How Will Banks Fit In?

[George O'Brien]

It is great that Banks is a big fan of Steve Nash, but it is doubtful his play will in any way resemble Nash. However, I think he is going to be more than a place holder when Nash is on the bench.

One key to Banks game that is overlooked in the discussions about him being a PG is that he is considered to be very good at attacking the basket. He's almost as fast as Barbosa, but much stronger and better able to finish. This could become a big deal.

One of the things about the way the Suns were put together last season was the emphasis on shooters. It was assumed that Amare would be the main guy attacking the basket so the plan was to simply spread the floor with three point guys to clear the inside for Amare to attack. Unfortunately, this team was slow to evolve an attack mentality when Amare went down and except for Leandro didn't go to the basket. Boris started to go to the basket near the end, but, he hasn't learned to dunk all the time to avoid blocks.

Banks is a guy who can get to the basket against vertually every opponent he'll face. This means that he could be a real threat to attack the basket, which would force teams to pull their defenders away from the Suns shooters. When Amare is not in the lineup, that will be a very big deal.

His ability to get to the basket will make a difference on the break as well. The Suns break is fairly European in that it is more focused on hitting shooters than taking it to the hole. A lot of teams have begun using outside - in defensive schemes to try to slow that down because they know Nash won't go to the hold on the break. But Banks certainly will and it will make his kickout passes all the more effective.

In the half court, I don't expect Banks to run the P&R that much. he may surprise me, but instead I think he will simply break down opponents and try to hit the open man from the paint. Since I expect he will have Boris in when he's playing, there is at least some opportunity to run some high post plays with Banks off the ball.

The reviews suggest Banks has not always played a high level on defense, but is quite capable of being very good on the ball. Teaming him with Bell, Marion, and KT could give the Suns a very serious defensive look while still being quite impressive on the offensive end.

One underrated role for Banks will be as a practice opponent for Leandro. Lenadro needs to learn to move his feet to become a sold defender. Having to practice against Banks will either make Leandro a good defender or totally destroy his confidence so the Suns can re-sign him cheap.

 

[Divide Et Impera]

Banks is like a Marbury-Barbosa hybrid with a bit more of Nash's passing ability than the other 2....

 

[pokerface]

George you talk like you watched Banks his whole career. Maybe you need to see him in a Suns uniform doing something before you come to a bunch of conclusions.

 

[hawaiiansun]

George you talk like you watched Banks his whole career. Maybe you need to see him in a Suns uniform doing something before you come to a bunch of conclusions.

he is just giving his insight and I enjoyed reading it.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

stop being a whiny bitch, he is just giving his insight and I enjoyed reading it.

Wow - thats pretty ballsy for a guy with 14 total posts

 

[carey]

stop being a whiny bitch, he is just giving his insight and I enjoyed reading it.

We don't treat our fellow message board posters like this. Well some of us do, but they are quickly banned. So drop the lame attitude if you want to stick around.

 

[pokerface]

Wow thanks for the defense guys!


But in fairness to Georges defender....I like O'Briens posts a lot too so dont get so uptight. I just think some of us are relying a lot on articles about Banks but probably very few of us have seen him play to any great extent. I think Banks is probably decent but I just don't want to get too high on him right now sight unseen. Its alright to speculate I guess...keeps the board going.

 

[zett]

I don't think george is asking you to see him before you can judge what he wrote, If you don't know anything about him, dont bang on someone else for thier opinion, it's just that his opinion. I can't believe people comming to your defense because a guy only has x number of posts! your comment was uncalled for.

 

[nowagimp]

Banks is a stud who wanted to come here, he told his agent to call the suns. So, he appears to be smart enough to know he can learn to be a very good player from Nash and Dantoni. If this is actually true, its very good, a young coachable stud. If steve Nash had Banks speed and athleticism, he'd be the MVP every year. Now the question is can Nash mentor Banks into being an all-star talent by developing his court vision? Will the suns unselfish play bring the same out in Banks? I am excited about Banks, because I think one of the most overlooked aspects of Nashs value is his ability to positively influence the development of other players(who will listen).

 

[AZZenny]

How smart is Banks? That seems to be a key piece for D-Antoni's style -- guys have to be able to learn concepts as much or more than specific plays, have to adjust and think on their feet, that kind of stuff.

 

[pokerface]

I don't think george is asking you to see him before you can judge what he wrote, If you don't know anything about him, dont bang on someone else for thier opinion, it's just that his opinion. I can't believe people comming to your defense because a guy only has x number of posts! your comment was uncalled for.

