Comments on: The best move is often the one never made http://valleyofthesuns.com/2009/02/09/the-best-move-is-often-the-one-never-made/ Phoenix Suns basketball blog. The hottest source in the Valley for Suns news, rumors and analysis with a fresh perspective from ESPN's TrueHoop affiliate. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 18:34:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Dave Dulberg http://valleyofthesuns.com/2009/02/09/the-best-move-is-often-the-one-never-made/comment-page-1/#comment-7417 Dave Dulberg Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:40:57 +0000 http://valleyofthesuns.com/?p=2367#comment-7417 While I understand people's worries that maybe Amare's career has plateaued, trading him is not the answer...He may not be treated like the superstar or the face of the franchise, but is that a reflection of his ability or the inability of management to make the most of its talent...Every team that has had success in this league builds around the core...The Celtics did it by trades in one year, the Spurs have their big three since the early 2000's, the Lakers have created theirs (despite injury), and yet Suns management has never allowed the team to develop a core nucleus...I know that is gonna be responded to with what about Marion, Nash, and Amare...I would respond by saying the only way those nucleus players thrive is through role players that remain a consistent part of the team....After one year of the Run and Gun Suns in 2004, Joe Johnson and Quentin Richardson were shipped off...And while they got Kurt Thomas, Boris Diaw, and Raja Bell out of that off season, did they even get a fair shake? The first year they didnt even play with Amare, and the second year if not for the NBA suspensions we dont know how much success they would have had...After the season, Thomas is traded for nothing and the team loses a player that adds to the nucleus...Then Marion is traded for Shaq, D'Antoni is forced out, and in the off season they added no talent to the team...This year "the supposed first full year to gel with Shaq" they once again ship off two of their core players...And while you may think its easy to just gel two months into a trade...When has this team had really time to gel and develop the chemistry of the Spurs, the Lakers of the early 2000's, the Bulls of the 1990's...Those teams never traded away the Rick Fox's, Devean George's, Bruce Bowen's, or even the Steve Kerr's...The Suns may have had one of the best point guards the past six seasons with Nash and one of the best "young" stars in the game in Amare, but can you really expect them to reach the NBA finals with the constant turnaround every season...We have a management that when they arent satisfied instead of adding to improve the team they slowly blow it up every offseason..Part of this is the stinginess of Sarver, some dumb contract moves by yes then GM Mike D'Antoni, and now the fantasy basketball type acquistions by Steve Kerr..The one offseason they didnt touch anything, except letting James Jones go was last year...And as of February 6, 2008, the day we traded Shawn Marion, the exact same team that could have won it all if not for suspensions was tied for first in the western conference with the Hornets...That team was gelling, but the Suns didnt want to see Marion's value go to waste, and now look what this team has become, exactly that..WASTE...Amare Stoudemire has serious improvements to make on the defensive end, but for any of you to definitively say he has no upside is out of line for a guy whose 26, a four time all star, and leads the team in scoring in an offense that doesnt even go through him anymore...This has nothing to do with Amare, this has to do with trigger happy management, Porter isnt even to blame he is simply a puppet of Sarver and Co.. So the next time you wonder why the Suns arent "gelling" and think maybe its better to trade a proven Amare think of all the times these trades were made in the past few years and what the product is now because of it.. While I understand people's worries that maybe Amare's career has plateaued, trading him is not the answer…He may not be treated like the superstar or the face of the franchise, but is that a reflection of his ability or the inability of management to make the most of its talent…Every team that has had success in this league builds around the core…The Celtics did it by trades in one year, the Spurs have their big three since the early 2000's, the Lakers have created theirs (despite injury), and yet Suns management has never allowed the team to develop a core nucleus…I know that is gonna be responded to with what about Marion, Nash, and Amare…I would respond by saying the only way those nucleus players thrive is through role players that remain a consistent part of the team….After one year of the Run and Gun Suns in 2004, Joe Johnson and Quentin Richardson were shipped off…And while they got Kurt Thomas, Boris Diaw, and Raja Bell out of that off season, did they even get a fair shake? The first year they didnt even play with Amare, and the second year if not for the NBA suspensions we dont know how much success they would have had…After the season, Thomas is traded for nothing and the team loses a player that adds to the nucleus…Then Marion is traded for Shaq, D'Antoni is forced out, and in the off season they added no talent to the team…This year "the supposed first full year to gel with Shaq" they once again ship off two of their core players…And while you may think its easy to just gel two months into a trade…When has this team had really time to gel and develop the chemistry of the Spurs, the Lakers of the early 2000's, the Bulls of the 1990's…Those teams never traded away the Rick Fox's, Devean George's, Bruce Bowen's, or even the Steve Kerr's…The Suns may have had one of the best point guards the past six seasons with Nash and one of the best "young" stars in the game in Amare, but can you really expect them to reach the NBA finals with the constant turnaround every season…We have a management that when they arent satisfied instead of adding to improve the team they slowly blow it up every offseason..Part of this is the stinginess of Sarver, some dumb contract moves by yes then GM Mike D'Antoni, and now the fantasy basketball type acquistions by Steve Kerr..The one offseason they didnt touch anything, except letting James Jones go was last year…And as of February 6, 2008, the day we traded Shawn Marion, the exact same team that could have won it all if not for suspensions was tied for first in the western conference with the Hornets…That team was gelling, but the Suns didnt want to see Marion's value go to waste, and now look what this team has become, exactly that..WASTE…Amare Stoudemire has serious improvements to make on the defensive end, but for any of you to definitively say he has no upside is out of line for a guy whose 26, a four time all star, and leads the team in scoring in an offense that doesnt even go through him anymore…This has nothing to do with Amare, this has to do with trigger happy management, Porter isnt even to blame he is simply a puppet of Sarver and Co.. So the next time you wonder why the Suns arent "gelling" and think maybe its better to trade a proven Amare think of all the times these trades were made in the past few years and what the product is now because of it..

