D'Antoni: "We actually won this game, too"

[JMarkJohns]

Why are Suns fans blaming D'Antoni? It's obvious the Suns problem is defense, but it's not his fault the team that he's had hasn't had any great defenders outside of Raja Bell. The Suns problem has always been that their 2 best players are defensive liabilities. Unless you trade Nash or Amare, opposing teams are always going to have opportunities to win the game.

Are you ing kidding me?

[1Parker1]

Although one dumb move D'Antoni DID NOT make...why the hasn't he stuck Bell on Parker to start the games?? I know Bell's job is to cover Ginobili, but with Ginobili coming off the bench and Bell still starting, he should be on Parker, not Michael Frickin Finley.

Good thing D'Antoni didn't think of this strategy in time...

[Slomo]

That will whip up the troops for Sunday.

That was my first thought.

[gameFACE]

Off the record D'Asani admitted "well it really only feels like 4.5-0".

[pawe]

he can always say: lets go!!! lets go!!! run, run, run!! lets go!!!

[1Parker1]

Are you ing kidding me?

Ok well, let me rephrase that, what other coach outside of Pop/Phil Jackson do you think the Suns could have had that would have helped take this team over the top?? Sure D'Antoni is guilty of not utilizing his bench, not managing players minutes, and not making good in game adjustments. But even if he was good at all that, ultimately the Suns problems is defense thats what it's always been. And their two best players are the worst defenders.

[BiZNicK]

D'Antoni: "You can't fire me! I quit! Haha suckers, defense!!!"

[thiste]

he can always say: lets go!!! lets go!!! run, run, run!! lets go!!!

hahaha classic.

[phyzik]

Oh oh...talking big just because Dallas just won, are you? Post here when your silly Mavs can win NO. Otherwise, stay away from the celebration....

....Your obviously new.....

[JMarkJohns]

Ok well, let me rephrase that, what other coach outside of Pop/Phil Jackson do you think the Suns could have had that would have helped take this team over the top?? Sure D'Antoni is guilty of not utilizing his bench, not managing players minutes, and not making good in game adjustments. But even if he was good at all that, ultimately the Suns problems is defense thats what it's always been. And their two best players are the worst defenders.

Let's forget that Amare was actually drafted as a defender first and that in fewer minutes and fewer possessions as a rookie averaged as many rebounds per game as he was ever averaged under the increased possession D'Antoni system.

Let's also forget that the Suns have had the ability to play quality defensive centers when they've had them, but didn't, whether it be Hunter, Thomas or Skinner, each of whom averaged roughly 12-to-16 minutes per game.

Let's also forget that under D'Antoni's fabulous GMing, the Suns traded multiple picks, one that could have net them Rondo.

Part of the reason the Suns defense was always so pourus, was it was sacrificed to maximize offensive potential, meaning going small to gain a speed/shooting advantage and the like. This stemmed from D'Antoni's system.

Finally, to enable his 7-man rotations, D'Antoni frowns upon physical defense. Such often can lead to fouls and FTs. The former gets his thin rotation in foul trouble, forcing him to extend to players he hasn't chosen to coach, while the latter slows action and allows defenders to get back on defense.

I'm telling you, everything that's wrong stems from D'Antoni coaching, his system or his GM failings.

[Whisky Dog]

If Pop can get Brent Barry and Michael Finley to rotate on defense then D'Antoni could teach proper team rotation defense if he wanted to focus on that for at least an entire season. They have a couple of good one on one defenders, but their rotations are . That's their problem.

[1Parker1]

Let's forget that Amare was actually drafted as a defender first and that in fewer minutes and fewer possessions as a rookie averaged as many rebounds per game as he was ever averaged under the increased possession D'Antoni system.

Let's also forget that the Suns have had the ability to play quality defensive centers when they've had them, but didn't, whether it be Hunter, Thomas or Skinner, each of whom averaged roughly 12-to-16 minutes per game.

Let's also forget that under D'Antoni's fabulous GMing, the Suns traded multiple picks, one that could have net them Rondo.

Part of the reason the Suns defense was always so pourus, was it was sacrificed to maximize offensive potential, meaning going small to gain a speed/shooting advantage and the like. This stemmed from D'Antoni's system.

Finally, to enable his 7-man rotations, D'Antoni frowns upon physical defense. Such often can lead to fouls and FTs. The former gets his thin rotation in foul trouble, forcing him to extend to players he hasn't chosen to coach, while the latter slows action and allows defenders to get back on defense.

I'm telling you, everything that's wrong stems from D'Antoni coaching, his system or his GM failings.

Well, I will definitely take your word for as I'm sure you've watched more Suns games and followed this team a lot closer than I have. I'm just going by what I've seen against the Spurs.

[SpursIndonesia]

Agreed, the Suns don't have the personnels to be a lockdown team ala Spurs, Pistons, or this year Celtics, but with proper coaching, ANY team can be decent defensively -even the much criticized Kings team of 02-04 were pretty decent defensively, while still having a strong offensive game (yeah, they didn't win championship, but beetween officiating scandal & Webber blown knee, i think they were not as futile compared to todays Suns).

[JMarkJohns]

I'm not saying he hasn't added something to the Suns, or hasn't been beneficial at all, but I feel his weaknesses far outweigh his value. If Carlisle had last year's squad, I think they win 65 games, have a top-5 defense, and at least make the Finals.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Are you ing kidding me?

[MizzouSpur20]

Nash has always been a weak ass defender and he breaks down during playoffs.

[SpursFanFirst]

I literally laughed out loud when I read the le.

I did too

Shoogar, you're the best!