Phoenix Suns want to push the tempo

Dec 28, 2011, 8:43 PM | Updated: 8:54 pm

The Phoenix Suns’ 85-84 loss on opening night to the New
Orleans Hornets made Planet Orange’s eyes bleed. A fan
base accustomed to a potent offense isn’t used to seeing
the Suns struggle through a game with fewer than 90
points. Head coach Alvin Gentry has a solution.

“We got to become more of a running team,” said Gentry
after shoot around on Wednesday. “We’re not a running
team, we’re a jogging team. We’re not good as a jogging
team; we got to find a way to manufacture easy baskets and
not to have to work so hard in half-court sets.

Phoenix shot 38% from the field in half-court sets Monday
night.

“We have to get back to where we’ve got teams on their
heels,” continued Gentry. “They’re not on their heels
right now they’re just running back and getting themselves
set.”

When most people hear the words “running” and “pushing the
tempo” they think fastbreak points. This isn’t the case
with the Suns, as they are not your traditional run and
gun team, which is shown by the 14 fastbreak points they
had against the Hornets. The Suns averaged 13.8 fastbreak
points in 2010-11.

The two differences in the Suns offense on opening night
compared to last year were pace and offensive efficiency.
During the 2010-11 campaign Phoenix averaged 96.8
possessions and an offensive efficiency of 107. Against
the Hornets there were only 90 possessions and the Suns
offensive efficiency was 93.3.

What Coach Gentry is discussing isn’t getting out on the
break more, he wants to attack early in the shot clock on
made and missed baskets.

Phoenix Suns

Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George, right, lies on the court after an injury during the secon...
Associated Press

Clippers’ Paul George out 2-3 weeks with sprained right knee

Paul George has a sprained right knee and the Los Angeles Clippers All-Star will be re-evaluated in two to three weeks.
19 hours ago
Devin Booker #1 and Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns look on during the third quarter against the ...
Kellan Olson

What happened to the Phoenix Suns in the clutch this season?

The Phoenix Suns went from a historically good team in the clutch last season to a bad one this year. What happened?
19 hours ago
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, right, drives around Phoenix Suns forward Torr...
Kevin Zimmerman

What’s at stake in each of the Suns’ remaining games?

Kevin Durant's potential return from an ankle injury after a reevaluation sits a week out for the Phoenix Suns.
2 days ago
Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket past Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City...
Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns collapse in 4th quarter of road loss to Thunder

The Suns were in control for most of Sunday's game against the Thunder but bad turnovers eventually caught up to them.
4 days ago
(Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)...
Wills Rice

Landry Shamet plays well in Suns return, loss to Thunder

The Suns collapsed late in the 124-120 loss to the Thunder on Sunday in guard Landry Shamet's return after missing 25 games to a heel injury.
4 days ago
Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns high fives Landry Shamet #14 after scoring against the Washin...
Arizona Sports

Suns rule Deandre Ayton out, Landry Shamet probable vs. Thunder

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton will not suit up Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a right hip contusion.
5 days ago
Phoenix Suns want to push the tempo