SwingMan
12-07-2007, 03:10 AM
Suns still seek more offense (http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/1206suns1207.html)
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/pics/1207sunscov.jpg
Suns center Amaré Stoudemire dunks the ball over Knicks forward David Lee on Sunday. Stoudemire had 28 points in the game.
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 6, 2007 07:08 PM
WASHINGTON - The Suns lead the league in scoring, field-goal percentage, assists, opponent timeouts after layups and influence on others' offensive strategies.
Three seasons ago, Phoenix was one of six NBA teams to average 100 or more points. If Toronto would bump up from 99.94 points per game, half of the league would be averaging at least 100 points this season.
So how did the Suns (15-4) respond to such copycat flattery? They found a way to score more. They thought they could ramp up the show, but problems with conditioning, cohesion and health kept the curtain closed until this road trip.
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Phoenix has averaged 36 points in the first quarter to roll out totals of 115, 121 and 136 points - its best three-game output since scoring 161 in a double-overtime win a year ago today at New Jersey.
"I just think they're kind of hitting their stride now," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "It's getting to be a little bit more fun. I'd like to see where we can go with it. . . . We're not hitting on all cylinders yet."
In the past five games, five Suns have led or shared the scoring lead.
"Everyone's having fun," said guard Leandro Barbosa, addressing a recent sore spot. "Everyone's smiling and cheering. It's great. It's different than a couple games we've had."
Steve Nash thinks Phoenix can score 115 regularly. Amaré Stoudemire puts it in the 120s.
"We've got so many people who can score the ball, so many players who can create their own shot," Stoudemire said. "We're still growing as a team. We're still getting our chemistry together."
The Suns are falling back into familiar statistical places, leading the usual NBA categories and raising their unusually low three-point and free-throw percentages to climb into sixth in each. They are fouling less often than any team, too, part of the idea of luring opponents' jumpers to ignite a high tempo.
Always good to offer a qualifier to success, Nash wants more cohesion and consistency.
"It's a long season, and you get salty that you don't have the consistency there," Nash said. "It was decent (Wednesday). Now on the next night, if it's not good, are we going to think it's the end of the world again and not talk to each other for another day? It's tough. We have to continue to have the right motives and right attention to detail.
"I have to be careful, because I can take the joy out of the game because I'm critical. I have to be careful not to lose that passion and joy."
Guard Raja Bell was not ready to declare an arrival either, particularly when the defense gives back so many leads.
"We're in the season already, but the chemistry is something we're still working on," Bell said. "I'm behind the 8-ball as far as being in shape. As we start running into shape and our chemistry starts coming together, that's what we're capable of. If we combine that with some stops, you'll see us be able to pull away from teams."
Friday's game
Suns at Wizards
When: 5 p.m.
Where: Verizon Center, Washington.
TV/radio: My 45/KTAR-AM (620).
Washington update: The Wizards (9-9) beat Cleveland 105-86 at home Wednesday. With Gilbert Arenas lost to knee surgery, Caron Butler is playing like an All-Star again with 23.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Antonio Daniels moved into Arenas' starting spot, and the Wizards have gone 6-4 since with a retooled bench - more Andray Blatche, the addition of Nick Young and the return of Darius Songaila.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/pics/1207sunscov.jpg
Suns center Amaré Stoudemire dunks the ball over Knicks forward David Lee on Sunday. Stoudemire had 28 points in the game.
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 6, 2007 07:08 PM
WASHINGTON - The Suns lead the league in scoring, field-goal percentage, assists, opponent timeouts after layups and influence on others' offensive strategies.
Three seasons ago, Phoenix was one of six NBA teams to average 100 or more points. If Toronto would bump up from 99.94 points per game, half of the league would be averaging at least 100 points this season.
So how did the Suns (15-4) respond to such copycat flattery? They found a way to score more. They thought they could ramp up the show, but problems with conditioning, cohesion and health kept the curtain closed until this road trip.
http://www.azcentral.com/imgs/clear.gifhttp://view.atdmt.com/AST/view/cnoccbwr0080000008ast/direct/01/2073573815 (http://gcirm.azcentral.gcion.com/RealMedia/ads/click_lx.ads/www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/1206suns1207.html/2073573815/ArticleFlex_1/OasDefault/bmw_sports_2007_300_fixed/bmw-sports-300x250.txt/34373233333337313436646134623030?2073573815)http://www.azcentral.com/imgs/clear.gif
Phoenix has averaged 36 points in the first quarter to roll out totals of 115, 121 and 136 points - its best three-game output since scoring 161 in a double-overtime win a year ago today at New Jersey.
"I just think they're kind of hitting their stride now," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "It's getting to be a little bit more fun. I'd like to see where we can go with it. . . . We're not hitting on all cylinders yet."
In the past five games, five Suns have led or shared the scoring lead.
"Everyone's having fun," said guard Leandro Barbosa, addressing a recent sore spot. "Everyone's smiling and cheering. It's great. It's different than a couple games we've had."
Steve Nash thinks Phoenix can score 115 regularly. Amaré Stoudemire puts it in the 120s.
"We've got so many people who can score the ball, so many players who can create their own shot," Stoudemire said. "We're still growing as a team. We're still getting our chemistry together."
The Suns are falling back into familiar statistical places, leading the usual NBA categories and raising their unusually low three-point and free-throw percentages to climb into sixth in each. They are fouling less often than any team, too, part of the idea of luring opponents' jumpers to ignite a high tempo.
Always good to offer a qualifier to success, Nash wants more cohesion and consistency.
"It's a long season, and you get salty that you don't have the consistency there," Nash said. "It was decent (Wednesday). Now on the next night, if it's not good, are we going to think it's the end of the world again and not talk to each other for another day? It's tough. We have to continue to have the right motives and right attention to detail.
"I have to be careful, because I can take the joy out of the game because I'm critical. I have to be careful not to lose that passion and joy."
Guard Raja Bell was not ready to declare an arrival either, particularly when the defense gives back so many leads.
"We're in the season already, but the chemistry is something we're still working on," Bell said. "I'm behind the 8-ball as far as being in shape. As we start running into shape and our chemistry starts coming together, that's what we're capable of. If we combine that with some stops, you'll see us be able to pull away from teams."
Friday's game
Suns at Wizards
When: 5 p.m.
Where: Verizon Center, Washington.
TV/radio: My 45/KTAR-AM (620).
Washington update: The Wizards (9-9) beat Cleveland 105-86 at home Wednesday. With Gilbert Arenas lost to knee surgery, Caron Butler is playing like an All-Star again with 23.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Antonio Daniels moved into Arenas' starting spot, and the Wizards have gone 6-4 since with a retooled bench - more Andray Blatche, the addition of Nick Young and the return of Darius Songaila.