Zach Lowe on the Suns

[bwgood77]

2. Watching the Suns

Apologies to the Blazers, but this is the best story in the league — the team too good to tank. No one in the organization dreamed these guys would be 14-9, with the no. 9 overall point differential (per 100 possessions) and a borderline top-five offense. Goran Dragic has never been better, and I'm not sure there are five craftier players in the league. He's not fast enough to just blow by opposing point guards, but he makes up for it with guile — shoulder fakes, hesitation dribbles, crossovers, head fakes, behind-the-back step-backs, whirling finishes in the lane. Just a delight.

Eric Bledsoe still has turnover issues and his defense has slipped a tad under a larger scoring burden, but the dude is a beast. Miles Plumlee is hurting basketballs with his shot blocks, the Morris twins are making tough shots, and Channing Frye's shooting is forcing defenses into all sorts of painful contortions.

This also raises perhaps the most intriguing question in the league right now: Does Phoenix just ride this and go for a shocking playoff berth? Or will we see some questionable injuries, suddenly shaky coaching from the excellent Jeff Hornacek, and other chicanery? I hope not.

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/101 ... urting-nba

[Ring_Wanted]

Hello everybody, registered yesterday and thought this is a good place to make my first comment.

Pretty accurate, particularly on Bledsoe, who has been terrific but it's true that he started the season turning the ball a lot.

Also, about his defense, I've been thinking all season long that he has not been as good as advertised. He has all the tools in the world to be a lock down defender, but too often I have found myself thinking his effort there is not consistent. Still, when he wants to, he is a pest. For instance, on Curry at times last game, but too often he has seemed to just let himself go on that area.

Lowe says it's been 'a tad', but I think that's probably too kind. Anyway, I'm sure a big factor is the fact that he has been a starter and playing big minutes every game for the first time in quite some time (didn't he play backup to Wall at K?). At times he has looked really tired. The rookie starter syndrome? Plumbs has had the same issue, but in his case it has been on the other side of the court.

Still, he nailed this: Just a delight.

[Ryu]

Hello everybody, registered yesterday and thought this is a good place to make my first comment.

Pretty accurate, particularly on Bledsoe, who has been terrific but it's true that he started the season turning the ball a lot.

Also, about his defense, I've been thinking all season long that he has not been as good as advertised. He has all the tools in the world to be a lock down defender, but too often I have found myself thinking his effort there is not consistent. Still, when he wants to, he is a pest. For instance, on Curry at times last game, but too often he has seemed to just let himself go on that area.

Lowe says it's been 'a tad', but I think that's probably too kind. Anyway, I'm sure a big factor is the fact that he has been a starter and playing big minutes every game for the first time in quite some time (didn't he play backup to Wall at K?). At times he has looked really tired. The rookie starter syndrome? Plumbs has had the same issue, but in his case it has been on the other side of the court.

Still, he nailed this: Just a delight.

Another .netter? We have a nice influx of good posters these days here.

Welcome.

[Ring_Wanted]

Thanks!

[JDLAW]

It is amazing that these media men come in with their tails between their legs after making asses of themselves with their predictions and heap feint praise on the team that made them look bad. Lowe is just another in a long line of them.

More disturbing are the hints at the end of the piece where he suggests that the Suns would corrupt their place in the league by feigning injuries of losing their minds (coaching staff) to throw games. Unlike the media whores like Lowe and Chad Ford, the Suns do not and never have treated their games like the WWF and have tried to win.

He can shove his attempt at a "kiss and make up" piece for all the horrible things he said earlier.

[thamadkant]

The article didn't say Suns will end up tanking.
He hinted that the suns might consider it but he hope they don't.

And almost everyone didn't think the suns would be this good.
And the ones that did probably put $1000 early in the season for the suns to make the playoffs... What were the odds? Would be sitting on treasure-like tickets at the moment.

[Son of Ra]

It is amazing that these media men come in with their tails between their legs after making asses of themselves with their predictions and heap feint praise on the team that made them look bad. Lowe is just another in a long line of them.

More disturbing are the hints at the end of the piece where he suggests that the Suns would corrupt their place in the league by feigning injuries of losing their minds (coaching staff) to throw games. Unlike the media whores like Lowe and Chad Ford, the Suns do not and never have treated their games like the WWF and have tried to win.

He can shove his attempt at a "kiss and make up" piece for all the horrible things he said earlier.

What's wrong with admitting that you are/were wrong? NOT being able to do so is way worse. Apart from that Lowe is probably one of the the most well respected writers out there.
I personally like that the Suns finally get some recognition.

[harshey1388]

It is amazing that these media men come in with their tails between their legs after making asses of themselves with their predictions and heap feint praise on the team that made them look bad. Lowe is just another in a long line of them.

More disturbing are the hints at the end of the piece where he suggests that the Suns would corrupt their place in the league by feigning injuries of losing their minds (coaching staff) to throw games. Unlike the media whores like Lowe and Chad Ford, the Suns do not and never have treated their games like the WWF and have tried to win.

