State of the Suns Address

Sun Scorched · Post #1 » by **Sun Scorched** » Sat Feb 2, 2008 10:11 pm

My fellow Suns fans, it has come to my attention the plight with which we are currently faced. Indeed, the Suns are in an interesting situation.

Tottering on the brink of greatness, we seem to lack the necessary x factor. There are really only two situations that will happen now that can have the Suns winning a championship.

We get a true athletic PF who can rebound and spread the floor for the Suns during transition.

Ron Artest
Udonis Haslem
Tyrus Thomas
Chris Wilcox
Elton Brand*

These guys we have talked about in some form or fashion on this board and are players I think are well within our reach.

*This would have to be a S&T done this off-season. It wouldn't help us at all this year, though we would get to keep the core together for one more run through the post-season.

or

We get a true defensive C who would allow Amare to play PF and keep him out of foul trouble.

Marcus Camby
Sam Dalambert
Darko Milicic

No PGs, SGs or SFs will help us win a championship. Sure they might augment certain areas of our game like our lack of a back-up PG, but it will not win it for us.

Camby is out of reach right now. But the idea is there, Hell we know Kerr inquired about him.

Post #2 » by **rsavaj** » Sat Feb 2, 2008 10:16 pm

No to Artest, and he's not a PF anyways.

Mr. Sun · Post #3 » by **Mr. Sun** » Sat Feb 2, 2008 10:20 pm

I second what rsavaj said.

impulsenine · Post #4 » by **impulsenine** » Sat Feb 2, 2008 10:31 pm

Sun Scorched wrote:We get a true athletic PF who can rebound and spread the floor for the Suns during transition.

How is Shawn Marion not an athletic PF who can rebound and spread the floor? I know he's better as a SF, but he's proven himself there over and over again.

Sun Scorched wrote:We get a true defensive C who would allow Amare to play PF and keep him out of foul trouble.

Sure, but those don't grow on trees. Still, I guess we might have a shot at Dalambert or Milicic. No idea how we'd get him without giving up Marion, though. And for all his faults, I still have faith in Diaw.

Sun Scorched wrote:No PGs, SGs or SFs will help us win a championship.

... this year. If we see a cheap, capable PG for backup, we should do it for Nash's back's sake. I'd have liked to see Mighty Mouse here for that reason.

-SDU- · Post #5 » by **-SDU-** » Sat Feb 2, 2008 10:36 pm

i would love to make a trade, fast forward to the future, see if it works and then come back and decide to do it or not

a trade for dalambert or camby, put amare at C, go half court system and build it around amare and just see if we are better or not

would be risky

Sun Scorched · Post #6 » by **Sun Scorched** » Sat Feb 2, 2008 11:56 pm

We have no one with a strong post-up game.

Amare is much better face-up driving to the basket or jump-shooting.

Marion is our garbage guy.

Boris would rather hit jumpers from the top of the key or drive and then pass out to the arc.

Skinner likes that baseline jumper of his.

I feel like if we had someone with a back-to-the-basket approach we could confuse the crap out of other teams defensive schemes.

Post #7 » by **KJ7** » Sun Feb 3, 2008 12:36 am

Boris is a vgood post-up players ... just against smaller players. He's not going to post up someone 3 inches and 30 pounds bigger then him.

nba_addict · Post #8 » by **nba_addict** » Sun Feb 3, 2008 12:38 am

It will be hard to take in Camby or Dalambert here on Phoenix. The most feasible option I can think of is the disgruntled Magloire in New Jersey. All they need is an expiring or trade exception.

Post #9 » by **KJ7** » Sun Feb 3, 2008 12:41 am

I didn't want Magloire here when he was in form. I sure as hell don't want him here in the form that he is currently in.

He can't even break into that joke they call the Nets C/PF positions, surely he wouldn't get time here!

jlove_26 · Post #10 » by **jlove_26** » Sun Feb 3, 2008 1:34 am

KJ7 wrote:Boris is a vgood post-up players ... just against smaller players. He's not going to post up someone 3 inches and 30 pounds bigger then him.

