D'Antoni suns will run faster

[ducks]

Despite offseason obstacles, Phoenix expects sunny days ahead


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/traini...ge=suns-071005

Despite offseason obstacles, Phoenix expects sunny days ahead
By Marc Stein
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: October 5, 2007, 4:43 PM ET
Comment
Email
Print
TUCSON, Ariz. -- They lost Amare Stoudemire to another knee injury before a ball was dribbled at training camp. They opened that Amare-less camp just a week after Shawn Marion went public with a trade demand. Factor in that they'll never really forget how last season ended and there was a natural inclination for the Phoenix Suns to feel as though the color scheme of their new practice gear -- mourner's black -- was uncomfortably fitting.

Then Mike D'Antoni began to share his plans for the season.


STEIN: SUNS OBSERVATIONS

How's Grant Hill's health? Will Boris Diaw rebound? And what about post defense? Those are just a few questions looming over Suns camp, Marc Stein writes. Camp notes



The Suns, D'Antoni swears, are going to respond to what happened in the San Antonio series by playing faster, if that's possible.

He says they're prepared to go even smaller with his lineups, if necessary.

He vows that they're going to be looser and happier, too, because D'Antoni contends that the Suns were more uptight than anyone on the outside ever knew.

So he gathered his players at the University of Arizona this week and assured them that they won't be starting over with new philosophies or partaking in lab experiments to make the Suns conventional. To the contrary, D'Antoni believes his small ball kings should try to run even more than they've been running -- and have a lot more fun -- to max out on the potential of their unique personnel mix and finally reach the NBA Finals.

"It can't be, 'This is all a disaster if we don't win the championship,' " D'Antoni said. "You don't enjoy the journey that way and I think we didn't enjoy the journey enough last year. We didn't enjoy January enough when we won 17 [games] in a row. We've got to get back to that gunslinging kind of mentality: 'If we win, we win. If we lose, we lose.' But we don't want to have this big burden on our heads at all times and I think it starts with me. I'll take care of it. Steve will take care of it."

It might not be as simple as D'Antoni makes it sound, but he'll indeed have Steve Nash as his assist man on this project as well. Nash shares his coach's contention that San Antonio's extra layer of togetherness hurt the Suns as much anything in the teams' second-round classic.

It was Nash who famously said last May that the various controversies in that series -- most notably those Game 5 suspensions of Stoudemire and Boris Diaw -- would "haunt us forever." Yet there was Nash on Tuesday in Tucson, conceding that the Spurs' better chemistry was a huge difference-maker, too.

"We need to be the top team in the league in chemistry," Nash said. "Or in the top two."

The problem there is that being No. 1 chemistry-wise -- or even No. 2 -- is an awfully high bar given how heavy their start has been. As if rebounding from the San Antonio disappointment wasn't sufficiently challenging, Phoenix just sent Stoudemire, at 24, to the operating table for the third time in two years and faces a whole new series of challenges with Marion after years of trying to convince the tireless forward -- unsuccessfully -- that he's not underappreciated by coaches, teammates and management.


Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

Chemistry and health issues surround Amare Stoudemire.

The Stoudemire-Marion relationship, furthermore, will remain a focal point for as long as they play together, especially with Grant Hill's name now competing for space on the marquee as well. Add it all up and it seems a lot safer to predict a further dip in togetherness as opposed to improvement, even if the Suns' bench is no longer populated by frustrated vets who hoped to play more.

The Suns, though, insist that the outlook is a lot sunnier than it might appear, with Stoudemire scheduled to be back on the practice floor in three weeks, possibly ready to play in time for opening night . . . and with Amare already having beaten microfracture surgery on his other knee pretty spectacularly. Nash, meanwhile, is on record predicting that Marion -- while undeniably still is upset with the Suns' refusal to offer him a contract extension and stung by the trade rumors he's heard for so long -- is a "lovable guy" who will find it hard "to stay angry amongst his teammates."

It's also true that excelling at both ends when he's unhappy or feeling slighted would be nothing new from Marion. Which should help explain why new Suns president Steve Kerr insists that "we're going to be fine."

"We're going to be good," Kerr said. "Shawn told me and he told his teammates that he's ready to play. It was a distraction in the summer, but now it's time to play basketball, and I'm confident that Shawn is going to play and wants to play.

"We have such a veteran group, these guys understand that it's part of the business. It's not a great part of the business, but it's something you have to deal with from time to time. The teams that are professional, they move on."

