Change in Phoenix came at the right time
Posted: Mon May 12 1:59 PM
By Warren Blatt, NBA Editor
(Sports Network) - Did the Phoenix Suns really want Mike D'Antoni back on their bench for the 2008-09 campaign? Or are they thrilled that D'Antoni is headed to the Big Apple to be the head coach of the New York Knicks?
General manager Steve Kerr and D'Antoni reportedly did not see eye-to-eye on important issues. Kerr would like the Suns to go back to a traditional style of play, and now he will get the chance to hire a head coach with his same philosophy. D'Antoni likes to push the ball up the court and stress his offensive schemes, while defense may not even be a word in his vocabulary.
The window to win a title is short for this aging team, and there was major question whether D'Antoni was the man who could deliver that crown.
Phoenix made a big move in early February when it traded for center Shaquille O'Neal, who was acquired from the Miami Heat in exchange for forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks. Shaq has two years left on his contract, and is set to be paid $20 million in each of the next two years.
Not only did the Suns make a big financial commitment to the aging big man, but they added a player who did not fit into D'Antoni's style of play. The vision for this trade was focused on the postseason, and the end result was definitely not what Phoenix was hoping for when it made the trade. Even though O'Neal is not the same player who helped the Lakers win three straight titles and the Heat capture the crown in 2006, he can still be an effective center in the right system.
Two-time MVP Steve Nash is 34 and is still arguably the top point guard in the NBA, while All-Star Amare Stoudemire is one of the top big men in the game and a franchise player. Guard Leandro Barbosa is part of the long-term plan, while the versatile Boris Diaw's production has diminished over the last two seasons and he could be the subject of trade talks in the offseason.
All told, the goal in Phoenix is to win a championship sooner than later.
The Suns have had an exciting run under D'Antoni, making it to the playoffs four straight years and advancing to the Western Conference finals in 2005 and 2006. Phoenix was eliminated in the conference semifinals by San Antonio last year, and fell in five games to the Spurs in this year's first round. D'Antoni guided the Suns to four straight 50-plus win seasons, and twice they won over 60 contests during that stretch. The overall record is impressive, but there are no NBA Finals appearances to show for the success.
If the Suns knocked out the Spurs in this year's playoffs maybe it would be a different story, but the time has come for Phoenix to implement a new system that requires it to play defense. The free-wheeling offensive style is fun to watch, it just isn't going to get the Suns over the hump in the postseason and back to the Finals for the first time since 1993.
Kerr is likely looking for a coach who will put in a more structured offense, and stress defense and toughness on the boards. Nash shined in D'Antoni's system and will not be thrilled with having to change. The Santa Clara product has averaged double-digits in assists four straight years, and had not registered more than 8.8 per game before joining the Suns for the second time. Still, Nash is a true professional and will adapt to change.
The 25-year-old Stoudemire, who led the Suns in scoring (25.2 ppg) and rebounds (9.1 rpg) this year, has the talent and athletic ability to be a monster in any type of system.
The new head coach in Phoenix has the most important pieces to the puzzle in place, but must quickly put it all together and figure out the formula for beating the top teams in the West during the postseason.
Kerr knows what kind of head coach he wants. He just has to find him.
CHANGES IN DALLAS
With the hiring of Rick Carlisle as the new head coach in Dallas, the Mavericks look certain to make some personnel changes during the offseason. Carlisle is a no-nonsense type of leader who will run a conservative offense and expect hard-nosed defensive play.
Josh Howard will hear his name in trade rumors during the summer, while former MVP Dirk Nowitzki, who led the Mavericks in scoring (23.6 ppg) and rebounding (8.6 rpg) this past season, may even be the subject of a blockbuster deal. Owner Mark Cuban is not happy with being eliminated in the first round of the postseason two straight years. Cuban wants to win a title now, and feels Carlisle can get the job done if he has the right players to work with.
Dallas has heard Nowitzki's name in proposed trades in the past, but Cuban has been very reluctant to sign off on such a deal. This time may be different. Not only is there a new coach in town, but there may be some new players soon to follow.
