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 Having Fun Yet?
Posted By: Bob Adlhoch |
 Shaquille O'Neal has brought the fun back into the Suns' game - and it's translating into wins. (NBAE Photos) |
What a difference a couple of weeks can make. The Suns have not just won 7 straight, but have won them in a multitude of impressive ways. They beat the Evil Empire two weeks ago in a playoff-style slugfest that has become the Spurs’ calling card, holding Duncan and Co. to a measly two points over the final 5:30. A few nights later the Suns outran the fastest team in the league, pasting the Warriors with a 10-0 3rd quarter run that Golden State never recovered from. Mixed in with those wins were a couple of boat races that were over by halftime – the Suns led Memphis and Sacramento by 31 points (each) at the intermission. Are you kidding me? I know Memphis is having a rough season, but Sacramento just beat the Lakers in LA and it is unbelievably difficult to post a 30-point lead in the NBA. The players are too good and pro athletes in general have way too much pride to take a beating like that. Saturday’s dismantling of Houston was the latest indication of how good this Suns team can be. The Rockets are fresh off the 2nd longest winning streak in NBA history at 22 games – something none of Jordan’s Chicago, Magic’s LA or Bird’s Boston teams could do – and they looked more like a lottery team against Phoenix than a true title contender.
I’m sure you can see how Shaq’s conditioning has improved since his arrival, and Steve Nash has figured out how to exploit the nightly mismatches with a huge post presence at his disposal. You’ve certainly noticed how much Amaré Stoudemire has responded to being moved back to his comfort zone at power forward (28.8 PTS, 9.3 REBS, 57% FGs – 7 games of 30+ PTS since the All-Star break) and the respect he has for his new mentor. Grant Hill and Raja Bell have been outstanding defensively and are consistently shutting down great scorers (Brandon Roy – 3/14 FGs, Monta Ellis – 8/22 FGs, Manu Ginobilli – 7/19 FGs, Tracy McGrady – 11/31 FGs). But I think the biggest change of all doesn’t show up in any box score or stat line. At the beginning of this season, Mike D’Antoni told his team that this title quest they’ve been on over the last 3+ seasons is a journey that should be enjoyed, not just a destination to be sought. And although the Suns sat atop the toughest conference in NBA history (Denver is on pace to win 49 games and not make the playoffs – unprecedented!) when they made the Big Trade, they ranked near the bottom on the Fun Meter. And that’s what Shaq has changed. Following the world’s greatest crowd dive against San Antonio, Shaq sent the Suns’ bench scurrying like cockroaches when the light gets flipped on by chasing a rebound in their direction against Memphis. Last Tuesday in Portland, he followed up a blocked shot with a Brett Favre post route to Boris Diaw for a dunk, then erupted towards the bench in a show of emotion that brought the house down. A few minutes later he shook off 3 Blazers after another low-post mugging and walked over to greet Portland owner and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen with a handshake and smile. Classic Shaq – tough as nails between the lines, but truly just a big kid living the dream.
An Eastern Conference gauntlet awaits the Suns this week with Detroit, Boston, Philadelphia and New Jersey. Phoenix will have a little payback in mind for the Pistons after a humiliating home loss a few weeks ago. Boston has the best record in the NBA, Philly has played very well lately (remember the March 1st game in Phoenix?) and New Jersey is the second night of a back-to-back set and has a new point guard that has always been a tough matchup for Nash. It should be a pretty good measuring stick as the playoffs draw closer – and it’s guaranteed must see TV.
Comments
John Doney - Greenville, SC
This week is going to tell us how strong the Suns are, because all of these teams on this road trip are good, especially the Pistons and the Celtics. The Suns aced this recent test with flying colors, so let's see if they can ace this next test.
Lori Ann - Sedona Superfan
Nice article, Bob!
BRING ON THE EAST !!! I think we're ready, and the timing couldn't be better!
GO SUNS !!!!
D Ram - G Town USA
I just have to say that I really love the picture you have up on the site. You know that if we beat the Pistons and Celts that everyone is going to be talking about the Suns again. Its going to be an epidemic and every critic is going to start talking about how the Suns now have the formula to win a Championship. Well the reason that they can say that is because they DO. I hope Raja can play tonight...I want to see 3's rain from the heavens tonight. Barbosa, Raja, Nash, heck let Shaq bust a tre I don't even care! LIGHTS OUT on DDDDtroit basketball!
Robert S - Heber Az, Trinidad Co.
Bob, thanks for the great blog! The fun meter is definately on and running now that the Cactus has arrived. We had the necessary teething pains as we learned to play both Coach Mikes "euro ball" and relearned to play classic NBA basketball!!! Now I love the new versatility that OUR team has put on display the last 2 weeks!!! Lets hope for the playoffs sake that Dirks leg does not keep him down too long! I wanna see him get posterized by the Cactus in OUR jersey!!!!!!
John S. - Surprise AZ
Suns played an excellent game in Detroit, to bad the officiating dictated the outcome. The sad fact remains, in the game we fans love so much, refs do have the ability to decide the outcome of close games. It was proven with the officiating scandal last year, and games like Suns, Detroit, bring the stench of that foul reality back to us fans, and players. I realize that you can't get every call dead on, but one obvious no call, and two obvious wrong calls, all with the game on the line, all against one team, is sad. This kind of officiating robs us fans and the players while cracking the very foundation of the NBA.
