Three Things You Should Know About The Phoenix Suns
by Seth Pollack on Apr 15, 2010 8:24 PM MST
in Phoenix Suns Commentary
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PrintWe were asked to participate in a playoff round up being assembled by Hoops Addict. The question being asked is this: What three things should people know about the Phoenix Suns going into the playoffs.
Suns fans, you already know these things. This is for all those people checking in on our team for the first time.
As the great man said, Yippie-kai-yay
Thing you should know #1. These are not your weak-ass Suns anymore
Over the past few years the Suns have been considered a weak team both physically and mentally. Suns fans at the time denied this (of course) but alas, it was so. The Phoenix Suns lacked scrappy bench players, lacked physical forwards, lacked a tough-minded coach and, as a result, suffered in the playoffs.
And while this current team is no Rocky Balboa, they have made remarkable strides in all those areas and the man that deserves the credit for that is iron spine himself, Steve Kerr. After seeing how the Suns got beat by the Spurs in the 1st round in 2008 he knew changes needed to be made. D'Antoni was given the chance to get on board but instead left a successful team to stubbornly pursue his vision of basketball nirvana....with Chris Duhon.
Some false starts aside, this Suns team has now assembled the roster and found the right coach to walk a magical line between a Nash-led up-tempo offensive team and a good enough defensive squad. They believe they can get stops when needed, they trust each other enough to be more aggressive on the perimeter, and mentally they can overcome adversity.
We'll know in a few weeks if they're right.
Thing you should know #2. Nash and Amare are still awesome but they've got more help than ever before
The Suns best bench player from 2004 to 2009 was Leandro Barbosa. He's now the worst. He's fallen so far that he is hands down the one and only guy that Suns fans cringe at when he checks in. Part of that is injuries but part of it is that his offensive game just isn't a good fit in Phoenix anymore.
The rest of the guys -- Dragic, Dudley, Frye and even Collins and Clark -- give the Suns a second unit that not only can hold a lead but often can extend it.
In their final game of the season, on the road against Utah who was fighting for home court, the Suns were up 3 points early in the second quarter when the unit of Dragic, Barbosa, Dudley, Frye and Amundson went on a 15-1 run to break the game open. Half that run came against the Utah starters.
Most impressive was that run was sparked on the defensive end and included 3 blocks, 3 steals and 5 rebounds, all in a 5 minute stretch of play. While an exceptional performance, it was not a fluke either. Dragic and Dudley especially have ably backed up the Suns' two oldest players and for a national audience that's not familiar with the Suns, they are in for a treat this post season.
The Suns depth has allowed Nash to average only 32 minutes per game, the lowest since 1999/00 and the Suns leading minutes guy is Amare Stoudemire at 34 per game which is 48th in league.
The Suns bench might not get the attention of Orlando or the big scorers like Terry, Crawford or Ginobili, but they've been a big part of the team's success and they will be responsible for several wins in the post season.
Thing you should know #3. Chemistry is very, very good
this section written by Wil Cantrell
Since the outset of this season, we have heard from coaches and players alike how tight the Suns players are with one another. The locker room is loose and the players hang out with one another off the court. Amare Stoudemire took the whole team out to dinner on a recent roadtrip -- and paid for the whole meal. During the annual trade Amare deadline, when the static of voices and rumors surfaced, Amare endured the noise, and didn't let it all adversely affect his play or attitude. This is evidenced in his heightened level of play leading up to and after the All-Star break. Not only has Amare increased his defensive output, he's also become a beast on the offensive end, in becoming the 4th leading scorer in the league post All-Star break.
Credit the Suns' veteran leadership for the excellent team chemistry. Steve Nash averages something like 239 high fives a game (an intern actually counted during one game), while adding a calm, philosophical approach to the game. Grant Hill is the consummate professional charged with showing youngsters including rookie Earl Clark the ropes of the NBA, and Amare Stoudemire has accepted a more vocal leadership role on this team. Add in Jared Dudley's incessant comedic chatter and the Phoenix Suns have become a team who thrives off of their love of winning, which is a product of their brotherly love of one another.
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Im glad im a fan of BSOTS on facebook
now I know exactly when articles are posted instead of randomly refreshing
Sports are ninety percent mental and the other half is physical.
by Wichita SunSteeler on Apr 15, 2010 8:39 PM MST reply actions
thats one of many reasons why twitter is my favorite. quick notification of new articles without having to sift through pointless status updates from relatives and other people who would be too offended if i didn’t “friend” them. my twitter page is much cleaner =D
by underxthebridge on Apr 15, 2010 8:49 PM MST up reply actions
It's not true that the trade talks didn't affect Amare..
on the contrary, it lit a big fire under his ass and he became the player we all once hoped he’d be.
The Dallas game was key to this team, and once Stat fell in line, everything fell into place. Whatever I still might think about him, he deserves the benefit of the doubt, for now.
"True glory consists of doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read".
by Pliny the Elder on Apr 15, 2010 8:45 PM MST reply actions
Added in "adversely..."
