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I can't believe they are even discussing stuff like this. One game at a time. It's not even the All-Star break.If the Suns went 11-4 in these toughest games and lost only one other game, they would end up with a 73-9 record, the best ever.
How High Can the Suns Go?
By Mike Tulumello
East Valley Tribune
Jan. 11, 2005
http://www.nba.com/suns/news/tribune_050111.html
Mike D’Antoni stared at the number written on a yellow legal pad and held right in front of his face, so he couldn’t pretend to say he didn’t see it. Then he cringed, and stepped back, as if he were a vampire in an old horror film confronted with a crucifix.
The number was 70.
The Suns coach knew the meaning — his club is on pace to become the second NBA team ever to win 70 games (the Chicago Bulls went 72-10 in 1995-96) — and he didn’t want to deal with it.
"No, no!" he said. "You’re not getting me on that one."
His reaction isn’t surprising.
Pro coaches and athletes are reluctant to say anything that could come back to bite them. Sometimes they sense too much loose talk could send some sort of hex or curse their way, so they often shy away from speculation of this sort.
Even Casey Jacobsen, who last month was one of the first Suns to openly discuss the possibility of winning 60 games, backed away from the thought.
"We don’t have Michael Jordan," Jacobsen said.
Beyond this, even one significant injury likely would shut down this possibility.
More realistic is the chance to become the most improved team in NBA history.
The record is a 36-game upswing by the 1997-98 San Antonio Spurs (the team Tim Duncan joined out of college). The Spurs improved from 20-62 the previous season to 56-26.
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To top this, the Suns would need to win 66 games, a 37-game improvement from their 29-53 season a year ago.
On this subject, D’Antoni is at least willing to move his lips.
"I don’t think we can get there," he said. "I don’t want to limit this team, but that would be unbelievable. It would be hard enough to get into the 50s."
Steve Nash downplayed the Suns’ chances for 66 wins, too, saying, "It’s possible, but it would be pretty unlikely."
How so?
"Every team has a lull or a losing streak. Add that in the mix.
"And every team usually has an injury. Then the schedule usually bites you at some point.
"There are a lot of factors working against us getting to that level. But we’ll see."
Jacobsen took a more optimistic tone on the chance for 66, though he acknowledged more experienced players can see the pitfalls more clearly.
"The old vets know it’s too hard to do. I think, ‘Why not?’
"This team to me is so special. If we can keep our focus and stay away from injuries, I definitely think it’s possible."
Agreed Jake Voskuhl, "The bottom line is that we have a number of elite, phenomenal athletes.
"That’s what separates us from other teams and makes it a possibility for us to do it."
Quentin Richardson took a more traditional approach, punting the question entirely: "I’ve never been a guy to say we’ll win a certain number of games."
At the same time, "We’re playing well, and we’ll continue to play well. Anything can happen."
The consensus among the Suns is that this month’s schedule is the key.
The Suns (30-4) play 17 games this month, 11 on the road. So far, they’re 5-0, including 3-0 on the road.
"I think January will tell it," said D’Antoni, who has informally thrown out 13-4 as a goal. "If we can get through January, we will have a chance to win a lot of games."
For the rest of the season, they play 15 games that reasonably could be called their toughest challenges, games against San Antonio, Miami, Minnesota (a team that has given them big problems in recent years), Seattle, Sacramento and defending champion Detroit.
To get to 66, the Suns would need to go 8-7 in these games, while losing only five of the other 33 games on their schedule.
To get to 70, they would need to go 10-5 in these games, while losing only three of the other 33.
Now, here’s another possibility.
If the Suns went 11-4 in these toughest games and lost only one other game, they would end up with a 73-9 record, the best ever.
But this is a subject for another day, maybe, if everything breaks right for the Suns.
I can't believe they are even discussing stuff like this. One game at a time. It's not even the All-Star break.If the Suns went 11-4 in these toughest games and lost only one other game, they would end up with a 73-9 record, the best ever.
More than likely.
there is alot of mediocre teams.
The only way they dont do it?
if they start hitting shooting slumps, or one of the starting 5 gets hurt.
Problem is, by the playoffs, the starting 5 might be worn out.
suns 40 - heat 25 at 1st qtr. Not a bad start.
they are the Dallas Mavericks of 2 years ago.
I can. We discuss this all the time in here. Mike Tulumello probably got the inspiration from a Suns message board.I can't believe they are even discussing stuff like this. One game at a time. It's not even the All-Star break.
The Suns are playing excellent ball, but even if they end up 73-9, I think the Spurs win the matchups in a best of seven playoff.
The Suns haven't gotten into the suicidcal funks and walkabouts that the Spurs get into. I get the impression that the Suns really like to play basketball every night.
Mid 3rd qtr, Suns +22. gameover. Spotting the Suns +15 after the 1st qtr in their arena, you're only hope is that the Suns collapse. This season, the Suns just haven't given away any games.
they should rest their starters and not go for the record
that record would mean nothing if they lose in the first round of the playoffs
if they can keep this up into March, I will be impressed.
