I agree with you, Michael. Nash was simply amazing last night.

Michael,

Thank you!! I am so glad you wrote about the Suns v. Mavs!! What an exciting game!! I love the Suns!! What a roller coaster ride! It beat the lochness monster, rebel yell and all the rest.

Nash is such a class act. When interviewed - he gives all credit to the fans of Dallas and the Mavericks. He kept commenting they really enjoyed the competition. It was great fun.

Thats what is so great about Nash & those guys. Nash loves the adversity and challenge of a good opponent.
He's a "Gladiator"

All teams need a Gladiator that's always ready to tangle with whatever the Emperor may send.

Amazing! He'll play like that whether they pay him 900,000 or 50 million AND!! I don't think Nash will give it one thought if he doesn't get MVP.

He wants a championship. He is getting old but who would know. Now, they've got to go thru Avery Johnson, "The Little General"

April 1 will be exciting as well. The Suns don't do a whole bunch of "talk" just on the floor action. Last year, when their run in the playoffs ended, so many sports writers all over the country wrote of their sadness the fun ended, Wilbon included. I too was sad. What an adrenaline rush.

Thanks Michael, I know I'm in Wizards country but I really enjoyed that game.

P.S. Did you see that Corey Magette shot?
How did he do that?

Folks, These are notes from the
Suns v. Mavs game about Stoudemire:

"He was unstoppable," D'Antoni said. "He had a little sore back, a little muscle cramp or something in the first half. ... But, man, did he rise to the occasion in the fourth quarter."

Stoudemire - 41 points...Now that's what I'm talkin about! That guy plays like the players of old - you play thru it.

Wiz fans...keep that in mind when ya keep discussing & makin excuses...41 points with back spasms and cramps!!!

That is what makes the NBA fun - the Miami and Wiz game was just as fun.

That Dallas/Phoenix game was a great game last night. So great to see a game played with the style and talent that made the NBA what it is today.
Pat Riley's force basketball(Bully Ball or Big Butt Bumbing Ball) nearly destroyed the NBA. Give me a game with talented players with skills and the court opened up so they have ability to use them and it will keep me up for two overtimes.
In another game that I was switching to during the breaks it was interesting to see that when the Clippers went small Houston kept Yao out there. Brand did drive around him once for a big basket, but Yao got some key stops and created some turnovers with his height. Goes to show you don't let the other team dictate your best players to the bench.
Nash is a great player, but am I the only person on the planet that sees that when he drives the lane he uses short little choppy steps to freeze a guy before he dishes or shoots? Nice move, devastating, and so quick it's hard to pick up on it, I've watched it over and over in games after I saw him here in Washington live, but there are consistantly 2 1/2 to 3 of them after he picks up his dribble. And the Mavs and the Suns must have a gentleman's agreement with the Ref's, as long as we both move on EVERY screen don't call em!
Good effort by the Wiz last night, I know alot of people hate Ruffin and I think he may be the worst offensive player in the history of the game. But those two good hard clean fouls in the third had as much to do with that win as Gil getting the grill set up.
After O'Neal getting a couple of good hard shots on Gilbert in the first half we needed to make the statement that if that's how you guys want to play lets play. Seemed like to me the Pacers wilted after that. Wonder if Ruffin could play in a Hockey mask? Think guys would get the point?
Blatch will get some time if Butler is down for a few games. I suspect from what is being said Butler might have some tendoniatis. It can occur real quick if you try and play or work through a sprain or bruise. Not much you can do but get on the proper anti-inflams and shut it down. Good news is that it heals fast and completly if you quit irratating it. If you don't it won't go away.
Butler's being down would give EJ the chance to go long with Blatch, Songalia or Booth at the 4 and Jamison at the 3. Songalia showed signs last night that he is getting through the "dead legs" and is starting to round into shape. We'll need him down the stretch.

"MVP Is Nash's To Lose"

Wrong again Mike, Dirk is MVP.

It took them two OT's and half of Dallas's team to foul out just for them to win.

I've been saying this all year. Nash is definately a great, great, player and deserves all of the accolades he gets but not this year. Sorry.

You're right about one thing though, one game does not a season make.