And what Amare says is one thing, what he does is another…The numbers don’t lie.
Blogging Suns Basketball. Twitter: @willcantrellphx
by Wil Cantrell on Apr 16, 2010 6:49 AM MST up reply actions
Goodness people!! Have some faith in Barbosa!
R u guys trying to tell me u don’t close ur eyes everytime Frye shoots anything that’s not a 3.
by Aztiramtempe on Apr 15, 2010 9:41 PM MST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
For me, Frye and Barbosa are the most frustrating players to watch.
Banzai!
by Suns' Sensei on Apr 15, 2010 9:54 PM MST up reply actions
the barbosa hate is getting a little annoying
Sports are ninety percent mental and the other half is physical.
by Wichita SunSteeler on Apr 15, 2010 10:14 PM MST up reply actions
yes indeed
poor guys been back 10 games and having a rough time after a bad year of injuries…he’ll be fine once get himself back in rhythm…that is if panicky suns fans don’t tar and feather him first…
I swear we have the most spoiled fans in the league..we need AI or Marbury or Mcgrady here for a few years to teach us what it means to have frustrating players…
sorry. when i said most frustrating, i meant most frustrating to watch on our team. obviously if one of those guys was on our team, they would take on that role.
Banzai!
by Suns' Sensei on Apr 15, 2010 11:30 PM MST up reply actions
Its not hate
It is the realization that not only does not fit this team anymore, but that we are paying pretty big money to be a detriment to the team. Doesn’t shoot well, makes poor in-game decisions, doesn’t defend. What is there, besides a certain amount of nostalgia, worth loving?
Reading is good...
He's not shooting well right now
But we know he’s instant offense off the bench. It’s been proven. He’s the only bench player outside of Goran that can create his own shot. That’s immensely valuable. It sucks that he’s off right now, but he’s proven over his career that he is an asset to this team.
Steve Nash, the league's MVP, is a longhaired Canadian who spoke out against the war in Iraq and reads The Communist Manifesto. Quentin Richardson declared after a game-winning shot that it "was like Hamlet. It was a suspense thriller, and I killed them at the end." Amare Stoudemire, when asked to comment on a 22-point third quarter against the Kings, said, "I've got a tendency to jump over some guys' heads and throw it down."
As far as "doesn't shoot well"
He’s a career 46% shooter. That’s pretty good IMO
Steve Nash, the league's MVP, is a longhaired Canadian who spoke out against the war in Iraq and reads The Communist Manifesto. Quentin Richardson declared after a game-winning shot that it "was like Hamlet. It was a suspense thriller, and I killed them at the end." Amare Stoudemire, when asked to comment on a 22-point third quarter against the Kings, said, "I've got a tendency to jump over some guys' heads and throw it down."
Frye will push Andre Miller in the head
by gerriseinfeld on Apr 15, 2010 11:45 PM MST up reply actions
nope, because he's not tough. He just hits 3s
we’re talking about Dudley, Amundson, Dragic, Lopez and even (since the ASG) Amare.
Twitter: @dahking
Too late to change the stupid twitter name. Did it as a joke to my teenager, but now I'm hooked on the news-feed aspect of twitter.
+1
However, he is showing a bit of toughness, improved defense and rebounding in the last few games. He did a great job in the last game against Utah. I love to rag on the guy but he is responding. Good for him!!
Frye has
shown flashes of toughness this year and he’s very aware of his reputation on this….don’t count him out.
I certainly don’t think he’s any “less tough” than Aldridge…just less skilled
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Apr 16, 2010 7:56 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Channing Frye simply didn't develop a post game , which he should have after a nice rookie campaing...
He has become a modern day Brad Sellers and it’s nobody’s fault but his own…However, since that is what he is…We just need to continue to put it to good use…
"I especially liked the part where I dunked on the McDonalds All-American dude..."
Anonymous high-school player after a Virginia basketball state championship game...
clearly
his game needs a lot of work….but it is not his fault the Suns need him to play center. He’s not a center. He’s a four….or really a two in the body of a four.
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Apr 16, 2010 3:07 PM MST up reply actions
Hahaha
You guys think Clark is more of an asset than Barbosa? LMFAO
in a year's time, he just might be.
dude has some crazy game. 6’10, 6’11 and can play SF? he just needs to get it all under control.
that being said, i do pray for the brazilian blur to get to 100%, have a few breakout games of 20 or 25 points just to get his confidence back. he really needs to up his game just to challenge bayless / fernandez/ webster.
If Clark makes the type of leap next year that Dragic and Lopez did this year...
God help the rest of the NBA…A 6’10 version of Scottie Pippen
"I especially liked the part where I dunked on the McDonalds All-American dude..."
Anonymous high-school player after a Virginia basketball state championship game...
When that Pippen time comes
I wonder who’ll be the Jordan in our team☺
Timon: Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase
Pumbaa: Hakuna Matata! Ain't no passing craze
Timon: It means no worries for the rest of your days
Timon: It's our problem-free philosophy
Both: Hakuna Matata!
