Suns are making the playoffs

[Xylus]

And if you think otherwise, you'd be wrong.

[Findog]

They have as good a chance as anybody at losing to the Lakers in the conference Finals.

You know who's not making the playoffs? The Mavs, and only injuries to other contenders is changing that.

[Xylus]

They have as good a chance as anybody at losing to the Lakers in the conference Finals.

You know who's not making the playoffs? The Mavs, and only injuries to other contenders is changing that.

I think we have a better shot against the Lakers than, say, the Trailblazers, Hornets, or Rockets.

I said at the beginning of the season that the Rockets wouldn't make the playoffs, and I'm still sticking with that prediction (barring any upcoming trades). But I think Mavs fans should hope you guys don't make the playoffs, because it'll force your front office to start making some major (and long overdue) changes. Why Josh Howard is still a Mav is beyond me.

I have a feeling that if the Mavs crawl into the playoffs, and then win a few games against a better team, you guys might not see the changes you want to see.

[Ghazi]

If this start hasn't compelled our front office into dealing J-Ho I don't know what the fuck else would.

FWIW, Kidd sucks too UGH

[Trainwreck2100]

They have as good a chance as anybody at losing to the Lakers in the conference Finals.

You know who's not making the playoffs? The Mavs, and only injuries to other contenders is changing that.


Dammit i was going to say that

But i will add this











4 rings

[21_Blessings]

The playoffs! Way to shoot for the stars Phoenix fans.

[Trainwreck2100]

Maybe the Mavs can pull off some trade this year

[Xylus]

The playoffs! Way to shoot for the stars Phoenix fans.

Oh, my hopes for this team are much higher than just the 1st round, but I'm taking baby steps.

P.S. You might be the worst member on SpursTalk. You make BRHornet look like FromWayDowntown.

[GetNashty]

What happened to the Nash is done people from the start of the season?

What about the Shaq is done people from the off-season?

Suns v Lakers in the WCF baby.
:toast


The playoffs! Way to shoot for the stars Phoenix fans.
All that shooting for the stars in your hype Bynum has worked out really well for you Lakers' fans hasn't it?

How was it watching him go for one rebound while a short-handed Yao had his lame ass riding the bench?

Shoot for the stars!

[Xylus]

21 Blessings makes lakaluva look like Stephen Hawking.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

Suns-Lakers 1st round would be awesome.

Id love to see Shaq knock Kobe out of the playoffs :smokin

[Ghazi]

I think the Suns would be drawing dead against the Hornets, Lakers, and Spurs... they could beat anyone else though.

Not sure about the Spurs though. I know they've owned the Suns but conventional wisdom says the Suns would EVENTUALLY have to win a series against them.

[Trainwreck2100]

21 Blessings makes lakaluva look like Stephen Hawking.

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98609

[Xylus]

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98609

Very nice. I didn't even have to make a case for his supreme douchosity.

[cobbler]

The Suns age hits them at the 65 game mark and they go in a slump. Shaq reverts to his old ways from every team he has been on and starts demanding the ball goes through him. They implode and skimp into the playoffs as the 7th or 8th seed and get eliminated in 5 games by either the Spurs or Lakers. Hopefully the Lakers!

Followed shortly of course by all the Suns fans crying foul and that Stern and the refs rigged the whole thing.

[Xylus]

The Suns age hits them at the 65 game mark and they go in a slump. Shaq reverts to his old ways from every team he has been on and starts demanding the ball goes through him. They implode and skimp into the playoffs as the 7th or 8th seed and get eliminated in 5 games by either the Spurs or Lakers. Hopefully the Lakers!

Followed shortly of course by all the Suns fans crying foul and that Stern and the refs rigged the whole thing.

So you agree that the Suns are making the playoffs. That's a start.

[Obstructed_View]

Wow, how gratifying for Suns fans to know that the trade for Shaq put their team firmly into the number 8 spot in the west.

