Amare's Gameplan?

[Christine-In-AZ]

(I'm going to get killed, but here goes...)

Over the last few games and especially last nite against the Bucks, it almost seems like Amare has taken the tact to play defense as unaggressively as possible. If this is a conscious calculated decision by him, I think it might be the right tactic. (Though last night's matador performance on Bogut was particularly/frighteningly ugly).

Amare needs to stay out of foul trouble and score, that's how he can serve the team best. Amare wants a front court cohort to do the defensive dirting work that far too often gets Amare a seat on the bench. He needs to move to the 4 spot. I know it's a stretch, but maybe Amare is exposing the extremes in order to force a move. I don't know, but if this is not a conscious tactic? That he was trying to play good aggressive defense last night? Then YIKES! He's (voiced as Bill Walton) "Just Hoorrrible".

Fantastic watching Boris have a great game. There's been a game within each game for me this year. There's the Suns performance and the Boris watch. I wince everytime he's struggled (that's a lot of wincing), but he has the 2nd highest basketball IQ on the team and is the key to getting this done. This "the sky is lowerer" has never given up on him... ripped him. Wondered yes, but not ripped.

If...if...if! Boris can have just 3 or 4 more games like that over the next few weeks, it will help to grease the hinges for Steve Kerr to make a deal for that quality big defender that can start along side Stoudemire. There may never be a good deal presented, but Diaw's performances can open up more possibilties. Go Boris! Help get Amare to the 4 spot and get the Suns in position to make a strong run at it.

Amare is right.

[guaves13]

I think Amare's evolution on D is underway. He may never be the kindof 1 on 1 defensive presence that some want him to be but he is quietly putting in his best season on the less glamorous side of the ball. He is averaging 2.2 blocks per game which puts him at #7 in the NBA. His rebounding #'s still could stand to improve as there is no reason why he shouldn't be a 20/10 guy. You could say that the 31min he is averaging per game is all that is holding him back from being a double-double guy. I think if he could continue to avoid foul trouble he would get there.

As far as him "sending a message" to the org about getting him some help, I would say that is a stretch. It's fairly obvious that the team need a heavier body along side of him. I have been saying for awhile that we need a Bill Laimbeer type. Someone who isn't afraid to foul somebody hard on D but who could step out to 3pt land and help spread the floor on offense. Personally I think that Kevin Love could eventually be that type of player.

Next year should be a turning point for this team. If Matrix opts out (which unlike some I don't think is a sure thing) it will be an opportunity to retool somewhat. This team would miss him for sure but hopefully the combo of Boris, free agency, and the draft will be enough to offset that. Here's a scenario I wouldn't mind seeing:

Matrix opts out
resign Skinner
draft Kevin Love in the mid/late teens (if he declares)
sign a mid-level f/a (I would like Ryan Gomes here. He could be had for the mid-level or less)

Amare
Boris
Hill
Bell
Nash

LB
Gomes
Skinner
DJ
Banks
Love (needs to work on his body his rookie year, his time will come)
Tuck

[KJ7]

Recently at least I've thought it was our tactics that have been horrible more then Amare to be honest. Haven't watched this game yet so can't specifically say regarding this match but it seems like we've been attempting to do things like double the PG in the PnR meaning that we have to rotate and have Amare come in late and attempt to block.

While this took someone like Chandler by surprise initially, guys like Bogut have much better bball IQ and it's going to be less effective.

We need a better tactic when defending things like the PnR and personally I think our best period in that game came when Amare was guarding a spot-up shooter and *he* was the one switching into the center when we were scrambling back on D. We just need to mix it up a bit. Amare has his limitations on defense, there's no doubt about that but I think he brings some good things as well.

There is so much pressure for him to rebound and he is doing a good job of it considering there are periods there where he gets 0 help. He's also getting much better at weak-side blocking. Challenges almost every shot around the basket when he's not in foul trouble and that helps a lot. I don't think he has got the pat on the back that he deserves for these 2 things instead we just keep criticizing him.

My biggest knock on Amare is that he just isn't running as much as he used to (I should say as fast up the court). I almost get the feeling a lot of these Suns who know there place in the team are just waiting for the play-offs to start (Amare, Bell, LB etc.). Nash and Marion seem like the ones really bringing it every night and even they have had lapses. Nash's D in that NOH game was god-awful for example.

[Christine-In-AZ]

Recently at least I've thought it was our tactics that have been horrible more then Amare to be honest. Haven't watched this game yet so can't specifically say regarding this match

I wish I could watch it again, but it seemed like Amare played statue-like, not really trying against Bogut on many possessions. It seemed extra poor.

[Christine-In-AZ]

Next year should be a turning point for this team. If Matrix opts out (which unlike some I don't think is a sure thing) it will be an opportunity to retool somewhat. This team would miss him for sure but hopefully the combo of Boris, free agency, and the draft will be enough to offset that.

Honestly, I think this is it, this is the year we have to do it or it's going to be many years before we have another shot. Too many young teams are rising rapidly, most importantly the Lakers (because when they get good, unlike us, they never stop short of winning it all).

I'd trade 1 championship this year for 10 bad years to follow. Probably because I'm an old guy compared to most on this board (just guessing). This is season 39 for me and all I care about is winning it one time. Hard to see the chances improving after this year.

I have seen this story unfold a few times before....and we never win it all. Something new please.

[eastsidecrossover]

I have to agree with guaves. His shot blocking is much better, but one on one D is not really there. Honestly, it never has been. I don't think he will be that type of player. BUt our team D is outright horrible at times. This also gets Amare into foul trouble. They do not switch at the right time, and seem to be late a lot on D. So yeah, Amare gets a lot of the blame, but the other guys are not doing that well either.

Amare sent the message about some big help 2 years ago. That is one of the reasons why the suns went after KT. Yeah, he is not 7 foot, but he gave the suns, and amare what they needed. By cutting salary by the FO, and DA's coaching, this is how it is going to be. Sarver does not want to pay the lux tax, and DA does not want to play a traditional lineup.

These holes were here in previous years, but now, more teams have, and do expose them more often.

[JohnVancouver]

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I wish I could watch it again, but it seemed like Amare played statue-like, not really trying against Bogut on many possessions. It seemed extra poor.

I noticed that on many plays he kept his arms down, trying to defend Bogut while just moving his feet and using his body, but not trying to block passing angles or anything with his hands. I think it's because he's foul-shy now - geez, that first one called on him tonight was ridiculous.

[guaves13]

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Honestly, I think this is it, this is the year we have to do it or it's going to be many years before we have another shot. Too many young teams are rising rapidly, most importantly the Lakers (because when they get good, unlike us, they never stop short of winning it all).

I'd trade 1 championship this year for 10 bad years to follow. Probably because I'm an old guy compared to most on this board (just guessing). This is season 39 for me and all I care about is winning it one time. Hard to see the chances improving after this year.

I have seen this story unfold a few times before....and we never win it all. Something new please.

Yeah you may be right, this very well may be the last year this group goes after it. I don't think we are in horrible shape in the future unlike some. We still have some good pieces to build around and I feel that we are 1 player away from being much improved defensively. Unfortunately we are forced to pin much of our hopes on Boris improving to 05/06 status if Matrix leaves next year. That's the scary part. If he plays anywhere close to his last game we will be in good shape. He's going to have to do that more often though for that to be anything more than a pipe dream. I still say that MD has to put the ball in his hands more. Even with Amare on the court.