Detroit Pistons, Phoenix Suns: Same Downfall

The Suns fans are all aware that we aren't having a great season so far.  With the run-n-gun style of play implanted by Mike D'Antoni, the Suns have come up with impressive seasons, but coming short with a giant road block, the San Antonio Spurs.  The Suns weren't able to defeat their rivals so they resorted to change, starting with the acquirement of Shaquille O'Neal.  They gave up Marion, but people thought, "That's okay, Shaq's good."  He didn't fit the system. 

But when D'Antoni was fired, the new system and motto "Defense Wins Championships'" by Terry Porter worked out with the acquisition of Shaq.  Then, they decide to get more scoring...even though they want to be a defensive-minded team.  They get Jason Richardson and Jared Dudley for fan favorites Raja Bell and Boris Diaw.  Then after the All-Star Break, they decide to fire their new coach after half a season for Alvin Gentry. 

I, personally, didn't like Porter and the new system.  The Suns aren't a defensive team.  They don't have defenders.  Nash and Stoudemire, All-Stars aren't defenders.  They play high-scoring games.  Now, they realize they made a mistake in getting Jason Richardson.  Bell and Diaw are a better fit for the run-n-gun system.

The Detroit Pistons are almost identical.  They weren't able to reach an NBA championship after 2004 even though they had a great amount of talent.  They started with change, giving up Ben Wallace in the free agency to a deal of four year $60 million by the Bulls instead of the four year $48 million from the Pistons.  They replaced Ben Wallace with Nazr Mohammed and Chris Webber. 

They fired Flip Saunders because they weren't able to get past the Eastern Conference Finals and replaced him with Michael Curry.  They went for a big time trade; Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson.  Iverson being in Detroit didn't give the Pistons a big contribution.  It was a bust, just as Suns' deals were.  They put Hamilton on the bench, and he wasn't happy.  They don't end up firing their coach mid-season but they do go back to their system with Hamilton starting and finishing games. 

So, can't win a championship, fire great coaches, acquire big names, can't pull through.

Who's having a worse season?  Don't get me wrong, they aren't horrible...but they could be doing way better.

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