Suns looking to add a defensive assistant

[BC867]

The Suns front office is going to add an extra assistant coach to the payroll to be a defensive coordinator for Alvin Gentry, saying they want fresh ideas from the outside.

Gentry's phraseology of defensive coordinator is music to our ears. Not just an assistant, but someone responsible for coordinating the Suns defense with the backing of the Head Coach and Front Office.

It infers that the Suns will bring in (by free agency, draft or trade) skilled defensive players. If not, why add the expense of a defensive coordinator?

I've been waiting forty years for a real Center and a Defensive Coordinator. My team is finally joining the NBA.

Now that we've mastered putting on a good show during a lot of regular seasons, we might develop into an elite team.

I wonder how much of this change in philosophy was motivated by the elimination of the glamour teams from the post-season.

Just a few days ago, I posted that I'd like to see the Mavs, then the Jazz, win NBA titles because it might shame the Suns into not remaining the bridesmaid.

I can't believe, after all these years, they are going to walk the walk. Go Suns!

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/sun...20110526phoenix-suns-defensive-assistant.html

 

[JCSunsfan]

I thought Dan Majerle was the defensive guy.

 

[AsUdUdE]

They are bringing in a defensive coach to teach Jimmer the CORRECT way to play Steve Nash NBA defense....

 

[slinslin]

All talk, every year the same ********. I want to see actions.

 

[Covert Rain]

They can bring in the best defensive coach on the planet.....but they still need defensive players to take advantage. Much ado about nothing IMO unless they bring in said players like mentioned above.

 

[Mainstreet]

At least adding a defensive assistant is a step in the right direction... by acknowledging there is a problem. It may not be an immediate cure but it can help while the the Suns add more defense oriented players. Part of having a better defense is having coaches putting a focus on it.

 

[mojorizen7]

All talk, every year the same ********. I want to see actions.

This...

They can bring in the best defensive coach on the planet.....but they still need defensive players to take advantage. Much ado about nothing IMO unless they bring in said players like mentioned above.

...and that.

 

[mojorizen7]

In addition to adding defensive players the Suns are also going to have to change the way they view things offensively.....if they want to get significantly better defensively.

Unless we find a 2011 version of Magic Johnson at the point(who was the catalyst for the Showtime Lakers being able to run AND still allow the rest of the team to defend IMO),the Suns will not be able to make defensive strides while still running a jump-shooting offense dominated by a 6 foot PG who can't guard a chair.

I would love to see a defensive commitment from ownership,GM,HC, and personnel.
We would at least be on the right track to becoming legit contenders again.

 

[Gaddabout]

Guys, this is just part of what I mentioned in another thread. The front office is putting an emphasis on defense, and most of all their moves this off-season will be based on that agenda. That includes the draft and any free-agent/trade moves they make.

I'm not saying they'll stick to it. Just saying that's the marching orders the GM has given to the front office, scouts, and coaches.

 

[BC867]

I thought Dan Majerle was the defensive guy.

Gentry made reference to both Majerle and Bill Cartwright, then said he wanted someone with fresh ideas.

Apparently neither assistant coach made an impact but, then again, how could they with a weak defensive roster?

At least, the Suns are finally being honest about their soft reputation on defense. With few exceptions, our best defenders over the decades have been Wing players. Just as 39 year old Small Forward Grant Hill was our best defender last season.

Again, I like Gentry referring to the new Coach, whoever he may be, as our Defensive Coordinator. There is a difference between assisting our Head Coach and overseeing his area of expertise -- defense -- while reporting to the Head Coach.

Regarding Majerle, when posters previously referred to Majerle as Head Coach material, I cringed. He is amazingly immature. A celebrity - yes. A leader -no.

 

[mojorizen7]

Guys, this is just part of what I mentioned in another thread. The front office is putting an emphasis on defense, and most of all their moves this off-season will be based on that agenda. That includes the draft and any free-agent/trade moves they make.

I'm not saying they'll stick to it. Just saying that's the marching orders the GM has given to the front office, scouts, and coaches.

Lets hope so....because lets face it,offensive basketball has been the fuel driving this franchise to profit and 0-42 for as long as i can remember.

