D'Antoni: Suns have better players than Spurs

[dreamcastrocks]

Actually, D'Antoni is being honest here, and I think he's right. The Suns do have more talented individual players.

Interestingly, though, he doesn't take the statement to the logical conclusion most of us have reached: the Suns' system (i.e., coaching) is inferior.

And starting Kurt Thomas, assuming that also means more minutes for him, is going to make things very, very tough for the Spurs.

I didn't go as far as to say that his system is inferior. His offensive system is vastly superior. Popovich's defensive system is vastly superior. Popovich's ability to make in game adjustments, rather than watching the tape to make the adjustments makes him the better coach.

[ShoogarBear]

This was exactly what I didn't want to happen. Thomas was effective in slowing not only Duncan, but also was effective in limiting Parker in pick-and-rolls.

If someone watched a tape of Game 1, it was the obvious move to make. I'm still surprised D'Antoni made the move because playing Thomas means that they pretty much admit the Suns' regular style won't work.

But yeah, this series just got a whole lot harder.

Maybe, in order to really show off his genius, D'Antoni is also going to start Marcus Banks.

[timvp]

And it's pretty obvious that the Suns have more talent. It's not even close.

But the Spurs have beat so many teams with more talent than them over the years that it shouldn't even be a noteworthy point.

[ducks]

pop does have some time to prepare now though since amare opened his BIG MOUTH

[L.I.T]

And all is right with the world...

I pray this start for Thomas rights the ship. They have no shot if it doesn't.

You're probably right, the Suns don't have much of a chance if they continue playing their current system.

But, is D'Antoni's players and system conducive to going toe-to-toe against the Spurs in a half-court defensive battle? Looks to me like the Spurs are firmly back in the heads of the Suns and are beginning to impose their will and style of play on the series.

Of course all this is just speculation till after the game.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

Actually, D'Antoni is being honest here, and I think he's right. The Suns do have more talented individual players.

Interestingly, though, he doesn't take the statement to the logical conclusion most of us have reached: the Suns' system (i.e., coaching) is inferior.

And starting Kurt Thomas, assuming that also means more minutes for him, is going to make things very, very tough for the Spurs.

It's obvious the Suns have more depth and talent than us.

That said, Nash, Duncan . Amare , and Tony cancel each other out...(and I'm thinking Nash cancels out Duncan, and Amare cancels out Tony, despite how weird it sounds)

Manu and Marion cancel each other out currently too.

I still think our big three, and our system > their big 3 and their system. Despite the scoring edge they have on us in terms of pieces.

"This is the toughest matchup for us,'' Nash said. "They've got size, sort of a collective toughness you have to deal with. They've got experience and they play hard. They're extremely disciplined.

"I'm at a loss to explain why we think that we can go out there and not outhustle them and outwork them and win games.''

D'Antoni said the Spurs were mentally tougher than the Suns on Sunday.
"We all collectively have to pick up our energy and concentration, our mental ability to get over the hump,'' he said. "They put `champion' by their name for a reason. There's a lot of guys who will never be in this position again. I told them today `This could be your only chance in life to be a champion, so we're going to have to dig harder.'''

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich pointed out that a couple of plays at the end won the game, not some dominating San Antonio performance. The Spurs lost Game 1 at home against Denver in the opening round, then won the next four.

"It's not a desperate situation,'' Popovich said. "Good teams come back from losses in the regular season and even more so in the postseason. They'll be a heck of a team tomorrow night.''

I hope the Spurs are ready and aware of this. The Suns are going to be scary tomorrow. Also, Nash REALLY seems more determined as a leader than he was in 2005.

[easjer]

I'm very curious to see what playing Thomas long minutes does to the Suns. I don't think it will necessarily impact much, actually. Make it tighter for Tim, but also play into our strength of a slower, half court game. Their offense is necessarily reduced . . . so I don't think it will necessarily kill the Spurs, though it will have repurcussions. Tomorrow should be an interesting game.

[Purple & Gold]

He should write a book about this.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

There's two scary things worth mentioning -

1. Starting Thomas to deal with Duncan is about the smartest thing D'Antoni could have done. Things just got a lot tougher.

2. Pop has historically sucked ass at adjusting to adjustments in the playoffs.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

There's two scary things worth mentioning -

1. Starting Thomas to deal with Duncan is about the smartest thing D'Antoni could have done. Things just got a lot tougher.

2. Pop has historically sucked ass at adjusting to adjustments in the playoffs.

Any examples beyond Smallball with our personnel?

[timvp]

Starting Thomas was really a no-brainer for D'Antoni. Stoudemire can't guard Duncan. The Suns can't rebound with the Spurs when they are small. The Suns can't guard Parker off of pick-and-rolls when they are small. Thomas solves all of that.

Now perhaps the Spurs can use this and double off of Thomas on the defensive end to help slow down the pick-and-rolls. If the Spurs do that, perhaps the move can be negated.

But overall, I see this is bad news for Spurs fans.

[Warlord23]

I think Pop is prepared for this one. In fact, I was surprised Thomas didn't get more minutes in game 1, especially when a foul-prone Amare wasn't working.

This had to happen. Diaw/Marion/Amare are sitting ducks for Duncan.

