What's Wrong With The Suns?

[azirish]

OK, they've won 33 of their last 36 games, so we're not talking about "huge" problems.

Still, I think the number of weak performances against teams they should crush is getting irritating. I don't see their struggles as signs they will fold when they get back to the better teams in the West, alhough I can't be sure.

1. Kurt Thomas is being missed. The Suns are getting hurt in the post, just like last year after KT went down. He doesn't fill the stat line, but his ability to play guys like Eddie Curry and Zach Randolph one on one would have made a difference.

2 Every opponent brings maximum energy. For lottery teams, beating elite teams is a way of establishing credibility. Back in the Marbury days, the Suns would beat top teams and lose to weak ones because they would get really jacked up when playing top teams. Now the situation is reversed. Two years ago the Suns sneaked up on people early in the season and did not get the elite team treatment until late in the season. Now it is every game

3 Opposing coaches are spending a lot more time game planning the Suns than in the past. Two years ago the Suns style was a complete shock to opponents. Now, opposing coaches are spending a lot more time trying to plan defensive schemes to disrupt the Suns during the regular season. Now the Suns are seeing schemes that in the past they might not get until the playoffs.

There are several reactions that might be made about these close calls:

A. The team may be too overconfident because it seems like they don't have to play well.

B. The team may be mentally tougher than in the past because they've had to struggle and perform at crunch time.

C. The team may be better prepared because they've had more experience with different strategies opponents can use.

And the final answer is.... who knows? Friday's game with the Spurs will tell a lot because there is no way the Suns will take the Spurs lightly.

 

[TucsonDevil]

While I agree with most of that statement - If the Suns would just hit their shots at a 3-4% higher clip, we wouldn't be seing these close games (NY, and Milwaukee). There were streches where shots that would normally fall couldn't find the rim. Second, Amare has to stay out of Foul trouble at all costs! If necessary, can we not put in Burke for a few minutes in the second quarter? I know he isn't great, but he is a big body down low.

 

[elindholm]

(Lengthy discussion deleted)

And the final answer is.... who knows?

Damn, that's the kind of hard-hitting analysis we've been missing! Welcome back George!

 

[BC867]

OK, they've won 33 of their last 36 games, so we're not talking about "huge" problems.

Still, I think the number of weak performances against teams they should crush is getting irritating. I don't see their struggles as signs they will fold when they get back to the better teams in the West, alhough I can't be sure.

In addition to all the good points you raised, how about . . . a seven-man rotation (eight when KT returns), with nothing definite beyond, causes weariness . . . which causes picking spots when you are going to -- correction, can -- give your all.

 

[overseascardfan]

OK, they've won 33 of their last 36 games, so we're not talking about "huge" problems.

Still, I think the number of weak performances against teams they should crush is getting irritating. I don't see their struggles as signs they will fold when they get back to the better teams in the West, alhough I can't be sure.

1. Kurt Thomas is being missed. The Suns are getting hurt in the post, just like last year after KT went down. He doesn't fill the stat line, but his ability to play guys like Eddie Curry and Zach Randolph one on one would have made a difference.

2 Every opponent brings maximum energy. For lottery teams, beating elite teams is a way of establishing credibility. Back in the Marbury days, the Suns would beat top teams and lose to weak ones because they would get really jacked up when playing top teams. Now the situation is reversed. Two years ago the Suns sneaked up on people early in the season and did not get the elite team treatment until late in the season. Now it is every game

3 Opposing coaches are spending a lot more time game planning the Suns than in the past. Two years ago the Suns style was a complete shock to opponents. Now, opposing coaches are spending a lot more time trying to plan defensive schemes to disrupt the Suns during the regular season. Now the Suns are seeing schemes that in the past they might not get until the playoffs.

There are several reactions that might be made about these close calls:

A. The team may be too overconfident because it seems like they don't have to play well.

B. The team may be mentally tougher than in the past because they've had to struggle and perform at crunch time.

C. The team may be better prepared because they've had more experience with different strategies opponents can use.

And the final answer is.... who knows? Friday's game with the Spurs will tell a lot because there is no way the Suns will take the Spurs lightly.

I feel that the missed shots and the fact that the Suns are having trouble getting motivated playing against inferior talent is the main source of the close games that should be blowouts, I believe some of the Suns have admitted to that (Marion). I see SA and DAL as the only threats in the west with UTH being on the doorstep so I am not really worried about the rest of the west. Finally if we could trade Banks for Mohammed as being rumored that would give us a defensive presence in the frontcourt and depth until Thomas is back.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Damn, that's the kind of hard-hitting analysis we've been missing! Welcome back George!

Damn i missed both you guys.....

 

[jbeecham]

I think the bigger problem is that the Suns have been playing so well that we expect them to play great every night and blow out every team by 15+. No team does that and we have the highest point differential in the league. Every team is going to struggle sometimes and have their ups and downs. Even when we're down, we're finding ways to win games and that is impressive.

 

[SO91]

I think the bigger problem is that the Suns have been playing so well that we expect them to play great every night and blow out every team by 15+. No team does that and we have the highest point differential in the league. Every team is going to struggle sometimes and have their ups and downs. Even when we're down, we're finding ways to win games and that is impressive.

I couldn't agree more. The team is finding ways to win when they don't have the best performance and I see that as more of a positive than a negative.

 

[Azlen]

You know your team is doing well when people start worrying about the quality of wins rather than just winning.

 

[Mainstreet]

You know your team is doing well when people start worrying about the quality of wins rather than just winning.

Also when you watch other NBA games and just find them boring. I keep waiting for the action to start.

 

[Mr.Dibbs]

We are being spoiled right now. Enjoy it. Nothing is the matter with the Suns.

 

[SactownSunsFan]

The answer to the thread's title:

They're human.

 

[TJ]

A true test for this team is going to be the 3 games they play against the Spurs, Jazz, and Nuggets. If we find a way to beat all 3 of these teams, look out!!!

 

[HooverDam]

I don't think there is anything "wrong" with the Suns right now, like you said, other teams are bringing everything they've got, and sometimes the Suns seem like at the beginning of the games, they are just bored and waiting for the playoffs to start.

I really hope the Suns kick the Spurs teeth in. I want a freakin' blow out. 115-87 sounds like a nice final to me. That would shut up everyones bitching about not being able to beat good teams- actually, people would probably just say "oh well the Spurs aren't as good this year, wait until they play Dallas." But either way, I really dislike the Spurs and hope the Suns come out on fire for that one.