 

[Gaddabout]

Lets hope so....because lets face it,offensive basketball has been the fuel driving this franchise to profit and 0-42 for as long as i can remember.

Honestly, I think it's questionable to pursue defense as much as the Suns have pursued offense in the past. Look at the Bulls. Their offense was left in the hands of 1.5 players and they got bullied by the Heat inspite of Chicago's otherwise stellar defense. Chicago didn't score an easy bucket in the 4th quarter in that entire series. Even those great Detroit teams in the early 90s understood that and had The Microwave come off the bench to score late in games.

This year's top defensive teams based on PPG:

1. Boston
2. Chicago
3. Milwaukee
4. Orlando
5. New Orleans

This year's top defensive teams based on FG%:

1. Chicago
2. Milwaukee
3. LA Lakers
4. Atlanta
5. Boston

If the goal is to win a championship, the goal should be balance. It means finding players who can play both ends of the floor, or one really well and one reasonably well. Other than Grant Hill, none of the other 4 starters really fit that description.

If the Suns were really interested in building a contender, they'd be shaking this roster up entirely and reforming it based on the vision of a coach and GM. Instead, this is just more tinkering. They'll probably succeed at getting more defense at the cost of the offense. I'd much prefer to hear "balance" being the buzz word.

 

[mojorizen7]

Honestly, I think it's questionable to pursue defense as much as the Suns have pursued offense in the past. Look at the Bulls. Their offense was left in the hands of 1.5 players and they got bullied by the Heat inspite of Chicago's otherwise stellar defense. Chicago didn't score an easy bucket in the 4th quarter in that entire series. Even those great Detroit teams in the early 90s understood that and had The Microwave come off the bench to score late in games.

This year's top defensive teams based on PPG:

1. Boston
2. Chicago
3. Milwaukee
4. Orlando
5. New Orleans

This year's top defensive teams based on FG%:

1. Chicago
2. Milwaukee
3. LA Lakers
4. Atlanta
5. Boston

If the goal is to win a championship, the goal should be balance. It means finding players who can play both ends of the floor, or one really well and one reasonably well. Other than Grant Hill, none of the other 4 starters really fit that description.

If the Suns were really interested in building a contender, they'd be shaking this roster up entirely and reforming it based on the vision of a coach and GM. Instead, this is just more tinkering. They'll probably succeed at getting more defense at the cost of the offense. I'd much prefer to hear "balance" being the buzz word.

Good post.
The Bulls aren't done yet. They need another pure scorer....preferably at the 2 to put some MAJOR pressure on the opposing teams backcourt defensively.

As for the Suns it will have to start at the top(Sarver) and i just don't see it happening. I think you've got to make it a requirement to put players on the floor who can all defend to some extent....among them finding 2 goto all-stars that can be the focal point offensively....1 from the perimeter and 1 from the post. I realize i'm simplifying the blueprint, but i've watched alot of basketball over the last 30 yrs or so(as i assume you have as well)....and what i DO KNOW is that putting a bunch of jump shooters and 1 defensive stopper around an outstanding distributer who cant defend isn't going to get you anywhere beyond May.

 

[Covert Rain]

Honestly, I think it's questionable to pursue defense as much as the Suns have pursued offense in the past.

If the goal is to win a championship, the goal should be balance. It means finding players who can play both ends of the floor, or one really well and one reasonably well. Other than Grant Hill, none of the other 4 starters really fit that description.

Not sure I agree with you entirely. I mean you need some offense but I don't agree that the focus should be balance versus going after the best defensive players you can get your hands on.

Out of the last 11 championships, only 1 team finished out of the top 10 in defensive FG%. That was the 2000-2001 Lakers and they just finshed out of the top 10 at #11.

Out of the last 11 championships, there have been 6 that did not finish in the top 10 in scoring per game. So clearly being a top scoring team is not nearly as important as being a really good defense team.

I agree that you need a couple guys that can score at opportune times. However, the Suns need a roster overhall and IMO defense should be the #1 priority. I say focus on defense because adding a scorer is much easier then doing the opposite which is exactly what the Suns have done in the past (build around offense and try to add defense).