"suns" bright side of the street

[eastsidecrossover]

Ok, maybe not the best title right now, but I have been thinking about the current state of the suns. The bright side is that we have time. Not much, but it is early in the season. We are only 14 games in. Not everything looks good or sounds good from players quotes, or even the games. I think they are frustrated and want to win. but change happens with time, not instantly, well not always. The suns have a new coach and team. They have a lot of work and I think they have the right roster to make it happen. So far, this is how I see it.

First is how impressed I am with Shaqs play. I did not expect this from him. I know he might impact us, but he has given this team a low post presents that we have never had. Im surprised in how much porters system has lacked creativity in what team he has out on the court.

Thing is, we have to find the right medium with this team. That happens between the coaching staff, the players buying into the system and dedicating and molding their game to this theory. For instance, we do not have the full team aspect or heart as of now. Look at what the Celtics did last year. They were a TEAM, we are not. Well, not yet. The last aspect is the FO in finding the missing piece I think. A vet PG who can shoot and play in this system. This piecemeal backup pg is not going to work. I don’t know what they were thinking in bringing two rooks and expect nash to play 30 mins and 72 games. Not going to happen. With what Kerr has said and done makes me scratch my head wondering if he really knows what he is doing.

Porter has to sit down his stars, Nash, amare, Shaq and Hill. He has to get their buy in, there full dedication to this team and his system. They have to lead by example and stay positive in knowing this will take some time. They have to put in the time and come together as a team. Egos have to be checked at the door and each player has to be held accountable for their actions and play.

Next is, Porter has to know his players strengths. He needs to lean towards them and utilize them better. When shaq is out, go fast break, run n gun style. When he is in, slow it down and get some guys cutting and setting screens. More passing then dribbling, more ball movement and team play. They have to become a smart basketball team because they are not the athletic team of 04/05.

Spacing is critical and that is why we need another deadly shooter on this team. With shaq, nash and amare, we need to give them enough room to do their stuff. And if needed, they have a safety valve. If barbs can play PG for use, bring it up and play a team system, then we need a SG.

So time is on our side for them to get this right. They are not going to win the pacific, but make it close and get this team on the same page sooner than later.

Ok, I feel a little better. whos next?

[harshey1388]

i feel alot better as well and even though you are put together everything we all usually rant about i still like it haha so can i do +122648?

couldnt agree more with the heart and the lack of it and great example in boston. Also, i completely agree with sitting down the stars... and i think bell needs to in the same meeting given he is the defensive force (to a certain extent) and just figure it out... what does nash want to do what bout you stat? and put all the ideas on paper and come up with a solid rotation and gameplan...

we have time. i like that... haha now just need the damn Trophy...

[pidi]

First is how impressed I am with Shaqs play. I did not expect this from him. I know he might impact us, but he has given this team a low post presents that we have never had. Im surprised in how much porters system has lacked creativity in what team he has out on the court

definitly + 1

This piecemeal backup pg is not going to work. I don’t know what they were thinking in bringing two rooks and expect nash to play 30 mins and 72 games. Not going to happen. With what Kerr has said and done makes me scratch my head wondering if he really knows what he is doing.

what would you do to give nash some rythm?? let him on the court ´til he and the team understands what to run and when to run. give him time to understand what we want to play.

The last aspect is the FO in finding the missing piece I think. A vet PG who can shoot and play in this system.

i would love a veteran pg who can shoot play this system. maybe someone like mike bibby - he is in his last year of his contract, or who do u think???

all in all a very nice read...

[suns12345]

bibbies probs too expensive. wat about this trade though (i know its a bit silly). but we trade diaw or barbosa(obviously we try not to trade him as thats a bit cruel) for jameer nelson????????

[jazzy_jeff]

I am loving the Diesel.

Obviously his arrival has coincided with and necessitated with the Suns change in style, and whether that is a good thing is wide open for debate.

But the guy is giving 110%, he still gives you many entertaining moments on-court (dunks, diving into fourth row), he's an interesting quote, he's fit in well in the PHX community. Hard to not love Big Shaq.

