I have a short list of people that I wish I could meet (or would have met) sometime in my life. It is an eclectic grouping of talent of musicians, writers, astrophysicists, comedians, and film makers.
Most on the list are dead, such as Waylon Jennings, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Fosse, and Hunter S. Thompson, so I can only know them through their works. Others I admire from afar, holding onto the slim hope that one day I'll be graced by their presence and words of wisdom. I've often daydreamed of holding court with George Carlin to discuss life, culture, and linguistics. And there are, of course, those I feel would just be cool to hang out with (Dave Chapelle, Willie Nelson, Johnny Depp).
Thinking about the list, there seems to be a single unifying component that intrigues me about all of them. They were all geniuses in their own right in what they did. They were all able to pinpoint a talent early in life and turn it into well-rounded and well-respected careers. I suppose it's all fantasy, but I do feel that I relate to all of them in that one way, at the same time envying their success and wondering just how they were able to turn off the voices of social reason and forge their lives and genius in such self-defining ways.
I was just reading a rather uninspired yet somewhat insightful article about Shawn Marion. From my perspective, it is easy to understand why he feels so under-appreciated. Aside from the lucrative max deal he got from the Suns, the Nike deal, and the fact that a member of the Pussycat Dolls wears a Suns 31 jersey for ABC games, Shawn Marion just doesn't seem to get the recognition - not that he needs - but that he truly deserves.
Like Shawn, I was once a consistently key component of an organization (a performance company). I was the guy who did everything to insure that everyone was on the same page, and who covered the mistakes of others (granted, making a few mistakes of my own along the way). It was suspected among the organization that I was a genius of sorts, bringing in new ideas and a pragmatic sense of secondary leadership that took the old way and made sense of it to the new wave of talent. People wanted to be a part of what I was doing because they recognized its value and potential. I was hesitantly regarded as "the future".
Still, when it came time for accolades, I always seemed to be an afterthought, garnering the occasional "nice work, I hope you keep it up" from random viewers. My name was rarely mentioned along side the "stars" of the program, although I got my internal thanks after it was all over. It's frustrating for a person to know that he's a significant component to a machine, to be told so behind closed doors, and never getting elevated to the status that others achieve (in no small part to his own efforts, hard work, and yes...suspected genius).
There's always a hierarchical component to organizational performance, but rarely is that dynamic displayed in its natural form. One member's personality or "star power" invariably skews the public perception, and those less deserving members get the more important accolades that those who actually make it all possible are denied. Well, if not possible, then at least more successful than it would have been.
The light bulb glows, and people are thankful for the light, not the electricity.
And I can see that in Shawn Marion. What he accomplishes on the basketball court is sheer physical genius. It's not just that he's undersized or unorthodox. It's that he's everywhere. The qualities that prompted Kenny Smith to dub him "the Matrix" are the foundation for his genius. But he moves so quickly and effortlessly that it's easy to overlook everything he accomplishes between the baselines.
Maybe it isn't so much that I want to meet him, but that I feel like he should meet me. I read and hear every word he says on the subject of his lack of media respect, and I understand exactly where he's coming from. Even when most people look at the contract and the All Star appointments, I see what's really missing from his resume. He gets plenty of behind-the-scenes thanks and meaningless nods from game-day media staff. All that amounts to is a future of "Hey, remember that guy who could fill a stat sheet?"
Shawn Marion is better than that. I'd love to meet him. I suspect that there's a lot more going on in that mind of his than people give him credit for. It takes one to know one, and I think that Shawn is one of those subtle geniuses whose gifts won't truly be appreciated fully until after he's long gone.
April 13, 2007
April 12, 2007
Defensive Joke of the Year
It's the end of the regular season, so it's time for break room and message board debate to hit full steam. With all the postseason awards the league hands out every year, it's difficult not to find something (or someone) around which an entire afternoon can be spent exploring the intricacies and idiosyncrasies of the minds of the voters. Which is funny, because most of the time they seem not to have minds of their own at all - the sports media, I mean.
Take, for example, Scoop Jackson of SLAM! Magazine and espn.com's Page 2. He's so busy looking for reasons that Steve Nash shouldn't be the league's MVP to talk about the things that matter, such as his MVP credentials. A more balanced and honest approach is taken by his colleague, Jamele Hill. It's not that I'm a homer that I like her take better. It's just that she mentions some extremely valid points at the end, most notably that "Nash's defense is a step above atrocious, a trait no other MVP had." But if you're going to use that, then you may as well use it to knock down Nash's only competition. Dirk's size shouldn't be confused with defensive capability.
The great thing about the MVP award, though, is that people tend not to focus on the negative. Even when Nash was winning his first two Podoloff trophies, the rumblings of his supposedly nonexistent defense remained just that - under-the-breath, barely within earshot mumbles. It had never really come up before, and probably shouldn't this year, considering the competition. Besides, there is a whole other award given for the defensive players.
Just as the MVP has gone away from defense as a major criterion, the Defensive Player of the Year award seems to have undertaken the notion that offensive talent need not apply. Alonzo Mourning was the last player to score at least 20 points per game the season he won the award.
But if that trend continues, the award itself may lose its meaning entirely. I'm talking about the mindset of voters that the DPoY should somehow be a consolation prize for the offensively inept. Over the past few years, due to Ben Wallace's unprecedented run of four DPoYs in five years, talk of Bruce Bowen deserving the award has gotten louder and louder. Today, it became ear-shattering when Sports Illustrated's trio of postseason award voters, Jack McCallum, Ian Thomsen, and Marty Burns shared their thoughts with readers. My first thought was, and pardon my Francois...
