Weekly Excerpts From the Art of War

by Turambar on Jul 16, 2007 12:12 AM MST

I thought it wise to start a weekly diary with various excerpts from the Art of War. Perhaps this will do well to prepare us for the Season of Vengeance that shall begin in October.

"The Skillful Warrior of old won easy victories,

The Victories of the Skillful Warrior are not extraordinary victories; they bring neither fame for wisdom nor merit for valor,

His victories are flawless; his victory is flawless because it is inevitable; he vanquishes an already defeated enemy."

Sun Tzu

If you havent read the Art of War I really suggest you do so. It is a tome filled with great words of wisdom that can be applied to many aspects of life (despite what the title suggests).

Please feel free to comment how you feel this quote relates to the Suns.

Poll

Weekly Art of War Quotes: Yay or Nay

Sure they'll get us in the mindset for next season!

6 votes

Meh whatever, it's kinda cool.

4 votes

Bleh, who care. Quotes smotes. I dont need no stinking quotes!

2 votes

12 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

This is great!

This ties right in with a post I am planning to put up later in the week. I would love to get a few of these recurring diaries going in the sidebar, kind of like columns in a newspaper. I'll write more about the idea in a couple of days, but for now, congrats on the proactive thinking! :)

by TexSUN on Jul 16, 2007 6:04 AM MST reply actions

Thanks for the support!

Good to know I got a fan in the Boss. Recurring diaries would be cool. Might even bring the fan base up on this sight to something like that of the goldenstateofmind.

"Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating your enemy without ever fighting." Sun Tzu

by Turambar on Jul 16, 2007 8:09 AM MST up reply actions

Come on Guys: Input time!

Come on guys input is always nice. Doesnt even have to be about the quote.

"Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating your enemy without ever fighting." Sun Tzu

by Turambar on Jul 17, 2007 4:37 PM MST reply actions

Sun Tzu's Style of Play

First time posting here, but I've read the book and felt compelled to comment.

I'd love to say this excerpt applies to a particular Suns player, past or present, but I really can't think of any literal victory that didn't bring a modern day professional fame or merit. Those attributes are really the reason a blog like this exists.

However, and I realize this has been discussed prior to now, your AOW quote may relate to the current trend to play a more up-tempo style. The resurgence of this type of play can only be credited to the Suns and Mike D'Antoni's efforts over the past three seasons. Perhaps this controlled chaos which the Suns seem to employ so well is in fact your "Skillful Warrior" which is winning over the league's fans and many of its executives.

It seems as though many teams are beginning to attempt to emulate Phoenix's fast-paced and entertaining breed of basketball. Marc I was plausibly the most sought-after coach during the hiring period, the reliance on a true point guard is being stressed with younger teams (Utah/NO/Memphis) and experienced clubs (like Team USA with Kidd, Billups and Hinrich), and more high profile players have expressed interest in joining the Suns (Kobe, KG, Hill) despite the Suns' ability to accommodate most requests.

Now only if somehow this team could prove this style to be victorious in the literal sense. Beyond entertainment value and club revenue, it would be remarkable if this approach could somehow cast a dark shadow over the theory that "defense wins championships."

Sun Tzu also had a take on this...

"Those who excel at defense bury themselves away below the lowest depths of Earth. Those who excel at offense move from above the greatest heights of Heaven. Thus they are able to preserve themselves and attain complete victory."

BTW, i vote to keep the Sun Tzu coming.

by judacris on Jul 17, 2007 10:21 PM MST reply actions

Welcome!

Welcome to the board, judacris! Very well thought out first post you had there.

by TexSUN on Jul 17, 2007 10:33 PM MST up reply actions

Well Said Good Sir

Well said indeed. I agree with you totally, and of course have to because this quote can be interpreted in any manner. I love how you managed to apply to it the abstract of a playing style.

I'm convinced that we can break that invisible boundry that has plagued the Suns and break into that vast avenue of glory. The Suns have only to truly want it enough. Look at the times we lost in the regular season. These are games (bar the epic Dallas and Spurs battles) that we should have crushed our foes, but we let slip chance and underestimated our enemies. I swear to you if the Suns followed the advice of Master Sun and never let slip chance nor misjugde our enemy, that they would so thuroughly beat teams that people could not help but speak of it for ages.

"The Skillful Warrior takes his stand on invulnerable ground: He lets slip no chance of defeating the enemy."

Our Skillful Warrior is Steve Nash. There is never a moment where he is not punishing the other team even for their minor mistakes. He is a forced to be reckoned with at every point he is in the game. His passion to win is as strong as steel. And we all know Nash has tried to impart his passion and will to win upon his fellow teammates, yet with no lasting results. I can only pray that the added veteran desperation of Grant Hill will fire up the souls of our other Suns.

Victory will be ours. It is only a matter of time and of will.

"Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating your enemy without ever fighting." Sun Tzu

by Turambar on Jul 17, 2007 10:59 PM MST up reply actions