I won't intentionally duck a well presented view.
LOL. Okay, how's this: The Suns and Spurs were 2-2 last summer before the suspensions. I'm not going to argue what could or should have happened, but if you look at those four games, it's pretty hard to argue that either team was dramatically outclassing the other.
Look, any idiot can say "Defense wins championships" until he's blue in the face. (Go ahead, try it.) That's doesn't really qualify as the "debate" you fancy yourself participating in. The reason that defensive teams have won over the last several years is that (a) they've been better and (b) they've gotten the breaks.
If the Suns turn out to be the best team and get the breaks, they'll win. Otherwise they probably won't. But it won't be because they're an offensive team and "Defense wins championships." Even if you blame the Spurs loss on Stoudemire's and Diaw's lack of discipline from the bench, that's not a defensive shortcoming -- it's something entirely different. And when Nash gets bashed and bloodied (literally) in every playoff series, that's not a defensive shortcoming either. How is
his better defense going to help him keep his nose attached to his face when he's trying to drive to the hoop?
The Suns' defense is far from stellar, but it's adequate. To get to the top, they need to keep their heads and at least earn a draw in the officiating battle. Frankly, I'm not thrilled about their chances along either of those lines, but neither of them is a defensive problem.