SB Nation User Blog: PurplePinoy

Uncomfortably Numb

PurplePinoy — Thu, 01 May 2008 00:58:16 -0000

First, I would like to apologize to my fellow Phoenix fans. I haven't up to date or participating as much as I should. There's a lot of stuff in life going on, and have a lot of feelings pertaining to this team, but no time to express them. Please don't see me as a Johnny-Come-Lately, and know I truly do care.

I'm with TexSun on this one, after this loss, I really felt nothing. Maybe its because I've been denying hope so when the pain comes, its not that bad. After having time to collect my thoughts here's my piece...

I don't know what it is, but this team doesn't have the same fire and tenacity as the other past squads. The fun from 2005 was wilting away with championship pressures, and the desperate drive that made the 2006 team dangerous was just not there. To me its was a combination of the overhype this town had on getting a title. Now don't get me wrong, I want to see a banner too, but I understand that as the years go by, the frustration builds. Unfortunately I think that frustration leaks to the locker room which stifles the ability to play loose, confident, and with flare. Add that with this team being screwed more times than Jenna Jamison, you have a squad mentally and emotionally fatiuged, with a fan base that has learned to adore them and now spite them.

If there's anything that killed us in this series, it was turnovers, free throws, and execution. No matter who you are, a high-school ball club or NBA squad, you're not going to get jack-shit done if you give up the ball, can't knock down uncontested shots, and run your plays properly. In these past four years, I've come to the realization that winning is not dependent on style, but how well you can perfect that style. Last year San Antonio pounded us in the paint with Duncan and Oberto. Make personnel changes and we have a good defense, and reaction paint offense for that. Now go to this year, the Spurs still attack the paint, but now with slashes, quick drives, and an up-tempo with Ginobli and Parker. Look at the numbers for Duncan in this series as compared to last year, not much of an impact now. Those who were meek last year, but made the difference this year were the two mentioned bastards. To me the Spurs are not a slow-paced, defensive team, or a running juggernaut, They're both. Thats what makes this f**king team so superior. They know how to execute, wether it be grinding a team away or running you off the floor, they know when, where, and how to get it done. This is a team of many weapons and options, and Coach Pop knows how to use them.

Speaking of coaching, now we get to Coach D. Sack or not to sack? To me when you're team can't execute it really doesn't matter. As much as I like Coach, I could really careless if he stays or goes. It won't change the fact that this team's opportunity has been shut tightly. If there's anything to ream him on, its the lack of bench use. Aside from that though, he's been fairly successful with an 8-man rotation. The problem, his 8 men couldn't do shit! You can be the most genius play designer (which I think he is), the greatest manager (which I think he needs to work on), and the most mindful strategist ( eh sort of), but that won't change the fact that your team on the court needs to perform. Even if he does go, other problems still persist.

The lack of accountability, and drive. When the game is on the line teams have players who can get it the closer. We have the support players, but no one with the nerve to show up. WHERE THE HELL WAS NASH (granted he made a sweet three towards the end) WHERE THE HELL WAS SHAQ IN ALL HIS POWERFUL GLORY!? WHERE WAS AMARE AND HIS GRACEFUL STRENGTH!!!

Nowwhere.

Instead the game when to those who shouldn't have the ball or was blotched by those who were suppose to have it (can we say Amare CATCH THE DAMN PASS Stoudamire)

This team had neither the presence of mind, the drive, or the passion to win. They were beat by a balanced team who really wanted to win more than us.

I don't know where this team is going and really could care less till summer. I like this team, am too spent emotionally and mentally. Thanks for the memories over the years and damn them all who killed the dream. To my fellow fans I hope you all have a great summer, because Phoenix certainly isn't.

First Impressions

PurplePinoy — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 05:13:02 -0000

GAAAAAAAAAAAAA! I HATE THE LAKERS!!!! DAMN YOU MESSED UP COIN FLIP AND TO HELL WITH YOU WALTON (and your dad)
Now that's over with...

