Sunday's News: #1 in blocks, D'Antoni's hat size universally disputed - and contested

[SwingMan]

Suns No. 1 in blocked shots (http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/1229sunsnb1230.html)

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/pics/1229sunsblock.jpg
Clippers center Chris Kaman puts up a shot against Suns center Amaré Stoudemire during the first half Thursday.

Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 29, 2007 10:08 PM

The Suns are No. 1 in the NBA in scoring, shooting, assists, blocked shots and . . . wait, blocks? How did a defensive category sneak in there?

After tying a franchise record and setting an NBA season high with 16 blocks Friday, the Suns overtook Denver's 6.75 blocks per game with a league-best 6.80 per game. Last season, the Suns ranked 14th with 4.8 per game.

Blocks can be a natural byproduct of the Suns' help defense when the energy is right.
http://www.azcentral.com/imgs/clear.gifhttp://www.azcentral.com/imgs/clear.gif

"We're being active, and we do have some guys who are going after it," said coach Mike D'Antoni, whose Suns are tied for the Western Conference lead. "I think we have quick jumpers. You can't get around the talent issue and the athletic ability that we have."

Center Amaré Stoudemire ranks seventh in the NBA with 2.2 blocks per game, while backup Brian Skinner ranks fourth with 4.8 blocks per 48 minutes. Forward Grant Hill blocked three shots in each of the past two games, the first time he had done that in consecutive games in his career.

Diaw's shots up

He dunked, dished and defended. He looked like his "3-D" moniker again Friday, and the Suns would be thrilled to see more of that Boris Diaw.

Aggressiveness has been a double-edged sword with Diaw. After averaging 6.3 shots in the first 24 games, Diaw has averaged 9.0 in the past six but made only 33 percent of them.

"Coach asked me to be more aggressive, so I took some shots," Diaw said. "I was involved in the same way, not really any difference."

Diaw is a key to making the Suns thrive when guard Steve Nash rests. On Friday, the Suns opened the lead up from 63-62 to 77-66 with Nash out. Diaw had four points, three rebounds and a block in that stretch.

"Hopefully, he's coming," D'Antoni said.

Maintaining leads without Nash helps his preference to be a distributor. Although he is the NBA's top shooting point guard (50.9 percent), the Suns are better when he is passing. He takes 5.4 more shots per game in the Suns losses than wins.

Silent Bell

Suns guard Raja Bell has not hit a perimeter shot in the past two games. He was 2 for 13 from the field, including misses on eight 3-point tries. He scored on a layup Thursday and a 9-footer on Friday.

D'Antoni said Bell is playing catch-up from ankle and back injuries.

"I think he's healthy," D'Antoni said. "It's rust, mentally getting into a confident level and the team adjusting to him because he hasn't played a lot."
Swing's Note: Is dude this dense on purpose? WTF - it's absolutely pointless to find reason or try to explain D'Antoni's mindset.....

Healthy?

Hill (groin) and Nash (neck/shoulder) both left practice early Saturday for treatment but are expected to play tonight at Sacramento.

The Suns always want Nash, but maybe more against the Kings. In two wins over Sacramento this season, Nash had 27 assists and five turnovers to the Kings' 29 assists and 30 turnovers.

Sunday's game

Suns at Kings

When: 7 p.m.
Where: ARCO Arena, Sacramento.
TV/radio: My 45/KTAR-AM (620).

Sacramento update: The Kings (11-17) could have an 0-4 homestand with a loss today after scoring 69 and 80 in its past two games. Ron Artest sat out the last loss with a right-elbow bone chip but plans to play tonight. Still without Mike Bibby (thumb) until mid-January, the Kings are 4-7 since losing top scorer Kevin Martin to a groin pull.

[SwingMan]

(The latest from Dan Bickley's blog - take from it what you will.....)

Suns aren't broken but have heart trouble (http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/DanBickley/13550)

The Suns are no longer a running, stunning wonder to behold. On some nights, they're not even the best team in the Pacific Division. When the calendar turns to 2008, let's hope this diminished group can find a keener sense of purpose.

Otherwise, a memorable era of basketball could end in a first-round playoff ouster. Planet Orange could spontaneously combust.

Please, don't bother with the rationalizations, the pretty pictures and how the Suns rank among the Western Conference leaders in victories. That condition will get even better in the coming weeks, as the schedule softens. But you won't find this problem in the standings: It's in the heart.
It's inside the room. It's in the small things that lead to big things. It's in the collective passion of a group that is showing some natural wear and tear, along with the trademark signs of splintering.

The Suns aren't broken. But they're not right, either.

"I don't think it's great," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said of his team's general state of being. "It is what it is. What you look for is what you get. But I do think we're better than what the perception is right now."

Alas, in terms of perception, this team has already fallen a long way. After a Christmas Day loss on national television, one NBA analyst said the Lakers had passed the Suns, and it wasn't even close. The other night, team broadcaster Dan Majerle called the Suns the "worst rebounding team in the league." These are not the words you normally hear on the way to a championship, and the general angst among Suns fans is that a special gift and a special opportunity may be slipping away.

There has been front-office bungling, to be sure. Contracts given to the underachieving Boris Diaw and Marcus Banks have choked the franchise at a tenuous time. The pawning of draft picks has prevented an infusion of fresh talent, while the cost-effective trade of Kurt Thomas hurts more than it should. Meanwhile, all the grumbling about chemistry problems this season surely has led to some heavy questions at the management table.

Should they acquire another new piece, a fresh face to charge the room? Should they trade away a key piece and hope for addition by subtraction? Should they ditch D'Antoni's system and begin feeding the ball to an unstoppable force - Amaré Stoudemire - who makes almost 59 percent of his shots?

For most of this season, Stoudemire has ranked just above Grant Hill for third place in field-goal attempts, behind reserve Leandro Barbosa and Shawn Marion. Given Stoudemire's skills, that's beyond an egregious tactical error. That's plain stupid. After Saturday's abbreviated practice, D'Antoni hinted that there could be some alterations to the overall approach.

