The Best Shot-Blocking Team in the NBA...

[BillsCarnage]

if you say so, but here's another theory - other teams who get into a running game with Phoenix fall into the same trap of "all offense, no defense", but since they aren't used to a running game & don't have as talented of personnel, their offense falters in the 2nd half as they get winded.

and then teams that will dictate things instead of allowing the Suns to dictate (like the Spurs) can take advantage of the Suns lack of attention to defense.

This theory is BULL anymore. The Suns have been running this style for four(4) years now and the league knows damn well how they're going to play. And, lets not forget that more teams are adopting their style of play then there were 4yrs ago.

You can toss out all of the defensive stats because good defense comes when you need to shut an opponent down at certain points of the game - a lot of times at the end. Several teams excel at this and others struggle.

Where was the Spurs vaunted defense in the first game w/ the Suns in the PO's where the won 111-106 or gm 6 114-106?

Had the Suns won like that everyone would say the Suns' D would suck..

Where was the Spurs vaunted defense when the Hornets made them bleed teal and puke brown out the anus a few days ago??

[stretch]

Where was the Spurs vaunted defense in the first game w/ the Suns in the PO's where the won 117-112, or something like that???

With that logic, then how do you explain teams that are infinitely superior to others, but still periodically lose to them? All teams are periodically going to have bad nights, or the other team simply has a great night. But in a best of 7 game series, the team that is supposed to win, wins. The 96 Bulls are arguably the greatest team of all time, but even they lost a few games. All teams lose a couple here and there, but the best team pretty much always ends up on top in the end. The Suns have never been there.

[monosylab1k]

Where was the Spurs vaunted defense in the first game w/ the Suns in the PO's where the won 111-106 or gm 6 114-106?

Where was the Suns vaunted offense & supposedly "good" defense when they, uh, LOST THE ING SERIES?

There's a reason why the Suns can't beat the Spurs in a series, and why this current team haven't been, and won't ever be, in the Finals.

Delude yourself into thinking your team plays good defense, Sun Fan. It's as stupid and comical as the Dallas fans who think the Mavs aren't chokers.

[sribb43]

So you're basically saying that Fast Tempo = Bad Defense? WTF, Stretch

well if you look at the stats most of the high scoring teams are regarded as poor defensive teams, jazz, Warriors, PHX, Denver.

[BillsCarnage]

Where was the Suns vaunted offense & supposedly "good" defense when they, uh, LOST THE ING SERIES?

I guess the same place that the Mav's has been the last two PO series..

There's a reason why the Suns can't beat the Spurs in a series, and why this current team haven't been, and won't ever be, in the Finals.

Delude yourself into thinking your team plays good defense, Sun Fan.

I've never claimed they play "great" or even good defense. But, they have stepped it up, at times, to win games at the end.

It's as stupid and comical as the Dallas fans who think the Mavs aren't chokers.

Sans you of course??

[BillsCarnage]

With that logic, then how do you explain teams that are infinitely superior to others, but still periodically lose to them? All teams are periodically going to have bad nights, or the other team simply has a great night. But in a best of 7 game series, the team that is supposed to win, wins. The 96 Bulls are arguably the greatest team of all time, but even they lost a few games. All teams lose a couple here and there, but the best team pretty much always ends up on top in the end. The Suns have never been there.

How long did it take you to figure that one out??

BTW, Neither have the Mavs, so what's your point?

[stretch]

I guess the same place that the Mav's has been the last two PO series..

So you think its funny when your team loses in the playoffs?

I've never claimed they play "great" or even good defense. But, they have stepped it up, at times, to win games at the end.

Against ty teams.

[da_suns_fan]

Where was the Suns vaunted offense & supposedly "good" defense when they, uh, LOST THE ING SERIES?

Suspended.

[stretch]

Suspended.

STFU

Mavericks had suspensions in their series against SA too, and they still came out and handled their business in game 7.

[sribb43]

STFU

Mavericks had suspensions in their series against SA too, and they still came out and handled their business in game 7.

[DazedAndConfused]

Guys please. Stop the fighting. Everyone knows the Mavs and Suns are both pathetic excuses for a franchise. We're all laughing at you, not with you.

[stretch]

Guys please. Stop the fighting. Everyone knows the Mavs and Suns are both pathetic excuses for a franchise. We're all laughing at you, not with you.

o Jeff.

