Just as we suspected, the landscape of the Western Conference continues to change-- which means the big trades that seemed so clearly defined have taken a U-turn as well.
In other words, this is all still shaking out.
We’re all still flabbergasted by the crazy 22-game winning streak of the Rockets -- second only to the 1971-72 Lakers in NBA history -- which has leapfrogged them into the top seed of the West. It’s a remarkable story that is continuing to add chapters.
And then there is the eye-widening tale of Shaquille O’Neal’s 330 pounds of mass leaping into the stands last Sunday that may not only have tilted the foundation of the U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, but the Pacific Division and the West as well.
You see, well on their way to yet another defeat at the hands of the Spurs, O’Neal’s wild hustle play to save a ball from going out of bounds ignited the home crowd and sparked the Suns to a come-from-behind win and that may have very well changed everything.
While everyone has been singing the praises of the Pau Gasol theft from the Grizzlies that pushed the Lakers to the top of the conference and the Pacific Division (and rightfully so); lost in the excitement had been Gasol’s failure to play 60 games in two of the previous three seasons with foot problems until he sprained his ankle last week. Now he’s out indefinitely.
Not coincidentally the Lakers have lost three of four.
People had begun writing off the Mavericks for giving up so much to get Jason Kidd. Now they’ve won five in a row.
Throw in the Hornets, Jazz and Warriors keeping pace and a measly 4.5 games separate the top eight teams in the West with 4½ weeks left in the season.
So how did O’Neal’s play change the balance other than the obvious effect on the Richter scale in the southwest?
It guaranteed for the first time in five years the Suns wouldn’t lose the season series to the Spurs, and at least gave some credence to the concept shared by Suns owner Robert Sarver and general manager Steve Kerr that O’Neal could be the difference-maker matching up against Tim Duncan and the San Antonio machine.
That’s not to say you can point to that one play or game as to why the Spurs have lost three in a row and five of six. But for whatever reason, their edge is gone and the Suns have grabbed it. Sure, the Suns miss Shawn Marion -- his rebounding, nose for the ball, perimeter defense and speed on the floor -- from the O’Neal trade. They may even miss him more as time progresses.
Too many people gave up on the Suns too quickly when they lost four of their first six with O’Neal in the lineup. It has already become patently obvious Boris Diaw does not have the aggressive nature to pick up the slack for Marion. His 2006 NBA Most Improved Player Award was more a product of circumstances than how significant a role he would play in the Suns future with a freshly minted and fat long-term contract. That will become more of a story as time progresses. The drop in Leandro Barbosa’s productivity this season hasn’t helped either.
And yet, whatever Grant Hill has left in the tank will pick up some of the slack for time being. Even the recently signed Gordan Giricek had a big hand in their 79 first-half points as they trashed the Kings Saturday night. That helps the cause, too.
But Amare Stoudemire is approaching pre-knee surgery numbers and that speaks volumes for what the Suns have figured out around O’Neal.
The key to what has brought the Suns back to within a game of the Lakers in the division and two games of the lead they had in the Western Conference has been the adjustment made by not only O’Neal, but point guard Steve Nash and Mike D’Antoni -- the masterminds to this franchise. And Stoudemire is now reaping the benefits.
Of course O’Neal doesn’t fit into their fun-and-gun offense that turned the NBA upside down; nor does his skill-set work in their halfcourt pick-and-roll preference. Consequently, the response was D’Antoni is a one-trick pony as a coach and Nash has lost his remarkable feel that made him the top point guard in the game the past three seasons. To arrive at those conclusions in a couple of weeks was ludicrous.
Given time, D’Antoni has stolen a page out of the Tex Winter’s legendary triangle offense to run some of the plays through O’Neal. Now Nash knows not only is the lane more cluttered with bodies, he throws lob passes at or below the rim for O’Neal to dunk. O’Neal’s presence in the post has also opened up Stoudemire’s vastly underrated mid-range game. This wasn’t going to be a sudden change. It just required some time and patience, which nobody seems to have these days in any walk of life -- let alone in the world of sports.
That’s not to say the Suns are now all on the same page and will run the table come playoff time into the Finals. Rather, the turnaround has added credence to the notion that they need to overcome the physical and mental obstacle posed by the Spurs. The Suns are just 8-15 against them with Nash since 2004-05 explaining why their 2-1 series lead this season is so vital. And in the big picture, O’Neal’s presence to deal with Duncan removes a tremendous load from Stoudemire’s shoulders.
