Suns fail again, Lakes again in line to win NBA Championship

[Highpointer]

Why can't the Suns ever win a championship, yet the Lakes win so many? Only two years ago, the Suns were a superior team to the Lakers. The Suns defeated the Lakers in the playoffs in two consecutive years, in 2006 and 2007. This year, however, the Lakers have by far the best record in the Western Conference and appear to be the favorite to win another NBA championship.

Why do the Lakers win so many championships, and yet the Suns, as well as many other NBA teams, are continually mired in utter futility and can't win a single championship?

What can the Suns do to emulate the Lakers, and bring as many championships to Suns fans as Lakers fans have enjoyed over the years?

 

[cobbler]

Get a owner who cares as much about winning as they do the bottom line.

Scout better and develop your draft picks.

Make more astute trades.

Hire a quality coach and assistants.

Have some luck fall your way.

Move your city to the beach.

 

[Bufalay]

Why can't the Suns ever win a championship, yet the Lakes win so many? Only two years ago, the Suns were a superior team to the Lakers. The Suns defeated the Lakers in the playoffs in two consecutive years, in 2006 and 2007. This year, however, the Lakers have by far the best record in the Western Conference and appear to be the favorite to win another NBA championship.

Why do the Lakers win so many championships, and yet the Suns, as well as many other NBA teams, are continually mired in utter futility and can't win a single championship?

What can the Suns do to emulate the Lakers, and bring as many championships to Suns fans as Lakers fans have enjoyed over the years?

Efff the Lakers.

 

[Ryanwb]

Is this one big long rhetorical question? I think the answers are pretty clear.... this isn't a game of chance or a popularity contest

 

[Sunshooter]

Why can't the Suns ever win a championship, yet the Lakes win so many? Only two years ago, the Suns were a superior team to the Lakers. The Suns defeated the Lakers in the playoffs in two consecutive years, in 2006 and 2007. This year, however, the Lakers have by far the best record in the Western Conference and appear to be the favorite to win another NBA championship.

Why do the Lakers win so many championships, and yet the Suns, as well as many other NBA teams, are continually mired in utter futility and can't win a single championship?

What can the Suns do to emulate the Lakers, and bring as many championships to Suns fans as Lakers fans have enjoyed over the years?

You better ask him

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Wallace_(NBA_General_Manager)

 

[Darth Llama]

You better ask him

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Wallace_(NBA_General_Manager)

Yeah right, he's responsible for all the Lakers success huh? He was the one that sent Vlade to Charlotte to get Kobe in 96, he was the one who got them Lamar Odom, who drafted Sasha Vujachic, Jordan Farmar, Andrew Bynum, and the rest of the bench right? The Lakers have a history of making good trades, it's something the Suns need to get more aggressive with. Look as far back as you want. Wilt, Kareem, Kobe, Pau, they all came in via trade. But I'm sure Chris Wallace was behind all that right?

Kerr proved with the Shaq thing that he's not afraid of the blockbuster trade. Yeah, that one might not have worked out, but he has the right idea. If, and that's a big IF, he can get Sarver to pay for free agents/trades, he might still build the Suns into something. It's kinda early to give up on them now isn't it?

 

[Bufalay]

Yeah right, he's responsible for all the Lakers success huh? He was the one that sent Vlade to Charlotte to get Kobe in 96, he was the one who got them Lamar Odom, who drafted Sasha Vujachic, Jordan Farmar, Andrew Bynum

That was a pretty big turd of a team.

 

[Darth Llama]

That was a pretty big turd of a team.

That "turd of a team" had the best record in the NBA when Bynum went down, before they got Gasol.

 

[Darth Llama]

Some brief encouragement..

The Suns are the first team to shoot 50 percent from the field in back-to-back seasons since Jordan's title-winning Bulls in 1990-91 and 1991-92. The team isn't in as bad a shape as some people think, they have plenty of fire power they just need to find a way to shore up the defense.

If the Suns had even a middle of the pack caliber defense they could be right there in the mix.

 

[Bufalay]

That "turd of a team" had the best record in the NBA when Bynum went down, before they got Gasol.

Oh, pardon my ignorance, I stopped paying attention to basketball when Kurt Thomas was sold.

 

[lou_skywalker]

maybe it would relief your grief if u look ahead.
Right now we are in rebuilding mode and it will probably take another 5 years for the Suns to become a true contender again, while the Lakers could have won two or three more championships by then

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Some brief encouragement..

The Suns are the first team to shoot 50 percent from the field in back-to-back seasons since Jordan's title-winning Bulls in 1990-91 and 1991-92. The team isn't in as bad a shape as some people think, they have plenty of fire power they just need to find a way to shore up the defense.

If the Suns had even a middle of the pack caliber defense they could be right there in the mix.

Can't do that without getting rid of Nash, which makes them an average to below average offensive team. Catch 22.

