COACH: Mike D'Antoni | 2005-06: 54-28
Phoenix Suns

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In 2004-05, the Suns were the surprise of the league, improving from 29 wins to 62 after signing Steve Nash to quarterback a relentess running game. In ’05-06, even though they fell from 62 wins to 54, Phoenix was again a major surprise, mainly because they were able to overcome the knee injuries which limited All-Star big man Amaré Stoudemire to three games, and return to the Western Conference Finals.
Certainly, Phoenix could put together another season of successful, fast-breaking basketball even if Stoudemire – who will return to the Suns’ lineup after averaging 20.7 points in three summer-league games, and also working out with Team USA at its Las Vegas training camp - is not yet ready to play at 100% of his past form.

But make no mistake about it, any championship aspirations in the Valley of the Sun are thoroughly dependent on the return of explosiveness and full health to the young forward-center, who will turn 24 on Nov. 16.

Managing Stoudemire’s comeback might be the trickiest part of Head Coach/General Manager Mike D’Antoni ’s job, as he indicated to the Arizona Republic: “We can win 55-60 games if he can't go at all. The hard thing is, what if he comes back somewhere in between? If he's struggling, we can have some hard patches. That can wreck a team."

Fortunately for D’Antoni, he should be able to avert any wrecks because Nash, the two-time NBA MVP, is the captain of his ship. The Canadian point guard lifted his scoring average from 15.5 to 18.8 in ’05-06 to compensate for Stoudemire’s absence, while again leading the league in assists (10.5) as he directed Phoenix to a league-leading 108.4 points per game.

Amazingly, though Nash was the league MVP, it was a teammate, Shawn Marion, who led the Suns in points, rebounds, steals and blocks! One of only three players to average better than 20 points and 10 rebounds last season (Kevin Garnett and Elton Brand were the others), Marion is the team’s most versatile defender and should continue to produce with quiet consistency.

After roster overhauls each of the past two offseasons, Phoenix largely stood pat this summer. Tim Thomas – who gave the injury-riddled Suns a huge lift down the stretch after joining the team on March 3 – signed with the Clippers, while Eddie House took his instant offense to New Jersey. In their places, the Suns signed two athletic players, Marcus Banks and Jumaine Jones, who could flourish in D’Antoni’s running game.

Phoenix returns the international trio whose emergence last season was vital to the team’s continued success: versatile Frenchman Boris Diaw, who was the NBA’s Most Improved Player after averaging 13.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists; the “Brazilian Blur”, Leandro Barbosa, who sped his way to a 13-point average in just 28 minutes per game; and Raja Bell (Virgin Islands), who brought a much-needed dose of rugged defense, plus an unexpected boost of 14.7 ppg.

Also back are mad bomber James Jones and Kurt Thomas, whose interior defense was sorely missed after he went down with a broken foot.
-- Mark Haubner

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2007
Being Marcus Banks

So Amare suggests the motto for the 2007-08 season should be 'Revenge.' To regroup, run through the league and topple the Spurs- the Suns have to get better. The effort may or may not include Kevin Garnett but as the summer moves on I'm going to write about Suns who are likely returning next season.

We start with Marcus Banks. Last year's offseason was a bust. The team traded away their draft picks. No free agent signing played a significant role for the team. The worst signing of the bunch seems to have been Marcus Banks. When he was signed to a five-year $21 million contract last year, here's what the Republic had to say:

'Banks' arrival provides backcourt relief and defensive pressure. Banks said he has the speed to defend 94 feet, pestering ballhandlers enough to disrupt an opponent's offense. Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver said a Minnesota assistant coach told the Suns: "We know you think Leandro (Barbosa) is the quickest player in the NBA, but I'm going to tell you, we think Marcus is faster."'

This season Banks played in 45 games and a lot of those minutes were mop up time in blowouts. There were stretches during the season where he was inactive and wasn't even behind the bench with other highly paid spectators. Banks averaged 4.9 points, 1.3 assists, and shot 43% from the field and 17% from distance- in 11 minutes.

