Time to Run Again

[jagu]

This team and Nash excels on the fastbreak. J-Rich, Amare, Nash, Barnes, Barbosa, Hill. It's time... We can work both ways, switching up tempos and keeping the defenders confused. J-Rich can score a lot of points with the weapons we have on this team.

 

[cly2tw]

Running is too gross a notion to describe the strategy needed. Better to say 'about time to run smart instead of run wild'. Run, but don't force Shaq to be stuck between the midline and opp. 3pt line. In other words, if you can't finish the fastbreak by then yet, just switch to half court.

 

[Ninjafish]

Raja was coming to the same conclusion before he got traded.

“This week (coach) Terry Porter has been pretty straight forward. He wants us to push the tempo and see what we can get, and if nothing presents itself there, put the ball into the big fella and try to score with him,” said guard Raja Bell, who broke out of a personal funk with four 3-pointers and 14 points. “I think that was his idea all along, but he really simplified it for us.

"It felt good tonight. It was familiar and comfortable.”

 

[AceP]

I think people r messing up ideas by marking "a player performed well under running system" as "can only perform well in running". That's totally different!

A player who can make 3p in fast break, definitely make them with better percentage with set foot. Those who have the speed and stamina to run up and down court, can use that gift in half court defence. The only conflict is mindset, it is all about willingness.

Just to remind u, Barnes, J.Rich's teammate in GSW, is the one blossoming most under Porter. He is having a career season! We had some worry about his 3p shooting when he was signed, but he is doing 42.6%, a mile from his career average and his best season in GSW! He is also just 2nd to Nash in assist and 3rd in rebounding!

Mark my word: Jason Richardson will play well in our half-court system.

 

[arwillan]

I think people r messing up ideas by marking "a player performed well under running system" as "can only perform well in running". That's totally different!

A player who can make 3p in fast break, definitely make them with better percentage with set foot. Those who have the speed and stamina to run up and down court, can use that gift in half court defence. The only conflict is mindset, it is all about willingness.

Just to remind u, Barnes, J.Rich's teammate in GSW, is the one blossoming most under Porter. He is having a career season! We had some worry about his 3p shooting when he was signed, but he is doing 42.6%, a mile from his career average and his best season in GSW! He is also just 2nd to Nash in assist and 3rd in rebounding!

Mark my word: Jason Richardson will play well in our half-court system.

by replacing bell with richardson in the starting lineup, the suns are basically calling it quits on being a fundamentally half-court team. The suns management and coaching finally realized that they are going to be better when they play to their strengths (obviously), meaning amare and nash in transition. Now they add richardson who just makes that fast break that much stronger.

Barnes is not "having a career year" like you say. he's been starting the whole year and getting more minutes than ever before, which explains why he is getting better stats. his shooting his been better, i give him that. But third in rebounding is no surprise. you would expect your small forward to be the third best rebounder when he is the third biggest guy in the lineup, right? second in assists doesn't shock me either. Bell couldn't pass, and our big guys are more geared towards scoring than passing for assists. If hill was starting all the time, he would be second in assists and barnes' stats would be much like they had been in his best year in golden state.

 

[mojorizen7]

Barnes is getting steady minutes for the first time here. Nelly in G.S. will go with matchups on a night to night basis(a philosophy i happen to disagree with in basketball). Barnes(and other bench guys) would get 25 minutes one night & 10 the next.
I'd call this a breakout year thus far due to getting regular minutes and being allowed to find his groove like most NBA players do when they find their role & can expect to play a certain amount of minutes every night.

 

[JS22]

Barnes is basically putting up 12/6/3 on a vet min contract. He's nearly automatic from 3pt range and is quickly becoming one of my favorite players.

 

[AceP]

I'm not saying "NO RUN". Finding the right mix of half-court and running is all what this is about. We run when the court is open, we run when we have a steal, we run when we have a defensive rebound but the opponent haven't run back quick enough.

But, if we r returning to run only mode, Bell is good enough, Richarson is an upgrade, but not that much. Consider Bell's experience playing alongside Nash, J.Rich still need time to adjust.

Here is the key point: J.Rich is much better dribbling, handling and creating his own shot. That, will make a huge difference in half-court game.

Acquiring J.Rich upgraded us both for half-court and for run&gun, just, think about it again, we'll eventually benefit more in half-court.

