Chad Ford Chat Today, Suns Future...

[JCSunsfan]

The test of a team's chemistry is when things are not going well.

Almost all teams seem to have good chemistry when they are winning.

 

[panfolk]

I don't understand how teams can make trades on draft day without the salaries matching up (not the rookies but the veterans). Like Amare and our pick for Duhon, Khryapa, and the Knicks' pick.

That could net us

Nash/Duhon/Banks
Bell/Barbosa/Pike
Marion/Jones/Khryapa
Diaw/Horford
KT/Splitter/Burke

I picked Horford and Splitter because they'd provide toughness and an immediate impact. They probably wouldn't be D'As pick because they wouldn't provide enough offense. Maybe substitute Yi for Splitter.

I'd be delirious if we could shed Banks' contract in the deal and pick up Sefolosha.

This is all under the assumption that the time to trade Marion has passed, Diaw is not at good value, and Diaw could return to being a triple double threat if Amare wasn't a factor.

Obviously I'm a Diaw homer but I'm not an Amare hater. I just like the team less than last years'.

 

[AsUdUdE]

I don't understand how teams can make trades on draft day without the salaries matching up (not the rookies but the veterans). Like Amare and our pick for Duhon, Khryapa, and the Knicks' pick.

That could net us

Nash/Duhon/Banks
Bell/Barbosa/Pike
Marion/Jones/Khryapa
Diaw/Horford
KT/Splitter/Burke

I picked Horford and Splitter because they'd provide toughness and an immediate impact. They probably wouldn't be D'As pick because they wouldn't provide enough offense. Maybe substitute Yi for Splitter.

I'd be delirious if we could shed Banks' contract in the deal and pick up Sefolosha.

This is all under the assumption that the time to trade Marion has passed, Diaw is not at good value, and Diaw could return to being a triple double threat if Amare wasn't a factor.

Obviously I'm a Diaw homer but I'm not an Amare hater. I just like the team less than last years'.

That could be the worst trade I have EVER heard.....

 

[devilalum]

Of the 4 best teams in the league, Suns, SA, Dallas and Pistons how many rookies are contributing important minutes?

Trading All Stars for draft picks does not add up to more wins.

 

[dodie53]

trade amare and banks for okafor, mat carroll and gerald wallce

 

[panfolk]

Of the 4 best teams in the league, Suns, SA, Dallas and Pistons how many rookies are contributing important minutes?

Trading All Stars for draft picks does not add up to more wins.

It's premature to be talking trade scenarios but I was just throwing one out to see about adding toughness and shedding salary. The quality of the rookies plays a huge part in whether or not they get play. Harris, Parker, and Prince
all got significant play early on.

Besides as everyone keeps saying this draft is the deepest in quite awhile and needs to be exploited as best as we can. If we can get two lottery picks and call it good we'd be sitting pretty.

I'm not concerned with regular season wins really. SAS never is and they always manage to come up with a good record based on team strength. Last years team seemed to utilize the players better somehow. KT got his boards, Diaw made great strides, Barbosa was already lighting it up (though who would of guessed he'd be this good now), Nash didn't have to put up peak numbers for the team to get wins, Bell was outstanding, etc.

I don't know. Last years playoffs were thrilling for me and this year's regular season has just been frustrating. If this year's playoffs go better then obviously you don't trade Amare. If we lose early he's the one that'll be going, young or not. It's like he's playing on borrowed time anyhow.

 

[azirish]

Of the 4 best teams in the league, Suns, SA, Dallas and Pistons how many rookies are contributing important minutes?

Trading All Stars for draft picks does not add up to more wins.

It does only if the team is going no where. That's why there is so much talk about KG getting moved, even though the chances of getting full value are limited.

It is much harder when the team is in the top four teams in the league. You never know how even established players will work out with another team.

 

[dodie53]

name two solid bench players that you would trade amare for..
fillers can be included but not draft picks..

 

[azirish]

I'm not concerned with regular season wins really. SAS never is and they always manage to come up with a good record based on team strength.

The Spurs seem awfully concerned about their regular season record THIS season. It seems they have figured out that losing home court advantage could be a real problem against the Mavs and Suns.

 

[sunsfn]

name two solid bench players that you would trade amare for..
fillers can be included but not draft picks..

dodie,

The suns are not trading Amare for anybody.............okay?.

