| 05 November 2009
So the Suns have lost their undefeated mo-jo in a real ugly one that was reminescent of a those bad Terry Porter-led days from a year ago. Our big guns stumbled and it was evident that Grant Hill, Steve Nash and Channing Frye might not have what it takes to play all-out in two high pressure away games that go back-to-back.
But don't let that nasty aftertaste get you down. Even the worst of the spoiled hamburger at the picnic can't stay with you forever - just avoid that ecoli. It can be a real killer.
Looking at the season so far, we're going to throw a bone to those kindly readers who are stuck on rebounding as the heart of the game by swallowing hard and looking at a little of that hardcore data. Ya' know -that stat stuff.
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So here it is for those out there who are focused on the bane of many a Suns fanatic - the worry of all worries - REBOUNDS.
Total Rebounds Offensive Rebounds Defensive Rebounds
Suns 44 16 28 Nov. 4
Magic 47 14 33 Nov. 4
Suns 43 6 37 Nov. 3 ***
Heat 42 12 30 Nov. 3
Suns 42 12 30 Nov. 1
T'wolves 46 16 30 Nov. 1
Suns 47 9 38 Oct. 30 ***
Golden State 38 9 29 Oct. 30
Suns 36 10 26 Oct. 28 ***
Clippers 35 7 28 Oct.28
Suns Total Rebounds - 212 Opponents Total Rebounds - 208
Yes, it is a slight edge - but it is an edge nonetheless. And who would have ever thought the Suns would snag more defensive rebounds than the vaunted Orlando Magic?!? Or that Amar'e Stoudemire, our pick for future Hall-of-Famer, would grab more than twice as many boards as the man known as Superman - Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard?!?
Mind you, STAT's big ball-grabbing edge (14 - 6) was accomplished while matching Howard in the point scoring department at 25 each. Granted Amar'e had more time on the court than Dwight - but he was the only Suns starter who was playing like he meant it and we were happy to see that our still recovering star is almost at full strength.
So - looking toward the Suns Friday match-up against the Boston Celtics on their home court in Bean Town - there is some good news to hang our collective hats on. And Boston - an undefeated Eastern Conference powerhouse - has not been brilliant in their rebounding so far this season with an average of just 39.2 per game. That's significantly below the Suns 42.4 per match-up.
The Suns are going to have be in peak form to make a real game out of this - but they have shown some genuine progress this year. And the rebounding story should calm a few Nervous Nellies out there in the blogger universe.
See ya'.
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