OMFG, it just hit me...

[playstation]

with 99% certainty, next year our starting lineup will be:

nash (90/50/40 club, 10+ast)
bell (D, 40+% 3)
marion (20/10 club, top 20 in everything)
amare (god on earth?)
diaw (12/6/6 club, 50+% fg)

just look at that for a second...drool if you must. we're talkin 2 MVP talents, a second team all-nba talent, a 3rd team all-nba talent, and bruce bowen 2.0

i'm not even talking about TT, KT, barbosa, or anyone else, that's all up in the air, but those 5 are stayin i'm pretty sure.

diaw is going to come back with a money jumper, he pretty much had one already, but i'm talking corner 3 ability too. amare's already got this. bell was already as money as JoeJ was at the end of the year, he may be over 50% next year. nash and marion just need to continue being themselves.

all 5 guys will be able to hit 3's. anyone can go for 30 (including guys off the bench most likely). one can go for 50. we know stat & shawn will be dunking everywhere, but after the wcf maybe boris wants in too.

multiple playmakers, best running team in the league, unstoppable in half-court (finally), CLUTCH, battle-tested, and bell+marion+diaw=at least good defense. how do you stop this???

title FAVORITES??? you bet. we've had chances the past 2 years, but in either case it would have been 'stealing' one from the favorite. assuming health, won't be the case next year.

the best part? we're not 'small' anymore. 04-05 was 1-2-2-3-4, now we're at 1-2-3-4-4. considering there's only 2 real 5's left in the L, and they slow, we're set.

remember Jerry Sloans comment in 04-05? "this team destroys your will to win"...it's gonna get worse Jerry...

bold prediction: if healthy, next years team will post the highest offensive efficiency in NBA history (they were 3rd all time in 04-05) and score in the 115ppg range. you thought these last 2 years were a video game? you ain't seen nothin yet. 70? few teams even have the right to discuss...time for us to discuss.

 

[Gaddabout]

When Danny Manning signed in August of 94 (Colangelo signed him to a low one-year contract, making a somewhat unethical promise to take care of him the next season), multiple people were predicting the Suns would transform into the Harlem Globetrotters.

The Suns did, in fact, look like the Globetrotters on occasion, but then the curse set in. Manning's knee became a major problem. KJ's hamstrings were declared a public menace. Majerle's bulging disc nearly ended his career. Barkley was hurt and grew lazy and despondent. Richard Dumas and Ollie Miller proved to be much bigger risks than expected. All at times when it became impossible to recover, late-season or playoff injuries. The Rockets had Hakeem, and he, with Robert Horry and Mario Elie, became Suns killers.

It went downhill fast. Majerle for Hot Rod. Barkley for Horry and Cassell.

I make no predictions. I harbor no expectations. Emotionally, I can't afford it anymore. I just enjoy the seasons as the roll in and roll out.

 

[mribnik]

Raja bell is a solid defender, but he is NOT Bruce Bowen.

I am equally excited about the prospects for next year though!

 

[JWF]

Raja bell is a solid defender, but he is NOT Bruce Bowen.

I am equally excited about the prospects for next year though!

True, but Bell, a this stage, is a better offensive player. I think Bell is a better overall player at this point in his career.

 

[nowagimp]

Raja bell is a solid defender, but he is NOT Bruce Bowen.

I am equally excited about the prospects for next year though!

Yeah, Raja is more versatile than Bowen and will score 15ppg. The suns couldnt afford to play Bowen in the system, his offense is almost zero.

 

[scoutmasterdave]

Raja bell is a solid defender, but he is NOT Bruce Bowen.

I agree - he shoots way better than 45% from the free-throw line.

 

[playstation]

When Danny Manning signed in August of 94 (Colangelo signed him to a low one-year contract, making a somewhat unethical promise to take care of him the next season), multiple people were predicting the Suns would transform into the Harlem Globetrotters.

