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 Playoff Musings and the 9-Game Road Trip
Posted By: Bob Adlhoch |
The Celtics are the team to beat in the east because they have three closers and the Suns can't double team all of them.
(NBAE Photos) |
You hear comments about Kobe Bryant being the best “closer” in the game – a title he has earned through the years with his ability to dominate a game down the stretch at both ends of the floor. Boston has three of those closers. KG, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen can be unstoppable offensive forces and all have the ability to score 20 points in a quarter. Since the NBA only allows five players on the floor at one time, you can’t double team all 3 of them. Garnett and Pierce are equally tough on the defensive end. Adding Sam Cassell to the mix will have its benefits in the playoffs as well – he’s a crafty scorer, clutch shooter and terrific decision-maker. Plus he always plays well in his first year with a team (see 2003-04 Timberwolves and 2005-06 Clippers) before things inevitably go sour. And while the Pistons have some scorers and play fantastic team defense, I can’t shake the memory of them losing to a one man team in the conference finals last year. They had better hope the Cavs fall out of the third seed or they will likely suffer the same fate – LeBron has their number and he knows it. Even more damaging is that they know it.
Meanwhile the wild west is still a big unknown. The Suns are 3-2 on this 9-game road trip (yes, 9-game road trip) and have tough games ahead against the red hot Sixers and two teams struggling for their playoff lives, the Nets and Nuggets. Take a look at the schedule and you’ll understand why this is a 9-game roadie. Phoenix began the trip last Tuesday in Portland and have played in a different city every game since. After the game in New Jersey on Saturday, we’ll get back to Phoenix about 3 am on Sunday, play the Nuggets at US Airways Center on Monday and leave immediately after the game for Denver and a game Tuesday. When you don’t even have time to unpack your bags (just ask my wife), you are still on a road trip. It’s just that games 3 and 8 of this trip happen to be in Phoenix – but all the negatives of a road trip still apply: long flights, late nights of travel, living out of suitcases and duffel bags, etc.
The one thing that seems clear to me is that of the 9 teams fighting for 8 playoff spots, the Dallas Mavericks are the odd team out. After watching Dirk Nowitzki go down with a serious ankle/knee injury on Sunday, it’s hard to imagine that team winning enough to hold on to their spot. They still haven’t beaten a team with a winning record since Jason Kidd arrived and 8 of their final 11 games are against winning teams from the West – including two with the 8th seeded Warriors and another with 9th seeded Denver. Throw in games against the Suns, Lakers, Jazz and Hornets – all of whom are playing for playoff seeding, home court advantage, etc. and it’s hard to see the Mavs making it. To think they were 6 minutes away from a commanding 3-0 lead in the 2006 Finals before losing 4 straight, then followed a 67-win regular season with a first round collapse to the Warriors last year. I hope the Mavs Suicide Prevention Hotline is well staffed.
A side note on Dirk’s high ankle sprain – Eric Piatkowski told me a story of his first year in Houston when he had a similar, albeit more serious, ankle injury in training camp and how difficult it was to bounce back. He couldn’t find the lift in his legs for a jump shot. Nowitzki is a tough hombre, but his style of play relies so much on his wheels (running, shooting, cutting) that it’s hard for me to imagine him being really effective after only 2 weeks on the sideline.
Big night ahead in Philly for the TV guys – heading out to find the best cheesesteaks in town. The tough part is that if you ask 10 people where the best is, you’ll get 10 different answers. Hopefully it’s like finding good Mexican food in Phoenix – even if you don’t get the best, you’re still getting pretty good.
Comments
Andrew halton - Newyork
kristel velasquez - philippines
i hate the referees in suns game vs boston! ;c
Dave Stern - Northampton MA
Jim's is more convenient, but I have fonder memories of Pat's. Cheese steaks, that is. Been a good fifteen years since I had either, though.
Good luck to you and the team.
Glen Thompson - LA
Jim's Steaks is the place on 5th and South Street! But you can't go wrong at Pat's! Get Fired Up SunS! I want to SEE the SUN RISE!
