Amare sets Spurs in the cross hairs

[BillsCarnage]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/suns/2006-01-04-20-second-timeout_x.htm

Stoudemire: 'Once I get back, we can't be stopped'

The Phoenix Suns are first in the Pacific Division despite playing without forward/center Amare Stoudemire, their leading scorer last season who had surgery on his left knee Oct. 11. The fourth-year veteran, a second-team All-NBA pick and a first-time All-Star last season, was a major reason the Suns had the best record in the NBA. The 23-year-old rising star talked with USA TODAY NBA reporter Roscoe Nance about his injury and the Suns' success this season.
Stoudemire says he does not feel pain in his knee and his rehabilitation is going well.

http://images.usatoday.com/sports/nba/_photos/2006-01-04-in-stoudemire.jpgStoudemire says he does not feel pain in his knee and his rehabilitation is going well.
By Matt York, AP

Q: How is your rehab progressing?

A: It's going great. We're pretty much on schedule. I'm not doing too much weight-bearing (exercise), and I haven't started running and jumping yet. I'm right on target, and I don't really feel any pain.

Q: What are you able to do?

A: I'm shooting free throws and doing correctional exercises to strengthen certain ligaments and certain muscles that were pretty weak after the surgery.

Q: Do you have a target date for your return?

A: No, not exactly. It depends on how I feel in the next couple of months. That will determine when I get back out there.

Q: How frustrating has it been for you?

A: It's tough. This year was going to be my breakout year. I was looking to having a huge year. But as soon as I get back, I'll be right on pace to pick up where I left off.

Q: Most people wrote the Suns off when you went down. What were your expectations?

A: It's not surprising how well we have played. I helped make some of these offseason acquisitions and bring in a few guys. I knew the type of players we have. Once I went down, I figured we would be slack in a few categories, but they've done a great job of playing hard and bringing in some wins.

Q: Is there any difference in the Suns this season and a year ago?

A: We're better defensively with the offseason acquisitions. With the veterans we brought in and the veterans we had, we're much more on point with what we should do defensively. Eddie House has done a good job coming off the bench and filling the scorer's slot. Kurt Thomas was one of the main guys we wanted to bring in because of his interior defense. Raja Bell was another guy we wanted to pick up for his defense.

Q: Do you see this as a championship team?

A: No doubt about it. As soon as I get back, we're making a push for it. If everything stays on schedule and I don't experience too much pain, I definitely will be back this year. The (San Antonio) Spurs are up there, but once I get back, we can't be stopped. We just have to continue to stay on this good pace.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

The (San Antonio) Spurs are up there, but once I get back, we can't be stopped. :lol :lol :lol :lol :rollin :rollin :rollin :lmao :lmao :lmao
man, i haven't laughed that hard in ages.

[boutons_]

"we can't be stopped."

stop the Spurs 4 games in 7. You came up only 3 Ws short a few months ago.

You've lost a lot of offense since, that offsets the improved defense.

Beat the Spurs 4/7? Not this year.

However, you self-confidence seems unstoppable. :)

[abelle23]

dream on... :lol

[SenorSpur]

Suckas

[duncan2k5]

delusional to say the least

[foodie2]

This guy may be the real deal, but God his arrogance pisses me off. Let us never forget the pushups.

[Supergirl]

Yeah, doesn't he know overconfidence can only make you look arrogant or really stupid, depending on the outcome?

It's always better to go forth humbly, and let your actions do your talking.

Amare is an incredible player. But the Suns, as better as they are, aren't better than the Spurs. Parker is getting better, while Nash is getting older. Duncan is still the best player in teh league. They still don't have anyone who can stop Manu, and they still don't have as good a bench as we do. Barry, Finley, Mohammed, Oberto, and Horry beats House, Jones, Bell, Diaw...any day.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Not only that but they don't have Stephen Hunter to boot Timmy in the nuts any more. That was the most effective thing I saw them do to slow Tim down last year.

[BillsCarnage]

Not only that but they don't have Stephen Hunter to boot Timmy in the nuts any more. That was the most effective thing I saw them do to slow Tim down last year.

True.. True.. Hunters absense against the Spurs will hurt.

[sanman53]

Good luck in your return Amare.

[smeagol]

The kid is good.

But he has a big mouth and I think he just put his foot in it.

