Game 1

It has taken me a few hours to put my down my first thoughts, mostly because it was such an amazing game. Going into the series, everyone was convinced this was the series to watch. It was the first round, but everyone thought it would be the most entertaining series of the entire postseason. Some people had gone so far as to call this match-up the best first-round series in the history of the NBA.

Game 1 did not disappoint.

In a game that went into two overtimes, that featured three game tying three point shots with under 15 seconds left in what could have been the game, i am left with only one thought:

This will be fun.

My immediate reaction after watching the game is that the Suns, after losing, now had almost zero chance to win the series. They played what looked to be a perfect game, never trailing until the last minutes of regulation, and leading going into the final possessions of both regulation and the first overtime.

The Suns seemingly had every chance and opportunity to win this game, but couldn't put it away. And with all the luck once again falling to the Spurs with two late improbable three's, the Suns could easily pack it in and fall by the wayside.

But i don't think this Suns team will do that.

After a couple of hours have passed, and looking at the box score, there is one glaring thing that tells me the Suns may still have a chance in this series: They played like crap.

The box score tells the story. Amare shot 13-26, or 50%. He has shot 59% for the season. Grant Hill, who personally i think his groin injury is still bothering him, had only 5 points. Shaq, while great in both overtimes, barely played in regulation and wasn't good when he did. Steve Nash shot only 9-20. And by the way, the Suns play much better when Nash doesn't have to shoot so much and take over games. Gordon Giricek, who has been an offensive spark the last 20 games, had only 2 points. Barbosa, who i thought actually played pretty well, still had only 12 points when he averaged 15.6 on the season. I think i was most impressed offensively by Raja Bell, and he's in there for his defense, not his offense.

While it was a hard-fought, highly entertaining and well-contested basketball game, i still can't shake the feeling that the Suns did not play their best game. They were taken out of their game early and often because of both Shaq's and Amare's foul troubles. They shot 50% from the field, which isn't bad, but only 31.3% from beyond the arc, making only 5 three's. I understand the Spurs play the Suns in such a way as to take away their three-point shot, but they still could have done better.

Regardless, this series is shaping up to be another classic battle. Say what you will about the Suns, but they always seem to be involved in some of the most entertaining and memorable postseason series in NBA history...

NBA Picks

My god, i've been waiting for the NBA Playoffs since November when the season started. Actually, that's not correct. I've been waiting for this year's playoffs since the Suns were eliminated in that travesty of a second round series against the Spurs (Sterns) last year. I could not be more excited that they're finally here...

In lieu of an actual preview, today i'm just going to be posting my picks for the first round games. I will have analysis after each of the Suns' games. Off we go!

Eastern Conference:
Boston over Atlanta in 4 (No chance for Atlanta)
Detroit over Philly in 5 (Pistons will be focused)
Orlando over Toronto in 6 (Orlando tends to not be focused at times)
Cleveland over Washington in 6 (The Wiz will push the Cavs, but LeBron still plays for Cleveland)

Western Conference:
Los Angeles over Denver in 5 (I almost made this 4 games...)
New Orleans over Dallas in 6 (Don't care about youth or inexperience. The Hornets are the better team)
Utah over Houston in 5 (Houston has no chance)
Phoenix over San Antonio in 7 (I just don't see how this series goes less than the distance)

New Feature!

I'm starting a new feature on this-here blog which, at least at first, will run about twice a week. Seeing as how the name of this blog is The Dennis Green Postgame Press Conference, and the inspiration for this blog was, umm, Dennis Greens Postgame Press Conference from the Cardinals-Bears game a couple years ago (which you can watch over to the right), i thought i would start posting videos of other infamous postgame press conference.

Unfortunately, the first one i wanted to post, and one of my favorites, is Rasheed Wallace's famous 'Both teams played hard', which apparently is as hard to find video of as it is to crack the space-time continuum (Two points for the Back To The Future reference...).

The best video i could come up with is the one below from Need4Sheed, which is a great site by the way.


