From D'Antoni

[azirish]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/0831usasuns0901.html

: What does Amaré Stoudemire draw from this?

A: "He's really trying to turn it on defensively and rebounding. He's getting a wealth of experience in all phases. It doesn't do anything but enhance the chances that he's going to be a better player, so that's exciting."

Q: Is your relationship with him closer after this?

A: "This has helped us. All players like assistants. I can talk to him and build him up so, yeah, we've become closer. Next year, he will take more of a leadership role with the (Suns)."

Q: How much are you in need of adding size to the Suns roster?

A: "We need somebody to come through for us. We'll still try to get a free agent (the target is P.J. Brown). Sean Marks will take on a bigger role. If everyone stays healthy, we're fine. Boris (Diaw) can guard big guys. We can double down. We're really a good team. It'd be nice to have a real big guy who can play, but it costs $10 million to get one."

After reading the last paragraph a dozen or more times, I'm still not exactly sure hwat he's saying. It appears that he is hoping for a free agency signing, but seems to think the Suns are still "really a good team" even if they don't sign someone as long as they stay healthy.

His comment about "a real big guy guy who can play" is interesting because it is not clear what he means when he talks about "a real big guy". Is this like 7'2" 270 big or just 6'9" 245 big?

 

[okhoops]

I think it speaks to the fact that D'Antoni, Kerr et al recognize that as it stands, the Suns are not ready to go out and claim the NBA championship. But few team's October rosters are the same look they have come April. The current group is good enough to role through the opening months of the regular season. Unless someone falls into its collective lap, watch for the brainstrust to make a move mid-season. Right now most teams are optimistic. When some recognize that the playoffs are slipping away, big men will come available at a much better cost. Patience is the order of the day.

 

[Covert Rain]

It's funny how Mike says he needs a big man then later says they will be just fine. That is code speak for "we know we need a big man but we might not be able to get one".

So another words they will have to go with what we have if they don't get PJ. However, it appears the Suns probably also have their doubts if they can't get one. They just are not going to come out and say it that way.

 

[azirish]

I think it's obvious D'Antoni is frustrated with the economics of the NBA. I find it suggestive that he mentioned "$10 mllion" for a real big man who can play", since that's more than KT will be getting.

IMHO, he's looking at PJ as simply depth.

The emphasis on Diaw is also huge, perhaps bigger than we've been expecting. I may be reading too much into this, but it's beginning to feel like they plan to start Diaw with Marion at SF and Hill off the bench. Marion then slides to PF later on.

 

[Mainstreet]

IMO, trying to read between the lines, D'Antoni is saying the Suns need a quality big man to give the Suns their best chance of winning a Championship and that type player would cost the Suns somewhere in the 10 million dollar range.

If not, then somebody on the roster needs to step up big time (I'm thinking Boris), they avoid injuries and they sign PJ as a nice role player. In other words, the chips would have to fall perfectly if they are going to win a Championship with no margin for error.

It's always a long shot when there is zero margin for error.

 

[elindholm]

I was thinking that, by $10 million, he meant $5 million plus luxury tax. Hopefully he has figured out by now that Thomas is "a big guy who can play."

 

[azirish]

I was thinking that, by $10 million, he meant $5 million plus luxury tax. Hopefully he has figured out by now that Thomas is "a big guy who can play."

Interesting point. I was thinking of Diaw at $9 million.

 

[JCSunsfan]

What he said is that we really need a big, but we are unwilling to pay to get or keep him. Payroll trumps all, even when the team is on the brink of a title.

 

[azirish]

What he said is that we really need a big, but we are unwilling to pay to get or keep him. Payroll trumps all, even when the team is on the brink of a title.

That's one way to think of it. But it is a fact of reality that no team not in New York can afford to spend an unlimited amount of money.

