SB Nation Arizona - Phoenix Suns Lose Their Seventh In A Row, No Redemption Against The Magichttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46593/arizona-fave.png2012-12-12T21:34:29-07:00http://arizona.sbnation.com/rss/stream/35113792012-12-12T21:34:29-07:002012-12-12T21:34:29-07:00Dragic game-winner leads Suns over Grizzlies
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<p>The Phoenix Suns snapped a long losing streak behind the game-winning basket of Goran Dragic and solid efforts all around from Jared Dudley, Markieff Morris and Marcin Gortat.</p> <p><span>Goran Dragic</span> managed to pivot, spin, and scoop it in with five-tenths of a second remaining to help the <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Phoenix Suns</a> beat the <a href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Memphis Grizzlies</a>, 82-80. The Suns snapped a seven-game losing streak to improve to 8-15 and sent the Grizzlies to their second straight loss and a 14-5 record.</p>
<p>The Grizzlies took a 27-21 first-quarter lead over the Suns, then Phoenix steadily cut into the lead in every quarter. It was a three-point Memphis lead after the second quarter, a tied game after three, and finally Phoenix edged themselves over in the final stanza.</p>
<p><span>Shannon Brown</span> had 15 points and seven rebounds, <span>Jared Dudley</span> added 15 points and nine boards, Dragic put in 12 points and eight assists, <span>Markieff Morris</span> added 11 points, and <span>Marcin Gortat</span> put in 10 points and eight rebounds. <span>Rudy Gay</span> led the Grizzlies with 21 points and 11 rebounds, with <span>Zach Randolph</span> putting in 18 points and 10 rebounds.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/phoenix-suns/2012/12/12/3761510/nba-suns-grizzliesAvinash Kunnath2012-12-11T08:01:27-07:002012-12-11T08:01:27-07:00Suns not ready to give up on Beasley
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Phoenix Suns assistant coach Dan Majerle still has plenty of belief in power forward Michael Beasley.</p> <p><a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Phoenix Suns</a> power forward <span>Michael Beasley</span> is still struggling to get into the rhythm of things in his new home. Beasley is averaging 11.4 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in Phoenix and just hasn't performed very well.<br><br>Suns assistant coach <span>Dan Majerle</span> said Beasley is ready to get going. <a href="http://www.arizonasports.com/41/1594303/Majerle-on-Beasley-He-knows-he-is-good" target="_blank">Pat Marrujo of Arizona Sports files this report</a>.</p>
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<p>"We are going to keep working with 'Beas' as much as possible. I love the kid. He wants to play well," Majerle said. "He has just got to figure out in his own mind how to do that and when to do that and take advantage of his skills."</p>
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<p>Beasley is 23 years old and is in his fifth season in the league after spending one year with the Kansas State Wildcats. He spent his first two years with the <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Heat</a> before getting dealt to the <a href="https://www.canishoopus.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Timberwolves</a>. He averaged 13.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game in his freshman campaign, improved those numbers to 14.8 points and 6.4 rebounds his sophomore year.<br><br>With the Timberwolves, he improved his numbers to 19.2 points and 5.6 points, but then things dipped to 11.5 points and 4.4 rebounds his second season in Minneapolis and he had to be dealt in the offseason to Phoenix.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/phoenix-suns/2012/12/11/3753678/michael-beasley-phoenix-sunsAvinash Kunnath2012-12-11T08:01:21-07:002012-12-11T08:01:21-07:00No pink-slip for Suns' Gentry just yet
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<figcaption>Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>After Sunday's loss to the Orlando Magic (8-12), the Phoenix Suns extended their losing streak to seven games and have dropped to 7-15 on the season. In some cities, this would lead to a pink slip for the coach. This isn't the case in Phoenix, yet.</p> <p>The last time the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Phoenix Suns</a> won a game, it was Nov. 27 against the now 3-11 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a>. Since then, the Suns have played seven games and lost each of them. If the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Lakers</a> fired <span>Mike Brown</span> after a handful of games, the future of Phoenix head coach Alvin Gentry would seemingly be in doubt; however, ESPN's Chris Broussard tweets the Suns aren't in a rush to shake things up on the bench.</p>
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<p>Suns owner Robert Sarver tells me Coach <span>Alvin Gentry's</span> job is safe despite 7-game L streak & 7-15 mark.</p>
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) <a data-datetime="2012-12-10T22:12:14+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/Chris_Broussard/status/278260862588973056">December 10, 2012</a>
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<p>Sarver on Gentry:"we've got confidence in our coaching staff & we're not considering making changes. It's still early in the season."</p>
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) <a data-datetime="2012-12-10T22:13:21+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/Chris_Broussard/status/278261145947762689">December 10, 2012</a>