It's not perfect, but it gets the point across. He answered every question after the game with that same response. I've always liked Sheed for some reason...

Shaq To The Suns?

According to a Miami Herald Report: The Miami Heat are in serious discussions to trade Shaquille O'Neal, and have informed him he should be prepared for that fact. According to the article, one of the destinations is rumored to be Phoenix, with Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks heading to the Heat for Shaq.

(Sigh) First reaction? NO! Not in a million years. Not ever.

After a half hour of thinking about? Still no, though not quite as emphatic. I suppose if i look at it objectively, i can see a few reasons as to why the Suns might be at least curious about the trade. Still, i don't think it's a good trade for the Suns for many reasons, not the least of which involve Shaq's age, health, contract, and ability to fit our system...

Shaq is 35, and has two more years remaining on a $20 million/year contract. While the money for the Suns would not be any different the rest of this year or next, the trade would put an extra $20 million on the books for the '09-'10 season (not that i think he would still be around then). His contract is ridiculous for a center of his age, when centers have a long history of breaking down right around 34-35. Shaq has proven to be no different, playing in only 40 games (of 82) last year, and missing 14 of the Heat's last 18 games.

In addition to his health issues, or perhaps because of his health issues, Shaq's production has seen a severe drop-off the last two season. Despite averaging 25.6 points and 11.5 rebounds a game for his career, last year it dropped to 17.3 and 7.4, and this year has been even worse, plummeting to 14.2 points and 7.8 rebounds. Ok, well maybe his rebounds are up slightly, but they're still way under his career average. Oh and by the way, his hip is injured and he hasn't even been cleared to RUN, let alone play basketball.

All that aside, let's just assume for a minute that Shaq was in good health and the Suns were willing to take on his contract despite his age. There is still a major problem to be addressed as to how he would fit into the Suns' system. The Sun's have absolutely killed the Heat the last few years, mainly due to the fact thay they run Shaq out of the building and he becomes virtually useless to the Heat. He can't run up and down the court like he used, and I'm not sure he could ever run the way the Sun's run. So how does that fit with Phoenix?

The prevailing opinion, or speculation actually, is that the Suns are looking at this trade for one of two reasons: One, as a reaction to the Laker's getting Pau Gasol (which, on a side note, was an absolute STEAL. What a ridiculous trade...). The second reason would be an acknowledgement that the Suns need an inside presence in order to beat the Spurs. While this may be true, even though i'm not convinced, i'm not sure this is answer.

If this trade went through, i believe it would be for the second reason. Since becoming GM, Steve Kerr has not shown a confidence in the coach D'Antoni's run and gun system, and in fact there have been rumblings of a rift between the two. Remember also that Kerr played in San Antonio with Duncan, in a slow it down, grind it out offense. He won titles with that offense, and has to have some feeling that's the way to win a Championship. I can agree with the need for an inside presence, but to me bringing in Shaq would be for the series against the Spurs only. He would be completely worthless against the Warriors, probably worthless against the Jazz and Hornets, and not much good against the Mavs. I just don't see the value in him for one possible series.

Shaq does not fit our system, not one bit. He can't run with us, and much prefers a slow, half-court game. The Suns didn't become the Suns by playing a half-court game. They got there by running and gunning, and everybody knows it. So the question becomes, do you believe the Suns can win with their system, or don't you?

Personally, i think they can. Admittedly i've only lived in the Valley for a couple of years, but have watched the Suns closely since then because their brand of basketball has been incredible. They revolutionized the game, and the League has become one of copycats, many attempting the run and gun style Mike D'Antoni installed here. As such, i think it has actually become harder to win with the style, since more teams use it and more teams get used to it and how to defend it.

That said, if executed well, which the Suns can do, i still think it can win a championship and, quite honestly, can win one easily. The Sun's have had a great chance the last couple of years, but injuries and bad breaks have prevented it. Given a chance to make one last run, i think the Suns can pull it off with a couple of breaks.

