Stop, in the name of ... defense

[Irish]

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/127269

Suns notebook: Stop, in the name of ... defense

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Jerry Brown, Tribune

TUCSON - When they finally scrimmaged during the last 15 minutes of practice Thursday, the Suns played a friendly game up to five.
Not five points. Five defensive stops.

"If we got five stops in a practice last year, we'd stop and go home," one Suns official quipped.

Not anymore. If you don't get stops under coach Terry Porter, you run. If you don't switch or help or get back, teammates will grumble because they're going to have to run again. Thursday morning, the Suns had a one-hour film session - and hardly mentioned offense.

After three days of camp, the catchword is fatigue. The energy level remained high but the players are tired and sore and ice and cold tubs are welcome friends.

"You are always tired after three days of camp. You're supposed to be," Suns forward Boris Diaw said. "But this year is different."
Shaquille O'Neal was delighted when he came to Phoenix, because he had heard tales of Mike D'Antoni's short practices and emphasis on scrimmaging. But the game has quickly changed. When asked what the difference was between practice under Pat Riley in Miami and Porter practices, Shaq exhaled and answered "30 minutes."

Today's 5 p.m. public scrimmage at McKale Center promises to be different than the scoring free-for-alls of the past.

"If we look like we're on our way to (scoring) 120 points, I'll stop it," Porter said. "It's important that we start to establish our style and identity. That's not our identity."

STOUDEMIRE OUT AGAIN

One thing won't change during tonight's scrimmage: Amaré Stoudemire won't be playing. Stoudemire, who missed all of camp in 2005 and 2007 because of knee injuries, is out until at least early next week after a Diaw finger to his right eye Wednesday night caused a partial tear in his iris.
Stoudemire, who had just returned to practice full time after suffering an ankle sprain two weeks ago, saw team ophthalmologist Jay Schwartz in Phoenix Thursday, and was driven to another doctor by owner Robert Sarver upon his return to Tucson.

He will miss at least a couple of days.

"When I looked at it on tape it looked like just a glancing blow, but he really got a finger in there good. It looked pretty bad when I saw him in the morning," Porter said.

General manager Steve Kerr said there was no damage to either the cornea or the retina, which would have been much more serious. Stoudemire still had blurred vision as of Thursday but that is expected to subside.

Trainer Aaron Nelson said Stoudemire had already spoken with him about wearing goggles due to previous similar incidents.
He will likely be wearing them upon his return.

BONUS SHOTS

There was no update on guard Leandro Barbosa's status. Barbosa flew home to Brazil earlier this week to be with his ailing mother. The Suns do not expect him back before next week, at the earliest. ...
Porter said the scrimmage will consist of four shorter-than-normal quarters. He said he will mix up the lineups to start the game and might have players switch jerseys during the game if there is a need to balance lineups. ...

The Suns finish their practice by shooting free throws one at a time. If you miss, the team runs. The team made 10 out of 13 Thursday, as Steve Nash (career 90 percent from the line) and Grant Hill (87 percent last year) both missed for the second straight night.

 

[mojorizen7]

Its too bad about Barbosa's mom.....i hope that situation improves.
Its unfortunate he's missing valuable time in camp too......especially when there's so much emphasis on defense this year.
Tucker should seize this opportunity to step up and catch the eyes of the coaching staff.

 

[Irish]

Its too bad about Barbosa's mom.....i hope that situation improves.
Its unfortunate he's missing valuable time in camp too......especially when there's so much emphasis on defense this year.
Tucker should seize this opportunity to step up and catch the eyes of the coaching staff.

I couldn't agree more. Tucker has a real opportunity to show what he can do and we'll find out if he's going to contribute this year.

 

[Suns_fan69]

Hmm, when Porter was first hired, I got the impression that his approach was going to be about bringing more focus to the defense end without messing the overall team philosophy.

Currently I'm getting more of a vibe that he's going Avery Johnson on us with the defensive philosophy.

That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I do wonder if he's going to lose some players along the way?

