The last couple of seasons, saw
the Phoenix
Suns revolutionized the game of
basketball through
mind-boggling lob passes, alley oops, blitzkrieg scoring, vicious
dunks, endless accuracy from beyond the arc, all of these changed the
way of basketball in the NBA. Different
teams are now starting to use
the up-tempo
offense regularly and are talking about outscoring their
opponents as Phoenix love to do. But after 3 successful
season, and 3
failed trips in the postseason, many are wondering if Phoenix will
win a championship using their well-known style of up-tempo offense.But
still, Phoenix is a legitimate contender for the title. They have all
the reasons to win it this year, and I believe they will. And these are
the reasons why Phoenix will be a serious contender for the crown:1.
Steve Nash has still gas left on his tank- Talking about getting better
and better each year, Steve Nash is the heart and soul of this Phoenix
team and with the numbers he is putting every season since becoming a
suns, 19.0ppg, 11.3apg. Ask his age? He''ll be turning 34 next year and
is showing no sign of wearing down. But Mike D''Antoni has been talking
about lessening Nash''s playing minutes this year so that come playoff
time, he will fresh as possible.2. Amare Stoudemire''s
experience with Team USA will bolster his
defense- Amare made a HUGE
comeback last season. After playing only 3 games during the 2005-2006
season, he appeared in the 82 games the suns played last season. He
averaged 20.4 ppg and 9.6 rpg earning his first all NBA 1st team
appearance last year. Although he''s well known as an explosive and
athletic big man, he''s defense is starting to improve. His experience
with TEAM USA under Duke coach; Mike Krzyzewskil a well known defensive
coach might improve his individual defense need by the Suns especially
in the paint. If that will be felt this year, watch out Tim Duncan.3.
The Desert needs A Hill- The signing of Grant Hill, was the suns
biggest offseason acquisition. Hill can provide the veteran leadership
Phoenix needs, and another ball handler to ease the pressure on Steve
Nash. D''Antoni even said that he might be playing Hill at the point
guard spot to rest Nash during some parts of the game. And with Hill''s
ability to slash, run, and shoot open jumpers, he clearly fits the suns
up-tempo offense.4. Start ringing the bell; defense- Nash might
be the heart and soul of the suns, but Bell, Barbosa, and rookie guard
Strawberry are the energy player the suns need to fuel their title
hopes this year. Raja Bell, who plays atrocious defense, covers up for
the suns weaknesses on defense by guarding the best player on the
opposing team, and knocking down 3s on offense. Leandro Barbosa, the
reigning sixth man player of the year is the spark plug of the bench
for Phoenix. His quickness and range gives the opposing teams
mismatches in offense. And rookie Dj Strawberry, a 6''5 guard who can
shoot and play defense will be given a spot on the rotation, and he
might give the suns additional toughness and defense they badly needed.5.
They have the most versatile players in the league- Shawn Marion and
Boris Diaw can virtually play multiple positions and are the reasons
why the suns has been able to play small-ball the last couple of
seasons. Their versatility creates mismatches to opposing teams and are
the recipient of Nash''s 11 dimes per game. One thing they need to do
this year is to be consistent day in, night out especially in the
post-season where Marion has his best and worst games. If they will to
bring home the title, count on this two players to be consistent all
season long.6. Kerr and D''Antoni would be fun to watch-
D''Antoni enjoys mocking coaches and teams by blowing out them in the
open court. While Kerr loves to preach defense through his experience
with the defensive teams he played at. These contrasting styles of a GM
and a coach would be a healthy y can both
assimilate their styles into the team. Imagining blowing out the
opposing team and holding them to a dismal 30% shooting night. That''s
nasty.7. And last, the desire to win and fire in their hearts
are the reason why they will win this year''s title- Its not easy to
lose in the playoffs after a 60+ win games during the season. And the
worse thing the suns have faced the last couple of seasons were injury
and the Spurs. Critics have attacked the Suns'' up-tempo system that it
would never win a crown because of the saying that "defense wins
championship". But the bitter losses and determination by the players
and the organization to finally get past the famous defensive scheme of
Duncan and the spurs this year will be fueled by desire and the will to
win. With the changes and improvements in the suns roster and the
improvement of its players and their desire to be on top will prove to
be the deciding factor come playoff time this year. Of
course it would a hell of a series against the teams in the powerful
western conference. But with a strong and determine heart like the suns
this year, it will be so hot as the flaming sun that rages across the
Arizona Desert.
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