]]> By: Kate http://valleyofthesuns.com/2009/02/09/the-best-move-is-often-the-one-never-made/comment-page-1/#comment-7367 Kate Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:59:25 +0000 http://valleyofthesuns.com/?p=2367#comment-7367 Like always, great job! Each one gets better and better...keep up the good work :) Like always, great job! Each one gets better and better…keep up the good work :)

]]> By: Green http://valleyofthesuns.com/2009/02/09/the-best-move-is-often-the-one-never-made/comment-page-1/#comment-7347 Green Tue, 10 Feb 2009 04:11:39 +0000 http://valleyofthesuns.com/?p=2367#comment-7347 But trading the face of your franchise, your superstar, and the interior force of what little identity this team has is not the answer to recent struggles. ----- Problem is, he's not the face of the franchise and never has been. The team has never made it a point to make Amare THE guy. It's always been him, but Nash was the leader, now Nash and Shaq. If they ever made it a point to let Amare develop and be the focal point I doubt things would be this bad. But trading the face of your franchise, your superstar, and the interior force of what little identity this team has is not the answer to recent struggles.

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Problem is, he’s not the face of the franchise and never has been. The team has never made it a point to make Amare THE guy. It’s always been him, but Nash was the leader, now Nash and Shaq.

If they ever made it a point to let Amare develop and be the focal point I doubt things would be this bad.

