Yahoo! Sports: Suns need more than points from Stoudemire

[Never Fear 33 Is Here]

LINK

I don't necessarily agree with all of these points in this article but IMO it is time that some of the Suns players start reading articles like this and get their act into gear.

I'm not one to get too worked up over a few losses and I understand that there are reasons that we just aren't clicking. BUT, IMO it is time to realize the simple things that aren't going right and rectify them. Worry about the more complicated stuff later and just do the things that get us some W's.

[/rant]

[b-ball forever]

I don't mind him not bein able to go out to the 3 point line and put a hand in Okur's face, he isn't the Matrix.

I do mind him not puttin enuf of an effort on post defense most the time tho.
Loved the hustle he showed inside against Garnett, why he doesn't do that every game is a mystery

[JusBus32]

Are you kidding me? Amare's been killing it with the scoring.

His defense is what is needed.

[PeTBuLL]

Hard time...

Well, someone has to play defense! Cause Nash is a non factor downs there, Leandro too, Raja played well on "D" yesterday, Amar

[|||-Abaddon-|||]

Amare was a beast offensively, but his defense in the post is underrated. He is strong guy, who blocks and alters shots whenever the chance comes up.

I think you all mistaking the actual culprit as to why Amare is always picking up fouls and leaving his man on defense: Steve Nash.

What pitiful, tired defense this guy shows on posessions --- and its no doubt he got bossed by DWill last night. Too many open jumpers, and too many uncontested drives to the basket.

Arguably, his defensive showing was better last night, but hes to frigid, slow and small to cover DWill % effectively. Which is precisely why we need to add a good defender at the point guard spot.

Catch 22 though, as our offensive game began to crumble with Nash out of the lineup. Which is precisely why, we should run our offense through Shaq when he is out of the game.

Remember, there was a double sent Shaq's way on a possession, and Sahq kciked it out to Giricek, who missed a completely wide open shot.

These are the quality shots I've been talking about, just easy 3-pointers this team can easily make.

Nash out = Shaq's game

[|||-Abaddon-|||]

Defense cant be taught. Defense is a committment. Defense is a desire. Defense is to win.

If we think we can play our easy basket style and win games, we need to think again. And if we dont, then we at least have to play grinding defense to propel team mistakes and get even EASIER baskets.

[JohnVancouver]

Defense cant be taught. Defense is a committment. Defense is a desire. Defense is to win.

If we think we can play our easy basket style and win games, we need to think again. And if we don't, then we at least have to play grinding defense to propel team mistakes and get even EASIER baskets.

yes it can, though it starts with commitment. But if all you have is commitment, you foul out until you learn to move your feet, turn the offensive player in the direction you want to send him, learn the passing angles and a million other little skills ... like boxing out, which is something Amare has seemingly never heard of.

And that's only man to man - now that the NBA allows zones, it's more complex.

But you're right about desire - it should be a point of pride to play good defense and shut the other guy down. it comes down to pride and commitment . God, the lakers showtime teams played tough defense

[BringinDaRuckus]

Why are we asking so much from Amare Stoudemire?

He ranks 6th in the League (you know.... that includes every player)! He ranks #1 in PF position in blocks. He also has this ranking while also haivng an average of 3.8 fouls per game!

I honestly think that is impressive in itself! He is also just a shade under a steal a game. And only managing a mere 2.1 turnovers a game. These are all stats outside of scoring.

And for his shooting percentages and FT%... my lord. Well above average. And only averaging 15 shots a game this season.

What more do you want from the guy? Average 5 blocks a game? Where is the scoring going to come from then? I can tell you it ain't coming from Barbs, Bell, and Diaw.

Amare is right. There are people that need to man up on this team. To say Amare doesn't play with heart or passion is absolutely ridiculous.

Since Shawn left, Amare has been my new Suns player. The guy plays his butt off every game. That's I guy I would want on my team.

[The Nash Era]

Amare has been the most consistent and should be left out of any problems. He's one of the only reasons we're not losing by more.

