I havent heard much people mention Phoenix Suns when it has to do with Championship Contenders.. Lets not forget they are missing one of their best player if not the best. Their current record is 23-12 only three more losses then San Antonio. I think they will be a very tough team to beat once they have Amare back and conditioned. I will even go out on a limb and say they will make it to the Western Conference Finals
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GiantMidget:</div><div class="quote_post">Can they beat the Spurs in a 7 game series? Theres your answer.</div> He asked if Phoenix is a championship contender, not if they would win the championship. EDIT: And yes, once Amare comes back I think the Suns will be a championship contender.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GiantMidget:</div><div class="quote_post">Can they beat the Spurs in a 7 game series? Theres your answer.</div> We've shown we can beat them in a single game without Amare or Leandro (or Brian Grant who will help in defense vs Duncan). So yeah, with our guys back I think we have a fair chance at winning a 7 game series.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting unbeliever:</div><div class="quote_post">We've shown we can beat them in a single game without Amare or Leandro (or Brian Grant who will help in defense vs Duncan). So yeah, with our guys back I think we have a fair chance at winning a 7 game series.</div> I can't see it. Phoenix's style isn't the style that wins championships. It's fun to watch and will win a lot of games, but come the crunch it's tough, defensive minded teams who tend to win playoff games.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">He asked if Phoenix is a championship contender, not if they would win the championship. EDIT: And yes, once Amare comes back I think the Suns will be a championship contender.</div> Arent championship contenders teams that can win a championship? Any team in the west not named the Spurs is going to have to go through San Antonio to get to the championship.The Suns cant beat the Spurs 4 out of 7 games in the playoffs, they showed that last year. So the clear answer is NO...the Suns are a really nice team,but not a contender.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GiantMidget:</div><div class="quote_post">Arent championship contenders teams that can win a championship? Any team in the west not named the Spurs is going to have to go through San Antonio to get to the championship.The Suns cant beat the Spurs 4 out of 7 games in the playoffs, they showed that last year. So the clear answer is NO...the Suns are a really nice team,but not a contender.</div> So any team in the West not named San Antonio isn't a championship contender? All right, got it. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jerry West:</div><div class="quote_post">I can't see it. Phoenix's style isn't the style that wins championships. It's fun to watch and will win a lot of games, but come the crunch it's tough, defensive minded teams who tend to win playoff games.</div> Have you seen Phoenix play this season? They have improved on defense a lot. They have developed more of a half court style while still getting fast break points.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GiantMidget:</div><div class="quote_post">Arent championship contenders teams that can win a championship? Any team in the west not named the Spurs is going to have to go through San Antonio to get to the championship.The Suns cant beat the Spurs 4 out of 7 games in the playoffs, they showed that last year. So the clear answer is NO...the Suns are a really nice team,but not a contender.</div> Amare dominated the Spurs last year and I think he could do it again. I am sure the other guys will step up more then they did last year. They can be a contender plz stop hating go somewhere else no one likes you. You are the most biased person in the forums so plz go somewhere else..
^ How was my post hating? Im pretty sure most people would agree that the Suns arent as good as the Spurs and wouldnt be able to beat them in the playoffs. If you dont have a reasonable chance to win you cant contend therefor you cant be a contender. Seems reasonable to me, oh well.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GiantMidget:</div><div class="quote_post"> If you dont have a reasonable chance to win you cant contend therefor you cant be a contender. Seems reasonable to me, oh well.</div> Well Phoenix did manage to take San Antonio to 6 games without Joe Johnson for a couple games and a struggling Q-Rich. This year the Suns have more depth, better defense, and more big bodied players. 04-05 big men: Amare, Marion, Hunter 05-06 big men: Amare, Marion, Kurt Thomas, Borris Diaw, Brian Grant, Pat Burke Right now I think that San Antonio is the better team, however if a Duncan, Ginobli, or Parker were to be injured or even at 70%, I could see San Antonio having a good fight with them.