The numbers aren't great but watching him play was another thing. Banks at no point seemed to have a place with this team. In the dramatic win at Chicago, he was used to pester Ben Gordon (who had 41 pts that night) in a second half stint. It was assumed he'd be used like that all season but the team didn't reveal a commitment to defense until the San Antonio series.

So how can Marcus Banks improve this summer. It was proposed that he participate in the Suns summer league. Banks is considering it but he's also a fourth year pro. What can be accomplished by running with rookies and free agents? Gaining some confidence from the coaching staff might be one thing.

Another idea is working on his jumpshot. The Suns roster is currently loaded with shooters and if Banks wants to emulate Nash- he's gotta be money when left open. Banks is not a shooter and he showed very questionable shot selection in games when he got significant minutes. He showed some ability to get to the rim and he's built like a brick. Banks doesn't necessarily need three point range, a reliable midrange jumper would be good too. His quickness combined with a jumper would make him a better player and a weapon when combined with Leandro Barbosa.

The key element is desire. Marcus Banks has gotten big minutes on bad teams and was the forgotten man on a good team. How will he bounce back when he was panned as the worst free agent signing of 2006-07 and nearly everyone would like to see him leave town. The guy made an effort to be part of the Phoenix community and playing with Nash is very important to him. Will Banks put in the work to improve? Will he have that extra fire to give himself and the team a competitive edge?

Banks' contract is pretty much untradable so I think that he's at a professional crossroads. He has to produce to earn his contract, earn his spot on this team or showcase his talent for a trade. It's all on Marcus. Revenge for him would be shutting up the critics and showing this organization he belongs.
Labels: Marcus Banks, Phoenix Suns

Markji wrote:

crzymdups wrote:The only thing that worries me about this one is that D'Antoni supposedly wanted Jordan Hill, too, calling him the next Stoudemire. He hasn't been great identifying young talent. Remember D'Antoni signing Marcus Banks to a 5-year $22M deal in Phoenix?

I feel the same about MDA. When I read that he was the deciding vote, I felt uneasy. MDA also forced us to sign Roberson after just one Summer League game because he could shoot the 3, and we know how that turned out. MDA is too hot and cold regarding young, new players. But I will give everyone the benefit of the doubt and wait and see how Iman does.

Also, I don't believe Iman was Walsh's pick. In his mannerisms and how he explained the decision to pick Iman, I felt he was accepting the "group concensus pick, but he made sure everyone knew that MDA had the deciding vote, and Iman was MDA's choice.

Why would you feel uneasy about MDA being the deciding vote when Walsh wont be here past the 30th and MDA is the one who will have to coach him? It's kind like the old Bill Parcells quote, "If I'm cooking the meal, why cant I help shop for the groceries." But to say that it was MDA that drafted Hill isn't clear to me especially when we had a team president in Walsh. When Isiah was here, he got all the credit for the picks, now that Walsh is here, MDA the coach, gete the credit? Not sure if I'm buying that. He has input, but I'm not ready to say its his pick. Besides, it wasn't all MDA, half the scouting team also wanted Shumpert and obviously, these guys have studied film and watched him carfully.

Markji wrote:

crzymdups wrote:The only thing that worries me about this one is that D'Antoni supposedly wanted Jordan Hill, too, calling him the next Stoudemire. He hasn't been great identifying young talent. Remember D'Antoni signing Marcus Banks to a 5-year $22M deal in Phoenix?

I feel the same about MDA. When I read that he was the deciding vote, I felt uneasy. MDA also forced us to sign Roberson after just one Summer League game because he could shoot the 3, and we know how that turned out. MDA is too hot and cold regarding young, new players. But I will give everyone the benefit of the doubt and wait and see how Iman does.

