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**Dissonance19** · 11-15-2006, 01:03 PM

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After a year of being locker-room neighbors, Amaré Stoudemire and Kurt Thomas can now share the court, too.

It is not just Stoudemire's speedy revival that has allowed for it. Thomas found his niche in the system, forming his best frontcourt pairing since he and Patrick Ewing took New York to the 1999 NBA Finals.

Thomas' post defense, rebounding, sycamore-like screens and midrange shot (63.4 field goal percentage) are prized. Even before Stoudemire broke out, the Suns' top lineup included Thomas, Shawn Marion, Steve Nash, Leandro Barbosa and Raja Bell. advertisement

"(Coach) Mike (D'Antoni) has a better feel of who Kurt is and Kurt has a better feel for the system and how to get easy baskets," assistant Alvin Gentry said. "He's a very smart player. It's not hard for him to take a situation, look at it and figure out how he fits it."

Thomas, a starter for 75 percent of his career, has not flinched at an apparent long-term reserve role. He came into camp in great shape, unlike a few Suns, and found a rhythm that eluded him a year ago.

"I was thinking a lot last year, wondering where I needed to be on the floor," Thomas said. "This year, I know where to be. It's like second nature."

D'Antoni plans to play two big men - out of Stoudemire, Thomas and Boris Diaw - and allow Marion to be mostly at his desired small forward spot.

Establishing the mix
D'Antoni said Bell, who shot and ran Tuesday, likely will return from a bruised rib for Friday's home game against Philadelphia. That would give D'Antoni a set starting five of Nash, Bell, Marion, Diaw and Stoudemire. Barbosa, Thomas and Jalen Rose come off the bench.

Moving on
Nash chalks up the 2-5 start to some players' conditioning, new players' adjustments, an overseas camp, a lack of competitiveness and bad luck, although he said they have not deserved good fortune.

"Mentally, physically, emotionally, we weren't up to the task so far," Nash said. "It's a tough business and you've got to earn it every night. I think we came into this year thinking we were good and it was just going to happen for us.

"If we can find a good chemistry, which I believe we will, and we compete, there's no reason we can't have the type of year we had last year and hopefully improve on it."

Free throws
Nash practiced Tuesday after tweaking his back with a slip Monday. Asked if it was worrisome with his back history and recent hip sprain, he said, "It is, for sure, so there's probably some connection but I got through practice."

**Seuss** · 11-15-2006, 03:42 PM

Kurt deserves to be starting over Diaw,
and that's a fact.

I'm not going to be happy unless Mike starts Kurt
and Amare together, like it should be.

**Dissonance19** · 11-15-2006, 03:46 PM

Yep.

I bet Diaw showed up fat and out of shape on purpose to bridge the gap, so he could start!

THE MATRIX 31 · 11-15-2006, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dissonance19

Yep.

I bet Diaw showed up fat and out of shape on purpose to bridge the gap, so he could start!

Not so fast there pal. Diaw never was "fat" but out of shape for sure.

Thomas does deserve to be starting, he and amare should anchor our front line. but Mike D is a professional like i said b4, he knows whats hes doing. So if its fine by Mike D, its fine by me. we have got to cooperate sometimes.

Another thing is Kurt Thomas is a team player. Im sure he doesnt mind one bit coming off the bench. Diaw is about be entering his prime (all-star) in the next couple years so the Suns starting him is probably best for that reason, but the kid can play now. They payed him and got him extended for a reason, which is to be a starter. Besides, KT cant be getting that great amount of minutes. Hes aging and we need him mostly for the playoffs. Hes gonna be coming off the bench getting about 20-25 minutes a game, and thats sounds about right.

P.S. Lets go on a winning streak.

**Dissonance19** · 11-15-2006, 04:32 PM

Diaw has a gut. Not something he had last yr. I didn't mean he was huge or anything.

Yes, we need a win streak. They've had off for awhile. Hopefully, they get renergized. They still don't play till Friday on ESPN (76ers)

Lukasbmw · 11-16-2006, 03:13 AM

At this point Thomas is outplaying Diaw.

BUT

Again...when we play more athletic teams, Diaw matches up better. When we play more physical teams, Thomas needs to start.

You guys can argue that fixed starting lineup stuff all you want. However, starting Thomas and having him guard a quick big guy like Dirk is asking for trouble. Thomas simply is not fast enough and will get into foul trouble.

A frontline of KTorDiaw/Amare/Marion should have no trouble getting boards.

I'm glad to see Barbosa, KT/Diaw, and J Rose rounding out the 8 man rotation. No one else deserves to play. Banks could fit in, but not until he starts passing. Junior needs a cofidence boost.

Tiz · 11-16-2006, 12:22 PM

Yes but I think the team is better with Marion at the PF spot, which means that either Kurt or Amare would need to come of the bench.

You could have a starting group of:

Kurt
Amare
Marion
Bell
Nash

But I think based on what we have seen thus far, it is a better rotation with:

Amare
Marion
Bell
Barbosa
Nash

with Kurt, Diaw and Rose first off the bench.

**Dissonance19** · 11-16-2006, 12:24 PM

Marion needs to be playing SF or he'll get abused down low come playoff time. If Odom can do it...

But Marion is a good defensive player against SFs, SGs, PGs on the perimeter.

Tiz · 11-16-2006, 02:03 PM

Playoffs maybe but regular season no.

The reason why is that he creates mismatches for the other teams with bigger PF's. They just cant keep up with him. Yes defensively he may not be able to stop Odom or Brand but on the reverse your typical PF just can not keep up with him and that is why I say start him at PF. Even if you look at his career stats, which don't have much fluctuation, but his 2 most productive years were in '05 and '06 when he was starting at the 4.

**Dissonance19** · 11-16-2006, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiz

Playoffs maybe but regular season no.

The reason why is that he creates mismatches for the other teams with bigger PF's. They just cant keep up with him. Yes defensively he may not be able to stop Odom or Brand but on the reverse your typical PF just can not keep up with him and that is why I say start him at PF. Even if you look at his career stats, which don't have much fluctuation, but his 2 most productive years were in '05 and '06 when he was starting at the 4.

02-03 was almost or just as productive as those 2 yrs, give or a take a couple of boards. But he was avging more assists and stls than those also. I'm not saying he shouldn't play PF at all, but I think he should get more mins at SF, and play some at the 4. He even wants to play the SF position, not PF. There was a small article about it.

**OneBadLT123** · 11-16-2006, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Seuss

Kurt deserves to be starting over Diaw,
and that's a fact.

I'm not going to be happy unless Mike starts Kurt
and Amare together, like it should be.

+1

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