Good point. The Suns' recent track record in the moving-on game is indeed outstanding, whether it's making back-to-back trips to the conference finals in the face of numerous major injuries (Joe Johnson, Stoudemire, Raja Bell) or playing San Antonio so much closer than anyone else in spite of some difficult circumstances (most notably Nash's bloody nose in Game 1 and the two suspensions).

D'Antoni clearly remembers all that, judging by how much he's talking the Suns up in the midst of this heavy start. He was raving about Hill within minutes of coaching him for the first time, quickly convinced that Hill's ability to penetrate and handle the ball will enable Phoenix to actually speed up its offense. The coach is likewise boasting that he doesn't "even know if we have to call plays" with this group because the ball is moving so crisply.

The two-time MVP, though, probably wanted Hill even more than the coach. Surrounded by so much inexperience at key spots -- Stoudemire, Diaw and Leandro Barbosa all come to mind as special talents still learning the game -- Nash figured his Suns could stand to get a little older and wiser before seeing San Antonio again.

"You don't want to get too old," Suns guard Bell said with a smile, "but I think our window is still there. The Spurs are the champions. They deserved it and they played great. But I think we've moved on. We're going to be right at the top of the league again, vying for the championship."

Said D'Antoni: "If you want to look at [the current situation] with a cloud over our heads, that's one way. The other way is thinking we'll get Boris started [while Stoudemire recovers] and find out what Brian Skinner and Sean Marks can do. Amare's going to be fine, so that's how we'll look at it and hopefully that's the way it'll turn out.

"We're going to attack the league in a different mentality, like we did the first year [after re-signing Nash in the summer of 2004]. ... It's like I told Steve, 'You might have five more years left and you've got to enjoy each one.'

"Same with me. As a coach, I've got the best team you could have, the greatest guys and the best city. If I can't be happy in January, then I should be shot. And I wasn't last January. So I'm going to go read my Zen book and chill out."

Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com. To e-mail him, click here.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Go ahead. Tire yourself out.

[cherylsteele]

Will Grant Hill be able to keep up?

[Ronaldo McDonald]

When will they just realize you can't win with a running team that doesn't play defense?

Better for us...

[ducks]

I think suns might be able to win if they were mentally tough they are not
therefore they will not win

[Ronaldo McDonald]

it's impossible to be mentally tough and only play offense. the two seem to be mutually exclusive. see the kings, mavs back in the day.

[ChumpDumper]

Did they finally designate an assistant coach to keep the players on the bench?

[timvp]

Mike D'Antoni: Good Guy, Good Coach To Play Against

[HighLowLobForBig-50]

why are they so stubborn in thinking that run n gun can work in the playoffs? every team in the playoffs is not from LA

[ducks]

chemistry and being mentally tough are the problems for suns


coach blames others and not themselves for losing
they are never going to win tell they do
and they need to get along with each other

[SequSpur]

NBA Forum.

[Walter Craparita]

I hope the Spurs stomp the shit out of them come playoff time. Everything before that is just pre-season.

[ducks]

NBA Forum.
sequ your mommy is ready to tuck you in bed now

[theroc5]

Yes, means less defense

[exstatic]

"We need to be the top team in the league in chemistry," Nash said. "Or in the top two."

Did they trade Marion? No? Then they have no chance to meet that goal.

[Kriz-Maxima]

isnt grant hill on that team?

[JMarkJohns]

Suns fans on suicide watch forum...

[Lp26]

The title made me LOL for some reason. "Run Faster" is not a very good adjustment

[lefty]

Well, the faster they run, the higher they'll fly when Horry is around...

[Obstructed_View]

I can't wait to hear D'Antoni on the sidelines this season during timeouts saying "C'mon guys, run faster now. Run faster." It's not like the Suns have a lot of chance of beating a healthy Spurs team, but choosing to go this direction just makes them easier to eliminate.

[baseline bum]

God, one running team has won a title in the modern era; somehow, I don't think Nash/Stoudemire/Marion stacks up to Johnson/Abdul-Jabbar/Worthy.

[lefty]

God, one running team has won a title in the modern era; somehow, I don't think Nash/Stoudemire/Marion stacks up to Johnson/Abdul-Jabbar/Worthy.

Because the 80's Lakers were able to play some D (not a lot, but some)

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I really think Stoudamire is going to set a league record for number of times fouled out during a season. The loss of Thomas means that much more of an onus will be on him to protect the paint.

The only problem is that he has no self control and i full expect him to be a foul machine as he constantly has to help Marion or Diaw with the 4s and 5s they are going to be matched up with.

