All right, so this season may have left the Suns and their fans feeling disappointed. Even with such a blockbuster trade for Shaq, I think it’s safe to say more things should be fixed and changed.
First off, since this league is equipped with so many young point guards, Steve Nash is at a disadvantage.
Also, there are many great point guards who I believe could be traded to the Suns simply because of the minutes they are getting.
For example, Marcus Williams has the ability to become just like Deron Williams. I doubt he will get enough minutes when the Nets have Devin Harris.
If the Suns were to acquire him in some sort of trade, then he would really give the Suns great energy off the bench in the PG position.
Daniel Gibson is also another great PG, as we discovered in last years’ playoffs. He also does not get enough minutes to show us all his abilities.
Also, the league is full of young and athletic point guards who just don’t get time to impress. With an aging Steve Nash, a Phoenix trade for Utah’s Ronnie Price wouldn’t be a bad idea.
During their series with the Spurs, Boris Diaw and Raja Bell showed us something we never knew they could do. In Game 4, I doubt I was the only one impressed by the two young stars.
Bell was explosive for the Suns from absolutely anywhere from the floor, while Boris scored and passed like a veteran. Consistent play from those two players is vital for the Suns' success next season.
Boris Diaw, Barbosa, and of course Amare are the future of the franchise by all means. Barbosa off the bench has always been impressive for the Suns, whether he replaces Nash or Bell. He would always give the opposing team something to worry about.
Diaw, I believe, will shock all of us next season with post play that we have never seen from him before. He will also pass the ball in a way that would make Amare that much better.
As for Amare, he has the biggest responsibility of them all; he was the one that said that the Suns need an offensive leader, and we all know he’s the best one for the job.
Over the summer, Amare will have to improve defensively and will have to keep his shot as great as it was this season. If he does that, he could be a great franchise player and a serious MVP contender for next season.
This all doesn’t mean that those are the only guys that have to step up next season. Many others are of great importance for the team; Steve Nash will have to come back strong and must be ready to make everyone around him great offensive threats.
The improvement of Diaw must be something that Nash should be a part of. Also, I do believe Nash will still be able to perform on a high level. Nash, as I mentioned above, will need strong support off the bench for his position and that will make a world of difference.
Shaquille O'Neal and Grant Hill find themselves in similar positions. They will both need to elevate their game to as far as it could go. Whoever would coach the Suns next year must use Hill and Shaq in the smartest way possible. They are both good enough for around 30-35 minutes per game.
That means that Diaw should start. When Shaq is on the bench, Diaw plays PF and Amare C while Bell steps up for the SF position. Barbosa or Giricek should be ready to play SG.
This all depends on who ends up coaching the Phoenix Suns, Amare’s D and how players are rotated all goes down to him. One thing I would expect is Diaw starting at SF instead of Hill.
The Suns do still have chances for a great season, only if there will be more changes in the roster and in the team defense.
But for the time being, the Phoenix Suns are still a coachless team and that coach will make all the difference. So Steve Kerr, you better get ready to make some positive moves, starting with that position and then hopefully some roster changes for younger stars full of potential.
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4 months ago
What do u guys think the Suns need to change? Anything i missed? Tell me what u think.
4 months ago
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4 months ago
The Suns need to spread the court more than they did at the end of last season. That means, playing more guys that are a threat from 3-pt range. I don't think a lineup of Shaq, Amare, Diaw works. None of those guys are threats from 3-pt range so they only clog the middle. And, if Nash is trying to drive to generate offense that is 4 guys inside the arc. That is too much congestion.
As much as a like Amare and his desire to get better, it may be better for the Suns to look to trade him for maybe 2 younger players that could play significant minutes. Diaw and Amare have never played well together. Diaw defers too much to Amare, and Amare is pretty useless offensively without the ball. And it was Amare that was complaining about the offense going through Diaw too much against the Spurs.
Frankly, although Amare is a great scorer he needs someone to get him the ball. Diaw on the other hand is capable of getting the whole offense moving, like Nash. He is also a great scoring threat as we saw against the Spurs and the season Amare was injured. Amare was also the only player who apparently didn't want D'Antoni to return which concerns me a bit. Will his ego hurt the team chemistry?
4 months ago
shawn i do believe that diaw and amare are too great players right now and trading any of them would not be the smart move. over the summer chemistry will be stronger and they will learn how to play together and work the post.
4 months ago
I agree.
Its time to trade Nash for youth and potential. He is now a defensive liability when on the court and was turning the ball over almost as many times as he was getting an assist in the playoffs. He gets worked one on one by many point guards in the league now. He is no longer 2 time mvp steve nash. Its only going to get worse next year. He still has trade value at this point and we could bring in a young point guard that can do just as well as him and actually be accountable on defense. Bring over T.Porter to coach and lets play defense next year!?! We have young talent in stoudemire, diaw, barbosa, bell even tucker and strawberry. They have the 15th draft pick to work with. Veterans in Shaq and Hill. We still have agood team its just time to make changes.
4 months ago
Is Steve Nash ever at a disadvantage?
4 months ago
Keep Nash but give Strawberry much more time and let us see what he can do. Nash is another coach on the court and there is not reasom to get rid of him. Now I would deal Diaw and Barbosa in a minute. I think Diaw is weak. He plays big at times, but when the pressure is on him, he folds like a deck of cards. Barbosa said some things this off season where I would get rid of him so he does not turn into a "cancer" like Marion. The Suns will be fine.
Porter or Jackson are the coaches I would go with... Let us stop the re-hiring of coaches. Let us get some new blood in the NBA.
from 3 months ago
Barbosa and Diaw along with stoudemire are the future of the phoenix suns. Getting rid of them would be an even bigger mistake than trading the former two time MVP. Diaw is someone who could develop a great post play as he showed is in game 4 of the suns spurs series and will become more consistent. he may not be too tough but that alone isn't a good enough reason to trade such potential.
4 months ago
Shooters. Hill didn't have enough range to spread the defense which clogged the pick and roll. The Suns need to aquired a SF with 3 point range and add a little bench depth. Trading Nash is absurd. He is still a top 3 PG and is the glue for that team. Why would you dispose of the NBA's best teammate? I say keep him until he cant walk... then make him coach. If Amare was smart enough to pull up for a 4 foot jumper of take his time in the post rather than bowling over the defense to foul out and allow the the Spurs to win game 1 there might not be any discussion of the suns problems. Give that guy a book so he can learn himself something.
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