The Lion King (1994)
Easy
Scottie Pippen, borderline HOF, compared to Earl Clark. I hope Clark steps up I really do, but to Pippen level, I don’t think so.
never say never...
After Kobe’s freshman campaign…who would have thought he would achieve what he has???
"I especially liked the part where I dunked on the McDonalds All-American dude..."
Anonymous high-school player after a Virginia basketball state championship game...
David Thorpe - a trainer who writes for ESPN
ranked the top 20 sophomores for the season – those in their second year in the league.
Lopez was 10th overall and Dragic 16th.
(not bad, since Lopez was drafted 15th and Dragic drafted 45th)
Twitter: @dahking
Too late to change the stupid twitter name. Did it as a joke to my teenager, but now I'm hooked on the news-feed aspect of twitter.
and if either of those
guys played more minutes….
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Apr 16, 2010 7:57 AM MST up reply actions
yep, I hear ya
Twitter: @dahking
Too late to change the stupid twitter name. Did it as a joke to my teenager, but now I'm hooked on the news-feed aspect of twitter.
The complete list
1. Lopez
2. Rose
3. Gasol
4. Westbrook
5. Love
6. Mayo
7. Beasley
8. Gallinari
9. Hibbert
10. R. Lopez
11. Ilyasova
12. Geroge Hill
13. Thompson
14. Gordon
15 Morrow
16. Dragic
17. Hickson
18. Mbah A moute
19. Lee
20. Fernandez
Timon: Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase
Pumbaa: Hakuna Matata! Ain't no passing craze
Timon: It means no worries for the rest of your days
Timon: It's our problem-free philosophy
Both: Hakuna Matata!
The Lion King (1994)
He certainly
is ahead of Hibbert if he was healthy all season
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Apr 16, 2010 8:57 AM MST up reply actions
I agree
But Morrow over Dragic? That I don’t agree with.
Timon: Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase
Pumbaa: Hakuna Matata! Ain't no passing craze
Timon: It means no worries for the rest of your days
Timon: It's our problem-free philosophy
Both: Hakuna Matata!
The Lion King (1994)
If Robin were healthy all season
he’d be #7 on that list, at least.
Twitter: @dahking
Too late to change the stupid twitter name. Did it as a joke to my teenager, but now I'm hooked on the news-feed aspect of twitter.
Where do we see Clark next year...Hopefully around # 8 or 9
"I especially liked the part where I dunked on the McDonalds All-American dude..."
Anonymous high-school player after a Virginia basketball state championship game...
hickson...
… is a bit low imo. i’d put him in the top 11 or 12. playing against shaq, varejao, james day in day out in practice is naturally going to toughen your up and better your game.
he's already had a couple 18-20 point games
just a matter of consistency
+1
Poor Earl, he looks like he has two left feet at times. Clark is a project. He might not be much help for another year or two. His length will be a great asset on the boards. Barbosa just looks out of synch, especially when trapped in a corner. To be fair, he has not found his stride with the second unit. He looks to be getting the idea that a little bit of tough defense will go a long way to earning PT. Have faith.
at this point
I would rather have Earl come in and play D for a 7 minutes a game than LB come in and jack up shots. He will get hot one out of every 3 or 4 games but overall, I will take Earl’s defense right now vs LB’s offensive woes
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Apr 16, 2010 7:58 AM MST up reply actions
hey Seth
I thought you didn’t like Earl’s defense…
Twitter: @dahking
Too late to change the stupid twitter name. Did it as a joke to my teenager, but now I'm hooked on the news-feed aspect of twitter.
I don't
I just like it better than LB’s offense (right now)
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Apr 16, 2010 8:57 AM MST up reply actions
Really?
Not that you prefer Earl’s D over Barbosa’s offense (agreed), but that you’re not a fan of Earl’s defense…
There’s no doubt that Earl is struggling offensively, with an inconsistent shot and a tendency to make some poor decisions. However, Ear’s defense has been stellar in my opinion; showing amazing ability to guard smaller opponents out on the perimeter and remain in front of them when they attempt to get open.
Earl had amazing success against players like Maggette, Lebron, and most recently, Carmelo…They all struggled to produce and find a rhythm when Earl was guarding them….Something that Grant Hill and even Dudley (our best all-around defender in my opinion) were unable to accomplish with as much success when they had their opportunities to do the same.
Earl is extremely long, lean, and has fantastic lateral agility…These attributes have already shown themselves to be invaluable by more than compensating for the usual mental errors, late rotations, and other rookie defensive mistakes that often plague NBA newcomers. (In my opinion)
Earl
has tremendous ability and has shown flashes of defensive brilliance but he’s got a lot to learn about playing team defense
It’s not good enough to be able to contain your main. You have to be able to read situations, rotate, help, recover, etc. That’s where he needs to improve and I think he has throughout the year.