[eisfeld]

Suns will make the PO's. But unless they are able to add some quality players to their bench the odds of surviving a 7 game series are really low.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Wow, how gratifying for Suns fans to know that the trade for Shaq put their team firmly into the number 8 spot in the west.

They were a lot worse before the Shaq trade, and the cobwebs and dust collecting in Terry Porter's brain played a bigger role in the Suns being a bubble team this year. D'antoni had his issues but he knew what he was doing.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Well right now Phoenix would be on the road against New Orleans, so I'd much rather them slip in the standings to play Denver or something like that. The two teams they'll have absolutely no chance at beating are the Hornets or Spurs, beating the Lakers would be a long shot. The other teams (Utah, Denver, Portland) they play well against.

[Rogue]

either jazz or rockets will miss the playoffs this season. I tend to vote for rockets who have lost both of their series to the jazz in the past two post-seasons in a row. but this time they are gonna be beaten by the jazz again in the regular season.

[pauls931]

I'm not so sure about NO, maybe they're getting their acts together, but they seem somewhat fragile this year. The spurs? Ya, they'll be tough, but it all comes down to mental issues. If the suns have homecourt, I'd take the spurs, if not, it would be a death sentence.

The lakers are the team that scares me the most because I think they have the best bench in the west.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

I'm not so sure about NO, maybe they're getting their acts together, but they seem somewhat fragile this year. The spurs? Ya, they'll be tough, but it all comes down to mental issues. If the suns have homecourt, I'd take the spurs, if not, it would be a death sentence.

The lakers are the team that scares me the most because I think they have the best bench in the west.

The Suns are 0-6 against New Orleans since last season. Call them soft but the Suns just make everything too easy for them, particularly for Chris Paul and David West. The Suns would get killed in a 7 game series against them. Sorry, just stating the obvious.

If the team that scares you the most is a team other than the Spurs then you musta just started watching the Suns this year.

[Gino]

Terry Porter is a joke.

He was suppose to come in and change the status quo.

Instead, he's slowly slipped back into every one of D'Antoni philosophies.

Small Rotation. Never gets on his guys etc.

[IronMexican]

Of course they're going to make the playoffs. I love Shaq, but I still want revenge for them knocking LA out twice.

[eisfeld]

The Suns are 0-6 against New Orleans since last season. Call them soft but the Suns just make everything too easy for them, particularly for Chris Paul and David West. The Suns would get killed in a 7 game series against them. Sorry, just stating the obvious.

If the team that scares you the most is a team other than the Spurs then you musta just started watching the Suns this year.

Tell me about it... I hate every game the Spurs play against NOH because of West. We just don't have anyone who can stop him.

[Gino]

New Orleans still seems like a bubble team. Not sure if they have the fire power to get past L.A. or the Spurs.

[Xylus]

Wow, how gratifying for Suns fans to know that the trade for Shaq put their team firmly into the number 8 spot in the west.
The Suns will probably get the 5th or 6th seed, putting them in much better position to advance.

And that's a pretty obtuse thing to say for someone who used to criticize the Suns small-ball lineup with Marion so much. You know as well as everyone else that a small lineup with Marion and Amare at the 4 and 5 wouldn't go very far in today's West.

[JMarkJohns]

I still have qualms regarding Shaq with this team as presently constructed. On this team there are two smart players, Nash and Hill. Neither is capable of carrying this team any more for long stretches, which is a concern.

Shaq does what he does and Amare is efficient on offense in whatever role given him, but neither is basketball smart. Instinctive, thus capable in specific scenerios, yes, but able to quickly deduce the proper decision in whatever scenario presented, not so much.

After the two intelligent, but physically limited Nash and Hill and the two physically dominant, but intellectually limited Shaq and Amare, this team has a bunch of fliers and chuckers in Amundson, Barnes, Richardson and Barbosa. Not a one of them has basketball smarts to consistently make the right decision to the benefit of Phoenix, but each is still relied upon heavily to bail out the Suns age athletically, which is a concern evidenced by Richardson leaving Mason Jr. open to double-team Parker when a two only ties, but a three wins and the player shooting the two is off-balanced and at a difficult angle while the man shooting the three is set and a league leader in percentage from that spot.