- Ray

Did somebody say: Watching the Wiz v. Miami game was as exciting as Suns v. Mavericks?
Bridgewater - Goodness! What game were you watching? They can't begin to get close in comparison.

The Miami game? - only acid indigestion from wondering which team will show up tonite - will they play with any inconsistency? Will the Hibatchi cook or are we out of gas? Will the bigs come to play or will EJ play small ball? Do these guys really want to make the playoffs? Oh! We're up 20 points 1st qtr!! %^&(^&we're down 22 pts 3rd qtr! Ugh small ball!! Hey!!How'd we lose that game? skizoid stuff.

When I go to or turn on the game...I hold my breath cuz they are so inconsistent. More so than the weather. Better thean they were- just not strong in basic fundamentals and leadership.

But for Phoenix, Dallas or even Jazz. Those coaches have those guys minds set to bring it every night.

Not knockin the Wiz cuz its definitely better than it was but quite frankly I just don't see how you compare last nites game with anything the past few weeks.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE DUDE "GACK" THAT USED TO BURN UP THE BLOG AND RUN EVERYBODY AWAY FROM THE BLOG THAT SAID THE LEAST LITTLE NEGATICE THING ABOUT WIZ KIDS?

DID THE LAST 3 LOSES GET TO HIM?

Amazing game. The Suns are absolutely the best reason to pay attention to the NBA this year. So much fun to watch, and Nash rocks. As far as the MVP talk goes, name one other player in the league who is not only a superb individual player, but makes everyone on his team better. He plays smart, he is all about his team, and he never tries to take any credit. Nowitzki is great, but he just doesn't have that knack for setting up his teammates for successful shots. Nash all the way!

Gilbert Arenas?????

Sike..

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!

I can't blame Dirk for not setting up his teammates like Nash. Nash is the PG and has the ball in his hands. Even Larry Bird, as great as he was, was never averaging 10 assists/game.

You just gotta just appreciate both players at what they do best in their respective positions. Hard to compare them...kinda like apples to oranges. Now Nash vs. Agent Gilby. That's an easy comparison (ref last Suns game at the phone booth).

Phoenix has more talent than Dallas. Amare might be the best big in the league right now, and Phoenix has a better and deeper bench too.

This may be the most ridiculous criteria I've seen for MVP. Yeah, Nash's team won a game against Dirk's team. But the award is for the entire season, not one game. Dirk has been the best player in the league all season. His team has been the best in the league all season. Moving Nash ahead based on one game is absurd.

DC Man (I use that term very loosely) why don't YOU reference Gilbert's game against the Suns in Phoenix???

Notice that you can't say anything bad about his game last night so you have to find fault with something long ago.

Lisa (very loose also), I think the Verizon game was a better indicator. During that game, Les Boules were at home, and had every reason to win, but got blown out, nevermind schooled and clowned by the Suns. At the earlier Phoenix game, the Suns got to their arena 1.5 hours before tipoff, cuz they were stuck in a Denver snow storm. Even still, the Suns almost squeezed out the victory going to double overtime before losing by 5 pts. Can't really compare Les Boules win vs. Suns blowout (22 pts) in regulation.

You have to look more the ingredients to the win, not just the win itself...like I told you yesterday about your hype about the Hawks and Golden State. I don't need to repeat that again.

Not only did I not say anything bad about last night's game, I said good things. Surprise! As I wrote, their assists were near their average, and they won on the boards, but of course, they, as the division leaders, should have beaten the Pacers who have lost 10 in a row and were without Jamaal Tinsley. Nothing to get excited about. Talk to me when they beat the Cavs in a playoff series, or the Heat for more than 1 game in a row with their main guns.

Being a Suns fan I hope Nash gets his third, but I think it will all be determined by the team with the best record. If Phoenix finishes with the best record, Nash will get it. If Dallas finishes with the best record, Nowitzki will get it.

Anyway, what a game last night. And even though Nowitzki is great player and blah, blah, blah, the dood choked on those 2 FT. He makes 'em, Mavs up by 4 - game over. He missed one and that lead to Nash hiting the game tying 3, which led to Nowitzki missing the last shot in regulation, which led to Nash making that great play in the 2nd OT, which led to Nowitzki missing the last shot in the 2nd OT.

