Small Suns Get Outrebounded Again

[George O'Brien]

The Atlanta Hawks outrebounded the Suns 45-34. This is not a new experience, the Suns have been 39.9 rpg - 43.7 rpg this season.

The Suns rebounders actually had a reasonable number of rebounds: Voskuhl - 7, White - 9, and Marion 5. However, the Hawks big men were more effective: Abdur-Rahim - 13, Ratliff -12, and Diaw - 8.

Clearly the Suns would be better on the boards if Amare was playing, but the size problem the Suns have is likely to continue.

At least some of the Suns shooting problem was due to the shot blocking skill of Ratliff. By contrast, the Suns centers both fouled out trying to defense the paint.

I bring this up because it reinforces my biggest concern about the Suns - the need to upgrade the center position. Jake tries so hard you want him to succeed, but he was not match for Ratliff.

To me, the number one priority of the Suns over the next couple of years should be to upgrade the center position. At the same time, getting rid of White without getting another physical center looks like a sure way to do even worse in 2004-05 than they are doing this year.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Originally posted by George O'Brien


To me, the number one priority of the Suns over the next couple of years should be to upgrade the center position. At the same time, getting rid of White without getting another physical center looks like a sure way to do even worse in 2004-05 than they are doing this year.

Hasn't that been the goal the LAST THIRTY FIVE YEARS??

I mean really, every team not in LA or now Houston wants to upgrade their center. There just isn't anyone out there.

 

[George O'Brien]

Re: Re: Small Suns Get Outrebounded Again

Originally posted by thegrahamcrackr
Hasn't that been the goal the LAST THIRTY FIVE YEARS??

I mean really, every team not in LA or now Houston wants to upgrade their center. There just isn't anyone out there.

If there was no one, the Suns would be out rebounding everyone and be near the top of the league in shot blocking.

There are very few top players. However, I think there are a number guys who are better than Voskuhl/White on defense. All of them are imperfect, all have holes in their game, all present risks - but there are guys who play defense without fouling out most of the time.

I cannot understand the perspective that says "Get rid of White because he's too expensive and we can get a better player for mid xap in the future", but cannot suggest anyone.

My guess is that that the Suns could find an improvement, but only if they are willing to pay more. For example, Theo Ratliff is a very limited player, but he plays decent defense and is a great shot blocker. Unforutnatley, he will get $10.9 million next season on the last year of his contract. Would he be worth going after in 2005? With his history of injuries, probably not. But he is better than Voskuhl/White on defense.

On the other end of the price scale, I would like the Suns to get Tony Battie from Cleveland. He is a good defender and rebounder and only makes $4.4 million this year going up to $5.2 million in 2005-06. He's too light (6'11" 235) to be a superstar, but he is likely to be better than any mid range draft pick.

I am not looking for perfection, but I am looking for better interior defense. Is that too much to ask?

 

[Chaz]

Sure the Suns could use help at center but the current problem IMO is thay have no healthy PF.

Harvey is undersized, Zarko is underweight, and Gugliotta is underathletic.

Considering the roster they are not doing to bad on the boards lately. Teams like ATL and MEM are going to pound the undersized Suns on the glass. A healthy Stoudemire will do a lot for the rebounding against these teams.

Umm..You can also add Indiana (tonights opponent) to that list as well.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by SirChaz
Sure the Suns could use help at center but the current problem IMO is thay have no healthy PF.

Harvey is undersized, Zarko is underweight, and Gugliotta is underathletic.

Considering the roster they are not doing to bad on the boards lately. Teams like ATL and MEM are going to pound the undersized Suns on the glass. A healthy Stoudemire will do a lot for the rebounding against these teams.

Umm..You can also add Indiana (tonights opponent) to that list as well.

One of the reasons I am so anxious to trade up to get Okafor in the draft is that he would provide physical depth at PF and even a few minutes at #5. I'm not convinced that there is anyone else in the draft that will help on the inside for at least three years.