Saturday Public Scrimmage

whatisboxhappening — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 08:17:00 -0000

[Editor's Note: Thanks, whatisboxhappening, for taking time to write this up for those of us who couldn't be there! For those in a hurry for some video, looks like there's some out on Suns.com now.]

Well... I've come back from the Suns scrimmage at McKale Center and I have to say it was quite the experience. Of course I've been to a Suns game before and tonight's happenings were not unlike that of an actual game. It all started at around 2 PM when I figured I'd go check to see if there was a line starting to get in. Sure enough there was, so I just hopped in line. There is not much to say about this ordeal other than it got crowded fast and the lines started getting out of control closer and closer to the scrimmage time. Just goes to show how real Suns fever is!

There was a full half hour shootaround/warm up before the scrimmage. It was here that I got to see the two rookies alone on the floor getting their shots in. It's good to know that the rookies are putting in the extra work, and I really hope they get a chance to be in the rotation this upcoming year. Might I also mention they are GREAT dunkers!? But even they can't compare to the pregame dunking exhibition that Doug Thomas gave. I'm not too sure as to what position he plays but he would be a good signing I think as he is athletic and has plenty of hustle in his game. The other players starting coming out one by one. Some were greeted with loud applause and cheering while others were lucky to get scattered clapping. Obviously, the arena went nuts when Amare, Boris, Leandro, Grant, Shawn, Steve, and Raja came out. I do have pictures and video of this warm up so I could post them.

As for the game itself, I was thoroughly impressed. Not unlike themselves, the Suns managed to put up a good deal of points given the four 10-minute quarter format. I did not catch the final score because I headed towards the front gates at the final 50 seconds to see if I could go outside and get a good spot to catch the Suns when they left the building (of course, about 60 or 70 people thought the same way as me so that plan was botched). From the good portion of the game I did see I'll have to say quite a few--if not all-- players gave me reason to be excited.

I can't say there was one stand out player that was head and shoulders above the rest... this was a scrimmage and it was really a first chance for the fans to see how the parts of this Suns team will fit together. We can start by looking at Grant Hill, perhaps the one we're most likely to examine because he was the biggest signing this summer. I really did not see any ill-effects of season after season of injuries. He really seemed to have a pop in his step and I think he'll fit in well. His ball handling and decision making with passing and his ability to create his own shot (yes he can still do this) will help our team immensely. The highlight of his night was on a fastbreak when he ran the ball up the court with Nash closely guarding him and he broke off of Nash with a swift behind the back dribble and went all the way to the hoop for a lay up. If he plays anything like tonight, our offense this year will be that much better.

The rookies are another point of interest. At some points of the game it seemed like they disappeared (now that I think about it one play does not stand out in my mind). However, Tucker and Strawberry look like they have something to offer. Tucker's shot has some ways to go, but if he gets hot, it seems like he cannot miss. I was really hoping to see some high flying dunks from this rookie but he seemed to play conservatively, but he did fit in well with the flow of the game. Strawberry played some hardnosed defense and looks to be someone who might be able to play point guard in small stretches for us. He was taking charges in the game and this had me scared for obvious reasons... DON'T do that until the season starts, DJ!

I could see there were some wildcards for the Suns. First would be a player named Doug Thomas. I'm not too sure of who he is, but all I know is this man knows how to finish above the rim. He literally jumps out of the building. He would be a good athletic addition to the team. Another surprise was Sean Marks. We haven't seen him play much in Phoenix because of the wealth of talent that is ahead of him on the bench. But one should not write off this New Zealander. He showed the ability to knock down the mid range to long range jumpshot and he also showed the ability to defend the basket (he had a monster block on a camp trainee [Marshall] and he finished that play with a dunk on the other end). I hope Marks gets some playing time this year. We should also look for Marcus Banks to be a bigger part of the team this year. He did not look so lost in the Phoenix offense tonight. It seems he has found his niche in the team and he might have the opportunity to flourish along with Barbosa in the backcourt this year. Banks had many threes and many times I saw him split the double team with his quick dribbling. I'm excited for him.

As for those players we expect another stellar season from, they did not disappoint tonight. Marion seemed himself out on the floor and showed no hints of being an individual who wants out of his team. He managed to get out on the fastbreak many times and finish strong at the basket as only he can. As usual, I never really saw him put the ball on the floor to create his own shot. I know we give him a lot of gripe for not being able to shoot coming off the dribble, or drive towards the basket after breaking off his defender with a crossover, but we have to remember in the Suns system we don't need him to do this. I really hope a trade does not go through, Marion means a lot to the team. Diaw looked like he will start attacking the basket a lot more this year. His jumpshot still leaves something to be desired, but I can't wait to see him post up and finish with finesse in the paint (I also wouldn't object to him throwing it down hard in the lane either). Barbosa was himself as usual, however he did not get out on the fastbreak as much as I would have liked to see. Raja was the same Raja, knocking down his outside shots. Nash, while not quite showing MVP form, did not show any sign of slowing down. I'm sure as the season wears on he'll show us why he deserved his third straight trophy last year. As for Amare, I wish him speedy recovery. He spent much of the night in his gray sweatpants with his gray Suns hoodie. I went courtside to get some pictures of him but he walked away from me, sadly. I have some good pictures of the back of his head!

The only real darkhorse is Brian Skinner. I really did not notice him out on the floor. It's easy to lose a guy not known so much for his offense on a team known for its offensive style. It remains to be seen what he can bring to this team. I only remember him being at the free throw line a lot... if this is to be the case he should work on that percentage of his.

I found that the night ended way too soon. And I couldn't help but be disappointed that I didn't get autographs as I gathered that many people there hoped to get as well. But just seeing these players up close was something special. We're lucky to have this team in our city and no matter what we really should never have anything bad to say about them. So long as they go out every night and compete, I'm happy. There is no doubt a bitter taste in all our mouths with how last season ended, but this is a new year. We might be disappointed with those signings or trades we didn't make and those players that we have given up. But I look at this team and I really think they have a good a chance at accomplishing that ultimate goal as any of the past teams we hoped would reach the promised land. Here's to a good season!! GO SUNS!

... If I can get my videos posted I'll link them here!
UPDATE: Here's that video. I just lazily put this together so it's not a work of video art, but it beats uploading a bunch of short clips.

SB Nation User Blog: whatisboxhappening

Saturday Public Scrimmage