He’s at the point now where he will only get better by playing but the Suns simply can’t afford him “learning on the job”
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Apr 16, 2010 3:09 PM MST up reply actions
i just saw this
beginning to wonder if the writer’s head is on straight
No
he’s a moron who’s brain is mush
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Apr 16, 2010 8:58 AM MST up reply actions
If Earl Clark develops his jumpshot in the offseason
he’ll be a beast. He already has handles and the moves. He just has no real perimeter game. If he can develop a really good midrange or 3 point shot and a decent post game, he’ll be a beast.
As for Barbosa, cut the man some slack. He’s one of the best assets we have on the bench. He’s instant offense when he’s 100%. I’ve said it before: he’s only around 85% based on what I’ve seen. The Suns have great chemistry with each other so why can’t the fans just appreciate what they have and stop complaining about the slightest things.
No team is perfect and as far as our team goes, everyone can contribute in many ways (including Jarron Collins). So stop hating on Jarron and Leandro. Leandro’s had a rough few years with his mother getting ill and then injuries. Cut the man some slack. PLEASE. He’ll bounce back.
If Barbosa is our biggest worry
we’ve had a pretty damn good year
Twitter: @dahking
Too late to change the stupid twitter name. Did it as a joke to my teenager, but now I'm hooked on the news-feed aspect of twitter.
that is the point as well
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Apr 16, 2010 7:58 AM MST up reply actions
I disagree
The guy is not instance offense, not anymore. Even when he was healthy at the beginning of the year he didn’t play well and this team has transformed into something different. LB is a veteran player who shouldn’t have the confidence issues that you are talking about. This is one of the major reasons why he needs to leave.
Reading is good...
-1 That is a pretty rough assesment.
These are all young guys we are writing about. Barbosa is getting the idea that defense is important to the second unit. His last few games have been much better. He has some unique talents on offense. The Suns have tried to make a point out of him for years but he is simply not a point guard. Gentry has him on the floor becuase he knows what Barbosa is capable of doing on both the offense and defense. It is way too early to give up on Leandro.
by da suns on Apr 16, 2010 7:34 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Thats incorrect...
Perhaps you know something I dont. If not and what you say is conjecture then I totally disagree. I never said LB didnt have ANY offense, just that his offense doesn’t fit our team anymore. Seth is right in that he really makes poor decisions in the game and it is both frustrating and sad to watch. LB jacks up the stupidest shots and they rarely ever go in (at least recently). When the SSOL was a league phenomena and we ran at a breakneck pace with little regard for defense then LB’s talents were at a premium. He is a fast capable guard who can get into the paint (sometimes) and make layups. He can occasionally hit a stride of threes as well.
But to say that Barbosa is what the Suns need is totally false. We have too many at the Guard position as it is and LB adds nothing right now that we need. When our bench was short LB was important for 15-20 points a game but right now, the bench is long and his skill set is too limited to be worth 7 million a year when we could pay a big man like Camby the same for a better set of skills and one far more needed.
Don’t “-1” unless you can give a real reason why LB should stay on the team or least offer some sort of response to what I actually said instead of adding non-sequitors.
Reading is good...
-1
Allow me.
“..it is both frustrating and sad to watch”
Agreed. Some of us are willing to let him get back into his game.
“LB jacks up the stupidest shots …”
LB largely produces points by either blowing by interior defenses for layups or 3’s dished out from the paint. This is no different than what the suns do much of the time, regardless of who is on the floor. Considering we have the most efficient it’s really hard to intelligently argue that these are ‘stupid’ shots.
“and they rarely ever go in (at least recently)”
When healthy, LB’s layups were guaranteed points and his 3’s were around 40%. Clearly, he’s not operating at his peak offensively currently, but there’s no reason to think that he couldn’t get back into form. How does this support the argument that his offense “doesn’t fit our team anymore”?
" We have too many at the Guard position as it is"
Is that why Grant and Dudley were playing point a few weeks ago? The truth of the matter is that with Nash’s health, we will always need another guard handy as an insurance policy if nothing else. Apart from that, with Goran and LB learning to run the floor together, we have a legitimate 2nd 5 guys off the bench. They’re still figuring things out but I expect their chemistry next year to be greatly improved.
“LB adds nothing right now that we need”
On a defensively oriented 2nd unit, why would we not need an offensively oriented guard to provide scoring off the bench? Why, in a system built upon shooters to spread the floor for the big inside, would we not need another 3 point threat if frye or dudley or jrich are cold on any given night? It certainly sounds like LB provides alot of things we need
" When our bench was short LB was important for 15-20 points a game but right now, the bench is long…"
the bench is long and offensively challenged, and 15-20 extra points in a game will always be important
“…skill set is too limited to be worth 7 million a year… "
What additional skills should he acquire to be worth 7 million a year? Or, what should he be making for the skill set he has?
LB is only effective when
A) His shot is falling, which it hasn’t been consistently for a couple seasons now.
B) He catches defenses off-guard with his quickness. This doesn’t work in the playoffs, when defensive lapses are almost non-existent.
