SBNation.com - Purple Stuffed: Suns' D No Match For Kobe And Lakers, 111-103https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46737/sbn-fave.png2010-05-29T23:55:09-04:00http://www.sbnation.com/rss/stream/12570492010-05-29T23:55:09-04:002010-05-29T23:55:09-04:00Purple Stuffed: Suns' D No Match For Kobe And Lakers, 111-103
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<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><i>For more on tonight's game, check out our Lakers blog at <a href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" target="_blank">Silver Screen and Roll</a> and our Suns blog at <a href="http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/" target="_blank">Bright Side Of The Sun</a>.</i></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Phoenix, AZ (<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/events/59491/recap/105595" target="_blank">Sports Network</a>) - <span>Kobe Bryant</span> poured in 37 points as the <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #c61c17; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/LAL" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Lakers</a> gained their third straight trip to the NBA Finals with a 111-103 win over the <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #c61c17; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/PHO" class="sbn-auto-link">Suns</a>.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">The defending NBA champions, who eliminated Phoenix in six games in the Western Conference finals, will have a familiar foe in the title series. For the second time in three years and for a record 12th time in NBA history, the Lakers will battle the <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #c61c17; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/BOS" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Celtics</a> for the championship.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Last year, the Lakers secured their 15th title with a five-game victory over Orlando, but in 2008 Boston topped Los Angeles in six games. The Celtics, gunning for their record 18th title, are coming off a six-game series win over the <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #c61c17; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/ORL" class="sbn-auto-link">Magic</a> in the East finals. Game 1 will be Thursday in Los Angeles.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><span>Ron Artest</span>, whose put-back gave the Lakers a dramatic 103-101 win in Game 5 on Thursday, ended with 25 points in the series clincher.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><span>Amare Stoudemire</span> led the way with 27 points for the Suns, who were denied their first NBA Finals appearance since 1993. They've never won the championship. It was also possibly Stoudemire's final game in a Phoenix uniform, as he's due to be a free agent this summer.</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/2010/5/29/1493535/lakers-suns-score-recap-kobe-bryantAdam Jacobi2010-05-29T17:43:58-04:002010-05-29T17:43:58-04:00Suns Blog: 'PLAY REALLY REALLY HARD'
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<p>Over at our Suns blog, Bright Side of the Sun, <a href="http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2010/5/29/1492991/preview-suns-vs-lakers-game-6">Seth Pollack espouses his thoughts</a> on Saturday night's Game Six in no uncertain terms:</p>
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<p>The Suns game plan is really pretty obvious. Play hard. REALLY REALLY HARD</p>
<p>When the Suns do that they beat the Lakers. When Amare is aggressive attacking the rim and all the boys are attacking the glass and employing their Run and Rebound and Zone game plan the outcome is virtually guaranteed.</p>
<p>Yes, I said it. I am guaranteeing a Suns win for no other reason than I would hate to see this amazing season end tonight at home. This series MUST go back to LA for a Game 7 and only then would I be satisfied with any result.</p>
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<p>As an aside, Pollack also has the scoop on this delightful bit of whimsy.</p>
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<p>During the media availability following Suns practice on Friday, we were gathered near the chairs on the side where Dudley and Jason were sitting and I look over to the far hoop where guys like Frye, Jones, Hill and Dragic were getting up some extra shots. My attention of course was focused on whoever I was <strike>interviewing </strike>standing close to w/ my mic hand extended when I hear a noise.</p>
<p>I look over and there's <span>Grant Hill</span> and Goran Dragic with their arms interlocked and dancing in a circle like a square dance move which I learned from<a href="http://noriks.tripod.com/ENGLISH/English-Index3.html" target="_blank"> this site</a> (Internet FTW!) is called an Arm Turn. Grant I believe was chanting something that sounded like "G-O-G-I" which of course is Goran's nickname, Gogi.</p>
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<p>Check out <a href="http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2010/5/29/1492991/preview-suns-vs-lakers-game-6">Bright Side of the Sun</a> to read a Game 6 preview from a Phoenix perspective.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/2010/5/29/1493204/suns-vs-lakers-game-6-preview-analysis-predictionJon Bois2010-05-29T14:31:51-04:002010-05-29T14:31:51-04:00Lakers Blog: Attack Suns' Zone Properly, Put Artest On Stoudamire
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<p>Our Lakers blog, Silver Screen and Roll, has put together <a href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2010/5/29/1492795/game-6-lakers-suns-preview-who">a Game 6 preview from an L.A. perspective</a>. C.A. Clark wants the Lakers, among other things, to properly respond to the zone defense...</p>
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<p>The Suns will play a majority of zone, and it will be up to the Lakers to attack that zone properly as they did for most of Game 5, and drain the outside shots if they decide to take them. Draining 3s is one way to defeat a zone real quick, but the Lakers' 3 point shot has deserted them in the last 3 games. However, there is precedent for the Lakers rising to the challenge and shooting well on an opponent's home floor in a close out game (see OKC, game 6).</p>
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<p>...and tab Ron Artest to defend Amar'e Stoudamire.</p>
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<p>I'd like to see Ron-Ron get some time defending Amar'e. With <span>Andrew Bynum</span> failing to take advantage of his major edge in size because of physical limitations, I think the Lakers should go small, with Ron at the 4, Pau or LO at the 5 (If the Suns are playing Frye and Amar'e at the same time, we absolutely can play LO at the 5) and see what Stoudemire does when he can't automatically blow by his man. No one out-muscles Ron-Ron, but he also has enough quickness to keep up with guys like <span>Kevin Durant</span>. He'd be giving up lots of size to Stoudemire, but it might be a nice change up to throw, making Amar'e beat the Lakers with straight post moves that I'm not sure he possesses. It's certainly not something to be done in large doses, and it is dangerous to try and beat the Suns at their own game (going small) but if Amar'e is in full Bully Ball mode, abusing our bigs along the way, it might be worth a look.</p>
