Live by small ball . . . die by small ball

[Chaplin]

Yeah, yeah, Chap. Make it a personality issue.

The same old song and dance today was the Suns coaching. Do you not believe that? Do you really not believe that?

I believe the coaching staff made a mistake that cost us the game, yes. What's your point?

Do I overrate the need to have a backup Center playoff ready? And a backup Point Guard, for that matter?

Once again, do you really not believe that?

Criticizing my reaction to another Suns coaching playoff flub doesn't really say anything substantial.

And I had really gotten my hopes up with the addition of Shaq.

Getting the fastest car for the Indianapolis 500, then putting a half-blind Grandmother behind the wheel, and a pit filled with accountants, is a waste.

Aah, see, now your changing it all around to fit your argument. Backup center? Backup point guard? Sure, we need those. But you said that Skinner is a competent backup in this game. Brian Skinner in the regular rotation is still Brian Skinner. He gave us some decent minutes at times this season, but come on, he's on his 10th team. Next you'll say that we need to give DJ Strawberry 20 minutes.

 

[sly fly]

Thankful that we lost? Results talk!

Y'see, I've been putting my heart into the Suns for 38 years. This is just SOS.

I feel your pain. But, the game wasn't lost because Mike D went small.

If Amare feeds Shaq for an EASY pass (instead of getting the charge) with under 19 seconds and a 5 point lead... we're all sitting around here praising Mike D.

So many chances to bury SA, but they just couldn't do it. Very frustrating.

I still don't think the Spurs can play any better. And, PHX was one big run from blowing this thing open. Sick to my stomach about this loss, and we have to wait until Tuesday to try and exact revenge. Just great.

 

[BC867]

I believe the coaching staff made a mistake that cost us the game, yes. What's your point?

You hit the nail on the head. My point it that our coaching hasn't learned to stop repeating the same mistakes over and over.

Which is why I react the same way over and over. How I wish I didn't have to feel that way.

Next you'll say that we need to give DJ Strawberry 20 minutes.

Actually I do believe that, if DJ had been developed from the start of the season, and in the absence of a backup Point Guard, he would have put us in a much better position at the "1" position.

If you disagree, I understand and accept it. That's what this board is about. Fans' opinions.

 

[cobbler]

I hate DA as well, but there's no doubt that Skinner has NO BUSINESS being on the floor against anyone worth a lick in the playoffs. I don't fault DA for not using him. I fault the FO for getting him at the beginning of our season as our only big off the bench (but that's an ENTIRELY different matter thatneed not be discussed here).

Brian Skinner is what he is - a tremendous scrub who has never played on a good team in his entire life because good teams recognize him for what he is - nothing.

Here's a thought. Start skinner. Bring shaq off the bench at the 9 min mark much like they use Manu. That way shaq wont get that early 2 min foul he has gotten since he came in the league. Tell skinner to mug manu or parker for the first couple mins to soften em up then let shaq do his thing. Just a thought!

 

[Cheesebeef]

Here's a thought. Start skinner. Bring shaq off the bench at the 9 min mark much like they use Manu. That way shaq wont get that early 2 min foul he has gotten since he came in the league. Tell skinner to mug manu or parker for the first couple mins to soften em up then let shaq do his thing. Just a thought!

you might as well say: Here's a though! Spot the Spurs an 8 point lead and get them close to the penalty immediately.

I say no thank you. Skinner's horrendous.

 

[BC867]

you might as well say: Here's a though! Spot the Spurs an 8 point lead and get them close to the penalty immediately.

I say no thank you. Skinner's horrendous.

Difference of opinion. If we're faced with the lesser of two evils, I'll take Skinner over Diaw at Center.

Even with D'Antoni leaving him out of the rotation all season. But what shame that he did.

If we had fouls to give at Center, the Spurs would not have had an uncontested parade of layups with the game the line. That's not opinion. That's what happened.

Skinner and (are you ready for this?) even Sean Marks, properly used since Shaq arrived, could have maximimed Shaq's time on the floor and his defense.

But how can you expect that with a Coaching staff that is entirely Guard oriented?

Hence, the title of this thread. Live by small ball . . . die by small ball. And we did in Game 1.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Difference of opinion. If we're faced with the lesser of two evils, I'll take Skinner over Diaw at Center.

Even with D'Antoni leaving him out of the rotation all season. But what shame that he did.

If we had fouls to give at Center, the Spurs would not have had an uncontested parade of layups with the game the line. That's not opinion. That's what happened.

Skinner and (are you ready for this?) even Sean Marks, properly used since Shaq arrived, could have maximimed Shaq's time on the floor and his defense.

But how can you expect that with a Coaching staff that is entirely Guard oriented?

Hence, the title of this thread. Live by small ball . . . die by small ball. And we did in Game 1.

we were kicking their ass with small ball and then when we went big, we fell apart. Sorry man, blame the FO if you want, but Skinner sucks and Marks has never played meaningful minutes in his entire life at age 32. Asking DA to play those guys is begging for deficits. You don't just play a piece of crap just because it's a big piece of crap. it's still a piece of crap. no minutes for Skinner or Marks is going to change what those guys this late into their already pathetic careers.

