SB Nation User Blog: Pliny the Elder

Between being and becoming..

Pliny the Elder — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:39:51 -0000

There are some of us here who remember the 05-06 team with fond memories. Not because they won a championship, which they didn't, and not because they played flawless ball, which they didn't either.

But because a team consisting of maybe two legitimate NBA starters, and a collection of anonymous and otherwise underachieving players won 54 games and got to the WCF. And not smoothly either: They lost their all-star center for the whole year, before the season started, and his backup/replacement for a third of a season, just after the all-star break. And sometimes that team was beaten like a red-headed stepchild caught with cigarettes.

But that group had heart, grit, tenacity, fearlessness, self-belief and unity. Some players, like Boris and Raja, stepped up from nowhere to show how good they really were. Others like Trix, wallowed in their new found respect and status. All of them, though, played the season of their careers, because of their trust in each other and their leader. That team, ultimately failed, but not for reasons of it's own doing or control. They went down fighting and with defiance.

It's too early to make a true comparison, but this team is starting to have that kind of feel. As back then, the departure and absence of a domineering, egotistical personality, has allowed the current set of players to find their space. Just like Trix, Amare is content to subdue his considerable ego, to be a quiet Doc Holliday, to Nash's Wyatt Earp, all for the team (and a new contract), because that void isn't being filled.

It occurred to me, after this evening's game vs Boston, that we're winning games we're not supposed to win. And not by luck, but by identifying winnable opportunities, and pursuing those chances aggressively; by teamwork, communication and a willingness for each player to play with and for his teammates, and to accept his role, however big or small, with relish.

We're seeing a near 36 year old, two time MVP, roll back time and play at a level close to that of his award winning years, and show what a true playmaking point guard can do for his teammates, and what it actually means to be one (as opposed to the consensus best point guard, whose limitations as a player, despite gaudy stats, have been cruelly exposed this season).

We're seeing the self proclaimed star of this team, find some humility, and through that, transform himself into a different, more intelligent and selfless, and ultimately more dangerous player. And this time it feels like a permanent change, and not the result of misplaced self pity. We're seeing an allegedly washed up veteran small forward, heal himself, ride shotgun for his point guard and provide quiet but confident and firm leadership, and whatever the team needs on the floor.

We're seeing a young backup point guard mature, and finally fill the role on this team that has been missing these past few years; a backup PF/Center play with fire and resolute tenacity, and other bench players come in, and spark both the offense and the defense. For the first time, since Nash came back to Phoenix, we have a solid bench that's capable of maintaining and even building leads.

In short.. this is a real team, where the union of the parts exceeds the sum of each individual contribution.

I think we know what this team, as constructed, is and what it can do, right now. The real question is how good can it become? Is the current level of play simply a mirage, or an artifact of the start of a season, when all teams aren't quite there? Or is it the real thing? Is this team really that tough, mentally? Can this team become profoundly better? And do we owe Steve Kerr an apology?

Sometimes, the journey is it's own reward.

The Amare Stoudemire guide to teamwork

Pliny the Elder — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 20:18:51 -0000

The Amare Stoudemire guide to teamwork

The case for keeping this team together.

Pliny the Elder — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:04:30 -0000

There's been a lot of talk about trading various players, and there's a meme surrounding the Shaq to Cleveland trade rumors that Shaq didn't really do anything playing with Steve Nash.

But people have short memories, and if anything is true it's that the Gentry era started with a bang. As Hollinger's article in March points out, this teams' offense during the time before Barbosa got injured was *historically good*, even without Amare. Shaq shot 68.4% during that time, and it was the kind of offense some of us expected to see all year.

Going forward to the upcoming season, we have to put away what happened this year, with the trades and changes in the head coach, and just forget it as an aberration. Those early games under Alvin showed what this team is capable of doing, and I'd love to see what level they can reach with a pre-season under their belts.

That's not to suggest that the team doesn't have some serious issues, particularly surrounding it's defense, but it's not clear to me that those defensive woes weren't caused mostly by bad coaching by Terry Porter. Certainly the inability of the defense to communicate on the court has less to do with individuals, and more to do with making sure everyone on the floor is on the same page. Team defense is vastly more important than man defense.

IMHO, if Kerr and Sarver decide to trade Shaq, then they should just go ahead and start the rebuilding.

What exactly do you mean by best player ??

