Comments on: Breaking the fun machine in Phoenix http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/lazenby/2008/12/19/breaking-the-fun-machine-in-phoenix/ HoopsHype.com NBA Blogs Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:03:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: JD http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/lazenby/2008/12/19/breaking-the-fun-machine-in-phoenix/#comment-383 JD Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:08:23 +0000 http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/lazenby/?p=17#comment-383 The Suns are also transitioning from being Nash's team to either a shared leadership or entirely Shaq's team. Shaq is becoming more outspoken in the press--not in a negative way, but in a way that shows he really wants another shot at the championship and he needs his teammates to step up and play better and smarter. It will be interesting to see if Shaq plays tonight against the Grizzlies and if so, how the teams responds. Nash played only 9 minutes yesterday and is out tonight. The team has been so dependent on Nash the last four seasons, and this is a weakness. There has also been a lot of hand wringing regarding who is the Suns backup PG. But if Shaq is playing his best, there is no need for a top backup PG since the offense can run through him. Unfortunately, the time to gel is only about 40 games. With the contracts of Nash and Shaq running out after next season and Stoudemire able to turn to free agency in that same time period, the Suns must have success this season. They need to show that a championship is at least within reach this season or next, or it will get ugly. There are still a lot of Joe Johnson and Shawn Marion fans in Phoenix that are not happy and can't understand the reason behind the trades and other changes. It seems owner Robert Sarver is firmly supporting Kerr, and Kerr is firmly supporting coach Porter. But the dominoes can begin to fall quickly if the fans start tuning out. With 2 MVPs, another All-NBA player, a former college player of the year, and a $12M shooting guard on the roster, there won't be much room for excuses, fair or not. The Suns are also transitioning from being Nash’s team to either a shared leadership or entirely Shaq’s team. Shaq is becoming more outspoken in the press–not in a negative way, but in a way that shows he really wants another shot at the championship and he needs his teammates to step up and play better and smarter.

It will be interesting to see if Shaq plays tonight against the Grizzlies and if so, how the teams responds. Nash played only 9 minutes yesterday and is out tonight. The team has been so dependent on Nash the last four seasons, and this is a weakness. There has also been a lot of hand wringing regarding who is the Suns backup PG. But if Shaq is playing his best, there is no need for a top backup PG since the offense can run through him.

Unfortunately, the time to gel is only about 40 games. With the contracts of Nash and Shaq running out after next season and Stoudemire able to turn to free agency in that same time period, the Suns must have success this season. They need to show that a championship is at least within reach this season or next, or it will get ugly. There are still a lot of Joe Johnson and Shawn Marion fans in Phoenix that are not happy and can’t understand the reason behind the trades and other changes.

It seems owner Robert Sarver is firmly supporting Kerr, and Kerr is firmly supporting coach Porter. But the dominoes can begin to fall quickly if the fans start tuning out. With 2 MVPs, another All-NBA player, a former college player of the year, and a $12M shooting guard on the roster, there won’t be much room for excuses, fair or not.

]]> By: MartyMar http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/lazenby/2008/12/19/breaking-the-fun-machine-in-phoenix/#comment-382 MartyMar Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:16:52 +0000 http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/lazenby/?p=17#comment-382 Why cant the Suns players accept what NBA history has taught us? ---You cant win in the playoffs by runnin and gunnin. Sure that style works during the regular season when the opponent isnt making a detailed game plan against you. Once the game turns into a half court game (playoffs) you have to be able to run half court sets and defend. Defense isnt something you can just turn on once the playoffs come. And everyone knows that Nash is a defensive liability so when the playoff come he cant stick his man. Kerr, dont listen to what these "expert" Phoenix fan try to tell you. D'Antoni's system will never win a championship. It never has and it never will. Why cant the Suns players accept what NBA history has taught us? —You cant win in the playoffs by runnin and gunnin. Sure that style works during the regular season when the opponent isnt making a detailed game plan against you. Once the game turns into a half court game (playoffs) you have to be able to run half court sets and defend. Defense isnt something you can just turn on once the playoffs come. And everyone knows that Nash is a defensive liability so when the playoff come he cant stick his man. Kerr, dont listen to what these “expert” Phoenix fan try to tell you. D’Antoni’s system will never win a championship. It never has and it never will.

