Nash feels slightly marginalized, Amare's a douche

[rsavaj]

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/PaulCoro/39667

LOL@Amare sounding wistful about D'Antoni. Seriously? After all the smack you were talking about him a couple months ago? STFU.

[Purple Palace]

Sounding wistful? He said the truth. He didn't sit there and praise D'Antoni. He said the obvious thing, and that is the offense was much more fluid than it is now because they're adjusting.

The only thing I really remember Amare taking a jab at D'Antoni about was the stress of defense. I don't think he ever criticized or was opposed to the offense D'Antoni ran because Amare was great in that offense.

The person who is the douche in this article is Bell..
" I'm not really going to get into talking about our offense, " Bell said after the formerly offensively captivating Suns failed to reach 100 points for the fourth time in five games. "

[BitonKOBE]

bell has always been a loser. im glad he's on the suns and im glad he's a vegetarian, and im sure he's a decent husband and father and whatever...but he's sort of a douchebag sometimes

and yah amare did not 'dis' coach mike. thats hype

[mkot]

*Subject: offense ... How do you say something without saying anything? Suns guards Raja Bell and Steve Nash have been refreshingly honest about wanting to hold onto the team's uptempo, open-spaced style and how difficult or confusing the offensive transition has been. They have been told to shush it. Others were already biting their lips.

"I'm not really going to get into talking about our offense," Bell said after the formerly offensively captivating Suns failed to reach 100 points for the fourth time in five games.

So why is Bell a douche when he is trying to not bring his frustration to the media? You can't have players, no matter how innocent it may be, talking about things so honestly in front of the media so don't understand why some people here called him out on that quote. And it's not like he, or any of those guys, are wrong either.

"Do you ever feel marginalized?" Smith asked, drawing an affirming Nash chuckle.

"A little bit," he said. "I just don't necessarily have the opportunities I used to have but we have other weapons. We can go inside now, something we couldn't do in the past. I'm trying to just fill my role the best I can."

What role? A 'walk the ball up' and 'spot up shooting' PG?

Remember how everyone used to wonder if it was MikeD''s system or if it was just Nash being Nash that made us play so well? Well, now we know the answer. Nash can't do it on his own. MikeD''s system catered to Nash's strengths. Porter's doesn't. He actually went away from Nash's strengths and ask him to play like Brevin Knight. WTF.

* Subject: Amare Stoudemire ... You know there is uncertainty about the present and a longing for the past when Stoudemire mentions D'Antoni with reverence after how he never spoke up for D'Antoni when his future hung in the balance and took shots after his departure by saying the team never practiced defense.

"We play so well within our fastbreak with Coach D'Antoni," Stoudemire said. "With Terry Porter here, it was a little different here. We've just got to adjust and see if we can find the balance between fastbreak and half-court."

Coach D'Antoni but not Coach Porter?

IMO, Porter is really starting to lose his guys.

Amare was awful last night but one thing he's right - he doesn't have enough space to operate, and most often than not, he isn't in the right place in the offense. When he isn't setting screens or playing pick and roll with Nash, he should be in the elbow 99% of the time. And can we run some high post pick and roll between Boris and Amare just to give some different looks? But I guess because it's MikeD's play so we will just shush it.

For all the MikeD bashers, one thing he seemed to have figured out (without the benefit of training camp and preseason games) was how to space Amare and Shaq to get production out of both of them. This year, the spacing and chemistry between the two has taken a big step backwards despite the fact that Shaq is in better shape. Porter's supposed to be the "halfcourt offense guy" but our half-court offense look significantly worse. We have one play on offense and it's called 'pass the ball to Shaq and watch'. It's ridiculous.

And we all know our defense didn't improve much from previous season.

"I just think at times we make bad decisions," Porter said.

You made the same mistakes every game, Porter. I thought you said you're going to improve this kind of thing. I think until he figures out the problem is him, we are gonna be in for a very long season.

[lilfishi22]

This was one of the issues that was brought up when Porter was named the Suns new coach. I always thought our vets would have trouble respecting a coach who has proven nothing. So three weeks in, he has not only shown nothing worthy of respect, but he's lost touch with some of the most important pieces of his team. It seems Shaq and him are the only one in tune with each other.

