Feb 13, 2010
Suns Mid-Season Review: A Complete Team Breakdown
Suns Mid-Season Review:
Team Statistics:
Points Per Game: 109.9 (1st of 30) ▪ Opponent Points Per Game: 107.5 (29th of 30) Pythagorean W-L: 31-22 (11th of 30)
▪ Attendance: 432,519 (18th of 30)
Pace Factor: 95.9 (4th of 30) Offensive Rating: 114.2 (1st of 30) ▪ Defensive Rating: 111.7 (29th of 30)
The Saddest things about this are how poor the defense is playing. And how clearly it is the reason for all Suns troubles. If the defense were remotely competent (15-20th) we would have 4 more wins easy. The attendance being so low is also sad. The lack of crowd noise certainly doesn’t help the hustle! Suns fans don’t even chant defense… As I yell at games, “They don’t play it, cuz you don’t say it!!” Let’s do something to fix this ASAP. New Rotations or New players. Figure it out Big Al.
Player Breakdowns:
Steve Nash:
Statistical Overview: 18.3 Points, 11.1 Assists, 3.3 Rebounds, 3.8 Turnovers, 52% FG, 43.7% 3PtFG, 94% FT
Lots of these are career highs for Steve as he tries to be the first guy ever to shoot 55/45/95 from the Field/3-pt/and FT
Is it possible that Steve is getting Nashtier with age? It seems like his peak is happening later than anyone ever, and people in the national media are finally starting to talk about him. He’s not getting enough props to be included in the MVP race again, but if the Suns put together some big wins post All-Star break, he will be.
The problem is Steve is averaging a career high in T0’s. Steve, keep it together, and as of late, it seems to be improving, but it’s about consistency. If he is throwing together a 5-6/1 Assist/TO the Suns are going to be dangerous every night against anybody.
Amar’e Stoudemire:
STATS: 21.2 Pts, 8.6 Rebs, 1.0 Ast, 1.0 Blks, 2.7 TO’s, 56% FG, 77% FT
I’d be lying if I said these were good numbers for Amar’e. He is extremely efficient, in that he gets his 21.2 points on only 14 Field Goal attempts per game. Amar’e is 23rd in the NBA in field goals attempted this season. Yet, have we heard complaints coming from him about touches? No, he continues to let MVSteve be in control of distributing the ball. In addition, the trade talks (as of today the hottest new rumor is Amar’e to the Cavs again, or the Heat) can’t make it any easier to take on a leadership role.
Amar’e is another guy who needs to reduce his turnovers to increase his effectiveness. The one thing you can’t get very many places other than Amar’e is a big man with the offensive talent he has.
Jason Richardson:
Statistics: 14.5 Pts, 5.0 Rebs, 1.9 Ast, 1.2 TO’s, 45% FG, 35% 3Pt, 74% FT
Well, Jason Richardson takes only 2 less field goals than Amar’e per game, and manages to score nearly 8.0 less points. He is the 6th best 3-point shooter on the Suns. He gets paid 14 million dollars per season. Why does he start? Because he gets paid 14 million dollars. The Suns using J Rich stagnates the offense because he doesn’t move the ball quickly or accurately. When he is playing out of the low-post, he is a major threat…. But sadly, that’s not what the Suns need in a shooting guard. We need Raja Bell 2007… a lockdown defender and 3-point shooter. Getting a SF for J Rich means J Dud can spend more time at the 2-Guard with Goran They are both excellent on the ball defenders when not defending someone 4 inches taller than them, and they both shoot the 3 better than J Rich by over 5%.
Sadly, J Rich is nearly impossible to move because of how big his contract is. I think the Suns need to sacrifice leandro potentially in order to move J Rich. It would also make me sad to see The Brazilian Blur leave town, but for the good of the team NOW I think it’s what is best.
Grant Hill:
Stats: 11.3 Pts, 5.3 Rebs, 2.2 Ast, 1.2 TO’s, 47% FG, 44% 3Pt, 82% FT
Grant Hill has slowed down. He is still effective and is great in transition, but he is wearing down and even though he is knocking down the corner three more regularly, we still need someone to give him time to breath that isn’t 6’4 or Earl Clark.