With anywhere from 15-17 games remaining on the regular season for these eight teams in the West -- and the Rockets playing in their own stratosphere -- it’s impossible to get a handle on the last team standing in this amazing race. But the past week has reinforced what we learned many years ago … it may get cloudy in Phoenix from time to time, but it never stays that way for long.
This season just gets more and more unpredictable. Suns have the toughest schedule remaining in the west with 11 of 16 against teams with winning records. That will increase to 12 if the 76ers continue their winning ways.
I think the big difference for the Suns the last few games has been the focussed (and sustained for the entire game) effort on defense. If they can keep playing that way, the rest of the west are in trouble...
Last edited by nba is the worst on March 17th at 8:19 AM.
nba is the worst is right. The when the Suns get serious about defense, they are a whole different team, and that was true before Shaq came to town as well.
I agree the Suns miss Marion a great deal. What is interesting though, is the Suns gained flexibility. They can half court grind with the Spurs, or bench Shaq and run with the Warriors.
Clearly, the Suns are playing better than they did 4 games ago. Still, I'm not sold on this newfound defense everyone is praising.
They're still 6-7 with Shaq. Two of those victories coming against Memphis when they allowed more than 110 points. Against Boston and San Antonio, they placed a slow paced, physical game. Shaq defended Tim Duncan well.
I don't think Shaq has any chance of stopping him when it counts. Ginobili missed a lot of late shots that he normally makes. Parker had just returned from the injured list.
Phoenix may be able to defend Duncan better but without Marion to defend Manu or Tony, those two will take turns destroying the Suns.
Here is Phoenix's remaining schedule:
Tue 18 @ Portland
Wed 19 @ Seattle
Sat 22 vs Houston
Mon 24 @ Detroit
Wed 26 @ Boston
Fri 28 @ Philadelphia
Sat 29 @ New Jersey
Mon 31 vs Denver
Tue 01 @ Denver
Fri 04 vs Minnesota
Sun 06 vs Dallas
Tue 08 @ Memphis
Wed 09 @ San Antonio
Fri 11 @ Houston
Mon 14 vs Golden State
Wed 16 vs Portland
Phoenix has 2 more games against Eastern Conference super-powers Boston and Detroit. Boston will be playing with a chip on their shoulder to avenge a sloppy loss to Phoenix earlier this month. With Chauncey Billups and Rasheed Wallace running the pick-and-roll to perfection, the Pistons are a bad matchup for Shaq and the Suns. Detroit defeated the Suns by 30 points on February 24th. As has been his custom over the past decade, Coach Greg Popovich will have his Spurs rolling on all cylinders when they come to town on April 9th.
It's difficult for me to give PHX credit for their wins (since the Shaq trade). I still think they've become a predictable team with Shaq. Any team that does not expose this...takes an 'L'. Shaq and Amari are foul prone...Shaq is also very emotional on the court which leads to turnovers and unecessary fouls. Exploit it! Keep Nash out of paint and cover the waiting ducks on the perimeter. PHX would be winless if the other teams stuck to their game plan and stayed focus on the court.
P.S. Miami needs new team doctors/medical staff since Shaq is healthy enough play in PhX..dive for balls...etc. Unless, his injury was fake and a trade request was already on the table...Miami will be in constant pain and D Wade will never heal.
Great read. This season has really been something else in terms of storylines and excitement, and it's great that it's for all the right reasons!
The Suns are still working out the kinks, and are not out of contention just yet. The tough schedule they face may be a great test for them going into the post season, barring any breakdowns or injuries. I agree that their D is still lacking, but they show glimpses of desire to defend here and there. I'm curious how they will match up against the likes of Portland and Philly. Scrappy teams like that tend to bring it when they know they can score virtually at will.
On another note, big-ups to the Rockets for doing the damned thing. They broke my Lakers on Sunday, though it helped that N.O. and S.A. took an L as well. 22-0 ain't easy!
I posted a comment last week saying the trades for Shaq and Kidd ruined those teams chemistry. I agree w/ you Mike-that was hasty. Both players have brought LEADERSHIP to their new teams. That play by Shaq still gives me shudders because the Rockets have to play them Saturday w/o Yao.
Shaq gives them a focal point for all the talented cast around him. They'll be a tough out in the playoffs.
In Dallas, Dirk is infamous for being a workaholic but not a leader. Kidd gives that team someone to feed off of. Another tough out. The playoffs this year are going to be legendary.
Enjoy the ride, fans.
