Phoenix Suns Practice Report: Turn Up The Heat, Boys

forgot to mention that Dragic is using his right hand more and had this Nash jab step, spin move in the lane going. He dribbles at the defender, stops and spins and shoots from about 6 to 8 feet. We’ve seen Steve use it a thousand times to get space and create an open shot.

Now Goran seems to be doing it. It’s different than that ball fake move – the Dragon Shake – that he used a few times against big men.

This is more of a traditional spin and fade away that he can use against guards. Deadly if he keeps it going.

Oh, and Matt Janning was goofing around w/ some windmill dunks. He’s no J-Rich but he can get up off the floor.

I am excited to see how all the speculation and teasing translates this week. Wish I could go to the game on Saturday but can’t.

You seem to be the most positive about this team after you’ve talked to some guys directly, whereas if you’re left to your own devices (ie. team in San Diego for a week) you get more negative and sullen. Maybe you should travel with the team. On their dime, of course.

Hedo and Warrick have not been known for outworking anyone through hustle. Childress is our only addition who’s known for hustle. Basically, last year first unit was finesse while the second unit was the work-hard group. If Gentry wants the first team to hustle as hard as the second team, then he’s going to have to switch up the lineups, IMO.

Can’t wait to see more of it and this new move you speak of.

Any new moves from Lopez so far? I remember in the live chat on here I asked if he would incorporate a Dream Shake or something similar, I think he said he was working on moves like that. Would love to see it.

CST please. I’d rather you do the math than me.

I believe that as soon as this team can get that balance and chemistry just right we will be deadly. I think we will contend. However, I’m not going to go out and call us contenders right now, it may take a while just like it took until the all-star break last season before we started playing great. Hope it doesn’t take as long this season. I too really think this will be a fun team to watch. I feel like were kind of a mix between the 05-06 Suns and the 06-07 Warriors.

Lopez, Dragic, Dudley, and everybody else, Grant Hill included, got a lot of experience in the post season. There is a swagger to that – all the doubts that led to the mid-season slump, and the first couple of games against LA in the WCF should be gone, replaced by – well, swagger. They don’t have to think about things like being good enough – they know they are.
   Yes, Amar’e is gone – but Childress seems to be making a big impression, and I think he is going to be the NBA steal of the year. Turk is Turk – I think if he plays to Orlando form, rather than Toronto form, everyone will be fine – anything else will be a bonus. And the depth and constant pressure sound like a winning formula – a refinement of last years bench mob with a focus on wearing out the other team, how exciting will that be to watch?
     The only thing I’m worried about is Gentry winning the COY award – but maybe he can break that jinx, too.

So guys, what did the article say?

If there isn’t some sort of strategy for the trade deadline emerging from all these signings. I mean Jones was a decent pick up last year for rebounding but we didn’t use him hardly at all. Janning? If this kid had a LOT of potential he would be picked up by some other teams too. Plus we dont really have the court space or time to dole out. Then there is the glut at SF that we have.

All in all it looks like the front office is planning on making a big sale come the trade deadline. JRich’s contract will be a big draw to some teams that need the cap space and having “extra” pieces around that have proved themselves worth a look from other teams will only help us in the long run. Dont be surprised if names start popping up in trade talks especially if some of these guys do really well in the Suns’ system.