The definition of identity is somewhat easy; sameness of essential character or individuality. The definition of a basketball identity is much more difficult. The Phoenix Suns are off to a quick and strong start at 3-1 but they are still searching for their collective basketball identity.
Are the Suns a strong defensive team? I know Terry Porter was brought in to instill a defensive attitude and a greater sense of defensive responsibility amongst players - 'ya, that means you, Amare Stoudemire. In the past, any and all Phoenix players knew the best defense was outscoring the opposition. What I don't see with the formerly run and gun Suns is the dramatic changes in their line-up that might allow them to to play the way Coach Porter and GM Kerr want the Suns to play.
The trouble for Tenacious D - Shaquille O'Neal is still unable to do anything but "zone-up" on the high or wing pick and rolls. Steve Nash is still unable to keep quicker young guards out of the paint (and will get physically beaten if he has to trail shooting guards off of screens all day). Amare Stoudemire still rotates late from the weak side and commits sloppy, silly fouls. However, Stoudemire has indicated that he is ready to change his defensive ways. In a recent discussion with Sports Illustrated's Ian Thomsen, the newly christened Sun Tzu had these comments about his commitment to the defensive side of the ball.
"We're doing a lot of defensive drills,'' Stoudemire said. "We're going over the different tactics of defense. It's very important from my standpoint, being a young player. I never really had long practices on defense. It was never really forced. We talked about it, but as far as practicing it and really going through the preparation, it is the first of my career.''
The pick-up of Matt Barnes and Robin Lopez should help the defensive mindset but statistically, I just can't see Phoenix's defensive metrics changing dramatically - points per 100 possessions, scoring differential, opponent effective FG %, etc. I'm guessing that they will be pretty much the same as Mike D'Antoni's defensive stats by the end of the season. A little shoutout there to my basketball stat geek friends.
Are the Suns still the "7 Seconds or Less" offensive machine they've been over the past four seasons? Through their first 4 games the Suns have shown glimpes of past offensive brilliance. With Shaq occupying much space on the low block, Amare has been free to roam the land and pillage the scoring column from the weak side and high post area. Check out his line from the Indiana game on Wednesday evening (49 pts. on 17- 21 FG, 15 - 15 FT shooting) and you'll see that not much has changed for S.T.A.T., except maybe bigger stats.
Unfortunately, the same can't be said for some of Stoudemire's teammates. For the near future, I think both Raja Bell and Leandro Barbosa will struggle with Terry Porter's new offense. They're both used to running straight for the corners and setting their feet for the 3, whether it's on the break or on a ball reversal. Now they'll be curling off of pin down screens and having to catch and shoot on the move. Not a good set-up for either of the long range bombers. Finding where to get their shots will be a challenge for them and other perimeter players.
And what about the former MVP and BC's favourite son, Steve Nash? Because he's so intelligent and possesses one of the best basketball IQ's in the Association, he'll figure it all out. Right now, knowing when to run and what is expected of him will be a little bit tricky. From my inside sources I've learned that Coach Porter didn't keep any of Mike D'Antoni's fast break or secondary fast break "sets." So, all those great read and react plays that Steve made look so easy over the past four seasons will now be just a little bit different. Phoenix will still milk the Nash/Stoudemire pick and roll all day like Dwight Shrute in the family barn but their main offense will never be the same.
Can the Suns reach an effective and happy mid-point between what former Coach Mike D'Antoni achieved with his "7 Seconds or Less" style and the present vision of a more traditional NBA style (read San Antonio Spurs) that General Manager Steve Kerr yearns for the Suns foreseeable future?
The cliche of only time will tell applies best to the Phoenix Suns makeover but for now, they are truly a team in search of a basketball identity.
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