Hoffman, first of all, research before you post! The Suns are 7 and 6 id__iot. Obviously, it looks as though you are a Spurs fan the way you have your head up their arse. Parker and Ginaobli got their butts handed to them in their last match up with the Suns. To be honest, I think not only it was that game that sparked the Suns W's, but we are now seeing the shortcomings of the once powerful Spurs. And as I recall, little Timmy Duncan was a no show...so go the Spurs site and talk to someone there...well, if you can find anyone.
Its so very funny to me how just a few weeks ago, everyone was telling me how bad of a trade this was. From day one, I was praising Kerr for doing so. It has created a well balanced team that can make a good run in the playoffs. How far? Still remains to be seen. But statistically, we are a better team, and they seem to have more heart, focus, and intensity than in recent years. not to mention, they are starting to play their best basketball at the right time!
Looks like there are a bunch of nuts out there who spoke to soon...can we say...open mouth and insert foot? Suns are for real, and the West just became more difficult for the other 8 contenders.
Last edited by Dbackfanxtreme on March 17th at 11:38 AM.
I think you forgot to mention Steve K's name while mentioning Mike D and Steve N as masterminds of Suns. Anyways, this is a good piece on Suns after Shaq's trade.
Shaq has given a lot of depth to Suns come playoff time. The last two wins with heavyweight Spurs and run-n-gun golden state has proven this point. Shaq could not be a factor with small golden state so D'Antoni had him sit on the bench. In contrast, Shaq showed his value against Spurs on Thursday night. These two games were good example of scoring victories while playing two different styles. This is the kind of adjustment D'Antoni's boys could deliver. More importantly, Shaq was acquired to deal with heavyweights like SanAntonio and not like golden state. The trade is working in that sense.
....and I agree with Dbackfanxtreme that Duncan, Ginobli, and Parker were not shut down in thurrsdays' game by chance. It was PHX which shut them down, just in case you forgot wired up defence with the presence of Shaq...Raja was outstanding that night.
I definately agree. Most of the NBA's fans didn't have the patience to allow the Phoenix Suns lineup to develop the new chemistry w/Shaq. They have won 4 straight & though the remaining scheduled games are a challenge....I believe they are on a roll. I also think they've gotten past the psychologically dominant San Antonio Spurs' syndrome to match the defending-champs come playoff-time. Their defense is just going to get better & so long as they stay healthy this next month, the window of opportunity is wide-open to possibilities....
It's a fact that the Suns might not make the play-offs, but if you look at what the Spurs are doing you would have to say the same thing about them. Maybe they have been reading all the Spurs fans around here and figure that the world will move aside for them because of how good they are.
It would be a true joy to not have to watch Timmy and the Whiners during the playoffs.
I am a Lakers fan and I was not fooled by the Suns 6-7 record with Shaq. The Suns needed time to adjust to his style and he theirs and looks like they're getting there. I'm just looking for some great games in the playoffs and the cream of the field will eventually rise to the top.
The day the trade was made for Shaq, I thought O MY GOD!!!!!!!! When I saw what kind of shape Shaq was in, I just said O MY!!!!!!! He promised a title in Miami and delivered. He promised a title in LA and delivered three times and make no mistake about it, IT WAS Shaq with some help. Now he has a lot of help in the Suns so I will not be surprised one bit if they turn the table and win the title. Its going to be a fun playoff season where anything can happen and its going to be great for NBA fans.
Suns suck i dont see it. The game against the warriors the suns looked preety good. But every other game(boston for example) was very sloppy and if anyone seen that Boston game they was very sloppy, and it was the kind of game that boston would usely win, buit nothing was falling for them.
Suns win Three games and now all of a sudden they got something going. B.S i wont be surprised if the suns dont get in the playoffs, and they have the best team on paper.
The Suns better win their next two because it's going to get ugly after that. They've got Seattle and Memphis and NJ gimme's, but Denver spanked them last time, they've gotten smoked by Minnesota multiple times, they're not beating Detroit or Boston or San Antonio this time and I wouldn't be surprised at all if they can't win 8 of the next 16. Factoring in dropping both to Denver who's 4 behind them, it could get real interesting for the 8 seed.
they are 7-6 with shaq not 6-7, and they do have a tough remaining shedule, but I wouldnt say its the toughest. they do play most of their remaining games on the road, but unlike the jazz, mavs, nuggets who are horrific road teams, the suns have always been a good road since nash has been here. I am not worried about it, and whoever keeps on implying the suns will miss the playoffs is ridicolously stupid. if thats the cast LA will miss too.