Alright, so after a few weeks to cool off on this trade and FINALLY see the Great Aristotle in action here are my first impressions.
First, I really didn't see a change in pace. We didn't go slower, but we didn't get faster. So this is a postive in that we were still able to be mobile. Speaking of mobility, I see a lot movement now in the paint. The pick and roll game has a new dimension with Shaq in the mix. The low post is still a manuvering game but with more force. Shaq impressed me with his ability to position himself behind and in front of the basket for turnarounds and catch and shoots.
Second, I'm excited at the prospect of having the rookies play. I was totally going goo-goo when DJ hit the floor. I was upset though that the Principal didn't play. I would really like to see STAT stay at the 4 as much as possible, having Skinner fill in for Shaq instead.
Third I noticed a exponential increase in offensive rebounds and second shot points, FOR US! That's new!
Fourth, defense was still suspect. It proves that it will take more than trade to improve. It needs to be perfected before playoff time.

So in a nutshell, not much has changed. There's more power in the lineup, more opportunities for the newbies, more inside presence, but defense and bench rotation need to be fixed.
Kudos to Shaq for his hustle. That kinda stuff will revive the team and the building like whiskey to an old brain.
So my stance is this, I like the trade, this thing can suprisingly work, BUT it is all predicated on O'Neal's ability to stay healthy and out of foul trouble.

My late thoughts on this F**king Deal

PurplePinoy — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:45:12 -0000

(Wrote this while I was away from the blog so its really fresh and therefore really messy)
I need to vent. The idea of this trade happening is an ill-conceived solution for a common problem. This shows the inferiority complex the Suns have in regard to the front court and how it's a detriment to this team. There needs to be a solution to our line-up problem, defensive make-up, and iffy rebounding. THIS is not the way though!

Lets face it Shaq is past his prime. We're not talking about Great Aristotle 2000 Shaq. O'Neal is old, out of shape, and not motivated. Now being part of the Suns, he'll have incentive to win in the playoffs, but the other problems linger. His age and shape will not fit the Phoenix game plan of a full court attack, precision-quick ball distribution, and mobility. He's a circle peg trying to be installed in a square.

Health is a big issue too. Since when has Shaq been healthy in the past few years? The success of Shaq here all depends on his ability to stay healthy and history has proven he can't do it. Why give up players for a man who may not even be able to be there.

Why are we basing everything on one opponent? Yes we have a problem against San Antonio, but we have to get to them first before we worry about them. Other teams will be able to eat an old shell Shaq alive. What guarantee is there that he can even match-up against Duncan? Duncan will maneuver Shaq's ass off and make his strength a non-factor.

We need a tall, medium strength center who can take rebounds, play apt post defense, run with this team, maneuver around the half court to keep our mobile game, and allow Amare to play the 4. An old, injury-prone, outta shape Shaq is not the solution!

Retro Night Without the Unnis?!

PurplePinoy — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 08:24:49 -0000

To me, no matter what retro broadcasting you do, it just doesn't feel authentic without the retro jerseys. Look I know they didn't call it retro night, and I know they players didn't want the booty shorts.
It just would have been really fun and a good way to commemorate the history of this great club and its enduring relationship to the people of Arizona. Besides, they could have made elongated versions of the shorts!
Now I'm a big uniform junkie (which is wierd since I don't own a lot). To me a uniform is not only meant to distinguish friend or foe, but is part of a club's tradition, its shows your professionalism (or lack of it), its a wearable banner, a crucial reminder to all of who's on that playing field and the town, the community they represent. Here's how all the Suns uniforms stack up.
A high school teacher of mine once gave a good adjective for the original Suns uniform, regal. It truly was! The purple was just a dominating shade, the same one you can imagine on European monarchs or on the stole of the priest during Lent. Framed perfectly by the white and orange, my favorite aspect was its simple design, the print of PHOENIX in crisp, old-western, orange font. The first time I saw it, I thought it looked a bit hokey, but rethinking it, it was a great way to tell people you played for a proud city, region, and state with an identity, a past, and a bright future.
Now as REGAL as that uniform was, the one I grew up loving was the 90's sunburst jerseys. That thing was soooooooo awesome. Growing up, that sunburst told me that who ever is wearing that is an offensive machine and its all for my town. I use to have one (Kidd's to be exact) but I won't go into the painful detail of how I lost that treasured design. In fact I think a fast paced and passionate team as this Suns squad would look great in them.
As for the jerseys for today,
HOME:I like the home jerseys. Its simple, clean, and shows out all the Suns colors. I was really glad when they put the rising sun on both sides of the shorts.

