Life without Nash

I knew Steve Nash was going to be out for the Suns-Lakers game, so I also pretty much assumed that the Suns were going to lose. But you know what? I hate to say it, but we would not have won that game even with Nash. Our defense was non-existent as we gave up 132 points to the Lakers. Now that Raja Bell is gone, I dont see one person on that squad who can guard Kobe except for maybe Grant Hill, who doesnt have the quickness to stop him. I'm worried about Grant Hill, his game has really fallen off ever since Terry Porter left. You can say all you want about Stoudemire's lack of a defensive presence, but we missed him tonight and we are going to miss him all season. Alvin Gentry is really going to have his work cut out for him to get things somewhat shored up on the defensive end. We really need Shaq to step it up on the boards, too. He has only had double digit rebounds in one of his last seven games.

I do like the idea of resting Nash as he has an ailing shoulder, ankle, back, everything. I'm just not sure how many more losses we can take. We really need to take down the visiting Raptors tonight. We will have the Lakers again on Sunday and then a brutal road trip. The Suns are 2 games out of the playoffs, Utah is getting healthy and are starting to get hot, the Mavericks are getting Jason Terry back soon. The one team I can see falling off is the Portland Trailblazers so I think we still have a good chance. At some point the Suns are going to have to start beating contenders to keep their confidence.

One thing that I have liked has been the improved play of Goran Dragic under Alvin Gentry. The system doesn't hurt, but it is so important to instill confidence early in a young, foreign player like him. He still makes way too many turnovers though. I like his defense. When I went to a game in Phoenix against the Heat (Marion's first return to Phoenix), the first thing I noticed about him was his freakishly long arms. He is 6'-4" tall with a 6'-7" wingspan. Length goes a long way in the NBA game and that will serve to benefit him throughout his career. I look forward to seeing him develop. I know that Steve Kerr is going to do everything he can to sign Nash to an extension so that he can continue to mentor Dragic.

I am looking forward to seeing how the Suns roadtrip goes. Lets get some wins!