Antoinette Silago - Phoenix, AZ
Man!! The Suns were robbed tonight!! it is such a shame how the refs can be. Why can't they be fair?!? This frustrates us fans to see a team be robbed like this. And to even hear it from the opponents about calls not be called. What does say about them???? The Suns had it... :( Well, we have to beat Celtics come Wednesday... GO SUNS!!!
Carla - Cottonwood, AZ
Well, the Pistons gave was a very exciting, and frustrating game to watch. The Suns had every right to win that game! Thanks to the officials, the Suns were slapped with another loss, that was truly theirs the fourth quarter. I hope we have better officials the rest of the run away from home. GO SUNS!
Fernando Ramirez - Phoenix
I totally agree that the Suns have become a much tougher and defensive-minded team with the trade of Shaq. However, as a loyal Suns fan, I'm angry of all the doubters and cowards who jumped off the Suns' bandwagon without giving the PROVEN and most dominant center the league has seen since Walt Chamberlain a fighting chance. Nonetheless, i see the Suns making a great run come playoff time and what better way to shut doubters up then earning that championship ring.
piokz -
SUNS will win the playoffs!
Peter Lopez - Paranaque City
The loss to the Pistons today was just a mere speed bump, character building experience so they say. Game could've gone both ways, but that's the way the ball goes. Anyway, really havin' fun watching them Suns. Great games lead to great blogs, keep 'em comin' PHX!
Peter Lopez - Paranaque City
The loss to the Pistons today was just a mere speed bump, character building experience so they say. Game could've gone both ways, but that's the way the ball goes. Anyway, really havin' fun watching them Suns. Great games lead to great blogs, keep 'em comin' PHX!
Ash - DC
It was our game until the refs made a few bad calls. Rasheed wallace had a nice block.
Stanley - Los Angeles
The Suns have been winning by such huge margins that the refs can't control the outcome. But last night against the Pistons the game was close, an ingredient the suns will be sure to avoid when those 3 refs are calling the game. The Suns controlled the paint and earned a hard fought victory against Detroit in my mind. If the suns keep playing like they have been I see them winning a championship this year.
deb - dallas
It is time for Steve Nash to be a little less honorable--we all know he is capable of putting more points on the board, so let him do it! I admire the team effort, but lets don't sacrafice a win for unselfishness--especially to make Shaq feel good about himself. Shaq is there to defend and rebound--not to score a lot of points. That is the job for Stoudemire, Nash, Bell, Hill, Diaw and Barbosa. And what is it with some of these commentators and their "Shaq and the Suns"? Get real--he had his prime, and Nash and Stoudemire do more than he will.
Antoinette Silago - Phoenix, AZ
Thank you Fernando.... I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU... WE NEED TO HAVE THEM JUMP THROUGH HOOPS BEFORE COMING BACK ON THE WAGON... DON'T CHA THINK??? :)
Farley - Mesa
"I totally agree that the Suns have become a much tougher and defensive-minded team with the trade of Shaq."
Sometimes--or more appropriately--every once in a while. Certainly not against the Celts, when we watched the Suns sleepwalk through the last two quarters like they all took Ambien at halftime. Outrebounded, turnovers galore, nothing even remotely resembling toughness or the slightest interest in D.
And Shaq took advantage of his Boston interview to throw a bunch of expletive-filled insults at Riley--the guy who engineered a $100M extension for him in Miami. When the shine wears off in Phoenix he'll do the same here. I'd bet on it.
RICK - PHOENIX, ARIZONA
The Suns got lucky with the Spurs and the other teams were easy to beat. They have showed time after time, that they only make good runs when they are playing easy teams. However, when they play good teams like the Celtics, Portland, and others, they just don't have what it takes. For so long they wanted a big man in the middle. Now they have him, but are struggling to make it happen. This team is finished. I can see them getting embarrased in the first round of the playoffs. That is if they make the playoffs. Thank you Steve Kerr for making the worst trade of the NBA.
brian - Roxbury,KS
If the Suns don't stop turning the ball over they will continue to struggle and tick me off. To me it seems like they are always going for the home run pass. The celtics game was horrible. I just hope nash can get a title!
kristel velasquez - philippines
just keep on going suns... =)
Juan C. Puente - Fort Worth, Texas
To RICK from Phoenix, Arizona. You "have showed" everyone your level of intelligence. I am a Spurs' fan, but I have to admit that the Suns outplayed, and outhustled the Spurs in that game, especially Shaq. And as far as the worst trade is concerned, I think Mark Cuban can be given that dishonor. Steve Kerr finally gave the Suns an inside defensive and offensive presence. Shaq also brings some playoff and championship experience Steve Nash will need to earn his first ring. If anything, the trouncing Boston gave the Suns in Boston is only fuel for the fire that I'm sure is burning in the Diesel's engine.
deb - dallas
The game tonight against the nuggets proved my point--Nash needs to keep plugging away. go Nash--the real '08 MVP!
sad - az
A usual, D'Antoni did it again, played his players to the max leaving them with no energy at the end of the quarter... Skinner was not given a chance to sweat for the rest of the star players to rest. The strategy just doesn't work here. It may work at times, but D'Antoni can not all the time depend on this. He has to find a way to use up all his players in the middle of the game to give his star players chances to rest and then play at the end of the game when it is so crucial to do so.....
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