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 Phoenix Suns Mid-Season Report
Posted By: Steve Kerr |
 Along with Boris Diaw and Brian Skinner, DJ Strawberry's extended minutes have helped the Suns to the top of the Western Conference standings. (NBAE Photos) |
I’m particularly happy with our team's recent progress, especially given that Grant Hill missed 7 games following his appendectomy a couple of weeks ago.. In a strange way, though, Grant's absence may have helped us grow stronger as a team. We were forced to go deeper into our rotation, with Brian Skinner, DJ Strawberry and Boris Diaw all given more responsibility and playing time. Boris has played better than he has all season during that span, and Brian's shot blocking continues to give us a boost defensively. DJ has seen significant minutes the last two games, and his defensive intensity and energy have been important. He did a great job on Vince Carter in the New Jersey game, giving us the kind of size and toughness Raja Bell provides. Now that Grant is back, DJ will return to the bench, but it was great for us to see him perform the way he did when he got his chance. We believe DJ has a bright future, and that our depth has improved because we know he can do the job when called upon.
The rest of our schedule is going to be difficult, even with much of our road slate behind us. We're going to be facing a lot of Western playoff teams coming up, and with the Lakers much improved, our main goal is to win the Pacific Division and get a top 3 seed in the West. We're going to have to play consistently well the rest of the season to make that happen.
As always, thanks so much for your support. Go Suns!
One more thing...I'll be answering fan e-mail again in my next blog so send me your questions and check back soon.
Comments
david - reno
hey steve i just wondering if we were going to get any new player like tyson chandler or pj brown to help out with our rebounding and some more defence presences in the paint to make us a bit stronger and help amare stoudemire stay out of foul trouble because he's our only big man in the paint.
Corey - Iowa
How does a team of the Suns' caliber give the Twolves 2 of there 7 wins this season and lose to the Heat and Clippers? What does this say about a team that is expected to contend for a championship?
JOHN S. - SURPRISE AZ
Like the Bucks attempted the night before, the Timberwolves went right for our juglar, "interior defense", ours being pathetic at best. Just when you think our toughness, and consistency, are making a comeback, Suns take that long step backwards. Wolves Jefferson made Amare look helpless on what I'll loosely call defense. Are we ever going to get the concept of blocking out or rotating? Suns are without doubt the paper tigers of the NBA. Any team with an active big man has our number. The all we have to do is outscore you therory of Suns basketball is entertaining, but I thought we had bigger goals?
Eric Coyle - Washington, D.C
Steve-
How are you? I am really proud of the accomplishment thus far that our team has displayed. I still would like to know if there is a chance we will upgrade our depth at the center position? Its getting to the point that obviously we need to have another physical, athletic, big man in the middle to compliment Amare. I love our team and would not think about trading our core, but Steve we really need help at the center position. I fear that we might have an early exit from the playoffs if it doesn't get addressed.
Thank you very much and keep up the good job.
Go Phoenix!!!!
Eric
Tom S - Sun City West AZ
Why not keep Boris Diaw in the starting lineup
and bring Grant Hill in off the bench since Boris
seemed to find himself in that position?
latry howard - tempe az
Hey steve, I just want to thank you for realizing that DJ Strawberry can play and he needs those minutes. Second of,how in the world did we let the Twolves beat us? I think think we took them for granted,just because a team is not as good you still play your heart out,and that's what we didn't do. So please tell the team if we are playing high schoolers play your heart out and better defenese
Joe Allen - Panama City, Fl
Steve, I'm really concerned about the way we are playing Defense, Amare is getting killed in the Paint. Every night, the other team's center gets career numbers, That's got to be a red flag. We need to get someone who can get stops.
I love the way we play, it's really fun to watch but on games like last night's it's a torture. We can't just outscore someone anymore we need to play defense!
We are still on top, but I really don't care about the standings, I'm worried about the way we are playing, lack of energy and communication.
Joey - California
It should be expected that phoenix be a stronger team with the addition of Grant Hill, but though Grant is performing great, it looks like that Boris Diaw's performance had gone below poor.This is an excellent shooting team but the rebounding is awful.If the Laker's Andrew Bynum improved especially in rebounding, how come Stoudemire can't. Anyways praying for the best on the Suns, I'm an avid fan.