]]> By: Roland Lazenby http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/lazenby/2008/12/19/breaking-the-fun-machine-in-phoenix/#comment-369 Roland Lazenby Fri, 26 Dec 2008 15:48:00 +0000 http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/lazenby/?p=17#comment-369 John, That's a big IF. This is not just a run-of-the-mill transition they're making. They're changing from a run-and-fun team to a conventional contender. The coaches are just starting to get a sense of personnel. People are being asked to do things they haven't done before. They will get worse before they get better. In fact, their defense has worsened statistically over the last 10 games, even though they seem to be finding a little chemistry. Some of this depends on Shaq. Can he be great and adjust his game? People have been asking him to do certain things his entire career (develop a face-up shot, defend the screen and roll better, etc.) and he's always held out on those things. Maybe some of them he can't do, but gosh he has been so gifted. I tend to think he's capable of so much. Doing so many interviews about Shaq over the years, it has always reminded me of doing the interviews about Wilt. I remember talking to his college coach, Dick Harp, who pointed out that there was so much that Wilt did, but there was so much more he could have done. That's the great assessment of most players: What more could they have done? Not what they did, but what more could they have done? Shaq has done a lot. He's got a few years left to leave better answers to that question. There's no question he's given some in this equation. But he's at the age now where getting better is so much more hard work. It's a shame he didn't try in some areas when he was a younger player. I remember interviewing him about setting screens in 1998. Clearly, he thought it was beneath him to set screens. He told me he wasn't that type of center. As an older player, he has to make it a mission to humble himself, in my opinion. He has to do more of the little things. When he was young and dominant, he obviously thought he could afford to disdain screens and other chores of the game. Now, if he takes such an approach, he just becomes fat and old and uselessly arrogant. Can Steve Nash accept that the 7 seconds or less era is over and embrace the transition? Like Jerry West told me years ago, you can see a player's physical abilities on the floor, but you can't read their hearts and minds. So, my short answer is, I'd say it's in the realm of possibility that this thing could jell in the next two years, but not very likely, unless highly paid men are somehow suddenly blinded by the light. Otherwise, I'd say you're going to see more personnel changes, which take time. I was accused of making excuses for Kerr when I said changes take time in the NBA. But building the right way takes time. I happen to think Kerr is going to make a great GM (and there aren't many who are even good at it). Just getting the Shaq and Kobe deals done about pushed Jerry West to a breakdown in 1996. This fantasy, fast-order world we live in leads a lot of fans to assume all of this is easy. To quote Jerry West, "It isn't easy." That's why a sophisticated fan base is a must. I think there are a lot of Suns fans who are understandably frustrated.. At the same time, they've seen a lot of basketball over the years. They know the game. They're much like Red Sox fans in the 1990s who kept wondering, why? Why does this have to happen to us? We don't deserve this. And they're right. They don't deserve it. So it's a hard transition. I will say this, though, Suns fans haven't gotten their championship in almost a half century, but they haven't had to contend with a lot of crap either. There's always been something pretty interesting going on with that franchise. Is Kerr a guy they can trust? I think the guy's as honest as you get. Is he smart enough? I think he's very smart. He'll learn from mistakes (he's made some obviously, but who doesn't?) Is he lucky? Well, he worked very hard as a player to get into position to be amazingly fortunate. He humbled himself as a player. He's not some arrogant jerk. I like to think I don't write about sports as much as I write about people. Kerr's one of those people who has always added tremendously to whatever organization he's joined. We'll see. But I don't see that changing. His influence on the Suns will be special, if he's allowed to learn and grow in the position. Great question, by the way. Thank you for it. John,
That’s a big IF. This is not just a run-of-the-mill transition they’re making. They’re changing from a run-and-fun team to a conventional contender. The coaches are just starting to get a sense of personnel. People are being asked to do things they haven’t done before. They will get worse before they get better. In fact, their defense has worsened statistically over the last 10 games, even though they seem to be finding a little chemistry.
Some of this depends on Shaq. Can he be great and adjust his game? People have been asking him to do certain things his entire career (develop a face-up shot, defend the screen and roll better, etc.) and he’s always held out on those things. Maybe some of them he can’t do, but gosh he has been so gifted. I tend to think he’s capable of so much.
Doing so many interviews about Shaq over the years, it has always reminded me of doing the interviews about Wilt. I remember talking to his college coach, Dick Harp, who pointed out that there was so much that Wilt did, but there was so much more he could have done.
That’s the great assessment of most players: What more could they have done? Not what they did, but what more could they have done? Shaq has done a lot. He’s got a few years left to leave better answers to that question.
There’s no question he’s given some in this equation. But he’s at the age now where getting better is so much more hard work. It’s a shame he didn’t try in some areas when he was a younger player. I remember interviewing him about setting screens in 1998. Clearly, he thought it was beneath him to set screens. He told me he wasn’t that type of center.
As an older player, he has to make it a mission to humble himself, in my opinion. He has to do more of the little things. When he was young and dominant, he obviously thought he could afford to disdain screens and other chores of the game. Now, if he takes such an approach, he just becomes fat and old and uselessly arrogant.
Can Steve Nash accept that the 7 seconds or less era is over and embrace the transition?
Like Jerry West told me years ago, you can see a player’s physical abilities on the floor, but you can’t read their hearts and minds.
So, my short answer is, I’d say it’s in the realm of possibility that this thing could jell in the next two years, but not very likely, unless highly paid men are somehow suddenly blinded by the light.
Otherwise, I’d say you’re going to see more personnel changes, which take time. I was accused of making excuses for Kerr when I said changes take time in the NBA. But building the right way takes time. I happen to think Kerr is going to make a great GM (and there aren’t many who are even good at it). Just getting the Shaq and Kobe deals done about pushed Jerry West to a breakdown in 1996. This fantasy, fast-order world we live in leads a lot of fans to assume all of this is easy. To quote Jerry West, “It isn’t easy.”
That’s why a sophisticated fan base is a must. I think there are a lot of Suns fans who are understandably frustrated.. At the same time, they’ve seen a lot of basketball over the years. They know the game. They’re much like Red Sox fans in the 1990s who kept wondering, why? Why does this have to happen to us? We don’t deserve this. And they’re right. They don’t deserve it. So it’s a hard transition. I will say this, though, Suns fans haven’t gotten their championship in almost a half century, but they haven’t had to contend with a lot of crap either. There’s always been something pretty interesting going on with that franchise.
Is Kerr a guy they can trust?
I think the guy’s as honest as you get. Is he smart enough? I think he’s very smart. He’ll learn from mistakes (he’s made some obviously, but who doesn’t?)
Is he lucky? Well, he worked very hard as a player to get into position to be amazingly fortunate.
He humbled himself as a player. He’s not some arrogant jerk. I like to think I don’t write about sports as much as I write about people. Kerr’s one of those people who has always added tremendously to whatever organization he’s joined.
We’ll see. But I don’t see that changing. His influence on the Suns will be special, if he’s allowed to learn and grow in the position.
Great question, by the way. Thank you for it.

