Suns can only hope Lakers go big

[Gaddabout]

I keep hearing every analyst talking about how the Lakers will go big and punish the Suns. The Suns can play Bre'er Rabbit in the Briar Patch and feign like they're terrified of it. But they're not.

What the analysts don't get is the Lakers 3 point defense can't run four guys off the three point line with a big lineup, even with Odom and Gasol in there. But especially Bynum. He can't chase Frye off, and if he tries, Stoudemire is going to eat Gasol's lunch and then some.

It's a challenge for the Suns on defense, but as we saw against Portland, Hill and Dudley are capable of off-setting the advantage by hitting the defensive boards.

 

[AfroSuns]

Agree, and Pop went small too to counter that in the hope of containing the Suns. We all saw how that went.

 

[DevonCardsFan]

I keep hearing every analyst talking about how the Lakers will go big and punish the Suns. The Suns can play Bre'er Rabbit in the Briar Patch and feign like they're terrified of it. But they're not.

What the analysts don't get is the Lakers 3 point defense can't run four guys off the three point line with a big lineup, even with Odom and Gasol in there. But especially Bynum. He can't chase Frye off, and if he tries, Stoudemire is going to eat Gasol's lunch and then some.

It's a challenge for the Suns on defense, but as we saw against Portland, Hill and Dudley are capable of off-setting the advantage by hitting the defensive boards.

Great Point! Punish the Lakers with the three ball and pound them inside when Amare gets single coverage.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I keep hearing every analyst talking about how the Lakers will go big and punish the Suns. The Suns can play Bre'er Rabbit in the Briar Patch and feign like they're terrified of it. But they're not.

Well they should be. I understand we have to play to our strengths but in NBA history what team with the this wide of an interior advantage does not win out over the team with the perimeter game all other things being equal?

What the analysts don't get is the Lakers 3 point defense can't run four guys off the three point line with a big lineup, even with Odom and Gasol in there. But especially Bynum. He can't chase Frye off, and if he tries, Stoudemire is going to eat Gasol's lunch and then some.

The Lakers held down OKC pretty well and they ran a four out/one in system with Green at the 4 most of the time. Odom is so big for them defensively, he can guard any position and rebounds so well. The Lakers are very capable of letting Amare have his one on one against Bynum/Gasol and letting their perimeter length stay in our shooters grills.

It's a challenge for the Suns on defense, but as we saw against Portland, Hill and Dudley are capable of off-setting the advantage by hitting the defensive boards.

This is what we need to talk about. No offense, but your original premise is a bit too D'Antonian for my liking. You beat the Lakers by getting physical with Pau Gasol, harassing Kobe into taking bad shots, and taking advantage of their mostly terrible bench (except Odom). Not by spreading the floor and trying to make it a 3 point shooting contest.

 

[Chaplin]

Well they should be. I understand we have to play to our strengths but in NBA history what team with the this wide of an interior advantage does not win out over the team with the perimeter game all other things being equal?

Never seen you so scared, Mao. It's painfully obvious that you give the Suns NO chance in this series. Depressing.

 

[slinslin]

OKC is NOT a good 3pt-shooting team.

 

[Sunburn]

*shudders* Gasol and Bynum give me nightmares. I hope this theory holds merit.

 

[ArizonaSportsFan]

The key is certainly spacing. The Jazz spacing was questionable, and we all saw how that ended.

The Hawks spacing was even worse - I don't get how they didn't try to get illegal defense on Howard at least 10 times per game...

 

[Gaddabout]

This is what we need to talk about. No offense, but your original premise is a bit too D'Antonian for my liking. You beat the Lakers by getting physical with Pau Gasol, harassing Kobe into taking bad shots, and taking advantage of their mostly terrible bench (except Odom). Not by spreading the floor and trying to make it a 3 point shooting contest.

I'm scratching my head here because I'm trying to figure out how the notion is D'Antonian when, in fact, it's the same offense the Suns have been running under Gentry, as well. The Suns are built around the very premise and set an NBA record for 3 point shooting because of it. Are you suggesting the Suns go into the series trying to be something they're not?

The Suns beat the Spurs because they couldn't get to all the 3 point shooters, and when they hung out there at the 3 point line, either Nash/Stoudemire started blowing up in the two-man game or one of guards got penetration.

None of what I said predicated the Suns going soft on defense, which is what you seemed to be getting it.

 

[mojorizen7]

SUNS beat the SPURS this year because we took something away from the opposition defensively for once, as well as made our shots(for the most part).
That and our improved depth.

