The Suns Should Be Better Next Year (if they don't mess it up)

[azirish]

It is very hard to build a team that is even capable of winning the championship. There is a long list of teams that have never been to the final, much less won it. But the truth is the Suns are not that far away.

Obviously if management decides to gut the core of the team they could fall off very quickly. Otherwise, there is no overwhelming reason why this team should not be even better next season.

1. Amare will have an off season to prepare rather than rehab. He still has a ways to go in developing low post moves, making better decisions on defense, and positioning on rebounding. As it is, he was all NBA.

2. Barbosa should return to health and hopefully work on his footwork on defense and get a bit better as a playmaker. So far he has had dramatic improvement each year and should continue.

3. Diaw should become a bit better if for no other reason than having more experience. He has an amazing upside and could be a much bigger contributor with a minor attitude change and by getting stronger.

4. Jones may lose his position if the Suns draft a wing, but he's shown progress and should be a bit better. He's a smart guy and is learning to drive, pull up, and be more of an all round player.

I don't expect much improvement from Nash (near MVP), Marion (all star), Bell (first team defense), and KT; but all should be at least as effective.

Last year the Suns added a bunch of veterans who didn't contribute much. I expect we'll see more help from the deep bench next season, if for not other reason that we couldn't see less.

Of the five, Banks and Pike are the only ones with contracts. Banks MIGHT benefit from summer league and training camp. He has talent, but it is not clear he has the drive to make use of it. In any case, he couldn't produce much less. Ditto for Pike.

Jumaine Jones is pretty much certain to go. Burke is mostly a practice player and will leave if someone offers more than vet minimum. Rose would have to get into vastly better shape than he was this season, but if he could play enough defense, he'd be a huge offensive plus.

The draft is a bit of a puzzle. The strength is at wing, so I'd be very surprised if they pick someone who isn't an SF/SG to replace Jumaine. A good enough pick might take minutes from James Jones.

Bottom line - this is a team that won 61 games, beat the Spurs in San Antonio and almost beat them in another game with two players suspended and another injured.

 

[Covert Rain]

4. Jones may lose his position if the Suns draft a wing, but he's shown progress and should be a bit better. He's a smart guy and is learning to drive, pull up, and be more of an all round player.

No he hasn't. He is still prone to disappearing in games, is prone to untimely fouls and his shooting is as inconsistent as the day he got here. James Jones is James Jones. It's time to remove the potential tag from him. We know what we got in him.

I think you make some other good points in your post though.

 

[dodie53]

the suns should atleast draft or trade for a big man right?

 

[Taco]

they need to get a deeper bench

 

[elindholm]

Don't forget they had almost perfect health this season. That won't be easy to repeat.

 

[The Commish]

All of this is dependent on Sarver's mandate to trim $8 mil off the payroll. It will be hard to do that without regressing somehow, but then again who knows.

 

[Mainstreet]

The draft is a bit of a puzzle. The strength is at wing, so I'd be very surprised if they pick someone who isn't an SF/SG to replace Jumaine. A good enough pick might take minutes from James Jones.

I sure hope that SF/SG can play some PG. Although LB can play some PG I like him much better as a tweener between the SG and PG positions. Too bad the Suns missed out on Salmons last season. I often wonder if he could still be acquired via a trade of some sorts. Thabo also would look great in a Suns uniform but I guess he is going nowhere.

 

[azirish]

I sure hope that SF/SG can play some PG. Although LB can play some PG I like him much better as a tweener between the SG and PG positions. Too bad the Suns missed out on Salmons last season. I often wonder if he could still be acquired via a trade of some sorts. Thabo also would look great in a Suns uniform but I guess he is going nowhere.

I am not that impressed with the PG's likely to be available at #24. There are some project types available in the second round, but I would not make that kind of reach. Even #29 is a bit of a reach for the guys available, but may be worth the gamble there. But at #24 in this draft, the Suns should get a guy who has the ability to contribute.

Steeldog: No he hasn't. He is still prone to disappearing in games, is prone to untimely fouls and his shooting is as inconsistent as the day he got here. James Jones is James Jones. It's time to remove the potential tag from him. We know what we got in him.