Its going to be brutal.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Because the 80's Lakers were able to play some D (not a lot, but some)

Scott and Green were excellent defenders and Kareem was still a presence in the paint and they always had Rambis to go and get 6 fouls on someone to slow them down.

The Suns would kill to have someone like AC Green circa 1985. Bell is good on the preimeter but they dont have jack down low.

[mavsfan1000]

Their style works against us but a team with a post prescence will eat them up. Phoenix will not get past San Antonio.

[Obstructed_View]

Because the 80's Lakers were able to play some D (not a lot, but some)
The 80s lakers would be the second or third best defense in the league today. Kareem isn't third all time in blocks for nothin'.

[We born to be bad]

Suns fans on suicide watch forum...

who? :lol

Go Suns! Go!

[JMarkJohns]

who? :lol

Go Suns! Go!

Every Suns fan who knows better...

Itty-bitty ball doesn't win Titles. It merely creates the illusion of contention because of the "any given game" effect that offense can have. Unfortunately, any given game doesn't win in series vs. the best the League can offer.

[ChumpDumper]

Good thing they signed Skinner then.

[SpursDynasty]

I don't care HOW FAST you can run or how small you can go.

DEFENSE! Learn it!

That's why GS was able to get past Dallas (Dallas played poor defense) but not Utah (Utah knows how to play defense).

And GS is seen to be a faster, more explosive team than Phoenix once they got more national television exposure (playoffs). Being fast and explosive does not equal a championship. You might get by poor defense teams (60 regular season wins but no championship), but you will not get by the top defensive teams of the West (SA and Utah)

And you might not want to run Grant Hill or Nash too hard at their ages.

That's how "old and unathletic" teams like the 2006 Heat with Payton, Shaq, and Alonzo Mourning were able to win: No run and gun, but hard defense.

Same with the "oldest team in the league". They don't run around jacking up 100 shots a game. They play defense.

Look at the last 9 NBA Champions and you will see guys who played defense:

Duncan, Shaq, Kobe, Detroit Pistons, Alonzo

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

They're just tiring themselves out the way they're supposed to tire themselves out. Not on defense.

[lefty]

Nash will run so fast on fast breaks he won't be able to see the basket and will eventually crash in the Spurs' locker-room.

[Obstructed_View]

Nash will run so fast on fast breaks he won't be able to see the basket and will eventually crash in the Spurs' locker-room.
But he will flop and the locker room will be called for a blocking foul.

[JMarkJohns]

But he will flop and the locker room will be called for a blocking foul.

Just so long as the locker room doesn't extend it elbow and give a little shove :)

[yourcheatinheart]

Every Suns fan who knows better...

Itty-bitty ball doesn't win Titles. It merely creates the illusion of contention because of the "any given game" effect that offense can have. Unfortunately, any given game doesn't win in series vs. the best the League can offer.


just buy a spurs jersey and be done with it, you san antonio kiss ass.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

:lol

[Obstructed_View]

Just so long as the locker room doesn't extend it elbow and give a little shove :)
Then you have to worry about the women's restrooms coming off the bench to defend the locker room.

Okay, it's not funny.

[JMarkJohns]

:lol

What's funny is I probably attended my first game before cheatin' heart and suns_fanatic were even born, yet because I've been aroudn the block, know a wee bit more from experience and have determined it's highly unlikely the Suns itty-bitty ball their way to a Title, I'm dumped on for a lack of fanaticism...

yourcheatinheart and da_suns_fan__ ... frowning upon smarts since their first board appearence.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

What's funny is I probably attended my first game before cheatin' heart and suns_fanatic were even born,
So you've actually seen a Suns game from beyond 2005???

[JMarkJohns]

1986 was my first game.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

1986 was my first game.
Hell that's way before I was born. :D

[JMarkJohns]

I was five. There's pictures, but I don't remember much. The first game of memory was in 88. KJ was in the old school uni then, I remember I spent my allowance on a KJ magnet and poster. Still have the magnet.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

I was five. There's pictures, but I don't remember much. The first game of memory was in 88. KJ was in the old school uni then, I remember I spent my allowance on a KJ magnet and poster. Still have the magnet.
Dang that's awesome. :tu My first game was in 2004 against Minnesota when TD was questionable for the game and we went out there and owned them by 20 points. :) They kept control throughout and it was just the perfect kind of first game ever.

[JMarkJohns]

I had a lot of great times.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

How many have you been to? I've been to like 7.