Boris is good at posting up just about everyone. Yes it's a foregone conclusion that he post up a lot of smaller players when they switch off of Nash on to him, but he's does a pretty damn good job posting up the bigger, taller players as well. That's one of the joys about this Suns team. Mismatches. Yes we take some hits rebounding and size wise, but we have clear cut advantages on the court. Take Amare for instance, he plays center, and has to go up against bigger, stronger guys all the time, but he's in the Top 3 centers in the league because of his speed and athleticism. Marion, small for playing PF, but he uses his B-Ball IQ, speed and athleticism as well. Boris is by all accounts the same, but he can play SF/PF/C in the Suns system and post just about anyone up. He's a wild card when he has the ball in his hands on the block. Will he use his speed and go past the bigger player guarding him, will he power down and throw that patented finger roll on the smaller player, or will he make a move to draw the double team and pass it to a wide open player for the 3? Yes, I think the Suns have a great system, the only real downfall of the Suns is the rebounding. And that's not truly the fault of the system, it's fault of the mentality a lot of the times. Everyone on the Suns can get out and run, so when a shot goes up only 1-2 players go for the rebound, the other 3-4 take off for the break. If the players would keep 3 back for the boards and let 2 take off for the break, the Suns wouldn't get beat on the boards as much. Now if you look at true centers that would be a perfect fit for this team to push Amare to his true position of PF and Marion to his true position of SF, there's really only 2 maybe 3 players out there in the league. They would be Dwight Howard and Marcus Camby and to some extent Dalembert.

thamadkant · Post #11 » by **thamadkant** » Sun Feb 3, 2008 1:42 am

Artest is the type of player and swagger the Suns need come playoffs...

no more "classy" "gentlemen"... as Suns have too many of them, and the team needs that "aggressive" "intense" "fiery" player to intimidate and get physical with the other team that... beats on the team's gentlemen...

Rasheed Wallace was a cancer and a head ache as a Blazer... then he joined a group of players with a common goal... and won a ring and has been a KEY player to that team..

Artest is worth the risk...

Its funny all these fans wanting to reach the moon, but not willing to pay the high price of jet fuel to power their ride...

or something along that metaphor...

thamadkant · Post #12 » by **thamadkant** » Sun Feb 3, 2008 1:49 am

Trade Diaw + Banks + ATL Pick + Piatkowski

get Artest + Moore + Garcia.

It doesnt work out well with the Trade checker... Diaw's BYC as most know... makes it tough.

But Artest can play SG/SF/PF... and he actually boxes out and pushes inside the paint he is great with his body.

Post #13 » by **rsavaj** » Sun Feb 3, 2008 1:59 am

thamadkant wrote:Artest is the type of player and swagger the Suns need come playoffs...

no more "classy" "gentlemen"... as Suns have too many of them, and the team needs that "aggressive" "intense" "fiery" player to intimidate and get physical with the other team that... beats on the team's gentlemen...

Rasheed Wallace was a cancer and a head ache as a Blazer... then he joined a group of players with a common goal... and won a ring and has been a KEY player to that team..

Artest is worth the risk...

Its funny all these fans wanting to reach the moon, but not willing to pay the high price of jet fuel to power their ride...

or something along that metaphor...

Actually, you'd need rocket fuel, not jet fuel.

Artest is crazy, and off-court antics ARE NOT worth the gamble. He set back the Indiana franchise for years to come, and now SAC wants to get rid of him too.

HELL NO to Artest.

thamadkant · Post #14 » by **thamadkant** » Sun Feb 3, 2008 2:04 am

How??

His contract isnt very long... and Suns are screwed with picks period anyways.

Kings dont want him because they are not contending... Suns are... well supposedly..

and yes.. rocket fuel.... hehe... and I'm suppose to be an engineer... haha crazy.

walkingart · Post #15 » by **walkingart** » Sun Feb 3, 2008 2:22 am

thamadkant wrote:Trade Diaw + Banks + ATL Pick + Piatkowski

get Artest + Moore + Garcia.

