My thoughts on the current Suns team

[boisesuns]

I've been checking the boards and folowing the player aquisitions, but haven't posted a whole lot. I'm actually very exited about this upcoming season becuase of the players we got-and the ones we got rid of. Here's how i see it.

I was in favor of keeping joe, but i'm starting to like how things are shaping up. Here's a few reasons why...

-One of the biggest Suns weaknesses has been not stopping a player cutting to the basket: We have Thomas and grant now to help clog the middle.If amare can improve his defense, him and one of those two will reduce this drastically.

-Another place the suns got burned was defensive rebounding: Again grant and Thomas adress this better than what we had. Marion can now be on the break, adding a much better fastbreak.

-One place we got killed was defensive rotation: Bell will be a great addition.

-Team depth: We played 7 guys last year. Our team is considerably deeper now. Our rotation should reach 10 players (some playing small mins) and provide good rest when needed for the starters.

-Three point shooting: This is where it seems like it will drop of. I think Q was good for this team, but took a LOT of bad threes. If you are playing with Nash, you will get open looks at threes. We are starting to have a solid guard rotation, and most of them can hit the three, especially if the get open.

-Different game styles: The suns now will be able to run, but have versitility they didn't have to mix up the half court game. With KT's ability to hit the jumper, Amare's dominance inside, and Nash's playmaking, the suns are in Good shape.

I for one am not so worried about this upcomming season. I think we will be very efficient, and i'll go on record saying that we have a great chance to be a better team.

 

[CardNots]

I've been checking the boards and folowing the player aquisitions, but haven't posted a whole lot. I'm actually very exited about this upcoming season becuase of the players we got-and the ones we got rid of. Here's how i see it.

I was in favor of keeping joe, but i'm starting to like how things are shaping up. Here's a few reasons why...

-One of the biggest Suns weaknesses has been not stopping a player cutting to the basket: We have Thomas and grant now to help clog the middle.If amare can improve his defense, him and one of those two will reduce this drastically.

-Another place the suns got burned was defensive rebounding: Again grant and Thomas adress this better than what we had. Marion can now be on the break, adding a much better fastbreak.

-One place we got killed was defensive rotation: Bell will be a great addition.

-Team depth: We played 7 guys last year. Our team is considerably deeper now. Our rotation should reach 10 players (some playing small mins) and provide good rest when needed for the starters.

-Three point shooting: This is where it seems like it will drop of. I think Q was good for this team, but took a LOT of bad threes. If you are playing with Nash, you will get open looks at threes. We are starting to have a solid guard rotation, and most of them can hit the three, especially if the get open.

-Different game styles: The suns now will be able to run, but have versitility they didn't have to mix up the half court game. With KT's ability to hit the jumper, Amare's dominance inside, and Nash's playmaking, the suns are in Good shape.

I for one am not so worried about this upcomming season. I think we will be very efficient, and i'll go on record saying that we have a great chance to be a better team.

Good thoughts. I'm with you...

 

[dreamcastrocks]

The thing that I like the most, is the flexibility that we will have in the future. If we did resign JJ we are in cap hell, even luxury tax hell. We would have had one more year with Nash, Amare, Marion, and JJ, then one of them would have been traded (Marion the odd man out). Marion is more important to our team's long term success, eventhough he might not be the better player in the long term.

As long as Nash's knees hold up, (yes I know he has no problems with his knees now) the Suns should contend for the next 3-5 years.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

The thing that I like the most, is the flexibility that we will have in the future. If we did resign JJ we are in cap hell, even luxury tax hell. We would have had one more year with Nash, Amare, Marion, and JJ, then one of them would have been traded (Marion the odd man out). Marion is more important to our team's long term success, eventhough he might not be the better player in the long term.

As long as Nash's knees hold up, (yes I know he has no problems with his knees now) the Suns should contend for the next 3-5 years.

Exactly right....as good as the team is shaping up for 2005/06 (esp. if we pull off a finley miracle) our flexibiliy with cap space and draft picks puts us in an enviable position comparitively speaking with the other contenders (and that goes double for miami, if they dont win this year, they are screwed. that team is locked up to either too old or too overrated players for the next five years; someone start the dwade to phoenix thread!)

 

[mkapp]

Now include Finley in the mix...scary! Boy I hope he comes "home".

 

[TucsonDevil]

Correct me if I am wrong...

I have agreed with about everything so far that has been said. However, I don't see anyone on this list who can create his own shot, except for Steve Nash. All others are dependent on ball distribution. I think this is why we stunk when Nash was hurt and/or sitting on the bench. JJ could do that, but others can't.

Also, I haven't seen Bell post up - that type of flexibility with Q was great, though he fell in love with the three so much, he rarely did it. I guess, we don't want to clog up the lane so STAT could do his thing...

Overall, I think we improved our team for this season, and made ourselves more competitve for the next several years.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

I think it is safe to say that Amare can create his own shot

Also, when Jimmy feels like doing something other than spotting up he can get to basket pretty well.

 

[TucsonDevil]

Grahm, good call. I meant to say, out on the perimeter. I can't see Jim Jackson breaking down a 2 or even a small 3 with regularity. Jimmy has moves, but not like he used to.

 

[George O'Brien]

I think the key to this season's Suns is that they will be able to stop people. They may not score as many points as they did last year, but I expect their point differential will greatl improve. Also, adding Jones will make the team even deeper and more athletic.

BTW, the oft criticized Leandro is typically left out of the equation, but he is the one guy not named Nash or Stoudemire on the team that can make his own shot. He may play a bigger role than many expect.

 

[TucsonDevil]

BTW, the oft criticized Leandro is typically left out of the equation, but he is the one guy not named Nash or Stoudemire on the team that can make his own shot. He may play a bigger role than many expect.

That is great - do you think he will be helping the guys put on their sneakers?

 

[myrondizzo]

Correct me if I am wrong...

Also, I haven't seen Bell post up - that type of flexibility with Q was great, though he fell in love with the three so much, he rarely did it. I guess, we don't want to clog up the lane so STAT could do his thing...

Overall, I think we improved our team for this season, and made ourselves more competitve for the next several years.

I dont think that Q fell in love with the three i think that those were his orders for coach D.

 

[haverford]

BTW, the oft criticized Leandro is typically left out of the equation, but he is the one guy not named Nash or Stoudemire on the team that can make his own shot. He may play a bigger role than many expect.

Yeah, I second that George. Leandro has really been left out of the off-season accounts of possible pluses. I'm still optimistic that he can round out his game and become an essential contributor to the "middle" game that the Suns seem still to be cultivating, even with the Thomas/Grant acquisitions.

 

[PrimeTime]

That is great - do you think he will be helping the guys put on their sneakers?

LOL. Dude, thats the funniest thing I've seen all day. Thanks for that.

 

[devilalum]

I think it is safe to say that Amare can create his own shot
.

Most of the time he creates his own dunk.