Lakers ready to face the Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns still have Steve Nash running the point, Grant Hill and Jason Richardson on the wings and young center Robin Lopez.
But the Suns are missing Amare Stoudemire, and that is a big piece of their offense that signed with the New York Knicks.
Now the Suns start Hedo Turkoglu, who was acquired from the Toronto Raptors in the Leandro Barbosa trade, at power forward. Hakim Warrick, who the Suns signed as a free agent, is the backup.
The Suns also signed Josh Childress, who spent the last two years playing in Greece.
So are the Suns that much different than what the Lakers faced last season in the Western Conference finals?
"You know, they really aren't [that different]," Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said after his team's shootaround Friday at US Airways Center. "But they miss Stoudemire's presence, that big body going down the lane dunking the ball."
Jackson said his Lakers will see a Phoenix team Friday night that still runs high pick-and-rolls and still lets Nash run the offense.
The Suns defeated the Jazz in Utah on Thursday night, and Warrick played a big role by scoring 18 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
Jackson said the Suns have a really good second unit that hustles and works hard.
-- Broderick Turner in Phoenix
Boo to BSPN games. I hope first game isnt close and/or doesnt goto overtime, because then we miss the first quarter. We hate this. Almost as much as we hate seeing a fan's face following a basket only to find out that we missed the inbounds pass being stolen. You suck BSPN -LMAO
@Justa. I noticed Nash got a little better last year, but his routine still goes something like: Licks fingers, licks fingers, fixes hair, high five, lick finger, fix hair, fix hair, hi-5, lick fingers... LMAO I wish I was one twentieth the basketball player he is.
It is going to be fun to see our second unit against who some say is the "best bench in the NBA". HA! Didnt quite cut it in last years playoffs did they?
HERE WE GO LAKESHOW! HERE WE GO!
Posted by: AndTheJellosJigglin | October 29, 2010 at 01:15 PM
jello - you forgot "does fake free throw.. licks fingers..." LMAO!!!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | October 29, 2010 at 01:23 PM
EastCoastJesse -
How are you? How's your friday so far? :-)
I'm out in London getting an MSc at London School of Economics (long story short). Do get me caught up with what's going on with you please!
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | October 29, 2010 at 01:34 PM
Remember back in `08 when UBUNTU was the word of the day in Boston and they were all lovey-dovey with each other. Check out the latest story from the Smell-ticks lockerroom (from hoopsworld.com):
"Less than one week after tempers flared during a two-on-two game in practice, Delonte West and Von Wafer had another altercation earlier this afternoon. During a three-on-three game with Avery Bradley, Luke Harangody, Semih Erden and assistant coach Tyronn Lue, West began fouling Wafer each time the reserve guard touched the ball. West was increasingly physical to the point that Wafer exited to the locker room midway through the game. As he walked away, West barked obscenities and taunted Wafer. After Wafer had showered and sat down at his locker, West approached from behind and threw a punch. Wafer didn't see the punch coming but quickly got off of the ground and connected on two punches of his own. He then wrestled West to the ground before being separated by the team's veterans. "
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | October 29, 2010 at 01:39 PM
LTLF - this makes all of us who did NOT want West look downright Einsteinian... or Nostradamusian... !
Posted by: justanothermambafan | October 29, 2010 at 01:43 PM
HOBBIT.......... show yourself man. I miss your posts.....
Posted by: justanothermambafan | October 29, 2010 at 01:45 PM
Oops Justa that's right! But really, pay attention tonite and you'll see he doesnt do any of it nearly as much anymore. Oh and sorry for stealing the first post-D'oh! New Rule: If Justa doesn't post in the first ten minutes-then its fair game!
Damn I'm starting to get awfully excited, the season has really started, four games in the next 6 days and I get to goto one of them!!! (Nov.3 v.Sactown Kings)
Does anyone have any idea why they made the Barbosa for Hidayet trade? I think it's awful, seems like Turkoglu is on the decline.
Posted by: AndTheJellosJigglin | October 29, 2010 at 01:46 PM
I always said 'nay' to Delonte...brother is much psycho...
