Bill Simmons is on the Sunswagon

[mabber]

Mad that he is not on the Mavs bandwagon?

Actually, I'm happy he's not. He was on the Mavs bandwagon in playoffs last season and you see how that turned out.

[mabber]

I had a similar thought, as well. But then I realized that Lewis is 6-10 with a good vertical leap and a rebounding front line of Lewis, Amare, and Marion sounds just as effective as one that includes Diaw, Amare and Marion. The combinations are endless and the scoring he could provide from the 3 or 4 spot is incredible.

My point is - like Simmons's - that the Suns would be the most well-rested team in the world because no one would have to play much more than 30 minutes per night. All someone has to do is motivate Rashard to rebound in Marion's likeness (i.e. timing and hustle - to the tune of 7 or so boards per game) and they're golden.

I also think, and Bob Lanier disagrees with me, that it is quicker and easier to motivate a player and teach him to scramble after rebounds (especially with a coach like Ivaroni) than it is to teach that player how to shoot. I'd still love to have David Lee more than anything in the world, but I fear that's a big pipe dream because I don't know how they could pull it off (even with Isiah on the other end). I also think that Rashard Lewis could provide so much more offensively than Lee and maybe add that extra element in a half-court game (and I don't think Lee could hit that 15-ft jumper like Kurt Thomas could).

I just don't know if Lee's hustle and rebounding will be that beneficial in the long haul of a whole series with the Suns' style of play. However, I'm in no way trying to discredit his value or his game, because I love the guy's old-school nature. It's just I'd never really thought of Rashard Lewis until Simmons brought it up, and I started looking at stats. Then, I realized that with the proper direction, he could probably turn into a really good player. Then again, so could Lee, but I think Lewis would provide the most immediate help for 2007. Still, I don't want to part with Kurt Thomas because I still feel he is valuable to the Suns in more ways than stats can show.

Lewis has a lot of talent, but like you said motivating him would be the key. He's a loser but sometimes guys change and mature a bit.

[polandprzem]

Lewis would be everything the suns need to get the LOB Trophy.

They are simply amazing.

Can you call a Nashy 3 peat mvp? Goodness greashes

Who could imagine that 5 years back?

[LEONARD]

Fool's gold...

[RonMexico]

Lewis has a lot of talent, but like you said motivating him would be the key. He's a loser but sometimes guys change and mature a bit.

Yeah, he came into the league with a little chip on his shoulder at being a 2nd round pick and if someone can harness that type of energy out of him all the time, then he can be a beast. Kind of how Amare started becoming more of a team player this year and more willing to fight for boards and play defense, I think the Suns' staff can get that out of Lewis.

To me, his stats were mind-blowing: 48% FG, 40% 3P, 90% FT and 7 boards per game... no way those stats could get worse in a Phoenix uniform and he wouldn't have to play 37 mins per game. Him and Marion could each top out at like 35. I don't know how he would fit in chemistry-wise but I'd be more willing to make this trade than one for Mike Miller.

[mabber]

Yeah, he came into the league with a little chip on his shoulder at being a 2nd round pick and if someone can harness that type of energy out of him all the time, then he can be a beast. Kind of how Amare started becoming more of a team player this year and more willing to fight for boards and play defense, I think the Suns' staff can get that out of Lewis.

To me, his stats were mind-blowing: 48% FG, 40% 3P, 90% FT and 7 boards per game... no way those stats could get worse in a Phoenix uniform and he wouldn't have to play 37 mins per game. Him and Marion could each top out at like 35. I don't know how he would fit in chemistry-wise but I'd be more willing to make this trade than one for Mike Miller.

I think he'd be a better fit on the floor at the end of playoff games than Marion is. At least from an offensive standpoint.

[Greg Oden]

RonMexico is a re . You can't bring water bottles on an airplane.

[mabber]

RonMexico is a re . You can't bring water bottles on an airplane.

Vick certainly isn't the sharpest tool in the shed

[dallaskd]

.

[1Parker1]

Suns look a little different this season. I have a feeling it will finally be their time to make it to the Finals this season........and lose.

I can see them possibly knocking off Dallas.

[RonMexico]

I think he'd be a better fit on the floor at the end of playoff games than Marion is. At least from an offensive standpoint.

Yeah - that's what I think too. He could be at PF or SF and Marion can still be on the floor for his defense and rebounding. That's what the Suns have missed since Joe Johnson left - that true 3rd scorer who could do a lot of different things in the half-court.

[JMarkJohns]

I'd trade for Mike Miller in a second. Mike Miller/Hakim Warrick/Dahntay Jones for Kurt Thomas/Marcus Banks/Atlanta 1st and Phoenix 1st (both 2006).

Gives the Suns two more inexpensive athletes and a great shooter in Miller, a player who can also rebound and pass.

Memphis does this because they clear roughly 9 million in CAP space at the end of next year, they get another PG prospect to develop and two 1st rounders, including a potential top-5 pick to add to their potential top-3 pick. Memphis keeps Gasol, Gay and Lowry, their three building blocks.

