Suns think they still have a shot

[French Fries]

I expect 45 wins, a 6th seed and a 2nd round exit.
Are you going to tell me that if DA had stayed that you'd expect much more than that? Not me....and this way our younger players might just actually learn the basic concept of defense and discipline going forward.
Or....we might just get lucky,stay healthy and get hot at the right time & "sniff' the Finals.

i agree with this one^. although if ever we win it all, i wouldn't feel surprised at all. my candidate for champions would be the celtics and the top 8 teams in the west, which ones is just a roll of the dice for me...

 

[Chaplin]

Why does being a 6 seed automatically make us a long shot? Especially in the West? We were the 6th seed last season, 2 games back from the Lakers, who were #1. Let me repeat: 2 GAMES. People look at seeding and automatically assume that a 6th seed means we suck. It just isn't true in the modern Western Conference.

 

[chickenhead]

Now that I've finally accepted that Joe Johnson is gone, the Thomas trade happened, Marion is gone, and Fernandez won't be playing for us...I'm excited to see what happens. The bottom line is that we need help and we need health. What if the Lakers or Hornets run into this year's version of the '07 Warriors? What if the Suns actually take advantage of less complete teams in Spurs-esque fashion? Who knows.

 

[HooverDam]

one Kobe finger away from missing the playoffs in the West,

I don't know about that the Lakers are insanely deep this year, they'd make the playoffs with or without Kobe I'd guess. Between Bynum, Gasol, Odom, and Walton, they'd be able to pick up the scoring.

Not some guy who never showed all that much with the Bucks

I don't know about this. He took the freaking BUCKS to the playoffs! His team that year was also towards the top in scoring (they may have been #1, I don't recall). The next year the team was decimated by injury and they missed the playoffs, no surprise there. I think most people around the league would agree Porter did a fine job for a first time coach in Milwaukee (heck, look how poorly D'Antoni did in Denver but how well he did here, you have to have the horses) and wasn't given a fair shake.

All bringing back DA would have done would have shown that failure is something that the franchise is okay with

I'm so sick of people acting like if your team doesn't win a championship the whole season was a failure, thats ridiculous. Is Apple computer a failure because they aren't the #1 seller of computers? I don't think so, they're still a very successful, multi billion dollar corporation. Under D'Antoni the Suns won more games than any other 4 year span in their history, thats quite an accomplishment! I'd say even though they didn't make it to the finals, these past 4 years have been an unmatched success in Suns history.

The destination (a championship) is important, but the journey is where the fun is, enjoy the journey or the destination won't be nearly as sweet.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Why does being a 6 seed automatically make us a long shot? Especially in the West? We were the 6th seed last season, 2 games back from the Lakers, who were #1. Let me repeat: 2 GAMES. People look at seeding and automatically assume that a 6th seed means we suck. It just isn't true in the modern Western Conference.

probably because last year was a complete anomaly and the West wasn't as good as it had been up at the top, which allowed pretty much everyone to stay in it. Also, most people don't think we'll be a 55 win 6 seed again this year.

The teams at the top, like the Lakers and Hornets are MUCH better with Bynum/Ariza and Posey being added to them, not to mention younger than we are and Houston made a huge upgrade with Artest. Meanwhile, we're a year older, making a huge transistion, depending on rookies to play key roles. I think people assume that the "modern" Western Conference of one year will trend back to what it was for the three years previous to last year, just with different teams at the top. The Lakers, Hornets and either the Jazz or Rox will be up top and everyone else will be long-shots.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I'm so sick of people acting like if your team doesn't win a championship the whole season was a failure, thats ridiculous. Is Apple computer a failure because they aren't the #1 seller of computers? I don't think so, they're still a very successful, multi billion dollar corporation. Under D'Antoni the Suns won more games than any other 4 year span in their history, thats quite an accomplishment! I'd say even though they didn't make it to the finals, these past 4 years have been an unmatched success in Suns history.

It's not the "we didn't win a title" which made us failures. I thought 04-5 and 05-6 were great successes. 06-7 was alarming and last year was even worse. When you start moving backwards THAT'S failure. Not the inability to win it.

You can be sick of whatever you want, but please don't put arguments into my mouth.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I don't know about this. He took the freaking BUCKS to the playoffs! His team that year was also towards the top in scoring (they may have been #1, I don't recall).

yeah, I probably should have qualified that statement. He showed a little promise, although getting an 8 seed into the playoffs in the Eastm which was even worse then than it is now, is still nothing all that much to boast about, but the point I was making was that in this situation, they went middle of the road, instead of getting a guy who had a proven track record of success, even success to a point with a lot of adversity. The fact that Carlisle was never even on our radar said it all to me. This was about money and finding someone who fit a budget but maybe had some upside. Pretty weak if you're still really trying to "go for it" as the window closes.

