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Revisiting Phoenix
« on: November 12, 2009, 01:19:00 PM »

Offline QuinielaBox

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Phoenix - This team keeps getting weaker as Nash gets older and the owner keeps cutting salary - Q in his annual Pacific Division Preview

Phoenix has made a fool out of me. After watching last night's thorough drubbing of New Orleans, it seems like that getting rid of Shaq and resorting to small ball has worked out wonders for them. Mr. Grant Hill plays the small PF spot to perfection. Jared Dudley seems to be taking time away from Barbosa believe it or not. I don't know what is in store for them later in the season when injuries and adjustments made from the scouting reports take effect, but this is a fun team to watch right now. Lots of good fantasy sleepers abound on this team.

While it is a long season, it appears that Phoenix has worked its way back to a solid Tier 2 team and barring injury, will be a playoff team.

(I'm wondering about New Orleans, though).
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Re: Revisiting Phoenix
« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2009, 01:31:30 PM »

Offline Jon Niednagel

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Phoenix went downhill with Shaq, and has returned to form without him. Shaq goes to Cleveland and now they don't appear to be as strong as last year without him. Where there is smoke there is fire.
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“Being a Celtic is, every decision you make is about the team. Every cut you make is about the team. Every pass you make is about the team. You take yourself out of it. It’s not for everyone. If you don’t want to win, don’t want to play team basketball, and it’s more about you then you’re probably not a Celtic." Doc 2010
Re: Revisiting Phoenix
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2009, 01:35:58 PM »

Offline perks-a-beast

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They just look great right now. Amare is playing great, Richardson looks to be a good piecce, Grant Hill looks about 5 years younger, and Nash looks like he's back to MVP form. Not to mention Channing Frye. He's the perfect fit for them, he creates spacing which allows Nash to operate which he couldnt do when Shaq was around.

I will be paying very close attention to their game with LA tonight. If they're going to be taken seriously then these are the types of games they must win. Beating us and LA (both road games)in the same week would be huge for their confidence.
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Re: Revisiting Phoenix
« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2009, 01:50:03 PM »

Offline Drucci

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I'm glad for Nash, Barbosa & cie, because everybody said they were done last year. Sure, you can argue that they are only effective in run & gun but hey... that's working so far and it's fun to watch them play. I'm interested to see if they can stay in the top 3 in the West. I don't think so because with their style of play they will necessarily get tired during the season.

But I think they could make an "upset" in the playoffs with their style of play. Their defense isn't good but it's better than what it used to be and I have the feeling that Gentry's run & gun is even more faster (and efficient) than D'Antoni's!
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Re: Revisiting Phoenix
« Reply #4 on: November 12, 2009, 02:37:00 PM »

Offline Roy Hobbs

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Going to a half-court, slower-paced offense never made sense for Phoenix.  I thought Kerr was out of his mind for trying.
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Re: Revisiting Phoenix
« Reply #5 on: November 12, 2009, 02:41:58 PM »

Offline TheReaLPuba

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Please....if the idea and goal is to win a championship then the Suns are no where closer than they were with or without an aging Shaq.

Yeah they're back to a high octane offense and they're exciting to watch but they will tire out again come playoff time and wilt under the pressure of playoff defenses.

Let them have their regular season success....they won't come close to sniffing an NBA Finals appearance.
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Re: Revisiting Phoenix
« Reply #6 on: November 12, 2009, 02:52:46 PM »

Offline Jon Niednagel

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Totally disagree. I think they were legit in previous years and made a lot of noise in the playoffs. They didn't lose steam at the end, they lost important pieces of the puzzle due to key injuries, a fluke head butt, and suspensions. With Shaq they couldn't even make the playoffs.

 
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“Being a Celtic is, every decision you make is about the team. Every cut you make is about the team. Every pass you make is about the team. You take yourself out of it. It’s not for everyone. If you don’t want to win, don’t want to play team basketball, and it’s more about you then you’re probably not a Celtic." Doc 2010
Re: Revisiting Phoenix
« Reply #7 on: November 12, 2009, 02:59:50 PM »

Offline Who

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The Suns are a million miles away from putting a contender on the floor. They're a third tier team with limited options for adding elite talents in the near future. They're going nowhere.

The Suns should have begun rebuilding last offseason.
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Re: Revisiting Phoenix
« Reply #8 on: November 12, 2009, 04:17:57 PM »

Offline TheReaLPuba

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Yea the Suns were only "legit" based on hype alone. They were never serious contenders because they couldn't play any defense whatsoever.

A Lakers team pre-Gasol and Bynum had a 3-1 lead against the soft Suns and every year Marion or Amare or both would come up small in the playoffs time and time again.

True contenders play at a high level at both ends of the floor.
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Re: Revisiting Phoenix
« Reply #9 on: November 12, 2009, 04:39:33 PM »

Offline the_Bird

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Phoenix never has gotten that balance right between offense and D.  They tried to slow down the offense to play better D last year, but it didn't help; they just ended up a medicore offensive squad that still couldn't stop anyone.

One of my hopes, though...   I'm not convinced D'Antoni ever pays more than lip service to playing D.  LeBron's a smart man that's played on one of the best defensive teams in the league.  He gets it - he knows you need to play on both ends of the court.

As much fun as it might be to play for D'Antoni, doesn't LeBron have to wonder about whether he can really win a title playing for a coach who doesn't seem to care about D? 
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