IMHO, Jones has improved as a defender as has shown some willingness to go to the basket. But in general I agree with you that he's just not giving the Suns enough. In another thread, I suggested he is the guy most likely to fall out of the rotation and I've started targeting guys in the draft who could replace him.

 

[Mainstreet]

I am not that impressed with the PG's likely to be available at #24. There are some project types available in the second round, but I would not make that kind of reach. Even #29 is a bit of a reach for the guys available, but may be worth the gamble there. But at #24 in this draft, the Suns should get a guy who has the ability to contribute.

I don't think we disagree. I'm just hoping that 2-3 has some PG instincts and can play with LB.

I don't remember the player's name but that PG from USC doesn't sound too bad and he has height. However, I have never seen him play. He might be a nice fit at #29.

 

[azirish]

I don't think we disagree. I'm just hoping that 2-3 has some PG instincts and can play with LB.

I don't remember the player's name but that PG from USC doesn't sound too bad and he has height. However, I have never seen him play. He might be a nice fit at #29.

Gabe Pruitt. http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=384

Pruitt is far from a finished product at this point, still needing to improve his ability to control tempo and become more aggressive at slashing to the rim and getting to the free throw line. His shot selection could also stand to improve, and he’s not quite as consistent as you’d hope on a game to game basis. Pruitt is expected to test the waters this year and will get his share of looks in the late first round due to his upside, but in our estimation, he’d be well served to use his senior year to continue to develop his all-around game.

This was written in March. I don't have anything more recent.

 

[pokerface]

This is a nice upbeat thread and maybe on some levels the team will be better....

BUT

The Suns will still be a finesse team that can't get physical in the playoffs. Then on top of it I question thier smarts as well falling for Spurs tricks. Plus I dont know if we'll have enough crunchtime players stepping it up when it counts....some seemed to vanish before our eyes.

I doubt they will get over the hump. Fans that zero in on the talent aspect without looking at these other factors are really missing the mark. I really question our style of basketball and our ability to stay focused at this point.

 

[azirish]

This is a nice upbeat thread and maybe on some levels the team will be better....

BUT

The Suns will still be a finesse team that can't get physical in the playoffs. Then on top of it I question thier smarts as well falling for Spurs tricks. Plus I dont know if we'll have enough crunchtime players stepping it up when it counts....some seemed to vanish before our eyes.

I doubt they will get over the hump. Fans that zero in on the talent aspect without looking at these other factors are really missing the mark. I really question our style of basketball and our ability to stay focused at this point.

There are two issues here.

1. Will the Suns be better? Unless they gut the team or suffer a lot of injuries, I'd say yes.

2. Can the Suns beat the Spurs with this lineup? Maybe, but it far less clear.

The reality is that the Spurs are not hugely better than the Suns even in a series where several key guys did not play well. Perhaps the team needed this series to get a real understanding of what they have to do to get ready for a rematch.

In any case, my entire focus in the upcoming draft is to find guys I think could help against the Spurs.

 

[nashman]

pokerface are you a suns fan? really? The suns are one of if not the best teams in the league regular season. Then magically all the rules change to let thug ball be played in the postseason, its ridiculous. If they call stuff one way all season then not call it say...when you play the Spurs your kinda screwed. If they don't let the Spurs basically molest us the whole series we win simple as that, they barely beat us even with all the crap and us missing some of our best players. Did we fall for their tricks? Maybe but the league sure as hell did rewarding their dirty play with a free trip to the finals and another title! We got screwed this year period!

 

[pokerface]

pokerface are you a suns fan? really? The suns are one of if not the best teams in the league regular season. Then magically all the rules change to let thug ball be played in the postseason, its ridiculous. If they call stuff one way all season then not call it say...when you play the Spurs your kinda screwed. If they don't let the Spurs basically molest us the whole series we win simple as that, they barely beat us even with all the crap and us missing some of our best players. Did we fall for their tricks? Maybe but the league sure as hell did rewarding their dirty play with a free trip to the finals and another title! We got screwed this year period!

I'm a Suns fan but I'm not a blind homer. The Spurs almost always get the Suns out of thier game plan plus they get some of our producers to play substandard games.

