The Phoenix Suns
Ok, first things first. I'm gonna come clean. When Mike and I first conceived to write about each of the potential playoff teams in the West, we weren't sure whether or not to include the Suns. Amar'e had just lost sight of the rest of his season, Nash seemed generally unhappy, and while the Shaq Daddy was doing his thang, it was unclear whether or not the doing of his thang coincided with the Suns doing their thang.
Needless to say, things have changed.
Although the Blazers crushed the Suns 129-109 on Thursday night, the Suns have been on a tear of late. After dropping 7 out of 9, the Suns were on a 6-game winning streak before visiting the Rose Garden. As of today, the Suns sport a record of 40-32, putting them 3 games behind eighth-place Dallas. The Suns are coached by Mike D'An...er...Terry Po...er...Alvin Gentry.
Starting Lineup
PG – Steve Nash
What can you say about Stevie Nash? He’s a special talent. He commands respect as a floor general and a teammate. He’s everything good about the game of basketball. He’s one of my favorite players of all time. There isn’t a time when the ball is in his hands that I’m not worried about my beloved Blazers looking foolish.
Yes, to answer your question, I’ve asked him out on several occasions, but for some reason he hasn’t returned any of my calls.
While still a brilliant distributor on the fast break and off dribble penetration in the half court, Nashy has been infected and gradually displaying symptoms of JasonKidditis for the last two years. Nash’s back problems have limited his production in even his most prolific seasons (see back-to-back MVPs, pg. 398), and it’s only a matter of time before those tender vertebrae finally give out on him. Let's face it; in two years he’s going to be the new face of the NWBA.
At the moment, however, he’s still the third-best point guard in basketball – at least, that’s what we Nash fans keep telling ourselves. The fact is, bad back or no, Nash defends the ball about as well as Bill Shatner sings The Beatles. When we have the ball, he’s easily exploitable, either by putting the ball on the floor or by posting him up if we have a mismatch. The one time we do not need to worry about Steve Nash is when he’s on D.
The letter O, however is much more dangerous for us in regard to Nashy. Clearly, my time-tested strategy against nearsighted point guards who couldn’t throw a golf ball into a swimming pool is not applicable to Nash. No, I’m afraid that Old Stevie can pour it in from just about anywhere on the court. He’s also just as good off the dribble as he is at spotting up, so there’s no use in trying to crowd him. In fact that’s probably worse, because if he gets by his defender, suddenly it’s a five-on-four break, and he always finds the open man.
The way to neutralize Nash in the half court is to keep the ball out of his hands. Once he gives it up, deny the HELL out of that passing lane. If he works hard enough to get a catch, force him baseline and keep your head on a swivel (and pray. Don’t forget to pray). If Nash’s touches are limited, Phoenix’s offense won’t run as smoothly and they will commit more turnovers. Naturally, Richardson and Shaq Fu are going to get plenty of looks in isolation, and that’s okay. In fact, that’s perfect. As long as Nash isn’t wheeling and dealing all over our faces and providing Louis “I look exactly like Dan from Street Fighter” Amundson with easy looks at the rim, they aren’t going to score 160 points, and we’ll be in the game.
And for the love of God, get back on defense after missed shots. I feel like I’m kicking a dead horse here, but I know that all the players who read this sometimes forget. No worries, famous ballplayers who know who I am, I’ve got you covered. Just don’t blame me if Nate screams at you guys for allowing 61 fast-break points.
SG - Jason Richardson
Remember that dunk contest that J-Rich won with that gnarly off-the-glass-between-the-legs-neofunkatronicslammajamma with extra butter and syrup?
Yeah, me neither. Which leads me to my next point:
Richardson is pure scorer. A hired gun. Someone who has a freakishly impressive ability to put the ball in the hole from anywhere on the court. Consistency, however, is not one of his trademarks. Neither is defense. Neither is clutch play. This isn’t a dig at him, but there are a half dozen other players in the league just like him (some without so many miles on the odometer, either). He is a scoring threat, yes, but he is your formulaic, hyper-athletic, leaper/slasher with a tendency to take bad shots because of either an inflated ego or a mental breakdown. J-Rich may be a newer model, but he comes from the same old superstar factory:
Jason Richardson, Richard Jefferson, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Steve Francis, and now in OJ Mayo! Only one easy payment of $86 million! Call now!
Okay, Mike, that’s enough. They get it.