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<p>Check out the full post at <a href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2010/5/29/1492795/game-6-lakers-suns-preview-who">Silver Screen and Roll.</a></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/2010/5/29/1493026/lakers-vs-suns-game-6-preview-predictions-analysis-amare-stoudamire-ron-artestJon Bois2010-05-29T14:14:44-04:002010-05-29T14:14:44-04:00Game 6, 8:30 P.M.: Suns Look To Bounce Back, Spare Us The Lakers-Celtics Narrative
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<p>Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals tips off at 8:30 Eastern on ESPN. Before the game, be sure to check in with our <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/LAL">Lakers</a> blog, <a href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com">Silver Screen and Roll</a>, and our <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/PHO">Suns</a> blog, <a href="http://www.brightsideofthesun.com">Bright Side of the Sun.</a></p>
<p><i>Preview courtesy of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/events/59491/preview/105539">Sports Network.</a></i></p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../nba/teams/LAL">Los Angeles Lakers</a> stand on the brink of a record 31st NBA Finals appearance as they get ready for Game 6 of the Western Conference finals against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../nba/teams/PHO">Phoenix Suns</a> tonight.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../nba/players/21629/Ron_Artest">Ron Artest</a> caught <span>Kobe Bryant</span>'s air ball and put in the winning shot at the buzzer, lifting the Lakers to a dramatic 103-101 win over Phoenix in the pivotal Game 5 of the set in LA on Thursday.</p>
<p>Artest missed a quick three-pointer in the closing minute, allowing the Suns a chance to eventually tie the game, when <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../nba/players/21518/Jason_Richardson">Jason Richardson</a> banked in a three- ball with 3.5 seconds left.</p>
<p>"I don't know why I left him in the game, I actually questioned it myself when I put him on the floor, and he made the key play," Lakers coach <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../nba/players/98740/Phil_Jackson">Phil Jackson</a> said of Artest.</p>
<p>Bryant then received the ensuing inbounds pass from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../nba/players/21877/Lamar_Odom">Lamar Odom</a>, but under heavy pressure, his three-point shot from the right corner was short. Artest darted through traffic and under the hoop to beat Richardson to the ball, and his put-back fell through as time expired, giving the Lakers their 11th straight home playoff win.</p>
<p>"I thought Kobe got fouled on the shot, so I kind of figured it was going to be short," Artest said. "It looked like he got hit on his arm a little bit."</p>
<p>The Lakers won the first two games of the series at Staples Center, then lost the following pair in Phoenix. The defending champions are now one victory away from a third straight trip to the NBA Finals and a chance to win their 16th NBA crown against the league's other marquee franchise, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../nba/teams/BOS">Boston Celtics</a>, who finished off the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../nba/teams/ORL">Orlando Magic</a> in six games to win the East finals on Friday.</p>
<p>Bryant finished just shy of a triple-double with 30 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in Game 5. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../nba/players/21732/Pau_Gasol">Pau Gasol</a> added 21 points and nine rebounds, while <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../nba/players/21648/Derek_Fisher">Derek Fisher</a> scored 22 for LA. Odom ended with 17 points and 13 rebounds.</p>
<p>Despite the incredible finish, it was a familiar script for the Lakers, who have never lost in 19 games at home of a Game 5 when a series is even. In those series, the Lakers are 17-1 all-time, with their only loss coming in the 1969 NBA Finals vs. Boston.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../nba/players/21914/Steve_Nash">Steve Nash</a> had 29 points and 11 assists for the Suns, who will try to stave off elimination tonight at US Airways Center, where they've won seven straight playoff games against the Lakers.</p>
<p>"That was tough. We gotta bounce back in Game 6," Suns forward <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../nba/players/21607/Grant_Hill">Grant Hill</a> said. "I'm proud of my teammates for showing a lot of heart. We'll need it loud in Phoenix for Game 6."</p>
<p>Stoudemire totaled 19 points, while Frye ended with 14 points and 10 boards in defeat.</p>
<p>"On defense we did great, everything we did was fine. It came down to one play. We had an opportunity to win, but we just didn't get it done," Suns coach <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../nba/players/98780/Alvin_Gentry">Alvin Gentry</a> said.</p>
<p>Nash, who has played in 117 postseason games, more than any other player in NBA history who has not made it to the Finals, remains confident heading into tonight's do-or-die game.</p>
<p>"I just said we're going home and win Game 6 and come back in Game 7," Nash said after practice on Friday. "Take that how you want to take it."</p>
<p>Artest, who was fined by the Lakers for showing up late to practice on Friday, wasn't happy with Nash's "guarantee."</p>
<p>"That's no respect for us. I'm sure we'll talk about it," Artest said. "Coaches have no respect for the Lakers. They have no respect for me. I'm sure Kobe heard that and I'm sure he'll do his part."</p>
<p>LA took three of four meetings vs. Phoenix in the regular season and won the Pacific Division by three games over the Suns.</p>
<p>In the postseason, the clubs have a long and storied history, meeting 11 times previously dating back to the 1969-70 season. The Lakers have won seven of those series but the Suns have rebounded to take four of the last five playoff sets between the two teams after dropping the first six. Phoenix has also taken the last two postseason matchups between the clubs, first round series in 2005-06 and '06-07.</p>
<p>LA and Phoenix have met twice previously in the Western Conference finals with the Lakers winning both, in 1984 and 1989.</p>
<p>Game 7 of the series, if necessary, will be back in Los Angeles on Monday.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/2010/5/29/2315854/game-6-8-30-p-m-suns-look-to-bounce-back-spare-us-the-lakers-celticsJon Bois