What a night! What a game! It seems like the SUNS come out at their best in game 7. The entire series was close, with no team winning consecutive games, but the Suns came out last night and put a spanking on the Clippers, sending them back to LA to go fishin with the Lakers. We were strong inside, holding even on the rebounds, but deadly from the outside. The Suns 3-point shooting won that game for them. They shot 15 of 27 (55%) from beyond the arc, including 5 long range bombs from The Matrix, and 4 from Mr. MVP.
Now, we go to Dallas. A team we beat in the playoffs last year. A team that holds a special place in the heart of Steve Nash after Mark Cuban didn't want to sign him a couple of summers ago. Nash loves to take it to Dallas. I expect a good series, with the Suns coming out on top. Dallas likes to run, which is bad news for them. Their big men aren't much of a threat, Dasagna Diop and Erick Dampier, and down low is where we struggle the most. Dirk always seems to choke against the Suns. I expect Matrix to continue his excellent defense against the big German, and since Irk (he has no D) can't guard anyone, 30 and 10 nights from the Matrix should be routine. Game 1 is Wednesday night in Dallas, get ready for a barnburner (or barnbarner as Charles Barkley likes to say)
Oh, and Scottie Pippen, just shut the hell up already.
9 comments:
My my, looks like someone is a little worried about the great Mavs. Maybe u should remember that we gave up Finley too; and he went to our biggest rival team and what happened? I hope ur team thinks like u do and aren't worried about our big guys or MVP Dirk. Looks like Diop has lots of guts since he played in overtime with a broken nose. Our guys sure aren't whiners. Also, we all still love Nash and always will no matter what. Hopefully, we won't have to put up with the underhanded fouls like we got from Thomas before, but no matter what our Mavs are great and they have class. We also have a great owner. Who has an owner that loves his team more than money? Only Cuban. Can't say I even "know" any of the other owners. Guess they care more for money than their team. Good luck in Round 3. Gram
ZoDogg I want to know where u r getting your Meds fromm, cause it apparently has you high and out of touch with reality. As you well know this is NOT the same Mavs team from last year, and to even THINK you are going to come on top makes me chuckle. It will be a good series, but ultimately the Suns will finally set and go home. We just got done eliminating the NBA champs on their floor, what makes you think that we are the same Mavs team as last year. Only a blinded Man would say what you said. As far as Steve having a special place here in Dallas, thats OOOOLLLLLDDDD news He is just another player on that team, and the only ties to the Mavs is his best friend Dirk. By the way, how about if you become a little bit more original other than Irk(no D), you know thats not even the case anymore.
j.p.
Keep dreaming buddy. They must sell some good drugs in Big D because to actually think your crappy ass Mavs are going to beat us you have to be smoking something
I like your enthusiasm ZoBlogg, you have team spirit, faith, and excitement.
However, don't let all that enthusiasm cloud the reality of the situation.
Before I deconstruct your analysis, answer me this question.
Are the suns better, the same, or worse without Stoudamire?
Your response to this answer will let me know if your previous comments are fanatical bravado, or a true belief in your statements. Looking forward to it.
Are we a better team with or without Amare? That's an easy question. Of course we're better with Amare.
But, the key question is not that, but: Are the Suns a better team than we were last year?
I'd answer yes to that.
Before you go and attack that comment let me explain:
Last year we relied too much on 3 guys: Nash, Stat, and Matrix.
This year, the team is much more well rounded. We can get big production from Tim Thomas, Barbosa, Raja Bell or Boris Diaw at any time. Nash or Matrix can have an off game and the Suns can still win. Last year it was impossible.
Sure, we'd be a better team with Amare this year. We lack that inside presence he brings, but overall, this year's version of the Suns is a much better team. The emergence of Barbosa has really added another dimention to the Suns. Plus, it gives Nash the opportunity to rest for a few minutes, a luxury he did not have last year, and much of this year.
Interesting analysis, and for the most part, I can't really disagree with you.
However you have made two statements that conflict with each other. Your a better team with Amare (I agree), but your better this year without him (hugh)?
This is a little confusing, but in the end we need to discuss the team (roster) that will be facing the Mavs.
