NBA - Sports Rumors

Tue Mar 04, 2008 1:31 pm EST

Struggling Suns looking to reduce turnovers, regain swagger

By Michael Hurd

Mike D'Antoni

Phoenix Suns Coach Mike D'Antoni said he feels that the team's turnover issues are a big part of their defensive woes. Phoenix has given up 113.6 points per game in the past four contests, including the Philadelphia 76ers scoring 24 more than its season average Saturday.

"We're not a lock-down, grind-it-out team, and we never will be," he said, adding that he believes the Suns can hold teams to 100 points if they are not so careless on offense. "We've got to loosen up a little bit as people and as a team and get back to trying to beat people and not trying (not) to lose."

The Suns are caught in a midseason training camp, trying to find cohesion at both ends.

Source: Arizona RepublicNew Window

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121 Comments

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  1. Andrew C
    1. Posted by Andrew C Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:45 pm EDT

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    They really need to start playing with a little fire.
  2. eric m
    2. Posted by eric m Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:54 pm EDT

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    Suns will peak when it matters the most........right now Shaq is just getting healthy and in shape. He's never moved this much in his carrer on the basketball court and the chemistry will come soon. Steve Nash will figure things out....and Suns will rise
  3. Andrew C
    3. Posted by Andrew C Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:45 pm EDT

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    And they need to start playing a little defense and rebound, that wouldn't hurt either.
  4. Mark E
    4. Posted by Mark E Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:09 pm EDT

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    The Suns are setting. I think they've missed their window and it's now closed...
  5. phong
    5. Posted by phong Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:34 pm EDT

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    The Suns are Done With. I knew this ShaQ trade would screw them over. GO LAKERS!
  6. mark s
    6. Posted by mark s Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:56 pm EDT

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    things don't grow in the desert
  7. nohp
    7. Posted by nohp Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:10 pm EDT

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    suns are struggling. tops teams sun changed over night after marion is traded. bench need to step up for them other then the only two bench players
  8. JOSH
    8. Posted by JOSH Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:40 pm EDT

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    Easy to pile on 'em now, but they'll turn it around. Steve, Amare, Raja, Shaq (and Mike) are too fierce and too professional to not get it figured out. Mark my words -- there'll be a buzz about the Suns again sometime this season.
  9. Emeka
    9. Posted by Emeka Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:23 pm EDT

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    The suns will set in phoenix.. Marketing people, I am giving you that one for free.. LMAO
  10. Emeka
    10. Posted by Emeka Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:23 pm EDT

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    the suns will set in phoenix.. marketing people, i am giving you that one for free.. lmao
  11. steve d
    11. Posted by steve d Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:16 pm EDT

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    What is with the airy, whimsical, wishful nature of the suns and their fans? Maybe they aren't playing well now, but you know they are just too good.... we have got to play loose and free and happy...the suns need to play with fire...the suns will rise again.... Oh shaq is just prancing along like a young lass in a meadow trying to find his way but someday soon he will blossom into a beautiful flower.
    No titles recently, none in the near future.
  12. sunsfanphx1(RIP Steve McNair)
    12. Posted by sunsfanphx1(RIP Steve McNair) Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:48 pm EDT

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    Haters will hate, it's what they do best..
    You all hope the Suns will just go away because they've denied your teams opportunities these last few years...too bad, they aren't going anywhere. They have only played 6 games with Shaq, it is going to take many more until they get it right, but when they do, we will be right back where we belong.
    But it's okay for you haters to daydream about us going away,lol.........
  13. chris b
    13. Posted by chris b Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:20 pm EDT

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    The Suns problems aren't because of Shaq. He's doing alright and doing what he's supposed to be doing right now. (except for the throwing the ball away more than Nash). The rest of the team is sleeping and needs to wake up. Losing Marion, they lost points. But everyone is stepping up and getting more points to cover. They're just playing sloppy right now. That's it. I think the adrenalin from the trade has them "too" amped up and they're trying too hard (remember L.B. last year??). They'll settle down and be alright (we hope) come playoff time.
  14. Big Sven
    14. Posted by Big Sven Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:38 pm EDT

