Calling Amare out

[Mirth]

I am officially calling out Amare Stoudemire.

FWIW Rosen rips on Amare pretty hard for yesterday's lackluster effort. I for one have to agree with most of what Rosen says. Here is a link:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/7603532#

Quotes:
ADVANTAGE BYNUM

Three times Bynum slipped screens and wound up with points — two dunkers, and then a pair of free throws after Stoudemire fouled him.
Bynum overwhelmed Stoudemire with his perpetual assaults on the offensive glass. AB totaled eight offensive rebounds (to Stoudemire's two), and on one play went up three times to snare the carom. In another battle of the boards, Bynum simply tore the ball out of Stoudemire's hands.
Bynum slipped into an open lane whenever Stoudemire made too strong a show toward a penetrating guard, and took advantage of the open space by turning two interior passes into dunkers.
Drew an offensive charge on Stoudemire through sheer hustle in an early-offense sequence.
When Stoudemire was suckered into approaching Bryant, Bynum slipped to the basket and wound up with a throw-down.




Overall, Bynum out-jumped, out-hustled, out-desired, and completely out-played Stoudemire. Bynum did so to the point where he actually embarrassed the Suns' two-time All-Star. Even more humiliating was the way Bynum treated Brian Skinner: Scoring on a nifty change-of-direction that led to a right-handed jump hook. Executing a backdoor cut that eventuated in a dunk. Grabbing a lob pass when Skinner tried to front him (and the Suns failed to supply weak-side help) and turning it into still another dunk. Trailed a fast break and ran himself into guess what ... On defense, Stouduemire routinely overreacted to the ball and failed to maintain himself in a recover mode. Meanwhile, Bynum menaced layup attempts by Skinner, Shawn Marion and Leandro Barbosa — and caused all of them to miss. By ferociously attacking an otherwise open jumper by Grant Hill, Bynum also saved the Lakers two more points.
Additional bases of comparison: Bynum set five exemplary screens to Stoudemire's two. Ignoring foul-shot situations, Bynum executed five sturdy box-outs to none by Stoudemire. And they each forced two shots/drives.
The decision goes to Bynum by a TKO.

But Stoudemire will have numerous chances to pick himself up, dust himself off, and go after Bynum again.
For his sake, and for the sake of Phoenix's championship dreams, Stoudemire had better bring his A-game or he'll continue to be posterized by young Bynum.



It's 1 game I know, but didn't they beat us like this last game? And btw, didn't every other team with a decent big man/men do the same thing?

Amare - MAN UP. If you can't physically do what you used to do, then adjust and play hard! Set screens, play smarter and help us consistently!

Given that D'Antoni's stubbornness was a factor in his performance, but Amare needs to bring his "A' game every night. If they crowd the lane make them pay with a dunk or a pass. I am just sick of the excuses and whining, play like someone who doesn't make the money you do, like you used to.

You were Bynum's *itch on Christmas Day in front of the whole nation. Sad.
MAN UP.

 

[PHX04]

Black Hezus better live upto his name and number.....

 

[jlove]

You can't single out Amare in this game. The whole team sucked when it can to defensive rotations and weak side help. The Lakers used the high screen with Bynum the whole game causing the Suns to have to use weak side help, which most of the time never came. Everyone in the league knows Amare goes all out on offense and saves a little for defense. Bynum played like a man possessed. Everyone can see that. I hate to say this, but there were some costly calls in this game at points where it should have benefited the Suns in their run but hurt them. Yes the Suns made calls that weren't called as well, so get off that. I'm talking calls that went the Lakers way, when even the commentators said they should have gone against the Lakers instead of the Suns.

#1. Ariza's dunk over Grant was a charge not a blocking foul.
#2. Bynum's "traveling call" next to the basket was a charge (would have been his 5th foul at the time (would have fouled out of the game).
#3. Towards th end of the 2nd, Farmar dribbled toward mid court stopped with both hands on the ball, then started dribbling again. I believe that's a double dribble.
#4. Kobe traveled with the ball when on that long turnaround jumper over Bell in the 3rd (he switched his pivot foot).
#5. Bynum twice with basket interference. The first was on tipping in Kobe's missed shot that was still 2/3 of the way INSIDE the basket and gets credit for the basket instead. The second was on a block attempt on a shot if I remember right Nash's, where he hit the backboard, causing the basket to shake and the shot to go off the rim.