#13 - Dallas
Please, no excuses. Don't blame it on the refs. The suns defense is bad, it is really bad. Deaw is a softy, never seen a NBA player as lazy as he is--I am so sure de D-league woudn't even want him. How many times does he fault? ZERO. Barbosa is never reilable, out of control most of the time.................The suns dont have a bench to rely on. The only bench player worth the money is Giricik--he puts up a fight all the time. We sure can tell he was coached by SLOAN and not by D'Antoni--another softy, who spends most of the time arguing the calls instead of yelling at the players. I love Nash and the only reason I stay with the Suns.
obhean -
steve nash you and stoudimire are my favourite
John S. - Surprise AZ
Suns take a step forward against the Sixers. Good effort, energy, and the flow looked back on track. I'm far from a Diaw fan, as anyone who blogs knows, but he and Barbossa did play very well off the bench. I have to agree with #13 Dallas on the Di'Antoni comments. I have said all year long that his magical mystery substitutions, and lack of following the flow of the game, cause him, in my opinion to be out coached in to many games. How our players can make the same mistakes game after game, doesn't speak well of his, or the staffs direction. All that aside, I don't in any way agree with the notion that our Suns can't compete with any team in the NBA. Do we have the heart to do it is another question, which the playoffs will soon provide the answer.
johnisaacpalileo - philipines
steve nash good work thats because i stay on suns nash good assits thats why i like 13
Daniela - Pittsburgh
I am a hard follower of the Suns, but I cannot agree more with the comment of #13 located in Dallas.
Nicole - Shanghai
Suns is always the best team,and they will win the championship!!!
qianqian - china
oh..suns is one of the best teams in the league,SHAQ needs time to show his power!
Richard PhX - Manila
Go SUNS 123 SUNS go for the first Title and MVP STEVE NASH
John S. - Surprise AZ
It was an ugly first half, but Suns stuck to it and salvaged the road trip with the win over the Nets. It will be interesting to see just how good this team can really be when the playoffs provide motivation. Right now it's maintain position, stay healthy, and continue to work out the rough spots.
John Doney - Greenville, SC
Hey #13 from Dallas, the Suns bench is fine mainly due to Barbosa, Diaw, and Giricek. I'll remind you that Barbosa won the highest award for a bench player last year(the 6th Man Award)...he is the most reliable bench player in the league, because he knows how to finish and score. Diaw does all the little things such as play defense against any position(an ability and weapon most teams would love to have), plus he is a very good passer, and he can make a high percentage of shots. Giricek is another Barbosa which means he is good at everything. Also, let's not forget about the rest of the bench as well since they are just as vital as every other player on the team. By the way, D'Antoni is no softy since he won championships in Italy and he sticks up for his players, namely Nash. D'Antoni is the one who wanted Nash, so what does that tell you about D'Antoni...I'll give you a hint...it means the coach is no softy.
Sebastian - TX
I might be a kid, but where is STEVE NASH. NASH SHOULD BE IN MORE NEWSPAPARS man or have his own shoes. STEVE NASH is my favorite basketball player. 3-POINTS FOR STEVE NASH.
ra - dallas
suns are awesome and shaq is a really good player in phoenix
Rob - Phoenix
Gotta say the refs didn't cost the Suns the Celtics game. They didn't have to. Suns did themselves in the 3rd. What really has been costing them games is their bench. Very inconsistent. The ice cold Brazilian Brrr only looks good when Nash is out there with him, otherwise he's a chicken with his head cut off. As for Boris the Belgian Waffle Diaw, lots of talent and no fire. Go deeper in your bench. Skinner hasn't sniffed the court since Shaq, and he was performing well. Don't be afraid to use a few other players when those two are fumbling it. Poppavich and Jackson utilize their bench more fully, give it a try.
Lucky 13 - philippines
A loss now, but a beating to the opposition- in the near future(playoffs)xD
lucia - phoenix
i love the suns
Charles - Phoenix
I think our bench is very much improved compared to the last few seasons, partly because dantoni is finally playing more bench players, we haven't seen a lot from Brian skinner who has played really well for us all season, but he's been sitting because we needed to get Shaq rolling with our offense for playoffs.
I do hope to see more of strawberry (more likely next season) though as we clearly need a distinctive point guard to handle the rock when steve isn't out there. To many times lately I am seeing passing passing passing and the clock runs out, but that's something that can be easily fixed with more focus.
GO SUNS!
JeeJ - Manila, Philippines
Wow, I've been seeing quite a number of Filipinos cheering here for the Suns as if there's a Phoenix region here in the Philippines. Well no wonder it's been so hot here recently, 'cuz the Suns are dashingly SIZZLING!!!
SHAQ FOR TECHNICAL FREE THROW SHOOTER!!
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