In the Spurs series it seemed to me like Amare sputtered when the offense went through Diaw.
For some reason Amare and Diaw cancel each other out.
My favorite team of the MD era was the year Amare was out. Diaw played great on that team and there wasn't a single "me player" on the roster. I used to love that little lob Diaw would toss to Marion. If Diaw gets traded to a team like that he'll put up 16/8/8.
Amare Stoudemire didn't sputter as much as he sulked when the ball was going down to Diaw. The problem was not the sudden change in offensive philosophy. That's just nonsense and excuse making by Steve Nash. Steve Nash was being well defended by Bowen and Parker for long stretches through the entire series. The offense struggled when Steve Nash was running around with the ball. It had nothing to do with giving the ball to Diaw. The truth is that if they had not started throwing the ball down to Diaw like they did come on the Phoenix Suns would have been out of that game. They should have gone to it more during the regular season because they would have won more games. It's not something that should have thrown the rest of the team off like Amare and Nash suggested after the loss.
Reason Amare Stoudemire was critical after the end of the series is that he is a big baby who does not like it when the ball is not going through him. I'm tired of Amare Stoudemire. I'm convinced that's the only way you will ever become a top all-around player as if the Phoenix Suns can somehow bring in a coach who just commands his respect. He is a one trick pony, and every time he opens his mouth about how hard he works and how he wants to be the greatest player ever I just want to throw up. I can't believe so many people still buy this crap. I know for a fact he irritates hell out of the coaching staff and most of his teammates.
Despite my problems with Amare Stoudemire, at this point I don't believe there's any way you can trade him. I just don't see any package of players they could get in return that makes sense.
The Phoenix Suns could use Boris almost every night like they did in the last couple games of this year's playoffs. He has the size and skills to abuse just about any 3 and a lot of the 4's in the post. If they double team him, his passing skills are good enough to pick the defense apart. I've been saying this for the last two years. Hell, the majority of the guys who could guard him effectively in the post would not be able to guard him off the dribble if he would just get over his fear of contact.
Of course the problem with all of this is that Amare Stoudemire would be whining like a little girl if they did go to Diaw in the post more than a few times when Amare was in the game.
I don't know what this team is going to do next year. I don't think the window is closed, but it's getting close. I wouldn't be surprised if they won the championship next year. I wouldn't be surprised if they miss the playoffs. There's very little wiggle room in the Western Conference, and the competition is probably only going to get stronger. The only thing I am certain about is that if the Phoenix Suns sell their first-round draft pick this year I'm going to knock down Sarver with my wheelchair and smash his head like a grape.
I apologize for the rambling.
Joe