Are you fucking kidding me?*
It surprised me in ways that I can't describe that Shawn Marion only showed up on ONE of the three ballots - second place, no less. To be fair to Jack McCallum, he listed Tim Duncan and Marcus Camby as his top two picks. Even I can't argue against those choices, as they are both defensive machines with superhuman game altering abilities, especially since Duncan has been inexplicably eliminated from the MVP conversation by the media. Besides, the Defensive Player of the Year has traditionally been a big man, and for good reason. But it's McCallum's third choice, and Thomsen and Burns' first choice that really kills me.
Bruce Bowen? Over Shawn Marion? Again...
Are you fucking KIDDING me?!
In all honesty, a few years ago I would have agreed with them. Bowen's tenacity is infamous in current NBA lore, and his ability to get under the skin (and jerseys) of opposing players is almost legendary. To add insult to injury, Burns goes so far as to suggest that Shawn Marion isn't the "defensive stopper" that Bowen is.
Don't get me wrong. I have a lot of respect, albeit begrudgingly, for Bowen's defense. His ability to superglue himself to his cover is frustrating for a fan to watch, so I can imagine how tough it is for the perimeter player himself to cope. But if you're going to stick Bowen in that category, why not insert Raja Bell right behind him? Or, better yet, in front of him? Bell is, after all one of the few defenders that has even earned the respect of one Kobe Bryant.
And really, what's the difference? The stories of their individual treks to the NBA are the same. They were both undrafted free agents who used defense to earn a regular gig in the league. The only thing is that Raja wasn't satisfied with simply having a job. He wanted to improve himself and his game. Now Bell is one of the most feared three point shooters in the league. Not only that, he's become a better than average ball handler, taking over the passing duties in Nash's absence this year.
Apparently it's a lack of offensive game that is motivating these writers and pundits to hand the award to someone whose sole purpose is to nag offensive talents. But Bowen over Marion? Have these people not bothered to look at a stat sheet in the last decade? You remember statistics - those neat little numbers that encapsulate a player's game in a tangible way that make simple decisions like this that much easier.
Shawn Marion is one of two players in the NBA (along with Ben Wallace) to occupy the top 20 in rebounds, blocked shots, and steals per game. Don't believe me? Look here, here, and here.
Apparently, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1.5 blocked shots isn't the combination of stats that the voters are looking for anymore. According to Marty Burns, it's that "Bowen's ability to defend the opposition's top perimeter threat every night is critical to the Spurs' outstanding defense." Where do Bowen's .7 blocks and .8 steals per game figure into his reasoning? He also fails to mention Shawn Marion's ability to guard the opposition's best PLAYER, regardless of position. This from a 6'7" 225 pound small forward who is consistently playing out of position.
Let's go ahead and take Marty's route of intangibles and see where we end up. First of all, let's take a look at those perimeter threats that Bowen is likely to face in the playoffs. (Yes, I know that it's a regular season award, but who better to use for comparison than the guys that really matter.)
Will Bowen be assigned to lock down Allen Iverson and his 40.2% postseason scoring average, or will it be Carmelo Anthony's 36.2%? Is he going to put a halt to Steve Nash's penetration and precision, or Leandro Barbosa's interstellar first step? If the Spurs make it past Phoenix, will he be stopping Jason Terry, Josh Howard, AND Jerry Stackhouse? Granted, that's a pretty lofty list of players to deal with, and only a great defender would have a chance of slowing any one of them down.
But there are some glaring omissions from that list - namely Amare Stoudemire and Dirk Nowitzki. Yes, I know that Bruce Bowen had success against Dirk in the past. But how has he handled a big Auslander with a better passing game and back-to-the-basket array of fall aways? And what coach in his right mind wants to endanger the health and well-being of the "best perimeter defender in the game" by sticking him in front of that run away freight train we in Phoenix call Black Jesus?
Shawn Marion, on the other hand, has proved himself more than capable of defending every player on that list, as well as Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan. Shawn doesn't care who he's defending, as long as it's the other team's best player. He lives for it, and his offensive game thrives on it.
More importantly, Bruce Bowen plays on a team whose coach's philosophy is "play defense or go to the WNBA". His defensive presence is center stage because that's the system. Marion, on the other hand, plays on a team where defense is an after thought. In fact, without Shawn Marion, the Suns wouldn't have a defense at all! (My apologies to Bell and Kurt Thomas, but every defensive possession begins and ends with Shawn's ability to guard any player on the floor at any given time, including after switches.) Why punish a great defender for playing on the best offensive team in the league? If not for Marion's defense, the Suns would not be the title contender they are today.
When the Suns beat the Mavericks IN Dallas in the double-overtime-best-game-of-the-regular-season-instant-classic on March 14, who was the player who prevented Nowitzki from getting within arm's reach of the lane, forcing Dirk to settle for fade away after fade away? Who was it that forced Jason Terry into a crucial turnover in the second overtime with the Suns leading by 4? Who was keeping Phoenix in the game against San Antonio on April 5, to the point the Suns were leading 37-36 AT THE HALF?
That's right. It was Shawn Marion.
And when he went out with a dubious foul in the third quarter of that Spurs game, San Antonio built its biggest lead, going up by 12. And when Marion came back into the game for the fourth quarter, the Suns made their final push that, had it not been for a Steve Nash pass that Amare Stoudemire couldn't hang onto, almost stole the game for Phoenix. And it was a HUGE block on Tim Duncan in that fourth quarter that highlighted exactly why Shawn Marion is and should be voted as the NBA's Defensive Player of the year.
You want stats? You got 'em. You want intangibles? You got those, too. So the question is, what else does Shawn Marion have to do? He has nothing left to prove except that he's a champion, and it's going to take seven more guys on his team to get that. Without Marion's defense, those seven guys don't have a prayer.
