How come our defense sucks latley?
Moderators: bwgood77, Qwigglez, lilfishi22
How come our defense sucks latley?
- LukasBMW
- Suns Forum SlamDRUNK Contributor
- Posts: 4,827
- And1: 4,291
- Joined: Jun 21, 2007
- Location: Phoenix AZ & San Diego CA
-
How come our defense sucks latley?
-No Bledsoe pressuring the ball?
-Less productivity from Plumlee (who has really sucked lately on both sides of the ball)?
-Team getting a bit complacent?
Those are my thoughts.
-Less productivity from Plumlee (who has really sucked lately on both sides of the ball)?
-Team getting a bit complacent?
Those are my thoughts.

Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
-
- Lead Assistant
- Posts: 5,083
- And1: 1,463
- Joined: Jul 20, 2012
-
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
Remember the first quarter of the season they said we played tom thib type defense.
We allow penetration to often. We seem to destroy teams that don't penetrate that well.
Clips, IND etc.
Dragic and green are pretty poor defenders.
Dragic at least is starting to realize it and is blocking his man at the rim lately.
We allow penetration to often. We seem to destroy teams that don't penetrate that well.
Clips, IND etc.
Dragic and green are pretty poor defenders.
Dragic at least is starting to realize it and is blocking his man at the rim lately.
oldscho0led wrote:Baseball is all about momentum. Pirates will carry their winning ways and beat Giants in the Wildcard.
A's over Royals. Lester and experience will prove that he's worth the trade.
Tigers winning it all. Tigers are, imo, peaking at the right time.
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
-
- RealGM
- Posts: 37,374
- And1: 22,192
- Joined: Feb 17, 2011
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
Dragic is a bad defender only when guarding fast PGs. That problem will be fixed when Bledsoe comes back.
Green loses his focus defensively. He just stands there looking at the ball while his man would do a cut to the rim or go stand beyond the line for a 3 without Green even noticing.
Oh and the fact that our front court is terrible at protecting the rim. Plumlee sucks at it, Frye is awful at it and the Morris twins are too undersized to do it...they at least try to do it (which is different from Frye & Plumlee) but they have such short arms that they don't impact it that much.
Our pick & roll D is also awful. We dare guards to drive on us and they do it with ease.
Some of it will be fixed when Bledsoe comes back but not most of it. A lot of it is just having the focus and heart to care about D.
Green loses his focus defensively. He just stands there looking at the ball while his man would do a cut to the rim or go stand beyond the line for a 3 without Green even noticing.
Oh and the fact that our front court is terrible at protecting the rim. Plumlee sucks at it, Frye is awful at it and the Morris twins are too undersized to do it...they at least try to do it (which is different from Frye & Plumlee) but they have such short arms that they don't impact it that much.
Our pick & roll D is also awful. We dare guards to drive on us and they do it with ease.
Some of it will be fixed when Bledsoe comes back but not most of it. A lot of it is just having the focus and heart to care about D.
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
-
- No Sham, More Cam
- Posts: 17,891
- And1: 5,437
- Joined: Jun 27, 2009
- Location: Beyond the Sun
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
Between injuries, and increased minutes to guys that don't usually play that many minutes, and you are bound to drop off a bit in areas. Plumlee has never played this much in his whole basketball career. Green has not played this much either, and has focused much of his efforts on the offensive end, although I do think he is getting better defensively. Tucker is playing six more minutes per game than last year, and Frye still doesn't seem fully recovered from missing a whole season.
The Morri have also increased their minutes.
But the other night when we had Ish, Dragic, Tucker, Morris, Morris, our defense was pretty tough I thought.
The Morri have also increased their minutes.
But the other night when we had Ish, Dragic, Tucker, Morris, Morris, our defense was pretty tough I thought.
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
- MathiasPW
- Lead Assistant
- Posts: 4,688
- And1: 2,807
- Joined: Jan 02, 2010
- Location: Brazil
-
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
Our best defender is having a rough streak, on and off the court (with the BS fine he got), and that affects the whole team. He is the role model for defense, and that affects everyone else.
I am obviously talking about Barbosa
I am obviously talking about Barbosa

Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
-
- RealGM
- Posts: 24,538
- And1: 20,241
- Joined: Feb 07, 2010
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
Fatigue has to be playing a part. I would assume everyone except barbosa has to be over or getting close to their most career minutes in a season.
