If It's Broken....FIX IT!

The Suns defense has been shattered...AGAIN!  These holes need to be fixed or the defense might need to be replaced altogether...like ASAP!  Call that guy that gives the free box of Omaha Steaks!

According to the Depressed's calculations, Tony Longoria scored 22 pts. in the paint!  That is ridiculous! The Depressed will make this short...why would you guard Parker or Ginobili 40 feet from the hoop only to be victims of the high screen and roll?  Automatically you put yourself in a defensive disadvantage...other defenders have to come and help...Spurs' passes lead to open layups for others. 

Juice's Coach of the Year: Doug Collins mentioned that the Suns should guard the paint and play a zone. Good idea!  It is tiring watching the Suns struggle to score on contested jumpers while the Spurs waltz into the paint and get layups.  You bloggers feelin the Depressed?

Last point- Let's put Barbosa on the bench and leave him there.  He is horrible against the Spurs. He is too fragile to be in these type of games.  The Brazilian Blob played 24 mins. scoring 0pts on 0-7 shooting.  Giricek can defend and can fill it up but he needs more minutes.

The Suns can't afford to take this much time to make adjustments.  They need to be made minute by minute. Not game by game.

The current playoff standings are below.  Note how amazing CP3 has been, how horrible Dallas is, and Philly's upset over the Pistons.

NL WEST BEWARE!

In the wake of Grand Theft Game One: San Antonio, The Frustrated would like to write about something positive, VERY positive. The Arizona D-Backs and the D stands for Dominating!

Check out these stats.
Current record 13-4

MLB Ranks

Offense
Hits 4th
Homeruns 2nd
Triples 1st
Bat. Avg. 2nd
Walks drawn 3rd
SLG % 1st
OBP% 2nd

Pitching
Wins Tied 1st
ERA 1st
Strikeouts 7th
Walks T-3rd

Not sure if you caught the last 2 games but the D-Backs have been putting up a lot of runs...this is sweat shop production-like.  Talk about output.  It is a lot of fun to watch and The Frustrated is very excited to see this season play out.

In Case You Missed It...

Game 1

1st Quarter

First play of the game and Tony Longoria is already on the ground with a career threatening injury.  Get up pansy!

Raja hits his first 2.

Nash misses first 3.

STAT shows that he can flop too!  You can't beat 'em- join em'

Then Oberto flops and draws a charge on Shaq.

Shaq is out early with 2 fouls.

The refs start out blowing their whistles constantly!  Don't they know that Phx isn't the dirty physical team?

At the first timeout Spurs have scored 6 pts. in 6 mins. and turned the ball over 6  times.

Nash connects from downtown.

The Suns are getting a number of second chances on the offensive ends..Fredstrom likes!

Diaw looked good coming off the bench 6pts. in 8 mins.

End of the 1st. Suns 24 Spurs 20.

Start of the 2nd Pop is already crying and gets Teed up.  Then Manu pushes Raja into the front row and is confused when he is called for the foul.

Jeff Van Gundy just said that every NBA player should emulate Ginobili's body control...Hey Jeff they already have that...it's called professional wrestling!  He might have great body control on the offensive end but defensively he makes Betty White look strong.

The Suns made the trade for Shaq to overcome the Spurs and the NBA made a trade to the devil to keep Shaq out of the game.

Diaw and Barbosa are tearing it up!  Great behind the head pass by Diaw to Barbosa who finishes the 3-point play.

Middle of 2nd quarter. Suns 39   Spurs 27.

How about that amazing Spurs defense?  Let's mention the Spurs lack of offense! Suns up 16.

The Fredstrom wants the Suns to force Duncan baseline and force Manu to his right!

The Fredstrom loves how upset Duncan is getting about that one bad call...the Suns have been putting up with that for 4 years! Will someone find Timmy's pacifier?  Oh wait, they call a bad one on Boris to make Timmy Tantrum happy.  Ridiculous!

Last 2 mins. of the first half are super important..here we go.  The Spurs close the gap with a Benedict Arnold 3.  Nash answers with a 2 of his own. Then a bunch of sloppy ball.  The Spurs give that here comes that slow train feeling.  The Suns never seem to be able to pull away with the refs grabbing on to their ankles.

Halftime Suns 48  Spurs 40.