He is almost useless in a halfcourt offense unless his perimeter shot is falling. Did we skip a beat when he was out with an injury? To be honest, I totally forgot about him a few times.
This isn’t as hateful as it sounds, I’m just wearing thin of all the blind support LB gets. I know he’s been here a long time and everyone likes him, but it’s painfully obvious that he is not effective anymore, 100% healthy or otherwise.
He can't run fast or jump high, but he will steal your lunch and eat it in front of you....
Jared Dudley is the most interesting man in the world.
well said
Steve Nash, the league's MVP, is a longhaired Canadian who spoke out against the war in Iraq and reads The Communist Manifesto. Quentin Richardson declared after a game-winning shot that it "was like Hamlet. It was a suspense thriller, and I killed them at the end." Amare Stoudemire, when asked to comment on a 22-point third quarter against the Kings, said, "I've got a tendency to jump over some guys' heads and throw it down."
He didn't play all that well?
He was averaging 15+ points when the season started. Unless you’ve forgotten, J-Rich was suspended for his first few games and Barbosa came up huge in those wins where he started. In fact, it was J-Rich who had a not-so-great start to the season. Then Barbosa got injured and fell out of the rotation.
Still
Rich has a far larger skill set than LB. I am not saying Rich should stay either really. But honestly, I would rather have Rich at LBs salary then LB. Its just time for him to go. He needs to experience another team, another system, and other players to become a better one himself.
Reading is good...
I have faith in him developing under Gentry as time goes on.
Gentry turned around Dragic and Lopez and a lot of the bench guys. If they could adapt, Barbosa can too. If you all feel LB is a liability, why would Alvin Gentry, who is known for benching his star players if he feels other players are doing better, put Barbosa in the game? Alvin knows what he’s doing and he has faith in Barbosa. Why can’t the rest of you? Just watch for him either blowing up in the playoffs or making a comeback next season.
leave?
ur kidding right?
we might be bunched up on the guard position with dudley and grant both capable of playing the 2 and 1 respectively, but dangnabit if we trade or just give up LB. that’s the beauty of this team. we can go 10 deep. and leandro barbosa is still better than 70% of all bench players in the NBA. don’t worry about him. give him time. yeesh!
Alvin Gentry on chemistry
Alvin said it’s the best team chemistry he’s seen in his 20 years in the NBA. Pretty impressive.
barbosa will get better..
we just have to keep supporting him and not openly rooting for him to be traded in the offseason. that’s what i love with what kerr has done so far. he didn’t make any more trades that would disrupt the chemistry but just brought along a rebounding guy. great job this year Steve :)
word
Twitter: @dahking
Too late to change the stupid twitter name. Did it as a joke to my teenager, but now I'm hooked on the news-feed aspect of twitter.
are you kidding?
I like LB as a person and a player but he is not the right fit for this team any more and should be moved. You better damn well believe I dont want to pay him 7 million next year to ride the bench or play in the place of someone else who can play better team ball and defense. And you better damn well believe that I will be vocalizing this during the summer. Dont let nostalgia prevent what is necessary for us and for him.
Reading is good...
Well then,
Why did you sign him to such a big contract? Because he won the sixth man award? It is now up to you as the coach and general manager to get a different type of production out of LB. Is he unable to become a better, more effective player?
This looks more like a problem for the coaching staff. It is possible that the long layoff after surgery has impeded Barbosa’s progress? LB seems to be a great young man who is an asset to the team and who is trying to become more effective on defense. I say to give it more time. As for the contract, you did sign it. Live up to it.
3 more things...
… w/c people might not know if they haven’t been watching Suns games all year long..
lou amundson given the minutes is a poor man’s josh smith. believe that. LOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!
these guys don’t CARE who gets the minutes. they’re not trying to jack up stats or anything. Whoever’s doing the best job at the specific time is IN.
Gentry ACTUALLY takes out Nash or Amar’e on end of game defensive possessions & putting in more defenders. now tell me of any coach who has the balls to take his two superstars out on end of game situations. and total professionalism on both these veterans that they won’t sulk or anything if Coach does that.
it’s going to be one great playoffs. Suns FTW!
I actually thought of Lou as a younger Chris Andersen aka the Birdman. Lou has the hops, hustle, defense, and the toughness that the Birdman has. I think he’s better than the Birdman simply because he’s starting to develop better offensive skills.
Lou may not have the great athleticism that Anderson has...
But I wouldn’t trade him for Birdman in a second
"I especially liked the part where I dunked on the McDonalds All-American dude..."
Anonymous high-school player after a Virginia basketball state championship game...
The Birdman has better anticipation on shot-blocking
Lou has……. less on-court antics?
Timon: Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase
Pumbaa: Hakuna Matata! Ain't no passing craze
Timon: It means no worries for the rest of your days
Timon: It's our problem-free philosophy
Both: Hakuna Matata!
The Lion King (1994)
Per minute of play..they block around the same number of shots...
"I especially liked the part where I dunked on the McDonalds All-American dude..."
Anonymous high-school player after a Virginia basketball state championship game...