One thing that I have to mention is a previous comment you made to JP stating that one would have to be high in order to believe that the Mavs could beat the Suns. As much as I like the Mavs, I wouldn't(and didn't) have made such a statement in the SA series. The teams were evenly matched, and the outcome was uncertain for a while. You seem to have a level headed approach to your analysis, but comments like that make me wonder if I'm dealing with a true sports fan, or some narrow minded enthusiast?
Nevertheless, despite my affiliations and inclinations to the Dallas Mavericks, I can't sit here and say that you'd have to be high to think the Suns could ever beat the mavs in this series. Both teams are good, my thoughts are that the mavericks are better, but in the end anything can happen.
I would enjoy a well thought out discussion as this series progresses, however, if any of that senseless garbage about the suns destroying the mavericks, or saying that anyone would have to be insane to think the mavs could beat the suns, I will leave you be with your thoughts and comments.
Let me clarify...
Would this year's team be better with Amare? Absolutely.
Would last year's team (with Amare) beat this year's team (Without Amare)? I say possibly not. That's not to say that getting Amare doesn't make them a better team, because it absolutely does. This team won 8 less regular season games.
Amare adds another dimention to this team...the inside threat that we lack.
This team, however, is more complete than last year's team. Last year we had no depth. It was proven when Joe Johnson got hurt and there was nobody to fill his role. This year you have a weapon like Barbosa off the bench that can step in and play just as well as anyone in the lineup.
This year's team also has the flexibility of a guy like Diaw who can play anywhere.
Also, this team is much better defensively than last year's.
So...would I like to have Amare back? Of course. The Suns, however, have proven that they can win without him and have done so all year.
I would agree that the Suns have more depth than they did last year, but they are certainly not a better team. So if it stands to reason that the Suns are not a better team than last year, who incidentally lost to SA in the WC finals, it would seem the chips are stacked against them. Now, with all that said, the mavs will not have a Memphis style cake walk, but in the end they will absolutely win this series. That opinion is based mostly on stats, matchup comparisons, and experience.
I don't care what anyone says, Bowen is a much better defender than Marion. Dirk played through Bowens scissor defense and came out on top. Nash is an unbelievable player, and despite have someone as quick as Harris, I still think he will get his due points. Were I think his stats will not be as favorable as with the other teams in this series, is the assist. The mavs have a much better defense than any team the Suns have faced thus far, easy baskets will not come as easy. Being that the mavs were once an outside shooting team, I can tell you from years of jubilation followed quickly by dissapointment, that you will live and die by the 3 point shots. The only way the Suns have a chance of beating the mavs in this series, is if they go unconscience from 3 point land. I can see them having a game like that in the series, but I highly doubt they will be able to sustain it long enought to win this series.
Next we have Raja Bell... what a great player you guys have, he can shoot the 3, drive to the basket, and make plays for himself. Here is the problem Raja will face, more than likely, we will have howard, griffin, and/or marquis guarding him. During the times he's got a second rate defender on him(Griffin and Howard are not 2nd rate defenders) should be a time when he looks to operate.
Finally we have the awesome advantage of offensive and defensive rebounds. Our constant grinding, driving and rebounding will prove to much for the Suns. Also don't forget we have execellent outside shooters whenever we need them. Terry, Stackhouse, Van Horn, Dirk, Howard. We have absolutely to many weapons and to much depth for the SUns to win a series.
Were I think the Mavs will have trouble is with Nash, Marion, and Barbosa. I don't think Bell will be much of a factor due to his recent play, and subsequently the added attention he will now be getting on the defensive end of the court.
I'm looking forward to tonights game if I can finally get out of this office. I'll be cheering from the stands and will be looking forward to discussing todays game with you tomorrow.
What a game Zodogg, what I said could happen, happened. We will definately not win this series if we let you guys score that high. It's almost ridiculous to see that high scoring of a game. Horrible defense on both ends. We did reboudn the ball very well, and got our usual second chance points and offensive rebounds, but that does us no good if we don't get back on defense. If we don't make a huge adjustment in the second game, it will not be good news for us. Great game Suns, I don't see you guys winning another one in our home court.
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