[-SDU-]

its just fashionable to hate on amare and his defense, its better than people think, but not as good as we would like

fact is the guy is giving us so much right now, if you want to criticise certain suns for not giving us everything every night, then jump on barbosa diaw and bell first for not giving us the consistency that we need

when we get those 3 playing as good as we know they can IN THE SAME GAME, then things will be fine, but for now we always have 1 play well, one play solid and one crap

why didnt grant hill play more last night?

[Arles]

-= original quote snipped =-
yes it can, though it starts with commitment

There's a reason why teams like Detroit, SA and others play good defense as a team - it's a focus and major emphasis from the coaches/system. There's accountability for it - if you slack on defense for 2-3 possessions in SA, your ass is on the bench.

Mike D talking about wanting defense is like a guy saying he wants to find a girl to settle down with. Then, the next morning, you see him on dirty Scottsdale with three blonds on his arm. Mike's actions don't backup his words when it comes to defense and intensity.

There's no way that when our defense was complete dog crap in the 4th, that guys like DJ and/Linton shouldn't get a couple minutes early on. But, it doesn't matter if Boris and Barbs can't defend their grandma, they "allow us to run" so they keep playing. Even when they shoot a combined 6-21 and get lit up by 3-4 different scorers, there's just no way we can cut into their 30 MPG for a better defender. But, DAMMIT GUYS, DEFENSE IS IMPORTANT!!!

[-SDU-]

But, it doesn't matter if Boris and Barbs can't defend their grandma

granny's got game tho yo!

[ma_falaa_50]

I think Amare has improved a bit while guys like LB and Steve cant guard anyone to save their lives. Steve needs to get his head out of his ass and stop TO the ball so many times. He kept on running into amare last night- are you kidding me? Its not just on defense that misques happen but they are also happening on offense. LB just doesnt get it on both sides of the floor. He is a ball hog on offense and he always leaves his man open on defense. Bell finally played good defense last night but I have yet to see steve or LB do something worht noting. Lets be honest Steve is on the down hill. Shaq has been doing his job on the boards. I never believed for a second that Shaq was going to make them better defensively because Shaq cant not guard guys like Deron Williams, CP3, or TP. Nash has to man up on defense. He is the damn co captain he should be getting all this heat.

[Waderr]

LINK

I don't necessarily agree with all of these points in this article but IMO it is time that some of the Suns players start reading articles like this and get their act into gear.

I'm not one to get too worked up over a few losses and I understand that there are reasons that we just aren't clicking. BUT, IMO it is time to realize the simple things that aren't going right and rectify them. Worry about the more complicated stuff later and just do the things that get us some W's.

[/rant]

The guy is right. Look what amare scoring 37 and you Denver put up 41 in the fourth. The guy cares more about scoring thaN winning. I think in the lost against the Piston Wallace scored only around 15 points, but those points took AMARE WEBBERS HEART OUT THE GAME.

[187_Inc]

Diaw also has a ready-made defense: He

[Arles]

I think we can all agree that there is no way that Barbs and Nash should be on the floor together for any extended stretch of time. They are just too putrid defensively and even if they shoot a combined 60%, they will allow the guys they are guarding to score at an 80% clip.

[TASTIC]

^That's a MAJOR problem though - because Barbosa operates best when Nash is feeding him while he's cutting...such a mess

[tsherkin]

Why are we asking so much from Amare Stoudemire?

He ranks 6th in the League (you know.... that includes every player)! He ranks #1 in PF position in blocks. He also has this ranking while also haivng an average of 3.8 fouls per game!

Blocks aren't defense; he does help well on weakside stuff but his man-to-man defense is horrible, some of the worst I've ever seen.

He needs to put his hands up and move his feet when he's guarding someone; he needs to keep the ball below the waist of post scorers. He needs to deny post-entry passes and otherwise play ball denial when he's guarding more perimeter-oriented guys. He needs to be taking the best option away, forcing his check to a weak option (his off-hand or the jumper or whatever his check doesn't like to do).

Amare is a terrible defender overall; he's having his best year as a shot-blocker but that really doesn't change anything.

[Duiz]

WTF? Amare scores 37 and the Suns lose... Deron has 11 AST, and the Jazz are 27-3 on the season. I it has more to do with other things.

[rsavaj]

I agree with pretty much everything in that article.