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 Are the Suns "Finals-worthy"?
Posted By: Dan Hilton |
 Are the Suns "Finals-worthy"? (NBAE Photos) |
Team One
- 0-3 on the road in December
- 7-2 at home in December
- 3.41 blocks per game in December
- 43% shooting percentage in December
- 5-5 in the past 10 games
- 3-3 in the past 6 games
Team Two
- 7-4 on the road in December
- 3-1 at home in December
- 7.8 blocks per game in December
- 50% shooting percentage in December
- 6-4 in the past 10 games
- 4-2 in the past 6 games
Since this is a Suns blog, you probably already know that Team Two is the Suns. But my point is this: Phoenix played 11 games on the road in December and only 4 at home. In December, they had two fairly long road trips, the most home games they had in a row was two, they played 3 more games than the Spurs and still had a 67% winning percentage.
Sure, there are improvements the team can make. They can still improve their rotation on defense and they can pick up the pace on offense a bit. But if they keep winning the way they have in the past 30 games, they’ll end up with 54 wins and should take the Pacific Division title again. The Suns are good enough that they don’t really have to worry about making the playoffs. They’re like the other elite teams in the league that use the regular season to tweak their lineups, test out new things and get ready for the playoffs. And while they’re doing that, they are still pretty darn entertaining.
I’ve said this before but I would like to say it again: Let’s enjoy the ride! There aren’t too many teams in the NBA that are as entertaining and as successful as the Suns are.
Oh, and one last thing, Happy New Year!!
Comments
Lori Ann - Sedona Superfan
Happy Healthy 2008, Dan!
don - phx
I don't think anyone close to the NBA, fan or analyst would argue that the suns do have enough talent to make it to the finals. Without a doubt they probably have the most talented 7 players combined of any NBA team. Yes inclusive of Boston. Where you will find the debate is do they have enough heart? I've preached this before, but talent gets you offense. Heart gets you defense and rebounding.
And defense and rebounding are the keys to winning in the playoffs. Limiting your opponents to 1 shot per possession and playing sound "team" defense is why the spurs who aren't nearly as talented as the suns, but have more heart make it time and again through the playoffs. And quite frankly as much as I hate to admit as I'm not a spurs fan, they are a more cohesive team.
Look at their defense. They have Tim Duncan and Bruce Bowen as very good 1-1 defenders. But their key is their defensive concepts and strategy's. Take a look at how they help and rotate off the ball, they are the definition of sound team defense.
In contrast the suns have 3 pretty good 1-1 defenders in Bell, Marion and Hill. But they lack the defensive strategies and their rotations are horrendus. Just watch their pick and roll defense, it's very lackadaisical. And as a result with players out of position, they give up the offensive boards and get outrebounded badly. Nobody will ever mistake the suns as a great defensive team, but with a little more effort they could be an ok one.
At this point they've got alot of work to do just to get to the "ok" status. I think their defense has suffered as a result of losing Iavaroni.
suns offense will put points on the board, despite their struggles so far, they will improve and yes Raja Bell will get his touch back. But will it be enough? As D'antoni has stated before, the best defense is the team with the most points at the end of the game. The inferred message in that statement is once in awhile you must make some defensive stops.
Carla - Cottonwood, AZ
HI Dan! Happy New Year! Hope it's awesome and we see the greatest, and funnest team in sneakers win it this season.
Hi Don, I think you need to listen to the comments of the players. They know that defense is one of the keys to the game. Stat has been saying that and he's trying to do that very thing, he's trying to figure out how and NOT foul the players doing it. I think he needs to get some humbleness and get together with Skinner and work on the defensive plan. Skinner has become a key to our defense, and he's been doing a great job of it. We've been doing a better job at the rebounds, yes it could be better...but it is getting there. I've been watching Steve and LB, they've been getting more aggresive on the defensive. Yes, Steve is a smaller player, so it is easier to score on him..but he's in their face, and so is LB. He's produced some steals, I think it's going to be ok, as long as they start clicking. What I think they're missing is their former team spirit. I don't know if you've noticed..where's the smiles? Where's the grinning and laughing behind the towels? Did we loose happiness and joy of the game when we lost the playoffs last year? I want to carry a banner quoting Raja's wife last year "Just Have Fun!"
MAYBE, then everything else will follow!
JOHN S. - SURPRISE AZ
Said it many times before, say it again, we need consistency. You can't be two teams, with the hope that the one with energy, some form of defense and rebounding shows up. How long are we going to say don't worry it's just the regular season? We have not improved our flow of the game thus far. We still have not established a pattern of energy for an entire 48 minutes. Our fast pace game staggers for to many stretches. I still question our determination to reach the finals.
STU - Tempe
The Suns certainly have the talent to make the Finals. They are a team made up of veterans that want nothing so bad as a title and they know better than anyone what it takes to get there. I think the concerns about who the Suns are and their ability to win (even in the playoffs when we all know the game changes) has gotten a little out of hand. They have done a good job through a difficult stretch of their season. They have shown plenty of glimpses of the weapons they posses when firing on all cylinders and the effect they can have on any team including the Spurs. But, hey we are spoiled. We have watched great basketball from a great team for a few years and we expect the best every night. If you think the players go into games with any other thought your crazy, but you can't win 'em all. I just wish the Suns truly would use this time to tweak lineups and discover what works. The Suns rotations are so regular you could set a clock by them most nights. I think it would be great to see what Banks could do with more than 12 games under his belt. Really, 12 games out 31. The guy has to play if he is ever going to contribute. Sorry I digressed. Go Suns and remember that we should enjoy the chances we get to watch this team because as we all witnessed after our last run to the Finals it can all come crumbling down very fast. Then the next thing you know you have Stephon Marbury running the point.
Cody - ABQ GROW UP AMARE PLEASE!!!
In my opinion the problem with this team stems mostly from Amare's lack of maturity. The guy is an unreal talent, but he is not humble and way to often lets his overblown ego contribute to bad decisions and forced one on one play. On D he would rather get a blocked shot and feel like he got over on his opponent than pester a guy and give max effort, making it difficult for that opponent to get into position to score in the first place (ie. Kurt Thomas has done his whole career). Calling teammates out because you don't get the ball enough is selfish and is contributing to what appears to be a team not enjoying itself as much as in recent years. It's a double edge sword though because we need him to get the ball and score for us to be successful. I just think if he grew up a bit he would really help this team take it to the next level. The next thing that is problematic for the Suns was mentioned above. Heart. We will be out rebounded based on our style, but we can control our effort in the areas that will push us over the top such as defensive rotations, pick & roll D, loose balls, minimizing 2nd chance points...etc I hate to admit it, but until we do a way better job with effort in those areas we are doomed to loose in the playoffs. I love the Suns and realize that I, like many, may have overly optimistic expectations, but the truth is that this team can win it all, with the current lineup with only minor changes. Coach, Steve, please take the reigns and get Amare on board Until he get's it, we won't win the big one.
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