The Suns did, in fact, look like the Globetrotters on occasion, but then the curse set in. Manning's knee became a major problem. KJ's hamstrings were declared a public menace. Majerle's bulging disc nearly ended his career. Barkley was hurt and grew lazy and despondent. Richard Dumas and Ollie Miller proved to be much bigger risks than expected. All at times when it became impossible to recover, late-season or playoff injuries. The Rockets had Hakeem, and he, with Robert Horry and Mario Elie, became Suns killers.

It went downhill fast. Majerle for Hot Rod. Barkley for Horry and Cassell.

I make no predictions. I harbor no expectations. Emotionally, I can't afford it anymore. I just enjoy the seasons as the roll in and roll out.

hey, anything can happen from this point forward, but from where i'm standing RIGHT NOW, the outlook cannot be much better. also, everything i said i prefaced with 'assuming health', which is of course no small assumption.

 

[simply_amare]

Raja bell is a solid defender, but he is NOT Bruce Bowen.

Very true! Cause Raja's better overall. Bowen is a one-dimensional player which only expends most of his energy on defense(not that there's anything wrong with it!) Raja does both or at least burns more calories on offense, too.

 

[mribnik]

So are you guys trying to prove my point that Raja Bell isn't Bruce Bowen 2.0? The point is, that Raja Bell is a solid defender, but not even close to the level of Bruce Bowen IMO. He's physical, draws a lot of offensive fouls, and gets in the head of the opponent, but Bowen is still in another class IMO. Their 3pt%'s are pretty close, but that's because Bowen only takes that baseline 3. Raja can make it at a high percentage from anywhere. Raja shoots a higher percentage from the FT line, but that's not a huge advantage since he only shot 1.8 FT's a game this year.

Anyways, I would agree that Raja Bell is a better overall player, but that doesn't necessarily make him better. Having a guy on your team that can shut down Kobe Bryant (and Bell certainly cannot) is a big advantage. Regardless, referring to Bell as Bowen 2.0 is referring to his defensive abilities, which is not accurate, IMO.

 

[Treesquid PhD]

Very true! Cause Raja's better overall. Bowen is a one-dimensional player which only expends most of his energy on defense(not that there's anything wrong with it!) Raja does both or at least burns more calories on offense, too.

The main difference between Bowen and Bell on D is hype and leeway to cheat on defense and get away with it. This is something I assume Bell will have more leeway on from now on.

 

[Treesquid PhD]

So are you guys trying to prove my point that Raja Bell isn't Bruce Bowen 2.0? The point is, that Raja Bell is a solid defender, but not even close to the level of Bruce Bowen IMO. He's physical, draws a lot of offensive fouls, and gets in the head of the opponent, but Bowen is still in another class IMO. Their 3pt%'s are pretty close, but that's because Bowen only takes that baseline 3. Raja can make it at a high percentage from anywhere. Raja shoots a higher percentage from the FT line, but that's not a huge advantage since he only shot 1.8 FT's a game this year.

Anyways, I would agree that Raja Bell is a better overall player, but that doesn't necessarily make him better. Having a guy on your team that can shut down Kobe Bryant (and Bell certainly cannot) is a big advantage. Regardless, referring to Bell as Bowen 2.0 is referring to his defensive abilities, which is not accurate, IMO.

this is where we buy into the hype,
If Kobe shoot 7-30 against Bowen it's a shut down
If Kobe shoots 7-30 against Bell it's an off night.

No one can shut Kobe down but Kobe.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

The main difference between Bowen and Bell on D is hype and leeway to cheat on defense and get away with it. This is something I assume Bell will have more leeway on from now on.

No, it's not as Bell is just as dirty as Bowen is. Bowen is a way better defensive player than Bell but I'd take Bell any day over him because he can do it on both ends and is much younger.