If I were Nate (which I am), I’d throw Brandon on him, unless Barbosa is still hurt come playoff time. Then go ahead and let Nic shut him down, all the while out-rebounding and out-hustling the talented but weary veteran.
One last thing. If I’ve offended any Jason Richardson fans with what I wrote, I’d just like to say…too damn bad. It’s the truth. Learn to deal.
F - Matt Barnes
Barnes is the latest addition to the Suns roster for the 08-09 season. Along with being covered with stupid-looking tattoos, Matt Barnes is a strong rebounder, a decent three-point shooter, and a passable ball-handler. Barnes is averaging a career-high in points (10.4), assists (2.8), rebounds (5.4), and minutes (27.2). After shooting an unimpressive 29.3% from behind the arc last year, Barnes is shooting 33.9% from three with the Suns this year. No doubt this drastic increase in numbers is mostly due to his increased usage and the beneficial Phoenix system, but it's also clear that Barnes is having the best season of his six years in the NBA.
Barnes is also one of the only Suns besides Shaq who'll hit the glass on the offensive end, so be wary.
F - Grant Hill
Grant Hill might have been one of the ten best players to ever lace 'em up were it not for recurring injuries. His pro career has been filled with diappointment, not because of his lack of ability to play at the pro level (watch some tape of his career in Detroit before he got hurt), but rather due to his inability to actually stay on the court.
At this point, he's brittle and broken down. Like Jason Kidd, the player with which he shared the Rookie of the Year award so many moons ago, Hill's lateral movement and overall mobility are now limited. Unlike Kidd, however, Hill has still retained some of his defensive abilities in spite of his weary joints. However, if Gentry continues to be content with putting Hill on Brandon, we're in for candy cane smiles and lolly pop high-fives for four to six games.
Offensively, Hill is ordinary. Play him straight up and don't give him anything easy (see open three-pointers off cross court passes, pg. 12). He still possesses one hell of a basketball IQ, though, so watch out for backdoor cutters when he has the ball.
C – Shaquille O’Neal
I can’t think of a ballplayer who’s made me laugh or cry more than the original Superman. He broke my 11-year old heart when he left Orlando and Penny Hardaway in order to join the LA Motherf***ing Lakers, and he literally brought me to tears when he caught that alley-oop from a driving Kobe in Game 7 of the 2000 Western Conference Finals. I will never forgive him for either of those most grievous of offenses.
On the flip side, may I present to the court exhibit B:
The Big Aristotle
The Big Chamberneezy
Jabbawockeez robot dance at the all-star game
Dance off versus Lebron and D. Howard at last year’s all-star game
The Corleone brothers analogy
“The Great” Pat Riley
“No, but I would with your wife.”
The Big Cactus
“How did you get so many ‘Q’s?”
“HEY. KOBE. TELL ME HOW MY ASS TASTES.”
Yes, truly Shaq has had a career for the ages. Years ago (while spitting out a few sour grapes along with my opinion) I refused to give the Diesel any credit, stating that the only reason for his dominance was his size and lack of skilled competition. Upon further consideration, I’ve decided that I was an idiot. Shaq has to be a top-10 big man of all time. His size makes him tough to guard, but his adaptability throughout his career is what makes him a future hall-of-famer. From Orlando to LA to Miami to Phoenix, the Shaqtus has embraced the natural changes in his body and adapted his game accordingly, always playing to his strengths.
At this stage in his career, I’d equate him to an old George Foreman. He might not be the quickest guy up the floor, and he may not be able to play the same extended minutes he used to, but he’s still got power in that right hand. Shaq beats you up mentally even more than he does physically down low. Think it’s an accident that he calls for the ball whenever an opposing team is making a run? Can you think of a play more devastating to your team’s morale than when Shaq spins baseline and tears the rim down, all while shaking off three of your boys?
You know the sound that play makes – that horrible dunking sound, like somebody slammed a car door on your pinky finger – the whiny, irritating, squealing whistle emanating from Bennett Salvatore’s plump, incompetent lips, prophesizing the cruel but inevitable opportunity for a three-point-play – the deflated groans echoing throughout your arena and your living room, as if everybody you loved got punched in the gut all at once.
It is the worst feeling in the entire world.
Just as Ray Allen, another over-the-hill superstar, can swing the momentum in his team’s favor with a big three-pointer, so too can the eldest son of Jor-El alter the course of any game by sheer will.
