Friday's News: Even their inconsistency is inconsistent

[SwingMan]

If you look in the dictonary under "redundant", it says "see: redundant".....


If less is more, think of how much more "more" can be.....

-----------------------------------------


Inconsistency stinging Suns (http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/1220suns1221.html)

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/pics/1220suns.jpg
Suns guard Steve Nash reaches for a loose ball ahead of Mavericks guard Devin Harris on Wednesday in Dallas. The Mavericks won 108-105.

Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 20, 2007 10:45 PM

The season is not even two months old and Suns guard Steve Nash has been jostled like airplane luggage, injuring and/or aggravating his back, shoulder and elbow. He lost a chunk of his tooth last week. And like during the May playoffs, Nash gave blood Wednesday.

Dallas' Erick Dampier hit Nash's chin on a fourth-quarter driving miss (with no call). Eight stitches sealed the 1/4-inch-by-1 1/2-inch gash but the Suns' wounds remain open after losing for the fourth time in six games.

"It's just consistency of our effort. Same story I told you all season. No different," Nash said after the Suns lost 108-105 at Dallas, a team that has split 12 regular-season games and two playoff series with Phoenix since Nash left Texas.
http://www.azcentral.com/imgs/clear.gifhttp://www.azcentral.com/imgs/clear.gif

A win would have put the Suns atop the West, but the loss marked the fifth time in six games that they failed to reach their scoring average.

A stretch of Utah, New Orleans, San Antonio and Dallas was supposed to clear up whether Phoenix deserved a thumbs-up or a shake-up. Instead, it remains murky after two Suns wins that easily could have been losses and vice-versa for the defeats.

Every other game, the Suns emerged without defensive intensity. In first quarters, Dallas had 37, New Orleans had 31 and Miami had 40. Phoenix (18-8) has trailed at 11 of 26 halftimes.

"It's terrible," Nash said. "There's no energy. In some ways, it's great that we play well for three quarters. In other ways, it's disappointing that we were so bad and just didn't show up in the first quarter."

Once center Amaré Stoudemire struggled at both ends early, it was a bad start. It worsened without Nash.

Scoring problems without Nash persist. In the 11:19 Nash sat vs. Dallas, the Suns scored 13 points (1.15 points per minute) on 40 percent shooting. In his 36:41 of floor time, Phoenix scored 92 (2.51 points per minute) on 56 percent shooting.

The Suns count on forward Boris Diaw to help bridge those gaps but he was a minus-17 (Suns-Mavs point difference) in 20 minutes Wednesday.

Nash, 8 of 11 in the first three quarters and 1 for 4 in the fourth, turned to setting up Stoudemire to rally Phoenix from 12 down with five minutes to go. Stoudemire, 4 for 13 from the field at that point, went 5 for 5 in the game's final 4:10.

"Sometimes, it's not about how you start, it's about how you finish," Stoudemire said. "I've got to learn how to play all out for 48 minutes and just go hard the whole time in there. I was in attack mode the whole time (in the fourth quarter)."

It gave Nash a chance to tie the game on a three-pointer but he said he never got his legs under him on the shot.

The finish still left coach Mike D'Antoni "psyched up" about how his team battled.

"I don't doubt these guys," he said. "Guys are too good not to get it together and I think we are getting it together."

Some players did not share his enthusiasm or optimism. After yielding 19 offensive rebounds at Dallas, Phoenix easily has the NBA's worst rebound differential (minus-5.9). After giving up 46 percent shooting Wednesday, the Suns rank 24th in opponent field-goal percentage (46.2).

"The question you hear, even from the front office, is you've got to get it done defensively," ESPN analyst Mark Jackson said. "They have to buy in and be committed defensively in order to beat the elite teams on a consistent basis. You don't want it to be just an old-fashioned shootout. That's when you trust offense exclusively.

"They have the makings of a competitive, solid defensive team. I think that's where the frustrations of Nash speak out. He's a guy who leaves it on the floor. He's not known as a great defender but he's a great competitor."