 

[PetryJr]

Last years team seemed to utilize the players better somehow. KT got his boards

KT is still getting his boards this year, he's just playing less minutes. At least this year the Suns will be able to use him in the playoffs.

Diaw made great strides

Yes, Diaw looked a lot better than he's looked this year.

Barbosa was already lighting it up (though who would of guessed he'd be this good now)

Exactly. Leandro is a lot better now than he was last season.

Nash didn't have to put up peak numbers for the team to get wins

Nash put up career-highs in points and field-goal percentage last season. It's just that he worked during the offseason and became even better this year.

Bell was outstanding

Well, I agree that he looked a little better last year, and his shooting percentages were also a bit better.

I don't know. Last years playoffs were thrilling for me and this year's regular season has just been frustrating.

Well, the playoffs are usually more exciting than the regular season, especially if your favorite team goes all the way to the WCF. Let's wait and see how the playoffs are going to be this year before we compare the two seasons as a whole.

In my opinion, the reason this season has been frustrating in comparison to the last two is the fact that, for the first time, expectations were extremely high from the get-go. Last season, after Amaré underwent his surgery, not many people expected the Suns to win 50+ games. The Suns had many new rotation players, and most of them turned out to be very good surprises. Diaw suddenly emerged as an all-around talent, Barbosa became a reliable scorer off the bench, Bell showed not only good defense, but also very good touch from the outside, Thomas provided great defense and rebounding, and even House helped the Suns in some games during the regular season. So, more than anything, we were surprised by how good those players and the team as a whole were.

This season, the Suns don't have any new rotation players (except for Amaré). We don't really have anything new. They're just a much more talented and complete than last year's team, and they can afford to coast during the regular season and still win over 60 games. Sometimes it's frustrating for some of us because, unlike previous seasons, most of the time the team doesn't seem to be reaching its potential. But sometimes they do, and then we see how good and how fun this team can be.

I have faith in this team to come together and reach its potential during the postseason, and if they do, then I think this year's playoffs will be much more fun than in any other season. Let's wait and see.

 

[dodie53]

i didn't say amare was going to be traded..

i'm just asking here, just getting your opinions..

imo, i don't want amare to be traded either..
except maybe for a package that is really for the suns' favor

 

[Goldfield]

Trade Amare...? INSANITY


I could see Marion at the right price, like a high pick & you know they would have to take Banks with him.

 

[azirish]

We really don't know how adverse Sarver is to paying luxury tax. At one time he was totally opposed, but a few months ago he was quoted as saying that the value of additional sponsorships has changed that dynamic.

This does not mean the Suns are going to get crazy in spending more money (the chances of using the MLE is close to nil), but the expected fire sale seems a lot less likely than some people believe.

 

[panfolk]

In my opinion, the reason this season has been frustrating in comparison to the last two is the fact that, for the first time, expectations were extremely high from the get-go. Last season, after Amaré underwent his surgery, not many people expected the Suns to win 50+ games. The Suns had many new rotation players, and most of them turned out to be very good surprises. Diaw suddenly emerged as an all-around talent, Barbosa became a reliable scorer off the bench, Bell showed not only good defense, but also very good touch from the outside, Thomas provided great defense and rebounding, and even House helped the Suns in some games during the regular season. So, more than anything, we were surprised by how good those players and the team as a whole were.

This season, the Suns don't have any new rotation players (except for Amaré). We don't really have anything new. They're just a much more talented and complete than last year's team, and they can afford to coast during the regular season and still win over 60 games. Sometimes it's frustrating for some of us because, unlike previous seasons, most of the time the team doesn't seem to be reaching its potential. But sometimes they do, and then we see how good and how fun this team can be.

I have faith in this team to come together and reach its potential during the postseason, and if they do, then I think this year's playoffs will be much more fun than in any other season. Let's wait and see.

Good post, very articulate.

 

[azirish]

Along a similar line, the Suns seemed to sneak up on teams the last two years. Opponents refused to take them seriously and opposing coaches didn't game plan them during the season.

Over the off season and during this season, opposing coaches started seriously looking at what the Suns do and spent a lot of time trying to counter it. Of course, they circled their Suns games from game one and pushed hard to get their teams up for the Suns games.