"I like my system, but only if that's the best system we have," D'Antoni said. "If we have something better, we'll try other stuff. Whatever is our best look is what we're going to give. You do have more holes (in the current system) because you are playing faster, you are exposed more, you are smaller and you have to have more fight in the dog. But it's kind of sad when you have to go away from that because you can't get it (from the players)."

That's a remarkable concession, and the shame is, it doesn't have to be this way. When committed to nothing but collective glory, this team can be a devastating force of talent and speed. With the right mix and mind-set of players, D'Antoni's system can be visionary, not inherently flawed. But in the NBA, all it takes is one guy who wants more shots or one guy who wants out of town, and everything is out of balance.

Luckily, a new year can change one's outlook immensely, and I suggest that: Steve Nash go out of his way to get Stoudemire the ball early and often, as in 20 or more shots per game; that Raja Bell be the gritty, dirty emotional leader, not the guy worrying about his shot and helping Kobe Bryant off the floor; that Stoudemire hustle at all times, actually playing defense as well as he talks about playing defense; that Marion stays on board when he doesn't get named to the All-Star team; that everyone understands the great gift of playing with a point guard like Nash.

Also: That Barbosa drives more and shoots less; that the painfully passive Diaw understands how much his coach has done for him and what the Frenchman has done in return. (Back home, I believe the word is guillotine.)

But more than anything, I want these Suns to pretend they love each other all over again. I want them to believe they're something special together, a blowtorch of a team that once made opponents scream for oxygen and mercy. Those were the days.

[OE]

(The latest from Dan Bickley's blog - take from it what you will.....)

Should they acquire another new piece, a fresh face to charge the room? Should they trade away a key piece and hope for addition by subtraction? Should they ditch D'Antoni's system and begin feeding the ball to an unstoppable force - Amaré Stoudemire - who makes almost 59 percent of his shots?

For most of this season, Stoudemire has ranked just above Grant Hill for third place in field-goal attempts, behind reserve Leandro Barbosa and Shawn Marion. Given Stoudemire's skills, that's beyond an egregious tactical error. That's plain stupid. After Saturday's abbreviated practice, D'Antoni hinted that there could be some alterations to the overall approach.

"I like my system, but only if that's the best system we have," D'Antoni said. "If we have something better, we'll try other stuff. Whatever is our best look is what we're going to give."

:smile:

[zara_drummer]

It may very well take 3/4 of the season for THIS team to really figure things out...Strangely I'm ok with this as long as they are peaking at the right time....The good thing?? They havent even begun to peak and we've seen just how powerful they CAN be...

As was stated in the article, teams are much better prepared for the Suns these days, so running teams out of the building isn't as common as before...The addition of Hill makes our half court game that much better. Hopefully Diaw can figure things out and keep doing what he did the other nite...Is there a new found chemistry between him and Hill?? Kinda like Manning and Chapman had back in the "ol' days"?? lol

[Dustbuster]

I don't know if this makes me a bad fan, but considering that we are playing Sac tonight, I am actually more interested in the Boston/Lakers game.

[Dustbuster]

BTW, I don't really like the way that Diaw's comment sounds. It's like he's taking more shots to suit the coach and everyone, but that missing them is somehow not his fault. You get the impression that everyone else is wrong to expect more from him, because he is what he is... It sounds a little petulant to me, like Kobe taking no shots to make a point.

He was better in that last game, and I hope that this signals a turn for him.

[zara_drummer]

I guess if he's gonna stand around jack up jumpers than ya...thats a crappy thing to say...Hopefully thats not the case, and I dont think it is...I think he really wants to please his coach but hasn't figured it out yet...He's pressing, and you can tell by some of the TO's.

[desertcoast]

BTW, I don't really like the way that Diaw's comment sounds. It's like he's taking more shots to suit the coach and everyone, but that missing them is somehow not his fault. You get the impression that everyone else is wrong to expect more from him, because he is what he is... It sounds a little petulant to me, like Kobe taking no shots to make a point.

He was better in that last game, and I hope that this signals a turn for him.

totally agree. It's as if he doesn't agree with any criticism, but is willing to adapt just to prove the criticsm wrong. There is an underpinning of "I'm not doing anything wrong" in every quote I read.

[v9]

"I like my system, but only if that's the best system we have," D'Antoni said. "If we have something better, we'll try other stuff. Whatever is our best look is what we're going to give. You do have more holes (in the current system) because you are playing faster, you are exposed more, you are smaller and you have to have more fight in the dog. But it's kind of sad when you have to go away from that because you can't get it (from the players)."

I'm not happy to see that last line. Sure...blame it on the players. My take: people will play undersized for only so long before they get tired - and worn out.


BTW, I don't really like the way that Diaw's comment sounds. It's like he's taking more shots to suit the coach and everyone, but that missing them is somehow not his fault. You get the impression that everyone else is wrong to expect more from him, because he is what he is... It sounds a little petulant to me, like Kobe taking no shots to make a point.

I thought this as well...but I did like what I saw the last game.

[JediSkywalker]

BTW, I don't really like the way that Diaw's comment sounds. It's like he's taking more shots to suit the coach and everyone, but that missing them is somehow not his fault. You get the impression that everyone else is wrong to expect more from him, because he is what he is... It sounds a little petulant to me, like Kobe taking no shots to make a point.

He was better in that last game, and I hope that this signals a turn for him.

totally agree. It's as if he doesn't agree with any criticism, but is willing to adapt just to prove the criticsm wrong. There is an underpinning of "I'm not doing anything wrong" in every quote I read.

That's what bothers me about Diaw's comments, but as long as he is showing improvement on the court, that's all I really care about.

It is possible that the coaches are still figuring out how they can best utilize Diaw, given the situation. He in untradeable. Probably Diaw is not making any decisions about how/where he fits in, and he does not strike me as someone who would take the initiative to make those decisions himself. He may be confused about his role, hence the lack of motivation on the court. That would explain the strange comments from him ("I am not doing anything different").

