The Next Next Steps

by Seth Pollack on Mar 23, 2008 3:05 PM MDT

After the win over the Spurs two weeks ago the collective Sun's world was feeling pretty good. And relieved.

But we all knew there was work to be done and there was much to prove if we were going to be a contender. And so looking forward I set some goals declaring that winning the next six games would be "awesome and completely possible". It was and it was.

I also listed three key tasks in the Suns rebuilding project plan:

1) Offense - incorporating the big guy. I think we can safely hang the Mission Accomplished banner.

The Suns are really looking sharp and are getting amazing production from Amare supported by Nash in less of a play-making and more of a off-the-ball shooting role. This is all well balanced by Shaq inside and a plethora of other guys that can and are hitting open shots.

The Suns have the most potent, balanced and devestating offense in the game today. By far. No question. Except for the Lakers. Or sometimes the Jazz.

2) Defense - Two weeks ago I called this 50% done. Progress has certainly been made. Nash is working harder on D. Rotations and switches are sharper and the perimeter D is playing tighter and relying on the Big Dudes in the middle to protect the rim. And mostly the effort was there. Watching poor little LB try and cover Shane Battier last night just made my heart weep. He worked so hard off the ball and really did a fantastic job. At one point the camera showed Raja on the bench looking worried and for good reason.

There's still some work to be done here though. When Shaq is out the team needs to adjust its style and they really haven't played any great offensive teams. Lets see how they handle Detroit and Denver.

3) Bench - This is the area of greatest improvement. Two weeks ago this was barely getting any attention from the coach. Now we have seen Boris and GG both come in the play well together. I think Gordan is really providing the second unit with a huge lift by putting another guy on the floor that can handle the ball, create his own shot and knock down the open 3. With he, Boris and LB together this unit is really looking nice. Skinner even got some quality minutes in a couple of games.

Overall you have to be pleased with our 8 man rotation and having Skinner available for spot minutes as needed. There's more to do here as well but I don't think there's reason to complain at this point in the season about not playing 10 guys. And compared to previous years, this is the deepest Suns team yet with a full 8 guys in Coach D's circle of trust.

What's Next?

The schedule is about to get brutal and as Chboddis pointed out in this great post. I think the next six are the most critical and telling. I don't think any of the games are "must win" as long as the Suns show up and compete like they have been doing. Overall, I am looking for 4 of the next 6 bring us into the final two weeks of the season where it gets a bit easier. Continued improvement on D. Continued effort and focus. Cut down the turnovers. And feed THE BEAST!

Enjoy the ride!

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Comments

Suns...

Have to beat Detrroit

'07-'08 Suns: It's clobberin' time!

by Hawk42 on Mar 23, 2008 3:39 PM MDT reply actions

I don't see it as a must win.

It would be really really nice, but it is a road game against a top team. Odds are we may not see them again this year.

We just need to keep the game close. Make progress. We can figure them out later if we need to play them in the finals.

Looking to see the matchup with Maxiel again.

Hope Amare can torch Rasheed this time. Rasheed is such an x-factor.

The SUNS - NOW THE HOTTEST TEAM IN THE NBA!

by ZonaFlash on Mar 23, 2008 3:54 PM MDT up reply actions

will really miss Bell

if he doesn't return, his shooting was hitting high gear!

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 23, 2008 4:53 PM MDT up reply actions

The Suns will destroy the Pistons

Or at least I hope they do. I don't want a W. Even through I know that most likely it won't happen, I wanna a 30-40 points blowout. I want some revenge.

Oh, and right now Nash > Billups > Kidd.

Walk on, walk on With hope in your heart And you'll never walk alone You'll never walk alone

by Nobs on Mar 23, 2008 4:52 PM MDT reply actions

Me Too

I'll be there.

by MichiganSunsFan on Mar 23, 2008 6:07 PM MDT reply actions

The Pistons

are even more unpredictable then the Suns were.

It really depends on which Pistons team shows up. If we blow them out its almost meaningless.

If they play well and we beat them great. And really great for MichiganSunsFan!

If we play them well and don't win then at this point it won't kill us and we might just learn something in the lose.

4 of the next 6 will keep us just fine in the standings and I really don't care which 4 it is :)

Phx - where artistic vision happens

by Seth Pollack on Mar 23, 2008 6:29 PM MDT reply actions

In the loss

don't want the grammar/spelling police to get me!

Phx - where artistic vision happens

by Seth Pollack on Mar 23, 2008 6:30 PM MDT up reply actions

I care

I want to beat the Pistons, the Celtics, 76ers and the T-Wolves. We can lose the other 2 if we beat these badly. But I'd like a winning streak. A big badass one.

Walk on, walk on With hope in your heart And you'll never walk alone You'll never walk alone

by Nobs on Mar 23, 2008 6:37 PM MDT up reply actions

haha

me to

Nothing in this Verse can stop us!

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 23, 2008 8:52 PM MDT up reply actions

Tough Road Sched

Some very good points brought up SRP - Looking forward to the challenge on the road now - Detroit and then Boston, Suns have to be gearing up for two big defensive games, possibly minus Raja Bell.

Been so good to see Shaq getting more and more involved, running and aware of where he needs to be on the offensive end. Nash is really starting to get things going well with him.

Go Gordy G! He has really complemented the Suns off the bench, and his confidence is growing. Credit the spacing and the increase in the Suns overall offensive game for getting Gordon more open looks - just the spark we've needed when LB/Bell etc aren't getting it going from the outside!!!

Subscribe to Run N Gun Podcast here

by dang on Mar 23, 2008 6:42 PM MDT reply actions

Rest of the Season

I'll be updating my "Rest of the Season" post regularly, but since we're discussing it here, I stand by Detroit as a Must Win game.

The Suns have won 7 in a row against a mixed bag of competition. This, like the Spurs win, is a statement game, especially after the absolute pasting the Pistons laid on the Suns a few weeks ago.

That, and as an LA resident, I can relate to MichiganSunsFan's desire for a victory in someone else's house. It's pretty sweet.

by Mike Lisboa on Mar 23, 2008 9:55 PM MDT reply actions

Looking to the playoffs...

So with Dirk going down...and if his injury is serious enough to keep him out for a long while.... Would you want to face the Mavericks in the first round??

by whatisboxhappening on Mar 23, 2008 11:10 PM MDT reply actions