[AlanS]

FYI, here are the road records for Western teams:

PHX 11-5 (16 games)
NO 9-5 (14)
GST 8-6 (14)
LAL 6-6 (12)
DAL 6-7 (13)
SAS 5-6 (11)
LAC 5-7 (12)
DEN 4-6 (10)
HOU 6-9 (15)
UTA 5-11 (16)
SEA 4-10 (14)
POR 3-9 (12)
MEM 3-9 (12)
SAC 3-10 (13)
MIN 1-11 (12)

The Suns have the best road record, although a lot of that is due to playing a lot of Eastern teams, and the weaker ones at that.

The Suns are tied for most road games. By the end of December, the Suns will have played 19 games - 46% of their 41 game road schedule.

So... at least, there will be fewer road fatigue issues going forward. We'll see if that helps.

[Billyjoejimbob]

"Sometimes, it's not about how you start, it's about how you finish," Stoudemire said. "I've got to learn how to play all out for 48 minutes and just go hard the whole time in there.

I sure hope you mean that Amare.

[scosuns]

I love how the players are getting it. I mean, its so funny because here we are basically screaming at them to do certain things and work on certain things, and then they make comments saying what they need to do that matches up exactly with what we want them and need them to do. Hmm, if only they would do it....

[jed]

"Sometimes, it's not about how you start, it's about how you finish," Stoudemire said. "I've got to learn how to play all out for 48 minutes and just go hard the whole time in there.

I sure hope you mean that Amare.

I hope he does too. But I also hope his teammates take that to heart too. They need to make sure they're pushing the ball inside as much as they're jacking up shots, because one doesn't really work without the other. As we're all learning.

[cap]

If you look in the dictonary under "redundant", it says "see: redundant".....

That’s “recursive.”


If less is more, think of how much more "more" can be.....

Frasier quote! :cool:

[tbrkingofthesouth]

"Sometimes, it's not about how you start, it's about how you finish," Stoudemire said. "I've got to learn how to play all out for 48 minutes and just go hard the whole time in there. I was in attack mode the whole time (in the fourth quarter)."


Give Amare the ball so that he can be in attack mode all game because I think we all loved what we saw. We are a better team when he is in attack mode. Coach allow Amare to carry us to the Finals.

[Shabazz]

"Sometimes, it's not about how you start, it's about how you finish," Stoudemire said. "I've got to learn how to play all out for 48 minutes and just go hard the whole time in there. I was in attack mode the whole time (in the fourth quarter)."

Am I the only one who found these two quotes contradictory?

[JustWinBaby]

[I"Sometimes, it's not about how you start, it's about how you finish," Stoudemire said. "I've got to learn how to play all out for 48 minutes and just go hard the whole time in there. I was in attack mode the whole time (in the fourth quarter).]

That admission from Amare is what I want to here. Whatever the reason for his slow start in Dallas was, he is taking the bullet. We all saw it and were not happy with his first half play. He has recognized that as well and called himself out. Will he adjust his play? My money is on Amare.

Boris on the other hand is another problem child that has hardly played with energy for the entire season and has never admitted he might have a problem. It truly is a shame, because we have all seen what he is capable of. For some reason he just doesn't seem to get it.

The probably bogus trade rumor of him and Banks to Philadelphia for Miller could help everyone. I am a huge fan of Miller and think our back court would be lethal with his addition.

If this could happen and we in fact have a deal with PJ to come in around the trading deadline, to fortify the front court, we would be a much better team IMO.

If somehow Boris gets it and plays the way he is capable of everything will be just fine the way we are. My trust in Boris is at it lowest level and I would expect the front thinks the same way as well.

In addition if I were Cleveland I would want Boris, he could do his passing thing and help that team in many ways.

Boris for Drew Gooden would work for me as well.

We get rebounding Cleveland gets a passer to give Lebron more Freedom to score.

[BigLewy]

That Andre Miller rumor is so bogus. If it isn't, the Suns would jump on that so fast it wouldnt be funny. An expiring deal for an excellent pure PG and we get rid of 2 bad contracts?? Maybe if Billy King was there this might be true, but now no chance in hell.

[Mori_Chu]

I'd do that Diaw+Banks / Miller deal in a heartbeat.

I still love Boris and haven't given up on him completely, because I think his health may be an issue right now (lingering ankle troubles, maybe). But I have always liked Andre Miller more. He has kind of been lost his whole career; he was great in Cleveland, then in Denver, and now nobody cares what he's doing in Philly. He just hasn't been on any teams that got noticed. The guy led the league in assists one year, I believe (only year Nash or Kidd didn't do it out of the last several years, if I recall correctly), and nobody cared.

