 LA head to Phoenix with some serious questions being asked of them, and a lot's expected over this small road-trip. 3 games: Phoenix, Golden State, Sacramento. 3 wins will be expected. So... what needs to happen for LA to realise that?A lot of people are talking about execution. Some more about defense, even more about offense. But for me it doesn't come down to Xs and Os, it comes down to attitude.
Getting mean, getting nasty.
At the end of last season, and the beginning of the season, the champs had an aura of flat out meanness about them. The Lakers were physical. They were the bully. They were ruthless, malevolent, despicable, and down right not nice.
Now?
Well sheesh... Matt Barnes figures he can pump-fake a pass at Kobe's face. Everyone sees the Lakers as beatable. Lamar Odom thinks that other teams see LA as "soft". If LA are to repeat then they've got to start to physically intimidate the teams they play. Start punishing people. Do that, and the rest will come.
Forget the minutiae - don't focus on outcomes. Focus on who you need to be. All starts with a game in Phoenix on Friday night.
And if LA come out angry? Remind me to send Matt Barnes a fruit basket.
*****
Behind Enemy Lines
I also got to talk with Seth Pollack from the Suns blog, Bright Side of the Sun. He took a few minutes off to answer some Qs for me.
Let's go:
Don (With Malice): First the big one: will Amar'e still be a 'Sun' next season?
Phoenix Stan (Bright Side of the Sun): Yes, for sure!
Unless he's not.
Seriously, no one knows at this point. A senior Suns official I spoke to this week said the more likely outcome is that he stays but as with everything Amare, I will believe it when I see it.
WM: Phoenix started the season like a bird on fire, then gradually simmered to a roast chicken. What's going on?
BSOTS: And is once again rising from the ashes!
The Suns are 14-4 since beating Dallas on TNT (and breaking an 0-18 TNT streak) on January 28th. They were 14-3 through the end of November. The difference now is defense. I broke down the numbers a few days ago and showed a big improvement on the defensive end and a HUGE improvement in rebounding. The obvious answer is Robin Lopez. He's had a huge impact. Far more than anyone thought possible.
WM: Shaq. You guys have had your own experiences with him. Is he boon or bane for Cleveland?
BSOTS: Oh, I think he's a good fit for Cleveland. I never blamed Shaq for what happened in Phoenix. He didn't ask to come here and he played as hard as he could while here. Is it his fault that he didn't fit with Nash or that he's too slow to defend the pick and roll? No. He is what he is and in Cleveland they have enough other pieces to maximize what he has left without having to rely too much on him.
WM: What's a song that sums up the Suns at the moment?
BSOTS: I am not very musical so I am going to whiff on this but I will go with "Know Your Enemy" by Green Day. Right now it is all about playoff match-ups.
WM: LA haven't been without their own problems of late: what's going to happen in the game at the US Airways Center?
BSOTS: Tough call. LA has looked like warmed over cow dung but they are still the Lakers.
The Suns are coming of five full days rest which is a mixed blessing since they will likely be rusty but they will also be more healthy with Barbosa and Dragic in the line up together for the first time in 6 weeks and we all know how LA struggles with speedy guards.
Nash is the big question mark. He's been really banged up lately and this week he's not exactly sounded confident that he'll make a full recovery during this time off. The Suns will also be without Frye (suspension) who has been great coming off the bench and stretching the floor.
I love how Robin has been playing in the paint which is the key against the Lakers. If Robin can continue to play without foul trouble (he has an amazingly low foul rate for a young big) and prevent Bynum from killing it at the rim and on the glass then I like our chances. That's the key match-up in my mind. Amare's level of play is the best it's been in a long long time and Grant Hill feels and is playing fantastic ball.
Kobe is Kobe but we've beat the Lakers when it is just the Kobe-show. As far as I'm concerned, the more jumpers he takes in the first 3 quarters the better. I don't care how hot he is, I go under screens and play off him and let him fire away. Richardson is strong and long and can at least battle him in the post without needing to bring help. Until the Lakers get back to playing that great team ball they had last season they are a very beatable team.
WM: Thanks for comin' Seth... go LA!
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