Tony Longoria comes out crying about his foul...The Fredstrom feels a make-up call coming!

8 to go in the 3rd. Spurs within 4. Fredstrom is now typing with sweaty palms! Not Whitney Houston sweaty yet!

Duncan hasn't scored in the 2nd half but Longoria has come to life, the Suns need to defend that pick and roll better.  YoDantoni needs to do some adjusting.

And he does with the 2-3 zone. Parker hits a 3 in the corner. Zone done.

Nash draws a charge on Womanu and the Spurs turn up the tantrum.

Nash draws another on Timmy's coast to coast attempt...here come the tears.

Stoudemire seems to be frustrated with not getting calls inside and is settling for outside jumpers.

2:39 to go in the 3rd- Suns up 64-57.

Kurt Thomas draws another foul on Amare with an Oscar winning flop.  Frustrating.  

End of the 3rd.  Sunny-side-up 6.

Amare misses 2 big free throws.

Kurt Thomas with another flop.  This is killing the Fredstrom!  If the Suns lose this game he will no refer to himself as the "Big Frustrated".

Ginobili throws Raja Bell to half court...must be getting ready for Summer Slam.  Vince McMahon must be watching.

Here's the foul situation. Shaq-4, Boris-5, Amare-4.  Stinkin Thomas, Duncan, Bowen, and Oberto all have 3 or less! They must not be playing that physical....NOT!

7 mins to go in the 4th Suns up 6 -79-73.

How many open layups do the Suns need to give Mr. Longoria?

6 to go Suns up 3...until the Big Cactus drops in a lay up completes the 3 point play.  Back to 6!

How is it a foul if Shaq just stands there? The Big Frustrated is frustrated.

Here comes the Hack-a-Shaq...nice work Poopavich!

Suns up 3 with 5:47 to go. The train is getting closer...louder... The Fredstrom is approaching Whitney Houston sweaty.

Big shot by Nash, steal by STAT...Nash misses then Suns give up another lay up.

Finley hits a 3 and we are tied with 3 mins. to go.  STAT chases Duncan off a jumper so that he can give Timmy a lay up?  Not good. 

Another lay up for the Spurs, this time it's Hurt Thomas.

Suns down 2 with 2 to go. Nash evens the score at the line.

WOW! Amare hits a tough lay up and is fouled. Tied with 1:35 to go.

Amare hits the free throw. Suns up 1.

Shaq with a big block and Barbosa takes it coast to coast. Suns up 3 with 1:10 to go.

If Whitney Houston, Shaq, and Patrick Ewing had an outdoor summer party in Florida, it wouldn't be as sweaty as the Fredstrom is getting. Sweat towel please!

A total brain flatulent..the Suns burn up the :24 clock!  7 seconds or less remember!

Suns up 3 with 20 secs. to go...Spurs ball.  Time to D UP!

Finley hits a 3 with 15 sec. to go. Suns ball.

The Fredstrom is feeling his gastroenteritis coming on...

Here comes overtime...not a great shot selection but oh well.  The Fredstrom doesn't like the Suns foul situation with 5 more mins to play.

The Fredstrom is now a stinky blogger...get rid of that sweat towel...grab that beach towel!

Here we go... Nash hits. Oberto hits. Still tied.

Amare connects. Suns played good defense forcing Ginobili to miss. Barbosa fouled.

Nash hits a leaner Suns up 4.  Fredstrom is now dawning a headband. Nash hits a BIG THREE! Suns up 5 and Shaq has a block party with Timmy!  Results in a turnover for the Suns though: (

The Spurs are now the ones getting second-chance opportunities...the Fredstrom is dipping his hands into chalk like Mary Lou Retton.  

STAT connects again, Suns up 5.  Amare throws it away...then steals it back.  Then charges through Thomas fouling out of the game. Take the jumper or dish it to Shaq!  Suns up 3 with 12 secs. to go.  Fredstrom is now wearing swimming goggles and a snorkel.

Duncan hits a 3 and ties the game with 3 seconds to go....OUCH! Sorry Squirrel but a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in awhile.

Boris misses a turn around and we end up into Double OT.  Again not good with Amare having fouled out.

Okay Double OT...feeling very dehydrated...

Suns down 2 with 2 plus to go...Spurs ball..offensive foul on Thomas-Finally!