Andre Miller is severely undervalued, and if he were here, he would be huge. Did you read that stat about how when Nash is in the game, we score like 2.5 points per minute, and without him, it's more like 1.1? With Miller, I'm confident that latter number would go back up above 2.0. It would make us able to keep the pedal to the metal for all 48 minutes.

Get 'er done, Steve Kerr. Even if you have to throw in that ATL pick (which is dropping in value with each passing day).

[misteradiant]

Frasier quote! :cool:

no way. frasier did not become cool. funny? yes. cool? no. cool is the henry rollins show or rescue me. frasier? cool? please.

[SwingMan]

If you look in the dictonary under "redundant", it says "see: redundant".....

That’s “recursive.”


If less is more, think of how much more "more" can be.....

Frasier quote! :cool:

1st one is Robin Williams, 1986. 2nd is indeed Kelsey Grammer, 2000.

I only quote the best. ;)

Another Grammer gem:

You know, ONE day you're gonna MISQUOTE Shaw (George Bernard) and I'm gonna land on you like a sumo wrestler!

[SwingMan]

Frasier quote! :cool:

no way. frasier did not become cool. funny? yes. cool? no. cool is the henry rollins show or rescue me. frasier? cool? please.

Henry Rollins? Yeah, Frasier could be a blowhard too. :lol:

I'll give you Leary - nobody can mess with that fucker.

[misteradiant]

as they say in japan, "exacary."

[SwingMan]

as they say in japan, "exacary."

Please press 3.....

English maybe?

[misteradiant]

prease press free. only one dollar!

[Walt_Uoob]

"Sometimes, it's not about how you start, it's about how you finish," Stoudemire said. "I've got to learn how to play all out for 48 minutes and just go hard the whole time in there.

I sure hope you mean that Amare.
I hope he means that too, but I also think the coaches could be helping more than they are. Why can't they have the guts to pull his ass off the floor when he's slacking? I've only gotten to see the nationally televised games this year, but I have only seen Amare out when it's a regular rotation thing or he's in foul trouble. So it seems to me like he only gets yanked for playing TOO hard and fouling too much. If someone would make him watch from the bench for a while as soon as he takes a couple plays off, he would have more incentive to maintain a sense of urgency.

[cap]

We need PJ Brown in the worst way.

I hope that, if we do get him, it doesn’t mean Skinner’s minutes will go bye-bye.

[JediSkywalker]

"Sometimes, it's not about how you start, it's about how you finish," Stoudemire said. "I've got to learn how to play all out for 48 minutes and just go hard the whole time in there.

I sure hope you mean that Amare.
I hope he means that too, but I also think the coaches could be helping more than they are. Why can't they have the guts to pull his ass off the floor when he's slacking? I've only gotten to see the nationally televised games this year, but I have only seen Amare out when it's a regular rotation thing or he's in foul trouble. So it seems to me like he only gets yanked for playing TOO hard and fouling too much. If someone would make him watch from the bench for a while as soon as he takes a couple plays off, he would have more incentive to maintain a sense of urgency.

Actually in the game against Dallas (just 2 days back) when the Suns starters played porous defense in the 1st Q and the Mavs went up by 17, Dantoni called a time out and replaced our top 3 by the bench players (LB,Diaw, Skinner). Normally in a regular rotation he does not replace all 3 at once. The bench reduced the gap to 11. I think the starters got the message. Once in a while Dantoni does the right thing. He needs to develop that flexibility.

[JediSkywalker]

We need PJ Brown in the worst way.

I hope that, if we do get him, it doesn’t mean Skinner’s minutes will go bye-bye.

Dantoni is not likely to use that many defensive players at a time. However, if PJ is in shape to play Suns style ball- I don't see how he could be, but let us assume he is- , Diaw will be permanently assigned a spot on the bench, I think.

I also believe that Skinner has shown enough in terms of skills and energy to gain Dantoni's confidence. That end to end play the other night against Dallas really proved that he can run and defend and shoot. I don't think his minutes will be taken away if PJ is added to the roster. However, we may not see a Amare-Skinner-PJ defensive front, ever. I am OK with it as long as the defense improves.

