Back to Small Ball/Run and Gun

[desertdawg]

The scientific Jeopardy answer still remains the same, "Purple and Orange, and has no Center". I am one that loves the position... when played correctly. We've chosen/resorted to this style many times it seems, Horny himself played a version of it here in the past and one can understand his logic, with size and talent we currently have on our roster. If you aint big you better be fast, or the size will become a deciding factor, that doesn't go in your favor.

I think Cotton was the first Suns coach I saw go with it, it was very exciting, and it utilized the talent we had on the team. It is fun to watch but but usually loses out to better coaching, which can slow the game down, while picking at the weaknesses of such a philosophy.

We haven't lost any super dominant bigs from last year, the rebuild came up quickly, and we learned we could wear teams out. More passes, more speed, when a team learns how to finish, this style can be effective. I do wish we had some size on the line up for certain match ups we will face, but that might not be an option, deja vu.

I'm still optimistic, I know it won't happen over night but the process has started. Hornacek has been aggressive with his approach, and that I really like. Watching players develop has been nice as well, nice gel job for a young quick team.

 

[devilalum]

Center of the solar system that has no center...

25% chance that Len could be that guy.
Odds increase to 75% if he's traded to another team.

 

[desertdawg]

Center of the solar system that has no center...

25% chance that Len could be that guy.
Odds increase to 75% if he's traded to another team.

If Len continues to pick it up, he can be key going into the play offs. With all the ball handlers we got, he will have plenty of opportunities with all the centers we aint got.

 

[Mainstreet]

A team has to have bigs to play bigs. Until Plumlee and Len can develop further to join Markieff, the Suns will have to use small ball a lot. However, I hope the Suns do not forget the importance of defense.

 

[Errntknght]

I'm wondering about whether Monroe wants to come to a team to play PF. His numbers were a little better when he played at center for Detroit and someone on here said he was better as a C. On our part, it doesn't make sense for us to pay the amount he'll command then play him out of position. If it turns out that Len would thrive at PF then in the long run the problem would solve itself. We might get some clue about that from the summer league, assuming he and Plumlee play together much of the time.

 

[BC867]

The scientific Jeopardy answer still remains the same, "Purple and Orange, and has no Center". I am one that loves the position... when played correctly.

Center of the solar system that has no center...

Alex would buzz both of you. "What is ..........."

It is ironic that the Suns, of all teams, would slide back into small ball, considering the record of their sister team in the WNBA, the Phoenix Mercury. Or is it considering the first planet in the solar system next to the sun?

15-3 to lead the league with a current 9-game winning streak. They are on their way to a third Championship.

The major difference -- all-star Center Britney Griner, who scores, rebounds and, especially, blocks shots. And in her 2nd season, she has come of age.

Of course, it takes all-world Diana Taurasi, Candice Dupree, Penny Taylor, DeWanna Bonner, etc., but the emergence of BG has put them into another stratosphere.

It would be nice if the Suns could hitch a ride. Or, at least, take notes.

 

[HooverDam]

Alex would buzz both of you. "What is ..........."

It is ironic that the Suns, of all teams, would slide back into small ball, considering the record of their sister team in the WNBA, the Phoenix Mercury. Or is it considering the first planet in the solar system next to the sun?

15-3 to lead the league with a current 9-game winning streak. They are on their way to a third Championship.

The major difference -- all-star Center Britney Griner, who scores, rebounds and, especially, blocks shots. And in her 2nd season, she has come of age.

Of course, it takes all-world Diana Taurasi, Candice Dupree, Penny Taylor, DeWanna Bonner, etc., but the emergence of BG has put them into another stratosphere.

It would be nice if the Suns could hitch a ride. Or, at least, take notes.

How many times have the Mercury won the 1st pick in the draft? How many times have the Suns? Getting all world players, especially bigs, is a lot tougher than you think.

 

[mojorizen7]

How many times have the Mercury won the 1st pick in the draft? How many times have the Suns? Getting all world players, especially bigs, is a lot tougher than you think.