[JMarkJohns]

I went to close to a half a dozen pre-AWA, and when AWA was built a wealthy uncle of mine rented a skybox for several seasons. Probably went to a dozen games or so with the skybox, and at AWA but no sky box, eight others. Have only been to three games since I graduated high school in 2000. Would have loved to go to more, but collge, work and expense didn't permit too many more. Have gone to two playoff games, both vs. Seattle. One in 93, which was won, and the other in 96, which was lost. Neither were skybox.

Last game I saw at AWA was in 2003. I have yet to see a Nash-led game. Was very close last season to attending the last Suns/Mavericks game, but wasn't able to get the time off.

EDIT: Because of expense and availability, I've probably gone to as many Diamondbacks' games as Suns games, despite them only having been around for half my sport-going life. No playoff games here, though...

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Man you're so lucky. I don't care when but hopefully sometime in the future I'll be able to go to as many games as that.

[JMarkJohns]

I was lucky. My uncle was so freakin' generous. He had season tickets for the Cardinals from their first season up UNTIL the season Plummer led them to playoffs. Man was he pissed he missed that season! He also had season tickets to ASU football. He owned a townhouse in Phoenix and whichever games he couldn't make it, he'd divy 'em up amongst the family. When we went to Phoenix, we'd stay in his townhouse to boot.

I've probably gone to a solid 60 or 70 games, not counting those I've covered. Again, only two playoff games, but still. Having an uncle that was rich, passionate about sports AND unable to attend every game really made my childhood!

[lefty]

I've been to 1 NBA game only (Heat at Raptors, December 21, 2001):depressed

A few NHL games (Montreal-NY Islanders, Montreal-Pittsburgh, Montreal-Toronto)

7 MLB games (Montreal Expos, who are now the Washington Nationals); damn, 10 to 20 $ Cad for a ticket; the cheapest MLB place. :clap

[Capt Bringdown]

The running game, even more runnier than last year - brilliant!

[SpursDynasty]

Most current Suns fans probably didn't follow the team during the Marbury years.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

The only contributive Suns fan is JMarkJohns and McGirt. The rest? Eh not so much.

[OldDirtMcGirt]

Every Suns fan who knows better...

Itty-bitty ball doesn't win Titles. It merely creates the illusion of contention because of the "any given game" effect that offense can have. Unfortunately, any given game doesn't win in series vs. the best the League can offer.

Ditto. While I still think that we have a chance against anybody with Nash leading the team, I still wouldn't bet the farm on a series against San Antonio (although I still think we can beat Dallas, because they can't punish us in the post).

The only hope is that Amare can return to his '04 form. That and Nash continues his current progression (even though it's pretty fucking unlikely that he'll have his best season at 34, people have been predicting him to break down since he signed with Phoenix).

Look on the bright side. If we lose this year D'Antoni should be unemployed, and we'll have an ass ton of money without Trix's contract on the books in a deep free agent pool.

[JMarkJohns]

Ditto. While I still think that we have a chance against anybody with Nash leading the team, I still wouldn't bet the farm on a series against San Antonio (although I still think we can beat Dallas, because they can't punish us in the post).

The only hope is that Amare can return to his '04 form. That and Nash continues his current progression (even though it's pretty fucking unlikely that he'll have his best season at 34, people have been predicting him to break down since he signed with Phoenix).

Look on the bright side. If we lose this year D'Antoni should be unemployed, and we'll have an ass ton of money without Trix's contract on the books in a deep free agent pool.

Agreed. Problem is, if D'Antoni is banking on Dallas or another team to take out San Antonio, then that's pretty short-sighted. While I don't think you construct a team to oppose one team, you can't rely on others to do your dirty work for you. If the Suns are to win, they'll need to count on beating San Antonio. With the roster they have now, it'll be tougher than last season.

[JMarkJohns]

The only contributive Suns fan is JMarkJohns and McGirt. The rest? Eh not so much.

Xylus is quality. he is miffed at all the generalization thrown around that lumps most real fans with the fanatics. I was put off as well when they first started. it takes time. I think he's getting back to contributing more and more. He's good. AZLous, BillsCarnage and Ron Mexico are pretty good as well. AZLouis is a favorite of mine, but he seldom posts any more due to work. BillsCarnage posts occasionally, but mostly just posts news, not opinion. Ron is always good for a laugh. Nashfan is good company too. I'm sure there's others, but maybe not posting as much as the fanatics have made them a distant memory. Out of sight, out of mind...

But thanks... I know McGirt and I strive to be real, even at the expense of sounding a bit cynical. We're not. At least I am not, and I don't believe McGirt to be either, we just have lived through itty bitty ball a bit too much to think it's the legs that carry us fans to the promised land. Hopeful, but not blind homers.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Yea those guys you mentioned are good too, but I was just trying to think of people who post here often.