]]> By: john http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/lazenby/2008/12/19/breaking-the-fun-machine-in-phoenix/#comment-355 john Wed, 24 Dec 2008 03:24:55 +0000 http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/lazenby/?p=17#comment-355 hi roland, do you really think the suns have a shot at the title this season if they get their act together? hi roland, do you really think the suns have a shot at the title this season if they get their act together?

]]> By: Reading is Great! Today’s NBA News, Rumors, and Moments of Extreme Clarity - EmptyTheBench.com http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/lazenby/2008/12/19/breaking-the-fun-machine-in-phoenix/#comment-335 Reading is Great! Today’s NBA News, Rumors, and Moments of Extreme Clarity - EmptyTheBench.com Tue, 23 Dec 2008 05:27:54 +0000 http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/lazenby/?p=17#comment-335 [...] - Interbasket - Bonzi Wells: 48 points, 11 boards, and 7 steals… for Shanxi Zhongyu. - HoopsHype - Steve Kerr is waging all-out war on the Phoenix Suns’ fun machine. - Dime Magazine - [...] [...] - Interbasket - Bonzi Wells: 48 points, 11 boards, and 7 steals… for Shanxi Zhongyu. - HoopsHype - Steve Kerr is waging all-out war on the Phoenix Suns’ fun machine. - Dime Magazine - [...]