And here we have respected national sports journalists illustrating Marion's number one complaint of his career. You wonder why he feels under-appreciated? It's easy. You give awards that he's more than earned to guys less deserving.
*Author's note: I try to stay away from profanity when I write, but in this instance, the circumstances are just so ridiculous that I can't think of any other way to put my disbelief. My apologies for any offense.
Take, for example, Scoop Jackson of SLAM! Magazine and espn.com's Page 2. He's so busy looking for reasons that Steve Nash shouldn't be the league's MVP to talk about the things that matter, such as his MVP credentials. A more balanced and honest approach is taken by his colleague, Jamele Hill. It's not that I'm a homer that I like her take better. It's just that she mentions some extremely valid points at the end, most notably that "Nash's defense is a step above atrocious, a trait no other MVP had." But if you're going to use that, then you may as well use it to knock down Nash's only competition. Dirk's size shouldn't be confused with defensive capability.
The great thing about the MVP award, though, is that people tend not to focus on the negative. Even when Nash was winning his first two Podoloff trophies, the rumblings of his supposedly nonexistent defense remained just that - under-the-breath, barely within earshot mumbles. It had never really come up before, and probably shouldn't this year, considering the competition. Besides, there is a whole other award given for the defensive players.
Just as the MVP has gone away from defense as a major criterion, the Defensive Player of the Year award seems to have undertaken the notion that offensive talent need not apply. Alonzo Mourning was the last player to score at least 20 points per game the season he won the award.
But if that trend continues, the award itself may lose its meaning entirely. I'm talking about the mindset of voters that the DPoY should somehow be a consolation prize for the offensively inept. Over the past few years, due to Ben Wallace's unprecedented run of four DPoYs in five years, talk of Bruce Bowen deserving the award has gotten louder and louder. Today, it became ear-shattering when Sports Illustrated's trio of postseason award voters, Jack McCallum, Ian Thomsen, and Marty Burns shared their thoughts with readers. My first thought was, and pardon my Francois...
Are you fucking kidding me?*
It surprised me in ways that I can't describe that Shawn Marion only showed up on ONE of the three ballots - second place, no less. To be fair to Jack McCallum, he listed Tim Duncan and Marcus Camby as his top two picks. Even I can't argue against those choices, as they are both defensive machines with superhuman game altering abilities, especially since Duncan has been inexplicably eliminated from the MVP conversation by the media. Besides, the Defensive Player of the Year has traditionally been a big man, and for good reason. But it's McCallum's third choice, and Thomsen and Burns' first choice that really kills me.
Bruce Bowen? Over Shawn Marion? Again...
Are you fucking KIDDING me?!
In all honesty, a few years ago I would have agreed with them. Bowen's tenacity is infamous in current NBA lore, and his ability to get under the skin (and jerseys) of opposing players is almost legendary. To add insult to injury, Burns goes so far as to suggest that Shawn Marion isn't the "defensive stopper" that Bowen is.
Don't get me wrong. I have a lot of respect, albeit begrudgingly, for Bowen's defense. His ability to superglue himself to his cover is frustrating for a fan to watch, so I can imagine how tough it is for the perimeter player himself to cope. But if you're going to stick Bowen in that category, why not insert Raja Bell right behind him? Or, better yet, in front of him? Bell is, after all one of the few defenders that has even earned the respect of one Kobe Bryant.
And really, what's the difference? The stories of their individual treks to the NBA are the same. They were both undrafted free agents who used defense to earn a regular gig in the league. The only thing is that Raja wasn't satisfied with simply having a job. He wanted to improve himself and his game. Now Bell is one of the most feared three point shooters in the league. Not only that, he's become a better than average ball handler, taking over the passing duties in Nash's absence this year.
Apparently it's a lack of offensive game that is motivating these writers and pundits to hand the award to someone whose sole purpose is to nag offensive talents. But Bowen over Marion? Have these people not bothered to look at a stat sheet in the last decade? You remember statistics - those neat little numbers that encapsulate a player's game in a tangible way that make simple decisions like this that much easier.
Shawn Marion is one of two players in the NBA (along with Ben Wallace) to occupy the top 20 in rebounds, blocked shots, and steals per game. Don't believe me? Look here, here, and here.
Apparently, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1.5 blocked shots isn't the combination of stats that the voters are looking for anymore. According to Marty Burns, it's that "Bowen's ability to defend the opposition's top perimeter threat every night is critical to the Spurs' outstanding defense." Where do Bowen's .7 blocks and .8 steals per game figure into his reasoning? He also fails to mention Shawn Marion's ability to guard the opposition's best PLAYER, regardless of position. This from a 6'7" 225 pound small forward who is consistently playing out of position.
Let's go ahead and take Marty's route of intangibles and see where we end up. First of all, let's take a look at those perimeter threats that Bowen is likely to face in the playoffs. (Yes, I know that it's a regular season award, but who better to use for comparison than the guys that really matter.)
Will Bowen be assigned to lock down Allen Iverson and his 40.2% postseason scoring average, or will it be Carmelo Anthony's 36.2%? Is he going to put a halt to Steve Nash's penetration and precision, or Leandro Barbosa's interstellar first step? If the Spurs make it past Phoenix, will he be stopping Jason Terry, Josh Howard, AND Jerry Stackhouse? Granted, that's a pretty lofty list of players to deal with, and only a great defender would have a chance of slowing any one of them down.
But there are some glaring omissions from that list - namely Amare Stoudemire and Dirk Nowitzki. Yes, I know that Bruce Bowen had success against Dirk in the past. But how has he handled a big Auslander with a better passing game and back-to-the-basket array of fall aways? And what coach in his right mind wants to endanger the health and well-being of the "best perimeter defender in the game" by sticking him in front of that run away freight train we in Phoenix call Black Jesus?
