From: dsanders@alexandria.lib.utah.edu (David Sanderson)
Subject: Re: Suns Report: Phoenix dominates Jazz in Delta Center
Organization: Marriott Library, University of Utah
Distribution: world,local
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1992 15:58:44 GMT

In article <1992Nov13.032510.1@violet.ccit.arizona.edu> f67700241@violet.ccit.arizona.edu (Greg Franklin) writes:
>Subject: Suns Report: Phoenix dominates Jazz in Delta Center
>From: f67700241@violet.ccit.arizona.edu (Greg Franklin)
>Date: 13 Nov 92 03:25:10 MST
>11/12/92
>Phoenix Suns (1-1) at Utah Jazz (2-1)
>FINAL: Suns 102, Jazz 91
>
>SETTING:
>
>The Delta Center in Salt Lake City hosted this game.  I remember seeing 
>the old Salt Palace from the outside, and didn't think it was a thing of 
>beauty (although I was thrilled, in my innocence, just to know that an 
>actual NBA team played in there).  I have heard that the Delta Center 
>inspired some of the features in Phoenix's new America West Arena.

  The Salt Palace was once voted to the ten ugliest buildings in SLC list.
The Delta Center is MUCH nicer.  I'm sure you'll get a good look at the 
Delta Center during the All Star Weekend.	


>Halftime Impressions: Suns had the upper hand.  No Jazz seemed to be 
>running wild on the Suns; Stockton and the Malones were kept to low stat 
>totals (Stock 9 assists, K. Malone 1 FT).  CC ended the half with 16 
>points; Barkley had 15.  Phoenix was ahead in both FG% and rebounds, 
>unheard of for a team playing against Utah's defense.

   Nine assists for Stckton at the half is not low.  Last year, if I 
remember right, he was averaging less than 15 per game, and still leading 
the NBA.  The rest of what you say is true, unfortunately.

>AFTERMATH:
>
>Jeff Malone and Jay Humphries (a former Sun) were cold all game, as was 
>the Jazz entire outside game.  The Suns' Majerle, Ainge, and Chambers 
>(who didn't show his ugly mug all second half, to my great satisfaction) 
>again had problems with their shooting.  Knight did get ~12 points for 
>the game.  Ceballos logged 34 minutes and collected 24 points.  Barkley 
>did his usual, and was able to hold the Mailman under control.
>
>The Suns played defense with much more spirit than I've seen all year, 
>especially in the first half. Westphal, for his part, seemed to know his 
>personnel (putting Rambis in when West got into foul trouble, thus 
>sharing the defensive burden with Miller), and kept the Suns in the lead 
>on the road from wire to wire.  That speaks well for his coaching 
>abilities.
>
>As for Jerry Sloan, he just doesn't seem to have the personnel to 
>compete for the NBA championship.  Eaton will not be enough to bring the 
>Jazz to the promised land.  As I said before, Portland is the only team 
>in the Western Conference I fear.

    The Jazz were awful last night.  Their shooting was incredibly poor.  
This is partly due to the good defense by Phoenix, but the Jazz were also 
missing wide open layups, wide open jumpers, etc. etc. etc.  I think you're 
counting the Jazz out of the competition much too early.  Portland IS going 
to have some competition this year.  You were just witness to a very 
uncharacteristic Jazz (at least for a home game.)

    The Jazz are obviously missing the presence of the Man Mountain, 
Eaton, silencing many of his critics.  I think the game would have been 
close all the way through last night if Mark had been in the lineup.  There 
certainly would have been fewer easy drives to the basket by the Suns. 
                                                               


>OTHER STRANGE OCCURRENCES and FACTOIDS:
>
>Rambis hit *3* 18-foot jumpers in limited PT.  Of course, he won't be a 
>star until he learns how to hit his free throws.

    I've always liked Rambis.  He's certainly not a great player, but 
he causes things to happen.  He's a smart player.


>QUESTIONS I WANT ANSWERS TO:
>
>Does anyone in the NBA wear a mouthguard?

    Mark Eaton does.

>
>Will Mike Brown ever retire?  Hell, will Charles Jones (Washington)?  
>These guys just seem to keep going and going....

    Mike Brown is a spotty player.  Sometimes he can really shine, and 
sometimes he just takes up space.  I doubt he'll retire as long as people 
are still competing for his services.  He was offered a very tempting 
contract by the Italians last year.


    Dave