The Phoenix Suns have three games left in their season: against the Houston Rockets tonight, Golden State Warriors on Monday and Portland Trailblazers on Wednesday. By Thursday, we'll know who our first opponent is and when the first round of the playoffs starts for Phoenix.
So my question to you for a weekend discussion is this: How important is it to win these last three games? If they win tonight and for some reason can't move up or down in the rankings after tonight's game, would you sit the starters and rest them for the playoffs? Would you only play them 20 minutes and then rest them just so they don't get rusty? Or would you try to win the games despite not being able to change your seeding?
I've always been of the opinion that each game is important. It seems that if you let yourself go for a game or two and aren't really trying, it would be hard to get that intensity back for the first - and maybe the second - game of the playoffs. That could put you in a pretty deep hole with the way the West is stacked this season.
I don't have any numbers for you today. But I did want to get some opinions on what you think the team should do for the last three games.
Leave your comments below. I don't know that there is any right or wrong answer to this so keep your comments about the questions and hopefully not about the other commenters!
Have a great weekend. GO SUNS!
Comments
Sean Siqueira - Rio de Janeiro
Actually, there is no favorite team, so I would focus on playoffs. Nash does not seem to be in his prime, so perhaps some rest could help (maybe not a whole game or all three games, but at least fewer minutes). The same applies to Bell and Hill. Shaq needs to remain playing in order to keep himself in shape. I would also provide more minutes to Diaw and Giricek as they can be very important.
-
The Suns are getting off to fast starts each game with their starters and that is a great sign. The Suns seem to be able to play any tempo and win. Amare is my MVP I would'nt trade him for any of the MVP's being mentioned. Amare is playing at such a high level since being moved to Power Forward. It's important to try and win these last 3 games since the Suns can still get #2 seed and homecourt is important. The Suns will move passed the Rockets in the rankings with a win tonight, and they could win the Pacific if the Lakers lose 2 out of their last 3. If the Suns win their last 3 and the Lakers beat the Spurs on Sunday they will move passed the Spurs. Too many ways to help yourself to homecourt by winning the last 3 then to roll over.
Sig - Redding
If it dosen't matter weather they move up or down on the ranking they should get some rest. If they face the spurs it's going to be a series thats going to seven games.
John S. - Surprise AZ
Complete melt down in Houston, and if your really a Suns die hard, you know this team well, and it wasn't unexpected. Suns left all the emotion in San Antonio. Suns never left the the hotel against the Rockets. My opinion, time to rest the troops. We gave the 5th seed a shot, it didn't happen. So we finish 6th, play LA or Spurs, odds are we would have to beat one of them anyway. If it's (championship) going to happen no seeding or home court advantage is stopping us.
Sean Siqueira - Rio de Janeiro
I can't think on any other coach more idiot. Players looking injured or tired playing many minutes... No team work... another game lost. Come on, how do you think you have a chance to win a championship playing like that? It's better the players form a team and read the game in order to make the right moves and win all the games. They have to get that killer instinct in order to have a chance.
J -
Well it looks like seeding doesnt matter much any more since the Suns have not locked up the 6th seed. With the way the Lakers look they'll more than likely get the 2nd or 1st seed, meaning the Suns have a first round match up with the Spurs...
Mike - Tempe
The sports gods do not smile upon teams who rest their starters when a seed has been locked in. It is important for the Suns to have Karma on their side going into arguably the most competitive Western Conference race ever. In addition, any extra experience the team can gain playing in their moderately new system can do nothing but help them.
iLoveTheSuns - t.dot
first off, last night's loss at houston was disappointing but i've moved on, and im sure the suns have too because like they say, we cant cry about it. so right now my opinion is that..since we'll most likely be stuck at 6th place...but i still would dress all the starters , But i would consider not playing them for the same heavy minutes that theyve been playing. thats just my opinion and im sure the coaching staff have got a really good idea of how to finish off the season. also on a side note, even tho the suns most likely would not have home court advantage, i definitely believe the suns can win anywhere. im actually hoping for a first round vs the spurs. but whoever it may be the suns will prevail !! GO SUNS IN 08!!