 

[carey]

That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I do wonder if he's going to lose some players along the way?

Without a doubt. I'm just not sure who yet.

 

[azmike74]

Without a doubt. I'm just not sure who yet.

In the next couple years guys who can't cut it with defense will surely be gone. I think (no surprise) we may be looking at a complete overhaul.

I only hope the strategy works and the fans will stick around. The way I look at it, is now, we are completely removed from the Colangelo era. Only time will tell if that is for the better or worse.

Personally, I am nervous about it.

 

[Irish]

If Gentry had not been retained, I'd be more concerned. This is a team that has been at or near the top in offense for four years and has retained 7 rotation guys from last year. They know how to score and have all the tools to go back to run and gun at a drop of the hat. What they need are stops and I'm not surprised that is their focus.

Will Hill revolt? He was probably the most conspicuous example of guy coming over because he did not want really tough practices. But the team is going to cut down on his work to save him for the playoffs, so I think he "gets it". Barnes is a defense guy, so you'd imagine he will flourish on a team that really values what he does. It's not like the team will stop running, only that will be a lot more selective in shooting threes.

 

[dodie53]

Without a doubt. I'm just not sure who yet.

steve nash maybe?

 

[nowagimp]

steve nash maybe?

this is what I suspect, that nash will not adapt to the grind it out style porter seems to want to play. Im not so sure having dragic hound nash all over the floor in hard nosed practices will benefit nash or his back much over the long NBA season. I also doubt the elders, shaq or hill will bust their buns in practice for very long. On the plus side the suns are, on the surface, deeper than in recent memory. If guys get sore or tweak something, perhaps they can be rested to heal fully this year without a danger of the team missing the playoffs.

 

[nowagimp]

steve nash maybe?

this is what I suspect, that nash will not adapt to the grind it out style porter seems to want to play. Im not so sure having dracig hound nash all over the floor in hard nosed practices will benefit nash or his back much over the long NBA season. I also doubt the elders, shaq or hill will bust their buns in practice for very long. On the plus side the suns are, on the surface, deeper than in recent memory. If guys get sore or tweak something, perhaps they can be rested to heal fully this year without a danger of the team missing the playoffs.

 

[mojorizen7]

steve nash maybe?

I tend to agree that if anybody doesn't completely buy into the system of defense before offense it'll be Nash.....or Amare.
Nash because he's so gifted in the reckless up & down pace that D'Antoni had in place here.
Amare simply because i'm not completely sold on his work ethic and playing solid defense takes alot of work.

 

[AceP]

I don't think we need to worry much here?

Porter really doesn't need to practice Nash, Hill, and Shaq too much. These 3 r with the highest basketball IQ in the league. They r loaded with experience. They could grasp anything in Porter's tactic book in short time. And, Kerr & Porter knows they need to save their old legs for playoff.

Besides, among all the players, these veterans want the ring most. They know what needs to be done.

 

[cly2tw]

steve nash maybe?

No way. Nash is someone who definitely knows how to pace himself. From comments he made about defending Iverson after the trade last season, we know it for fact that he'd be a decent enough defender when he put his mind and energy to it. He said that without handling the ball as much with Shaq in there freed enough energy for defense.

The false conclusion of him eventually breaking down is based on the assumption that Nash'd have to spend the same level of energy on offense and play the same number of minutes as under DA. That certainly won't happen.

 

[Irish]

Let's not confuse the issues. Porter is putting a focus in for defense. We knew that was going to happen on day one. We know the Suns are going to be more selective with their shooting. There are signs that started last year with 200 fewer threes. But the team scored on a few tenths of point less last year than the year before.

As for PRACTICING slow down, half court basketball, that makes a lot of sense. The Knicks need to learn to run. The Suns need to learn what do when they can't. Besides, does anyone think Porter is going to be shoutin "slow it down, don't sun so much"?

Quick shots will be reduced, but this is a team with more guys who can get to the basket. Don't look for 90 point games very often.