There's No Mirage in Desert: Phoenix Suns Eclipse Lakers-Celtics Dream

It happened unexpectedly, amid a boring and dense postseason. When it seemed the Los Angeles Lakers were too talented, and would eventually sweep the Phoenix Suns.

But the defending champs are once again perceived as a lingering riddle, with the annoying up and down meltdowns at critical situations.

Perhaps we spoke too quickly, without acknowledging the hottest team in the Western Conference. All of a sudden, the Suns are seemingly the team to beat. They are a franchise filled with depth, tremendous size, awareness, and poise.

At some moments, the Lakers were categorized as the elite franchise of the postseason, bound to win back-to-back titles.

Now, the defending champs are on the brink of elimination. The Suns appear hungrier, potent, and more determined than Los Angeles.

The Lakers were beat down by the Suns, dismantled by an aggressive and solid bench. Phoenix's entire second unit made the Lakers seem inferior.

When Team Hollywood is outplayed, out-hustled, and out-rebounded, the first notion that comes to mind is that they are doomed at repeating glory. It seems impossible to sustain back-to-back chatter when the Suns 2-3 zone defense disintegrates the Lakers soft, baffled offense.

Notice the Lakers haven’t executed or attacked the rim, despite possessing a seven-foot tandem in an uninspiring front court.

Meanwhile, as the Lakers have suddenly crumbled, the Suns are blazing. Phoenix realizes they can beat the Lakers. They are now two wins away from immortality, and an NBA Finals appearance.


The Suns are clear evidence that a series isn’t over until a team wins four games in the best-of-seven series. Phoenix could be on the verge of capping a bizarre upset in the NBA postseason.

They could break the hearts of Lakers fans dreaming of a Lakers-Celtics rematch.

Game five could dictate the Lakers fate, and add further burdens to a franchise with mystique, and supporters believing it’s the year to win another trophy.

Suddenly, the entire diverse city comes together in support of the Lakers. These fans are scared of a disastrous meltdown in game five. There is a notion that the Suns aren’t a mirage, but rather a legitimate unit in pursuit of capturing a championship, dethroning the defending champs in the process.

Quite unveiling is that the Suns might have a deeper and more fervid unit than the Lakers. Their reserve are more earnest and vigorous than Kobe’s absent-minded bench mob.

It’s stunning how the Suns outscored and intimidated the Lakers in bench points. They also dominated in rebounding, 51-35, and had a staggering 54-20 separation in bench points Tuesday night.

It was humiliating night for the Lakers, but a massive night for the Suns. Phoenix made it clear that if the Lakers refuse to raise the intensity, and match the assertive performance of Amar’e Stoudemire (who may decide to leave the desert and sign with another franchise when he becomes a free agent this summer), L.A. can be beaten.

The truth is that the leader and maestro of the Suns is Steve Nash, an explosive point guard who was dispirited of the disappointing changes within the organization last year. They relapsed and fell out of contention under embattled coach Terry Porter, before coach Alvin Gentry took over and had the interim tag removed.


Since then, Nash has led as the floor general, putting together opportunities for his teammates to score with his indescribable assists. He finds teammates inside the paint or beyond the perimeter.

There’s no arguing that he’s the essential piece to the immediate impact of the Suns progress against a team defending its title.

Standing at six feet, he’s the true point guard every team wishes to possess, an ageless floor general with John Stockton's genetics. Nash has blistering speed and vision in the transition game. He’s very athletic, and a perfectionist at all levels of the game. He makes everyone around him better.

Keep in mind he is a former soccer player.

It’s difficult to ignore the Suns because of Channing Frye's emergence. Frye nailed four three-pointers after missing his previous 18 shots. Jared Dudley and Leandro Barbosa's perimeter shooting has sparked Phoenix. Goran Dragic's streaky mid-range and outside pedigree has been displayed. Dragic has beaten Derek Fisher on the dribble, driving to the line or measuring for a jumper.

With much at stake, the Lakers are in trouble, and might endanger their season if they fail to rebound in game five.

