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In the second round of the NBA Playoffs the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Phoenix Suns in six games. Despite the absolute silliness in the suspensions of the Amare Stoudamire and Boris Diaw, Phoenix was eliminated and once again the state of Arizona was quiet come June.

<>I can not help but think the clock is ticking for Phoenix to win a championship. Steve Nash is in his mid-30's and will not be putting up the double-doubles much longer. If Nash, Marion, Stoudamire, and Co. do not get things right this coming season (or the following season) the franchise's prime opportunity may have passed. 

<>The list of teams that oozed with talent, yet never won the big series are abundant in the 21st century.

Following getting swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the 1999 Western Conference Finals, Portland Trailblazers GM Bob Whitshitt acquired Detlef Schrempf, Steve Smith, and Scottie Pippen. The team at that point consisted of Damon Stoudamire at point, Steve Smith at shooting guard, Scottie Pippen at small forward, Brian Grant at power forward, and Arvydas Sabonis at center. Portland was stacked, a team on the rise.

In the 2000 Western Conference Finals the Portland Trailblazers went up against the Los Angeles Lakers. After falling down 3-1, Portland won two straight to force a Game 7 in LA. In Game 7, Portland held a 15 point fourth quarter lead. In what may be one of the most notorious playoff choke jobs, the Blazers fell apart and the Lakers rallied to win the game, the series, and eventually the championship against the Indiana Pacers in 6 games.

The following year, Whitsitt added Shawn Kemp. Sports Illustrated's 2001 midseason issue predicted the Trailblazers winning the title, but again disappointment resulted for the Blazers. Year in and year out, the same ending. With the three-peat by the Lakers came the death of the All-Star Trailblazers.  

<>Mike Dunleavy never got that championship, and Pippen never did get that ring without the aid of Michael Jordan. The team would erode away and ultimately be known as the Jailblazers.
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<><>The second team that blew it's chance at seizing their opportunity at a championship were the Sacramento Kings. Similar to the present day Suns, the Kings were an enjoyable, fun NBA team to watch. At point was Jason Williams, shooting guard was Peja Stojakovic, small forward was Doug Christie, Chris Weber played power forward, and the lovable Vlade Divac was center. In later years, Jason Williams would be traded for Mike Bibby and reserve guard Bobby Jackson would be signed.

It was just a matter of time before the team overtook the Lakers. They were better and were set to defeat the Lakers.

<>In 2002, the anticipated Western Conference Finals took place. Lakers vs. Kings. LA would draw first blood, but Sacramento would win the next two games.  In Game 3, Sacramento had the game won, but in the most unlikely of circumstances Robert Horry hit the luckiest 3-pointer at the buzzer to keep the Lakers from going down 3-1.

After an epic Game 5 win, Kings were up 3-2 and only one victory away from their first NBA Finals trip since 1951.

LA captured Game 6, and because Doug Christie and Peja Stojakovic could not throw a b.b. in the ocean standing on the edge of an ocean liner, won Game 7 112-106 in overtime.

The Kings never did get that far into the postseason again. Jackson and Christie would be traded from the team, Divac would sign with the Lakers, and Weber would be traded to the 76ers. Sadly, fan favorite Peja would later be shipped to Indiana for Ron "Airhead" Artest. Bibby is the only one who remains with the Kings (as of now).

The point is even with a core of young players, the clock is definitely ticking for the Phoenix Suns. The Portland Trailblazers and Sacramento Kings are textbook examples of talented teams that never could get over that hump. And because of that roadblock those teams never did reach the Promised Land.

Personally, I hope Phoenix's fun style of play can finally win an NBA Championship, but to be honest I do not see it happening. The team will keep stumbling against the Spurs or Mavericks. In the end, Steve Nash will be hailed as one of the greatest point guards ever, but he will not be hailed as an NBA Champion.