New Mavs are the old Suns

[z0sa]

In 2007-2008 the Suns were 2nd in the NBA in blocks. It must have been due to the great positioning and timing that team had on defense.

That same season, the Spurs were 24th in the NBA in blocks. That's cause of the crappy position and and timing they have on defense.

Spurs have less possessions, on both ends, obviously. Don't use common sense or anything.

Second, I never said athleticism doesn't play a factor.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Second, I never said athleticism doesn't play a factor.

You can't have it both ways.

[sonic21]

when bigs block a lot of shots, it usually means the rest of your team is playing poor defense (especially perimeter player)

[z0sa]

In fact, there's way more shot blockers in the "dumbass who can jump high" category than in the "good timing" category. Most shotblockers these days are of the "dumbass who can jump high" variety. Birdman, Josh Smith, Tyrus Thomas, Samuel Dalembert, etc.

So what universe do you live in, where timing and good positioning are not required physical attributes of blocking a shot? do they use telekinesis to swat the ball? Not their hands and sense of timing/position on the floor or anything, you know, the only way a person can physically block a shot.

Without fouling or cheating, i mean i guess you could grab their arm right as they shoot, or punch the ball out of the basket everytime or something. But otherwise, timing/positioning is the only way a human can physically pull off a block.

[z0sa]

You can't have it both ways.

you said it matters "a lot" more. That's laughable.

[dickface]

So what universe do you live in, where timing and good positioning are not required physical attributes of blocking a shot?

good positioning to block a shot isn't always good positioning to play actual defense.

Again, when Dirk pump fakes and Chris Andersen goes flying up in the air giving Dirk a wide open jumper or lane to the basket, is he playing good defense? Did he had good position?

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Spurs have less possessions, on both ends, obviously. Don't use common sense or anything.

The 82 Spurs games in 2007-2008 averaged to have 88.8 possessions. That same season, the average Suns game had 96.7 possessions.

88.8/96.7 < 337/518, meaning the Suns averaged more blocks per possession than SA.

There is no way to deny that the Suns were a better shot blocking team than SA in 2007-2008.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

when bigs block a lot of shots, it usually means the rest of your team is playing poor defense (especially perimeter player)

Not necessarily, but this is the case A LOT of the time.

[dickface]

There is no way to deny that the Suns were a better shot blocking team than SA in 2007-2008.

Suns Defense > Spurs Defense!

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

you said it matters "a lot" more. That's laughable.

Create a poll about what matters more.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Suns Defense > Spurs Defense!

In 2006-2007, Clippers best defense in the NBA!!!!

[z0sa]

The 82 Spurs games in 2007-2008 averaged to have 88.8 possessions. That same season, the average Suns game had 96.7 possessions.

88.8/96.7 < 337/518, meaning the Suns averaged more blocks per possession than SA.

There is no way to deny that the Suns were a better shot blocking team than SA in 2007-2008.

Blocks = more about good defense than athleticism.
Not blocks = good defense.

intelligence not your strong point?

[dickface]

to block shots while still playing defense, timing is essential.

if you don't care about defense and just want to block a shot, any dumbass who can jump high will do.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

^wtf are you trying to say z0sa?

[dickface]

^wtf are you trying to say z0sa?

He has no clue at this point.

[z0sa]

Create a poll about what matters more.

i don't have time for other people's opinions. do your own dirty work.

[dickface]

i don't have time for other people's opinions.

I'm sure if I was wrong all the time, I wouldn't want to read other people's opinions either.

[z0sa]

^wtf are you trying to say z0sa?

that any dumbass who can jump high, can't block shots. I know you honestly believe the suns never played defense because you don't know , but the reality is, the defensive practices every team goes through would put amare and others in the right position - should they wish. The problem is, there were no repecussions for not being in the right position. Factor in more possessions and my point stands. That's why I called you a sunfan (and I was even predicting a suns/spurs retort - i'm more than aware that the spurs arent a great shot blocking team). You're all wrapped up in who can jump the highest and run the fastest and score the quickest. A good shotblocker alters shots all the time as well. Don't see Amare doing that.

That's why i never said athleticism ISN'T a factor - a high flying athlete is way better fit to block shots than a timmy for example, of course. I'm not denying that. The problem is exactly what you said - that athleticism is a lot more than important than timing and positioning. Timing and positioning must be right for a block to even have any chance of occurring.

And about those "dumbasses" someone mentioned - they might be low in overall BBiq, but they've got timing and positioning.

[dickface]

And about those "dumbasses" someone mentioned - they might be low in overall BBiq, but they've got timing and positioning.

And the majority of them are still ty defensive players.

[ElNono]

I can't even say how many times I've seen Dirk use that strip move to knock the ball out of his opponent's hands & out of bounds. It doesn't count as anything in the stat sheet, but it basically saves 2 points every time he does it, and he usually gets that strip a few times every game.

That's a ing foul every time!!! Goddamit I scream to the TV every time he gets away with that .

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

A good shotblocker alters shots all the time as well. Don't see Amare doing that.

No, a good defender alters shots all the time. A good shot blocker is someone that blocks a lot of shots.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

That's why I called you a sunfan (and I was even predicting a suns/spurs retort - i'm more than aware that the spurs arent a great shot blocking team). You're all wrapped up in who can jump the highest and run the fastest and score the quickest.

A stereotypical "Sunfan" would be saying "The Suns defense is really good, they block a lot of shots." How am I wrapped up in who can jump the highest?

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

that any dumbass who can jump high, can't block shots. I know you honestly believe the suns never played defense because you don't know , but the reality is, the defensive practices every team goes through would put amare and others in the right position - should they wish. The problem is, there were no repecussions for not being in the right position. Factor in more possessions and my point stands.

D'antoni didn't have the team practice defense at all, and please don't tell me you know otherwise. The reason Nash signed with the team in the first place was because of the light practices that stressed offense. This later resulted with Grant Hill signing with Phoenix.

And I've already proven that the "possessions" argument is simply wrong, the Suns the past two seasons have averaged more blocks per possession than San Antonio, you can't use an argument when it has statistically been proven wrong.

[MWILL]

Speaking of being the old Suns, I think Dallas is going to add Tim Thomas to the roster this week.

[Texas Chili Dog]

Speaking of being the old Suns, I think Dallas is going to add Tim Thomas to the roster this week.

I have seen this as well. My response:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umDr0mPuyQc