One last thread before the season starts -- the top ten reasons why this is the year:
1. Hungry veterans. Perhaps the single most frustrating thing about watching the Suns last year was the lack of a killer instinct. They could outplay teams seemingly at will, but would react by becoming bored, losing focus, and letting teams get back into games. No lead was safe, and the starters were constantly playing during crunch time in the fourth quarter when by all rights the games shouldn't have been close enough for there to be a crunch time. The result was extra wear on the starters and less time for bench players, but even worse was that the team learned that they could slack off and still win the game on talent -- until San Antonio, where just a few bad minutes here and there were enough to seal the crucial games. I think Nash was preaching it last year, but nobody else was listening. But this year Hill will say the same things, and hopefully the younger players will listen: play with focus, put teams away early, and don't let them back in. This year will see more blowouts that stay blowouts.
2. Grant Hill. Last year, we would consistently build leads with Nash in the game, only to slide back during his breaks in the early-second and early-fourth quarters. With Nash, Diaw and now Hill, we should never be without at least two playmakers on the court at all times, which means the offense should never stop (to say nothing of the potential of Hill and Nash in at the same time). As good as the offense was last year, switching Hill for JR ought to be worth at least 3-4 points extra per game (say, switching a couple of JR bricks for a few trips to the FT line for Hill), which will put us among some of the great offensive teams of all time.
3. Amare. Hard to remember, but at this time last year, Amare was fighting (and not getting) a starting job. There was controversy over how he would fit into the Suns' offense, concerns over whether it would be "his" team or "Nash's" team, etc. Nearly 25% of the games the Suns would lose last year were lost in the very first week of the season. This year Amare comes in better than ever, and in the flow from the start.
4. Diaw. At this time last year, he was overweight, out of shape, and out of sorts trying to adjust to the presence of Amare in his spot in the post. This year, he's lean and ready, and he's got a role carved out for him with the second unit.
5. Marion. He's an effort guy, and nothing motivates him like thinking he's being disrespected -- witness his spike in rebounds and points every year during the weeks before the all-star voting. Now multiply that for the entire season for what is in effect a contract year for Marion. He's going to want to prove that he's a team player and an integral part of the best team in the league.
6. Nash. Some day he's going to lose his touch, but not this year.
7. LB. At this time last year, LB was a good player but not someone you would trust with the shot at the buzzer -- until that monster 3 against Chicago. Last year was his first real playoff experience. Now he's one of several go to guys in big situations, and has some playoff success and failure under his belt.
8. D'Antoni/Kerr. Last year, D'Antoni was both coach and GM, and there was no one to tell him it was ok to risk losing a few games during the season to make sure the team and bench were ready for the playoffs. This year, Kerr is giving him that message, and his own experience should finally be telling him the wisdom of being ready for the post-season.
9. Banks/JR. It's easly to forget, but at this time last year, we still thought Banks would be an important contributor to the team. Now we know better, and there'll be no need to waste time and energy beating our heads against the wall over it. The rotation is set through at least 7 players, and there are no question marks or wishful thinking with Nash, Amare, Marion, Bell, Hill, LB, or Diaw.
10. The Competition. Only the Celtics really improved this offseason, and even them not enough to challenge any of the big three. The Spurs and the Mavs are as good as ever, but no better. We are.
Ten months from now, we'll look back on it and think it was obvious from the start: This is the year.
1. Hungry veterans. Perhaps the single most frustrating thing about watching the Suns last year was the lack of a killer instinct. They could outplay teams seemingly at will, but would react by becoming bored, losing focus, and letting teams get back into games. No lead was safe, and the starters were constantly playing during crunch time in the fourth quarter when by all rights the games shouldn't have been close enough for there to be a crunch time. The result was extra wear on the starters and less time for bench players, but even worse was that the team learned that they could slack off and still win the game on talent -- until San Antonio, where just a few bad minutes here and there were enough to seal the crucial games. I think Nash was preaching it last year, but nobody else was listening. But this year Hill will say the same things, and hopefully the younger players will listen: play with focus, put teams away early, and don't let them back in. This year will see more blowouts that stay blowouts.
2. Grant Hill. Last year, we would consistently build leads with Nash in the game, only to slide back during his breaks in the early-second and early-fourth quarters. With Nash, Diaw and now Hill, we should never be without at least two playmakers on the court at all times, which means the offense should never stop (to say nothing of the potential of Hill and Nash in at the same time). As good as the offense was last year, switching Hill for JR ought to be worth at least 3-4 points extra per game (say, switching a couple of JR bricks for a few trips to the FT line for Hill), which will put us among some of the great offensive teams of all time.
3. Amare. Hard to remember, but at this time last year, Amare was fighting (and not getting) a starting job. There was controversy over how he would fit into the Suns' offense, concerns over whether it would be "his" team or "Nash's" team, etc. Nearly 25% of the games the Suns would lose last year were lost in the very first week of the season. This year Amare comes in better than ever, and in the flow from the start.
4. Diaw. At this time last year, he was overweight, out of shape, and out of sorts trying to adjust to the presence of Amare in his spot in the post. This year, he's lean and ready, and he's got a role carved out for him with the second unit.
5. Marion. He's an effort guy, and nothing motivates him like thinking he's being disrespected -- witness his spike in rebounds and points every year during the weeks before the all-star voting. Now multiply that for the entire season for what is in effect a contract year for Marion. He's going to want to prove that he's a team player and an integral part of the best team in the league.
6. Nash. Some day he's going to lose his touch, but not this year.
7. LB. At this time last year, LB was a good player but not someone you would trust with the shot at the buzzer -- until that monster 3 against Chicago. Last year was his first real playoff experience. Now he's one of several go to guys in big situations, and has some playoff success and failure under his belt.
8. D'Antoni/Kerr. Last year, D'Antoni was both coach and GM, and there was no one to tell him it was ok to risk losing a few games during the season to make sure the team and bench were ready for the playoffs. This year, Kerr is giving him that message, and his own experience should finally be telling him the wisdom of being ready for the post-season.
9. Banks/JR. It's easly to forget, but at this time last year, we still thought Banks would be an important contributor to the team. Now we know better, and there'll be no need to waste time and energy beating our heads against the wall over it. The rotation is set through at least 7 players, and there are no question marks or wishful thinking with Nash, Amare, Marion, Bell, Hill, LB, or Diaw.
10. The Competition. Only the Celtics really improved this offseason, and even them not enough to challenge any of the big three. The Spurs and the Mavs are as good as ever, but no better. We are.
Ten months from now, we'll look back on it and think it was obvious from the start: This is the year.