[BUMP]

Suns are too good

[SoCal Lakeshow]

I'd trade for Mike Miller in a second. Mike Miller/Hakim Warrick/Dahntay Jones for Kurt Thomas/Marcus Banks/Atlanta 1st and Phoenix 1st (both 2006).

Suns would be fools to make that trade. Those 2 picks are gold.

[TheMulvany]

I like how he says "if it wasn't for 2 game the Suns would be on a 28 game winning streak."

Yeah, and if it wasn't for 20 games the Kings would be on a 30 game winning streak.

Come back when the Suns have beaten a good team. Half their games have been against the East. Even with the Spurs struggles, the Suns could never beat them. The Spurs completely own them, and the Mavs have won 4 straight against them going back to last year (and 6 out of the last 7).

[RonMexico]

I like how he says "if it wasn't for 2 game the Suns would be on a 28 game winning streak."

Yeah, and if it wasn't for 20 games the Kings would be on a 30 game winning streak.

Come back when the Suns have beaten a good team. Half their games have been against the East. Even with the Spurs struggles, the Suns could never beat them. The Spurs completely own them, and the Mavs have won 4 straight against them going back to last year (and 6 out of the last 7).

It's impossible to win 6 out of the last 7 when the Suns won 2 against Dallas in the regular season last year and 2 in the WCF - that glaring error in statistics doesn't even outweigh the rest of your innaccurate argument.

[RonMexico]

I'd trade for Mike Miller in a second. Mike Miller/Hakim Warrick/Dahntay Jones for Kurt Thomas/Marcus Banks/Atlanta 1st and Phoenix 1st (both 2006).

Gives the Suns two more inexpensive athletes and a great shooter in Miller, a player who can also rebound and pass.

Memphis does this because they clear roughly 9 million in CAP space at the end of next year, they get another PG prospect to develop and two 1st rounders, including a potential top-5 pick to add to their potential top-3 pick. Memphis keeps Gasol, Gay and Lowry, their three building blocks.

I would never take Mr. Inconsistency - aka Mike Miller - ever. There are better prospects in this upcoming draft (where the Suns have 2 picks) than Dahntay Jones or Hakim Warrick - including guys who are as athletic as Warrick, but can shoot MUCH better.

I would take Jason Kapono on the cheap over Mike Miller who will think his sixth man of the year award actually means he should get paid more for making boneheaded mistakes, growing his hair long, getting stupid tattoos on his forearm and smoking too much weed. The biggest shot he's ever hit was his sop re year against Butler in the first round of the NCAA tourney. It's been downhill since then. At least with Kapono, you don't expect too much so when he shoots well and plays unselfishly, you can be very satisfied.

Besides, if Suns get rid of Kurt Thomas, they'd need to get a bigger body than Warrick.

[JMarkJohns]

I had both Miller and Lewis on my fantasy team last year. I can tell you, Miller is more consistant across the board than Lewis. Even in scoring. Seriously.

I'm perfectly content to sit pretty and pray the Hawks pick at four or five. This gives the Suns a decent shot at Noah or Wright, assuming Oden declares.

I like Miller a lot. Much more than Lewis. Miller at least tries to rebound and stick with his man. Plus he's smart and a good passer. Lewis' value stems only from his shot, which isn't as consistant as most believe.

[JMarkJohns]

What I 'spected. Miller gives you as many rebounds and steals, more assists and better 3-point shooting than does Lewis. Lewis may be taller by two inches, but is actually several pounds lighter than Miller, so his height advantage is offset by Miller's strength advantage. Plus, Miller has the versatility to play SG, SF or even the occasional PF alongside Amare at C and Marion at SF.

Of course, like I said, I'd rather keep Thomas and the picks, but I do like the thought of Miller and wish there was a way to get him without giving up Thomas.

[pking]

Suns lost to Washington too...no? How does the making a three/dirk missing a shot = 28 game streak?

[RonMexico]

Suns lost to Washington too...no? How does the making a three/dirk missing a shot = 28 game streak?

Because Nash had a chance to win the Washington game in regulation with that 3.

[mavsfan1000]

Suns look a little different this season. I have a feeling it will finally be their time to make it to the Finals this season........and lose.

I can see them possibly knocking off Dallas.

I can see you don't know much about basketball. lol

[dieman8686]

Suns look a little different this season. I have a feeling it will finally be their time to make it to the Finals this season........and lose.

I can see them possibly knocking off Dallas.

If Suns Knock off the Mavs or Spurs and make it to the Finals, they won't lose.. and to who .

[pking]

Ah, I getcha.

Still kind of a stretch...even if Dirk misses that shot, there's no guarantee they win the game. Woulda gone into OT and at that point it's anybodies game. I can't say about the Washington game...I watched it, but I don't remember how exactly it panned out.

Either way, Suns are playing great right now.

[RonMexico]

Both teams are playing great. Just when I think T-Mac or Kobe could take down the Mavs and help the Suns move into a tie for first, the Mavs just pull out a monster 3rd quarter and that's it.