We Talking 'Bout Practice... Phoenix Suns Practice
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by Man E Stiles
The Phoenix Suns held a practice open to the public Tuesday evening. It was more like a glorified dress rehearsal for the Suns dancers, the Gorilla, the "Sol Patrol" (the acrobatic t-shirt-throwing guys) and US Airways Arena emcee Cedric Ceballos wrapped around an intrasquad practice.
Admittance was free (if you donated high efficiency light bulbs to the Suns Charities) but parking and concessions were still full price. So the $40 I spent taking my wife and kids to get our first glimpse of the 2007-08 Phoenix Suns (they don't show preseason games on TV here) was still worth it.
Still worth it? To see 45 minutes of a lazy, Tuesday evening practice, you ask? Yup.
I'm here to tell you
Amare Stoudemire is going to DOMINATE the NBA this season. MVP-type dominate. tell your kids about it 20 years from now dominate. He looks to be in the best shape of his life (The Adonis/David Robinson shoulders!), he has more focus than ever before, looks more fluid than ever, his ballhandling skills are improved and he's starting to extend his deadeye jumper all the way out to threeland.
WATCH OUT World! STAT is coming with a vengeance to throw down on heads near you!
Amare seriously might be a 30-20 machine on some nights this season. There is NO ONE on this planet with his size, strength, speed, power, quickness, HANDS and ferocity. I don't know what got into him playing in Loss Vegas with BronBron, 'Melo and Mamba, but he's ready to unleash it.
The Suns will need Amare to be MVP to win it all
Maybe I'm still writhing from the ludicrous playoff exit last season, maybe I'm just that much of a Duke Hater, maybe I can see through the haze of Sarver-infused cheapness and locker room division. This team doesn't have the look of a champion. Last year they absolutely did, but not now.
I hope I'm wrong, or that a move can be made to get that edge but I just don't see it.
During the scrimmage - which was really just a workout with fans - Amare dominated. The Suns looked good for the most part until you realize there were only 2 guys on the floor taller than 6'9"; Amare and Sean Marks (who grew his hair out in a cross between Dirk Nowitzki's mophead and Chris Kaman's old “hair”). Nothing against Sean Marks, who is a well-oiled shooting machine from 16 feet, but he and Brian Skinner aren't going to make up for what Kurt Thomas took to Seattle, except for one category – less $$$$$ out of owner Robert Sarver’s pocket..
I am truly worried about their lack of size. Even though they've been a smaller team for years, I wasn't worried because I trusted Coach Mike D'Antoni. But the General Manager reins were ripped from him and handed to Steve Kerr, who clearly (as part of the minority ownership) has financial interests at heart here too.
There will be times this season that I am going to pine for Krazy Eyez Kurt and grinder James Jones (another guy the Suns booted and got nothing for). At least those two guys offered a shooting touch to go with hardnosed defense and above average rebounding skills. (not to mention the ability to hit free throws)
Brian Skinner is offensively atrocious offensively. Has anyone ever checked Grant Hill's ability to run or his 3 point shooting before forcing him into D'Antoni's system? I can't help that the Hill signing (for the vet minimum) was COMPLETELY financially driven. Nice guy, but he isn't THAT Grant Hill. Just in the minds of the fans stuck in the past (WAY past) that will be shelling out more than ever to see a guy who probably should have retired. Prove me wrong, Grant. Prove me wrong!
Lets: Be Real: The Biggest Concern of All
One thing that has been the 800 pound Gorilla (not the Phoenix Gorilla) humping the White Elephant in the room has been the Suns amazing run of health. Other than Amare's microfracture adventure, the Suns have been amazingly healthy for several years now. Especially considering the deep playoff runs they've enjoyed.
(I'll cross my fingers and go chant backwards sonnets in the mirror before I type this)
Let's be real. Yes, I'm a Duke Hater but Grant Hill is a Human Jinx. He and Christian Laettner pacted with Beelzebub in 1991 to win the NCAA title and you've seen what's happened since (it's still astonishing to me that the Dream Team was able to win despite carrying Laettner on the roster). I don't want Hill high-fiving anyone, and I don't want to have a career 25% 3pt shooter learning at age 35 how to chuck threes (Raja Bell shot almost twice as many threes last year as Hill has taken in his CAREER). They say he's going to bring the ball up the court and initiate the offense when Nash rests (even though he's never done it) yet Hill's career 5.1 to 3.0 assist to turnover ratio isn't anything to write home about. Oh yeah, in the last 6 years he's played two seasons worth of games. At least he's a nice guy with a good family...
