Steve Nash can win the big one, but can the Suns?

[Ronin]

Insiders favor Mavs over Suns

Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 17, 2007 12:00 AM
LAS VEGAS - Steve Nash can win the big one, but the Suns can't.

That is the consensus among those watching Nash's bid for a third consecutive Most Valuable Player Award and Phoenix's quest for its first NBA title.

The Suns have earned some respect. Coach Mike D'Antoni went his entire 30-minute media session Friday without being questioned about whether his style can win a title. But as much as the NBA gets comfortable with the idea of a Canadian three-time MVP, most league personnel and observers can't see the Suns getting past the Dallas Mavericks. advertisement

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"Dallas has been there," Washington coach Eddie Jordan said. "They've got the bitter taste of losing in the Finals. With that taste in their mouths, that experience and the way they've been going, Dallas is a huge favorite to me."

For some, it's not that Phoenix can't win the title. With center Amaré Stoudemire back, Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas said the Suns have a dominating inside presence to give them "a great chance."

"With Stoudemire back, no question they could (win a championship)," Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins said of the Suns. "Because you have to double him, you have everyone on the wings open for jump shots. Last year, they didn't have a great post player, and you were relying on those wings to break people down for shots. They have a shot with Dallas and San Antonio, but people don't even talk about San Antonio."

But, as usual, the debate returns to Phoenix's defense.

"Anybody can win a championship if you get hot with the scorers they have," said former center Bill Laimbeer, who won two titles with the Detroit Pistons. "If you make big shots and happen to get big stops, you can win. In a knockdown, drag-out series with both teams playing at their peak, it's unclear if (the Suns) could get enough stops to get it done."

Former defensive star Michael Cooper, who played on five Los Angeles Lakers title teams, had even stronger doubts.

"Not this year," Cooper said. "The Suns have a big team ahead of them that is so hungry that it's incredible. Dallas is going to be tough to beat. The Suns can put points on the board, but in order to win a championship, you've got to be able to stop some people. Until they get that in their repertoire, it's going to be difficult for them to challenge."

Like Wilkins said, San Antonio has been omitted from much of the West title talk. But that's not true in Dallas, where guard Jerry Stackhouse recently said the Mavericks are more concerned with the Spurs, even as the Suns pressed them for the Western Conference's top seed.

"Before it's all said and done, San Antonio is going to be there," Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki said. "They are too experienced, with a great coach. They're going through a little slump, but once the playoffs come around, they'll be right there. Everything goes through them in the West."

Nowitzki appears to be Nash's toughest challenger in the MVP race, especially if the Mavericks continue to have better overall and head-to-head records. Nash thought Nowitzki, one of his best friends, deserved it last season and is more worthy this time.

"Dirk has shown so much growth in being a leader and selling out for his teammates, doing the little things to help his team win," Dallas All-Star forward Josh Howard said. "Steve deserves to be an All-Star, but it's time to move on. Steve can get the MVP next year. I want Dirk to get it this year."

To some, Nowitzki is penalized for his good health. Nash's shoulder injury has caused the Suns to struggle recently, fueling his MVP consideration like it did during the 2004-05 season.

"A lot of people, if Steve has been playing, might've been reluctant to give him three in a row," TNT analyst Reggie Miller said. "This is going to, as people have mentioned, help his case because he is the system. People see the system goes down without him."

 

[elindholm]

The bad news is that the Mavericks are the best team in the league. The good news is that the best team does not always win.

 

[Forrestham]

AS we have said before, dont underestimate Nash. No nash no rings

 

[BC867]

AS we have said before, dont underestimate Nash. No nash no rings

You might add . . . overworked Nash, no rings. No Kurt Thomas, no rings. Amare foul trouble, no rings.

But Steve is the catalyst, of course.

 

[cly2tw]

You might add . . . overworked Nash, no rings. No Kurt Thomas, no rings. Amare foul trouble, no rings.

But Steve is the catalyst, of course.

So true!

