http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns...scout0522.html
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
May. 22, 2005 12:00 AM
As always with the Suns, the game plan is more about them than the opponent.
For the Suns, no team other than Detroit poses more of a challenge to their style than San Antonio. As much as defensive matchups on Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili are important, the Suns' prospects depend on their principles.
They have to be aggressive at both ends, particularly on offense, to keep San Antonio from hounding their shooters or loading up on Amar� Stoudemire. On defense, they must make the Spurs shoot from the perimeter and cut down on the guards' drives.
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"Let's see if they can make 50 jump shots," Suns assistant coach Alvin Gentry said, repeating a frequent theme.
The defensive effort will start with Shawn Marion, the Suns' stopper, guarding two-time Most Valuable Player Tim Duncan, and Quentin Richardson handling Ginobili, who has hit 50 percent of his threes in the playoffs.
But that's only the starting assignments. Duncan will get a taste of Stoudemire, Steven Hunter and the double teams that the Suns send at big men who are capable of scoring.
"If we could get the starting offensive tackle for the Cardinals, we'd have him guard him some, too," Gentry said.
Phoenix has tried starting Stoudemire on Duncan with Marion taking the center. But Marion excitedly proclaimed, "I got big boy," after Saturday's practice. "I'm just going to go out there and make it hard for him to get it."
Offensively, San Antonio is going to consistently - monotonously - look for Duncan in the post and look for isolation opportunities for Ginobili and Tony Parker.
"Manu is going to be Manu," Gentry said. "Unless they cut off one of his legs and one of his arms, he's going to play the same way with reckless abandon and take it to the basket."
The Spurs are not as prone to run as the Suns, but they do run the break well when given a shot.
"You got Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili really pushing the ball hard, so our transition defense has to be good," Gentry said. "Our bigs really have to get back and help corral the ball. That's going to be really important for us."
Bruce Bowen is the ideal wing defender to take Joe Johnson. With Johnson out, he likely will guard Richardson or Jim Jackson.
The Spurs have multiple options from the bench with a healthy Devin Brown joining Robert Horry, Brent Barry and Beno Udrih. Horry may be a first subs ute for center Nazr Mohammed to match up better with the Suns.
"They spread the floor more when those guys are in the game, so we've got to be a lot more conscious of knowing where shooters are and staying with them," Gentry said.
"Let's see if they can make 50 jump shots,"
Probably not, but Suns don't make 50 jump shots, either. Alone, Amare's 10 - 15 FGs are dunks and layups our of Suns avg of 42 GF/game.
Let's see if the Suns no-defense leopard can change its spots for the playoffs.
In the 05 playoffs, the Suns are allowing 108 PPG and 46% FG %age. That's defense?
Suns are going to turn into a different team starting today? GMAFB
Lol, totally agree, cept for the GF/game
:P
it gets me going seeing those signature/avatars!
G-I-N-O-B-I-L-I !
Strange.The Spurs have multiple options from the bench with a healthy Devin Brown
Memphis' defense was the 4th best at holding teams to a low scoring average. Phoenix averaged 113.8 pts against them in the 1st round--Phoenix also held them to 102.8 for a +11 scoring difference. It doesn't matter how many points you score, just how many MORE you score.
so the objective is to outscore your opponent?
i like the SPURS chances at preventing them from scoring!
GO SPURS!
The Suns will not play defense in this series. They just don't have the depth to be able to play defense aggressively. Suns are more concerned with foul trouble, so I expect the Suns to concentrate 90% on offense and 10% on defense.
Suns in 6
Gracias!
"Memphis' defense was the 4th best at holding teams to a low scoring average."
As in any sport, the difference between number 1 and often 2 and the rest is huge.
Man Phoenix sounds very y. Sounds to me like they need a beating. Marion's defensive job will most likely be easy considering Duncan's situation. Too bad he's not a hundred percent or that matchup would be very interesting.
hahahaha
Phoenix playing on both ends is like Jonathan Bender's breakout year -- you can dream all you want, but it's not ing happening!
Thtas what im waiting for...so in reality...its Spurs in 5 or 6...
Thanks. I was getting nervous about your lack of prediction!
Slomo, your signature kicks ass. Simply the best I've ever seen.
Yeah, Slomo. That's some good stuff.
With each series the Spurs get the fool to say less and less, soon we won't see from his ass.
It may be time for a new game plan.
I think we might see a first quarter of defense out of the Suns but then they'll fall into the old habits. Remember the one thing that George Karl said that wasn't whinetacular or pussyriffic? About how some habits take longer than 40 games to break. Well Mike's gonna have to break this one in less than three games if the Suns are going to stay in this series. Good luck.
Speaking of D'Antoni, am I the only one who thinks he looks like the cowboy from the Village People? You know, if he were to put on a suit.
Tony and Manu aren't the only Spurs that push it. Pushing it doesn't mean just turning on the speed and dribbling fast. A pass gets from Point A to Point B faster than a dribbler can.
The Spurs are one of the best passing teams in the league. Any combination of TP, Manu, Beno and Brent passing it upcourt with Devin or Bruce running the wings can be deadly to teams who don't defend the passing lanes.
Manu Ginobili “FLOPS” into Quentin Richardson in the fourth quarter....
Manu Ginobili “FLOPS” into Quentin Richardson in the fourth quarter....
Suns to be aggressive hahahaha, thats what the sonics and nuggets have said before they started packin their bags and went fishing cose it be a long trip with the lockout comin
was it called flagrant?Manu Ginobili “FLOPS” into Quentin Richardson in the fourth quarter....
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