In an Effort To Improve the Offense, D'Antoni Bans Headbands For the Suns

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

D'Antoni: No headbands
Doug Haller
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 4, 2008 10:45 PM

A day after his team scored 13 points in the first quarter against the struggling Seattle SuperSonics, Mike D'Antoni recommended significant changes, starting at the top.

"Our offense was so bad it was mind-boggling," the Suns coach said. "I really think it was the headbands. We're going without them. Whoever made that decision should be fired."

Managing Partner Robert Sarver wasn't at Friday's practice, but that may have just been a coincidence. The Suns wore orange headbands for a retro celebration Thursday, but D'Antoni said he told his team to ditch them after the first quarter, so fans shouldn't expect a repeat fashion show Saturday against the Hornets at US Airways Center.

In related news, the NBA suspended Knicks forward Zack Randolph one game for throwing his headband at an official.

"We just haven't been sharp," D'Antoni said, seriously. "Our offense has been sputtering a little. It's not bad, obviously. We're still Number 1 in the league (109.18 points per game), but we haven't been as sharp as we have in past years. We're playing better defense. We're doing a lot better things; it's just our offense is up and down."

The Suns still are shooting 49.1 percent, best in the league. Shot selection, D'Antoni said, isn't the problem.

"Wide open is wide open," he said. "We don't take a whole lot of contested shots; we just haven't been able to consistently knock them down, but we will."

Hill hurting
Grant Hill sat out Friday's practice, recovering from a bruised tailbone suffered vs. the Lakers on Christmas Day.

"(Thursday) night it bothered him a little, but he'll be fine (Saturday)," D'Antoni said. "He takes a couple shots (to his body) every game . . . but he's fine."

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns...unsnb0105.html

[lurker]

Now David Stern will announce a new league rule that requires every player to wear a headband.

[resistanze]

I thought this was The Onion.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

I thought this was The Onion.

I was certain it was.

[Armando]

Nope it really did happen.

[m33p0]

2008 phoenix suns excuse: blame the headband.

[OldDirtMcGirt]

I'd have to actually hear it said, but it sounds tongue-in-cheek.

[jmard5]

First, it was the fans...
Now it is the headbands.
What's next?

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

First, it was the fans...
Now it is the headbands.
What's next?

Shoelaces?

[VaSpursFan]

d'antoni just doesn't have a clue...

[1Parker1]

I'd have to actually hear it said, but it sounds tongue-in-cheek.

You know what, that's what I thought as well. But then, it does seem to be true as the article said all the players had ditched the headbands after the 1st quarter...I didn't want the game but was this true?

[Hemotivo]

wow

[lurker]

You know what, that's what I thought as well. But then, it does seem to be true as the article said all the players had ditched the headbands after the 1st quarter...I didn't want the game but was this true?

Boris Diaw was the only one who kept the headband on. He sucks headband or not, so I guess he didn't feel the need to remove it.