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Shaq looked really good. He is in shape and moving really well
Oh and the power dunk was sweet
In 4 games, the Suns are shooting 55.3% from the field, 45.5% from 3-point range;
Amare - 64.5% FG
Shaq - 70.0% FG
Nash - 56.8% FG
4 games into the season, and the Suns' offense is as potent as it has ever been.
Their defense isn't quite as sharp as it needs to be, but they're showing some improvement. For one, they haven't lost the rebounding war once so far, averaging almost 5 rebounds more a game, which is something I never could have imagined in the last 4 years.
Another major positive is that their interior defense has been very good. Even when Tim Duncan went off on us in the season opener, a lot of his points were on jumpshots, and nothing came easy for him inside (he's just that good of a player). Opponents' points in the paint have been very low compared to ours, and we're bullying teams inside with our size.
I think we have a better chance this year than most are giving us credit for. The Suns are still an elite team, much better than they were last year.
Shaq looked really good. He is in shape and moving really well
Oh and the power dunk was sweet
would be nice to see.Parker - 64.5% FG
Duncan - 70.0% FG
Rest of the team - 56.8% FG
Will be interesting to see if they can remain efficient against better defenses.
The Nets are pretty weak defensively. The Spurs really don't look the same defensively in years past, especially with Matt Bonner starting and Bruce Bowen looking really bad. And, the Suns met the Blazers without Oden and the Hornets without Chandler.
Not saying their offense won't still be good. They have very talented offensive players. But, would like to see how good they would be offensively against a team like Boston or even Houston.
But he was the almighty 1st team defender over Shane Battier.....Bowen is a great defender and even was last year.....
Observations:
a)This is not Terry Porter's 1st HC job, so he isn't just a random dude coming and bumbling in.
b)Under Flip Saunders (an offensive coordinator who had a head coaching job), and with Michael Curry as a colleague, Terry Porter has seen what not to do, as much as what to keep in a team concept.
I think you guys did well with the hiring of TP as your HC. Can't be worse than D'Antoni.
Just hope they can find their iden y and figure out something to do with NO. That team just picks us apart at will. It will be interesting to see how the lakers matchup goes, bynum murdured phoenix last year, but shaq wasn't there.
I don't see how it was done, considering they played Spurfans version of Oscar Robertson.
Shaq is a beast! And haters need to take a step back on him.
Shaq's moving much better this year.
I'd almost give the Suns an A grade so far...
But the loss to the Hornets (without Chandler) is almost unforgiveable. Terry Porter didn't play Shaq in the 4th (I don't recall seeing him) when they had an obvious size advantage. Only redeeming factor was that they played the night before.
The Suns have had trouble limiting their turnovers, and the Hornets game was the best example of that. 24 turnovers in one game is simply unacceptable. We shot a great percentage that game, but gave up too many extra possessions to the Hornets. They made us pay for it.
Yo Xylus, your team looked great last night, I think they are definetely flying under the radar.
I for one wasnt one of the many who trash the suns. Im not a suns fan, but for a couple of seasons now they have had more talented rosters then ours. They just couldnt get passed they're coaching. If they can learn to play team D. They're gonna easily whip our behinds. Even with hack a shaq.
It's just like the effin' Suns to reel me back in and get me excited... I think we all know how this is going to end. That's what's so infuriating.
I mean it. So long as Sarver is the owner, I will not believe in a team again. Sarver has proven not only capable, but exceedingly willing to sabotage every good thing the Suns have going for them. Sure, he's started off differently thus far, actually using a few draft picks, signing some needed players, supplying depth and hiring a quality coach, but rest assured, he'll it all up.
Of that, I have no doubt.
If the Lakers are out, I will force myself to cheer for the Suns. I love Shaq Diesel that much!
Suns = still not a contender
Kill yourself.
They were manhandled by the Hornets. Beat a manu-less 0-3 Spurs team, Oklahoma city and the Nets.
Yes, surely they are flying under the radar! Didn't know people were expecting the Suns to be a 20 win team.
The Suns haven't played Oklahoma City.
They did however defeat an Oden-less Trail Blazers team.
Meh, the Spurs' defense has made everyone look good. I'm not sure why Suns fans would be excited at this point.
How can you hate Shaq.
From what I've seen, they seem to be playing much harder than I can remember from past seasons. I love that they are attacking the boards and outrebounding teams. They have issues. Their shooting has been somewhat inconsistent, their perimeter defense is still a bit lax which puts too much pressure on the interior defense and their young players haven't played good yeat.
Still Barnes has worked out very well. Shaq is looking fit and pretty athletic. Porter hasn't slowed them down at all, and seems willing to actually give the youngsters the time needed to become better.
At this point I'd say there's plenty of be excited about, and if Sarver can keep from effing things up, then maybe plenty going forward.
However, expecting Sarver to not botch up a good start somehow is as ridiculous as expecting Cuban to keep his mouth shut, or Artest to keep his head, or McGrady Ming to stay healthy, or Curry to rebound...
Sarver will mess this up. Somehow he'll say or do something that affects the team directly or indirectly, but completely effs up chemistry and/or demeanor, and sabotages the season.
They are looking sharp no doubt about that. Porter's got them playing like they mean it, although I never expected an offensively prolific team to just forget how to score overnight. And the slower pace might be able to save the legs of guys like Nash and Shaq so they aren't completely gassed come May. I put them in the same category as Houston, where health may be the biggest obstacle to overcome.
Suns do look good so far, but I'd struggle to call them "elite"
A playoff team yes, but elite no.
And in the playoffs the defense will be turned way up then what the Suns are facing this early on. I still don't see them getting past round 1. Same goes for the Spurs.
I think they fit somwhere from fourth to sixth in the West. Likely fourth or fifth.
1. Los Angeles
2. New Orleans
3. Utah
4. Houston
5. Phoenix
6. San Antonio
7. Dallas
8. Denver
9. Portland
10. Los Angeles
11. Golden State
12. Memphis
13. Minnesota
14. Sacramento
15. Oklahoma City
Those are my tiers. Some teams are playing better than their ranking spot, others not up to their ranking. Still, by season's end, I think most teams will be right in this area.
You may bump #3 Utah down into the second tier, but I think they are a legit contender. You may move #7 Dallas up to the second tier, but I'm just not sure.
That's quite fair. I just can't see them getting past LAL, HOU, NO and perhaps Utah should they face any of those teams in round 1.
But then again, it's a long season, and I expect Phoenix's defense to improve as they get more comfortable with Porter's system.
Best of luck to you guys.
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