Size problem

[joe.linnen]

I have a question for the Suns fans. How you guys feel about going head to head with front lines like the Lakers, Spurs, Jazz, Trail Blazers, Nuggets and Mavs. I know with Stoudemire gone you've lost a lot of size but it bothers me if I were to have such a small front line. I'm not here to start problems I just want to know whats your out look on this and what do you think of your front office?

[MaryvalesFinest]

I think the small front line is just a misconception. Lopez is 7 foot 260 and Hedo is like 6'10 240. I think because Hedo's more of a playmaker instead of having a post game that's where it comes from.

[Calvin Klein]

[lilfishi22]

I don't see it as a problem in terms of keeping us from being competitive and being a solid team. Amare's inside presence on offense will be missed but outside of that, most of his contributions can be reproduced by the players we have added. I don't see teams like the Spurs, Jazz, Blazers, Nuggets or Mavs as being significantly bigger than our lineup. The only team that does cause major problems for most teams with their size is the Lakers. Defensively, we won't be any worse than we were last season and offensively our already excellent bench has greatly improved. We'll definitely miss AMare's paint scoring but we've added another dimension to our team we haven't had since Joe Johnson left and that's another shot-creator/playmaker (Hedo) other than Nash. Offensively, when Turk is playing lwell, he's easily one of the toughest wing match ups because of his size, ball-handling and ability to create his own shot. Pair Hedo and Nash with cutters and slashers and we're looking at a decent small ball uptempo offense.

Our starting front line may not be big with Lopez and Hedo(probably) but we defended as well as we needed to last season with an even worse defender in Amare. Once again, our bench has some good size with guys like Warrick, Frye, Lawal for the front line. We have some pretty big wings as well with JChill, Hill, Dudley and EC all 6'7 and over. We also have some pretty big guards with Nash and Dragic both taller than the average PG.

Tough to judge our front office yet since they've had very little contribution to the teams make up as of now. I think the only move our front office has officially made is signing Dwayne Jones.


Edit: Oh and FWIW, we've had a small lineup for a long time.

[nashrambler13]

Yeah, we haven't really lost SIZE, although we did lose some toughness. Then again, we added GANI LAWAL!

[Kerrsed]

This has always cured my size problem!

[lilfishi22]

This has always cured my size problem!

Where can I get some? It's for my friend of course

[hunterxaz]

Size has never been an issue for the Suns getting over that "hump" we've faced since 05.

We've had some refs fixing games, untimely and unjustified suspensions, ridiculous buzzer beaters, people making once in a life-time shots, key injuries to our key players, etc.

We can play small ball and be ridiculously competitive.

[raff]

It really doesn't matter. We've had issues with frontcourt size for a while. It's nothing new. The only difference is the players we have to make up our front court. For what we lose with Amare's inside/iso plays, we'll adjust with Hedo making plays as a big guy on the team. It's something that we can work with, within our system.

It's really easy to say size is important. And, in reality, that may be the case. But we can give teams issues playing to our strengths with the guys we have.

[Sun Scorched]

Our zone will help mask size on the defensive end well enough.

What I want to know is how our opposing teams going to react when they are having Lopez, Frye, Turkoglu & Warrick thrown at them in random order.

[Go7enKs]

Our zone will help mask size on the defensive end well enough.

What I want to know is how our opposing teams going to react when they are having Lopez, Frye, Turkoglu & Warrick thrown at them in random order.

They won't be able to stop us. Just like every year that Nash has been here. I have no doubt that we will be, once again, the best offensive team in the league. As usual the issue will be rebounding and defense. With Childress and the growth of Dragic and Dudley we should be better on the defensive end this season. Only "?" is rebounding, Lopez needs to step up and the wings need to step up. In reality there is no need for a big man that get 12+ rebounds. Look at OKC last year, they were a decent rebounding team and nobody on their squad got more than 9 rebounds if I'm not mistaken. Rebounding by committee is possible, especially with good rebounding wings like Hill or JRich.

[raff]

What I want to know is how our opposing teams going to react when they are having Lopez, Frye, Turkoglu & Warrick thrown at them in random order.

Well, that will be dependent on how aggressive Frye, Turkoglu and Warrick can be in the paint. I'm not sure about Warrick since I don't think I've actually seen him play before, but if Frye and Turk decide that they want to really assert themselves to getting into the action in the key, that could change how teams think about defending us.