The more interesting question is whether the Suns overinvested in smaller guys: Nash, Bell, Barbosa, Marion, and Diaw. There has been a long debate over whether a team can more than just a couple of mid max players. Investing $9 million in Diaw is just too much if you think he's an out of position SF, but not if he's a real big who can play. That's what they paid for.

The issue of whether the Sun are too small or not is going to revolve around Diaw. IMHO, if he plays big, the Suns don't look too bad. If he plays like he did last year, they are in trouble.

 

[Feeble Mcjackson]

That's one way to think of it. But it is a fact of reality that no team not in New York can afford to spend an unlimited amount of money. .

they could of kept Kurt Thomas and even with the luxury tax profited millions. Fact is Sarver is more money hungry then championship hungry pure and simple.

 

[azirish]

they could of kept Kurt Thomas and even with the luxury tax profited millions. Fact is Sarver is more money hungry then championship hungry pure and simple.

We've discussed this subject at length. For someone supposedly money hungry, he's still got one of the highest priced payrolls in the NBA.

Right now, the Suns will have a salary structure of $69 million without including Marks and at least one more player (hopefully PJ Brown). http://www.hoopshype.com/salaries/phoenix.htm

Here are the salaries per hoopshype for the other teams.

Atlanta $54.2 million
Boston $74.2
Charlotte $44.4
Cleveland $64.9 (still waiting on Varejao)
Dallas $85.4 milion plus Stackhouse of about $7 million but $18.5 for Finley not subject to LT
Denver $78.8 + Anthony Carter
Detroit $65.4 + Amir Johnson
Golden State $54.1 (not including Barnes, Perovic, Croshire, and Azubuike)
Houston $64.7 (not include Scola, Francis, and Hayes)
Indiana $66.7
Clippers $63.7 (not include Patterson and Powell)
Lakers $62.9 (not include Mihm, Fisher, Turiaf, and Karl)
Memphis $48.5 (not include Darko and Navarro)
Miami $70.6
Milwaukee $56.7
Minnesota $68.7
New Jersey $65.4
New Orleans $59.3
New York $89.4
Magic $55.9
Sixers $69.2
Blazers $65.5 (not including Blake and Outlaw)
Sacramento $62.2
San Antonio $65.6 (not include Oberto and Udoka)
Seattle $63.2
Toronto $61.9
Utah $54.4 (not including Hart and Price)
Washington $64.2 (not include Blatche)

Only the Knicks, Mavs, Nuggets, and Celtics are clearly going to have higher payrolls than the Suns this summer. The final figures may mean a team like the Heat at $70 million will end up ahead of the Suns ($69.2 before Marks), but all will depend on how much the Suns have to pay for PJ Brown (probably in the $2 million range according to Paul Coro of the Republic).

There is no doubt that unloading Kurt Thomas' contract presents a major risk for the Suns who hope to get a competant replacement for less money. If they are wrong, there is no doubt the Suns front office will be second guessed endlessly.

But at upwards of $70 million, this is still a fairly high salary team and charges that they are only interested in money seems rather overblown.

 

[BC867]

We've discussed this subject at length. For someone supposedly money hungry, he's still got one of the highest priced payrolls in the NBA.

One of the highest priced payrolls in the NBA, but even more of an unbalanced team, slipping farther from Championship contention.

It's not how much you spend vs. how well you spend it.

 

[Sunsman44]

A: "We need somebody to come through for us. We'll still try to get a free agent (the target is P.J. Brown). Sean Marks will take on a bigger role. If everyone stays healthy, we're fine. Boris (Diaw) can guard big guys. We can double down. We're really a good team. It'd be nice to have a real big guy who can play, but it costs $10 million to get one."

I too read that a hundred times. Frankly, I am sick of reading nonsencial D'Antoni quotes. The man has lost his mind. Perhaps even lost his witty ability to spin the tale.

He says Suns are good and they can double-team? What, as if other teams don't know how to double-team? Is he insulting the intelligence of other NBA coaches? Talk about arrogance.

Then he says Marks is going to have a bigger role. What, 18 minutes for the year this time around?

