Kerr Blog

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

From Suns.com

State of the Suns
Posted By: Steve Kerr
October 9, 2007 11:46 AM


With the 2007-08 season officially underway, I wanted to give you an update on the team's progress as we begin exhibition play this week.

You must be registered for see images

Steve Kerr discusses the state of the Suns after training camp.
(Dan Banks/Suns Photos)

Training camp went extremely well in Tucson, as the players arrived in great shape and good spirits. We had six days of practice, film sessions and bonding, and the team made significant progress during that time. Mike D'Antoni doesn't believe in long practices, but he does believe in lots of running and conditioning. Our team plays at such a fast pace that it's imperative for the players to get used to running for long stretches at a time. Early in the week the practices became ragged as players wore down, but by the end we were much sharper and better conditioned. I know that Mike feels like the team is really taking shape quickly.

There were plenty of things to be excited about, but to me what stood out most was the attitude and play of Shawn Marion. You're all aware of his trade demands a couple of weeks ago, and the concern coming into camp was how Shawn would respond to his teammates and visa versa. Having been a player in this league for 15 years, I understand that there's a business side to the game and a basketball side. The frustration Shawn felt was based on the business side, and now that the season is beginning, he knows it's time to play basketball. He's extremely important to our team – a guy who makes everyone around him better – and I was happy to see him playing like his usual self (He had 30 points and 10 boards in Saturday night’s intrasquad scrimmage). Most importantly, he displayed high energy, great enthusiasm and simply enjoyed being around his teammates. I don't think there will be any lasting effects from the summer issues, because Shawn is a pro who takes great pride in his daily performance for the team. He's going to be fine, and I'd be surprised if he didn't have another All-Star year for us.

Another high point was the play and presence of Grant Hill, who will almost certainly be in our starting lineup on opening night. Grant fits right into our up-tempo style, and he gives us another playmaker and distributor, which takes pressure off of Steve Nash. What is underrated about Grant is his versatility, as he can play multiple positions at both ends of the floor. That is what makes him so good for us, since we like to force teams to match up with us. Grant is healthy, running well and looking very sharp. He had 21 points and 6 assists in our scrimmage, and consistently made his mid-range jump shot. I believe he'll even become a three-point shooter this season, particularly from the corners, where the line is only 22 feet. But where Grant can really make a difference is with his ability to get to the free-throw line. That's an area we were weak in a year ago, but Grant will help us get easy points when we need them by drawing fouls.

I was also happy with the play of Boris Diaw and Marcus Banks. Boris arrived to camp in terrific shape and played his usual style of beautiful, unselfish basketball. He's our best low-post player, and he showed the fire and aggressiveness that was missing at times a year ago. He might have been the best player on the floor Saturday night at the scrimmage, leading his team to the victory. I look for a huge bounce-back year from Boris. Marcus obviously struggled last season and never found his niche, but he has rededicated himself this year and is looking for playing time. We're playing him more off the ball to take pressure off of him, and that way he can concentrate most on what he does best: playing defense. Marcus showed good maturity all week long in Tucson, shot the ball very well and looks much better than he did a year ago. We're hoping he can establish himself as a consistent threat off the bench.

Our two rookies were very impressive, as well. It's always a tough adjustment to go from college to the NBA, but both of our guys – DJ Strawberry and Alando Tucker – played well. They're tough, they defend and they quietly get their work done every day. In short, they are very professional, especially given how young they are. Whether or not they can crack the lineup remains to be seen, but we feel very good about their overall development.

One guy I didn't mention was Steve Nash, because his play is pretty much a given. Steve is in tremendous shape following another strenuous offseason conditioning program, and he's showing no signs of slowing down. With Grant and Boris there to provide ball handling and passing help, I think Steve will have less pressure on him to make plays this year, which will help him conserve energy for the playoffs.

Our two shooting guards – Leandro Barbosa and Raja Bell – both looked fit and ready to go. Each one shot the ball extremely well throughout camp, and LB's defense was better than ever before. He is ready to take the next step and become a more complete player.

The biggest question that I repeatedly received over the past couple of months was, 'Who is going to replace Kurt Thomas?' The answer is a tag team of Brian Skinner and Sean Marks. Brian is big, active and can run at our pace. He's an excellent defender and shot blocker. Marks will surprise some people this year – he can really shoot the ball and may get more of an opportunity to play given our roster makeup. Both will help as the season goes on, depending on matchups and situations.

And finally, I know many of you are concerned with Amare Stoudemire's health, so I wanted to close with an update on his progress. Amare is already rehabbing following his knee surgery, and he is going to be fine. Our medical staff is happy with his progress and expects him to be back on the floor in about two weeks. Whether or not he is ready for opening night remains to be seen, but if not, he'll be in the lineup shortly thereafter. We feel once he's on the floor that we're going to field our most explosive team yet in the Mike D'Antoni era, and there's no doubt we'll be potent. Our goal, of course, is to take the next step and improve to the point that we can compete for an NBA championship.

After one week, anyway, we're on the right track.....

Nice to see the GM blogging, hope he does it through the season.

 

[azirish]

Nothing all that surprising, but still interesting stuff.

