As opposed to last years first two rounds it looks to me like this year will be much tougher. We will probably easily make it through the first round, however it is the second round that is going to be very difficult. If we lock down the one seed we will most likely play Utah in the second round, they have played us very, very well this season. If we grab the number two or three seed we will most likely play the Spurs, who are surging right now. I know it is early and their are a lot of what-if's here but what do you guys think, who do you want to face in the second round?
The first two rounds will be more difficult than last season? Last season, both the Clippers and Lakers took you guys to the brink of elimination (7 games). I don't see how it can get any harder than that, especially considering how you guys now have Amare Stoudimire
<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The first two rounds will be more difficult than last season? Last season, both the Clippers and Lakers took you guys to the brink of elimination (7 games). I don't see how it can get any harder than that, especially considering how you guys now have Amare Stoudimire</div> Yeah, but last year felt different, I never doubted they would make it to the Western Conference finals, and while both series did go to seven games the regular season gave us no indication we would have much trouble with those teams, even though we did. I did not mean to down play last years competition I just thought that the strength of the second rounders looks much better than last years. This is in large part due to the fact Utah is strong again. Kinda just wanted to hear other suns fans thoughts on who they wanted to play in the second round. Last year all we really focused on was meeting Dallas or SA in the Conf finals--- that's probably the reason we almost lost each of the first two rounds.
the 2nd round will be harder for Phoenix this year......they'll have to play the Spurs most likely...
Its going to be tougher not just for the Suns to advanced, but for every team. The west is surging right now and I expect Lakers to get more competitive once they get Luke & Odom back on the court and at good shape to play in the playoffs. Cant wait for the playoffs, its going to be very exciting watching things unfold.
Yup, xclutchx said it, the West is going to be tough all around. I don't think the Clippers, Lakers, Rockets, or Nuggets will upset any of the top seeds though (it could happen, they all have the talent, I just think the top 4 teams are rolling at the right time and won't have a let-down). Utah is going to be easier than San Antonio, so it'd be nice to get the #1 seed back; I know Phoenix has struggled with Utah thus far, but 2 years ago they struggled against Memphis in the regular season and swept them in the playoffs. Hopefully the Suns can win their 1st round series quickly and get some rest. It's unlikely but a matchup with Houston would be best, Phoenix can run Yao off the court and they've beaten them easily. I think the Lakers would be the worst matchup (and very likely with them struggling and falling in the standings) for whatever reason Odom turns into an All-Star against us and they have success against us, even when the Suns beat the Lakers its close and not easy. I just really hope to see a Phoenix-Dallas series, both teams at full strength, it'd be one for the ages.
That being said scorbutic, Utah also scares me a lot they have always played us very well and really seem to have our number this year. I agree though, Houston will be probably the best first round match-up for us. The West is just incredibly stacked this year- I mean just think the Suns were the second seed with only 54 wins last year. 54 wins will probably get you into the fourth or fifth this year.
<div class="quote_poster">scorbutic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Idon't think the Clippers, Lakers, Rockets, or Nuggets will upset any of the top seeds though (it could happen, they all have the talent, I just think the top 4 teams are rolling at the right time and won't have a let-down). </div> I disagree with you there. If you watched the Lakers last year then you would know they are a totally different team in the playoffs. They are a big threat to anyone in the playoffs. Heck, they even took Suns to 7 games. And remember, they were on top of you guys 3-1 at one point. No one expected that. Also, about Houston, you don't think they can beat Utah? Yes, Utah is also very tough, but Houston is tough also. Do you remember 2 years ago? Rockets had a full MVP type McGrady and a getting better Yao. We were deep that year but we are even deeper this year. We have a deep bench with Bonzi, Snyder, Head, and Howard. Rockets are really not considered as the upset team. They are about equally matched up with Utah. It would be a heck of series, but common, be serious, we have Yao Ming a guy who is slowly gaining his MVP type performance back. We have 16 games left. He'll be more than ready by then. McGrady's back has been just fine for the past 25-30 games and hopefully it'll stay good till playoffs. We have Battier, one of the most underrated defenders in the league. Dont underestimate the Rockets, they are going to be a threat in the playoffs.
<div class="quote_poster">Umair Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I disagree with you there. If you watched the Lakers last year then you would know they are a totally different team in the playoffs. They are a big threat to anyone in the playoffs. Heck, they even took Suns to 7 games. And remember, they were on top of you guys 3-1 at one point. No one expected that.</div> I think the point we are trying to make is that the entire West is totally different this year. You cannot compare the Lakers Suns matchup last year to this year because we did not have Amare. Lakers might have been a tough out last year but put Amare on our team and all those easy points from Kwame would have disappeared. <div class="quote_poster">Umair Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Also, about Houston, you don't think they can beat Utah? Yes, Utah is also very tough, but Houston is tough also. Do you remember 2 years ago? Rockets had a full MVP type McGrady and a getting better Yao. We were deep that year but we are even deeper this year. We have a deep bench with Bonzi, Snyder, Head, and Howard. Rockets are really not considered as the upset team. They are about equally matched up with Utah. It would be a heck of series, but common, be serious, we have Yao Ming a guy who is slowly gaining his MVP type performance back. We have 16 games left. He'll be more than ready by then. McGrady's back has been just fine for the past 25-30 games and hopefully it'll stay good till playoffs. We have Battier, one of the most underrated defenders in the league. Dont underestimate the Rockets, they are going to be a threat in the playoffs.</div> Didn't the Rockets lose in the first round two years ago to Dallas? They were tough but not a championship contender. This year they are much deeper I agree and I am sure that a Utah Houston matchup could go either way. However, if it shakes out that the Suns play Houston in the 2nd round that's pretty much a no contest IMO (Look at the Suns record against Houston in the last three years), but if we play Utah that is a different story. As far as Houston beating Utah; you guys have two chance to test that theory coming up in April. But as for you guys being stronger this year you do have to look at the fact the Rockets are a combined 4 and 9 against the top four teams in the West.
I said upsets could happen, I would not be stunned. However I don't think one is likely with the Mavs, Spurs, Suns, and Jazz rolling like they are. I already expressed my thoughts about the Lakers and how I'd like to avoid them in the first round because I know they can turn it on in the Playoffs, and Kobe is as clutch as they come. I didn't forget the 3-1 lead, that's why I said they'd be the toughest matchup the Suns could face in the 1st round. However since we're bringing up the 3-1 lead, don't forget Phoenix went 3-0 after that without Amare.
