He's Baaaaccccckkkkk - Amare Returns

[George O'Brien]

Amare returned to action against the Blazers with 21 points on 6-11 shooting, grabbed 6 rebounds, blocked a shot, and had an assist in 31 minutes. So much for easing his way back into the lineup.

The only fly in the ointment was his 3 turnovers. This combination has not played much together and even less under D'Antoni. They have a ways to go to get used to having Amare in the ball game with Shawn back at SF. But there is little doubt that having Amare radically changes the team.

One important key to the Suns will be how effectively they get the ball to Amare where he can do damage. A lot of this will involve having JJ looking for Amare in the low block when JJ attracts double teams. Stephon rarely did that, but JJ is at least 6 inches taller than Marbury and seems more inclined to make interior passes.

Amare will need to stay closer to the basket to get interior passes and offensive rebounds, but adding that short jumper will give him an extra dimension when he gets double teamed.

If Amare learns to pass out of the double teams to JJ or Shawn on the backside, this should be a very dynamic offense.

 

[Chaplin]

I barely even think about his 3 turnovers. That is nothing considering the good in his game and the fact that he was returning from injury. 3 turnovers is like making only 8 of 9 free throws. No big deal.

 

[Chaz]

Originally posted by George O'Brien
If Amare learns to pass out of the double teams to JJ or Shawn on the backside, this should be a very dynamic offense.

I was thinking about this last night, how Amare needs to be a decision maker in the offense and have the ball in his hands. Of course I was thinking this just before he committed one of those turnovers. You can see how JJ disrupts the opponents defense by drawing attention. Amare does the same thing. JJ has been so good because he is taking what the defense gives him and making good decisions with the ball. Amare needs to learn to do the same but is behind the curve a little compared to JJ. Of course JJ in in his third year and Amare is in his second. If Amare can develop his decision making like what JJ has done this year he will be downright scarey.

Amare is going to have to learn to set up teammates if he is going to release some of the defensive pressure he receives. Amare almost committed a charge when Eisley assited him on the FB late in the game. On that play Amare ned to make an extra pass to Marion who was wide open for the dunk. Instead he tried to go over his man and was lucky to get the call.

Suns need to get the ball to Amare and he needs to be ready to pass if it is not there for him and not force things.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Hey SweetD...you post something like that again, you'll be on a break...

There is no need for that crap around here.

Mike

 

[George O'Brien]

Re: Re: He's Baaaaccccckkkkk - Amare Returns

Originally posted by SirChaz
I was thinking about this last night, how Amare needs to be a decision maker in the offense and have the ball in his hands. Of course I was thinking this just before he committed one of those turnovers. You can see how JJ disrupts the opponents defense by drawing attention. Amare does the same thing. JJ has been so good because he is taking what the defense gives him and making good decisions with the ball. Amare needs to learn to do the same but is behind the curve a little compared to JJ. Of course JJ in in his third year and Amare is in his second. If Amare can develop his decision making like what JJ has done this year he will be downright scarey.

JJ did have two years of college, while Amare came out of a relatively weak HS program. Amare has to learn everything, but they say he passes well in practice. The problem is to get him to make the recognition and react properly.

The Suns were showing Amare clips of the play by Karl Malone. He might benefit from seeing some Duncan as well.

 

[Chaz]

Re: Re: Re: He's Baaaaccccckkkkk - Amare Returns

Originally posted by George O'Brien
JJ did have two years of college, while Amare came out of a relatively weak HS program. Amare has to learn everything, but they say he passes well in practice. The problem is to get him to make the recognition and react properly.

The Suns were showing Amare clips of the play by Karl Malone. He might benefit from seeing some Duncan as well.

True, I think the fastest way for him to learn is put him in the situation and review the tape after to point out mistakes. This is mostly why it has been so frustrating to have him not playing because he is missing out on very valuable experience.

Shaq might be another one to watch as well. He does a pretty good job of surveying the defense and passing back out or making a move.


It will take some time but he has already shown he picks things up pretty quickly. Given that he stays healthy he could be very effective by this time next year.

 

[George O'Brien]

Re: Re: Re: Re: He's Baaaaccccckkkkk - Amare Returns

Originally posted by SirChaz
Shaq might be another one to watch as well. He does a pretty good job of surveying the defense and passing back out or making a move.

As long as he doesn't think he needs to gain another 75 pounds.

I know Shaq does a good job of passing out of the double team, but I still think Duncan is the best. Learning how to shoot that little baseline jumper would be nice too.

 

[Goldfield]

Amare is very talented. As soon as he came back we were getting fould like crazy. We never got sent to the line untill he came back.

As long as Amare doesnt turn into a jump shot lover. He belongs in the paint.