Hollinger rankings--Suns at No. 6.

[Wannabe MEP]

That's right, 6th best team in the NBA. The Suns rose from No. 8 after the Hawks and Nuggets both lost, and our strength of schedule increased because the teams we've played keep playing well (Jazz beat the Heat and Portland crushed Detroit, for example). According to Hollinger, the Suns are the third best team in the West behind the undefeated Lakers and undefeated Hornets. Out of the East, only the Heat, Magic, and Celtics are ahead of us.

Of course the Hollinger rankings aren't magically perfect, but they are based on objective formulas, and they are quite possibly the most accurate predictive rankings available. I don't think we should put too much stock in them, but neither do I think we should put too much stock into our 3-4 record. It's very, very early, but this might be an excellent team.

The fact is, we have played by far the toughest schedule in the league to this point and we've played it pretty darn well. I'd rather be 3-4 with this insane schedule than 5-2 with a below-average schedule. We haven't played a single bad team; nobody we've played has a losing record, and the worst team we've played, the Jazz, just beat the Heat. We beat the Jazz, beat an undefeated Hawks team, played very close with the 8-0 Lakers and 5-1 Spurs, split close games with a very good Memphis team, and had one bad quarter against a solid Portland team.

So to everyone who wants to: trade Nash, yard sale the roster and rebuild, tank for draft picks, burn Lopez and Frye at the stake, etc. -- Ya'll need to chill out.

[RocPHX]

So we can't burn lopez at the stake? I've been anticipating that

[swe_suns]

great post and I agree expect for the fact that one thing should be a concern and that is the status of our front court (frye and lopez, especially lopez needs to step up)

[YFZblu]

So we can't burn lopez at the stake? I've been anticipating that

Well, the Suns did the basketball version of burning Lopez at the stake. Nash isn't going to him anymore, and Gentry significantly reduced his minutes, as he's only averaging around 15 minutes per game during the last four contests, compared to 25+ minutes per game during the first three contests.

The OP makes a great point though, Houston is the only team IIRC who has played a schedule tougher than the Suns. The Suns schedule is going to become easier, Frye will play himself into shape, and the Suns will start to look better record-wise.

[Wannabe MEP]

The OP makes a great point though, Houston is the only team IIRC who has played a schedule tougher than the Suns.

http://espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/powerr ... _/sort/sos
This link is the teams sorted by strength of schedule. Suns No. 1, Rockets No. 2.

[YFZblu]

The OP makes a great point though, Houston is the only team IIRC who has played a schedule tougher than the Suns.

http://espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/powerr ... _/sort/sos
This link is the teams sorted by strength of schedule. Suns No. 1, Rockets No. 2.

Yeah I was going off of the last time I checked, last weekend I believe. Anyway, thanks for the updated info and link!

[blackjays1]

Well after the eastcoast roadtrip they go on next week, which'll probably lead to a 6-8 record at that point, the next two months are a breeze, theres a 3 game road trip at the Mavs, Thunder and Spurs. But aside from that all the tough games are at home.

i think we have a realistic shot at 30 wins by the end of January.

[Jimmy76]

Well after the eastcoast roadtrip they go on next week, which'll probably lead to a 6-8 record at that point, the next two months are a breeze, theres a 3 game road trip at the Mavs, Thunder and Spurs. But aside from that all the tough games are at home.

i think we have a realistic shot at 30 wins by the end of January.

This

Don't need to panac unless our record is still **** going into January

[JohnVancouver]

So we can't burn lopez at the stake? I've been anticipating that

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/ar ... -frye.html


I've been watching a lot of the old Universal horror movies lately - started with the kids at Hallowe'en


so angry villagers, torches, 'kill the monster' - I'm there

But what the hell is it with RoLo? Someone posted the excellent point that Amar'es absence changes drastically how teams defend us - is that it?

[YFZblu]

But what the hell is it with RoLo? Someone posted the excellent point that Amar'es absence changes drastically how teams defend us - is that it?

That has a lot to do with it, IMO. Well, let me rephrase: I don't think its completely the absence of Amar'e specifically causing issues so much as the absence of a productive PF being the issue. Hedo hasn't been very productive overall YET. If the Suns can get production out of Hedo at PF (unlikely) or substitute Warrick into the lineup, who at least demands attention on the P+R, It could free Lopez up a bit.

