George O'Brien
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Jahidi White went 5 for 10 and grabbed 13 rebounds against the Grizzlies in 24 minutes. If he had played like that a week ago, he would probably be with a different team.
The only reason Jahidi played so much was because Jake got into early foul trouble. Lorenezen Wright had no trouble pushing Jake around, but was not very effective when White was in.
I wish I thought that this meant that White is now going to be productive. I don't. He is simply too slow and continues to demonstrate his "hands of stone" that has been a problem since he joined the team.
However, it demonstrates the same basic issue this team has had forever: lack of a sustained physical presence at center. A team like Memphis that attacks the basket will score at will and get Jake into foul trouble. If they are "on" from the outside and prevent the Suns from using the zone with White, the Suns are just not going to stop anyone.
I wish I could say the Suns could solve this problem through a free agent. It seems to be very hard to find someone who can play defense, rebound, block shots, and yet not be a total stiff on offense.
The Suns will have to get a lot tougher and physical if they ever hope to become a competative team, let alone become an elite team. We can bicker all we want over whether Kobe and T-Mac could co-exist; but they are not going to get out of the first round without someone who can defend the paint.
The only reason Jahidi played so much was because Jake got into early foul trouble. Lorenezen Wright had no trouble pushing Jake around, but was not very effective when White was in.
I wish I thought that this meant that White is now going to be productive. I don't. He is simply too slow and continues to demonstrate his "hands of stone" that has been a problem since he joined the team.
However, it demonstrates the same basic issue this team has had forever: lack of a sustained physical presence at center. A team like Memphis that attacks the basket will score at will and get Jake into foul trouble. If they are "on" from the outside and prevent the Suns from using the zone with White, the Suns are just not going to stop anyone.
I wish I could say the Suns could solve this problem through a free agent. It seems to be very hard to find someone who can play defense, rebound, block shots, and yet not be a total stiff on offense.
The Suns will have to get a lot tougher and physical if they ever hope to become a competative team, let alone become an elite team. We can bicker all we want over whether Kobe and T-Mac could co-exist; but they are not going to get out of the first round without someone who can defend the paint.
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