 

[playstation]

So are you guys trying to prove my point that Raja Bell isn't Bruce Bowen 2.0? The point is, that Raja Bell is a solid defender, but not even close to the level of Bruce Bowen IMO. He's physical, draws a lot of offensive fouls, and gets in the head of the opponent, but Bowen is still in another class IMO. Their 3pt%'s are pretty close, but that's because Bowen only takes that baseline 3. Raja can make it at a high percentage from anywhere. Raja shoots a higher percentage from the FT line, but that's not a huge advantage since he only shot 1.8 FT's a game this year.

Anyways, I would agree that Raja Bell is a better overall player, but that doesn't necessarily make him better. Having a guy on your team that can shut down Kobe Bryant (and Bell certainly cannot) is a big advantage. Regardless, referring to Bell as Bowen 2.0 is referring to his defensive abilities, which is not accurate, IMO.

raja's D is not at the level of bruce, who is the best on-ball backcourt defender in basketball. however, imo, raja is up there as well, surely top 10, many would say even higher. we all agree he's way better on the offensive end. I used the "2.0" comment not to refer to defensive capabilities but the whole package: a player known for defense but who's offense is very good too.

in that manner, he supercedes bowen, and is thus 2.0 in my book. defensively, certainly not bowen's peer, but close enough that a complete player comparison makes raja the superior.

 

[playstation]

this isn't even the point of my post though, we know what bell is, and in our offense he fits like a glove, one that can propel us to heights the suns have not seen.

and now, he knows he is our heart and soul.

i still remember d'antoni's comments: in early october (pre-amare microfracture), dantoni said "we used to have 2 'stormers' in practice: guys that stomp off the court if they lose, in amare and steve. now we have 3 guys including raja"

 

[mribnik]

this is where we buy into the hype,
If Kobe shoot 7-30 against Bowen it's a shut down
If Kobe shoots 7-30 against Bell it's an off night.

No one can shut Kobe down but Kobe.

Hype comes into play a bit I suppose, but the difference is, that Kobe struggles against Bowen much more than he does against Bell.

Against the Spurs this year, Kobe shot..
38.3%

Against the Suns, Kobe shot..
47.9%

Bell is certainly a solid defender, but he isn't in the class of Bowen, regardless of hype, and he probably isn't top 10 either (although I'd have to look at a list of players to determine that IMO). I'd say that we slightly overrate Bell's defense on this board, but not nearly to the extent that we did with Joe Johnson.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I'd say that we slightly overrate Bell's defense on this board, but not nearly to the extent that we did with Joe Johnson.

Or Shawn Marion.

 

[playstation]

Hype comes into play a bit I suppose, but the difference is, that Kobe struggles against Bowen much more than he does against Bell.

Against the Spurs this year, Kobe shot..
38.3%

Against the Suns, Kobe shot..
47.9%

Bell is certainly a solid defender, but he isn't in the class of Bowen, regardless of hype, and he probably isn't top 10 either (although I'd have to look at a list of players to determine that IMO). I'd say that we slightly overrate Bell's defense on this board, but not nearly to the extent that we did with Joe Johnson.

wow

you do realize tim duncan plays for the spurs right? i'd think interior defense has something to do with it, especially if you watched the games, saw kobe knife to the hole with ease, then have difficulty finishing because of the towers in the middle.

also, to say raja is not top 10, i mean, c'mon, thats sad. lead the league in charges, ginobili calls his agent all pissed off, raja suspended and kobe gets 50 (other 6 games he avg's 24.2ppg), and btw, i don't think defense on kobe is the sole determinant of ones ability to play D...

 

[Yuma]

If Kurt Thomas is healthy, I'm willing to bet he starts over Diaw. Reason being, Diaw off the bench can add the ball handling we need when Nash is out. D'Antoni started Kurt whenever he's been healthy. I don't see why he'd go away from that now.

 

[Gaddabout]

Bowen can afford to extend himself with the Spurs frontline. Lots of players would improve their reputation as defenders with the Spurs frontline. Bowen is still tops, but he does have an advantage over other players with similar reputations.