[NashtyNas]

I'm still on the it's early bandwagon too, but damn if RoLo doesn't step up his game and start playing like a 7footer, I'm thinking of proposing to Sarver to kidnap Brook and have them trade places or something.

It's absolutely unacceptable that your starting center can't grab close to 10 rebounds when he's the only true big man on the court at most times. 5/5 with 1 block doesn't cut it, especially not with the 40% shooting. I'm disappointed...

[BurningHeart]

That's right, 6th best team in the NBA. The Suns rose from No. 8 after the Hawks and Nuggets both lost, and our strength of schedule increased because the teams we've played keep playing well (Jazz beat the Heat and Portland crushed Detroit, for example). According to Hollinger, the Suns are the third best team in the West behind the undefeated Lakers and undefeated Hornets. Out of the East, only the Heat, Magic, and Celtics are ahead of us.

Of course the Hollinger rankings aren't magically perfect, but they are based on objective formulas, and they are quite possibly the most accurate predictive rankings available. I don't think we should put too much stock in them, but neither do I think we should put too much stock into our 3-4 record. It's very, very early, but this might be an excellent team.

The fact is, we have played by far the toughest schedule in the league to this point and we've played it pretty darn well. I'd rather be 3-4 with this insane schedule than 5-2 with a below-average schedule. We haven't played a single bad team; nobody we've played has a losing record, and the worst team we've played, the Jazz, just beat the Heat. We beat the Jazz, beat an undefeated Hawks team, played very close with the 8-0 Lakers and 5-1 Spurs, split close games with a very good Memphis team, and had one bad quarter against a solid Portland team.

So to everyone who wants to: trade Nash, yard sale the roster and rebuild, tank for draft picks, burn Lopez and Frye at the stake, etc. -- Ya'll need to chill out.

Excellent post.

[swe_suns]

But what the hell is it with RoLo? Someone posted the excellent point that Amar'es absence changes drastically how teams defend us - is that it?

That has a lot to do with it, IMO. Well, let me rephrase: I don't think its completely the absence of Amar'e specifically causing issues so much as the absence of a productive PF being the issue. Hedo hasn't been very productive overall YET. If the Suns can get production out of Hedo at PF (unlikely) or substitute Warrick into the lineup, who at least demands attention on the P+R, It could free Lopez up a bit.

Come to think about it, THIS. It will lead to a more productive Lopez too imo.

[swaddell13]

warrick needs to start at pf and hedo needs to come off the bench. hedo was a great playmaker when he had the ball with the magic, but with nash in, no one else is going to have much ball time. hedo is trying to fit in with nash by staying open for 3's, but thats not his best game. id like to see him and dragic play more together and things will get better. you guys are right about rlo needing a dominate pf to take some pressure off him, and warrick is doing a pretty damn good job. warrick is loving the easy feeds by nash

[coban]

warrick needs to start at pf and hedo needs to come off the bench. hedo was a great playmaker when he had the ball with the magic, but with nash in, no one else is going to have much ball time. hedo is trying to fit in with nash by staying open for 3's, but thats not his best game. id like to see him and dragic play more together and things will get better. you guys are right about rlo needing a dominate pf to take some pressure off him, and warrick is doing a pretty damn good job. warrick is loving the easy feeds by nash

Indeed , only what warrick needs is jumpshot improvement (not too hard for him , just to tell him he releases ball too late when he is on the air

[swaddell13]

warrick needs to start at pf and hedo needs to come off the bench. hedo was a great playmaker when he had the ball with the magic, but with nash in, no one else is going to have much ball time. hedo is trying to fit in with nash by staying open for 3's, but thats not his best game. id like to see him and dragic play more together and things will get better. you guys are right about rlo needing a dominate pf to take some pressure off him, and warrick is doing a pretty damn good job. warrick is loving the easy feeds by nash

Indeed , only what warrick needs is jumpshot improvement (not too hard for him , just to tell him he releases ball too late when he is on the air

yeah i was thinking the same thing after seeing him take the few jump shots he has. if he could get that sweet spot inside the 3pt range like amare mastered, then i think the fact that we lost amare wont sting so much.