It (having an undefined role on the team) does not excuse poor performances/lack of effort on the court, but if he feels useful and is given direction, his performance could improve. Some people need more specific directions and Diaw could be one of those. If the coach says shoot more, he is going to shoot more (whether the ball goes in or not), or be more aggressive near the basket, etc. and we are already seeing some changes in his performance. I find it hard to believe that he is a totally lazy, worthless person who just wants to take the money and sit on the bench. If that was the case, he would not have made it this far on talent alone.

[JediSkywalker]

I don't know if this makes me a bad fan, but considering that we are playing Sac tonight, I am actually more interested in the Boston/Lakers game.


Boston/Lakers game will tell us if the Celts can compete against the elite teams in the western conference. I will root for the Celts, for the obvious reason. If you are rooting for the Lakers, THAT will make you a bad fan.

I will be watching the Suns-Sac game, but keep an eye on the score of the other game.

[JustWinBaby]

BTW, I don't really like the way that Diaw's comment sounds. It's like he's taking more shots to suit the coach and everyone, but that missing them is somehow not his fault. You get the impression that everyone else is wrong to expect more from him, because he is what he is... It sounds a little petulant to me, like Kobe taking no shots to make a point.

He was better in that last game, and I hope that this signals a turn for him.

totally agree. It's as if he doesn't agree with any criticism, but is willing to adapt just to prove the criticsm wrong. There is an underpinning of "I'm not doing anything wrong" in every quote I read.

That's what bothers me about Diaw's comments, but as long as he is showing improvement on the court, that's all I really care about.

It is possible that the coaches are still figuring out how they can best utilize Diaw, given the situation. He in untradeable. Probably Diaw is not making any decisions about how/where he fits in, and he does not strike me as someone who would take the initiative to make those decisions himself. He may be confused about his role, hence the lack of motivation on the court. That would explain the strange comments from him ("I am not doing anything different").

It (having an undefined role on the team) does not excuse poor performances/lack of effort on the court, but if he feels useful and is given direction, his performance could improve. Some people need more specific directions and Diaw could be one of those. If the coach says shoot more, he is going to shoot more (whether the ball goes in or not), or be more aggressive near the basket, etc. and we are already seeing some changes in his performance. I find it hard to believe that he is a totally lazy, worthless person who just wants to take the money and sit on the bench. If that was the case, he would not have made it this far on talent alone.

This is exactly the reason that Boris has the worst contract in the league and makes Banks deal look like a bargain.

Pietrus wants out of Golden State.

If he reverts back to form, invisible, ship his ass out and quick. Unfortunately no one else we want him either.

I still ain't convinced - Mike Miller would be perfect IMO.

[AZSportsFan]

I watched the second half of the Jazz-Celtics last night. I wasn't overly impressed with either team. Boston is nice, but won because Pierce was being guarded by rookies and 2nd year men, until Harpring came in and Pierce wasn't as effective. Then Harpring got into foul trouble and went out and Pierce took over again. Garnett didn't do a whole lot from my perspective, but perhaps it was just that one half. Ray Allen bailed them out of a loss by hitting a running, falling away three-pointer at the 24 second clock buzzer near the end of the game. IF the Suns get their shooters straight, they could handle Boston, but that is a big IF at this point, it seems.

[JustWinBaby]

The scary part about the Celtics is that they have two fearless shooters in Pierce and Allen that are very willing to take the big shot, and have made a lot of them in their career, that is not new territory for either.

In KG they have a willing passer that is also very capable of taking the big shot.

They will be tough for anyone, come playoff time.

[jkalldaway]

It's going to come down to Detroit and Boston in the East finals and I will take Detroit based on experience.

[Wormwood]

Here's a wacky thought:

Pietrus wants out of Golden State, Banks wants out of Phoenix, we need three point shooters and guys who can rebound. AUstin Croshere hasn't played in almost a month.

Golden State gets Marcus Banks, Eric Piatkowski + 2 2nd round picks
Phoenix gets Austin Croshere and Mikael Pietrus

[LazarusLong]

Woodster ... why would Nellie want to make a division rival better?

[LazarusLong]

" ...That Barbosa drives more and shoots less..."

Amen. If Barbs wants shots, then take it to the hoop instead of jacking more off target threes.

"...Steve Nash go out of his way to get Stoudemire the ball early and often ..."

Starting with the Golden State loss, I've noticed if things aren't going well for the Suns, Nash sticks to the perimeter game and quits feeding STAT. Given STAT's FG % and his FT %, that makes no sense. Bitch about his defense, fine, but Amare still is an offensive weapon. Makes no sense to deny him the ball and feed Barbosa for random treys.

" ...With the right mix and mind-set of players, D'Antoni's system can be visionary, not inherently flawed."

Good coaches are flexible and not afraid to throw in a different twist, from time to time. Mike D is not good at adjustments, and has not shown much poise when confronted by the veteran coaches in this league recently ... Jackson, Nelson, Riley, to name a few.

[SpecialSauce]

Here's a wacky thought:

Pietrus wants out of Golden State, Banks wants out of Phoenix, we need three point shooters and guys who can rebound. AUstin Croshere hasn't played in almost a month.

Golden State gets Marcus Banks, Eric Piatkowski + 2 2nd round picks
Phoenix gets Austin Croshere and Mikael Pietrus

I doubt GS would do that deal, Pietrus is much more serviceable than Banks....unless of course you throw in a first round pick lol

[fixxxer]

As much as Duncan laid the smackdown on us last May, it was Ginobili's and Parker's unhindered penetration (pluralized, and skewed: multiple penetration?) that really finished us off. With Skinner (over the vertically challenged KT), Amare actually contesting shots, Hill upping for some, and Marion as ever Marion was, methinks we have the paint pretty well defended against the pagan and breakneck (admiration and hate in equal part) wee-man assault that Parker and Ginobili have us slotted down for.

(Woe is me, I can't think past the Spurs. They consume me, and I will have my revenge. :mrgreen:)

[Dustbuster]

Well, at least Atlanta lost last night. You wouldn't think that would be such a rare occurrence these days

[Nashfan]

BTW, I don't really like the way that Diaw's comment sounds. It's like he's taking more shots to suit the coach and everyone, but that missing them is somehow not his fault. You get the impression that everyone else is wrong to expect more from him, because he is what he is... It sounds a little petulant to me, like Kobe taking no shots to make a point.