[JMarkJohns]

Yeah... after Xylus, none really post more than once or twice a week.

[dav4463]

Run faster may = more tired at playoff time which may = a quicker exit.

[SenorSpur]

Sounds to me like Dan Tony is simply "whistling past the graveyard" again.

Talking up the merits of his team with a lot of false bravado.

Their chemistry issues, and their diminished ability to defend the post, will once again prove to be their undoing. They're going to miss KT much more than they realize.

[Mister Sinister]

I've been to 1 NBA game only (Heat at Raptors, December 21, 2001):depressed

A few NHL games (Montreal-NY Islanders, Montreal-Pittsburgh, Montreal-Toronto)

7 MLB games (Montreal Expos, who are now the Washington Nationals); damn, 10 to 20 $ Cad for a ticket; the cheapest MLB place. :clap
I went to a lot of Bulls games before I moved to SA, and a lot of Spurs games when I lived in SA. Couldn't give an exact number, though.
Baseball wise, it's even harder to count, since my dad pretty much raised me on it. We've been to a lot of minor league games...probably more than MLB games.

[Mister Sinister]

Xylus is quality. he is miffed at all the generalization thrown around that lumps most real fans with the fanatics. I was put off as well when they first started. it takes time. I think he's getting back to contributing more and more. He's good. AZLous, BillsCarnage and Ron Mexico are pretty good as well. AZLouis is a favorite of mine, but he seldom posts any more due to work. BillsCarnage posts occasionally, but mostly just posts news, not opinion. Ron is always good for a laugh. Nashfan is good company too. I'm sure there's others, but maybe not posting as much as the fanatics have made them a distant memory. Out of sight, out of mind...

But thanks... I know McGirt and I strive to be real, even at the expense of sounding a bit cynical. We're not. At least I am not, and I don't believe McGirt to be either, we just have lived through itty bitty ball a bit too much to think it's the legs that carry us fans to the promised land. Hopeful, but not blind homers.
Hey, man, nothin' wrong with being a bit cynical.

[lefty]

I went to a lot of Bulls games before I moved to SA, and a lot of Spurs games when I lived in SA. Couldn't give an exact number, though.
Baseball wise, it's even harder to count, since my dad pretty much raised me on it. We've been to a lot of minor league games...probably more than MLB games.


I hope you had the opportunity to see MJ and Pip

At one of the Expos games I attended, I saw Halle Berry; she knows Frank Robinson very well; we were like only 200 people and Halle Barry (weird) at the stadium that day :dizzy
Too bad I had to leave during the 8th inning, because Jeter (NY) and Vladimir Guererro (Montreal) were outstanding.

[Mister Sinister]

I hope you had the opportunity to see MJ and Pip

At one of the Expos games I attended, I saw Halle Berry; she knows Frank Robinson very well; we were like only 200 people and Halle Barry (weird) at the stadium that day :dizzy
Too bad I had to leave during the 8th inning, because Jeter (NY) and Vladimir Guererro (Montreal) were outstanding.
Oh, heavens, yes. I lived in Chicago until I was 11, and I was born in '88, so...yeah.

[lefty]

Oh, heavens, yes. I lived in Chicago until I was 11, and I was born in '88, so...yeah.

Lucky bastard

[Mister Sinister]

Lucky bastard
You have no idea. It's weird, though. Growing up in Chi-town when the Bulls were at their best, you'd think I'd still like them. I dunno. The dynasty years have their special place, but, honestly, it's like two different lifetimes. I dunno.

[lefty]

You have no idea. It's weird, though. Growing up in Chi-town when the Bulls were at their best, you'd think I'd still like them. I dunno. The dynasty years have their special place, but, honestly, it's like two different lifetimes. I dunno.

Still, I saw Halle Berry :p:

But seriously, you have witnessed 2 great dynasties. Halle can go to hell.

[OldDirtMcGirt]

Agreed. Problem is, if D'Antoni is banking on Dallas or another team to take out San Antonio, then that's pretty short-sighted. While I don't think you construct a team to oppose one team, you can't rely on others to do your dirty work for you. If the Suns are to win, they'll need to count on beating San Antonio. With the roster they have now, it'll be tougher than last season.

It's not just San Antonio though. Houston, Utah, LAC (if Brand was healthy) all have big low post threats which is absolutely our kryptonite. Not just in the fact that those guys are going to be dropping 30-15 on us with ease, but that Amare is going to be spending alot of time on the bench with four fouls. Our only hope is that Amare's athletic-freakitude can return to '04 levels and he can match the other teams inside scoring and get to the line.