 

[Maligzar]

Why can't the Suns ever win a championship, yet the Lakes win so many? Only two years ago, the Suns were a superior team to the Lakers. The Suns defeated the Lakers in the playoffs in two consecutive years, in 2006 and 2007. This year, however, the Lakers have by far the best record in the Western Conference and appear to be the favorite to win another NBA championship.

Why do the Lakers win so many championships, and yet the Suns, as well as many other NBA teams, are continually mired in utter futility and can't win a single championship?

What can the Suns do to emulate the Lakers, and bring as many championships to Suns fans as Lakers fans have enjoyed over the years?

A good majority of the Laker's success has nothing to do with anything that the organization controls.

- Kareem wanted to be in LA or NY. He wanted to be where there was a strong Muslim community. Without Kareem the Lakers don't have the success they enjoyed in the 80s.

- Shaq wanted to be in LA because he wanted to be in Holywood. Without Shaq LA's last championship run doesn't happen.

- LA's recent swindle/trade for Gasol, however it went down, seems to be something that only they could pull off. Without this deal LA doesn't make it to the finals last year.

This is just the sad reality of basketball. One player, more than often a big man, can and does spell the difference between Championship and playoff team. LA benefited from their geographical location twice, and from some interesting Front office situations another time.

If there ever was a dynasty that has had a lot handed to them, it's LA.

 

[dodie53]

suns suck this season.

 

[mojorizen7]

A good majority of the Laker's success has nothing to do with anything that the organization controls.

- Kareem wanted to be in LA or NY. He wanted to be where there was a strong Muslim community. Without Kareem the Lakers don't have the success they enjoyed in the 80s.

- Shaq wanted to be in LA because he wanted to be in Holywood. Without Shaq LA's last championship run doesn't happen.

- LA's recent swindle/trade for Gasol, however it went down, seems to be something that only they could pull off. Without this deal LA doesn't make it to the finals last year.

This is just the sad reality of basketball. One player, more than often a big man, can and does spell the difference between Championship and playoff team. LA benefited from their geographical location twice, and from some interesting Front office situations another time.

If there ever was a dynasty that has had a lot handed to them, it's LA.

(crickets chirping)

 

[D-Dogg]

(crickets chirping)

Uhm, because there's really no point. Waaah, LA is a destination city, they get good players.

Wow. Call the newspapers...we've found a new and exciting angle that has never been thought of before.

We might even run a story about "veteran players going to contending teams to try and win a ring at the end of their career" after it.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

The notion that the Grizzlies gave up Gasol to the Lakers for nothing is ridiculous, Marc Gasol was a 12/8 guy in his rookie season and has a bright future in the NBA. There's been much worse one-sided deals.

The Lakers are successful because...

- it's a destination NBA city like NY, Chicago, Miami, Phoenix, Orlando, and Dallas
- their owner is more willing than most to shell out money to win (ie - paying boatloads of money for elite coaching)
- they've made shrewd trades and draft moves

We'd be just as good had we retained Joe Johnson and actually used a draft pick or two.

 

[Darth Llama]

We'd be just as good had we retained Joe Johnson and actually used a draft pick or two.

That's a good point. The Suns are where they are largely because of bad decisions and trades. Letting go of guys like Marion and J.J., the Shaq trade, etc. It isn't that great players weren't interested in Phoenix, it's always been about the personnel decisions made by the Front Office. The biggest advantage that a franchise like the Lakers have is that some players will take less money just for the mystique of "being a Laker." Yes, the Lakers sometimes use that to their advantage, why wouldn't they?

It has nothing to do with the Suns playing in Phoenix. Phoenix is a large market and a perfectly desirable place to play. Had the Suns ownership made better decisions, there would be plenty of players wanting to come here. Players will want to play anywhere where they think they can win. There will be some that want the "big name" team, but those players are in the minority. Most want one of three things. Money, A chance to Win, or to be "The Man." You think J.J. became a Hawk because they are such a great franchise? No, he went there for money and to be the center of the team.

There is nothing wrong with the Suns, Phoenix is not a non-desirable place to play at all. They were one or two bad decisions away from being a dynasty. No reason to believe they can't be that again.

 

[JS22]

Some brief encouragement..

The Suns are the first team to shoot 50 percent from the field in back-to-back seasons since Jordan's title-winning Bulls in 1990-91 and 1991-92. The team isn't in as bad a shape as some people think, they have plenty of fire power they just need to find a way to shore up the defense.

If the Suns had even a middle of the pack caliber defense they could be right there in the mix.

You can have very easily said this the past 4-5 seasons.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

There is nothing wrong with the Suns, Phoenix is not a non-desirable place to play at all. They were one or two bad decisions away from being a dynasty. No reason to believe they can't be that again.