AWAY: When they first came out with the new designs in 2000, I hated the away one (mostly because they took away my beloved sunburst). It looked as if this freakin team was gearing to go to space or something. Mostly I hated that stupid gray side border. It just looked awful with the purple. I've made my peace with the away jersey, but it makes me hope to a revision..

ALT: Despite having the same gray border, for some reason I like the alternative orange jersey. It is what it is, an alternative, to me its nothing to be taken too seriously. It bright and laid back with a simple but cool PHX font. I equate it to the red shirts the Sox wear during spring training or the back unnis the Bulls have. It just shows a bit of flair.

Now that's off my chest! I'm okay with today's uniforms, but would not complain if we went back to the older designs, even if they have to be revised like how Seattle did theirs

Poll

Which is your favorite Phoenix Suns uniform design?

The sunbursts

5 votes

The current ones

6 votes

The original western fonts

5 votes

16 votes | Poll has closed

We need a 9th man

PurplePinoy — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 08:16:39 -0000

I've been a staunch defender of Coach D'Antoni and his treatment of the bench. Everytime he's given his benches an opportunity, the've flushed it away. Other than LB, most of those players couldn't hold up, exceptions are KT and Jim Jackson (Jalen is the only player that I'll laud him for not using more). But now this season, I believe we have a decent bench that can hold the line if not push it forward. He has LB, he has Diaw now that Hill is starting, and I'm sooo happy he's utilizing The Principal (good idea JSun). But that leaves us still at 8 men. We need more because as the season slogs along as it does players will get hurt if not worn out and need rest. We need more because come playoff time there needs to be guys who can pick up the slack if injury, foul trouble, or David Stern arise. Specifically we need:

A second distributor when Nash steps out
A capable backcourt defender now that Bell is injured and honestly, I love the man, but I don't think he'll ever be 100%
Another big man to step in, having two is great, but a litte insurance can't hurt.

I'm a believer in not forcing players into something their not and allowing them to do what they do best. Leandro is a shooter, a slasher, a scorer, a 2-guard. His distributing isn't bad, but I think it would be best if he can just focus on scoring. With that said I believe #s 1 and 2 on the list can be solved with two words, Marcus Banks. Now I've been hard on Banks in the past, much to the point that fellow Suns fans on other forums have been disgusted with me and the venom I spewed. But I believe he has improved to the point that Coach D'Antoni should be able to trust him and put him out on the court. He's not Steve Nash but he's a capable passer, but most importantly he's a good defender, I remember him giving Baron Davis and other guards trouble last year. Nash and Bell need their rest and LB needs to be allowed to do what he does best and a good way to let that happen is to play Banks more (plus he needs to earn that money D'Antoni signed him for).
Other than another guard, a third big man to support STAT and the Principle would be nice, especially if one gets in foul trouble (cough...Amare...cough). Here a guy like Sean Marks needs to be considered. He's not great, but he's not a stiff like Burke, and can play good garbage minutes.
If all goes to heck after this year it won't be because of this system. I truly believe D'Antoni's Blitz has revolutionized the game, and galvinized a once stagnant leauge into an entertaining entity and given fans here in the Valley and Suns fans around the nation something to smile about after the fiasco of Frank Johnson's last year.
No if we end up losing, it will be because we didn't extend the fun to those sitting who deserve or need to be be a part of it.