If Sarver and Kerr decide that D'Antoni has outlived his usefulness . . .

[BC867]

Would it be better to get a new Coach before the end of the season? One who would need his own staff of Assistants.

Or would it be necessary to swallow it for the remainder of the season and post-season? And choose a coordinated combination during the off-season.

The obvious answer seems to be to tread water until the season ends.

But the thought of Shaq wasted in the high-post . . .

And Amare being shuffled between Power Forward and Center . . .

And no backup for Nash . . .

And Diaw getting significant minutes . . .

. . . ugh.

To put it another way, could the Suns make a change now, even if were for the best?

I don't know.

 

[carey]

For better or for worse D'Antoni is here for the remainder of the season. I also believe he'll be with the Suns until Nash's current contract ends.

 

[mojorizen7]

As much as my heart & frustration says "yes" fire DA now....my mind tells me that doing that would probably cause more harm than good. If DA truly was 100% behind the SHAQ deal(which i still don't believe) let him lie in this bed he made for the remainder and give him the chance to prove he can make this thing work.

 

[mojorizen7]

For better or for worse D'Antoni is here for the remainder of the season. I also believe he'll be with the Suns until Nash's current contract ends.

Disagree there. IMO, if the SUNS miss the playoffs or get handled early & easily, i think he's gone in May.

 

[cly2tw]

I believe it could work. I think it's just too many old habits stuck with DA that he could not change the whole thing smoothly enough to incorporate Shaq's talent.

Actually, I believe the team would benefit a great deal if Nash sits for say 2 weeks, which would force DA to play more conventional game and commit enough practice and game time to get it work. Nobody can really force the other team to play fast if they don't want, if we have to master half game offense anyway, why don't we just commit to doing it for a stretch. With fast offense, Nash dribble penetration, as surprises, it may work even better while avoiding the turnover problems.

 

[BillsCarnage]

I'm split because i agree that he may stay through the end of Nash's term, but missing the PO's or a dismal 1st round exit could also mean D'Ant exit.

That being said, who is out there that could get anymore out of this group than D'Ant. I can't really think of anyone off hand. Maybe Carlisle, but i just don't see anyone out there unless they decide to scrap the current roster/plan.

Gut tells me they will give it one more run next season with the current group and then clean house. Shaq will then be traded to the Lakers since his contract is expiring to retire a Laker and maybe get his 5th ring.

 

[Kody Rumin]

Firing him before the end of the season? That would be a terrible decision. That would be much harder to adjust to for the team than adding Shaq to the lineup was.

I understand the frustrations with his style. I just don't see a lot of coaches out there right now who could do a much better job.

 

[elindholm]

Jeff Van Gun-Dee (clap - clap - clapclapclap)
Jeff Van Gun-Dee (clap - clap - clapclapclap)
Jeff Van Gun-Dee (clap - clap - clapclapclap)
Jeff Van Gun-Dee (clap - clap - clapclapclap)

(repeat until effective)

 

[BC867]

Jeff Van Gun-Dee (clap - clap - clapclapclap)
Jeff Van Gun-Dee (clap - clap - clapclapclap)
Jeff Van Gun-Dee (clap - clap - clapclapclap)
Jeff Van Gun-Dee (clap - clap - clapclapclap)

(repeat until effective)

I'm afraid we'll have laryngitis first, Eric.

 

[cly2tw]

Jeff Van Gun-Dee (clap - clap - clapclapclap)
Jeff Van Gun-Dee (clap - clap - clapclapclap)
Jeff Van Gun-Dee (clap - clap - clapclapclap)
Jeff Van Gun-Dee (clap - clap - clapclapclap)

(repeat until effective)

clapping in the clave pattern?

JVG would be great to fix our defensive problem. But I think Carlisle would be an all around better fit for this Suns roster.

 

[Darth Llama]

Without doubt, D'Antoni is going to get a chance to finish what he started. He's going to be the coach the rest of the year. With that being said, I think only an NBA Championship can save his job. Unfortunately for Phoenix, they should have had him in that situation last season, because now it might be too late for a new coach to "fix" the problem without a major overhaul.

I think Carlisle would be an excellent choice for the Suns. He would have them back in championship form in a short period of time IMO.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

It'll never happen during the year nor should it.

And Kerr didn't hire D'Antoni which means nobody should assume his job is safe unless it's actually Sarver pulling the strings with Kerr as his paid lightning rod.

 

[devilalum]

clapping in the clave pattern?

JVG would be great to fix our defensive problem. But I think Carlisle would be an all around better fit for this Suns roster.

I think Van Gundy would be the worst defender in the history of the league. If you mean he's going to turn our sorry lot into great defenders then you may be able to squeeze blood out of a turnip.

 

[cly2tw]

I think Van Gundy would be the worst defender in the history of the league. If you mean he's going to turn our sorry lot into great defenders then you may be able to squeeze blood out of a turnip.

Really? I thought he had a reputation for grinding out styles and nasty defense. Anyways, his comment the other day to start Barbosa instead of Bell was right on though.

