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Analyzing first 5 games!!!

Posted: Fri Nov 7, 2008 9:33 am
by DaDragicShow
So, now aftere the first 5 games of the season is through, what do the Suns have to improve on the most and get better as the time goes on.

The only thing I can think of Is limiting tournovers, something we have been commiting alot ever since we got Shaq 2nd half of the season last year.

Sometimes we can commit 15+ tourvoers and win games against teams like the Pacers, but it wont work against the Hornets as we saw last week.

Re: Analyzing first 5 games!!!

Posted: Fri Nov 7, 2008 9:56 am
by BurningHeart
Only watched the three nationally televised games...but yes, turnovers and discipline are my main concern at the moment.

Re: Analyzing first 5 games!!!

Posted: Fri Nov 7, 2008 10:01 am
by mkot
It's still VERY early, but if we keep this up, I believe we are contenders. So far they have been unbelievably efficient at scoring the ball. That is something I did not expect so soon, if at all. What I did expect were a lot of turnovers and that is happening. That needs to and will be cut down I think...I trust Nash's offense. LOL.

It's just 5 games into the season so it's hard to judge the team or the player but one thing to note during the last game about Amare - 44 minutes, 3 fouls. That's his 5th straight game without foul trouble. I've definitely seen a nice improvement on the defensive end. He's gambling less on blocks and playing the passing lanes really well. Again, we know he can play some above average defense, but he needs to bring it every night. That's what GREAT player does.

Boris...Boris is playing better off the bench than what I would have expected based on how he did off the bench last season. His play and intensity has been very consistent. His shot hasn't been falling but he's been playing with great energy and more like a traditional big. I like how his teammate try to feed him and play through him in the post. That's his strength. And I like his rebounding. His rebounding rate is better, and with his nice passing and post game, he could finally earn his pay check lol. Go Boris.

LB is still struggling...but I really hope Porter can realize that he plays better alongside Nash. He isn't a good decision maker, isn't a good passer...play him with Nash so he can just be a spot up shooter and slasher. We need to get this guy going.

Amundson > Lopez at this point. Lopez might be bigger, but Amundson is smarter and quicker. Dude is a lightning rod of energy. I still remember how he lighted up the Kings during a SL game as a rook. He is a ball of energy with hops and a nose for rebounding the ball. A David Lee type with better athleticism. He's definitely ahead of Lopez in our rotation.

Our defense is still a work in progress. The first half of last nights game was a joke defensively. Then we held them to 29% shooting in the 2nd half. That's no difference than what we did during the D'Antoni era - only play D in spurt.

All in all, I'm very happy with this team. The team is playing so much better than what I expected them to at this stage of the season. The Suns are so far 4-1 in what was supposed to be a rough early season transition...so I'm not complaining too much. We still need time to figure things out, play better D, and limit our turnovers. I'd think Porter has also loosened things up on offense and is letting Nash do what he does best... and the offense seems to be flowing pretty well most of the time. I think our offense look solid. There's turnovers, but those are fixable with Nash.

I look forward to the games against some of the strong opponents.

Go Suns.

Re: Analyzing first 5 games!!!

Posted: Fri Nov 7, 2008 11:16 am
by nashill
perfectly said mkot...


just to add..

bell, he's playing well this season compared to last year.

barnes is starting to learn to play with the guys...

Re: Analyzing first 5 games!!!

Posted: Fri Nov 7, 2008 1:30 pm
by ray ray
Great pot MKOT.. I agree with everything you said.

If you think about it, the starting five has only played 4 games together. Barnes didn't played last games and Amare was MIA in the preseasons games. So for having 5 games under their belt and playing this efficiantly offensively brings great hope.

Defensively you see improvements at times but you also see the Suns of old. Howevercan get stops especially at the end of games. turnovers is our achilles hill at this moment, other than that I really starting to like our chances in the West.

Re: Analyzing first 5 games!!!

Posted: Fri Nov 7, 2008 2:40 pm
by Never Fear 33 Is Here
I'm going to go out on a limb and say our turnovers are a problem. :lol: But having said that, we are playing in a new system and it was to be expected.

Something I think we need to improve on is our 3-point attempts. We have Shaq and Amare in there and we need to be opening it up even more for them. I think at the moment we are averaging about 17 per. I would like to see that number up at 20.

I also like the fact that Porter uses his bench. I know we harp on this, but it is still great to see. I will be interested to see the differentials of our rookies come the end of the season between the first half and the second half of the season.

Re: Analyzing first 5 games!!!

Posted: Sat Nov 8, 2008 10:45 am
by Mr. Sun
I'm waiting to see how Tucker will fit in. Improve us?