I was watching a re-run game of Lakers/Suns in the WCF and that got me to thinking. We played pretty well against the Lakers with the zone defense, and now that we got even smaller with brining in Warrick and Turk, should Gentry use the zone much more this upcoming season. Our defense last year was much improved, but using zones on teams on a more consistent basis can prove to be successfull. I am not saying that we use zone all possessions, all 82 games, but maybe since it worked so good in the Western Finals, maybe using it a little bit more can work this season. Man to Man is good too, especially with our good defenders like Jared and Hill, but other than those guys, now that we lost Lou, defense won't exactly be our fortay. This is just a thought, what you guys think, more zone?
Alright...I know...this is not a blog, but I don't feel like it belongs on the boards either. It's not a discussion.
Lou Amundson is not JUST "a fan favorite", he IS the hussle of the Suns. He was one of the best defenders and shot blockers on the team last year, and (in my mind) we lost the WCF because we lacked......defense and shot blocking. There were also times where the Dragic/Lou pick and roll was as pretty and effective as the Nash/Stat pick and roll.
Forget money. For what this guy does, he DESERVES a REASONABLE raise. He's not asking for a "max contract". The Suns need to MAKE ROOM FOR HIM!
I'd like to know how many fans agree, so join the club and sign up below!
Disclaimer: You don't get anything for joining this club except the potential satisfaction of being able to say "I told you so" when Lou starts kickin' a## and takin' numbers for another team.
It seems as though Suns, or not Suns but Suns management is going to let Lou Amundson walk out of the desert. I admired Lou because he brought so much grit, toughness, defense, spunk, REBOUNDING!!!, and even shot blocking. He would come off that bench and really give it his all. He complimented Draj and Jared very well. Yes, we added some great pieces to our team but losing Lou, in my opinion, is taking another step back. Lou has a lot of great miles on him and he will bring all those great things to another team, possibly Golden State or Toronto. Losing Barbosa was bad, this is bad too. It seems like Sarver wants to break a team core and start a new which is not right becuase teams that win (Spurs: Timmy, Ginoblie, Parker, Lakers: Bryant Gasol, Fish, Boston: The Big Three, etc..) keep there core. Our core was intact, and now we have brought in another 3 new players.
Anyways, I liked Lou a lot and I'm sure that you did aswell. Like the Blurr, Sweet Lou will be missed.
i dont wanna say so much but i didnt like dat Hedo took Raja's number... Raja did alot for us n his number should had been respected.. n i was also mad about Dudley takin Boris's number as well!!! but oh well i just wanted to see what u all thought about dat.. oh n Childress takin number 1!! i wanna curse cause Amare's number should had been untouchable!!!
i think this would be our best thing to do seeing that we really need a true big in the post with lopez. just think of NASH, J-RICH ,HEDO, LOVE, and LOPEZ. and then the bench DRAGIC, CHILDRESS, DUDLEY, WARRICK, FRYE. its just a thought and the money works out and both have 1 year deals left
I read that interesting article in the last blog, and I agreed with many things. You know, yes, we have a lot of things to produce and offer next season. We lost a collasol piece, but we got some great pieces back. Steve Nash, Grant Hill, J. Rich, Hedo, Robin Lopez, Warrick, Frye, Dragic, Childress, Jared Dudley, Amundson, Clark, and also, lets not forget... Lawal. 13 guys, more than most teams, and just to make sure, I'll show it. Lakers- Kobe, Gasol, Bynum, Artest, D. Fish, Sasha, Shannon Brown and Odom...That's about it.
Basically, we do have much more depth than other teams. But the number one thing that trumps is our rebounding!!! We have more depth, but the best teams have way better reboudners. This summer, Gentry has to be more focused on rebounds. That article, said that we have so much to offer other than rebounds...Hello, I think it Riley who said "No Rebounds, No Rings". Without a much better rebound commitment, we can win 70 games and probably still not win a title since without way more rebounds, there is a slim chance that we can make it. I love this team, so I say to on this site that REBOUNDS MUST BE A MAIN FOCUS. Lopez should take notes from some of the bench guys like Amundson, who is a huge leaper and goes for those rebounds whether its on offense or defensive. Warrick must have a good passion for getting up there and grabbing ball. Nash got close last next season, it's time to make a much better sequel this upcoming season.
Teams were baffled, losing leads and games not to Nash and Stoudemire, but to the likes of Goran Dragic, Jared Dudley, Channing Frye, and Lou Amundson.
Granted, past contenders had enviable reserve units. This was different. This wasn't the bench admirably holding down the fort until the typical heroes returned. The subs were the heroes. They were the ones taking a lead, extending it, sticking the dagger in crunch time.