What does that all mean? It means i'm still at the point i was when i first heard the trade rumors of Shaq for Marion and Banks: Don't do it. The Sun's have a great nucleus, and have the talent to win a Championship. And while a trade may be in the works and may even make this team better, this is not that trade.

Grant Hill

So it's official. Well, actually it can't be official until the 11th, when Free Agency begins. But Grant Hill's agent has said that Hill has agreed in principal to a two-year contract offer from the Phoenix Suns, worth a total of just under $4 million. The beautiful thing is, $500,000 of that is paid by a league fund for veterans and will not count against the Salary Cap. While Grant was offered more money by other teams (supposedly), the Suns fit the wish list he was looking for, which consists of a) A Championship contender, b) A chance to start, c) A style that fits him, and d) Lighter practices, due to his injury concerns.

And therein lies the only possible drawback to this deal: Hill's injury-plagued past. After signing a 6-year, $93 Million deal with Orlando in 2000, Hill has spent much of his time on the IR, having appeared in more than 30 games in just two seasons. In fact, in six seasons, Hill played in only 200 of 492 regular season games for the Magic.

His best year, however, was last year, where Hill played in 58 games and averaged 14.4 points, while shooting better than 50%. While not a three-point shooter, Hill attempted just 12 all last year, Hill has other great attributes he will bring to the Suns. One of those attributes, which GM Steve Kerr and Head Coach Mike D'Antoni in particular triumph, is Hill's ability to be a playmaker and distributor while Steve Nash is not on the floor. D'Antoni also said he likes Hill's late career push for a Championship, providing some veteran leadership for the young team.

Hill is expected to challenge Boris Diaw for the last starting position, alongside Nash, Raja Bell, Shawn Marion, and Amare' Stoudemire. Personally, i think they should hand him the starting job. I like Diaw coming off the bench better anyway, and Hill is a stud who will make the Suns go. Essentially he replaces Jr Jones, and while he doesn't have the 3 range Jones did, Hill rebounds well and can provide valuable leadership, as well as create his own shot when the Suns' offense goes through their lulls they are bound to have during games.

While Hill is no Kevin Garnett, he is still a great pick-up for the Suns. Every team needs that one veteran pushing everyone, and now the Suns have two with Nash and Hill. The time for the Suns is 2007-2008, and the run to the Championship begins in 4 months.

As for me, I'm off to Chicago for the weekend. You kids have fun now, and expect some more posts from Smitty about the Dbacks apparent effort to undermine the essential basics of baseball, pissing him off to no end. Until later bitches, i'm out...

KG to the Suns?

So the hot rumor about Kevin Garnett to the Suns? Here's my take: DO IT. DO IT NOW.

The Suns would be crazy not to deal anyone and anything except Amare', Nash, and Barbosa to the T-Wolves. Here's my offer to them: Marion, The rights to the Atlanta pick next year (should be high), and whoever else they want between Diaw, Thomas, James Jones, etc. And i think we should throw in Banks, as he is obviously not in the Sun's plans and he had his best year in Minnesota. Again, the Suns would be CRAZY not to make this trade.

Seriously, think about it. Throw Nash, Amare', KG, and two kids from a local high school team out there and they'd have to be the Championship favorites right? Nash, Amare', KG, Bell, and Barbosa. Maybe add a shooter through free agency, i.e. Mike Miller, Kyle Korver, etc. Screw the Luxury Tax. A Championship would more than pay that off.

KG could be the key to this team. He defends Tim Duncan arguably better than anyone in the league, which was our Achilles Heel this, and the last few, years. Problem solved. The Lakers are a mess (Does anyone really think they will trade Kobe or get anyone decent in Free Agency this year? They're going nowhere, but that's another post altogether...). Golden State was one year and done. Denver? Can't compete. Dallas? How are they going to defend Amare' and KG? The Spurs would be the only team in our way, and i think we could take them down with KG.

So, Suns: Do it. Do it NOW. And enjoy the run to the 2008 Championship.