Channing Frye:
Stats: 11.9 Pts, 5.5 Reb, 1.5 Ast, 0.9 Blks, 1.0 TO’s, 45% FG, 43% 3Pt, 78% FT
Channing Frye might be the most overhyped Sun of the year. Yes, he is a giant who can shoot a 3. Darko could make a 3-pointer as well. Why doesn’t anyone get on the 6’11 Frye for rebounding like they do Amar’e? Frye is taller, and plays Center. Why is it okay for a giant like this to have less than SIX rebounds per game. This is terrible. Channing is 2nd behind Steve Nash in a lack of defensive hustle. Channing almost never pairs putting a hand up with jumping. It’s either one or the other… Channing is the sort of person I would pair with another Suns player and happily send to Utah for Carlos Boozer. If Channing wasn’t such a massive defensive liability on the Glass, it wouldn’t be so terrible that Robin Lopez can’t manage to stay out of foul trouble.
Robin Lopez:
For RoLo, I doubled his statistics because he is now averaging around 26 Minutes since starting… and climbing. So when looking at these, it’s hoping that he continues to maintain his starting role. Currently he averages 16 minutes per game.
Stats: 14.4 Pts, 8.0 Rebs, 2.0 Blks, 2.0 TO’s, 5 Fouls, 61% FG, 71% FT
So RoLo is doing work. Since starting he is a major defensive force. He hustles non-stop. He runs the floor, he doesn’t jog, he tries hard. Granted, he needs to stop with the fouls, but as of right now, I think he looks like a piece the Suns are happy to have moving forward. In fact, lately, I have questioned Big Al not giving RoLo the chance to at least foul-out in the 4th quarter. He is a difference maker for the Suns defensively, (sad but true) and he should be on the court late in games, when we need stops. Channing continues to get the late minutes, partly because of the fouls!
Jared Dudley:
(24 Minutes per game)
Stats: 8.3 Pts, 3.6 Reb, 1.2 Ast, 1 Stl, 45% FG, 47% 3pt, 78% FT
Jared Dudley is the bright spot of the Jason Richardson trade. He is dropping 3’s like it’s hot and he hustles non-stop. Sadly, J Dud just isn’t all that athletic or tall enough to tackle some of the assignments he has had (Kobe, Durant, Lebron… etc.) He is exactly the kind of guy you want coming off the bench, but not necessarily getting 24 minutes per game. He doesn’t have the most diverse offensive game as can be seen by his shooting better from three than two. I like J Dud, but I’d like a 2G a little bigger or a SF to help him so he doesn’t have to take on so much defensive responsibility. It’s unrealistic and unfair. Not to mention, J Dud is a fan favorite because of his constant communication with fans and how interactive he is outside of the arena.
Goran Dragic:
I am GOrange! Puff the Magic Dragic’s stats are doubled the same as RoLo’s because I am making a case that he should be taking more of Nash’s minutes, and more of J Rich and J Dud’s as well. He is currently averaging 17 minutes per game. Is Goran the right back up for Nash? Does he deserve more minutes?
Stats: 16.4 Pts, 4.8 Ast, 4.2 Rebs, 1.2 Stl, 46% FG, 41% 3pt, 75% FT,
I don’t think the statistics show the hustle and the way Goran is developing command of the second unit. I am sure since December 1st these numbers are much better! However, any player going 16, 4 and 4 as a sophomore is someone worth keeping an extra close eye on. I think the more he gets comfortable considering the second unit his own, and with the departure of J Rich, the offense will flow through him much more, and more efficiently. More Goran Please. Amber and I will meet you Goran. Look out for us Puff in our matching Orange Dragic Jerseys.!