He was better in that last game, and I hope that this signals a turn for him.

totally agree. It's as if he doesn't agree with any criticism, but is willing to adapt just to prove the criticsm wrong. There is an underpinning of "I'm not doing anything wrong" in every quote I read.

Exactly, this is what I have been reading into Diaw's quotes also. Almost like he doesn't think he is responsible for any of his actions or should I say lack of actions.

[jkalldaway]

Diaw has always acted like that. In fact, I think it is more him trying to not take attention away from other players. In fact, the question could very well have been "Did you feel more involved?" And, Boris simply replied that he was more aggressive because coach asked him to be but that he was just as involved as always.

[SpecialSauce]

Diaw has always acted like that. In fact, I think it is more him trying to not take attention away from other players. In fact, the question could very well have been "Did you feel more involved?" And, Boris simply replied that he was more aggressive because coach asked him to be but that he was just as involved as always.

NOoo that can't be possible! Because then we wouldn't have something to bitch and moan about!

[Velo]

"Golden State gets Marcus Banks, Eric Piatkowski + 2 2nd round picks
Phoenix gets Austin Croshere and Mikael Pietrus"

you don't trade away free agents that signed here so they could retire. piatkowski is in the coaching track.

[LazarusLong]

true. Piatkowski's trade value is something akin to a 10-oz bag of Cheetos and a six pack of Natural Light...

[Wormwood]

Pike and Marks only ability is to sit on the bench and not bitch about playing time. I'd love to get a hold of Croshere. He boards well, and is a lights out shooter. If Boris doesn't come around, we really could used those skills. Frankly, most of Boris game is now spent as a spot up shooter off penetration.

[JediSkywalker]

" ..."...Steve Nash go out of his way to get Stoudemire the ball early and often ..."

Starting with the Golden State loss, I've noticed if things aren't going well for the Suns, Nash sticks to the perimeter game and quits feeding STAT. Given STAT's FG % and his FT %, that makes no sense. Bitch about his defense, fine, but Amare still is an offensive weapon. Makes no sense to deny him the ball and feed Barbosa for random treys.
.

If Amare is standing several feet away and not in a position to score, he is not goign to get the ball from Nash, who always passes the ball to the best target. I don't think anyone is denying opportunities to Amare except himself. For several games he was not doing anything. If Nash passes the ball to someone who is not ready, the results will be disastrous. Last two games Amare was playing more aggressively and he got those passes. I don't believe Nash is plotting against Amare - the way some of the posters are implying. That is plain ridiculous.

[misteradiant]

"I like my system, but only if that's the best system we have," D'Antoni said. "If we have something better, we'll try other stuff. Whatever is our best look is what we're going to give."

yes, something better. like steve to amare and amare being fully engaged defensively. like blocked shots and slam dunks and cutting through defenders with lay-ups for and-ones. we get the opponent in foul trouble going inside with guys like grant and shawn and amare. raja can take it to the hole as well. we wanted an athletic team. then be athletic. take it inside all the time and shoot mid-range jumpers. the suns won't have to make as many 3's as we're used to. they'll get more and-one opportunities as well as more fouls on the opponent's defense. i suggest the team practices a lot of free throws.

it's clear that when amare is engaged defensively we rebound better as a team. sometimes marion gets less rebounds, but he'll get more steals or assists or something.


I suggest that: Steve Nash go out of his way to get Stoudemire the ball early and often, as in 20 or more shots per game; that Raja Bell be the gritty, dirty emotional leader...; that Stoudemire hustle at all times...; that Marion stays on board when he doesn't get named to the All-Star team...

i wrote that stuff in bold yesterday afternoon and it's in my morning paper today. it's coincidence or bickley reads misteradiant. it's funny because i've posted the same things about raja, amare and shawn in the past month. but wait, there's more. it's funny also because yesterday i challenged those who post negative remarks about my writing to come up with something here that gets repeated later in the press, because i don't care if you don't like misteradiant, he's a freaking visionary.

so as i said, walla, today bickley says what i said here at 5:06pm yesterday:


steve is the wise vet who should just walk up to amare now and invite him over to dinner. they ought to talk about basketball and how they can team up to make their team better. steve could tell amare he'd like him to be engaged all the time and amare can say okay, then look for me twenty times a game.

more from bick:


Also: That Barbosa drives more and shoots less; that the painfully passive Diaw understands how much his coach has done for him and what the Frenchman has done in return. (Back home, I believe the word is guillotine.)

hysterical. he thinks boris has had d'antoni beheaded with his passive play. ouch. anyway. hooray for misteradiant. ever seen that simpsons moment when homer gets his diploma and it's on the wall and he's dancing around singing "i am so smart! i am so smart! s-m-r-t! i mean s-m-a-r-t!" i feel like that. it's nice.

i think i am going to save all these huge posts i lay down for you ingrates and self-publish a volume next year i will call "seven beers or more - my season as a fan of the slashing and burning phoenix suns."

then i'll get an email from an attorney for jack mccallum. cha-ching! publicity! the title is a parody. thanks larry flynt!

:cool:

and i love swingman's headlines. good job, dude.

[Superbone]

"Coach asked me to be more aggressive, so I took some shots," Diaw said. "I was involved in the same way, not really any difference."

That's what drives me crazy about Diaw. He acts like he played no differently than any other game.

Somebody needs to slap Diaw before each game. Maybe with a white glove. Nash talked about interviewing each player before the game but I think the white glove slap would work best with Diaw.

[ShelC]

Pietrus wants out of Golden State, Banks wants out of Phoenix, we need three point shooters and guys who can rebound. AUstin Croshere hasn't played in almost a month.