[FromWayDowntown]

I still don't see how the Suns can play a defense-first lineup AND play Amare at the same time, unless the surgery implanted some sort of defensive mentality into Amare.

In fact, I wonder how they're going to divvy up minutes when Stoudemire returns, since their excellent play is largely predicated on guys like Diaw, Bell, and House flourishing with lots of minutes every night. When Amare comes back and eats up 35+ mpg at one spot, someone is going to lose minutes. The same is true of that group when Barbosa returns. I'm not sure that you can assume that all of those guys will continue to be as effective as they've been if they're playing more limited minutes.

It's not that easy to maintain your production when your minutes are dramatically decreased. Minutes allow players to get into the flow and feel comfortable. Will Diaw be the same player with 20 minutes per night as he is with 32 minutes per night? The difference is about 4 minutes per quarter, which isn't insignificant.

Don't tell me it's not a big deal, either. The Suns have already seen some difference from giving minutes to Diaw, House, and Bell -- they're 5-6 when Barbosa plays and 15-5 when he doesn't.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

I don't doubt that Stoudemire really wants to get back out there and help his team, but I wouldn't be at all surprised to see it hurt the team in the long run, ala Webber in Sacramento, with Marion playing the role of Peja this time around.

[SenorSpur]

His talent, ability and hard work that he's put into his game are undeniable. However, his predictions are off base. The Suns are still a grossly, defensively deficient team.

I, for one, hope that Amare does have a successful comeback this season. I'd hate for the Spurs to "boot them out of the playoffs" at half speed. It wouldn't be as much fun.

[leemajors]

has anyone come back from this injury and subsequent surgery within a 12 month period before? i mean i hope he comes back and does well, but i can't really see any reason to assume he will be performing near the same level this season as last. plus, if he and thomas are playing together that takes away the advantages the suns have playing amare at center and marion at pf... imo that was the biggest factor in their success last year.

[ALVAREZ6]

Amare should STFU. You notice the whole damn league hates the Spurs....

[FromWayDowntown]

plus, if he and thomas are playing together that takes away the advantages the suns have playing amare at center and marion at pf... imo that was the biggest factor in their success last year.

I agree and have made that argument around here before. I thought much of the Suns ability to run last year was based on the mismatch with Marion, who can do most of the things that a power forward can do -- rebounding and blocking shots -- but who is a monsterous mismatch for most PF in the NBA. If you play Marion at the 3, the mismatches aren't as severe (see, e.g., Bruce Bowen in 2005 WCF), plus you can drag him out on the perimeter and neutralize his shot-blocking and rebounding to some extent. Playing Amare at the 5 made big centers guard him, which was a formula for disaster as well. If you play Thomas, Amare, and Marion together, you can put your big center on Thomas, play a 4 on Amare and a 3 on Marion -- all better matchups than a center on Amare and a PF on Marion.

I'll give the Suns this: they appear to be much deeper than they were last year; when Amare comes back, they'll have 10 guys that can play and that might allow them to stay fresher into 4th quarters. But, then again, they have to play those extra guys to accomplish that, and doling out minutes is still going to be a problem there, I think. I guess we'll see.

Whatever the result, here's hoping that Amare will come back at full strength in the near future. He's amazing to watch.

[boutons_]

'to stay fresher into 4th quarters"

While they very clearly sagged, they admitted, in the Spurs/Manu-48 @PHX win last Jan, I don't buy the point that playing 35 MPG all season means you're necessarily spent for the playoffs.

Spurs beat the Suns easily in the playoffs because Spurs could stop the Suns, but Suns couldn't stop the Spurs, Suns lost NOT because they were fatigued.

[Oh, Gee!!]

Amare is a bad man when he's healthy. I ain't gonna laugh at him

[pache100]

Yeah, Amare's talking a lot of smack, so what? There isn't anything he can say that the Spurs haven't heard before and ignored. They don't listen to shit like that. He's wasting his time. They don't care.

[FromWayDowntown]

Spurs beat the Suns easily in the playoffs because Spurs could stop the Suns, but Suns couldn't stop the Spurs, Suns lost NOT because they were fatigued.

