It just occurred to me that despite their denials, perhaps the Lakers are boycotting Arizona after all. What else could explain Tuesday’s performance against the Suns, in which Phil Jackson once again proved that he’s the greatest NBA coach of all time (non-zone defense division). From Tauntr.com, creators of this GIF image:
The excellent second-half play of the Suns’ deep bench proved to be the difference. The backups simply caught fire, going 20 of 32 from the field while hitting nine three pointers.
One of the key reserves to contribute was 24-year-old Phoenix guard Goran Dragic, who more than capably filled in for star Steve Nash in the fourth quarter. Given the damage Nash’s body has sustained these playoffs, from his Nashclops eye to his busted nose, allowing the perennial MVP candidate to rest alone added value to the team. But Dragic did a whole lot more, finishing with eight points, eight rebounds and four assists in 18 minutes. Even still, his ultimate impact was greater than the stat sheet indicates. He was the driver of the Suns’ 18-3 run to close the win in the fourth quarter, driving to the lane reminiscent of San Antonio Spurs star Manu Ginobli.
As Harvey Araton of the New York Times writes, the emergence of Dragic means Phoenix doesn’t have to “merely survive anymore when Nash rests early in the second and fourth quarters.”
Of course the Suns still have to win a game in LA, which is not the Dragic’s natural habitat.
***
Dragic, Bench Fuels Suns’ Game Four Win Over Lakers [Tauntr]
-
- yeppers - May 26, 2010 at 3:08 PM
-
As Odom goes, the Laker goes. He is the key in this series. Kobe and Gasol are going to do their thing but someone else has to step up. Would love to see the Sun beat the Lakers though
Nash deserves a trip to the finals.
I think it will be Lakers v Celtics. Beat LA! Beat LA!