After those seven, they are undersized, underskilled or underexperienced.

This team has plenty of talent, but lacks ability, understanding or consistency in too many crucial areas for me to believe they can go farther than the second round. There's just an abundance of ways for teams to exploit these issues, and beyond the first-round (and even sometimes in it), the teams are too good, too well-coached, too seasoned to fail at this.

Porter is still battling to break the apathy/inability instilled, then willed in these players under D'Antoni. He's made solid progress. His plan works when it should. However, in close games the Suns still struggle too mightily for me to put my faith in them vs. San Antonio, Los Angeles... with Utah and New Orleans being up there as well.

[pauls931]

The Suns are 0-6 against New Orleans since last season. Call them soft but the Suns just make everything too easy for them, particularly for Chris Paul and David West. The Suns would get killed in a 7 game series against them. Sorry, just stating the obvious.

If the team that scares you the most is a team other than the Spurs then you musta just started watching the Suns this year.

Been watching them since 93. They were a Duncan 3 away from having a hell of a series last year. Two suspensions from likely taking them out a couple seasons back. The young and upcoming teams are the ones I worry about the most now.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Hey JMarks, how's your boy Lopez doing :lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

I still have qualms regarding Shaq with this team as presently constructed. On this team there are two smart players, Nash and Hill. Neither is capable of carrying this team any more for long stretches, which is a concern.

Shaq does what he does and Amare is efficient on offense in whatever role given him, but neither is basketball smart. Instinctive, thus capable in specific scenerios, yes, but able to quickly deduce the proper decision in whatever scenario presented, not so much.

After the two intelligent, but physically limited Nash and Hill and the two physically dominant, but intellectually limited Shaq and Amare, this team has a bunch of fliers and chuckers in Amundson, Barnes, Richardson and Barbosa. Not a one of them has basketball smarts to consistently make the right decision to the benefit of Phoenix, but each is still relied upon heavily to bail out the Suns age athletically, which is a concern evidenced by Richardson leaving Mason Jr. open to double-team Parker when a two only ties, but a three wins and the player shooting the two is off-balanced and at a difficult angle while the man shooting the three is set and a league leader in percentage from that spot.

After those seven, they are undersized, underskilled or underexperienced.

This team has plenty of talent, but lacks ability, understanding or consistency in too many crucial areas for me to believe they can go farther than the second round. There's just an abundance of ways for teams to exploit these issues, and beyond the first-round (and even sometimes in it), the teams are too good, too well-coached, too seasoned to fail at this.

Porter is still battling to break the apathy/inability instilled, then willed in these players under D'Antoni. He's made solid progress. His plan works when it should. However, in close games the Suns still struggle too mightily for me to put my faith in them vs. San Antonio, Los Angeles... with Utah and New Orleans being up there as well.

Nash's bball IQ < Shaq's bball IQ. Have you watched the decisions he makes on defense? He's like the Roy Williams (the safety not receiver) of the NBA.

If you think Porter has done anything better than D'antoni you have lost all rights to comment on IQ's.

Boy they should have just listened to your mumbo jumbo about starting Robin "can't rebound" Lopez over Shaq and they'd be the top seed in the West :rolleyes

[jack sommerset]

Shaq hits 12 free throws in a row. I wonder if thats his longest streak.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Been watching them since 93. They were a Duncan 3 away from having a hell of a series last year. Two suspensions from likely taking them out a couple seasons back. The young and upcoming teams are the ones I worry about the most now.

My comment was sarcastic, it wasn't meant to be a taken literally.

As far as the Duncan 3 and the suspensions.....shoulda.....woulda.....coulda. Amare earned his suspension fair and square. He should have stayed on the bench if he wanted to play game 5.

