For reactions from Sunday night’s game one between Portland and Phoenix, we start with the losers. Phoenix forfeits home court advantage with the loss, and now must go back to the drawing board. Figuring out a way to free up Amare Stoudemire in the lane would be a good start. Analysis from SB Nation’s Bright Side of the Sun:
Blazers And Suns Fans React To Game One
The Blazers defense was keyed early on packing it in the lane and as a result they gave up a lot of wide open three's. Despite the Suns hitting 7 of 15 three's in the first half, it was a strategy that paid off for Portland as the Suns simply weren't able to get any kind of consistent action in the paint. In the second half, the Suns cooled off from down town only going 4 of 17.
When Amare did see single coverage, both Aldridge and Camby used their length to bother him which is not a surprise when you consider they are exactly the types of defenders that have always bothered Amare.
Stoudemire fouled out with under two minutes to go scoring only 18 points on 8 of 19 shooting. He only had three free throw attempts.
The Suns did well on the boards and with turnovers but the Blazers defense was too much.
For the Blazers, it was Miller and Bayless who came up big in the fourth quarter combining for 25 of the Blazers 35 fourth quarter points. They got in the paint, drew
foulswhistles, and finished at the rim.This one really hurts.
On the other side, the mood is decidedly different surrounding a Portland team that’s been written ten different times this year, and last night surprised us again. That, and Amare Stoudemire played terribly, and doesn’t have anyone in Portland too worried. From SB Nation’s Blazersedge:
Was this the end of the line for Portland? Hardly. The Blazers had discovered their own “DING!” moment. It started with Bayless and his driving. Then Andre Miller got into the act. Basically whoever Steve Nash guarded drove. They either got the layup or created so much pressure that somebody else was open. Shooter, rebounder...it didn’t matter. Portland started converting EVERYTHING. The two teams remained incredibly close on the scoreboard but two trends were becoming clear. First, Marcus Camby was gaining energy again as the game wound to a close, much like a vampire sucking the life out of a dainty maiden. Amare Stoudemire, on the other hand, looked daintier and more maidenly with every possession.
He got slower, grabbed more instead of defending, and couldn’t get inside to save his life. He did hit a couple jumpers but he might as well been sitting at a tea table making bon mots for all it mattered. Second, the Blazers were doing most of their scoring inside out while the Suns went outside in. There are only so many offensive rebounds you can get off of missed threes. Never was this proven so clearly as during a sequence at the 3:30 mark wherein Steve Nash missed a three which was rebounded by Grant Hill. Three seconds later Jason Richardson missed a three which was rebounded by Grant Hill. Hill figured enough was enough and just went up with the shot himself. Marcus Camby swatted him like a fly.
With three minutes remaining the Blazers were clinging to a 3 point lead. That’s when the collapse of Amare Stoudemire reached its tragic conclusion. He finally decided that some aggression was in order. When he caught the ball extended on the left side he spun and drove baseline on LaMarcus Aldridge. That’s when Andre Miller, who had already played Superman in the quarter with his layups and passes, jumped right in front of him and drew the charge. Amare shook his head. Then Jerryd Bayless missed an 18-footer (despite his good lane work not his strength) and Stoudemire had a direct bead on the rebound.
He reached...and reached...he’s got it...he’s getting it....might want to leave your feet sometime soon Amare...GREAT LEAPING ZAMBONIS! LaMarcus Aldridge flies past Stoudemire and tips the ball home! OK...now Amare is mad. He takes the ball down low on the next possession, spins...and gets stripped by Marcus Camby. 8 seconds and 2 shot attempts later it mercifully came to an end. Stoudemire committed his 6th foul and sat. The Blazers were up 7 with 1:21 left at that point. Ballgame.
There’s lots more reaction to the first game at both Bright Side and Blazersedge, including a scathing critique of TNT, and a great collection of game photos. Check ‘em out. And one final note from me: the Blazers fans might be making fun of Amare Stoudemire (calling him “maidenly” was a particularly nice touch), but if it were ME rooting against the Suns, I’d be careful. Amare is the only player on either team capable of single handedly winning games, and while he may not have done it last night, it’s a lonnnng series. Stay tuned.
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