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Sky-

I still believe the Suns can make it to the Finals vs. Celtics if they can beat SA. But it's got to be tough being a Suns fan right now.

Realistically though, all SA has done so far is hold their home court advantage. Having said that, the Suns BETTER win the next two games at home or you will have an even bigger problem...like what the hell is PHX going to do with Shaq for the next two years???

If sh'its hit the fan, I can see Dantoni and Kerr losing their jobs. While that might serve justice in your eyes, it does not fix the Suns problems.

I said back in Feb that all the West teams who made big gambles that it will work out only for one team. If it makes you feel any better, look at the gamble Dallas made and see how Chris Paul is running circles around Kidd.

Seeing how your Sonics are being stolen from Seattle, you are more than welcome to be a Blazers fan. Cheers.

Odenator - While it's true all the Spurs did is hold home court advantage, it's the way they managed to do so. It's not like they came out and won 1, or both games in anywhere near a convincing fashion. The Suns had them on the ropes in both games, having double-digit leads well into the game, only to blow it. The Suns have to feel like they let 2 golden opportunities slip through their hands. For a team that thought it was finally "built" for the playoffs with the Shaq pickup, it has to be disheartening.

The Shaq trade was MADE to beat the Spurs- Lets face it- the suns would have won the tite last years had they got past duncan

The Suns have simply taken too long to jell and the spurs Manu has improved way too much - he was not planned on being this good- and no Marion hurrts as Diaw can;t stop him

My thought was that this blog was good.

Shaq has been amazing against Duncan in this series. That is why they brought him in. The reason they lost the first 2 games is their coach, D'Antoni. He made some stupid decisions late in games both games. Good blog. I'm almost positive that the series will be 2-2 though.

Good points, but maybe you're too negative. They did go inside very early on in Game 2 which opened it up on the outside for Raja Bell to drain two threes.

Yes, the "win at all costs" didn't really work out as they had planned but it sure as hell worked for the Celtics. And I can see Phoenix's reasoning for that method. Steve Nash isn't getting any younger. His time with the Suns may be limited and they want to win a championship while they can. Shaq was not a bad move, in my opinion. He played great at the start of last night's game.

You're being too negative I think. Yes, they've blown two leads, but they've been right there in every game. They still have a shot (a long one, but still a shot) at winning this series.

the suns have a two-year window now. with marion there was less of a ticking clock than there is with shaq. they are still capable of winning, but their reaction to the lakers-gasol and dallas-kidd moves has shortened their longevity, i think. they arent as mentally focused as the spurs and this gamble might not work....

Re: Denis -
Shaq has been amazing against Duncan in this series. That is why they brought him in. The reason they lost the first 2 games is their coach, D'Antoni. He made some stupid decisions late in games both games. Good blog. I'm almost positive that the series will be 2-2 though.

Denis, I am not so sure about this comment. I didnt see game 2 (work, sadly), but Duncan had a party in game 1. 32 points, I think it was, and better than 50% from the field. If that is great from Shaq (who I have not liked since he abandoned Orlando), then Phonix is toast.

Good analysis, Skybill... don't know much about basketball, but I get where you are coming from...

GOAT: Negativity aside, I just don't think the Suns want to win enough. That's the bottom line here and until they get that killer instinct going and close out a game for once, I don't see them moving on.

The "WAAC" approach HAS worked for BOS, but look who they got in the deal as their main weapons: A former league MVP still in his prime and a perennial all-star sharpshooter. That carries significantly more weight than OUR former low post MVP since he's rather old by NBA standards. I can only imagine how we'd be doing had we been the ones to get Garnett as was first thought and expected... :(

The Spurs are very mentally tough. The Suns are semi-tough at best.
Stop talking and start playing hard. (or go home)

Unlike you Bill, I thought the Suns had gone as far as they were going to go with Marion, and that Shaq could very well be the answer. I haven't changed my mind, but it appears that the Spurs just seem to want it more. Then there are the obvious mistakes. No excuse for Nash not knowing how much time there is on the shot clock. With 10 seconds to go, up by 3, there is no excuse for not grabbing Ginobli and putting him on the line for 2, and getting the ball back before he kicks it out to Duncan. I am as disappointed as I can be. I hate the Lakers, and it seems as though they've been given a free pass to the finals. I fully expected the Suns to send them home.
I don't think the trade had anything to do with what has happened. The numbers would indicate that the Suns are statistically a better team than before. But certainly you know that basketball is a game in which a lesser opponent can sometimes outsmart you. The Spurs seem to be playing with a purpose, whereas the Suns have been prone to mental lapses. However my friend, it ain't over 'til it's over.

There is no free pass to the finals. Lakers won't get past the Jazz. Mark that down. As for your Suns, I think the Spurs are in their heads. Someone should tell them each game is not over until it's over. Next game is crucial. Win and they have a chance. Lose and it is over. After last night, I say Spurs in 5.

I was very confused last night watching Steve Nash sit on the bench for long periods of time as the Spurs ate away at a lead. If the New Orleans series has taught anyone anything, just keep adding to the lead!