It is tougher i agree. They are coveted for good reason.
Yet somehow the Suns seem to be the only team in the NBA that can't find a way to land one...and the last time we got one the fans cried about it slowing our offense down.

It makes you start to wonder how important it is to the basketball people calling the shots.

 

[BC867]

How many times have the Mercury won the 1st pick in the draft? How many times have the Suns? Getting all world players, especially bigs, is a lot tougher than you think.

Yes, it is. But setting sights on a team that plays weak at just about every position, is weak rebounding and sporadic on defense -- a team that is out of balance -- is not the only alternative to not getting the first pick in the draft.

I am sorry, but as long as I continue my 40+ year history of rooting for the Suns, I am not going to succumb to alibis.

Or give up hoping that they see the light and put together a team that is competitive when the refs put away their whistles in the post -- down the stretch and during the post-season.

When I relocated from the East coast in 1978, after having decided 8 years earlier that this is where I want to spend the rest of my life, I have loved the Valley and everything about it.

When I visited family in New Jersey in 1983 and someone said, "How does it feel to be home?", I replied, "I'll let you know when I get back to Phoenix." The Shea Blvd./32nd St. area (surrounded on four sides by mountains) is my part of the world.

And that is why I am frustrated when the Suns give in and plan another season of wuss-ball.

As much as I left the East Coast behind, it was part of my sports heritage. Rooting for the two Knicks championship teams (joined by the Mets and Jets championships in '69-70), not too far from the Celtics championships and traveling hours from NJ to the Nassau Coliseum just to see Dr. J in the old ABA.

Yup, I rooted for Champions. And I would sure like to do it here as I start my 37th years in Phoenix. Actually, I am. I hope to watch the WNBA All Star game next week and I will be attending a Mercury game (2nd row, center court) the week after. Preceded by my favorite bacon-cheddar burger at Majerle's, of course.

'Sorry for boring you guys. But what is professional sports, if not for rooting?

 

[HooverDam]

Yes, it is.

No, its simply not. There are only so many tall, athletic people on the planet at one time. The Suns shouldn't play some 7 foot tall Eastern European stiff just because he's tall.

Every time the Suns have made trades for small for big it hasn't worked out. Marion for Shaq, Majerle for Hot Rodd Williams, and on down the line. Maybe some day they'll win the lottery or have a talented big guy traded to them, it's not like they're not trying. It's just not this easy switch you can flip though like you seem to think.

 

[desertdawg]

Hornacek live on the Summer League just said the wants to push the pace for all 48 minutes, and than he jokingly mentioned he might go Don Nelson and have 5 point guards out there all at once.

 

[Sci Fi]

Yes, it is. But setting sights on a team that plays weak at just about every position, is weak rebounding and sporadic on defense -- a team that is out of balance -- is not the only alternative to not getting the first pick in the draft.

I am sorry, but as long as I continue my 40+ year history of rooting for the Suns, I am not going to succumb to alibis.

Or give up hoping that they see the light and put together a team that is competitive when the refs put away their whistles in the post -- down the stretch and during the post-season.

When I relocated from the East coast in 1978, after having decided 8 years earlier that this is where I want to spend the rest of my life, I have loved the Valley and everything about it.

When I visited family in New Jersey in 1983 and someone said, "How does it feel to be home?", I replied, "I'll let you know when I get back to Phoenix." The Shea Blvd./32nd St. area (surrounded on four sides by mountains) is my part of the world.

And that is why I am frustrated when the Suns give in and plan another season of wuss-ball.

As much as I left the East Coast behind, it was part of my sports heritage. Rooting for the two Knicks championship teams (joined by the Mets and Jets championships in '69-70), not too far from the Celtics championships and traveling hours from NJ to the Nassau Coliseum just to see Dr. J in the old ABA.

Yup, I rooted for Champions. And I would sure like to do it here as I start my 37th years in Phoenix. Actually, I am. I hope to watch the WNBA All Star game next week and I will be attending a Mercury game (2nd row, center court) the week after. Preceded by my favorite bacon-cheddar burger at Majerle's, of course.

'Sorry for boring you guys. But what is professional sports, if not for rooting?

.

