3
Years ago

Full-strength Suns = NBA Champions?

If this Suns squad was 100% fit for the duration of the season, do you think they could win an NBA Championship? This is what their squad would be like if everyone is 100% fit you'd think:

Phoenix Suns Squad
---------------
C - Kurt Thomas (C/PF)
PF - Amare Stoudamire (PF/C)
SF - Shawn Marion (SF/PF)
SG - Raja Bell (SG)
PG - Steve Nash (PG)
---------------
C - Pat Burke (C)
PF - Tim Thomas (PF/SF)
SF - Boris Diaw (SF/C)
SG - Eddie House (SG/PG)
PG - Leandro Barbosa (PG/SG)
11th - James Jones (SF/PF)
12th - Brian Grant (C/PF)
---------------
Inactive 1 - Nikoloz Tskitishvili (PF/SF)
Inactive 2 - Dijon Thompson (SF/SG)
Inactive 3 - Sharrod Ford (SF/PF)

And here are the Pistons, Heat and Mavericks (the rest of this year's final four) for comparison

Detroit Pistons Squad
---------------
C - Ben Wallace (C/PF)
PF - Rasheed Wallace (PF/C)
SF - Tayshaun Prince (SF)
SG - Richard Hamilton (SG/SF)
PG - Chauncey Billups (PG/SG)
---------------
C - Dale Davis (C/PF)
PF - Antonio McDyess (PF/C)
SF - Maurice Evans (SG/SF)
SG - Tony Delk (SG/PG)
PG - Lindsey Hunter (PG/SG)
11th - Carlos Delfino (SF/SG)
12th - Kelvin Cato (C/PF)
---------------
Inactive 1 - Jason Maxiell (PF)
Inactive 2 - Alex Acker (PG/SG)
Inactive 3 - Amir Johnson (SF)

Miami Heat Squad
--------------
C - Shaquille O'Neal (C)
PF - Udonis Haslem (PF)
SF - Antoine Walker (SF/PF)
SG - Dwyane Wade (SG/PG)
PG - Jason Williams (PG)
---------------
C - Alonzo Mourning (C)
PF - Wayne Simien (PF/SF)
SF - James Posey (SF/SG)
SG - Derek Anderson (SG/PG)
PG - Gary Payton (PG)
11th - Jason Kapono (SF/SG)
12th - Michael Doleac (C/PF)
---------------
Inactive 1 - Dorell Wright (SG/SF)
Inactive 2 - Earl Barron (C)
Inactive 3 - Gerald Fitch (PG/SG)

Dallas Mavericks Squad
---------------
C - DeSagana Diop (C)
PF - Dirk Nowitzki (PF)
SF - Josh Howard (SF)
SG - Marquis Daniels (SG/SF)
PG - Jason Terry (PG/SG)
---------------
C - Erick Dampier (C)
PF - Keith Van Horn (SF/PF)
SF - Jerry Stackhouse (SG/SF)
SG - Adrian Griffin (SG/SF)
PG - Devin Harris (PG/SG)
11th - D.J. Mbenga (C)
12th - Darrell Armstrong (PG)
---------------
Inactive 1 - Josh Powell (PF/SF)
Inactive 2 - Rawle Marshall (SF/SG)
Inactive 3 - Pavel Podkolzin (C)

Topic #7368 | Report this topic

Anonymous
Years ago

What do you mean if they were fit? They are good chance at the moment whilst they are well below full strength.

Reply #82894 | Report this post

Anonymous
Years ago

The Suns with Kurt Thomas should send Dallas fishing. Otherwise sad to say it will be a short series.

Reply #82928 | Report this post

olskoolgamer
Years ago

I know what you are saying, that they are still ripping it up with a couple of major injuries.

But just because other players have stepped up (Bell and Diaw) it doesn't mean everyone will still get their stats when the team is back at full strength. There is only one ball and the team with everyone back could be a major chemistry problem (eg people whining at their reduced roles.)

The other concern is, can Phoenix stay healthy? Nash has admitted to having an on going back problem that cripples him sometimes. Take Nash away and the team struggles.

So, in a perfect world, if everyone is healthy the suns look great, but many factors could surface that keep them from taking that next step into a championship...

Reply #82960 | Report this post

jimmy de bas
Years ago

Phoenix are at $3.25 to beat Dallas tomorrow and are $9 to win the championship... not bad odds if you rate them highly.

Reply #82979 | Report this post

eastern lowland gorilla
Years ago

I would start Boris at C, and have Kurt Thomas off the bench, Diaw is a better all round player and put Thomas on there to bang bodies around for a solid 20 mins.

The suns can win championships without being at full strength, thats how much depth they have.

Reply #82999 | Report this post

Dr Bullshit
Years ago

The suns matchup well against all 4 remaining teams really. They have as much chance as any other team. Dallas and Phoenix are 2-2 this season and it should prove to become a tight contest.

Reply #83024 | Report this post

31
Years ago

Well I think the NBA champions will come from the West this season. Detroit are losing interest and seem to be running scared. Miami were swept by the Suns, so, at this stage i would agree with what ELG said. Rattle a few cages with Kurt Thomas on D and rack up the points with Boris. The Suns play anywhere near as good as they did in Game 7 they'll take out Dallas. Then who knows?

Reply #83038 | Report this post

Hoops

Full-strength Suns = NBA Champions?

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