its a possible chance they will slide in this road trip of theirs, and I dont see are team losing alot of the remaining games, I see them getting better in better, but I wont talk to talk. suns will just walk it for me. you naw sayyers will see
Promise u this the suns will not get pass the first round. suns fans are more delusional then i thought. Come playoff time its a new game. Suns look good on paper but when they face a team like the Hornets or the lakers, they have miss matches on almost every position. starting with steve nash.(whoever he guards will use him) When Shaq was with the lakers he could never contain Duncan so what makes you think he will now. And Manu is a miss match for everyone. If the Suns wanted a big man they should have traded for Dampier. Cause shaq is washed and i dont see the suns getting passed the first round.
i disagree curtis, they wont miss the playoffs, and as tough and grizzlies beat us twice at their place. and we got out rebounded in all the losses to the grizzlies, that explians are lost. we would get out rebounded with shaq in amare in the line up, no brianer. we only lost one rebounding contest since shaq has been present in are line up.
another thing, we blew out the nuggets on are home floor as well. so....dont know where your going with that one. in we would most likely split, since they wont win at are place since they havent in years, and the suns always lose one game to the nuggets, they have never been a promblem for the suns.
stop doubting the suns. because you'll just see.
they will lose in the first round huh??? Im taking it your a laker fan. because thats a picture you have been familar with since nash has been a sun. losing in the first round.
haters I cant stand. good article, they write one positive thing about the suns, and we got ignorant haters posting on this article. speak volumes for fans who Dont know nothing.
No im a kingsfan, and Boston in the east. u right i dont like the suns. i hate teams that look great on paper, everyone praise them suns fans swear they are going to take the champioship, and flop as usual. Last year was yall chance. The suns dont match up good against any team in the west. Marion could match up against every position accept the center spot.(Shaq could barely match up against centers now)
what place the suns are in. If they are in 5th or lower, i guaranteed you they will not get passed the first round. Three wins, dont tell the story. Just like when they was struggling with shaq in the line doesnt tell the story. Who they match up against will tell the story, and think about the one on one match ups against every team in the west. They just dont match up good against anyone. They will lose first round.(unless shaq is his old self, i dont see them winning.
bassda1...Kings fan? hahaha And of course, and bandwagon fan for a winning team. Most idiots who dont know sports are quick to jump on somebodys winning ways. Doesnt surprise me.
You have no merit on anything you say, just that you guarantee the suns wont make it. I personally watch every game, and see their improvement. And you talk about the Boston game...Well junior, that was a game when the Suns werent even playing worth a ####...and STILL BEAT THEM DOWN! Dont even try and compare Boston or a Leastern team, to any team in the West. They are wanna be's and play a very weak schedule.
The Suns, have shown great improvemnts over the last 5 games, and still arent even where they should be yet! All I can say for those other teams is....UH OH....and please, dont try and EVER compare Boston to the Suns. We will beat them down once more, this time in their own building!
Last edited by Dbackfanxtreme on March 17th at 1:37 PM.
little spidey is a little far fetched... now i too believe that Diaw is going to be a very good player for a very long time... he's not marion, i do think he is what made marion available (not including marion's mouth) but he aint as good as marion.
they will be a better team cause the trade, but they still cant beat the lakers.
Diaw has no chance of being the player that Marion is or was.
diaw is a natural center who is just too small to play center, he passes like a point guard and can move like a small forward. all positives, his negatives, he gets lost on the court when he's not playing the five position and as long as the big aristotal is on the court he wont be in the five position.
i still think the trade makes the suns better, but still not as good as the lakers or spurs.
you can say im on the band wagon. Last year i was a boston fan, cause they had a young core of players surrounded by my favorite player in the game.(Paul Pierce) Ima real big Paul Pierce fan and it just happen that Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett join his team. i didn't like the trade KG, for Jefferson cause i thought Jefferson could do what KG is doing not.(maybe not the leadership and thats big) U can say im more of a Paul Pierce fan the a boston fan.(but this is a league of superstars and you go where the stars play)
But i been a Kings fan since we use to get our #### whip by the lakers(and before that). Last week alot of people was saying that the suns is a new version of the kings. I totally agree but the kings was never the best team on paper. they just had a great orientated team. im jsut not impressed with waht the suns is doing. and they have a tough schedule coming up. if they look good during this up coming schedule then we can talk about hte suns being contenders.