[RonMexico]

Can't keep running if they're going only 8 or 9 deep... mabye if he ever lets the kid gloves off Strawberry and Tucker this year, then some of the vets' bodies can last.

[The Franchise]

Saying the team is going to run faster almost makes it sound like they weren't giving it their all. How do you run faster?

[mavsfan1000]

Saying the team is going to run faster almost makes it sound like they weren't giving it their all. How do you run faster?
More sprints, lower body strength training, eating, and etc.

[Findog]

1986 was my first game.

I started following basketball during the 87-88 season when the Mavs went to the conference Finals against the Lakers. We had Tarpley, so we were supposed to be the team of the nineties...

My first Mavs game was at Reunion Arena during the 88-89 season. They beat Miami during the Heat's first season. I've been to about four games at the AAC.

[Samr]

Saying the team is going to run faster almost makes it sound like they weren't giving it their all. How do you run faster?

I don't think he meant that literally. I doubt the Suns are going to literally get from PointA to PointB in less time, and even if they do the added quickness won't make much difference anyway. Moreso, he meant that they are going to run more often, and push the ball harder, and "win" (we'll keep this hypothetical) by doing more of what they have been doing.

And I think we've already established about how well that should work for them.

[OldDirtMcGirt]

Can't keep running if they're going only 8 or 9 deep... mabye if he ever lets the kid gloves off Strawberry and Tucker this year, then some of the vets' bodies can last.

Seriously. We're going to be relying on Grant Hill playing over 25 minutes a game, and a decent amount of them at power forward. The problem with Tucker and Strawberry (who I'm pretty impressed with) is that they're not big men. Our frontcourt is ridiculously weak, expect to see alot of Diaw playing center when Amare is out. :depressed

[SpursIndonesia]

Problem is, can Phoenix do any other way with what they have right now ? We know as long D'Antoni's holding the reign, they (He) WILL NOT emphasize defense as a primary playing objective.

[Obstructed_View]

Since they didn't bother to get a backup point guard, again, you can just see D'Antoni riding Nash and Hill the entire regular season because you know he'll never actually go deep enough to get them any rest. It's frustrating watching the coach walk the team right into traffic like that.

[Slomo]

Small recap:
- He's satified with the results, despite failing repeatidely.
- He's convinced only his system is correct - everybody else is wrong.
- Blames others for his failures.
- He won't listen to sound advice, because he doesn't need to.
- He won't change his strategy for the same reason.
- He's in such bad shape, opening a Dasani bottle is a problem.

D'antoni is the Beno Udrih of coaches!!!
:lol

[L.I.T]

For some reason the phrase "running in place" keeps coming to mind.

Of course, this means I'm loading up on Suns players on my fantasy basketball team then trading them away around mid-season. Must take notes for draft.

[maxpower]

Reminds me of a scene in one of the Simpsons episodes where some Springfield folk are digging a hole and find themselves unable to get out. Their solution....."Let's dig our way out!"

[RonMexico]

My guess is that in Italy it didn't take over 100 games to win a championship. I barely have the time and energy to play 100+ games on Xbox this year.

[OldDirtMcGirt]

Since they didn't bother to get a backup point guard, again, you can just see D'Antoni riding Nash and Hill the entire regular season because you know he'll never actually go deep enough to get them any rest. It's frustrating watching the coach walk the team right into traffic like that.

Marcus Banks has been playing decently, and when he gets some time to play he isn't half bad. The problem is that he takes awhile to heat up and is pretty streaky, so he never gets anywhere on D'Antoni's short leash. It's not that our bench lacks in talent (well except for the big men), but they never get any playing time so they always look completely lost.

[TheZackAttack!]

Marcus Banks has been playing decently, and when he gets some time to play he isn't half bad. The problem is that he takes awhile to heat up and is pretty streaky, so he never gets anywhere on D'Antoni's short leash. It's not that our bench lacks in talent (well except for the big men), but they never get any playing time so they always look completely lost.

Does any of this crap matter when the Spurs are just going to own you again, just like every year???

[OldDirtMcGirt]

Does any of this crap matter when the Spurs are just going to own you again, just like every year???

Shockingly, some people might actually want to discuss basketball.

[JMarkJohns]

Shockingly, some people might actually want to discuss basketball.

