Two things...

[Mike Olbinski]

Things I'd like to see different, despite my team being 19-3 and rocking like no other!

1. Get Amare to post-up low more often. They do a lot of high pick and rolls, etc., but I think he can really do some more damage down low in the post.

2. When we're up by 20 points, get Amare and those guys out of there and let our young guys play...get Zarko and Lampe in there, Barbosa and Casey...and TABUSE!!!

Anyways, I'm practically gaga over the team this year, it's like heaven to finally have them back to their old 1993 ways...

Mike

 

[sunsfn]

Things I'd like to see different, despite my team being 19-3 and rocking like no other!

1. Get Amare to post-up low more often. They do a lot of high pick and rolls, etc., but I think he can really do some more damage down low in the post.

2. When we're up by 20 points, get Amare and those guys out of there and let our young guys play...get Zarko and Lampe in there, Barbosa and Casey...and TABUSE!!!

Anyways, I'm practically gaga over the team this year, it's like heaven to finally have them back to their old 1993 ways...Mike

1. I agree, but think they are trying to take advantage of Amares speed and quickness when they do not use him in the low post. This will probably change with whoever is guarding him.

2. YES! however, you have to be careful and not lose a big lead and then not be able to get it back. I have seen this done many times.
But last night I really wanted D'Antoni to take out the starters and play the bench long before he did. Maybe he is just not comfortable with doing this yet, hopefully that will come.

This team is playing great and the way they play everything comes natural to them.
They shoot quick and have high percentage because it is in the flow of the game, they defend because it is in the flow of the game.
The suns have the athletes to play this way and are going to be hard to beat in regular season and playoffs because of Amare in the middle. By the time the playoffs arrive, Hunter & Lampe should be better players in the middle. Hunter is a very good shot blocker, but may not be a great rebounder because he is looking to block everything and it takes him out of position to rebound. I think as the year goes on the other suns will recognize this and the rebounding will improve.

Amare, Marion, & Nash are all-stars, but I also think that JJ fits this team perfect! JJ will take a back seat and play defense, get assists, and if they need him to score he can do that like he did last night.

When JJ scored 30 points last night, this is not a fluke, JJ can do this when he wants to and the team needs him to.

When the suns traded for JJ and I got to see him for the first time, he looked like a "young" Penny hardaway to me. He is very smooth and can shoot lights out and can play defense. He is bigger than Penny and a better defender, but plays just like Penny in that he sees the floor and can get assists, and will take a back seat so others can score. JJ can play the point, off guard, and small forward, and is just going to get better.

When the suns traded for him, he went through 2 coaches and 3 systems in a years time, then another coach and another system, hard for a young player to do. He is improving daily and will be an all-star soon. If JJ played on a team that needed him to score, he would become an all-star sooner.

This is a young team and they are one of the most exciting suns team I have ever seen.

 

[SirStefan32]

I want to see Amare not gamble on defense and pick up those stupid fouls, so he can stay in the game.

 

[sunsfn]

I want to see Amare not gamble on defense and pick up those stupid fouls, so he can stay in the game.

I read an article about the refs and it referred to the veteran refs calling more fouls than the younger refs. Last night we had a veteran ref in ??? (name) (the bald headed one) and he was calling them close I thought.

There have been a few games where Amare had stupid fouls, not sure there were veteran refs then, but I am going to watch the games and see if this happens.

 

[elindholm]

Last night we had a veteran ref in ??? (name) (the bald headed one) and he was calling them close I thought.

Dick Bavetta. While watching, I thought that either Stoudemire's second or his third foul was a bogus call, but now I can't remember which one it was.

 

[JCSunsfan]

When the suns traded for JJ and I got to see him for the first time, he looked like a "young" Penny hardaway to me. He is very smooth and can shoot lights out and can play defense. He is bigger than Penny and a better defender, but plays just like Penny in that he sees the floor and can get assists, and will take a back seat so others can score. JJ can play the point, off guard, and small forward, and is just going to get better.

I don't know how many of you remember the young Penny. I always see him compared to JJ, because of the size and smoothness in playing style. I think Penny had some advantages on JJ.

Take Marion's hops and speed AND body, then add JJ's ball handling, smoothness and shooting. That's a young Penny. He was really something when he had a healthy body.

 

[PhxGametime]

2. I do believe D usually has 1 or 2 of the big 6 on court, most of the time. There has been blowouts with either Matrix, JJ, or Q on court. I'm not sure if because Z was on IL and Jacobsen being only G/F on bench or letting a player that didn't get his minutes or in flow offensively during game. Stat sometimes gets into foul trouble and then gets to play a few minutes of garbage minutes. I'm not sure exactly though but I too have been wanting to get the guys out - either earlier or all of them (big 5).