The Suns found out they didn't necessarily need their stars to deliver a killer blow. Instead, they were winning by attrition—wearing down the opponent with wave after wave of fresh, talented legs. Nash no longer needed to be rushed in early in the fourth quarter. Heck, sometimes he wasn't needed at all in the final frame.
After losing Stoudemire this summer, Phoenix opted to put their money on all-around solidarity rather than top-heavy superstars. Instead of swinging for David Lee or Dirk Nowitzki, the Suns netted Hakim Warrick, Josh Childress and Hedo Turkoglu—all through sign-and-trades made possible by their trade exception created by Stoudemire's departure.
The Suns' preference of manpower over mega-stars presents three advantages Miami's Big Three can only dream of.
No shortage of talent, no sign of weak link
With the aforementioned moves, the Suns are now 10 deep (11 if Earl Clark ever gets a clue). Of those 10, only three averaged less than 10 points-per-game last season. One of those three, Robin Lopez, is guaranteed to improve that clip thanks to his projected starting role for an entire season.
The lowest production came from Dragic, who still averaged eight points-per-game in only 18 minutes-per-contest.
Think about that luxury for a minute. Every player that steps on the floor for Phoenix is a threat. There's not a single player who gives the other team the chance to say, "Nash is killing us, so let's cheat off that guy to help."
That's invaluable. Even the defending champion Lakers held their collective breath every time Ron Artest, Shannon Brown, or Jordan Farmar jacked up a shot (although, give Artest credit for coming up with three decent Finals games, offensively).
Phoenix will be sitting cool and confident when their loaded bench takes the floor. Star-laden teams like Miami, Boston, Denver, and (depending on the night) L.A. will be sweating out how long their reserves play, micro-managing their minutes before hurrying their stars back into the game.
This isn't conjecture—this already (and recently) happened. Just ask the Blazers, Spurs, or Lakers.
It will happen even more frequently next season. Childress will take over for the inconsistent, injury-prone Barbosa, and Warrick has replaced the offensively inadequate Amundson.
If you're an opposing coach, who do you fear more? Miami's Big Three, Mike Miller, and a crowd of flawed bit players? Or Phoenix's top-to-bottom talent?
Everyone plays = everyone rests
There's a more long-term affect to the Suns' depth—rest.
As talented as Miami's trio of LeBron, Wade, and Bosh is, the only way they take a break during the season is: 1. When they beat teams by 20 points or more in the first quarter (will only happen with lottery teams); or 2. If one of them gets injured. They will never get enough rest.
Counter that with the Suns. Nash will sit at least 15-20 fourth quarters of the regular season, either because the game is already in hand or because Dragic/Turkoglu already have the offense clicking.
Turkoglu will likewise benefit from not having to facilitate every minute he's on the floor. The bench will often force the starters to keep their seats warm.
Old guys like Turkoglu, Nash, and Hill will be sporting December legs in April. The bodies of Miami's stars will think it's June. This matters, as the 2005-08 Pistons would tell you.
Pieces fit, chemistry flourishes
Other than rebounding (important and unavoidable. Lopez will have to be huge), the Suns have every single facet of the game covered. Shooting, passing, penetrating, perimeter defense, it's all there.
What's more is the fit. The players know their roles—in fact, they take pride in them. The bench takes ridiculous pleasure in overwhelming their counterparts. They love keeping the starters seated, and the starters actually love it, too.
Individually, every player helps address a specific need on the floor. Lopez rebounds and defends. Turkoglu steps up in crunch time. Dudley does the intangibles. Frye spreads the floor. Go down the list and identify the strengths of every member of that 10-man rotation—they all bring a unique skill set that complements everyone else.
They all know this. Will the same be said of Miami, even by April? Will Joel Anthony or Mario Chalmers get a look from the Big Three or Riley when they miss a big shot, even if they're open?
If LeBron misses a game-winner, will that subconsciously convince Wade he should try to do it the next time around? Those kind of thoughts happen in pickup games. To say "that won't happen" at the professional level, when so much is riding on their success (especially the Heat's success), is just illogical.
That kind of pressure gets to a team. It creates a tension they can't explain or deny. Compare that to a team featuring Nash, Hill, and Gentry, who almost specialize in defusing tension.
Miami has already committed over $300 million for a lot of fanfare, questions and expectations.
Phoenix has none of those things, but they're still contenders—for a third of the price.
...YOU will be missed in Phoenix! You are a humble, blessed soul, and a GREAT player with so much heart! No matter where your NBA career takes you, I will be watching and cheering you on ALL the way! The best is yet to come for you, LB! You've been through a lot in your young life. You WILL overcome, and find your 'stroke' again! Like many fans have expressed here, you will ALWAYS have a home in our hearts, and in Phoenix! You're a gem of a man, LB! You will be sorely missed and NEVER forgotten! Go get 'em, Leandro!!! Show 'em what you're made of!
