wco81 wrote:But they can't expect to do that every game, especially in the playoffs, can they?
That's just the thing...no one thought they could do it for an entire year and they've done it. They've already proven everyone wrong by having the best record in the entire league. That's a hell of a season when you only win 29 games the year before. They can all shoot it and they can all run...you can't stop them from running since they run off of made baskets. Hell, they get dunks off of made free throws...I'm not worried about them tightening up either...it's one of the loosest teams I have ever seen.
I can't remember a single person besides myself that actually thought the Suns would be good this year. No one thought it could be done, and they came through...I don't know why people think the playoffs are this different animal...you can't slow down a team that runs EVERY single time down the floor, regardless of how good you are on defense.
It all remains to be seen though when the playoffs start...we'll see in a few days.
This is for all of the Suns haters...you guys can use this as your desktop when you want to join the bandwagon after this season is over. Even if they don't win the championship this year...who's to say they won't be even better next year. So young, so talented. It's finally good to be a Suns fan again. After my boy KJ left, there hasn't been much to cheer about in the desert...now there is. It's been a fun season regardless of the outcome in the playoffs.
And yes, I'm rockin' it as my background (as if you really care)...ESPN the magazine did a pretty cool article on the Suns a couple issues back...it's been on my PC ever since.
Phoenix looked very good, make no mistake. They got out and scored 40+ points in the first period and broke out to a 25 point lead early. The first period really was the difference maker.
Not making excuses... Denver is 0-4 against the Suns this year and looked like s*** last night. One thing in their favor when it concerns this match-up is that not in one of those 4 games did Denver have both K-Mart and Camby able to go at the same time. Would it make a difference? Win or loss who knows, but I can guarantee that first period never would have happened the way it did if Camby was playing.
Like I stated eariler, the Nuggets playoff run lays in the hands of Camby and his hammy. Very much the same that San Antonio needs Duncan, Phoenix needs Nash, etc etc etc.
I don't think there are Phoenix haters. Just skeptics. We haven't had a run and gun team really win it all. Showtime Lakers maybe? But they could play half court and for the most part, they didn't have the benefit of the 3-point shot.
If they pull it off, that's great. It's more fun to watch than the triangle offense and better than the grind it out style with the postups which has worked so well for many teams.
Warriors had a great run playing a small lineup and launching 3-pointers (they even beat Phoenix a couple of times in the second half of the season, going 18-35 on 3's one game). But you'd think coaches would figure out how to exploit the small lineup inside. That is what Denver did, by either going to the rack on fast breaks or lobbing it in and letting Carmelo pivot, gather and dunk. So Warriors competed with the Suns but couldn't handle the Nuggets, go figure.
Wco...Baron Davis changed that team. It was almost like the Suns adding Steve Nash in the off-season. He gave the Warriors a confidence that you haven't seen in them in the past 5 or so years. He really has changed that team and I look for them to do some damage next year...probably the 6 or 7 seed in the playoffs. If Phoenix does well in the playoffs...you can look for teams (Denver, Golden State, Memphis) to start emulating the small lineup. The problem is that most teams don't have Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire to play Center and PF...that's where the Suns have the advantage on most nights (when your opponent makes 18 3's, you're bound to lose).
I think the Grizz will give the Suns all that they can handle. They have sputtered for a while, but they've had a ton of injuries. They have the inside players to match up well with the Suns(Gasol,Swift,Wright and Cardinal). Thay also have some good perimiter defenders like Posey and Battier.
They went 2-2 against the Suns this season.
WOuldn't suprise me if it goes 6 or 7 games with the Suns eventually winning. Wouldn't suprise me if they beat the Suns either. They are stacked with talent and are well coached.
