Can we PLEASE stop turning the ball over?

BringinDaRuckus · Post #1 » by **BringinDaRuckus** » Sun Mar 2, 2008 5:32 am

My lord... just a simple request....

After tonight's game I did some calculations based on the Shaq trade.

I think before we traded Marion, we were hovering around what 12.5 TOs a game? Either way pretty nice numbers.

With both Shaq AND Marion out of our squad we went up to 14.4 during five game stretch. With Shaq in the lineup we are at 16.5 per game over 6 games. And the total average over all 11 games is 15.5.

With averages like that, that makes us the worst team giving up so many TOs.

Yes, I know we are working in a new player.... but take in mind this player has been in the league for 15 seasons. And some critics say for a big man he is an above average passer.

PATHETIC

Post #2 » by **TASTIC** » Sun Mar 2, 2008 5:42 am

This is what happens when you try and fit a 7'1" 320lb man into a team with a TOTALLY different style of play, not to mention a new coach, a new system on both ends and a new role.

eastsidecrossover · Post #3 » by **eastsidecrossover** » Sun Mar 2, 2008 5:43 am

Yeah, but our other guys are just careless with the ball as of late.

BringinDaRuckus · Post #4 » by **BringinDaRuckus** » Sun Mar 2, 2008 5:48 am

TASTIC wrote:This is what happens when you try and fit a 7'1" 320lb man into a team with a TOTALLY different style of play, not to mention a new coach, a new system on both ends and a new role.

I understand that. It's almost a complete 180 for Shaq (I say almost, because there was some running and fast breaks during his LA years). But this is downright careless with the ball.

And being too careless in such a tight race in the West could have us looking on the outside and never seeing the reason why we traded for Shaq pan out(playoffs). Not being drastic, but it's known the Suns have a very difficult rest of the season.

Post #5 » by **TASTIC** » Sun Mar 2, 2008 5:56 am

^Yeah I know what you mean. To be honest, a LOT of this is on Nash and probably to do with the minutes he's playing. If we had a backup PG like Cassell or Lue then he could play 30mins and not look as tired as he seems to be. He is getting trapped more than I've ever seen, and he's throwing balls that are telegraphed and thus picked off easily. We aren't spacing like we used to because we don't have the corner 3 point shooter we need, a la Barry or/well now - Giricek.

BringinDaRuckus · Post #6 » by **BringinDaRuckus** » Sun Mar 2, 2008 6:02 am

TASTIC wrote:^Yeah I know what you mean. To be honest, a LOT of this is on Nash and probably to do with the minutes he's playing. If we had a backup PG like Cassell or Lue then he could play 30mins and not look as tired as he seems to be. He is getting trapped more than I've ever seen, and he's throwing balls that are telegraphed and thus picked off easily. We aren't spacing like we used to because we don't have the corner 3 point shooter we need, a la Barry or/well now - Giricek.

I agree with all that statement. It seems Nash took the whole team on his back the minute Marion left. He has to score more. And still feed the ball. And to be quite honest, it's hard for him to drive in the paint now with both Amare and Shaq on the court. The reason the pick and roll worked so well was because the lanes were open.

mkot · Post #7 » by **mkot** » Sun Mar 2, 2008 6:13 am

There are a few guys having a tough time with this Shaq integration, but Nash seems to be having the most trouble. It seems that almost every time he gets under the basket, where he used to either have an easy kick to the corner for a 3 or a dump-off to Amare or Shawn inside, he's running into a huge crowd of bodies and either getting stripped or having to pass out to Hill or Boris in the corner where the D doesn't need to respect their shots. Again, spacing is the big issue and we've been a good offensive team because of the spacing - with Nash and Amare/Boris inside and shooters spread on the perimeter. We just don't have enough offensive weapons right now.

