DDS: Phoenix Suns

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The Thabo Sefolosha experiment is officially over. I trade him to the Bobcats for their 1st round pick this year which as of now will be a mid-round pick. So I guess I improved on my own pick in the deal anyhow as I moved up anyway.

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At 40-8 the Suns hold a comanding 14.5 game lead over the Kings (24-21) three months into the season.

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The West beat the East 109-107 in the All-Star Game

Steve Nash was named a starter for the second year in a row and Amare Stoudemire was named as a reserve.

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There actually was one other trade besids mine this year

Heat trade C Michael Doleac, 2008 1st round pick(MIA) for Hawks C Aaron Gray

So the Hawks give up on Rookie Center Gray for a future #1 and an average back up center.

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I've released James Posey...he was a great player to have, but just wasn't getting any playing time. I have brought Aaron Brooks into the main roster. He was tearing it up in the NBDL averaging 25.3 PPG and 8.8 assists. Albuquerque was at 27-5 and leading the West Division of the NBDL at the time of his promotion.

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The playoff push is heating up here's what it looks like at the end of February

East

1) Chicago
2) Boston
3) Detroit
4) Charlotte
5) Milwaukee
6) Miami
7) Indiana
8) Philly

West

1) Phoenix
2) Houston
3) Seattle
4) San Antonio
5) Minnesota
6) Golden State
7) Denver
8) Sacramento

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A couple of trades that happened just before the deadline

Rockets trade SG Kirk Snyder, SG Luther Head, SG Bob Sura for Grizzlies SG Mike Miller, 2008 2nd round pick(MEM) ***Sura & Head were released by Memphis just after this deal.

Spurs trade PF Jackie Butler, SG Michael Finley, PF Fabricio Oberto for Trailblazers SF Darius Miles, 2008 2nd round pick(POR) ***Oberto was released by Portland following this deal.

Spurs trade PG Beno Udrih, SG James White, C Francisco Elson for Clippers PG Sam Cassell, 2008 2nd round pick(LAC) ***White & Elson were released by the Clippers following this deal.

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The Rockets (49-24)are falling off as they have lost Yao Ming for the year with a torn ACL. They hold a slim 4-game lead over the Spurs (45-28).

We continue to roll (61-11) and hold a lead of 19-games over the Kings (43-31).

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Playoffs are here.

East

1) Chicago
8) Indiana

4) Milwaukee
5) Detroit

3) Miami
6) Charlotte

2) Boston
7) Philadelphia

West

1) Phoenix
8) Dallas

4) San Antonio
5) Sacramento

3) Seattle
6) Minnesota

2) Houston
7) Denver

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We end the year on a 13 game winning streak and have the same ending record as last year (71-11).

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Phoenix, Chicago, Sacramento, Seattle, Denver, Boston, Detroit & Charlotte all take game one.

We win 104-77 crushing the Mavs behind Kurt Thomas' 21 points.

I wouldn't be suprised if Denver gets the first round upset over Houston given Ming is out.

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Phoenix, Denver, Chicago, Detroit & Charlotte all take 2-0 leads in their series.

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Phoenix, Denver, Detroit & Charlotte all now have 3-0 leads

Chicago, Boston, Sacramento & Minnesota have 2-1 leads

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Phoenix advances with a 138-93 thrashing of the Mavs to close out the series 4-0.

Detroit also advances winning 4-0.

Chicago, Sacramento, Charlotte & Denver all have 3-1 leads...all the other series are tied 2-2

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Chicago, Charlotte & Sacramento all have punched their tickets to round two winning 4-1.

Philly, Denver & Minnesota all are one win from moving on.

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Denver & Houston are the only two battling it out tied at 3-3.

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Well my prediction wasn't so good.

Houston came back and won the series 4-3

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A 127-90 win move Phoenix to 1-0 against the Kings in round 2.

Detroit, Charlotte & Houston all take game one as well.

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Chicago ties up their series, but everyone else moves to 2-0

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Phoenix, Charlotte & Houston all have 3-0 leads and are one game from moving on to the Division Championship game...Chicago holds a 2-1 lead and has regained home court.