So profound Javy...didn't I say that already about Memphis being the toughest first round opponent for the Suns? From the first page:
6. I'm afraid of Memphis. They match up well because they can play small ball as well, and they can run. The 4 games this season have all been close (each winning 2)...I really wish that Denver would have slipped to 8 because I know Phoenix can handle them (Denver has lost three games since Karl took over, 2 to the Suns). It should be interesting. Memphis is probably the biggest favorite in my book to beat Phoenix. I don't think anyone in the East, or in the west outside of SA can beat them. Personally, I don't think SA will make it to the West Finals because Dallas will beat them before that happens.
dbdynsty25 wrote:So profound Javy...didn't I say that already about Memphis being the toughest first round opponent for the Suns? From the first page:
6. I'm afraid of Memphis. They match up well because they can play small ball as well, and they can run. The 4 games this season have all been close (each winning 2)...I really wish that Denver would have slipped to 8 because I know Phoenix can handle them (Denver has lost three games since Karl took over, 2 to the Suns). It should be interesting. Memphis is probably the biggest favorite in my book to beat Phoenix. I don't think anyone in the East, or in the west outside of SA can beat them. Personally, I don't think SA will make it to the West Finals because Dallas will beat them before that happens.
DB:
I never feel the need to go over EVERY post in a thread before writing my opinion. Specially when the thread has more than 1 page.
Well knowing you...I'd guess that you don't type particularly fast. Therefor you would probably save a lot of time to read the thread, quote me, and type "I Agree"...
Just kidding bro...normally, I read a thread, then post...so I don't say the same crap someone else did. I guess that's just me.
dbdynsty25 wrote:Well knowing you...I'd guess that you don't type particularly fast. Therefor you would probably save a lot of time to read the thread, quote me, and type "I Agree"...
Just kidding bro...normally, I read a thread, then post...so I don't say the same crap someone else did. I guess that's just me.
We interupt your regular scheduled flaming to return to the NBA playoffs.
Nice to see the Bulls sew up the 4 seed and home court. I feel pretty good about their chances with the Wizards. On paper, Washington definitely has more talent, but the Bulls play better defense and have a better bench. I think that will carry them. I don't think they'll get past the second round, though -- too young, too many key injuries, and they turn the ball over too damn much.
Random thoughts:
Best first round series -- Mavs/Rockets (a no brainer)
Ugliest first round series -- Pistons/Sixers
Upsets -- I think both 6 seeds (Indiana and Sacto) advance.
Near upsets -- If the Nets make it, they will give the Heat a scare.
Super obvious championship predictions -- I think it's 1 and 2 all the way, Suns over Spurs, Pistons pulling it out against the Heat.
Playoff "atmosphere" at Gund Arena last night. Wonderful. It looks like "atmosphere" is all we're gonna get. Between us and the Nets, four things can happen tonight, three of them bad.
lexbur wrote:Playoff "atmosphere" at Gund Arena last night. Wonderful. It looks like "atmosphere" is all we're gonna get. Between us and the Nets, four things can happen tonight, three of them bad.
You'll be rooting for my C's vs the Nets.
I'll be rooting for our key players not to get hurt. The games means nothing to Boston.
jLp vAkEr0 wrote:
I'll be rooting for our key players not to get hurt. The games means nothing to Boston.
Yeah, that's the only reason we beat the Celtics last night, they played their scrubs most of the second half. Unfortunately, they promise to do the same tonight against the Nets.
Boom wrote:
Right now, the team I'm watching to make some noise in the west is Houston.
Anyone caught looking past T-Mac and Yao might be playing Golf early....they have played the better teams VERY well this year, especially in the second half of the season....
wco81 wrote:They sure made a big deal about Lebron not making it.
Nets just played better down the stretch and are clearly more deserving.
Guess it's ESPN realizing that 3 of the biggest stars in the league won't be in the playoffs which they're broadcasting.
Part of it was the total collapse of the Cavs. Something like first time in 35 years a team that was 10 games over .500 after the All-Star break didn't make the playoffs.
It sucks for Cleveland fans, but they would have gotten killed in round 1 by the Heat anyway. Now at least they get a lottery ball and a higher pick. If someone in that front office can learn to sign players, they'll make the playoffs next year.
The 1-8 matchups should be pretty entertaining this year, as both 8 teams should be able to give the top seeds some trouble.
I still can't believe there is playoff basketball in Chicago again.
Last edited by Brando70 on Thu Apr 21, 2005 10:12 am, edited 1 time in total.
C's are gonna have a tough time getting through the Pacers.
But, this is basically the same team(heavily favored) the C's eliminated pretty easily 2 years ago in the 1st round (minus Artest). Mmm, well, I just remembered that the Pacers where coached by Isaiah Thomas that year.
Of course, the Pacers returned the favor last year, but last year's C's we're a joke.
