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The Detroit Pistons routed the Phoenix Suns earlier this afternoon 116-86.
For the second time in three games, the Suns allowed their opponet to shoot above 50% and score more than 110 points. Defended by Amare Stoudemire, Rasheed Wallace led the way inside, scoring 26 points in 22 minutes.
The Pistons also outrebounded the Suns 48-32 in Shaquille O’Neal’s 3rd game with his new team.
Shaq was 3-8 from the field and 1-8 from the free throw line in posting 7 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 turnovers. The Diesel managed to play 33 minutes and only committed 2 fouls.
So why didn’t O’Neal guard Rasheed? I was under the impression that one of the primary reasons O’Neal was brought to Phoenix was to help Amare defend opposing big men, an assignment Stoudemire has struggled mightily with in the past.
How will the Suns gameplan for Tim Duncan, Carlos Boozer, Yao Ming, Pau Gasol, and Andrew Bynum?
“It’s embarrassing, it’s disappointing, it’s everything,” Suns point guard Steve Nash said. “It’s tough, no matter who you play, to lose by 30 points.”
I agree Mr. Nash, today’s game was an embarrassment.
The Suns trailed by 36 points in the 3rd quarter and gave up 90 points by the start of the 4th.
Coach Flip Saunders pulled his starters with 8:27 left and his team leading 102-70
Shaq was involved in at least 6 possessions where he failed to defend the pick-and-roll effectively or was too slow to close out on a perimeter jumpshot.
The Suns are now 1-2 since Shaq joined them.
Will Phoenx get it together before the playoffs?
They better do so in a hurry.
Phoenix has 26 games remaining. They are 16-15 in conference play this season. 12 of their 26 remaining games are against Western Conference playoff hopefuls New Orleans, Denver, San Antonio, Golden State, Houston, & Dallas. Not to mention two more games away from home against Boston & Detroit.
As of today, only 5 games separate the Western Conference # 1 seeded Los Angeles Lakers (38-17, .691 winning %) and the Western Conference 8th seeded Golden State Warriors (33-22, .600 winning %). With today’s loss, the Suns slid to 5th place in the West by winning percentage.
“We still have to be realistic about things,” Shaq said after today’s game. “I’ve only been here about eight days. This is only my third game with the guys, so we still have a lot of figuring out to do. If everyone just sticks with their role, we should be fine.”
I think I’m being “realistic” in stating Phoenix had better “figure” things out soon.
