Quote Originally Posted by redbearde:
I've been trashing the Suns ever since they traded away Marion, and I wanted to organize my thoughts. Perhaps some of you might find this useful.
Phoenix has this style where they run, they don't bother with much defense, especially perimeter defense, and they get open looks and hit a high percentage of them. That's fine, and it's worked fairly well for a few years now. With James Jones, Quentin Richardson, and a slew of other 3pt threats, Steve Nash and Amare play the pick and roll, and if anyone comes over to help out on defense, then they leave a dangerous 3pt shooter wide open. It's an excellent offense, and they've been extremely productive with it. ...at least until they get into the playoffs.
Here's the thing. This worked so well precisely because Amare Stoudemire was playing Center. It would probably work well with Pau Gasol, too, but it works precisely because someone has to guard the outside shooters. It leaves a wide swatch of open space in the middle for Nash to work. When Marion was in there, he was a perfect fit for the system because he not only ccan hit the 3pt shot, but he actually plays perimeter (and interior) defense fairly well. He's no Bruce Bowen or Ron Artest (when he tries), but Marion's long, he's quick, and he can contest shots other guys simply can't get to.
and he rebounds...especially on the offensive glass.
The Suns traded him away. They tossed their only decent perimeter defender. Okay, well, that's not entirely true....they still have DJ Strawberry, after all.....
But, as a for instance, Steve Nash is a shitty defender. He doesn't try particularly hard because he knows he's 3 feet tall and can't disrupt most jumpers anyway. I mention Nash particularly because the Suns need him on the floor for well over 30mins every night. Without him or someone like him on the offense, they reeeeally suck. Put Nash on the Grizzlies, and they win 20 to 30 more games this season, and the Suns turn into an absolute joke (look at em now, WITH Nash). Without Nash, they don't have the penetration and reliable kick-out. Barbosa can drive, but he can't dish to save his ass (usually not an issue as he's so damned quick that he gets to the rim regardless). But what happens to Leandro when the halfcourt defense is in place? ....he has a helluva time getting inside. Not so with Nash. He has a shooter in each corner, one on the wing, and he and Amare play pick and roll.
Then they trade for Shaq.
Not only can they not defend the perimeter anymore (thereby giving up more points than the Warriors), with Shaq at Center, it concentrates the defense in the paint. Without all the great shooters they've had in the past, there is AT LEAST one other guy in the paint that Nash hasn't had to deal with in years! I like Grant Hill's game, but he doesn't have the reliable 3pt shot, and teams know it. So they collapse on the interior, Nash turns it over (Steve Kerr & Shaq's fault, not his), and the other team gets an easy bucket....because once again, Shaq's big lumbering ass doesn't get down the court...so it's 5 on 4. Or worse, Amare helps him loaf, and it's 5 on 3.
or even worse, they get out on the break and Shaq doesn't even bother to run down the court. Over and over again the Suns would try to run on the Pistons only to find themselves going 3 on 4(or even 5). Why? Because Shaq and Amare were busy holding each other's dick's at the other end of the court. Even if the Suns get a shot up, there's no way they get a rebound. At All. In that situation the last few years, Marion might get a few during the course of a game. Unfortunately for him, he's in Miami now (he'll have LOTS of rebound opportunities there)
So I don't care that Shaq's been averaging 10pts and 10rebs since he's gotten to Phoenix. He clogs up the lane on offense, he's old and slow, and he's an extreme liability against any big man who can step out and hit over an 8ft jumper.
Here's redbearde's bold prediction.
The Suns Won't Even Make the Playoffs This Year.
Damn RedBearde that last statement might be a little over the top. I agree with you that the Suns are not half as good as most people think. Shack looks like a big ass turtle out their trying to run the courts. They still have scoring ability with Nash(The best PG in the game). Raja still nails 3s like no tomorrow. However they are looking like a 1st round bust team though. I think they make it, but no way they advance to round 2.
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