This to me is so funny how all of a sudden folks want to give praise to the Suns for their hard work now that they are winning. bandwaggers! Then there are some that guarantee that the Suns are not even going to get pass the first rd in the playoffs (bassda) he really has some big *all. I sure hope you don't have to eat crow for that bold statement. I say the Suns are doing a fine job, Shaq is the man. Everyone that knows me knows how I feel about Shaq. The future HOF! I'm a Warrior fan at heart and some of you team have to see my guys too, so don't think you can just go the sleep on the Warriors. If you don't believe me ask the Mav's!
WEll, at least the Suns are continuing with their improvements on both sides of the court. And not to mention, they are currently winning. Granted the Lakers are a good team, but to say taht the Suns arent as good, is ridiculous. Again, more drivel without anything to back it up.
Player for player, the Suns are a better team. Everyone keeps talking about the Lakers and the Sprus...looks as though they might want to win a few games first before bringing any smack talk. If there IS a dominant team in the West, its the Rockets...the Lakers BEFORe Pau's injury played half aresed period. They show no heart, nor desire to take care of business. So lets not hear how good the Lakers are...they have to prove they can finally get past the Suns first in the playoffs, just as the Suns have to finally put the Spurs in their place.
Adding Shaq will help in the playoffs when you face teams that will not let the Suns run. Shaq is already paying off by allowing Stoudamire to move to his more natural position. And look at the results he has had since teams will still double down on Shaq.
I agree with you that Diaw has more refined basketball skills than Marion, but he's not anywhere near the player and that's all that matters. He's not close to being as productive because he's so passive. Some people accuse Marion of being soft - well, if that's the case, then I'd hate to think where that leaves Diaw.
If he played to his skill level more often, it was raise the capability of the whole team. But he doesn't play with enough toughness or confidence to be as consistently productive as his contract warrants. Marion played at an All-Star level virtually every night in some way or another. Thanks for writing.
U right i might have to eat them words, but its like every lakerfan or Sunsfan or even spurfan who say their respected teams are win the championship hands down. the west is a toss up. i think Denver could take the west if they make it. what i say and what you say doesnt mean nothing. They still have to prove it on the court. Of Course the suns is good enough to win it all.(i already said they had the best team on paper the pass three years) so yeah they could win it all. But i think the most impressive team all year is Boston. Every other team have spurts but b-town did it without KG, and without Ray. Houston is doing it without Yao now. Every other good team lost a key piece and it was curtains for them.
If the Suns play against the hornets,Jazz, Mavs, Golden State, or the Rockets its Miss Matches for them all over the roster. I didnt mention the Spurs or Lakers cause they match up pretty well against them. Dont forget Denver, Suns just cant beat them.
I am surprised when you said that Denver could take the West. Its like saying golden state could take the West. Now pay a little attention; both Denver and Golden State play some good basketball and we all love to watch them play but they don't have what it takes come playoff times. Playoff basketball is a lot different than regular season.
Looking at the last few years; Spurs and Suns know how to excel in playoffs. And both these team are going to do it again this post season. Cann't wait to see this interesting series. Lakers and Rockets are very strong teams to take West, but not Denver. The way West is right now; I would be surprised if Denver could even make it to playoffs...and I am from Denver, :)
Golden State could take the west. Saying golden State or Denver could take the west is like saying the Suns could take the west. And isnt that why the suns traded Marion for Shaq. Because they just didnt have whhat it took to win the championship. All of a sudden a washed up version of shaq comes to Phoenix and now the suns have what it takes to win it all. Please the suns didnt get pass the second round(maybe once) since nash arrival and Shaq doesnt make this team better then Marion did. Maybe the suns will play with a little more heart come playoff time but three wins in a row isnt impressing me. I still feel like i did last week. Suns made a mistake picking up shaq and will pay in the long run.(playoffs will be a short run)
Im never one to brag but I called it here first. I told you The Suns would be ok and get better out of this trade and everyone said I had no clue. I said Jason Kidd is a stud and would help his team and thats turning out to be right. Im an NBA genius, except I never thought the Rockets would be doing anything after Yao got hurt. And the Lakers will choke when the going gets tough.
Actually Suns went to back to back conference finals and then lost in the second round in what most people call extenuating circumstances since Nash has arrived. I love when people demonstrate their wealth of NBA knowledge.
Suns have won FOUR in a row, including the Spurs and Warriors and the Kings worst loss of the season.
Their defensive effort has been the key. if they can continue to play as hard as they have been, denver will be no match for them. By the way, they are in 2nd place in the Pacific 1 game behind the Lakers, and tied for third in the conference with the Spurs 2 games behind the Rockets. 4 games ahead of the Nuggets (9th place)...