[JMarkJohns]

Hey JMarks, how's your boy Lopez doing :lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao

Considering my proposed lineups were never given a chance, I find it odd you delight in rubbing my face in a non-existent failure of mine.

[JMarkJohns]

Nash's bball IQ < Shaq's bball IQ. Have you watched the decisions he makes on defense? He's like the Roy Williams (the safety not receiver) of the NBA.

This is absurd. He's physically incapable of playing better defense, but mentally limited to do such.


If you think Porter has done anything better than D'antoni you have lost all rights to comment on IQ's.

D'Antoni was a brilliant offensive strategist, but was unwilling to adapt and adjust when necessary. This was either because he was incapable or because he was unwilling. Regardless, D'Antoni's idea of offense was chaotic at best and disruptive at worst vs. top defensive teams when the game was on the line. They lost far more big games than they won under him. He failed to hold players accountable for mistakes.

He let his players play, which in this over-thought-out day and age was refreshing and something new enough to catch most teams off guard. The best teams never fell prey to the notions, however, and when the Suns required him to be accountable both for his schemes and his players, he up and left.


Boy they should have just listened to your mumbo jumbo about starting Robin "can't rebound" Lopez over Shaq and they'd be the top seed in the West :rolleyes

I never said it was brilliant. I never said it would spring them to the top of the league. That's your hyperbole, not mine. I said that starting Lopez and Barnes over Shaq and Hill brought unity athletically to the starting lineup, and may have given Nash the ability to run the best while bringing Shaq and Hill off the bench would be a stabilizing force, allowing each to dominate against lesser competition, thus keeping them fresher for longer, while also adding consistency to the bench.

You praise D'Antoni at the expense of Porter in an attempt to bash me. You praise Shaq at the expense of Lopez in an attempt to bash me. But you fail to connect that Porter has gotten more out of Shaq than D'Antoni, but then infer I'm an idiot for thinking Porter has done aspects better than D'Antoni, so I'm not sure where your focus is coming from.

[Kobe™]

Lakers would dismantle Phoenix in 5.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

D'Antoni was a brilliant offensive strategist, but was unwilling to adapt and adjust when necessary. This was either because he was incapable or because he was unwilling. Regardless, D'Antoni's idea of offense was chaotic at best and disruptive at worst vs. top defensive teams when the game was on the line. They lost far more big games than they won under him. He failed to hold players accountable for mistakes.

And their defense is worse under Porter, their offense is as well. Also, Porter hasn't held players accountable at all. He has the same brain dead look on his face throughout the game.



But you fail to connect that Porter has gotten more out of Shaq than D'Antoni
No, Shaq is healthy this year and had a whole off season to work with Aaron Nelson on his conditioning. Porter had nothing to do with that.


He's physically incapable of playing better defense
So he's physically incapable of staying near his man? His physical limitations make it so he has to run around and ball hawk and leave a player wide open? Watch Nash on D for a game, his physical limitations are a problem, but he does not play defense as good as he can.


then infer I'm an idiot for thinking Porter has done aspects better than D'Antoni
I infer anyone that thinks Porter has made the Suns better in any way is an idiot. Their defense and offense is worse this year than last year, and the starters are playing more minutes. Show me what Porter has done better, and try giving a reason that wasn't spoon fed to you by some homer 620 KTAR radio show.


I said that starting Lopez and Barnes over Shaq and Hill brought unity athletically to the starting lineup, and may have given Nash the ability to run the best while bringing Shaq and Hill off the bench would be a stabilizing force, allowing each to dominate against lesser competition, thus keeping them fresher for longer, while also adding consistency to the bench.
You mention Lopez is athletic (even though he really isn't) but fail to mention the fact he is completely uncoordinated and sucks. THE IDIOT HAS AS MANY FOULS AS HE DOES REBOUNDS, WHY THE FUCK WOULD YOU PUT HIM IN THE STARTING LINEUP?????

[lefty]

And if you think otherwise, you'd be wrong.

Only to have their asses kicked out after 1 or 2 rounds

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Lakers would dismantle Phoenix in 5.