How would Kurt Thomas or Tim Thomas look right now? Or how many games might have been won if they had one more shooter such as Eddie House. When hot he could have been the difference in a win or loss. Those three all left via free agency and preferred to stay in Phx if they had been offered a competitive contract. So what if the suns already had a high salary base. For a journeyman contract they could have had any of these guys.

There has been a lot of talk about the suns not being able to 'get over the hump' without someone like Shaq. I believe they couldn't get it done because of injuries and the **** Stern ruling. If flagrant fouls can be reviewed by committee after the fact and changed to have the most appropriate penalty imposed, why couldn't 'leaving the vicinity of the bench' be reviewed later to determine who and how punishment should be merited out?

willyhood

I find this all highly amusing ! What makes it so fun is the pure hate that the author has spewed for the lakers in any laker thread he can find.

I will however be a bit more objective than what I experienced to prove that we Laker fans are not like some would portray us.

The suns have were always paper champions, who are better on posters, with their untouchable Nash, tongue poked out, posing that perfect, no-look-pass for the camera, than in the real life slug match of the finals.

Don't get me wrong, I respect Nash.
He should be by now, wearing a ring, because he seems to always come through and can hit shots from anywhere on the floor, as well as pass with a magic touch that will, if he ever gets a ring, make him one of the all time greats.

Hard to place a finger on exactly what the problem is,...However
In my opinion, I believe that most of the rest of the team has weak spots in their ambition, and in the end always let Nash down, from Amare who is a talented though spoiled child, to Bell who we know at heart is a envious, frustrated mugger, to Barbosa who plays like he is always afraid or running from something.

I believe Shaq was brought over because some believed his hype, which portrays a toughness and ability to close down the stretch.
However the reality of this hype is now being understood.
Shaq is a huge baby with a large ego but a soft, fearful heart.

He was lucky to have Kobe and Wade to cover for him, but not any longer, because his only blanket is Nash who is too small and worn keep him warm & toasty when he needs to feel secure.

If the Suns are to finally capture their ring, I believe this off season should bite the bullet and start fresh.

First, dump Shaq ! His weight not only slows down the fast break to a crawl but will carry you to the debts of whale dung.

Nash could stay, though you need to fact the fact that his time clock is about unwound, and his trade value will only diminish, especially now that the Kidd trade is casting a dark doubt on older point guards as hope.

Amare I could also see as worth keeping as he will eventually mature, {I hope} though for one so young, he already has back problems which is a ominous sign and could lead to him sitting half the season on benches.

The rest of the team however should be cleared out.
They would most likely prosper on other teams drinking the milk of spite in a new city, and Phoenix could select more carefully this time not seeking those that get-along and do what they are told, as 1st priority, but those who hunger for a that ultimate prize which is proven when the chips are down.

Funny that you should talk about how I drink the Kool Aid but don't mention the fact that you wear the same smile in any thread about the Suns.. Hmm...

The only true way to be objective is to not be a fan of the game. Each fan sees things their way and is naturally biased based on their team. That's simply commong sense. I'm a Suns fan bashing on my own team. What does me having negative things to say about the Lakers have anything to do with this? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

the suns are done, but it isn't because of the suns. the spurs are playing real good ball right now, and popovich just said after game 3: "we just played the best game of the year."

the shaq deal, in my mind, does damage the suns as a team, but helps their chances to go farther(well, i don't know anymore...3-0 hole is hard to climb out of). o'neal provides the suns with a presence inside, and the mental and physical toughness needed to win in the playoffs. with marion, the suns would have maybe beaten the spurs, but would not have gone any farther.

that being said, d'antoni needs to look at his roster and play the matchup game...

barbosa needs to start, diaw on the bench.
play a zone around the paint with amare and shaq.
man raja bell on manu, when he enters the game.
trap zone on duncan
parker is too fast and athletic for nash to defend, put barbosa on him, he's not a great defender, but still has the speed to keep up with parker.
nash on bowen, where his defensive liabilities don't show much. bowen hangs around the 3 point line, but shoots at a high clip of around 40%. just put nash there, and bowen won't do anything.

something like that. hill can come in to sub for barbosa once in a while, but he's been pretty cold lately. diaw really can't do anything though...

Kool aid ? Unless you are Black,...which I doubt,...
I'm so weary of that racist code !

Getting back to basketball, you are again confused, you clash with me in Laker threads,.. It's rare to find me in Suns theads.
Why ?
No rings, no history and no chance this year... again..
Only amusement, like a circus that passes as broadway act.. and I have
little craving for peanuts..

I only posted in this blog to test my opinion of you, and it's been upheld !

You bash the Lakers and Kobe every chance you get, and now your'e bashing your own team,...

Haters are Losers !

The Suns or the NBA, and FanNation for that matter would be better without the likes of your kind.

Don't bother to reply,.. I won't waste my time reading your spew....

haha, this is funny....
i feel for the suns...
must be hard trying to keep up with the laker changes this year.
its ok, at least you still have amare...but not in the 4th quarter...and barbosa,..on some nights that is.