HoopWatch

Even without freak-of-nature All-Star forward Amare Stoudemire, the Suns returned to the Western Conference Finals just losing to the Dallas Mavericks in six games. However, it was evident in that series that they badly need the versatile big man to go even deeper into the NBA Playoffs. The ailing Suns pushed themselves to the limit by needing two game sevens to close out two competitive Los Angeles teams in the First and Second Rounds. They have become too shallow especially down low with Stoudemire and Kurt Thomas injured in the Playoffs. They had to hyper-extend the minutes of Boris Diaw, Shawn Marion and Tim Thomas, all of them having to play at least 37 minutes per game, and it took a toll on their performance making them anemic in some games.

The Suns were not expected to repeat on their brilliant 62-win performance during the 2004-2005 season. Most say they were headed for destruction. Even more, they were never expected to reach the Western Conference Finals. Some speculators even predicted that they will lose to the L.A. Lakers in the First Round. Why was this so? Aside from losing Stoudemire due to a microfracture surgery, the Suns also lost two key players who had big contributions to their magnificent finish. Versatile do-it-all guard Joe Johnson, who still at 25, was traded to a 23-year old passive unproven forward in Boris Diaw. Three-point specialist 25 year old Quentin Richardson was also traded for an undersized 35 year old center in Kurt Thomas. And they acquired an off-the-bench deemed defensive specialist Raja Bell.

Luckily for the Suns, these three players turned out to be key components to prove all their critics wrong. They were a perfect fit for the team. Bell led the league in three point field goal percentage with 44.2%, Thomas added a good perimeter shooting from the center position. These two players further added defensive toughness which the Suns clearly lacked the year before. And Diaw, well, he has shown everyone that he is more than just a defensive player as scouts used to say. Before the season, Diaw was listed to be a 6-8 guard. In the course of the season, Diaw has played all five positions on the floor, even guarding the 7-6 giant Yao Ming at the post. Diaw is one of only three players to average more than six rebounds and six assists (the other two being Jason Kidd and Lebron James). He has shown that he could score at the post and from the perimeter, can pass well, can rebound, can make steals and even block shots. He has become one of the better versatile do-it-all players in the game.

So what can we expect from the Suns this year? Well let’s first take a look at their key losses and additions. The Suns lost forward Tim Thomas, who hit that big three in game six against the Lakers that kept them alive in the series. They also lost guard Eddie House and forward Brian Grant. They then added guard Marcus Banks and another versatile 6-8 player in Jumaine Jones who just had a career year with the Charlotte Bobcats.

Clearly, Tim Thomas is the biggest loss for the team. He is a 6-10 big man who can play the 3, 4 and 5 positions, who can shoot from the outside, who can rebound, who can block shots and who can run in transition. He was a perfect fit for the Suns’ run-and-gun style. However, the Suns filled that void by adding Jumaine Jones, who at 6-8 can also play the power forward and, who knows, even the center spot. He’s got that outside-inside prowess which he displayed for the Bobcats last season. He scored 13 points to beat the Lakers, had 115 threes, 376 rebounds and eight 20-plus scoring marks. And he loves that up-tempo style of play that the Suns display. A plus factor is he can also defend, thus filling the void left by Thomas. Marcus Banks, on the other hand, has a similar slice-in-and-out-of-the-lane game to Leandro Barbosa. He can also shoot that three. The only difference is Banks is a pass-first type of player and Barbosa is a drive-and-score first type of guy.

I predict a nine-to-ten-man rotation for the Suns this season. The regular starters will be Stoudemire at center, forwards Diaw and Marion down low, and guards Bell and Nash up front. Banks or Barbosa will relieve either Nash or Bell at the four minute mark of the first quarter, and Jumaines Jones will relieve Stoudemire as well, leaving Diaw to play that center slot. Kurt Thomas may play the center slot in either the second or third quarter. Mike D’Antoni will also give significant minutes to James Jones further deeper into the rotation, probably in the third. Eric Piatkowski will play sparingly. Either Sean Marks or Pat Burke will be in the inactive list.

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The Suns game plan is to run and run and run for every possession. Even if the opposition scores, the Suns throw the ball right away to their court for an easy lay-up or jump shot. They have better chances of winning if they are able to score in transition often and keep the pace of the game fast. They do not fully utilize the shot clock, and it’s good for them if they shoot the ball even if only 4 seconds has just passed the clock. Mike D’Antoni has even been reported to employ a 14-second shot clock during their practices.

They rely heavily on their pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop offense when they are forced to play the half-court game. Even then, they do not use up all 24 seconds. During the 2004-2005 season, Stoudemire used to finish those plays with a thunderous dunk which led to his 26.0 point average and 55.9% field goal percentage. With him being absent for almost the whole of last season, the Suns turned to Diaw to team up with Nash in finishing those pick-and-roll plays. Diaw is perfect for the pick-and-roll. He is a good dribbler so he can slide easily for a lay-up or a hook shot. He also passes well and the Suns are abundant in three point shooters with Nash, Barbosa, Banks, the two Joneses, Piatkowski and even Marion just waiting from behind the arc. He may also pass to big men Thomas, Marks and Burke who all have good perimeter jump shots, from between 16 to 21 feet.

If Stoudemire stays healthy, imagine how hard it is to stop these Suns. They now have a double threat at the post, and Nash can go either left or right to execute the pick-and-roll offense. If either Diaw and Stoudemire are stopped, they can dish out to the shooters. Banks, Barbosa, Nash, Marion. Also, either Diaw and Stoudemire can also slide to the basket for a lay-up. When all else fails, Diaw, Barbosa, Stoudemire and Nash can create shots for themselves.

Every one just fits into the D’Antoni system with no loose ends. What’s scarier is that the Suns now has a respectable defense anchored on Stoudemire, Thomas, Jumaine Jones, Banks and Bell. They provide the spunk and toughness that this team needs to go further into the playoffs. They also know how to double-team a dominant big man at the post like Yao Ming, Shaquille O’Neal and Tim Duncan, causing them to turn the ball over, miss the shot or pass to other teammates. And then, the Suns perimeter will adjust and cover the shooters. They’ve got quick players to rotate on defense.

However, in every scenario, Stoudemire still holds the key to transform this team from being one of the top teams to being the top NBA team. Well, especially in the Playoffs where there are a lot of adjustments in the course of the series. Stoudemire has to team up with Diaw down low to confuse opponents as to which direction Nash will execute their potent pick-and-roll play. He needs to provide intimidation with his size and shot blocking ability. I remember him swatting a Brad Miller shot to prevent a Sacramento win in a regular season game. Stoudemire has a good 13-footer, can run in transition, and catch those alley-hoop throws. He just has to stay healthy. And if he does, all other teams may have a run for their money for that title. And the Suns will rise to another 60-plus win season and, this time, the NBA title! (Pics courtesy of starpulse.com)