It's overrated. Let's talk TV ratings!!! :elephant

:dramaquee

[Nashfan]

It's overrated. Let's talk TV ratings!!! :elephant

:dramaquee


:lmao

[Mister Sinister]

It's overrated. Let's talk TV ratings!!! :elephant

:dramaquee
:lmao Well played. I lol'd.

[Jeremy]

Since they didn't bother to get a backup point guard, again, you can just see D'Antoni riding Nash and Hill the entire regular season because you know he'll never actually go deep enough to get them any rest. It's frustrating watching the coach walk the team right into traffic like that.

They did get a backup PG--D.J. Strawberry. He led the Las Vegas summer league in assists per game.

#59 pick of the draft. He's going to be a very good NBA player, count on it. Hopefully D'antoni is smart enough to use him as the backup PG.

[OldDirtMcGirt]

They did get a backup PG--D.J. Strawberry. He led the Las Vegas summer league in assists per game.

#59 pick of the draft. He's going to be a very good NBA player, count on it. Hopefully D'antoni is smart enough to use him as the backup PG.

Strawberry can't shoot. I'd rather have Banks. He's shown to be a competent NBA player, and he's had a year with this offense. I wouldn't trust a rookie running this team. Strawberry might turn out to be a good player, but I'd be pretty surprised if he saw time as a facilitator under D'Antoni.

[mavs>spurs2]

They did get a backup PG--D.J. Strawberry. He led the Las Vegas summer league in assists per game.

#59 pick of the draft. He's going to be a very good NBA player, count on it. Hopefully D'antoni is smart enough to use him as the backup PG.

If you're counting on an unproven, almost undrafted point guard to be a key piece then the Suns can't be considered a serious contender

That said, i'm sure Banks will get the spot and do a solid job

[We born to be bad]

Thread: D'antoni suns will run faster

damn, Mike! you doesn't learn...What did you learn the last season? Nothing?

We need defense and smart guy not only fast runner!!! :lol

[hater]

This time Nash will go in a coma when he runs into Horry's hip.

[ElNono]

They didn't post the entire quote:
D'Antoni: "We will run faster... to the exits when we get our butt kicked in the playoffs again"

[Cry Havoc]

Marcus Banks has been playing decently, and when he gets some time to play he isn't half bad. The problem is that he takes awhile to heat up and is pretty streaky, so he never gets anywhere on D'Antoni's short leash. It's not that our bench lacks in talent (well except for the big men), but they never get any playing time so they always look completely lost.


At this point, after letting KT go, are there many options left for the Suns? You can't play solid post defense without a post-defender, and Amare looks pretty incompetent so far. Putting Hill at PF guarantees that you won't win with a slow tempo, as teams will back you into the paint at will. Maybe Amare will develop more as time goes on, but it seems like the moves the Suns have made are forcing D'antoni to push for a higher tempo.

What options do you see open for Phoenix right now? They sorely need some grit. Maybe they could institute an old 1-3-1 zone, with Nash at the top, Bell and Hill at the wings, Marion in the top of the paint, and Amare (trying) to be the anchor.

It might get shredded, I don't know. As long as D'antoni is fine with blowing up the conventional style of play, why not throw some crazy defensive schemes into the mix?


It's overrated. Let's talk TV ratings!!! :elephant

:dramaquee

That's just NOT NICE!

:clap

[OldDirtMcGirt]

At this point, after letting KT go, are there many options left for the Suns? You can't play solid post defense without a post-defender, and Amare looks pretty incompetent so far. Putting Hill at PF guarantees that you won't win with a slow tempo, as teams will back you into the paint at will. Maybe Amare will develop more as time goes on, but it seems like the moves the Suns have made are forcing D'antoni to push for a higher tempo.

What options do you see open for Phoenix right now? They sorely need some grit. Maybe they could institute an old 1-3-1 zone, with Nash at the top, Bell and Hill at the wings, Marion in the top of the paint, and Amare (trying) to be the anchor.

It might get shredded, I don't know. As long as D'antoni is fine with blowing up the conventional style of play, why not throw some crazy defensive schemes into the mix?



That's just NOT NICE!

:clap

I definitely think that D'Antoni is going to throw the kitchen sink out there. I highly doubt we actually have an effective way of defending the post though, considering our best defender is probably Sean Marks. (blech). I'd expect alot of Diaw at center, and D'Antoni just telling Amare to let the other guy score rather than picking up fouls. Basically, our interior D is looking like ass.