And since when/how is Diaw supposed to be your saviour at defending bigs?

---------------------------

Bottom line: I really think D'Antoni desperately wants more big men. At least two. He wants PJ and wants a biggie free agent in which he admittedly said he wants but cannot afford.

Sarver has told D'Antoni he will not get any bigs and therefore D'Antoni, being the great spinner and optimist, is putting on a fake smile saying all these ridiculous things about Diaw and Marks and double-teaming.

Sarver needs to suck it up and spend money on a major big man.

 

[JCSunsfan]

We've discussed this subject at length. For someone supposedly money hungry, he's still got one of the highest priced payrolls in the NBA.

Right now, the Suns will have a salary structure of $69 million without including Marks and at least one more player (hopefully PJ Brown). http://www.hoopshype.com/salaries/phoenix.htm

Here are the salaries per hoopshype for the other teams.

Atlanta $54.2 million
Boston $74.2
Charlotte $44.4
Cleveland $64.9 (still waiting on Varejao)
Dallas $85.4 milion plus Stackhouse of about $7 million but $18.5 for Finley not subject to LT
Denver $78.8 + Anthony Carter
Detroit $65.4 + Amir Johnson
Golden State $54.1 (not including Barnes, Perovic, Croshire, and Azubuike)
Houston $64.7 (not include Scola, Francis, and Hayes)
Indiana $66.7
Clippers $63.7 (not include Patterson and Powell)
Lakers $62.9 (not include Mihm, Fisher, Turiaf, and Karl)
Memphis $48.5 (not include Darko and Navarro)
Miami $70.6
Milwaukee $56.7
Minnesota $68.7
New Jersey $65.4
New Orleans $59.3
New York $89.4
Magic $55.9
Sixers $69.2
Blazers $65.5 (not including Blake and Outlaw)
Sacramento $62.2
San Antonio $65.6 (not include Oberto and Udoka)
Seattle $63.2
Toronto $61.9
Utah $54.4 (not including Hart and Price)
Washington $64.2 (not include Blatche)

Only the Knicks, Mavs, Nuggets, and Celtics are clearly going to have higher payrolls than the Suns this summer. The final figures may mean a team like the Heat at $70 million will end up ahead of the Suns ($69.2 before Marks), but all will depend on how much the Suns have to pay for PJ Brown (probably in the $2 million range according to Paul Coro of the Republic).

There is no doubt that unloading Kurt Thomas' contract presents a major risk for the Suns who hope to get a competant replacement for less money. If they are wrong, there is no doubt the Suns front office will be second guessed endlessly.

But at upwards of $70 million, this is still a fairly high salary team and charges that they are only interested in money seems rather overblown.

The Suns payroll is within about $5 million of the rest of the NBA and this team has much more revenue than most. We are one of the most profitable teams in the league. He's crying poor while raking it in and putting a less than best product on the floor.

I have read DAnoti's comment over and over again. It seems to me that it might be a swipe at the owner.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

The Suns payroll is within about $5 million of the rest of the NBA and this team has much more revenue than most. We are one of the most profitable teams in the league. He's crying poor while raking it in and putting a less than best product on the floor.

I have read DAnoti's comment over and over again. It seems to me that it might be a swipe at the owner.

Well put

 

[Mainstreet]

I have read DAnoti's comment over and over again. It seems to me that it might be a swipe at the owner.

I agree. D'Antoni has a slick backhand. He points out how the Suns can win with the proposed roster and then very nicely points out what the Suns need to significantly improve their team.

 

[azirish]

I agree. D'Antoni has a slick backhand. He points out how the Suns can win with the proposed roster and then very nicely points out what the Suns need to significantly improve their team.

I'm not sure "significantly" is quite the right word, but there is no doubt he sees the need for another big especially from a depth standpoint.

 

[Sunsman44]

D'Antoni is a confused individual.

He spins the tale saying the team is good as is.