 

[dodie53]

@wastedfate

re: your sig,
when did Boris say that?

 

[cly2tw]

I'm not saying "NO RUN". Finding the right mix of half-court and running is all what this is about. We run when the court is open, we run when we have a steal, we run when we have a defensive rebound but the opponent haven't run back quick enough.

But, if we r returning to run only mode, Bell is good enough, Richarson is an upgrade, but not that much. Consider Bell's experience playing alongside Nash, J.Rich still need time to adjust.

Here is the key point: J.Rich is much better dribbling, handling and creating his own shot. That, will make a huge difference in half-court game.

Acquiring J.Rich upgraded us both for half-court and for run&gun, just, think about it again, we'll eventually benefit more in half-court.

One advantage of having a complete player like JR replacing complementary one like Bell is that we have much better options to bail us out with clock winding down, when Nash sits.

 

[CardsFan88]

@wastedfate

re: your sig,
when did Boris say that?

It is indeed in the remarks he made after the trade went down, not sure where, but re-read the trade stuff and you'll find it.

 

[Mainstreet]

I just find it interesting the Suns are trying to ramp up their offense to basically play much like last season.

See link to the Arizona Republic for Paul Coro's article dated 12-11-08.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2008/12/11/20081211sunsdebut1212.html

"As long as we keep pushing the ball and as long as we don't slow down, there'll be shots for everyone," Suns General Manager Steve Kerr said.

Kerr is now sounding like DA. Maybe he is learning to play to the Suns strength.

 

[nowagimp]

I just find it interesting the Suns are trying to ramp up their offense to basically play much like last season.

See link to the Arizona Republic for Paul Coro's article dated 12-11-08.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2008/12/11/20081211sunsdebut1212.html



Kerr is now sounding like DA. Maybe he is learning to play to the Suns strength.

I glad he is learning the reason for the SOL success. the team can also play halfcourt, that is important, but as the suns have found out recently, their talent is more directed towards the running game.

Yep, even EJ was saying the coaching staff message was that they needed to shoot earlier in the shot clock, they were waiting too long and the defense was getting set. The half court/running games are different in the speed of the players needed for each. Speed is important to run and strength more important to the half court game. Gee ya think Amare, JRich, Barnes, LB, Hill, Nash are the strong type or the fast type?

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm giving Porter all the support he needs but I really would have liked to see DA run the Suns offense with Jay Richardson and Matt Barnes. Too bad Kerr and DA could have not worked things out. At least Kerr seems to be learning on the job... I hope. As I recall the Portland teams with Porter liked to run.

 

[cly2tw]

I'm giving Porter all the support he needs but I really would have liked to see DA run the Suns offense with Jay Richardson and Matt Barnes. Too bad Kerr and DA could have not worked things out. At least Kerr seems to be learning on the job... I hope. As I recall the Portland teams with Porter liked to run.

There is so much misconception of DA's system. It's not running that distinguishes him from other running teams. The system consists of TRACKMEET, SHORT-ROTATION, SHORT-PRACTICE, und ultimately implying BROKEN-DOWN CORE PLAYERS IN PLAYOFFS given the personell contraints in NBA.

Porter initially said "run after made stops". This is paired with long practice, longer rotation, and more valueing possession. Under these conditions, run as much as possible.

And he wanted to take the ball out of Nash's hand in HALF-COURT sets only, which yet doesn't suit well with him. And Bell had additional motivation to 'sabotage' Porter after being denied extension request. Now, the malcontent role players get traded, they are meeting in the middle ground to a modified version of original Porter plan, namely Nash will handle the ball more than envisioned originally. So, as long as he won't break down like he did last year again in playoffs, we should still be fine with this modifcation.

 

[nowagimp]

There is so much misconception of DA's system. It's not running that distinguishes him from other running teams. The system consists of TRACKMEET, SHORT-ROTATION, SHORT-PRACTICE, und ultimately implying BROKEN-DOWN CORE PLAYERS IN PLAYOFFS given the personell contraints in NBA.

Porter initially said "run after made stops". This is paired with long practice, longer rotation, and more valueing possession. Under these conditions, run as much as possible.