 

[Folster]

Really? I thought he had a reputation for grinding out styles and nasty defense. Anyways, his comment the other day to start Barbosa instead of Bell was right on though.

JVG always has extremely insightful analysis of the Suns when he calls a game. I think he would be an excellent coach as long as he didn't completely clamp down Nash and micro manage the team. He would definitely hold guys like Boris accountable.

 

[Suns_fan69]

I was laughed off the board when I suggested JVG months ago. Granted that was pre-Shaq but it makes a whole lot more sense now. Saunders would be interesting as well but both would bring a much more structured offense and disciplined defense which is more along the lines of what this team needs now with the personnel it has.

 

[elindholm]

I was laughed off the board when I suggested JVG months ago.

Not by me you weren't!

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

I didnt laugh you off either. Ive never been a huge dantoni fan. Mainly because of the tantrums he displays on the sideline. Its like his whole body vibrates when he's angry. Like how a poodle does when he attempts to scare off predators. The problem is it doesnt work for either species.

Plus his stubborness and short rotations defy logic. Coaches shouldnt defy logic.



Shipping him out right now would be silly though. If we pull a mavs in the playoffs then he will get canned, but most likely he will be gone when nash is gone.

 

[Greg Popovich]

I thought that the Suns have all the ingredients to contend for the WCF along with the Spurs.

I still hold to that belief, and still maintain that the team is simply going through growing pains with Shaq.

If that is not the case--then I think a new coach may very well be in order.

I will probably get flamed for asking this--

If Gregg Popovich was coaching the Suns right now, what changes do you think he would make with your team right now. (Not asking what layers he would trade in the future--mean how would be change the way the roster is playing)?

Or how about Phil Jackson, or Pat Riley?

 

[BeeBeard]

I thought that the Suns have all the ingredients to contend for the WCF along with the Spurs.

I still hold to that belief, and still maintain that the team is simply going through growing pains with Shaq.

If that is not the case--then I think a new coach may very well be in order.

I will probably get flamed for asking this--

If Gregg Popovich was coaching the Suns right now, what changes do you think he would make with your team right now. (Not asking what layers he would trade in the future--mean how would be change the way the roster is playing)?

Or how about Phil Jackson, or Pat Riley?

Popovich would be playing 9-10 players a night, no question. This would allow him to better identify the role players on the team and play up to their strengths. For instance, is Linton Johnson a defensive stopper, a la Bruce Bowen? Well, who knows? He's not played enough minutes for anybody to know what he can give you in a game situation.

Pat Riley and Phil Jackson probably couldn't do much more with this team than D'Antoni already has. With Jackson you'd get the arrogant, faux buddhist proclamations as little sound bites to the media. With Riley, you'd get the grueling practices and a team that's too physically worn out to run like they should in the actual game.

 

[Crash]

I didnt laugh you off either. Ive never been a huge dantoni fan. Mainly because of the tantrums he displays on the sideline. Its like his whole body vibrates when he's angry. Like how a poodle does when he attempts to scare off predators. The problem is it doesnt work for either species.

Plus his stubborness and short rotations defy logic. Coaches shouldnt defy logic.



Shipping him out right now would be silly though. If we pull a mavs in the playoffs then he will get canned, but most likely he will be gone when nash is gone.

If we are even lucky enough to pull a "Mavs"... LOL If you haven't looked at the standings lately we are in 6th and dropping fast. After we loose another couple of games we will be talking lottery and not playoffs. You know what sucks, It is possible that we might end up with 2 lottery picks.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

We are in the D'Antoni era for the long hall. Didn't we just sign him to an extension over the summer?

 

[bko32]

Pat Riley and Phil Jackson probably couldn't do much more with this team than D'Antoni already has. With Jackson you'd get the arrogant, faux buddhist proclamations as little sound bites to the media. With Riley, you'd get the grueling practices and a team that's too physically worn out to run like they should in the actual game.

Yeah, both of these coaches wouldn't be able to do much more than what D'Antoni's done. It's not like they've won any championships or anything....oh, wait, they've won 13 between them.

 

[ArizonaSportsFan]

If we are even lucky enough to pull a "Mavs"... LOL If you haven't looked at the standings lately we are in 6th and dropping fast. After we loose another couple of games we will be talking lottery and not playoffs. You know what sucks, It is possible that we might end up with 2 lottery picks.

No it's not possible, because our pick goes to Seattle this year.

 

[Mainstreet]

If we are even lucky enough to pull a "Mavs"... LOL If you haven't looked at the standings lately we are in 6th and dropping fast. After we loose another couple of games we will be talking lottery and not playoffs. You know what sucks, It is possible that we might end up with 2 lottery picks.

I don't know what the future will bring but I know the Suns have had a great ride for the past three seasons and could conceivably have won a Championship in a couple of the years if they had the right breaks. Also I know the Suns are only 3 games behind in the loss column behind conference leading SA. If the Suns should gel and they take off on a winning streak through a tough part of their schedule I wonder what the naysayers will be saying... when they are trying to jump back on the bandwagon.