Steven Hunter and Leandro Barbosa (top 7) CAN get a few more minutes playing garbage. Although Voskuhl, Lampe, Vroman, Cabarkapa, Jacobsen, Barbosa, and Tabuse deserve some - Outlaw IMO shouldn't be playing garbage minutes (play the younger players?).

 

[sunsfn]

I don't know how many of you remember the young Penny. I always see him compared to JJ, because of the size and smoothness in playing style. I think Penny had some advantages on JJ.

Take Marion's hops and speed AND body, then add JJ's ball handling, smoothness and shooting. That's a young Penny. He was really something when he had a healthy body.

Actually Marion is bigger (wider) than Penny and I do not think Penny ever had the hops Marion has. (not many do) But, Penny was a better ball handler than JJ is, but hoping JJ improves on that.

As you say, Penny was fun to watch when he was healthy!

 

[devilalum]

I don't know how many of you remember the young Penny. I always see him compared to JJ, because of the size and smoothness in playing style. I think Penny had some advantages on JJ.

Take Marion's hops and speed AND body, then add JJ's ball handling, smoothness and shooting. That's a young Penny. He was really something when he had a healthy body.

The big difference I see is that "young Penny" was really explosive. He could blow by a defender and make outrageous highlight reel dunks.

Joe of the last few weeks is much more under control than Penny was though. I remember Penny turning the ball over too often.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

When the suns traded for JJ and I got to see him for the first time, he looked like a "young" Penny hardaway to me. He is very smooth and can shoot lights out and can play defense. He is bigger than Penny and a better defender, but plays just like Penny in that he sees the floor and can get assists, and will take a back seat so others can score. JJ can play the point, off guard, and small forward, and is just going to get better.

i am beginning to love to jj (and i was a hater before last year, i'll admit it), but he's not what a healthy penny was. penny was much more explosive and a much better passer. not as good a shooter though. i think jj could explode as the year progresses. i wouldn't be surprised to see him emerge as our #2 scorer by the end of the year. he'll get like 18 and marion may fade back to 17 or 16.

 

[SirStefan32]

You're right. I love JJ, but he is not even close to what healthy Penny was.

 

[Bada0Bing]

Wasn't Penny 1st team all-nba in like his 2nd season? He was really unstoppable when he would take over the game when Shaq was on the bench. Those injuries really crushed his game.

 

[Joe Mama]

Of course it should be noted that Penny Hardaway put up his greatest numbers when Shaquille O'Neal was in his frontcourt. In his second and third season Penny Hardaway averaged 20+ppg on over 51% shooting, 4+ rebounds, and 7+ assists per game. That's really much better than what Kobe Bryant did although Hardaway wasn't quite as good defensively.

I wonder what JJ would look like playing next to Shaquille O'Neal?

Joe Mama

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

I wonder what JJ would look like playing next to Shaquille O'Neal?

Joe Mama

I dont know, but I bet his numbers would be near Wade's

 

[George O'Brien]

I honestly couldn't care less that JJ isn't as good as Penny once was. He isn't as good as Oscar Robertson was either. So what?

Besides the obvious, I like how JJ has adjusted to being a third or fouth option after handling the ball all the time last season. He plays hard all the time and fits in on a team with a lot of stars.

My only concern has been that he was not attacking the basket as much as he did last year. Granted JJ's outside shot has been tremendous, but with his size and strength he should be going inside more. That is why I was so pleased with that drive to the basket with Kirt Snyder hanging all over him and getting a three point play the old fashioned way.

 

[Errntknght]

ChandlerMike, "1. Get Amare to post-up low more often. They do a lot of high pick and rolls, etc., but I think he can really do some more damage down low in the post."

I'm glad Amare has moved out of the low post for a variety of reasons. First of all, he doesn't have some big dude leaning on him all the time so he takes less punishment, which will hopefully extend his career. Playing more outside he gets to use his jumper more and it's quite a good weapon, besides it's harder for the opponents to stack their defense against him. Similarly, he has more opportunities for passing - I believe this could become a very significant part of his game and a major benefit to the team. He's such a threat to storm the basket the whole defense starts watching him as soon as he has the ball in his hands which makes it easier for other guys slashing and cutting. Right now they don't try to take advantage of it as often as they could but with time they'll get better - in fact, it seems that there has been an increase of late. I've noticed that Shawn, JJ and Q are discovering opportunities
cutting along the baseline though they're not yet mounting a steady attack there. Posting Amare low doesn't preclude them doing it but with him out of there it's more obvious.

Then there is the benefit he gives to the pick and roll - because he's such a threat to roll to the hoop the defenders can't just focus on the guard coming off the pick. We see Nash and JJ open for a jumper almost every time when it's Amare setting the pick and it helps them get into the paint as well. Finally, if Lampe were playing quite a lot I'd be more inclined to want Amare playing low but Hunter brings more of what we need on defense and if coach Mikey ever starts playing the two of them together Hunter low and Amare high is the better configuration.