Not only that, Bell's minutes should go way down for him to be effective for extented stretches, i.e. without injury and fatique induced subbar plays. He should be playing no more than 32 min again, otherwise he won't have fresh legs to contain the Kobes and Manus of the league as his reputation suggested.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

You might add . . . overworked Nash, no rings. No Kurt Thomas, no rings. Amare foul trouble, no rings.

But Steve is the catalyst, of course.

Funny that you mention Nash and Kurt Thomas, because they're Number #1 and #2 the most vital Suns when it comes to winning a championship. I firmly believe we can win without Stat and Marion, but not those two guys.

 

[PHX 32]

Funny that you mention Nash and Kurt Thomas, because they're Number #1 and #2 the most vital Suns when it comes to winning a championship. I firmly believe we can win without Stat and Marion, but not those two guys.

Um...are you serious? You think we can win a title without Stat's help?? Did you watch any of last year's playoffs?????

 

[Mainstreet]

Um...are you serious? You think we can win a title without Stat's help?? Did you watch any of last year's playoffs?????

The Suns actually came very close last year without KT and Amare. It was Raja's injury that sealed their fate with Dallas. However, I think the Suns will need all their rotation players to have a good shot at a Championship (or even early in the playoffs). If the Suns could have beaten Dallas last year, I think they could have out run Miami to a Championship. I'm still hoping the Suns can add a rotation player before the trading deadline.

 

[Covert Rain]

The Suns actually came very close last year without KT and Amare. It was Raja's injury that sealed their fate with Dallas. However, I think the Suns will need all their rotation players to have a good shot at a Championship (or even early in the playoffs). If the Suns could have beaten Dallas last year, I think they could have out run Miami to a Championship. I'm still hoping the Suns can add a rotation player before the trading deadline.

That was last year. The Mavs are not only a better team this year but deeper too. The Suns have no shot without Amare and Kurt.

 

[elindholm]

The Mavericks look very good, but how are they deeper than last year? Their core rotation is the same except that Devean George replaces Marquis Daniels, which cannot be considered an improvement.

 

[Chaplin]

The Mavericks look very good, but how are they deeper than last year? Their core rotation is the same except that Devean George replaces Marquis Daniels, which cannot be considered an improvement.

Isn't it because all the Mavs fans and media are saying it? Doesn't that make it the truth?

 

[Mainstreet]

That was last year. The Mavs are not only a better team this year but deeper too. The Suns have no shot without Amare and Kurt.

I'm just pointing out that it isn't necessarily so. See last year. As much as I would like to add a true PG or another big man to the Suns roster now, I'm beginning to think another player that can play the 1-3 positions might benefit the Suns the most this year. I'm really regretting the Suns could not add a Salmons type player instead of Banks.

Also I'm beginning to rethink a Diaw for Gasol type trade or I'm even willing to consider Ron Artest. As you can see, I want a Championship this year.

 

[Covert Rain]

The Mavericks look very good, but how are they deeper than last year? Their core rotation is the same except that Devean George replaces Marquis Daniels, which cannot be considered an improvement.

For one they are going deeper into their bench rotation this year. Unlike the Suns they are using guys from their bench. Just actually using the guys makes it a deeper rotation.

Isn't it because all the Mavs fans and media are saying it? Doesn't that make it the truth?

The team is playing better this year. Look at their record. It's not just what the media or fans are saying. They are playing better then last season. I hate the Mavs but I have watched enough of their games to see they are a better team then last years.

At any rate we have no shot without Amare. He brings in interrior aspect to our game that we missed down the stretch last year. Also, if we don't have Kurt, then we need someone like him off the bench. Aside from Amare, we don't have another bruiser. With Kurt or someone like Kurt, you need some rebounding and interrior toughness.

We don't need another swingman who is just going to camp at the 3 point line to launch 3's. I would like a legit backup to Steve. However, having a legit backup to Steve is not the difference between getting title or not getting a title. If the Suns win it all this year it will be bause of good defense and good rebounding.

 

[Mainstreet]

For one they are going deeper into their bench rotation this year. Unlike the Suns they are using guys from their bench. Just actually using the guys makes it a deeper rotation.