Displaying the summer league, definitely still disappointed Earl Clark. It lacks much still developing and I do not think you get to November. Less with the qualities that Lawal is showing, and Lawal should have more opportunity than Clark.
Earl Clark still does not show anything ... Lawal seems to have good qualities, but this year will be adaptation ...
What are the chances of re-sign LOU?
It is a very courageous player, delivered a lot, puts a lot of heart, and demonstrated good qualities, as we saw in combination with Goran, doing a good job.
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Imagine if Magic, Jordon and Bird, Malone and Ewing are all on the same team......no question that they will win many games and possibly many titles together, but NBA's history would not have been as storied. Each period, the game has produced stars, superstars and legends.......it is what made basketball so great to watch. What fans crave is strong competition from start to finish, superstars working hard everyday to be better their games in hope to be in the finals and have a chance to pour out their hearts and win a title. Lebron's signing with the Heat is bad for the game, bad for NBA. It gave us less reason to be compelled to watch NBA games. It is sad that NBA fans will no longer be able to watch Wade competing against Lebron and the Cavs, or Lebron competing against Bosh and the Raptors. All of a sudden, Raptors and the Cavs no longer have a face for their franchises.......no more superstars going against superstars, because the superstars are on the same team. So long in being great, improving their own game to compete at a high level.......now the threesome will dominate, no more king, all are equal. No star so great, for stars only shine brightest when they are alone in the sky and dominate our eyes. What fun is there?? We could only hope that the NBA will produce more superstars willing to compete for their rings, that ring is worth more than that. It is worth the pain, and worth the sweat! The game should produce real winners and not lazy earners. NBA is better than that!
It makes me pretty sad to say but the brazillian blur is off to Canada. Coming to the desert is the Turkish "Micheal Jordon", Hedo Terkulu. We also are going to get Josh Childress which is step up in my opinion. But on to bigger news, Hedo in, Barbosa Out. This trade is on one side very sad because Leansdro is one of our favorite players and we are all going to miss him dearly. On the other side, this trade is very interesting. Turk is a good player although last year he played very bad. Turk was a closer for Orlando and he can be our closer if we use him right. This can actually really help us out a lot or it may not, I kind of dig this trade though.
Lookin at what has been goin on wit dis yrs free agency, i was just wonderin why can't we go after big names or some what of big name players?!!! the only thing i can think of is Sarver!!! wow, i really thought dis guy s u c k s, da only thing i like is dat he has won 2 titles in the Phx Mercury which is great for da woman sports in Az.!!! but im really dissapointed in how he has been wit da suns.... it frustrates me n i know it frustrates everyone who calls Phx Suns their team... look at Amare, takin way more money than LeBron, Bosh, n Wade... man i wish da Heat were in Phx right about now so we can beat LA! I remembered when da Suns had Kevin Johnson, Charles Barkley, Danning Manning, Dan Majerle, Wesley Person, Cedric Ceballos, man i can keep goin in dat roster dat yr n all were really great players!!! i miss Colangelo he actually tried to make our team da best! idk why da H E L L did he sell the team to Sarver, same wit da Diamondbacks!! but atleast he has a ring wit the DBacks.. lol on dat.. but yeah im just really dissapointed we didnt go after Lee or Boozer we just straight went for Hakim Warrick which i dont really mind after seeing some videos of him but i just hope dat he gets more tough n rebounds da ball more than 5 times per game!! im for it, in givin him a chance.
Has Mr. Nash comented on our current roster? Can Robin step up ( I think he played great in the playoffs and showed a ton of potential)? If we are going young is it fair to Steve and Grant? Why would we not David Lee seems he would be an upgrade at the 4 over Amare as far as rebounding and defensive effort? Has anyone heard anything on anymore roster moves?
Very literally, there have been thousands of comments already made about LeBron James, "The Decision" and the Cleveland fans ensuing "Lebronfire". I'll add my two cents, and relate it to our own situation, the "Stoudefire". They call us "The Best Team to Never Win A Championship". I think we have something in common, Cleveland.
LeBron James chose winning over loyalty and legacy, and that's fine. Unfortunately the city of Cleveland and the state of Ohio are reeling in the wake of losing their "savior", but hey - that's a lot to put on a 25-year old kid's 260-pound shoulders. If you put all your faith in a player, it's that much harder when they let you down, only to go make just as much money (and receive just as much praise) somewhere else, essentially doing to their new team what you hoped they'd do for yours. And this is where the LeBron / Stoudemire corollary exists: Cleveland created LeBron, we created Amare.
Before Phoenix, Stoudemire was just a kid in some Florida highschool, and we brought him in to our flock, and he invigorated Phoenix basketball. The same with LeBron James, only Phoenix had been to the Finals before. He was great fun to watch play basketball. And now he left the city that created him. So did #1.
Good riddance.
