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What should/will the Suns do next year?
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What should/will the Suns do next year?
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What should/will the Suns do next year?
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Reputation:93
Level:All-Star
Since:Dec 11, 2006
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Turning my attention, mostly, to next year with the Suns.
I am a Steve Nash fan. Make no apology for it. So, I am
tremendously concerned as the wins of fate are already turning
as he just turned 34 recently. So, what will become of the Suns
for next year?
Specifically, what will they and should they do to retool for next year?
Or, should they keep Shaq and the nucleus and just play a year together,
to fix some of the huge issues that have become more clear in the playoffs
versus their old nemisis, San Antonio.
My thoughts are this:
1) resign Shaq if possible (does he already have another year on his contract?)
2) Get another guy who can help with Stoudemire. It is clear that
he needs more help so he doesn't go in the "deep freeze" like he did
in this playoff series. He either isn't in good enough shape, isn't
as strong as I have thought he was or just is too tired out......thoughts??
3) get another guy who can spell Steve Nash more minutes...a quick
guy, who can shoot a bit, distribute a bit and play fast or slow.
Tough to fill that bill, but there HAVE to be some guys like that in
the mix. Toronto has two terrific point guards. TJ Ford is coming back.
What about the other guy? Calderon?????
What about Stuckey at Detroit? He clearly is going to be another
Devin Harris......maybe.......so if he could be signed now, then the
Suns would have a guy who could maybe step in when Nash is done.
4) What about the guy with Utah who backs up Deron Williams. He looks
like a helluva talent, and he is very young?
Anyway, just some thoughts. Another ooption, of course, is to dump Shaq and
try and get another 23 guys, like the guys San Antonio hve coming off the bench.
I mean, the Suns, no disrespect intended, really have a very short bench.
That is CRAZY considering the age of key players. PLus, look at how easily
boston shored up its bench with PJ Brown, Cassell and Posey...wow.
Why couldn't/didn/t the Suns do that??????? And don't say, cause they picked up
Shaq...Shaq, as good as he still can be, is too old to not have more backups around...
like Kurt Thomas.......why in the heck didn't they get him before San Antonion did.
Poor coaching? Poor GMing????????????
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What should/will the Suns do next year?
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What should/will the Suns do next year?
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Reputation:68
Level:Pro
Since:Apr 27, 2008
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The Suns won't be able to make many changes this offseason. They have Shaq and Nash under contract for the next two years although 2009-10 is an option year on Nash's contract and the Suns can decide to pick it up or not. They are pretty hampered financially by what they can do since they will be pushing the luxury tax level. To answer your question Red, ironically, the Suns had Kurt Thomas last season, but were unwilling to pay his $8 million dollar per year salary and thus traded him to Seattle this offseason only to see him end up with the Spurs in an interesting twist of fate. The reason why the Suns have such a short bench is because of all the money tied up to Amare Stoudemire, Shaq, Nash and Boris Diaw. The Suns were fortunate to get Grant Hill to sign a two-year deal for a low rate and to get Leandro Barbosa re-signed for the rate they got him at.
The Suns tried to signed veterans P.J. Brown, Tyrone Lue, Brent Barry, etc. but perhaps because of Mike D'Antoni's history of using a short bench, they decided to sign elsewhere.
Look for the Suns to make some small tweaks this offseason and see if a training camp and full regular season together can help them mesh and get over the playoff hurdle next season. It will be very difficult though with the Lakers, Spurs, Jazz, Hornets, the up-and-coming Blazers and even the Mavericks in the Suns way. I will admit as a Suns fan that time is running out for this team because of age and salary cap issues. What I would love to see in the 2010 offseason, although it's a dream, but Phoenix will have the cap space is the Suns going after Chris Paul to team with Amare Stoudemire. That would be a great pair to build around. Time will tell...
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What should/will the Suns do next year?
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What should/will the Suns do next year?