Ok, even without those calls, the Suns lost this game themselves as a team NOT specifically individually. Here's a list of why.

#1. Weak side rotations. With the screen and rolls with Bynum, the big (Amare/Skinner) would rotate up to trap the ball carrier, and Bynum would rotate toward the basket with NO help defense by the Suns.

#2. Turnovers. The Suns had 2 at halftime, and finished the game with 10. Costly ones in the second half that contributed to the loss.

#3. Rebounding. The Suns were down by 3 rebounds at halftime if I remember right and lost the rebounding edge in the second half by another 6. Marion was the only Suns player to hit the boards with regularity.

#4. Free Throws. Plain and simple, the Suns missed 11 free throws to the Lakers 5 missed.

#5. Intimidation. Several of the Suns changed their shots around Bynum. You don't necessarily go away from a shot blocker. You go straight at him. Bynum is better on the offensive side of the ball than he is on the defensive. Even the commentators mentioned this. Go after him when he's trying to play defense and get fouls called against him to get him out of the game.

#6. Bad defensive mindset. With the Lakers, the only players they have that are GREAT shooters on the outside is basically Kobe. Pack the inside and make them shoot from the outside. Kobe can go off all he wants. If you pack the inside, the other players can't go off to help him.

Overall, I'm still someone who thinks this team needs a change, maybe not a major change but something trade wise needs to happen. There was some bright spots that I did see in this game though. Diaw was aggressive. He needs to continue that mindset, plain and simple. Steals and blocked shots are still happening for the Suns.

 

[jbeecham]

You can't single out Amare in this game. The whole team sucked when it can to defensive rotations and weak side help. The Lakers used the high screen with Bynum the whole game causing the Suns to have to use weak side help, which most of the time never came. Everyone in the league knows Amare goes all out on offense and saves a little for defense. Bynum played like a man possessed. Everyone can see that. I hate to say this, but there were some costly calls in this game at points where it should have benefited the Suns in their run but hurt them. Yes the Suns made calls that weren't called as well, so get off that. I'm talking calls that went the Lakers way, when even the commentators said they should have gone against the Lakers instead of the Suns.

#1. Ariza's dunk over Grant was a charge not a blocking foul.
#2. Bynum's "traveling call" next to the basket was a charge (would have been his 5th foul at the time (would have fouled out of the game).
#3. Towards th end of the 2nd, Farmar dribbled toward mid court stopped with both hands on the ball, then started dribbling again. I believe that's a double dribble.
#4. Kobe traveled with the ball when on that long turnaround jumper over Bell in the 3rd (he switched his pivot foot).
#5. Bynum twice with basket interference. The first was on tipping in Kobe's missed shot that was still 2/3 of the way INSIDE the basket and gets credit for the basket instead. The second was on a block attempt on a shot if I remember right Nash's, where he hit the backboard, causing the basket to shake and the shot to go off the rim.

Ok, even without those calls, the Suns lost this game themselves as a team NOT specifically individually. Here's a list of why.

#1. Weak side rotations. With the screen and rolls with Bynum, the big (Amare/Skinner) would rotate up to trap the ball carrier, and Bynum would rotate toward the basket with NO help defense by the Suns.

#2. Turnovers. The Suns had 2 at halftime, and finished the game with 10. Costly ones in the second half that contributed to the loss.

#3. Rebounding. The Suns were down by 3 rebounds at halftime if I remember right and lost the rebounding edge in the second half by another 6. Marion was the only Suns player to hit the boards with regularity.

#4. Free Throws. Plain and simple, the Suns missed 11 free throws to the Lakers 5 missed.

#5. Intimidation. Several of the Suns changed their shots around Bynum. You don't necessarily go away from a shot blocker. You go straight at him. Bynum is better on the offensive side of the ball than he is on the defensive. Even the commentators mentioned this. Go after him when he's trying to play defense and get fouls called against him to get him out of the game.

#6. Bad defensive mindset. With the Lakers, the only players they have that are GREAT shooters on the outside is basically Kobe. Pack the inside and make them shoot from the outside. Kobe can go off all he wants. If you pack the inside, the other players can't go off to help him.

Overall, I'm still someone who thinks this team needs a change, maybe not a major change but something trade wise needs to happen. There was some bright spots that I did see in this game though. Diaw was aggressive. He needs to continue that mindset, plain and simple. Steals and blocked shots are still happening for the Suns.

