D'Antoni: Suns have better players than Spurs

[Amuseddaysleeper]

i love the bowen on nash matchup, i was surprised we didn't go to it more often


nash seem frustrated as with bowen on hm in that last regular season matchup

[anakha]

Not an unexpected move on the Suns' part.

However, despite the matchup problems this may give the Spurs offensively, I'd say this can also be seen as a good sign. Why?

Because the Spurs are forcing the Suns to adjust to them.

IMO, San Antonio was constantly scrambling to adjust to Dallas last year, because Dallas dictated the matchups. This year, it seems that the Spurs are dictating the matchups that Phoenix is forced to use against them. Because the Suns are scrambling to adjust, it makes them even more vulnerable to any other surprises the Spurs may have in store.

Besides, who's to say that Pop hasn't had this change anticipated? Thomas seems to be at his most effective defending the low post, so perhaps moving Tim to the high post for more screen/roll action or letting him get the ball more on the move instead of just posting up may negate the defensive pluses Phoenix gains by playing Thomas more. Forcing KT to move his feet more when he switches off to a guard on screen/rolls or when Tim is on the move will also make him more susceptible to fouls.

Either way, making your opponent play you on your terms is an advantage the Spurs did not have last year and should exploit to the fullest this time around.

[OldDirtMcGirt]

I really hope the Spurs fans are right that this move works to the Spurs' favor. Although there are some aspects of the move that will help the Spurs, overall I think it's a great move by D'Antoni.

Oh and thanks to Stoudemire for leaking it to the press. The Spurs will be ready for it now.

I wonder if this means Bowen will move back to Marion, or will Bowen guard Nash, Finley guard Marion and Parker guard Bell.

Seriously, Amare is a great player and it's a rarity to have a dominant young center... but it would be nice if he wasn't such a re .

[ducks]

Hopefully Nash can be benched for 45 seconds in the 4th quarter so the Suns can lose again.

he will be benched do to a blowout in favor of spurs

[Amuseddaysleeper]

i love the bowen on nash matchup, i was surprised we didn't go to it more often


nash seem frustrated as with bowen on hm in that last regular season matchup

[JMarkJohns]

You who act as if Phoenix has much of a choice are fooling yourselves. The Suns are now 4-15 vs. San Antonio in the Nash/D'Antoni era.

I'm not saying Thomas is the savior. But him getting more minutes can only help.

Those who think the Suns won't be able to score are being rediculous. Thomas will hit enough jumpers and grab a few extra offensive rebounds to aallow for Phoenix to get enough points to compete. Gimmick ball just doesn't work when you can't get rebounds and the Suns can get enough of them to create an advantage vs. San Antonio.

That's what it comes down to.

That's why Thomas's defense and rebounding, for any added time, will be welcome.

Though, I'm less concerned about him starting as I am him playing significant minutes in the second half of games.

That's the adjustment that needs to be made.

[dbreiden83080]

Tim played pretty well against both Wallaces in the 05 finals on 2 bad ankles and they are both great defenders so can we stop with this whole fantasy that Thomas will give him any serious problems.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Does this mean that Amare will be benched to start the game or Kurt Thomas will take the place of some other starter?

[Amuseddaysleeper]

i think thomas will give him problems at first, but duncan will adjust by the 2nd half

thomas will limit the suns running game, and frankly, i'm not sold on nash in a half court offense.....or rather, his teammates in a halfcourt offense

[RussN]

Talent does come into effect. However, IMO, Defense is more about coaching, execution, and being in the right positions, something that D'Antoni could learn a thing or ten from Popovich.

They had the mic in the Suns hudle yesterday and this is how D'Antoni was coaching Dfence.....Ok guys, you've got to hustle, play hard on defense, keep playing hard, stay tough on the boards, blah blah blah. Anyone who played on a B team 7th grade basketball team could say that crap. How about coaching them on the defensive schemes or things they have practiced. Oh...maybe they haven't practiced defense. It's a little late now.

[slayermin]

Three point shooting is hardly the key to our success. Easy points in the paint is our bread and butter, and it'll be easier to get out in transition if we have Kurt's rebouding.

Bull . It's a huge part of what you do.

Why do you think Pop is so concerned about running your shooters off the 3pt line?

The Suns shot 40% from three averaging 24 attempts and almost 9 makes a game during the regular season. That is the equivalent to shooting 56% two point field goals in the same amount of shots.

You scrap your three point shooting and your high powered offense is just good.

[timvp]

i love the bowen on nash matchup, i was surprised we didn't go to it more often


nash seem frustrated as with bowen on hm in that last regular season matchup

Bowen on Nash didn't really make a difference in Game 1. I think Parker guarded Nash as well, if not better.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Tim played pretty well against both Wallaces in the 05 finals on 2 bad ankles and they are both great defenders so can we stop with this whole fantasy that Thomas will give him any serious problems.

well......games 3&4 people were already doubting his legacy b/c of how bad he was playing in detroit at that point.

had horry missed that 3 (and spurs most likely losing the series if that shot hadn't fallen), tim woulda been shat on by everybody and their mother.