Shawn Marion, on the other hand, has proved himself more than capable of defending every player on that list, as well as Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan. Shawn doesn't care who he's defending, as long as it's the other team's best player. He lives for it, and his offensive game thrives on it.
More importantly, Bruce Bowen plays on a team whose coach's philosophy is "play defense or go to the WNBA". His defensive presence is center stage because that's the system. Marion, on the other hand, plays on a team where defense is an after thought. In fact, without Shawn Marion, the Suns wouldn't have a defense at all! (My apologies to Bell and Kurt Thomas, but every defensive possession begins and ends with Shawn's ability to guard any player on the floor at any given time, including after switches.) Why punish a great defender for playing on the best offensive team in the league? If not for Marion's defense, the Suns would not be the title contender they are today.
When the Suns beat the Mavericks IN Dallas in the double-overtime-best-game-of-the-regular-season-instant-classic on March 14, who was the player who prevented Nowitzki from getting within arm's reach of the lane, forcing Dirk to settle for fade away after fade away? Who was it that forced Jason Terry into a crucial turnover in the second overtime with the Suns leading by 4? Who was keeping Phoenix in the game against San Antonio on April 5, to the point the Suns were leading 37-36 AT THE HALF?
That's right. It was Shawn Marion.
And when he went out with a dubious foul in the third quarter of that Spurs game, San Antonio built its biggest lead, going up by 12. And when Marion came back into the game for the fourth quarter, the Suns made their final push that, had it not been for a Steve Nash pass that Amare Stoudemire couldn't hang onto, almost stole the game for Phoenix. And it was a HUGE block on Tim Duncan in that fourth quarter that highlighted exactly why Shawn Marion is and should be voted as the NBA's Defensive Player of the year.
You want stats? You got 'em. You want intangibles? You got those, too. So the question is, what else does Shawn Marion have to do? He has nothing left to prove except that he's a champion, and it's going to take seven more guys on his team to get that. Without Marion's defense, those seven guys don't have a prayer.
And here we have respected national sports journalists illustrating Marion's number one complaint of his career. You wonder why he feels under-appreciated? It's easy. You give awards that he's more than earned to guys less deserving.
*Author's note: I try to stay away from profanity when I write, but in this instance, the circumstances are just so ridiculous that I can't think of any other way to put my disbelief. My apologies for any offense.
April 10, 2007
The Fantasy Machine
It's that time of year again. The end of the regular season is upon us finally, and fans are looking ahead to the excitement the next two months might bring us. Yes - it's draft speculation time again.
For NBA fans, the here and now is never the concern, unless our team just beat the pants off a hated rival. We're constantly living in the future, looking forward to playoff success, or reliving past championships and missed opportunities. And one prospect that no fan can ignore in a season with such a prospectively deep draft is the idea of adding that one missing link to the championship puzzle that is their home team.
A Phoenician recently posed the question to Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver on his weekly call-in segment on KTAR as to whether the Suns would look to move up in the draft, even if the team ended up with Atlanta's lottery pick secured in the Joe Johnson deal. His answer - definitely. And after listening to the show and reading various articles on the web - in particular, Kelly Dwyer's recent suggestion that the Utah Jazz might want to part with Andrei Kirilenko - I've been mulling over some fantasy draft scenarios of my own. Mind you, there's still far too much that can happen to derail any possibilities I come up with, but it still should make for an interesting conversation piece.
Let's assume Atlanta completely whiffs on the lottery, and ends up somewhere between four and seven. Let's also assume that the Suns remain consistent with their draft history, athletic scoring threats with some defensive upside (a bonus, not a requirement). Joakim Noah of Florida, who would have been the consensus number one pick had he entered the draft last year, for all his hustle and energy, would be a terrible fit for the Suns. So who does that leave us with?
1. Al Horford - 6'9" 235 pound forward, Florida, Junior
2. Brandon Wright - 6'10" 210 pound forward, North Carolina, Freshman
3. Corey Brewer - 6'8" 185 pound guard, Florida, Junior
There's also Yi Jianlin, China's watered down version of Amare Stoudemire. From what I've seen, he seems to be quick and athletic enough, especially for a 7-footer. He also fits the international direction the Suns have been going of late. But whether he's really on the Suns' radar, I have no idea. I surely wouldn't be upset, at this point, to see him in Suns purple.
Should the Sarver/D'Antoni/Griffin triumvirate really look to move above that crop? What would they have to give up for a shot at Kevin Durant?
A LOT!
Considering that the Suns are on the verge of busting through the NBA's luxury tax threshold, and the franchise potential of Kevin Durant, we'd have to say goodbye to our current most expensive and controversially under-appreciated star, Shawn Marion. For those that aren't counting, that would be throwing away 19 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1.5 blocks a game, as well as the unbelievably versatile position defense Marion offers.
The question remains whether Memphis, Boston, Milwaukee, or whichever team is in position to get Durant would want to sacrifice him for Marion's lack of commercial appeal. As great as Marion is, NBA fans (including many sporting purple and orange) are clueless to his true value. I don't think any GM in their right mind would give up the gate receipts and national television shares that come with Kevin Durant, regardless of the talent they'd receive in return. For a deal like that to be feasible, we're talking Amare Stoudemire.
And in either case, that means the Suns have to take back some inflated salaries in order to abide by the league's 25% rule. (One team cannot receive salaries in excess of 125% plus $100,000 of what it trades.) And I don't see Phoenix picking up long term albatrosses, Theo Ratliff or Wally Szczerbiak. And I don't see Boston, Memphis, or Milwaukee giving up Paul Pierce, Pau Gasol, or Michael Redd respectively in that kind of deal. Not one that warrants giving up Durant, as well.