I don't know; the Suns had leads at the end of 3 quarters in both Game 1 and Game 2 of that series, but cratered as the deeper Spurs drove to the rack repeatedly in both 4th Quarters, and got wide-open looks from extra passes on the perimeter. I don't completely buy that the sole reason for the Spurs' series win was Suns fatigue, but I also don't think that you can discount fatigue entirely.

[rayray2k8]

The suns maybe not, but him?? at his best, I remember the spurs couldnt stop him so let not be so quick to jump on him.

[JamStone]

I don't know; the Suns had leads at the end of 3 quarters in both Game 1 and Game 2 of that series, but cratered as the deeper Spurs drove to the rack repeatedly in both 4th Quarters, and got wide-open looks from extra passes on the perimeter. I don't completely buy that the sole reason for the Spurs' series win was Suns fatigue, but I also don't think that you can discount fatigue entirely.


Plus, weren't the Suns missing Joe Johnson in the first 3 or so games of that series?

I don't see anything wrong with what Amare said in the interview. The best way for the Spurs to respond to those comments is prove him wrong. I doubt that Spurs fans will come back here praising Amare's predictions if they turn out correct and the Suns somehow knock off the Spurs. Will Spurs fans eat crow if that does happen?

It's just his opinion. Not a big deal what he said, in my opinion.

[Rydia]

:lol :lol :lol :lol :rollin :rollin :rollin :lmao :lmao :lmao
man, i haven't laughed that hard in ages.
Ditto!!!

I kind of feel sorry for him....

Nah!!!

[boutons_]

The no connection between admiring Amare's powerful game and ridiculing Amare's mouth. :)

[Oh, Gee!!]

Ditto!!!

I kind of feel sorry for him....

Nah!!!


you do realize that Amare could kill you and your entire family with his bare hands, right?

[leemajors]

i only have a problem with him thinking raja bell and kurt thomas are the answer to their problems. i just don't think that will make the difference.

[pawe]

the spurs definitely cant stop amare (based on his performance in the playoffs). but the thing is, san antonio is so smart that they wont try to focus their game on him but on the other four players. wacha gonna do now cripple?

[polandprzem]

Amare is a bad man when he's healthy. I ain't gonna laugh at him
ohh geeeeeeeeee :angel

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

I said it plenty of times last year and I think it's going to be showed to be true if Amare tries to come back on a bum leg: Steve Nash is what made Amare Stoudemire have a break out year. About the only thing that he had to do was run fast, jump high, and be able to catch Nash's passes (which usually hit him right in the numbers.) He was developing a decent jumper but the fact remains that most of his points came by either catching the ball under the rim, or catching the ball while practically running full speed down the lane. He's a hell of an athlete and a good guy. I hope he bounces back fully from this injury, but if he doesn't have the same explosiveness that he did last season he's not going to make a big impact.

[leemajors]

he sure made a lot of mid range jumpers in the wcf, it was startling to see him draining those all of a sudden.

[ZStomp]

You all are crazy. This Phoenix team is tough, far tougher than last year.

Manu hates playing against Raja Bell cuz he is an awesome defender.

No one can effectively guard Duncan but they can score 40 on him.

This Suns team is going to be much better than this years Dallas team in the playoffs if Amare is healthy.

I still think we will beat them. However it won't be as easy as you all think.

Wow. I agree with GIG. :wow

[ZStomp]

I don't know why people take PHX lightly. They are dangerous. Until the Spurs team finds a way to defend Amare...they will be dangerous.

[leemajors]

ginobili hates playing against raja bell because dude holds him fouls him constantly. his defense is overrated.

[ZStomp]

Good call....but i think.....THINK...that DAL MAY be in the mix....

[birdy219]

I don't know why people take PHX lightly. They are dangerous. Until the Spurs team finds a way to defend Amare...they will be dangerous.


I don't think that people take phoenix lightly, we just don't view them as a threat for the championship.
I personally believe that it will hurt them to bring Amare back too soon. I
think that they have good chemistry now and that Amare will gain so much attention by dunking and such that he will be a distraction. You may start hearing Marion saying that they don't run plays for him. I won't even discuss Amare's defensive liabilities. :rolleyes Ithink that they should keep things as team minded as possible. It's harder to guard 3 or 4 threats than it is to guard 2. That's precisely what the Spurs did last year. They narrowed them down to 2. Nash kept spoon feeding Amare constantly. Didn't he have like 57 dunks during the series ? :cuss It worked because they took Q and Marion out of their games. Now, flip the switch. Who is gonna guard Timmy, Tony, Manu, or Finley? :nope Raja will occasionally have limited success on Manu or Finley. But you can't put him on Timmy or Tony. So, I just look at the matchups and I don't feel there's any reason for panic because the BIG BAD AMARE says that they will be UNSTOPPABLE. :eyebrows

[ChumpDumper]

Manu hates playing against Raja Bell cuz he is an awesome defender. That's a myth.

