az1965
Love Games!
No better time for the Suns to get it done
By Stan McNeal - SportingNews
I don't care for the desert, I think Phoenix fans are among the biggest bandwagoners in the land, and I've never been a huge fan of the Suns.
But come June, I hope to see Steve Nash pouring champagne on Mike D'Antoni. That would be the best way -- the only way, really -- to stuff a sock in the grill of everyone who drones on about how a team that stresses offense over defense can't win the big one.
If ever there were a team equipped to debunk the doubts, it's D'Antoni's Suns. (The Warriors are another, but their window of opportunity is just opening.) The Suns, however, may be running short on time. First-year general manager Steve Kerr tells me he's convinced Phoenix's style can win a title, but I wonder about his conviction. I have a feeling a flameout in the playoffs could shut the Suns' window in a hurry. Kerr won five rings with Bulls and Spurs teams that emphasized defense and halfcourt offense. He knows that style can win. He needs D'Antoni to show him that offense-minded teams can win, too.
With the Spurs and Mavericks looking vulnerable, the Suns have their best opportunity to reach The Finals under D'Antoni. Trouble is, they seem intent on making their job more challenging than necessary. For one reason, their rebounding has been weaker than their defense. The Suns rank 25th in points allowed but dead last in offensive rebounds and offensive rebounds allowed. In consecutive games last week against the Timberwolves and Cavaliers, the Suns were beaten on the offensive boards by a combined 39-6 margin.
Another obstacle looms in their locker room, where drama seems to follow the Suns from every loss until the next win. But so far, any disharmony off the court has not found its way to the court.
Off the court: Shawn Marion, who has made a habit of not feeling appreciated, asked to be traded before camp opened, and rumors still persist that he wants out.
On the court: Marion said his trade demand would not affect his performance, and he has been right. His scoring and shots are down slightly, but his rebounding is up over last season. He took just three and four shots in back-to-back games last week, but one was a last-second runner that beat the Cavs and sent Marion into a big chest bump with Nash. Marion certainly did not look disgruntled then.
Off the court: Amare Stoudemire, never known for his defensive intensity, has grumbled about having to play out of position on defense and not getting enough touches on offense.
On the court: Stoudemire has had to defend centers who usually are bigger than him. But the Suns set up their defense to make sure he gets plenty of help. What Stoudemire doesn't say about being mismatched against centers is that he has an advantage on offense because they have to guard him.
Off the court: Nash became so frustrated after a few tough December losses that he pointed fingers at unnamed teammates (Stoudemire, for one).
On the court: Both Nash and Stoudemire are playing like All-Stars. Stoudemire is averaging 22.7 points and shooting a career-best 59.0 percent, and Nash again leads the league in assists with a career-best 11.9.
For a team supposedly so unhappy, the Suns sure have a good record. Granted, they've had a favorable first half schedule, but they are ahead of the Spurs and Mavs and just a half-game behind the surging first-place Hornets in the West.
No wonder D'Antoni says he still believes in his group. Kerr recently was considering a major move -- a league source says the Suns were asking around about the Nuggets' Marcus Camby -- but D'Antoni told him to hold off.
"We have one of the best records in the league, so why would we want to change anything?" says D'Antoni, calling the Suns "an unbelievable offensive team that's trying to get better on defense. "I know we haven't quite hit our stride, but we're real close to being there." As long as they hit it come June, you can line up the naysayers and I'll bring the socks.
By Stan McNeal - SportingNews
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I don't care for the desert, I think Phoenix fans are among the biggest bandwagoners in the land, and I've never been a huge fan of the Suns.
But come June, I hope to see Steve Nash pouring champagne on Mike D'Antoni. That would be the best way -- the only way, really -- to stuff a sock in the grill of everyone who drones on about how a team that stresses offense over defense can't win the big one.
If ever there were a team equipped to debunk the doubts, it's D'Antoni's Suns. (The Warriors are another, but their window of opportunity is just opening.) The Suns, however, may be running short on time. First-year general manager Steve Kerr tells me he's convinced Phoenix's style can win a title, but I wonder about his conviction. I have a feeling a flameout in the playoffs could shut the Suns' window in a hurry. Kerr won five rings with Bulls and Spurs teams that emphasized defense and halfcourt offense. He knows that style can win. He needs D'Antoni to show him that offense-minded teams can win, too.
With the Spurs and Mavericks looking vulnerable, the Suns have their best opportunity to reach The Finals under D'Antoni. Trouble is, they seem intent on making their job more challenging than necessary. For one reason, their rebounding has been weaker than their defense. The Suns rank 25th in points allowed but dead last in offensive rebounds and offensive rebounds allowed. In consecutive games last week against the Timberwolves and Cavaliers, the Suns were beaten on the offensive boards by a combined 39-6 margin.
Another obstacle looms in their locker room, where drama seems to follow the Suns from every loss until the next win. But so far, any disharmony off the court has not found its way to the court.
Off the court: Shawn Marion, who has made a habit of not feeling appreciated, asked to be traded before camp opened, and rumors still persist that he wants out.
On the court: Marion said his trade demand would not affect his performance, and he has been right. His scoring and shots are down slightly, but his rebounding is up over last season. He took just three and four shots in back-to-back games last week, but one was a last-second runner that beat the Cavs and sent Marion into a big chest bump with Nash. Marion certainly did not look disgruntled then.
Off the court: Amare Stoudemire, never known for his defensive intensity, has grumbled about having to play out of position on defense and not getting enough touches on offense.
On the court: Stoudemire has had to defend centers who usually are bigger than him. But the Suns set up their defense to make sure he gets plenty of help. What Stoudemire doesn't say about being mismatched against centers is that he has an advantage on offense because they have to guard him.
Off the court: Nash became so frustrated after a few tough December losses that he pointed fingers at unnamed teammates (Stoudemire, for one).
On the court: Both Nash and Stoudemire are playing like All-Stars. Stoudemire is averaging 22.7 points and shooting a career-best 59.0 percent, and Nash again leads the league in assists with a career-best 11.9.
For a team supposedly so unhappy, the Suns sure have a good record. Granted, they've had a favorable first half schedule, but they are ahead of the Spurs and Mavs and just a half-game behind the surging first-place Hornets in the West.
No wonder D'Antoni says he still believes in his group. Kerr recently was considering a major move -- a league source says the Suns were asking around about the Nuggets' Marcus Camby -- but D'Antoni told him to hold off.
"We have one of the best records in the league, so why would we want to change anything?" says D'Antoni, calling the Suns "an unbelievable offensive team that's trying to get better on defense. "I know we haven't quite hit our stride, but we're real close to being there." As long as they hit it come June, you can line up the naysayers and I'll bring the socks.
