I'm sensing something special...

[sly fly]

is about to happen. The Suns have Cinderella written all over them.

- They have beaten the good teams all year long.

- Marbury has emerged as the bona fide leader.

- Hardaway is playing with a chip on his shoulder.

- Stoudemire is the inside presence any team craves.

- JJ is emerging into "the threat" from outside. He's truly grown by leaps and bounds this year.

- Marion is a bitch to guard now that he's hitting the 3.

- Voskuhl/Outlaw/Williams have emerged as defensive/rebounding/miscellaneous energizers. Something any team needs if it's to have any shot in the playoffs.

- Frank Johnson pulling all the right strings as of late (yes, THAT Frank Johnson!). He benched Gugliotta and Big Jake because he wanted to run. He's played to this teams strengths. This team PLAYS for FJ.

I definitely like the vibe heading into the playoffs.

 

[Goldfield]

I have to agree, even though they played inconsistant this year, they have been able to handle the top teams in the league all year...

If they continue to play DEFENCE like they did against the Spurs they will have a shot at going real far in the playoffs IMO...


But it all matters on how their defence holds up...

 

[fordronken]

And it does not seem at all unlikely that the Suns could beat either Minnesota or Portland in the second round, should they upset the Spurs in the first. Can you imagine if the Suns made it to the conference finals?

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by fordronken
And it does not seem at all unlikely that the Suns could beat either Minnesota or Portland in the second round, should they upset the Spurs in the first. Can you imagine if the Suns made it to the conference finals?

I know we are getting carried away here, but can you imagine if the Phoenix Suns made it to The Finals and lost to the New Jersey Nets? I might just slit my wrists.

Joe Mama

 

[arthurracoon]

...but what if the swept the NJ Nets,

...and marbury dominated Kidd

 

[scotsman13]

guys look at this team in a couple of years.
you will have a set of forwards that are doing 20 and 10 a game in amare and marion. you will have a back court that has more size then almost any team out there can match up with in 6'8" jj and 6'3' marburry who can score and play defense on almost anyone in the nba. we'll have a couple of good centers (not outstanding, good in the jakes). then hopefully we can pick up some good bench people to add to casey jacobson. i think we need to see if we can find a good back up small forward with some size in the draft. someone like Zarko Cabarkapa or maybe Hakim Warrick. there might be a time when we might have 4 all stars on this team in amare, marion, marburry and jj (yea i know a lot of you dont like him, but give him some time and you will love this guy.)

 

[Joe Mama]

If Joe Johnson gets too good the Suns will have trouble affording him. They already will have to account for three maximum players in Marbury, Marion, and Amare. That's $35-40 million annually. That leaves just $10-15 million for the rest of the team if they're trying to avoid the luxury tax. Of course the luxury tax might not be around by the time Johnson and Amare are ready for their extensions.

Joe Mama

 

[elindholm]

Marbury's contract will be up by the time a Stoudemire extension kicks in. If Johnson improves enough to command a big contract, and the Suns look like they're close to a title, it's possible (here we go again) that Marbury would accept something slightly under the max in order to keep the team together.

I doubt Johnson will look like a max player any time soon, though. Even if he gets to be quite good, he's playing the most talent-stocked position in the league.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

JJ will probably be able to get 4-6 mil a year. I mean look at Arenas, who has shown more then JJ has so far, and he will get around 7mil at the max. Magette will probably get around 4-6mil as well. Odom around 5-7 IMO. I think that if the financial situations continue, he would be happy with 5 a year.

I agree with you about Marbury taking a loew salary. He has to have thought about what could hav been if he didnt get absorbed with his contract in Minny. He didnt think he could be afforded. He has already had 1 big contract, I think he would gladly take something a little smaller, especially if we continue to progress. I definitely dont see him pulling a JKidd "If NJ offers me the max, I will be back for sure"

 

[sLanidRaC]

Regardless...

I wish the SUNS the best of luck in the Playoffs..

Smite thee, all who shall stand in your path to Victory.

An may good fortune smile down upon thee throughout thy reign..

Go Suns!

Go Suns!!

GO Suns!!!

Christs sake, your the SUNS. Foes should melt into a puddle in your presence.. Especially harmless metal spurs, pompous kings, trailblazing mountainmen, and snobby(pun intented) Bryant an his Lakers.. Whatever a Laker is. Perhaps it's a cousin to the "Quaker", William Penn? I'll bet brian knows...

MUWAHAHAHA!!

 

[sly fly]

I believe!

If the Suns advance, I also believe I'll drink myself to sleep.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Re: Regardless...

Originally posted by sLanidRaC
Whatever a Laker is. Perhaps it's a cousin to the "Quaker", William Penn? I'll bet brian knows...

MUWAHAHAHA!!

A Laker is a cargo vessel used on lakes. Makes more sense when you consider the name originated in Minneapolis.

Quatrow

 

[JJ Slim]

Re: Re: Regardless...

Originally posted by Brian in Mesa
Quatrow

I appreciate your optimism in our Suns.