I understand if Nash is speaking out about being marginalized since this is his team until his contract expires and now the only thing he does is shoot spot up jumpers and dribble penetrate on occasions. Heck even Barnes took his job of bringing the ball up.

It's definitely a big issue if one of Porter's biggest advocates, Amare, is speaking out against his system.

[HootieRules]

Mike D was excellent at spacing when Shaq got here but it was because we basically reduced Shaq to setting high screens which is not his game at all. At the end of the year we seemed to find a nice balance where Shaq would either post up and Amare would play from the elbow and set screens or vice versa. Now we are completely one-dimensional and reduce Shaq to a low-post threat exclusively which obviously brings out Shaq's strengths, but we reduce Amare to a jumpshooter exclusively and handcuff any chance of running a pick and roll and it's frustrating to watch.

With all of that said, the attitude of some of the players sucks. Been pretty clear guys like Raja and Nash didn't give Porter a chance from day 1. Nash was one of the ones pushing for the trade and now he seems shocked we're not running and gunning anymore. It's mindboggling.

Anyway, if Amare makes his damn layups last night it is a close game and we wouldn't be all doom and gloom so maybe the sky hasn't fallen yet. Oh yeah, and it would be nice to have a quality backup point guard and not see 5-point first quarter leads turn into 8-point deficits the second we go to our bench. Could never catch up after that and the Purple Palace was just dead. Go #$%& yourself Robert Sarver. We've only had 4 years to find a competent backup point guard and our front office has thrown darts and overspent on Marcus Banks and Goran Dragic. Such a joke.

[mkot]

Go #$%& yourself Robert Sarver. We've only had 4 years to find a competent backup point guard and our front office has thrown darts and overspent on Marcus Banks and Goran Dragic. Such a joke.

How brilliant is that? We sold Sergio and Rudy away and gave a second round pick who has proved nothing a 4 year guaranteed contract.

But he is the second best PG in the draft. Right? Kerr

[KJ7]

Yep. To be honest I don't really care about Sergio and I think we did the right thing selling the pick *that* year but when Rudy fell to us the following year my jaw hit the desk when I saw we didn't draft him. Monumental mistake IMO.

And now we have Dragic who can't even get past Singletary ... awesome!

[eastsidecrossover]

Some really good analysis guys. Like I have been saying, the dragic kid is a joke. And not to find a PG has been a huge mistake and joke in its self. Could have had Rondo, Serg, Nate Robinson, rudy, but nooooo, we want to save money to keep our core together. That 1 mil is going to break the bank!!!! But then we turn around and sign Banks for 3-4mil a year? Come on now.

Im starting to believe that Kerr is a moron who does not know how to evaluate talent and make a team good. Since Sarver ran a bank, is he going to go to the government and ask for a bail out??? Might as well since he is driving this organization into the ground.

about both systems. I think MD did not use Shaq the right way, but the other players he did. On D, well, there was no D. With porter, he is using Shaq the right way. He still is one of the best centers in the league. However, everyone else seems lost, and that D, well, still waiting to see it.

I think if players are not giving respect to a coach, that is wrong. no matter who it is, or what his experience is. The guy was a really good player, not a scrub by all means. The guys need to pick up there egos and back it away for the team. However, I do not condone them for speaking their mind and how they are a little frustrated.

Something is going to have to give. What is it then? Players do their own thing, a trade, or we just suck and give in to Porters and Kerrs thinking?

Well, I guess this is a warning before the storm. The storm of when this team is at the bottom of the league in 3 years. If we can sack up and both the players and management/coaching staff pulls their head out of their arss, we have a chance. If not, we are going to be mediocre team in a stacked West. And if so, we missed our chance big time due to the little things

[Cash]

Go #$%& yourself Robert Sarver. We've only had 4 years to find a competent backup point guard and our front office has thrown darts and overspent on Marcus Banks and Goran Dragic. Such a joke.

How brilliant is that? We sold Sergio and Rudy away and gave a second round pick who has proved nothing a 4 year guaranteed contract.

But he is the second best PG in the draft. Right? Kerr

And even though it wasn't a straight sale (since it did net us the Rudy pick, which we then sold), we gave Rajon Rondo to the Celtics.