Vince Manalo - Philippines
I've been a Suns fan since Charles Barkley era. I'm still waiting for the Suns to bring the NBA title. I think we have to add another big man before the trade or free agency deadline ends. I'll bet you Suns would not win a championship without a big man who can defend those guys like Kevin Garnet, Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Duncan...
Dave Mishler - Bella Vista,Arkansas
Hey Steve,Arent you getting tired of the up and down levels of effort and consistency being displayed by the Team? Have you discussed this with them? What are you doing about it?.Ihave been a fan since 1968.This team is the worst at consistency of effort.
J Chang - Auckland, NZ
Hey, congratulations on the Sun's progress this year. I have enjoyed watching and listening to all the games. I was however, disappointed with the Suns loss to Minnesota. Something needs to be done and consistency is really one of the big questions. Hey, any chance of seeing Sean Marks play more? Everyone down here is really keen on Marks getting more court time and being able to contribute more than he is currently. Go PHOENIX, 2007-08 NBA CHAMPIONS!!!
Letdownagain - PHX
2 losses to the T wolves is not acceptable. I see during the short little winning stretch we had, from LA on, players were obviously instructed to address the concern we fans have during post game interviews. They made comments like "Wow I was on a bad team last year, and to hear all this talk about how we are struggling is weird to me". That was Grant Hill. Guess what,...get used to it. When you let a 7 win team throw you around and you blindly stand by and let them steal all the cookies out the cookie jar, you are going to hear it from us fans. We have been waiting for this core group of players to take us to the promised land for 3 plus seasons. Every loss, like the one to the T Wolves, pulls back the curtain a bit more and other teams begin to see the crazy old wizard in OZ (or PHX) operating the scary machine and before you know it,... all the teams that once feared this fast run and gun look at us like the undersized munchkins we really are and just stomp us out!! We need to trade or sign now for some size to contend and go long in the playoffs or it's back to Kansas and reality.
Concerned Fan - PHX
I know the system is predicated on sharing the ball but might we be wasting one of the best offensive forces of all time. If you look at the PER (Player Efficiency Rating) statistic you'll see that Amare Stoudemire is #3 in the league behind LeBron James and Chris Paul. Being in that company without having the offense run through you every time is an impressive feat. Just last night Amare made 14 of his 16 shots while Al Jefferson "dominated" making 15 of his 29. I won't disagree that Amare is a defensive liability but isn't that all the more reason to get as much offensive production out of him while he is out there?
LAwolf - LA
Move Diaw to the starting line up. He's the second best passer on our team and he can do so many things once he gets the ball. I think Grant should come off the bench instead of Diaw. Why do we let Barbosa run the point ever? He's a 2 not a 1. Feed the beast in the middle and run more plays for Marion.
I think we can play great defense but having a bruiser like PJ or some other big man would solidify our interior.
aids - nowheresville
Hi Steve, when are you going to pick up a legit 5? If Marion leaves then that would mean that your 4 will be in a bit of a pickle. Sliding Amare back to to Power forward (which is his natural position anyway) would be the obvious answer but who is going to man the post?
Cleetus - Tempe
Steve please give Shawn whatever he wants this offseason.
JJ - Houston
BTW, can we upgrade our depth at the PF position as well? Besides, we will need a Real back up point guard for Nash. Thanks!
JOHN S. - SURPRISE AZ
First, let me say we (Suns) showed some heart and determination against Cleveland, bittersweet victory. Now, the reality, we all like the excitement, suspense, and entertainment. Of course we do!! But the need to hit 17 three's, while being outrebounded by double digits, and having to come back from 18 down are some of the reasons we won't contend in this years playoffs. How many times do you think were going to hit that many from far away? How many times do teams come back from 18 down, or are out rebounded by ridiculous numbers and actually win? Not many!! We need to fix this now, or all we are is an entertaining team, never a champion.
