David Aldridge chat

[Joe Mama]

I know I sound like a broken record on this. I often do. I'm not sure why it matters, but it is nice to see one of the "experts" feeling the same way.

marcia: Hello David, What would you say is the reason Stephon Marbury has played so well this season and who do you think will secure the 8th place playoff spot in the Western Conference?

David Aldridge: (2:45 PM ET ) I think Steph has done a lot of growing the last couple of years. He's got a wife and family now and I think that's helped, and I think he was challenged by how the Kidd trade was perceived last season as so one-sided. I think Phoenix will get the last spot and I must tell you, I believe whoever plays them in the first round is going to have a much tougher time of it than most folks seem to think.

I don't like the Suns chances against the Mavericks in the playoffs. I think they have too many weapons. It wouldn't surprise me if they won a few games though. However against San Antonio it wouldn't surprise me at all its the Suns upset them.

Joe Mama

 

[SirStefan32]

... but had they drafted Jered Jeffries instead of Amare Stoudemire, they would be figting for the home court advantage. Just kidding.

I agree Joe. Dallas has too many weapons for the Suns. On the other hand, if the Suns played Big (Tsakalidis, Voskhul, Williams, and Stoudemire, and maybe Outlaw on 4 and 5 the whole game, they could destroy the mavs in the middle just like the Lakers and Kings do. However, that's not going to happen so it's irrelevant to even talk about that.

I'd love to see San Antonio in the first round. It seems that FJ plays big lineups only against the Spurs.

Stefan

 

[hcsilla]

Originally posted by SirStefan32


I'd love to see San Antonio in the first round.

Stefan

I would love to see Phoenix in the 1st round.

 

[notakiddfan1]

On the other hand, if the Suns played Big (Tsakalidis, Voskhul, Williams, and Stoudemire, and maybe Outlaw on 4 and 5 the whole game, they could destroy the mavs in the middle just like the Lakers and Kings do.

Woah! How could a Suns fan, someone who actually watches Suns games, actually believe this? Tsakalidis hasn't destroyed an opponent's center in his 4 years in the NBA, and Scott Williams is, although a big body, hardly an inside player, or a destroyer for that matter. Voskhul is an adequite back-up center, and has certainly played well for Phoenix this year considering his abilities, but he wouldn't destroy anybody. Now, Stoudemire is a force, and Outlaw hustles a lot, but you could have all of these guys on the floor at once and they would hardly destroy another team.

I understand that you are a little frustrated with small-ball, but that's just silly.

 

[SweetD]

Originally posted by notakiddfan1
Woah! How could a Suns fan, someone who actually watches Suns games, actually believe this? Tsakalidis hasn't destroyed an opponent's center in his 4 years in the NBA, and Scott Williams is, although a big body, hardly an inside player, or a destroyer for that matter. Voskhul is an adequite back-up center, and has certainly played well for Phoenix this year considering his abilities, but he wouldn't destroy anybody. Now, Stoudemire is a force, and Outlaw hustles a lot, but you could have all of these guys on the floor at once and they would hardly destroy another team.

I understand that you are a little frustrated with small-ball, but that's just silly.

I hope he is saying he would wants to see them playing at the 4 or 5 the hole game.. not 1-3 at least I hope so..

 

[SirStefan32]

Of course I am saying that I want those guys to play on 4 and 5 the whole game, not all four or five of them at the same time.

Yes, Tsakalidis is not a "destroyer" but he could destroy Shawn Bradley and Raef LaFrenz. My point is that the only way to beat Dallas is to pound the ball inside to your big men.

Stefan

 

[elindholm]

Yes, Tsakalidis is not a "destroyer" but he could destroy Shawn Bradley and Raef LaFrenz.

Do you have any idea how much better LaFrentz is than Tsakalidis? I'm just wondering.

 

[fordronken]

Do you have any idea how much better LaFrentz is than Tsakalidis? I'm just wondering.

Scoring, rebounding, foot speed, mobility, athleticism, passing, shooting, and of course, getting injured.

 

[Chaplin]

I think the point is, Lafrentz (who is mediocre this year at best) would have to rely on his outside shot only, because he isn't going to post up Jake.