Let's be real. Steve Nash is overdue for the Great Breakdown. His back didn't magically get better. He isn't getting faster or turning into a better defender as he gets older. Dude has played a TON of ball at a VERY high level with intensity and crazy recklessness over the past few years.
Let's be real. Shawn Marion is overdue for the Great Breakdown. His pogo stick legs have played a TON of run n' gun ball over the past few years. Plus he's been out of position playing against heavier, taller and stronger dudes night in and night out. He isn't getting faster, his shot isn't getting smoother, his jumping ability isn't increasing and he isn't getting happier with his role as fourth banana on the team. Robert Sarver will not extend his contract (cheapness; and for all the reasons listed above) and he is THE prime candidate (along with his team high salary) to get packaged with the Suns $7mil trade exception. Maybe they can trade him for all of the draft picks they gave away (Luol Deng, Sergio Rodriguez, Marcus Williams – guys they could use NOW).
Let’s be real: Raja Bell is one tough dude that plays balls out and emotionally exasperating. The guy shoots threes like most people breath air. I love his energy, his attitude and his leadership. And he’s another guy the Suns can’t afford to lose to injury. Grant Hill, Leandro Barbosa, Alando Tucker; they aren’t going to take his threes if he gets hurt. So what’s left? Eric Piatkowski? Great player rep. Great shooter. Not a guy you depend on when you’re aiming for a championship. An older [{Casey Jacobsen]] but with less athleticism.
Let’s be real: Brian Skinner is NOT the answer. Guys who sign for the minimum never are. There’s a reason he was so cheap. Not like he’s played for seven teams in eight years or anything (I’ll always remember him then the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame when I think of Cleveland). Ol’ Weird Beard will give a touch of toughness but I win at roulette more than he can make free throws. And his shooting touch is reminiscent of Chuck Knoblauch.
Lets be real: Alando Tucker can slash and score and seems athletic enough. But he’s a rookie from the wrong end of the first round.
Let’s be real: D.J. Strawberry, meet Dijon Thompson. Get some career advice from him. Phoenix is not the place to be a second rounder. Maybe he can write better than Paul Shirley… or shed a solitary tear when people start the “Deeeeeeeeeeeeeee Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay” droning chant. Maybe Coach D’Antoni can substitute Homer Simpson for him one time?
Let’s be real: If Sean Marks gets hurt, let’s not think about it. As it stands, Marks will be depended on every time Amare gets in foul trouble… <sarcasm font> Amare never gets into foul trouble <sarcasm font>. And every team the Suns play will take it right to the Suns only real big man all day, all night to foul him out and slow his offense by getting him to the bench.
Let’s be real: Marc Iavaroni will be missed.
I know I’m being hard on the Suns. It’s out of Love, not Hate. And Fear more than anything else. I am scared that the priority isn’t Team, Winning or anything other than extending the Run of Very Good as long as possible. It’s more profitable to be good and fill seats than to try to go over the top to win and fall short.
And this past round of franchise turnover seems like a step back for the first time. I loved the Joe Johnson trade. The Quentin Richardson for KT deal was a classic “Steal from Isiah” move. Signing Raja Bell was genius. But little of what was done this offseason made sense ON the court… Again, here I am HOPING I am wrong.
After three straight years of heartbreaking endings, I’m not getting caught up in it this year. I just don’t feel it this year…
Things I am HAPPY about
The Phoenix Gorilla is on top of his game. Most of the stadium theatrics are the same as they’ve been for this century but the Gorilla gets better every year! My kids go “apeshit” at the “funny monkey”. So that’s all I’m happy about… Did you know his name is “Go” the Gorilla? Manny Stiles is here to entertain AND educate!