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<p>Ownership realizes the team is in a state of flux and, when making massive changes, the situation will probably get worse before it gets better. This, for now, is saving Gentry's job.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fnba%2F2012%2F12%2F10%2Fnba-coaches-on-the-hot-seat%2F1759593%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Farizona.sbnation.com%2F2012%2F12%2F11%2F3753592%2Fnba-suns-alvin-gentry" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">organization began its restructure in the offseason</a> by parting ways with <span>Steve Nash</span>. The departure of the aging veteran led to more responsibility for 2008 draft pick <span>Michael Beasley</span>.</p>
<p>Beasley has disappointed and there are reports of the player being a "toxic" force in the locker room. It's likely that Beasley will be dealt before Gentry is shown the door.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/2012/12/11/3753592/nba-suns-alvin-gentryJen Neale2012-12-10T10:34:41-07:002012-12-10T10:34:41-07:00Suns currently in worst losing streak since 2004
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<p>In Phoenix, wins have been hard to come by lately.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Phoenix Suns</a> looked pretty pathetic this past weekend with losses to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> and Magic giving them their worst losing streak since 2004.</p>
<p>On Saturday afternoon, the Suns were blown out by the Clippers in the final frame as Los Angeles' bench doubled Phoenix's entire fourth quarter production to give them a 117-99 victory. To the Suns' credit, the matchup was the Phoenix's seventh road game in the past 14 days which is enough to wear even the most rock solid of teams out.</p>
<p>But one day later, the talent-lacking <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a> completed the season sweep of the Suns with a 98-90 victory thanks to another pathetic fourth quarter from Phoenix at home. Sunday's game also marked the sixth consecutive time that Suns have failed to break the 100 point barrier.</p>
<p>The Suns will now have an opportunity to right the ship at home with the Memphis Grizzles paying a visit to the US Airways Center this Wednesday. </p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/phoenix-suns/2012/12/10/3751074/nba-scores-2012Cody Ulm2012-12-09T21:38:07-07:002012-12-09T21:38:07-07:00Suns Lose Their Seventh In A Row
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<p>This was barely watchable as a basketball game. The Magic played poorly and the Suns played just a touch worse leading to their seventh straight loss and even more questions about this team going forward.</p> <p>This was far from good, pristine basketball. At times, one wouldn't dare call it basketball and that is coming from both the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Phoenix Suns</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic's</a> perspective. Both teams played a bad brand of basketball, but one executed the game plan more than the other and they got their eighth win of the season.</p>
<p>When all the dust settled the Magic (8-12) finished off the Suns (7-15) to keep them in their nosedive towards the bottom of the NBA standings.</p>
<p>In the end this loss was unlike the others the team has suffered this season and head coach <span>Alvin Gentry</span> felt that, and expressed it in his post game comments.</p>
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<p>"It's a real frustrating loss, real disappointing loss. You know, we are playing spot basketball. We play good for two minutes then we are bad for seven, then we're good for five and we're bad for three. You can't have any consistency and you just can't win basketball games in this league when you play that way. We are not doing a good job of making basketball plays: cuts, shot selection, and things like that. We are just not playing very good."</p>
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<p>The execution has been horrible for this team as they shoot the ball out of the offense and once the team gets slightly frazzled they come out of their routine looking for answers. The answers are in the game plan. Sometimes they will fail you and other times they will benefit you, but in the end the team is not buying into the game plan.</p>
<p>One player Gentry has faith in is his back-up point guard turned starter tonight, <span>Sebastian Telfair</span>.</p>
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<p>"I think he played extremely hard, but didn't shoot the ball well. I never have a problem with him. I know he is one of the guys on our team that is going to give you everything that he has got. He is an unbelievable competitor and if he doesn't shoot the ball well he doesn't shoot the ball well. We have to have 12 guys doing that, not just four or five."</p>
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<p>Telfair (or Bassy to his teammates) found out that he was starting as he went through the tunnel to head to the court for the game. Normal starting point guard <span>Goran Dragic</span> was under the weather and was ruled out just before the tip-off.</p>
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<p>"When I got here they said Drag (Goran Dragic) was a little sick and he went through shoot around, but he wasn't going to play. This was my first start of the season so I tried to approach it well."</p>
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<p>As a point guard Bassy knows he has the responsibility and the opportunity to pull back the reigns on some of the Iso Ball the team gets into, but it is also a team dynamic.</p>
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<p>"Move the ball around, create shots for each other, and not only the point guard, but everyone driving and kicking out to somebody else. Not just the point guard, but we have to do that as a team. As a point guard you want to come in and make a play or come down and call a controlled play where we all know how to get a good shot."</p>
