Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Well, it's past time for us in this particular blogger to delve a little more into the world of basketball. The Patriots tapped out early, and pitchers and catchers haven't even reported yet.
After all, basketball was invented in Massachusetts. We've got the Hall of Fame. Boston still has more NBA titles than any other franchise. Plus, a group of youngsters got basketball officially recognized as the state sport this past summer. So it is definitely time to start busting out the basketball notes. We'll start with those fellas streaking through the NBA like Will Ferrell in Old School.
How good are those runnin’ and gunnin’ Phoenix Suns this year?
Well, a franchise record 16-game win streak does wonders for a team’s standings. In the case of the Phoenix Suns, it has catapulted them to the best record in the NBA (35-8 coming into Sunday‘s game with the Cleveland Cavaliers), their winning percentage slightly better than the Dallas Mavericks.
Two separate 15-game win streaks is the sort of thing you expected from the Celtics during the Bill Russell era or the Bulls during the Jordan years, but Phoenix?
At the end of last year the Suns were only the third best team in the Western Conference. They reached the conference finals, but they were taken to game seven in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
So far this season they appear determined to show the doubters that their free wheeling and up-tempo style can make a run at the NBA championship.
Steve Nash told reporters in Phoenix last Monday that while streaks are “meaningless� to the guys on the court, he hopes it is a sign that the Suns are building something special.
“I hope it’s fun for the fans and the media, but for us it’s all about trying to prepare and get ready for the playoffs,� he said (the video of his comments can be viewed via the Suns website).
He also reiterated his belief that this squad is the best he has ever played on because of the talent, depth, versatility and chemistry.
This year the Suns are benefiting from the return of big man Amare Stoudemire after microfracture surgery on his left knee in October of 2005 and arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last April.
By the numbers
Stoudemire is one of six Phoenix players averaging 10 points per game or more this season. Two-time defending MVP Steve Nash leads the way with 19.5 points per game. Shawn Marion and Stoudemire both toss in 18.7 per game, followed by Leandro Barbosa (16.1), Raja Bell (15.2) and Boris Diaw (10.3).
Stoudemire (9.1 rpg) and Shawn Marion (10.1 rpg) are both among the top 25 in the NBA in rebounding and both also rank in the top 30 in blocked shots. Meanwhile Nash’s 11.7 assists per game are a full two assists per game higher than the next man on the list, Utah’s Deron Williams (9.2).
As a team the Suns lead the league in scoring, averaging 111.5 points per game, which is no surprise considering their offensive approach. However, they’re also holding opponent to just 45 percent shooting from the field (tenth-best in the NBA).
They’ve got Company at the top
While they haven’t put together the same sort of streaks, the Mavericks (36-9) have been on a ridiculous run. Head coach Avery Johnson’s team has won 36 of 41 games since losing their first four of the season.
The Lakers currently trail the Suns by 8.0 games in the Pacific Division ,while Dallas’ edge over the San Antonio Spurs in 5.0 games.
The way the Suns and Mavs are rolling towards the All-Star break will keep the pressure on everyone else in the West.
“I think it reflects more on them than it does on us,� Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said on Monday when his team visited the TD Banknorth Garden. “People seem sometimes reticent to give credit. They would rather decide this player is playing better or that player is playing badly. I kind of turn it the other way. Phoenix and Dallas are doing a great job and just kicking butt.�
Now, I pose the question to you the legions of basketball fans who I know are out there. Do the Suns have a chance at the title? Who does have the best chance from what you've seen this far? As always, feel free to weigh in with your thoughts on those struggling Celtics.
Comments (2)
Lynn, I hope for the NBA's sake the Suns do win the title. It would no doubt lead other teams to copy their style, which is awesome to watch and how the game was meant to be played.
Whether they can or not, is another story. I saw one writer call for the NBA season to stop right now and let the Suns and Mavericks battle it out in a Best-of-101 series. How much fun would that be?
I think the key is which team gets home court throughout the playoffs. The #2 seed will most likely have to battle the Spurs (remember them?) and might not have enough left in the tank in the Conference Finals, if they can get past Tim Duncan in the first place.
I can't wait to see it unfold!
Posted by Teddy Panos | January 28, 2007 3:02 PM
Posted on January 28, 2007 15:02
I would say that the Suns have a great chance to win the NBA Championship this year. I think the most important factor for the Suns will be if their whole team stays healthy through the rest of the year and especially through the playoffs. I am tired of hearing all this nonsense about how the Suns cannot win the whole thing because of the style of basketball they play. Point blank... they win games. They probably would have gone to the finals and possibly won the whole thing last year if Amare Stoudamire was not hurt in the playoffs. The team can flat out shot the ball and really cannot be stoped on the offensive end. The Suns do something that has been lost in the NBA for some time... passing the ball. Watching them play is a thing of beauty. They move the ball unbelievably well and all their players can shoot the ball. Steve Nash is a master at running the whole show and makes the right decisions and gets the ball to his teamates in a position were they can finish. If I was in the NBA I would kill to play with Nash. He just makes his teamates that much better. USA Basketball should just scrap the dream team and just send the Suns to represent us abroad. Can you imagine the Suns playing internationally! They would thrive on the shorter three point line and blow all the competition out of the water.
All this being said, I would not be surprised, however, to see the Mavericks back in the finals and win it this time. Novitski is having a phenominal year and they are playing great defense and have the firepower to play with Phoenix. The NBA Championship in essense is going to be the western conference final. I do not think that any other team in the west is in the same league as Phoenix and Dallas. The Spurs are just not as strong as they were in the past and just do not have the firepower to match up with Dallas or Phoenix. The Lakers are a nice surprise this year, but are a a point guard and Big man away from making a serious title threat. The Jazz are just to inconsistent this year, but could be a force in the near future.
Concerning the east, well I don't think any discussion is needed.
Regarding the Celtics... I think it would be criminal at this point to even think about getting rid of Al Jefferson for Gasol, etc. He is playing unbelievable and is going to get better when he actually knows what he is doing. I think the Celtics should holdout until the end of the year. The draft this year is going to be unbelievably deep and the free agency this summer is going to be strong. Who knows.... maybe the C's get lucky and get the number one pick and draft Oden!!!!
Posted by T4 | January 30, 2007 11:44 PM
Posted on January 30, 2007 23:44