Shaq is a deliverer not a talker. hes done it 4 times.... this last stop in his career will define and raise the legacy he leaves on the game by winning this championship and if they win the next 2 yrs it would solidify contention that he is the best big man to ever play the game
when that happen i dont remember. the suns lost to dallas the first year. Oh yeah you might be right. Dallas beat the spurs in five and i dont even remember any other teams who was any good. Oh yeah the Suns beat the Clippers. i only remember one time they went to the connference finals. it doesnt matter. Suns time is up. Just like the spurs. the west is to good. Any team could come out and win it all. None of them teams want to play the hornets or the rockets. The time is closing in on the suns. if they dont do it this year(they wont) its not going to happen. Besides the best two teams in the NBA the last time i remembered played in the eastern conference. When April comes its going to be very interesting.
04/05 62 win season-Beat Grizzlies-Beat Mavs-Lost to Spurs in Conference Finals
05/06 54 win Season-Beat Lakers-Beat Clippers-Lost to Mavs in Conference Finals (without Amare all year also)
06/07 61 win season-Beat Lakers-Lost to Spurs in second round with a whole buncha bull#### going on
I'm just saying I don't think you realize how good, not just on paper, the Suns have been since the arrival of Nash. Also, all out playoff losses the past three years led to Suns management realizing we needed a big man that could help us slow it down a little in the playoffs.
I am a Suns fan. Having said that, I am encouraged at what I have seen the last few games. But just as D'Antoni said the Suns aren't as bad as they were and aren't as good as they think they are. I have been watching the NBA (ABA) for as long as I can remember and I have never seen a conference lineup so close down the stretch. The parity in the West is amazing. There is a chance that by the time the Western Conference Playoffs are over a lot of blood will be left on the floor and the LEAST (Celts/Pistons) may be able to match up. I went to Saturday's game against the Queens...er Kings (bassda1) and the one gamer that no one has mentioned here is Giricek. He dropped 23 points grabbed 5 boards dished 5 dimes and talked (maybe Croat) on defense. Jerry Sloan can keep giving up on the likes of Raja and Giricek and we will take them.
One more thing let's see Whorrey hip check Shaq with his cheap@$$ play and see what his boy Stern does then.
"But Popovich might get mad at me" Crying Game ####
The playoffs this year are going to be so entertaining as long as Stern and the refs don't do what they did last year and decide who THEY want to play in the finals.
As a long time Suns fan, I've always enjoyed the quick, run and gun offence they've given us. Still, whenever they came up against a team with a giant defending the rim, I always wished the Suns had an answer for it. Shaq is that answer. He dosen't quite fit in, yet he has a place.
I don't think I'd want to sit in the front row when he's playing.
The suns will go out in the second round. They are too old, too injury prone and too unable to play satisfactorily consistent defense. I love Steve Nash,(I'm from Vancouver), love Shaq(big fan of the lakers once upon a time) and Amare,(one of the most entertaining big men in today's game) but just as those players are great their fundamental flaws, injury or otherwise, will lead to the downfall of the Suns. After next year, this team will most likely have to start rebuilding. Porous defense and an offense that can't keep up as well as it used to be able to consistently anymore is a killer concoction.
Thanks
Chuck i agree 100% instead of the second round it will be the first round. if the playoffs start now the suns will have to play the jazz. Deron Williams is going to abuse Nash, boozer is going to abuse Amare(and vice Versa) and Shaq will not be able to stay with Okur on the perimeter. Drop to six and now they have to face the Hornets.(Suns dont match up at all against the Hornets. Chandler is way better then shaq is now and Nash will not be able to handle Chris Paul.
Yeah the suns needed a Big body. But they went about it the wrong way. they gave up their best all around player to get a used up big man. Just because he is a big body. like i said they was better off trading Diaw for Dampier. Come playoff time Teams game plan against the teams they facing. Its to many weaknesses on this team. Playoff time they will be exposed.
when the time comes im gon be on this same site telling you people i told you so. Guranteed the suns will not even take the west, let along take the championship. So they could get to the western conference again, get to the champioship.(i dont think they will get pass the first round but its no guranteed on that do) Mark the words. the Suns will set in Phoneix come playoff time.
It guaranteed for the first time in five years the Suns wouldn’t lose the season series to the Spurs, and at least gave some credence to the concept shared by Suns owner Robert Sarver and general manager Steve Kerr that O’Neal could be the difference-maker matching up against Tim Duncan and the San Antonio machine.