Golden State gets Marcus Banks, Eric Piatkowski + 2 2nd round picks
Phoenix gets Austin Croshere and Mikael Pietrus

I was reading the rumors on hoopshype today and GS is without Hudson for good and this immediately came to mind once i looked at the salaries. The Warriors mentioned that they would like to add another PG. Looking at the Warriors roster their only true PG is Davis. Monta could probably play there in spot duty, but hes much more their 2guard barbosa-type. Aside from those two, they dont have any depth at the PG spot. Mullin and some of the bench guys (like Pietrus) talked about the bench stepping up to help pick up the slack, but the Warriors do need a PG.

Pietrus is basically on his way out (wouldve been traded to Miami but they couldnt strike a deal). Banks is similar to Davis moreso than he is Nash so Nellie might find Banks useful in iso situations. And Banks did play Davis very well in one of the final games last year so that mightve stuck in Nellie's mind. We get pietrus for a year and add some youth, athleticsm and a bit of 3pt shooting off the bench but more importantly get out from Banks contract.

[Nodack]

I don't think Boris is going anywhere.

He hasn't been my favorite player, but I continue to pull for him every game because he is a Sun. If he was traded to the Lakers, then I would talk bad about him. I still think he could be an important piece for the Suns come playoff time.

I think every year somebody has to be the designated guy that isn't pulling his weight that get's put on the trading block by the fans and that guy is Boris this year. Last year James Jones was the guy. He did end up getting shipped out though.

Maybe Boris and the Suns figure it all out and he puts it all together or maybe he fails miserably. Only time will tell. I have seen what Boris is capable of and for some strange reason I think he will turn it around before the year is up and make us all feel bad for doubting him.

[SwingMan]

Here's a wacky thought:

Pietrus wants out of Golden State, Banks wants out of Phoenix, we need three point shooters and guys who can rebound. AUstin Croshere hasn't played in almost a month.

Golden State gets Marcus Banks, Eric Piatkowski + 2 2nd round picks
Phoenix gets Austin Croshere and Mikael Pietrus

Here's a wacky thought:

Why not create a thread for all this trade scenario bullshit?

Oh wait.....

[misteradiant]

BTW, I don't really like the way that Diaw's comment sounds. It's like he's taking more shots to suit the coach and everyone, but that missing them is somehow not his fault. You get the impression that everyone else is wrong to expect more from him, because he is what he is... It sounds a little petulant to me, like Kobe taking no shots to make a point.


He was better in that last game, and I hope that this signals a turn for him.

i was in agreement with your post until the last sentence. he was better for a half last game. and his output that game was a fraction of his averages two years ago and, as shelc and i determined, equaled 9 to 11 points and 3 rebounds less than those averages that year. that summer we signed him to a 45 million dollar contract and we expect more than what he did for a half the last time he played. we want whole games. we want whole months and seasons of him playing like that. but you just had your bright spot. his history suggests he'll bite dirt for the next week. i've given up on him. so have many others. but he will have to perform for much more than half a game before he gets the smidgen of a drop under a microscope of respect from me. seriously, i hope boris starts to kick ass. it would be sweet to see him doing at least 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists a game. i just don't think it's going to happen. here is one of the times i hope i am wrong so everybody can say so because the suns will be better for it and it's the suns that matter here. anyway dustbuster, i hope your hopes for boris aren't dashed.

slashed, well, that could be okay....

;)

ooo. i have an idea. if you like suns history, you like dash & burn. if you're a chef, have a little slash & dash. if you like war, slash & burn. and if you're old and are afraid of change, you like run & gun. what? you don't see the correlations? sigh. besides, guns are violent. boo! guns! washington can't even be the bullets any more. guns are bad, m'kay?

"stupid hippy. owning guns keeps the government from taking away your freedom."
"you mean like our civil liberties?"
"yes, like them."
"um...."

the moral of the story: everything makes perfect sense when you don't know the truth.

:lol:


Here's a wacky thought:

Pietrus wants out of Golden State, Banks wants out of Phoenix...

where have you read or heard that?


Woodster ... why would Nellie want to make a division rival better?

or chris mullin do a favor for steve kerr. that's not like ainge and mchale, is it?


As much as Duncan laid the smackdown on us last May, it was Ginobili's and Parker's unhindered penetration that really finished us off. With Skinner (over the vertically challenged KT), Amare actually contesting shots, Hill upping for some, and Marion as ever Marion was, methinks we have the paint pretty well defended....

exactly. it's the block party. as they say, three is a crowd, four is a party. skinner-hill-marion-stoudemire are the block party. look for their hit single, "in your face," from their acclaimed album, "slash & burn" in stores now! produced by rick rubin and steve nash with mike d'antoni, raja bell and leandro barbosa as backup singers. introducing boris diaw reciting his poem "on having american women:"

"i was at the kegger
in walks this multi-legger
two american women with big titty bang-bangs
i was swingin' brewskis
when the talk came up about threes and i said
yeah baby, you can do that with me!

cuz i'm french
i'm havin' sandwich shop fun
cuz i'm french
i'm havin' more than just one
cuz i'm french
happy pierre got nothin' ya see
at the kegger fendin' off leggers
cuz i'm french
you wish you was me!"

and so forth.

[Wormwood]

Mr.

It's been reported several times over the past 10 months that the Suns have been shopping Banks. Also, there have been several reports that he has been upset with his playing time, and very angry with D'Antoni. The word used at the time was "hate", and it was in the AZ Republic there's been several closed door meetings with him over the summer.

[misteradiant]

that's cool, wormwood. you say it, but i don't see corroborating evidence in the press. quote your sources.

[jkalldaway]

Hey guys, watch this video for a couple of reasons. One, it is amazing to see some of these Amare dunks. But, it is also cool to see how much better his shooting form has gotten in addition to his ability to finish without dunking.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=MUY_TSpCkXk&feature=related

[jkalldaway]

I don't know about closed door meetings but I will back up Worm in that the Suns were/are shopping Banks. The summer league was supposed to be used to showcase Banks to other teams.

[misteradiant]

i know about the summer bullshit, wormwood. give me a quote that is recent that says he is upset with his playing time.