Buddy you're CLUELESS. They guy calls me a whiney B*tch and you're defending him saying my comment was uncalled for?? Duuuuude I guess we can call each other whateva according to your lame standards.

And umm... hardly anyone knows anything about Banks....George included.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I don't think george is asking you to see him before you can judge what he wrote, If you don't know anything about him, dont bang on someone else for thier opinion, it's just that his opinion. I can't believe people comming to your defense because a guy only has x number of posts! your comment was uncalled for.

Actually this is uncalled for. I like George's posts to be sure - but lets be honest - they are very specualtive in nature (although he does a good job of using facts and stats to back his premises). So if someone wants to say lets see him in a uniform before we say "He can do this" or "He can't do this" is pretty fair IMO....

As for the comment about only having "x posts"....let me ask you a question. When you go out with a friend and he introduces you to his new co-workers or when you meet a girlfriends parents for the first time do you go in there and start calling them "whiny bitchs"? i sure hope not.

Like any other established community its ignorant to come in and start calling people "whiny *******" when you have no clue on relationships and how things are ran. So im not saying because your new, your points are useless. I am saying show some f--king class when no one knows who you are and people are making initial impressions......

(I'm just waiting for someone to point out the irony in writing "f--king" and "class" in the same sentence...... )

 

[nowagimp]

Banks is a stud who wanted to come here, he told his agent to call the suns. So, he appears to be smart enough to know he can learn to be a very good player from Nash and Dantoni. If this is actually true, its very good, a young coachable stud. If steve Nash had Banks speed and athleticism, he'd be the MVP every year. Now the question is can Nash mentor Banks into being an all-star talent by developing his court vision? Will the suns unselfish play bring the same out in Banks? I am excited about Banks, because I think one of the most overlooked aspects of Nashs value is his ability to positively influence the development of other players(who will listen).

 

[Ryanwb]

How Will Banks Fit In?

I bet he'll be the backup point guard

 

[jlove]

Stats: Nash vs. Banks 1st three years

FG 3PT FT RBDS
G/Min M/A/Pct M/A/Pct M/A/Pct Off/Def/Tot Ast/TO/Stl/Blk/PF/PPG
Nash 181/21.4 2.5/6.1/41.5 0.9/2.3/40.2 0.9/1.0/83.7 0.5/1.5/2.0 3.7/1.5/0.7/0.1/1.9/6.8

Banks 220/18.3 2.3/5.4/42.7 0.3/1.0/33.7 1.5/2.0/76.6 0.4/1.4/1.8 2.5/1.5/0.9/0.2/2.2/6.5


A little eerily similar, except for 3pt% and FT%. I like it, I like it A lot.

 

[Chaz]

I imagine decision making at the PG position is one of the hardest things to learn. Banks is only going into his fourth year and he will be playing behind and learning from arguably the best decision maker in the league. I think he will continue to improve as he showed he was capable of it in Minnesota last year.

I am sure that he will develop his own unique style on the Suns but I expect that style to be heavily influenced by Nash. The most important thing is to have another guy this year that can push the tempo and make good decisions in transition.

 

[Mainstreet]

Banks is a stud who wanted to come here, he told his agent to call the suns. So, he appears to be smart enough to know he can learn to be a very good player from Nash and Dantoni. If this is actually true, its very good, a young coachable stud. If steve Nash had Banks speed and athleticism, he'd be the MVP every year. Now the question is can Nash mentor Banks into being an all-star talent by developing his court vision? Will the suns unselfish play bring the same out in Banks? I am excited about Banks, because I think one of the most overlooked aspects of Nashs value is his ability to positively influence the development of other players(who will listen).

Agreed. I often think of Nash as instant chemistry. He teaches players how to play unselfish just by example. Also I think one of Nash's most overlooked ability is not to pick up his dribble. I wish this is an ability that can be taught. IMO, this ability to not pick up the dribble is what allows him to break down defenses, especially combined with his vision. Nash always trys to keep all his options open to the last second, almost like a good wishbone quarterback in football.

If Banks wants to learn, he has a great teacher.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Agreed. I often think of Nash as instant chemistry. He teaches players how to play unselfish just my example. Also I think one of Nash's most overlooked ability is not to pick up his dribble. I wish this is an ability that can be taught. IMO, this ability to not pick up the dribble is what allows him to break down defenses, especially combined with his vision. Nash always trys to keep all his options open to the last second, almost like a good wishbone quarterback in football.

