Basketball on the brain (Part Three)
The consensus is that the Suns don't play enough players, or even that they don't have a very deep (i.e. good) bench. Many commentators believe this is potential weakness that might keep the Suns away from the 1st Championship.
This time, I agree.
The Suns style is one predicated on an up tempo game, where they get out on a fast break and find a high percentage shot before the defense can get set. They believe that this will give them an advantage over the course of a game. If the pace is fast, the other team, not accustom to it, will make mistakes and even begin to wear out in the 4th quarter when the game is on the line.
Frankly, this is a brilliant strategy. It does require your players, though, to be in above average shape as they will be running up and down the court. They will not have the luxury of catching their breath as they fall into a half-court offense of isolation, standing around while a single player does all the work trying to get a shot or draw foul (which will allow them a little more standing around and resting).
Overall, this strategy has worked for the Suns. Often the other team runs with the Suns for as much as 3 quarters before fading in the 4th. Jump shots start falling short for them. I believe this happened to Dallas, and Dirk Nowitzki in their last match up. He was ineffective late as he played too many minutes at too great a pace.
The reality is, though, that regardless of how good a shape a player is in, they can use a rest during the action where they can catch their breath, maybe get a little input from the coaches or other players, and watch the game from a different vantage point.
The D'Antoni has tried several different players off the bench trying to find combinations that work. Until tonight's game he had settled on the following rotation:
Starters: Nash, Bell, Marion, Stoudemire, Diaw
Regular Subs: Barbosa, Thomas, James Jones
At the End of the Game: Nash, Barbosa, Marion, Stoudemire, Diaw
On paper, the End Game crew is probably the best overall offensive players on the team.
I think a problem with this approach is that players are often put in with guys they don't necessarily play with. The other guys on the bench often don't know from game to game if they will play or not. The ones that do, probably feel too much pressure to perform because they fear they will again be banished to the end of the bench. The starters end up playing too many minutes, which might explain the lulls during the game when they seem to slow down.
As I stated previously, I believe the Suns have a deep bench with many players that would be in the rotation of most teams in the league. It is a shame to wear out the starters, and perhaps get diminished returns from them during periods of the game, while capable players languish on the bench.
"But they are not as good as the starters" some might say. Maybe, but maybe not. Boris Diaw is only 2 years removed from riding the pine on the lowly Atlanta Hawks squad. Joe Johnson was not starting for the Celtics when the Suns acquired him. Obviously, guys on the bench can't put up any numbers without playing.
My premise, and again perhaps the consensus, is that bench players at full strength are more productive than a worn out starter. It also keeps them ready to step up with more minutes if someone fouls out or gets injured.
So that said, my recommended rotation would look like this:
1st Team: Nash, Bell, Marion, Stoudemire, and Thomas
2nd Team: Barbosa, James Jones*, Piatkowski*, Diaw, and Burke*
3rd Team: Nash, Barbosa, Marion, Stoudemire, Diaw/Thomas
* These players could be interchanged with Jumaine Jones, Jalen Rose, or Marcus Banks as needed.
I recommend them playing as follows:
1st/3rd Quarter: 1st Team - 8 minutes, 2nd Team 4 minutes
2nd/4th Quarter: 1st Team - 4 minutes, 2nd Team 4 minutes, 3rd Team 4 minutes
These numbers are only approximations, and I would probably flex between the 1st/3rd, and 2nd/4th schedule to see if one is better than the other, and perhaps stick with that.
I would also adjust the Teams playing time if they are doing well, or not so well. For example, if the 1st Team is lethargic and unproductive, I would probably bring in the 2nd Team sooner than the 8 minute mark. If the 2nd Team is padding the lead, I would probably leave them in longer.
The 3rd Team make-up could also be adjusted depending on how a particular player is playing that night. If Stoudemire is having a bad night, I would go with Diaw and Thomas in the 3rd Team instead of Stoudemire and Diaw.
I believe that the Suns need at least 2 players on the court that can generate offense for the team. I believe those players are: Nash, Barbosa, Diaw, and Stoudemire. I believe they also need to have 2-3 good outside shooters (Bell, Nash, Barbosa, James Jones, Piatkowski) on the court at all times. I also believe they need to have at least 1 player (Thomas and Burke) who is more our less dedicated to rebounding.
Thus, the division of players on the team. I also think splitting the teams could help some players get into a flow. In particular, I believe moving Diaw to the second team would allow him to come in knowing that he needs to be assertive for the team to be successful. I believe that he defers to Amare too much, when he plays with the rest of the 1st Team. Once he gets that attitude going in the game though, I believe he can be successful with them in a 3rd team scenario.
I would also try to motivate the teams to "compete" with one another. I would set goals to help them see their plus/minus when they are on the court. Are they outscoring the opponent, or are they being outscored? I think the players sometimes get content with a lead of 10pts instead, or pushing themselves to extend it.
How would the 2nd Team fare? I believe that a fresh Barbosa and Diaw could bring enough energy of offense off the bench for the 2nd group. If you surround them with excellent shooters, it will put the other team in a difficult place. I think adding Burke to that line up with give them someone who will be able to hold the line with Rebounding, and he is also a good outside shooter. If you want to go small or bigger, you might try replacing Burke or Piatkowski with Jumaine Jones, respectively. Or, you might try replacing Piatkowski with Jalen Rose, and let him post up the SF of SG that they put on him.
Anyway, I really like this idea for the Suns and would love to see them try it. I think having a fresh 2nd team would make their pace even faster, and it would force the other team to adjust to a completely different team. It would be almost like they have to prepare for 2 or 3 teams.
