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I'm having a great deal of difficulty in accepting this season as a potential title run. Why? I think the two stunning losses at the hands of MIN (coupled with the two losses the LAL) are an indicator that things are not as they were last season. However, I'm not yet to the point where I will concede defeat for my team and throw in the towel. That said, let me address each reason why I feel the Suns are at a crossroads of sorts...
Contenders:
The Suns easily possess one of the best teams in the NBA with three All-Star level players in their starting line up and a previous All-Star in Grant Hill. The Suns also have great bench depth this year. Their two primary players, Boris Diaw and Leandro Barbosa, are both NBA award winners as the Most Improved Player and Sixth Man of the Year respectively. It is, arguably, the deepest bench they have had in quite some time. Their only weakness is a lack of a low post defender, although Brian Skinner has performed well as a replacement for the traded away Kurt Thomas.
Pretenders:
The Suns consistently play their starters and do so at a higher rate than any other team in the league. Steve Nash's best play has come at the expense of his longevity. He's certainly no spring chicken and is getting older by the day despite his continually excellent play at the point. Shawn Marion voiced his displeasure with his role as a "third fiddle" and desires to be a more focal point in the offense. He rejected a potential trade to MIN that would have given him the status he desired and what would have brought PHX Kevin Garnett. Despite the lingering issue, he has shelved his contract issue for now and focused on basketball. Amare Stoudemire has been abused repeatedly by low post scorers (Jefferson and Bynum specifically) who should not have as much success against him as they do. Boris Diaw has been tentative with his shot and appears lost in the shuffle at times. He has not brought much of what made him the NBA's MIP back from his offseason break. At least he was in somewhat better shape this time.
Both:
The Suns are both contenders and pretenders to the NBA throne and will continue in both roles until they have enough desire to close out games against meager teams and the regular juggernauts. Their starting five is one of the best in the league and easily makes them a sure fire contender, but they're humbled by D'Antoni's system and his propensity for not using the depth of his bench. They are contenders based on their style of play and their conditioning to run at a break neck pace for the entire game and simply outhustle or out shoot their opponent; conversely, they are also pretenders for the same reason that they are successful, and that's their pace. Sometimes the game needs to be slowed and stronger defense needs to be played, but until they get consistentcy from their principal players from a defensive standpoint (especially in the post), they're going to continue to get abused. Lastly, they're contenders due to their outstanding coach, but it's that same coach that makes them a pretender. When will D'Antoni realize that defense is more relevant than a high powered offense? Until he sees the error of his ways and re-evaluates his strategy, his coaching will continue to come into question by fans and other coaches.
My verdict?
Clearly the Suns are a great team, but they have become a victim of their own success. Many teams have emulated their fast break, run-like-hell style and had success with it. The differences with the other teams is their players in the low post and their players' ability to play solid defense once the tempo is inevitably slowed. The Suns need to be able to emulate other teams' ability to switch gears from offense to defense as dictated by the flow of the game. I think the Suns have a chance to win, but they need to make some changes in strategy or personnel. The bench also needs to get more play. What good is having them if they just sit there? As far as movement, I wouldn't mind seeing Diaw go, but who out there is going to be able to contribute as he does? P.J. Brown was not the answer nor is Webber, but there's talent out there. The Suns have always been great at finding a "diamond in the rough", and now would be a great time for that to happen.
I hope for the best, but I'm starting to waver.. Can they actually pull it out this year or next? I certainly hope so.
What say you, the fan?
Danica Patrck
Ireivy Guerra
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Comments (15) Add A Comment
They are in a tough spot. I honestly believe that they are a very good pretender. As you state the bench is pretty weak, and because of their style it's hard to get certain players to Phoenix. PJ Brown and Chris Webber wouldn't be the best of fits.
Honestly, the Suns biggest mistake is how they have been handling the draft. The team needs the youth and the bench needs the youth.
J. HOVA: PLAYS NO…
Brooklyn, NY
Total Comments (12956)
I agree with you in relation to the draft. Trading away picks is NOT the way you develop an aging team especially if those picks are sent to conference rivals as they were.
Marcus Williams was available when the Suns selected Rondo and sent him packing. Williams is good despite his questionable conditioning and would be a solid backup to Nash.
SkyBill40
Chandler, AZ
Total Comments (1698)
They have traded away Rondo, Luol Deng, and even Nate Robinson. Little Nate would have been great in that running system. He doesn't know the game, but Nash could have taught him to be a good point guard.
J. HOVA: PLAYS NO…
Brooklyn, NY
Total Comments (12956)
Yeah. I didn't mention the others because I didn't think it would illustrate my point any further. Of that group of guards, I still feel Williams would have been the best fit.
SkyBill40
Chandler, AZ
Total Comments (1698)
Sky-
I always appreciate when someone can be objective about their favorite team, and this blog is a good example.