......with the inside game of Stoudemire.
Mavs never had a guy finish inside and/or get to the line like Amare.
This was a classic suns blowout, all starters in 14+ points and 4 of the starters with 40+ minutes, the 5th starter Nash had 33 minutes.
Now go tell the Heat how lack of depth is killing the Suns, who somehow seem to have tons of energy while playing tons more minutes than the Spurs.
make them play 82 games and then playoffs
that is when it will catch up
although Dirk can get to the line, the inside presence of Stoudemire is something Dallas lacked then and still does.Mavs never had a guy finish inside and/or get to the line like Amare.
I guess the 21st will really be a statement game - only the Spurs have embarrased them and/or even beat them recently (Sonics played them close as well). (By the way, the Heat are now I believe 7 and 8 vs. West and unless, the Suns are really that impossibly good & and I an't buying it yet, their D did not show up tonight. This game may tonight more of an indication of a slipping Heat team - time will tell.)
Prediction - Spurs get motivated and get that game by 8 through strong D but most importantly, a strong offensive outing. For all their recent "ails", big 3 all near or at 20+ last 3-4 games + a Bowen, Barry or perhaps, Pop in a CIA move turning back to Brown with another scorer = win again.
I had the Suns at 61 earlier but now they only have to win 30 more out of 47 to get to that level. This team will win more than 30/47 = probably 34/47 = 65.
In other words Spurs have to play some incredible ball to catch them one seed - plausible still a lot can happen.
Spurs have had 37 and 5 ends to seasons or the like in past and may well need another one. I have Spurs at 63 (still would love to be wrong on upside), and I could see them getting a little higher or Suns falling back to 62/63 = perhaps, a tie broken by head to head?
MadDoc
Last edited by Rummpd; 01-12-2005 at 01:11 AM.
I saw some highlights of this one, Miami looked lost defensively.
Defense 101: if all else fails man up, don't leave 3 guys wide open.
[QUOTE=Kori Ellis]How High Can the Suns Go?
By Mike Tulumello
East Valley Tribune
Jan. 11, 2005
http://www.nba.com/suns/news/tribune_050111.html
Mike D’Antoni stared at the number written on a yellow legal pad and held right in front of his face, so he couldn’t pretend to say he didn’t see it. Then he cringed, and stepped back, as if he were a vampire in an old horror film confronted with a crucifix.
The number was 70.
The Suns coach knew the meaning — his club is on pace to become the second NBA team ever to win 70 games (the Chicago Bulls went 72-10 in 1995-96) — and he didn’t want to deal with it.
QUOTE]
deja vu of 2002-2003 (Dallas) & 2003-2004(Lakers)? Both failed to reach the top at the end of the season...
Last edited by milkyway21; 01-12-2005 at 01:21 AM.
I don't know how many games they can win but 60+ is certainly attainable.
They collapsed against Cleveland on the road and lost in ot.
Lost close games to Sac and Min at home and got killed by the Spurs on the road.
They won close games against the Lakers, Sonics, and Nuggets.
Besides that they have beat everyone pretty soundly. This month is probably the toughest with back-to-back games and long road trips. So far they are undefeated for the month.
Yea I would say the game against the Spurs is pretty big for the Suns if for no other reason than to show the rest of the league they can beat them.
Suns will get the wins, but face it...the only team that knows how to beat them well is the spurs. The 30+ lead proved it.
No one else worthy of a championship has beatean them, they didnt just beat them, the spurs raped them.
The suns are just a team that proves to the league that the spurs are the best, since no one can stop them except the champions.
Suns are not that good...and the Spurs proved it.
What good do the wins do them now if they are out of gas come playoff time?
The five Suns starters combined played all but 40 minutes of the game tonight.
Keep telling yourself that. You might just start to believe it.
It was one game, granted the Spurs dominated after the first qtr but the real scary part is the Suns are improving every week. Pistons are the champs but the Spurs are the best team right now. Once the Suns beat the Spurs in Phoenix, the Suns become the best team and validate their record.
Suns need to tighten up the defense, force the Spurs to shoot from the outside and don't worry about Duncan so much that they let others get to the rim.
Duncan will get his points but if the Suns play their game the Spurs won't be able to shoot well enough to keep up.
Steve Kerr said that too, only the other way around
The Suns is a good team, but some analysts can't decide if they are for real, if they are the best, BECAUSE OF THAT BLOW-OUT game against the Spurs. 30+ advantage? come on!
Are the Suns 40+ better than the Pacers or 20+ better than Miami?
For one game they were.
Dude, even Rasho got out and ran with Amare. As long as that's happening, Phoenix has no chance.Keep telling yourself that. You might just start to believe it.
It was one game, granted the Spurs dominated after the first qtr but the real scary part is the Suns are improving every week.
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