The reason I can't mourn the loss of Amare Stoudemire is simple: we don't need whiners. Amare wanted a max contract this offseason, tlaking about how he could recruit whoever he wanted to join him in New York. We see how well that worked out. He was willing to drain Phoenix of all our cash just to... what, choke? Amare, you choked. I don't know whether it was apathy, sulking, or just lack of determination, but where were you when Kobe blew it at the last second? I'll tell you where you weren't: In Ron Artest's face. Ron Artest. Ron Artest. You let Ron Artest score the game-winning point at the last second because you couldn't get your hands up. And you want a max contract for that?
I want Hakim Warrick. Is he the same caliber of player as Amare? No, but that's fine. He wants to play in Phoenix. According to what I've read, he jumped on the opportunity to play with Steve Nash. And that's what we need, not some whiny money-hoarding diva who needs the attention. We need player who want to play. Channing Frye? I love him, and not just because he's from Tucson (Go Wildcats!), but because he's a good basketball player. He acted like he wanted out of Phoenix, but I think he just wanted to be wanted. Amare, well, he wanted the spotlight. He's got it in New York. Now we can have the pleasure of showing him what a superstar he isn't. He couldn't defend Ron Artest. And he's going to stop Channing Frye on the outside, or a pick-and-roll from J-Rich? Hell, Goran Dragic could fake him out and toss in a jump shot every time.
Will Phoenix win the title this year? Eh. It's the same thing I said last year. Keep in mind, that no one guessed that Phoenix would be one of the last undefeated teams at the beginning of the season, that we would sweep (SWEEP) San Antonio, and that we would even make it to the Conference Finals. Phoenix seems to be a team that's operating behind the curtain. No one mentioned anything about Phoenix this offseason, and regardless of the money, I didn't hear any free agents mention Phoenix as a destination. The only thing I can tell people as a fan is the same thing the basketball pundits have learned year after year:
Don't underestimate the Phoenix Suns.
(Please leave comments and discuss. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, let me know. Let's talk basketball.)
It could be that the Suns are waiting to see how he will do this summer before making a decision on picking up another quality player.If he does bettor than expected then there will be no need to add more depth at that position as we already have Clark and Hakim.(And its do or die for Clark this season as he has to step up or be cut)Also Jarron Collins is a complete waste of money and should be let go as well. Which leaves Lopez and Frye as centers and Frye is a bettor outside shooter than an inside presence leaving you with Robin Lopez and not that he is not a good player but he is to thin to be much good at posting up stronger players.If we could land Al Jefferson that would give us a strong inside presence and allow Gani Lawal to grow off the bench providing he can make it in the bigs.Anyway tell me what you all think of this.
. Al Jefferson, who has three years and $42 million left on his deal, is likely to be dealt away in a sign-and-trade deal. He averaged 17.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 blocks in 76 games last season after coming off a major knee injury. He could easily better those numbers in his second year removed from the injury.
Amar'e was a was one of the better Phoenix Suns we have ever had. Top 4 PF in the league. Very athletic, strong, and big. Very gifted offensively. Worked very hard. He had some injuries that set him back (and more importantly, it set the team back), and at times you had to question his motor. I during 2004, I was convinced that the Phoenix Suns were going to win a Championship within a few years. We came close, but it's really a shame we never did. The team started falling apart slowly, with abandoning Shawn Marion for Shaq (and wasted a few years with that). But in the end, Amar'e Stoudemire was more interested in the money than in winning and being part of something special (It's sad, because that's how he choose to end his legacy in Phoenix, and be remember for). I wish him luck, but sometimes, the grass is not always greener somewhere else.
There might not be one power forward who could fill the void Amar'e Stoudemire will leave in Phoenix.
To that end, the Suns are exploring the possibility of acquiring free-agent power forward David Lee.That would come after last week's free-agent agreement with power forward Hakim Warrick and last month's drafting of power forwards Gani Lawal and Dwayne Collins.
"We've talked to them for a quite awhile," Lee's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said of the Suns. "There are so many things going on with David that it's hard to tell what will happen."
The Lee possibility gained momentum this week when the Suns discovered a way to get a return on the Stoudemire loss by executing sign-and-trade deals with New York and Chicago. First, the Suns would have New York sign Lee and trade him with a $4 million trade exception, and possibly a second-round pick, to the Suns, who would sign Stoudemire's contract for New York to make the swap.
A Lee contract would figure to be worth eight figures annually. The Suns would use the trade exception for Warrick, whom Chicago would sign for the Suns and get a second-round pick for its trouble.
Because of how many teams are interested in signing Lee as a free agent, a trade involving him is not as likely. A sign-and-trade deal with the Knicks then would net the Suns a $17 million trade exception.
A trade exception could be used in the next year to deal for a high-salary player rather than having to send back a Suns player - or package of players - of similar salary in a deal.