[phyzik]

I definitely think that D'Antoni is going to throw the kitchen sink out there. I highly doubt we actually have an effective way of defending the post though, considering our best defender is probably Sean Marks. (blech). I'd expect alot of Diaw at center, and D'Antoni just telling Amare to let the other guy score rather than picking up fouls. Basically, our interior D is looking like ass.

The Kiwi had 11 points and 11 boards in the last session, didnt he?

[Cry Havoc]

I definitely think that D'Antoni is going to throw the kitchen sink out there. I highly doubt we actually have an effective way of defending the post though, considering our best defender is probably Sean Marks. (blech). I'd expect alot of Diaw at center, and D'Antoni just telling Amare to let the other guy score rather than picking up fouls. Basically, our interior D is looking like ass.

Heh, it won't against 3 point shooting teams, but against the lesser squads you could just have the guards crash into the paint and try to disrupt the post for steals. Of course, you probably won't have a problem beating those teams anyway.

I seriously think a fast-rotating double team is the only solution you have. Granted, it's going to get beat at times, but switch it up and have different defenders cut to the ball. Make that other team work to pass out of it.

[SpursIndonesia]

Problem is, even a gimmick fast rotating double team defense is still counted as expending unnecessary energy on the defensive end, that will reduce the team energy to pace UP the game offensively even FASTER as promised. I see one on one hands up defense, what goes is gone, if it's in its in, if not, rebound hard and push the tempo for another break or under 10s shot for half court game.

[phyzik]

2008-2009 future interview

D'Antoni Suns will not "run" faster this time, merely shoot faster


AP - This time D'Antoni is planning out his new strategy of "1 second or less" offense. The sole premise of this offense is a complete eradication of any type of offensive plays and as always little to no defense.

The idea is to have the entire team stay on the defensive end of the court, then when the ball is inbounded, whoever recieves it promptly throws it up full court for a basket. This way they get as many shots as possible.

More on this breakthrough in offense later...

[yourcheatinheart]

FUCK KURT THOMAS. HE WAS A 8 MILLION DOLLAR BENCH WARMER. any spurs fan or anyother fan of the game who thinks the suns have no chance cause they gave up Kurt fucking thomas needs to get hit in the head with a tack hammer, HARD! brian skinner will be a more than suitable back up, and probably fits the suns needs more than kurt seeing skinner is younger, and 100 times more athletic than cement feet thomas. some of you spurs fans rely on speculation more than madam cleo.

[monosylab1k]

FUCK KURT THOMAS. HE WAS A 8 MILLION DOLLAR BENCH WARMER.
actually he was an 8 million dollar defensive presence and decent player who D'Antoni stupidly turned into a benchwarmer.

[yourcheatinheart]

actually he was an 8 million dollar defensive presence and decent player who D'Antoni stupidly turned into a benchwarmer.


FUCK KURT FUCKING THOMAS. suns don't need him, we'll be just fine without him.

[Extra Stout]

FUCK KURT THOMAS. HE WAS A 8 MILLION DOLLAR BENCH WARMER. any spurs fan or anyother fan of the game who thinks the suns have no chance cause they gave up Kurt fucking thomas needs to get hit in the head with a tack hammer, HARD! brian skinner will be a more than suitable back up, and probably fits the suns needs more than kurt seeing skinner is younger, and 100 times more athletic than cement feet thomas. some of you spurs fans rely on speculation more than madam cleo.
Kurt Thomas was the only Sun who could defend Tim Duncan effectively.

When Kurt Thomas was on the floor, the Spurs tended to shoot a really low percentage. When he was on the bench, the Spurs tended to shoot a really high percentage.

The problem was that the Suns' offense wasn't as pretty with Thomas out there. D'Antoni's strategy is to beat the Spurs by being so pretty on the court that the Spurs simply relent out of sheer awe at the Suns' aesthetics.

[JMarkJohns]

actually he was an 8 million dollar defensive presence and decent player who D'Antoni stupidly turned into a benchwarmer.

We have a winner!

He, Jalen Rose, Jumaine Jones and Banks all could have been so much more. Thomas never got the consistant minutes, Rose and Jones, the opportunity, and Banks, the patience as he developed early in the season.

D'Antoni can't handle a bench, it's why he always starts his best five players, regardless of position. You can throw in a sixth player, but after that, it's very hands off with inconsistant minutes and undefined roles.

[SpursIndonesia]

Tim's still rolling on Thomas, but perhaps shooting 55-ish % from the floor, and the offense is not as fluid because the game gets slower, reducing Tony & Manu wildness offensively, while over other Suns post defenders, he'll be rolling while shooting over 70 % from the floor, and the Spurs are having a fluid offensive game from all over the court.