December, 2011 | Valley of the Suns

Entries from December 2011

Phoenix Suns’ signing of former All-Star Michael Redd a low risk situation

December 29th, 2011 · 29 Comments

PHOENIX — Following two disastrous knee injuries, it feels like Michael Redd hasn’t made a blip on the national radar since being a key contributor on the 2008 Redeem Team.
The former All-Star isn’t done yet.
The Phoenix Suns officially signed the veteran guard on Thursday and the pairing couldn’t be more perfect for either party.
“It’s a rebirth,” [...]

Philadelphia 76ers 103, Phoenix Suns 83 — Offensive offense

December 28th, 2011 · 37 Comments

PHOENIX — The 76ers throttled the Suns in US Airways Center for the second consecutive season days before New Year’s, but the two losses could not have been more different.
Last season’s defeat stemmed from a pitiful defensive effort that frustrated new center Marcin Gortat so much he spewed a verbal postgame rampage bemoaning the kind [...]

Preview: Philadelphia 76ers (0-1) at Phoenix Suns (0-1)

December 28th, 2011 · 4 Comments

Philadelphia 76ers 103, Phoenix Suns 83
PHOENIX — Sentimental wasn’t the way to describe Phoenix Suns rookie Markieff Morris following his NBA debut.
“I need to cut my hair,” he said to begin his media session following Tuesday’s practice.
And will it bear any significance that the Philadelphia native will get a shot at his hometown Philadelphia 76ers [...]

Still about offense: Suns want to speed it up, work on timing

December 27th, 2011 · 4 Comments

PHOENIX — Timing is everything in basketball. Cut or screen too soon or too late, and the offensive play crumbles.
The Phoenix Suns, like every other NBA team, haven’t had much practice time — not even casual pick-up games — to construct well-timed execution, and that had a great deal of impact in their season opening [...]

Breaking down the Suns’ final play against the Hornets

December 27th, 2011 · 6 Comments

After Eric Gordon drilled a 20-footer with 4.2 seconds left to give the Hornets an 85-84 lead on Monday night, it was Alvin Gentry’s turn to design a game-winning play that would catapult the Suns to a home-opener victory.
As seen in the video above, Gentry drew up a play that would, ideally, have Steve Nash throw the [...]

New Orleans Hornets 85, Phoenix Suns 84 — No go-to player

December 26th, 2011 · 32 Comments

PHOENIX — Eric Gordon showed the Phoenix Suns how badly they need a go-to player in New Orleans’ 85-84 victory over the Phoenix Suns tonight in US Airways Center.
Gordon drilled a 20-foot jumper over the outstretched arms of Jared Dudley with four seconds left that ended up being the game winner after Markieff Morris threw [...]