Please, let us not blame the 36 year old Shaquille O'Neal or the trade that was effectuated for the athletic, high-skiing player Shawn Marion. “The Big Cactus," did his part in the playoffs. Coach Mike D' Antoni is also not to blame “He can't go out and play for them." Amare Stoudemire wasn't at the top of his game. Nevertheless, the responsibility of losing to the champs doesn't fall on his shoulders.
The quintessential factor, not just in this series but huge in all regular and playoff games, is the point guard, and the way he leads his team on the court. Floor general in Steve Nash—I think not!
The same reason why Jason Kidd and the Dallas Mavericks went tumbling down (Josh Howard was also a factor), and the main reason the Phoenix Suns just couldn't keep up with the reigning Champions, again.
You can say all you want about his passing skills (best in the league) and shooting beyond the ark ability down the stretch. However, the South African born player was needed more on the defensive end of the court and was needed in that aspect for the past four years.
- B/R Ticket Guide
The constant pick and rolls, tear-drops and ankle-breaking maneuvers had Steve "Nasty," not so nasty. Its unfortunate the two-time MVP and quite possibly the highest basketball IQ in the league is not capable of finding a solution to marking the French-man.
The result of this is the Suns drooling over a T.V set for the remainder of the playoffs, focusing on the remarkable man-handling ways of Tony Parker who will proceed to have his way with every floor general in the league, including rising star, Chris Paul.
We must forget Shawn Marion—that team was just not working! And focus on a trade that happened years ago.
The Arkansas-native Joe Johnson and his move to the Atlanta Hawks, may have been one of the biggest mistakes the Suns committed. The star-player was averaging 18 points before heading to the Atlanta Hawks and was becoming a force for the Suns in the playoffs.
The big man with incredible ball-control skills, alongside a killer shot is leading, right this instance, the Hawks to maybe the biggest upset in Basketball history. He is also a tall shooting guard with strength and could of brought a more intimidating presence to the Phoenix Suns.
What do the Suns do now?
Well, one of the three Texas power houses must acquire some bench support and find a more reliable, head-smart player to replace Raja Bell and have him as a force coming off the bench. Younger legs are also needed for the aging Suns who have the talent, but, evidently lack the potential.
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8 months ago
Rodge,
Good article...I can't understand either why Steve Nash has no answer for Tony Parker and the Spurs. Phoenix, in my opinion, has some of the best talent in the NBA and can't get it done when it counts.
The window for the Suns is closing faster than they think.
Again good article.
8 months ago
This is exactly what I have been telling my bar-room cohorts. When Phoenix traded Joe Johnson I knew that their concern was pandering to players and not championships. Luckily their addiction to the foreign player had started to pan out with Diaw showing up this year in the playoffs. But Charles was right, concentrating on Diaw took the Suns right outta their game. Johnson was one of the more consistent 3 point shooters on the squad, and the years we have endured 3 point kings in the regular season and 3 point flops in the post season, have me to the point where I'm about to tenure my resignation to the team. I have been a fan since Charlie came to town, but watching this team give away talent to please other members of the team I can't take anymore........Sorry Charlie
from 8 months ago
Exactly! The trading of such a promising player like Johnson was a mistake.
They didn't even try to work it out.
Thanks for reading and commenting on the article.
Peace!
8 months ago
While Nash certainly had his problems in the season, let's not make him out to be the primary reason why the Suns lost. Tony Parker couldn't guard Nash either, but the Spurs have other quality defenders to put on Nash (Bowen, Udoka, Ginobli, Finley, Vaughn), while the Suns only have an injured Hill, Bell, and Diaw to switch onto Parker.
Plus, Parker wasn't beating Nash on iso's, he was going around screens. Why didn't Stoudemire or Shaq show on the far side of the screen to string Parker out? Oh wait, because they can't.
Bowen's defense shut down Nash yesterday, but Bowen has shut down every team's star player since he's been in the league. Plus, as Charles Barkley and Gerald alluded to, Phoenix' focus on Boris Diaw took Nash and Stoudemire out of their rhythms. And while Nash made crucial mistakes, he also hit a huge three with a minute or so left to tie the game.
Criticism of Nash is justified, but there Nash's poor defense is just one of the many reasons why Phoenix lost.
And how good are the Spurs! Do they ever make mistakes in clutch situations? No team in the NBA can match their heart.
from 8 months ago
Should read..."Criticism of Nash is justified, but Nash's poor defense is just one of the many reasons why Phoenix lost."
