Suns' General Manager Steve Kerr has mentioned that the team has officially been in evaluation mode over the last eight games, and the results -- a record of just 3-5 -- have to make you wonder if he's considering making some changes. Even though the Suns are currently leading their division, they have a record of only .500 versus teams in the Western Conference, and since their expectations are to get to the Finals, that's simply not going to get it done.
There just isn't the same vibe around this year's version of the Suns as there has been in previous seasons. Everything seems to be a struggle, and even the wins aren't coming as easily to a team with (arguably) the most uptempo style of play in the league. So Kerr is looking to see if he can make any improvements, but the problem is, he would look to add defensive help, and a defense-first player may not fit into coach Mike D'Antoni's offensive-heavy game plans.
There appears to be at least a peripheral disconnect between Kerr - a staunch believer in defense and depth - and D'Antoni's high-octane offense/tight rotation mantra that will also play a role in the decision-making.
"The last time I checked, we're one or two games off the lead in the West, so I think we're OK," D'Antoni said. "Could we dominate? Maybe, but we're not. Each year presents a different problem."
While Steve Kerr may be looking to make a name for himself in his first year as GM, D'Antoni clearly has been through these early season struggles before (if you consider 19-9 struggling), and is willing to wait to see how his squad develops. It is only December, and it's probably way too early to be hitting the panic button.
D'Antoni does plan to go bigger with his lineup starting tonight against the Clippers, by using the combination of Brian Skinner and Amare Stoudemire to give the team a boost on the interior. Whether or not that will improve the Suns defensively enough to prevent Kerr from making any big changes this season, remains to be seen.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-27-2007 @ 4:57PM
0nyx said...
-- Kerr - a staunch believer in defense --
That's pretty funny considering that Kerr himself has been anything but a lockdown-defender. Actually his best skill - the 3pt-shot - made him more valuable for the offense than it did for the defense.
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12-27-2007 @ 5:55PM
ron said...
Stevie boy is an ex-player and is trying to get some ESPN time for his face. He had the chance to get KG but did not have the B---s to pull the trigger and now he cannot figure out what to do. He knows the Lakers will not trade Kobe to him (even though Kobe said the Suns were one of the teams he would like to go to).
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12-28-2007 @ 3:05AM
Bucky Wunderlick said...
Anyone else notice how every time D'Antoni is challenged about the state of his team he just says something like "we're good"? Keep saying it dude, it's the same thing as winning!
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12-28-2007 @ 8:32PM
jason said...
ONYX
On Kerr, on defense, you can only deal with your abilities. Kerr, Nash, etc only have so much strength and size, hence, they can only be so good at defense, wake up! Most of the players in the league are much stronger, faster, and TALLER!
RON,
on Kerr not having the b...s to get KG, that's a load of b.s.! It's common knowledge the suns did try for him, the deal was even done, it was Marion
(who has the right in his next contract) that killed the deal, NOT KERR!
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12-28-2007 @ 6:53PM
Matt said...
Arguably the most up tempo team in the league? Are you nuts. The WARRIORS run them off the court. The last game these 2 teams played wasn;t even close. The real up tempo team is GSW!
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12-28-2007 @ 8:34PM
jasontmyer said...
Matt,
on your G.S being the up tempo team, more so than the Suns, last year, and this year, I agree.
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12-29-2007 @ 12:50AM
Steve said...
Even in the Saturday night win against the lowly Clippers the Suns looked BAD......25% making 3's, 50% free throw shooting (Nash missed 3 ???), outrebounded again offensively and defensively, and scored only 90 points !! Something is bad wrong with Raja. Nash only 10 points and beaten badly defensively numerous times. Every night it's another guy not playing well. Can't win a Championship like this. DO SOMETHING KERR, because D'Antoni won't.
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