Great idea, but we will probably never know if it would work or not.
SIGH! Such is life.
This time, I agree.
The Suns style is one predicated on an up tempo game, where they get out on a fast break and find a high percentage shot before the defense can get set. They believe that this will give them an advantage over the course of a game. If the pace is fast, the other team, not accustom to it, will make mistakes and even begin to wear out in the 4th quarter when the game is on the line.
Frankly, this is a brilliant strategy. It does require your players, though, to be in above average shape as they will be running up and down the court. They will not have the luxury of catching their breath as they fall into a half-court offense of isolation, standing around while a single player does all the work trying to get a shot or draw foul (which will allow them a little more standing around and resting).
Overall, this strategy has worked for the Suns. Often the other team runs with the Suns for as much as 3 quarters before fading in the 4th. Jump shots start falling short for them. I believe this happened to Dallas, and Dirk Nowitzki in their last match up. He was ineffective late as he played too many minutes at too great a pace.
The reality is, though, that regardless of how good a shape a player is in, they can use a rest during the action where they can catch their breath, maybe get a little input from the coaches or other players, and watch the game from a different vantage point.
The D'Antoni has tried several different players off the bench trying to find combinations that work. Until tonight's game he had settled on the following rotation:
Starters: Nash, Bell, Marion, Stoudemire, Diaw
Regular Subs: Barbosa, Thomas, James Jones
At the End of the Game: Nash, Barbosa, Marion, Stoudemire, Diaw
On paper, the End Game crew is probably the best overall offensive players on the team.
I think a problem with this approach is that players are often put in with guys they don't necessarily play with. The other guys on the bench often don't know from game to game if they will play or not. The ones that do, probably feel too much pressure to perform because they fear they will again be banished to the end of the bench. The starters end up playing too many minutes, which might explain the lulls during the game when they seem to slow down.
As I stated previously, I believe the Suns have a deep bench with many players that would be in the rotation of most teams in the league. It is a shame to wear out the starters, and perhaps get diminished returns from them during periods of the game, while capable players languish on the bench.
"But they are not as good as the starters" some might say. Maybe, but maybe not. Boris Diaw is only 2 years removed from riding the pine on the lowly Atlanta Hawks squad. Joe Johnson was not starting for the Celtics when the Suns acquired him. Obviously, guys on the bench can't put up any numbers without playing.
My premise, and again perhaps the consensus, is that bench players at full strength are more productive than a worn out starter. It also keeps them ready to step up with more minutes if someone fouls out or gets injured.
So that said, my recommended rotation would look like this:
1st Team: Nash, Bell, Marion, Stoudemire, and Thomas
2nd Team: Barbosa, James Jones*, Piatkowski*, Diaw, and Burke*
3rd Team: Nash, Barbosa, Marion, Stoudemire, Diaw/Thomas
* These players could be interchanged with Jumaine Jones, Jalen Rose, or Marcus Banks as needed.
I recommend them playing as follows:
1st/3rd Quarter: 1st Team - 8 minutes, 2nd Team 4 minutes
2nd/4th Quarter: 1st Team - 4 minutes, 2nd Team 4 minutes, 3rd Team 4 minutes
These numbers are only approximations, and I would probably flex between the 1st/3rd, and 2nd/4th schedule to see if one is better than the other, and perhaps stick with that.
I would also adjust the Teams playing time if they are doing well, or not so well. For example, if the 1st Team is lethargic and unproductive, I would probably bring in the 2nd Team sooner than the 8 minute mark. If the 2nd Team is padding the lead, I would probably leave them in longer.
The 3rd Team make-up could also be adjusted depending on how a particular player is playing that night. If Stoudemire is having a bad night, I would go with Diaw and Thomas in the 3rd Team instead of Stoudemire and Diaw.
I believe that the Suns need at least 2 players on the court that can generate offense for the team. I believe those players are: Nash, Barbosa, Diaw, and Stoudemire. I believe they also need to have 2-3 good outside shooters (Bell, Nash, Barbosa, James Jones, Piatkowski) on the court at all times. I also believe they need to have at least 1 player (Thomas and Burke) who is more our less dedicated to rebounding.
Thus, the division of players on the team. I also think splitting the teams could help some players get into a flow. In particular, I believe moving Diaw to the second team would allow him to come in knowing that he needs to be assertive for the team to be successful. I believe that he defers to Amare too much, when he plays with the rest of the 1st Team. Once he gets that attitude going in the game though, I believe he can be successful with them in a 3rd team scenario.
I would also try to motivate the teams to "compete" with one another. I would set goals to help them see their plus/minus when they are on the court. Are they outscoring the opponent, or are they being outscored? I think the players sometimes get content with a lead of 10pts instead, or pushing themselves to extend it.
How would the 2nd Team fare? I believe that a fresh Barbosa and Diaw could bring enough energy of offense off the bench for the 2nd group. If you surround them with excellent shooters, it will put the other team in a difficult place. I think adding Burke to that line up with give them someone who will be able to hold the line with Rebounding, and he is also a good outside shooter. If you want to go small or bigger, you might try replacing Burke or Piatkowski with Jumaine Jones, respectively. Or, you might try replacing Piatkowski with Jalen Rose, and let him post up the SF of SG that they put on him.
Anyway, I really like this idea for the Suns and would love to see them try it. I think having a fresh 2nd team would make their pace even faster, and it would force the other team to adjust to a completely different team. It would be almost like they have to prepare for 2 or 3 teams.
Great idea, but we will probably never know if it would work or not.
SIGH! Such is life.
posted by A Forgiven Man at
9:38 PM
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