jbeecham
ASFN Addict
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=ramsay_drjack&id=1683014
The Symptoms
The Suns, based on their 44-38 record in 2002-03 and their subsequent competitive showing in the six-game playoff loss to San Antonio last spring, were ranked eighth among NBA teams in this preseason's rankings. The team is led by their outstanding point guard Stephon Marbury, the airborne Matrix Shawn Marion and the powerhouse youngster Amare Stoudemire. But the Suns have been erratically inconsistent early on. They were blown out at Denver, 110-80, then crushed by Dallas, 121-90, the next night. They recorded an inspiring win at Boston, overcoming a 29-point, third-period deficit, then lost consecutive games at New Jersey, Orlando and Miami. In the loss to the Magic, which ended Orlando's 19-game losing streak, the Suns gave away a 22-point, first-period lead. Phoenix hasn't been above .500 all season, and after a lackluster performance at Miami in Tuesday's 92-72 defeat, it has an 8-13 record. The loss was the team's seventh in nine games.
In that Miami game, the Suns shot only 36 percent from the field (the starting backcourt of Marbury and Penny Hardaway was a combined 6-for-23) and they were beaten decisively on the boards (51-30) by a smaller Heat lineup. Included in that disparity were 24 offensive rebounds by Miami. The Phoenix defense was non-existent after the first period. Whether in a loose man-to-man or a porous zone, the Suns allowed straight-line, unobstructed drives to the hoop or wide-open jumpers. The Suns' offense lacked crispness and ended too often with jump shots taken to beat the shot clock. Coach Frank Johnson acknowledged in his postgame comments that "we've become a jump-shooting team and when they're going in it's great, but when they're not ..." The Suns have games like that.
Significantly, the Suns are without Stoudemire (high ankle sprain) and impressive rookie Zarko Cabarkapa (broken arm). Both will miss about a month of action. That leaves Johnson with such big-man alternatives like Tom Gugliotta, Jake Voskuhl, Scott Williams, Jahidi White, Cezary Trybanski and Robert Archibald.
Frank Johnson must find a way to save the Suns and his job.
Rumors persist that Johnson's job is in peril, although team chairman Jerry Colangelo has denied that to be true. "We're disappointed with where we're at now, but that's a far cry from the coach being fired," he told the Arizona Republic before the just-completed road trip began. Team president/general manager Bryan Colangelo refused to comment on Johnson's situation after the Miami loss. But Johnson appears to be understandably stressed-out as he deals with the mounting number of losses.
The Diagnosis
On average, the Suns have been outscored (94.3-91.7); outshot from the field (.436-.432), outrebounded (44.0-41.5) and have fewer assists (19.8-20.6). Although those differences aren't severe, it's hard for a team to win consistently when it's on the short end of all of those statistics.
The Suns use a variety of defenses -- none of which is consistently effective. Their man-to-man lacks ball pressure and adequate weakside help, and the zones are open in the middle from where the ball can be relayed for high-percentage shots inside and out. No team can win when it gives opponents a 21-rebound edge that includes 24 off the offensive glass.
On offense, the Suns don't get the fastbreak opportunities that is compatible with their talent. Marbury, Hardaway, Johnson, Casey Jacobsen and rookie Leandro Barbosa (injured at Miami) all have excellent speed, and Marbury has great playmaking skills in the open court. Instead they seem satisfied to play in half-court sets. Frank Johnson's assessment is correct -- the Suns have become a jump-shooting team. They use a lot of high screens for Marbury and the other perimeter players and frequently end up shooting long-bomb attempts. Erratic-shooting Joe Johnson takes the most 3-pointers on the team (73) and shoots only 26 percent from that distance. Without Stoudemire for the immediate future, the Suns have no low-post presence.
The Cure
Most turnaround seasons begin with a renewed stress on defense. That's where it must start with the Suns. Solid man-to-man principles must be re-established -- quick transition to the defensive end of the floor, pressure on the ball with the objective of keeping penetrators out of the middle, an effective system of dealing with screen-and-roll plays, a consistent way of handling cross-and-down screens, and a well-organized system of weakside help rotation. If zone defenses are used, the adjustments need to be more consistent and the overall zone use should be of short-term duration. Rebounding basics must be established and must involve all five players.
On offense, the Suns need to run more and get to the hoop with greater frequency. They should push the ball on every possession -- including opponents' made field goals. A determination to improve team rebounding will help to up-tempo the attack considerably.
Marbury is the key player. ... He needs to get more teammates involved and develop better shots for himself.
In half-court offense, the Suns need to penetrate the basket area -- to score or create high-percentage shooting opportunities. Then the jump shots that result will be better quality, plus they'll be in better rebounding position.
Marbury is the key player. He sets the tempo and directs the offense and has the skill to create any kind of offense. He's strong and quick on defense. He needs to get more teammates involved and develop better shots for himself. Marion has upgraded his contribution since Stoudemire was injured and must maintain that level of play. Joe Johnson and Hardaway need greater consistency, and the sum total of big men must collectively fill the void in the middle.
This is a critical time for Frank Johnson. He must somehow pull his team together -- even with its injuries. If he can get his team back on track -- by playing hard and together like it did last season down the stretch and in the playoffs -- he'll live to see the New Year as the Suns' head coach. But if the Suns continue to fade and show the lack of resolve they demonstrated in Miami, he'll probably get fired.
This won't be an easy task for Johnson. The Suns are past the "kind" part of their schedule -- 12 of the first 17 games were at home. He needs some wins, starting with a home game with New Orleans on Thursday.