[ShelC]

I havent seen anything recently, and supposedly things were smoothed over with MikeD and Banks thru Kerr. The suns were shopping banks hard this summer, probably are still calling teams about him but cant move him. MikeD did his usual 5 game showcase of Banks and decided he cant play on this team. Even after what was supposedly his best game that led to a handshake and a "deal" with the coach, Banks has barely gotten off the bench. I dont know that Banks is happy with his role here, but he seems more at ease with it than last year and probably would welcome a trade; tho i dont know that hes gone to Kerr and asked to be traded.

[misteradiant]

well that said a lot of nothing. and i should know. quote banks stating he's upset with his playing time or shut up.

as usual, the clock is ticking. as usual, i don't expect my challenges to be met.

[misteradiant]

and hey everybody, happy new year's. may your new year be everything you hope for now.

[Wormwood]

http://www.azcentral.com/blogs/index.php?blog=193&title=amare_boris_and&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

http://www.nba.com/suns/news/tribune_071004.html

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/98627

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/92502

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/columns/articles/0702gambo.html

Mr,

Not trying to be a jerk, but here's what I could pull up in 10 minutes. Someone on the board whom I trusted claimed to have talked with Marcus at the summer league, and he vented about the organization. Their coments were lost when th server crashed a few months back.

BTW - Happy New Years!

[OE]

MR is wrong. I don't mind the attitude, and I love your presence, MR, but there's nothing about dismissive arrogance that appeals.

Also, it's terribly conspicuous that there are a few posters who tend to equip themselves with venom whenever anyone writes anything negative pertaining to relations between players, coaching staff, front office, etc. As if these people escaped the drama inherent to all of us.

D'Antoni has favorites and ignores some others regardless what they do on the court. He has a bias toward guards and toward his own system. Whatever. I like him as coach and hope he continues here, but I do hope he gets over his insecurities to the extent that Pop has and learns to develop players. This "starting 7" BS gets annoying, as does his "system." You don't pass around Shaquille O'Neal to let your guards take all your shots. Give Amare the ball - and don't let that trend stop the first game we lose using that strategy - which, I fear, it may.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

[JediSkywalker]

D'Antoni has favorites and ignores some others regardless what they do on the court. He has a bias toward guards and toward his own system. Whatever. I like him as coach and hope he continues here, but I do hope he gets over his insecurities to the extent that Pop has and learns to develop players. This "starting 7" BS gets annoying, as does his "system." You don't pass around Shaquille O'Neal to let your guards take all your shots. Give Amare the ball - and don't let that trend stop the first game we lose using that strategy - which, I fear, it may.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I agree about the starting 7, and the insecurities of the coach. However, I disagree about him having a bias for the guards and anti-Amare. We have seen Amare being the dominant scorer whenever he is playing with intensity and not getting in foul trouble. If he picks up 2 fouls in the first 3 minutes, or is at 4 fouls at the start of 3rd Q, coach has to sit him, so that he is available in the 4th Q. He also starts playing tentatively if he picks up quick fouls. So you cannot blame it on the coach or the guards.

When Amare is playing with his whole heart, he does get the ball. Nash does not even want to shoot, unless the team needs him to. In the past the recipe for success for the Suns was for Amare to dominate the paint and others to shoot 3's. With the team's shooting percentage being low, - esp. from the arc- neither is effective anymore. However, if Amare puts his heart to it, he can help both. It's up to him, not the coach. What I do blame the coach for is not using the bench to develop back up players. That's where Pop really excels (and Avery too).

BTW, I would not compare Amare with Shaq, who was a great defensive player when he was younger. He really dominated the area near the basket and that's why he was getting the shots. Amare has a long way to go in that respect.

[sehan]

D'Antoni has favorites and ignores some others regardless what they do on the court. He has a bias toward guards and toward his own system. Whatever. I like him as coach and hope he continues here, but I do hope he gets over his insecurities to the extent that Pop has and learns to develop players. This "starting 7" BS gets annoying, as does his "system." You don't pass around Shaquille O'Neal to let your guards take all your shots. Give Amare the ball - and don't let that trend stop the first game we lose using that strategy - which, I fear, it may.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I agree about the starting 7, and the insecurities of the coach. However, I disagree about him having a bias for the guards and anti-Amare. We have seen Amare being the dominant scorer whenever he is playing with intensity and not getting in foul trouble. If he picks up 2 fouls in the first 3 minutes, or is at 4 fouls at the start of 3rd Q, coach has to sit him, so that he is available in the 4th Q. He also starts playing tentatively if he picks up quick fouls. So you cannot blame it on the coach or the guards.

When Amare is playing with his whole heart, he does get the ball. Nash does not even want to shoot, unless the team needs him to. In the past the recipe for success for the Suns was for Amare to dominate the paint and others to shoot 3's. With the team's shooting percentage being low, - esp. from the arc- neither is effective anymore. However, if Amare puts his heart to it, he can help both. It's up to him, not the coach. What I do blame the coach for is not using the bench to develop back up players. That's where Pop really excels (and Avery too).

BTW, I would not compare Amare with Shaq, who was a great defensive player when he was younger. He really dominated the area near the basket and that's why he was getting the shots. Amare has a long way to go in that respect.

Ugh... Shaq also always got 30 to 35 touches a game putting the other big man in foul trouble. He also never had to guard the other teams best big men... in his successful years in LA, he always had other big PFs to do his dirty work for him. In Orlando he had to guard Smith and the Dream in respective playoffs which resulted in him getting tired and in FOUL TROUBLE.

Not to mention he got way better treatment from the refs then Amare does.

[misteradiant]

http://www.azcentral.com/blogs/index.php?blog=193&title=amare_boris_and&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

http://www.nba.com/suns/news/tribune_071004.html

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/98627

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/92502

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/columns/articles/0702gambo.html

Mr,

Not trying to be a jerk, but here's what I could pull up in 10 minutes. Someone on the board whom I trusted claimed to have talked with Marcus at the summer league, and he vented about the organization. Their coments were lost when th server crashed a few months back.

