Rummpd
12-27-2004, 09:14 AM
"MiniBlog"
We all keep hearing the supposedly locked in stone
statement that the Suns have by far the best starting 5 in league but is this really true? Maybe on offense to a point, but if the game is slowed down by a Spurs or Piston defensive game - I doubt it is even true. Plus
and then I don't believe that looking at full offense/defensive equation they are really that stout.
Plus there are other contenders on paper at least for "best starting 5" - even if just looking at offensive side (which media always does). To me their style of play leads to 2-3 points per game average for starters (who play a lot more minutes than some team due to lack of depth - so their stats may be somewhat inflated).
In the past at least Dallas, LA last year, or Kings on paper had just as daunting, if not more so, lineups. Kings still bring out Miller, Webber, Stoj, Christie, Bibby etc. Don't forget that his year, Wolves can throw out Garnett, Spree ,Casell, and Wally (who has been an all-star) and that has led to a fairly benign 16 and 10 record. 4-5 supposed stars doesn't always make it yet this team is hot as *ell right now, but I am not yet convinced they are truly best starting 5 in league. Would Richardson and Johnson start on all teams (a good case could be made that either or both
would not crack Spurs lineup)?
Nash - true heady allstar but in past Parker and other quick guards have frustrated him on defense.
Marion - up and down stud but to me his game has always missed something.
Maybe I am wrong but not a true all star in my viewpoint. Bowen has shut him down very well in past.
Amare Stoudameir (sp?) - huge talent and doing it this year early but how good is he really? Under-sized at center although some serious hops and althleticism.
Richardson - is this guy really that good? Not at all convinced.
Johnson - up and down. Again, not at all convinced.
To me a team bringing Duncan, Parker, Ginobli plus the world class defense of Bowen is still much more solid, even with the apparent void of Rasho = he is bringing defense and unlike the Suns, their is depth to turn to to fill voids.
Argueably, all the talk of the Suns 5 is probably smoke and mirrors. If Rasho plays half ass = Spurs 5 can also stand up to Suns anytime = period.
MadDoc
We all keep hearing the supposedly locked in stone
statement that the Suns have by far the best starting 5 in league but is this really true? Maybe on offense to a point, but if the game is slowed down by a Spurs or Piston defensive game - I doubt it is even true. Plus
and then I don't believe that looking at full offense/defensive equation they are really that stout.
Plus there are other contenders on paper at least for "best starting 5" - even if just looking at offensive side (which media always does). To me their style of play leads to 2-3 points per game average for starters (who play a lot more minutes than some team due to lack of depth - so their stats may be somewhat inflated).
In the past at least Dallas, LA last year, or Kings on paper had just as daunting, if not more so, lineups. Kings still bring out Miller, Webber, Stoj, Christie, Bibby etc. Don't forget that his year, Wolves can throw out Garnett, Spree ,Casell, and Wally (who has been an all-star) and that has led to a fairly benign 16 and 10 record. 4-5 supposed stars doesn't always make it yet this team is hot as *ell right now, but I am not yet convinced they are truly best starting 5 in league. Would Richardson and Johnson start on all teams (a good case could be made that either or both
would not crack Spurs lineup)?
Nash - true heady allstar but in past Parker and other quick guards have frustrated him on defense.
Marion - up and down stud but to me his game has always missed something.
Maybe I am wrong but not a true all star in my viewpoint. Bowen has shut him down very well in past.
Amare Stoudameir (sp?) - huge talent and doing it this year early but how good is he really? Under-sized at center although some serious hops and althleticism.
Richardson - is this guy really that good? Not at all convinced.
Johnson - up and down. Again, not at all convinced.
To me a team bringing Duncan, Parker, Ginobli plus the world class defense of Bowen is still much more solid, even with the apparent void of Rasho = he is bringing defense and unlike the Suns, their is depth to turn to to fill voids.
Argueably, all the talk of the Suns 5 is probably smoke and mirrors. If Rasho plays half ass = Spurs 5 can also stand up to Suns anytime = period.
MadDoc