Michael - Camp Verde
I am surpised that nothing was done in the offseason to bolster the inside game of the Suns. It seems ratrher obvious that anytime we play anyone with size that we struggle defensively and usually suffer on the boards. I can see that we are having another good season but are we going to get eliminated when we get to San Antonio again? The Lakers gave us all we could handle when Bynum was healthy. I'm hoping that we can aquire some inside strength before we get eliminated in the conference finals once again.
shaun - mesa
The suns are a special team. they have been through alot since nash came back. steve nash the last 4 years he has been the best point guard in the nba, amare with his ups and downs and a knee surgery thought to possibly be the end for him and yet he is still growing as a player and could be a dominant force within 1-2 years. marion what a special player. if he were a main scorer on another team he could avg 25 ppg 2+ blocks 2+ steals 11+ rebs he really is unselfish and yet he does so much at both ends. barbosa is superstar off the bench. bell is so incredible beyond words and grant hill what a steal. the suns are still adjusting and yet still have one of the best records. i believe they will be at the top of their game by the playoffs and grant hill will emerge even more as the true superstar he is unselfishly and plus the chip on the suns shoulder from last year and the suns will not be the one afraid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Daniel Liguori - Ridge
Hey, Steve are there any upgrades you are looking to make on this Suns roster? What part of this roster do you feel needs to be upgraded most?
Jeff Chronister - Prescott,Az
I like most things about our team,however Stoudamire needs help badly.I think if we make any future trades they should be for an additional high draft pick.We have a logjam at point guard and could look into dealing 1or2 plus cash in order to secure a pick high enough to get a DeAndre Jordan of Texas A&M or A Kevin Love. The guard I am most excited by is Eric Gordon of Indiana. It definitely couldn't hurt to aquire one of these players to help us against portland and seattle next year.
Amar - New Jersey
Steve, I just wandering what your gonna do about a back-up point guard. Steve Nash is one of the best but the man is only human, Cassell, Stoudemire, I'm a big Barbousa fan but he's a 2 guard. Why dont you come out of retirment instead of P.J. and back up Nash ? LETS MAKE IT HAPPEN !
Josh - Long Island, NY
Steve we need to address our interior defense. We are getting killed on the offensive glass. Is there any chance of bringing Kurt Thomas back as a rental for the remainder of the year? If not Kurt, is there anyone out there who we are going to bring in that will give us some tough minutes, and six fouls without slowing down our game, or hurting our chemistry. Lifelong suns fan here, and I really thought this was finally our year. The way our interior defense is playing though, I think we have regressed from last year. Let's go get one more big man, and win the ring this year..
John A. - Tucson, Az
What about Steven Hunter, who we had a few years ago. He is an athletic, running big man. If not that, do SOMETHING. Every single game, it seems like the other teams center has a career game.
Shane - LA, CA
I'm surprised at how lots of people just seem to think that the core problem lies within lack of interior defense and adding another big man would solve everything. Although it definitely needs to be addressed, I really don't think it's nearly as imperative as taking care of the backup point guard issue. Anyone ever noticed how alot of times we jump in front w/ a 10+ pt lead off the gate but give it right back end of the 1st quarter/early 2nd quarter? Granted that it's partially defense, but it's also the turn overs and bad shot selections. There's absolutely none offensive scheme @ work or whatsoever when Nash's off the court. And it's a shame that we have Barbosa or Diaw putting up bad shots all the time while arguably the best 1-on-1 player on the team (next to Nash), Hill, only gets baseline corner 3s instead of creating off the dribble or anchoring the offense.
Yes, defense is somewhat lacking, but defense is about more than just low-post presence. Last time I checked, Hornets only has Chandler and they're. No.1 in the West, and I think we'd all agree that although Chandler's good, Amare's better. And we do have Skinner's doing an admirable job when he gets to play, while Diaw on the other hand can sure use some of improvement considering he gets so much playing time.
JOHN S. - SURPRISE AZ
Good win against a Bulls team we would be expected to beat, especially with two of their starters out. Amare still troubles me with the fouls, he just doesn't seem able to control them. This will be glaring in any playoff series. Like I say, Suns are the best of the "rest", but are we in with the "elite", thats the ?????
coach - watts, ca
dj strawberry is unbelievable, just wait until he starts really playing. he is going to be an all star
coach - watts, ca
dj strawberry is unbelievable, just wait until he starts really playing. he is going to be an all star. i have watched him from summer sessions with paul pierce and baron davis. he will be one of the players that really blossoms. Did you know DJ was the first mvp of michael Jordans camp in santa barbara when he was 12.