 

[cheng]

I don't know, I would rather have the suns play the mavs in the first round.

The spurs are much better defensively, their players have more playoffs experience. Duncan is agruably the best big man in the league besides Shaq and he has proven he can carry his team all the way. Their backcourt has improved as well with Parker and Jackson.

The mavs have so many offensive weapons, but basically they are the same team from last year which struggled defensively against the Kings in the second round. They don't have a big man like Duncan who can score in low post. If we can stop their running game and penatration (contain Nash), we might score enough to beat them. However, I don't see how we can stop spurs inside - outside game, Duncan will put whoever guards him in foul trouble in no time. Also, we will have problem scoring inside with Duncan and Robinson guarding the paint.

 

[cheng]

Frank Johnson has to figure out how to counter mav's zone defense though...

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by cheng
I don't know, I would rather have the suns play the mavs in the first round.

The spurs are much better defensively, their players have more playoffs experience. Duncan is agruably the best big man in the league besides Shaq and he has proven he can carry his team all the way. Their backcourt has improved as well with Parker and Jackson.

The mavs have so many offensive weapons, but basically they are the same team from last year which struggled defensively against the Kings in the second round. They don't have a big man like Duncan who can score in low post. If we can stop their running game and penatration (contain Nash), we might score enough to beat them. However, I don't see how we can stop spurs inside - outside game, Duncan will put whoever guards him in foul trouble in no time. Also, we will have problem scoring inside with Duncan and Robinson guarding the paint.

The problem is, we seem to beat the Spurs and lose to the Mavs. Go figure.

 

[SirStefan32]

Originally posted by elindholm
Yes, Tsakalidis is not a "destroyer" but he could destroy Shawn Bradley and Raef LaFrenz.

Do you have any idea how much better LaFrentz is than Tsakalidis? I'm just wondering.

Eric, I don't think I expressed myself well. I realize that Raef is, overall, much better than Tsakalidis.

However, I believe that Jake (or Amare) could abuse him in the paint. This is how the Kings demolish the Mavs all the time- dump the ball inside and make Irk, Reaf, and Shawn try to defend somebody in the low post.

I am saying that the only way to beat Dallas is to play a slow- paced half court offense with the ball going in the low post every time down the floor.

Cheng, great point about zone defense. The Mavs love that 2-3 zone with Bradley in the midle, and Dirk and Raef, or Dirk and Najera on the sides. Good entry passes and good penetration, as well as offensive rebounding and ball movement will destroy the zone. Not sure FJ can figure that out though

Stefan

 

[SirStefan32]

Originally posted by Chaplin
I think the point is, Lafrentz (who is mediocre this year at best) would have to rely on his outside shot only, because he isn't going to post up Jake.

Well, he doesn't really post up anybody much, but yes, you are right, he will not post up Jake Tsakalidis. My point is that he can not guard Jake in the low post.

 

[elindholm]

However, I believe that Jake (or Amare) could abuse him in the paint.

Tsakalidis has shown no low-post game at all. His only one-on-one move is his little flatfooted pivot hook that he usually leaves short. When he was putting up decent scoring numbers last season, it was on pick and roll plays with Marbury, where Tsakalidis has a clear path to the basket. LaFrentz may not be much of a defender, but I seriously doubt Tsakalidis could do anything on the block against him.

Stoudemire is a different case. He should be able to challenge Dallas's interior defense. I think "abuse" is a little strong, though.

 

[Wally]

It's irrelevant, Jake Tsakalidis is either injured or FJ is an idiot... or maybe both, but is there any reason to believe that he will play again this year? DNP's seem to be in store for the Suns big men.

 

[JS22]

Maybe Frank is resting Jake for the playoffs?

His back may still be stiff. I dont know.

 

[cheng]

Originally posted by elindholm
However, I believe that Jake (or Amare) could abuse him in the paint.

Tsakalidis has shown no low-post game at all. His only one-on-one move is his little flatfooted pivot hook that he usually leaves short.

I can't agree more! That little jump hook is his only move in the paint which has become too prodictable. I thought he was going to develope a baseline spin move so he can go either directions to become much effective, but it seems to me that he doesn't have the agility to do that.

