D-Backs Roll, Spurs Roll Over...

The Fredstrom is planning on weekly Diamondback updates.  As of May 2, 2008:

The D-Backs' offense ranks in the top 5 in hits, doubles, triples, homers, and RBI's.

The D-Backs pitching ranks 1st in wins (21), 1st in ERA, and 4th in strikeouts.

The D-Backs continue to put up runs and pitch like their lives depend on it.  The Dodgers have won 7 in a row and still are 4.5 games back.  The Fredstrom is hoping that Reynolds pulls out of his hitting slump, he's down to .226.

Props to Augie Ojeda for coming off the bench and driving in 6 runs today.  The D-backs face Santana tomorrow, should be a great game.

As you can see the Fredstrom is a bit thin on his D-Backs knowledge.  The Fredstrom is counting on the readers to continue to bring their baseball takes.

Currently the Fredstrom is rallying behind the Hornets (see the blog title description).  After the first half it is clear that the NBA really likes the Spurs.  Tony Longoria and Bruiser Bowen have already been laying on the floor grimacing in pain acting like Hulk Hogan playing "Mercy" with the Ultimate Warrior. The second half proved much different... continue reading.

Remember when Nash reached in on Parker in the playoffs last year? Nash's nose explodes and he stands over Mr. Longoria while he lays on the ground motionless. Nash takes the hit like a real man while Mr. Eva flops around waiting for the ref to give Nash a red card...Phony Parker thinks he's playing soccer. Reminds me of the Karate Kid before resorting to the "Crane" technique.  Miagi says "Quit being a little pansy and get up!"

This leaves the Fredstrom wondering what the Macho Man thinks about the Spurs silly behavior?

Did the Rockets flop when they had Hakeem? Did the Bulls have any floppers? Detroit? The Showtime or Shaq/Kobe Lakers? The Fredstrom never saw Indiana Jones, James Bond, or Clint Eastwood flop!  So over the past 20 years, no NBA team or movie stud has resorted to this ugliness. Then why does the NBA allow it now?  Get rid of it! "T" them up!

Dear San An-phony-o,

Listen to the Macho Man.  Win by playing basketball, not by taking advantage of the rules, hacking players, trying to fool the refs, hip checking players into the scorer's table, stepping on players, kneeing players in the groin, etc. etc. etc.  Try playing basketball the way it was meant to be played.  Defense does not mean fouling off the ball, making the other team shoot free throws for minutes at a time.
There's a reason that your games receive the lowest TV ratings, you are miserable to watch. Will the Matfia please bet on someone else?!  The Fredstrom is tired of the Spurs.

Play like the Hornets, the team that just punk'd you tonight!  Final score Hornets 101-Spurs 82!

Congrats to Tim Duncan's 5 points!  What a beautiful game.  Macho Man is proud.

Coach Donetoni off the Hot Seat?

Off the hot seat cause he's out on the street!  According to an article at si.com, D'Antoni will not be back with the Suns because of his belief that he has no support from owner Robert Sarver or GM Steve Kerr.

Steve Kerr released a statement denying this claim.  Many are speculating that Steve Kerr will have several demands regarding D'Antoni's coaching style if he were to stay.  For example:

1. Coach will devote more time to defense during practices.

2. Coach will give more touches to Amare in the post.

3. Coach will address the problem of no back up point guard.

4. Coach will play more of his bench.

According a source close to D'Antoni, this conversation took place back in NOVEMBER!  Apparently D'Antoni told Kerr, "Don't tell me how to coach my offense!"  This article is supposed to run in this week's Sports Illustrated.

Whatever is true and whatever isn't, doesn't really matter.  It seems like D'Antoni would rather quit than be fired. If he quit he walks out on $8.5 million.  If he quits, the Fredstrom would like to help him pack and hold the door open for him.

The Fredstrom really likes Doug Collins for the job.  He is a valley resident and knows the Suns extremely well.  When you watch a Doug Collins/Suns game (or any game that he calls) you can hear how intelligent he is with the in's and out's of a team like the Suns.  That's one reason why TNT puts Doug Collins in the booth for Suns games.  He's got mad game!

Coach K would be another choice that the Fredstrom would support.  His resume speaks for his amazing basketball IQ.  There are very few college coaches that get the kind of respect that Coach K gets from the NBA community.  Just ask Rick Patino.  Only problem might be that D'Antoni or Colangelo could steer him away from being the captain of Planet Orange. 

It is rumored that Toronto's GM Brian Colangelo (who brought D'Antoni from Italy) fired his head coach to make room for D'Antoni?

Who do you like? The Fredstrom doesn't want any Eddie Johnson votes either! Agree? Disagree? Why? BRING IT! oh...and don't forget to vote: )

Planet Orange: Where Giving Away Games Happens

Well?  The Fredstrom could talk about the two really bad calls when Duncan trips over his own calf or where Parker throws the ball into the crowd, trying to flail into Amare.... The Fredstrom could talk about missing 353 free throws in game 5... The Fredstrom could talk about the Suns letting Tony Longoria waltz into the lane and score 20 pts. in the 1st half...He could talk about the NBA defending champs not playing defense, but just fouling Shaq for minutes at a time using a rule technicality to win instead of talent.  The Fredstrom loves talking about how the Spurs play the refs and not basketball...But he's not!

The Suns are soft.  Not Dallas Maverick soft...but pretty dang soft.  They gave away game 1 and you'd think that that would be the last time they let that happen.  Tonight was another charity give-away for the stinkin Spurs.  Turning the ball over 3 times in the last minute is not going to get it done.  They need another coach that can help the Suns play a more controlled half court game that will allow them to compete in the closing minutes of these big games.  The Fredstrom has pure hatred for Planet Spuranus but, watch how controlled they play offense at the end of games....no rushed shots, very few turnovers...the Suns could benefit from a little offensive rigidity.