All in all, I'm just glad I came in to this season having completely given up on the Suns as championship contenders. I still like watching this team (not as much as I used to) and rooting for them, and I'm still a Suns fan. I even bought League Pass Broadband this year to watch more Suns games. But if I had entertained hopes of the Suns winning it all, I'd be in for a very rude awakening.

[Frank Lee]

I think the biggest mistake RSarver made was he avoided hiring an experienced GM after BC left. And , I beleive it was his intention all along to put Kerr'veball in charge as soon as he was able. Between the two of them, their blind arrogance has let this shooting star fizzle out. The damage was done two or three yrs ago, and after another month of mediocrity, will be apparent to all.


I have absolutely no confidence in what the current front orfice can do, largely because they have left themselves so few options. It would not disappoint me to see them selll this franchise.

[KJ7]

I think the biggest mistake RSarver made was he avoided hiring an experienced GM after BC left. And , I beleive it was his intention all along to put Kerr'veball in charge as soon as he was able. Between the two of them, their blind arrogance has let this shooting star fizzle out. The damage was done two or three yrs ago, and after another month of mediocrity, will be apparent to all.


I have absolutely no confidence in what the current front orfice can do, largely because they have left themselves so few options. It would not disappoint me to see them selll this franchise.

I actually agree with a lot of what you said in your first paragraph but have a quick question. Have you ever had confidence in any front office or coach we've ever had?

I seem to recall you bagging everyone and praising no-one.

[rsavaj]

I agree with everything mkot has said in this thread.

[-SDU-]

i love hearing people wish for dantoni back - usually the same people who were calling for his head last season

[BurningHeart]

I agree with everything mkot has said in this thread.

Same here. He's on his game!

EDIT: SDU, that's how it always is. I'm proud to say I NEVER wanted D'Antoni gone. I have been one of his fiercest defenders and will continue to be.

[Frank Lee]

I actually agree with a lot of what you said in your first paragraph but have a quick question. Have you ever had confidence in any front office or coach we've ever had?

I seem to recall you bagging everyone and praising no-one.

yes I have...but not so much in this decade. Sarver and D'Ant started with a clean slate, just as Kerr and Porter have......but their own actions and decisions complete with a harminzing spin job on all their manuevers has sucked dry whatever good graces were afforded to them ....

Perhaps you can point out where I have missed a praisable front orfice opportunity ?
Blow some sunshine on us KJ....and save your diplomatic generalization of my displeasurable commentary(s) about our sorry state of affairs for another time.... RSarver and Kerr'veball have disappointed me, us, our entire fan base...and now even some players. I just don't know if they can right this ship.

Cash pretty much sums it up.....

all in all, I'm just glad I came in to this season having completely given up on the Suns as championship contenders. I still like watching this team (not as much as I used to) and rooting for them, and I'm still a Suns fan. I even bought League Pass Broadband this year to watch more Suns games. But if I had entertained hopes of the Suns winning it all, I'd be in for a very rude awakening.

[rsavaj]

I agree with everything mkot has said in this thread.

Same here. He's on his game!

EDIT: SDU, that's how it always is. I'm proud to say I NEVER wanted D'Antoni gone. I have been one of his fiercest defenders and will continue to be.

+1

[Togo]

Yes, I find it fascinating how many people wanted D'Antoni gone. Sarver, and Kerr needed to go. Now all we have are Ferrari parts, and we want to go 4 wheeling. We aren't going to be able to trade for the right pieces to become the Spurs (Which it seems is our goal). I am curious to see if Kerr ever realizes this. Nash, Bell, Amare, Hill, Barbosa, Lopez, Barnes, even Dragic are pieces for a running team. We have one half court player in Shaq, and we decide we want to be a half court team. I certainly question the intelligence of our FO.

[TASTIC]

Agree with Cash.

I don't have that sense of excitement that we can go all the way, and my stress levels have dropped.
That's not to say I don't swear at the TV up in arms in frustration, I just understand now we're not elite anymore

[b-ball forever]

i love hearing people wish for dantoni back - usually the same people who were calling for his head last season

Actually, from what I've noticed most of those retards are now hiding in their graves