True, unfortunately that might be a while down the road. It's not often one team can acquire two players the caliber of Amare Stoudemire and Joe Johnson before reaching their prime within the same few month span.

Griffin and Ker need to get their crap in order for this draft, it's almost a necessity to obtain a great player if they ever want to be in the championship conversation for the next 6-8 years.

 

[KloD]

That "turd of a team" had the best record in the NBA when Bynum went down, before they got Gasol.

Feel free to remember it any way you wish, but your claim isn't supported by fact. Donald tried to make the same bs claim last year. Bynum went down Jan. 13th.

On Jan. 13th the Celtics were 31-9, so the Lakers did not have the best record in the NBA.... in fact they weren't even the best in the west.

Jan. 13, 2008

Suns 26-15 .634
Lakers 25-17 .595

Further, when the Gasol trade happened on Feb. 1st:

Suns 33-18 .647
Lakers 28-22 .560

Gasol is the reason the Lakers had the season they did and without him they would never have reached the finals.

 

[mojorizen7]

Feel free to remember it any way you wish, but your claim isn't supported by fact. Donald tried to make the same bs claim last year. Bynum went down Jan. 13th.

On Jan. 13th the Celtics were 31-9, so the Lakers did not have the best record in the NBA.... in fact they weren't even the best in the west.

Jan. 13, 2008

Suns 26-15 .634
Lakers 25-17 .595

Further, when the Gasol trade happened on Feb. 1st:

Suns 33-18 .647
Lakers 28-22 .560

Gasol is the reason the Lakers had the season they did and without him they would never have reached the finals.

You must be registered for see images attach

Overcaffeinated latte drinking Laker fans....LOL

 

[cobbler]

Feel free to remember it any way you wish, but your claim isn't supported by fact. Donald tried to make the same bs claim last year. Bynum went down Jan. 13th.

On Jan. 13th the Celtics were 31-9, so the Lakers did not have the best record in the NBA.... in fact they weren't even the best in the west.

Jan. 13, 2008

Suns 26-15 .634
Lakers 25-17 .595

Further, when the Gasol trade happened on Feb. 1st:

Suns 33-18 .647
Lakers 28-22 .560

Gasol is the reason the Lakers had the season they did and without him they would never have reached the finals.

The point that was being made was that the Lakers were in the top tier prior to Bynum going down. Are you actually denying that FACT? Phoenix, LA, and Boston were swapping places back and forth for best record early on. Heck, your own numbers for the 13th show it was a 2 game lead in the loss column for the Suns. You act like thats a huge margin or something. I believe the prior week the Lakers were up one. Regardless, the Lakers were a contending team with all their players healthy PRE Gasol. Deny that all you want but the FACTS do indeed prove it. Many believe that the Lakers would have been in the finals without the Gasol trade had Bynum stayed healthy. You obviously don't. So be it.

I don't think anyone, including Donald or Darth would say that Gasol was not a major reason that the Lakers made it to the finals. With Bynum out for the season and no Gasol trade the Lakers would have been mediocre at best. He came in and filled the role vacated by Bynum very well. Come on! What is your point anyway? To deny the Lakers were contenders pre Gasol? That is absurd. Or is it simply Laker hate and/or some silly conspiricy theory that Stern gifted Gasol and a trip to the finals to the Lakers?

 

[Darth Llama]

The point that was being made was that the Lakers were in the top tier prior to Bynum going down. Are you actually denying that FACT? Phoenix, LA, and Boston were swapping places back and forth for best record early on. Heck, your own numbers for the 13th show it was a 2 game lead in the loss column for the Suns. You act like thats a huge margin or something. I believe the prior week the Lakers were up one. Regardless, the Lakers were a contending team with all their players healthy PRE Gasol. Deny that all you want but the FACTS do indeed prove it. Many believe that the Lakers would have been in the finals without the Gasol trade had Bynum stayed healthy. You obviously don't. So be it.

I don't think anyone, including Donald or Darth would say that Gasol was not a major reason that the Lakers made it to the finals. With Bynum out for the season and no Gasol trade the Lakers would have been mediocre at best. He came in and filled the role vacated by Bynum very well. Come on! What is your point anyway? To deny the Lakers were contenders pre Gasol? That is absurd. Or is it simply Laker hate and/or some silly conspiricy theory that Stern gifted Gasol and a trip to the finals to the Lakers?

That pretty much sums it up exactly. I wasn't arguing that Gasol wasn't a vital part of the Lakers run to the finals, just rebuking the opinion that the Lakers were terrible without him. Would they have made the finals without Bynum or Gasol? Of course not, hell they wouldn't have even made the playoffs. The thought however that the pre-Gasol Lakers with a healthy Bynum weren't a good team is laughable.

 

[Bufalay]

The Lakers had a worse record than the Suns. The Suns sucked last year. Hence, the Lakers also sucked. I think that is the point that was being made.