"2. When we're up by 20 points, get Amare and those guys out of there and let our young guys play...get Zarko and Lampe in there, Barbosa and Casey...and TABUSE!!!"

I don't disagree with that but I'd like to see him expand the normal rotations some. For a start, I'd like to see Hunter getting more time with Amare. I suspect D'A likes to keep Hunter in reserve in case Amare has foul troubles but it's far more important to bring Hunter along and to establish a bigger lineup than to guard against the remote chance he will have to play Bo or Lampe or Jake while the game is in doubt. I still don't see any benefit in using CJ to keep a small lineup on the floor - Hunter, Bo, Lampe, Jake and Vroman all run the floor well enough to continue the running game while going with a bigger lineup.

 

[Goldfield]

To be honest I think JJ should be the 2nd option...

 

[RJ May]

I think JJ has the talent to be a perrenial all star if he ever develope some attitude.

 

[Joe Mama]

I agree with Errntknght said about Amare in the low post more often. The advantage that Amare Stoudemire has over every other power forward right now is his quickness. Unlike most other power forwards it is to his advantage to catch the ball 10-15 feet from the basket where he can give his opponent fits.

Joe Mama

 

[George O'Brien]

I think JJ has the talent to be a perrenial all star if he ever develope some attitude.

JJ is emerging as the Suns version of Scotty Pippin. He's great because he doesn't have to be in the spotlight to be effective. As great as Jordon was, without Pippin the Bulls would not have been a contender much less six time champions.

 

[JCSunsfan]

JJ is emerging as the Suns version of Scotty Pippin. He's great because he doesn't have to be in the spotlight to be effective. As great as Jordon was, without Pippin the Bulls would not have been a contender much less six time champions.

Its fun to make these types of comparisons. It forces you to think through a player's role and then to search your mind for comparisons in years gone by. Brings up a lot of memories.

As I was think of JJ as "the Sun's version of. . . " the name that finally popped into my mind is Joe Dumars.

While Dumars was significantly smaller than JJ (although not thinner), he had that same calming, fill-in-wherever-it-is-needed, role. He could run the point with Isiah out. He was an excellent shooter on the wing. He could handle and dish very well. He was the Pistons best outside defender. It was an absolutely essential role.

JJ does alot of the same things for this team.

 

[F-Dog]

I like the Dumars comparison.

I still don't see any benefit in using CJ to keep a small lineup on the floor - Hunter, Bo, Lampe, Jake and Vroman all run the floor well enough to continue the running game while going with a bigger lineup.

I can think of two reasons:

1. Two bigs means two players running to the front of the rim on breaks, meaning that it's easier for opposing bigs to get down the floor a little late and still find their man. (Except for Lampe, but Lampe can get that same 20-ft shot in a half-court set, whenever he wants it.) Casey can fan out to the 3-point line, so the secondary break/early offense is still effective.

2. Casey keeps the floor spaced, which is key to the team's half-court offense.

 

[Errntknght]

FDog,"I can think of two reasons:"

(1) The more we have two bigs running the break the better. I especially like one coming as a trailer - it really demoralizes the opponents when they turn aside the primary break only to have a trailer cruise down the middle and flush one. Even if they come up with nothing we're keeping more pressure on the opp's bigs to run the floor. One less guy pulling up at the 3pt line doesn't bother me at all - I'm not all that happy with the Suns scoring a lot from 3s anyway. It's the first shot to wilt under pressure so I'd rather they spent more effort working into the paint.

(2) Spacing the floor isn't a bad idea but it's not an end in itself, you need guys operating inside all that space to take advantage of it. I see it as benefit to have just three guys manning the perimeter and, for example, Amare at mid-range and Hunter lurking on the baseline, a portion of the game.

I'm aware it's not a proven type of lineup as coach Mikey resolutely avoids using anything like it but I see that more as a wasted opportunity than as a brilliant strategy. From my point of view, the regular season is about preparing the team for the playoffs and while wins are important they are not the whole story. Part of that preparation is developing a little variety in your lineups so that when they're needed they're ready to go. Frankly, if CJ were a devastating shooter I'd feel the same way - he's been anything but that so it looks like a no lose proposition to develope a more conventional lineup by reducing his PT.

 

[George O'Brien]

Actually the trailer on the break is built into the way the Suns run it. With guys going to each corner and someone taking on Nash, the opponent has to have someone take on one of the Suns trailers in open court. When it's Amare it pretty impressive but Hunter would be effective at it as well.

Right now teams are so concerned about Amare crushing a dunk on the fast break that they almost always leave the corner open. I'm guessing the Suns will keep shooting those open corner threes until teams decide to defense them.

Personally I'd like to see more under the basket curls rather than just camping in the corner, but I can't argue with the success the Suns have had.

 

[minercon]

Amare needs to learn how to shoot free throws......so does Hunter for that fact!