I agree that the offense we're running is similiar to DA's(essentially we are still a jump shooting team).....but unlike DA's one-trick philosophy, Gentry's SUNS are better capable of withstanding lapses of poor shooting due to the improved team defense & rebounding. This is key.

It will come down to which team can get the critical stops in the 4th quarter. I expect JRich to have a difficult series, so we're going to have to get a solid series from a few guys offensively including Nash,Amare,Barbosa & Channing Frye.
IMO

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

None of what I said predicated the Suns going soft on defense, which is what you seemed to be getting it.

I was getting at the notion that you seem to prefer we go four out/one in against the Lakers and be successful. I think doing that will ultimately be our downfall. In a seven game series I'll always take the team that pounds it down low and gets high percentage shots over the team that's shooting it from 25 feet away.

I say play traditional (Rolo) and pick our spots to go that route.

 

[Gaddabout]

I say play traditional (Rolo) and pick our spots to go that route.

From what I've heard, Lopez may not return this season.

 

[D-Dogg]

Not by spreading the floor and trying to make it a 3 point shooting contest.

Which brings up another excellent strength in play for both of these teams; in the regular season the Lakers were the best team in 3PT% defensively, and the 24th at 3PT% offensively. The Suns were the best 3PT% team offensively, and the 18th defensively.

Best three point shooting team facing the best 3PT defending team.

 

[LakeShowMan]

I can't wait for this series.

Although, as a Laker Fan, I think our only chance is to use our size mismatch. If we stay committed to going to the paint for points. Shoot a high percentage and limit the Suns ability to play in transition off of long missed threes and turnovers we will give ourselves the best chance to win. If we have to end up going small (Odom & Gasol) for long stretches because of foul trouble or injury, we will be playing right into the Suns hands.

This should be an incredible series either way.

 

[TucsonDevil]

From what I've heard, Lopez may not return this season.

?

PHOENIX (AP)—Alvin Gentry says he welcomes the rest before the start of the Western Conference finals, a weeklong hiatus that the Phoenix coach believes will make 7-footer Robin Lopez(notes) available for the series.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AlZBXKttGnFqyuEVzlEGFZK8vLYF?slug=ap-suns-welcomerest

 

[Chaplin]

From what I've heard, Lopez may not return this season.

He's been practicing full court normally since before Game 4 vs. San Antonio. Doesn't sound like someone who's going to be out the rest of the year.

 

[Mainstreet]

?

PHOENIX (AP)—Alvin Gentry says he welcomes the rest before the start of the Western Conference finals, a weeklong hiatus that the Phoenix coach believes will make 7-footer Robin Lopez(notes) available for the series.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AlZBXKttGnFqyuEVzlEGFZK8vLYF?slug=ap-suns-welcomerest

I too heard on local radio 620 AM Phoenix that everyone including Gentry and the players expect Lopez to be ready to go. This would be huge to have two centers that contribute and play different styles.

 

[82CardsGrad]

I too heard on local radio 620 AM Phoenix that everyone including Gentry and the players expect Lopez to be ready to go. This would be huge to have two centers that contribute and play different styles.

It would be a big mistake to expect Lopez to actually contribute... He will have not played a game in over 8 weeks. He's out of shape and out of rhythm... I think it's a bigtime stretch to believe he will have an impact in this series...

 

[Gaddabout]

Lopez slipped out without talking to reporters, and Gentry cautioned not to make too much of the big second-year pro’s probable return.

“This is not the cavalry, guys,” Gentry said.

Lopez averaged 11.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocked shots in the 31 games after he became a starter on Jan. 18. Gentry expected defense and rebounding from Lopez, but was surprised with the offense he provided, including a career-high 30 points against the Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 28.

Phoenix was 22-9 with Lopez as a starter.

He went down six games into the Suns’ season-high 10-game winning streak.

Phoenix, obviously, has been fine without him, going 16-4.

“It will definitely help to have Robin back for a few,” Amare Stoudemire said. “He’s a player that always gives us that extra energy … If we can get him back that would be phenomenal, but I think even if we don’t, we’ll be in good shape.”

It's the trainers that are most concerned and trying to hold him back. The impinged nerve is still causing weakness in the knee, which makes him susceptible to further injury even if he's playing without pain and in relatively decent game shape.

If he plays, you may not notice it. Seriously doubt he starts.

 

[Mainstreet]

It would be a big mistake to expect Lopez to actually contribute... He will have not played a game in over 8 weeks. He's out of shape and out of rhythm... I think it's a bigtime stretch to believe he will have an impact in this series...

Well if Lopez can play he will contribute more than Collins. I'm a realist so I'm not getting my hopes up. It just seems the Suns have the dominoes falling their way this season.