Why does Nowitzki always look like he's about to kill his mother?

"Phoenix has more talent than Dallas. Amare might be the best big in the league right now, and Phoenix has a better and deeper bench too."

what is this guy smoking?

":Dirk Nowitzki was thus forced to settle for the evening's biggest, loudest dunk (for a change) as part of a rather unsatisfying 30 points, 16 boards and six assists. All he'll remember, surely, are the four measly points he managed in the two extra periods and five free throws Dallas uncharacteristically missed in the fourth quarter that could have sealed a 3-0 lead in the season series. Three of those misses came from Nowitzki, who's only a 91-percenter. "

Steve Nash won the battle of the Most Valuable Player candidates, totaling 32 points, 16 assists and eight rebounds in an outing highlighted by a late fallaway 3-pointer in regulation to force overtime and -- get this -- an acrobatic steal of an inbounds pass in the final minute of the second overtime with the Mavs down just two. No wonder Suns teammates serenaded him with chants of "Three Time, Three Time'' when the two-time reigning MVP made it back to the locker room.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dailydime-070315

I am sooo sick of hearing about the Suns getting stuck in Denver and arriving just before they had to play the game against the Wiz. That simply gave them more time to rest.

Did not hear the media making a big deal about the Wizards nightmare flight (and bus travel) when the played MN.

And before you make a rude statement, I am not comparing the Wiz to the Suns. The Suns are a fabulous team with the amazing Steve Nash leading the way. The Wiz are still trying to find their way.

Nash had a great game last night and is playing at his prime again this year and the MVP is most likely a two horse race between him and Nowitzki. Great game, enjoyed the matchup very much.
But Gilbert Arenas went out and shot 10/22, 5/8 from 3, 10/13 from the line for 35 points when his team REALLY needed a win. By the way he handed out 8 assists, had a key block and a steal and only 3 turnovers. Played compentant defense, and he lite up the Pacers in the third when it was clear that Butler was out.
But most impressive to me was the way he worked the pick and roll game with Antawn in the first half. He really seemed to be working at getting Jamison the ball for some great shots that Jamison could catch and shoot or make his quick swopes to the hoop to score.
Stellar game when his team needed it to hold onto first place. No he's not a league MVP yet. But still is "Pretty Damn Good" in my book. By the way he has the most points in the league this year for a team that's still in first place.
For all of the negative vibes on this site in the last couple of weeks I still can't get over the fact that we're in first place at this point of the season. Who would have predicted that in Nov. ?
You got to give the Heat credit for the run they're putting on, but it isn't over yet. And I still like the upside of this team. EG isn't done building yet, and this version of the Big Three is only in their second year together.
Jordan isn't a finished product as a Head Coach but he is experimenting and trying to figure out what works with this club. Recently I see signs that he's starting to trust his bigs in the 4th.
I know alot of posters were upset with Blatch being inactive last night, but when we were going on the road with a team that can be tough on the boards and was trying to end a losing streak, I think it came down to Blatch or Booth. In that case you go with the harder nosed veteran player. The upside is much higher with Blatch, but this time of year Coaches go with the guys that they know exactly what they're getting.
Why do you think Riley has all those Vets. on that roster? Not many Rookies, and no more than Blatch played last year and as young as he is I'd still think of him as a rookie, are going to get alot of playing time at this point of the season when his team is battling for first place.

C'mon Lisa. If the Suns being stuck in an airport is a bad excuse, then why were some people, including you I think, using the excuse that Les Boules were stuck in Minnesota and had to take a bus and Caron hurt his back because of sitting on the bus, and this and that and this and that?

It's a two way street honey. Obviously big guys sitting in tight coach seats, or sitting in a stupid greyhound bus, affects their bodies. Also, teams getting to an arena late and being taken out of their rhythm and pregame ritual throws them off also. We are not pro basketball players, so we don't know what was thrown off, but given that, we need to give them the benefit of the doubt that their routine was thrown out of whack.

Blatch vs. Booth, but he didn't play Booth even though he was active. Kind of strange. It's also strange how well this team can play if they share the ball and make passes to each other, but some weirdo on the team prefers "helter skelter" basketball. Can't figure out why....