But all that depends on who gets what pick and which player is taken number one overall - Oden or Durant. Speaking of the Ohio State Robert Parrish look-alike, expect word next week on his decision. If he stays in school, which anyone of even marginal intelligence should highly doubt, then nobody is giving up Durant, and moving up to two or three isn't worth the sacrifice.
All that said, I've got my money on Al Horford. Seriously...who doesn't think that Phoenix is drooling over a guy as physically gifted as Stoudemire, with presumably as much defensive upside as Marion, and still three years away from a big contract? The Suns are lacking front court depth, Kurt Thomas' salary doesn't justify 15-20 minutes a game, and Boris Diaw has been a major bust this season.
Which brings us back to the Dwyer article. If anyone is going to Utah for Kirilenko, it's Diaw.
But, not to disappoint Kelly Dwyer or question his Suns cred, Andre Kirilenko has five years left on a max contract, and he has underperformed and over-complained about a lack of touches this year. So despite having an immensely understanding and stunningly hot wife, as well as a knack for disappointing would-be lane scorers, that is simply not the direction Robert Sarver wants to point his checkbook.
As usual, the laid-back Suns are going to sit and take a wait-and-see attitude. They'll do a lot of talking on draft day, but there won't be much action, except to dump their second and third first rounders. That is, of course, assuming that Atlanta whiffs on the lottery, and Phoenix remains consistent with their draft history.
For NBA fans, the here and now is never the concern, unless our team just beat the pants off a hated rival. We're constantly living in the future, looking forward to playoff success, or reliving past championships and missed opportunities. And one prospect that no fan can ignore in a season with such a prospectively deep draft is the idea of adding that one missing link to the championship puzzle that is their home team.
A Phoenician recently posed the question to Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver on his weekly call-in segment on KTAR as to whether the Suns would look to move up in the draft, even if the team ended up with Atlanta's lottery pick secured in the Joe Johnson deal. His answer - definitely. And after listening to the show and reading various articles on the web - in particular, Kelly Dwyer's recent suggestion that the Utah Jazz might want to part with Andrei Kirilenko - I've been mulling over some fantasy draft scenarios of my own. Mind you, there's still far too much that can happen to derail any possibilities I come up with, but it still should make for an interesting conversation piece.
Let's assume Atlanta completely whiffs on the lottery, and ends up somewhere between four and seven. Let's also assume that the Suns remain consistent with their draft history, athletic scoring threats with some defensive upside (a bonus, not a requirement). Joakim Noah of Florida, who would have been the consensus number one pick had he entered the draft last year, for all his hustle and energy, would be a terrible fit for the Suns. So who does that leave us with?
1. Al Horford - 6'9" 235 pound forward, Florida, Junior
2. Brandon Wright - 6'10" 210 pound forward, North Carolina, Freshman
3. Corey Brewer - 6'8" 185 pound guard, Florida, Junior
There's also Yi Jianlin, China's watered down version of Amare Stoudemire. From what I've seen, he seems to be quick and athletic enough, especially for a 7-footer. He also fits the international direction the Suns have been going of late. But whether he's really on the Suns' radar, I have no idea. I surely wouldn't be upset, at this point, to see him in Suns purple.
Should the Sarver/D'Antoni/Griffin triumvirate really look to move above that crop? What would they have to give up for a shot at Kevin Durant?
A LOT!
Considering that the Suns are on the verge of busting through the NBA's luxury tax threshold, and the franchise potential of Kevin Durant, we'd have to say goodbye to our current most expensive and controversially under-appreciated star, Shawn Marion. For those that aren't counting, that would be throwing away 19 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1.5 blocks a game, as well as the unbelievably versatile position defense Marion offers.
The question remains whether Memphis, Boston, Milwaukee, or whichever team is in position to get Durant would want to sacrifice him for Marion's lack of commercial appeal. As great as Marion is, NBA fans (including many sporting purple and orange) are clueless to his true value. I don't think any GM in their right mind would give up the gate receipts and national television shares that come with Kevin Durant, regardless of the talent they'd receive in return. For a deal like that to be feasible, we're talking Amare Stoudemire.
And in either case, that means the Suns have to take back some inflated salaries in order to abide by the league's 25% rule. (One team cannot receive salaries in excess of 125% plus $100,000 of what it trades.) And I don't see Phoenix picking up long term albatrosses, Theo Ratliff or Wally Szczerbiak. And I don't see Boston, Memphis, or Milwaukee giving up Paul Pierce, Pau Gasol, or Michael Redd respectively in that kind of deal. Not one that warrants giving up Durant, as well.
But all that depends on who gets what pick and which player is taken number one overall - Oden or Durant. Speaking of the Ohio State Robert Parrish look-alike, expect word next week on his decision. If he stays in school, which anyone of even marginal intelligence should highly doubt, then nobody is giving up Durant, and moving up to two or three isn't worth the sacrifice.
All that said, I've got my money on Al Horford. Seriously...who doesn't think that Phoenix is drooling over a guy as physically gifted as Stoudemire, with presumably as much defensive upside as Marion, and still three years away from a big contract? The Suns are lacking front court depth, Kurt Thomas' salary doesn't justify 15-20 minutes a game, and Boris Diaw has been a major bust this season.
Which brings us back to the Dwyer article. If anyone is going to Utah for Kirilenko, it's Diaw.
But, not to disappoint Kelly Dwyer or question his Suns cred, Andre Kirilenko has five years left on a max contract, and he has underperformed and over-complained about a lack of touches this year. So despite having an immensely understanding and stunningly hot wife, as well as a knack for disappointing would-be lane scorers, that is simply not the direction Robert Sarver wants to point his checkbook.
