Comments on: Hornets 110, Suns 103 — Killed on the glass

By: Bart Cillekens

Bart Cillekens — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:30:23 +0000

Defense is defenitely the soft spot of the Suns and Gentry will have to make some adjustments as the season progresses. Suns objective for every game should to keep their opponents under 100 points – following the logic of their own scoring more than 100 points in each game they should win most of the games. This defensive strategy calls for a different starting 5 as already highlighted. Secondly the Suns must increase their game tempo – given the age of Nash and Hill this means they will have to use their bench more, give Dragic, Collins Griffin and Tucker more minutes. Thirdly start using Earl Clark, he’s got talent he just needs to get playing time….other teams are getting big contributions from their rookies so why shouldn’t the Suns? Finally, as the season prgresses and the Suns are finding themselves in a position to secure a playoff spot they will have to start thinking about strengthening the team defensively. If Lopez makes it back and establishes himself as a defensive force in the paint you still need to get some gritty perimeter defenders. Move Barbosa to starting guard and trade JRich together with Tucker and if Clark has developed well also trade Frye and get some really strong defensive guard and a rebounding PF to avoid an exit in the first round.

By: The Z. Man

The Z. Man — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:22:00 +0000

“Just need these guys to play like they care.” Very well said, Mr. Asani.

Suns have been very fortunate to get away with the wrong starting lineup. When they finish with Dudley and LB, they make everyone forget the shortcomings of the starting five. Dumb and dumber. Mike Dumb Antoni would never learn from his mistakes. Hope that Gentry does not fall into the same trap. Easy to become complacent when “Mr. 4th Quarter” (Nash) saves the coach’s rear game after game. When we realize who are, by far, our MOST competitive gang of five, as we seem to do at the end of the game, we will need to take that next step. Suns starting lineup just does not get the job done.

When we dig ourselves a 15-2 early hole (and 11- to – ZERO on the boards), that should send a clear message to our coaching staff. Why spot a big lead to each team we play? Sure, the right group of five can and will overcome this poor play. What happens if we don’t get hot at the end of the game and the other team does? Just what used to happen under Porter. We lose. “After a Richardson air ball”. That sort of sloppiness should not be allowed at the end of the game. Nash talks about mental toughness being our biggest advantage. When it comes to being mentally tough, the imature and lackidaisical Richardson is definitely our “weak link.” Suns’ starting five should be our most competitive guys. This way, we can build upon our lead, instead of needing to be hot to overcome the opposition’s lead. When we start the following guys, we will win running away: 1) Nash; 2) LB (the Brazilian Blur who is the most competitive and experienced running mate for Nash – just ask Nash); 3) our other new dad J-Dud the stud (who will elevate the hustle and intensity of the starting team); 4) Grant Hill; and 5) STAT (who is prone to following the intensity level of those around him so if we want him to play his best we must surround him with our best). That still leaves LOTS of fire power coming off the bench, but with 40 minutes per game for LB and 35 for J-Dud, it won’t matter that much.

MUST start and ALSO finish with LB. Let’s go SUNS!!!!

By: asani

asani — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:08:52 +0000

Unacceptable plain and simple. Every season I order the nba package to look at the suns play and they always give a bs performance about 10-15 times a year. All I know is the suns at times seem to not know what they want to do on offense and just lose interest in defending and rebounding at times. My first question is, why don't the suns give Amare the ball more because he is the only consistent next to nash and dudley? Secondly when is Frye actually going to start hitting threes on the road? Lastly, why don't j rich drive more and stop shooting jumpers everytime he touches the rock? I just need these guys to play like they care

By: John C.

John C. — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:49:24 +0000

I had to sleep on that loss overnight before jotting down some thoughts because if I had done this right after the game concluded, there would have been some expletives deleted. First off, I’ve seen guys playing on the weekend at a park with nothing to gain hustle more than the starting group did last night. Second, if everyone on the team played with energy and desire that Jared Dudley plays with, this team COULD be very good. Amar’e is still not 100% admittedly at this point in the season, but I don’t believe he is a max player. The Suns have been reading too many of their press clippings and were brought back down to earth last night. I am very surprised their veterans would allow an effort such as last night’s. Two steps forward and one step back. I’ll be anxious to see how the team responds in the next game.

By: Jason Ellis

Jason Ellis — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:35:30 +0000

I used to play ball in the park, and there was a guy who would show up and get pissed-off when the other guys on his team wouldn't play as hard as he did.

I think Steve Nash and Jared Dudley should be pissed off at the other guys for their lack of hustle tonight. I know it's a long season, but there's no excuse for this lackadaisical effort.

Even if they had done as little as gotten a few more rebounds that led to a couple more shots for the Suns and a couple less for the Hornets, the Suns would have won.

No excuse.