
When he was "young" he watched Nash, Shaq and Stoudemire on TV at 3 in the morning. God, I am old...
He was nervous if he was going to be able to get the buy out done. He's very happy to be here. Me too. I love it here.
Breaking news at the 7:59 mark. Goran's father is Serbian! No wonder the Suns didn't resign Giricek. Everyone knows you can't have a Serb and Croat on the same team. They fight like cats and dogs.
Playing in the NBA was his boyhood dream...ah.
Mine too except I am 5'10" and have a 7 inch vertical leap. I am a lefty though so maybe there's hope...
"I defend really good Tony Parker...I was really happy. We won."
"I love to play defense. In Europe everything is defense." Really? Defense in Europe? I thought they invented NATO so we could defend Europe.
Boris Diaw is taking him to dinner. Pictures should be posted soon.
"Now that I am on the team the Suns surely won't pick up the team option on DJ Strawberry's contract and will instead use the final roster spot for another big man to be Shaq's whipping boy in practice."
ed note: That last comment is not an actual quote from Dragic but an imagined version of what I figure must be running through his mind right about now. Its certainly what's running through mine.

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and here I thought the steeplechase was limited to horses jumping walls and ponds and such...who...

Phoenix Stan — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 22:44:10 -0000

and here I thought the steeplechase was limited to horses jumping walls and ponds and such...who knew!

Just can't get enough...

Phoenix Stan — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 20:28:19 -0000

Just can't get enough...