Besides he would try to snake on Vanessa or Khloe...lol
Lakers Dynasty - The Next Generation...
#17 Coming Up!!!
Posted by: LEWSTRS | October 29, 2010 at 01:47 PM
Will Phil stick with the idea that you "ride the hot hand"? If so, should Walton be nicknamed Cool Hand Luke?
Posted by: Allnet | October 29, 2010 at 01:47 PM
What can i say about Delonte West? i didnt want him on the Lakers this summer but there were quite a few who did. i wonder if they still want him on this team?
Posted by: Cap's Goggles (83-79) | October 29, 2010 at 01:48 PM
CornerJ- Congrats, man is this your 2-3 RCOTD?
Posted by: 2Phatt | October 29, 2010 at 01:51 PM
justa,
>>>LTLF - this makes all of us who did NOT want West look downright
>>>Einsteinian... or Nostradamusian... !
or even predictabadfuturetorian!!! :-)
Actually, the problem is they've been so desperate for guard help for as little money as possible that they've had to take people who perform reasonably well (Nate, Wafer, West) but are head cases to some extent or another. And that's not to mention the fact that Garnett and Perkins are already head cases and two of the most t'd up players in the league.
With that much emotion + energy + malaise, they're asking to have bad team chemistry all season long. My guess is Wafer will be gone first, and if that doesn't clear things up then they'll reluctantly dump West as well.
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | October 29, 2010 at 01:52 PM
My 9 yr old son costume party at school was fun. He played a lot of games with his friends.
@63 nice add to the pat mix and now to quiken the pace to head nodding toe tapping jazz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6gXTZ4Fhxk
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | October 29, 2010 at 01:54 PM
>>>Besides he would try to snake on Vanessa or Khloe...lol
Of course not... he'd be too busy trying to hit on Kobe's mom.
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | October 29, 2010 at 01:54 PM
Will Phil stick with the idea that you "ride the hot hand"? If so, should Walton be nicknamed Cool Hand Luke?
Posted by: Allnet | October 29, 2010 at 01:47 PM
-------
ROFLMAO
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | October 29, 2010 at 01:56 PM
Allnet,
>>>Will Phil stick with the idea that you "ride the hot hand"? If so, should
>>>Walton be nicknamed Cool Hand Luke?
BA-DA-BING!!!!!
Very nice one.
Sadly, it looks like Luke's going to spend another year going from injury to injury and thus won't contribute again. It would be really nice if he could get fully healthy by about March so he could give them a few minutes a game when needed during the playoffs. But I'm starting to think the odds of Luke contributing this year is currently at slim and is on the bullet train to none.
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | October 29, 2010 at 01:57 PM
LongTimeLakerFan- I agree, can't have it.
Posted by: 2Phatt | October 29, 2010 at 01:57 PM
now a little mellower tune
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgggmB8Xons
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | October 29, 2010 at 02:08 PM
LTLF,
"But I'm starting to think the odds of Luke contributing this year is currently at slim and is on the bullet train to none."
Hallelujah! I've been trying to tell you that for years.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | October 29, 2010 at 02:12 PM
If the Lakers had signed Delonte West, Sasha would probably be dead by now.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | October 29, 2010 at 02:12 PM
OMG TRUTH - Sasha would be dead by now - NOW THAT IS FREAKING HILARIOUS!!!!
RCOTD!!! RCOTD!!!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | October 29, 2010 at 02:36 PM
OMG TRUTH - Sasha would be dead by now - NOW THAT IS FREAKING HILARIOUS!!!! RCOTD!!! RCOTD!!! Posted by: justanothermambafan | October 29, 2010 at 02
*
I second that!!
Posted by: mamba24 | October 29, 2010 at 02:55 PM
now a little mellower tune http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgggmB8Xons
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | October 29, 2010 at 02:08 PM
*
SWEET!!!!
Posted by: mamba24 | October 29, 2010 at 02:56 PM
Imagine if they got Delonte, Khloe, Vanessa, and Maria S. watch out.
Posted by: habib | October 29, 2010 at 04:26 PM
Phoenix Road Kill
Posted by: srafrank | October 30, 2010 at 06:32 AM