Can't have a day without a "I hate Gilbert" Comment! I would think Booth didn't play because Songalia didn't miss a shot. Ruffin played a few more minutes than I'd expected, but he was out there to use his fouls(5 in 15 minutes, I think). Couple of good hard clean fouls in the third that changed the tempo of the game.
Even 10 players at this point of the season is alot to get played, check out the box scores of most contenders down the stretch. I'd imagine Blatch will be active for sure while Butler's out playing time will vary by matchups. I like Blatch at 4 and Jamison at 3 sometimes, it makes us very long and quick when they combine with Haywood.
But I suspect we're going to see bigger doses of Songalia as he rounds into shape. He is a really good passer and shooter and has spent alot of time in college and the Kings in this offense. EJ seems to be using some wringles and sets with him that they don't run with their other big guys.

Don't shoot the messenger. I think the last thing the team needed was the face of the franchise saying he is itching to run a "helter skelter" offense. It really shows how warped his priorities are.

I seriously bet that if we play the Cavs again and Lebron starts talking trash, Agent Gilby is going to feel compelled to abandon and ignore any pleas for playing a controlled offense, but instead, try to show Lebron the swagger and hibachi by going buckwild whenever he touches the ball. This guy will go off on the deep end whenever provoked, team be d@mned.

We are well aware of your intense hatred of Gilbert...and it really does not matter to us.

One important thing to note: no matter what YOU think of him...he is our FRANCHISE - and that ain't changing. The team would not be where it is without the addition of Gilbert Arenas and despite what some people say the team is in a good place - especially considering the cellar we dwelt in for so long.

Steve Nash must be on andro, human growth hormone, or that Barry Bonds lotion or something. How else can you explain his recent ascension to NBA God? How does a nice NBA player go from Scott Skiles to John Stockton after the age of 30. Seems quite similar to many baseball players that go from good to GREAT after one offseason...but let's not call George Mitchell just yet.

And yes...I said NBA God. He is on pace to win three MVP's in a row. That's rare in professional team sports. Just think about...after Nash wins the MVP this year, we will mention him in the same sentence as Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlin, and Bill Russell as guys that achieved the 3-peat as MVP. In NFL, just two, Y.A. Tittle and Brett Favre....In NHL, Wayne Gretsky, Bobby Orr... In MLB Cy Youngs, Sandy Koufax, Greg Maddux, Randy Johnson.

Steve Nash must be a first ballot hall of famer...And for some reason, I still think guys like John Stockton, Mark Price, and Isiah Thomas were better. (If you don't agree, look at their career stats).

Sweet Lisa,

Maybe I hate Gilby, maybe I don't. Why do you care so much to point it out? Some people on this blog hate Jarvis. Do I care? Not in the slightest.

I'm going to continue to provide my analysis and observations. Since Agent Gilby is the face of this franchise, he'll be part of all that. Good night and sweet dreams.

DC Man88 is actually Clewiston88, the troll from the ESPN Wizards board. He hates the Wizards and loves the Heat/Wade. Try to ignore him.

It's the same old song...A different day but he goes on and on...the same old song...
4 million keystrokes later and the message hasn't changed, every day, all day. I hate Gilbert Arenas, I hate the Wizards, and most of all, I hate anybody that don't hate Gilbert and the Wizards!
Most of us aren't buying what he's selling here. But Mikie and some of his new friends think he's a basketball God that is revealing the hidden secrets of the game to them.
All this crapola about CONTROLED offenses is his latest slant on the Anti-Arenas rant. I'm sorry, but you can go to ANY park and about 80 percent of what NBA teams run is being ran by 5 guys that just got together on the sidelines. Pick and roll, high screens, baseline cuts, backdoor cuts, every player that's played any amount of B-Ball can run them all. And they're all based on how your defender matches up, not on plays from the sideline.
The difference between guys like Nash, Kidd, Iverson, and yes, Arenas is they can make thoose reads, figure out where all 9 other guys are going to go and make the pass, cut, shot, or drive in a split second. They can play at about 90 MPH while most park players top out at about 35MPH. And the MVP caliber guys like Nash or Kidd in his prime can also make that read and know where the open spot on the floor will develope and will either go there or realize which of his teammates is headed there and have the ball there for him when he arrives.
Oscar Robinson didn't use the words Helter/Skelter(Don't think the Beatles had used it yet)but he used to talk about ramping up the pace until the other team wasn't comfortable. I think he compared it to driving a racecar, everybody has a top speed that they are comfortable driving at. He said you just want to go faster.
But hell, what would the Big O know?

yo GM get your facts straight before you make a post. I do not think DC Man88 is a god, as you put it. I just gave the man some "props" for his analysis on my statement about Jarvis and Calbert Cheney.