Again watching Nash dribble all over the court, forcing passes that lead to rushed and contested shots isn't working.  The Suns decide to throw it into Boris and he gets an easy layup.. the next inbound play they are going to throw it into Nash in the corner resulting in a critical turnover?

Next year Boris Diaw needs to play with the fire that he has over the last few games.  If he does this then the Suns don't have to worry about falling into the lower seeds.  The seedings would go Lakers, Hornets, then Suns.  The Fredstrom likes their chances if Boris decides to play the regular season with a playoff intensity.

Anyway...the Fredstrom regrets that this will be his last Suns post until October.  The only Suns post will be about off season moves made by (or should be made by) Planet Orange or any other significant moves by other Planets.

The focus of the blog moves on to the Arizona Diamondbacks and other areas. Any ideas are welcome: )

By the way...King Leonidas died...William Wallace died... Maximus Aurileus died...Sly Stallone and the Karate Kid's careers' died....and so did the Suns.

Planet Orange: Where We're Not Done Happens...

First let the Fredstrom say that he is glad that no one claimed his ticket for today's game. 

As soon as the game started you could feel that Raja Bell was going to take this team on his back if it killed him. He come out with 7 pts. and 2 rebs. in the first 2 minutes getting the Suns off to a hot start.

Dumping the ball into Boris created double teams and great ball movement resulting in the long lost art of the 3 point shot-9/20 from downtown.

Props to Boris Diaw for playing like we knew he could.. 20pts. 10 rebs. and 8 ast.

Interesting observation for the Fredstrom- throwing the ball into the post albeit Shaq or Boris created better offensive opportunities for the Suns than watching Steve Nash run circles all over the court with Bowen draped all over him.

BUT IT WAS THE DEFENSE THAT WON THIS GAME.

Duncan made 6 of 18, Longoria 7 of 17, and Womanu only attempted 8 shots.

Shaq played Duncan especially well. Boris guarding Longoria proved to be the right adjustment.  Way to go D'Antoni...oh wait he didn't make that move.  Grant Hill was injured defaulting Boris to the assignment. Good help defense, good rotating, good overall team defense. Let's hope the Suns can continue to make San Anstinkio uncomfortable on the offensive end.

"You want another one? Just say it..."

The Fredstrom wants another one.

The Fredstrom can't wait to see the Suns back in Phx on Thursday night!

On a side note...Did you see that NBA commercial that was half Nash half Ginobili?  Talk about grossing the Fredstrom out!  Disgusting! The picture below is not for the faint at heart.

Apparently Steve Nash has a lawsuit pending.  He didn't want to be mistaken for a professional wrestler or an over-dramatic actor.

Here's the current standings. Pistons/Sixers and Hornets/Mavs games not included.

Anyone Want the Fredstrom's Ticket on Sunday?

The Fredstrom is currently not in the mood to talk about this game.  Here comes the bullet list.

1. The Spurs score 10 points in the paint and the Suns still lose. Making them hit jumpers didn't work so good.
2. Steve Nash said that game 1 felt like a kick in the groin, game 2 a punch in the face...then what did game 3 feel like?
3. Poopavich completely out-coached Donetoni.
4. The Suns come out with a zone defense early in the 2nd quarter stopping the Spurs 4 straight times and the Suns ditch it when Longoria comes in.  Yeah because the zone would have let Mr. Eva score 45?
   

Questions to ponder?

Are the Suns going to still have the Big 3 next year?

Would you trade Amare Stoudemire?

Is Steve Nash going to retire at the end of this year?

Would you trade Steve Nash while you still might be able to get something for him?

Has D'Antoni run his course?  Who should be the next coach and why?

The Fredstrom was privileged to get the free T-Shirt that the Suns are handing out on Sunday.

NBA Analyst Kenny Smith Jumps Over a Car...Well Almost!

Many of you saw the Kobe video below, but this one is WAY better!  It's just over 4 mins. but is worth the wait. Remember you can only view this from the actual blog site.


Also, every team that was down 0-2 came back and got a win tonight. The Wizards, the Rockets, and the Raptors. It's Planet Orange's turn! 

The Squirrel ran into Steve Nash today at the Apple Store and he told Squirrel that they were going to win this series. Would Stevie Wonder lie? The Fredstrom doesn't think so.

What Are We Waitin' For?

As you read this post, The Fredstrom (he's back) wants you to have "The Eye of the Tiger" song playing in your mind.

Game 3 is coming up with the Suns down 0-2. They are going to need a little inspiration.

Did King Leonidas quit when he was outnumbered by a million? NO!

Did Maximus Aurelius give up after he was stabbed in the back or after his family was killed? NOT A CHANCE!

What did William Wallace do faced with certain death?  He opened up a can!

Remember that movie "Over the Top?" Sly Stallone is facing this huge truck-driving arm wrestling champion?  He turns his hat around, does work, and wins the tournament.

Finally, the Fredstrom would regret it if he forgot to mention one of the greatest comebacks in realistic fiction history.  WHAT DID DANIEL LARUSO DO IN ALL 3 "KARATE KIDS" WHEN FACED WITH CERTAIN DEFEAT? AFTER GETTING HIS BUTT KICKED ON THE BEACH? AFTER THAT HORRIBLE BIKE ACCIDENT?  HE REFOCUSED AND OVERCAME, DESPITE THE ODDS, DESPITE BEING A BIG WUSS.

The chances of coming back from 0-2 are not great...but neither is catching a fly with freakin chop sticks!

Look for the Suns to squeak game 3 out and blow out the Spurs by 15+ in game 4 forcing the series back to Planet Spuranus all tied up. What you think?