]]> By: Baguete (Sao Paulo - http://valleyofthesuns.com/2009/02/09/the-best-move-is-often-the-one-never-made/comment-page-1/#comment-7359 Baguete (Sao Paulo - Tue, 10 Feb 2009 03:26:35 +0000 http://valleyofthesuns.com/?p=2367#comment-7359 Hey Dave, thanks for the discussion. My main problem with Amare is his drive to be a better player. I know that from living overseas - especially in a country where basketball is maybe the 6th main sport - I have maybe 10% of the information you get, but it doesnt seem to me that Amare has much of a work ethics in him. I dont see him getting more active on defense. I dont him being a clutch player and I dont see him leading a team to a NBA title. I agree with you that our management sucks and we have a forth-string coach, and agree that right now we dont have anybody else to be builden around (?), so thats why I think its time to trade him. The great dillema is: can we get somebody to make us a contender right now? Unfortunately, I dont think so. So, maybe the Miami trade is a good idea. We wont be a worse team with Marion (I truly believe this), we will clean cap in short term (damn Sarver) and we can build around Beasley for the long term. Hey Dave, thanks for the discussion.

My main problem with Amare is his drive to be a better player. I know that from living overseas – especially in a country where basketball is maybe the 6th main sport – I have maybe 10% of the information you get, but it doesnt seem to me that Amare has much of a work ethics in him.

I dont see him getting more active on defense. I dont him being a clutch player and I dont see him leading a team to a NBA title.

I agree with you that our management sucks and we have a forth-string coach, and agree that right now we dont have anybody else to be builden around (?), so thats why I think its time to trade him.

The great dillema is: can we get somebody to make us a contender right now? Unfortunately, I dont think so.

So, maybe the Miami trade is a good idea. We wont be a worse team with Marion (I truly believe this), we will clean cap in short term (damn Sarver) and we can build around Beasley for the long term.

]]> By: Dave Dulberg http://valleyofthesuns.com/2009/02/09/the-best-move-is-often-the-one-never-made/comment-page-1/#comment-7322 Dave Dulberg Mon, 09 Feb 2009 23:04:53 +0000 http://valleyofthesuns.com/?p=2367#comment-7322 I want to thank everyone for reading the article...But unfortunately I am going to have to disagree with the reader from Brazil...Today, Amare Stoudemire is most certainly one of the top ten players in our game...His numbers may not be as eye popping as in years past, but that has nothing to do with diminished skills and everything to do with as Mike alluded to people who are owning, running, and coaching our team..You cant honestly believe that a young man, whose 26, and just got voted to his fourth all-star game, has no upside...If that was the case why our teams like the Thunder and Heat willing to mortgage their future to try and get him...He is the face of the franchise because he has SOOO much upside and is 26...Look at the other starters...Who of them could you seem them building around? None of them...Three of them (Hill, Nash, O'Neal) have expiring contracts at the end of this season or next season, and Richardson to use your phrase is a good offensive talent, but is an always will be " a second banana" I want to thank everyone for reading the article…But unfortunately I am going to have to disagree with the reader from Brazil…Today, Amare Stoudemire is most certainly one of the top ten players in our game…His numbers may not be as eye popping as in years past, but that has nothing to do with diminished skills and everything to do with as Mike alluded to people who are owning, running, and coaching our team..You cant honestly believe that a young man, whose 26, and just got voted to his fourth all-star game, has no upside…If that was the case why our teams like the Thunder and Heat willing to mortgage their future to try and get him…He is the face of the franchise because he has SOOO much upside and is 26…Look at the other starters…Who of them could you seem them building around? None of them…Three of them (Hill, Nash, O’Neal) have expiring contracts at the end of this season or next season, and Richardson to use your phrase is a good offensive talent, but is an always will be ” a second banana”

]]> By: Brandon http://valleyofthesuns.com/2009/02/09/the-best-move-is-often-the-one-never-made/comment-page-1/#comment-7319 Brandon Mon, 09 Feb 2009 22:26:54 +0000 http://valleyofthesuns.com/?p=2367#comment-7319 "All I have to say is, some people weren’t meant to own a sports team, some people weren’t meant to be a GM, and some people can’t coach. Unfortunately, we have all three at once, and the players and fans know it." Wow, well said my man. Well said. “All I have to say is, some people weren’t meant to own a sports team, some people weren’t meant to be a GM, and some people can’t coach.