Bird leaves his feet incessantly
To try and get more blocks. Lou is a smarter and more effective defender, it seems.
He can't run fast or jump high, but he will steal your lunch and eat it in front of you....
Jared Dudley is the most interesting man in the world.
birdman is smarter?
wow. really? a guy who uses his body as a tattoo artist’s sample book is smart? who’s been suspended by the league for 2 years because of substance abuse is smart?
birdman is smarter?
wow. really? a guy who uses his body as a tattoo artist’s sample book is smart? who’s been suspended by the league for 2 years because of substance abuse is smart?
there is a huge
difference between being a smart player and smart person…not that I am saying he’s a smart player but he does have very good defensive instincts. If he were on the Suns he would also get getting a ton more opportunities to show his offense as well
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Apr 16, 2010 3:12 PM MST up reply actions
oh yeah most definitely better than chris. and the thing about Lou is he’s always trying to develop some offensive repertoire to add to his defensive game. i hope he really gets to about 70% on those foul shots though.
Lou HAS to develop some offensive repertoire
since he has none to start with. lol
I love Lou, and would rather have him than Birdman simply because Lou is more predictable, more about being part of the team. But Birdman has more tangible NBA skill.
Twitter: @dahking
Too late to change the stupid twitter name. Did it as a joke to my teenager, but now I'm hooked on the news-feed aspect of twitter.
Barbosa has been injured and out!!! Where do you have the nads to criticize?
“Cringe when he checks in”, the nerve!! Barbosa taken for granted and ungrateful spectator fans who never know what they have.
+1.
word.
confidence and support are the two things he needs right now. let’s give it to him. our chemistry is as good as ever. let’s not mess it up by constantly demoting him.
maybe we could free tix to Dan D'Antoni
just seeing him in the stands would perk LB up
Twitter: @dahking
Too late to change the stupid twitter name. Did it as a joke to my teenager, but now I'm hooked on the news-feed aspect of twitter.
Oh I know what we have
in LB. A decent guard who makes poor offensive decisions, cant pass the ball particularly well, doesn’t play defense and just generally ruins floor chemistry when he is out there. Watch more games please.
Reading is good...
To the fans who thought they wouldn't make it in the playoffs....
3rd SEED BABY!!!! HHAAAA HHAAAA!!!! LACK OF ATTENTION TO DETAIL IN PLAYERS AND THERE SURROUNDINGS.
great thing about this team is
at least I, when think about team, coach or some play, you cannot stop admiring… for ex, I saw this highlights video, and just keep thinking about this or that player, gentry, hell even kerr… so what about grant hill? I mean is he playing better that he did in his best days? if he is on some other team, being first violin, he would average 20+ points… his professionalism, attitude and experience is so valuable…
btw, amare’s dunk is no1 on nbatv best dunks of regular season…
even though we had some great runs in d’antoni era, this year is so much more exciting than those just by having the feeling that neither spurs, nor lakers or cavs are going to beat us with their weapons, which usually we couldn’t match… sure, we are still far away from winning championship, but feeling is sooooo good… if we can only keep up this team together for next year with nash being on same level… we could really be contenders next year…
can’t wait Saturday… will get up at 3am to watch the game…
if this team stays together
we WILL be better next year, assuming health of all the players
Twitter: @dahking
Too late to change the stupid twitter name. Did it as a joke to my teenager, but now I'm hooked on the news-feed aspect of twitter.
3AM ????
i didn’t realize the game was on that early. Where are you watching from?
Sun's gritty defence was NOT Kerr's doing - last season our defense was crap under Kerr's defensive minded coach
Credit no more mid-season manic trades like Marion in 2008 or Diaw and Bell in 2009 which badly affected team chemistry. Even Nash commented that such trades disrupted chemistry.
Kerr and Sarver nearly disrupted team chemistry this season with Amare’s trade talks that affected his play and the Suns slumped during mid-season with .500 basketball. Everyone noted locker mood suffered in game interviews. I am more than happy to dig out every post game interview during our mid-season slump to prove this point.
Suns’ new defence is because of better chemistry after the All Star break with all the team matest who no longer suffer from any mangement-inflicted uncertainty, who now do almost everything together now and they are partly driven by Amare’s outstanding play.
I dunno...these guys aren't rooks except for Clark, and don't play like rooks...
"I especially liked the part where I dunked on the McDonalds All-American dude..."
Anonymous high-school player after a Virginia basketball state championship game...
dude, just enjoy the moment
I feel sorry for you, not being able to enjoy euphoria when its right there for you. Are you really a Suns fan?
Twitter: @dahking
Too late to change the stupid twitter name. Did it as a joke to my teenager, but now I'm hooked on the news-feed aspect of twitter.
Yeah, put down the Steve Kerr voodoo doll for at least the time being
We missed the playoffs last year. Didn’t that suck? We’re the 3rd seed now. Isn’t that neato?
Please do your part to end the tyranny of the word "hater"
-1 to dking97: Unlike your Kerr idolatry, I'm just stating facts. It is sheer tomfoolery to attribute beter defence to Kerr.