Otherwise, the Lakers are doomed and will possibly see the last of Phil Jackson if he decides to retire or coach elsewhere next season.

Given that owner Jerry Buss has insisted he’ll reduce the coach's salary, Jackson may call it quits. But for now, they are amid a title run, aiming to repeat and celebrate.

None of that seems logical. The Suns are currently the better team, beating the Lakers in every category and publicly humiliating a highly regarded franchise.

If anyone is furious, it’s Kobe Bryant, arguably the greatest guard of our generation. He sarcastically responded to questions following a 115-106 loss to the Suns in game four.

By the time the game was complete, he had posted 38 points as his teammates abnormally tried too many three point attempts, which cost the Lakers a chance at widening the gap in this series. Now, they're challenged by the unstoppable and uncontrollable Suns.

During post game interviews, Bryant was asked how he felt. “Jovial,” he said. I’m sure we all interpreted that as sarcasm.

Next time critics may actually think before classifying the Suns as “girlie.”

Did we really underestimate the Suns? Absolutely!

They aren’t girls, but the hottest and fiercest team in the league that everyone had forgotten.

NBA Playoffs 2010: Are The Spurs The Only Team That Can Stop The Lakers?

Let's face it, for the past three years, the Los Angeles Lakers have been the most unstoppable and dominant team in the West and possibly in the NBA.

Last year marked that they were number one for sure. 2007 marked that they were close, but the C's were simply just better. This year, they're more experienced but still the best team in the West.

So it brings up a question: Who can stop the Los Angeles Lakers? They have such a great lineup.

They have a veteran leader at point guard in Derek Fisher with a great backup in Jordan Farmer; the best SG in the NBA with Kobe Bryant, who is simply impossible to stop at times; a defensive-minded SF in Ron Artest, who will play physical; a playmaking PF in Pau Gasol, who can rebound and score just about whenever he wants to along with a great sixth man in Lamar Odom; and finally a dominating center in Andrew Bynum.

A mega-all-star lineup there.

So, who can stop them? There's only one team out there, and there name is the San Antonio Spurs. Their lineup isn't half bad:

They got a fast/veteran PG-combination in Tony Parker and George Hill; a streaky shooting guard in Manu Ginobili, followed by Roger Mason behind him; a decent SF in Richard Jefferson; a future HOF PF in Tim Duncan, followed by an intimidating rebounder in DeJuan Blair; and finally a decent C in Antonio McDyess.

Again, another mega lineup here.

Both teams have had their share of championships this decade and all have a huge superstar who has been in all of the team's Finals this decade: Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant.

The Spurs have an advantage at PG with George Hill's youth and Parker's leadership against Fisher and Farmar. But Fisher can sometimes make plays when you need them and Farmar sometimes is reliable.

SG is no question: Lakers win there. But it is still a hard-fought match-up with Ginobili in the mix. SF will be entertaining with Artest over Jefferson. PF's gonna be good with Duncan vs. Gasol and Blair vs. Odom. Bynum vs. McDyess? Decent.

But can Bynum still dominate, even with an injury at hand. I have a strong sense the Lakers will stop the Utah Jazz. Already up 2-0, they can get it. Spurs are down 1-0, but shouldn't worry. They were down to the Mavs and succeeded.

They can get the Suns in six or seven. Lakers can get the Jazz in five or six, though.

I think these two teams are destined for the Conference Finals. Who will be on top in the Wild West? I just don't see the Suns getting success over L.A. It just doesn't seem like it. With the experienced teams, it'll have to be San Antonio and Los Angeles.

But whoever goes to the Finals out of these two teams, this Conference Finals is gonna be helluva entertainment, no doubt!

Good luck to the four teams in the West and in the East.

Keep watching the playoffs!

NBA Playoffs 2010: Will The Phoenix Suns Be an Upset and Choke?

 

Last night against the Portland Trailblazers, mostly every NBA fan expected the Suns to get the Blazers. Brandon Roy wasn't there, so it seemed easy.

Not so fast there.