I didn't know how close PHX was to getting KG for SM, but hind sight saids they should've pulled the trigger.
Internally, I suspect chemistry issues from seeing them lose to teams they should beat. The pace they play at is also wearing down Nash and may have something to do with it as the team gets older.
Externally, I think your team is still feeling the effects of getting punked by Horry last year. This game has a lot to do with confidence, and just like Dallas losing (choking) the past couple of years, I really think that Horry's body check on Nash is effecting your team...as in, "damn, that was our best chance and we got punked by Horry."
No offense, as I am a big fan of PHX, but I see that the window for PHX is closing and they, while remaining a contender, will in the end come up short again. I am especially concern how this team will look after the Nash era, as they are putting too many eggs in the current basket.
Odenator...I'll be…
Total Comments (1017)
Agree with you about Marcus. I'm a little surprised that folks around here label him as a bust.
J. HOVA: PLAYS NO…
Brooklyn, NY
Total Comments (12956)
I hope they'll be able to win one, too. But you're right, there are some definite flaws this year. Good observations and good blog.
G.O.A.T.
Scranton, PA
Total Comments (12538)
I don't understand the gloom.
Take a look at the standings and the Suns are #2 in the west. Outside of Boston (who plays in a weak division) all of the 1st tier teams have simiular records.
Each season a team or two catches fire ad runs of a 18 of 20 win streak and the
press christens them the champ. This year that team is Boston.
You can question the Phoenix roster and coaching all you want, some teams match up and win sometimes. I think Amare is backing off on defense because he gets into foul trouble so often, doesn't make it right, but a thought.
Sure the Suns could use a big 7' meat head in the paint, but what does he do on a fast break?
Suns basketball is great to watch, I would be please to see them win it all, maybe this year they are working for the playoffs and not so much for the regular season.
LF
Irvine , CA
Total Comments (434)
Ok peopleit's JANUARY!!!! Why are we hitting the panic button? So what, we dropped a couple of sleepers against two bad teams... It's not that big of a deal. I'm tired of hearing all the whinning about PHX D, we play good defense but we don't rebopund the basketball well enough. But that is fixable. The suns are a contender, hands down. They will continue to run and Nash Rambler and crew will start putting everything together again when it matters APRIL, MAY JUNE.... TERRIBLE BLOG. Think outside the obviuos! Go Suns
chutch3113
Mesa , AZ
Total Comments (4)
Skybill40;
I share your reticence about the Suns, but on the other hand, there are about 25 other teams that would gladly trade places with them...I honestly thin that the Suns have what they need to compete, but it is a matter of getting the most out of Diaw...The more I examine this team, I feel that he moreso than anyone else holds the key to theis team's success...Boris has all-around skills and when Amare was out in 2005-2006, he guarded everyone from Yao to Shaq and guarded them effectively.
As importtant as he is, right now, Boris is one of the few Suns that has a negative plus/minus ratio for the season...The reason, plain and simple is that he is tentative both on offensive and defensive..In fact sometimes he looks lost and that he would rather be eating croissants at a Bistro somewhere...What this cat needs is some of his teammates to dig in his behind to get him motivated. If D'antoni cannot get him focused for every game, then he is a hindrance and has to go...Even though he has a bloated salary, I know there are some GMs out there that think they can motivate him (Good luck)..If we can get a athletich big man with good free throw skills in return for Boris and maybe a draft pick, I think we should do it.
Matrix
Hampton , GA
Total Comments (521)
Suns lose in West Semis
SA over Dallas in West Finals
Good objective blog, Bill
djroxalot
Total Comments (15230)
They dont look the same Suns team
Something is missing
djroxalot
Total Comments (15230)
I think the Suns can make a run at the whole thing as long as Grant Hill stays healthy. He brings an added dimension to the offense that is not all fast break.
I think as long as he stays healthy they have a shot.
Kdawg
Total Comments (846)
And no, trading picks is no way to build a team. Look at the Knicks and what players were available and what they gave away for the unathletic Curry.
Kdawg
Total Comments (846)
Pretender,.. and now a desperate one...
Suns have always had the gift of choosing players with talent but not
enough heart to break on through to the other side.
Now they have done it again with Snaq.....
Anyone that has watched him on their team, knows that he has always
crumpled with the pressure got heavy.
Before, he always had Penny, Kobe and Wade's determination and skill
to rely on,..
He also depended upon their grace to let him, take their credit.
Now however he's pared with a whole team, coach and owners who
in mind are not really serious about winning the whole thing.
He dug his grave and now has to be buried in it along with a team
that needs a total make-over, shipping all those players to support
winning key stars, but never behind the wheel...
NBAallTheWay
San Francisco, CA
Total Comments (639)
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