 

[dodie53]

good news if Lopez can play

 

[cly2tw]

I can't wait for this series.

Although, as a Laker Fan, I think our only chance is to use our size mismatch. If we stay committed to going to the paint for points. Shoot a high percentage and limit the Suns ability to play in transition off of long missed threes and turnovers we will give ourselves the best chance to win. If we have to end up going small (Odom & Gasol) for long stretches because of foul trouble or injury, we will be playing right into the Suns hands.

This should be an incredible series either way.

In the last two regular season games, Gasol and Odom no longer could score on Amare as they used to. Defensively, Amare has improved a lot over the season, he has only problem against Bynum's size now. So, if Bynum gets into foul trouble or so, I believe Suns would have the size advantage, in particular if Lopez comes back well.

I think we can win either way: Frye to spread out like against Spurs, or just headon with Lopez/Amare vs Bynum/Gasol. We'll see.

 

[Covert Rain]

I keep hearing every analyst talking about how the Lakers will go big and punish the Suns. The Suns can play Bre'er Rabbit in the Briar Patch and feign like they're terrified of it. But they're not.

What the analysts don't get is the Lakers 3 point defense can't run four guys off the three point line with a big lineup, even with Odom and Gasol in there. But especially Bynum. He can't chase Frye off, and if he tries, Stoudemire is going to eat Gasol's lunch and then some.

It's a challenge for the Suns on defense, but as we saw against Portland, Hill and Dudley are capable of off-setting the advantage by hitting the defensive boards.

I completely disagree. Here is an example. The reason the Suns had success against the Spurs was because they had a balanced attack in the paint and from the 3. Even at times the 3 was not falling for the Suns, they had some success around the basket.

If the Lakers keep the Suns out of the paint and defend it well, that means the Suns will rely on primarily the 3 point shot. The saying that "if you live by the 3 or die by the 3" will be in full effect during the series if that is the case.

If the Lakers can defend one on one in the paint, they won't have to run out to 3 point shooters. Amare will have to be a beast and we will have to play well the paint. If we don't, the Lakers will have guys on the perimeter to play our 3 point shooters all day.

Just for the record, that is what the Spurs and Lakers have done to us the past few years. They defended the paint so well, they didn't have to double down low and run guys to 3 point shooters. The Spurs this year, couldn't defend the paint and keep guys like Amare or Nash out. It remains to be seen if the Lakers can either but the last couple years they have had no problem man handling the Suns in the paint.

 

[cly2tw]

I completely disagree. Here is an example. The reason the Suns had success against the Spurs was because they had a balanced attack in the paint and from the 3. Even at times the 3 was not falling for the Suns, they had some success around the basket.

If the Lakers keep the Suns out of the paint and defend it well, that means the Suns will rely on primarily the 3 point shot. The saying that "if you live by the 3 or die by the 3" will be in full effect during the series if that is the case.

If the Lakers can defend one on one in the paint, they won't have to run out to 3 point shooters. Amare will have to be a beast and we will have to play well the paint. If we don't, the Lakers will have guys on the perimeter to play our 3 point shooters all day.

Just for the record, that is what the Spurs and Lakers have done to us the past few years. They defended the paint so well, they didn't have to double down low and run guys to 3 point shooters. The Spurs this year, couldn't defend the paint and keep guys like Amare or Nash out. It remains to be seen if the Lakers can either but the last couple years they have had no problem man handling the Suns in the paint.

Agree. BALANCED ATTACK, that's the magic this team has. Aside from game 4 against SA, Amare has not been shooting midrange jumpers well in playoffs. Frye, Hill, LB, Dragic often start their game with bad bricks. But this Suns team has the patience to get someone going while holding up out there with defense.
I just read Charley Rosen's first comments on Suns in the playoffs, after game 3 when it's safe. He finally gave Suns props and said the played the ball among all teams in POs. Yet, his suggestion for Pop to take the ball off Nash's hands was meanwhile ignorant. Our team doesn't depend on Nash handling the ball all time anymore. At times, we let someone else handle the ball and let Nash get it only later in the shot clock. That makes it impossible to deny him the ball throughout. Our main winning formula has been having Nash with legs behind his jumpers and layups whenever he is on the court, besides our great defense.

 

[krazyasiankid]

Well if Lopez can play he will contribute more than Collins. I'm a realist so I'm not getting my hopes up. It just seems the Suns have the dominoes falling their way this season.

Collins will have a bigger impact on this series than any other series' that the Suns have played. WE cant have an out-of-shape Robin Lopez trying to defend a hyped-up Pau Gasol, just yet.