PHX is good. They won't be taken lightly by the Spurs.

[T Park]

Hopefully Parker can keep his good play going against Nash in the playoffs.



why wouldn't he.

He practically owned Nash in the WCF last year.

[Obstructed_View]

Amare is a stud. I love his confidence. Can't wait to see him back. As a Spurs fan, it might be nice to see the Suns actually show up for a series against us.

[Dre_7]

Question to all the Amare haters: What is Amare supposed to say??

"As soon as I get back, we're making a push for it. If everything stays on schedule and I don't experience too much pain, I definitely will be back this year. The (San Antonio) Spurs are up there, and once I get back, I dont think we will be able to beat those guys. Maybe we should just forfeit."

To me, I think the fact that Amare wants to knock off the Spurs is a sign of respect.

[Tek_XX]

How is it a myth?
Ginobili got mad at his agent for Bell signing with the Suns. (Bell has the same agent as Manu)

Do you believe everything you read on the internet?

Well i totally agree that Amare is a stud, let him have his 40 a game and sweep their asses out of the playoffs.

[Brutalis]

Okay this pissed me off.

Fuck you Amare. Mr. "Over one playoffs I grew too big for my shoes" Stoudamire.

It's hard for anyone to care when you're sitting in a nice suit, watching your team. You should do what Hill did and just shutup cause you haven't proved shit yet.

Stupid kid.

[Tek_XX]

Question to all the Amare haters: What is Amare supposed to say??

"As soon as I get back, we're making a push for it. If everything stays on schedule and I don't experience too much pain, I definitely will be back this year. The (San Antonio) Spurs are up there, and once I get back, I dont think we will be able to beat those guys. Maybe we should just forfeit."

To me, I think the fact that Amare wants to knock off the Spurs is a sign of respect.

Well he can talk and do push ups all fuckin year long if he wants, but i think it's about time his team started backing it up or else i think he should just STFU.

[Dre_7]

Its amazing how much hate anyone not playing for the Spurs get from people on this board. :lol

[Tek_XX]

When it is a credible source, yes.

Link?

[Tek_XX]

Its amazing how much hate anyone not playing for the Spurs get from people on this board. :lol

Sorry if anyone critized your wonderboy, i think you should deal.

[Tek_XX]

I don't rememeber dude. It was sometime this summer...

I heard it was a myth as well, something that gets spread on sites like this.

[Brutalis]

Its amazing how much hate anyone not playing for the Spurs get from people on this board. :lol

I think chumps who talk shit and have never backed it up got something coming to them.

[Warlord23]

How is it a myth?
Ginobili got mad at his agent for Bell signing with the Suns. (Bell has the same agent as Manu)

Regardless of what Manu told his agent, there is no evidence to show that Bell has ever slowed Ginobili down. May be he plays good defense, maybe he doesn't , but he can't claim to be a Manu stopper till he actually does some stopping.

However, that matchup is not the one that'll decide the series. The question is how do they play Duncan? Last time, Marion and Amare couldn't even come close to stopping Timmy on single coverage. Hunter did a slightly better job, but in general, they can't get away with single cover on Duncan. Which resulted in a truckload of open 3s. Also Tony Parker this year can shred their defense to ribbons by driving the lane. I consider TP of this year to be a much bigger threat than last year.

Phoenix in reply used the Nash/Amare pick n roll to hurt us, because their "free" fastbreak points were kept down by our transition D. But they couldn't keep up that 2-man game through 4 quarters. I don't think they've added any new weapon to their offense this year. I'd like to see how they can do any better ofensively than last year.

Our offense is much better this year compared to last. We lead the league in FG%. They claim to be a better defensive team, but it boils down to how they defend Duncan. If they're hoping that Kurt Thomas will be their Duncan-stopper, they're in for a rude shock. They have no real size in the frontcourt this year. And I'd like to see how they handle Tony.

