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Spurs>Suns
...Best in the NBA?
Interesting analysis from Knickerblogger.net...
Suns: NBA's Best Defense?... maybe so...
The Stat site knickerblogger.net does an analysis of team defense using the points per 100 possessions methods. This method 'equalizes' points allowed for the pace factor (for example, Suns' games will usually feature a lot of scoring, because the pace of the game is so fast; but that doesn't mean that they're playing poor defense.)
According to the site, right now, the Suns are the NBA's best defensive team:
. TEAM POSS EFF
1 Suns 95.9 99.8
2 Pacers 88.8 99.9
3 Spurs 90.4 100.2
4 Grizz 85.4 100.7
5 Twolves 87.6 101.4
POSS = Possessions per game
EFF = Offensive effeciency (Points per 100 possessions)
> see [www.knickerblogger.net]
Who would have thunk it?
A lot of kudos for this has to go to Boris. He gets a lot of credit for his passing, a lot of discredit for his shooting and scoring limitations. But his main value has been his defense and his rebounding...
Looks like Bell and Thomas weren't just names afterall.
As a statistician, I know that stats don't tell the whole truth, so I'm not going to parade the Suns around as the top defensive team, but they are much, much better than last year and when they avoid foul trouble or have been at full strenth (sans Amare), they were a very good rebounding team. They won't do much against Dallas or San Antonio without Amare, but if everything aligns right, they could still go pretty deep in the playoffs this year and gain experience for next year. If Amare continues to stay on target for February (he's now taking jumpers), then this year could get interesting out west.
Spurs>Suns
Spurs will be number 1 when it gets deeper into the NBA season.
Tell me something... How long do you work on your posts? Truly, they are masterpieces of illiteration...
Did I say they weren't?
yeah, suns are doin great with all that injuries and the jelling of new team members. but, the suns are just "the suns" i mean, they cant cut it with the real world (but they sure are fun to watch). they play their players in different positions, they play faster so of course it will take a toll on their bodies, amare's not gonna come back at full strength and jones.diaw.thomas.bell.barbosa they're not the most reliable guys come playoff time. im not dissin the suns but this is not their time.
OK, you convinced me...
I think that's why they added Thomas, Diaw and Bell....i mean, they cant cut it with the real world (but they sure are fun to watch).
The first two are more than able to defend the post, especially once (maybe not this year, like I said in the first post) Amare comes back. Bell may not be Bruce Bowen for 40 minutes, but for 25, I'll take him. He's a menace and makes opponants work. They have depth this year, once healthy anyways, to ensure they don't wear out.....they play their players in different positions, they play faster so of course it will take a toll on their bodies, amare's not gonna come back at full strength
Of the group, only Thomas has extended playoff experience, it's true, but to say they aren't reliable is a joke when three of them have maybe played a combined 50 minutes in the playoffs. Diaw was named to the FIBA Euro Championships All-First team, so he obviously has no problem with pressure. Barbosa was named to the FIBA America's Championship All-First team and easily could have been named MVP after leading his team to the le. Jones is unknown, Bell is unproven, but both play within their roles, so it's not like the Suns thrive on them, merely use them.and jones.diaw.thomas.bell.barbosa they're not the most reliable guys come playoff time.
Yeah, you're just tellin' it like it is. You're keepin' it real. You're trying to save me from myself and my hyperactive fandom.......im not dissin the suns but this is not their time.
This team plays nothing like last year's team. At least they don't right now. This team hustles, defends, gets after the boards and scores. They have their flaws, namely another big and a low-post presense, but they are far from the picture of disfunction you paint. They play great together and know their roles. No Richardson's chuckin' the Suns out of games, no Johnson's growing distant because of his own feelings of inferiority. This team has two SuperStars, An All-Star and role players at every position.
But since this is a Spurs site, I'll concede all this and thank you for showing me the light! Jesus H. Tap-dancin' Christ! I can seeeeeee tthhhheeeee lliiigggghhhttt!
The Suns are weaker than last year...
they should've stayed without defense, they had more of a chance.
