Kerr: "The team is in evaluation mode"

[JCSunsfan]

I couldn't be happier to hear that the SUNS brass is evaluating things. Even if they don't make a move, it's a good sign that someone realizes that this team may not be equal to the sum of its parts in terms of being a championship caliber team.
I read thru everyone's comments and found it very interesting.
I have said this before....as long as DA & Nash are here, the SUNS will lead the league in scoring & no championships. Even with losing a piece like Amare for a DOY like M.Camby we'd still be a top scoring offense but IMO would miss Amares offense in the playoffs and be flawed yet again.(even with Camby's presence on D).
Now if we could bring in one of these guys for Marion, Amare would flourish IMO.
I love the thought of bringing in a Camby/Nene, or an Artest, or "X" defensive stud, but unfortunately i'm not convinced that DA would know what to do with being forced to play a lineup of a couple guys that can't score. Could DA live with a team that doesn't need to play 100MPH to win games? I don't know.
I believe the problem lies in the system but many of you don't feel that way i know.
Bottom line IMO: If DA stays & returns next season , trading Marion for a defensive stalwart would be our best option.
I don't think anything will get done but who knows?

Forget bringing in a defensive specialist that can't score. He won't get any minutes.

Artest CAN score though. He would be a great addition to this team.

 

[taz02]

Has Artest ever played on a winning team? I know his attitude is questionable but his intensity is exactly what this team neads. Being in a winning situation tends to cure poor attitudes to some degree.

I agree JC a defensive guy that can't score would never see the court under DA.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Since there are evaluations going on, I'll put this here rather than the trade thread.

Amare and Raja

for

Kobe and Bynum


no picks involved. Works under the cap. Not sure I would want to do it, but its the best offer that the Lakers could get for Kobe and it would give us a decent big too.

We would be better defensively, better 3 point shooting, better in the half court. We would be worse in the post. And Boris gets the chance to shine again.

there is no way in hell the Lakers would do that deal, nor should they.

 

[nowagimp]

I agree - I don't understand why people criticize that strategy and start whining about Duncan going off. That IS the strategy and it works. They had a chart on ESPN on Duncan; every time he has scored over 30-15, the Spurs have lost.

Deanna, the toughest opposition the spurs faced last year, the suns, let TD go off for nearly 28ppg(his highest scoring average), but only 1.2 asst/game, the plan was working, until the suspensions. The team that "held" duncan to the lowest scoring average, Denver at 20ppg, allowed him to dish 6.5 asst a game and they were thumped in 5 games, it wasnt even close after a game 1 win by the nugz, the spurs ran the table. Funny how basketball is a much more complex team sport than most fans realize. Thats why a good coach(or a great team player) can make a difference. Kobe and Michael Jordans teams lost more often when Kobe or MJ went for 40 or more. Its been that way for a very long time. Balanced scoring beats superstar scoring most of the time. Thats why I believe Magic was a better player than Michael, he made others so much better. Magic is my choice as best NBA player of all time because of his unique set of skills and smarts. Michael was the greatest "go to guy" of all time, no doubt.

 

[nowagimp]

I am probably 'older' than the median age of posters of the forum (Kyle Macy and Walter Davis were my first Suns 'heroes'). I tend to agree that enjoying the season is half of the fun. However, my criticism is derived from a vantage point of this - three years of the same hasn't resulted in a championship. If that is the stated goal of management and players, then keeping the status quo is a proven failure. Anyhow, I am pleased to see Kerr state he is evaluating things right now. It gives me hope that he has come to realize the same.

I still love the team, I still watch the games, and I still purchase the merchandise. But, I hope for more.

If you've been a suns fan since kyle macy and walter davis, 3 years is a very short time indeed to go without a championship. I do understand the cumulative frustration as I became a suns fan when my former team traded Barkley and I moved to the area. At least the 76ers won a championship when I was a 76er fan. I just loved to watch those suns teams with KJ, Majerle, Charles, Ced, some of the most enjoyable basketball outside the magic johnson showtime lakers. I was a magic fan even though he burned my sixers because I appreciated what he brought to the table, just as a basketball fan. The chapter isnt closed on the Steve Nash suns, it is still early and the trade deadline hasnt passed. PJ brown is still out there and skinner is improving quickly, getting some PT. Nash is also definitely playing hurt as is Raja. Hang in there, this is just the regular season and the suns management arent finished yet, I think.

 

[OldDirtMcGirt]

Has Artest ever played on a winning team? I know his attitude is questionable but his intensity is exactly what this team neads. Being in a winning situation tends to cure poor attitudes to some degree.

I agree JC a defensive guy that can't score would never see the court under DA.

