Nash: I just can't be quite the same player

[tsherkin]

From [url=http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/51283/20080306/hill_says_phoenix_will_be_his_last_stop/]this]/url] Wiretap article; click the [Read] link, it's after the bit about Hill.

Suns guard Steve Nash's four assists in Portland on Tuesday marked his lowest total since Jan. 9. He passed that total in Wednesday's first six minutes and had nine first-half assists to two turnovers.

Nash called his Tuesday play conservative, and it was intentional.

"I just can't be quite the same player," Nash said. "I've got to just change gears a little bit in the halfcourt and realize we're not the same team, so don't try to force the issue, like my job was in the past perhaps."

Part of that was quickly passing out of traps.

"We're not really good at that yet, so when I get out quick and we don't get anything from it, then it makes me want to try something else," Nash said.

Interesting; so Nash was purposefully taking a different pace before and is worried about passing out of traps and some other things... All points of note that Suns fans should be considering.

[chrice]

There used to always be an open shooter at the 3 point line for whenever Nash got trapped, but his options are limited now. I guess you can say that although there aren't as many shooters open, there's more guys guys in the paint. But it seems like a lot of teams are zoning on us because they don't respect our perimeter game as much.

[toucansma]

Yeah thats why we need to start bombing away. Giracek, Barbosa, Bell, even Hill and Amare. I know it sounds ridiculous but once we get a groove, our spacing will even out then. 3 shooters on the outside, Nash passing, and Shaq in the middle in spurts should really open it up.

[mkot]

That's why I said I trust Nash. He knows what he's doing and gives reasons for his mistakes and what he is trying to do to improve them. Not just some lame excuse of "we're still adjusting" by Mike. Or just simply pointing finger at himself like Amare and Shaq has done. Amare said the loss in one game was his fault because he didn't hustle enough. I haven't heard him talk about any strategy about the overall struggles of the team and what he is doing to try and make that better. Amare doesn't think that way, Nash does. Last night actually wasn't the first time he talked about it. I heard him talked about things like that in interviews but wasn't getting printed out on paper.

[tsherkin]

Hey, I think it's a great thing that he can recognize issues of that nature and that he sees specific problems.

I don't think Nash is at all a primary issue for the Suns; they'll win a championship WITH him but they haven't a prayer without him, not for years. I could live with Nash's defense if only Amare wasn't such a useless drek at man defense and if Raja wasn't such a waste this season.

[scwarrior]

I think Shaq should play ALWAYS when Steve is out, and we should play a little different style -- play off of Shaq and go to Shaq.

the other 12-15 minutes for SHaq can be when Amare needs a rest. Never have Amare and Steve out at the same time.

[tsherkin]

Nah, you need Nash on with Shaq at least SOME of the time because his passing and shooting are so important to the game that you play with a big like Shaq.

[andykeikei]

Actually I think Nash shoots better off the dribble, not from kick out. So I do think he works better with Amare than with Shaq. But I understand what you mean, just the presense of Nash alone can spread the floor.

However since he didn't play with a post up big before, do you think he is a good entry pass passer? He sure has to change his game a little bit in order to help Shaq in offense.

And what's up with the triangle offense? I thought Mike D'Antoni said they were going to play triangle, is he just kidding or what?

[tsherkin]

D'Antoni is lying through his teeth if he's saying anything about the triangle offense. And Nash is an awesome post entry passer.

[TASTIC]

D'Antoni is lying through his teeth if he's saying anything about the triangle offense. And Nash is an awesome post entry passer.

That he is, same goes for Diaw...but hard to make an entry pass to your best low post threat when he's in the high post.

Can't just expect Shaq to do all the dirty work and not get any deliberate touches down low/plays run for him...

When Nash is out they should run Shaq/Diaw/Bell/Barbosa/DJ. Run the offense through Shaq in the post, so neither Barbosa/DJ have to over dribble and force ball movement. Diaw is a decent cutter and has very good hands - Shaq is a good passer - so it shouldn't be THAT hard. I can't help but think, if DJ was a 30% 3pt shooter at a decent rate, he'd be getting 15mins backing Raja up. Offseason he needs to dedicate himself to taking 300-400 3s per day, every day, until he has a consistent shot.