Suns will rock the playoffs

[pokerface]

I know its been said....I know this thread is unnecessary (as all my threads are) but the Suns are built for the playoffs. The Suns seven game win streak (plus beating the Spurs and the hard fought game in Detroit) convince me of this.


Shaq is going to be in GREAT playing shape come playoff time. The Suns are going to be used to playing with each other by that time. I just can't imagine the Suns dropping four games to anybody up until the finals. We have enough defense to pull us through now that Shaq has arrived and more than enough offensive firepower.

I think we have what it takes now.

 

[TucsonDevil]

Well, the Referees are getting ready for playoff basketball. When referees swallow the whistle in favor of the home team, but then feel guilty later and blow a meaningless foul early, you know the playoffs are near. Yeah - that was the feeling tonight.

Welcome to NBA playoff basketball, where officiating is atrocious and the more aggressive teams win in the end. I just hope that with Shaq, the Suns are the more aggressive team this year. Talent has very little to do with anything. Learn to play by 'the rules' or go home early. That is the mantra.

 

[Treesquid PhD]

don't forget the refs love manu. we really have no shot.

 

[nashman]

We need to just start playing dirty and taking cheap shots, it appears thats what the league wants us to do. When we try to play straight up they take games from us.

 

[carey]

I feel like we don't have a closer. I don't think Amare is quite there yet, and although Nash has hit some big 4th quarter shots I don't think he's of the same ilk as Kobe and Lebron. I get worried we can't close out those close games in the 4th sometimes.

 

[dodie53]

Hill should be our closer,
he can slash to the basket or hit a pullup J

 

[bigfoot]

As good as Grant is, we're in trouble if we're counting on him to be our closer.
The Nash and Amare combo is as good as any other closer in the league IMO.

 

[dodie53]

how about Diaw or LB?

 

[PoolBoy]

don't forget the refs love manu. we really have no shot.

exactly. i hate his stepback 3 and the attention it gets, its because he drops his head and pushes the defender back. its like jordans pushoff, except it happens every time, all 4 quarters, and manu's not jordan.

 

[TJ]

I feel like we don't have a closer. I don't think Amare is quite there yet, and although Nash has hit some big 4th quarter shots I don't think he's of the same ilk as Kobe and Lebron. I get worried we can't close out those close games in the 4th sometimes.

In a clutch situation, I would take Nash over Kobe or Lebron anyday

 

[arwillan]

In a clutch situation, I would take Nash over Kobe or Lebron anyday

A closer is a closer imo. Either you got it, or you don't. I'd take nash, kobe, and LeBron all the same (for closing).

 

[Proteus]

Hill should be our closer,
he can slash to the basket or hit a pullup J

I think a closer shouldn't be missing both free throws in crunch time.

 

[PHX 32]

We need to just start playing dirty and taking cheap shots, it appears thats what the league wants us to do. When we try to play straight up they take games from us.

BINGO

 

[nurnay]

I feel like we don't have a closer. I don't think Amare is quite there yet, and although Nash has hit some big 4th quarter shots I don't think he's of the same ilk as Kobe and Lebron. I get worried we can't close out those close games in the 4th sometimes.

You kidding me? Have you watched all the games this season? While Nash can't create his own shot like they can, the dude has a knack for hitting big shots when they're needed. I have all the faith in the world in Nash.

 

[Darth Llama]

don't forget the refs love manu. we really have no shot.

You can't really think the Suns have no shot? Seriously?

After the way they played Detroit today, I'm more convinced then ever. Yes, they lost the game (barely,) but they took the best shot that Detroit could give and matched them stride for stride. Detroit, like them or not, are one of the most elite teams in the NBA.

I'm not going to say the Suns are going to win the title, I won't say that for anyone, but right now, I give the Suns as good a shot as anyone. Suns are a good team.

In a clutch situation, I would take Nash over Kobe or Lebron anyday

Wow, really?

Don't get me wrong, I love Steve Nash, guy is a GREAT player and pure 100% class act. But more clutch then Kobe? Really?

 

[damo]

Don't get me wrong, I love Steve Nash, guy is a GREAT player and pure 100% class act. But more clutch then Kobe? Really?

Yeah totally agree. At the very least Kobe or Lebron would get a call from the refs. Not that that's Steve's fault. It's just how it is.

 

[passenger]

In a clutch situation, I would take Nash over Kobe or Lebron anyday

Well,that's interesting topic actually.

Lebron and Kobe are more capable of making their own plays,they are more athletic and given that there'll be tight defense in clutch time,I'd prefer these 2.But probably you are saying it because Nash actually has showed in the past several times that he can be clutch player and maybe you compared Nash's percentages to them.

On the other hand,Kobe and Lebron take clutch shots much more than anyone,that definitely make them look like the best clutch players,but wanting the ball with courage is a sign of confidence as well.

I haven't seen clutch players like Jordan and Reggie Miller btw

 

[D-Dogg]

Nash makes big shots. Rarely does he miss a "big shot" when it is presented to him. Hell, he made a ridiculous damn deep three in today's game that had no business going in.

I'd put Nash in my list of guys I'd want the ball in their hands at the end of the game.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Clutch pressure was like heroin to Reggie Miller.

 

[jagu]

dodie53:how about Diaw


i rather have Sean Marks taking the last shot than no confidence Diaw...

 

[TucsonDevil]

Wow, if you don't have faith in Nash as a closer, then you don't watch enough games. Nash is the best closer the Suns have ever had, IMO (Barkley, W. Davis, and KJ were pretty good). There are probably only 20-25 guys in the history of the game that could hit bigger shots when it counted. Look at Nash's FG% - and those are mostly shots he has had to create on his own (no one is giving him a wide open assisted shot). If you want more than Nash... well, you're just spoiled.

Comparing Nash to Kobe is unfair, Kobe is probably top 5 closers/pure scorers of all time. Also, the point someone brought up earlier is a big key - Nash doesn't get the whistle that the others do.

No - the Suns have a closer. What the Suns need to 'rock' in the playoffs is consistant production from the bench, solid perimeter defense... and patience with the refs. The Suns will probably never benefit from a poorly officiated game in the playoffs (apparently, you have to earn those), therefore, they need to learn to forget it and play on. Let the assistants, the bench, and the fans get on the refs, but the coach and starting five need to keep playing hard without the crying.

I hate the officials too, but we have got to stop crying all the time.

 

[jbeecham]

Nash is clutch on big shots, but he rarely takes the game winner (or loser). Nash is great at hitting big 3's with 30+ seconds left, but he rarely gets the shot when there is 2.4 seconds left in the game. Obviously the defenses are keying in on him and he's a lot shorter than Kobe & Lebron so it's harder for him to get a shot off over defenders. Usually the ball goes to Barbosa or Bell on a well designed play by D'Antoni to get them open.

 

[LV-Suns]

dodie53:how about Diaw


i rather have Sean Marks taking the last shot than no confidence Diaw...

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[jbeecham]

Marion & Jake Voshkul hit game winners once too, but I wouldn't have any confidence in either of them hitting another one.

 

[S_Nash]

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It was at that point I was ready to sign Boris to a $15 Million a year contract, plus lifetime free entry at DS