8 months ago
I agree with you erick! But Nash has never been a defender and this has been one of, or the biggest reason why the Suns have lost the past four years.
I agree with you on the fact that parker had slower and older players marking him, but its the playoffs man. You must adjust, do whatever to get him out of focus. Nash wasn't the only reason why they lost, I agree. However, he was the primary in my opinion.
Parker had more lay-up fast breaks then anyone in the series, passing right beside Nash. Screens are nothing new, they get around by being aggresive. Nash was anything but that.
Where can I find that article?
Thanks for reading by the way
8 months ago
I agree 100% that Steve Nash was the primary reason why the suns lost last night, if not the whole series. Costly turnovers at the end of the game, missed shots, and everybody knows he plays nothing that resembles defense, and the suns earned a trip to the house. I think the shaq trade worked in the since that they got the best he could give them, but i think were joe johnson still in a suns uniform the suns would have beat the spurs.
8 months ago
Man, how quickly we all forget. Steve Nash is the glue that kept this team in it the entire year. If you have a thoughtless, mediocre point guard, how do you know this wouldnt have fallen apart sooner? Sure his defense is his weak point, but he has more than made up for it on the offensive end and with his selfless attitude. When Marion and Stoudemire hated each other he kept the team going. When Shaq came in, who incorporated him into the offense as best he could? The problems cant lie all on him. If Steve Nash is a liability on defense, then Amare Stoudemire is too. I agree that he couldn't keep up with Parker, but how many 34 years olds can keep up with 26 years olds? San Antonio did things better than the Suns but not because of Steve Nash. Yes he had untimely turnovers, but if a few things go differently, maybe even just a few bounce or defelections, this is a moot point.
from 8 months ago
We posted at the same time - hope you don't think I was ripping off what you wrote. Great minds think alike!
from 8 months ago
I know Nash is the glue that holds them together... never said otherwise. But, face it! Nash in the playoffs, defensively, just doesn't cut it.
Nash is the main reason why they make it to the playoffs but he in my opinion and the dreadful mental weakness the Suns have as a team is the reason why they keep losing, over and over again!
By the way, Nash is my favorite point.
8 months ago
Unbelievable. Blaming Nash for the series collapse is beyond ridiculous. Could he have played better? Sure. Would the Suns be anywhere near the team they are without him? Not a chance. Remember, if you're trading away Nash's defense then you're also trading away his offense and overall management of the game. Failure to recognize what he brings to a team is a good indicator of one's lack of basketball knowledge. Another indicator is assuming that any average joe can shut down Tony Parker. He's one of the best point guards in the league, and certainly one of the quickest.
The biggest difference between the Spurs and the Suns has not been the stars, but rather their role players. Whether its Robert Horry, Bruce Bowen, or Mike Finley, they've stepped up almost every time. Conversely, whether its been Raja Bell, Grant Hill, Boris Diaw, or Quentin Richardson, they have not.
These two teams are much more evenly matched than these series have shown, yet the Spurs continue to execute at the end of games while the Suns continue to come up short. If Tim Duncan misses a three point shot that he should miss 90% of the time, this whole series is turned upside down. We're talking about the result of one shot in double overtime. If that shot is 3 inches to the right, this article doesn't exist. Blaming all of these losses on Nash is foolish.
from 8 months ago
That's almost exactly why I like Nash as a player. He has deficiencies but he makes up for it with tremendous strengths in other areas, while Amare has one tremendous strength and a bunch of annoying flaws.
If I'm the Suns, I realize Nash's deficiencies and build a roster around that. Get a center who can defend the post, get Stoudemire to rotate quicker (or ship him out), load up on cutters who will take advantage of Nash's passing
While I respect Kerr's decision to bring in Shaq and commit somewhat to power basket, it's obvious that Shaq wasn't the answer. He defended Duncan well, but he missed layups, missed free throws, and couldn't defend screen/rolls. Marion is actually the perfect player to complement Nash, but he wanted out.
I agree Rodge that Nash's defense was a huge reason for Phoenix' playoff ousters, and his Game 5 was absolutely terrible and deserves to be criticized. I just think that Nash has the talent and the mindset to be a championship-caliber player, even with his flaws.
When Bruce Bowen and the Spurs jump all over Chris Paul's deficiencies in the next round, I'm sure he'll be labeled as being exposed as well. While he too will deserved to be criticized, I just hope fans don't dismiss Nash and perhaps Paul for their flaws.
