Why is there only "heat" against the Suns...

[BAMJ6]

As far as NBA champion chances are concerned? They have the defending MVP, and they are the 4th best team in the league. And that's without Amare Stoudemire, Jim Jackson and Brian Grant who'll strenghten their bench of Diaw, Jones, Burke and House. Last year, their thin bench was their downfall against the Spurs


Even the Dallas Mavericks are being taken more seriously as title contenders this year, and yet last year they couldn't beat the Suns in a 7 game series even after JJ was forced to wear a mask.

In short, can people really tell me with a straight face that the Suns when at full strength, can't beat the Mavs or Spurs?

[larrygiterdone]

Re: Why is there only "heat" against the Suns...

defense

[BAMJ6]

Re: Why is there only "heat" against the Suns...

defense

Okay, that and a thin bench doomed them last year against SA

This year the improvement is only marginal because the Suns are not at full strength yet. When everyone's healthy, the D will go up a lot more.

Think about it, of the 4 NBA title contenders, the Suns are the only ones not in full strength for most of the year.

[OSUG1]

Re: Why is there only "heat" against the Suns...

When Amare does come back you just don't know how the team will play and with another superstar coming into the picture without playing the entire season. Who knows how he will gel with the new players on the court when he does finally play. They could be great and not miss a beat or they could start to fall and not play as well.

[Rocky]

Re: Why is there only "heat" against the Suns...

Realistically, for the playoffs I think it's San Antonio and everyone else. Dallas, Phoenix, and the Clippers are having great regular seasons, but realistically I don't see anybody stopping Duncan or Parker. Unless Diop and Dampier or Amare or Kaman makes a huge improvement, there isn't a team in the West that has enough D down low to slow them down.

[poster]

Re: Why is there only "heat" against the Suns...

They are 28th in rebounding differental at -3.35 and allow the most rebounds per game at 46.01. When I have watched them play they give up too many offensive rebounds as well. In the playoffs when they can't run these things will doom them. They have been a great story though. You just can't win a title when you can't rebound.

[BAMJ6]

Re: Why is there only "heat" against the Suns...

To be fair, they are a small team with a 6'9 Thomas as the tallest one, and their biggest bodies aren't healthy yet.

[amra01]

Re: Why is there only "heat" against the Suns...

Last year healthy Amare was playing easilly against Duncan let's see if he is ready this year and Suns is a better team this year with more key players.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Why is there only "heat" against the Suns...

The Spurs and Suns series last year was the closest 5 game series I've ever seen. We have as good a chance to get to the Finals as anyone.

[poster]

Re: Why is there only "heat" against the Suns...

To be fair, they are a small team with a 6'9 Thomas as the tallest one, and their biggest bodies aren't healthy yet.

True. They had the same problem last year too though. The two games against Detroit, the Pistons outrebounded them by 25 each game. Phoenix won their home game though, but in a seven game series it would be tough. Good luck to you guys.

[nkhera1]

Re: Why is there only "heat" against the Suns...

The Suns are never going to be the best rebounding team in the league because of their style of play, but I'm thinking that if the Suns could get Kurt Thomas, Amare Stoudamire, and Shawn Marion at their 3, 4 and 5 they will do a better job than right now. Defense will always be a problem though the Suns were actually playing good defense during the beginning of they year and our ppg differential is better than just about every team but for 3 or 4; however, even as seen with the Pistons, its difficult to be a fastbreaking team and hold your opponent to as low a point total as when you are a grind it out half court kind of team (not saying that Phoenix has a better defense than Detroit, but then again Detroit doesn't have as good an offense as Phoenix).

In the playoffs the Suns will have to play better defense but if this team is fully healthy I like its chances. Tim Duncan won't be 100%. I think Raja Bell will do a better job on Ginobli than anyone did last year. I don't know about Nowitzki's stats against the Suns this year, but T-Mac was able to give him fits in the playoffs and Shawn Marion may be able to do the same. Its not a done deal but if the Suns are completely healthy I like theri chances.