Pliny the Elder — Tue, 05 May 2009 00:50:15 -0000

So LeBron is awarded, imho, a well deserved MVP. And though his team does have a few other players of all-star or near all-star caliber (Ilgauskas, Mo Williams, D. West, Ben Wallace...) it's clear that he's done the most with less since Nash's 2nd MVP.

In some senses I like the fact that the award is a Most Valuable Player, rather than a best player, because it's so hard to define the best player in any meaningful sense.

In fact, we have a point guard who has just has one of the best all round shooting seasons ever, and a few turnovers not withstanding, might be one of the 5 best passers ever, the best off-hand (i.e left hand, if you're a righty) passer of all time, and one of the best dribblers to ever play. His floor vision is pretty spectacular too.

So clearly, it's not enough to be the most skillful player, there's more.

We have Shaq, who on a good day is still the most imposing physical force in the NBA. Absolutely dominant.

In terms of the psychology of running a team, Chauncey Billups has performed miracles in getting the Nuggets to where they are. It's amazing how much difference a single player can make. I'd point out, though, how much worse the Pistons have gotten without him, and with the addition of Iverson.

Then you look at defense, and the play of Battier & Artest, and see just how much of a difference they make. It's telling, though, that while some great defensive players have won the trophy, no *predominantly defensive* player has won the MVP since Russell.

What I love about LeBron winning, is that for the first time in a long time, the MVP is someone who figures in the conversation in all these aspects of the NBA game. He's not the best at any single thing, but he's legitimately, and without too much hype, top-10 in each of those categories. You can't say the same about any MVP winner, probably since Jordan.

The thing is.. he could be better, and that's simultaneously an exciting and scary thought.

I do detect the smell of cash in the air... or a reminder why the Suns want Shaq and Nash back next season.

Pliny the Elder — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 22:19:13 -0000

The NBA store announced it's list of this year's top selling jerseys, with Kobe back at #1.

Steve Nash is at #13, and Shaq is at #14. Amazingly enough, Allen Iverson's Pistons jersey is at #5, and Nate Robinson's is #8.

It's a reminder, btw, that the NBA is at its core, a business, and one that relies primarily on it's superstars, who fill seats, help sell TV time, and in this case shift merchandise. Despite the shared revenue from the NBA's TV partnership, gate receipts are still the lifeblood of most franchises, representing 33% of the leagues revenue. On top of that, there are concession sales at US Airways.

Forbes has a breakdown of the 2007 financial picture, and the 2008 numbers. Two things are clear from those:

The Suns are still decently profitable, with revenue in 2008 of $148M, and income (i.e gross profit) of $28.9M (down from $145M/$37.3M in 2007).
The Suns spend their player money effectively, getting a 122 wins-to-player ratio (essentially normalized wins/dollar. 100 is league average).

What does this all mean for the franchise?

Firstly, it's clear that Steve Nash and Shaq are the team's franchise players, as measured by jersey sales. Keeping them will likely result in continued attendance, season-ticket and regular ticket sales, despite the economy.

Secondly, despite the luxury tax, the team is actually in a good financial position, and that they can afford to pay players at the current level, and still make money. In fact, all the noise regarding the luxury tax (which we were told was *vital* to reduce), actually seems to be primarily a desire on the part of Robert Sarver, rather than a true financial imperative.

From my perspective this changes my point of view slightly. While it would be unfair to suggest that the franchise should run at a loss, so long as it *is profitable*, the Suns should do as much as they can financially to win a title, or come close to winning. And they should do this because they'll make money from merchandising and other sales, when the economy starts to recover.

Zebra Shaq..

Pliny the Elder — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:27:20 -0000

From the Onion..

Shaq looked great as one of the JabberwokkeeZ, but now it's time for him to bring the law, as one of Stu Jackson's finest.

Black and White is an elegant look, with the white symbolizing the good and justice the refs are supposed to mete, and the black reminding us that deep down the refs are soulless evil trolls, bent on denying Steve Nash his rightful title.

Actually, having Shaq as a guest ref isn't such a bad idea. Since David Stern seems intent on transforming the NBA from a noble sporting challenge, into the WWE, with heels and babyfaces, he might as well go the whole way, with guest refs, folding chairs and steel cages.

I got one more thing to say..

Nash 3:16, bitches.

Whoooooooo.......