So don’t let him. Pryz, Greg, this one’s on you two. I know it’s a tough assignment, but there are ways to weather the storm. Mix it up against him. Overplay one shoulder, then the other, but always be wary of his drop step to his right, especially if he’s on the left block. If he wants to shoot jump hooks over that left shoulder all day, that’s fine. Go right ahead, Mr. O’Neal. That’s his jab. We can take a lot of those without falling into trouble. But if he catches us with that overhand right, i.e. that baseline spin to his right, it could cause the entire team to lose concentration on the road and cost us the game.
If you think I’m overstating the importance of psychology and momentum as it pertains to pro basketball…well, actually, you’re probably right. I am.
But what can I say? I’m paranoid about this s***.
Double Shaq if you have to. Keep him off the offensive boards. Greg, you better beat that old man up the floor if we’ve got numbers.
There. Feel better?
Bench
G- Leandro Barbosa
Barbosa is one of the quickest and and most exciting open court players in the NBA. Really, you couldn't ask for a better complement to Nash in the Phoenix system (both when Nash is on the court and when he isn't) than Barbosa. He can shoot from range and can get to the rim from half court faster than the Millennium Falcon can finish the Kessel Run. If he’s healthy, he’s a deadly weapon, which is why I vote we Pippen his ass with our boy Nic. I’d go into further detail, but come on, you’ve seen Nic’s D. All we gotta do is say, “Sic ’em” and grab our popcorn.
C - Robin Lopez
Do not make the mistake of asking Robin Lopez to sign a copy of “From Justin to Kelly.” He, uh, doesn’t appreciate that too much. I’d say the same rules apply for Robin as they do for Shaq, but that would make me a liar. Block this douchebag’s shots, Greg. Block a lot of them.
G - Goran Dragic
Is it just me, or does Goran Dragic sound a little TOO similar to Ivan Drago? I’m just sayin’. Anyway, take away his left hand. If he can go right, it’ll be news to me.
F - Louis Amundson
Box this guy out. Amundson is the Suns' Mark Madsen, specializing in both hustling after loose balls and being ugly. Offensive rebounding is the only stat that matters when talking about Dan from Street Fighter. True, his uppercut might be total crap, and his hadoken might be best described as "fruity-tooty," but that doesn't mean he can't score from six inches out. So keep him off the glass.
G/F - Alando Tucker
Dangerous player, here, friends. Just because he hasn't played much in the big leagues yet does not mean that this former Big Ten player of the year can't open up if given the opportunity. While he's not yet ready for prime time on a consistent basis, Tucker can hurt you if you underestimate his athleticism.
Sidenote: I'm personally hoping that Tucker eventually becomes a billionaire and buys the Orlando franchise, rechristening them the Alando Magic. Their team logo would be created by combining these two images.
Before we wrap up, I'd like to make a few general observations about the Suns' strengths and weaknesses as a potential playoff opponent.
1) The Suns are one of the few teams in basketball actually worse than we are at defending the pick and roll. Exploit that.
2) Sometimes the Suns will switch to a crappy, slow-rotating zone, because for some reason Alvin Gentry thinks that by doing so, he will make his team look less decrepit on D. When this happens, move the ball, bust them threes, and crash the offensive glass. Even if we're shooting a low percentage, we should get enough extra looks to cancel that out.
3) Because Phoenix wants to run so badly (and hates playing defense more than I hate listening to Klaus Nomi), the Daddy is the only Sun to really crash the glass. Most teams release one or two players to start the break. Phoenix typically releases three or four. This should translate to easy offensive boards, even if we're committed to getting back on D after misses.
4) Since Phoenix plays at such a high tempo, and they're constantly running cutters to the basket both off the break and in the half court, it's pretty easy to run on them. While I wouldn't suggest making a habit of it, there are definitely opportunities to get easy buckets against this team if you run with them selectively.
We took advantage of all of these observations on Thursday, and we came a way with a win. I assure you, it was not coincidence.
That's all we got, maniacs. Stay tuned for our Utah preview. Kirk out.
3 comments:
I liked the Shaq section - His quote recently about old greg being a low-level ninja was f-ing hilarious. I do, however, question the previewing of a team that it is STATISTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE for portland to face in the first round. This is a blazer blog right?
In our defense, it wasn't statistically impossible when we starting writing this piece, so we figured we'd cover our bases. Also we had just played the Suns so it was timely.
As we get closer to the playoffs, we will likely narrow it down to teams we will play.
shaq is not a all time top-10 big man, hes a top-3 big man
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