With our current roster, can this team go deep into the post-season?

[Andrew]

The Suns seem to play well in a few games and then truly have a stinker to make this place go up in smoke and make up trade scenarios, etc/ to "fix" the problem.

To me, it seems they haven't play long enough together to truly play consistently and to get on the same page. There is no outstanding defensive player on this team, but at times, they play solid defense and that hints towards what they can truly do. I know defense isn't the entire problem, it is also the massive amounts of turnovers, but my thing is...

Shouldn't we wait to see if they play this inconsistent after the All-Star break to truly assess the situation?

I have been an NBA fan for a long time, sometimes it just takes teams some time to gel. In my opinion, the Suns have great talent, and WHEN they all get on the same page, they will start to play good consistent basketball...

We can continue to place blame on Kerr, Porter, Nash, Shaq, Stat, etc. or we can truly assess the situation if it doesn't improve by the break.

I am not one to worry, because I tend to look for the good in things before I do the bad...

 

[LV-Suns]

Playoffs?

Talent is there, but I seriously doubt this team can even make the playoffs.

 

[Andrew]

Really? Wow...at least I have a grasp on reality.

 

[LV-Suns]

How so?

Lakers
Hornets
Spurs
Jazz
Rockets
Blazers
Nuggets

Teams that are definitely better than us. Then we have a chance to fight for the 8th seed with Dallas. Tell you what, I would rather fight for the lottery.

 

[SirStefan32]

They'll probably make playoffs, but it will be a first round exit.
Nash is horrible, and I am really starting to question Porter's wisdom.
Talent is definitely there, but there are some major weaknesses. I don't see them getting to 2nd round of playoffs unless another major trade/FA signing happens.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Really? Wow...at least I have a grasp on reality.

really? reality says as of right now, we're the 9th best team in the West standings. that would be out of the playoffs.

 

[Bufalay]

Really? Wow...at least I have a grasp on reality.

If I were to start a poll asking if last year's team still has a shot at winning the 2007-2008 championship you would vote yes.

 

[The Commish]

How so?

Lakers
Hornets
Spurs
Jazz
Rockets
Blazers
Nuggets

Teams that are definitely better than us. Then we have a chance to fight for the 8th seed with Dallas. Tell you what, I would rather fight for the lottery.

Disagree on the Rockets. And I'm not ready to say the Blazers are a lock for the playoffs yet.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Maybe I am more optimistic then most but has anyone else realized what Richardson and a productive Shaq does for this team.? I am right on board with Andrew and I think just listing a bunch of teams that are better because NBA told you so is asinine. Let me qualify all those teams for you.

Houston - too injured. Anyone who buys into this team doesn't pay enough attention to the recent past.

SA - formidable but old. I def think we are better then them and match up better with them then we have in years

Utah - We match up terribly with Utah but I think the rest of the league has caught up with them and they won't finish as high as they have the past couple. Especially with Deron williams and Boozer struggling to stay healthy.

N.O. - Obviously another poor matchup but they don't have the same mojo they had last year. I could seem them taking off and finishing Number 2. I could also see them getting crushed under the expectations they sent last year.

Denver - Intriguing but I don't think they have the frontcourt depth to continue to play at this pace. LOVE the Billups trade for them though. They don't concern me.

Portland - Yeah right. During the telecast last night they were talking about how all the young players are in awe of the suns vets. Over the course of the year and playoffs they won't sustain with us. Too young. Took 52 from ROy and circus shots all around for them to barely beat us by at home.

Lakers - Own us.

I have been very honest in assessing this team especially this year and felt prior to the Richardson trade that they would have been out of the playoffs. Not anymore. This team has the best RING potential they have had since 93. They finally have the outside/inside offensive potential that works in the playoffs. Richardson and his shooting/slashing ability give us the last component on offense we have been missing.

And I can tell Shaq is sufficiently motivated after his comments last night.

We need to work on the defense and turnovers but if Amare keeps focusing on rebounding and taking over in spots - we look pretty formidable to me. His passing was astounding to me last night.

My biggest concern right now is Nash.

Since this trade this team has shown me something. You heard it here first and I know my NBA.

If they stay healthy this team is going to make a run in the next 3 months and get in the Top 4 seeds. In fact I would like to set up a Vbookie if anyone wants to take me up on that.

This team presently constituted is set up the best for consistent playff success then they have been for years.

Right now that Shaq trade is looking pretty smart IMO and they have some defeciencies - but I now think they are the top offense in the league. Except this time - with a legit inside game.

 

[Chaplin]

How so?

Lakers
Hornets
Spurs
Jazz
Rockets
Blazers
Nuggets

Teams that are definitely better than us. Then we have a chance to fight for the 8th seed with Dallas. Tell you what, I would rather fight for the lottery.

We are 2-1 against the Blazers, and we beat them twice while playing a lot worse then we did last night. The Nuggets and Rockets are debatable, even the Jazz are debatable as well. It's much too early for this thread, let alone any definitive list of which teams are better than us for the playoffs.

 

[Chaplin]

really? reality says as of right now, we're the 9th best team in the West standings. that would be out of the playoffs.