Good post.

 

[arwillan]

#1. Weak side rotations. With the screen and rolls with Bynum, the big (Amare/Skinner) would rotate up to trap the ball carrier, and Bynum would rotate toward the basket with NO help defense by the Suns.

#2. Turnovers. The Suns had 2 at halftime, and finished the game with 10. Costly ones in the second half that contributed to the loss.

#3. Rebounding. The Suns were down by 3 rebounds at halftime if I remember right and lost the rebounding edge in the second half by another 6. Marion was the only Suns player to hit the boards with regularity.

#4. Free Throws. Plain and simple, the Suns missed 11 free throws to the Lakers 5 missed.

#5. Intimidation. Several of the Suns changed their shots around Bynum. You don't necessarily go away from a shot blocker. You go straight at him. Bynum is better on the offensive side of the ball than he is on the defensive. Even the commentators mentioned this. Go after him when he's trying to play defense and get fouls called against him to get him out of the game.

#6. Bad defensive mindset. With the Lakers, the only players they have that are GREAT shooters on the outside is basically Kobe. Pack the inside and make them shoot from the outside. Kobe can go off all he wants. If you pack the inside, the other players can't go off to help him.

Overall, I'm still someone who thinks this team needs a change, maybe not a major change but something trade wise needs to happen. There was some bright spots that I did see in this game though. Diaw was aggressive. He needs to continue that mindset, plain and simple. Steals and blocked shots are still happening for the Suns.

are you trying to defend amare with these points?i'm confused. first of all amare is our center and he had only 6 rebounds....wtf is that? in the free throws category amare missed 3 (2 of which were late in the game). Intimidation is probably amare's fault as well. he should be the one attacking bynum on defense and he certainly did not. he has a speed advantage and an experience advantage. defensive mindset? how about amare's lack of any defensive mindset in just about any given game? no matter which way you cut it, amare was our biggest hole in this game

 

[jbeecham]

It's silly to single out 1 player and say the entire loss is on him. Lots of crappy play by lots of people contributed to the loss. Marion couldn't make a shot in the 1st half and kept jacking up 3's & long 2's. We couldn't make our ft's. We didn't box out and get rebounds (partly Amare, but Skinner & Shawn & Hill too). The refs didn't help with some critical bad calls that seemed to go in LA's favor that even had the national announcers puzzled. For Instance, when Kobe tries to save a ball going out of bounds and jumps on top of Nash and puts a knee into his back and lands on him.....and no foul called. Or the 2 plays that could've been charges, but were called blocking fouls instead. Bynum goaltending that wasn't called (at least 1 offensive & 1 defensive), etc etc.

Still, I've been complaining about Amare's defense on the P&R for weeks because he comes out too far like he's going to trap/double team the PG out behind the 3pt line and leaves his man wide open rolling to the basket, but Skinner does exactly the same thing.....like they've been instructed to do that. They need to show to slow down penetration and recover and never go outside the 3pt line.

 

[Mirth]

It's 1 game I know, but didn't they beat us like this last game? And btw, didn't every other team with a decent big man/men do the same thing?

I agree that yesterday was not totally his fault and agree with many of the thoughts expressed here, however I expect EFFORT from the teams I support. I did not see the Amare I love to watch. He played tentatively and you are right, the whole team needs a gut check. However, I don't care about whether he is a forward/center or whatever, he needs to be fed and play like a man possessed for this team to win, he has not done that against any teams that have a decent big man for a long time. This was a payback game for the a**kicking we took at home on national television and he got OWNED again. He needs to STEP UP.

 

[nashman]

Amare needs to put forth the effort period, he is loafing and not giving it his all alot of the time. He needs to freakin sack up and play hard, we have seen what he can do if he actually gives it his all. Don't give me this crap that I am still getting into shape, if you were working as hard as you should be you would be in shape. If you want to be the man you need to step up BIGTIME!

 

[mojorizen7]

We've gotten owned by the majority of big men that we've faced thus far this year. I'll be surprised if yesterdays game marks the start of a break-out season for A. Bynum. It starts at the top and DA's system will continue to allow wide-open shots,uncontested layups, and little or no desire to compete defensively.
I refuse to single out any one guy on this team for not geting it done on the defensive end from game to game. The strengths of this team are where the areas that DA put's the emphasis on.....running,passing, and shooting.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I have been the last person to push the panic button on this team. But I am now officially on board.