Another high point was the play and presence of Grant Hill, who will almost certainly be in our starting lineup on opening night. Grant fits right into our up-tempo style, and he gives us another playmaker and distributor, which takes pressure off of Steve Nash. What is underrated about Grant is his versatility, as he can play multiple positions at both ends of the floor. That is what makes him so good for us, since we like to force teams to match up with us. Grant is healthy, running well and looking very sharp. He had 21 points and 6 assists in our scrimmage, and consistently made his mid-range jump shot. I believe he'll even become a three-point shooter this season, particularly from the corners, where the line is only 22 feet. But where Grant can really make a difference is with his ability to get to the free-throw line. That's an area we were weak in a year ago, but Grant will help us get easy points when we need them by drawing fouls.

I've been talking about Hill's abiility to get to the line since he was signed. This is going to a much bigger deal than most people realize.

Boris arrived to camp in terrific shape and played his usual style of beautiful, unselfish basketball. He's our best low-post player, and he showed the fire and aggressiveness that was missing at times a year ago. He might have been the best player on the floor Saturday night at the scrimmage, leading his team to the victory. I look for a huge bounce-back year from Boris.

The Suns have not really done much with the low post on offense under D'Antoni. While I see Boris mostly backing up Amare at the elbow, using him at the low post as distributor (sort of like Duncan in that regard) would be very interesting.

Marcus obviously struggled last season and never found his niche, but he has rededicated himself this year and is looking for playing time. We're playing him more off the ball to take pressure off of him, and that way he can concentrate most on what he does best: playing defense. Marcus showed good maturity all week long in Tucson, shot the ball very well and looks much better than he did a year ago. We're hoping he can establish himself as a consistent threat off the bench.

I see him as a real wild card. If he turns into the guy the Suns thought they were getting a year ago, he could be an impact player.

With Grant and Boris there to provide ball handling and passing help, I think Steve will have less pressure on him to make plays this year, which will help him conserve energy for the playoffs.

This confirms much of what was being hinted at all summer. I'm surprised he didn't mention that this will give Nash more opportunity to be a catch and shoot three point threat.

Our two shooting guards – Leandro Barbosa and Raja Bell – both looked fit and ready to go. Each one shot the ball extremely well throughout camp, and LB's defense was better than ever before. He is ready to take the next step and become a more complete player.

Leandro's defense has been his biggest weakness. With all the other athletic defense oriented guys on the roster, he cannot assume he'll get the same level of minutes if his defense doesn't pick up.

The biggest question that I repeatedly received over the past couple of months was, 'Who is going to replace Kurt Thomas?' The answer is a tag team of Brian Skinner and Sean Marks. Brian is big, active and can run at our pace. He's an excellent defender and shot blocker. Marks will surprise some people this year – he can really shoot the ball and may get more of an opportunity to play given our roster makeup. Both will help as the season goes on, depending on matchups and situations.[/quote]

The Suns under D'Antoni have never really used the game by game matchup type substitutions approach, so this could mean a major change in how the games are managed.

 

[Mainstreet]

I see him as a real wild card. If he turns into the guy the Suns thought they were getting a year ago, he could be an impact player.

Regarding Banks, I thought the Suns picked him up to be a PG not to be a 6'2" SG. Thus, I do not see how Banks can turn "into the guy the Suns thought they were getting a year ago."

 

[azirish]

Regarding Banks, I thought the Suns picked him up to be a PG not to be a 6'2" SG. Thus, I do not see how Banks can turn "into the guy the Suns thought they were getting a year ago."

I'm not sure they thought he was really a point guard. With the Wolves he mostly a combo since they also had Jaric, Troy Hudson, and Anthony Carter getting minutes. Banks averaged 12 ppg in 30.7 minutes and his 4.7 assists per game are more what I'd lookf or with a combo than a true lead guard.

 

[Sunsman44]

So when is Brian Skinner gonna replace Doug Thomas on your Bench Signature Pic?

I don't think Doug is going to be on the squad for the regular season. Skinner will.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm not sure they thought he was really a point guard. With the Wolves he mostly a combo since they also had Jaric, Troy Hudson, and Anthony Carter getting minutes. Banks averaged 12 ppg in 30.7 minutes and his 4.7 assists per game are more what I'd lookf or with a combo than a true lead guard.

I know the point your making however when I think of combo guards I think of taller players with PG and SG skills such as John Salmons. I just find it hard to believe the Suns were going after Banks to be a combo guard with his lack of height. Anyway, I hope he can help the Suns.

 

[azirish]

I know the point your making however when I think of combo guards I think of taller players with PG and SG skills such as John Salmons. I just find it hard to believe the Suns were going after Banks to be a combo guard with his lack of height. Anyway, I hope he can help the Suns.

IMHO they took Banks as the "best available player" based on his speed, defense, and hops. There was hope he might develop as PG just as there is always hope that Leandro will, but I don't think it was decisive.

BTW, I'm convinced that strength and lateral quickness are at least as important as heigth when it comes to playing defense.

 

[Mainstreet]

IMHO they took Banks as the "best available player" based on his speed, defense, and hops. There was hope he might develop as PG just as there is always hope that Leandro will, but I don't think it was decisive.