Also, you say we barely beat the Spurs but the Spurs usually manage to beat us out...they got "it"...they got our number again and again. I get sick of all the copouts and excuses on this board...missing players blah blah blah. How many years did we have to hear about no Joe Johnson when in reality he would have made very little difference in that series....they were firmly in control. Now we have to have more years about how "we didnt have Amare"...well Amare took himself out of this series...its no ones fault but his. Plus remember the Suns dropped one of thier home games right out of the gate....and we had Amare then.

The Suns cant get physical when it counts. Their game doesnt excel in playoffs. I'm not saying they couldnt go all the way but they need certain opponenets to exploit. Had we not run into the Spurs we probably could have won it all....woulda coulda shoulda. Suns have a hard time with defensive physical teams. I think the Jazz could have even made it tough for us.

Its too bad we have to go through the Spurs almost every playoffs...makes me want to blow the team up. I could care less how many regular season wins we get.

 

[azirish]

Blowing up the team is not likely to get the Suns by the Spurs. The Spurs present some very real problems for every team even when forced to play basketball.

The main problem everyone has in playing the Spurs is Duncan. He is terrible matchup for every team in the league. He's not that good in international ball because they can play true zone, but in the NBA it is hard to stop a guy whoc is almost seven feet tall, strong enough to back down most defenders, consistently hits turn around jumpers and still pass out of double teams. The Nuggest could use Nene and Camby to defense him and they couldn't stop him either.

Without Duncan, the Spurs are not that tough; but they ARE a team that is built around his skills. Parker and Manu both drive the basket well while have the ability to shoot. Against a team that is double teaming, that's a deadly combination. Add in a few other shooters like Finely, Bowen, Barry, and Horry and it is not feasible to double Duncan. To add to it, he is even able to run the pick and roll even though they don't very much.

On defense, Duncan is one of the best shot blockers in the NBA. He is certainly one of the few that is both a s traight on as well as weak side blocer. Yes, he gets away with a lot of crap, but he's also a very well schooled at defense and doesn't make a lot of mistakes.

How do you deal with Duncan? A year ago he was dinged up, so they lost to the Mavs; but after three championships it is not obvious that there is a solution. Blowing up the Suns won't remove Duncan from being in the Suns way.

In other threads, it has been pointed out that KG has problems with Duncan and he's one of the finest defensive players in the NBA (and not likely to be available). Who else? Duncan shredded Okur and Boozer.

If anybody has the tools to beat the Spurs, it would be a team with a terrific inside presence that can move the ball and shoot. In theory, the Suns are a team that could give the Spurs as much trouble as anybody. But even under the best of conditions it would not be easy and I don't see any changes that would help if the refs swallow their whistles.

 

[Mainstreet]

I really think the Suns can beat the Spurs and slow down Duncan. But, IMO, the Suns real problem with the Spurs is Bruce Bowen roughing up Nash and others and getting away with it. I think Bowen is a legitimate fouling machine but he seems never to get the calls even when they are obvious.

How this can be changed I don't know. Players like Bowen and Horry seem to get rewarded for dirty deeds.

 

[pokerface]

I really think the Suns can beat the Spurs and slow down Duncan. But, IMO, the Suns real problem with the Spurs is Bruce Bowen roughing up Nash and others and getting away with it. I think Bowen is a legitimate fouling machine but he seems never to get the calls even when they are obvious.

How this can be changed I don't know. Players like Bowen and Horry seem to get rewarded for dirty deeds.

Horry got suspended two games so I dont see how he was rewarded.

 

[Mainstreet]

Horry got suspended two games so I dont see how he was rewarded.

Game 5 suspensions of Amare and Diaw. If that is not a reward then I don't know what is. I believe Horry was looking for something like this.

 

[pokerface]

Game 5 suspensions of Amare and Diaw. If that is not a reward then I don't know what is. I believe Horry was looking for something like this.

Horry didnt make them leave the bench....everyone is self accountable are they not?

 

[Mainstreet]

Horry didnt make them leave the bench....everyone is self accountable are they not?

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction... if I remember my science.

Seriously, IMO Horry's foul was given late in game either to either injure Nash or create havoc. No, he did not make the Suns players stray down the baseline when this incident occurred, however he most certainly new there would be a reaction to the play.