The Suns (and Amare) had every motivation to win this game. Payback from tht home opener, D'Antoni wanting to show up Phil, Xmas day national show case, Nash vs Kobe, Walton and Kwame out.........and we lose?!?!?!?

Amare was one of many problems and i never remember feeling this way about him in the previous years. Is it the microfracture? Has he cashed out? Is he just incapable of playing defense and boxing out?

I still think we will win the divison. But the Lakers will kick our ass up and down the floor with this soft as tissue team withno interior presence. In the NBA its all about matchups - and now we can add LA to the list along with Utah and San Antonio as teams that just wear us down.

I'm hoping that Bynum's performance last night was an anomaly but being how poilished he looked and the fact that he has been getting double-doubles like its out of style - I think this is more a sign of things to come.

Again it all rests on Amare. He will make or break our chances this year.

Personally I am on board for the right trade right now. Why the hell are we going to draw this out and stick with these guys only to lose to SA or LA?

I have considered myself a realist and still do. The problem is reality just smacked us in the face on national TV.

 

[Mirth]

Mojo,

I agree except that I AM singling out 1 player. I could single out more, but this is supposed to be "black jesus" and someone who wants to be the MVP. STAT? Standing Tall and Talented? Right....not yesterday.. What happened to posterizing someone ? Remember the old Amare that dropped 35-40 on the Spurs? Where was the pick and pummel ? I know that teams adjust, but we need to adjust too.

 

[SunsFanVegas]

I have been the last person to push the panic button on this team. But I am now officially on board.

The Suns (and Amare) had every motivation to win this game. Payback from tht home opener, D'Antoni wanting to show up Phil, Xmas day national show case, Nash vs Kobe, Walton and Kwame out.........and we lose?!?!?!?

Amare was one of many problems and i never remember feeling this way about him in the previous years. Is it the microfracture? Has he cashed out? Is he just incapable of playing defense and boxing out?

I still think we will win the divison. But the Lakers will kick our ass up and down the floor with this soft as tissue team withno interior presence. In the NBA its all about matchups - and now we can add LA to the list along with Utah and San Antonio as teams that just wear us down.

I'm hoping that Bynum's performance last night was an anomaly but being how poilished he looked and the fact that he has been getting double-doubles like its out of style - I think this is more a sign of things to come.

Again it all rests on Amare. He will make or break our chances this year.

Personally I am on board for the right trade right now. Why the hell are we going to draw this out and stick with these guys only to lose to SA or LA?

I have considered myself a realist and still do. The problem is reality just smacked us in the face on national TV.

I share the same feelings. I was always against trading Amare, but it just seems to me now that he is complacent with his money and all his talk is just that...BS. I would bet almost anything that if there were "incentive clauses" in some of these NBA contracts, that alot more effort would be put forth every game. Seems that the only players on this team that truly want a championship are Nash and Hill. It's truly sad, but unless Amare wakes up, or has a boot shoved up his arse and starts playing to the potential we all know he is capable of, we will be first round and 'out' in the playoffs.

 

[devilalum]

Not only is Amare not playing well but he is playing so poorly that there is no way the Suns can get fair value for him in a trade.

 

[TBaslim]

I am officially calling out Amare Stoudemire.

FWIW Rosen rips on Amare pretty hard for yesterday's lackluster effort. I for one have to agree with most of what Rosen says. Here is a link:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/7603532#

While Amare needs to play smarter and harder, Rosen is no fair judge.

The guy is a prime, grade-A *sshat. He is so far up Phil Jackson's jock it's not even funny. He's literally made a journalism career out of singing Jackson (and his teams) praises. It's nauseating.

Oh, and he hates the Suns with a slow burning passion.

Otherwise, he is a completely fair judge of the pro game.

So, yes - Amare - play harder and smarter please - unless you are still injured - in which case, save for the playoffs please - except still drop 30 and 20 in ever regular season game - wait, now I'm confused...

 

[arwillan]

based on that "evaluation period" that was going on, i'd have to say it would be amare that leaves.

