Steve Kerr hears your criticsm, and agrees

by Seth Pollack on Apr 28, 2009 4:25 PM MDT in Phoenix Suns News

Steve Kerr made an appearance on ESPN radio's Colin Cowherd Show this morning.

The vast majority of the interview was general NBA stuff and while it was fascinating to hear Kerr's take on Phil Jackson (actually it wasn't) the good stuff comes right at the end.

Cowherd asks Steve about the criticism Kerr's received from Phoenix fans and he responded by saying that he probably got too much credit as a player and too much criticism as GM.

Kerr went on to say though that the Suns gambles didn't pay off and the team made too many moves to improve defensively and "took too big of step...and compromised our offense and our rhythm and our identity."

He goes on to say that he deserves the criticism and he accepts it and he needs to get better at his job and the Suns as a team need to get better.

I wish Colin had asked Steve if by "big move" he meant Porter or The Big Move.

This response from Kerr signals a couple of things. In the battle for the Suns identity it seems Run and Gun and Fun is the winner. That tells you that Gentry will likely be back (we assumed that) and fits with the stated desire to resign Nash.

If those two things happen and especially if they also coincide with resigning Amare and letting Shaq go then you can expect the next 3 or 4 years to be more of the same. High scoring. Fast paced. Poor defense and rebounding.

That's fine and fun, just don't start complaining when the Suns get bounced from the playoffs because remember...Defense. Wins. Championships.

The Suns do not appear to be focused on that path and frankly, I have to believe that Kerr knows it. Someone please ask him if he thinks a mediocre defensive team can win a ring. I don't think he in his heart believes that.

Audio provided by ESPN affliliate, Sports 620 KTAR

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"Defense wins championships"

So true. We haven’t (and won’t) win a championship with this squad simply because of this one statement that has stood the test of time…

by Silkster on Apr 28, 2009 4:45 PM MDT reply actions

I hate that phrase..

Yes, you need to be a solid defensive team, somewhere in the top 10.. but that is not the only way to win a championship.

I did some research at basketball-reference.com and in the past 30 years…
The team with the #1 defense from the regular season has won the championship 7 times, while the team with the #1 offense has also won 7 times.

The averages on offense and defense for championship teams in the past 30 years have been (5.5 Offensive Ranking and 4.97 Defensive Ranking).

And a “Defensive team” (one with a better defensive ranking than offensive) has won 15 times, while an “Offensive team” has won 13.

So even though the defensive stats have a slight edge in those categories, I’m not sure if that statement is necessarily true.

by brian13 on Apr 28, 2009 5:48 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs

Nice research

And interesting. Thanks. A 5th-ranked defense still seems fairly unlikely for the Suns any time soon. I wonder who the “lowest” defensive-ranked champion was and what rank they were.

by SueB on Apr 28, 2009 6:01 PM MDT up reply actions

In the last 30 years, it was the Lakers (2000-01)..

They were 2nd in Offense and 21st in Defense. They beat the 76ers who were 13th in Offense and 5th in Defense.

by brian13 on Apr 28, 2009 6:07 PM MDT up reply actions

Cool, thanks

FIGURES it would be them.

by SueB on Apr 28, 2009 6:08 PM MDT up reply actions

They also beat the Spurs in the WCF who were 6th in Offense and 1st in D.

by brian13 on Apr 28, 2009 6:09 PM MDT up reply actions

I would call that an outlier

and as I recall, they barely beat SA on a lucky shot in that WCF and the East was crap that year.

Great research btw. Top 5 or even top 10 I would consider a solid defensive team.

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Seth Pollack on Apr 28, 2009 6:20 PM MDT up reply actions

Yup..

the only other time a team not in the top 10 won it (in the past 30yrs) was the 94-95 Houston Rockets who were 6th in O and 12th in D.

So while defense is obviously a VERY important factor to winning a title, a great offense can make up for some flaws on D.

by brian13 on Apr 28, 2009 6:33 PM MDT up reply actions

Just point that both those teams..

00-01 Lakers and 94-95 Rockets, had #1 & #2 rated defenses the year before, so they were clearly capable of stepping it up. It might be better to look at playoff stats to see if the picture changes.

BTW, the 93-94 Rockets offense was #15, that championship year, the only team to win in the modern era with a sub-average offense.

"True glory consists of doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read".

by Pliny the Elder on Apr 28, 2009 7:15 PM MDT up reply actions

Is there a place to look at the playoff O and D ratings?

Because you’re right, that would be interesting.

Also, the Pistons won in 03-04 with a 18th Ranked Offense (lowest in the past 30yrs).

by brian13 on Apr 28, 2009 7:37 PM MDT up reply actions

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/

forgot about the Pistons.. nice catch they were 18th in offense.. daaammmnn.

"True glory consists of doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read".

by Pliny the Elder on Apr 28, 2009 8:05 PM MDT up reply actions

I take that back..

"True glory consists of doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read".

by Pliny the Elder on Apr 28, 2009 8:07 PM MDT up reply actions

http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2009.html

for this year. Change the year in the above URL to get the year you need.

"True glory consists of doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read".

by Pliny the Elder on Apr 28, 2009 8:08 PM MDT up reply actions

Awesome!!