^ Right. However, its not as if the Suns didnt lose anything...and i think alot of people fail/refuse to see this. The Suns offense this year,even if its still good, is NOWEHERE NEAR the offense they had last year. They were one of the best offensive teams to ever play in my opinion. So lets realize that the Suns made a significant sacrifice. With that said, are the Suns better than they were last year? I know I dont think so.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GiantMidget:</div><div class="quote_post">^ Right. However, its not as if the Suns didnt lose anything...and i think alot of people fail/refuse to see this. The Suns offense this year,even if its still good, is NOWEHERE NEAR the offense they had last year. They were one of the best offensive teams to ever play in my opinion. So lets realize that the Suns made a significant sacrifice. With that said, are the Suns better than they were last year? I know I dont think so.</div> You might be right, however its hard to tell with Amare out of the lineup. I think though that this years Suns team once Amare comes back will be better than the Suns team that faced the Spurs in the WCF. (struggling Q-Rich, no Joe Johnson for a couple games, and Marion playing out of position against Tim Duncan). The question is regarding if they are contenders and I think that this years team is more adept against facing the Spurs than last years injured one, which I think if they keep up what they are doing and Amare becomes healthy they will be considered a contender.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GiantMidget:</div><div class="quote_post">^ How was my post hating? Im pretty sure most people would agree that the Suns arent as good as the Spurs and wouldnt be able to beat them in the playoffs. If you dont have a reasonable chance to win you cant contend therefor you cant be a contender. Seems reasonable to me, oh well.</div> I think Phoenix could win. their depth is a hell of a lot better this year, not to mention their defence, and their offence will be even better with Amare. Phoenix vs Detroit for the championship. Wont they have a better starting lineup and bench than detroit then? DET: C-Ben/Milicic/Davis F-Sheed/McDyess/Maxiell/Tayshaun/Delfino G-Hamilton/Evans/Billups/Hunter/Arroyo PHO: C-Amare/Thomas/Burke F-Diaw/Grant/Marion/ G-Bell/Nash/Barbosa/House
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Maverick:</div><div class="quote_post">Could they beat the Mavericks, Dirk has gotten used to lengthy SF's now</div> Right now my guess is, Suns without Amare, Mavs beat them in 6 games. Suns with Amare, however he is only 80%, it could go either way. Suns with Amare and he is pretty close to last years Amare, Suns in 6 or 7 and its one heck of a playoff series just like last year. I'm not sure if the Mavs and Suns will face each other in the playoffs though. If San Antonio is first and Dallas is 4th, then Dallas has to face San Antonio and that would be a tough series for Dallas.
I am a Spurs fan, but I saw what the Phoenix Suns did last playoffs against the Spurs and I feel they are a better team this year. So I would put them as a contender for an NBA Championship you never know =)
Suns are a clear contender with a heathly Amare Stoudemire They are so much better suited for the playoffs than last year It's not even close. They are deeper, better defensively, have big big bodies inside to help control Duncan. Last year the suns were forced to play Marion on Duncan alot of the time and the weak Steven Hunter. Now they have guys like Thomas, Grant, Burke who can D up. Burke would used for mainly fouls though. Stats wise, the Suns are one of the top 5 defensive teams in the league this year. Which isn't a surprise when you have guys like Bell, Diaw, Marion, Thomas in your starting 5 who are all pretty good defenders. The Suns are 11 games above 500 without Amare, If he comes back at 90% the Suns will still be a real threat to the Spurs. Who are not playing anywhere near to what they should be.
So lets recap. Reasons for Phoenix not being a Contender: - They aren't tough defensively -- Oops, they're #2 in the league for point differential (+6.3) - They don't have the same high-powered offense as last year -- Guess what? They're #1 in the league in ppg (105) without Amare - They couldn't do it last year, they can't do it this time -- Hello? They have 7 new players, they're a different team. And only a few games behind the Spurs w/out their all-star/mvp quality Amare and dont' discount the loss of Barbosa either. My advice? Try watching the Suns play. Try some critical thinking and don't let some espn drone shortcut your brain. Then come back and back up any of your statements with, oh I dunno, some facts or stats?
All Net you said it. They are a completely different team this year. Nash is playing with about 50% more confidence. They're WAY better defensively. They get way more points in the paint. Nash has approached Yoda master 10th Dan level with his court vision. Diaw is proving to be a MUN - Match Up Nightmare. Unlike Lamar Odom or Darius Miles though, he's got his head right. I think if you've seen the Suns play this year, you like their chances against anybody not named Detroit. So I think they can get to the finals yes, most definitely.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting unbeliever:</div><div class="quote_post">So lets recap. Reasons for Phoenix not being a Contender: - They aren't tough defensively -- Oops, they're #2 in the league for point differential (+6.3) - They don't have the same high-powered offense as last year -- Guess what? They're #1 in the league in ppg (105) without Amare - They couldn't do it last year, they can't do it this time -- Hello? They have 7 new players, they're a different team. And only a few games behind the Spurs w/out their all-star/mvp quality Amare and dont' discount the loss of Barbosa either. My advice? Try watching the Suns play. Try some critical thinking and don't let some espn drone shortcut your brain. Then come back and back up any of your statements with, oh I dunno, some facts or stats?</div> God post, the Suns are very good this year. I think they are better than last year because they've improved their defense and depth. I'd say they are contenders but Amare may not be the same Amare we saw last year. He relied very heavliy on his athleticism and if he isnt as explosive this year he may struggle a bit more.
