| 29 October 2009
Yes - our fingers are bleeding - because we have been doing some real stat walking in the wake of the Suns squeeeker victory on opening night. And we noticed something overloooked by most commentators - including the local barkeep. You see, the Suns did worse from the field than their opponents - LA's lesser cousins - the Clippers.
That's right. While grabbing a last minute win - the Suns hit 51.2% from the field - a statistically significant shortfall from the 55.8% nailed by the Clippers. That left the Suns down by 4 points but they made it up by doing much better from the free throw line (74.1% vs. 55.6%) and knocking down one more long-ball 3 pointer (7 vs. 6).
But where the Suns stumbled worst was in making just two - yes - TWO - fast break points. That's one of the consequences of having Channing Frye play center from the boondocks where he went 1 - 3 from beyond the arc. Grant Hill compensated by grabbing 13 rebounds but the quick outlet pass rarely materialized as the old man had only two assists all night.
To make the fast break work the Suns need some quality grabs and quick passes down the court for the easy score. And that's where Jared Dudley could come in.
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Yep - we're talking-up Duds again.With 23 minutes on court against LA, he snatched 7 boards - second only to Hill. Duds also hit for 6 points. This brings to mind the possiblity of a new starting line-up with four big men and just one guard gracing the court. It would go like this:
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Dudley
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Hill
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Amar'e Stoudemire
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Channing Frye
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Steve Nash
This line-up would put an increasingly forceful Dudley on the court for maximum quality minutes while keeping three other bigs in the mix. The Suns gain a big advantage from this combo because it opens up so many scoring options and leaves Nash in place to guide the offense. And Duds can effectively compliment Frye's outside shooting by being an inside shooter and - yes we'll say it - the rebounding beast so many think the Suns need.
Coach Gentry tipped his hat in this line-up by putting it on the court for key minutes against the Clippers.
So a word of advice - let's open Friday's game against Golden State with Duds & Company. It will ease of the pressure off of Amar'e until he get's up to full speed and could help set the tone for the offense we need.
Now don't forget to cast your vote in the www.sunsstufft.com poll and let Coach Gentry know how you feel.
See ya'
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