Then he says that he would love more bigs but they cost too much.

He knows the team is not perfect, but as an optimist, he looks at the bright spots and hopes that all goes well.

Problem is, you can only rely on luck so much. After that, injuries and inevitable poor shooting take place at one point or another.

Just make sure u are prepared for it.

 

[azirish]

D'Antoni is not the confused one in this discussion. Every coach presents an optomistic perspective and every coach will admit his team can and should get better. What do you want, that D'Antoni rip Sarver and get fired?

The more subtle issue is that the Suns have seven guys who will play starter minutes, but have a big drop off after that. Lots of tems have better deep bench players but less talent (and money invested) in their top seven. If any of their guys get injured, they are vulnerable.

But the same is true with Spurs top guys. Take Duncan, Parker, Manu, or Bowen out of their lineup and they don't win the championship. Injuries are just a part of the game and nobody can afford to have have star caliber players sitting around waiting for an injury to someone.

Would D'Antoni prefer to have unlimited resources? I'm sure every coach would. Does he know he needs inside depth? Of course, and he says so.

It's not D'Antoni who's confused.

 

[Sunsman44]

Would D'Antoni prefer to have unlimited resources? I'm sure every coach would. Does he know he needs inside depth? Of course, and he says so.

It's not D'Antoni who's confused.

There is a fine line between unlimited resources and a decent bench. Nobody has unlimited resources. Spurs have the latter. Suns do not.

My point is that Suns need to be deeper. Spurs have guys like Udoka, Finley, Barry, Horry, Oberto, Udrih, Vaughn, and Bonner off the bench.

Suns have Barbosa and Diaw to showcase.

Are all those guys going to make difference? Certainly not by the numbers, but a deep team makes those last 4 weeks of regular season a bit more feasible.

Clearly none of those guys are better than Duncan and Parker in the lineup, but a deep bench makes all the difference in the world. May even give u a championship. Oh wait. Spurs did win the title.

Come on. U know better than to compare unlimited resources to a healthy bench.

 

[LavaLamp2]

I believe that Tucker and Strawberry will prove to be consistent contributors off the bench.

 

[Sunsman44]

I believe that Tucker and Strawberry will prove to be consistent contributors off the bench.

Honestly, I don't think Tucker and Straw are going to get any minutes. Will probablly average about 6.6 minutes with 20 games and 62 DNP no-shows.

D'Antoni has a very exclusive rotation with 7 guys. Unless a major injury occurs, it will be these main 7 with spot minutes given by an 8th guy such as PJ Brown, Marks, or Banks.

Tucker will only come off the bench for a few minutes to rest up Grant Hill at small forward when the Suns are up by 24 points.

Strawberry will be given "Jalen Rose-like" minutes here and there just to see what he has to offer for the next season after...

Outside of Barbosa and Diaw, Suns pretty much won't use anything off that thin bench.

 

[LavaLamp2]

D'Antoni has a very exclusive rotation with 7 guys.

It is my hope that D'Antoni has learned from this year's playoff to find a better balance between the need to win regular season games and giving more of his bench players game time experience. I read something he said that indicated he is ready to adjust his usual M.O. Can't recall where but maybe others on this site can cite it.

 

[azirish]

D'Antoni has indicated that he knows he needs to expand his rotation. Obviously there are lots of doubts whether he will do it, but that will require guys to understand that he demands energy from the instant they go on the court. IMHO, it is a lot easier to show energy on the defensive end than on offense, and that's what they drafted.

 

[Hugh D'Man]

I have read DAnoti's comment over and over again. It seems to me that it might be a swipe at the owner.

Somebody should swipe him....Kerr is too busy 'wiping' him


D'Ant can flap his spin-gums all he wants...but to bich about no big man when he/they have had several opps over the past two yrs to acquire one reeks of baby-osity. His 'righteous system' itself eliminates 90% of the bigs out there. He is a whiner...and a stubborn one at that....plain and simple.