Nash sure is turning the ball over alot, but I don't think it's fair to just throw him under the bus. Like I said, our spacing is not good enough for Nash to operate. We used to always have shooters surround Nash with Amare (Boris the year Amare was out) playing the inside game. We are different now.

walkingart · Post #8 » by **walkingart** » Sun Mar 2, 2008 7:12 am

Remember all the Haters who said that Nash made Marion, well look around guys, Marion is gone and doing just fine without Nash, how is Nash doing with out Marion?

Nash is clearly struggling without Marion next to him; his turnovers increased before Shaq got here. You can call it spacinig or whatever, but the bottom line is that the Suns have lost the guy who got the garbage buckets which gave Nash easy assists. They lost their fastest player(Barbs is fast, but out of control if at full speed), and best defender.

Shaq has done everything he was asked to do when he got here, too bad he also revealed the other weaknesses of the team that Marion helped to hide.

I hope Nash figures it out and can adjust his game, but my confidence is waining with every game.

None the less, GO SUNS!!

-SDU- · Post #9 » by **-SDU-** » Sun Mar 2, 2008 7:17 am

shaqs start of the 4th was woeful, 3 turnovers on his own

something that wont continue

walkingart · Post #10 » by **walkingart** » Sun Mar 2, 2008 7:22 am

My suggestion would be that Nash looks to score more, and pass less. He just doesn't have the weapons behind the arc or cutting to the basket that he has had in the past.

For my money, I want Stat and Nash to take atleast half the shot for the game. I only saw the begining of the game tonight cause I watched the fight. I have it tivoed, but I already looked at the box score and I don't think I want to watch Raja go 3 of 13 from the field.

pidi · Post #11 » by **pidi** » Sun Mar 2, 2008 8:02 am

why do we we give a damn about our offense??? we were known as an offensive team that can beat everyone by scorng them out. it can

realfung · Post #12 » by **realfung** » Sun Mar 2, 2008 8:07 am

don't start crying while you had one or two bad games.....

walkingart · Post #13 » by **walkingart** » Sun Mar 2, 2008 6:59 pm

turnovers lead to easy points on high percentage shots. if our offense was running smoother and protecting the ball, it would improve our defensive numbers.

BringinDaRuckus · Post #14 » by **BringinDaRuckus** » Sun Mar 2, 2008 7:28 pm

realfung wrote:don't start crying while you had one or two bad games.....

It's 11 games. Not 2 games. Read the original post?

mkot · Post #15 » by **mkot** » Sun Mar 2, 2008 9:45 pm

walkingart wrote:My suggestion would be that Nash looks to score more, and pass less. He just doesn't have the weapons behind the arc or cutting to the basket that he has had in the past.

Agreed that Nash has to at least be a threat to score. He made shots late for us down the stretch last game. He had some 3s, a tough drive for a layup and quick score. He can do these things but he is always looking to pass.

BringinDaRuckus · Post #16 » by **BringinDaRuckus** » Thu Mar 6, 2008 5:24 am

19 TOs against Denver Nuggets 3/5/2008

I will keep bumping this thread until the Suns can string together a couple of games with 13 or less TOs.

BringinDaRuckus · Post #17 » by **BringinDaRuckus** » Sat Mar 8, 2008 4:45 am

14 Tunrovers against Utah Jazz 3/7/2008.

Post #18 » by **TASTIC** » Sat Mar 8, 2008 5:06 am

back to back 126 points AGAINST AT HOME is the most frustrating stat

It used to be a novelty act that we give up as much as we score, now teams just lick their chops

Sarlonus · Post #19 » by **Sarlonus** » Sat Mar 8, 2008 5:12 am

I was looking at the box score for tonights game and realized that STAT had 6 TOs. Nash went down to 3 TOs on 15 AST. Nash seemed more controlled tonight.

BringinDaRuckus · Post #20 » by **BringinDaRuckus** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 5:49 am

I know. I know. We still won this game. But it needs to be done.

16 Turnovers against Golden State 3/13/2008.