However, I do not agree with anything I have seen about his comments about Gilbert. I don't have a problem letting someone know when they make a good point. That is not a problem for me.

Does this still sound like this is coming from the same computer??????

Did I mention your name in my post about the same computor??? Read the posts here for the last few weeks, and if you want to keep handing out props to the guy feel free.
I think you're the only one I've seen do it besides the friends that use the same grammer, miss spell the same words, and rag on anyone that disagrees with him about anything.
But I guess that I'm just too old to understand this great new imaginary world where you can go on line and be anybody or sometimes as many bodies as you want.

Gosh, GM is really infatuated with me and what I have to write. All these personal attacks on me, and trying to rally everyone against me. It's pitiful.

I just wish people would stick to critiquing the team, the players, and the coaches and not get so personal. You're clearly an Abe Pollin lapdog and a Gilbert Arenas apologists, but you don't see me harping on it all the time. I can understand though, since you have a vested interest because you're a season ticket holder.

GM, you seriously need to get over it, stop obsessing over me, and go have a drink. It's almost St. Patty's day. Chill brotha!

Off to have a drink with all the fellas?

Lisa, I'd like to correct you.(not that it'll make any difference)The Suns weren't only stuck in Denver. Upon leaving -they then sat on buses enroute to the airport for 4 hrs. Flew for 5 hrs, then 2 more hours on buses -not running around in hotel rooms or practicing before they walked into the arena one hour before the start of the game. Including missing one of there primary players. The Wiz Kids got a gift and should move on about it. The Suns are a great standup team. They don't run around yellin "fowl" They let their game speak for them. Be thankful it wasn't Shaq & the Heat - The Shaq Diesel would remind the press and everybody else about it. No doubt.

Wiz - kick your game up a notch and keep it movin...thats the best remedy.

Vic, I agree with you. I am a big Suns fan but a realist. The MVP will go to the team with the better record. Right now, it doesn't look like the Suns will get there but the one thing they have done, at least to me is: BOUGHT FUN & EXCITEMENT BACK TO THE NBA.

The good thing about them - they aren't perfect and don't profess to be. Cuz when they gave a bad game. They don't blame anybody...Nash(very amazing) gives the other team, players and coaches all the credit and notes their errors.

Curious to see how they will do with Detroit Friday. Rasheed has already issued the team threat: "They better be afraid of us!!" How cool is that. I have to work tonite - hope to record it.

I got to agree with Robin that the greatest thing about the Suns is bringing some fun and style back to the NBA.
I could never figure out how Pat Riley, the coach of showtime, ended up being the big proponent of force basketball. Don't get me wrong I love good post play. Drop steps, up and under moves, head fakes, turn around jumpers, Wilt's finger rolls, the sky hook, are all fun to watch.
But watching guys get in the blocks and butt bump their way through the defender, and watching guys tug and grab at players to keep them from getting to the rim ain't no fun.
I think Riley was so focused on beating the Bulls and didn't have the talent to beat them at basketball he tried to change the game, and he did for awhile.
Glad to see teams playing basketball again. In many ways I'm rooting for the Suns and the Mav's because if they win it all pro sports is monkey see, monkey do, everybody will copy them.

Boys & Girls, this is in todays paper by Ivan Carter:

Before the game, Coach Eddie Jordan indicated that he planned on trimming his playing rotation and he deactivated second-year forward Andray Blatche

Your guess is as good as mine

Yes, no Blatche. In the article, Jamison says he told Blatche to "stay focused and ready - he'll never when he's called.

That's why they keep Jamison. I guess Booth/Songalia/Hayes/Thomas will be stepping up. Lets stay tuned to the Eddie Jordan Show and pray for success. Go Wiz!

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