As for playing against the spurs, I remember we beat them 3 out of 4 times in the regular season during Duncan's rookies year and lost to them in 4 games in the playoffs. Playoffs games are alot different when teams have to play each other 7 consecutive times. Teams prepare/adjust/counter more specifically, the better team usually come out on top. Luck/Referee (as always) often become deciding factor when two teams are close.

 

[Chaplin]

Well, I checked the records and over the last 2 years, our record against the Spurs is 3-4, and against the Mavs 2-5. Last year obviously wasn't a good measuring stick, but I know that before then, we had some luck. We were usually pretty good at letting Duncan get his points but preventing anyone else scoring.

Besides, I'd much prefer Marbury vs. Tony Parker than Marbury vs. Steve Nash. Marbury averages like 30 points against Tony Parker.

 

[cheng]

Originally posted by Chaplin
Besides, I'd much prefer Marbury vs. Tony Parker than Marbury vs. Steve Nash. Marbury averages like 30 points against Tony Parker.

I agree about the Marbury VS. Parker matchup. We definitely have a chance if we can dominate their backcourt.

No matter who we will play against, we have to get into the playoffs first. I don't expect total let downs because Marbury is a big game player, then we have Marion, Penny and Stoudemire. Usually a team needs 3 players to play well to win a playoff game. Although our bench lacks depth, we do have the players that are capable and Marbury should count as 2 of them.

 

[Joe Mama]

Nowitzki kills us almost as badly as Tim Duncan does, but Dirk has Steve Nash, Michael Finley, Nick Van Exel, etc. to help him. Honestly the Kings are the only team in the NBA I would hate for the Suns to face in the playoffs more than Mavericks. For one reason or another the Suns seem to match up well with the Spurs.

Joe Mama

 

[SweetD]

OK lets look at the hole team vs team:

Suns vs Spurs

PG Steph vs Parker (SUNS)
SG Penny/JJ vs Smith (Suns)
SF Marion vs Jackson (Suns)
PF Amare vs Duncan (Spurs)
C By Commitiy vs Robinson (Spurs)

Coach (Spurs)
Bench (Spurs)
Rebounding (Spurs)
FT (Spurs)

Series would have to go to Spurs

Suns vs Dallas

PG Steph vs Nash (none)
SG Penney/JJ vs Finley (Mavs)
SF Marion vs Najarah (sp?) (Suns)
PF Amare vs Dirk (Mavs)
C Commity vs Commity (none)

Coach (Mavs)
Bench (Mavs)
Rebounding (Suns)
FT (Mavs)

Series would be close IMO we should hope to play Mavs in the 1st

 

[slinslin]

If we play the Mavericks I would be that Bo Outlaw will be starting to chase Nowitzki around and Amare would play against the center.

Anyway if we play the Mavericks we better go to Amare as much as possible because there is no way the Mavs could stop him even with a double team if he plays on top of his game.

I think the Spurs or Mavs would definately be better than the Kings or Wolves although I think that we could upset anyone. Not likely but if our big three plays well we are tough to beat.

Minnesota is the only top team that won the series against us. Utah, Lakers and Dallas lead the series 2-1. Minnesota got pretty lucky in every of the 3 games and we should have won the last game at Dallas.

 

[elindholm]

Suns vs Spurs

SG Penny/JJ vs Smith (Suns)

Hardaway/Johnson vs. Ginobili/Smith is no better than even for the Suns.

Suns vs Dallas

C Commity vs Commity (none)

The Mavericks' center rotation, even without Nowitzki's time there, is much better than the Suns'. Even Bradley is better than any current Suns center, and LaFrentz is a much better player than people on this board seem to want to acknowledge.

Either way, the Suns will be big underdogs, but big underdogs do sometimes win. I'd rather that the Suns play the Mavericks, because the Spurs seem extremely focused right now, while the Mavericks have to deal with expectations that are probably too high.

 

[hcsilla]

Spurs' starting SG/SF combo is Jackson/Bowen and I'm not sure that Penny/JJ is better than Bowen/Ginobili.

Bradley/LaFrentz is MUCH better than Suns' C rotation.