BTW - Happy New Years!

all your links are from LAST season, or written in early october about last season. again, give me a quote from THIS season that says banks is ticked at his playing time NOW.

happy new years to you, dude.

:)

[misteradiant]

MR is wrong. I don't mind the attitude, and I love your presence, MR, but there's nothing about dismissive arrogance that appeals.

good thing i don't want a blowjob from you then, isn't it?

;)

[ShelC]

again, give me a quote from THIS season that says banks is ticked at his playing time NOW.

So u really think Banks, a former starter in this league, is happy about sitting on the bench waving a towel? He was upset about it last year, but all of sudden has accepted his label as an overpaid, underachieving practice player who cant play in the league?

Youre arguing just to argue again. Now i dont think Banks has asked out of Phoenix as someone stated, but hes definitely not happy about not being in the rotation.

[SwingMan]

To chime in on the Banks situation:

Yes, he's done some great things for the community during the holidays - duly acknowledged and respected.

That said, who the fuck cares how he's feeling about being snubbed? He made his own damn bed when he refused to work on his game to the point of being forced into summer league play. Whatever pile of shit that's raining down on him at the end of the bench is nothing more than he brought on himself.

[JediSkywalker]

Banks could actually be useful to this team, if he gets a chance to play a few meaningful minutes. He did play well in a couple of games when he had the opportunity. I don't care what happened last year; a player's skills need to be used, particularly when the starters are overworked, with 3.5 months of the season still remaining.

[SwingMan]

He could be useful, but he isn't - and he ain't willing.

I used to be the biggest Banks defender here last season, but after what transpired over the summer, he can rot for all I care.....

[ShelC]

I think youve really takin the SL thing and run with it too far. Youve blown it into something huge in your own mind. Yea, he scoffed at the SL suggestion initially and i cant really blame him. From his perspective, he was better than that having been a starter in the league. It was a huge blow to the ego of a young man. I think we all can relate to that in some way.

I dont recall there being any mention of him being forced to play in the SL. Management sat down with him and explained it would be in his best interest most likely, both to improve his game and maybe up his trade value. And what happend anyways? He played 1 game and dropped 42. Done with. But do u know for a fact he doesnt work on his game? Has he come out and said so, ala Shawn Marion? I dont recall such quotes. But it seems as if he at least approached this season with the right attitude, worked on his jumper to prepare for a different role off the bench but has since been relegated to the bench. To his credit, he doesnt seem to be sulking as he did last year. Hes up greeting guys during TOs, paying attention in the huddle from what ive seen. I really just think MikeD doesnt like his game and refuses to work with him in that regard. Yet he'll give Barbosa free reign to pound the hell out of the ball, play 1on5 in the halfcourt and attack the basket going 1on3 fastbreak which always gets him in trouble. To each his own.

[SwingMan]

Because the SL "thing" is all I needed to hear where Banks' dedication is concerned. And he hasn't made a damn bit of progress since - which is something Barbosa's made every single year he's been here, which is why a lot of us (myself included) are willing to give him slack.

Hope that's a little clearer.....

BTW, you "can't blame him" for scoffing at the SL????? Ok, his game's broke, so you'd rather he played broke? Hell, even Amare volunteered for SL in 2006 just to get back into the groove.....

[ShelC]

I didnt say he was right about scoffing at the SL, just that i could see where he was coming from. It came from immaturity and ego.

And Banks has made progress since last year. Hes moving the ball a lot better, moving it up court, making quicker decisions and his jumper has improved. His leash is just a lot shorter.

[OE]

Banks is shooting very well from 3. IMO, that's enough to warrant giving him 12 minutes a game behind Nash. Pop disliked Udrih's game, but he still played him; of course, now Udrih's thriving in Sacramento.

But it's too late for Banks. He's out of D'Antoni's rotation, and we've been criticized for poor play in the press, which means D'Antoni won't be giving anyone a chance for the possibility that we'll be wrose. That means Banks is out for the year. Another 5 million down the drain...

[Wormwood]

Of note....

I did not include articles I found that said he had some serious issues with his playing time in Boston, and had become a distraction there. There has been a pattern to his behavior. If you would like, I will provide those links as well. I suspect he is still unhappy, considering he's gotten evenless burn this year than last. It is not undeserved, however, given his +/- is in fact 9th on the team...

[sehan]

Regarding Banks, I don't really care if he wants to work on his game or not. If he can contribute now with the skills he already has, the coach should play him: plain and simple. He should simply utilize the tools he has at his disposal and try to get the best possible out of the player he has and not make things personal (i.e. don't play favorites).

Shawn hasn't worked on his game for years, much to all of our dismay, yet you don't see him on the bench or do you want to see him there.

I am not saying Banks is the solution to all of our problems or next heir apparent to Nash, but given our shooting woes and Bell's health issues he can help us to provide some valuable quality minutes and rest Bell.

Mike should get off his high horse and play him for the good of the team. This is not his team, its our team. I really couldn't care less if Mike gets blow jobs from Diaw or Banks banged his wife. He should play him for the good of the team.

[INFORMER]

Banks is shooting very well from 3. IMO, that's enough to warrant giving him 12 minutes a game behind Nash.

Agreed.

[ShelC]

What was the consensus on Smush when he played here? We had him on a 10day and then released him. Miami seems pretty desperate to move him and he seems pretty desperate to get out. He could be another headcase (fell out of favor with Jax and Riles) but his contract is shorter and cheaper. Could we swing a banks trade for him?

[SwingMan]

What was the consensus on Smush when he played here? We had him on a 10day and then released him. Miami seems pretty desperate to move him and he seems pretty desperate to get out. He could be another headcase (fell out of favor with Jax and Riles) but his contract is shorter and cheaper. Could we swing a banks trade for him?

A 6' 4" version of Stromile Swift - all hops, no brains.....

[JustWinBaby]

What was the consensus on Smush when he played here? We had him on a 10day and then released him. Miami seems pretty desperate to move him and he seems pretty desperate to get out. He could be another headcase (fell out of favor with Jax and Riles) but his contract is shorter and cheaper. Could we swing a banks trade for him?