However, what caused TD and Bowen to stray on the court when they thought there was an incident or altercation between Jones and Elson? Concern of injury to your teammate?

I think true in both cases.

If Stern had the wisdom of Solomon, he could have at least let Diaw play in game 5 as he was further from the action and obviously just looking and not far from this supposed bench area.

 

[Rab]

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction... if I remember my science.

Seriously, IMO Horry's foul was given late in game either to either injure Nash or create havoc. No, he did not make the Suns players stray down the baseline when this incident occurred, however he most certainly new there would be a reaction to the play.

However, what caused TD and Bowen to stray on the court when they thought there was an incident or altercation between Jones and Elson? Concern of injury to your teammate?

I think true in both cases.

If Stern had the wisdom of Solomon, he could have at least let Diaw play in game 5 as he was further from the action and obviously just looking and not far from this supposed bench area.

I couldn't agree with this post more. Bravo!

 

[pokerface]

However, what caused TD and Bowen to stray on the court when they thought there was an incident or altercation between Jones and Elson? Concern of injury to your teammate?

1) There was no altercation...One player fell on the other

2) Bcause of that TD and Bowen being a few feet on the court doesnt pertain.

 

[pokerface]

You guys need to stop lying to yourselves. Quit bringing up Duncan like its the same thing. Its a copout excuse grasping at straws.

 

[TBaslim]

Blowing up the team is not likely to get the Suns by the Spurs. The Spurs present some very real problems for every team even when forced to play basketball.

The main problem everyone has in playing the Spurs is Duncan. He is terrible matchup for every team in the league. He's not that good in international ball because they can play true zone, but in the NBA it is hard to stop a guy whoc is almost seven feet tall, strong enough to back down most defenders, consistently hits turn around jumpers and still pass out of double teams. The Nuggest could use Nene and Camby to defense him and they couldn't stop him either.

Without Duncan, the Spurs are not that tough; but they ARE a team that is built around his skills. Parker and Manu both drive the basket well while have the ability to shoot. Against a team that is double teaming, that's a deadly combination. Add in a few other shooters like Finely, Bowen, Barry, and Horry and it is not feasible to double Duncan. To add to it, he is even able to run the pick and roll even though they don't very much.

On defense, Duncan is one of the best shot blockers in the NBA. He is certainly one of the few that is both a s traight on as well as weak side blocer. Yes, he gets away with a lot of crap, but he's also a very well schooled at defense and doesn't make a lot of mistakes.

How do you deal with Duncan? A year ago he was dinged up, so they lost to the Mavs; but after three championships it is not obvious that there is a solution. Blowing up the Suns won't remove Duncan from being in the Suns way.

In other threads, it has been pointed out that KG has problems with Duncan and he's one of the finest defensive players in the NBA (and not likely to be available). Who else? Duncan shredded Okur and Boozer.

If anybody has the tools to beat the Spurs, it would be a team with a terrific inside presence that can move the ball and shoot. In theory, the Suns are a team that could give the Spurs as much trouble as anybody. But even under the best of conditions it would not be easy and I don't see any changes that would help if the refs swallow their whistles.

Great, great post. Post o' the day.

Folks can spend all summer blowing up the current team. But baring the trade of the decade, it doesn't get us past the Spurs. More maturity (including a large dose for my man Amare, I'm afraid - fouls were terrible in this last series), and a bench will do wonders.

Just convince Kerr and Sarver to eat the tax for one year - unless they can turn Banks and #29 into cap relief.

 

[TBaslim]

Horry didnt make them leave the bench....everyone is self accountable are they not?

Of course not, but Horry's actions and the YOUNG Suns (Amare/Diaw's) reactions were storybook - for the wise, veteran Spurs.

Just watch the video - look at Horry's face - he knew EXACTLY what he was doing before, during, and after checking Nash into the boards.

The previous 5 or so minutes of play had absolutely taken the wind out of the Spurs sails. Without Horry's check foul, the Suns win the series in 6 or 7. It was truth screaming from the rooftops.

I despise him, but Horry is a wiley veteran wanting another ring to cement his legacy. I put nothing past Horry and give him all the credit, since Stern does not know his own nuts from his adams apple.

This is where maturity comes in - the Suns younger players need a healthy dose of it. That + a bench = ringtime.