Kori Ellis
12-26-2004, 03:33 AM
League observers slow to take Suns seriously
Paul Coro
On the NBA
Dec. 26, 2004 12:00 AM
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/1226nbacol1226.html
Many fans, opponents, broadcasters and writers look at the Suns like a curious child noticing that Santa Claus' "thanks-for-the-cookies" note contains writing similar to Daddy's penmanship.
They want to tug at the Suns' beard and see if it's real.
Phoenix is keeping it real.
Teetering on the verge of .900 ball through two months of play apparently is not enough for some. These must be the same people who think men walking on the moon took place in a Burbank studio.
Is there some reasonable doubt with Phoenix? Sure. Success in the NBA can flip-flop faster than a politician.
But while doubters want to find flaws with Phoenix, the more acceptable Western Conference contenders have been breaking out in blemishes.
San Antonio is just about where it was last season when it went on to finish with 57 wins and the playoff favorite tag. That leaves little reason to nitpick but there may be more cause for alarm in the Alamo City than in the Valley.
The Spurs lost to Orlando last week, nearly for the second time if not for a fourth-quarter Spurs rally in a previous meeting. The Spurs are among the NBA's worst free-throw shooting teams, have lost twice to Seattle and are seeing ballyhooed free-agent signee Brent Barry's playing time and shooting dwindle this month.
Minnesota, the other most commonly hailed West team, did beat Phoenix this month. But then again, have the Suns lost to Chicago and Toronto?
The Timberwolves have called themselves selfish and inconsistent. Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell, both in their mid-30s, are not even a lock to play in crunch time. Their numbers are down across the board after both got wrapped up in contract issues.
To doubt San Antonio and Minnesota won't be around in May would be as wise as running onto the court in front of Jermaine O'Neal. They have the planet's most talented big men, Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan, who account for the past three Most Valuable Player awards.
Doubting Phoenix's legitimacy is more absurd. The Suns are not winning out of a textbook. Give coach Mike D'Antoni credit for having the gumption to do what most franchises wish they could pull off - force an uptempo game with consistent success.
He put five fan-friendly scorers on the floor and it worked better than anyone could have imagined. Speed kills. There has been no remedy for the hurt Phoenix's multi-faceted potency puts on opponents.
There is balance. There is chemistry. There is a leader. In their better moments, there's even some darned good defense.
Doubt away, if you must. Pick San Antonio and Minnesota for the long run, if it feels safer. The Suns will spend the next two Tuesdays facing those dragons at their caves. If they slay them, then will you believe in this fairy tale?
Paul Coro
On the NBA
Dec. 26, 2004 12:00 AM
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/1226nbacol1226.html
Many fans, opponents, broadcasters and writers look at the Suns like a curious child noticing that Santa Claus' "thanks-for-the-cookies" note contains writing similar to Daddy's penmanship.
They want to tug at the Suns' beard and see if it's real.
Phoenix is keeping it real.
Teetering on the verge of .900 ball through two months of play apparently is not enough for some. These must be the same people who think men walking on the moon took place in a Burbank studio.
Is there some reasonable doubt with Phoenix? Sure. Success in the NBA can flip-flop faster than a politician.
But while doubters want to find flaws with Phoenix, the more acceptable Western Conference contenders have been breaking out in blemishes.
San Antonio is just about where it was last season when it went on to finish with 57 wins and the playoff favorite tag. That leaves little reason to nitpick but there may be more cause for alarm in the Alamo City than in the Valley.
The Spurs lost to Orlando last week, nearly for the second time if not for a fourth-quarter Spurs rally in a previous meeting. The Spurs are among the NBA's worst free-throw shooting teams, have lost twice to Seattle and are seeing ballyhooed free-agent signee Brent Barry's playing time and shooting dwindle this month.
Minnesota, the other most commonly hailed West team, did beat Phoenix this month. But then again, have the Suns lost to Chicago and Toronto?
The Timberwolves have called themselves selfish and inconsistent. Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell, both in their mid-30s, are not even a lock to play in crunch time. Their numbers are down across the board after both got wrapped up in contract issues.
To doubt San Antonio and Minnesota won't be around in May would be as wise as running onto the court in front of Jermaine O'Neal. They have the planet's most talented big men, Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan, who account for the past three Most Valuable Player awards.
Doubting Phoenix's legitimacy is more absurd. The Suns are not winning out of a textbook. Give coach Mike D'Antoni credit for having the gumption to do what most franchises wish they could pull off - force an uptempo game with consistent success.
He put five fan-friendly scorers on the floor and it worked better than anyone could have imagined. Speed kills. There has been no remedy for the hurt Phoenix's multi-faceted potency puts on opponents.
There is balance. There is chemistry. There is a leader. In their better moments, there's even some darned good defense.
Doubt away, if you must. Pick San Antonio and Minnesota for the long run, if it feels safer. The Suns will spend the next two Tuesdays facing those dragons at their caves. If they slay them, then will you believe in this fairy tale?