If this isn't the case, what do when then do if we get to the situation of a Frye/Turk PF/C combo?

[DBrimstone]

What I want to know is how our opposing teams going to react when they are having Lopez, Frye, Turkoglu & Warrick thrown at them in random order.

Well, that will be dependent on how aggressive Frye, Turkoglu and Warrick can be in the paint. I'm not sure about Warrick since I don't think I've actually seen him play before, but if Frye and Turk decide that they want to really assert themselves to getting into the action in the key, that could change how teams think about defending us.

If this isn't the case, what do when then do if we get to the situation of a Frye/Turk PF/C combo?

Bomb's away! Nash + J-Rich + Hedo + Frye = 40% 3 point shooters. Lopez will get everyone straight up. Offensive rape occurs. That lineup can shoot, has Nash and Turk to creat, J-Rich to post up, Hedo and Frye to pick and pop, and Nash and Lopez to pick and roll. Plus back picks, timely cuts, off the ball curls, etc. Don't ask me about Defense. I'll give you a blank stare and a shrug

[raff]

Don't ask me about Defense. I'll give you a blank stare and a shrug

Defense?

Haha, You're right though, offensively we'd be fine. But defense and rebounding, we'd die.

[DBrimstone]

Don't ask me about Defense. I'll give you a blank stare and a shrug

Defense?

Haha, You're right though, offensively we'd be fine. But defense and rebounding, we'd die.

<- Blank stare

[CALPURNIA]

I think the small front line is just a misconception. Lopez is 7 foot 260 and Hedo is like 6'10 240. I think because Hedo's more of a playmaker instead of having a post game that's where it comes from.

Right now Hedo is closer to 250-260 by the way he looks into his Turkey jersey.

Speaking seriously, I believe the idea is playing Hedo at the 4 at times so he can go out and make the other PF pay for his lack of mobility. At the same time, that would create space for our guards in the post: Dudley, Childress, Hill and Richardson all have a good post game.

[lilfishi22]

For the most part, the rebounding deficit has been fixed these last two seasons. It's really the opponent's offensive rebounding that's been the issue that's plagued the Suns. I think there's a chance the problem will get worse even if Lopez steps up. With our size "issue" we're going to play zone a lot of the nights and zone defense opens up a lot of opportunities for opponents to grab offensive rebounds.

[DRK]

Size issue? I doubt it. If anything, we have gotten bigger with the addition of Childress and Hedo.

Rebounding has always been a problem for the Suns, but we learnt to deal with it. Last season, when Channing Frye was starting for our team, we relied heavily on our wing players, such as J-Rich and Hill, to nab the rebound for us. I predict we will rely on them even more this season. With the addition of Childress, it will make the rebounding a little easier for our wings, and of course, Lopez.

I don't expect Hedo to nab too many rebounds because, as stated before, he may become our other primary ball handler, which means, by Phoenix Suns logic, he will be the one sparking the Run and Gun's and the fast breaks.

Finally, with the addition of Lawal, we have gained some more toughness off our bench. Lawal goes hard for every rebound and block. He never gives up on the play, and has the hustle compared to Jared Dudley. He will play with the second unit and become our next Lou.

So in conclusion, of course, we have lost the 8-9 rebounds per night Amare gave us (not to mention the 20-25 points) but we also have the tools to compensate for Amare's loss rebound wise, and offensively.

[Sun Scorched]

I'm with tsherkin from some other thread (can't remember which) when he pointed out the addition of Childress as being one that flew under the radar.

I believe it was draft express that had him ranked #2 of international prospects with rights held by NBA teams behind only Rubio (who has never impressed me).

His "utility-ness" will be huge, but what I didn't realize before tsherkin brought it up was his efficiency at a relatively low possessions per game figure.

The Suns quite honestly had a nice little off-season. No big names to speak of, but along with the draft and a trade we rolled out with:

Turkoglu (trade)
Childress
Warrick
Lawal (draft)
Frye (re-signed)
Jones (kinda re-signed)
Collins (Europa!)
------
Amundson (sigh....)

[hunterxaz]

We're a good defensive team. Not great, not terrible, but we're good -- I'd say above average.