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    The Suns are slumping but still within 3 games of the West leaders. They had a bad record against the top teams before the Marion trade. Teams like the Spurs would kill them with post play and offensive rebounding. That's why they brought in Shaq. I think they changed their offense too much though and got away from their strengths which are Amare on the post and Nash penetrating. They play Shaq too much at the high post he needs to crash the glass. Defensively, Shaq doesn't play the high pick and roll very well against quicker centers. Maybe the Suns should use more zone defense when he's in there.
  15. MAX_IN_MISSOURI
    15. Posted by MAX_IN_MISSOURI Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:07 pm EDT

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    Kobe is still a rapist
  16. satanicmajesty1967
    16. Posted by satanicmajesty1967 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:30 pm EDT

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    look at that whiny a$$ d'antoni. look at that worm face he has on! i mean, just look at it! if he had that much consternation in practice teaching how to block out your man and actually preach trying to do something called REBOUND, he might not have poopee pants. i've rooted for the suns 35 years but it's real hard to root for them when they remind me of kids these days. they just want to slide by, not work hard and expect that they be handed the trophy. i can't stand SA, but at least they rebound and defend. kerr will fire d'antoni before long... no, suns won't win a title this year, boys and girls. count on it...
  17. MJ23/KB24
    17. Posted by MJ23/KB24 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:35 pm EDT

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    What's up sunz fan? dude i hate to say this but your team is not looking as scary as they use too... But what should u expect you guys did give up ur best player and got a broke down diesel LOL.... =D j/k bro
  18. Keith H
    18. Posted by Keith H Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:53 pm EDT

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    #17, and Bush & Co. and still murderers. Your point?
  19. Emeka
    19. Posted by Emeka Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:23 pm EDT

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    Hey wassup Sunsfan, I meant my "The Suns will Set in phoenix" as a jab towards the Shaq talk. Nothing serious. Not that I am a hater. I am a laker fan as you know and we got a rivalry going on.. Anyways the truth is you guys look really bad right now and your upcoming schedule isn't too easy either.. Defense needs to be played or getting into the top 4 seeds would be "exremely" hard..
  20. Regis V
    20. Posted by Regis V Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:23 pm EDT

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    # 16.... the Suns are within 3 of the top..... and 3 of the 9 spot... No time time to waste.
  21. Emeka
    21. Posted by Emeka Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:23 pm EDT

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    lol @ Max.. he said Kobe is still a rapist.. like that would actually help the suns stop turning the ball over.. LMAO.. KB24 is the best in the business, thats what he is..
  22. No Se Va
    22. Posted by No Se Va Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:41 pm EDT

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    they'll be fine, and no one will want to play them in the playoffs.
  23. Emeka
    23. Posted by Emeka Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:23 pm EDT

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    Thanks Jethro.. I hate bandwagon fans.. I am a laker fan and was a heavy laker fan the past 2 years even when we got our butts kicked out of the playoffs.. So people, dont be shy, stick with your team. In my estimation, the best Suns team is still the line up that almost bounced San Antonio from the playoffs last year sans the suspension. The trade for Shaq was pushing the panic button. The team is actually worse now.. Who would guard Tony Parker in the playoffs if you played SA or Kobe Bryant if you played LA (don't tell me Raja Bell.. look what has happened to him the past 4 games)?
  24. Emeka
    24. Posted by Emeka Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:23 pm EDT

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    thanks jethro.. i hate bandwagon fans.. i am a laker fan and was a heavy laker fan the past 2 years even when we got our butts kicked out of the playoffs.. so people, dont be shy, stick with your team. in my estimation, the best suns team is still the line up that almost bounced san antonio from the playoffs last year sans the suspension. the trade for shaq was pushing the panic button. the team is actually worse now.. who would guard tony parker in the playoffs if you played sa or kobe bryant if you played la (don't tell me raja bell.. look what has happened to him the past 4 games)?
  25. A Yahoo! User
    25. Posted by A Yahoo! User Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:36 pm EDT

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    suns are 6 in the play-off race and just got beat by the bucks out of all teams,lakers meanwhile have a winning young team ,nash is 30 something and shaq is just to old ,you trade you garbage man ,you know (rebounds and steals ).kerr will be fire in 2 months and dantoni .the suns are not competing,and with the west being so tough ,for get the playoffs ,your not even going to the playoffs ..the next 5 game for you all are all over 500. teams,in other words pretty good team including the blazers who can run ya ll out of the gym ,denver can you say melo time, you know ya ll can t beat utah (dream on) ,and drum roll ,dut,dut ,dut
    the spurs if you all deside 2 loss 3 of the 4 can find shaq and nash having a very early vacation.

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