The Universe 1, Stan Van Gundy 0

Pliny the Elder — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 03:16:44 -0000

There are few people in the NBA I dislike enough to hate, but the Van Gundy brothers are amongst that select group. Why? Just because.. Actually, mostly because of Jeff, but Stan has had his moments too.

Still, every once in a while, the Universe aligns itself to act upon the lives of men, to guide us to distinguish wrong from right, the light from the dark, and evil from good.

So, I'd like to show reverence to those arcane mystical forces of light that deigned to give Iggy a clutch jumpshot, in his moment of need, and to say to SVG: "Suck it, Stan!"

Junk It.

Pliny the Elder — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:11:38 -0000

To me, the Suns have to make changes at 3 roles, in order to be a contender next season:

Fix the interior/post man defense
Fix the exterior/guard position man defense
Fix the pick & roll defense.

I'm not sure it's possible to adjust this team, that much, and still retain it's offensive firepower. Or stay within reach of the luxury tax threshold. Moreover, I'm not sure whether the right players are out there, and available, that can come in and help, and fit in at the same time on both ends of the court.

I understand how difficult it is to build a team, and find talent in the draft, but this team has had it's day, and has pieces of some value that it can use in trades.

It's time to rebuild, or in the words...:

How to fix the NBA (Part II, Sour Grapes edition)

Pliny the Elder — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 17:55:24 -0000

One of the most annoying aspects of the NBA playoff system is the fact that a team in one conference can fail to make the playoffs, despite having a record allowing it to have home court advantage in the other.

The answer: Sudden Death playoffs. It would work this way:

an Eight team single game playoff, with the teams finishing 7,8,9 & 10th in their conference play the same teams from the other.
Make it seeded, so team 7 from the West plays team 10 from the East, 8 & 9 play each other, etc....
Teams 7 & 8 have home court.
The winner of the playoff game takes the place of the 7th or 8th team in whichever conference.. For example, if these playoffs were held today, Golden State would play Chicago, in Chicago. If GS won the game, they'd be the 7th seed in the East.

This scheme would have a number of advantages:

Home court advantage is still kept by the teams at the 7th & 8th position in their conferences, so all other thing being equal, they have a better than fair chance to go through to the real playoffs.
Seeding rewards regular season achievement. The chances of a 7th seed beating the 10th from the other conference are still pretty good, particularly with home court.
It would allow the strongest teams to be in the playoffs.
It would keep the conference race interesting for longer, since teams are now jockeying for 6th, instead of just 8th.
It helps set up the playoffs with a single day event, and with a single game, upsets are possible.
Fewer teams would tank their seasons, because they'd have a decent opportunity to make the playoffs at the 9th & 10th spot in the conference table.
Even if they win in Sudden Death, the 9th & 10th teams still have to play the strongest teams in the other conference in the real playoffs, just like they would in their own, which doesn't make this a shortcut to a deep playoff run.

How to fix the NBA (part I)

Pliny the Elder — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 02:07:48 -0000

TwinnerA had an interesting complaint in the Suns vs Grizz thread, about how players on our team are getting paid full wack, despite not making it to the playoffs, and sucking in general.

In that spirit, I've come up with a cunning plan:

Even though I don't side with the owners often, I'd support a player/coach compensation scheme that rewarded wins through bonuses, at least for the stars. Make this a 50:50 base/bonus plan.

Take Shaq, for instance. Split his $20M into 2 parts: $10M base salary, and bonuses. Lets be generous, and let him match his base salary with 50 wins.. so he'd get $200K for every win.

If the team wins more than 50 games, his bonus would exceed his base salary. In a 60 win season, Shaq would make $22M.

However, I would do a bunch of things in this scheme:

Exclude the Veterans minimum from the scheme, so that a player is guaranteed to make the minimum. eg. if the Vet's minimum for a player of a certain age is $2M, and his contract is $3M, then the bonus applies only to the $1M left after subtracting the Vets minimum (and not to the $1.5M which is 50% of the player's salary).
Increase the Veterans minimum.
Exclude players on 1 year contracts, or shorter.
Enforce the salary cap, so that the total base + 50 win bonus salaries cannot exceed the salary cap.
Extend the bonus scheme to include the post season, and make these bonuses exempt from the cap.
Enforce the salary floor, so that owners like Donald Sterling can't get away with uber-cheapness. If the salary floor exceeds the total base salaries for the team, then the difference should be treated as a mandatory bonus.