Mike D'Antoni on Arizona Sports Report

[Joe Mama]

Mike D'Antoni was on the Fox Arizona sports report last night. He said that the team should be vastly improved because they have kept their nucleus and probably added a couple very good players to the team. He seemed very excited about Steve Nash although he really couldn't say much about him because of league rules.

When he was asked about a big man he said that the Suns were not going to pay big money to a player who really isn't that good just to get a big man. He said ultimately it might take a quality center to get to the championship, but they think they could have a good playoff team without one. He used the Minnesota Timberwolves as an example. Of course I would feel better about the Phoenix Suns center position if they even had Ervin Johnson in the middle.

Joe Mama

 

[coloradosun]

Hopefully the Shaq to Miami deal goes through, it would eliminate our need for a center this year. The Centers in our division aren't that impressive without him

Kaman-Clips
Foyle-GS
Miller or Vlade-Sac
Medvedenko-Lakers


McDyess or Lampe can probably handle these guys.
Yao is the only big threat after Shaq leaves.

 

[George O'Brien]

Hopefully the Shaq to Miami deal goes through, it would eliminate our need for a center this year. The Centers in our division aren't that impressive without him

Kaman-Clips
Foyle-GS
Miller or Vlade-Sac
Medvedenko-Lakers


McDyess or Lampe can probably handle these guys.
Yao is the only big threat after Shaq leaves.

There is still Yao who might actually be getting better.

At this point I'm not even worried about quality. The Suns have only four inside guys: Amare, Voskuhl, Lampe, and Vroman. Maybe if Zarko spent the summe weight lifting rather than messing around at the Olympics he could play some PF, but that is still not enough depth.

I keep hoping the Suns have figured out how to keep enough cap space to re-sign Dice.

 

[corrado]

D'Antoni.....

It appears by his statements that the Suns this year are just going to settle for a playoff appearance. Well, I have been in the Valley since 1979 and I've seen playoff appearances and that no longer is enough for me to be satisifed.

It sounds like they are already givng up on ANY chance of getting to the championship this year and it's the same old story for the Suns, the lack of a big man. I don't know what it is with this team but that has been their MO for all the years I have been here.

I don't care how many collections of athletic players they have in the 6'5 to 6'8 range, they aren't going to do it without some legitimate big men.

It's going to be the same old story again this year.

 

[F-Dog]

Thanks for the report, Joe.


I'm not sure what some of you are expecting here. No team goes from last place to first place in one year, and centers are insanely overpriced this summer. I like the logic of getting a player that other teams might actually want to trade for some day.

I would have preferred Okur, of course, but I don't think most of you have a reasonable alternative to what the Suns have done that you're willing to advance.

 

[George O'Brien]

It appears by his statements that the Suns this year are just going to settle for a playoff appearance. Well, I have been in the Valley since 1979 and I've seen playoff appearances and that no longer is enough for me to be satisifed.

It sounds like they are already givng up on ANY chance of getting to the championship this year and it's the same old story for the Suns, the lack of a big man. I don't know what it is with this team but that has been their MO for all the years I have been here.

I don't care how many collections of athletic players they have in the 6'5 to 6'8 range, they aren't going to do it without some legitimate big men.

It's going to be the same old story again this year.

I have never figured the Suns would do better than get to the second round this season, even if they had Kobe. The Suns will become a championship level team once Amare becomes a superstar and he is not there YET.

The Suns lack of urgency about getting someone to become a starting center suggest to me that they are serious about making Lampe their center of the future. Yes, I know there is always a chance of a trade, but nothing looks that promising.

How crazy is it to plan on starting Lampe? Based on his play this past season, it seems ridiculous. But we haven't seen him practice and they have. Still, I'm very nervious about having only Lampe and Jake.

 

[Joe Mama]

corrado, I'm not really sure what you are expecting here. They think they can make a serious playoff run with his team. How many teams jumped from the bottom of the barrel all the way to serious championship contender in one season? They are basically refusing to pay big money to second string centers. I guarantee that by trading line next season several of these teams are wishing they would not have made these signings.

Joe Mama

 

[Chaplin]

For a change, the decision to not want to overpay for a mediocre center is a good one. And contrary to what our history says we do.

