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Arizona Republic
Limiting Turnovers a Sign
Team is Making Progress
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
March 5, 2004
Taking care of the basketball and having a high-octane offense are not mutually exclusive.
The NBA's three highest-scoring teams - Sacramento, Dallas and the Los Angeles Lakers - are among the league's top five for least turnovers committed per game.
The Suns' attempt to balance an uptempo style and minimize turnovers has progressed of late. There are few better signs of the advancement in finishing breaks and running their half-court sets than Wednesday's season-low six turnovers in the win against New Jersey.
"We're doing much better and it's been that way for three or four games now," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said.
The main reason was how much more efficiently the Suns' offense ran through Amare Stoudemire. Lost amid Stoudemire's recent scoring flurry was a propensity for turnovers as he got more touches and double teams. Stoudemire had five or six turnovers in four straight games until Wednesday, when he made one playing mostly against All-Star Kenyon Martin.
For more Phoenix Suns coverage, check out www.azcentral.com, Arizona's homepage.
Stoudemire passed so well out of double teams that D'Antoni was sure his one credited turnover was a mistake.
The Suns shot just 43 percent, but had 20 more attempts than New Jersey to grind out their third win in four games.
"It's the comfort level that we are playing with right now," Stoudemire said. "The team is comfortable with their roles and I am comfortable with my role. The confidence is coming back around at the offensive end."
The Suns' other 21-year-old, point guard Leandro Barbosa, has a better grasp of execution as well. He has two turnovers in the past three games.
Lampe's 1st block
Unsure how he was going to play Maciej Lampe, D'Antoni did not wait for a big lead or garbage time to get the freshly activated rookie into his fourth game Wednesday.
Lampe played the final 4:25 of the first half, registering his first NBA block when he stopped a Richard Jefferson drive. Lampe was also 0 for 3, missing on three long jumpers.
Free throws
The Suns are 6-6 when they have their usual starting lineup of Stoudemire, Barbosa, Shawn Marion, Jake Voskuhl and Joe Johnson.
Voskuhl grabbed 12 rebounds Wednesday, one more than his total for the previous five games. He played 32 minutes, the most since Feb. 17. Jahidi White did not play for the first time since Feb. 17.
Limiting Turnovers a Sign
Team is Making Progress
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
March 5, 2004
Taking care of the basketball and having a high-octane offense are not mutually exclusive.
The NBA's three highest-scoring teams - Sacramento, Dallas and the Los Angeles Lakers - are among the league's top five for least turnovers committed per game.
The Suns' attempt to balance an uptempo style and minimize turnovers has progressed of late. There are few better signs of the advancement in finishing breaks and running their half-court sets than Wednesday's season-low six turnovers in the win against New Jersey.
"We're doing much better and it's been that way for three or four games now," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said.
The main reason was how much more efficiently the Suns' offense ran through Amare Stoudemire. Lost amid Stoudemire's recent scoring flurry was a propensity for turnovers as he got more touches and double teams. Stoudemire had five or six turnovers in four straight games until Wednesday, when he made one playing mostly against All-Star Kenyon Martin.
For more Phoenix Suns coverage, check out www.azcentral.com, Arizona's homepage.
Stoudemire passed so well out of double teams that D'Antoni was sure his one credited turnover was a mistake.
The Suns shot just 43 percent, but had 20 more attempts than New Jersey to grind out their third win in four games.
"It's the comfort level that we are playing with right now," Stoudemire said. "The team is comfortable with their roles and I am comfortable with my role. The confidence is coming back around at the offensive end."
The Suns' other 21-year-old, point guard Leandro Barbosa, has a better grasp of execution as well. He has two turnovers in the past three games.
Lampe's 1st block
Unsure how he was going to play Maciej Lampe, D'Antoni did not wait for a big lead or garbage time to get the freshly activated rookie into his fourth game Wednesday.
Lampe played the final 4:25 of the first half, registering his first NBA block when he stopped a Richard Jefferson drive. Lampe was also 0 for 3, missing on three long jumpers.
Free throws
The Suns are 6-6 when they have their usual starting lineup of Stoudemire, Barbosa, Shawn Marion, Jake Voskuhl and Joe Johnson.
Voskuhl grabbed 12 rebounds Wednesday, one more than his total for the previous five games. He played 32 minutes, the most since Feb. 17. Jahidi White did not play for the first time since Feb. 17.