As usual, the laid-back Suns are going to sit and take a wait-and-see attitude. They'll do a lot of talking on draft day, but there won't be much action, except to dump their second and third first rounders. That is, of course, assuming that Atlanta whiffs on the lottery, and Phoenix remains consistent with their draft history.
April 8, 2007
You Selfish Bastards
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BALL MOVEMENT?
Recently, two-time MVP Steve Nash made the most provocative and telling statements I've heard from the organization since Coach D'Antoni called the players "a bunch of cupcakes". And I hope it has the same effect. (As you remember, that comment by Mike D'Antoni directly preceded a stretch in which the Suns won 35 of 38 games, including the franchise record 15 and 17 game winning streaks.)
“We’re not playing for each other as much as we need to right now. We’re a little bit selfish, a little bit 'woe is me’ right now. We have to be unselfish, work for the team and not worry about ourselves.
“The ball is sticking because people are worried they’re not going to get it back. One guy gets selfish, and the next guy says 'Well, he’s not passing’ and he gets more reluctant to pass. That makes us not nearly the team we can be."
I have been waiting for him to say that for nearly two months. Except for last Sunday's game against Dallas, the fast forward, dizzying, neck-breaking ball movement of the Suns has been nonexistent in that time. I've noted it on azcentral, but never bothered to write down my research (and you'll forgive me if I don't do it now - it would take hours because no one, least of all the league, puts forth stats that I find remotely useable, so I have to do all my calculations manually...sorry).
I pride myself on being a stats guy, and I have a peculiar knack of looking at the oddest of ratios. When it comes to the Suns, one stat stands out more than any when analysing wins and losses. When the Suns are winning - the way they were in January, especially - they move the ball. (No shit, Sherlock.) How do we know when they're moving the ball well, Watson? (We look at their assist?) We take the number of assists the team makes and divide it by the number of made field goals. That's how we get our most magical of offensive stats, the assist rate. Pretty simple. If a team makes 40 baskets and has a total of 20 assists, the assist rate for that game is 50%. Got it? Good.
When the Suns were on their 17 game win streak, they moved the ball so well that they averaging around a 65% assist rate. That's an astonishing number, considering that most teams in the league average somewhere around 50%. For the season, the Suns are at a very nice 63.4% assist rate (26 assists per game, 41 made field goals per game). In the last game in San Antonio, 43.8%. The March 25th loss in Sacramento - 56%. Compare that to the January 23rd game in Washington - a whopping 72.9% assist rate.
Obviously, it's not just the assist rate. We do have to consider the number of baskets made, which gives us an indication of the score. But generally speaking, when the Suns get at least 30 assist, they win...handily. Lately, it's been sporadic, at best. They had 32 assist on 45 field goals against Golden State last time out, and we all remember what happened there. The Warriors dropped 45 points in the first quarter, and the Suns made it look closer than it was with a furiously futile fourth quarter rally.
But I read Nash's quote, and I understand exactly what he's talking about. For whatever reason, starting with the double overtime Mylanta moment that was the win in Dallas, the Suns have been playing more one-on-one basketball than they did in 2003. That is NOT the Suns game. Their game is ball movement, player movement, and unbridled unselfishness. It is a brand of basketball not seen in the NBA since Magic Johnson hung up his sneakers for T-cell monitoring.
So where is the movement?
Some would say that it came with the replacement of Boris Diaw (first by injury, then by necessity) by Leandro Barbosa.
I love LB. He's the best rising star in the league right now, and with his quickness - regardless if he's dribbling or cutting through the back door - he's a highlight reel waiting to happen. But the Blur is a scorer, not a playmaker. It's true that he's averaging a career high 4.2 assist per game, but that's icing on the roadrunner cake. His first option is scoring the basketball, not passing it. That's why he's the sixth man. He is (to coin a cliche) instant offense - just add agua.
Another possibility is Diaw's passivity. It sounds like the worst pun in basketball, but he is passive to the point that he'll pass the ball in the middle of a breakaway dunk. It's a breath of fresh air to find a player so unselfish and intelligent with Diaw's court vision, but he's unselfish to a fault. He will be in perfect scoring position, or even in the act of attacking the basket, and he'll pass. He'll pass to a player who is expecting Boris to score, which means the guy receiving the pass isn't in rhythm to shoot the ball!
I wonder sometimes if guys aren't sharing because they don't want the ball to go back into Diaw's hands. Maybe they figure that it's better to go for the score when they're ready than wait and receive a pass when they're not ready.
I don't know, but it's something that the team needs to address. I just hope that what Nash said publically is just the beginning of the healing for the team's chemistry. Something has got to give, or we're in for a very long summer - which means a short playoff run.
Recently, two-time MVP Steve Nash made the most provocative and telling statements I've heard from the organization since Coach D'Antoni called the players "a bunch of cupcakes". And I hope it has the same effect. (As you remember, that comment by Mike D'Antoni directly preceded a stretch in which the Suns won 35 of 38 games, including the franchise record 15 and 17 game winning streaks.)
“We’re not playing for each other as much as we need to right now. We’re a little bit selfish, a little bit 'woe is me’ right now. We have to be unselfish, work for the team and not worry about ourselves.
“The ball is sticking because people are worried they’re not going to get it back. One guy gets selfish, and the next guy says 'Well, he’s not passing’ and he gets more reluctant to pass. That makes us not nearly the team we can be."
I have been waiting for him to say that for nearly two months. Except for last Sunday's game against Dallas, the fast forward, dizzying, neck-breaking ball movement of the Suns has been nonexistent in that time. I've noted it on azcentral, but never bothered to write down my research (and you'll forgive me if I don't do it now - it would take hours because no one, least of all the league, puts forth stats that I find remotely useable, so I have to do all my calculations manually...sorry).
