The following article is not real. It is our best guess
as to what would have happened had the NBA season actually
started on time, playing every game on the 2011-12 schedule. Clearly that’s not the
case, and every stat, quote or observation below never
actually happened. But without REAL NBA basketball to talk
about we needed something to stir our imaginations, so
please take a read and enjoy the Suns 2011-12 season —
sort of.

They say all good things must come to an end, but that is
not yet the case for the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns won their third straight game to open the season,
beating the Portland Trail Blazers 107-103 in Phoenix.

“I tell you what, that is not an easy team to beat right
there,” Suns head coach Alvin Gentry said. “But our guys
played hard and got the job done.”

It wasn’t easy.

The Suns struggled early, scoring just 43 points in the
first half, with Portland’s length and size down low
looking to be too much. But newcomer Michael Redd got hot
from the outside in the second half, hitting four of his
team-high six three pointers, and the Suns were able to
shoot themselves back into the game.

“They brought me here to shoot the ball,” Redd said. “I
know I can do it, it’s just good to be healthy and able to
contribute.”

Redd finished the night with a team-high 26 points,
looking more and more comfortable with his new team. Of
course, he credited Steve Nash, who posted his third
consecutive double-double with 17 points and 11 assists.

“Michael has been great,” Nash said. “He’s as good a
shooter as you’ll see in this league and he’s been a
wonderful addition.”

Redd and Nash were complimented by Marcin Gortat’s 12
points and 14 rebounds, and Grant Hill contributed 13
points, five rebounds and 3 assists.

In all, it really was a team effort.

“Hard as it may be to believe,” Gentry said, “we’re not
going to win every game. But we’ll take them as long as we
can get them.”

Suns Spotted

• For the Suns it was the third straight game against
a team that made the playoffs last year.

• The Suns will hit the road for the first time this
season, heading to Memphis to take on the Grizzlies.

• Trail Blazers center Greg Oden, who almost signed
with the Suns, scored 10 points and had 8 rebounds. He
blocked four shots.

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