D'Antoni: Suns have better players than Spurs

[OldDirtMcGirt]

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.

Of course we can't sacrifice our three point shooting, but penetrating, getting points in the paints, and drawing fouls is more important IMO.

[RonMexico]

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

Ask George Steinbrenner, The 1980 USSR Olympic Hockey Team, 1985 Georgetown Squad, the 1991 UNLV Runnin' Rebels, every Aggie squad that Fran has coached, 1969 Los Angeles Lakers, the 2004 LA Lakers... the list can go on.

This Suns team is more talented than the one in 2005, but they have yet to show how well they can play as a team. The Spurs stick to proven strategies, they have veteran players, and they possess multiple leaders out on the court. You saw that the Suns run around with their heads cut off without Nash out there and Pop even said that they won the game at the end. It's not simple coincidence that Nash goes out and Pop says that's when they won the game.

[CubanMustGo]

So CAN Thomas play extended minutes? Dude averaged like 18 mpg in the regular season, 11 in the playoffs so far ...

[Findog]

Amare plays on one end of the court only, Shawn Marion es and whines about not getting enough respect, and what does Boris Diaw do besides eat? Nash is right, his supporting cast is just not disciplined and mature enough to overcome a championship team that knows what it has to do come nut-cutting time.

[ShoogarBear]

Yes, the Suns are (maybe) changing their strategy to adjust to the Spurs.

Before Spurs fans get too happy about that, there is very little evidence to suggest that the Suns' style can be successful in the playoffs. It's effective in the regular season, where you see it one game at a time, but in the playoffs, where you see it multiple games in a row, it's not all that hard for a well-coached team to adjust to.

I would have much preferred that D'Antoni been stubborn and said "we won this way during the regular season, we'll win this way during the playoffs, we're not going to give in to them". He would have gone down in flames.

[slayermin]

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.

Me too. But that's because one night, he played a pickup game on the court I used to play on in Emerald Valley. He was hitting near half court shots so I thought he was a can't miss.

[dbreiden83080]

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.

20pts a game 14 reb a game on 2 bad ankles and finals MVP was the result. The Wallaces are ten times the defenders that Thomas is so please let's stop acting like this guy is Bill Russell.

[samikeyp]

Me too. But that's because one night, he played a pickup game on the court I used to play on in Emerald Valley. He was hitting near half court shots so I thought he was a can't miss.

I think we may have been in that area around the same time. I remember him and Alvin Robertson and other playing out there. One time in the middle of the summer, they left the lights on until like 2a....we played for hours then jumped over the fence into the pool.

[T Park]

Spurs are ed....

[ducks]

Spurs are ed....

good post now I know spurs win thanks

[Trainwreck2100]

team usa has better players than other teams too.

[samikeyp]

The Spurs have been pretty successful against the Suns no matter who is in the lineup. Phoenix will play well, but I like the Spurs chances.

[Russ]

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 how would this force the Spurs to change their lineup? If it doesn't, I don't think Kurt Thomas, Tim Thomas or Danny Thomas will help.

[ducks]

The Only Think That Could Help Suns If Eva Walked On The Court And Told Tp She Wanted Sex Now!

[slayermin]

I think we may have been in that area around the same time. I remember him and Alvin Robertson and other playing out there. One time in the middle of the summer, they left the lights on until like 2a....we played for hours then jumped over the fence into the pool.

I think I jumped into that pool a couple of times. But yeah, we used to play until late.

Some real ballers used to play on that court some nights. You never knew who might show up.

[ducks]

The Spurs have been pretty successful against the Suns no matter who is in the lineup. Phoenix will play well, but I like the Spurs chances.

suns have a 33.3% chance at winning tomorrow
spurs have 66.7%

[samikeyp]

I think I jumped into that pool a couple of times. But yeah, we used to play until late.

Some real ballers used to play on that court some nights. You never knew who might show up.

True. That was 20 years ago when I had some skills.

Oh wait...that never happened.

[alamo50]

Why would he say this?
He must came up with this to "motivate" his own guys before game 2 against the superior Spurs, but does he realy fail to see that this will get especialy Manu fired up and that he will play his best game of the post season tomorrow?

[Cry Havoc]

Ask George Steinbrenner, The 1980 USSR Olympic Hockey Team, 2004 LA Lakers

HORRIBLE examples.

The Yankees are the complete opposite of the Spurs. They buy a huge number of high $ players every year without bothering to worry about chemistry.

The USSR hockey team had the best players AND the experience.

The Suns may or may not have the best players -- they certainly don't have a big game experience advantage against the Spurs.

The Lakers were a primary example of what happens when the best players (past tense) meet a solid team who matches up well against them.

An old Malone, an aging Payton, and whoever else you'd like to stick in the 5th spot does not mean you have the best players.

[samikeyp]

To be fair....D'Antoni needs to do something or else his tombstone will say "Those damn Spurs!"

If this works, D'Antoni suddenly becomes a genius, Suns fan will proclaim "we've got you where we want you" and timvp will enhance his reputation as a basketball prophet (see "10-10" and "no..we will still win" down 13 going into the 4th Q in the 2003 WCF). If the Spurs get the win.....D'Antoni may have to switch jobs with the Gorilla.

[TDMVPDPOY]

antoni should stfu seriously, better talent? = overrated players

everyone talkd about marion being a beast on defensive, tell me wtf has he ever shut down? the only thing ive seen from him is getting shut down from other players.

[dbreiden83080]

The Only Think That Could Help Suns If Eva Walked On The Court And Told Tp She Wanted Sex Now!

"Plenty of time for that honey after the wedding, now i have to hand the Suns their asses again".

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Why would he say this?
He must came up with this to "motivate" his own guys before game 2 against the superior Spurs, but does he realy fail to see that this will get especialy Manu fired up and that he will play his best game of the post season tomorrow?

manu hasn't been fired up in weeks. i hope he does tomorrow, but i don't think this article will affect him, coupled with the fact that he probably hasn't even read it anyway

[ducks]

antoni should stfu seriously, better talent? = overrated players

everyone talkd about marion being a beast on defensive, tell me wtf has he ever shut down? the only thing ive seen from him is getting shut down from other players.

everyone says marion is overrated
he sucks in the postseason

[dbreiden83080]

antoni should stfu seriously, better talent? = overrated players

everyone talkd about marion being a beast on defensive, tell me wtf has he ever shut down? the only thing ive seen from him is getting shut down from other players.

One could easily argue that with AI and Melo the Nuggets have more talent than we do. Spurs are the best TEAM in the NBA, PERIOD!!