Nash fouled on a 3 and The Desperate Househusband fouls out.  That was HUGE!

Nash hits 2 of 3 to tie the game.

The Spurs are getting really good looks and the Suns are really having to work. Nice put-back by Shaq. Then Ginobili gets another layup. Suns down 2 with a 1:07 to go. Nash misses a tough 3.  Boris misses a layup, Suns have to foul. Barry misses one.  Suns down 3 with 19.5 to go.  The Fredstrom wouldn't mind a quick 2 here.

HAVE SOME OF THAT!  NASH WITH A BIG THREE!  Of course Ginobili goes left and makes a layup with 2 seconds to go and the Spurs take game one.  You have to make someone else take that shot! 

The Fredstrom is going to go throw up.

The Suns gave them that one...it's time to take one.  Game 2 Do or Die.

Get comfortable Suns fans, this series is going to be a grind.

The Fredstrom's Playoff Preview

Okay blog fans, here it is! The Fredstrom and the Squirrel have worked tirelessly to bring you their best. They have both weighed in, now it's your turn to pick sides or bring something new. Leave your comments.

Schedule
Gm. 1:Sat., April 19: at S.A., 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
Gm. 2:Tue., April 22: at S.A., 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Gm. 3:Fri., April 25: at Phoenix, 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Gm. 4:Sun., April 27: at Phoenix, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Gm. 5*:Tue., April 29: at S.A., TBD (TBD)
Gm. 6*:Thu., May 1: at Phoenix, TBD (TBD)
Gm. 7*:Sat., May 3: at S.A., TBD (TNT)
* if necessary

Season Series (Suns lead 3-1)
12/17 Suns @ SA W 100-95
01/31 Suns vs SA L 87-84
03/09 Suns vs SA W 94-87
04/09 Suns @ SA W 96-79

Keys to the Series
The Fredstrom
Amare has to stay out of foul trouble. The Suns don't need him to get any stupid reach-in fouls. Amare will be coming out emotional, The Fredstrom just hopes he takes it out on the rim and not on offensive fouls and over-aggressive defensive blunders. Amare will average 30pts. and 12 rebs. this series.

The play of Boris Diaw will be crucial. 3-D needs to average 10pts. 5rebs. and 5 ast. for the Suns to win in 6.

Believe it or not, Barbosa's play won't matter. The Spurs have had his number for the past 2 years.

Hypomanic Squirrel
Much like the Curse of the Bambino, the Curse of the Cubs, the Curse of the Blackpearl…
Much like those other curses, the Suns (the hero in our story) face the daunting task of putting to rest years of devastation and remorse due to their seemingly unending lessons of defeat at the hands of their arch-nemesis (The Spurs).

Similar to all quests that involve the breaking of a curse, the keys to victory in this series will all revolve around our hero’s ability to maintain physical and mental toughness in the midst of adverse circumstances (Spurs fans, the officials, Horry’s hips, Bowen’s hands, feet, elbows, legs, teeth, and eyes).

Series MVP Predictions
The Fredstrom
MVP means the most valuable player. Every citizen on Planet Orange knows that Nash runs the show. MVSteve averaged 15 and 10 this season verse the Spurs. He will have to do better than that, fortunate for the Planet he usually does.

Hypomanic Squirrel
While seemingly any of the Suns big three (Nash, Stoudemire, O’Neal) could be considered a viable candidate for series MVP, my choice lies with the Big Saguaro. For me, Shaq holds the keys to victory in this series if for no other reason than Nash and Amare’s failure to accomplish said feat on their own. Shaq was brought in to become a Spurs-slayer, and if the Suns are victorious in this series, I have to think it will be because of him.

Series Outcome Predictions
The Fredstrom
The Suns scored 93.5 points/game this season to the Spurs 87.
The Suns only lost 1 game to the Spurs this year and that was by 3 points.
The Suns have been dominate over the Spurs during the regular season and will continue to do so with a fired up spirit looking for revenge from last years grand theft series.

The Suns will drop Game 2 and Game 4 of this series. The Fredstrom isn't giving the Chumps any respect but is accounting for a few ref screw ups. That’s why The Fredstrom is picking the Suns to win the series, 4-2.