 

[devilalum]

When Danny Manning signed in August of 94 (Colangelo signed him to a low one-year contract, making a somewhat unethical promise to take care of him the next season), multiple people were predicting the Suns would transform into the Harlem Globetrotters.

The Suns did, in fact, look like the Globetrotters on occasion, but then the curse set in. Manning's knee became a major problem. KJ's hamstrings were declared a public menace. Majerle's bulging disc nearly ended his career. Barkley was hurt and grew lazy and despondent. Richard Dumas and Ollie Miller proved to be much bigger risks than expected. All at times when it became impossible to recover, late-season or playoff injuries. The Rockets had Hakeem, and he, with Robert Horry and Mario Elie, became Suns killers.

It went downhill fast. Majerle for Hot Rod. Barkley for Horry and Cassell.

I make no predictions. I harbor no expectations. Emotionally, I can't afford it anymore. I just enjoy the seasons as the roll in and roll out.

They were the Globetrotters until Manning blew out his knee during practice over the All Star break.

 

[nowagimp]

So are you guys trying to prove my point that Raja Bell isn't Bruce Bowen 2.0? The point is, that Raja Bell is a solid defender, but not even close to the level of Bruce Bowen IMO. He's physical, draws a lot of offensive fouls, and gets in the head of the opponent, but Bowen is still in another class IMO. Their 3pt%'s are pretty close, but that's because Bowen only takes that baseline 3. Raja can make it at a high percentage from anywhere. Raja shoots a higher percentage from the FT line, but that's not a huge advantage since he only shot 1.8 FT's a game this year.

Anyways, I would agree that Raja Bell is a better overall player, but that doesn't necessarily make him better. Having a guy on your team that can shut down Kobe Bryant (and Bell certainly cannot) is a big advantage. Regardless, referring to Bell as Bowen 2.0 is referring to his defensive abilities, which is not accurate, IMO.

Bowen can play aggressively on the perimeter because he has one of the best shot blockers in the league backing him up. With no shot blocker(as in the suns) he wouldnt be able to overplay his man on the perimeter, and his man would shoot better. When Bowens man bests him off the dribble, Tim Duncan is always waiting along with other good team defenders.

Larry Bird was a horrible defender, but Mchale and Parrish were always there when his man blew by him. The value of having TD back you up on D has been IGNORED in this comparison.

 

[playstation]

If Kurt Thomas is healthy, I'm willing to bet he starts over Diaw. Reason being, Diaw off the bench can add the ball handling we need when Nash is out. D'Antoni started Kurt whenever he's been healthy. I don't see why he'd go away from that now.

semantics. you know what, the 5 i listed will be the 5 that play the last 5 minutes, and i'd still say diaw starts. the diaw we saw while KT was healthy is not the same as the diaw now, much less the one in november.

 

[Goldfield]

Hype comes into play a bit I suppose, but the difference is, that Kobe struggles against Bowen much more than he does against Bell.

Against the Spurs this year, Kobe shot..
38.3%

Against the Suns, Kobe shot..
47.9%

Bell is certainly a solid defender, but he isn't in the class of Bowen, regardless of hype, and he probably isn't top 10 either (although I'd have to look at a list of players to determine that IMO). I'd say that we slightly overrate Bell's defense on this board, but not nearly to the extent that we did with Joe Johnson.

%'s are crap when compairing to the Suns. Our system gives everyone including the other team better stats...

 

[Goldfield]

Bowen can play aggressively on the perimeter because he has one of the best shot blockers in the league backing him up. With no shot blocker(as in the suns) he wouldnt be able to overplay his man on the perimeter, and his man would shoot better. When Bowens man bests him off the dribble, Tim Duncan is always waiting along with other good team defenders.

Larry Bird was a horrible defender, but Mchale and Parrish were always there when his man blew by him. The value of having TD back you up on D has been IGNORED in this comparison.

VERY True...

 

[Goldfield]

Diaw & Amare are gunna pick & roll the NBA to death.