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In the most anti-climatic round 2 three teams are swept from the playoffs.

Chicago now leads 3-1 over divisional rivals Detroit.

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And then Chicago wins game 5 to take the series 4-1 and play Charlotte.

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Phoenix was 4-0 vs. Houston this year and is 7-1 in the last two years.

Chicago & Charlotte were 2-2 this year and are 4-4 the last two years.

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The Bulls beat the Bobcats in a 84-80 snooze fest while the Suns 21 game winning streak was halted as the Rockets pulled off a 110-109 victory.

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The Suns come back to even it up at 1-1 with a 113-95 win.

Chicago has been the team in the East almost all year and they take a 2-0 lead in their game.

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The Suns regain home court winning 101-87 and take a 2-1 lead while Chicago drops their first game to Charlotte, but still lead 2-1

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A 103-88 win bring us one game closer to the Finals while Chicago is letting the series slip away with a second loss to tie up the series 2-2.

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A 115-104 victory brings us four wins from our goal of winning a NBA Championship.

Charlotte is getting hot now taking a 3-2 lead in their series.

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And the 6 seed in the East is advancing to the Finals. With a young core of players including #1 pick Greg Oden Charlotte is starting to find success and will only improve...this trip in the playoffs can only help them down the road.

Phoenix is 4-0 in the last two years vs. Charlotte.

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123-92 victory brings us 3 wins of our goal

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good a 100-96 win keeps us going and knocks down the goal to 2 wins now.

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Game 3 started well, but the Bobcats hung in there and never game up winning 100-98 at home. The next two games are in Charlotte so the Bobcats are hoping this will allow them to get some momentum in the series.

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A 97-82 win brings the Suns one win closer to getting a ring.

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Charlotte didn't give up that is for sure as the Suns battled to a 107-106 win to claim their first NBA Title.

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Draft Lottery

The Clippers, Griz & Lakers have the three best shots at getting the #1 pick this year.

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Portland who had the worst record last year and fell from the top three only has the 6th best shot this year and it appears they will make the top 3.

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The Clippers won the #1 pick followed by Portland & then Toronto

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League Awards

MVP - Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
Defensive Player of the Year - Andrei Kirilenko, Utah
Rookie of the Year - Greg Oden, Charlotte
6th Man of the Year - Juwan Howard, Houston
Coach of the Year - Scott Skiles, Chicago

First Team
PG Steve Nash, Phoenix
SG Dwyane Wade, Miami
SF LeBron James, Cleveland
PF Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
C Chris Bosh, Toronto

Second Team
PG Chris Paul, New Orleasn
SG Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers
SF Paul Pierce, Boston
PF Kevin Garnett, Minnesota
C Greg Oden, Charlotte

Third Team
PG Chauncey Billups, Detroit
SG Michael Redd, Milwaukee
SF Rashard Lewis, Seattle
PF Tim Duncan, San Antonio
C Shaquille O'Neal, Miami

First Team Defensive
PG Jason Kidd, New Jersey
SG Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers
SF Andrei Kirilenko, Utah
PF Tim Duncan, San Antonio
C Ben Wallace, Chicago

Second Team Defensive
PG Derek Fisher, Utah
SG Dwyane Wade, Miami
SF Gerald Wallace, Charlotte
PF Kevin Garnett, Minnesota
C Marcus Camby, Denver

First Team Rookie
PG Jarrius Jackson, Denver
SG Marcus Williams, New Orleans
SF Kevin Durant, Portland
PF Nick Fazekes, Golden State
C Greg Oden, Charlotte

Second Team Rookie
PG Mustafa Shakur, LA Clippers
SG Rudy Fernandez, Philadelphia
SF Thaddeus Young, LA Lakers
PF Tiago Splitter, Sacramento
C Marc Gasol, Memphis

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and with that I was fired by Robert Sarver....he didn't like paying the tax for being over the cap. My run was short, but sweet...I got the ring I wanted...we'll see what happens next.