IMO, it's a good move. Even if we don't make the playoffs, it's a good move.

However, with Steve Nash and possibly Q, I believe the Suns will make the playoffs next season, even without any more signings. I think without Q and just Nash signed, we have a great chance of getting to the playoffs. We might now get out of the first round, but I'm certainly not jonesing for a late lottery pick next year. Might as well play into May. There's nothing like playoff basketball.

 

[corrado]

Center

Gambo mentioned yesterday that they may sign a vet for the miniumum (think Scott Williams again or Rebraca who once played at Detroit). It's just another stop gap move that the Suns have made over the years at the Center position.

IMO the Suns (probably with the exeption of Okur) going into this free agency period had no plans to go after a Center. This is what they typically do.

As I noted to all of you I am going to Vegas next week for the summer league and will closely be watching Lampe to see how much his game has improved.
Will let you know my observations when I return.

 

[George O'Brien]

For a change, the decision to not want to overpay for a mediocre center is a good one. And contrary to what our history says we do.

IMO, it's a good move. Even if we don't make the playoffs, it's a good move.

However, with Steve Nash and possibly Q, I believe the Suns will make the playoffs next season, even without any more signings. I think without Q and just Nash signed, we have a great chance of getting to the playoffs. We might now get out of the first round, but I'm certainly not jonesing for a late lottery pick next year. Might as well play into May. There's nothing like playoff basketball.

Last season the Mavs won 52 games without any inside presence at all and almost as little defense. They did it by scoring 105 ppg and averaging 45.9% from the field. If healthy, the Suns have a good chance of getting well over 100 ppg.

 

[slinslin]

Lets just hope Q gets here.

Amare 23ppg
Marion 18ppg
JJ 15ppg
Q 15ppg
Nash 13ppg
Barbosa 7ppg
Voshkul 6ppg
Lampe 7ppg

104ppg
Casey , Zarko, Vroman will probably not be in the regular rotation unless Zarko has gotten a lot stronger so he can get time at PF.

I doubt another center would have enhanced our chances to win it all this season.

 

[fordronken]

I think I remember Rebraca having some good games last year(at least from a fantasy standpoint). Has anyone watched him play much? How is his defense?

 

[Chaz]

Look, making the playoffs next season is a good goal and a step in the right direction after last season.

I don't know how fast they will be championship contenders but you can't even talk about a chance of the title without making the playoffs.

 

[NJYAJ09]

bleh, I'd much rather have Ostertag, he might work down here. 3 mil a year for Tag? Maybe?

 

[Joe Mama]

I'll bet that in the end someone overpays for Greg Ostertag as well. If not, maybe the Suns can convince him to sign here.

 

[Goldfield]

Dice
Ostertag
Robert Traylor
Big Jake

I dont care, we need any warm bodies that can play the 5 at this point.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Dice
Ostertag
Robert Traylor
Big Jake

I dont care, we need any warm bodies that can play the 5 at this point.

If that is all you want, find some scrubs and give them 1 year min deals. Like someone else pointed out, I am sure Alton Ford is looking for some money.

Overpaying bad-decent centers is a curse we finally didn't fall under.

 

[SweetD]

I still am holding out hope that Swift will take a one year deal and maybe get him for 2mil.

 

[Quagmire]

I assume that you are talking about Stromile Swift. His qualifying offer from the Grizzlies is worth 6 mil. I wouldn't hold that hope for too long.

 

[carey]

I assume that you are talking about Stromile Swift. His qualifying offer from the Grizzlies is worth 6 mil. I wouldn't hold that hope for too long.

That is really surprising. He was on my Fantasy Team for a while last year and Hubie barely played him after the first quarter of the season.

 

[Quagmire]

The amount of his one year qualifying offer is based on his draft status, which I believe was second or third overall. If he doesn't sign a new contract this year, he will be a free agent next year.

 

[Joe Mama]

According to the rumors and then this grizzlies are telling everyone they will match any offer for Stromile Swift. Of course I would like to see some team test that resolve. I think they're just trying to scare everyone else away. Of course that doesn't mean I want the Phoenix Suns to rush out and overpay him.

Joe Mama

 

[George O'Brien]

Swift has a qualifying offer of $5.9 million. He could be part of a sign and trade deal with GS for Dampier.