I might do a little more research on the rest of the years later, but to look at a few…

You were right in that the 00-01 Lakers picked up their D in the playoffs. They had the best ranking on D, but they also had the best on offense so they got it done on both sides.

The 94-95 Rockets on the other hand, were 9th out of 16!!! on the defensive end in the playoffs that year. They were 3rd in offense.

by brian13 on Apr 28, 2009 9:06 PM MDT up reply actions

I hate that statement

Because it implied that a team must be a defensive-oriented team to win it all. While history has shown that really good defensive teams can win it all, it also shows that what really wins championships is all-stars.
Just look at this years Lakers. Favored to win it all right? Well, everyone knows that their biggest flaw is lack of effort on the defensive end. So, why are they favored? Because they have Kobe and Gasol, and a bunch of other solid ballers.
On the other hand, a really good defensive team, the Rockets, aren’t favored to go past the second round. Why? No superstars beyond Yao.

by Funky Flapsack on Apr 28, 2009 5:55 PM MDT reply actions

oh crap

it looks like brian13 already made my point

by Funky Flapsack on Apr 28, 2009 5:55 PM MDT up reply actions

Ha.. at least I'm not alone.

by brian13 on Apr 28, 2009 5:57 PM MDT up reply actions

great minds know whats up

by Funky Flapsack on Apr 28, 2009 6:07 PM MDT up reply actions

I wouldn't say they are

favored right now over the Cavs…they are clearly favored in the West though which is down…

The defense doesn’t have to be top but clearly it needs to be better then average. At the end of the season Kerr and Gentry and all the players really talked about the need to improve defensively. It’s not really a question about being top 5 but I think top 10 or 12 at least.

I don’t see that happening with this current crew. Hope I am wrong

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Seth Pollack on Apr 28, 2009 6:12 PM MDT up reply actions

you're right

this squad has never been top 12, and likely won’t be. And to make it worse, we have no true superstar. Not to open up the floodgates of conversation on how good Amare is, but unless he suddenly summons the efforts and passion of KG, i don’t think he’s winning us a championship

by Funky Flapsack on Apr 28, 2009 6:44 PM MDT reply actions

We have superstars..

but they’re past their prime, soon to be retired superstars.

"True glory consists of doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read".

by Pliny the Elder on Apr 28, 2009 7:16 PM MDT up reply actions

Stat-is-eeks!

man! if we’ll just go by statistics… seems like the team with the highest ranked offense and defense will surely win a ring everytime… but that ain’t the case.. and that gives me hope that all is not lost with our beloves Suns.

i know that basketball has evolved into a science… but i think…factors like team chemistry… motivation… and “choke-ability during crunch time” all play a big part in winning and losing games….

i say, we get pieces that fit the puzzle… then everything should follow…

easier said than done.. esp since we don’t know what puzzle we’re trying to build…

on Kerr… the guy’s been short of crucified in most fan posts… but i can’t jump on the hate bandwagon simply because he’s shown humility and accepts all the recent team debacles as his fault… that’s a class act for me… also, the guy was correct.. he made a gamble.. it’s just that the gamble didn’t work… let’s hope he sharpens his gambling skills in one of ‘em texas-hold-em poker tourneys. perhaps the next time kerr gambles… we’ll win it all

by menacejinx on Apr 28, 2009 10:05 PM MDT reply actions

Defense prevails as the Spurs hold the Mavs to 88 on Thursday night!

unfortunately they only managed 67 points themselves, but that’s unimportant because defense.wins.championships.right? oh except for in cases where offense wins it.

Look, I know it’s a catchy phrase that works for people who don’t really watch or understand basketball, such as sportswriters, but it’s as simplistic and inaccurate as saying offense.wins.championships. As though it has to be one or the other for some reason.

For as much as we dissect every bit of minutia about the suns from their shooting to their hairstyle selection, I would expect a little more of an indepth conversation.

As for our beloved suns, I have reason to be optimistic, and here’s why:

If we keep our core together and have a full preseason to get better, obviously the first order of business is working on D. From Nash to Tucker, everyone agrees this needs to be worked on, and is eager to work on it.

Cue the critcs: yes, just like last year, and what did it get us?jack squat. what’s magically gonna change this year?

Well, I’m glad you asked. The difference is that this year, we have:

1. a coach who is familiar with our strengths and weaknesses who works well with the players and staff, as opposed to last year, where the coach had ( not entirely by choice ) a set plan to follow, a micromanaging mindset, and veteran players who did not respond to him.

2. A developing bench with good potential, which is the backbone of any defensive mindset, since they can expend more energy and fouls due to their limited playing time. This will be a huge change even from the Mike D years. From the Laker’s accursed bench mob to the Spur’s Thugs Inc, you can’t even begin to talk D at a high level until you have a 2nd unit who can come in and support the starters.