That was my point. And Kerr’s defensive moves did not pan out i.e. trading for Shaq, hiring Terry Porter and trading away Diaw and Bell.
And Amare played big despite being in a slump partly induced by Kerr trading him mid-season like a piece of rotting meat
FACT: This team is playing better because of better team chemistry without any panic mid-season trades by Kerr and they had to learn to play team defense because we lack any dedicated team defenders.
FACT: This team made it to 3rd seed despite the salary dumps, selling of picks, trading or chasing away the team’s core by Kerr and Sarver.
Kindly face facts, please, dking97.
If you can’t, I really feel sorry for you …
umm
team chemistry due to the new players on the team. Defense due to the new players on the team. Kerr brought in the new players on the team.
GEEZ, I’m done with you man. Really.
Twitter: @dahking
Too late to change the stupid twitter name. Did it as a joke to my teenager, but now I'm hooked on the news-feed aspect of twitter.
How has Gentry gotten no love for Coach of the Year?
All due respect to the Thunder, most people expected them to make the playoffs as a very low seed, and they did just that at 8 but all most no one expected the Suns to get in, let alone the 3 seed.
As for Barbosa, maybe I am biased because he is one of my favorite Suns of all time, or because I live in PA and do not get to see nearly as many Suns games as you all but he certainly seems to be pretty good when he is at full strength. Problem is he doesn’t seem to be at full strength now, or really at any point this season. The guy has been money in the bank for years and it seems unfair to criticize the guy while he is having a rough go.
Oh and Earl Clark will be a beast next year….if he can develop what looks like a jump shot.
Its interesting...
When New Orleans went to the playoffs two years ago for the first time with CP3 Byron Scott won the COY award. I predicted that they were one-hit wonders and just took everyone by surprise. Sure enough, they imploded last year and Scott was fired. So much for being a good coach. Gotta wonder if the same with true with the Thunder…people weren’t quite ready for Durant to explode, next year they will be ready.
Reading is good...
nah I don't see Durant going anywhere but up
the rest of the team, however, is not as talented and may dip around him under teh glare of spotlights unless the FO brings in a vet to keep the ship righted during tougher times.
Twitter: @dahking
Too late to change the stupid twitter name. Did it as a joke to my teenager, but now I'm hooked on the news-feed aspect of twitter.
Yeah
Well but CP3 didn’t fold either. He is still elite class but the Hornets are not. You gotta wonder, even if Durant does well, if OKC will be able to pull it out. I mean, they ARE from Oklahoma…is it a coincidence that, at the time, so was New Orleans???
Reading is good...
I think we're in agreement here, actually
Durant and CP3 on same star level.
The question is whether the rest of the team stays on teh high level with them.
Twitter: @dahking
Too late to change the stupid twitter name. Did it as a joke to my teenager, but now I'm hooked on the news-feed aspect of twitter.
Right.
You are right. I think they are both good, its just the true quality of Hardin, Jeff Green, and Westbook…only time will tell.
Reading is good...
Didn’t help Scott’s case that New Orleans was basically trying to clear pay roll for the last two years. Pretty hard to continue to be good when you are trying to jettison your best players not named CP3 for pennies on the dollar.
I think OKC will be good for the next several years because they have talent around Durant. But that talent will have to continue to develop. I can’t see OKC being a free agent hot spot like Miami, NY, LA or PHX.
Gentry is now playing 7SSOl basketball with team defense partly becos of Kerr/Savers' moves
Thanks to short-sightedness, salary dumps i.e. KT and Shaq and panic mid-season trades, our team lacks dedicated or capable defenders like JJ, KT, Marion, Bell and when he does wake up, Diaw.
WTH...
Wake up! HEY! Wake up!! You’re talking in your sleep….
Seriously, are you kidding? Sure, Marion was a good defender, but Raja had seriously lost a step or three and couldn’t really be counted on to be a solid defender. As for the team now? You need to watch more basketball. Lopez (who is out, I know) is one of the league’s best defensive centers, Amare’s defending is really coming alone and so it Nash’s. Hill and Rich, while not “elite” defenders, are just as good as Raja used to be when pressed for it. Plus Dudley and Dragic are waaaay better and more consistent than anything we have had in a while.
Reading is good...
by N8lol on Apr 16, 2010 7:06 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
+10000
Twitter: @dahking
Too late to change the stupid twitter name. Did it as a joke to my teenager, but now I'm hooked on the news-feed aspect of twitter.
I rec'd it
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
- 1 to h8lol and dking97: You need to wake up. Our team's defense now depends way too much on Lopez playing.
We traded able defenders in Marion, Bell and Diaw and traded away Shaq for 2 expirings with no draft pick.
We did not play great defense until after All-star breaks when the Suns management stopped trying to trade Amare and Amare stepped it up, along with Robin.
These things just happened. Trying to credit anybody else besides the players who stepped it up after the All-stars’ break is frankly speaking wishful thinking at this point.