He can shove his attempt at a "kiss and make up" piece for all the horrible things he said earlier.

This is funny to me. I am not defending any of these "experts" because you are right, some are just plain idiots.

But can you really blame a non local media writer to have expected this out of our team? They would be delusional if they did. The suns are in a Cinderella story right now, it's very exciting to see this team doing what they are doing but all the odd makers and media people had a reason for thinking it wouldn't work. Hell as the season started 80% of us on this board were talking about not winning more than 25 games.

To use another example it's like assuming the Cardinals will beat the Seahawks in Seattle this weekend. The Seahawks haven't lost at home in like 2 seasons, it would be asinine to pick the cards outright to win that game because it's just not logical unless you are a homer. With that said I hope we do win this weekend!

[bwgood77]

I think Lowe is much better than all the other guys, and he has never really been too negative on the Suns, at least that I remember. He had an excellent interview with Hornacek earlier this season.

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-trian ... f-the-jazz

and praised McDonough here...

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-trian ... ing-around

Lowe, to me is not really one to advocate tanking, and I don't think he is really suggesting the Suns are going to here.. ..in fact, he's just mentions he hopes not to see players sit with questionable injuries, which many think happens with other teams.

I read a bunch of the guys on espn and Lowe, and the espn guys all seem to advocate tanking, but I think Lowe abhors it and is happy to see Phoenix does too.

[JDLAW]

When a person admits they were wrong, they come out and say so expressly. They do not dance around with weasel words like he does here.

He is not admitting he was wrong. He is saying the team was surprised and then he takes a swipe at the integrity of the Suns. He doesn't even say we (meaning him and the rest of the media) were surprised, but the organization was surprised. If you listen to McDonough, they were not all that surprised that the team is good. The Suns surprise is how quickly the team gelled.

[Revived]

Hello everybody, registered yesterday and thought this is a good place to make my first comment.

Pretty accurate, particularly on Bledsoe, who has been terrific but it's true that he started the season turning the ball a lot.

Also, about his defense, I've been thinking all season long that he has not been as good as advertised. He has all the tools in the world to be a lock down defender, but too often I have found myself thinking his effort there is not consistent. Still, when he wants to, he is a pest. For instance, on Curry at times last game, but too often he has seemed to just let himself go on that area.

Lowe says it's been 'a tad', but I think that's probably too kind. Anyway, I'm sure a big factor is the fact that he has been a starter and playing big minutes every game for the first time in quite some time (didn't he play backup to Wall at K?). At times he has looked really tired. The rookie starter syndrome? Plumbs has had the same issue, but in his case it has been on the other side of the court.

Still, he nailed this: Just a delight.

Yea Bledsoe's defense has not been as good as advertised. I have seen him gamble so much this season leaving wide open shooters who burn us.

He just needs to stop gambling for steals so much and just guard his man.

[BurningHeart]

This Zach Lowe guy can **** himself. Sick of all the morons with the "tank, tank, tank" ****. He and idiots like him are so shocked that we're playing so hard and so well but they're still perpetuating garbage about losing on purpose? ****. Him.

The fact that we're 14-9 and playing better and better each game is delicious. Shoving it in the faces of all the **** who thought we'd lose on purpose feels even better.

[JDLAW]

If you really want to get angry about these media wh0res, listen to the December 16th podcast from the Chad Ford about tanking. This man has absolutely no integrity and he projects his lack of integrity onto the NBA in general and the Suns in particular. "He is surprised because the Suns were built to tank." "they are just not good enough to win."

By the time I finished listening to the podcast my blood pressure was through the roof. i am not a violent man and have not been in a fight in over 40 years, but if that smirking POS was in front of me making those comments, II would have kicked his horse teeth down his ignorant throat.

What a tool!

I am surprised the NBA puts up with this POS and others like him.

[Ring_Wanted]

He just needs to stop gambling for steals so much and just guard his man.

That, and taking it personal that they don't score on him (at a high rate, at least).

[BurningHeart]

If you really want to get angry about these media wh0res, listen to the December 16th podcast from the Chad Ford about tanking. This man has absolutely no integrity and he projects his lack of integrity onto the NBA in general and the Suns in particular. "He is surprised because the Suns were built to tank." "they are just not good enough to win."

By the time I finished listening to the podcast my blood pressure was through the roof. i am not a violent man and have not been in a fight in over 40 years, but if that smirking POS was in front of me making those comments, II would have kicked his horse teeth down his ignorant throat.

What a tool!

I am surprised the NBA puts up with this POS and others like him.

Glad that **** like him are getting egg on their face.

[lilfishi22]

Good to see our story picking up momentum, as it should. Love it when the team proves their doubters wrong and that's myself included.

[bigfoot]

Media whores, wanna-be journalists, 19-20 year bloggers trying to get into college, ESPN/SI reporters who have to write about every major sport. These fools are so-called experts because they have an opportunity to lay down words on paper (or bits in a CMS).