The team is playing better this year. Look at their record. It's not just what the media or fans are saying. They are playing better then last season. I hate the Mavs but I have watched enough of their games to see they are a better team then last years.

At any rate we have no shot without Amare. He brings in interrior aspect to our game that we missed down the stretch last year. Also, if we don't have Kurt, then we need someone like him off the bench. Aside from Amare, we don't have another bruiser. With Kurt or someone like Kurt, you need some rebounding and interrior toughness.

We don't need another swingman who is just going to camp at the 3 point line to launch 3's. I would like a legit backup to Steve. However, having a legit backup to Steve is not the difference between getting title or not getting a title. If the Suns win it all this year it will be bause of good defense and good rebounding.

Are you putting Ron Artest in the category of a Forward/ Guard that just camps at the three point line?

It's very unlikely the Suns would try to add Ron Artest to their roster, but don't think it wouldn't scare Dallas if they did. Artest (like him or not) would be the type of tough, defensive minded player that the Suns need to cut off Dallas' interior drives to the bucket and he can rebound.

 

[Chaplin]

For one they are going deeper into their bench rotation this year. Unlike the Suns they are using guys from their bench. Just actually using the guys makes it a deeper rotation.



The team is playing better this year. Look at their record. It's not just what the media or fans are saying. They are playing better then last season. I hate the Mavs but I have watched enough of their games to see they are a better team then last years.

At any rate we have no shot without Amare. He brings in interrior aspect to our game that we missed down the stretch last year. Also, if we don't have Kurt, then we need someone like him off the bench. Aside from Amare, we don't have another bruiser. With Kurt or someone like Kurt, you need some rebounding and interrior toughness.

We don't need another swingman who is just going to camp at the 3 point line to launch 3's. I would like a legit backup to Steve. However, having a legit backup to Steve is not the difference between getting title or not getting a title. If the Suns win it all this year it will be bause of good defense and good rebounding.

The point is that they DO NOT have a deeper team--they may be utilizing it differently, but they are not deeper. Are they supposed to be commended for finally using their rotation better, or chastised for not using it enough last season? The point is, they are not a deeper team, but they are using their bench players more, and it's worked for them.

 

[Skkorpion]

Chaplin, it pains me to agree with SteelDog but I do on this. Completely. The Mavs are better than last year and have a deeper bench.

I think everybody is underrating the impact of Diaw's injury on our play. It's not just missing Nash and Thomas and having Bell battling a bad knee, we really miss Boris.

Once again, injuries are killing our chances to truly compete for a title.

 

[elindholm]

For one they are going deeper into their bench rotation this year. Unlike the Suns they are using guys from their bench. Just actually using the guys makes it a deeper rotation.

Are you saying they're deeper than the Suns, or deeper than last year's Mavericks? Deeper than the Suns, yes, of course. Deeper than last year's Mavericks, no. Look at their team statistics from this year and last, and compare how many players are getting how many minutes. If anything, they went deeper last year.

 

[Chaplin]

Are you saying they're deeper than the Suns, or deeper than last year's Mavericks? Deeper than the Suns, yes, of course. Deeper than last year's Mavericks, no. Look at their team statistics from this year and last, and compare how many players are getting how many minutes. If anything, they went deeper last year.

Exactly.

 

[Lorenzo]

the mavs are very simular as what you saw last year as far as depth goes....but they are just playing better together. They are playing even better at the defensive end especially in the 4th qtr. I don't know how many games they have won when their shooting has been off down the stretch....but the defense wins the game for them. George is definitely an upgrade from daniels simply for the fact that george adds much needed depth to the forward position. He is also a much better defender and rebounder. Daniels struggled to get playing time because the mavs are loaded with guards. The mavs are every bit as deep as last year and are definitely playing better as a team. I almost forgot....greg buckner is playing well also.

 

[Lorenzo]

Isn't it because all the Mavs fans and media are saying it? Doesn't that make it the truth?

a lot of suns fans have been saying it too.