And he wanted to take the ball out of Nash's hand in HALF-COURT sets only, which yet doesn't suit well with him. And Bell had additional motivation to 'sabotage' Porter after being denied extension request. Now, the malcontent role players get traded, they are meeting in the middle ground to a modified version of original Porter plan, namely Nash will handle the ball more than envisioned originally. So, as long as he won't break down like he did last year again in playoffs, we should still be fine with this modifcation.

YADA YADA YADA, sound like the DA haters soundbite, like a broken record. Outside phoenix the vast majority, including NBA professionals are giving a differernt story. Hate and objectivity are mutually exclusive. DA's teams always played undersize and short rotation until shaq because they had NO SKILL at the conventional '5' or on the bench. how many suns bench players retired after playing here because no one else wanted them? how many former suns bench players are actually logging minutes for anyone else? Where are the jakes, caseys, marcuses, jumaines, jalens, where are they now? Retired, or riding the pines big time, thats where. Everyone acknowledges this except for this little haven of PHX DA haters who are traumatized by "30 years with no championship" so badly that they lack objectivity.

Funny, the sports columnists across the nation are saying the suns have changed their minds yet again, made a 180 and want to run a la DA.

 

[cly2tw]

YADA YADA YADA, sound like the DA haters soundbite, like a broken record. Outside phoenix the vast majority, including NBA professionals are giving a differernt story. Hate and objectivity are mutually exclusive. DA's teams always played undersize and short rotation until shaq because they had NO SKILL at the conventional '5' or on the bench. how many suns bench players retired after playing here because no one else wanted them? how many former suns bench players are actually logging minutes for anyone else? Where are the jakes, caseys, marcuses, jumaines, jalens, where are they now? Retired, or riding the pines big time, thats where. Everyone acknowledges this except for this little haven of PHX DA haters who are traumatized by "30 years with no championship" so badly that they lack objectivity.

Funny, the sports columnists across the nation are saying the suns have changed their minds yet again, made a 180 and want to run a la DA.

How come that I sorta have the feeling you were agreeing with me?
I don't hate DA, I'm convinced his system as on display were not gonna win a championship. And, yes, we have no idea what his system would be with a post player like Shaq in it. Therefore, it's my assertion that it's misperception to say that our team is headed BACK to DA's system with the JR trade, despite Kerr's saying we'd run more. There are just so many more features associated with his 'system', to make it a great regular season success. (I thought I was praising DA with this clarification.)

At times, I believe I belong to the few who truly appreciate DA's system by figuring out all the pros and cons, instead just judging what appeases the spectators eyes on the courtside.

 

[nowagimp]

How come that I sorta have the feeling you were agreeing with me?
I don't hate DA, I'm convinced his system as on display were not gonna win a championship. And, yes, we have no idea what his system would be with a post player like Shaq in it. Therefore, it's my assertion that it's misperception to say that our team is headed BACK to DA's system with the JR trade, despite Kerr's saying we'd run more. There are just so many more features associated with his 'system', to make it a great regular season success. (I thought I was praising DA with this clarification.)

At times, I believe I belong to the few who truly appreciate DA's system by figuring out all the pros and cons, instead just judging what appeases the spectators eyes on the courtside.

Yep if you dont have the horses, the spurs system, or DA's wont work. Interesting note is that every suns perimeter player(outside LB!!) has suffered a large degradation in their defensive PER(3-7) under the porter system. the lone improving PERS are LB, amare, and shaq. thats should be simple enough to figure out that Hill, and Barnes defense has degraded as well, not malcontents. the porter system goes back to the old well of doubling and helping in the post. Opponents are shootin 38% from 3 wide open on the double down, but amare and shaq are committing fewer fouls than last year. the only explanation I can come up with is all that help given in the post to prevent fouls on amare and shaq has had a cost, terrible perimeter defense. its not Raja or Barnes or Hill, its the help defense.

 

[Covert Rain]

How come that I sorta have the feeling you were agreeing with me?
I don't hate DA, I'm convinced his system as on display were not gonna win a championship. And, yes, we have no idea what his system would be with a post player like Shaq in it. Therefore, it's my assertion that it's misperception to say that our team is headed BACK to DA's system with the JR trade, despite Kerr's saying we'd run more. There are just so many more features associated with his 'system', to make it a great regular season success. (I thought I was praising DA with this clarification.)

At times, I believe I belong to the few who truly appreciate DA's system by figuring out all the pros and cons, instead just judging what appeases the spectators eyes on the courtside.