When Artest is on his game (see his years in Indiana pre-brawl), he's one of the top fifteen players in the NBA. One of the very few guys in NBA history who are game changers on perimeter defense. If you look at Sacramento right now, their team is a mess and they have no defined leaders. Put him on a championship contender with the best leader in the NBA in Steve Nash and I'm positive that he would flourish. Look how much Golden State has improved by taking a chance on Steven Jackson.

If he played for Phoenix, you know that he'd be an over 20 ppg scorer, as well as bring us that toughness that our team desperately needs. Ron Artest, when his head is screwed on right, is the best defensive player in the league to boot. And if that wasn't enough, he has a very affordable salary that expires in two years (he does have a player option at the end of the year though).

 

[oneofthesedays]

Artest = Fool's Gold

Don't think that a change of scenery is going to change Artest. Trust me you don't want this cancer on your team. He doesn't listen to coaches, doesn't run set plays properly, demands the ball from his teammates, etc. Not to mention his off the court issues.

 

[mojorizen7]

Forget bringing in a defensive specialist that can't score. He won't get any minutes.

Artest CAN score though. He would be a great addition to this team.

I agree completely which is why Artest is a good fit.But... the fact that DA won't give minutes to a defensive stopper that doesn't have an offensive game is part of whats wrong here. If Mad Mike had any of these guy's here now, and didn't give them significant minutes because of their offensive limitations and his "system" he should have been fired yesterday IMO. Just saying.
Bruce Bowen-career 6.4 ppg
Buck Williams-career 12.8 ppg
Dennis Rodman-career 7.3 ppg
Michael Cooper-career 8.9 ppg
Marcus Camby-career 10.9 ppg
Dikembe Mutumbo-career 10.1 ppg
Also,i like Marions all-around game, but his defense is not in the same tier as the players i mentioned above.

 

[JS22]

Since there are evaluations going on, I'll put this here rather than the trade thread.

Amare and Raja

for

Kobe and Bynum


no picks involved. Works under the cap. Not sure I would want to do it, but its the best offer that the Lakers could get for Kobe and it would give us a decent big too.

We would be better defensively, better 3 point shooting, better in the half court. We would be worse in the post. And Boris gets the chance to shine again.

Good luck convincing LA that this is a good deal.

 

[mojorizen7]

I'd rather not see Kobe Bryant in a SUNS uniform.
The Lakers would force us to gut our core-group to get him anyway IMO.

 

[Errntknght]

nowagimp,

If you've been a suns fan since kyle macy and walter davis, 3 years is a very short time indeed to go without a championship.

You've got this backwards - the longer you've been a fan the less time it takes you to get frustrated with what the team is doing or not doing.

It cracks me up when people on here start telling me, among others, that I ought to enjoy the regular season ride. That was fine the first ten years but I'm on my 41st year now, if I counted them right, and the only thing I enjoy in the regular season is to see the team making progress towards a championship. And this season is rapidly turning into torture because D'Antoni is pissing away another year with real possibilities.

There are basically two ways he could take the team that offer a chance of beating teams like SA and Boston. He could start Skinner and let Amare play his preferred position of PF, Marion at SF for the most part and Grant Hill at SG. Use Skinners extra 20 minutes to shave some from Nash, Hill, Bell and Marion - maybe even Amare.
Try to lure PJ Brown out of retirement for more frontcourt defense and insurance. I think this is the route that a lot of the posters in here wish the the team was taking and I wouldn't be unhappy about it because it offers some hope.

The other thing Mike could do is to continue with small ball but use the youthful legs of Strawberry, Banks and Tucker to push the tempo up yet another notch. The first two also give us improved defense and from what Nash said recently just having more energy improves the teams D considerably. The last two might contribute some scoring punch if they got into the flow - there's no question they can put the ball in bucket.

Normally, I'd choose the first option but to tell the truth I'd like to see D'Antoni push his ideas to the limit and see if they can succeed in the playoffs. A high risk approach to be sure, but in my opinion its far better than limping into the playoffs with weary, dinged up players and having absolutely nothing in reserve.

 

[scXfreakX]

I agree with you. I'd love to see our rooks get some time. And who knows, maybe if Banks is told to only focus on defense and playmaking, maybe in a few minutes he can make some sort of contribution. But, come April, our guys will be very tired if there isn't more players being used.

 

[OldDirtMcGirt]

Artest = Fool's Gold

Don't think that a change of scenery is going to change Artest. Trust me you don't want this cancer on your team. He doesn't listen to coaches, doesn't run set plays properly, demands the ball from his teammates, etc. Not to mention his off the court issues.