And that’s the point I want to make.
Kindly tell me when our opponents slow it down, who is the one expected to play defense?
Do we have any capable or experienced wing defenders who can play extended minutes besides Grant Hill?
Any defensive guards we can rely on 24/7?
Any presence in the paint other than Amare?
Those victories we grinded out came largely because of Robin’s presence in the paint.
To win in the second round, we have to not just play team defense but everyone has to play better individual defense.
Who is the one defender in this team who can be counted on to step it up defensively for extended minutes as an example?
We really shouldn’t get too cocky at this point. Now just this team try to take care of business and sweep Portland. I do not want to jinx this team by being too happy or cocky at this point.
this is crazy
you go from us having nobody to play defense, to finishing the post with ‘lets go out and sweep portland’. good lord.
oh, and who brought in Lopez? KERR
Twitter: @dahking
Too late to change the stupid twitter name. Did it as a joke to my teenager, but now I'm hooked on the news-feed aspect of twitter.
Then why to the defensive stats indicate that we're worse then we were with Mike here?
Steve Nash, the league's MVP, is a longhaired Canadian who spoke out against the war in Iraq and reads The Communist Manifesto. Quentin Richardson declared after a game-winning shot that it "was like Hamlet. It was a suspense thriller, and I killed them at the end." Amare Stoudemire, when asked to comment on a 22-point third quarter against the Kings, said, "I've got a tendency to jump over some guys' heads and throw it down."
I kind of wonder,
Would any one of the guys that you mention be an asset to this team? Marion, Bell, and Kurt Thomas are all well past their prime. Marion and Thomas are small for their positions. They all had large salaries that were unsustainable. Joe Johnson is a really good player but he was not happy to be a Sun. Would he have fit in with the current group? Would he still be jealous of Amare and Steve?
The NBA changes radically from season to season. We have a great group here but as you note, the team is not perfect. There is NO perfect team in the league. Diaw? You have to be kidding.
With all do respect...
You say some of the wackiest stuff magenta… Seriously.
We haven’t played 7SSOL all year. Nearly everyone on our team now is a capable defender. Our team is better than its ever been and we can rightfully give some credit to Kerr and Sarver. We have the deepest bench we’ve probably ever had here in Phoenix, and again we can rightfully give credit to Kerr and more Gentry and his staff for developing them (but remember, that is one of the things Kerr wanted to do as soon as he became GM = develop a bench and young players). Every team needs to play team defense, it’s not a ‘fall back’ plan because we lost Kurt freaking Thomas…
I don’t even understand why you are so unhappy about this team right now. You want to explain that maybe? Wait, I really don’t care.
(Remember, I said ‘with all do respect’ – so don’t get offended! Shake N’ Bake!)
They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
Surely you're not referring to BORIS Diaw...
Must be some other Diaw. Cause if I remember right, we traded BORIS Diaw and received a dedicated, capable defender in that deal (Dudley).
So who is this other Diaw? I’ve never heard of him…
He can't run fast or jump high, but he will steal your lunch and eat it in front of you....
Jared Dudley is the most interesting man in the world.
"suffered in the playoffs"
if going deep into the playoffs every year is suffering then ill take it
I asked
on both Hoopsworld and ESPN Chat, who will win the series Suns or Portland and in how many games, both their answers were the same.
“Suns in five; no Roy”
:)
R U ORNG?
and on the series page on ESPN
all but one person picked the Suns in 5 or 6, and that was when Roy was still questionable.
Twitter: @dahking
Too late to change the stupid twitter name. Did it as a joke to my teenager, but now I'm hooked on the news-feed aspect of twitter.
Saw that, on Yahoo! Sports however..
Adrian Wojnarowski picked the Suns in – 6
Kenny Smith picked the Suns in – 5
Johnny Ludden picked the Suns in – 6
Marc J. Spears picked the Suns in – 5
R U ORNG?
zomg Grant Hill might actually get his first playoff series victory...
Both Kerr and Gentry deserve some love in the post-season.
Alright...stay focused...
I’ll take the Suns in 5 or maybe six at the most…This team is too much for Portland to handle, especially without Brandon Roy
"I especially liked the part where I dunked on the McDonalds All-American dude..."
Anonymous high-school player after a Virginia basketball state championship game...
holy cow...
grant hasn’t won a playoff series? oh man. like t-mac eh? well he won’t only win one, he’ll win 4! :)
champions baby YEAH!
The Suns best bench player from 2004 to 2009 was Leandro Barbosa. He's now the worst
:(
Steve Nash, the league's MVP, is a longhaired Canadian who spoke out against the war in Iraq and reads The Communist Manifesto. Quentin Richardson declared after a game-winning shot that it "was like Hamlet. It was a suspense thriller, and I killed them at the end." Amare Stoudemire, when asked to comment on a 22-point third quarter against the Kings, said, "I've got a tendency to jump over some guys' heads and throw it down."
sad isn't it
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on Apr 17, 2010 2:06 PM MST up reply actions
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