Suns and Mavericks

[Bigtraine 35]

The Suns have 0% chance to win the NBA title.

 

Let me rephrase - they have .00001 % chance

 

I'd put the Suns at more like 5% realistically

 

That's a 500,000% confidence increase in the Suns since yesterday. Still, 5% puts them at about 20-1 odds. I'd be surprised if you would really be willing to those odds to anyone.

[Logan5 0]

Dallas is so deep and play way into their bench i don't see them tiring down anytime soon. They are an improved team this year from last year. Phoenix is improved too obviously. Last year there was a bunch of teams bunched together at a high level. This year that high level is only Dallas and Phoenix. The Spurs did not improve at all which i think was a mistake with Dallas and Phoenix upgrading. I would love to see Phoenix win just to shut everyone up about blah blah blah teams like that can never win how they play........

[Strike 6,030]

That system crap is crap. They have a system that works, they bring in players that work in it, every free agent on the planet wants to pad his stats with Nash. It just so happens that the Mavs and Spurs are also hella good. So they've lost the last two years. They are still one of the top 3 NBA teams and will be for years to come. As somebody said earlier, the Lakers won with Showtime, it can be done.

 

That being said, earlier I had voiced my concerns. Their system is less of an advantage in the playoffs, given the time between games and the ability to try to gameplan for them. Doesn't mean they can't win though.

 

BTW, get ready for Nash to win MVP #3. I've watched most games this year, I haven't seen anyone play so dominantly since MJ.

 

Showtime was a lot more than just fast breaks and slam dunks. Trust me. That team was an exceptional defensive team, something Phoenix is not and never will be. Oh, and let's not forget that that Lakers team was twice as good as your current Suns are. They would have killed your Suns.

 

There was another team that was very talented and played the same style as Phoenix back in the showtime era - the Denver Nuggets. They never sniffed a title during that era, partially because of the dominance of the Lakers but also because that style of basketball doesn't work in the playoffs. You've admitted as much in your response.

[Greedo 13]

Vegas has these odds to win the NBA championship. Pheonix is actually slightly more favored to win according to the experts. And yes, I consider these the experts. They don't build those multi-million dollar casino's with fools gold.

 

Dallas is 3-1

Pheonix is 5-2

 

Sounds good, though you must admit that all Vegas wants is even betting on both sides. This only shows what the public thinks, not what is reality.

 

But it does make the point that the average gambler, some of whom are professional, disagree with strike.

[Strike 6,030]

JK - for the record I like the suns. They play a very enjoyable and exciting brand of basketball. I love watching them play because they share the ball and truly play the game as a team. They're clearly one of the elite teams in the NBA. My thoughts in this thread are simply about their chances to win the whole thing.

[jerryskids 7,131]

Showtime was a lot more than just fast breaks and slam dunks. Trust me. That team was an exceptional defensive team, something Phoenix is not and never will be. Oh, and let's not forget that that Lakers team was twice as good as your current Suns are. They would have killed your Suns.

 

There was another team that was very talented and played the same style as Phoenix back in the showtime era - the Denver Nuggets. They never sniffed a title during that era, partially because of the dominance of the Lakers but also because that style of basketball doesn't work in the playoffs. You've admitted as much in your response.

You sure do like to throw numbers around, Strike. So... the Showtime Lakers would beat the Suns, say, 120-60? Feel free to stop at any time.

 

Also the Suns have improved a lot defensively. It doesn't show in PPG because of the style they play; opponents get a lot more possessions per game. However, I think if you check point differential you'll be surprised.

 

Link

[Strike 6,030]

You sure do like to throw numbers around, Strike. So... the Showtime Lakers would beat the Suns, say, 120-60? Feel free to stop at any time.

 

Also the Suns have improved a lot defensively. It doesn't show in PPG because of the style they play; opponents get a lot more possessions per game. However, I think if you check point differential you'll be surprised.

 

Link

 

Of course the Lakers wouldn't beat the Suns 120-60 but you take those two teams and put them against each other and it wouldn't surprise me if the Lakers won the series by an average of 20 pts/game. Do you seriously think this Suns team would be competitive with the showtime Lakers??

[Greedo 13]

Also look at FG% defense.

[jerryskids 7,131]

Of course the Lakers wouldn't beat the Suns 120-60 but you take those two teams and put them against each other and it wouldn't surprise me if the Lakers won the series by an average of 20 pts/game. Do you seriously think this Suns team would be competitive with the showtime Lakers??

I dunno, it is impossible to compare teams from different eras. I concede that the Lakers (and Celtics) were "more better" than the rest of the league than the Suns/Mavs vs. the league today. Also I would never compare a team that hasn't won it all to the Showtime Lakers.

[Strike 6,030]

I dunno, it is impossible to compare teams from different eras. I concede that the Lakers (and Celtics) were "more better" than the rest of the league than the Suns/Mavs vs. the league today. Also I would never compare a team that hasn't won it all to the Showtime Lakers.

 

In some cases comparing between eras is tough but we're not talking about a 60's era team vs. a 2000's era team. With the exception of PF (Rambis/AC Green), I don't think you can even make a case that the current Suns player is better than the equivalent position on the showtime Lakers, and even that PF position is debateable in the context of what they offered to their team. Agreed on comparing a non championship team to the Lakers but this one is a no brainer IMO.

[jerryskids 7,131]

In some cases comparing between eras is tough but we're not talking about a 60's era team vs. a 2000's era team. With the exception of PF (Rambis/AC Green), I don't think you can even make a case that the current Suns player is better than the equivalent position on the showtime Lakers, and even that PF position is debateable in the context of what they offered to their team. Agreed on comparing a non championship team to the Lakers but this one is a no brainer IMO.

There is no value in this. I already said that that Laker team did what it did and it would be foolish to play "who would win" games.