]]> By: JD http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/lazenby/2008/12/19/breaking-the-fun-machine-in-phoenix/#comment-334 JD Tue, 23 Dec 2008 04:42:18 +0000 http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/lazenby/?p=17#comment-334 Kerr had the opportunity to get Kevin Garnett only if Marion were to agree to being traded. Marion didn't and the trade was off. There were rumors of a trade involving Amare for Garnett, but it certainly was never close to a done deal. Many of the draft picks that were traded were a result of Brian Colangelo and/or D'Antoni playing the salary cap shuffle or in Coach D's case, making a quick decision that a particular rookie was not going to contribute. For example, read the history of the Rondo pick. Coach D clearly concluded that Rondo was not a good enough shooter, so he told management they could trade him. Another example is Nate Robinson. Amare said time and again that he didn't want to play full time at center and needed another big to take a share of the pounding. Quentin Richardson had a terrible playoff, so the Suns management packaged Q and the Robinson pick for Kurt Thomas. That was a good trade. (Now, the trade to get rid of Thomas--that is a completely different story.) Kerr had the opportunity to get Kevin Garnett only if Marion were to agree to being traded. Marion didn’t and the trade was off. There were rumors of a trade involving Amare for Garnett, but it certainly was never close to a done deal.

Many of the draft picks that were traded were a result of Brian Colangelo and/or D’Antoni playing the salary cap shuffle or in Coach D’s case, making a quick decision that a particular rookie was not going to contribute. For example, read the history of the Rondo pick. Coach D clearly concluded that Rondo was not a good enough shooter, so he told management they could trade him.

Another example is Nate Robinson. Amare said time and again that he didn’t want to play full time at center and needed another big to take a share of the pounding. Quentin Richardson had a terrible playoff, so the Suns management packaged Q and the Robinson pick for Kurt Thomas. That was a good trade. (Now, the trade to get rid of Thomas–that is a completely different story.)

]]> By: Melvin http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/lazenby/2008/12/19/breaking-the-fun-machine-in-phoenix/#comment-333 Melvin Tue, 23 Dec 2008 03:17:32 +0000 http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/lazenby/?p=17#comment-333 Seriously I think Kerr is sent by the Spurs management to destroy the Phoenix community. I mean he traded Shawn for an aging O'Neal and then what? have them destroyed by that f***king spurs again... Then they let d'antoni go and acquired richardson... oh boy, i think its sick... http://www.basketballnonsense.com Seriously I think Kerr is sent by the Spurs management to destroy the Phoenix community. I mean he traded Shawn for an aging O’Neal and then what? have them destroyed by that f***king spurs again… Then they let d’antoni go and acquired richardson… oh boy, i think its sick…

http://www.basketballnonsense.com

]]> By: Eric http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/lazenby/2008/12/19/breaking-the-fun-machine-in-phoenix/#comment-332 Eric Mon, 22 Dec 2008 21:53:33 +0000 http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/lazenby/?p=17#comment-332 "With the NBA’s complicated personnel rules and salary-cap system, transitions are oh so slow and tedious, not to mention dangerous." That is an excuse if I have ever heard one. Ask Danny Ainge and the Celtics if transition are oh so slow and tedious, not to mention dangerous. Steve Kerr had the opportunity to get Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Eddie House, and Posey. He had draft picks to work with and players that could have been dealt. Instead the Suns gave the Sonics a ton of picks to take Kurt Thomas off of their hands. Steve Kerr and his buddy Sarver are not interested in winning the Championship, they are only interested in making the almighty dollar. Danny Ainge had the backing of an ownership group that allowed him to make the moves and go over the luxury tax threshold. The Suns since Sarver has been the owner have sold numerous picks in order to stay under the cap. Kerr and his cronies will keep up the 40 year drought in the desert. “With the NBA’s complicated personnel rules and salary-cap system, transitions are oh so slow and tedious, not to mention dangerous.”

That is an excuse if I have ever heard one. Ask Danny Ainge and the Celtics if transition are oh so slow and tedious, not to mention dangerous. Steve Kerr had the opportunity to get Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Eddie House, and Posey. He had draft picks to work with and players that could have been dealt. Instead the Suns gave the Sonics a ton of picks to take Kurt Thomas off of their hands. Steve Kerr and his buddy Sarver are not interested in winning the Championship, they are only interested in making the almighty dollar. Danny Ainge had the backing of an ownership group that allowed him to make the moves and go over the luxury tax threshold. The Suns since Sarver has been the owner have sold numerous picks in order to stay under the cap. Kerr and his cronies will keep up the 40 year drought in the desert.