[Kori Ellis]

What's funny is that you guys are killing Ginobili is God for a credible source about Manu/Bell and meanwhile it was in the Express-News. And then Manu's agent confirmed in an audio interview that was posted here.

[Kori Ellis]

Word on the street is that when agent Herb Rudoy disclosed that Bell had agreed to sign with the Suns, one of his more prominent clients, Manu Ginobili, called him to protest that he had just given the Suns the defender he least likes to play against.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/stories/MYSA071005.14C.mike_monroe.527258b7.html


The San Antonio Express-News reported that Ginobili called agent Herb Rudoy, who is also Bell's agent, after the Suns nabbed Bell to complain that Rudoy gave the Suns the defender he least likes to play against.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/0802suns0802.html

Sorry Raja Bell confirmed it in an audio interview.

http://ccri.eonstreams.com/ccri_az_phoenix_KGME_am.asf

[Kori Ellis]

but he can't claim to be a Manu stopper till he actually does some stopping.

He didn't claim that. He just said that Manu said he's the defender that Manu hates playing the most against. Manu could have easily said that. Just because he doesn't stop Manu doesn't mean Manu likes playing against him.

[Tek_XX]

Raja Bell=Manu Stopper

[Kori Ellis]

Raja Bell=Manu Stopper

Again, no one said that. Just that Manu doesn't like playing against him.

[E20]

I don't know what is up with all the hate on Amare, so yeah he does some push-ups and likes to be overconifdent so what. The guy can play. He had to carry his whole team( except Nash) against the Spurs. You can compare him to Drob and the 95 WCF Finals. If he gets healthy and stays it, then I see this guy being one of the most dominant forces the NBA has seen.

[Warlord23]

He didn't claim that. He just said that Manu said he's the defender that Manu hates playing the most against. Manu could have easily said that. Just because he doesn't stop Manu doesn't mean Manu likes playing against him.

Very true. My point was that Manu's dislike in playing vs Bell hasn't seemed to significantly affect his output; also that the Suns have a few other (and IMO tougher) matchups to worry about before they get to Manu vs Bell.

[Tek_XX]

Kori you should find out what exactly it is about Raja that pisses Manu off enough that he bitches to his agent.

[NashtoAmare]

In fact, Stoudemire is shaping up as an intriguing X-factor over the second half of the season. While he might still be a long way away from throwing down vicious dunks, his mere presence on the practice court these days is enough to make NBA fans in San Antonio nervous. If he returns to his All-Star form, it could elevate the Suns another notch, perhaps making them serious contenders to the Spurs in the West.
-SI

[ALVAREZ6]

it could elevate the Suns another notch, perhaps making them serious contenders to the Spurs in the West.
-SI
Only getting swept in the Western Conference Finals.

[NashtoAmare]

agreed. if it was last years team...

[Rummpd]

This is all very, very premature, for one thing not having pain in his knee absolutely does not mean he will return effectively this year.

If he does and i hope he does for his sake and the Suns, this year he will be going against a healthy Duncan - who does not get mad, he just gets even, a vastly improved Parker and a better Spurs bench.

For all the changes the Suns have made they also wanted Finley badly as they realize he is not just adding someone to the bench but a former legit all-star.

No worries.

[FromWayDowntown]

In fact, Stoudemire is shaping up as an intriguing X-factor over the second half of the season. While he might still be a long way away from throwing down vicious dunks, his mere presence on the practice court these days is enough to make NBA fans in San Antonio nervous. If he returns to his All-Star form, it could elevate the Suns another notch, perhaps making them serious contenders to the Spurs in the West.
-SI

I'm not sure where that writer gets the idea that anyone in San Antonio is getting nervous about Amare's return. Even this thread was started by a Suns fan -- Spurs fans are just responding, and while there's some degree of respect for Amare and his team (and some degree of disrespect for each), I don't think anyone here is getting nervous.

[Dre_7]

Sorry if anyone critized your wonderboy, i think you should deal.

LOL My wonderboy? Believe me, I am no fan of Amare. I just realize that he is one of the best players in the NBA. I have respect for good players. Even good players that dont...*GASP!*...play for the Spurs!!!

[Marcus Bryant]

The Spurs took the Suns in 5 despite Stoudemire going apeshit last spring. BFD.

