What do you base that on? The fact that Stoudemire has a jump shot? Howard is averaging 23.1 ppg this season (compared to 21.0 for Stoudemire) on 61% shooting (Stoudemire 59%). Sure, if you want, you can say that "all Howard does is dunk," but as Suns fans correctly pointed out when the same criticism was leveled at Stoudemire, why not dunk it every time if the defense can't stop you? Oh, and Howard is also averaging nearly 12 FTA per game, compared to not even 7 for Stoudemire. He bests Stoudemire in every category except free-throw accuracy, and even then the gap isn't enormous -- about one fewer make for every six attempts.
Howard is slightly superior to Stoudemire on offense and miles ahead of him in defense and rebounding. At this point there really is no comparison between the two players.
eric - arguments are not done in a vacuum. This isn't a 20 games into the 2007 season analysis. It was only a couple years ago that Stoudamire averaged close to 28 points a game. I would also vehemently argue that Stoudemire has 6 or 7 other guys that can be the main offensive weapon on any night. Howard has one legit option (lewis) and then ...maybe Hedo? Of course you will retort that Nash gets STAT the majority of his points but I would say another PG maybe more inclined to just dump it into the big man insted of trying to get the best shot possible for the other three. Its semantics really but all it takes is a keen eye. Not only does stoudemire have a jump shot but he handles the ball better, passes better, has more touch and moves around the basket. Howard is more of a physical force while Amare is a more refined player. That may change in time but given what I have seen up until this point with both players I dont think there is any question that Amare is the better offensive player.
Yes, this is a good point. Stoudemire has done very well for a #9 pick, and the Suns are lucky to have him. I'm in full agreement there. Howard was supposed to have fantastic potential, and he is living up to that, but that's not Stoudemire's fault.
Okay - we are getting somewhere
This argument never holds water. Do you know why coaches and GMs are quickly fired? Because they make mistakes. A lot of mistakes. Sure, sometimes they are fired for other reasons, but they are often fired for incompetence. So, given that we know they make mistakes, isn't it theoretically possible for us mere fans to detect them? Why wouldn't it be? After all, we don't have any difficulty detecting officiating mistakes, but those guys are paid professionals too.
Of course GM's make mistakes. So do Doctors - that doesn't mean I would rather have you operating on me then an actual doctor. The problem is we as fans 90% of the time spout stuff off without any regards for cap implications, ticket sales, team chemistry, practice, unseen development, etc. We LIKE to think we know whats best for the team but in reality there are just so many mitigating factors. Its easy for us fanboys to sit here with nothing on the line and spout off theoretical trades - its a whole different ball game to be in the middle of the fire. There are def GM's and owners that don't deserve the benefit of the doubt. But Kerr is nothing but smart by all accounts and has not made any boneheaded moves where we should be deriding him so. This isn't the Sixers here - lets give our 60 win Suns the benefit of the doubt.
Which is exactly why there won't be any changes. Sarver, Kerr and D'Antoni are saying the same thing you are: "Eh, we've got problems, but come playoff time, who knows, we might get lucky." You can't refer to "low post needs" and then simultaneously declare that there aren't any. This team has real problems, but they'd rather cross their fingers and pray than take a serious look at how those problems could be addressed.
Again - you are gettin what they are spinning you. They say something pubicly in case nothing can be done the HAVE to give the confidence that they can win with this team. And righfully they have every reason to think they can. Anyone else remember 2005 when we were much thinner upfront and with less of a bench? But I seriously doubt that they are not aware of the problems. We all read Coro's report about all the close door meetings after the Miami game. Again - lets see what happens come April before we start polishing the brass on the titanic.
And most of the fans are behind them, so you can't blame them. As Chris Sanders and others have eloquently pointed out, everything on this team is a success according to the goals the organization has set for itself. There is absolutely no reason to make a change, and that would be true even if they could look into the future and see a guaranteed early playoff exit.
I completley disagree here. You think guys like Sarver, Kerr, and DA are not hell bent to win. Sure they are not throwing arond money like the Knicks but we are literally in the top of teams willing to spend to keep its talent. And Sarver is a business man - you think if the bottom line only is money that he doesn't realize that a title makes him that much more money? Guys there are financial constraints - get over it. Its not like we are the Florida Marlins or something. I have hated some of the penny pinching moves too but if we don't win its because the players ON THE TEAM didn't play up to expectations in a playoff series. Thats all. Talent wise, coach wise, culture wise, and team wise we have what we need to win. PJ Brown would certainly help. But we can win. Take that to the bank.