Leandro Barbosa:
Leandro’s minutes are way down this year, partly because of J Rich, partly because of injury. (19.7 minutes per game)
Stats: 10.6 points, 1.7 Ast, 1.6 Reb, 42% FG, 33% 3pt, 86% FT
These are all below Leandro’s career averages which shows that this surgery Leandro just had may either help Leandro get back into form, or show us why he’s going to have to shut it down for the year. Hopefully he can get the distance on his shot back because we can’t afford our two SG’s to average 34% from 3-point range. While he is uncertain and still seems like a question mark for the Suns moving forward, he does still have a great contract and is a perfect fit in the Suns system. Even playing poorly he is a younger, cheaper, faster, Jason Richardson.
Louis Amundson:
Lou is going to be getting the Goran/RoLO 2x statistical inflation. I think this will show Lou should be getting a lot more of Channing’s minutes. (Loooou averages 14.4 minutes per game)
Stats: 8.8 Pts, 9.2 Rebs, 1.8 Blks, 4 Fouls, 52% FG, 58% FT
Looou is exactly what you look for in a back-up power forward. He hustles non-stop. He knows and plays his role on the team. He doesn’t try and do too much and he is willing to take contact and battle with anyone. I like the amount he is used late in games for defensive reasons, I just wish he was used more throughout the game for the exact same reasoning. We need more of Lou inspiring hustle in Amar’e and others. Go Lou. Keep it up, get more minutes… oh AND MAKE FREE THROWS!!
Earl Clark:
Earl has been showing lately that he is learning that defense is the key to offense and playing time. The more he learns this, the better he will be. We could really benefit from his diverse offensive game if he can start shooting better than 33% from the field. His size 6’10 at SF could be a HUGE asset and I am excited to see what line=ups with him in the SF spot workout as he continues to earn more playing time.
So, This is the breakdown of the Suns individual first halves. I think the biggest surprise is how many turnovers we are committing and how few blocks/rebounds/ and steals we get. These numbers show me that the Suns need to play Goran, Lou, and RoLo together more.
Team Predictions:
Coin Flip Trades – I think that the Suns are a 50/50 proposition right now as to whether they will trade Amar’e or J Rich. These trades will obviously massively shift the focus of the Suns strategies. If we trade Amar’e to the Cavs or Heat like ESPN is reporting, the Suns are going to be stuck with J.J. Hickson, an undersized 4, and expiring garbage.
Rebuild or Move Forward? I think this is the pivotal question for the Suns. Trading Amar’e for defense is going to drastically change the way the Suns are able to play the pick n’ roll and run the floor. Trading Amar’e is effectively accepting defeat this year. I am not ready for that. The Suns shouldn’t be either. We have big wins against most of the East and only the Lakers have really controlled us this year in the West. The Suns offense can put them in any game. With small rotation changes, or trading J Rich, the Suns could really be contenders in the West. I say let’s give Amar’e to at least the end of the year, really try and get some defense played in the second half and then if he wants to leave after the season, sign and trade him.
Playoff Odds:
I have been saying it all year, and my opinion isn’t going to change now, I think the Suns finish in the 4/5 spot in the Western Conference and will be able to win the opening playoff series if they can acquire a defensive SF/SG. If they move Amar’e, I see the Suns as a bottom seed or back in the lottery. Let’s give Steve Nash a last couple of legitimate shots at winning a championship and home-court advantage will be essential for a deep playoff run. The Suns are a good team with the potential to be great if we can just figure out how to play consistently.
Final Mid-Season thought:
Keep Amar’e! Keep Amar’e! Keep Amar’e! If we can put a sick perimeter defender next to Steve Nash it will GREATLY aid in reducing exposure of Amar’e and forcing our big men out of position. When Nash allows the opposing guard to go right by him, it pulls Amar’e and/or RoLo away from the basket, which allows easy lay-ups and opposing teams to get position on the offensive glass. This is something that is DEVASTATING the Suns this year. J Rich being the perimeter help is NOT working. I think if we could stop the ball at all, Amar’e would really be able to improve on the glass and on defense.
Go Suns! Keep Amar’e or Ifiredstevekerr.com will be next Steve! I’m sure he’s scared now.