Perhaps a boring post-season is being salvaged?

Finally, a series we can get pumped about.

Thanks, Los Suns.

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I don’t know how it’s all going to play out but what we’re seeing with the Suns these days in quite interesting on a lot of angles, isn’t it?

As everyone will fully admit – chief among them Mr. Nash – the Lakers are bigger, stronger, more accomplished and I think most rational people would expect them to win this series, and some might think they’d do it handily.

But now it’s a best-of-three and Phoenix has at least a puncher’s chance of pulling off a monumental upset.

Why?

Two reasons, both counter-intuitive to commonly held playoff logic, which makes me believe even more firmly that you coach your team and play your game and don’t be concerned about conventional, um, wisdom.

First, they are relying almost solely a zone defence, which most good teams shred with ball movement, good passing and the ability to knock down mid-range shot.

The Lakers, most of them anyway, aren’t doing that. They’ve been tricked into a shooting contest with the Suns for long stretches of the game and with the exception of that wonderful second quarter on Tuesday where no one could miss a shot, the Lakers don’t have the horses to play that game.

Los Angeles’s strength is Kobe Bryant and their bigs, that Bryant hardly shot the ball in the fourth quarter of Game 4 and that Pau Gasol simply could not get himself involved in the offence was a killing blow.

Now, you’d think the Lakers would figure this out, wouldn’t you? Flash Gasol to the middle of the lane at the free throw line and let him find shooters in the corner; space Kobe around the perimeter and set screens to get him open looks. Simple? Rather. But they haven’t done it nearly enough.

The second point is truly off-the-charts, strategy-wise.

Playing 10 deep? So much for shortening rotations in the cauldron of the post-season, right?

You could probably make the case that the game turned last night at the start of the second and fourth quarters, when the Suns had five backups on the court.

That game-brreaking sequence of the fourth – when Frye, Barbosa and Dudley all his threes in rapid-fire succession – might not have happened had Alvin Gentry done what so many other coaches to – panic and rely on starters to log heavier than usual minutes when the game is on the line.

Steve Nash is getting his regular rest in each game – and that’s going to be huge as Games 5, 6, and maybe 7 unfold – and it also imbues the subs with a true sense of confidence.

Now, it’ll be interesting to see if either of those things work on the road though. I think it’s more likely the defensive system works better than the use of such a long bench because the Lakers have looked befuddled at times in two straight games.

The backups? Well, they were virtually invisible in Games 1 and 2 at Staples Center and it’s definitely easier for secondary players to play at home – with energy from a crowd and familiarity with the surroundings – than it is on the road.

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You know what I like most about this gang of Suns backups?

No nickname.

No Bench Mob, or Energizer Bunnies or Motley Crew (not be mistaken with Motley Crue ‘cause that’d be cool) or anything cutesy like that.

But I’d presume after their collective performance in Game 4 – which might be the game that saved the entire NBA post-season -- someone’s trying to come up with something.

Frye’s Cooks?

Dudley’s Do-Rights?

Dragan’s Lairs?

I dunno, there might be something here to think about.

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As a way to get into a point a lot have been asking about, let’s dip into the mail bag early.

And if you’d like to get something on the record, or off your chest, click here to send ‘em along. No idea how the weekend timing’s going to work out with games and the like but there will be mail.

Q: Hi Doug: Many TV commentators describe the Magic as missing Turk in this year's playoffs. They contrast his play, size, abilities with Jameer Nelson. We saw Turk play so well in playoffs last year for Orlando and we saw how he played for Raps this season. Your thoughts?

How do you at this point account for:

Whether commentators are right about difference between Turk and Jameer in playoff situation?

What might it mean for the future of Turk with Raps?

Courses for horses?

How does it play out in the case of Turk a year ago and this past season?

Charles N, Toronto

A: This is quite an interesting thing, isn’t it?

I think Orlando misses him only because of the somewhat desultory play they’ve been getting from his replacement more than anything, if the guy we all know and love was putting up 15 points and five assists a night, we’d hear nary a word, I think.

And yes, Turkoglu was excellent in last year’s playoffs because of the matchup problems he presented, which would be pretty much the same this time around seeing how the Magic are playing exactly the same way.

And while I contend Toronto gave Turk the ball quite enough – I’d guess he touched on about 80 per cent of the possessions he played – I do think they could have given him it earlier some times to allow him more time to make plays.

But who’s to say – with Nelson on the court in these playoffs and doing a pretty good job most nights – that Turk would have had precisely the same role with this Magic team as he did last year?