When Amare comes back, I'll start paying attention. They're doing good right now, Diaw is the ing man. I wish we could've got him.
Phoenix has a hard road ahead of 'em.
Yeah, because offense wins, right? I think you lack something. It's been common, it's been underrated...
have to agree with you. Suns can be ar real threat next year or even this one. And to show Boris potential, he carried France on his shoulders during the euro championship tournament instead of parker.
i don't think amare will be back this season if he is smart. if he does come back this year don't expect him to be anywhere near where he was vs spurs last year. it's a nasty injury that takes a lot of time to heal.
Again, I'm not one of the fans pushing for Amare to return this season. If he feels ready, then great, but he's already said he isn't coming back until he feels 100% certain.
Again, according to the doctor, the tear was slight and in a non-load-bearing position. This will factor in eventually. There was a mandatory out time (four months) reguardless the severity, but since he's right on, if not ahead of schedule (he's already taking jumpers). If he sits out until March, that will be five months, not four and will still have 20+ games for getting in shape and chemistry.
If it doesn't happen until next year, I'm just fine as well.
Damn liers... Suns defense sucks!!!
Stoudemire closer to footwork drills
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 24, 2005 12:00 AM
The Suns will have a present on their Christmas Day flight to Minneapolis, but they can't play with it until February.
Amaré Stoudemire will join the team for its upcoming five-game, eight-day trip. He continues to progress well toward a targeted February return.Stoudemire was on the court shooting free throws during the Suns' practice for the first time Wednesday. Suns head athletic trainer Aaron Nelson said Stoudemire is about 10 days from advancing to agility and footwork exercises with some ball handling if a magnetic resonance imaging test shows that scar cartilage is continuing to fill the 1-centimeter hole inside Stoudemire's left knee. advertisement
He could progress to the basketball court at the start of February with a fourth positive MRI. And when he does, he may be stronger and fitter than ever. Stoudemire's rehabilitation continues to amaze the medical team. His quadriceps girth is the same in both legs despite the surgery, bed rest and time on crutches.
"He could be ahead of schedule, but we're not bringing him back ahead of schedule," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said.
Stoudemire's rehabilitation includes a mix of leg strengthening, balance exercises, corrective proprioception (a sense of body orientation and movement) and cardiovascular work six days a week.
"He's getting leaner and stronger," Nelson said. "His physique is unbelievable."
Stoudemire played in the 250- to 253-pound range last season and is now at 256.
**In style**
The Suns' style may not be a radical notion any longer, but it still is a buzz topic in the NBA.
Just in the past few days, Boston swingman Paul Pierce said the Celtics should emulate the Suns, Cleveland coach Mike Brown said the Cavaliers would not open up their ways because it does not work it the postseason and ABC commentator Hubie Brown said it can only work with Steve Nash running it.
"Not everybody likes vanilla ice cream," D'Antoni said. "I like mine with nuts.
"I'm convinced that we can win playing this way and even more convinced from last year."
Free throw
• TNT commentator Charles Barkley said, "If I were the Suns, Mavericks or Heat, I would try to trade for Ron Artest. . . . They are the only three teams that have an outside chance of gaining on San Antonio and Detroit, so they might as well roll the dice."
You're right, I really didn't work on that one, it was more common sense than anything...
Yeah... you're correct, you didn't have to... didn't have to at all! Because I never said the Suns were better than the Spurs. In fact, I'm on record here and even in this thread as saying the Spurs are the best team in the West and my favorite for the le. It seems that you're so self-conscious that anything that's not directly stated "Spurs will win" or "Spurs are the best" that you have to chime in and make something out of nothing. It's like your whole iden y is wrapped up with the Spurs not being challenged by anyone or anything. Loosen up, read a post through and enjoy.... Stop figuring that since the poster is a non-Spurs fan, that it'll be a slight to them. The majority of my posts don't. I like the Spurs. If the Suns can't win, I'd rather a player like Duncan get the le than a player like Shaq or Kobe...
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