ASFN: D'Antoni To Confront A Critical October
- Thread starter George O'Brien
- Start date
hcsilla
ASFN Lifer
Informative article. Good job.
Errntknght
Registered User
George, "This season, the Suns are going to make major changes in their offense. It is not entirely clear what kind of offense they will run, but it will clearly involve much more movement off the ball, passing, cutting, back door plays, etc. to look more like last year's Dallas Mavericks. While they will still run the pick and roll, for the most part the young Suns will be learning an entirely different offensive system. The ability of D'Antoni and his coaching staff to teach the young Suns what to do will be decisive. The Suns need to substantially improve their offense because they are not likely to be a great defensive team."
Basically, I'm wondering why you are saying with apparent authority that the Suns are going to make major changes in their offense. I agree they should but coach Mikey said at the end of last season that he thought the offense was in pretty good shape - which doesn't sound like he was contemplating an overhaul then. If he does I certainly hope it isn't to adopt the outside-in, European style that Dallas uses since we don't have big men that are threats from the perimeter. Whatever else he does with the offense, he needs to implement some low post offense around Amare - I don't expect him to do it because he made no moves in that direction last year and it's not like he'd have upset a well oiled half court scheme to run some plays or manuevers where Amare was a passer. He isn't likely to implement a high post offense since that would mean Lampe is the starting center.
Two things might help the offense this year - Q likes to play down in the post so he and Amare might develope some joint maneuvers. Also Larry Brown kept Marion from hanging out on the perimeter so Shawn may have learned something from that and maybe coach Mikey picked up on it and will offer some encouragement to continue.
"Last season D'Antoni tried to reduce the Suns reliance on double teaming the post and perimeter traps. The wild scramble defense was totally ineffective against teams that pass the ball well and hit open shots. The Suns players will have to work to considerably improve their straight man to man defensive skills and switches."
At first he increased the use of those methods but gave up on them late in the season when they proved ineffective. Still trying to use such things when the team's basic man defense, handling of screens and help D are so woeful shows a great lack of knowledge of the game. Even their zone, which you'd think his European experience would be of value in teaching, wasn't worth much. If Gentry can't add something in the way of coaching defense, I expect it will be just as bad as last year. You know it could even be worse as neither Nash nor Q are noted for being good defenders.
Basically, I'm wondering why you are saying with apparent authority that the Suns are going to make major changes in their offense. I agree they should but coach Mikey said at the end of last season that he thought the offense was in pretty good shape - which doesn't sound like he was contemplating an overhaul then. If he does I certainly hope it isn't to adopt the outside-in, European style that Dallas uses since we don't have big men that are threats from the perimeter. Whatever else he does with the offense, he needs to implement some low post offense around Amare - I don't expect him to do it because he made no moves in that direction last year and it's not like he'd have upset a well oiled half court scheme to run some plays or manuevers where Amare was a passer. He isn't likely to implement a high post offense since that would mean Lampe is the starting center.
Two things might help the offense this year - Q likes to play down in the post so he and Amare might develope some joint maneuvers. Also Larry Brown kept Marion from hanging out on the perimeter so Shawn may have learned something from that and maybe coach Mikey picked up on it and will offer some encouragement to continue.
"Last season D'Antoni tried to reduce the Suns reliance on double teaming the post and perimeter traps. The wild scramble defense was totally ineffective against teams that pass the ball well and hit open shots. The Suns players will have to work to considerably improve their straight man to man defensive skills and switches."
At first he increased the use of those methods but gave up on them late in the season when they proved ineffective. Still trying to use such things when the team's basic man defense, handling of screens and help D are so woeful shows a great lack of knowledge of the game. Even their zone, which you'd think his European experience would be of value in teaching, wasn't worth much. If Gentry can't add something in the way of coaching defense, I expect it will be just as bad as last year. You know it could even be worse as neither Nash nor Q are noted for being good defenders.
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George O'Brien
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As I said, it is not clear what kind of offense the Suns will use, but failing to change after adding Nash would be insane.
I agree that the Suns cannot duplicate the Mavs half court offense because the Suns have different strengths. The Suns are more athletic, have a low post threat that LIKES to play the low post, but are not great spot up shooters. However, I think the Suns WILL move towad more passing and motion than in the last few years to take advantage of having a pure point guard in Nash.
It is not clear to me whether Gentry will make a difference on helping the Suns play better man defense, but I think they will be working on it. If nothing else I think Marion looked like he was playing better man defense in Athens than we've been seeing lately although he still has problems cutting through screens like the rest of USA.
However, as I said in my article, I see defense as one of the biggest challenges of this year's coaching staff. D'Antoni had the excuse of starting in mid season with limited practice time, being short handed due to the trade and injuries, and coaching a very young team. Now is the time to prove he can get them to play defense.
I agree that the Suns cannot duplicate the Mavs half court offense because the Suns have different strengths. The Suns are more athletic, have a low post threat that LIKES to play the low post, but are not great spot up shooters. However, I think the Suns WILL move towad more passing and motion than in the last few years to take advantage of having a pure point guard in Nash.
It is not clear to me whether Gentry will make a difference on helping the Suns play better man defense, but I think they will be working on it. If nothing else I think Marion looked like he was playing better man defense in Athens than we've been seeing lately although he still has problems cutting through screens like the rest of USA.
However, as I said in my article, I see defense as one of the biggest challenges of this year's coaching staff. D'Antoni had the excuse of starting in mid season with limited practice time, being short handed due to the trade and injuries, and coaching a very young team. Now is the time to prove he can get them to play defense.
Nice article, George.
I expect the offense to look a lot different when Nash is running it, even if the sets aren't all that different. And the defense should improve because the Suns have enough depth now to put players on the bench when they're tired or distracted.
Most of all, the players are going to be more comfortable with what they're doing after a few more months of work. Some of the team's players are years away from hitting their prime, and as they progress, they'll make the coaching look better.
D'Antoni is clearly a very smart guy, and basketball has been his life's work. I'm interested to see what he comes up with for the Suns this season.
I expect the offense to look a lot different when Nash is running it, even if the sets aren't all that different. And the defense should improve because the Suns have enough depth now to put players on the bench when they're tired or distracted.
Most of all, the players are going to be more comfortable with what they're doing after a few more months of work. Some of the team's players are years away from hitting their prime, and as they progress, they'll make the coaching look better.
D'Antoni is clearly a very smart guy, and basketball has been his life's work. I'm interested to see what he comes up with for the Suns this season.
PhxGametime
Formerly Bball_31
I can't add insight but watching Alvin Gentry's Clippers teams the last couple of month's - Miles and Odom played PF much like Marion at times during games (although both might be more suited to PF than Shawn) Folkes did as well but I can't remember if Gentry was coach that year. The Clippers offense was strong those years (fun to watch) but defensively not the greatest of groups... Suns might have a few more defenders than those teams though.
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George O'Brien
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Bada0Bing said:
Part of the problem is that the refs are inconsistent in calling it, so Stephon would get away with often enough that he wouldn't change. Unfortunately, it mean putting his big guys into foul trouble.
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