[T Park]

agreed. if it was last years team...

This year they dont have Joe Johnson, who was the reason they won game 4.

I was there.

If Johnson doesn't go apeshit in the second half, that is the biggest sweep since Lakers Spurs in 01 wich I predicted before the series started.

No Joe Johnson to bail out the Suns.

If you think Raja Bell, James Jones, or Boris Diaw, are the ones to pick up the slack in pressure time like Johnson, your nuts.

[bigzak25]

I was there...that is the biggest sweep since Lakers Spurs in 01 wich I predicted before the series started.



dayum dude...you've been giving up on the Spurs for years. :lmao

[T Park]

The Spurs took the Suns in 5 despite Stoudemire going apeshit last spring. BFD

Exactly.

Nash a year older, Parker a year older but better.

Finley > Barry

Barry > Robinson


Spurs prob would sweep the Suns this time around.


Sorry Suns fans, deal with reality.

THAT and no Stephen Hunter, Rasho trying his best to stay with this team, and Mohammed would flourish again against them like he did last year, and it adds up.


Im sure Suns fans will tell us how horrible the Spurs are and how much improved the Suns are.

Waiting to see that.

[T Park]

dayum dude...you've been giving up on the Spurs for years

Im talkin about predicting the Spurs sweeping the Suns twit.


Get off my back Hagee.

[bigzak25]

Im talkin about predicting the Spurs sweeping the Suns twit.


Get off my back Hagee.



hagee? twit?

okay. :lol

[NashtoAmare]

This year they dont have Joe Johnson, who was the reason they won game 4.

I was there.

If Johnson doesn't go apeshit in the second half, that is the biggest sweep since Lakers Spurs in 01 wich I predicted before the series started.

No Joe Johnson to bail out the Suns.

If you think Raja Bell, James Jones, or Boris Diaw, are the ones to pick up the slack in pressure time like Johnson, your nuts.

I was at game 1 and 2 and we sure missed Joe but how can you say he was the reason we won game 4 when STAT was the one who blocked the potential tie bucket??? Joe made an amazing shot over Bowen that game..that's all i remember him for..I for one am a JJ hater..i don't like talking about him.

From what i saw at game 5 he didn't help much either...The Suns have what i call a bench...Eddie,Leandro,Boris (when Amare comes back),Pat,James,Brain,and Jim.I think 7 guys can score the 20 points JJ did..More like 30 or so.

[T Park]

The Suns have what i call a bench...Eddie,Leandro,Boris (when Amare comes back),Pat,James,Brain,and Jim.I think 7 guys can score the 20 points JJ did..More like 30 or so.




Your gonna rely on guys like Eddie House, Pat Burke, and Brian Grant?!?!?!?


yikes.....

[T Park]

how can you say he was the reason we won game 4

Easy, he was scoring and helping out Stoudamire and Nash.

The shot you talk about was a killer.

Spurs I believe just tied it up, and he hits that shot.

he doesn't hit that shot who knows what happens......

[TDMVPDPOY]

was a fluke

[NashtoAmare]

"Easy, he was scoring and helping out Stoudamire and Nash."

isin't that what every player on the Suns do??

"Your gonna rely on guys like Eddie House, Pat Burke, and Brian Grant?!?!?!?


yikes....."

i believe you cut my list short...Eddie,Leandro,Boris (when Amare comes back),Pat,James,Brain,and Jim.

Have you seen Eddie play???

and, the suns may be using the TE soon...

[T Park]

TE?

Ive seen Eddie House play for years.

Hes an undersized shooting guard who shoots threes. Not hard to guard that.

[NashtoAmare]

TE=money from JJ trade...

easy to guard...
Ranks #4 in the NBA in Field Goals Per 48 Minutes(11.67)
Ranks #3 in the NBA in Field-Goal Attempts Per 48 Minutes(26.48)
Ranks #1 in the NBA in Three-Point Field Goals Per 48 Minutes(4.09)
Ranks #14 in the NBA in Points Per 48 Minutes(28.9)
has 6 saves for PHX...

pretty good #'s for a guy who is undersized and easy to guard...