I pride myself on being a stats guy, and I have a peculiar knack of looking at the oddest of ratios. When it comes to the Suns, one stat stands out more than any when analysing wins and losses. When the Suns are winning - the way they were in January, especially - they move the ball. (No shit, Sherlock.) How do we know when they're moving the ball well, Watson? (We look at their assist?) We take the number of assists the team makes and divide it by the number of made field goals. That's how we get our most magical of offensive stats, the assist rate. Pretty simple. If a team makes 40 baskets and has a total of 20 assists, the assist rate for that game is 50%. Got it? Good.
When the Suns were on their 17 game win streak, they moved the ball so well that they averaging around a 65% assist rate. That's an astonishing number, considering that most teams in the league average somewhere around 50%. For the season, the Suns are at a very nice 63.4% assist rate (26 assists per game, 41 made field goals per game). In the last game in San Antonio, 43.8%. The March 25th loss in Sacramento - 56%. Compare that to the January 23rd game in Washington - a whopping 72.9% assist rate.
Obviously, it's not just the assist rate. We do have to consider the number of baskets made, which gives us an indication of the score. But generally speaking, when the Suns get at least 30 assist, they win...handily. Lately, it's been sporadic, at best. They had 32 assist on 45 field goals against Golden State last time out, and we all remember what happened there. The Warriors dropped 45 points in the first quarter, and the Suns made it look closer than it was with a furiously futile fourth quarter rally.
But I read Nash's quote, and I understand exactly what he's talking about. For whatever reason, starting with the double overtime Mylanta moment that was the win in Dallas, the Suns have been playing more one-on-one basketball than they did in 2003. That is NOT the Suns game. Their game is ball movement, player movement, and unbridled unselfishness. It is a brand of basketball not seen in the NBA since Magic Johnson hung up his sneakers for T-cell monitoring.
So where is the movement?
Some would say that it came with the replacement of Boris Diaw (first by injury, then by necessity) by Leandro Barbosa.
I love LB. He's the best rising star in the league right now, and with his quickness - regardless if he's dribbling or cutting through the back door - he's a highlight reel waiting to happen. But the Blur is a scorer, not a playmaker. It's true that he's averaging a career high 4.2 assist per game, but that's icing on the roadrunner cake. His first option is scoring the basketball, not passing it. That's why he's the sixth man. He is (to coin a cliche) instant offense - just add agua.
Another possibility is Diaw's passivity. It sounds like the worst pun in basketball, but he is passive to the point that he'll pass the ball in the middle of a breakaway dunk. It's a breath of fresh air to find a player so unselfish and intelligent with Diaw's court vision, but he's unselfish to a fault. He will be in perfect scoring position, or even in the act of attacking the basket, and he'll pass. He'll pass to a player who is expecting Boris to score, which means the guy receiving the pass isn't in rhythm to shoot the ball!
I wonder sometimes if guys aren't sharing because they don't want the ball to go back into Diaw's hands. Maybe they figure that it's better to go for the score when they're ready than wait and receive a pass when they're not ready.
I don't know, but it's something that the team needs to address. I just hope that what Nash said publically is just the beginning of the healing for the team's chemistry. Something has got to give, or we're in for a very long summer - which means a short playoff run.
So what's wrong?
The F-1 Suns seems to be sputtering and choking its way to the regular season finish line, and questions abound regarding the team's playoff future.
Where is Boris Diaw's aggressiveness?
Where is Junior's shot?
Why is D'Antoni not playing the bench more?
Are the Suns tired?
In general, what is wrong with the Suns?
First of all, there is nothing wrong with the Suns as a team that can't be fixed by a night out at Golfland with their families. The NBA season is notoriously long and meaningless, and it's pretty easy to trip up now and then along the way. A few days off, and the batteries are sure to be recharged fully for the season that is also needlessly long, but infinitely more meaningful. Fortunately, that's exactly what they'll get starting April 18th (3 or 4 days off, depending on whether they open the postseason the following Saturday or Sunday). Relax - they'll be fine.
The more pressing issues revolve around certain individuals and their performances, namely Boris Diaw. It's safe to say that the year following his Most Improved Player season has been a total bust. Whether it was learning to play along side Amare Stoudemire (and their shared preference for working the high left post), the midseason back injury, or his generally passive nature, Diaw has failed miserably to live up to the expectations he set for himself during last years playoffs.
You remember the 18.7 point, 6.7 rebound, 5.2 assist averages that netted him a 5-year, $45 million contract extension in the offseason. We didn't expect the numbers this season, but we certainly expected the effort. It simply hasn't been there all year. He's had 76 games so far this season to figure out his place, and I have absolutely no answers as to why he hasn't.
If it continues into the playoffs, we can kiss that championship goodbye in the second round, and the player most likely to suffer for it will be Shawn Marion. If the Larry O'Brien trophy doesn't make it's way down Central Ave in June, look for Trix to be dealt by August. I'd like to be the first person to offer a sardonic thank you to Diaw in the event that happens.
The shooting has been a concern of late, as well. Raja has been off and on all year, but that's to be expected from such a streaky shooter. But he more than makes up for it with his intensity, his tenacity, and mythic willingness to sacrifice his sore knees and battered body every night for a chance to win.
Junior's shot has been the biggest mystery. First it was the New Coke ball. Then it was his confidence. Now it's his spotty minutes. Whenever he's on one of his extended slumps, there is always a different excuse. He's back to the leather, he knows he's getting 16 minutes a game on his defense alone, and he reportedly makes 90% of his pregame jumpers.