The Blazers rolled, surprising Phoenix 105-100. Just what the hell happened here? Did Phoenix seriously just do this? Did they actually lose to a team without their star player? But Portland got them.

But this also brings up something else. Will the Suns do it again? Are they going to pull of the same old bullcrap every single year?

Last season, the Suns didn't even manage to make the playoffs with their 46-36 record. And they even had Shaq that time, but he didn't fit well. It just showed the Suns kept disappointing year after year, playoffs or not.

So what if they made the playoffs? They always lost there.

Sure they, made the playoffs in the 2007-08 season with a 55-27 record, but they lost in the first round! Typical Phoenix.

How about we go back a bit farther?

2006: Won first round, killed Lakers but got beaten in six by the Spurs, who eventually became champions that year. 2004 and 2005, the Suns managed to make it to the Western Conference Finals, but choked.

They haven't made it that far or farther since the 1992-93 season when they made it to the Finals, later losing to Jordan's Bulls.

So it's been awhile. The new century Suns just don't get it. They just can't win in the postseason, no matter how good they do in the regular season. And now it may begin to happen again.

Steve Nash is the fuel of the time and Amare Stoudemire helps out. Robin Lopez helps brings in those boards. The Suns are a working package, but they seem to be delayed and mixed up like the packages with the flights in Europe.

They can't get it together. Like Europe, they got a Volcano in their way. They can't get past it. They can't past the slump, the slope, the monkey on their back, any reference!

The Suns need to get it together. Though it's the first game of the series, they should get it together. I expect something better coming Game Two.

Or else, it's like the same old Suns we always see.

Don't choke!

NBA Talk: You Better Watch Out For Amare Stoudemire This Season

Amare Stoudemire, the star power forward on the Phoenix Suns, is forced to wear goggles for the rest of his career. Although that might not suit him throughout his time shooting hoops, he's ready.

Ready? Ready for what? He's ready for this season. After missing most of the season last year, despite scoring 21 points and eight rebounds, he's ready. Amare Stoudemire will be focused this season, and will be a strong competitor.

Two eye surgeries, no big deal to him. Wearing goggles, he can expect worse. Injury machine, heck, that's done for good with him. He's reminding the league that he will be dominant on the court.

With Arizona teams already struggling here so far, with the Cardinals being pummeled by almost every NFL team and the Mercury looking to lose in the Finals to the Fever, it's up to the Suns to show who's boss in Grand Canyon state.

Stoudemire hasn't played for more than eight months and played in his first preseason game not too long ago. He's also showing the league that you can still be assertive even though you had to battle through tough injuries.

"I really enjoy the game of basketball now," Stoudemire said told Marc Stein in an ESPN report. "I did [before], but now I definitely appreciate it."

Now here is Amare, playing in an exhibition game against the Warriors on Saturday Night...outdoors. But you think things are easy for the guy.

No, not at all. 6'10," 250-pound athlete had just recovered from a detached retina in which he had to go through some grueling procedures. These included laying on his stomach for ten straight days, on his stomach.

This certainly must be worst than his injury back in 2005, in which he was rebounding from a microfracture surgery on his left knee.

How is that rehab going for Mr. Stoudemire? Amare recalls on the rehab in just one word: Brutal. No, make that two word: Extremely brutal.

"Hard to deal with, hard to get over, still think about it," he said. "A lot of folks probably wouldn't be able to do it. But it makes you enjoy the moment. I'm just ready to play ball. We don't even talk about the [contract] stuff. I'm just trying to focus on getting myself reacclimated to this team and this system. As far as the season and me being here, I don't think about it. I'm here now, that's how I look at it."

Shaq is gone, so it seems like Amare will be getting a lot of playing time, and I really mean a lot. Stoudemire, Nash, Hill, Lopez and Richardson will be the guys for this season.

But most of those guys mentioned are injured. Can Amare lead his Suns to the playoffs, and most importantly, the Finals? Yes he can. I don't expect him to give up, not one bit.

Why else would he have number one plastered on his jersey?