I think Duncan will struggle for at most 1 game with Thomas. After that, he figures him out. After all, he's been toe-to-toe with Nene and Camby pretty recently. If Manu comes to play tomorrow, the reduced productivity from Duncan can be made up for. And Pop has to play more pick-and-roll and dribble penetration instead of 4-down, which I think he will.

[jmard5]

Works well for the Spurs since Duncan is Duncan. Not sure with the Suns since definitely they will slow down playing straight into the Spurs' type of game.

[slayermin]

So if he starts Thomas, doesn that mean Marion slides to the three?

That kind of limits them on the offensive end. Stoudemire and Thomas aren't three point shooters so they can't really space the floor as well as if Marion was at the four. Plus James Jones is a better three point shooter than Marion so that further diminishes their three point shooting.

Thomas did play well on Sunday but this move benefits the Spurs, imo.

[ShoogarBear]

Any examples beyond Smallball with our personnel?

2004 WCSF

I think Pop will come up with adjustments. I just hope it doesn't take a loss or two for him to do it.

[dbreiden83080]

There's two scary things worth mentioning -

1. Starting Thomas to deal with Duncan is about the smartest thing D'Antoni could have done. Things just got a lot tougher.

2. Pop has historically sucked ass at adjusting to adjustments in the playoffs.

How many 1st team all defenses has Thomas played on exactly? Some of you guys are giving him way too much credit. It is a lot easier to look good against Timmy for a few possessions than it is to try and do it for 40 min. Tim has got a lot of height on him. He will just have to face him up and go around or fight harder for position and shoot over top of him.

[Warlord23]

Starting Thomas was really a no-brainer for D'Antoni. Stoudemire can't guard Duncan. The Suns can't rebound with the Spurs when they are small. The Suns can't guard Parker off of pick-and-rolls when they are small. Thomas solves all of that.

Now perhaps the Spurs can use this and double off of Thomas on the defensive end to help slow down the pick-and-rolls. If the Spurs do that, perhaps the move can be negated.

But overall, I see this is bad news for Spurs fans.

Doubling off Thomas doesn't guarantee success. He has a steady 18-footer that can hurt us if we double off him. I'd rather mix it up, stay on him sometimes, leave him open others, don't let him get into rhythm. Get the rebound and push the other way, as he is the slowest of the pack. Make more transition buckets.

[ShoogarBear]

That kind of limits them on the offensive end. Stoudemire and Thomas aren't three point shooters so they can't really space the floor as well as if Marion was at the four. Plus James Jones is a better three point shooter than Marion so that diminishes their three point shooting significantly.

This is why I think D'Antoni has been so resistent to playing Thomas, because it messes up his precious offense.

Like scoring in traditional sets would be a problem with Nash running the point.

[K-State Spur]

Starting Thomas was really a no-brainer for D'Antoni. Stoudemire can't guard Duncan. The Suns can't rebound with the Spurs when they are small. The Suns can't guard Parker off of pick-and-rolls when they are small. Thomas solves all of that.

Now perhaps the Spurs can use this and double off of Thomas on the defensive end to help slow down the pick-and-rolls. If the Spurs do that, perhaps the move can be negated.

But overall, I see this is bad news for Spurs fans.

Manu doing his thing would more than negate that. It's gonna be tough to beat them again with him shooting that poorly.

Thomas is not a "Tim Stopper", but 33/16 is looking less likely.

[JMarkJohns]

This is why I think D'Antoni has been so resistent to playing Thomas, because it messes up his precious offense.

Like scoring in traditional sets would be a problem with Nash running the point.

Two for two... good stuff.

[2centsworth]

Let's look at the comparison:

Steve Nash versus Tony Parker: Nash is better on offense, but Tony is light years ahead on defense.

Raja Bell versus Michael Finley: Only reason Bell is in Phoenix is because Fin didn't sign. Also, Fin had Bell sitting on the bench in Dallas.

Marion vs Bowen: Again defensively it's not even close, but offensively advantage Marion

James Jones/Diaw vs Elson/Oberto: They all suck, but atleast Oberto steps up.

Amare vs Duncan: Duncan hands down.

I don't see where the talent disparity is obvious?

Is it their thin bench that makes up the difference?

Spurs have more well rounded talent, better coaching, more experience, and bigger balls. Antoni is begging.

[dbreiden83080]

Manu doing his thing would more than negate that. It's gonna be tough to beat them again with him shooting that poorly.

Thomas is not a "Tim Stopper", but 33/16 is looking less likely.

If Manu and Tony both play well Tim will not need 33 and 16 but he can get it if he has to. Thomas is not going to stop Timmy for a whole game. Camby was the D player of the year and Tim pretty much had his way with him.

[ducks]

the big three need to get between 60-70
if suns score over 100 closer to 70
finley has been part of the big three not manu in scoring
to keep manu homers happy
I will say the big 4 need between 80-90

[J.T.]

I don't think this will affect Tim as much as it will our penetration. It'll be harder for Tony and Manu to drive to the hole with Thomas in the lineup. Manu hasn't been himself lately, but I expect him to snap out of it.

Finley and Horry have been great in this postseason, though. If they can continue to play at the level they're at, and Manu snaps out of this funk, I think we'll still win this series in 5 or 6.

[lefty]

D'Antoni basically admitted that Pop owns him as a coach, and Pop's system owns his.

How else do you have better players and yet keep losing?

+10000