<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The agent thought his client was nuts, but Michael Higgins phoned the Suns anyway. He had a talented free-agent point guard on his hands - one willing to sacrifice a possible starting gig for a chance to learn from Steve Nash. David Griffin, Suns vice president of basketball operations, long had figured Marcus Banks was out of the team's price range. He had averaged 12 points, 4.7 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 40 games for the Timberwolves. He was only 24, short in stature but long on potential. Griffin phoned Suns coach and General Manager Mike D'Antoni and told him about Banks' interest. "He would come and be a backup?" D'Antoni asked. When Griffin replied yes, D'Antoni's wish became clear. "Do it," he said. "Get it done right away." Griffin relayed these details Thursday after a news conference introduced the sturdy 6-foot-2 Banks into the Suns family, a group trying to come up with the final pieces of a championship puzzle. The two sides had agreed this week on a five-year contract worth about $21 million. The Suns plan to add 6-10 center Sean Marks next week, giving them 12 players under contract for next season. They have a $3.6 million trade exception that expires Aug. 21, but any major roster maneuvering seems unlikely. No scrambling, Griffin said, only tinkering. Banks' arrival provides backcourt relief and defensive pressure. Banks said he has the speed to defend 94 feet, pestering ballhandlers enough to disrupt an opponent's offense. Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver said a Minnesota assistant coach told the Suns: "We know you think Leandro (Barbosa) is the quickest player in the NBA, but I'm going to tell you, we think Marcus is faster." Banks' opinion of his speed against Barbosa's: "You know what, I'm a competitor, so I'm going to say myself." </div> Source This move by the Suns was another brilliant addition. Marcus Banks is perfect for the Phoenix system and allows the Suns to rest Nash during the regular season. Banks is lightening fast and plays outstanding man to man defense. You have to love his attitude of accepting a backup role to Nash and not putting his needs ahead of the team. I don't see how any team can defend the duo of Banks and Barbosa in the backcourt at the same time. Both are far too quick to stay in front of.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't see how any team can defend the duo of Banks and Barbosa in the backcourt at the same time. Both are far too quick to stay in front of.</div> When you put it that way, it makes some more sense. Otherwise, Banks and Nash are diametrically opposed players who have conflicting personalities as well. I guess I don't see the value of Banks backing up Nash and leading the unit in a totally different way, not to mention being unresponsive to coaching and mentoring, which seem to be the two ways the Suns make players work for them.
i dont know what the suns were thinkin they coulda used this money to resign thomas.And they traded their picks for cash they coulda kept thomas. Banks will be ok but they coulda kept thomas.
Thomas isn't doing too much for me anyway, so I say let it be. With Amare on the comeback trail, he's not terrifically necessary.
dude will the suns ever think about getting a big man? just look at what happened to them in the playoffs
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting philip2136:</div><div class="quote_post">dude will the suns ever think about getting a big man? just look at what happened to them in the playoffs</div> Well, Kurt Thomas, who was their starting C was injured and didn't play, and some guy name Amare Stoudemire wasn't in the playoffs either. Banks is a huge addition. He has tons of talent, and him + Barbosa = quickkk backup backcourt.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting philip2136:</div><div class="quote_post">dude will the suns ever think about getting a big man? just look at what happened to them in the playoffs</div> Honestly, the big men on the market this year just wouldn't work in PHX. There just aren't enough runners out there to go grab boards, avoid putting the ball on the floor, and still end up a candidate for the trailing flush. With Amare able to run and jump again, as well as adding some range, he makes himself an invaludable commodity, while the rest of the crop of big men would just be pretenders. The more this team can improve without spending money, and the more than can leave doors open for the one guy who will make this system finally win a championship, the better off they'll be. Because let's not forget, they do pretty damn well with parts that perhaps wouldn't fit elsewhere, so who knows if it's a big man they need to complete the puzzle. I'm D'Antoni, I keep plugging away, and soon you're going to see this system win one.
Eh, Banks and I don't get along. PHX is paying way too much for what he brings. Danny was right to decline his option, and that would have been for half the money PHX is now paying. I'm not getting the whole "Banks is a surprise catch" thing. ....then again, catching genital herpes would be pretty surprising. (I get it now!)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 44Thrilla:</div><div class="quote_post">Eh, Banks and I don't get along. PHX is paying way too much for what he brings. Danny was right to decline his option, and that would have been for half the money PHX is now paying. I'm not getting the whole "Banks is a surprise catch" thing. ....then again, catching genital herpes would be pretty surprising. (I get it now!)</div> You know Marcus and I have no love lost, but at least his style matches Phoenix's a little better than Boston's. Boston wanted him to get a running game going, and Phoenix just wants him to continue doing what they're doing. Let's not also forget that the biggest difference is on the bench. Doc Rivers with the lost puppy look and the scorned parent attitude is a far cry from D'Antoni's "unless you help me win, I hate you," type deal, which I'll take in a heartbeat. PS I applaud you for equating Marcus Banks to genital herpes. After watching him that first season, I felt like that's what Boston drafted...a disease. The only difference is that Danny Ainge paid a couple million in guaranteed money to get genital herpes, whereas most of us just get the memo from the doctor, and it's only a $10 co-pay.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post"> Banks is lightening fast and plays outstanding man to man defense. You have to love his attitude of accepting a backup role to Nash and not putting his needs ahead of the team. </div> i dont see how banks is an outstanding man to man defender. At minny he was aweful! all he did was get a few steals a game, and get burned like 10 times a game. He is so quick that i think he has the potential to be great, but he gambles all the time.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheFreshPrince:</div><div class="quote_post">i dont see how banks is an outstanding man to man defender. At minny he was aweful! all he did was get a few steals a game, and get burned like 10 times a game. He is so quick that i think he has the potential to be great, but he gambles all the time.</div> great point. for the celts, we had heard so much when he got drafted about being the WAC (or whatever conference he was in) defensive player of the year because of his quickness and ability to be a game changer just by stealing the ball, but he never really showed that he could stop nba point guards, he just gambles, gets beat, and hurts the defense by doing so.
The thing that killed me is that he can't stop fouling people! It was every other posession he'd get caught gambling and someone would just take a ticky-tack foul, and the could would sit for most of the second half. He was utterly useless as an on-the-ball defender, and I certainly won't miss his game. I'd rather have a shot blocking one, like Delonte here in Boston.