3. The beginnings of a solid PG to back up Nash. Again, a first. Why is this significant? because if Nash doesnt have to worry about the team collapsing the second he steps off the floor, then he doesn’t have to be so conserative with his energy and has more gas in the tank to be more active on D. We saw flashes this year and we’ll see more next. Look at everyone’s favorite PG CP3, getting murdered by Chauncey every game in round 1, cumulating in a fabulous 4 point, 6 assist, 6 turnover performance on monday night. Oh by the way, he was playing 45+ minutes and his backup is suddenly named Daniels…hmm…must be a coincidence

With a good defensive coach, a stable roster, some active big men ( either current or upcoming ) committed to team ball, healthy players and a little luck, I fully expect the boys to make a solid run next year. You should expect it too.

by Fritzy on Apr 29, 2009 12:09 AM MDT reply actions

I've never liked the whole "defense wins championships" idea

I’d be much more inclined to go along with the adage if it were “the ability to get important stops win championships” instead. But that’s not quite as catchy.

by Azreous on Apr 29, 2009 1:56 AM MDT reply actions

Exactly

A great offensive team has more room for error on the defensive end but fundamentally you can only score two ways. In the paint or from the perimeter. Great offensive teams have balance and can survive cold shooting nights by getting to the rim and the line.

But, there are times where good defensive teams will just pack it in and force you to beat them over the top. If the shots aren’t falling you have to be able to turn up the D and win that kind of game.

I remember a game in Cleveland in 2008 (before the trade for Shaq) where the Suns did just that. In the fourth quarter the defensive intensity went up and Marion did a great job on LeBron and the Suns won that low scoring game. Those are the types of wins you need. Championship team have a style of play they excel at but they have to be “good enough” at the other style when needed.

Remember the Spurs a few years back? They didn’t want to run and score a lot of points but they could when needed.

The phase is over used and over rated and it really should be “balance wins championships” because no team that only great one way will win.

Can the Suns get better defensively so they are “good enough” without giving up to much on the offensive end? That will be the question going into next season.

I just think that Kerr’s reversal is interesting b/c you know it’s not what he believes about basketball. Regardless of what we think, he (sort of) tried it his way and failed and now he’s given in to forces he doesn’t believe in. That didn’t turn out so well when it was the players who were being asked to go against their beliefs. We’ll see how it works out w/ Kerr.

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Seth Pollack on Apr 29, 2009 8:42 AM MDT up reply actions

Unfortunately, I’m too lazy to read all of the previous posts, but my $.02: A top-rated offensive can win championships IF they can get stops. They don’t have to be lock-down defenders like the Celtics (they do that offense isn’t that potent), but they do have to be able to get a key stop when they want to. The problem with the Suns, outside of a few late season stops, is that if they were up by 2 and there was only 5 seconds left in the game, you knew they were going to give up a 3 in that amount of time. They need at least enough defense to hold that lead with only a handful of seconds left. They DO NOT, however, need to hold opponents at 90 points a game.

by jburning on Apr 29, 2009 7:56 AM MDT reply actions

what moves did Kerr do to make the Suns a better defensive team.

- He got Shaq, which improved the rebounding, but lost a good perimeter defender in Shaw Marion and got a bad pick´n roll defender in Shaq.
- He fired D´Antoni, a bad defensive coach, but hired TP , a great guy but I don´t think nobody expected great things out of him. ( If the pistons did not want him as head coach why should the suns? In the other hand the Bulls hired VDN.)
- He traded Bell and Diaw , two good defenders for J-Rich a bad defender.

I´m seeing a lot of talk about defense but no real action.

by Falcao on Apr 29, 2009 10:42 AM MDT reply actions

Great teams with LUCK win championships.

Remember the 2004/2005 Suns? When we were the best team in the league and lost to SA in the WCF? I don`t think we were going to be eliminated, but we lost Joe Johnson and that changed the series for good. The game he came back we WON at San Antonio, with a great performance and key stops on the final possessions.

Remember the 2006/2007 Suns? I don’t think we were going to be eliminated, but we had the suspensions of Amare and Diaw and that changed the series for good.

Last year, as well, remember that 3 pointer of Duncan? I’d take Timmy at the 3 point line anyday of the week, because, in 10 tries, he doesn’t make 20% of them. But, you know, agains us, that ball found the net.

You can go all the way about defense, and I really think it’s very important to a team play good defense. But our ofense picks up the slack and we can win deep with it. As long as little detalis go our way, which hasn’t. Luck, I guess, plays a big part in any championshiop team.

by Diego Queiroz on Apr 29, 2009 12:00 PM MDT reply actions

the 05-06 team was the most snakebitten..

We lose Amare..

no big, KT & Nash take the pick & roll to an even greater level, and in January we’re on our way to 60+ wins.

KT goes down in Feb, no big, we lose a few more games than we expected, but we end up winning the Pacific with 54 wins.

06 playoffs.. non-calls by Bennett Salvatore force the Lakers series to 7 games. Combined with the Clippers series, we end up playing 14 games in 23 days.

06 series vs Dallas, the lack of rest and the injury to Raja Bell prove too much.

If KT comes back from injury a month earlier, so that he’s actually healthy in the playoffs, and Raja doesn’t get injured, we win vs Dallas, and vs Miami. No doubt in my mind about that.

"True glory consists of doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read".

by Pliny the Elder on Apr 29, 2009 3:04 PM MDT up reply actions