I say C's in 6 or 7, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Pacers pull it out.
Brando70 wrote:
It sucks for Cleveland fans, but they would have gotten killed in round 1 by the Heat anyway. Now at least they get a lottery ball and a higher pick.
Not only did we already trade away our first round pick, we waived the lottery protection on it. Guess we assumed we wouldn't need it.
wco81 wrote:They sure made a big deal about Lebron not making it.
Nets just played better down the stretch and are clearly more deserving.
Well I agree and I do believe that the Nets are the better team, but I think there was a genuine desire from some people (myself included) to have rather seen Lebron and the Cavs make it instead of the Nets.
Ultimately both teams would have gotten crushed anyway in the first round but I would have rather seen the future of the league get his first playoff experience and maybe do something spectacular (in an individual sense) rather than seeing the Nets who I'm already overly familiar with from the past two seasons.
Last edited by reeche on Thu Apr 21, 2005 10:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
http://www.whas11.com/sharedcontent/VideoPlayer/videoPlayer.php?vidId=49293&catId=49
---Lend a ***** a pencil--- Context?
I'm excited for the Suns - Grizz, man that should be a fun series.
Here are my pick's for the 1st round:
EC
(1) Heat vs (8) Nets (Heat in 4) - Shaq could avg 35ppg in this series.
(2) Pistons vs (7) 76ers (Pistons in 5) - Unless Webber can help, this one's gonna be short
(3) Celtics vs (6) Pacers (Celts in 6) - Looks for Pierce to explode here with no Artest in site. JO is still not 100% healthy.
(4) Bulls vs (5) Wizards (Wizards in 5) - No Curry and Deng for the Bulls. I don't think the Bulls will have a answer for the 3 headed monster of Arenas - Hughes - Jamison. Arenas comming out party.
WC
(1) Suns vs (8) Grizz (Suns in 6) - Indredible fun series. No games under 100. Grizz will lose 1 game at home, wich would mean they'd have to beat the Suns 2 times in Phoenix to have a chance. Not gonna happen.
(2) Spurs vs (7) Nuggets - (Spurs in 6) If Camby was 100% healthy(never) and they had Leonard available, I'd actually pick the Nuggets for the upset. Specially with TD a bit hobbled.
(3) Sonics vs (6) Kings - (Kings in 5) Brad Miller and Bobby Jaks are back. Will Radmanovic play?
(4) Mavs vs (5) Rockets - (Rockets in 7) This may be the best series in the 1st round. I'm thinking T-Mac is gonna blow-up vs the Mavs and carry them in game 7.
Brando70 wrote:
It sucks for Cleveland fans, but they would have gotten killed in round 1 by the Heat anyway. Now at least they get a lottery ball and a higher pick.
Not only did we already trade away our first round pick, we waived the lottery protection on it. Guess we assumed we wouldn't need it.
Brando70 wrote:
It sucks for Cleveland fans, but they would have gotten killed in round 1 by the Heat anyway. Now at least they get a lottery ball and a higher pick.
Not only did we already trade away our first round pick, we waived the lottery protection on it. Guess we assumed we wouldn't need it.
Ouch, I forgot about that.
Assumption, the mother of all f*ckups.
Yeah, so did I. Was that really the pick from the 1997 trade for Wesley Person? And no second round it looks like, either (to Orlando for Drew Gooden). Ouch.
Uh, good luck in free agency?
Last edited by Brando70 on Thu Apr 21, 2005 1:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I'm certainly not an NBA fan, but I'll put in my 2 cents worth.
I'm glad the Cavs failed to make the playoffs. They played like crap the last 6 weeks, and don't deserve to be in. New Jersey certainly has the momentum, and I can see them taking the Heat to a game 7. In fact, I think all the first round matchups in the Eastern Conference could go to 6 games. Miami and Detroit should be the clear cut favorites to meet in the Eastern Conference finals, but they haven't played particularly good basketball as of late, while a couple of the lower seeds have.
The Western Conference playoffs should be quite exciting to watch. I think Denver will upset San Antonio. I don't think Phoenix will have too much problem with Memphis, Seattle and Sacramento will most likely go 7 games, and the battle of Texas should favor the Mavs.
I'd like to see Phoenix and Detroit meet up in the finals.
