Phoenix Suns Getting it Done Late on the Defensive End

Tommy Casanova — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:29:09 -0500

Its getting cooler in the nights here in the desert. Is hell freezing over? No, that's just the Suns getting wins by their incredible defensive play as of late.

Five of 12. That's five times in 12 games the Suns have been down by double digit points and have rallied to win the ballgame.

Five of 12. That's five times in 12 games the Suns have gone into the fourth quarter trailing and have come out on top. They are now 5-2 in games they go into the fourth quarter trailing. Last season? They were 4-30. An abysmal situation last year that has gone a complete 180 this year.

Phoenix has been incredible in fourth quarters this year, holding their opponents to just over 40 percent shooting in the final quarter through their first 12 games of the year.

Last night against Houston (a team that includes an impressive win at the Staples Center against the Lakers) they held them to 9-28 FGs in the fourth. The Suns guards forced Houston perimeter players into tough, contested jump shots. Their defensive play inside was equally impressive, with role player Jarron Collins stepping up huge, altering and blocking shots down the stretch. He also provided some critical buckets as time expired.

This defense thing is pretty cool. Players like Collins and Jared Dudley are inspiring others with their hustle and energy on the defensive end. Even Steve Nash did a decent job of staying in front of Aaron Brooks and forcing some bad shots/passes from him. Jason Richardson and Grant Hill were even more effective, and how about Leandro Barbosa's block on Chase Budinger? It was one of NINE rejections by the Suns.

There are going to be a lot of folks to disagree with this article. How can a team that is giving up 106 PPG be a "good" defensive team? Here's the thing: they're not. They're still not a defensive-oriented team, and they never will be. This team is built to win on their high-tempo offense orchestrated by a future hall-of-famer.

The Suns finally are able to get stops on the defensive end late in games, something they have never been able to do in the years since Steve's return. So sure, they may never be a great, or even good defensive team. But if they can get timely stops, they may have enough to at least challenge Kobe Bryant and the Lakers for top team in the West.

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Could the Maryland Terrapins Be the Phoenix Suns of the ACC?

Jarrett Carter — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:26:46 -0500

Probably not, but Gary Williams and the Maryland Terrapins are going to give small ball a go tonight against Fairfield , and maybe throughout the regular season.

Tonight, Williams said, the No. 25 Terps (1-0) might use four guards at times against the Stags (2-0), who have out-rebounded their opponents by eight per game in wins over Fordham and Central Connecticut State. Guard Sean Mosley (St. Frances), who enjoys inside contact, is likely to be used frequently in the paint.

This indicates a couple of things. First, Jordan Williams and James Padgett, the two freshmen big men for the Terps, can either play and aren’t in good game shape, or are in good shape and can’t play very well at this point. Doesn’t make a lot of sense not to work those two into a flow against lower level competition so early in the season.

Secondly, four guards on the floor indicates that Maryland has supreme confidence in its perimeter shooting. We know that Sean Mosley went out and got himself a jumper in the offseason, and that Cliff Tucker and Greivis can deliver from the perimeter in streaks. But for this thing to really work and sustain against ACC competition, Eric Hayes and Landon Milbourne have to command respect outside of the paint as well.

And finally, the Terps have to be exceptional on-the-ball defenders. If they aren’t, they will get eaten alive by post entry passes and opponents’ trips to the foul line. If they can adopt a defensive mentality like Duke, who frequently makes up for a lack of athleticism with tenacity and good team defense, the Terps could very well pull this off.

If they don’t, it will just be four guards and a prayer until the frosh big men are ready to step in.

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Phoenix Suns Getting it Done Late on the Defensive End

Could the Maryland Terrapins Be the Phoenix Suns of the ACC?