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Nash is happy because O'Neal is gone.
Lowered expectations good for Suns
by Dan Bickley - Sept. 28, 2009 07:16 PM
The Arizona Republic
Steve Nash looks different. His hair is getting rock-star long, racing toward his shoulders. And what's that strange expression on his face?
Oh, yeah. It's a big smile. It's been a while.
"Joyous," said Nash, when asked how he's feeling.
For the first time in years the Suns are just another team. They are unchained from championship expectations, the kind that made angry fans shower the Cardinals with boos Sunday in Glendale. The climate change can only help, and it all starts with their mood ring of a point guard.
Some have wondered whether Nash really wants to be here or whether signing an extension with the diminished Suns was simply his best economic option. After all, the team was not going to trade him to Toronto or New York, and playing out the season as a lame duck might've been very uncomfortable for the popular point guard.
But Nash's demeanor on Monday made the answer clear. He seems rejuvenated. He is conceding nothing. He knows the value of chemistry and cohesion. He loves a team that moves its feet and moves the basketball. Where others see weakness, he sees hope.
"Although the West is really improved, I don't see any reason why this team is over or rebuilding or (believe) that we don't have a shot," Nash said. "We're in a good place to exceed expectations."
Granted, the 2009-10 Suns face many hurdles. The Lakers and Spurs are on another level. Physical teams will pose a challenge, as will defense and rebounding. Channing Frye and Robin Lopez will alternate at center, a combination unlikely to strike fear in the heart of Tim Duncan. And then there's the uncertain status of Amaré Stoudemire, an All-Star who might be traded before the deadline.
On paper, they will struggle to make the playoffs. Yet, here's the difference: For the first time in two years the Suns have rededicated themselves in full to the run-and-gun system implemented by Mike D'Antoni. There will be no questioning the head coach, Alvin Gentry, who vowed the team will play acceptable defense in the coming months. Meanwhile, the lane will be unclogged by the departure of Shaquille O'Neal, who negatively affected the team's state of mind and style of play in 2008-09.
Nash would not call out O'Neal on Monday, a former teammate who stole his idea for a television show. But he said he was very excited about his new center combination, applauding how Lopez and Frye are "willing to move their feet and hustle." Hmmmm.
More to the point, a sense of order has returned to the locker room. Nash and Grant Hill are the unquestioned leaders. They set the tone, and everyone answers to them. You couldn't have a more responsible tandem.
Already, Nash has gone out of his way to praise Stoudemire's resilience and what he's been through in his NBA career. He told the media that Stoudemire's health file is "two-three times bigger than that of a 35-year old," complimenting the forward's "fighting spirit" and his "ability to heal."
That's what Nash does. He's an helper, a facilitator. He makes his teammates happy on the court and off. But he can't do it when he's miserable, like he was most of last season.
"We've really communicated over the summer about who we are and where we're going," General Manager Steve Kerr said. "I thought last year we were cluttered. We didn't have a clear pecking order and hierarchy. I think it's very clear now, and I'm looking forward to a much cleaner year. We're going to have some fun."
A return to prominence would be most welcome. After all, the 2001 Diamondbacks won a championship and the 2008 Cardinals shocked the world. But no team turned magical talent and top-shelf entertainment value into absolutely nothing like the run-and-gun Suns, a team that cornered the market on postseason heartbreak.
At long last, all of that angst and emotional wreckage has been cleaned away. The expectations are gone, along with many of the season-[COLOR=green ! important][COLOR=green ! important]ticket[/color][/color] holders. In its place is a happy point guard who believes in the power of "we" and a team that is returning to its roots. That alone should give them a puncher's chance.
Nash is happy because O'Neal is gone.
that article is y
DoK i sincerely feel bad for u man, you're a decent fan you don't deserve this
they may sneak into a 7 or 8 seed. if amare misses any substantial time though they are done as they can not afford that many losses due to injuries.
Just like he was happy when he went to Kerr and told Kerr to trade Marion for Shaq in the first place?
feel bad cuz ur a mavs fan with another washed up player from phoenix in marionthat article is y
DoK i sincerely feel bad for u man, you're a decent fan you don't deserve this
thanks for your suppport, i appreciate it
Maybe the best part of this article is calling Channing Frye a player who is willing to hustle.
wasn't he known for being a lazy player in NY?? i think he picked up the habit from Eddy Curry
Yup, he went from being the main piece of a potential KG trade his rookie year to a throw in when trading for Zach Randolph.