Also, I don't believe Iman was Walsh's pick. In his mannerisms and how he explained the decision to pick Iman, I felt he was accepting the "group concensus pick, but he made sure everyone knew that MDA had the deciding vote, and Iman was MDA's choice.

nixluva wrote:Perhaps you could say that Mike gets a bit carried away in his assessment of players but that isn't really fair. When you point out the guys who don't make it you are also ignoring the guys he wanted and got going to a much higher degree than anyone expected. Boris Diaw, Raja Bell, Quentin, Fields, Felton... these are guys who played at a higher level for him than they did previously. How about Nash who was good and became great under Mike. So he's not always wrong when he falls in love with a players talents. The player has to also buy in and that doesn't always happen. We blame Mike, but really if Marcus Banks didn't defend at the level his talent suggested that's on him. I fully expect that Iman will give 110%. He has shown himself to be that kind of player. All the kid talks about is D and his stats show that to be his focus.

Tell me what you would think if you saw a young PG with his size, shutdown other top PG prospects, shoot the ball better than anyone said he could and run PnR better than people said he could? Not to mention that he's also more athletic than all the other guards you looked at and he's smart on top of that.

+1

fishmike wrote:

crzymdups wrote:The only thing that worries me about this one is that D'Antoni supposedly wanted Jordan Hill, too, calling him the next Stoudemire. He hasn't been great identifying young talent. Remember D'Antoni signing Marcus Banks to a 5-year $22M deal in Phoenix?

but whats the Knock on MDA? Hill clearly had a great workout, then the staff turned on him when he was clearly out of shape for the summer league.

MDA wanted Marcus Banks because he needed a great defender in the backcourt. He didnt play well, just like AR didnt play well.

On the flip side Raja Bell was a first team NBA defender under MDA.

MDA wants guys who will defend. His history is pretty clear in trying to get defensive guys. Its getting good ones to pan out that he has not had success with

Here we have a chance to perhaps put the most balanced team on the floor that we've had. It looks like we'll end up with at the least Jordan and Harrellson inside. To be honest I wouldn't be totally upset with that. Sure its not a given that either will work out but That's some decent size and talent to work with. I'm really hoping Jordan has indeed developed. He already had some good skill level last year. He's got the size and hopefully he has bulked up a little and learned the game a bit more.

Jordan is a legit 7-1, 250 lb, 7-5 wingspan and 9-5 standing reach. He moves well and has offensive skills. It would be a major boost if this kid is ready to contribute to this team. If he was in this draft he'd probably be a 1st rd pick.

Ira wrote:Singleton vs Shumpert - I can see why the Knicks were split.

Size - Singleton
Athleticism - Close
Shooting - Close (Singleton's percentages were a little higher, but Shumpert had to take more tough shots)
Passing - Shumpert
Defense - Close
Ball handling - Shumpert

If it's close and then you factor in need then it's all settled. They didn't need Singleton as much as they needed Shumpert. We got reamed at the guard spot last year. Rondo and Allen absolutely killed us and if not for that the Knicks could've won games against the C's. That memory was probably burned into the retinas of all the Knicks brass. Singleton wasn't going to change much given we're stocked with good forwards already.

Some fans kill me with the hypocrisy. All I heard was how the Knicks better not keep adding anymore forwards and now all of a sudden their all for us getting another one. We got a guard that covered BOTH of our needs at PG and SG and a C. That's a good draft IMO. If these guys work out is another story. It was a good draft in terms of team building. We needed more balance and that's what this draft addressed. Many of us said if we come out of this with a PG and C then they'd be happy now all of a sudden guys are against it.

nixluva wrote:Perhaps you could say that Mike gets a bit carried away in his assessment of players but that isn't really fair. When you point out the guys who don't make it you are also ignoring the guys he wanted and got going to a much higher degree than anyone expected. Boris Diaw, Raja Bell, Quentin, Fields, Felton... these are guys who played at a higher level for him than they did previously. How about Nash who was good and became great under Mike. So he's not always wrong when he falls in love with a players talents. The player has to also buy in and that doesn't always happen. We blame Mike, but really if Marcus Banks didn't defend at the level his talent suggested that's on him. I fully expect that Iman will give 110%. He has shown himself to be that kind of player. All the kid talks about is D and his stats show that to be his focus.