You are joking - right

[desertcoast]

What was the consensus on Smush when he played here? We had him on a 10day and then released him. Miami seems pretty desperate to move him and he seems pretty desperate to get out. He could be another headcase (fell out of favor with Jax and Riles) but his contract is shorter and cheaper. Could we swing a banks trade for him?


You are joking - right

Yatu Tabuse!! Yatu Tabuse!!

( sorry..i just like saying that really loud and twice)

[SwingMan]

What was the consensus on Smush when he played here? We had him on a 10day and then released him. Miami seems pretty desperate to move him and he seems pretty desperate to get out. He could be another headcase (fell out of favor with Jax and Riles) but his contract is shorter and cheaper. Could we swing a banks trade for him?


You are joking - right

Yatu Tabuse!! Yatu Tabuse!!

( sorry..i just like saying that really loud and twice)

I'd be more than willing to bet that you'd like it even more when spelled right - :lol: ;)

Y-U-T-A Tabuse.

[desertcoast]

spelling schmelling....

What are you Swing, The Short-Japanese-NBA-Guy-Name-Spelling Nazi? :mrgreen:


<walks away grumbling "Yatu Tabuse" anyway...>

[misteradiant]

What was the consensus on Smush when he played here? We had him on a 10day and then released him. Miami seems pretty desperate to move him and he seems pretty desperate to get out. He could be another headcase (fell out of favor with Jax and Riles) but his contract is shorter and cheaper. Could we swing a banks trade for him?


hysterical. that is even worse than "renaldo balkman is a poor man's shawn marion." maybe if i keep posting at the rate i do, and i hit 10,000 posts in like.... (counting).... 12 more years, i'll have as many bad ideas as you do.

regarding banks: all i am saying is there is nothing written about this season that says banks is not pleased with his minutes. i am sure he isn't, but as far as we know he isn't making any waves about it.

[SwingMan]

spelling schmelling....

What are you Swing, The Short-Japanese-NBA-Guy-Name-Spelling Nazi? :mrgreen:


<walks away grumbling "Yatu Tabuse" anyway...>

Sorry - meant it in the voice of Niles Crane.

At least you got it right 3/4 backwards, that's something, right? :lol:

[Nodack]

Banks got paid a lot of money to be Nash's backup PG and it hasn't worked out so far. He has improved a little I think. It's true that he hasn't gotten a lot of PT, but in the PT he has gotten he has only played semi OK. If I was Banks, I sure wouldn't be happy with my PT and if I was the Suns and the coach I wouldn't be happy with what I have received in return from Banks.

The Suns didn't expect much from Skinner and he only got limited minutes in the rotation, but since he has proven himself to be a valuable contributer on the court he has gotten more and more PT as a result.


D'Antoni has favorites and ignores some others regardless what they do on the court. He has a bias toward guards and toward his own system.

I think D'Antoni plays the guys he thinks will contribute on the court and the guys that don't don't get the PT. I think he definitely has a bias towards his own system. That is his system the same way Phil Jackson is biased towards the triangle offense. That is their system they believe in and know, of course they are biased towards it.

[desertcoast]

spelling schmelling....

What are you Swing, The Short-Japanese-NBA-Guy-Name-Spelling Nazi? :mrgreen:


<walks away grumbling "Yatu Tabuse" anyway...>

Sorry - meant it in the voice of Niles Crane.

At least you got it right 3/4 backwards, that's something, right? :lol:


nah, I was hearing much more Jack Nicholson:wink:

[ShelC]

i am sure he isn't, but as far as we know he isn't making any waves about it.

So youd rather have him make waves about it, be a distraction and a dick teammate just so we can validate that hes unhappy about minutes?

hysterical. that is even worse than "renaldo balkman is a poor man's shawn marion." maybe if i keep posting at the rate i do, and i hit 10,000 posts in like.... (counting).... 12 more years, i'll have as many bad ideas as you do.

Well, if nothing else we'd get out from under Banks' contract. Smushs contract is 2 years shorter, up after next year as opposed to paying Banks 4.7mil (what raja makes now) in 3 years. Sorry if that might make sense.

[misteradiant]

makes sense to you.

i thought you didn't read my posts.

[ShelC]

You are simply too enamoring to ignore.

[misteradiant]

i got rid of the enamoring when i stopped shaving my ass.

i love you too, man. i know you can't stop. thanks for reading. thanks for buying my book. i hope you enjoyed it because it's crazy and sticky and fun like being a teenager with cocaine in the summer. please also know i'd welcome you with open arms and a cold beer with food cooked by the girls that love me in an art gallery, as i have welcomed others. but you read my posts and put more words into them.


So youd rather have him make waves about it, be a distraction and a dick teammate just so we can validate that hes unhappy about minutes?

where the hell did i say that? you put more words into my words than there were original words. do you do acid?

you know those bud light commercials? you're the dude the dude keeps saying dude to.

and no, you don't get a winky face.

[misteradiant]

So youd rather have him make waves about it, be a distraction and a dick teammate...

well that does it. we'll again never draft a guy named richard.

but wait! there's more!

if he's gay, wouldn't he like a dick teammate?

[JediSkywalker]

D'Antoni has favorites and ignores some others regardless what they do on the court. He has a bias toward guards and toward his own system.

I think D'Antoni plays the guys he thinks will contribute on the court and the guys that don't don't get the PT. I think he definitely has a bias towards his own system. That is his system the same way Phil Jackson is biased towards the triangle offense. That is their system they believe in and know, of course they are biased towards it.

The difference is Jackson has 9 rings to show for his bias. Dantoni has none.

[tbrkingofthesouth]

D'Antoni has favorites and ignores some others regardless what they do on the court. He has a bias toward guards and toward his own system.

I think D'Antoni plays the guys he thinks will contribute on the court and the guys that don't don't get the PT. I think he definitely has a bias towards his own system. That is his system the same way Phil Jackson is biased towards the triangle offense. That is their system they believe in and know, of course they are biased towards it.

The difference is Jackson has 9 rings to show for his bias. Dantoni has none.

Wow good call Vash