Sounds like Jax pre-Golden State. So was Tim Thomas before he came here. Artest's Indiana teams were very good before the brawl, and he always gives 100% on the court. I'd also doubt that getting the ball would be a problem in Phoenix. He'd put up career offensive numbers in Phoenix, and has mentors like Grant Hill and Steve Nash.

 

[TucsonDevil]

If you've been a suns fan since kyle macy and walter davis, 3 years is a very short time indeed to go without a championship.

You should do your math... it is nearly 30 years for me... forever for the organization.

 

[TucsonDevil]

nowagimp,

You've got this backwards - the longer you've been a fan the less time it takes you to get frustrated with what the team is doing or not doing.

It cracks me up when people on here start telling me, among others, that I ought to enjoy the regular season ride. That was fine the first ten years but I'm on my 41st year now, if I counted them right, and the only thing I enjoy in the regular season is to see the team making progress towards a championship. And this season is rapidly turning into torture because D'Antoni is pissing away another year with real possibilities.

Finally some common ground for us, Errntknght.

 

[dodie53]

when will this evaluation mode end?

 

[Ronin]

Has Artest ever played on a winning team? I know his attitude is questionable but his intensity is exactly what this team neads. Being in a winning situation tends to cure poor attitudes to some degree.

I agree JC a defensive guy that can't score would never see the court under DA.

He played with three winning teams (2 season's with Indiana and 1 with the Sacromento Kings).

Dec. 19, 2002:

Fined $10,000 for shoving the Mavericks' Raja Bell and failing to leave the court in a timely manner following his ejection, which occurred after he was given his second technical foul.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2281289
I forgot about that one.....I wonder if Raja would want to be included in a trade that involved trading for Artest.

 

[mojorizen7]

In all seriousness, i would hope that Raja remains here for awhile. He's a step slower & isn't the perimeter defender he once was but i like his toughness,experience and he can still get hot from the arc at any time.

 

[arwillan]

when will this evaluation mode end?

they said at the end of this little swing against all the best teams of the west.

 

[dodie53]

they said at the end of this little swing against all the best teams of the west.

or maybe after a trade?

 

[tobiazz]

There are basically two ways he could take the team that offer a chance of beating teams like SA and Boston. He could start Skinner and let Amare play his preferred position of PF, Marion at SF for the most part and Grant Hill at SG. Use Skinners extra 20 minutes to shave some from Nash, Hill, Bell and Marion - maybe even Amare.
Try to lure PJ Brown out of retirement for more frontcourt defense and insurance. I think this is the route that a lot of the posters in here wish the the team was taking and I wouldn't be unhappy about it because it offers some hope.

The other thing Mike could do is to continue with small ball but use the youthful legs of Strawberry, Banks and Tucker to push the tempo up yet another notch. The first two also give us improved defense and from what Nash said recently just having more energy improves the teams D considerably. The last two might contribute some scoring punch if they got into the flow - there's no question they can put the ball in bucket.

I would love to see option 2 utilized during the season so that players can play at full speed longer and the rookies and Banks can get some experience. I don't want them getting much minutes, but I would at least like to see 5 of Grant's minutes (every game) go to those guys.

 

[dodie53]

option 2 would be nice.

and it will help us in the future because it will give the young guys experience and exposure.

 

[arwillan]

or maybe after a trade?

yeah, or that

 

[nowagimp]

nowagimp,

You've got this backwards - the longer you've been a fan the less time it takes you to get frustrated with what the team is doing or not doing.

Yep, the longer you are a frustrated fan the more impatient and the less logical the criticisms because you FEEL bad about how long it has been. Every new coaching change deserves the same view/patience regardless of personal feelings, but I dont expect most fans to realize that. Every talent defecit needs to be addressed with the same basketball logic. Thats why fans frequently contribute short sighted interpretations. But you know, thats what its(ASFN) all about a board of fanatics(FANS) spouting off their "wisdoms" of frustration and enjoying each others comments. But to take the criticisms too seriously is a mistake, and I dont.

 

[Errntknght]

nowagimp,

Every new coaching change deserves the same view/patience regardless of personal feelings, but I dont expect most fans to realize that. Every talent defecit needs to be addressed with the same basketball logic.

We aren't talking about a new coaching change here so I don't understand why you chose to spout off about that. I did indirectly refer to a talent deficit in suggesting that we try to get PJ Brown out of retirement in one scenario, so apparently you find a lack of basketball logic in that. Don't hide your light under a basket, come right out and explain the faulty logic therein - vague spouting off is useless to us short sighted types you know.

And don't fret, I promise I won't make the mistake of taking your criticism too seriously.