Unfortunately, we have all three at once, and the players and fans know it.”

Wow, well said my man. Well said.

]]> By: Mike http://valleyofthesuns.com/2009/02/09/the-best-move-is-often-the-one-never-made/comment-page-1/#comment-7317 Mike Mon, 09 Feb 2009 22:12:34 +0000 http://valleyofthesuns.com/?p=2367#comment-7317 Agree, get a better coach. But that costs money, too, and if there's one thing that's been consistent it's been the absence of any balls when it comes to aggressive spending. And that was before the recession. Suns will likely give Porter a free pass for the rest of the season because it's cheaper, and we need to pray really, really hard to prevent this money-saving trade BS from ruining this team. We'll leave the playoffs in round 1 or 2 then everybody will point fingers and there will be massive changes in the off season that don't help but save money. All I have to say is, some people weren't meant to own a sports team, some people weren't meant to be a GM, and some people can't coach. Unfortunately, we have all three at once, and the players and fans know it. Agree, get a better coach. But that costs money, too, and if there’s one thing that’s been consistent it’s been the absence of any balls when it comes to aggressive spending.

And that was before the recession.

Suns will likely give Porter a free pass for the rest of the season because it’s cheaper, and we need to pray really, really hard to prevent this money-saving trade BS from ruining this team.

We’ll leave the playoffs in round 1 or 2 then everybody will point fingers and there will be massive changes in the off season that don’t help but save money.

All I have to say is, some people weren’t meant to own a sports team, some people weren’t meant to be a GM, and some people can’t coach.

Unfortunately, we have all three at once, and the players and fans know it.

]]> By: drexll (ISRAEL) http://valleyofthesuns.com/2009/02/09/the-best-move-is-often-the-one-never-made/comment-page-1/#comment-7316 drexll (ISRAEL) Mon, 09 Feb 2009 21:31:58 +0000 http://valleyofthesuns.com/?p=2367#comment-7316 that is all correct, but with all the mess kerr and co. have made stil the suns startes today have enough talent to be much higher in the conference. and all that "time to gel" talk is not that relevant with the amount of talent in this team. they should have figured it out by now. especially with the best PG in the game the past 6 years. so why are we still fighting for a playoff spot? answer: GET A BETTER COACH!!! that is all correct, but with all the mess kerr and co. have made stil the suns startes today have enough talent to be much higher in the conference. and all that “time to gel” talk is not that relevant with the amount of talent in this team. they should have figured it out by now. especially with the best PG in the game the past 6 years. so why are we still fighting for a playoff spot? answer: GET A BETTER COACH!!!

]]> By: Baguete (Sao Paulo - Brazil) http://valleyofthesuns.com/2009/02/09/the-best-move-is-often-the-one-never-made/comment-page-1/#comment-7312 Baguete (Sao Paulo - Brazil) Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:30:26 +0000 http://valleyofthesuns.com/?p=2367#comment-7312 I want to discuss if Amare is a good fit for "the face of the franchise". I don't think he's a top 10 player in the league right now. I don't think he has any upside left, he's pretty much reached his ceilling and, more important, I don't see him leading a team. To me, Amare will always be a second banana and we should trade him before he blows his knees again. I want to discuss if Amare is a good fit for “the face of the franchise”.

I don’t think he’s a top 10 player in the league right now. I don’t think he has any upside left, he’s pretty much reached his ceilling and, more important, I don’t see him leading a team.
To me, Amare will always be a second banana and we should trade him before he blows his knees again.

]]> By: Carter http://valleyofthesuns.com/2009/02/09/the-best-move-is-often-the-one-never-made/comment-page-1/#comment-7310 Carter Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:13:21 +0000 http://valleyofthesuns.com/?p=2367#comment-7310 Great article Dave. I enjoyed reading it. Great article Dave. I enjoyed reading it.

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