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 Reality
Posted By: Gary Bender |
 Mike D'Antoni and the Suns are weeks away from another run at an NBA title. (NBAE Photos) |
It all started to slip when Steve Nash's shoulder froze on him just prior to the all-star game. The team’s game started to freeze as well. I personally think the Suns became bored with little to play for and lost some focus.
Mike D'Antoni felt the team lost a little confidence that the club was pressing. Nobody handles all this better than Mike, who is the last to panic, but he is ticked off it happened. Ironically, the two long winning streaks of 15 and 17 games has seemingly made the season even longer.
After those remarkable stretches, the Suns looked up and still had a month and a half left. It was apparent they weren't going to catch Dallas for the number one seed and their rear view mirror told them that the Spurs had little or no opportunity to pass the Suns for the number two seed.
So, the reality of the situation is, we're okay, we will be ready when the playoffs hit. The Suns have a very difficult finish to the regular season, playing four games in five nights.
How will that prepare them for post-season play? Can the Suns get razor sharp during that span of games, or will it take a toll on a team that isn't all that deep?
To win the NBA Championship, you must win 16 games. Those 16 games could occur within 28 games or ideally it would be nice to shorten the number of games in the first round, as you can almost bet the second round with San Antonio and the Western Conference Finals with Dallas will go the full distance of seven games. My point being that the Suns could use a break and not have to play four seven-game series.
So what is the reality of what's ahead? Will Shawn Marion's shot return? Is Boris Diaw's back still a factor? Will James Jones’ shooting slump continue? Will the Suns’ defense get better? Will the Suns win the title?
I don't know!
Can they win the title?
The reality is, they can!
Comments
Victoria - Las Vegas
I think the Suns slacking because they know that they are in the playoffs. When they used to go out and play it was for the playoffs and know they go out and play because they have to...being a Phoenix fan there were good signs of the Warriors game...you seen Boris Diaw play with drive last night with 18 points and i think that is important to the Suns. But i think once they get the fire back in them they will be fine.
Karen - Phoenix
I think the Suns can win the championship. The question is how bad do they want it. Winning the west this year is much harder than last year. If the Suns think they can turn on the switch in the playoffs and play at the Mavs' level, that's wrong.
jeremy - phoenix
Gary thanks for your thoughts, I understand the season can be long and the team could maybe bored or think their is nothing to play for, but i dont buy that. If i was a plyaer every night i would come to play with that attitude that no one is going to beat us especially some scrub team like golden state or philly. If I lost to those teams i would be totally pissed, and not want to lose again. no matter if the other team i sub-500 or not. Play with pride and purpose and edge.
The Suns should have a edge or purpose playing against everyone, all the way unitl we win the title...just to shut up all the fools talking smack about the team.
Please, Please Suns, dont give up the 2 seed to the spurs...Just get it done....
James - Texas
I'm first a Mavs fan but think the Suns have a great team and loved Nash when he was here. If it's any consolation, Dallas has yet to beat Golden State this year. They lost to them when they lost their first four games to start the season, and then two days before the Mavs/Suns classic double overtime game, Golden State broke the Mavs long winning streak, beating them 118-100 in California. Sometimes they get in those zones. How much Don Nelson had to do with it with his familiarity with the Mavs, I don't know. The Mavs have to go out there again the next to last game of the regular season. And of course, they also could meet them in the first round of the playoffs. Oh boy. Sunday ought to be another good one.
Susan :-) - Hawaii
Thank you for your insightful blog Mr. Bender. Reality for anyone whether you're an athlete, celeb, regular person is never easy to face sometimes. But it's necessary for a person to come back to earth and get grounded. It doesn't mean you were livin in "la-la" land but just need to refocus. This season has come in a flash and now we are slowly embarking on the playoffs. I'm sure the Phoenix Suns know this and probably have started to regroup. Whether it's a boredom, tiredness, climbing that rugged mountain towards playoffs we can only guess. The team knows what the "goal" is and what it would take to achieve the prize. I have no doubt in my heart of hearts that the Suns WILL capture their passion, fire, intensity and love of the game again. I will be cheering them on tonight and the big game on Sunday against the Mavs. I know it will be a dog-fight til the end and I'll be watching this game in Las Vegas - MGM Grand or Bellagio! So if the Suns, Coach D'Antoni & staff happen to read my comment...Capture that fire and let it take you to the top. Rise and play with intensity and focus. The Suns have what it takes to be a champion..MEN WHO NEVER GIVE UP! ~ Aloha ~
Brandon S. - Phoenix
I agree, I think the Suns CAN win a title, but will they? Not if they keep relying on jumpshots and not playing defense. We need to do two things to get back on track: #1 - HAVE to play better "D" and grab more rebounds and #2 - Start going to the inside game more. We have four great inside guys in STAT, Kurt Thomas, Diaw,and Marion. Start pounding the ball inside more and good things will happen! It will either A. Get a bucket B. Get you to the foul line or C. Open up someone for a wide-open 3!!! But yet...they don't do that - they keep taking these awful-looking jump shots and 3's that they have no business taking..and missing...and then not playing defense so we get scored on. That's gotta stop and NOW!!! Come on SUNS WAKE UP it's time!!! The window of opportunity is closing and FAST!!!
