This game reeks of future problems

[ASUCHRIS]

This was an excellent learning game for the Suns, and I am happy that it came so early in the season. Hopefully, D'Antoni will learn some lessons from this game, because if we can't beat the Minnesotas and San Antonio's of the world, what's the point anyway? To beat these types of teams, we will have to develop Stephen Hunter. In the short term, we may lose a few more games, but this gimmick ball will not work against a team with legitimate size like Minnesota.

Amare had one of his worst games as a pro, and he should use this as a learning experience. His effort on the boards was pathetic, only getting 4 boards, and having just 1 most of the game. Rebounding is technique and effort, and I am seeing little of either from Amare on both sides of the court. Perhaps he can speak with Sir Charles, who regularly had 12 plus rebounds a night, and was a half foot shorter. I am stupified that nobody on the coaching staff has taken Amare aside, and told him how to defend the high screen and roll. He is ALWAYS caught in no-man's land.

The Suns need to develop a real lineup, and having Q on the bench only helps the bench. If the starters continue playing ridiculous minutes, it will only weaken our bench, and hurt us late in the season. Plus, young players with talent, such as Lampe and Hunter will never develop without getting some meaningful minutes. If these patterns continue, I can see us having one of the best records in the West, and losing first round.

 

[George O'Brien]

We've always known that Amare needs to work on defensive fundimentals. He is a lot better than he used to be, but that doesn't cut it on a team without another big.

D'Antoni's reluctance to play Hunter is frustrating. Hunter is in for about 30 seconds and makes a monster block and took the Wolves out of their low post offense. When he was removed the Wolves went on a run and the Suns never caught up. When an opponent gets 22 offensive rebounds, maybe it's time to give "big" a shot.

 

[seattle_sunsfan]

Keep in mind Amare has been fighting a cold or flu or something and was questionable to start this game.

 

[Islington]

Wow, so the Suns lose to the reigning MVP and the team with the second best record overall last year and the tone has changed. This is the team that won 9 of their last 10, right?

I did attend the game and though the Wolves won, it was yet again an entertaining game that provided lots of highlights on both ends.

Earlier on in the fourth quarter, I was all ready to give the gameball to Stephen Hunter. That block when he first came in and a big rebound a little later gave the team such a boost. It reminded me of when Jahidi White's first game on the Suns with the crowd believing we would not get beat up in the middle anymore.

Olowokandi must like getting posterized by Amari. Nash also made him look pretty bad on a lay-up later. Was Amare feeling sick? Olowokandi (and maybe Eddie Griffin) knocked some shots back in Amare's face. I haven't seen that happen to Amare all year and it happened twice maybe three times tonight.

Oh, and that Kevin Garnett guy is pretty good. Until Amare can post-up and direct an offense, let's cool down the MVP talk.

 

[JS22]

I've been bitching about this all season, and will continue to do so.

The Suns will get KILLED in the playoffs if they don't develope a legit center. (Hunter, anyone?) "Skill Ball" will fail miserably come post-season.

 

[playstation]

hold on a second. its true that they got killed on the boards and amare needs to work on that, but if he does, and hunter gets some more run, this team has all the pieces necessary. lets not forget amid all the rebounding talk that the suns shot 11% from 3 range, and that's not going to happen too often. they got tentative and maybe a bit scared.

they shot 2/18 from 3, if they shot 4/18 (22%, still a pathetic number), suns win. i see the problems with small ball, trust me, but the game was still way entertaining, and it wasn't like the suns played even near the best they could, and they still only lost by 4. also, the team on the other side of the court has some great closers, sam, spree, and kg did what they're paid to do, THEY DID WHAT THEY'VE DONE SO MANY TIMES BEFORE. The suns haven't played closers too many times, this year, or in their careers. they'll get better at it, no worries.

 

[BC867]

This was an excellent learning game for the Suns, and I am happy that it came so early in the season. Hopefully, D'Antoni will learn some lessons from this game, because if we can't beat the Minnesotas and San Antonio's of the world, what's the point anyway? To beat these types of teams, we will have to develop Stephen Hunter. In the short term, we may lose a few more games, but this gimmick ball will not work against a team with legitimate size like Minnesota.

Of course I agree, Chris. Our fast start is exciting ("gimmick" is the right word).

But the Coach is building a foundation for failure during the Playoffs.

Right now is the time to build a cohesive rotation and let it develop.

That, I believe, is not just an opinion. It's what makes a good Manager.

The ideas of developing Stephen Hunter at Center (with Jake as his backup) and using Q off the bench are opinions . . . and I agree.

 

[Gaddabout]

lets not forget amid all the rebounding talk that the suns shot 11% from 3 range, and that's not going to happen too often. they got tentative and maybe a bit scared.

Would someone like to show playstation playoff tapes from the last 20 years? This was playoff basketball: low score, bad shooting, team that rebounds and plays best defense wins. I don't care what type of team you put out there, it's a reality.

The current lineup will not beat Minnesota or SA in a seven game series. Period. The Suns could go back to Minny and beat the Wolves by 30, and it still won't mean anything come May.

 

[George O'Brien]

The Suns 2-18 was not just due to being tight. In most cases, they were not really open and were rushing their shots. That's what good defenses do, which is why no one takes Seattle seriously as a major playoff contender. There has to be a plan B.

Admittedly, the Suns are very young and have not been together very long. There is no experience for experience and they don't have enough. Still, I would like to know the Suns have an alternative strategy when opponents are allowed to foul. Being able to keep the opponent from scoring and getting offensive rebounds is a possible plan B.

Some other things I would like include:

-- Be able to run a high post motion offense like the Kings. I'm not sure the Suns have the right personnel to do it all the time, but rapid ball movement and getting the ball to cutters from the high post can be very effective against the zone. Standing around and hoping the ball comes to you after a pick and roll play doesn't always work.

-- Put in defensive specialists when a particular opponent gets hot. For some reason Jacobsen gets most of the minutes off the bench, but Outlaw is a much better defender and would not get abused as often as Wally did on Casey.

-- Put a shot blocker in when teams are scoring a lot from the low post. Teams are going to keep getting the ball to the low post as long as the Suns don't stop them. A shot blocker is often very effective at batting rebounds into the backcourt to generate fast breaks, even if it is not counted as a rebound or a block. Just knowing that it is a likely possibility can discourage teams from crashing the boards the way the Wolves did. Another advantage to having a shot blocker is that it can reduce the need to double the post on defense and thus not have to leave shooters open on the outside.

The point is that sometimes what you are doing isn't working, so it makes sense to try something else. It doesn't mean to stop doing something when it is working, but to be willing to change gears when the situation requires it.