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Reasons why:

1. Amare's re-emergence as a force is this league
2. Nash's consistent play and NBA assist leader
3. JRich has acclimated to our style of play. Playing much wiser and much better.
4. Instant offense/energy off the bench with Dudley, Dragic, LB, Amundson, and Frye. We officially have a 10 men rotation.

I agree

Lopez?

5. Because no team in the history of professional sports knows how to lift up and crush spirits like the Phoenix Motherf***ing Suns.

Miklo wrote:Lopez?

he's a starter not off the bench. but yes he's energy and defense has been a factor as well.

TXSun wrote:

TXSun wrote:

Miklo wrote:Lopez?

he's a starter not off the bench. but yes he's energy and defense has been a huge factor as well.

Way to second your own point

Yeah that's what I meant, not off the bench but I think he's enough to warrant his own list item. I mean, who except for JMac1 thought RoLo would become an integral part of this team's post play?

I disagree with nr2; Nash has led the nba in assists all season long and his PTS should be lower during this run than before. And this is a positive thing for the team in the long run imo.

Only second behind the mighty Cavs?

I'm pretty sure the Cavs have lost 5 games since hte all-star break.

ginobiliflops wrote:

DaDragicShow wrote:Only second behind the mighty Cavs?

Miklo wrote:Way to second your own point

Yeah that's what I meant, not off the bench but I think he's enough to warrant his own list item. I mean, who except for JMac1 thought RoLo would become an integral part of this team's post play?

Agreed.

We're 22-9 with him as our starter and 25-9 overall since he became a starter.

I think Rolo's presence in the game has elevated Amare's and JRich's game as well. Amare and JRich has played much better defense now than they ever have and a lot of that has to do with the fact that they now know that they are the *first* line of defense not the last. They know they have a shotblocking presence behind them so they can play much more aggressive defense. Give Gentry credit for giving us a defensive mindset because now, more than ever, I think our offense is actually thriving off our defense and our guys take pride in it, which is why JRich and Amare has played better. Our defense don't usually show up on stat sheet but it's one reason why our offense is so good right now. Our rebounding has gotten better since Rolo became a starter with a rebounding differential of +4.


I would say the reasons why we're 18-4 right now is:

1. Robin Lopez
2. JRich becoming a scorer not just a shooter. He's posting up and rebounding more.
3. Amare finally coming back to be the dominant force he suppos to be.
4. Nash playing through some injuries by still consistent as ever (and saved our *** a few times too)
(5.) Our schedule has not been the toughest one. Of the 22 games we've played since ASW, only 10 have been against above .500 teams and only 9 are playoff teams. Also 13 of the 22 games were at home. But whatever.

Think of where we would be if we didnt give up 15pt leads for 2 months straight!

WTFsunsFTW wrote:Think of where we would be if we didnt give up 15pt leads for 2 months straight!

Outright 2nd in the West. Maybe challenging Lakers?

impulsenine wrote:5. Because no team in the history of professional sports knows how to lift up and crush spirits like the Phoenix Motherf***ing Suns.

100% correct.

WTFsunsFTW wrote:Think of where we would be if we didnt give up 15pt leads for 2 months straight!

Ahead of the Lakers.

J-Rich deserves credit, he has stepped up his game since the all-star break.

Amaretotheline wrote:

WTFsunsFTW wrote:Think of where we would be if we didnt give up 15pt leads for 2 months straight!

Ahead of the Lakers.

I wonder if moving RoLo to starter earlier would've done it? Or if he was still recovering?

Hindsight: Always fun.