Sports Philosophy 102: Team Chemistry - Shaq vs. Nash for real...

Very good work.
Told Kerr recently that there are two important steps to take to make the Suns a candidate for one of the top 4 “elite” teams in the West. BOTH of these steps are absolutely essential.
FIRST STEP: This is the easy step. Raja Bell, in the past, had gotten suspended (vs. Fakers by putting a head lock on Kobe) and, more often, hurt badly enough to where he could not play. The solutiuon 4 our team? We started, in his place, “The Brazilian Blur.” What was the result? With LB starting in the same backcourt as Nash, with ONLY one exception (under TP), WE WON EVERY SINGLE GAME!!!! We must convince “Thunder Dan” to give Gentry a “clear path” to give this proven success formula a REAL SHOT, I believe this starting backcourt (without Shaq to or TP to slow the team down) will help the Suns team to blow away the opposition in the early part of the game. Then our starting guys can get some well-deserved rest. With such a big lead, our bench, with J-Rich, Frye (I hope), J-Dud, Earl (I hope), AT, and even an improving Tragic (I really hope and if not hopefully a new back-up plan) can get valuable playing time without the pressure of having to beat the other guys – all they will need to do is tred on the mill to not give up the huge lead, When the game is over, everybody feels good (WINNING ALWAYS IS A HELP to team chemistry) and the starters got their rest. Team is mentally, EMOTIONALLY, and physically ready for the next game.

STEP TWO: Much more difficult. Told Kerr he needs to improve the “CHEMISTRY ON THE TEAM”. Why did I say this? Because any team can win at home, but, only the best teams win on the road. We used to be either the best or one of the best teams at winning on the road. Do you remember those days not that far back? When Kerr fired TP and gave the job to Gentry, we became a better team. Gentry’s boys were almost unbeatable at home. BUT WE STILL WERE GIVING GAMES AWAY ON THE ROAD. What changed our road competitiveness this much? Your insightful post is the clue: ‘TEAM CHEMISTRY". Don’t credit or blame me 4 Shaq’s departure, as there were more important voices than mine wanting Shaq gone, like Sarver (now that Shaq fans have already paid 4 their Shaq souvenirs and game gear) who always seems up 4 saving a buck,AND Lou (who could not possibly have wanted to have to go find his bike or look over his shoulder 2c if Shaq & scissors were after him 2 cut off his pony tail, AND evidently “Mr. 4th Quarter” himself (Nash). What I told Kerr was that when you are on the road with the team, if the other guys are your buds, and the flight gets cancelled or delayed or rerouted, or the hotel misplaces your reservation and/or your luggage is lost…it becomes a sort-of fun comical adventure because of who you are with. On the other hand, when you’re with guys that you strongly dislike (and even hate) it becomes a total drag. Your energy is zapped before you even face the other team. THIS is why we can GAIN in ADDITION THROUGH SUBTRACTION. As a result, not only does this move benefit Sarver’s bank book, it HELPS THE CHEMISTRY AND MORALE OF THE ENTIRE SUNS TEAM? Nash (and even Kerr) are smart enough to pick up on this. THIS is why Nash, at his press conference, stressed “TEAM CHEMISTRY”. Nash understands how badly it was lacking and JUST HOW MUCH it hurt their energy level and ability to compete agaInst the home team, when the Suns were away on the road. Most of the media didn’t understand the importance of this issue and was not particularly fair in the way they reacted to these statements made by Nash. Matt Barnes and Shaq are now gone. Sarver will save. Suns fans should do a double back flip. Thier skills and their personalities were not complimentary to the Suns game plan nor to the CHEMISTRY BETWEEN THE GUYS ON THE TEAM. Frye is well-liked and, even if he does not succeed at staying in the rotation – Earl may improve fast enough to make that hard on Frye – he is a home grown Suns fan and will help in the locker room AND ON THE ROAD. VIVA THE SUNS who may once again become “King of the Road”!!!! .

Very good point.
When you lose, though, it’s better 2 know your team mate is someone that you are comfortable with that you feel “has your back”.
With most of his teammates over the years, Nash has been very good to his teammates and taken a leadership role both on and off the floor.
When they win, they feel the high. When thery lose, they all know Nash takes it to heart and that helps the team bounce back. Good wins make 4 good chemistry. Nonetheless, half of the games are on the road and good vibes among the team in the past helped the team to bounce back after a hard loss but last year bad vibes gave them no lift on the road. Just think of how miserably they played away from home.

This year is a new year.
Hard luck in last year’s Christmas game.
This year St. Nick will put the Clippers in our stocking.
Most importantly, if LB starts at the 2 with Nash we will be VERY hard to beat. Take that to the bank.

I like frye i think hes gonna be good with us..sounds like a reach but i see 14/16 ppg and about 7 to 8 boards ..he can stretch the defense and will get a lot of open looks with the starters..I cant wait to see how a line up of Frye Stat Clark Barbosa and Nash play I think that line up could be very tough clark can defend and rebound and the front court is all 6’10 and bigger with good athleticism and the backcourt can play with anyone in the league..Im worried about the bench though..I think they’d get a lot better shots if they press

LOVE the idea of a full court press.
Will create lots of opportunities to fast break.
Have the youth and depth to pull off the press. J-Dud looked very good in the full court press last year.
Where in your starting line up is Grant Hill? DON’T 4get Hill!!!! Hill is MUCH better as a starter. Will need to start Hill unless he gets hurt. ONLY THEN does your starting line up sound good. Like Earl. We still have not seen him play 4 the Suns. We have not as yet seen Frye play on our team. When they prove they belong in our starting line up, like LB has MANY TIMES OVER, then I will b good with your idea. Lou and J-Dud have proven what they can do 4 this team. That is why I will be fine with either of them starting 4 the Suns, so long as LB will also start.. VIVA the Brazilian Blur.