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<p>Bringing guys back down to earth during a run needs to happen and the best way to do that is by getting the ball to the hot hand. At the half <span>Luis Scola</span> had eight points on 4-7 shooting. After that, Scola had three points on 1-2 shooting to end the game. How does that happen and more importantly, how does that change?</p>
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<p>"(Long silence)... Sorry, but I don't know. I wish I did, but I just do not know."</p>
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https://arizona.sbnation.com/2012/12/9/3749352/phoenix-suns-lose-their-seventh-in-a-row-in-a-brutal-basketballKristofer Habbas2012-12-09T21:03:11-07:002012-12-09T21:03:11-07:00Magic hand Suns their seventh consecutive loss
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<figcaption>Christian Petersen</figcaption>
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<p>If the Suns aren't already at rock bottom, then they're close after Sunday's 98-90 loss to the Orlando Magic. </p> <p>With <span>Goran Dragic</span> watching from the bench with the flu, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Suns</a> were handed their seven consecutive loss Sunday with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a> beating them, 98-90, at the US Airways Center. </p>
<p><span>Shannon Brown</span> (6-for-16, 17 points, three assists) lead the way for Phoenix contributing double-digit points for the sixth consecutive game. Unfortunately, the Suns didn't get much assistance from their bench as three of Orlando's backups were able to outscore Phoenix's entire second unit, 49-30. </p>
<p>The Suns were especially gashed by rookie PF <span>Andrew Nicholson</span> who chipped in a career-high 19 points (9-of-11 shooting) along with nine rebounds and four steals off the pine. Phoenix had the Magic's lead cut down to five with 3:19 remaining before Nicholson came back off the bench to hit a cold-blooded jumper that extended their lead up to 95-88. The Suns wouldn't get close from there.</p>
<p>This loss gives Phoenix their worst losing streak since 2004. The Suns will look to get off the schneid this Wednesday when they play host to the Memphis Grizzles. </p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/phoenix-suns/2012/12/9/3749294/nba-suns-magic-scoresCody Ulm2012-12-09T12:00:53-07:002012-12-09T12:00:53-07:00Suns vs. Magic: A Chance At Redemption Awaits
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<p>Last time these two teams met the Suns were embarrassed with a terrible third quarter that led to an early season loss on the road. Now they return home hoping to return the favor.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Phoenix Suns</a> (7-14) return home to host the <a href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Orlando Magic</a> (7-12) in a re-match from an early season game where the Suns were on the wrong side of a blowout.</p>
<p>A second change to the starting line-up may have been the change needed for at least one Sun as <span>Michael Beasley</span> came off of the bench to a tune of 18 points in the first quarter on great shooting. He was engaged, scoring, and creating for others with a new aura of confidence.</p>
<p>Then in the second half it was almost as if someone unplugged Beasley's battery. He winded down the second half with one made field goal and three points total.</p>
<p>That has been part of the problem all season for the Suns as they do not seem to understand how to get the ball to the hot hand consistently throughout a game. The disconnect there led to another stretch where the team could not score and they fell behind by double-digits again. Only this time they could not dig out of that hole.</p>
<p>Now with a six game winning streak currently in full swing the Suns host the team that knocked them down in a whirl wind third quarter that led to a road loss. The Magic outscored the Suns 40-20 as they could not find any rhythm in the quarter.</p>
<p>The Suns are 5-4 at home and the Magic are 3-7 on the road, both are the teams strong suit so far on the season. Who will break?</p>
<p><b>Gametime: 6:00 PM<br> TV: FSAZ<br> Radio: Arizona Sports 620</b></p>
<p><i>Key stat: the three-point line</i></p>
<p>The Magic defend the three-point line as well as any team in the league (32.3%) and for the Suns, hitting threes is typically the recipe to success this season. When they are able to knock down the long ball they are a different team. On the other hand the Magic do not score the ball from deep (99 made threes) while the Suns have given up the fifth most threes in the league.</p>
<p><i>Players to watch: <span>Glen Davis</span> vs. <span>Markieff Morris</span></i></p>
<p>Davis is the Magic's go-to scorer on the block, while he has not shot the ball well from the field. Morris has played well as a starter, more engaged on both ends of the floor. Both are young pieces to their rebuilding teams and have proven to be very streaky scorers.</p>
<p><i>The fun matchup of the afternoon: <span>Jameer Nelson</span> vs. <span>Goran Dragic</span></i></p>
<p>Nelson has never been appreciated as a point guard in this league despite being the leader on a Finals team. He is playing well so far this season as the engine of the team. For Dragic, he is coming into his own as a starter full-time in the NBA playing full-court all game. Each player has the ability to defend and pester each other all game up and down the court creating havoc.</p>
<p><i>Player you won't see: former Sun Hedo Turkoglu</i></p>
<p>His time in the valley was short lived, but his role was supposed to be that of star or at the very least a point forward to leader the offense. It was a forgettable 25 game stint where Turkoglu averaged a meager 9.5 PPG before being sent back to Orlando.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/2012/12/9/3747156/phoenix-suns-vs-orlando-magic-a-return-home-for-a-chance-at-redemptionKristofer Habbas