Whats with the Phx Suns? (coach, game, Celtics, Knicks)

[freefall]

A couple years ago they could have gone all the way when they had Kurt Thomas providing the inside help to Amare, but they has some injuries. Then they let Kurt go for nothing, and trade Marion for Shaq, and slowed down. If Steve Kerr had just kept Thomas and Marion, with adding Hill, they would challenge LA. Robin Lopez would add a good running center, they would be tough!
As it is, they now let another 2 of their former starters go, for gunner Jason Richardson. This team has talent, but their game is much more boring now, and the jury is out on Porter. I guess only time will tell if Kerr made the biggest blunders since Isaiah Thomas.

[Canes2006Champs]

I still think they should have given D'Antoni more time. It seems like Grant Hill has been playing more productive since he got traded out there

[Alexus]

I agree. The Suns had a great team. The problem though was that they couldn't get past the Spurs. Bringing Shaq on board was a mistake. He's old, pondering, lumbering, wide body that decreased the athleticism and pace of that team. Grant Hill was not worth bringing on. He's extremely fragile physically and not the threat he once posed. Getting rid of Marion was a foolish move. I felt that move represented the end of whatever chance that team had at making a serious run.

Raja Bell is not a versatile player. He's a streaky shooter at the 3-point line, opts to pass rather than drive to the basket. He doesn't create opportunities like Nash, doesn't penetrate, and can't run that team like Nash can. Team in disarray with Nash on the bench and Raja running the team. His production dropped off as of late, maybe due to injuries. He had a couple years left on his contract, but seemed less effective after D'Antoni left. The system no longer set up for him to simply pass and shoot 3-pointers so he's floundering.

J Rich of course is a great dunker and a scoring threat. But with the game on the line, you do not go with him. If he's on the free throw, with time off the clock and his team needing him to make two shots for the win, he'd miss the first one - game over. If the last second shot was thrown to him for the win, he'd miss far more than he'd make that shot. Not a player to rely on in the clutch. Not impressive defensively either.

Suns in transition now with these trades. Be interesting to see if they can get better or fall from elite status.

[freefall]

Originally Posted by Alexus

I agree. The Suns had a great team. The problem though was that they couldn't get past the Spurs. Bringing Shaq on board was a mistake. He's old, pondering, lumbering, wide body that decreased the athleticism and pace of that team. Grant Hill was not worth bringing on. He's extremely fragile physically and not the threat he once posed. Getting rid of Marion was a foolish move. I felt that move represented the end of whatever chance that team had at making a serious run.

Raja Bell is not a versatile player. He's a streaky shooter at the 3-point line, opts to pass rather than drive to the basket. He doesn't create opportunities like Nash, doesn't penetrate, and can't run that team like Nash can. Team in disarray with Nash on the bench and Raja running the team. His production dropped off as of late, maybe due to injuries. He had a couple years left on his contract, but seemed less effective after D'Antoni left. The system no longer set up for him to simply pass and shoot 3-pointers so he's floundering.

J Rich of course is a great dunker and a scoring threat. But with the game on the line, you do not go with him. If he's on the free throw, with time off the clock and his team needing him to make two shots for the win, he'd miss the first one - game over. If the last second shot was thrown to him for the win, he'd miss far more than he'd make that shot. Not a player to rely on in the clutch. Not impressive defensively either.

Suns in transition now with these trades. Be interesting to see if they can get better or fall from elite status.

The Suns had a team that was unique - like the Bulls championship team, not as good, but fun to watch. You had guys like Bell and Diaw, given away by their teams, and blossomed with the Suns. Hill looks as good as he ever did. During the year they got Kurt Thomas, they were tremendous, but they had some freak injuries. The next year they GAVE AWAY Kurt, and all the sudden it was like 'the Suns need a big man'. They HAD a good big man in Thomas, and he played good for the next couple years, so whywas he cut loose? Did Kerr just not like him? Shaq is trying, but he changes the whole dynamic of the team.
If you kept Bell and Diaw, brought back Marion, and used Robin Lopez, you would have a better team.

[freefall]

Originally Posted by Canes2006Champs

I still think they should have given D'Antoni more time. It seems like Grant Hill has been playing more productive since he got traded out there

If you notice, the Knicks are about 100% better than they were last year, without using their 'starbury'. LOL!

[censusdata]

Feenicks is old news. Go Spurs!

[Alexus]

I don't see the Suns moving forward. Their big mistake started with getting rid of Marion. That's clear. O'Neal just a big, lumbering, non-versatile center. The man has no jump shot, not even a short range shot. He can't shoot free throws, is slow of foot. He's a drag on the team, forcing them to completely change their athletic, nimble style that is favored by Nash. When D'Antoni left, the nail in the coffin was hammered shut. Porter, not a good coach, doesn't know what to do with the team. Bell didn't get along with Porter. Hill not a factor. Still can't beat Spurs.

Richardson not a go-to guy or a guy to count on in the clutch. Good scorer only when it doesn't count. I expect Nash to leave eventually. Suns are going to have to rebuild from the ground up. They need a new coach, new philosophy. They need to get rid of Shaq, Hill, and Richardson, bring in some talented young players.

[Web B. Rowser]

But Shaq is having his best season since he was with the Lakers I believe (statistically). So it's not like he is doing anything wrong.

[SlickRick1]

They got an 800 pound slow gorrilla on their back. I call him Shaq!

[freefall]

Originally Posted by censusdata

Feenicks is old news. Go Spurs!

Spurs? Talk about 'old news', everyone knows its the Celtics and Lakers for the next 3 years