Posted by JrZyHuStLa:

Posted by Uptown:

Posted by islesfan:

Posted by Uptown:

Posted by JrZyHuStLa:

Posted by fishmike:

Posted by JrZyHuStLa:

Posted by franco12:

Isles- did you watch any phoenix games last year?

They were able to play a swarming defensive style.

Yes, they didn't foul- but they avoided needless fouls and part of their defensive strategy was to lull opponents into playing up tempo basketball- still, you encourage your opponent to take a bad shot -

Really ? Swarming defensive style ? You swear ?

Phoenix gave up nearly 103 PPG last year, 8th highest in the league. You didn't even need to watch the Suns play "their" defense, because it never showed up, besides a Stoudamire block here and there on a sloppy and broken possession. Do you even realize what you just said ? They gave up more points per game than the New York Knicks, take a deep breath and put that into perspective.

How do some of you constantly defend this franchise's move after move when in reality you know what the likely outcome will be ? If you are happy the Knicks landed D'antoni for entertainment and marketability (like the money is coming to you anyways) purposes, more power to you. But don't sit there and boast about how great D'antoni is at getting his players to play swarming D, thats a flat out lie.

more possesions = more points. I will ask you the same questions I asked Isles. They were 12th in the league in opposing FG%, 10th in the league in opponents FT attempts and 4th in the league in defensive rebounding differential. These are not suffocating stats, but the Suns played defense and we an above average defensive team. If the Suns were so pourous why didnt opponents shoot better? Why didnt they go to the line more? And why couldnt they get more offensive rebounds?

Simple questions...

More possessions, more points. Until you face San Antonio in the 2nd round and get eliminated after a hunky dory "defense" got you there. I don't recall Phoenix winning a championship, do you ? So somewhere along the line, D'antoni's cute schoolyard offense and defense wasn't as effective as you all think, am I wrong there ?

I'm not going to argue over numbers. The proof is in the pudding. Do you even have any idea why Cleveland and San Antonio went to the finals last year ? Start with doing some research. I'll give you a hint, it starts with the letter "D". Both the Spurs and Cavs finished #1 and #4 in opponent's PPG.

[Edited by - jrzyhustla on 06-19-2008 7:57 PM]

As Nalod pointed out, D'Antoni has won on average, 58 games per over the last 4 seasons. He has bowed out of the playoffs to the Spurs, who went on to win the 'chip' twice. Not to mention, the defenselss Suns should have advanced to the finals last year if not for Horry's goonish play.

Cleveland advanced to the finals because they were in the JV league and they spanked like a JV team in the finals against a team that the Suns should have beaten.

The Suns also lost to the Mavs. A Mavs team who found a way to get past those very same Invincible Spurs.

A Suns team that overachieved all year with a 6'7 Diaw at center and still managed to win the pacific and advance to the western conference finals without Stoudamire.

But once again failed to accomplish the goal. What do you get out of ignoring the fact that D'antoni lost with 3 great players because his system was defective ?

I seriously doubt Thibodeaux, Pops, Van Grundy would have down any better with the players D had.

And I think we've had an arguement about just how good Marion is or isn't - I think alot here think of him as a glorified role player and not a 'Great' player.