[JackArse]

as they say in japan, "exacary."



taylor thomas?

eeeeeeeeeven though his name was ty bryant

(waits to see who understands wtf i'm talking about)

[sunsdotcom]

We need PJ Brown in the worst way.

I hope that, if we do get him, it doesn’t mean Skinner’s minutes will go bye-bye.

it's boris' minutes that will be cut down if we get PJ.

[JackArse]

if we were to get pj, it would've had to be at the beginning of the season. even though we dont' run like we used to, it's still quite a change getting used to this style. hill is still adjusting, and with someone coming in halfway thru the season could mess up any progress we've made chemistry wise.

[ShelC]

So lets get PJ, see if Reggie is still stayin in shape, and find out what Nick Van Exel is up to.

[torres]

We don't need PJ Brown at this point. We have Brian Skinner who's likely a better player right now.

[cap]

We don't need PJ Brown at this point. We have Brian Skinner who's likely a better player right now.

Like I said, I don’t want his minutes to come at Skinner’s expense. But with PJ in the mix, we could play with Amare teamed with one of Skinner-PJ for most of the game. That’s what we’ve all been wanting for Amare, right? A defensive big man to play alongside him?

[JediSkywalker]

PJ may slow down the team. I think it's too late to add him to the Suns roster. The only reason I would sign him is to keep our competitors away from signing. That may still be worth it.

However, who can the Suns cut to make room for PJ?

[cap]

However, who can the Suns cut to make room for PJ?

Nobody has to be cut. We can carry 14 players. Sarver’s wallet may not like it, but we can.

I’d say cut Sean Marks, but we’d have to pay him anyway since his contract is guaranteed, so we might as well keep him around for practice.

As for the money thing, sign him to a multi-year deal. Then trade him and the ATL pick for cash. The money’s a wash, and we get to divest ourselves of another one of those pesky first round picks that we hate so much.

[Phoenix219]

Is getting a good big for the title run this year worth the Atl pick?

[Superbone]

Is getting a good big for the title run this year worth the Atl pick?

The Atl pick is worth less and less by the moment.

[darrkin]

Is getting a good big for the title run this year worth the Atl pick?

The Atl pick is worth less and less by the moment.

Its still nice to have, just probably wont be a lotto pick. Hopefully this is the year we actually use a few picks
for rookies

[JediSkywalker]

Is getting a good big for the title run this year worth the Atl pick?

The Atl pick is worth less and less by the moment.

Its still nice to have, just probably wont be a lotto pick. Hopefully this is the year we actually use a few picks
for rookies


First we have to pray that Sarver et al. will not throw away (sell for $4-5 Mil) this pick just because it is not a lottery pick. My guess is around 15-16. There are some pretty decent players in that range that can be developed over the years. Unfortunately Sarver (and Danotni too) does not think in terms of years.

[misteradiant]

pj brown can sleep on a fart pillow for all i care. i put the chances of us signing him at zero.

[Mori_Chu]

I don't get this mentality that a draft pick is worthless if it is below top-10. When did this become the established opinion about draft picks? Need I list off all the great diamonds in the rough we've had as Suns over the years who were picked in the 13-29 range (including one Steve Nash)?

You can talk about "teen" picks being a crapshoot all you want. It's true that many of them don't pan out. But the way I see it is that you get an extremely cheap chance to try out a player for several years who has a decent chance of turning into a valuable contributor down the line.

Plus, this coming draft in particular actually has some interesting players available in this range. What's not to like?

I don't mind if we trade that pick if it gets us somebody who will truly help us win a title this year. But if we cast the pick aside for money, I will be furious. Think about all these guys we tossed away in the last few years. Every time I see a Rajon Rondo highlight I get pissed off...

[cap]

Is getting a good big for the title run this year worth the Atl pick?

Judging by recent history, it’s a pretty good bet that the FO is going to sell the draft pick anyway.

I was kind of joking about the proposed transaction, but it’s the kind of thing this organization would do.

[misteradiant]

that was highly coherent of you, mori. and i agree. stars come from all sorts of picks, and not always from college. they come from other leagues both national and international as well.

[SwingMan]

Mori, MR, when it comes to this franchise, betting on luck ain't exactly the most prudent thing.....

[misteradiant]

well i'm never asking you to come gambling with me in new orleans, swing!

:cool: