TORONTO, Dec. 9 — Penny Hardaway found the perfect way to redeem himself after a tough loss. Hardaway had 27 points, including the winning layup at the buzzer, as the Phoenix Suns beat the Toronto Raptors 91-90 Sunday.
Hardaway felt responsible for Phoenix’s loss against Boston on Friday because he failed to box out Antoine Walker on a play that allowed the Celtics to force overtime.
He had nine turnovers against Boston and was just 6-for-23 from the field that night. “felt like I let everybody down in Phoenix,” Hardaway said. “I do feel a lot better.” Hardaway scored 10 points in the fourth quarter against the Raptors. “We should have won Friday’s game,” Hardaway said. “I was so disappointed in myself because I had to box out and I let him go. I just said I was going to go all out this game.”
The Suns overcame Vince Carter’s 42 points. His jumper with three seconds left put Toronto ahead 90-89. The final play of the game began with Hardaway inbounding the ball to Rodney Rogers and then cutting to the basket. Rogers floated a return pass to Hardaway, who eluded defender Jerome Williams and put the ball in. “Rodney Rogers made a great pass to Penny, and he made a great cut to the basket,” Toronto coach Lenny Wilkens said. Hardaway, who finished 11-for-24 from the field, said he worked on his shot on Saturday.
“I just knew I had to come into this game in a groove,” Hardaway said. “I also came early before the game and worked on it. It worked out. I shot the ball a lot better.” Stephon Marbury added 22 points and 12 assists, and Shawn Marion had 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Suns, who lost the first two games of their three-game road trip. “I’m happy for Penny,” Marion said. “Getting the game-winner is perfect for Penny because he’s been down on himself lately.”
The Raptors took a 48-43 halftime lead, but the Suns opened the third quarter with a 15-2 run.
I was rooting for the Raptors. Where was their defence throughout the game? Have to admit that Hardaway did play well, and perhaps the Suns did deserve to win.. Can’t believe he got that shot during the last 3 seconds of the game. Expected a bit more from Olajuwon too.
oh well - despite it all, Raptors are still the best:)
Lakers are actually looking pretty good at the start of the season this year, unlike last year. They usually start winning more matches in the second half of the season, after the all star break.
I feel sorry for MJ, who is playing so well, but his team always lets him down( kind of like A Flower of Zim)
He is the second best scorer in the league.
Guess who is the first?
I think we have a great team....a mix of talented and vetran players. I wasn't expecting a 12-9 start by the Raptors.
They were lucky they won a couple of close games earlier in the season.
The team is playing so inconsistently that it is unbelievable. Sometimes the defense is non existent during games...and some quarters they play like no one can beat them....they don't give a 48 minute consistent effort.
Lenny Wilken may have most wins but he also have most losses among NBA coaches. His post season record is not great and its not a surprise that raptors are finding it hard to get a chemistry going among the players. I don't like his coaching style. There are no set plays after time outs nor we have vairied plan for different opponents. The decipline which Phil Jackson has brought to the Lskers is whats missing in raptors.
I can go on and on huh! I'll go drink a glass of water!
You would've expected a bench fairly experienced as the Raptors', not to have been jumping around like that after Carter's rebound made it a one-point game. 3 seconds is a helluva lotta time in the NBA.
good move by Hardaway though, but how do you justify him being given room?. Juss like BoSS said, very inconsisent on D. You juss don't give space to teams like Phoenix!
Nadia_H, Olajuwon's actually putting in some prety good numbers. He's fit well on the Dino roster and T.O. Less hope he continues the good work when he finally returns to Texas tomorrow.
[This message has been edited by Elmo with headphones (edited December 11, 2001).]
[quote]
Originally posted by BoSS:*
Lenny Wilken may have most wins but he also have most losses among NBA coaches. His post season record is not great and its not a surprise that raptors are finding it hard to get a chemistry going among the players. I don't like his coaching style. There are no set plays after time outs nor we have vairied plan for different opponents. The decipline which Phil Jackson has brought to the Lskers is whats missing in raptors.
[/quote]
Boss I'm sorry this is a silly question, but for how many years, each, have Wilken and Jackson been coaching?
[quote]
Originally posted by Elmo with headphones:*
...Olajuwon's actually putting in some prety good numbers. He's fit well on the Dino roster and T.O. Less hope he continues the good work when he finally returns to Texas tomorrow.
[/quote]
Elmo, thanks for correcting me. Although Raptors lost against the Spurs, I don't think Olajuwon did too badly - he got something like nine or ten blocks, I think..
I think the Raptors are playing against the Bulls on the 20th - that should be another very interesting game too.
Nadia: Wilkens has a 28yr head coaching career and Phil Jackson has 9yrs of head coaching experience with playoff winning percentage of 0.72
I know u knew the 28yr part
and on sunday there is an Event around the game! Jordan is coming to meet Vinsanity!