fordronken
Registered User
All I can say is " 
"
http://espn.go.com/page2/s/simmons/030422.html
9. Phoenix (voted off by San Antonio, 4-3)
And this prediction comes from a guy who wagered on the Suns to win the series in six (at 15-to-1 odds, no less). Every San Antonio weakness -- difficulties defending quality point guards, below-average small forwards, trouble getting Duncan good shots if the other team has size -- are strengths for the Suns. If the stars align going into Game 6, and they head back to Phoenix with a 3-2 lead, I honestly believe they could finish off the Spurs. That's why I backed them. I think they're one of five teams who could win the title this year ... and no, I'm not kidding.
Will it happen? This is the only Round One series that looks like it could go seven games, and we all know that the NBA would never let eight playoff series unfold without at least one of them going seven, even if they have to assign Dick Bavetta to six games in 48 hours to make it happen. And I can't shake the feeling that these Suns are a year away -- this is one of those "get-your-feet-wet" series, like the Kings against the Jazz in '98. So I'll go with the Spurs here. Even if it kills me.
Regardless of what happens, the Suns were directly involved with two of the three most important developments of the season (the other being Yao, of course):
Stephon Marbury
Stephon Marbury's running 3-pointer won Game 1 for the eighth-seeded Suns.
# Stephon Marbury evolving into a viable MVP candidate. Not since Isiah has a point guard been so destructive off the dribble; he's basically doing whatever the hell he wants. Someday, we might remember that Kidd-Marbury trade as the most important trade of the decade. Seriously. And just for the record, I had him right behind Duncan, KG, McGrady and Kobe on my MVP ballot, even though I don't have a ballot (just play along). Remember when we were arguing about The Next Great Point Guard and comparing Andre Miller and Baron Davis? Those guys aren't even in the same ballpark as Marbury. Just an astounding turn of events.
(And what about the parallels between Marbury and Chris Webber, two young studs who were supposed to become superstars, struggled, changed teams not once but twice, seemed unredeemable, and just when we gave up on them, they put everything together in their seventh season? You gotta love the NBA sometimes.)
# A few months ago, Bob Ryan compared Amare Stoudemire to Roy Tarpley and Moses Malone. Rare company. And I agree. Maybe I would throw in a little Shawn Kemp as well, because of the way he dunks on people, but the message remains the same: Stoudemire is the most important forward to enter the league in five years. When he's feeling it, he overpowers you, the same way Shaq does and the same way Moses did back in the day. He's a force of nature.
What does this all mean? Well, the Suns suddenly have the best under-30 point guard, the best under-25 forward not named "Dirk," and one of the best small forwards in the league. Put it this way: They aren't going anywhere for awhile. Just what we needed, another powerhouse in the West.
"http://espn.go.com/page2/s/simmons/030422.html
9. Phoenix (voted off by San Antonio, 4-3)
And this prediction comes from a guy who wagered on the Suns to win the series in six (at 15-to-1 odds, no less). Every San Antonio weakness -- difficulties defending quality point guards, below-average small forwards, trouble getting Duncan good shots if the other team has size -- are strengths for the Suns. If the stars align going into Game 6, and they head back to Phoenix with a 3-2 lead, I honestly believe they could finish off the Spurs. That's why I backed them. I think they're one of five teams who could win the title this year ... and no, I'm not kidding.
Will it happen? This is the only Round One series that looks like it could go seven games, and we all know that the NBA would never let eight playoff series unfold without at least one of them going seven, even if they have to assign Dick Bavetta to six games in 48 hours to make it happen. And I can't shake the feeling that these Suns are a year away -- this is one of those "get-your-feet-wet" series, like the Kings against the Jazz in '98. So I'll go with the Spurs here. Even if it kills me.
Regardless of what happens, the Suns were directly involved with two of the three most important developments of the season (the other being Yao, of course):
Stephon Marbury
Stephon Marbury's running 3-pointer won Game 1 for the eighth-seeded Suns.
# Stephon Marbury evolving into a viable MVP candidate. Not since Isiah has a point guard been so destructive off the dribble; he's basically doing whatever the hell he wants. Someday, we might remember that Kidd-Marbury trade as the most important trade of the decade. Seriously. And just for the record, I had him right behind Duncan, KG, McGrady and Kobe on my MVP ballot, even though I don't have a ballot (just play along). Remember when we were arguing about The Next Great Point Guard and comparing Andre Miller and Baron Davis? Those guys aren't even in the same ballpark as Marbury. Just an astounding turn of events.
(And what about the parallels between Marbury and Chris Webber, two young studs who were supposed to become superstars, struggled, changed teams not once but twice, seemed unredeemable, and just when we gave up on them, they put everything together in their seventh season? You gotta love the NBA sometimes.)
# A few months ago, Bob Ryan compared Amare Stoudemire to Roy Tarpley and Moses Malone. Rare company. And I agree. Maybe I would throw in a little Shawn Kemp as well, because of the way he dunks on people, but the message remains the same: Stoudemire is the most important forward to enter the league in five years. When he's feeling it, he overpowers you, the same way Shaq does and the same way Moses did back in the day. He's a force of nature.
What does this all mean? Well, the Suns suddenly have the best under-30 point guard, the best under-25 forward not named "Dirk," and one of the best small forwards in the league. Put it this way: They aren't going anywhere for awhile. Just what we needed, another powerhouse in the West.