 

[BC867]

No, its simply not. There are only so many tall, athletic people on the planet at one time. The Suns shouldn't play some 7 foot tall Eastern European stiff just because he's tall.

I agreed when you said it is tougher than you think. Now you are saying it is not? I think you misunderstood.

I just feel that because it is tough, that is no reason to look forward to yet another season of a lightweight unbalanced roster.

Even if Jeff joked about five point guards.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I agreed when you said it is tougher than you think. Now you are saying it is not? I think you misunderstood.

I just feel that because it is tough, that is no reason to look forward to yet another season of a lightweight unbalanced roster.

Even if Jeff joked about five point guards.

Joked?

Steve

 

[desertdawg]

Joked?

Steve

He was laughing when he said it but I guess you never know right?

 

[AzStevenCal]

He was laughing when he said it but I guess you never know right?

I heard it, I couldn't rule out the possibility he was embarrassed to admit it.

Steve

 

[Finito]

If small ball is indeed the plan I'm going to throw up. Great a 50 win team picking in the early 20s it's like groundhog day with the suns.

 

[AzStevenCal]

If small ball is indeed the plan I'm going to throw up. Great a 50 win team picking in the early 20s it's like groundhog day with the suns.

We were horrible and now we're slowly getting better. 50 wins sounds great to me.

Steve

 

[JCSunsfan]

It's all about collecting assets and playing the best you can with what you have. Believe me the Suns are on the wAtch for superstar bigs and will pounce on any opportunity they get. But they aren't going to settle for marginal players just because they are big.

 

[Covert Rain]

Small ball. Woohoo. More fun teams. I will vomit the entire season. I should start hydrating now.

 

[BC867]

It's all about collecting assets and playing the best you can with what you have. Believe me the Suns are on the wAtch for superstar bigs and will pounce on any opportunity they get. But they aren't going to settle for marginal players just because they are big.

Extremes, extremes, extremes. Why does it have to be a big superstar or one who is marginal? How about a solid role-playing Power Forward to protect the paint? And be a solid rebounder.

Whether we have such a player on the roster to develop (and a backup) or sign a free agent or trade for one (so Jeff doesn't feel obliged to play 5 Point Guards to bail out his GM).

When you have a flat tire, you ride on a "donut" spare until you can have the flat repaired or replaced. And you hold yourself back while driving on it.

You certainly don't drive on one permanently. Or two. Or three. Or four.

The Phoenix Suns are riding the Power Forward position on a "donut". Or two. Or three. Or four. Depending on how many Guards and Wings play out of position.

 

[desertdawg]

Extremes, extremes, extremes. Why does it have to be a big superstar or one who is marginal? How about a solid role-playing Power Forward to protect the paint? And be a solid rebounder.

Whether we have such a player on the roster to develop (and a backup) or sign a free agent or trade for one (so Jeff doesn't feel obliged to play 5 Point Guards to bail out his GM).

When you have a flat tire, you ride on a "donut" spare until you can have the flat repaired or replaced. And you hold yourself back while driving on it.

You certainly don't drive on one permanently. Or two. Or three. Or four.

The Phoenix Suns are riding the Power Forward position on a "donut". Or two. Or three. Or four. Depending on how many Guards and Wings play out of position.

Hornacek they will use the guard match ups when it becomes a favorable mismatch for us, but he also basically said they just tried to get talent that fit, both in the Draft and in Free Agency. He went on to talk about not putting too much into the position thing, more about playing who is playing well that night. "Guys have bad nights" and then he continued to say that they can play the players that are or something to that effect.

At the same time he and Sarver made it sound like they want(ed) some key additions, they are just waiting for the right ones. I think Sarver called the GM "Mickey D" at one point, but everybody knows how my short term memory is.

 

[BC867]

At the same time he and Sarver made it sound like they want(ed) some key additions, they are just waiting for the right ones.

Right on! There is hope!

 

[desertdawg]

Right on! There is hope!

But then again they kind of have to say that stuff right?

 

[BC867]

But then again they kind of have to say that stuff right?

Hey, dawg, did you really have to?