JOHN S. - SURPRISE AZ
IM AN AVID SUNS FAN WATCHING EVERY GAME. I ALSO WATCH DALLAS AND SPURS ON LEAGUE PASS. SUNS JUST DON'T PLAY WITH THE INTENSITY AND TOUGHNESS THAT THE OTHER TWO EXHIBIT EVERY NIGHT. ARE WE TOUGH ENOUGH TO BEAT BOTH ON THE WAY TO A CHAMPIOSHIP? I BELIEVE WE WILL NEED ONE OF THEM TO BE UPSET, AND GO INJURY FREE TO DO IT. MARION MUST PLAY LIKE IN THE FRI.DENVER GAME,AMARE MUST STOP THE CRAZY FOULS,NASH HAS TO REGAIN THE SHARP PASSING,DIAW HAS TO SHOOT THE BALL,RAJA JUST BE RAJA. WE HAVE THE TALENT, DO WE HAVE THE HEART? CAN THIS TEAM REACH DOWN DEEP AND GO FOR IT? I BELIEVE IT CAN!! WE BEAT PISTONS IN SIX GAMES AND I'LL BE DOWNTOWN WITH ALL OF YOU FOR THE PARADE.
Lori Ann - Sedona Superfan
Like "Red" says in the commercials, making buckets is all about: fundamentals. Sometimes it IS necessary to go back to the basics of the game and "regroup" as Susan put it ---very well said. Great game tonight hosting Denver. Speaking of regrouping ...... niiiiiiice, VERY nice Shawn! Stay focused, guys. Have fun. GO SUNS !!!!!
Antoinette - Phoenix
YES, the SUNS can definitely win the NBA title. I know that they can do it. I agree with the rest of the bloggers the SUNS need to get their hearts back into the game and win!! You can do it!! You are awesome to watch!! As John from Surprise says to you players... I too will be downtown Phoenix celebrating with you all when you DO win the NBA championship... GO SUNS, you can DO IT!!
Lori Ann - Sedona Superfan
65% from the field !!! WOW !!! GREAT game Phoenix .....WELL DONE GUYS !!!!!! .....GO SUNS!
((((((STANDING O' )))))))) !!!!
Lori Ann - Sedona Superfan
.......if we played all our games with such intensity, as we did hosting Dallas --- NO ONE would be able to touch us! Again ---- FANtastic game, guys .....beautiful !!!
JOHN S. - SURPRISE AZ
WHAT I WITNESSED SUNDAY AGAINST THE MAVERICKS WAS THE MOST ENTERTAINING, TENACIOUS, KILLER INSTINCT AND WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE DIGGING DOWN,BEST TEAM ON THE PLANET, HANDS DOWN!!THEY VIRTUALLY SAVED THE NBA AND BROUGHT A NEW LEVEL OF EXCITEMENT TO PHOENIX BY BEING WHO THEY ARE, ALL OF THEM, THE RUN AND GUN SUNS,WITH DEFENSE. I APPOLOGISE FOR EVER REMOTLEY QUESTIONING OUR TEAM FOR IT'S TOUGHNESS. THAT PARADE DOWNTOWN IS GOING TO SET SOME RECORDS!!!
JOHN S. - SURPRISE
I FULLY EXPECT COMMISSIONER STERN TO SEND DOWN A MEMO MAKING IT ILLEGAL TO USE OUR SECRET WEAPON "THE BLUR" IN ANY FUTURE GAMES. BARBOSA IS WITHOUT DOUBT THE KEY TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP GATE. IF WE CAN GET HIM UNDER CONTROL, WERE LOOKING AT SOMETHING SPECIAL. IT'S NOT POSSIBLE TO GUARD FIVE PLAYERS WHO ALL CAN RUN AND SCORE IN DOUBLE DIGITS. THE EXPERTS SAY WE CAN ONLY PLAY "ONE WAY". IF IT'S THE WAY WE PLAYED ON SUNDAY US DIE HARD FANS ARE READY TO CELEBRATE. SPEED KILLS AND THERE IS NO REASON TO ALLOW TEAMS TO SLOW THE PACE. WE ARE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO DRAG THE REST OF THE LEAGUE KICKING AND SCREAMING INTO THE NEXT LEVEL OF NBA BASKETBALL. RUN AND GUN, WITH A SPRINKLE OF DEFENSE.
Thomas L. Anderson - California City, CA
The Suns are a great team to watch. I have been a fan since 1973 but the Suns of today must try to drive to the basket more often to rise to greatness.
Free throws are missing from their game and allows the opposition like Dallas and San Antonio to score bunches from the line. I wish them the best and we haven't missed many games over satellite these many years.
JOHN S. - SURPRISE AZ
JUST WATCHED THE SUNS PLAY OUR STYLE OF BASKETBALL!! THE RESULT, AN OVERPOWERING WIN AGAINST THE JAZZ. THIS WAS THE SAME SUNS TEAM THAT DISMANTLED DALLAS. IT LOOKS LIKE THE LOCKER ROOM DIFFICULTY HAS BEEN PUT ASIDE. I WILL SAY IT AGAIN, NO TEAM IN THE LEAGUE CAN RUN WITH US FOR 48 MINUTES.IF WE PLAY AVERAGE DEFENSE, RUN WITH INTENSITY, WE WIN 90% OF THE TIME IN A SEVEN GAME SERIES. WE PLAY WITH THE EMOTION, DEFENSE AND INTENSITY OF THE DALLAS AND UTAH GAMES WERE NEW NBA CHAMPIONS. THE MAGIC IS BACK JUST IN TIME.
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