And DOK continues to prove how horrible he is at reading comprehension.
btw - I agree with everything in this article. Shaq ruined team chemistry and style of play. Porter was an idiot. The Suns as a team are probably happier and less stressed out than in previous seasons when they were still coping with playoff controversies and a sense of under-achievement.
Dan Bickley obviously has an education. DOK, does not. In fact, he's a ing clueless idiot.
btw - Bickley should have pointed out that the Jason Richardson trade was a total flop and Steve Kerr would be wise to continue to "un-do" his previous mistakes (a la ditching Shaquille Oneal).
Once again, youre missing the point. Let me explain whats happening here to the ing idiot. The direct quote (from Nash, NOT the writer as you incorrectly imply) says:
Nash would not call out O'Neal on Monday, a former teammate who stole his idea for a television show. But he said he was very excited about his new center combination, applauding how Lopez and Frye are "willing to move their feet and hustle." Hmmmm.
What it means (for ing idiots like DOK): Nash is stating that both Frye and Lopez are willing to move their feet and hustle, something Shaq would NEVER do. I dont care how lazy Frye is, he light years more agile than that anchor, Shaquille Oneal.
Do you understand now?
Well, I'm glad you care more about Nash's stress level than the team's W-L record.
Right, because they were winning so much with Porter and Shaq.
Nash also says in the article that the Suns were happier when they had a clear vision as opposed to Porter who couldnt decide what type of team they were going to be.
But Im sure you have a problem with that statement as well.
You are, by far, the biggest idiot on this board.
No, I don't. I don't understand how anyone can possibly argue replacing Shaq with Channing Frye makes the Suns better defensively.
Yes, I do. I don't give a flying about how happy Nash is. The team isn't paying him an 8 figure salary to be happy.
Says the guy who thinks Channing Frye > Shaquille O'Neal
Thus, you must have not watched a single Suns game last year or you might have witnessed that Shaquille Oneal refuses to move laterally, refuses to come out on screen and rolls and pretty much refuses to do anything that requires him to feel physical pain.
Defense is physicaly exhausting. Thats why so few players do it well. This is why Shaquille Oneal was horrible.
Now, Channing Frye is a bum and this is pretty much his last shot, but I havent seen one clip of him this season and I can tell you that he is better at rotating than Shaquille Oneal. All he has to do is TRY and he's better than the anchor.
The same goes for Robin Lopez.
Steve Kerr took over a team that lost in the 2nd round with what even at the time was a very bleak future. I don't know why you're so anxious to get back to that point.
I bet you dont. Youre bizzare hatred of Steve Nash bordelines obsessive. Here's an article stating that the team is happy with their teammates and style of play going into camp, feels no pressure and wants to surprise people and you laugh at it as if someone just claimed the world was flat.
Just shut the up, already! Youre a ing obnoxious kid who needs to be trash-canned. I would do it myself if you didnt spend youre time wasting away in Tucson.
For the minimal improvement they get defending the pick and roll with Frye and Lopez over Shaq, they'll lose now with the huge dive in defensive rebounding and post defense.
I bet you dont. Youre bizzare hatred of Steve Nash bordelines obsessive. Here's an article stating that the team is happy with their teammates and style of play going into camp, feels no pressure and wants to surprise people and you laugh at it as if someone just claimed the world was flat.
Just shut the up, already! Youre a ing obnoxious kid who needs to be trash-canned. I would do it myself if you didnt spend youre time wasting away in Tucson.
lol internet tough guy.
Robin Lopez and Channing Frye alternating at Center? No way any suns fan can be excited about that. What a complete abortion. The fact that Kerr is seemingly ok with that is ridiculous.
Because Shawn Marion didnt publicly request a trade to sportingnews.com during the previous off-season, Miami's owner didnt place a direct call to Robert Sarver to float the idea, and Steve Kerr and Mike D'Antoni didnt want to make the deal either.
The Suns traded Marion because Nash asked them to. Im sure he asked them to trade Kurt Thomas and two first round draft picks for a second round pick as well. I bet he asked them to trade his best friend in Raja Bell (along with Boris Diaw) for Jason Richardson too.
DOK logic is simple. If anything bad ever happens, just blame Steve Nash!
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