It would be 6. Phoenix would probably lose game 1 and 2. They'd win game 3, lose a close game 4 because Amare did something extremely retarded at the end of the game and then he'd blame it on someone else and make some stupid statement comparing himself to Tupac.

Phoenix would then blow out the Lakers in game 5 because Amare didn't force any shots, played within the offense, and did a half decent job guarding Gasol/Odom. Amare would then be envious of Shaq playing well when game 6 starts, so he would drop 30 points but would take 33 shots and make sure the offense would never be in rhythm.

The entire off season would then be a bunch of retarded Amare homers saying, "If only Amare took 30 shots in every game the Suns would have swept the Lakers, TRADE SHAQ AND NASH SO AMARE IS THA MAN!!!!"

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Porter is still battling to break the apathy/inability instilled, then willed in these players under D'Antoni. He's made solid progress.

Go back to planetorange.net homer.

[Xylus]

Only to have their asses kicked out after 1 or 2 rounds

I'm guessing 2 rounds, but we'll have to wait and see. There's a reason why they play the games.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

If they play any team in the Northwest division they def. make the 2nd round.

[Xylus]

Right now I think our team could beat the Rockets, Jazz, Nuggets, Mavericks, or Blazers in a 7-game series. The Lakers, Spurs, and Hornets are currently better but things might change down the road. I'm optimistic since we've slowly improved over the season and things seem to be getting better.

[JMarkJohns]

Go back to planetorange.net homer.

This clearly shows you know nothing of me nor have any desire to be a civil poster. You disagreed with me on one small point over a month ago and are now hellbent on my destruction. You're pretty pathetic. If anything, I am and have always been the antithesis of your opinion of me. You can ask any member on these boards. But I know you won't.

[Killakobe81]

Me personally the suns need to find away to avoid the Spurs ...they have a mental block vs. those guys and if they get them ion the 1st round again it will be one and done I do think they could beat a denver or Utah maybe and would be tough for NO or Houston ...but Lakers and Spurs would make quick work of those guys
Shaq looks good Richardson can score ...problem is they have NO ONE to gaurd Kobe or Gasol

[Red Hawk #21]

I wanna Suns vs Lakers in the Playoffs so bad...

[lil_penny]

If the blazers can make the playoffs the one team I would hate to see them play is the suns... they seem to have the most problems with them.. other than the one game this year the blazers have won against them I cant remember a time before that lol..

[z0sa]

Suns and Portland are going to be monstrous lower seeds. If Denver is a lower seed they will be much tougher to beat than in the past. A lot of things cna change over the next half of a season, though.

[mogrovejo]

The Suns, as presently constructed, have no chance of making the Finals. Their pick'n'roll defense is atrocious. Also, they should have a better backup big than freakin' Lopez. And a better wing defender. And a decent backup PG. I'm very skeptical about the play-offs chances of this team; too many glaring flaws that teams will game-plan to when PO basketball arrives. Regular season yeah, they're good enough.

[Mal]

For me Phx will be 9th seeded in playoffs

[Xylus]

And this, kids, is what you call a Jinx.

I'm sticking with my prediction, but it suddenly looks a lot ballsier than it did two weeks ago.

[Ghazi]

I wouldn't worry too much the way the Mavs are playing. We're showing no signs that we can actually make up ground (even though the gap between 2nd and 9th is still relatively small) unless other teams get plagued with injuries.

Oh how I weep.

[timvp]

I'm sticking with my prediction, but it suddenly looks a lot ballsier than it did two weeks ago.:lol

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Assuming Boozer returns around the all star break and Yao Ming manages to stay healthy (two big assumptions), the race for the 8th will come down to who shoots themselves in the foot less, Dallas or Phoenix. Neither one is capable of a 7-8 game winning streak to get distance like they were in years past. It's all about which one is better at beating the teams they need to beat, they both have a habit of finding ways to lose games to the other 7 playoff teams.

[Xylus]

It's gonna happen, baby!