[sribb43]

Guys please. Stop the fighting. Everyone knows the Mavs and Suns are both pathetic excuses for a franchise. We're all laughing at you, not with you.

yes yes we know...we have 0 rings and you guys have 30+ or whatever the number is

[JMarkJohns]

The Suns weakness is painfully obvious to anyone willing to watch their games. They are a terrible rebounding team and give up dozens of point-blank second/third scoring opportunities a game. if they could cut tat in half, their defensive PPG total would drop by 4/5 ppg, and their defensive FG% would drop by 2/3%. Of course, this would require them to acquire a legit box-out rebounder. Preferably one 6-11 or taller and 250 pounds or heavier. This would also go a long way in their low-post, on-ball defense, their other main defensive weakness.

You see, to make up for their lack of a legit low-post, on-ball defender, the Suns resort to a double and triple-teaming swarm defense. This ensures rushed shots a good portion of the time, but also ensures that they are constantly out of position for defensive rebounds. In their haste to make the next rotation, they fail to body up and allow for opposing centers and forwards to get easy put backs. Even on longer rebounds they tend to be out of position, which is how the Hawks tore them apart.

if they could play man-to-man post defense, this would allow them to maximize their defensive position on the boards. Playing Marion and Amare off the main low-post offensive player would only better their shot blocks and should allow for more productive defensive possessions.

It's really an easy fix. All it would require is Sarver to spend a little money, D'Antoni to slow the tempo just a bit and the Suns would be in prime position.

However, as Suns fans know, those two conditions aren't likely to be met anytime soon.

In fact, D'Antoni asked Kerr to hold off on a potential deal tat could have net the Suns Camby. This, according to reports.

If the Suns could run Camby out at C and Amare out at PF, then I'd say their frontline on-ball defense, rebounding and rotational shotblocking would be greatly improved.

I have no idea what the Suns would have to give up to net Camby, but they do have a large enough trade exception to simply take him off the Nuggets 80 million payroll, so long as the pick compensation was met with the Nuggets' approval. Starting with the Atlanta 1st they get this year and maybe a future 1st and the rights to Milos Vujanic?

If Denver is looking to cut cost, then it would be a great way to save a ton immediately, and net a few picks for your trouble.

[BillsCarnage]

So you think its funny when your team loses in the playoffs?

At least I can laugh about it butt monkey.

BTW, you got past SA and how did that fare for you since?

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Who is everyone rooting for tonight? (excluding suns/spurs fans of course)

[crc21209]

Who gives a ?

[ShoogarBear]

Blocks and steals are the two most overrated stats in the NBA.

[MajorMike]

Quite simple, actually. When the Suns finish so fast on the offensive end, there are more offensive possessions for the opponent. Therefore, more of an opportunity for a block. The same logic holds for rebounds. Look at opponents rebounds - at the top of the list of teams that give up the most rebounds are the teams that shoot the most and use the least amount of shot clock - GS, Phx, Denver, Indy, Memphis, LA - all score over 100 and their opponents score over 100 as well. More shots means more chance for a block and more rebound opportunities. Again, simple math.

I would say you need to look at points allowed vs blocks. This is a better indicator of the fact you grind out on D and hold the team down without letting them run all over you because you just got done with a possession. Currently, Houston would be 5th in pts allowed and 4th in blocks while Detroit is 2nd in pts allowed and 10th in blocks.

Having a large amount of blocks in no way automatically equates to playing good defense.

[Jeremy]

In fact, D'Antoni asked Kerr to hold off on a potential deal tat could have net the Suns Camby. This, according to reports.

Whoa, what reports? Where? I never saw anything, but I've wanted them to get Camby for awhile now. Barbosa, Diaw, whatever it takes...maybe we'd even be better off trading Marion for Camby.

I wonder if the Nuggets would even be willing to trade him now, though, the way he's been playing for them.

[JMarkJohns]

Whoa, what reports? Where? I never saw anything, but I've wanted them to get Camby for awhile now. Barbosa, Diaw, whatever it takes...maybe we'd even be better off trading Marion for Camby.

I wonder if the Nuggets would even be willing to trade him now, though, the way he's been playing for them.

It was from SportingNews.com...

No wonder D'Antoni says he still believes in his group. Kerr recently was considering a major move -- a league source says the Suns were asking around about the Nuggets' Marcus Camby -- but D'Antoni told him to hold off.

"We have one of the best records in the league, so why would we want to change anything?" says D'Antoni, calling the Suns "an unbelievable offensive team that's trying to get better on defense.

Again, This probably didn't get far, but the Suns have pieces to make a move like this whether it be instant CAP relief in the form of a trade exception, a quality, potential lottery pick in Atlanta's 1st or some young players like Barbosa and Diaw.

Had D'Antoni not put a hold on talks, I think there was a lot more to this story.

[td4mvp21]

STFU

Mavericks had suspensions in their series against SA too, and they still came out and handled their business in game 7.