The Suns got better this summer.
The fact is that they improve during the Summer if we don't count Stoudemire's injury as part of it.
Main reason is that the Joe Johnson trade so far looks like a steal for the Suns. They didn't have to overpay their 4th best player and they had in exchange Boris Diaw who is proving his value (what we French knew already very well) + 2 two draft picks who will be at least in the lottery since it seems there isn't any improvement for the Hawks.
Besides that, they added Kurt Thomas, Raja Bell and James Jones for the only Richardson. They have a bench and in theory a better defense.
Considering that, I think they are the legit second best team in the west and will be vey tough if Amare comes back strong.
Boris Diaw is playing really well for them, he almost had a triple double last night (he was short of one rebound) and could be as valuable for them as was Johnson, too bad he didn't go to the Spurs, I was really hopping to see Tony and Boris playing together.
The bottom line is they didnt improve at all, so far they played against teams that plays no defence, suns are only tryin to outscore their opponents for the win, wait till they play pistons or spurs or a defensive minded team. SO FAR playin against lottery bound teams is not a measuring yard stick
Why would consider Stoudemire's injury an improvement??
I don't think the Suns have improved at all... They have been playing teams that aren't all that great so I'm not really surprised they've been winnin'...
They're 2-2 ...thats not 'winning'...to me anyways..
There really is no way of telling, untill Amare comes back. They may stay above .500 without him, but there is no way a team is better without Amare Stoudamire than with.
No.
It's funny how uninformed people are when they only look at record.
The Suns are holding opponants to under 40% shooting on first possession and are averaging close to 8 steals and 5 blocks.
Not great, but certainly better than last year.
Where they haven't improved (at least without Amare) is on the defensive boards. They are allowing 16 offensive rebounds per game. Most of those result in putbacks.
So, yes, the Suns have improved, at least defensively. Just how much so will have to wait to be known until Amare returns or until they trade for another big guy.
Their 3-point shooting has been good, except for Jimmy Jackson. He's probably going to be traded soon.
Utah isn't a defensive team? Maybe not the caliber of the Pistons, but they do play defense.
The Suns now have depth on their bench. the bench scored 51pts last night - probably more then all of last season combined. And the game against Dallas they had some crazy D in the 3rd quarter.
Are they going to beat the Spurs, Pistons, Pacers, etc? Probably not, but they will still make the playoffs even w/o Amare.
Btw, the Suns two loses are by a combined 4pts.. Spurs lost by 19. Where is the defense?
Good question. The defense decided not to show up.
leandro barbosa improve a lot
I think if Amare was healthy, the pieces they got would make them a better team.
Its funny how many were criticizing the moves they made. Joe Johnson didnt want to be back, so they got a ok enough young wing for him in Diaw.
They dealt Q for a tough veteran presence that would have helped Amare down low. Kurt Thomas is a tremendous mid range shooter and has done a good job when Nash and him play the pick and roll game.
Q's and Johnson's presence are replacable in their system because of Nash.
Look at what Bell and James Jones done this year. They got Diaw and have J Jackson back. Those are four OK enough of wings to replace Q and J Johnson.
Bell is a tremendous one on one defender and has developed an offensive game, I think he's an upgrade over Q and JJ on the defensive end and he does score now. He can shoot the three ball.
James Jones can light it up from long and he hustles and plays hard. He's been a perfect compliment in that system.
So to me, if Amare was healthy, they were an improved team. I wouldnt say they would have won the Ring, or win 62 again, but they would have been a little tougher out for the Spurs.
But we may not see them fully healthy till next year.
If they had brought Steven Hunter back, they'd be in an even better position to hold off some of the better teams while Amare is out.
Did they improve? From the standpoint of depth, I think they did. But, it would not have been hard to improve their depth since they had none last year. From the standpoint of balance, I'm not sure yet. It would be easier to say if Amare were still on the team. From a defensive standpoint, I think they improved also.
But, everything still revolves around the injury loss of Amare Stoudemire.
Against the better (top 8-10) teams in the league, I don't think they can compete on a consistent basis. If they are shooting lights out, they might win a game here or there against the better teams. But, overall, I don't think they're at that level unless or until Amare returns.
The Suns are better. The top 5 isn't better and with the injury to Amare the starting unit has struggled at times.
But the Suns do have some depth and they do have an improved defense.
They still lack size and get pounded on the glass sometimes because of it.
The top 5 isnt better?
What the are you smoking?
There is no top 5. There is a top 4 and Phoenix is on the 5th wheel.
I don't think anyone is arguing that, and they will struggle against the top teams. But so many, and i mean many, here said they were lottery bound w/o Amare or that their additions dropped them to a second tier team.
Everyone sans Nash, Bell and KT are playing out of position. They have plenty of depth, but until Amare returns they have no low post presense. Eventually they may make a trade for another low post player.
I wouldn't say Phoenix is guaranteed to be lottery bound without Amare. But, I don't think they're guaranteed a playoff spot either. I think it will be close whether they make it or not. They will lose some games to some of the less-talented teams who just will out-rebound them, like the Lakers, the Knicks, Blazers, and even teams like the Bobcats or Hawks. And, they should have a very low winning percentage against the top 8-10 teams.
It will be interesting to see if the Suns can have enough high explosive offensive games where they just outscore opponents to make up for those games where they get manhandled on the glass. Have to just wait and see ...
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