It's no secret this team could use a dominant shot blocker in the future. Len has the size an length to be that guy; hope he figures it out.
It's no secret this team could use a dominant shot blocker in the future. Len has the size an length to be that guy; hope he figures it out.
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming Wow! What a Ride!-H.S.T.
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
-
- Suns Forum College Scout
- Posts: 17,165
- And1: 6,895
- Joined: Jun 25, 2009
- Location: the Arizona desert
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
NaturalBuns wrote:Remember the first quarter of the season they said we played tom thib type defense.
We allow penetration to often. We seem to destroy teams that don't penetrate that well.
Clips, IND etc.
Dragic and green are pretty poor defenders.
Dragic at least is starting to realize it and is blocking his man at the rim lately.
This
One of our starters plays consistent defense (Tucker) and the other 4 are average to below-average. Green just roams around and Dragic is pretty bad other than playing the passing-lanes well. I think Plum Dawg will get better with more experience. The twins are focused solely on scoring.
fromthetop321 wrote:I got Lebron number 1, he is also leading defensive player of the year. Curry's game still reminds me of Jeremy Lin to much.
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
-
- RealGM
- Posts: 37,374
- And1: 22,192
- Joined: Feb 17, 2011
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
Isn't it kinda funny how for the past 14 years, the Suns weakness has remained the same? Defense and rebounding.
I wonder if I will ever see a Suns team in my lifetime that struggles offensively but is great defensively and rebounding wise.
I wonder if I will ever see a Suns team in my lifetime that struggles offensively but is great defensively and rebounding wise.
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
-
- Sixth Man
- Posts: 1,918
- And1: 655
- Joined: Oct 28, 2012
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
SF88 wrote:Isn't it kinda funny how for the past 14 years, the Suns weakness has remained the same? Defense and rebounding.
I wonder if I will ever see a Suns team in my lifetime that struggles offensively but is great defensively and rebounding wise.
Its more like 10 years. Scott Skiles and Frank Johnson's teams played strong defense... granted offensively they were brutal to watch, but D was not their issue.
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
- TASTIC
- Retired Mod
- Posts: 18,410
- And1: 2,425
- Joined: May 17, 2004
- Location: New Zealand
-
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
I think this stretch has shown why we MUST re-sign Bledsoe.
There are only a handful of players - probably less than 10 in the entire NBA - who can be as effective on the defensive end as they are on offense, ie a legit two way beast.
MGasol
Lebron
Westbrook - though he gambles, he can shut his man down and cause chaos in the lanes
Paul
Howard
George
Noah - has gotten there this year with his passing, incredible for a C
Conley
Ibaka is getting there but isn't quite a reliable 15pt scorer yet
Iggy use to be but he has been awful shooting it, like a taller Rondo you can leave open at times
Hibbert - only sometimes on the offensive end but clearly a defensive monster
Durant - could probably get there if he didn't have to work so hard on offense
There are only a handful of players - probably less than 10 in the entire NBA - who can be as effective on the defensive end as they are on offense, ie a legit two way beast.
MGasol
Lebron
Westbrook - though he gambles, he can shut his man down and cause chaos in the lanes
Paul
Howard
George
Noah - has gotten there this year with his passing, incredible for a C
Conley
Ibaka is getting there but isn't quite a reliable 15pt scorer yet
Iggy use to be but he has been awful shooting it, like a taller Rondo you can leave open at times
Hibbert - only sometimes on the offensive end but clearly a defensive monster
Durant - could probably get there if he didn't have to work so hard on offense
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
-
- RealGM
- Posts: 12,178
- And1: 3,609
- Joined: Feb 28, 2010
- Location: Kentucky Suns
- Contact:
-
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
Two Factors:
1. Our bigs are pretty terrible at protecting the paint
2. Dragic is not able to aggressively defend the pick and roll by forcing the opposing guard baseline, so we give up middle penetration and the ball is either dumped to the bigs, or finished by the guard where 1, (see above) comes right back into play.
With Bledsoe back, we solve one of those problems. With an Ibaka/Noah calibre player who can defend and block shots from the weak side, we solve both problems and instantly become contenders.
1. Our bigs are pretty terrible at protecting the paint
2. Dragic is not able to aggressively defend the pick and roll by forcing the opposing guard baseline, so we give up middle penetration and the ball is either dumped to the bigs, or finished by the guard where 1, (see above) comes right back into play.
