Hoops

What came first- D'Antonio or Nash?

Dude- i'm going into battle, i'm picking Wallace.

The only GM, coach or owner that would pick Amare infront of Wallace would be the ones interested in ticket sales not winning.

Tell you what i like to do when comparing two players, switch them from their teams and see if it would have a positive of negative outcome.

Wallace with the run and gun suns would of been awesome. He would finish in the lane just as much as Amare (minus the dunks but still worth two) but he would also get his perimeter on. As for Defence- Matrix and Wallace makes them very tough. An upgrade for sure.

Now picture Amare at the pistons. All i can see is confused looks on the faces of Billups and Hamilton as Amare tries to play pistons level of defence.

Since He has no ability to create his own shot, Amare sees his percentages plummit. (re Marion)

Verdict- suns make the playoffs and go deep, maybe all the way since they have improved on the defensive end while still managing to cover the points Amare usually gets. (see the season when Amare was injured- suns production hardly changed, they played Dallas to 6 in the conf semi ffs!)

Pistons- Total lack of harmony due to Amare the black hole of the post. Hamilton can't work off Wallace screens, he has to try and work off Amare's weak stuff. Pistons go from one of the best defensive squads to back in the pack, squeek into the play-offs and get bounced early.


Throw stats at me all you want.
Fact is suns didn't miss a step when they lost Amare for a season.

Wallace continues to be the main reason the Pistons are playing conf finals every year. (If you want to know why they haven't been playing finals every year, i suggest you speak to dcanwade our conspiracy guru.)

Sorry to burst your bubble dude, i know i hate it when someone sledges a player i like, but Amare is as one dimmensional as they come, he is a physical specimen with a brain made of flour and water.

Again-

Amare = child

Wallace = Man

You got me billo, i'm the Brad pit guy though and he's the wannabe.

I can't let someone post that Amare is better than Rasheed and not make comment.

There is only one facet of the game in which Amare has a slight edge on Rasheed, dunking. And how important is that really?

Every single other facet of the game, court awareness, defensive intent and ability, shooting, post play, intangibles like team chemistry and opponent knowledge. Passing, 1%ers like setting screens and hauling ass back in defence, intimidation, Rasheed is light years ahead.

Only a popcorn fan would make such a comment.

Suns will struggle this season, should still scrape into the playoffs. Next few years will only get worse as they head deep into a rebuilding phase. Will Amare stick it out or chase the cash?

Good point, predicting (especially mine) is not an exact science...

Injuries and team chemistry is massive, and the new coaches around the L provide uncertainty also...

Coaching is a huge part of that, Carlisle is a quality coach, Dirk is a former MVP who will still produce, they still have Terry and Josh 'bong' Howard.

Kidd will be better than most people think too.


I liked Porter the player, i worry about him as the coach though...

*yawn* its not about liking / dis-liking a team, i'm not personal when i predict. (I'm actually a fan of Nash, Bell, Barbosa...)

TR- i'm just over people (there is always one) claiming players are on the imrpove when there is nothing to suggest it is the case. Age is how long you've been alive- not a pre-curser to improved skills!

Reading a book on the suns which is pretty damning of Amare with regards to his ego and training ethics.
It suggests that he is all about playing type practice, and nothing for strategies and strength conditioning training etc...

He is not on the improve. That is not to say he won't again put up good numbers, it just means he will not be stepping up to another level.

With his output the same, and the decline of all others, the loss of the coach and Brains behind all their success, bad times ahead for the suns.

I posted this on a different discussion and thought it may be worth starting a new topic...
I'm curious to know why Basketball doesn't get more coverage also. I mean even if it were to fill gaps on Foxtel. I mean c'mon I know Poker and Darts are pretty big but you would think Basketball would rate a bit higher??? I enjoy watching Poker but I would much reather sit down to a game of NBL or NBA! The NBA has been cut in half. Last year you were guarenteed at least two games per week, now your lucky to even get one! And to not show Saturdays L.A. vs Miami game was a disgrace! Bird and Magic with the Globetrotters against MSU when Bird didn't play and Magic struggled to get into his uniform is a farce! C'mon Foxtel/ESPN get your act together!!!

Shaq, Hill and Nash- all will be worse this year, and all will spend chunks on the pine due to age related soreness.

Amare 'oh the potential' Stoudamire. Will you guys still be talking about his potential when he is 30?

The chance that Nash will finally die on the court due to his bad back, or that Amare will get another injury based on his poor training ethics is just too high.

As i see it- locks for the play-offs include;
(no order)
Jazz Spurs Hornets Lakers
Rockets Mavs Blazers.

Dallas has the chance to get real tough under Carlisle.

Also- Portland will be there this post season.

Clippers Warriors Denver or Kings- one of them will surprise this year and actually play well.

My tip will be the Davis lead clips, purley because he is an outstanding player, and they have a two towered front court that will be a match-up prob for most squads.

That leaves the suns on the outside.