In my experience with music, the best process is to start out with smaller venues to get used to physical as well as psychological aspects of playing before audiences. For my bands, this means playing the coffee house curcuit, unpaid folk festivals, free concerts, etc. so that the bugs and been worked out. Once they are on the big stage, they are ready.
It is much harder for NBA players. The gap between college and the NBA is so vast that it almost doesn't count and the D-League is not hugely better. In the NBA, it is a jump from drills to the big stage in one jump, with a vast increase in pressure.
If anything it's worse with the Suns. The pressure of high expectations is much higher than for most teams. Its not made an better when playing for a coach with a quick hook,
We've seen this with opponents. The game is lost, the backups come in with no real pressure and a lot of energy and get really hot. They are relaxed and it makes a huge difference.
That never happens for the Suns (who are almost never out of any game). They have been under the gun from day one and may not clinch the second slot until the final game.
I have not seen a simply way to get players to relax without letting up on their energy. But D'Antoni needs to figure it out soon.
