Suns Ready for Bucks' Best Effort in Game 2 of NBA Finals
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
36 Friday Sports Friday, July 9, 2021 Suns ready for Bucks’ best effort in game 2 of NBA Finals PHOENIX: Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks for us, but we also have the mentality that we’re not satisfied,” worked on defensive adjustments Wednesday to try and contain Williams said. “We’ve been in this situation before. We talked Phoenix Suns sharpshooter Chris Paul and pull themselves level about it. We’ve already started to prepare ourselves for the in the NBA Finals. Paul scorched the Bucks for 32 points and best Milwaukee effort we’re going to see in the series. We’re passed off nine assists to power host Phoenix’s 118-105 victory ready for that.” in Tuesday’s opener of the best-of-seven championship series. The Suns have had poor showings after some big playoff wins, The Bucks must find a way to frustrate the 36-year-old back- notably a game five loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in the West- court maestro, playing in the first NBA Finals of his 16-year ca- ern Conference finals. “We felt like we didn’t play with the juice reer, to have any chance of capturing their first NBA title in 50 and desperation we typically play with,” Williams said. “Our guys years. “We have a lot we can learn from and we can get better,” understand that’s who we are and we have to be, no matter what said Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez, who struggled the most when the situation is. That has been our DNA.” matched up defensively on Paul. “We’re going to look at different Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Antetokounmpo had 20 coverages and our rotation so we have a lot of different options points and 17 rebounds in game one, making his comeback from to throw out there in game two.” a hyperextended left knee after missing two games. “I was nerv- Paul used the pick and roll to set up mismatches and mid- ous. I was thinking about my knee,” the Greek star forward said. range shots as well as passes to Deandre Ayton and Devin “Going into game two, hopefully I can feel more confident, more Booker in thwarting Milwaukee’s defense. “We looked at film. You comfortable to go downhill and make more plays.” feel like there’s things you can get better,” Bucks coach Mike Bu- He could play a role in denying Paul his desired shots as well. denholzer said. “He’s a player probably you’ve got to change up “They can take the mismatch really well, which guy they want to the looks. “If he gets a rhythm, it’s not good for us. So you got to attack, so it makes a little bit harder,” Antetokounmpo said. “So have multiple looks and adjustments and be able to execute at a we just got to make it as tough as possible.” Milwaukee’s P J high level whatever you’re doing.” Tucker and Jrue Holiday had the most success on Paul, but the One problem for the Bucks is that Paul has seen almost every- Suns playmaker still had the shots he wanted. “They’re picking PHOENIX: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks makes a leaping thing a foe can throw at him defensively over 16 NBA seasons. and choosing pick-and-rolls,” Tucker said. “As a team, we have pass over Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half of game one “There’s only so many things that you can do out here on this to figure out how we want to handle a lot of those switches, es- of the NBA Finals at Phoenix Suns Arena on July 6, 2021. —AFP court,” Paul said Wednesday. “So we adjust. If they trap, they trap. pecially guard on guard.” They switch, they switch. All season long we’ve adjusted and pre- he’s playing at right now,” Crowder said. “Whatever you throw pared for whatever a team has thrown us.” Saric out for Suns at him, he’s prepared for it. “Game two, we’re just looking to come Suns coach Monty Williams says his team is ready for Mil- Phoenix’s Jae Crowder just marvels at Paul’s mastery. “Chris out and impose our will for 48 minutes as much possible, espe- waukee’s best effort. “To win the first game at home was great is a difficult assignment for anybody with him playing at the level cially with the home crowd behind us.” —AFP “Being a part of an ownership Booker looking at group is something I wanted to do, for sure. As a player it could be tough but I realize the re- Tough talk led Suns to quick turn from NBA sponsibilities I had wasn’t going to really affect my basketball ca- reer right now, but it’s something sacrifice, build contender Finals to Olympics I think a lot of players are start- PHOENIX: When Phoenix coach Monty Williams yelled after ing to trend towards, finding an early season loss that the Suns had the NBA’s worst starting PHOENIX: Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker won’t be done with ways to invest their money and five, the group sat down and had a long, hard talk. That con- basketball after the NBA Finals, with plans to join the US Olympic it’s something I’m interested in.” versation set the stage for sacrifices, acceptance of roles in a team after the championship showdown against Milwaukee. The Middleton has visited Aus- team setting and was a major step in the Suns reaching their 24-year-old guard, a two-time NBA All-Star, will be joined by tralia to check out his investment first NBA Finals since 1993. “We were just really honest with Bucks’ rivals Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton on the 12-man US and see the support Aussies have each other,” Suns guard Devin Booker said. “Those conversa- roster that is set to play its first game in Tokyo on July 25. for basketball. “The sport for tions, all those bits and pieces, all those moments are why If the NBA Finals reach the maximum seven games, they would sure is definitely growing over we’re in the position we’re in right now. But we still have to finish on July 22, barely time to celebrate, catch a plane and reach there in Australia,” he said. “I’ve get the job done.” Japan to meet coch Gregg Popovich and his American teammates been there a couple times and Devin Booker The Suns defeated Milwaukee 118-105 in the opening game before the opening Olympic tip off. “I’ll be there,” Booker said. “But just seeing their fan base, how of the best-of-seven championship series. It could be the first obviously not my main focus right now. “I saw all the guys reported much it’s growing and how much title for the Suns since the team began play in 1968 and the to Vegas and only other place I would rather be is the Finals, but I they’re passionate about the sport, I thought it was just an all-in- first for star guard Chris Paul, into his first finals at age 36 after would love to be there with the guys and I’ll be there soon.” all win for myself.” 16 NBA campaigns. “Everybody is comfortable and accepts Booker treasures the opportunity to help deliver the United The tightest global ties to the NBA Finals are seven interna- their roles,” Paul said. “That stuff sort of just happens. You States a fourth consecutive gold medal. “Very important. Life goal tional players on the rosters. The Bucks boast Greek forward Gi- start accepting things. It just kind of evolves. Your team even of mine,” he said. “It’s the most prestigious event that basketball annis Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, his changes during the playoffs.” can find. So to be a part of representing your country brings you brother Thanasis, Guinea’s Mamadi Diakite and Frenchman Axel Bahamas 22-year-old big man Deandre Ayton, for starters, to a whole ‘nother stratosphere. Just thinking of the guys that have Toupane. The Suns’ lineup includes Bahamas center Deandre has been told what he needs to do by Paul and Booker all sea- come before us and represented our country and I don’t think Ayton, Egypt’s Abdel Nader and Croatia’s Dario Saric, who suf- son. “They got to tell me something every day,” Ayton said. there’s anything better than winning a gold medal.” fered a torn right knee ligament in game one that will sideline him “They keep a consistent thing where they are always giving But Booker wouldn’t complain about the chance for an NBA- for the rest of the series. constructive criticism, and I take the best of it. “It’s just the re- Olympic double title despite the short turnaround. Middleton Giannis Antetokounmpo had 20 points and 17 rebounds in spect level. We all got on each other, had candid conversations made his own global basketball investment three months ago, join- game one, making his comeback from a hyperextended left knee where we had to adjust. But candid conversations lead to ing the ownership group of the Brisbane Bullets of Australia’s Na- after missing two games. He’s also among seven players in the fi- wins.” —AFP tional Basketball League. “It’s something that I was excited about,” nals of Nigerian heritage, his parents having moved from Lagos Middleton said.