So what's wrong? From what I can tell, he's too busy thinking. He's hesitant. He spent an entire season learning how to come off screens and catch-and-shoot from Reggie Miller, and he seems to be standing there wondering whether the seam is lined up in his hand properly for good rotation. It's my understanding that shooters just shoot, so why is he even thinking about it? Maybe he should just save some of that pregame shooting efficiency for the actual game. Stop thinking and just shoot the damn ball.
The defense. Where did it go? During the franchise history making win streak in January, the Suns were in the midst of cracking the top 10 in field goal defense. Then Kurt Thomas went down. The same thing happened last season - the Suns were one of the better defensive teams in the league until Thomas went down with a stress fracture in his foot (a more detailed analysis is in the January archive). The rest of the season, they allowed in the middle 47% range. Guess what...KT went down in Memphis with a hyperextended (non-shooting) elbow, and the Suns promptly started allowing 47.8% field goal shooting.
So why didn't that defense come back with Kurt? Because D'Antoni forgot how to use him in the rotation. His minutes have been sporadic and without any semblence of rhythm, and Thomas just isn't able to make the same defensive impact that he did when the rotation was set in stone.
You want evidence? Just look at the last game in San Antonio. Tim Duncan started the game 2-2 from the field. That was with Amare on him. When Amare went out, first for his regular break and then due to foul trouble, it was Kurt Thomas manning the defensive post. The result? Timmy went 4 of 10 from the field, and the Suns finished the half with a one point lead. Not only that, but the Suns held the Spurs to 35.9% shooting for the half. Who in the entire NBA loving world EVER have believed that the Suns would be leading a game with a halftime score of 37-36? NOBODY! Not even me. But they were, and that's enough proof for me that the Suns defense is going to be just fine two weeks from now. Eat that on the TNT set, Charles Barkley.
To be continued...
Where is Boris Diaw's aggressiveness?
Where is Junior's shot?
Why is D'Antoni not playing the bench more?
Are the Suns tired?
In general, what is wrong with the Suns?
First of all, there is nothing wrong with the Suns as a team that can't be fixed by a night out at Golfland with their families. The NBA season is notoriously long and meaningless, and it's pretty easy to trip up now and then along the way. A few days off, and the batteries are sure to be recharged fully for the season that is also needlessly long, but infinitely more meaningful. Fortunately, that's exactly what they'll get starting April 18th (3 or 4 days off, depending on whether they open the postseason the following Saturday or Sunday). Relax - they'll be fine.
The more pressing issues revolve around certain individuals and their performances, namely Boris Diaw. It's safe to say that the year following his Most Improved Player season has been a total bust. Whether it was learning to play along side Amare Stoudemire (and their shared preference for working the high left post), the midseason back injury, or his generally passive nature, Diaw has failed miserably to live up to the expectations he set for himself during last years playoffs.
You remember the 18.7 point, 6.7 rebound, 5.2 assist averages that netted him a 5-year, $45 million contract extension in the offseason. We didn't expect the numbers this season, but we certainly expected the effort. It simply hasn't been there all year. He's had 76 games so far this season to figure out his place, and I have absolutely no answers as to why he hasn't.
If it continues into the playoffs, we can kiss that championship goodbye in the second round, and the player most likely to suffer for it will be Shawn Marion. If the Larry O'Brien trophy doesn't make it's way down Central Ave in June, look for Trix to be dealt by August. I'd like to be the first person to offer a sardonic thank you to Diaw in the event that happens.
The shooting has been a concern of late, as well. Raja has been off and on all year, but that's to be expected from such a streaky shooter. But he more than makes up for it with his intensity, his tenacity, and mythic willingness to sacrifice his sore knees and battered body every night for a chance to win.
Junior's shot has been the biggest mystery. First it was the New Coke ball. Then it was his confidence. Now it's his spotty minutes. Whenever he's on one of his extended slumps, there is always a different excuse. He's back to the leather, he knows he's getting 16 minutes a game on his defense alone, and he reportedly makes 90% of his pregame jumpers.
So what's wrong? From what I can tell, he's too busy thinking. He's hesitant. He spent an entire season learning how to come off screens and catch-and-shoot from Reggie Miller, and he seems to be standing there wondering whether the seam is lined up in his hand properly for good rotation. It's my understanding that shooters just shoot, so why is he even thinking about it? Maybe he should just save some of that pregame shooting efficiency for the actual game. Stop thinking and just shoot the damn ball.
The defense. Where did it go? During the franchise history making win streak in January, the Suns were in the midst of cracking the top 10 in field goal defense. Then Kurt Thomas went down. The same thing happened last season - the Suns were one of the better defensive teams in the league until Thomas went down with a stress fracture in his foot (a more detailed analysis is in the January archive). The rest of the season, they allowed in the middle 47% range. Guess what...KT went down in Memphis with a hyperextended (non-shooting) elbow, and the Suns promptly started allowing 47.8% field goal shooting.
So why didn't that defense come back with Kurt? Because D'Antoni forgot how to use him in the rotation. His minutes have been sporadic and without any semblence of rhythm, and Thomas just isn't able to make the same defensive impact that he did when the rotation was set in stone.
You want evidence? Just look at the last game in San Antonio. Tim Duncan started the game 2-2 from the field. That was with Amare on him. When Amare went out, first for his regular break and then due to foul trouble, it was Kurt Thomas manning the defensive post. The result? Timmy went 4 of 10 from the field, and the Suns finished the half with a one point lead. Not only that, but the Suns held the Spurs to 35.9% shooting for the half. Who in the entire NBA loving world EVER have believed that the Suns would be leading a game with a halftime score of 37-36? NOBODY! Not even me. But they were, and that's enough proof for me that the Suns defense is going to be just fine two weeks from now. Eat that on the TNT set, Charles Barkley.
To be continued...
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