 

[shazaam6]

Skinner is better than he showed last game. Part of his performance is to be blamed on how he was prepared. Since not playing in games doesn't prepare you for playing in games, how do you expect him to realistically be at his best or ready in the playoffs?.....Ask Dumtoni he is in charge of players minutes.

 

[shazaam6]

Maybe this will clear things up for everyone.......

Popovitch played Kurt Thomas, Dantoni didn't unless he had to.

We gave KT away with 2 first round picks because he wasn't going to play much under Dantoni and he would cost 8 million in salary and more in luxury tax.

Diaw makes more money, but he plays alot of minutes under Dantoni, so why pay for what you won't use. This is business, right Sarver?

Now KT, a player we gave Seattle two first round draft picks just to take off our team, just helped beat us in game one.

Dantoni plays his favorites and others who could contribute don't get a real chance.

 

[BC867]

Maybe this will clear things up for everyone.......

Popovitch played Kurt Thomas, Dantoni didn't unless he had to.

We gave KT away with 2 first round picks because he wasn't going to play much under Dantoni and he would cost 8 million in salary and more in luxury tax.

Diaw makes more money, but he plays alot of minutes under Dantoni, so why pay for what you won't use. This is business, right Sarver?

Now KT, a player we gave Seattle two first round draft picks just to take off our team, just helped beat us in game one.

Dantoni plays his favorites and others who could contribute don't get a real chance.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Skinner is better than he showed last game. Part of his performance is to be blamed on how he was prepared. Since not playing in games doesn't prepare you for playing in games, how do you expect him to realistically be at his best or ready in the playoffs?.....Ask Dumtoni he is in charge of players minutes.

For pity's sake people. Skinner is a veteran player who attends every practice. He is "prepared"

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Maybe this will clear things up for everyone.......

Popovitch played Kurt Thomas, Dantoni didn't unless he had to.

We gave KT away with 2 first round picks because he wasn't going to play much under Dantoni and he would cost 8 million in salary and more in luxury tax.

Diaw makes more money, but he plays alot of minutes under Dantoni, so why pay for what you won't use. This is business, right Sarver?

Now KT, a player we gave Seattle two first round draft picks just to take off our team, just helped beat us in game one.

Dantoni plays his favorites and others who could contribute don't get a real chance.

Incorrect.

We traded Kurt Thomas to avoid cutting into the highest profit margin (over a 3 year period) in the NBA. Period. That's it. It has nothing to do with the coach and everything to do with profit shares.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Oh and to put the final nail in the coffin.

Diaw finished the game +1. Only Shaq, Diaw, and Giricek finished the game with a positive +/-.

Skinner finished the game with a team high -6 despite playing the fewest minutes on any player.

And again it doesn't matter who was covering Finley on a downscreen on the baseline. The defensive responsibility on that play is that the person (Amare) guarding the screener (Oberto) needs to switch to Finley. (team basketball 101)

It is the exact same play that we used to get Nash free in the second overtime to hit his game tying three. Finley hit a big shot and that is what happens.

 

[green machine]

For pity's sake people. Skinner is a veteran player who attends every practice. He is "prepared"

Thank you for actually explaining it to people, who, for some reason, cannot imagine a guy being prepared to play basketball unless they play at least 10 minutes every game.

 

[BC867]

Thank you for actually explaining it to people, who, for some reason, cannot imagine a guy being prepared to play basketball unless they play at least 10 minutes every game.

Play basketball is one thing.

Be better prepared than your opponent is something else.

In the playoffs, good enough is not good enough. It's a competition.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Grant Hill should have been in the game guarding Finley.

grant hill couldn't move laterally anymore by that time. were you not watching him grimace?

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

so youre telling me "large ball" hinges on wether GRANT 6'6 hill is in?

wow.

i know you're making a point, but grant hill is 6'8.

 

[nowagimp]

I know some of you are going to disagree. But Game 1 was ultimately lost when D'Antoni decided to go to three Guards.

Just because Amare fouled out doesn't mean you go to the other extreme.

When Finley hit a three with Barbosa guarding him, our fate was sealed.

Why in the world were we playing three Guards for most of the two overtimes?

You can add a seven foot, 310 lb. Center, but D'Antoni's obsession with Guards and Small Forwards still rules.

Especially with no big men on our coaching staff. That says something.

So it wasnt hack a skinner or hack a shaq that won it? Or was it that the spurs simply out flopped ths suns? You can make up any excuse for the loss you want, you can say the suns went small or that the suns bigs got into foul trouble, same thing.

 

[nowagimp]

Oh and to put the final nail in the coffin.

Diaw finished the game +1. Only Shaq, Diaw, and Giricek finished the game with a positive +/-.

Skinner finished the game with a team high -6 despite playing the fewest minutes on any player.

And again it doesn't matter who was covering Finley on a downscreen on the baseline. The defensive responsibility on that play is that the person (Amare) guarding the screener (Oberto) needs to switch to Finley. (team basketball 101)

It is the exact same play that we used to get Nash free in the second overtime to hit his game tying three. Finley hit a big shot and that is what happens.

Yeah even van gundy said finley was amares responsibility on that play. And skinner was clueless on defense and a major liability on offense, he's lost out there. The dude is a 9 year vet, no wonder why he has played for so many different teams.