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More looks for Bell in Suns scheme

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Nobody had a more inquisitive Suns training camp than guard Raja Bell, whose inquiring mind was emblematic of how much the Suns' inner workings have shifted under new coach Terry Porter. "Everything is different," Bell said. "If you don't know, you better ask. When everything changes on you, sometimes you've got to ask questions to make sure you're on the same page. "It's a 180 but that's what we've decided we need to do to win. Now, it's about us all understanding the way we're going to play and the schemes." Bell was frequently the player Mike D'Antoni couldn't bring himself to take off the floor in recent years. He averaged a team-high 35.3 minutes last season because D'Antoni needed Bell's All-NBA defense and his 3-point shooting to spread the floor offensively. "From an offensive standpoint, he may be touching the ball more," Porter said. "In the past, he may have been just running to a spot, so to speak. He's going to be able to touch it, move it and put it on the floor more than in the past. There'll be more screens, pin-downs and things of that nature." Porter also has the Suns changing defensively, going from a team that funneled dribblers to the middle to one that shades them to the baseline.

Arizona Republic

Raja Bell, Domenic Centofanti/Getty Images Raja Bell, Domenic Centofanti/Getty Images
October 6, 2008  08:47 AM ET

Shaq isn't going to be happy setting screens to free up a scrub like Bell.

October 6, 2008  08:53 AM ET

I wouldn't say he's a scrub.....but he is not an 'all-star' caliber player that you would think to run an ofense around. I like his toughness, he can hit a shot- but he's clearly a complimentary role player

October 6, 2008  09:40 AM ET

who cares the real story here is the suns will be better without one trick tony - no burnout come playoffs and depth on the bench

October 6, 2008  10:20 AM ET

This should be very interesting. I will be like watching a totally different team. I wonder what Nash's reaction is to all of this.

October 6, 2008  10:28 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

Shaq isn't going to be happy setting screens to free up a scrub like Bell.

At this point in time, the scrub is Shaq. Yes, Bell might not be very enthused to play alongside a egoistic out-of-shape unmotivated scrub

October 6, 2008  12:25 PM ET

Well if Porter goes and runs the offence through Bell, then expect the suns to do a move later on and get a better offensive player or star. Maybe Carter, but he gets paid too much and is old. Or possibly Mike Miller, who's a way better shooter then Bell and plays okay D. and also gets paid around 9 million just like Diaw.

October 6, 2008  12:47 PM ET

Bell does play defense but it's up to Porter to emphasize defense. Other then a defender, I really don't like his game.

October 6, 2008  01:26 PM ET

Well there goes the Suns chances this year fighting for a title!! Lets get ready for season 09,10

October 6, 2008  01:40 PM ET

The million dollar question is : Will the Suns be better and go farther in the Post Season without D'Antoni? No Bell isnt the answer to push the team to the next round. Why not that Amare guy or Barbosa.

October 6, 2008  01:58 PM ET

he's got more skill than we think, he used to just settle for threes under d'antoni but i remember when stat and diaw got suspended that awful series he came up huge in that almost victory the next game. and the only game we won in the playoffs this year was when he was dribbling and not settling for 3's. however he's not the guy you want to give the ball to when their's weapons like amare, barbosa, and nash. and ramirex you're right they probably will pick up a more athletic/younger/better offensive shooting guard, it's what you need in a slowed down style...

October 6, 2008  02:54 PM ET

The Suns will struggle all season long....

October 6, 2008  03:22 PM ET

Bell its time to prove your worth now, you're a little more than a lock down defender & spot up 3 pt shooter, and a little less than a bona fide clutch player. If Porter is expanding his touches in the offense, then he must see the kid's potential...Represent your alma mater Boi... FIU Panthers..

October 6, 2008  03:33 PM ET

Well, at least if he has more looks than he will have less time to commit (and get away with) flagrant fouls like that time he threw Kobe to the floor a couple of seasons ago. He is a POS thug. Between that and Shaq's "rap" last Spring, karma will dictate the Suns puttering out in the first round again this season.

