How come the Suns don't run anymore?

visions · Post #1 » by **visions** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:29 am

Ok it might sound like a stupid question given that Terry "not to my liking" Porter call the shots now but what I still want to know why the Suns don't run anymore.

I don't mean the constant SSOL fast break of Mike D but even normal fast breaks don't seem to arise with this team. Admittedly I haven't seen that many games but in the ones I have seen, so many times it seems like the Suns will get a defensive rebound and outlet to Nash who will then start streaking up the court............except no one goes with him! Everyone else get back at half speed and by then any chance of an easy score is gone.

Why is no one running? It should have nothing to do with Porters system...if a fast break is on the players should be racing down the court for an easy basket.
Maybe Porter has told them he always wants the ball walked up the court?

It just seems weird to me cos Nash is always ready to run 'n gun but no one is there to support him.
Players like Amare, Richardson and Barnes should be flying down the court for a big alley oop or an easy dunk/layup. Moments like that create excitement and lift everyone's spirits.

Instead it feels like nothing exciting ever happens with this team. Are any of the players actually having any fun???

Anyone have any thoughts on this?
Am I over analysing the situation?

Inconspicuous · Post #2 » by **Inconspicuous** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:58 am

the players aren't running, but its not porter's fault. he's told them to run. shaq's told them to run. the players are idiots and seem too tired to run

visions · Post #3 » by **visions** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:38 am

Maybe Amare's laziness is rubbing off on the rest of the team.

I feel for little Stevie...his numbers could be so much better if the guys would run with him. Instead he has to walk it up and try and force it into a double teamed Shaq and ends up with uncharacteristically high turnovers.

Gorilla Warfare · Post #4 » by **Gorilla Warfare** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:11 pm

My thoughts on this topic.

We are old, and have a lazy PF. Enough said.

Phoenix1977 · Post #5 » by **Phoenix1977** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:12 am

With this "focus" on defense that Terry tries to instill...it actually hinders the fast break just on principal alone. He wants guys sticking to their man and crashing the boards. When you crash the boards defensively you can't get out and run. And don't forget, we lost one of the fastest guys in the league in Shawn Marion...so that doesn't help either.

Mr. Sun · Post #6 » by **Mr. Sun** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 7:20 am

Only one who has any sense to break to the other end is LB. Nash generally waits for others to catch up.

DaDragicShow · Post #7 » by **DaDragicShow** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 8:15 am

We do run but it's called SSOM( seven seconds or more) now.

mkot · Post #8 » by **mkot** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:20 am

Inconspicuous wrote:the players aren't running, but its not porter's fault. he's told them to run. shaq's told them to run. the players are idiots and seem too tired to run

Well sh*t, you don't just run and expect to play like the Mike D'Antoni's SSOL Phoenix Suns. You have to practice running, which they aren't doing it anymore. The past few years teams tried to run like the Suns but only MikeD got his team successfully running the way he wanted. Porter can say 'oh I want to slow it down but at the same time I want them to run if the opportunity is there', but all I can see is predictable offensive plan every single game. I don't know what he's been doing since he took over. He has not improved this team in any of the areas that Kerr basically ran MikeD out of town for. I guess practices are longer. That's about the only thing you can check. But they were supposed to be dedicated to defense. I have not seen any improvement due to the coaching change or longer practices.