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Suns are still one of the best teams in the league. They have a bolt load of talent on there team. I really think there defense is goin to improve alot because they now have the right coaching staff for the team. I do not believe the Suns window has closed they are just way to damn talented for there window to be closed. I think a full season with Shaq is really goin to benefit the Suns.

Suns 2008-2009 roster:

Steve Nash
Raja Bell
Grant Hill
Amare Stoudemire
Shaquille O'Neal
Leandro Barbosa
Matt Barnes
Boris Diaw
Goran Dragic
Robin Lopez
D.J. Strawberry
Alando Tucker

This is a championship caliber team.

What do you think?

Can they? Yes

Will they? No

Here's a very recent thread about the same thing. You'll find a lot of people's thoughts on this subject here.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=830594

Championship caliber if you don't count that 3 in their starting lineup are due for retirement.

The Suns aren't a championship-caliber team, nor have they been in the Nash-era, IMO

Aside from my thoughts in the previous thread on this, the Suns need most of these things to emerge this coming season (*=mandatory):

- *Amare to become a solid (at least), consistent, well-rounded defensive player, and a consistent, top-level rebounder.

- *Shaq needs to play well in 2009, and be a consistent scoring force again (at least with what he can do now).

- Barbosa needs to become an above-average defender, as well as finish better and more diversely at the basket. I'd say he needs to become a better set-up guy, but Dragic will be there for that now.

Either these things here just can't happen, or most likely aren't going to be actualities in relative form.

- Boris Diaw needs to play more tenacious basketball on a consistent basis

- Grant Hill needs to play like he did before he got hurt late last season

- *Robin Lopez be a member of the rotation, and not play "too young"

- DJ Strawberry to get some kind of time in regular form, and begin to be able to establish himself as an athletic utility guard.

1. I sway to this not coming into form

2. As long as Hill is pretty healthy, he should be able to play at a notable level still.

3. I can see something like that

4. I'm doubting Strawberry gets a decent or semi-consistent oppurtunity now. He's a third man unless there are injuries. I think he definitely has a place in the league, having shown it occasionally so far, but the real spots for him I'd say are going to be elsewhere in the league.

They can, but they won't.

No. They would be a big surprise, but it isn't unfathomable. They are like the Kings were on their decline from contender to has been-contender.

Ballings7 wrote:The Suns aren't a championship-caliber team, nor have they been in the Nash-era, IMO
.

after that line, you just showed the "o" in imo, is worthless

lets see how your spurs fare without donaghy and some BS suspensions. suns were clearly championship caliber in that year

no question at all

Nope.

Hmm..no Donaghy or BS suspensions this year, and the Spurs still beat the Suns..

However...I think the Suns COULD win the Championship, but I dont think they will.

Only if they trade for LeBron and kobe.

The Suns are a great team; their starting 5 has four future Hall of Famers (Nash, Shaq, Hill, Amare) and Raja Bell is one of the best 3 point shooters and defenders in the NBA.

Also, Diaw and Barbosa are great players to bring off the bench.

However, they have some big problems...

- Shaq and Hill are always injured

- I don't think Terry Porter is the right coach for that team

On talent, they're as good as any team in the NBA, but I have serious questions about Terry Porter and whether Shaq and Hill can stay healthy.

Want a bold prediction from me? Shaq is out of Phoenix by mid-season.

no...

No, just like no team led by Steve Nash ever will be.

-SDU- wrote:

Ballings7 wrote:The Suns aren't a championship-caliber team, nor have they been in the Nash-era, IMO
.

after that line, you just showed the "o" in imo, is worthless

lets see how your spurs fare without donaghy and some BS suspensions. suns were clearly championship caliber in that year

no question at all

Its always some kind of excuse from your camp.

Because they are legitimate excuses.

-Would the Spurs really have beaten the Suns in 5 games in 2005 if Joe Johnson didn't get injured in the second round?

- Would the Spurs really have beaten Phoenix in 2007 if Amare and Diaw weren't suspended?

- Would the Spurs have beaten Phoenix in 5 games this year if they didn't get lucky in Game 1 and if Grant Hill was healthy?

The answer do all those questions is No.

The injuries to Joe Johnson and Grant Hill really hurt Phoenix in 2005 and 2008 and they got screwed last season with the suspensions.

The Sun's window closed when they traded for Shaq. They're just older now and less talented with the loss of Marrion. You could say the Suns coulda, woulda, shoulda, but they didn't. Time to blow them up and let some younger players have their shot.

No.

The Diesel wrote:Because they are legitimate excuses.

-Would the Spurs really have beaten the Suns in 5 games in 2005 if Joe Johnson didn't get injured in the second round?

- Would the Spurs really have beaten Phoenix in 2007 if Amare and Diaw weren't suspended?

- Would the Spurs have beaten Phoenix in 5 games this year if they didn't get lucky in Game 1 and if Grant Hill was healthy?

The answer do all those questions is No.

The injuries to Joe Johnson and Grant Hill really hurt Phoenix in 2005 and 2008 and they got screwed last season with the suspensions.

Come on now. Everything else is understandable, but the Suns blew that game, just like they blew game 2. It has nothing to do with luck.

Depends entirely on Shaq. If he gets his ass in gear, gets in and stays in shape, and plays with some heart, they're a legit contender. If he keeps trucking along at 50% of his full ability, then no.