"Kobe, tell me how my **** tastes..."
- Uh, like Tim Duncan's shoe, dude.

October 6, 2008  04:53 PM ET

the suns are not going anywhere

October 6, 2008  06:18 PM ET

This not really saying much. With D'Antoni, it was pick and roll with Nash and Amare every time down. Bell's only touches were spot up jumpers that resulted from fast breaks, or the pick and roll. If they run 4 plays for him to come off of a screen and hit a 18-20 footer a game, that would be expanding his touches. Nash and Amare will will still be the center pieces of the offense

October 6, 2008  06:28 PM ET

I would imagine there will be a lot of different Suns players getting the ball more often. Not only are the Suns going to a motion offense that will spread the ball around more, Terry Porter is not going to allow Leandro Barbosa to shoot every time he catches the ball. He was 2nd on the team in shot attempts last year and had the most attempts the year before. I think he is a very good young player that will get better on defense under terry Porter, but he does not need to be shooting that much with as many other weapons the team has.

October 6, 2008  06:49 PM ET

Well, I saw the scrimmage the suns had Friday and the ball did go to the guards more and Nash wasn't doing pick n roll every possesion. Also the big guys got the ball more and basically Porter is just running the offence through the big guys and guards, instead of Nash or Dragic all the time. This is better though because Nash is probably the best shooter the suns have and Porter is Making players like Barnes and Hill do the dribbling, since they are the worst shooters and driving in to either shoot an easy shot or passing to Nash, Bell, or Barbosa(who didn't play) and if that doesn't work out then they throw out the Nash or Dragic and then go down low to Shaw or STAT to either post up and score or find the open shooter. But still in order for this to work, they need a better 2 guard that can take it one on one and make defences adjust to him.

October 6, 2008  09:00 PM ET

PHOENIX KEYS TO SUCCESS:
1. Improve defense, defense, defense
2. Use motion offense as well as pick-and-roll on offense
2. Expand rotation (many players are antique, so they need to be rested)

WHO KNOWS THE SUNS WILL BE THE 2009-2010 NBA SEASON CHAMPIONS?

October 6, 2008  09:10 PM ET
QUOTE(#13):

Well, at least if he has more looks than he will have less time to commit (and get away with) flagrant fouls like that time he threw Kobe to the floor a couple of seasons ago. He is a POS thug. Between that and Shaq's "rap" last Spring, karma will dictate the Suns puttering out in the first round again this season."Kobe, tell me how my **** tastes..." - Uh, like Tim Duncan's shoe, dude.

BAD KARMA ALSO GOES TO A PERSON
1. Seldom shares ball to teammates.
2. Requests trade of main star, so that he can improve from just being second star.
3. Asks banishment of coach.
4. Imposes his physical self on a weak woman (is this rape?).
5. Overrates himself.

 
October 6, 2008  10:08 PM ET
QUOTE(#17):

Well, I saw the scrimmage the suns had Friday and the ball did go to the guards more and Nash wasn't doing pick n roll every possesion. Also the big guys got the ball more and basically Porter is just running the offence through the big guys and guards, instead of Nash or Dragic all the time. This is better though because Nash is probably the best shooter the suns have and Porter is Making players like Barnes and Hill do the dribbling, since they are the worst shooters and driving in to either shoot an easy shot or passing to Nash, Bell, or Barbosa(who didn't play) and if that doesn't work out then they throw out the Nash or Dragic and then go down low to Shaw or STAT to either post up and score or find the open shooter. But still in order for this to work, they need a better 2 guard that can take it one on one and make defences adjust to him.

This hurts me to say but, the two guard you are talking about is Joe Johnson. Of all of the dumb moves made recently, letting JJ go has had the biggest impact of all.

They have pretty good talent at the 2 now. Between Bell, Barbosa, and ocasionally Barnes or Tucker, they should be able to hold down the position well enough to make the offense work.

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