Amare says Suns' fear factor is gone

NEW YORK -- What ails the Phoenix Suns? Plenty. They're a run-and-gun team saddled with a plodding, 325-pound (at least) Hall of Fame behemoth, being called upon to play defense -- never a priority during the Mike D'Antoni era.

Perhaps the worst indictment of all came from Amare Stoudemire Wednesday night after the Suns lost to D'Antoni's new team, the Knicks, 114-109.

"I'm not sure we have the confidence that we used to have, knowing that teams are afraid of us," Stoudemire said. "I don’t think that confidence is there anymore. It still can be, but it’s a matter of getting wins and setting a tone early, staying on top of folks, communicating effectively. I think all that comes into play."

Phoenix is percentage points ahead of Dallas for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West -- and fading. The Mavs got run out of the Bradley Center in a 133-99 loss to the Bucks Wednesday night, so they have their own problems. But the Suns (23-17) have lost four out of five for the second time this season and have put together back-to-back head-scratchers. The 104-87 loss in Boston Monday was somewhat understandable. But losing to the Knicks? With Jared Jeffries, David Lee, and Tim Thomas defending Shaq on the blocks? With Chris Duhon outplaying Steve Nash down the stretch?

"We’re supposed to beat a team like this," said Shaquille O'Neal, who had 21 points and 14 rebounds but missed eight of 13 free throws -- including three in the closing minutes. "... It’s just another game that we let slip away. Hopefully, later in the season games like this don’t cost us."

Coach Terry Porter admitted he's getting concerned. Nash said the Suns' defense was "nonexistent." Stoudemire called these "bad, hard times for us."

Perhaps Nash (3-for-9 from the field with nine points and 19 assists) summed it up best when he was asked how it felt to come to New York and play against his former coach's new team.

"Not very good," Nash said. "Not very good."

The Suns are staying in New York and watching film Thursday morning before heading to Charlotte for Game 4 of this six-game road trip. Might I suggest Titanic.

jlt421 Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Dec 22, 2008	Posted on: January 22, 2009 12:44 am Score: 50 Amare says Suns' fear factor is gone Losing D'Antoni to the Knicks was big, but it looks like trading marion for shaq will be the main reason for the Suns downfall. Kerr deciding to trade for him, and make an old shaq the new center of the offense was a horrible desicion. They were always feared when they were a run and gun offense, but now with terry porter running the half court offense, the suns cant utilize all the talents on that team. Amare is not happy, Nash is not happy, and it's only going to get worse until they switch back. Amare and Nash are superstars, it doesnt make sense to cater to shaq anymore, especially since they are not winning. [ Reply to Comment ]
HornsStampede Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Oct 23, 2006	Posted on: January 22, 2009 1:34 am Score: 93 Amare says Suns' fear factor is gone SUNS Fear factor??? Maybe, as a Spurs fan, I have a diffrent perspective having beaten them every year. But, I am not sure anyone feared the old Suns style. If anything....this newer Suns style can be more effective in the playoffs than the run-n-gun days. [ Reply to Comment ]
YoungNSons Reputation: 89 Level: All-Star Since: Aug 31, 2006	Posted on: January 22, 2009 6:44 am Score: 89 Amare says Suns' fear factor is gone Wow are you serious? Read any opposing coaches interview regarding the suns of old and you'll get a sense of fear. In fact read any coaches interview from this season regarding D'Antoni's new team the much less talented Knicks and you'll get a sense of fear. I guarantee you there is not one coach in the league that looks forward to playing a D'Antoni coached team and their run and gun style. Though it might not be the most championed system out there it is with out a doubt the most feared by opposing coaches becuse the game can get out of hand very quickly. The problem with the sSuns is that they have lost their identity and with that their intimidation. More changes do need to be made in Phoenix before they have a fighting chance at competing in the West for sure but they do still have arguably the most heralded starting 5 in the league in Nash,Richardson,Hill,Stoudemire,Shaq and one of the better 6th men as well in Barbosa. Believe me if things start clicking in Phoenix by Playoff time no one will want to play them not even the Spurs. As it looks right now there is no way they should be playing as poorly as they are, somethin ain't right. [ Reply to Comment ]
badgerfan37 Reputation: 92 Level: All-Star Since: May 29, 2008	Posted on: January 22, 2009 11:30 am Score: 85 Amare says Suns' fear factor is gone As a Spurs fan the only thing you fear is not having the refs on your side to carry your team through the playoffs. Or maybe Manu, Duncan and Parker not getting nominated for best actor at the acadmey awards. [ Reply to Comment ]
BeiochAzz Reputation: 54 Level: Pro Since: Feb 19, 2008	Posted on: January 22, 2009 11:36 am Score: 49 Amare says Suns' fear factor is gone Mistakes #1 Hiring Steve Kerr ?? would he still be in the league if it wasnt for Michael?? #2 was trading for Shaq #3 letting D'Antoni Go #4 signing Terry Porter ?? Terry Porter ?? what did he do that says he can coach defense??? He prolly has no respect in locker room #5 now the suns are really bad...they arent even worth watching on tv no more ... [ Reply to Comment ]
richja23 Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Oct 23, 2008	Posted on: January 22, 2009 1:16 pm Score: 89 Amare says Suns' fear factor is gone Kinda sounds like the Sixers big "f" up with Brand. I live in the city and I think I was the only one who saw it coming. Everyone was so excited, probably the same way Phoenix was to hear Big Shaq Daddy is coming in. We will all soon see both these teams suffer because of their wonderful trades they make, making their teams older and slower, rather than younger and faster. Both the Sixers and Phoenix play the same way, and both are being plagued with the same problem: an old man being paid for, well, being himself, and not being a basketball player. [ Reply to Comment ]
KingAl Reputation: 91 Level: All-Star Since: Aug 22, 2007	Posted on: January 22, 2009 1:24 pm Score: 93 Amare says Suns' fear factor is gone Sounds like Amare would rather just run and gun and be bounced out of the playoffs in the 2nd Rd each year instead of trying to play some defense. That is the Suns real problem, noone wants to play defense. Marion, Diaw, Bell all played defense... should've tried to trade for Artest this past summer. [ Reply to Comment ]
bdiddy1288 Reputation: 0 Level: Amateur Since: Jan 21, 2009	Posted on: January 22, 2009 2:22 pm Score: 16 This comment has been removed. Post Deleted by Administrator

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