Madz Victor - Manila, Philippines
Sir Hilton, we crushed out by Rockets last Friday. Very disappointed, you know. The game was very important for the SUNS to clinch division title and even the no. 1 seed in the WWW(wild Wild West). I noticed that coaching staff and even the players look like they didnt care for what had happen for this loss. was it intentional to maintain the no. 6 post? There were no hustles from the players shown last Friday. It looks like they agreed on the results! Having said that, I'm still hoping that Suns will make it to Conference Final. Given the current standings, it looks like that the Concerence Final will be between Lakers and Suns? well, correct me if I'm wrong. Go SUNS!
How many Suns fans here in Manila? I think we need to show support for the Suns in the playoffs. How many of you are here in Manila and reading this blogs? Magparamdam kau mga kapatid! Mabuhay ang Suns! I think we can watch all together in one sports bar or someplace that we can show our support to this team during the playoffs games? comments?
terryg - gilbert,az
it looks our best hope is to end up in 6th. place in the west. if our oppenent is decided we should go in to the playoffs with our players rested some what.
Carla - Cottonwood,AZ
Hello Dan:
Well, my opinion is this: That the guys in orange need to keep playing as if it really matters, because I believe it does. I agree with you that that have to keep sharp, especially after what happened in Houston. Why they came out sloppy and uncaring is beyond anyone's comprehension, even theirs. Perhaps they are getting tired, I don't know...but that had best find the answer. They need to find their hearts and joy in the game quick. Playoffs are just around the corner, and they can't suddenly run out of spriit and say the other team wanted it more. *cringe* I know they all want the prize, so LET'S GO SUNS! lET'S PICK UP THE PACE!
Andrew Adair - Tyler, Texas
No way dont sit them out it is really important to win these next 3 games...
Kenny - Phoenix
These games are not that important we are not moving down or up if we win or lose them. With a loss to the Rockets and the Mavs on a losing streak I say we play the starters minimal and give the second string guys a chance to warm up. We will need them in the playoffs I garuntee it. At the same time the starters needs some minutes in order to keep the rust off for the first playoff game.
sunschampion - phoenix
The bench has to come through. Its not so much nash, shaq, amare and hill, but bell, diaw, barbosa and girachek must be ready. Now, I like what girachek is doing, he is a big help. Bell, diaw and barbosa need to be counted on. All of these cold starts must be checked for this team to be successful. Its a collective effort and everyone should be focused. I would emphasize to coach to play skinner more, skinner will also be a factor too
#13 - Dallas
Lets see what coach D, does? he tends to play Nash and Amare to the last minute even when they are up by 15+. That is not really the way to develop your bench, specially when you have a weak bech just like the suns do. by the time the playoffs come the main guys are exhausted. I don't beleive the suns will make it to the second round. Coaching is bad; Deaw, Barbosa, Hill are three we cant count on. The lack of effort against the rockets was disgusting! The new suns since Marion left are a roller coaster ride. I hate to see Nash go another year without a Championship, to me he is the only one with the heart, effort to diserve it.
chelley - phx
acutally, I welcome the spurs, the lakers, or any other big team. Now is not the time for the Suns to fold or worry. First of all, it has not been an easy road for this team period, there have always been blocks, because we don't play this or that, or do this or that. But the Suns have a little more to prove, I hate to say. They need a little chip on their shoulder, not arrogance though. They may have a quiet confidence that sometimes does not show but this team knows they can play well when they want to.
John S. - Surprise AZ
Down go the Warriors, and now their is only one more game to go before the playoffs. Suns couldn't put them away early even with the big lead, but we needed this comeback and the momentum it brings. Hopefully Hill will be all right, he's a big peice to lose now. I'm hoping for the Spurs in the first round. It's just my opinion, but they don't have it this year. The magic that made them great is gone, and their age has finally caught up with them. Suns have to much fire power, Shaq trumps Duncan, they have no answer for Amare, and Nash doesn't have to work that hard against their guards. Suns send them packing in five.
peter lopez - Paranaque City, Philippines
Kabayan! Madz Victor, Mabuhay ka! The Boston Celtics have a local fans club established during their "dark ages" circa late 90's to the turn of the century. They were able to pull it off in the lean years of their teams existence, I bet they're going to have a blast this play offs.We ought to do the same. Suns has definitely has to have a big bang going into the playoffs which will carry them over the play offs. Great blog, sir. Keep it up and long live the suns.
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