Coro is one the few covering Suns basketball that is worth anything. These hacks generally don't have access to the players/front office or are so starry-eyed when they get it, they can't formulate any valuable questions. Most of the media types and bloggers opine about how they feel. Coro at least provides player/coach quotes in his reporting and rarely writes editorial content which is 90% of all blogging. National media is even worse because they're not around the team enough to learn anything of value.

Hell after two preseason games I was posting that there was no way in hell this team was going to lose 60 games like the pundits said. It was obvious they were way more athletic than last years team; Dudley and Scola were nice players but too slow on defensive rotations. These dimwits should have been writing articles about McD's trade and draft tendencies. In preseason I was checking info on the players McD drafted/acquired and it was clear he was looking for speed/athleticism/length. Size didn't seem to be as important as length (wingspan). Nearly every player he brought in or kept had 3-6 inches extra on their wingspan compared to height. That extra length helps immensely on defense. Dumping Beasley/Brown/Marshall had to make a difference; a net positive in wins for us. Just a change in coaching culture with Horny should have netted a few extra W's. Frank saw it, I saw it, a few others piped in. Still I wasn't expecting them to be contending like this ... just in the 30-35 win range.

[JDLAW]

I agree wholeheartedly on Paul Coro - one of the few in the media that is trustworthy. Coro is excellent in that he as the beat writer seems to know what is going on with the team and reports it without a bunch of spin. He will give an opinion at times, but you always seem to know when he is reporting fact and when he is giving an opinion.

I suspect that most of the ESPN idiots have not watched an entire Suns game this year. Why should they? The Suns won't appear on their network, but once this year. They do not really need to know anything, they can just repeat the old worn out chicles they have used for the past couple of years.

The fact is that the Suns' talent was not as bad as some media made it out to be or as bad as Chad Ford continues to maintain it is. Usually it takes about three years and and having the right opportunity for a player to break out and demonstrate what he will be. We had the right mix with the Morris twins breaking out in their 3rd year and Plumlee and Bledsoe (and Green to a lesser extent) taking advantage of opportunities their old teams could not give them. Frye returns rejuvenated and playing with a more passion than he had in the past. Dragic entering his prime. Tucker seems to be the blue collar glue that is holding it all together. Baring injury, I do not see these players regressing to something less than they are now.

The Suns may not keep winning at this clip, but it won't be because they are sneaking up on other teams. The league had had enough of a look at them to know what they are about and no one is taking them lightly. You can hear it in the comments of the opposing coaches and players.

The media folks often do not understand the subtleties of this type of team development and/or are so enamored in sucking up to a "star" they disrespect players who have previously flown under the radar, which the Suns have many of. Some of you will recall the infamous Sonny Hill suck up to Rick Berry when the Suns were playing Golden State for the right to go to the finals in 1976. Hill's disrespectful comments about the no name Suns were captured on television and he was so embarrassed when the Suns beat the Warriors to go to the finals that he ultimately lost his gig as a CBS NBA announcer.

What we are seeing here is almost a perfect storm of players developing simultaneously and a true team forming. Enjoy it and revel in it while you can, it will not always be like this.

[Son of Ra]

When a person admits they were wrong, they come out and say so expressly. They do not dance around with weasel words like he does here.

He is not admitting he was wrong. He is saying the team was surprised and then he takes a swipe at the integrity of the Suns. He doesn't even say we (meaning him and the rest of the media) were surprised, but the organization was surprised. If you listen to McDonough, they were not all that surprised that the team is good. The Suns surprise is how quickly the team gelled.

Would you have expected him to say something like 'Dear Suns and Basketball fans I apologize for underestimating this team, etc etc'? To me 'Apologies to the Blazers, but this is the best story in the league' sounds like 'I did not see that coming/this is a big surprise but I can see/acknowledge it now'.
But I guess this is up to interpretation so neither of us will be able to convince the other

[JDLAW]

I would expect him to stand up and say, "Here is one we blew. We said Suns were tanking for draft position and we overlooked the fact that this team had some real talent and is much better than we (meaning the media) anticipated."

I'll give you a little in that he is not as bad as Chad Ford, but still all of us in life have to admit we are wrong on occasion. It would be nice to see these mullet-heads admit it once in a while, particularly when they are so vociferous at the start of the season claiming we are losing on purpose for draft positioning. You'll recall that the Suns management went out of their way to say that was not true and I found it particularly offensive for these guys to suggest that the Suns would make a trade of a key player - like Dragic for some future draft choice so the Suns could fall back and lose (yes Lowe was saying that as late as a week ago with Bill Simmons) for a better lottery position. In effect they are winning too much and it is not their time. Their suggestions are offensive and dishonest.

I agree with you in that we'll agree to disagree with respect to interpretation of his comments. I find them to be a classic left handed compliment, which is really not a compliment at all.