I think a lot of the Pining For Hedo has to do with The Absence Of Vince as much as anything.

Now, what’s Toronto do next year? As most know, I don’t think they can afford to coddle him again as they did last fall and I think if they try to exploit more mismatches – perhaps use him at the four every now and then, or the two, as they did in a couple of small-ball instances last season – you’ll see a greater contribution.

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Quick scheduling note:

We’re losing some top-notch veterans in our department due to the economics of times, what with buyouts and all. One of the good ones is done today and there’s a soiree at a little post-work bistro near the office we call home so I’m thinking stool rather than couch for Celtics-Magic.

So no in-game blog thingy tonight (I can hear the collective groans) but we will re-surface Thursday for the compelling series.

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Wanna know what’s really hard to do?

It’s hard to energize a dozen or so 12-, 13- and 14-year-olds to work hard at a baseball practice in 30 C heat.

I fear a slow start to the Mighty Yankees season – we open next Monday – is coming.

And I know you’re all excited to hear that.

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Comments

[dribbles]

I was reminded of the "coddling" issue with Turk while watching the last few minutes of the 4th Q in the last Boston-Orlando game. Tight game down the stretch, and coming out of a timeout, Jeff Van Gundy says he thinks Vince should get the ball because that's what you're paying the guy to do. Obviously, his brother thought differently because Vince didn't seem to even touch the ball on offence their last few possessions, which seemed warranted given the fact he was stinking up the joint.

[James]

The Suns backups should be "Dragan's Slayers" not "Dragan's Lairs", rookie mistake Doug. I'll let it slide because of your otherwise exemplary record around here, keep up the good work.

[Nick M]

Doug,

I think a third thing that the Suns have that seems counterintuitive to most NBA teams is true team chemistry.

I was taken aback by the amount of support shown among teammates. Player to player, starters to backups and vice versa. A true joy to watch.

[GM]

I love that Gentry is coaching to his team's strengths. What did we get with the Raptors? Turkoglu would just have to adjust to the new system. While that's true to some extent, the best coaches coach to the team's strength. And even a coach like Jackson, who coaches the same system regardless of personnel, at least makes sure the players he gets fit into his system.

[Marc]

Chad Ford on pre-trade deadline talks between Lakers and Raptors:
"The Raptors and Lakers had the parameters of a deal in place for a Bosh for Bynum deal. LA eventually pulled out because they were unsure how the addition of Bosh would affect chemistry mid-season and they were concerned that Bosh could bolt via free agency in the summer. Both concerns should go away this summer and the two teams agreed to revisit talks after the playoffs ended. They are in a very good position to land Bosh if that's where he wants to play. It's the Raptors first choice among the sign-and-trade options available to them."
At the time you said there was nothing to these rumours...so go ahead, call Chad Ford a big fat hairy liar.

[Nick]

Here's a name for the Suns bench...Barbosa's Bombers

[Bob Wesley]

Hey Doug,If the Magic lose would a trade be a possibility say Turkoglu for a Big like Gortat or a sf Barnes,pf Anderson,Bass.Speaking of Fish,Did you ever go to North West Ontario and Fish?Most beautiful place in your huge Province!

[Rob]

How about this nickname .... Los Scrubs.

[Chi of Steel]

SOB's... Suns of benches.

[Jacques]

why would you trade Bosh for Bynum? Bynum is going to have surgery on his knee as soon as the Lakers are done in the playoffs. I would rather David Lee over any one from the 4 teams that Bosh handed in. Remember, we need rebounds.

[Michel G]

What puzzled many about Orlando last offseason was why didn't they sign Hedo and trade for Vince? They could easily have afforded both. Nobody can tell me that the money was better spent on Gortat and Bass than on Hedo.

[doug]

how about "Alvin and his Chipmunks"...for the Suns subs, as the coaches name is Alvin ......you know seriously though Phil has always had a system that doesn't feature a point guard, but he has always had serviceable ones in Paxson, Kerr etc...well Fischer doesn't fit that mould as dribbling, driving are not his forte'....I am surprised this team lacks someone to just be that role player in times when they need him as of now....Roko would have been a fine fit, sit him, minimal minutes but then seves a vauable purpose when needed....

[Nick M]

doug (commentor)

Paxson and Kerr, serviceable, yes, dribblers/drivers, not from what I recall. I thought a couple of guys named MJ and Pippen were more suited to the dribbler/driver role and Paxson/Kerr were more than serviceable spot up shooters. Nevertheless, spot up shooting is not one of Fishers fortes either and something these lakers could definitely use right now.