 

[Atescoop]

My thoughts and observations on the LA game and what´s been written.
"For Instance, when Kobe tries to save a ball going out of bounds and jumps on top of Nash and puts a knee into his back and lands on him.....and no foul called"
--Ref has to judge if one playr gave the other enough time and space to stop should noone be in possession. One could argue he tried to jump over Nash to avoid contact.
"Still, I've been complaining about Amare's defense on the P&R for weeks "
--Well do they communicate prior? With Fischer you have to slide over the screen do to 3pt threat. I would only show to discourage penetration but not hedge so far out. Nash traps Amare in that situation while trying to get back to his man. Plus, these picks sometimes leave the PG going towards the wrong basket, so do they really need to hedge in that setting, not to mention the opportunity of slipping the pick like Marion always does. Both defenders have to anticipate the pass with every extremity they got(well, all but one). I thought Nash was so good at soccor.
They are no not moving enough on defense as to discourage passes or drives. Even to lazy during rotation to have arms up(Diaw).
--Why in the love of god would Diaw front Odom without weak-side presence? Same goes for Skinner on Bynum!
--Sometimes Barbosa sleeps. These guys got know how to bottleneck the ball during transition d. If Speedy G is struggling with shooting, then why didn´t they get the fxxx out of his way and let em burn rubber right to the charity stripe.
--Nobody touches on Nashes mistakes on D.
--Skinner missed a lot of easy buckets.
--Van Gundy is hilarious. Hope he doesn´t get fired again.
--@ Bell and Marion: Rotate out of the shadow of the ball!!!
--Way to go Amare. Twice charging, too bad the refs hate you (and Boris):-( With that in mind, no wonder he doesn´t defend. Boris got ripped off of the call after taking a hit and called for an offensive that was none.

 

[cly2tw]

The SYSTEM is not working properly for various reasons this season. Period.

In this failure version of the SYSTEM, it magnifies Amare's shortcoming and doesn't use his strength. And shipping out Amare for say KG might litigate the failure a little for the regular season, if there is resistence to changes on coaching and game plans and other personell, but won't really fix it. Come playoff time, this failure version of SYSTEM without Amare but with his replacement is not going anywhere, anyway.

 

[D-Dogg]

I'll be surprised if yesterdays game marks the start of a break-out season for A. Bynum.

It won't be. It's just the latest in a string of fantastic games for Bynum. He's already started the break-out season...it's just the first time everyone saw it.

 

[D-Dogg]

While Amare needs to play smarter and harder, Rosen is no fair judge.

The guy is a prime, grade-A *sshat. He is so far up Phil Jackson's jock it's not even funny. He's literally made a journalism career out of singing Jackson (and his teams) praises. It's nauseating.

Oh, and he hates the Suns with a slow burning passion.

This is all completely true.

 

[D-Dogg]

#1. Ariza's dunk over Grant was a charge not a blocking foul.

No, it was correctly called. Grant slid under and was not set as Ariza was in the air. Grant's body was coming up into a set position as he got the contact. Block or no call are the only two correct calls there.

#2. Bynum's "traveling call" next to the basket was a charge (would have been his 5th foul at the time (would have fouled out of the game).

Don't recall the play so I'll have to take your word for it.

#3. Towards th end of the 2nd, Farmar dribbled toward mid court stopped with both hands on the ball, then started dribbling again. I believe that's a double dribble.

Yep, he totally did.

#4. Kobe traveled with the ball when on that long turnaround jumper over Bell in the 3rd (he switched his pivot foot).

Debatable. Kobe's dribble in between the first pivot foot change (he actually switched twice, not just once) gave him leeway for the last foot change to be a "jump." Call could go either way given when the ref interpereted the dribble to be finalized. He gets the refs benefit of the doubt there because he has fantastic footwork in general.

#5. Bynum twice with basket interference. The first was on tipping in Kobe's missed shot that was still 2/3 of the way INSIDE the basket and gets credit for the basket instead. The second was on a block attempt on a shot if I remember right Nash's, where he hit the backboard, causing the basket to shake and the shot to go off the rim.

Don't remember the second one, but you are absolutely right on the first one. Clearly offensive interference that wasn't called. Clear as day. Skinner's block on the Farmar layup was also interference that wasn't called...that ball was coming down.

#6. Bad defensive mindset. With the Lakers, the only players they have that are GREAT shooters on the outside is basically Kobe. Pack the inside and make them shoot from the outside. Kobe can go off all he wants. If you pack the inside, the other players can't go off to help him.

This is old thinking. In fact, Kobe's not even the best outside shooter on the team. Vlad is, at 40% from three, then Farmar at 39%, Sasha at 38%, Fish at 36% then Kobe at a measly 33% from beyond the arc.

