mediocre man

I remember a comment from Mike Rice last year when Cheeks was on his last legs. It went like this. We were playing Phoenix and they were running up and down and having fun, entertaining the fans, and playing hard. Mike Rice said "maybe we got rid of the wrong coach"

Imagine how much fun it would be to go to a game and watch players like Telfair, Outlaw, Khryapa, Webster, Zach, even Miles run up and down the floor and play with a reckless abandon.

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wastro

Phoenix's system relies on outside shooters, and no one has stepped up yet and become a reliable, consistent shooter.

Zach could NEVER played a run and gun game like that, just because he rarely runs the court full speed in the first place. He's always one of the last players up the floor (on defense AND offense) and would be winded after the first quarter.

When Nate came in, he said his system was "score early or score late," meaning that if an opportunity isn't there, set up, run a pick 'n' roll and take a shot in the last five to seven or so seconds of the shot clock.

Right now, most of the Blazers possessions are "score late." It'd be nice to see them run a little bit and try to set something up right away, instead of relying on letting the clock wind down.

Blake usually runs the ball up quickly, but he'll get to the paint, realize that he doesn't have anywhere to go and just backs the ball back out to the three-point line.

This team would be a lot more fun to watch if they were more active off the ball. Portland doesn't need to run like Phoenix, but if they were as active in the half-court offense, they'd get a lot more good looks and points in the paint.

Let's not forget one important fact, either: Phoenix lost badly in the WCF last year and won't make it to the finals again this year, either. They might score 110 points per game, but the great teams in the NBA will keep up that pace with them. The problem is they're not getting it done on defense at all. And truthfully, there is something to be said for good defense - what's the phrase? Defense wins championships.

hasoos

I don't agree. Mike D'Antoni start integrating the players with his system early in the pre season. Most of his players are in superior physical shape both strength wise and cardiovascular wise to most of the league. On a D'Antoni coached team you are in the best shape of your life by the beginning of the season, or you get shipped down the road.

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Hasoos

Blazer Freak

I wouldn't be so sure. I think PHX can easily make the WCF. Amare is going to be back and they are playing great right now without him. Not to mention Amare is coming back better than he was last year, since he is on my fantasy team I have been keeping up with him and his rehabilitation has given him and the coaches time to correct the way he trains, and he has been working those legs out better and is stronger. It's just about conditioning right now pretty much.

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Dan

you take away Steve nash from the Suns, and you have a slightly better Trail Blazers team (and before Ed, Stomp and Suns fans chime in, no I'm not saying our guys are as good as theirs...but that the Suns would be an also-ran without Nash, and no one would care about D'antoni.)

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when will the loss of life end?
I wish I had a coat of silk, the color of the sky.
I wish I had a lady fair, as any butterfly
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Now I don't have a coat of silk, but I still have the sky
Now I don't have a lady, but there goes a butterfly
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Now most of all I know that I am happy to be me.
I'm happy to be me.

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mook

I think this squad could be a much better transition team. no, not Phoenix Suns good, but they could be a lot like a good New Jersey Nets team, scoring on dunks on the break.

Anybody remember when Przybilla used to be faster than anybody in the league at inbounding the ball? On a made basket, he'd rush to the endline, and immediately throw it in to the farthest open guy up court? He stopped doing that long before he left because of injury. Why?

Because it didn't matter. He realized we didn't ever push the ball, so there was no point in rushing. Take your time, we'll set it up in the half court.

I'm not saying it's all Przybilla's fault. I'm saying he's a symptom of a culture on this team now that says everything has to be set up in the half court, so there's no point running. It's really a shame. Considering we've got a great transition finisher in Miles and we almost always have a small guard lineup, we should be running every time down the court.

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wastro

I definitely think Phoenix CAN make the WCF, especially if Dallas and SA will have to slug it out in the second round (which looks likely right now). Heck, the Suns might even beat Dallas in a seven-game series, but I don't think they'd win the NBA title.

myELFboy

What makes San Antonio so good is that they can play both ways. They can grind it out, or they can run, which they did against the Suns last year, beat them at their own game. PHX only runs....when a good defensive team (e.g. San Antonio) slows them down, they struggle. Detroit is similar to San Antonio, meaning they can grind it out, or, like they are doing this season, they can run & gun with the best of them. Having depth & veterans helps a lot though, for both of those teams. Detroit & SA both have 3 pt shooting & defensive minded players.

I think defense wins championships, but having versatile scorers is vital as well. Clutch 3's are definetly big in winning championships....see Robert Horry. Teams like Memphis & Utah play good defense, but I don't think either had the outside shooting to win in the playoffs. So while having a good defensive team is important, having the clutch outside shooting & quick, fastbreaking players is invaluable.

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