Bring Back Mike

The Knicks arrive on December 15.  Tell me why I should give you my extra ticket to the game (besides the obvious fact you get to sit next to me).

Coach Antoni's didn't teach defense, didn't practice defense and probably stares with a dumbfounded look at the pictures of a "D" and a fence on the jumbotron trying to figure out, in vain, what the hell the jumbotron is trying to get the crowd to chant.  His knowledge of rebounding was slightly better.

I fully agree that the Suns needed more defense, more rebounding, a little more rest for the super-studs and a deeper rotation.

I'm ticked that Antoni couldn't get Doris to produce and that Porter seems to have done something to motivate him.

I even like the idea of letting someone besides Nash start the half-court offense so that he can be freed up to shoot 50% from downtown.

For the life of me, though, I can't figure out why the offense is going through Shaq instead of Nash.  The Big Lane-Clogger does clog the lane extremely well -- but on both ends.  All that he is right now is Greg Ostertag with offensive abilities.  All Karl Malone needed was Greg Ostertag.  Malone did just fine, thank you.  At the end of last year, I submit that Shaq was fulfilling that role very well.

It's not even that the 7SOL era ended when Marion left.  When Antoni was here, Shaq was rarely featured in the offense.  Sure, the guy should get a few touches.  He should get a Heat Check at the beginning of the game.  But that's it.  Nothing else.  He's a great tool to have, but he should not be a featured part of the offense.  Coach Antoni knew this.  You'd think the new staff would try to build on the foundation that Antoni left behind.

Even at the end of last year, the offense was still clicking.  The Suns' weaknesses were defense and the rotation (rebounding a little bit, but not bad with Shaq).  However, instead of keep the offense in place and improve the weak spots, this staff seems to have improved the weak spots while taking a step backward on the offensive end.

So, who wants to hit the Bud Light Paseo with me to lobby for the return of Mike?  Chants, posters, t-shirts, etc.  Come on!  Who's with me?