It doesnt work out well with the Trade checker... Diaw's BYC as most know... makes it tough.

But Artest can play SG/SF/PF... and he actually boxes out and pushes inside the paint he is great with his body.

can Artest guard Duncan, Bynum, or Gasol?

dm17415 · Post #16 » by **dm17415** » Sun Feb 3, 2008 3:24 am

rsavaj wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Actually, you'd need rocket fuel, not jet fuel.

Artest is crazy, and off-court antics ARE NOT worth the gamble. He set back the Indiana franchise for years to come, and now SAC wants to get rid of him too.

HELL NO to Artest.

If thats the case Rodman would've never played for the Bulls. Although i am not fond of Artest as a person he is a damn good basketball player and could only help the Suns if he has his head on correctly, having a player like Nash ensures that Artest plays to his abilities. Plus to be a great franchise there has to be bold moves taken.

A trade i would like to see involving Artest is Marion and Banks for Brad Miller and Artest. Miller is not a great defender but is a big body, good passer and can hit 15-18 foot shots. Pairing him with Amare would on be beneficial to Amare and the team.

nba_addict · Post #17 » by **nba_addict** » Sun Feb 3, 2008 5:23 am

Honestly I think this is not the time to dismantle the Suns by doing drastic changes in the line-up. Suns just have to start with a starting unit of Nash, Bell, Marion, Amare and Skinner. That said, what Suns need now is another frontcourt guy who can run, defend the post and do some post-up moves alongside Hill, Diaw and Barbosa.

fuhgidabowdit · Post #18 » by **fuhgidabowdit** » Sun Feb 3, 2008 7:40 am

skinner sucks, i'd much rather have artest a million times.

Post #19 » by **rsavaj** » Sun Feb 3, 2008 8:24 am

dm17415 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

If thats the case Rodman would've never played for the Bulls. Although i am not fond of Artest as a person he is a damn good basketball player and could only help the Suns if he has his head on correctly, having a player like Nash ensures that Artest plays to his abilities. Plus to be a great franchise there has to be bold moves taken.

A trade i would like to see involving Artest is Marion and Banks for Brad Miller and Artest. Miller is not a great defender but is a big body, good passer and can hit 15-18 foot shots. Pairing him with Amare would on be beneficial to Amare and the team.

The reason Rodman worked in CHI was because of MJ. He was THE top dog in the league, ridiculously ultra competitive, and if anybody could get Rodman's respect, it was MJ. Plus, Phil was a tough coach and wouldn't stand for Rodman's crap.

Who on the Suns would be able to reign in Artest? Nash? Amare? D'Antoni? Are you kidding me?

Plus, Artest would completely disrupt our offensive chemistry. Dude is a selfish guy, both on and off the court. He thinks he's a lot better than he is on offense, and he chucks up crappy shots that he has no business in attempting in the first place. His defense is AMAZING, but he would not fit in with this team in any way.

Plus, he already stated he's going to opt out, and he'll get an offer in FA that we won't be able to match, thereby making him a rental.

No point giving up a major piece for him. No point at all.

Morphology · Post #20 » by **Morphology** » Sun Feb 3, 2008 11:18 am

Who on the Suns would be able to reign in Artest? Nash?

I don't see why not. It's not like Artest is a wild Stallion. He's human and wants a chip like everyone else.

His defense is AMAZING

Agreed. Hence the "grab Artest" idea.

When Nash was knocked over during the playoffs no one stepped up. Nash should have been defended 10x over. It was a pitiful display, arguably one of the most pitiful displays in the HISTORY OF SPORT. I mean that sincerely; Nash is a genius, for those who haven't noticed. Horry is on the end-arc of his career. Horry should have been maimed at the very least. Grab Artest. He's worth 10 Doris Diaws. He's just the gritty defender and tough guy the Suns need. Bargain basement. Do it now. Stop whining. Suns need a real tough guy to go all the way.