I’m also happy they didn’t bring the stupid jerk dressed as the O’Brien trophy back. THAT was a GLARING omen of bad luck last year. Just a stupid idea and the guy who came up with it should be banished to watching Atlanta Hawks games…
Well, there IS room to make a move. The Suns have pieces to deal and Matrix, if he gets dealt will bring back serious value. The trade exception is nice (who are they gonna get for $7 mil that is better than Kurt?). And there are draft picks galore.
The Suns will find a willing vet with some name recognition (Tim Thomas, Jalen Rose) to make the locals swoon. HOPEFULLY, it will be someone who can bring something to the table… But those HUGE contracts that are getting swept under the Houston Rule are fewer and farter between.
Amare is going to be an absolute JOY to watch this season. He’s going to do things and dominate in a fashion unseen before. I am going to set records for spilled drinks jumping out of my seat to go apeshit. I was jumping out of my seat watching him PRACTICE!!! He could carry this whole team the whole year. Like a reverse 2005-06 when they played without him.
Boris Diaw is primed to re-break out. He is the Suns wild card. When he is playing his game, he creates a mismatch extravaganza on both ends. He can guard anyone from ballhandlers all the way up to Yao Ming in the post. 3D looks to be in great shape (as opposed to the doughboy wearing his #3 uni last year) and he looks (at least to me) more and more like a more athletic Magic Johnson; passing, dribbling, finger-rolling, (without the superb shooting) and rebounding. Diaw has a way of being a ball magnet at times and he will silence doubters.
Marcus Banks is key to the Suns success. What they get from him when Nash is on the sidelines is paramount. I’ve always been a fan of his physical skills. He’s fast as horse and strong as a donkey; unfortunately he sometimes plays dumb as a mule. If he can let the game come to him more and stop forcing it, he could absolutely be the best back-up point guard in the NBA. If he keeps thinking he’s Allen Iverson and Ray Allen jammed together, the Suns detractors will keep pointing at his less-than-favorable contract and/or he could be trade fodder. He IS an excellent defender with quick hands. When he and Barbosa are on the floor together, the Suns are a smear of orange to watch.
Leandro Barbosa was “injured”/rehabbing summer wear and tear and did not play in the practice. I like Barbosa a lot and when his confidence is high, he is unstoppable. When his confidence is shaken, he disappears. Maybe he’s a little more mature after carrying Brazil in the FIBA tourney. I’m not worried about Leandro at all.
Shawn Marion isn’t the whiny baby everyone gets the impression he is. Is he sensitive? Sure. He’s a smarter dude than you give credit to. He will play as hard as he always does and he will do Matrix-like things that he always does. Clearly the signing and abundant love for Grant Hill must have miffed him on top of the trade rumors. I think playing Power Forward bothers him more than any of the other crap. He’s a three who just happens to use his athleticism to out-rebound people. He’s a big boy, and he understands the business end. When the tip off goes up, he’ll be fine.
Having Seen Them with Mine Own Eyes
Can they win it all this year? Absolutely.
Will they? On Playstation, maybe…
I’m not calling it this year. They might end up with the best record when the season is over, but I won't call them my pick to win it all. Not because I jinx EVERY team I boast about, or as some sort of fake out reverse jinx. I really just don’t see how they can beat Dallas, San Antonio or even the likes of Houston or Denver in the playoffs without ‘’SOME’’ size. Teams are going to pound it inside, force Amare to beat them and the referees whistles on both ends.
After what happened last year, they could be SO motivated that they could win 70 games and run the playoffs. Big Fundamental, Dirk Diggler and Ming Dynasty could all get hurt. Maybe the Canadian Mafia will fix it so Steve Nash gets his ring…
I’m hoping for a Championship (clinching game would come on the road, because David Stern isn’t visiting Phoenix anytime soon). I believe they could do it, I believe in Coach D’Antoni but I’m not betting like Tim Donaghy on it…
I’m gonna go fill a pillow with sour tears now…
there was one moment when Grant Hill got fouled and fell to the floor and a HUSH came over the crowd. That's going to happen LOTS this year. Ced Ceballos grabbed the mic and made a "Flagrant Foul" joke that broke the tension and Hill got up with no effects.
I just want Nash to play the whole season.