Truth or Fiction - Suns more Talent than Spurs

[Rummpd]

"Said D'Antoni: "I hate to say this, and I hope it [comes out] the right way. I think we have more talent than they do. I think that we're individually better."
(He does go onto say that collectively Spurs were better)
Widely quoted this is from ESPN. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2007/columns/story?columnist=stein_marc&id=2863651 (also posted on another part of site)

True or false that Suns really have more "talent'. If they do, it is not by much, and it comes down to the presumption that "pure jumping or mobility" in an athlete is talent. Sadly, for Suns fans = not true!

Spurs have the best big man in the game in Duncan period, and Amare, while very good is simply no Tim Duncan. Amare is still a physical beast, but Duncan has talents that just cannot be measured - being in the right place, long arms, soft touch on jumpers and the ability to read defenses.

Bowen is a defensive stopper par none and a fine 3 point shooter and although Marion is always considered such a great player by many - to me he is one of the over-rated players in the NBA, including his supposed defensive prowess.

Jones or Thomas get press but Oberto's savy play and Elston are competent and in these playoffs, I will take Robert Horry over either Jones or Thomas all day long.

Nash probably deserves a nod over Parker, but history shows that versus the Suns, Parker explodes and he is a far better defender than Nash. Almost a wash.

Raja Bell is a talent but in my opinion his first team NBA defensive selection was a joke. Night in and night out he is not as strong as some other perimeter defenders in the league. He is a good three point shooter but so is Finley who has revived his game and people forget how scary good of an all star Michael Finley was for years.

Manu Ginobili vs. Barbosa is a close call due to the latter speed and improved offensive game, but Manu has the inate "talent" of a winner and has proven over and over again he is clutch. He also can contribute in far more ways than Barbosa.


Perhaps the Suns have a little more left on the bench than the Spurs but in the playoffs rotations only really go 8 deep and before this series is over I would also not be surprised to see Brent Barry come in a reign some threes on the Suns.


Moreover, when all is said and done the Spurs will also win this series due to the greater talent of the coach to keep his emotions in check - Pop's talent will outcoach D'Antoni, as the system of the Spurs is superior and it is due in large part, to Pop.

[MannyIsGod]

The Suns have more pure talent on their team than the Spurs do and its not very close. If Amare were to be put into an enviroment where defense was required, the Suns would be a scary ass team.

[Obstructed_View]

Who cares? The Mavericks are the deepest team in the NBA. The Pistons had the most talented starting five in the league last year.

[Rummpd]

Why? What talents are you talking about????? "lack of defense" comes to mind.

Maybe Amare just doesn't also have the basketball IQ of Tim Duncan = that is a rarer talent than a pure jumper and dunker!

[dreamcastrocks]

The Suns have more pure talent on their team than the Spurs do and its not very close. If Amare were to be put into an enviroment where defense was required, the Suns would be a scary ass team.

Absolutely agree. You put Popovich, on the Suns and you have a Lakers/Celtics type dynasty.

[Oh, Gee!!]

nash is a waaaay better all around PG than parker, and amare is way more athletic than duncan. other than that, I think the teams are pretty evenly matched

[nkdlunch]

offensively yes. defensively they are miles behind Spurs

[Rummpd]

Watch the series and see who is again Nash's equal as a point guard. Put Parker on the Suns his assists would go up big time but they would not win more and vise versa.

[nkdlunch]

once again D'antoni is not taking defense into account. smart coach.

[twincam]

Yeah, people ask too many questions about comparisions. People in general will always be biased, and say that their favorite team is more talented than others. I'd say, let the best of 7 series answer everyone's wonders.

[dreamcastrocks]

Why? What talents are you talking about????? "lack of defense" comes to mind.

Maybe Amare just doesn't also have the basketball IQ of Tim Duncan = that is a rarer talent than a pure jumper and dunker!

Again, defense is more about coaching, fundamentals, and being in the right position. Offense is much more talent based if you will.

There is a reason why you have a good defensive team, it most of it falls on the coaching scheme. Dallas went from being a terrible defensive team, to a pretty good one in a short time, with the same players by changing coaches and strategies.

[ATXSPUR]

I dont give a damn as long as we win.

[George Gervin's Afro]

Suns have more talent.

[SAGambler]

nash is a waaaay better all around PG than parker, and amare is way more athletic than duncan. other than that, I think the teams are pretty evenly matched

And yet Parker seems to always put up just as good if not better numbers. Go figure.

[Oh, Gee!!]

And yet Parker seems to always put up just as good if not better numbers. Go figure.

Nash averages 6 more assists per game. That's not "just as good if not better numbers" by any stretch of the imagination.

[leemajors]

this is hoopsworld worthy!

[DarrinS]

I don't know. According to some, Tony Parker can rap.

Does Nash know how to tap dance or something?

Is Marion an accomplished ventriloquist?

What is meant by "talent"?


If, by talent, you mean basketball SKILL, then I'd say NO, the Suns are not any more talented than the Spurs.

[nkdlunch]

D'antoni is talented at bitching

[LilMissSPURfect]

D'antoni is talented at bitching


:toast

[DarrinS]

D'antoni is talented at bitching


HHHIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!
http://www.nba.com/media/euro_dantoni_122205.jpghttp://www.crestock.com/images/judgeross/247-worst.jpg

[LilMissSPURfect]

HHHIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!
http://www.nba.com/media/euro_dantoni_122205.jpghttp://www.crestock.com/images/judgeross/247-worst.jpg
:lmao

[Mr. Peabody]

Nash averages 6 more assists per game. That's not "just as good if not better numbers" by any stretch of the imagination.