[ambchang]

The Suns playing better defense this year is pretty much a myth. Yes, their opponents are scoring a lot less points (103.3 in 04-05 vs. 97.4, or ranked dead last in 04-05, and #17 this year), but that is mainly due to them playing at a slower pace. Their defensive FG% has only improved slightly (44.462% last year vs. 43.325% this year, or #10 last year vs. #8 this year).
Amare is an amazing offensive player, and he has great hops and unbelievable hands catching passes from Nash, but a player is more than that. His defense has great room for improvement, his passing is suspect, and let's not forget that the reason he scored almost 40ppg on the Spurs last year in the WCF was because the Spurs were stopping Nash on every single pick and roll, the strategy works. I remember seeing Amare blowing important layups in the 4th quarter in narrow losses in at least 2 games.
Amare has loads of potential, but he is only, at best the 2nd most important player on his team.
BTW, the Suns are the Spurs #1 threat in the West, Dallas a close second.

[NashtoAmare]

you don't think the Suns are playing better D??? are you serious.??..even Stevie has been playing good D as of late.

[leemajors]

not nitpicking, but house went 0-4 in 14:29 last game vs spurs. dude can score, but he is not really someone you need to worry about. "better" d is a relative term.

[z0sa]

The suns' future rests on Amare's recovery. If Amare recovers quickly and has it all going again by playoff time, I think the suns have a legitimate chance at going all the way. But if he isn't up to par, then no way.

[T Park]

you don't think the Suns are playing better D??? are you serious.??..even Stevie has been playing good D as of late


yeah right....

No I dont.

Not until they get a different coach whos attitude is that "Defense is just time spent waiting for your next offensive possession"

[T Park]

If Amare recovers quickly and has it all going again by playoff time, I think the suns have a legitimate chance at going all the way

Chance yes.

Legit?? No.

[z0sa]

If they have a chance, doesn't that automatically mean its legit? You cant have a chance and yet not be legit. ???

[T Park]

You can have a chance.

Everyone that makes it in the playoffs has a chance techinically.

But legit is

San Antonio
Detroit
Miami


Meaning, something extra ordinary would keep them from reaching the Conference Finals, or NBA Finals.

[ambchang]

you don't think the Suns are playing better D??? are you serious.??..even Stevie has been playing good D as of late.
no I don't, and I showed the numbers to back it up. Slowing down the pace != better defense, it just means they are playing at a slower pace. I do admit that they are a better half court team on offense though (not as potent on the fast break as last year), with a few guys who can create for others (Diaw ... eh ... yeah, that's it).
The Suns are a very good team, but as a Spurs fan, I still think the Spurs are better, and will probably beat them in 5 or 6 games in a 7 game series.

[RobinsontoDuncan]

I heard that a plantar fiatus or whatever Tim has doesn't go away for a long long period of time, and last time I checked, Tim Hasn't been that great of late...which probably means he isnt healthy, which probably means he might not be able to do much in the playoffs.... hopefully that isnt the case.

I just hope he is 100% for the playoffs or hell even 95% would be nice, but if he isnt... it's going to be ugly versus the Suns.

[SirChaz]

no I don't, and I showed the numbers to back it up. Slowing down the pace != better defense, it just means they are playing at a slower pace. I do admit that they are a better half court team on offense though (not as potent on the fast break as last year), with a few guys who can create for others (Diaw ... eh ... yeah, that's it).
The Suns are a very good team, but as a Spurs fan, I still think the Spurs are better, and will probably beat them in 5 or 6 games in a 7 game series.


There is a lot of myth busting going on around here.

PPG is a horrible measure of defense. Defensive efficiency is much better because it adjusts for the number of possessions in the game by taking the points per 100 possessions.

Suns are #2 in the league in defensive efficiency right behind the Spurs. They were middle of the pack last year, about 16th I think. Don't you think that would indicate better defense?


Amare is a cocky young man there is no doubt. The Suns know who they have to beat to win the championship.

[ambchang]

There is a lot of myth busting going on around here.

PPG is a horrible measure of defense. Defensive efficiency is much better because it adjusts for the number of possessions in the game by taking the points per 100 possessions.

Suns are #2 in the league in defensive efficiency right behind the Spurs. They were middle of the pack last year, about 16th I think. Don't you think that would indicate better defense?