Hypomanic Squirrel
While the Suns have undoubtedly owned the team from San Antonio since the introduction of the Big Diesel, no-one can deny the fact that a) the Spurs are a different team in the playoffs and b) the Suns have some mental demons from previous playoff experience that must be conquered.

How will the Suns answer when a Spurs dirty play goes un-punished, or when the officiating is unbalanced, or if a player goes down with an injury? In short, I think they’ll fare pretty well. Due in large part to the veteran leadership of Nash, Hill, and O’Neal, the Suns will put the nightmare that is the Spurs to bed on May 1st, winning the series 4-2.

Well, what do you all think? Let us know.

Shaq Marks and MVG Finish Off the Blazers

The Suns bench got their first look of a real game tonight.  Considering that they have never seen any time they showed some real solar energy.  Shaq Marks played 24 mins. scoring 16 pts on 6-8 shooting and grabbed 13 rebounds!  MVG played over 40 mins. scoring 17 and pulled down 9 rebounds.  The Fredstrom wished that these guys saw a lot more action this year.  He has a feeling that we won't see much of them in the playoffs.

Also a new poll question has been added regarding NBA Coach of the Year.  For those of you that voted 8-3 for the Suns last 11 games-Nice Job!  We were all wrong in predicting the Suns seeding at the end of the regular season, but you will all get another shot by voting on the results of each series.

The Fredstrom will be compiling a playoff preview of the Suns first round match up against the Spurs soon.  Stay tuned and let him hear your comments.  

Manu Ginobili and Fabio Umberto were caught by amateur videographers preparing for this epic 1st round match up.  A must see for sure!

YoD'antoni Allowing the Suns to Fail He Does Not!

The Suns come out on fire scoring 71 in the first half.  They then repeat another bad second-half quarter-see 3rd quarter against the Rockets last Friday night and that horrible 9pt. quarter verse the Mavs last Sunday.  Yodantoni chalks it up to a lack of focus...the Fredstrom doesn't like the sound of that!

The Squirrel tells the Fredstrom that you can tell the difference between Star Wars: A New Hope, the Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi, by just seeing Luke Skywalker's swagger.  The Fredstrom is making a far stretch to compare the Suns current swagger to Luke's in the Empire Strikes Back.  This is not going to get it done!

The Suns remain in 6th place tied with Utah and Houston.  The Fredstrom is caring less and less about who the Suns face.  Planet Spuranus almost lost to the Kings tonight, they look weaker and older as this season wraps up.  

Not sure if you heard about this or not but this has to be the biggest waste of time and money that the Fredstrom has ever heard.

A construction worker on the new Yankee Stadium in New York buries a David Ortiz jersey (Red Sox DH), in 2 feet of concrete in the foundation of the new stadium.  Workers put in 5 hours of overtime to exhume the jersey so that a "curse" could be avoided. The Yanks spent over $50,000 excavating the jersey, and are considering pressing charges.  Are you kidding the Fredstrom?

Rockets Soar, Suns Sore, Kobe Jumps Over a Car?

OUCH!  So that confidence that the Fredstrom was building is totally gone now.  The Fredstrom doesn't want to keep saying "It was just one game." or "No need to panic."  The Suns can not continue to give up that many offensive rebs. or have that many turnovers.  The Rockets got 14 additional shots tonight.  It's going to be tough to beat playoff caliber teams giving up that many shots on goal.

Check out these numbers.

Grant Hill- 2pts. in 30 mins.

Steve Nash- 6pts. 6 ast in 32 mins.

Raja Bell- 3 pts in 35 mins.

4-21 from the field from these 4.  The Fredstrom knows the Rockets are good defensively but come on!

MVG- 10pts. in 16 mins.! Why does G. Hill get so many minutes and Giricek doesn't?

It looks like the Suns will be in 6th and not catch the Spurs or Lakers.  The Spurs have fallen behind the Lakers and would square off against the Suns in the 1st round if the playoffs started today...The Fredstrom thinks that wouldn't be too bad.

On a side note...the Fredstrom came across this alleged leaked video of Kobe Bryant and his soon to be released shoe, The Hyperdunk (aka The Hyperpunk).  The Fredstrom has his opinion about it but will wait to read yours.  If you are viewing this in your email you will have to visit the blog to see the video. Holla at cha boy! Get your vote on!