Suns News: Week 21 (3/10 - 3/16)

[Superbone]

Miller was one of those high IQ players who was fun to watch. He had terrific hands, could really pass the basketball, block shots, defend, and score when he looked to. Yes, he might have been a better player with better conditioning, and possibly lived longer (without knowing the reason he passed), but he was a big part of a special season for the Suns and that's how I'll remember him.

You mean you won't remember him returning in a Sacramento jersey and the Gorilla donning a fat suit?

[The Bobster]

[The Bobster]

You mean you won't remember him returning in a Sacramento jersey and the Gorilla donning a fat suit?

Oh, I'll remember that. But as a low point in the Gorilla's history.

I don't think it's news to anybody that Oliver had a real problem with his diet, and apparently he got it under control late in life. I just never thought it was much fun to punch down at people with problems when there are so many assholes in the world who deserve it.

[ShelC]

Windhorst on PTI said everything points to a KD trade this summer. Can't explain why we're 30-35, should be better, no way this collection of talent should be 30-35. Makes no sense to run it back. Changed coaches, changed role players but haven't proven to be a quality team with the Big 3.

Book has no intention of going anywhere, under longterm deal.

Beal has a no-trade clause, hasn't played up to the contract, they tried to trade him, talked to multiple teams at the deadline.

KD wasn't involved in the deadline process, bothered but not mad and wants to change team on his terms. Does think that's were it's headed, see how the season ends and who's disappointed and see how the market develops.

[ShelC]

Sucks about Ollie. He was a majorly underrated "what-if?" story.

[Split T]

Windhorst on PTI said everything points to a KD trade this summer. Can't explain why we're 30-35, should be better, no way this collection of talent should be 30-35. Makes no sense to run it back. Changed coaches, changed role players but haven't proven to be a quality team with the Big 3.

Book has no intention of going anywhere, under longterm deal.

Beal has a no-trade clause, hasn't played up to the contract, they tried to trade him, talked to multiple teams at the deadline.

KD wasn't involved in the deadline process, bothered but not mad and wants to change team on his terms. Does think that's were it's headed, see how the season ends and who's disappointed and see how the market develops.

I’m not sure I’ve ever wanted to fast forward a season more. I need to know the KD trade

[The Bobster]

Windhorst on PTI said everything points to a KD trade this summer. Can't explain why we're 30-35, should be better, no way this collection of talent should be 30-35. Makes no sense to run it back. Changed coaches, changed role players but haven't proven to be a quality team with the Big 3.

Book has no intention of going anywhere, under longterm deal.

Beal has a no-trade clause, hasn't played up to the contract, they tried to trade him, talked to multiple teams at the deadline.

KD wasn't involved in the deadline process, bothered but not mad and wants to change team on his terms. Does think that's were it's headed, see how the season ends and who's disappointed and see how the market develops.

It's not hard to figure out. They were built to score, but in doing so they neglected the defense, they continue to have holes in the lineup because most of their talent is concentrated at SG and SF. They don't have any on-court leadership or toughness, they aren't physical, and frequently look like they're just going through the motions.

If you can't defend or rebound and aren't an offensive juggernaut of course you aren't going to win consistently.

[Split T]

They had very similar problems last year and still went 49-33. We’ve seemed to have better injury luck this year too. I think it’s fair to question why they are so bad.

[Superbone]

They had very similar problems last year and still went 49-33. We’ve seemed to have better injury luck this year too. I think it’s fair to question why they are so bad.

Definitely fair. By every metric, we improved the team in the off-season from a year ago.

[Kryptonic]

RIP Big O

[LazarusLong]

I had heard Oliver was not in good shape recently but couldn't find anything posted about it.

RIP Big O.

Five or six years ago I read Miller was down to about 280, and was walking about five miles a day.
He had participated and coordinated a couple of youth basketball camps in eastern Arizona.
The article made it appear that he'd gotten his life together.

One of his problems while with the Suns is that he thought he could be the next Charles Barkley.
Barkley could gain 25 lbs in the off-season, but then work his ass off and lose it when the season started.
Miller never had that discipline, unfortunately.

Too bad, because he had talent.
For a guy who looked gravity bound, he was a surprising shot blocker and defender.
He had a soft touch with the basketball, and was a skilled passer.
If only ...

[LazarusLong]

Miller's Phoenix highlight was in the first round of the '93 NBA playoffs against the Lakers. The Suns fell behind 2-0 to an undermanned L.A., but battled back to tie the series. In the pivotal fifth game, the Suns and Lakers went into overtime wherein Miller blocked several shots and led the team with nine points to win the game and the series.

[JeremyG]

Miller was one of those high IQ players who was fun to watch. He had terrific hands, could really pass the basketball, block shots, defend, and score when he looked to. Yes, he might have been a better player with better conditioning, and possibly lived longer (without knowing the reason he passed), but he was a big part of a special season for the Suns and that's how I'll remember him.

You mean you won't remember him returning in a Sacramento jersey and the Gorilla donning a fat suit?

And yet he still came back to play for the Suns again. I think I remember Jerry Colangelo apologizing to him.

[Superbone]

Miller was one of those high IQ players who was fun to watch. He had terrific hands, could really pass the basketball, block shots, defend, and score when he looked to. Yes, he might have been a better player with better conditioning, and possibly lived longer (without knowing the reason he passed), but he was a big part of a special season for the Suns and that's how I'll remember him.

You mean you won't remember him returning in a Sacramento jersey and the Gorilla donning a fat suit?

And yet he still came back to play for the Suns again. I think I remember Jerry Colangelo apologizing to him.

Yep, everybody knew it was in poor taste and was regrettable.

[Cap]

Miller was one of those high IQ players who was fun to watch. He had terrific hands, could really pass the basketball, block shots, defend, and score when he looked to. Yes, he might have been a better player with better conditioning, and possibly lived longer (without knowing the reason he passed), but he was a big part of a special season for the Suns and that's how I'll remember him.

You mean you won't remember him returning in a Sacramento jersey and the Gorilla donning a fat suit?

And yet he still came back to play for the Suns again. I think I remember Jerry Colangelo apologizing to him.

Yep, everybody knew it was in poor taste and was regrettable.

Whose dumb idea was it? Go’s?

[Uncle_Gene]

R.I.P. Oliver Miller.

His 7 blocks game 5 against the Lakers helped the Suns win that series. He had so much promise.

[Superbone]

Speaking of which:

[Kryptonic]

Speaking of which:

Man it was such an incredible thing to see.

[ShelC]

This is funny to me now because KY was another fall guy for the fans and media types. He was here during one of the most successful runs in history and then people acted like he all of a sudden didn't know anything and couldn't coach.

[Split T]

One of the first things he said when he got hired at BYU is that he preferred to play differently than the suns played. Clearly the players had the biggest say on the offense…specifically KD and Booker