[The J]

Hmm...No Point-guard in LA? I wonder if any team has two (or even 3) and is considering trading one? Oh wait that's the Raptors. Let's give them their choice of Jack and Jose, plus a mix bag of Banks, Reggie, etc. And they can give us back, oh...let's say Kobe. I think that would fit well here in Toronto, as Bosh did say he wants a star wing to play with. I think Kobe fits that bill. So really it's win-win all around. Really it is.

[Lorie]

Hi Doug,
Well, this may or may not be much of a nickname for the Phoenix Bench, but an apt description might be "These Suns Also Rises"?

[Bob Wesley]

J ,I think your smoking to much J's

[doug]

Paxson wasn't but Kerr could drive and penetrate as could BJ Armstrong...not Nash like but would still have some abilty to break down a zone (which was illegal then)......yes MJ and Pippen, Kocuc were the ball handlers as that is Phils style as it is with the Lakers with Kobe and Odom etc...but the problem with that is in playing against a zone you need to penetrate and dish, so that also works for the Suns as you want Kobe to be doing the dishing...so they need a serviceable point guard, Fisher, Farmar, Brown aren't it....its a weakness and one that really should have been addressed....but whereas Gentry has lengthened the bench Phil has usually coached played 7 guys...so to him guys on the bench are exactly that guys on the bench...hence no credible back-ups for PG or center...

[doug]

plus something else the zone has achieved and is actually the biggest difference is it is keeping the Lakers off the foul line as there trying to shoot over top of it....last game for the second game in a row the Suns had a huge FT advantage..22 of 32 to the Lakers' 7 of 13. ....thats a huge discrepancy....and the difference in the game...

[Adrian]

If rebounding is this team's priority, does it make any sense at all for them to displace their top rebounder? When you think of the Raps' rebounding woes, does Bosh even spring to mind? It's silly to think that this problem will be addressed by getting rid of arguably the only player who's not part of it.

More importantly, though, I think it's silly to waste any time/energy on rebounding at ALL if Bosh is on the way out. There will be much bigger shoes to fill if that happens. Don't get me wrong- the rebounding will still be atrocious, in all likelihood, but it won't matter. You'll be talking about a team without their All-Star in the prime of his career; without any players who can draw fouls consistently; without anybody who'll draw double-teams on a regular basis; without anyone who's part of the NBA superstar fraternity, commanding top-level respect from his peers; without a leader who is so desperate to win that he is vocal about it and can assume all the blame and attention after a bad game; without an axis around whom to revolve in adverse conditions; without a genuine good guy and exemplary role model who can be used to sell the team to the community and Toronto to the league; etc.

I think it's asinine for anyone to talk about addressing this team's current problems in the event that Chris Bosh signs elsewhere. It's like a bomb going off and people running to put out the garbage because they're late for work.

Blogger's note: You continue to miss the point: The Raptors want Bosh back, it's up to him. It's really quite simple

[Andrew Gregg]

Suns of Benches!!! YES!

Hi Doug:

I'll get the gloating out of the way first--a columnist in Orlando has called out VC, saying that unless he makes up for his three-point performance in Boston his legacy is lost. I say his legacy is pretty secure--as an underachieving selfish pouter.

Anyway.

I had a Bosh Question: when you look at the possibilities bandied about as CB's potential destinations, can you see any scenario in which the Raps can pry loose a high draft pick--like New York's--in a trade for Bosh?

Thanks Doug,

AG, Toronto

[Big Ken]

All the players who have whined, cried, quit, or sulked their way off Toronto, (Mighty Mouse, Air Canada, T-Mac, even coaches like Darrel Walker), have never won anything, or amounted to anything worth remembering. I hope you read this C.B. Your dreams of a championship will likely never be fulfilled. Good-bye, and have a nice life. End of rant.

[Big Ken]

Please convince me why the Raptors shouldn't make a complete coaching overhaul. We all love Triano, but his time has come and gone. He's been a coach or assistant coach for years. It's true, nice guys finnish last! With this same bunch of scrubs on the sidelines, expect 38 wins next year. Yes Jay is clever, articulate and a good interview, but the poor guy lacks killer instinct. He's like a street fighter who expects his opponent to adhere to the Marquis of Queensborough rules! Sorry Jay, unless you can somehow develope a stomach for kicking your opponent when he's down, you're done like dinner!

[Johnn19]

I think Adrian's point he is addressing re Bosh is all the comments by so called Raptors fans, who can't wait for him to leave or be traded, as the team has not , and will not win with him. I totally agree with Adrian's point.