D’Antoni will be missed
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
In Mike D’Antoni’s four full seasons as the Head Coach of the Phoenix Suns, his teams have won 3 division championships, posted 232 regular season wins, a .707 winning percentage, and played for the Western Conference championship twice. Based on regular season wins, the Suns just finished up their most successful four year run in team history (that’s right…this D’Antoni’s Suns had 2 more wins than the Suns of 91-95. An era most are convinced should have produced three championships). D’Antoni has coached 3 All-Stars, an MVP, a Most Improved Player, and a Sixth Man Award winner, and oh yeah, he won some hardware himself. Yet by all accounts he’s just days away from becoming the Head Coach in either Chicago or New York, and Suns management won’t stand is not standing in his way.
The 2008 Playoffs were the first time in the D’Antoni era that nothing really freaky happened in the post-season to the Phoenix Suns. The freaky episode of the Suns’ season this year happened in February, when team management dealt the unhappy Shawn Marion, along with Marcus Banks to the Miami Heat for Shaquille O’Neal, a trade that raised eyebrows at the time, and considering the Suns early exit from the playoffs, is universally being hailed a bust. News flash– the Suns weren’t winning the title with Marion and Banks either. Mike D’Antoni was given 28 games to blend O’Neal in with a core of players that has been together for the better part of four seasons. The Suns were in first place when the deal went down and finished in 6th. That, of course, meant that the first round foe would be the Spurs, a team with Championship experience, and a distinct psychological advantage. Let’s face it, the Suns couldn’t beat the Spurs in a 7-game Series if an amalgam of Red Auerbach, Pat Riley and Dr. James Naismith was coaching them. Let’s also not forget the trade in question was publicized as a trade initiated by the team owners. Robert Sarver and Heat owner Mickey Arison got together and concocted this one. But how can this completely revamped version of the Suns be judged on a total of 33 games? Doesn’t seem like a fair audition to me, considering the team just dealt their most versatile defender for a player whose best years are obviously behind him.
I’ll admit- I didnt’ like the trade when it went down, but Shaq surprised me with how well, and how hard he played. But it ultimately didn’t matter. As I stated before, the Suns can’t beat San Antonio. Period, end of story. As long as Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are wearing those outdated silver and black uniforms, and Gregg Popovich is roaming the San Antonio sidelines it doesn’t matter who’s playing for the Suns.
Is Mike D’Antoni at fault? For certain things, yes. Did he play his bench enough? No. Does he stress defense enough? No. Although that was not a problem, apparently, until this year. All I know is Mike D’Antoni can coach. He’s an innovative offensive mind. He’s great with the media, and he’s respected around the league, as evidenced by the mint that the Knicks are throwing at him to take over that disastrous roster. He’ll turn them around, watch. Considering the disastrous run the Suns
front office has had in the last four years or so, (read Bill Simmons’ ESPN article for a good laugh, or cry) I think D’Antoni’s record will be remembered fondly by Suns fans.
So D’Antoni will be in Chicago or New York next year and names like Eddie Johnson and Doug Collins are being mentioned for the Suns’ job opening. Advice to the new coach- if you really want to be considered a good coach, and stay around for a while, just avoid playing the Spurs in the playoffs. The Suns are 4-12 vs. San Antonio in the post season under D’Antoni. They’re 22-13 against everyone else. What further proof do you need?
Join the discussion at The Locker Room Forum. Arizona Sports 24/7.
Posted by Vince Marotta
Vince has been part of the Phoenix Sports scene in a few different capacities. First as a fan, Vince has been yelling at his tv during Suns and ASU games since the late 1970's. Vince also saw the media side of things as a radio talk show host from 1996 to 2002, and then again in 2007.
http://azsportshub.com
(1 votes, avg: 5 out of 5)
Loading ...Related Articles:
