George O'Brien
ASFN Icon
Arizona Republic
D'Antoni expects winning record in final 27 games
advertisement
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 13, 2004 12:00 AM
The Suns' magic number is 14. It's not the sum of Phoenix losses and Denver wins needed to officially eliminate the Suns' playoff chances, although it's not far off.
It is the minimum number of wins coach Mike D'Antoni challenged his team to get after the All-Star break, which starts with Phoenix wallowing in a five-game losing streak and carrying the NBA's fourth-worst record (18-37).
"I told the guys (Wednesday night), 'We have 27 games left and we're going to come out on the positive side of those 27,' " D'Antoni said. "That's our goal and we're going to do it."
The problem is that the Suns just dropped five games to four losing Western Conference teams and a Toronto club that would be out of the playoffs in the West. When the Suns return to action Tuesday, they play at Midwest Division leader Minnesota and play three of the next four against playoff teams before finishing the month at Pacific Division leader Sacramento.
The tone of the current 2-11 stretch was easier to define when the Suns' effort was unquestioned and the games went to the wire. But after losing a 14-point lead Tuesday against Toronto and getting down by 20 in the first quarter Wednesday at Golden State, D'Antoni's young team is testing his patience.
"It's not about me," D'Antoni said. "It's about these kids and developing them and understanding what they need to do. How are they ever going to learn what they're supposed to be? So we're letting them go and play and find their identity.
"I do believe we need to finish the season on a positive note, though."
By the time Phoenix reconvenes for practice Monday, it may be a deeper, fresher team.
Shawn Marion (flu) and Leandro Barbosa (sore knee) should feel better, and Antonio McDyess could play soon.
Amare Stoudemire, having missed 27 of the Suns' first 50 games, has led the team in scoring in the past three games (25.3 points per game).
D'Antoni said the final stretch is crucial for Stoudemire, particularly on defense.
"It's important for him in the last third of the season to expand his game and dominate the low post," D'Antoni said.
Phoenix could use anything to key a run. The Suns' fewest wins in a season since their inaugural campaign (16 in 1968-69) was 28 in 1987-88.
D'Antoni expects winning record in final 27 games
advertisement
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 13, 2004 12:00 AM
The Suns' magic number is 14. It's not the sum of Phoenix losses and Denver wins needed to officially eliminate the Suns' playoff chances, although it's not far off.
It is the minimum number of wins coach Mike D'Antoni challenged his team to get after the All-Star break, which starts with Phoenix wallowing in a five-game losing streak and carrying the NBA's fourth-worst record (18-37).
"I told the guys (Wednesday night), 'We have 27 games left and we're going to come out on the positive side of those 27,' " D'Antoni said. "That's our goal and we're going to do it."
The problem is that the Suns just dropped five games to four losing Western Conference teams and a Toronto club that would be out of the playoffs in the West. When the Suns return to action Tuesday, they play at Midwest Division leader Minnesota and play three of the next four against playoff teams before finishing the month at Pacific Division leader Sacramento.
The tone of the current 2-11 stretch was easier to define when the Suns' effort was unquestioned and the games went to the wire. But after losing a 14-point lead Tuesday against Toronto and getting down by 20 in the first quarter Wednesday at Golden State, D'Antoni's young team is testing his patience.
"It's not about me," D'Antoni said. "It's about these kids and developing them and understanding what they need to do. How are they ever going to learn what they're supposed to be? So we're letting them go and play and find their identity.
"I do believe we need to finish the season on a positive note, though."
By the time Phoenix reconvenes for practice Monday, it may be a deeper, fresher team.
Shawn Marion (flu) and Leandro Barbosa (sore knee) should feel better, and Antonio McDyess could play soon.
Amare Stoudemire, having missed 27 of the Suns' first 50 games, has led the team in scoring in the past three games (25.3 points per game).
D'Antoni said the final stretch is crucial for Stoudemire, particularly on defense.
"It's important for him in the last third of the season to expand his game and dominate the low post," D'Antoni said.
Phoenix could use anything to key a run. The Suns' fewest wins in a season since their inaugural campaign (16 in 1968-69) was 28 in 1987-88.