Tell me what you would think if you saw a young PG with his size, shutdown other top PG prospects, shoot the ball better than anyone said he could and run PnR better than people said he could? Not to mention that he's also more athletic than all the other guards you looked at and he's smart on top of that.

Markji wrote:

nixluva wrote:Perhaps you could say that Mike gets a bit carried away in his assessment of players but that isn't really fair. When you point out the guys who don't make it you are also ignoring the guys he wanted and got going to a much higher degree than anyone expected. Boris Diaw, Raja Bell, Quentin, Fields, Felton... these are guys who played at a higher level for him than they did previously. How about Nash who was good and became great under Mike. So he's not always wrong when he falls in love with a players talents. The player has to also buy in and that doesn't always happen. We blame Mike, but really if Marcus Banks didn't defend at the level his talent suggested that's on him. I fully expect that Iman will give 110%. He has shown himself to be that kind of player. All the kid talks about is D and his stats show that to be his focus.

Tell me what you would think if you saw a young PG with his size, shutdown other top PG prospects, shoot the ball better than anyone said he could and run PnR better than people said he could? Not to mention that he's also more athletic than all the other guards you looked at and he's smart on top of that.

"Perhaps you could say that Mike gets a bit carried away in his assessment of players but that isn't really fair."
But it is fair. His evaluating and handling of young players IS part of his legacy. I never said I didn't think he is a good coach. I've supported him for 3 years. However, his ability to handle young players is hit or miss. That is a fact - that is his record. It's been talked about in a hundred threads. I just hope that Shumpert falls into the positive category; that he gels with the team; and develops into the guard that we all hope he can be.

We've tied his hands with poor options at PG and player turnover. Coaches need a coach on the floor to make sure their orders are carried out. CB and TD are more SG than PG about the closest we came to a real PG was Felton. We'll see if Iman can get to the level that Felton was at. If he does he'll be wildly successful. If he can run PnR and penetrate effectively, things he's already able to do, then all he needs is to be shrewd with his 3pt shooting.

Kids like AR and Hill aren't made for success under this coach. You have to want to work and you have to have a good BB IQ. Smart players always do well under MDA. So that's what this team is going to end up having, cuz guys that don't cut it get weeded out. You many not appreciate that now, but when the team is playing at a high level you'll appreciate that approach. Iman is going to have to work hard just like anyone else and if he does I suspect he'll be successful.

CrushAlot wrote:

Kids like AR and Hill aren't made for success under this coach. You have to want to work and you have to have a good BB IQ. Smart players always do well under MDA. So that's what this team is going to end up having, cuz guys that don't cut it get weeded out. You many not appreciate that now, but when the team is playing at a high level you'll appreciate that approach. Iman is going to have to work hard just like anyone else and if he does I suspect he'll be successful.

One of the criticisms I have read about Shumpert is that he has a low b-ball iq. The criticism that keeps coming up in analysis of this pick that I have read is that Shumpert has always had incredible athleticism and is a workout wonder. His workouts are what moved him up to the first round. I hope that all of this assessment is wrong but those are the complaints about him. If you look at the coach and how he has worked with potential guys, guys whose biggest strengths were defense, weaknesses were decision making on offense, shot selection and their shot I think being cautious of your assessment of how he will do with D'Antoni is appropriate. He has praised and endorsed guys before that he quickly losses patience for.

If you want to get a sense of this kid go and watch a few of his interviews where he just gets a chance to talk and you can tell he has a lot more going on in his head. He's a smart kid. If they can show him how to run a team and determine what a good shot is verses a bad one, he'll be OK. From the things he's said, he didn't really feel comfortable being the teams primary scoring option. He said he wanted to play with good players that he could setup and that's a good thing to hear. He wants to be a PG and in his head he sees himself as a PG more than a scoring guard. He's in the right place if he wants to learn about being a real PG.