mkot wrote:-= original quote snipped =-
That's a bit much IMO.
Fair enough. But that's how I feel, and while I reserve the right to change my mind, it would take something special to sway me. Right now, I'd say we're somewhere around the Mavericks of Nash's last few years there (and 04-05, actually): A very good team, usually around 55-57 wins, pretty fun to watch (although we were a lot more fun to watch when it seemed like our players were enjoying themselves and liked playing together), usually homecourt in the first round, and probably out in the second round. That's still a pretty good team overall, but one full notch below the elite/contenders. We'll see if I'm right or wrong. It's still fairly early in the season, after all.
Although this team hasn't convince me they are championship caliber, but I've seen flashes of greatness, both offensively and defensively. I think we're more equipped for the playoffs personnel wise, we just aren't taking full advantage because we're trying to run and gun for the entire game.
See, I think we've been running less this year than any of the last three. I haven't checked any stats to see if they back up that assertion, but that's just how it feels from the games I've seen.
This team just have to have that strong mentality to work inside-out, too many times they like to play outside-in. Only in the playoffs we work through Amare more. That's why it seems like Amare is a complete different animal in the post season, he gets the ball.
If we're shooting well like we should, I don't mind the outside-in game a little more.
I do. The Nash Era Suns have ALWAYS been at their best playing inside-out, even in 05-06. That year, with no Amare, the Suns got inside by using Diaw and Marion on pick and rolls instead of Amare, by utilizing Barbosa's ability to drive, by sometimes posting up Diaw, by using a lot of back cuts (Marion and Barbosa were especially good at these), and, once Tim Thomas was signed, by occasionally posting him up or having him drive. The amazing Nash Era 3-point shooting is primarily due to this inside-out game. Once the defense collapses, kick it out to the wide open man, or kick it out then swing it around to the wide-open man. Wide-open spot up jumpers by good shooters are about the most efficient shots in the game.
But as of now, we aren't a great 3pt shooting team like we should because 2 guys who were great on 3s last season (Raja and LB) are not doing well from the arc. The Suns as a team are 7th in 3pt FG%... that is not bad, but not good enough for this team. We need to sit at the top IMO.
I think a significant reason why those 2 aren't shooting as well is because the Suns aren't playing as good offensively as we're used to. Guys are playing outside-in more often this year than in years past, and it's really hurting the offensive efficiency. I've seen Barbosa jack up more contested or out-of-rhythm threes this year than I think I saw the entire first half of last year. Same with Bell, although he also has the problem of apparently thinking he can make something happen off the dribble.
Another problem with our 3pt shooting is the fast break. Again, it really seems to me that we're running less this year. One of the upshots of that is that we hit fewer transition threes, which tend to be wide open. And it also seems like teams have started to figure out that when playing transition D against the Suns, you have to protect the three-point line, because that's where we like to go.
We have fixable issues, Raja and LB's shooting is broke, but I'd think, base on their track record, they will shoot better sooner or later. I also expect Amare to become more of the focal point in the offense when guys play more together - I know he will be in the playoff. And we need to stay healthy. Boris keep improving and be aggressive, then maybe there's hope...
Well, there's always hope. I mean, I'm hopeful that my early diagnosis (which almost perfectly matched my preseason prognosis) will turn out to be wrong, and that the Suns will turn it up down the stretch and really look like a different team. I don't think that'll happen, but I sure hope it does.