That strategy might have worked last few years, but we have shooters now and one of the highest scoring benches in the league. Packing it in the middle is a recipe for disaster vs. the Lakers.

 

[nashman]

While the Lakers have improved from last season some of the ridiculous comments are way way premature. Bill Walton stated the Lakers have bypassed both the Suns and the Mavs and are the 2nd best team in the west? COME ON its December! Think it was Mark Jackson ? who was one of the analysts that said the Lakers have by FAR more talent than the Suns? These comments are beyond stupid and just the media wanting the Lakers to be a good team again. While they are better they IMHO are still not in the class of the Spurs, Mavs, Suns, even Denver. They are on a nice little streak with some guys playing over their heads they WILL come down to earth.

 

[nashman]

And Donald the Lakers got quite a few calls that helped them in that game, but I wouldn't expect anything less in LA and neither should have the Suns. They played pretty lethargic and payed for it with a loss.

 

[Cheesebeef]

While the Lakers have improved from last season some of the ridiculous comments are way way premature. Bill Walton stated the Lakers have bypassed both the Suns and the Mavs and are the 2nd best team in the west? COME ON its December! Think it was Mark Jackson ? who was one of the analysts that said the Lakers have by FAR more talent than the Suns? These comments are beyond stupid and just the media wanting the Lakers to be a good team again. While they are better they IMHO are still not in the class of the Spurs, Mavs, Suns, even Denver. They are on a nice little streak with some guys playing over their heads they WILL come down to earth.

are you as sure of all the above as you were that the Heat, despite their record when they played us, was one of the best teams in the East?

The Lakers are young and their players are only going to continue to improve. To think otherwise is more hope than actual thought.

 

[playstation]

While Amare needs to play smarter and harder, Rosen is no fair judge.

The guy is a prime, grade-A *sshat. He is so far up Phil Jackson's jock it's not even funny. He's literally made a journalism career out of singing Jackson (and his teams) praises. It's nauseating.

Oh, and he hates the Suns with a slow burning passion.

Otherwise, he is a completely fair judge of the pro game.

So, yes - Amare - play harder and smarter please - unless you are still injured - in which case, save for the playoffs please - except still drop 30 and 20 in ever regular season game - wait, now I'm confused...

he may dislike the suns style, but at this point what is to dissuade him? you like the suns because you live in phoenix and they're reasonably fun to watch. that's it.

he knows what we all know: a running team, even in today's NBA, needs a miracle to be #1.

we're not going to lose the championship because amare played poorly against bynum in december. we're going to lose because we don't have tim duncan or anything close to a smart defensive team.

as i've said before, i'm from chicago and watched and loved the chicago bulls in the 90's. they ran. a lot. they were also really good on defense. that's the difference. you don't get that way by talking about it.

you get that way by being a dog, by fighting for every scrap, by not buying your hype, and by not taking ANYTHING for granted. i don't see the suns doing that. you know why michael jordan was the best? he had the most talent and brainwashed himself to believe he had the least.

 

[TBaslim]

he may dislike the suns style, but at this point what is to dissuade him? you like the suns because you live in phoenix and they're reasonably fun to watch. that's it.

he knows what we all know: a running team, even in today's NBA, needs a miracle to be #1.

we're not going to lose the championship because amare played poorly against bynum in december. we're going to lose because we don't have tim duncan or anything close to a smart defensive team.

as i've said before, i'm from chicago and watched and loved the chicago bulls in the 90's. they ran. a lot. they were also really good on defense. that's the difference. you don't get that way by talking about it.

you get that way by being a dog, by fighting for every scrap, by not buying your hype, and by not taking ANYTHING for granted. i don't see the suns doing that. you know why michael jordan was the best? he had the most talent and brainwashed himself to believe he had the least.

First off - don't presume to know why I root for the Suns vs other teams (and I don't live in Phx).

Second - my point (made albeit snidely) was that Rosen is not an impartial observer or critic. He consistently pimps Jackson's teams, even when they are not very good. He consistently criticizes any team that threatens to beat Jackson's teams. He over blows the strengths of the triangle, and nitpicks opponents weaknesses relative to their actual impact. He did it with Detroit back in the Bulls days; with the Spurs back in the Kobe/Shaq days; and with the Suns over the last few years.

Third - we agree on the fundamental point, which is the Suns as a team (not just some of them) need to play harder and smarter to reach the peak.