Please. It's December 19th! I don't think even the ESPN idiots are relying on the "if the playoffs started now" mantra you and your boys are spouting.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

This team might not make the playoffs. It might win it all. It has the talent, it just has to put it all together. I'm encouraged with the way that the team is going.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Please. It's December 19th! I don't think even the ESPN idiots are relying on the "if the playoffs started now" mantra you and your boys are spouting.

please what? I'm not saying we'll definitely miss the playoffs but to state that you're out of reality questioning whether we get in or not just seems silly considering how competitive the West and that as of right now, we're at the bottom of the playoff teams (and that's with staying relatively injury free with guys like Shaq, Nash and Hill).

 

[Chaplin]

please what? I'm not saying we'll definitely miss the playoffs but to state that you're out of reality questioning whether we get in or not just seems silly considering how competitive the West and that as of right now, we're at the bottom of the playoff teams (and that's with staying relatively injury free with guys like Shaq, Nash and Hill).

You're also assuming that we will be consistently down for the rest of the season and all the other teams will be consistently up. Streaks happen, and we're just as likely to have a winning streak (or losing streak) as every other team, even the mythical Lakers.

 

[Skkorpion]

Please. It's December 19th! I don't think even the ESPN idiots are relying on the "if the playoffs started now" mantra you and your boys are spouting.

I've got to agree with Chaplin here.

 

[cly2tw]

maybe, because it all relies on Nash seeing the light and finally decide to buy in into Porter's system, which has been hold back by Nash's complaints and unwillingness to change.

So, we have a real chance to go deep if either Nash plays off the ball 50% of the time or he is traded for someone like Crawford.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Maybe I am more optimistic then most but has anyone else realized what Richardson and a productive Shaq does for this team.? I am right on board with Andrew and I think just listing a bunch of teams that are better because NBA told you so is asinine. Let me qualify all those teams for you.

Houston - too injured. Anyone who buys into this team doesn't pay enough attention to the recent past.

SA - formidable but old. I def think we are better then them and match up better with them then we have in years

Utah - We match up terribly with Utah but I think the rest of the league has caught up with them and they won't finish as high as they have the past couple. Especially with Deron williams and Boozer struggling to stay healthy.

N.O. - Obviously another poor matchup but they don't have the same mojo they had last year. I could seem them taking off and finishing Number 2. I could also see them getting crushed under the expectations they sent last year.

Denver - Intriguing but I don't think they have the frontcourt depth to continue to play at this pace. LOVE the Billups trade for them though. They don't concern me.

Portland - Yeah right. During the telecast last night they were talking about how all the young players are in awe of the suns vets. Over the course of the year and playoffs they won't sustain with us. Too young. Took 52 from ROy and circus shots all around for them to barely beat us by at home.

Lakers - Own us.

I have been very honest in assessing this team especially this year and felt prior to the Richardson trade that they would have been out of the playoffs. Not anymore. This team has the best RING potential they have had since 93. They finally have the outside/inside offensive potential that works in the playoffs. Richardson and his shooting/slashing ability give us the last component on offense we have been missing.

And I can tell Shaq is sufficiently motivated after his comments last night.

We need to work on the defense and turnovers but if Amare keeps focusing on rebounding and taking over in spots - we look pretty formidable to me. His passing was astounding to me last night.

My biggest concern right now is Nash.

Since this trade this team has shown me something. You heard it here first and I know my NBA.

If they stay healthy this team is going to make a run in the next 3 months and get in the Top 4 seeds. In fact I would like to set up a Vbookie if anyone wants to take me up on that.

This team presently constituted is set up the best for consistent playff success then they have been for years.

Right now that Shaq trade is looking pretty smart IMO and they have some defeciencies - but I now think they are the top offense in the league. Except this time - with a legit inside game.

I agree with most of this, it is just way too early to predict either way. Being optimistic, I still feel this team has a chance to make some noise. Having said that, there is still a ton of work to be done on the defensive end. I don't know if I've ever seen a team give up more wide open shots than this team. It's pretty simple, almost any NBA player left wide open will make the majority of their shots. If we could just do a better job of contesting shots, I think we'll be fine.

 

[Mainstreet]

How so?

Lakers
Hornets
Spurs
Jazz
Rockets
Blazers
Nuggets

Teams that are definitely better than us. Then we have a chance to fight for the 8th seed with Dallas. Tell you what, I would rather fight for the lottery.

I'll give the Suns at least one more try to improve their back court and defense. If it's not there by the February trading deadline, I'd rather be fighting for the lottery as well.

 

[Bert]

I think these guys are all still getting to know eachother and once this team truly finds an identity they will be a serious force to be reckoned with.

Give it time I think we will be watching a much different basketball team by the end of the season

 

[Cheesewater]

How so?

Lakers
Hornets
Spurs
Jazz
Rockets
Blazers
Nuggets

Teams that are definitely better than us. Then we have a chance to fight for the 8th seed with Dallas. Tell you what, I would rather fight for the lottery.

I'd rather they fight for the playoffs and make the best of their chances. Weird stuff happens in the playoffs. Key players get suspended or injured. Suns always have a chance.

I'd much rather that than "fight for the lottery". Not only does that fly in the face of being a fan (you want your team to win, don't you?) but it also perpetuates the practice of overestimating the value of a single rookie.

 

[Cheesebeef]

You're also assuming that we will be consistently down for the rest of the season and all the other teams will be consistently up. Streaks happen, and we're just as likely to have a winning streak (or losing streak) as every other team, even the mythical Lakers.

huh? I'm not assuming anything. I just don't think it's "living outside of reality" to think that we might miss the playoffs.

but thanks for putting words into my mouth.