With Bledsoe back, we solve one of those problems. With an Ibaka/Noah calibre player who can defend and block shots from the weak side, we solve both problems and instantly become contenders.
MrMiyagi wrote:Lob to DA for the win
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
- bwgood77
- Global Mod
- Posts: 97,974
- And1: 60,910
- Joined: Feb 06, 2009
- Location: Austin
- Contact:
-
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
Yeah, it would have been nice to pick up Asik at the trade deadline.
When asked how Fascism starts, Bertrand Russell once said:
"First, they fascinate the fools. Then, they muzzle the intelligent."
"First, they fascinate the fools. Then, they muzzle the intelligent."
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
-
- RealGM
- Posts: 24,538
- And1: 20,241
- Joined: Feb 07, 2010
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
I think some of dragics struggles on d are caused by him being asked to do so much on O with Bledsoe out. Even the great defenders like bron take plays off on d when they are asked carry the offense.
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming Wow! What a Ride!-H.S.T.
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
- Sun Scorched
- Lead Assistant
- Posts: 4,736
- And1: 280
- Joined: Aug 01, 2007
-
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
Dragic will never be a defensive stalwart, but that's nothing to freak out about. Plumlee is coming along, the dude has great footwork and I think will be, at worst, an amazing backup C for us. But he's never going to get respect from the refs which makes his job much more difficult.
What we need is a young, mobile big man with a legit frame and the passion to develop on both sides of the court.... oh wait......
What we need is a young, mobile big man with a legit frame and the passion to develop on both sides of the court.... oh wait......

On Steve Nash:
G35 wrote:He may run a great offense but I wouldn't choose him over Amare to start a team.
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
-
- Pro Prospect
- Posts: 837
- And1: 101
- Joined: Dec 16, 2013
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
Dragic's struggles on D are interesting if we consider how he was drafted to be a Tony Parker stopper, remember?
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
-
- RealGM
- Posts: 37,374
- And1: 22,192
- Joined: Feb 17, 2011
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
Paul Coro @paulcoro
No NBA team has played worse defense than the #Suns in the past 5 games. So how about 4 games vs. LAC (2X), OKC & GS? bit.ly/Ns5YYG
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
-
- RealGM
- Posts: 37,374
- And1: 22,192
- Joined: Feb 17, 2011
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
I think one thing we should do defensively is communicate. I was watching a Bulls game last week and they were screaming and yelling the whole time calling out screens and everything. At first I thought it was the fans or coaches or the offense but it was actually the Bulls players doing it when they were on defense.
Suns players are dead silent defensively. They need to call out screens and be clear on whether they will switch or not and whether they will help or not etc.
This is basic stuff that I learned when I played ball in high school, its mind boggling to me that a professional NBA team wouldn't communicate defensively.
Suns players are dead silent defensively. They need to call out screens and be clear on whether they will switch or not and whether they will help or not etc.
This is basic stuff that I learned when I played ball in high school, its mind boggling to me that a professional NBA team wouldn't communicate defensively.
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
- LukasBMW
- Suns Forum SlamDRUNK Contributor
- Posts: 4,827
- And1: 4,291
- Joined: Jun 21, 2007
- Location: Phoenix AZ & San Diego CA
-
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
SF88 wrote:Paul Coro @paulcoro
No NBA team has played worse defense than the #Suns in the past 5 games. So how about 4 games vs. LAC (2X), OKC & GS? bit.ly/Ns5YYG
Why couldn't Coro keep his mouth shut?
Seriously though, this is now 10 straight games of absolutely atrocious defense.

Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
-
- RealGM
- Posts: 37,374
- And1: 22,192
- Joined: Feb 17, 2011
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
LukasBMW wrote:SF88 wrote:Paul Coro @paulcoro
No NBA team has played worse defense than the #Suns in the past 5 games. So how about 4 games vs. LAC (2X), OKC & GS? bit.ly/Ns5YYG
Why couldn't Coro keep his mouth shut?
Seriously though, this is now 10 straight games of absolutely atrocious defense.
Make that nearly a year now of that type of defense.
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
-
- Banned User
- Posts: 916
- And1: 380
- Joined: Jan 31, 2015
Re: How come our defense sucks latley?
Our defense has been terrible since the 1st game of the season. The reason is because Mike Longabardi is a terrible defensive coach and does not deserve to be employed.