Dennis Sekach - glendale,az.
Hi Steve,I have noticed the last several games that Nash has been sitting out resting his "back"even when his team is losing badly.If I'm not mistaken he's been sitting out close to 5+min.??Why is he being allowed so much time lately?????????
Jesmond Farrugia - Marsascala - Malta - Europe
I think the coach uses his first 5 for too much minutes and this tends to exhaust the players once the intensity of the playoff is around the corner. Go Phoenix. Support from far away in Malta
justin sweeney - provo, ut
hey steve --
this is an admonition to the fans...WE HAVE TO BE CRAZY LOUD AND INTO IT THE NEXT FEW WEEKS!!!! i unfortunately can't go to the games, living out of state for now, however we need to turn US Airways center into the loudest most rambunctious arena in the league. i'm sick of all the second guessing and negative analysis by fans and national media alike. february could very well determine our playoff seeding and with it our post season fate. this team is good enough to win, and win it all. i feel like everyone has been spoiled with the suns the last few years that we are taking this team for granted, and if seems like the players aren't enjoying themselves, it's because WE aren't as fun to play for anymore...let's turn the tide, and run away with the WEST and the TITLE!!! GO SUNS
Peter Lopez - Paranaque City, Philippines
Men in Orange need to turn it up a notch in every aspect of their game. In the Nash era, PHX fans in the 'Pines have been so used to having 'em win easily in blistering streaks left & right leaving a wide array of round ball carcasses in its trail, but losing to the T-Wolves twice & to Miami is a testament to the lacksadaiscal approach the Suns take when facing inferior line ups.This has got to stop, record should have read 35-10. No use crying over spilled milk,though the West has never been this crowded with great teams the past decade and to come out on top at half season, talks volume of the Suns' character as a team. But to end long suffering Suns fans of their misery, the core needs to sustain an over the top sense of urgency 'tude in winning it all this June, not next year or not the season after next, the time is now. The Arizona desert has been dry far too long. God bless the Suns.
JOHN S. - SURPRISE AZ
I had the rare opportunity to actually attend the Suns, Hawks game. Now thats the Suns team I used to know. Without doubt the best game so far this year. We don't play even good defense most of the time, but against Atlanta it was as excellent as it gets in the NBA. Diaw, ( I'm a harsh critic of his) played the best all around game he has in two seasons. If this is the effort we can get on a consistent basis, we have a real legitimate shot at the big prize.
Tom Lea - Madison, Wi
Hey Steve, I was just wondering if Alando Tucker is ever going to get solid minutes on this team. The kid is an athletic freak, why not give him the opportunity to go out on the floor with the likes of Steve Nash and see what he can do. Give him a chance, he was one of your first round picks, and you'll never know what he's capable of, unless you give him a chance.
Andrew - Cali
Steve, please look to acquire defensive-oriented center who doesn't slow down the team's offense so that Amare and Marion can play their natural positions, PF and SF respectively. Then perhaps we won't get killed on the boards so much and our interior defense will improve.
I think it is unfair to expect Marion to play power forwards, utilizing all his energy on defense in playoff games, only to become tired on offense.
andrew - california
steve i hope that you are going to make some kind of a trade i mean look at the lakers that got pau gasol trade marcus banks or something we need a big man if we play the lakers how are we going to compete with two seven footers i mean goodness we need a big man badly
Dave - NY
Steve, if you don't get a hard-nosed palyer like Ron Artest, you can forget about a championship. There's no way you'll beat Dallas or San Antonio.
Also, D'Antoni doesn't use M. Banks, so that position needs an upgrade. Have you considered Sam Cassell from the Clippers?
lebronks - philippines
steve,aren't you going to get a better back-up point guard for steve nash? marcus banks is good but i think troy hudson is much better. fyi, he's a free agent right now. mark jackson(former hornet) would also be a great addition to the team. there are lots of good role players that are free agents ryt now steve!!! better wake-up before playoffs :)
Cas - Texas
Steve, what's up with this trade?? Marion for Shaq??? That's not the trade we need. We need a big man that can run, not a broken down uninspired Diesel. If your going to trade Marion get something back for your money. Don't panic yet, the Suns are still #1 in the west.
mdruiz - Douglas
Marion for Shaq? Terrible move!
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