[eastsidecrossover]

The rant was too long IMO, but it was on my mind and I had to let it go. Also, it was really late after writing and reading all night and day.

Do we just go with Barbs as the backup PG who walks up the ball? We could use a SG with good size and who can stretch the D? I have no faith in the dragic kid this year. Maybe he could be a solid backup someday, but not a leader or starter.

I just don’t know where we would get a SG like this. I want to see what barbs brings, especially his shooting and cutting to the basket. Also, I think Diaw has been a good backup SF/PF/C for us. Im just not seeing where we could get another solid role player.

[mkot]

First is how impressed I am with Shaqs play. I did not expect this from him. I know he might impact us, but he has given this team a low post presents that we have never had. Im surprised in how much porters system has lacked creativity in what team he has out on the court.

Agreed, but its a double edged sword. The better he plays, the more we probably feel inclined to use him and slow the game down. Its not like last year where he was supposed to just defend the basket, get the rebound and outlet while we run. Now Porter is justified in not slowing the game down and this might give shaq an inflated sense of worth and value to the team. Another angle is that we become reliant on Shaqs low post game now because hes playing so well, but then he starts to hit the wall or slow down or get injured at the end of the year and we're stuck trying to learn how to play without his low post presence in April and May. That's why I'm concerned with him playing heavy minutes like the past several games. His hip is already sore, we really need to pace him out.

So far we've played 14 games and Shaq has rested 1 of them. Based on their "plan" of having him rest for 20-25 games we have to sit him for 20 or so games out of our remaining 68. I just don't see that happening. What's worse is that Porter's rotation sucks. It's either all starter or all bench. WTF? Who the hell in the NBA does that? I don't think I've ever seen a coach play guys entire quarters at a time. Seriously, whats the point of it? I mean, what the hell is he thinking playing your starters the entire quarter? Someone has to tell Porter these vets can't play 12-15 minute stretches, especially for a man as big as Shaq is, playing him for 12 minute stretches and Raja and Nash for 15 minute stretches is going to break them down by game 50. If Porter can't figure the rotation out, someone else please do it. Please!!

Next is, Porter has to know his players strengths. He needs to lean towards them and utilize them better. When shaq is out, go fast break, run n gun style. When he is in, slow it down and get some guys cutting and setting screens.

The problem is that Porter doesn't even have this team practice their transition game anymore. And I don't mind slowing the game down when Shaq is in the game, but that doesn't mean we have to take 12-15 minutes to initiate the offense every time down the floor. It's frustrating. And Porter keeps saying the run and gun is past, and I think that's BS. I'll admit that missing Shawn take away alot from our running game (his defense, steal, rebound, block shot, etc.,) but we still have guys who can run and gun.

Amare
Nash
Bell
Barnes
Hill
Boris
LB

Shaq only plays around 20 or so minutes, and he should, so that means a combo of Amare/Boris is on the court just as much as Amare/Shaq. Which means we are running a lineup without a big center for half the game, so there is no reason we can't run a free-flowing offense at that time. We should take advantage of that when we can. Getting down court quickly, forcing a mis-match, allowing Boris to post up a smaller or slower guy, and leaving our shooters open.

It's probably too early to say that but I'm losing faith and I'd drop Terry Porter like a hot potato for Eddie Jordan. But Kerr wouldn't do it.

/rant

[TASTIC]

The rant was too long IMO, but it was on my mind and I had to let it go. Also, it was really late after writing and reading all night and day.

Do we just go with Barbs as the backup PG who walks up the ball? We could use a SG with good size and who can stretch the D? I have no faith in the dragic kid this year. Maybe he could be a solid backup someday, but not a leader or starter.

I just don’t know where we would get a SG like this. I want to see what barbs brings, especially his shooting and cutting to the basket. Also, I think Diaw has been a good backup SF/PF/C for us. Im just not seeing where we could get another solid role player.

I hope you know who this guy is. His name is Manu Ginobili...

As much as it pains me to say it, he's the PERFECT SG for our system.

[eastsidecrossover]

Yeah, he is.