[FromWayDowntown]

Does this mean that Amare will be benched to start the game or Kurt Thomas will take the place of some other starter?

I don't think it's too hard to figure out that James Jones won't be starting tomorrow night; unless, of course, Amare is trying a turn as the Zen Master and trying to play mind games.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Bowen on Nash didn't really make a difference in Game 1. I think Parker guarded Nash as well, if not better.

but how come it worked so well int hat regular season matchup? did nash just have a bad game back then? i was hoping bowen on nash would be some new found secret in limiting the suns, but so much for that

[timvp]

I remember this time last year when AJ put Devin Harris into the starting lineup and Spurs fans said it would make no difference.

This is almost the exact same situation. Harris was effective in Game 1, much like Thomas. When given a bigger role, Harris killed the Spurs.

While I don't think this change will make quite the impact, it'd be foolish to disregard it.

[Russ]

http://www.nba.com/nba_news/sunsheart_070507.html

Suns Look for More Heart in Critical Game 2
[SIZE=1]By BOB BAUM, AP Sports Writer

"I hate to say this and I hope it sounds the right way. I think we have more talent than they do, "

First and foremost a coach needs to be a motivater. After a team steals Game 1 on the road they may be satisfied and need motivation.

Some motivate by design or contrivance. Some don't need tricks -- they motivate naturally by their innate feel for what to say and when.

Coach D'Antoni is one great motivater.

[samikeyp]

Disregard? no. Disagree? yes.

[slayermin]

Does this mean that Amare will be benched to start the game or Kurt Thomas will take the place of some other starter?

If they do that, that could give the Spurs problems. They would be able to keep their three point shooters on the floor and they would have a better defender on TD.

[timvp]

but how come it worked so well int hat regular season matchup? did nash just have a bad game back then? i was hoping bowen on nash would be some new found secret in limiting the suns, but so much for that

Not sure why it worked originally. Whatever the reason was, Nash figured it out. Bowen was constantly behind him on plays when they were matched up.

Bottomline is Nash is just that good.

[BradLohaus]

I don't think the Suns have more talent than the Spurs. Who on the Suns has all this natural ability besides Amare? Wasn't Parker basically a child basketball prodigy? Ginobili and Duncan aren't as talented as Nash, Marion, etc.? I find that hard to believe. This is D'Antoni's sad attempt at mind games. I can't believe some of you are agreeing with him.

And I'm not too worried about the Kurt Thomas adjustment. I think the pluses and minuses even out for both sides. The Suns could definitely win tomorrw night, but if they do it will be because Amare played more like he did in '05 than he did on Sunday.

[timvp]

Disregard? no. Disagree? yes.

So the Suns should have kept starting James Jones?

[Amuseddaysleeper]

I remember this time last year when AJ put Devin Harris into the starting lineup and Spurs fans said it would make no difference.

This is almost the exact same situation. Harris was effective in Game 1, much like Thomas. When given a bigger role, Harris killed the Spurs.

While I don't think this change will make quite the impact, it'd be foolish to disregard it.

but with thomas in the lineup doesn't this somewhat diminish the suns run and gun game?

he can hit the J, but while this improves the suns defensively, could this offensive negation help the spurs in a way?

(sorry that I always bombard you with questions timvp )

[FromWayDowntown]

I remember this time last year when AJ put Devin Harris into the starting lineup and Spurs fans said it would make no difference.

This is almost the exact same situation. Harris was effective in Game 1, much like Thomas. When given a bigger role, Harris killed the Spurs.

While I don't think this change will make quite the impact, it'd be foolish to disregard it.

The same thought occurred to me. But I think there might be a difference in that Thomas playing extended minutes isn't going to force the Spurs into doing things they haven't done all season. Harris for Griffin in Game 2 forced Nazr and Rasho off the floor and, I think, compelled Pop to go small if his team was to have any chance of staying in that series.

I see the argument that Thomas could make a big difference, but I also think that the Spurs can offer some combinations to exploit problems that will exist elsewhere. More of a Manu/Finley combination alongside Parker will force Nash to guard someone who can make a real difference offensively -- of course, it will also take Bowen off the floor and compel Manu or Finley to play Marion straight up.

I'd expect the Suns to win Game 2 anyway -- though I certainly think that the Spurs can get Game 2 -- and I'd think that Thomas will make a difference in accomplishing that goal. But I don't know that he presents the same sort of negative paradigm shift in the series that Harris did last year.

[samikeyp]

So the Suns should have kept starting James Jones?

Something was working for them to get this far. I am not convinced that this change will ensure a win. Then again....I thought Alfredrick Hughes was going to be an all-star.