Coach Mike D’Antoni has put smiles on the faces of people who love fast break basketball. His Phoenix Suns averaged an NBA leading 108.4 points per game last season and they advanced to the Western Conference finals before losing to Dallas. This season they are averaging 111 points per game and again lead NBA teams in scoring. Most NBA clubs average less than 100 points per game including the Timberwolves who rank 20th at 96.7 (the team is 17-6 when they score 100 points or more).
The Suns, 42-13, are in first place in the Pacifiic Division and have second best record in the NBA. Last night at Target Center the Suns defeated the Wolves, 116-104.
No doubt that the Suns with the game’s best decision maker in two-time league MVP Steve Nash and athletic players like center Amare Stoudemire have the personnel to push the ball up the floor quickly. Still, you have to give D’Antoni credit for his commitment to the fast break in a league with many teams who are determined to playing conservatively.
In his first full season of coaching the Suns, 2004-2005, Phoenix had the best record in the NBA and he was named coach of the year. The Suns have been consistent in playing fast break basketball and winning under D’Antoni.
Running was popular in the NBA years ago but in today’s game many coaches prefer a slower style. Tommy Heinsohn played on eight Boston Celtics teams that loved to run and won NBA championships in the 1950s and 60s. He’s an advocate for more fast break basketball.
“I think that’s what the game is missing right now,” Heinsohn told Sports Headliners. “Anybody that can run makes the game look very easy. Just look at the Suns. …But nobody wants to run anymore. They want to control the game. I keep telling them (to run). …”
Heinsohn, who follows the NBA as a color man on Celtics telecasts, talked about all the video tapes teams watch to scout opponents and how “they’ve got every play measured to the half inch.” Then Heinsohn made a comparison between basketball and World War II. “I say what you guys are doing by walking the ball up the floor would be like(General) Eisenhower calling up Adolph Hitler and saying we’re landing at Normandy. Get your tanks ready. .. They (NBA teams) allow the defense to play the defense that they’ve scouted you so well (for).”
Heinsohn was asked why teams don’t run? “They (coaches) don’t think the players can think,” he answered. “They (also) keep insisting on zeroing in on a player’s weaknesses instead of what they do really well. “