Amare is a cocky young man there is no doubt. The Suns know who they have to beat to win the championship.
I just look at adjusted FG% (taking into account 3 pt FG , which is effectively defensive efficiency), the Suns are #7 in the league right now, they were #10 last year, not much of an improvement, I'd say.
And no, the Suns are not horrible on defense this year or last, they were average, better than average, even, it's just that people don't realize how good an offensive team the Spurs are. The Spurs were # 6 last year running largely a half court offensive set, and are #1 this year.

[SirChaz]

I just look at adjusted FG% (taking into account 3 pt FG , which is effectively defensive efficiency), the Suns are #7 in the league right now, they were #10 last year, not much of an improvement, I'd say.
And no, the Suns are not horrible on defense this year or last, they were average, better than average, even, it's just that people don't realize how good an offensive team the Spurs are. The Spurs were # 6 last year running largely a half court offensive set, and are #1 this year.


So at least we have moved from not improved to not improved much.
So the Suns improved defense is not a myth by both our selected statistics.


The Suns were pretty good in FG defense last year. They would force outside shots and at the pace the Suns would run most of those shots would be falling short by the fourth quarter. They would physically and mentally wear out teams most everynight with the quicker pace.
The Spurs were the only team that managed to physically wear out the Suns.
Their depth and coaching were the difference makers.

They don't really run at the same pace as last season. Raja and Jones are good three point shooters but don't sprint to the corners for a quick 3 in transition like JJ and Q would last year. They are more suited to a half court set built around Amare.
Plus last year they had two additional shot blockers to protect the rim in Hunter and Amare.

[T Park]

They would force outside shots

lol

yeah that western finals the Spurs relied on the outside jumper no question.


As duncan shoots another 5 foot hook for a basket....

[JMarkJohns]

I can't defend such talk right now. In case Amare hasn't noticed, the Suns have lost every game they've played against the Pistons, Spurs, Mavericks and Grizzlies. 0-6 to be exact. One very good win bordering on great is their win vs. Indiana back when the Pacers weren't such headcases.

Win a game with meaning before opening your trap, Amare. Love ya, but damn your blabber could backfire.

[SirChaz]

lol

yeah that western finals the Spurs relied on the outside jumper no question.


As duncan shoots another 5 foot hook for a basket....


I was talking more about the regular season and I did say the Spurs were the exception.

Most teams are not as disciplined as the Spurs and would get caught up in the Suns pace and shoot quick shots.

[Rummpd]

The Suns are a darn fine team and very exciting, but they will once again run into a damm fine team - advantage Spurs.

[TwoHandJam]

*snort*.... mm.. huh... whazzat? Amare? :sleep

[T Park]

^^^^ lol exactly

[ambchang]

So at least we have moved from not improved to not improved much.
So the Suns improved defense is not a myth by both our selected statistics.


The Suns were pretty good in FG defense last year. They would force outside shots and at the pace the Suns would run most of those shots would be falling short by the fourth quarter. They would physically and mentally wear out teams most everynight with the quicker pace.
The Spurs were the only team that managed to physically wear out the Suns.
Their depth and coaching were the difference makers.

They don't really run at the same pace as last season. Raja and Jones are good three point shooters but don't sprint to the corners for a quick 3 in transition like JJ and Q would last year. They are more suited to a half court set built around Amare.
Plus last year they had two additional shot blockers to protect the rim in Hunter and Amare.
Well, if you want to look at it this way, I did point out their slight improvement in the FG% defense in my very first post, so whatever you say.
And Amare is a great pick and roll option, he can obviously go to the rim with authority, and yet he has a nice 18 foot jumper if he was opened, and if Nash, you would rather leave Amare open at 18 than to have Nash make a layup or pass for an open three. But then again, Amare is only good at the pick and roll in the half court.

[polandprzem]

Well, if you want to look at it this way, I did point out their slight improvement in the FG% defense in my very first post, so whatever you say.
And Amare is a great pick and roll option, he can obviously go to the rim with authority, and yet he has a nice 18 foot jumper if he was opened, and if Nash, you would rather leave Amare open at 18 than to have Nash make a layup or pass for an open three. But then again, Amare is only good at the pick and roll in the half court.
Only in halfcourt?
what about transition?

[ambchang]

Only in halfcourt?
what about transition?
I meant when the Suns play halfcourt ball, he is only good at the pick and roll, and of course, he is a force on the break, no question.