I think what he have learned about the best point guards in the West from this postseason so far, is that Parker is incredibly clutch and can take over games with his scoring, Nash can be limited by a physical defender and can get exploited by a talented opposing point guard, Paul can take games over if his mid-range jumper is falling, and Deron Williams is the most complete (though not neccessarily the most explosive) point guard, though his decision making on the road doesn't match his decision making at home.
How fun are the playoffs!!!!
from 8 months ago
Eric, nowhere in the article did I put that Nash was a bad player. I said that Nash defense lacks in every playoff series against the San Antonio. That and the weak mind-set of ironically a veteran team.
I agree on the fact the difference is the role playing. The spurs do that very well. Their the best in the league at that aspect of the game. However, marking what seems to be the best player in the playoffs for the Spurs in the last two years has not been done and that's thanks to Nash and his inability to get around screens faster and be more of an agressive player on the defensive side of the court.
8 months ago
from watching every minute of every game of that Suns-Spurs series, Game 1 was the key. It was the uprise of the Spurs and the downfall to the Suns. Losing a game the way the Suns did thanks to Tim Duncan's first three-pointer of the season is demoralizing for any franchise. AND KEEP MIKE D'ANTONI, he is a great coach that knows basketball, get him some defensive players. For instance, trade the hobbling Grant Hill. He is a great scorer and locker room presence, but his salary and his ankle is too much for the Suns. Get a guy like Kurt Thomas, he seems to be fitting in fine playing defense for the Spurs.
from 8 months ago
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/20399-Phoenix-Suns-Mike-D-Antoni-on-the-Hot-Seat-Give-Me-a-Break--290408
from 8 months ago
Great point Joe! The need younger legs and stonger minds to keep up with a team they will inevitably have to face on theri way to the Championship.
8 months ago
Great article. I agree that Steve Nash has no defense and that's nothing new. You were right when you said that Shawn Marion is an afterthought because that team wasn't winning with him either. My reason for the Suns being defeated is their lack of heart. That team doesn't have any fight man! In Game 1, they could not close the Spurs out, and their confidence never recovered. Game 4 was an aberration, and that team needs mental toughness. They let Kurt Thomas go, and the small fraction of mental toughness went with him. Shaq actually played well, and although Amare wasn't at his best, he was defeated mentally. The Suns really need some toughness, but then again with their age they just need new players.
8 months ago
Gotta be honest: My schedule's been kinda hectic lately, so I've been kind of a fourth-quarter NBA fan lately.
From what I saw, I have to agree with Rodge that Nash's play was probably the biggest factor in the Suns' loss. He couldn't keep with Parker, he couldn't hit his shots consistently when the team needed him to, and some of those passes were atrocious.
(FWIW, I thought Shaq did an excellent job this series, particularly in creating his own shots. At one point in Game Four he swooped in from the top of the key for this beautiful floating layup, causing one the guys at the bar to shout out, "I didn't know he could still do that!")
That being said, the problem isn't that Nash has suddenly devolved into a mediocre guard. The problem is that he's being asked to do too much. When Phoenix was hanging up 120 points a game, nobody cared how bad his defense was; the Suns could always shoot their opponents out at the other end.
But now that the offense has fallen apart, and Marion's not around to shoulder the burden, everything's on Nash, who can't D up and takes those crazy, off-balance, AI-like, desperation shots—which is cool when he hits one at crunch time a couple of times per series, but sucks when the fourth-quarter gameplan becomes Nash hoisiting as many desperation jumpers as he can squeeze in.
But you don't ask players to do things they can't do. That's bad management. You effectively assess your players, and assemble a team around them to maximize their strengths and minimize their weaknesses. As Eric and Erick pointed out, that's exactly what the Phoenix front office has failed to do.
Joe Johnson's a red herring. Both he and Marion wanted out of Phoenix and retaining them wasn't a realistic option. The real problem is the draft picks. Had the Suns been adding another Barbosa or Johnson every year, rather than every five, the franchise would be the most dominant in the league right now.
The Suns need a SF who can create his own shots, to draw defenders away from Nash and Barbosa at the perimeter. They needed a defensive-minded, Bowen-type of player to come in off the bench and harass opposing stars. And they need somebody, anybody, who can bury a three with less than ten seconds, no questions asked.
Maybe they can pick some of these pieces up in the Chicago/Detroit fire sales that are sure to come this offseason.
from 8 months ago
Yup! I agree with pretty much all you had to say!
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