What is missed is that D'Antoni is much better at adjusting his strategy of attack than he's given credit for. "Run around and shoot a lot threes" completely misses the degree to which the Suns can change their approach depending on the defense. This is another reason why the Suns are so dangerous in long series,

 

[Errntknght]

azirish,

What is missed is that D'Antoni is much better at adjusting his strategy of attack than he's given credit for. "Run around and shoot a lot threes" completely misses the degree to which the Suns can change their approach depending on the defense. This is another reason why the Suns are so dangerous in long series,

I thought D'A did reasonably well adjusting in the playoffs last year but they were primarily defensive adjustments. The only notable offensive adjustment was heavy use of Tim Thomas drawing bigs out to the 3pt line - and that was partially defensive because TT could body up on the opponents big men better than anyone else available.

Now, Nash is a master at taking what the defensive gives but I really don't know what you are referring to when you give D'Antoni kudos for offensive adjustments.

 

[azirish]

azirish,

I thought D'A did reasonably well adjusting in the playoffs last year but they were primarily defensive adjustments. The only notable offensive adjustment was heavy use of Tim Thomas drawing bigs out to the 3pt line - and that was partially defensive because TT could body up on the opponents big men better than anyone else available.

Now, Nash is a master at taking what the defensive gives but I really don't know what you are referring to when you give D'Antoni kudos for offensive adjustments.

Ordinarily opponents focus their defense on taking something away from the Suns. It may to get the ball out of Nash's hands, pinch on the pick and roll, press the shooters, zone etc. In single games, that can work. But over a series, the Suns have counter moves.

Watching Boris hit those mid range shots over the last few games shows what can be done against some of the defensive strategies that might be thrown. What D'Antoni needs to do more of is to get the players to focus more on exploiting opponent's weaknesses than do during the regular season.

 

[Covert Rain]

Agreed. I think Amare is messing up what chemistry we had last year. IF D'A thought Boris would re-emerge then I'd say trade Amare if the package is right.

What?!?!? The team statistically is the same. Where is the proof that the so called chemistry is messed up? Because Boris is not the same player? Come on. The only difference is that Amare is getting Boris's looks from last year. That has nothing to do with chemistry.

I don't care of Boris became a legit 15-10 guy. That wouldn't mean Amare becomes expendable. That's rediculous.

Different scenarios, but same principle. It's possible to give up one player for multiple lesser players and improve your team. The Suns got to the WC Finals without Amare, and if they had two more reliable bench players, they might've made it to the Finals where it's not impossible to conceive the Suns running the Heat ragged. Steve Nash is the star of the team and should never be traded. Amare adds another dimension that changes how teams can defend the Suns.

I reserve the right to criticize any Amare trade, but I don't think he's untouchable. I wouldn't object on principle, only details.

Not when that player is the type of player that you can't easily replace. How many stiffs in a big man's body have come through this franchise? It's much easier to get rid of a wing type player and replace him then at a position like center/forward or PG. The Suns were eaten alive in the paint last season. They couldn't get to the line. Amare changes all that. So in this case the scenario matters.

 

[Errntknght]

Watching Boris hit those mid range shots over the last few games shows what can be done against some of the defensive strategies that might be thrown.

Getting Boris to take shots when he's open is your big example of D'Antoni's expertise in offensive adjustment? Is there anyone in here who hasn't made that same suggestion?

What D'Antoni needs to do more of is to get the players to focus more on exploiting opponent's weaknesses than do during the regular season.

Pretty much every coach does this much more in the playoffs when they face the same team repeatedly... even the "experts" know this.

 

[azirish]

Actually the Suns quick shot style is often viewed as an alternative to exploiting the opponent's weakness. The problem is that if the opponent presses the shooters, they need to recognize the defense better and not try to force things.

The reason why Stoudemire and Diaw always seem open for the mid range jump shot is that they ARE always open. With four outside shooters, opponents cannot guard everyone and still pack the paint. Most bigs cannot come out to guard either Amare or Boris without risking being beaten to the basket. With Boris in particular, if the center comes out to guard him, the help defender is forced to leave his man when Boris does a drive and kick. Usually, teams would rather leave their big under the basket than to risk drive and kick by Boris or a thunder jam by Amare.