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Dec 30, 2007
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If I were in charge (haha and I wish I could be a lot of times...) I would first get a reliable, pass first, decent on defense back-up for Nash. Barbosa is not a point guard. He is not pass first. He is a create or shoot first guard, which is fine but he doesn't really fill the void that is created when Nash takes a seat. Second, I would try to find another Raja type player who gets nasty on the defensive end but can shoot from mid-range/3 pt consistently. I think the Suns would be a much better team if players like Bell, Barbosa, and Diaw were just consistent. One game its 20...next game its 6. Everyone knows Nash, Amare, and now Shaq will get theirs...but its the role players that are necessary come playoff time. (See Michael Finley game 1...HUGE SHOT). Third...bench depth at any and all positions. Players like Marks, Piatkowski, and Skinner arent the answer. Quality guys who can give the starters some rest is all I would look for. They don't have to be great...just come in, give the starters a small rest, and don't blow the lead or don't let the game get too out of hand. Solid contributors if you will.
That is what I would do. The core is fine, its just minor tweaks here and there with a bench that can help out.
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What should/will the Suns do next year?
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What should/will the Suns do next year?
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Reputation:77
Level:Pro
Since:Apr 23, 2007
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Series isnt over!
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What should/will the Suns do next year?
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What should/will the Suns do next year?
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Reputation:77
Level:Pro
Since:Apr 23, 2007
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Series isnt over!
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You just like D'Antoni....
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You just like D'Antoni....
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Reputation:93
Level:All-Star
Since:Feb 20, 2008
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all that writing and you didn't mention defense either....Nash is awsome on one end of the court...no doubt about it....but he couldn't guard your sister and every team in the league knows it!!!! including the Suns...but they don't worry bout defense do they? I'm not suggesting Nash isn't the man...but when your best player doesn't play defense why should anyone else....you'll suffer the same fate as Dominique did....similiar players...but the true winners play both ends....that's why the Hornets are better than the suns....not cause they have more talent...but because Paul leads the team on both ends of the floor and it's contagious......Nash decided a few years ago that defense wasn't for him...watch him half-heartedly try to get over a screen....you usually won't cause he loves to try to slip under and watch guys nail jumpers in his face....even Tony Parker who normally doesn't look for the jumper...takes one after another against Steve cause they're wide open every time.......Nash should go old school this off season....no ball practicing and defensive sliding drills...maybe finals eventually
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You just like D'Antoni....
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You just like D'Antoni....
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Reputation:92
Level:All-Star
Since:Apr 3, 2007
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The last comment was great. Nash is killing the Suns....His defense, plain and simple sucks. He can not guard anyone. Shawn Marion made Nash look better bc he would be the one guarding Tony Parker. Why cant Nash guard him? He has a one track mind, offense and assist. I blame Nash in this instance. Diaw took the Heat off Nash. Is Nash the weak link for Suns?
Suns need to stay in the Spurs grill like they did in game 4. This makes it harder for them to set a good solid pick. Notice the pick and roll didnt work as well this game.
Playoff time is the best time for NBA games, they play basketball like its meant to be played.
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You just like D'Antoni....
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You just like D'Antoni....
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Reputation:92
Level:All-Star
Since:Dec 6, 2007
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One thing I know is the west passed the Suns by this season. Shaq isn't to blame. The coach isn't to blame. The west just got that much better.
You can fire the coach but who are you going to get that's better? D'Antoni is out-matched by Pop - true. But I dare anyone to find a better coach than Pop.
As has been posted over and over the Suns are over the salary cap limit. Kurt Thomas would have cost the Suns $16 million to keep this season. Not signing Barry turned out to be a lucky break for the Suns because Gordon has been a better pick up for them.
With the Suns still at the cap limit where is the money coming from to make any changes? The bench guys' contracts expire so you have to fill their shoes. Suns get Atlanta's pick, which could be the long SF Suns needed in Hill, but cap space leaves no wiggle room.
Shaq was a good pick-up for the Suns. Even if Marion left Suns would have been stuck with Banks $6 mill contract (think of Shaq costing the Suns $14 mill and not $20 for that reason alone). Also the Suns would be getting killed on the boards because Stat can't/won't rebound. Stat for his size and athletecism is a much bigger defensive liability than Nash ever was. Stat's lack of rebounding and outright refusal to block a guy out necessitates Shaq's precense. An expensive necessity.
I have always said if the Suns want to break through it will be on Stat's back - not Nash's. Stat has not been that guy in the post-season so the Suns have not been that team.
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