 

[Mainstreet]

You're absolutely right--anything less than a championship should be considered unsatisfactory, another failure. But all I'm saying is, in that scenario Porter shouldn't take all the blame. I'd start a little higher up.

You really nailed it about Porter. I also agree that he shouldn't take all the blame if the Suns do not win a Championship. Neither should D'Antoni have taken all the blame. I'm just using the philosophy of those who blame D'Antoni for not winning a Championship... in only four full years with the Suns. Porter has everything D'Antoni has and more so he should win a Championship now, if that is the standard. I think it is a ridiculous standard. However, those posters who crticized D'Antoni should apply the same standard to Porter. If the Suns do not play well or do not make the playoffs (let alone a Championship) they will want to run Porter out of town as well.

And yes, the real blame starts higher than the coaching level.

 

[msdundee]

So now, in comes Porter with essentially the same team in NASH,BELL,BARBOSA,HILL,DIAW & STOUDEMIRE(it's not like Kerr blew it all up) except these All-stars/Mvp's are o l d e r & IMO a little mentally shell shocked from the high expectations & subsequent playoff disappointments. Anyway, my point is....... sorry my friend but you CANNOT put those same expectations on this group just because the SUNS organization decided to change coaches & philosophy. It's just not that simple as long as you view this team objectively.

"(it's not like Kerr blew it all up)" Disagree. It's exactly like he blew it all up. He took away a key piece of what the Suns WERE and added a piece that made them what they hope to become, and that happened several months before any coaching change. He said it himself in February: If it worked, he was a genius--if it didn't work, he was a moron. He didn't say, "but give it four years before you decide."

It probably wasn't realistic to expect any spectacular improvement last year. I personally don't expect any this year either. But given all the moves made since last February--most of them right in line with the wishes of posters like yourself--it's entirely reasonable to think YOU should be expecting a great run this season, with a marked improvement over previous years and end results far above your lukewarm predictions. Making excuses before they've even played one game and saying it will take four years to implement the new "philosophy" doesn't sound like viewing the team objectively. Sounds more like a cop-out.

 

[mojorizen7]

You really nailed it about Porter. I also agree that he shouldn't take all the blame if the Suns do not win a Championship. Neither should D'Antoni have taken all the blame. I'm just using the philosophy of those who blame D'Antoni for not winning a Championship... in only four full years with the Suns. Porter has everything D'Antoni has and more so he should win a Championship now, if that is the standard. I think it is a ridiculous standard. However, those posters who crticized D'Antoni should apply the same standard to Porter. If the Suns do not play well or do not make the playoffs (let alone a Championship) they will want to run Porter out of town as well.

And yes, the real blame starts higher than the coaching level.

This is incorrect IMO. See my previous post ,Street.

 

[Mainstreet]

This is incorrect IMO. See my previous post ,Street.

All is well tonight. The Suns beat SA, although they were short handed. I think the past is the past and all the Suns fans should get behind Porter. The past can't be undone. I'm glad to see the Knicks beat the Heat tonight. I will still root for D'Antoni except when the Knicks play Phoenix. Mario Chalmers played particularly well for the Heat. Maybe the Suns should have made a move for him.

 

[mojorizen7]

"(it's not like Kerr blew it all up)" Disagree. It's exactly like he blew it all up. He took away a key piece of what the Suns WERE and added a piece that made them what they hope to become, and that happened several months before any coaching change. He said it himself in February: If it worked, he was a genius--if it didn't work, he was a moron. He didn't say, "but give it four years before you decide."

It probably wasn't realistic to expect any spectacular improvement last year. I personally don't expect any this year either. But given all the moves made since last February--most of them right in line with the wishes of posters like yourself--it's entirely reasonable to think YOU should be expecting a great run this season, with a marked improvement over previous years and end results far above your lukewarm predictions. Making excuses before they've even played one game and saying it will take four years to implement the new "philosophy" doesn't sound like viewing the team objectively. Sounds more like a cop-out.

Cop out my ass. Its called objectivity. You completely ignored the "meat" of the post. I figured as much.
FYI: If this team was "blown up" there would be no Nash,Bell, or Hill on this opening day roster.

 

[Irish]

The Suns were looking for a low post presence who could shoot for 50%, score 15 points, get 13 rebounds, and 2 blocks against an All Star. Wonder where they can find that kind of guy?

 

[cly2tw]

They have a shot this year as good as anybody, and much better than their's last year.