The one thing I will say is that D'Antoni in the past have given alot of credit to Steve actually running the system. D'Antoni said he rarely would call plays and let Steve make the decisions. If that is true that I think we can get much of that back. Our FG% is great and our scoring is down about 8 to 9 PPG. If we could get half of that back it would be a boost.

Porter's defensive system is working in terms of holding other teams to lower PPG average. The only position on the floor that has taken a huge hit in opponants points per game is the SG spot. We are slightly down in 2 other positions and have actually improved our Per at the SF & Center positions (largely thanks to Barnes and Shaq IMO). Depsite what is said above our per has not tanked at every position.

I think where we might struggle is when we need to make an adjustment on offense..it's going to be Porter making an adjust to a "DAntoni" like system, not D'Antoni making the adjustment to his own system.

 

[cly2tw]

The one thing I will say is that D'Antoni in the past have given alot of credit to Steve actually running the system. D'Antoni said he rarely would call plays and let Steve make the decisions. If that is true that I think we can get much of that back. Our FG% is great and our scoring is down about 8 to 9 PPG. If we could get half of that back it would be a boost.

Porter's defensive system is working in terms of holding other teams to lower PPG average. The only position on the floor that has taken a huge hit in opponants points per game is the SG spot. We are slightly down in 2 other positions and have actually improved our Per at the SF & Center positions (largely thanks to Barnes and Shaq IMO). Depsite what is said above our per has not tanked at every position.

I think where we might struggle is when we need to make an adjustment on offense..it's going to be Porter making an adjust to a "DAntoni" like system, not D'Antoni making the adjustment to his own system.

Regarding defense, there are a lot adjustment to be made. Amare, for instance, was rotating too far out to cut off the PG that he had no hope to recover his post position, with the lack of effort under uncertainty a couple of games ago.

As to offense, again, there is nothing DA-like if there is no track-meet through whole season. They won't run more than Hornets or Dallas would with Shaq on the court. The maxim is selective running instead of DA's unconditional running. That's a continental divide intween.

 

[Rab]

It's still a feeling out process for the Suns. I see no reason why they can't still find a balance of half court and uptempo. I don't think Porter's intention has ever been to have this team come to a crashing hault on offense, but rather picking their spots, or running off stops. See what you can get early off stops, and if that doesn't work, wait for the big fella to get down the court and work through him.

The one problem I have been having is with the lack of pick and roll offense with Amare & Nash. Hopefully with J Rich and Barnes in the lineup together, they'll be able to space the floor a little more even with Shaq down low and get Amare some easy hoops.

 

[Covert Rain]

Regarding defense, there are a lot adjustment to be made. Amare, for instance, was rotating too far out to cut off the PG that he had no hope to recover his post position, with the lack of effort under uncertainty a couple of games ago.

As to offense, again, there is nothing DA-like if there is no track-meet through whole season. They won't run more than Hornets or Dallas would with Shaq on the court. The maxim is selective running instead of DA's unconditional running. That's a continental divide intween.

I will tell you the one thing I have not really liked about Porters defense is we appear to give up shots at the top (just outside of the paint) on a regular basis. Its like this hole we have regulary. I have seen so many guys just take a glorified free throw shot.

We seem to do a good job forcing guys baseline (unlike D'Antoni where he forced everyone to the paint and got schooled in there) but I agree there is some adjustments to be made for sure.

 

[jagu]

Seems to me like the new Suns offense consists of running and posting up Shaq. This might be better suited for the playoffs in the event the opposing team decides to slow it down. We won't look confused. They slow down, we post up Shaq, they speed up and we burn them with multiple options on offense. J-Rich fits in seamlessly.

Now to work on perimeter defense...I guess we can't get everything right at once lol. We are a better team than last year, and the first quarter of this year. Plus is it me or is Barbosa a smarter basketball player?

 

[atikiN]

Plus is it me or is Barbosa a smarter basketball player?

A bunch of us have been singing his praises over the past couple months. He's impressed a lot of people with his ability to adapt and grow as a player under this new system.

 

[Mainstreet]

Plus is it me or is Barbosa a smarter basketball player?

I definitely feel LB has a better grasp of the game this season... probably from all the failed efforts over the years to make him a PG. IMO, his basketball IQ is definitely up.