The point I differ from your perspective is that the Suns would never have gone after a 6'2" combo guard especially with LB on the roster. I think the Suns were looking for a backup PG all the way.

BTW, I'm convinced that strength and lateral quickness are at least as important as heigth when it comes to playing defense.

I agree but generally a team looks for it in a taller package so let's hope Banks can do it. I think other SGs will choose to shoot over the top than drive around him.

 

[okhoops]

I'm not the first to say, but certainly agree as a coach, that PG's cannot be made. I've tried multiple times. It is very difficult to find true PG's at any level. Kerr and others in the organization are saying the right things to build Banks up and get the most they can out of their investment. It will be a key for the long-term success of the team to find a backup PG soon. It will both lengthen Nash's career and provide transition to the post-Nash Suns.

 

[Treesquid PhD]

I'm not the first to say, but certainly agree as a coach, that PG's cannot be made. I've tried multiple times. It is very difficult to find true PG's at any level. Kerr and others in the organization are saying the right things to build Banks up and get the most they can out of their investment. It will be a key for the long-term success of the team to find a backup PG soon. It will both lengthen Nash's career and provide transition to the post-Nash Suns.

Transition hardly ever happens in the NBA, if it does it's less than 2 seasons. There will be no grooming, you are more likely to see the Suns ride Nash until he is near done (which could be several years) and then the Suns will become aggressive. If anything the Suns landing a stud Pt. guard would likely accelerate Nash's exit.

To George's point, I agree FT's are critical the most under rated concept in the NBA.

 

[Stargazer]

Kerr and others in the organization are saying the right things to build Banks up and get the most they can out of their investment. It will be a key for the long-term success of the team to find a backup PG soon. It will both lengthen Nash's career and provide transition to the post-Nash Suns.

Bingo. I don't look for Banks to contribute -- even if he developed into a quality player, it wouldn't be the quality player that the Suns need now. My only hope is that develops to the point that the Suns can move him to another team. Better for us, and him.

 

[dodie53]

if some miracle banks develop into a very good player,
the suns will surely keep him for the future after nash retires..

 

[Sunsman44]

if some miracle banks develop into a very good player,
the suns will surely keep him for the future after nash retires..

no matter how good banks gets, if he improves at all, i highly doubt he will ever get to that stage where he replaces a 2-time Mvp. If Banks improves, he will become a vital bench point guard thru-out his career -- a la Darell Armstrong.

As for a Nash replacement - u need to home grow that one. Pick one up in the draft and let Nash tutor him about the run-n-gun. It is going to be hard, if not impossible, to bring in another point guard in the NBA and try to make him a run-n-gun point of the Suns.

That job is exclusive to Steve Nash. Nobody else can do it. Only Nash can do his best to teach a younger rookie later on down..

 

[Mainstreet]

As for a Nash replacement - u need to home grow that one. Pick one up in the draft and let Nash tutor him about the run-n-gun. It is going to be hard, if not impossible, to bring in another point guard in the NBA and try to make him a run-n-gun point of the Suns.

You're right an MVP PG is not replaced especially by a player that lacks natural PG skills, e.g., Banks.

However, if one considers how the Suns got run and gun PGs (KJ, Nash and Kidd), it was by trade although Nash was originally drafted by the Suns. If there is a team that can at least find an adequate PG to run the Suns team when Nash retires it is the Suns although no one can replace Steve Nash.

 

[Bufalay]

You're right an MVP PG is not replaced especially by a player that lacks natural PG skills, e.g., Banks.

However, if one considers how the Suns got run and gun PGs (KJ, Nash and Kidd), it was by trade although Nash was originally drafted by the Suns. If there is a team that can at least find an adequate PG to run the Suns team when Nash retires it is the Suns although no one can replace Steve Nash.

the suns drafted and signed nash, but never traded for him

 

[Bufalay]

and I have 666 posts and need another one quick!

 

[Maligzar]

As for a Nash replacement - u need to home grow that one. Pick one up in the draft and let Nash tutor him about the run-n-gun. It is going to be hard, if not impossible, to bring in another point guard in the NBA and try to make him a run-n-gun point of the Suns.

That job is exclusive to Steve Nash. Nobody else can do it. Only Nash can do his best to teach a younger rookie later on down..

I disagree. The Suns have always had good point guards and we never draft them. Even though we drafted Nash he's still a free agent signing. KJ, Kidd, Maurbury... all talent aquired outside the draft.

 

[Sunsman44]

I disagree. The Suns have always had good point guards and we never draft them. Even though we drafted Nash he's still a free agent signing. KJ, Kidd, Maurbury... all talent aquired outside the draft.

And which one of those guys on your free agent signee list can do the run-n-gun like D'Antoni wants? None. Only the Suns drafted Steve Nash can.

 

[Mainstreet]

the suns drafted and signed nash, but never traded for him

Exactly. Let's just call him a gift from Mark Cuban.

I was just trying to point out good PG's can be obtained in other ways than the draft. I believe Steve was a FA as well as Avery Johnson who had a nice career with SA.