 

Can we get back to your indefensible position on this year's Suns?

[Strike 6,030]

There is no value in this. I already said that that Laker team did what it did and it would be foolish to play "who would win" games.

 

Can we get back to your indefensible position on this year's Suns?

 

I've defended it quite well thank you very much. But we've pretty much beaten that horse to death. The Lakers aren't going to win it this year so I wish you well. 5% is at least a chance.

[jerryskids 7,131]

I've defended it quite well thank you very much. But we've pretty much beaten that horse to death. The Lakers aren't going to win it this year so I wish you well. 5% is at least a chance.

Infinitely better than 0%.

[Tarheel Boy 0]

Any thread where Strike talks about basketball I just . Jerryskids, I'm disappointed in you. Once you prove him wrong he'll just lie and deny he made the comments. The ignore feature works wonders...

 

Anyway, there's no question the Suns and Mavs are the two best teams in the league. I'm on record here saying the Suns will win the title this year and I haven't changed my mind. Just because a team plays up tempo it's automatically assumed that they can't play defense. I'm sure moronic Strike said they don't play any defense. If he did say that I'm sure all he does is look at the boxscore. They have a solid player in Amare that's getting better on both ends of the court and if they have to play a slower tempo then so be it. They have pretty good depth and in the NBA playoffs where timeouts come a plenty, they won't be hurt by any stretch.

 

As for the Mavs, everyone knows that I've been a fan of this team since their inception and I was one of the first to say many years ago they were a young team that would be reckoned with in the future. Well, with an outstanding coach in Avery Johnson and a top 5 player in the league they are now the team with an X on them. They are 1a behind PHoenix in regards to the best teams and in the playoffs where I think they could have an edge is because they have a huge chip on their shoulder from last year's meltdown and the fact that in the 4th quarter this year they've done a great job of clamping down on defense. Josh Howard is a top 15-20 player in this league and he's only going to get better, Dirk is a bonafide MVP, their defense has improved, the bench is strong, and they no longer have the monkey on their bank in San Antonio. They have put together 3 different 10+ winning streaks this year which is very impressive. Devon George has been a huge plus off the bench and Devin Harris is quickly becoming one of the best on the ball defenders in the league.

 

My heart says the Mavs will win it all this year and if both the Mavs and Suns are fortunate enough to meet for the Western Conference finals I think it will go 7 games and has the potential to be just as good of a series as last years Mavs/Suns. I will also say that if they do meet in the finals and the Mavs have home court advantage I really like their chances. I like their chances if they don't either, but I think the Suns might be too much in that scenario. Regardless, this is the best Mavs team in the history of their franchise and I'm thoroughly enjoying the ride.

[jerryskids 7,131]

Any thread where Strike talks about basketball I just . Jerryskids, I'm disappointed in you. Once you prove him wrong he'll just lie and deny he made the comments. The ignore feature works wonders...

 

Anyway, there's no question the Suns and Mavs are the two best teams in the league. I'm on record here saying the Suns will win the title this year and I haven't changed my mind. Just because a team plays up tempo it's automatically assumed that they can't play defense. I'm sure moronic Strike said they don't play any defense. If he did say that I'm sure all he does is look at the boxscore. They have a solid player in Amare that's getting better on both ends of the court and if they have to play a slower tempo then so be it. They have pretty good depth and in the NBA playoffs where timeouts come a plenty, they won't be hurt by any stretch.

 

As for the Mavs, everyone knows that I've been a fan of this team since their inception and I was one of the first to say many years ago they were a young team that would be reckoned with in the future. Well, with an outstanding coach in Avery Johnson and a top 5 player in the league they are now the team with an X on them. They are 1a behind PHoenix in regards to the best teams and in the playoffs where I think they could have an edge is because they have a huge chip on their shoulder from last year's meltdown and the fact that in the 4th quarter this year they've done a great job of clamping down on defense. Josh Howard is a top 15-20 player in this league and he's only going to get better, Dirk is a bonafide MVP, their defense has improved, the bench is strong, and they no longer have the monkey on their bank in San Antonio. They have put together 3 different 10+ winning streaks this year which is very impressive. Devon George has been a huge plus off the bench and Devin Harris is quickly becoming one of the best on the ball defenders in the league.

 

My heart says the Mavs will win it all this year and if both the Mavs and Suns are fortunate enough to meet for the Western Conference finals I think it will go 7 games and has the potential to be just as good of a series as last years Mavs/Suns. I will also say that if they do meet in the finals and the Mavs have home court advantage I really like their chances. I like their chances if they don't either, but I think the Suns might be too much in that scenario. Regardless, this is the best Mavs team in the history of their franchise and I'm thoroughly enjoying the ride.

My bad, I let Strike steer me into a Showtime vs. Suns offshoot. I put it back on track tho.

 

I'll remind him of the 5% = 20 to 1 odds when the time is right.

[Tarheel Boy 0]

My bad, I let Strike steer me into a Showtime vs. Suns offshoot. I put it back on track tho.

 

I'll remind him of the 5% = 20 to 1 odds when the time is right.

 

I'll forgive ya this time. You're my NBA hoops talking dude. You, Fumble, Cdumb, Foamfinger, and Greedo are the ones I like to talk hoops with. I'm sure there are a few others I'm leaving out.

[Strike 6,030]

My bad, I let Strike steer me into a Showtime vs. Suns offshoot. I put it back on track tho.

 

I'll remind him of the 5% = 20 to 1 odds when the time is right.

 

Dude, I offered you 100-1 yesterday. How quickly they forget

 

Oh, and you're being disingenuous when you say that I steered the topic into a showtime tangent. You're the one who brought up showtime, not me. I never veered from the Suns in this thread until you mentioned showtime.