]]> By: Nick http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/lazenby/2008/12/19/breaking-the-fun-machine-in-phoenix/#comment-331 Nick Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:17:03 +0000 http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/lazenby/?p=17#comment-331 As a suns fan, Kerr doesn't bother me as much as Sarver. I believe the demise of the Suns came when their owner nickle-and-dimed their draft picks for cash, trading away picks that turned out to be Luol Deng, Rajon Rondo, Nate Robinson, Rudy Fernandez and Sergio Rodriguez. Instead, ownership became content and greedy with the present and basically just lucked out--who knew boris diaw would have the impact that he had in 2006 playoff run. That eased the pain of losing Joe Johnson (of whom Sarver refused to pay). Tim Thomas is another example. Even as much as I love D'Antoni, the GM D'Antoni wasn't really that good--look at the signing of Marcus Banks or the Boris Diaw contract extenstion. Anyway, as much as I despise Kerr and his bravado, I feel he is just a puppet of Sarver, looking to make do with what restrictions he has, and that have been posed upon him through years of trading away picks for nothing. The greed of mortgaging the future has finally come to a head. As a suns fan, Kerr doesn’t bother me as much as Sarver. I believe the demise of the Suns came when their owner nickle-and-dimed their draft picks for cash, trading away picks that turned out to be Luol Deng, Rajon Rondo, Nate Robinson, Rudy Fernandez and Sergio Rodriguez. Instead, ownership became content and greedy with the present and basically just lucked out–who knew boris diaw would have the impact that he had in 2006 playoff run. That eased the pain of losing Joe Johnson (of whom Sarver refused to pay). Tim Thomas is another example. Even as much as I love D’Antoni, the GM D’Antoni wasn’t really that good–look at the signing of Marcus Banks or the Boris Diaw contract extenstion. Anyway, as much as I despise Kerr and his bravado, I feel he is just a puppet of Sarver, looking to make do with what restrictions he has, and that have been posed upon him through years of trading away picks for nothing. The greed of mortgaging the future has finally come to a head.

]]> By: David http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/lazenby/2008/12/19/breaking-the-fun-machine-in-phoenix/#comment-330 David Mon, 22 Dec 2008 19:57:29 +0000 http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/lazenby/?p=17#comment-330 Roland, Too often these blogs always seem to degenerate into name calling when people don't agree (see Michael Bennett on any Eddie Johnson blog, for example)... Basketball is an art, not a science, and putting together teams to gel is a lot harder than it seems on fantasy trades....so much more than stats. I met Steve Kerr several times when he lived here in San Antonio. A great guy with a good head on his shoulders and not afraid to laugh at himself (he was in the dunking booth at an elementary school carnival, for example). My point is that he is not stupid and the decisions he makes, right or wrong, are to improve his team, not his own ego. D'Antoni was going nowhere with the franchise and could never get passed the Spurs during the play offs. SOmething had to be changed in order for Phoenix to make a serious run for a championship and so Kerr made some changes. I don't think he had anything to lose. Still can't figure out the "Canal Plus" -- I used to watch movies on it when I lived in Paris over 20 years ago!! Roland,

Too often these blogs always seem to degenerate into name calling when people don’t agree (see Michael Bennett on any Eddie Johnson blog, for example)…
Basketball is an art, not a science, and putting together teams to gel is a lot harder than it seems on fantasy trades….so much more than stats.
I met Steve Kerr several times when he lived here in San Antonio. A great guy with a good head on his shoulders and not afraid to laugh at himself (he was in the dunking booth at an elementary school carnival, for example). My point is that he is not stupid and the decisions he makes, right or wrong, are to improve his team, not his own ego.
D’Antoni was going nowhere with the franchise and could never get passed the Spurs during the play offs. SOmething had to be changed in order for Phoenix to make a serious run for a championship and so Kerr made some changes. I don’t think he had anything to lose.

Still can’t figure out the “Canal Plus” — I used to watch movies on it when I lived in Paris over 20 years ago!!

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