But Nash is on the other team, so he can't be better than TP.

[LilMissSPURfect]

But Nash is on the other team, so he can't be better than TP.
i dunt care who's better either way.....you measuring his offensive production on an offensive producing team .....can't compare apples with oranges...

[BigBeezie]

I just listened to an UN-BIASED sports radio show today, and they said, "I think the Spurs just have more talent than the Suns. Period."

That being said, I kind of agree...but I think we're evenly matched. This could be a long series and could wear on the Spurs. Conversely, if the Suns lose tonight then it's pack your fucking bags, you can't win the big one buddy!!

D'antoni annoys me a lot. He isn't as bad as Phil Jackson but he needs to get over himself. He hasn't accomplished a whole lot with a two-time MVP running his offense. Take a lesson from the Spurs and d-up as a team. Don't bring in two guys (Bell and K. Thomas) and think that solves your problems.

[bdictjames]

Its not about talent, rather effort and coaching.

[DarrinS]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39672000/jpg/_39672335_head_coach200.jpghttp://duplexdude.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/chimp02.jpg

[OldDirtMcGirt]

I think that talent wise both teams are about even. I'd give a the nod to the Suns first six players, but the Spurs have a much better bench and better roleplayers. The biggest disparity between the two teams is that the Spurs have the best coach in the game right now whereas the Suns have a retarded douche who runs around bitching at the refs and screaming random shit about energy and hustle.

[sprrs]

Team USA had more talent than any of the competition. Did they win?

[Obstructed_View]

David Robinson was the most talented person in the NBA in the last 20 years. Too bad he wasn't the best basketball player.

[Mr. Peabody]

Team USA had more talent than any of the competition. Did they win?

I would disagree with that statement. Teams USA was certainly more athletic than the rest of the teams, but they couldn't hit a jump shot to save their lives. Unfortunately, the other teams had talent that was more applicable to the international game, hence the bronze.

[dreamcastrocks]

David Robinson was the most talented person in the NBA in the last 20 years. Too bad he wasn't the best basketball player.

That point will be argued. I love David Robinson and everything about him. Are there really that many people that would argue that Robinson had more talent than Jordan or Magic?

[mardigan]

That point will be argued. I love David Robinson and everything about him. Are there really that many people that would argue that Robinson had more talent than Jordan or Magic?
I think a lot of Spur fans would, he had as much talent as any basketball player Ive ever seen

[sprrs]

I would disagree with that statement. Teams USA was certainly more athletic than the rest of the teams, but they couldn't hit a jump shot to save their lives. Unfortunately, the other teams had talent that was more applicable to the international game, hence the bronze.

That can be applied to this series. The Suns don't have the right kind of talent (defense) to beat the Spurs on a regular basis.

[Obstructed_View]

That point will be argued. I love David Robinson and everything about him. Are there really that many people that would argue that Robinson had more talent than Jordan or Magic?
David Robinson played a number of musical instruments, scored 1320 on the SAT, scored higher than anyone else at the naval academy in gymnastics (despite being 6'7" tall), walked on his hands the length of the basketball court on a dare and holds a degree in mathematics.

My point is that talent doesn't mean anything in a basketball game.

[Oh, Gee!!]

That point will be argued. I love David Robinson and everything about him. Are there really that many people that would argue that Robinson had more talent than Jordan or Magic?

and probably attack you if they meet in you in person

[Mr. Peabody]

David Robinson played a number of musical instruments, scored 1320 on the SAT, scored higher than anyone else at the naval academy in gymnastics (despite being 6'7" tall), walked on his hands the length of the basketball court on a dare and holds a degree in mathematics.

My point is that talent doesn't mean anything in a basketball game.

Sure it does. Robinson's athleticism is what separated him from the other 7-footers in the league. And the ability to shoot the ball with accuracy would be a hell of a talent to have during a game. Ditto for being quick and jumping high.

[41times]

The Suns have a slight edge man for man vs. the Spurs in regard to talent and individual abilities.

Where the Spurs excel and pass the Suns is with Coaching and playing better team defense.

And that is why the Spurs will win the series in 6 games.

[dreamcastrocks]

The Suns have a slight edge man for man vs. the Spurs in regard to talent and individual abilities.

Where the Spurs excel and pass the Suns is with Coaching and playing better team defense.

And that is why the Spurs will win the series in 6 games.

I completely agree with this post, and has been my statement the entire time.

[NASHville]

Talent - Yes, I give the edge to the Suns.

[2centsworth]

The Suns have more pure talent on their team than the Spurs do and its not very close. If Amare were to be put into an enviroment where defense was required, the Suns would be a scary ass team.

please elaborate.

[747]

I think you are reaching for something that isnt there. I dont think D'Antoni was trying to slight the Spurs. He went on to say...


"Collectively," D'Antoni continued, "they're better right now."

[Borosai]

The Suns have better scorers, not more talent (unless that's all talent is these days).

http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/5279/stsunsclownsentow6.jpg

[ArgSpursFan]

Team USA had more talent than any of the competition. Did they win?

great post my friend.BB is not about Individuals,its about coaching desicions and Team´s chemestry.

[ArgSpursFan]

to be honest the lakers have the most talented Individuals in the whole NBA.but they are fishing already.

[dreamcastrocks]

The Suns have better scorers, not more talent (unless that's all talent is these days).

http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/5279/stsunsclownsentow6.jpg


Some of the photoshops on here are good. Not this one though.