lilfishi22 wrote:It goes both ways. For a time last season we wanted Nash to play off the ball more and have the system create for the team but soon enough Nash was back to his "ball-hogging" ways. Am I annoyed Nash isn't playing off the ball more and being the ball dominant dribbler he always was again? No. That's how I felt about Amare. It gets annoying at times when Amare has the ball and completely halts the offensive flow, but for the most part, I was fine with having the ball in Amare's hand because he got us in the bonus early, he'd get opposing big men in foul trouble early and he commanded the double team against most teams which helped our system. Amare held up the ball more times than I think he needed to but at least he was productive and efficient.
The only black hole that really stood out was LB last season. He stopped ball movement and he wasn't nearly as productive as Amare was. It stood out even more since LB demanded the ball so much and Dragic being passive as he was just played off the ball and allowed LB to do the creating.
Did you really say Nash is a ball hog?
Since 2001, he has been in the top ten in assists, often being number one like last year. Oh but Amare's one assist per game leads you to confidence? Now if Amare actually had skill (or even the smarts) to pass the ball out of the double team, your argument might be valid. But he didn't/doesn't. It doesn't matter if he drew a triple team, because the ball stayed in his hands. Hence the black hole comment. Should we go over his assist to turn over ratio?I really don't know what to say to you after that, but I'll play along. Who was going to run the offense so Nash could come off the screens? Hill was the only starter that could do that. But because we were using him on some of our toughest defenders, and then helping the second squad in that capacity, we never had the chance.
There were many games where I would rather have had Nash shoot the ball than pass it. And in no way did I ever have comfort when the ball was in Amare's hands. He didn't get us in the bonus early. He would, however; fumble the ball, turn it over, travel, or simply force a charge. And since his eye surgery, even his catching skills have dropped. He avoids contact like the plague since his knee injury, and often settles for an 18 footer, where he never follows his shot. His decision making skills were/are suspect, and anyone finding solace in his abilities in that manner is questionable in a basketball setting.
We are back to the same argument, which lead us nowhere. I didn't really think this thread would be an extension of the other threads, but maybe my comments sparked that. Sorry if it did.
By the way, the further that I have been forced to hash through Amare, the better I feel that he is off this team. And those that feel Amare was "the black jesus" can follow him to mediocrity. I am a Suns fan, and I feel the team will be better in his absence, just like they did in 2005-06.
But back on topic: The team looked great, with many players working together in small two man teams. I saw so many screen/pick and rolls with many different guys. The shots for the most part were dead on, and many guys looked in great shape. Our oldest two guys were always running and working hard, which will/should make the young guys follow in there footsteps. Luckily we don't have a lazy ego maniac player leading our team.