If Banks wants to learn, he has a great teacher.

You know I hadn't thought of it, but you are right. Nash rarely picks up his dribble, so he can keep moving long after most pg's would have had to dish.

 

[CardNots]

You know I hadn't thought of it, but you are right. Nash rarely picks up his dribble, so he can keep moving long after most pg's would have had to dish.

I agree. Often I watch Nash and never consider him picking up his dribble until mentioned here. I knew there was something I was missing, now I know. Thanks for the insight!

I saw Banks at his announcement and was floored by his chiseled build. To the point I think he could be a football player. Doesn't have a basketball build at all.

I'm with George, I kept thinking about people talking about Banks and his impressive take it to the hole ability. Last year I thought the SUNS outside game was much better in games where they attacked the basket. Seemed to really open up the outside game.

 

[panfolk]

Banks is a stud who wanted to come here, he told his agent to call the suns. So, he appears to be smart enough to know he can learn to be a very good player from Nash and Dantoni. If this is actually true, its very good, a young coachable stud. If steve Nash had Banks speed and athleticism, he'd be the MVP every year. Now the question is can Nash mentor Banks into being an all-star talent by developing his court vision? Will the suns unselfish play bring the same out in Banks? I am excited about Banks, because I think one of the most overlooked aspects of Nashs value is his ability to positively influence the development of other players(who will listen).

I don't know that we've seen any similarity to Nash in Barbosa and if ANYBODY is a willing student that kid is. I don't want to harp on Barbosa but he's the main focal point of any discussion on what Nash can teach. My personal theory, to defend Barbosa a little, is that his brother's strict training (remember about him getting whacked with a stick and whatnot) might have started more bad habits than good and might be hard to break,

 

[F-Dog]

Banks is the American version of Barbosa--his quickness on the drive (and occasional dish) sets up his outside shot. If you expect Banks to ever become more of a pure PG than Stephon Marbury, you are setting yourself up for a major disappointment.

Barbosa spent his life in the gym with his brother, working on his set shot and his intricate combination dribbles, while Banks probably grew up throwing up jumpers on the playgrounds and working his way around a weight room. As a result, Barbosa has better hands and is the better shooter (and probably always will be), and Banks is stronger and the tougher defender (and probably always will be).


Anyway, Banks and Barbosa should fit very well, in that one of them will benefit from a hilariously ugly mismatch every second they're on the court together. When Banks and Raja are the backcourt, there will probably be trouble getting the offense going, and when Banks and Steve Nash are together, Banks will look awfully short on defense.

The best thing about having Banks next year is that the team will be able to play small ball whenever D'Antoni wants, and they won't fall apart if one of the other guards is injured. I doubt he'll move past Barbosa on the team's depth chart, though.

 

[George O'Brien]

Like most Suns fans, I don't see most teams play other than when they play the Suns. However, during the playoff push I saw Banks play about three times and he looked very good. That's why I jumped on his bandwaggon so early when it was mentioned the Suns were talking to him. I hadn't seen Salmons so I was much more reserved.

In any case, there were a lot of articles and reports on his play which seemed to reinforce my visual impressions. Oddly enough, the part of his game that I wrote about was not something that overwhelmed me when watching him which was his ability to get to finsh at the basket. However, every report on him mentioned it including his draft profile on nbadraft.net in 2003:

Strengths: Defensively he has NBA skills as he is blessed with quick hands and solid lateral quickness ... Has a unique NBA ready body that is both strong and sturdy ... Can seemingly drive to the lane at will thanks to his great hesitation crossover move that gives him good separation from his defender ... Once in the lane he has the uncanny ability to hang in the air and wait for the defense to commit before making his move ... Excellent rebounder for his size ... After he gets the ball he really looks to initiate the fast break ... Once he penetrates into the lane he is a hard player to stop as he is able to rely on his biggest asset which is the drive and dish ... Has developed solid leadership skills often he is a steady influence over his teammates ...Thanks to his wonderful court vision and creativity he has the ability to make difficult passes with pinpoint precision ...

They go on to say he was not a very good outside shooter in college.

He was taken 13th in the 2003 draft, but never seemed to click with Doc Rivers and the Celtics. His market value to teams like the Lakers and later the Wolves seems to be based on what they saw from his college days rather than his Celtics days.

Change in subject, I appreciate it when people come to my defense, but I would emphasize courtesy at all times. All too often it seems people post without reviewing their post for tone and come across as much more hostile than they intended. Reponding in kind only makes matters worse and is not all that interesting to read either.