Defense

I don't know about you guys but I'm ready for a title... And the only way we will win the title is if we can get through the Spurs. What do we need to have to get through the Spurs??? Defense. We really need to concentrate on our defense instead of our offense. We all know that we have plenty of offensive power. But Mike needs to start focusing on his defense so that we can make big stops and win those close games instead of having to score 120 points every game. Sure it is fun to watch but Phoenix holding the championship trophy would be even more fun to watch. Now they don't have to change there offensive game plane but they should concentrate on there defense so we can win the close playoff games. EVerybody does say that the style the suns play will only win in the regular season and not in the playoffs. I didnt believe them at first but i might be starting to. If they can just tighten up just a little bit and not rely on there offense so much then i really do believe that we can win a championship this year. Tell me what ya'll think about this.</p>

 

Nash isn't the type of pg where you can play that type of game. To play good D you have to slow down the game.</p>

 

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Well, with the Suns running their up and down the floor game, it is hard in transition to get back in to good defensive position. The Spurs have a &ldquo;dictated&rdquo; way of playing basketball. Everything is run within a system and is done in half court sets. The defense is lead by 2 great fundamental defenders in Bowen and Duncan. These are the types of guys, the Suns don't have. Marion and Amare are pretty good defenders, but not near the type of defensive play of Duncan and Bowen.<o></o></p>

Another thing has to do with coaching. A lot of people feel D'Antoni to be over rated (I kind of feel the same way) and that Greg Popovich is a very good coach (which he is) so that helps a lot too. <o></o></p>

I think for the Suns to win it all, they need a defensive stopper who can run in the Suns style, but also play great defense.<o></o></p>

 

well i do agree that Nash is a run and gun type of guard but Im just getting to that point where maybe we need to change our style just a little bit. Not totally change it but just a little bit. When Mike does interviews he basically admits that he doesn't care about defense and says that his offense will carry him. Yeah it will carry him during the regular season but not in the playoffs as we have all witnessed during the last 2 seasons. Now we have the players that can play that kind of defense Amare, Marion, Bell. Nash isn't that good of a defender but we definitely have the players we just need to focus on defense more in practice so we can make those key stops.I would just like to see Mike talk a little bit more about defense or maybe get a coach in there that willconcentrate on a little bit more defense. Maybe not a head coach but an assistant coach.</p>

 

This is why, I'm starting to think we won't win a title with this coach or Nash as the PG.

Every yr, there's also always been something to happen, it's like we can't catch a fucking break for once.</p>

 

The only way to beat the spurs in a 7 game series is to either A. beat them at their own game. (slow half-court) or B. Make them play your game (run-gun) which is almost impossible. To beat the spurs you have to do something to take them out of their game. Limmiting TD is the best way to take them out of their offense, but thats not exactly easy. Having a big tough Defender on TD and having an offside shotblocker to help is the best way. I dont think the suns have the type of players needed to beat SA in the playoffs unless they average 115 a game.</p>

 

I think we could/would beat the Mavs, Jazz, and Rockets in 7 game series'. Rockets never matched up with us. Mavs are a toss up, but we've shown we can beat them. They haven't beaten usin the playoffs when we have Amare. Jazzwould be a tough matchup since they've owned us last 2 yrs.</p>

But unless we avoid the Spurs, weprobably won'tbe going to the finals. Suns need the first seed badly.</p>

 

A lot of those have been answered already. Suns have shown last couple of yrs when they didn't hit their 3's or weren't on fire they can win close games or those types of games. They've done it.Just not enough against the Spurs.</p>

Then there's always seems to be something to happen. JJ few yrs ago, Amare's injury and then the suspensions. Suns should've won that game in PHX w/o them, but gave the game away at the end. .</p>

 

How exciting would a GS/PHX 1st round series be. That would be so fun to watch.</p>

 

Welcome, suns3131!</p>

And Master Shake, don't they have that defensive stopper who can run in the Suns' game, in Raja Bell? That's pretty much why they signed him, and what he's known for.</p>

Marion's a pretty good defender, too...but I believe it'd help alot if they had a strong defensive-minded tall PG behind Nash.</p>

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Well yeah they do have Raja Bell for the defense but right when they brought him in what do they to to him. They make him and offensive player so that is all he thinks about now. If you have noticed every year for the last few years he is getting burned more and more by players when he used to be that shut down Guard we signed. Marion is a very good defensive player but he can't do it all. They expect him to play defense on everybody elses best player but he can't stop everybody. Also Amare is starting to come around alot for his shot blocking and rebounding but maybe we need to go get a really good center that will actually take a pounding down there and do the dirty work Like a Ben Wallace or a Marcus Camby. We are always getting hurt by offensive rebounding. I know that the run n gun play is fun to watch but I would love to see them play just a little better defense and I guarantee that we (Phoenix) would be holding up a Championship Trophy!!!</p>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shapecity)</div><div class='quotemain'></p>

I think the perfect storm has to take place for Phoenix to get out of the West. They would have to face these 3 teams to get to the Finals.</p>

Round 1 - Warriors</p>

Round 2 - Denver</p>

Round 3 - Dallas</p>

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Then they would have to play a team from the East, wich would slow down there fast break and win in 6.</p>

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No a perfect storm does not have to happen for Phoenix to get out of the west. There is a reasn why they are always in the western conference finals almost every year. it is because they are on of the best in the west. And that is without any defense. Just imagine if we played good dfense nobody would beable to stop us ever. If we step up our defense this year we will win the NBA championship no doubt. We just have to beable to win those games in the 70's or 80's. Instead of having to shoot out and win the games by scoring 120.</p>

 

The Suns should take a look at how the Kings played when they were the "Suns" of the league, all offense, little or no defense. The WCF is the most it took them.</p>

Welcome to S2 suns3131. </p>