The Phoenix Suns became an enigma in the NBA in the 2000's. We all secretly loved the way they ran up the floor like race cars. And even though they put up a lot of bad shots, they also put up a lot of great shots that came before half the shot clock was gone.
Steve Nash was the turbo engine that ran the quick, highly efficient offense that was the Phoenix Suns. With guys like Amare Stoudemire, Grant Hill, Raja Bell, and Shawn Marion we loved to watch them. More than we would like to admit (unless you're a Phoenix Suns fan).
Throughout those magical seasons though, something seemed to be missing.
Every time the Suns would amass a beautiful season and have expectations through the roof for the playoffs—they would faulter. To make matters worse, the same team would faithfully kick them out of the NBA playoffs.
It had to feel like when your little brother, after years of losing to you or just being a tyrant to everyone else, beats you consistently. I don't mean one or two times—but every time.
There's no way anyone can logically explain that to you. Every time you match up with him supposedly you were stronger, and just plain knew you would win. No dice.
Unfortunately for the Phoenix Suns, they were the younger brother who never could accomplish that feat. The San Antonio Spurs, older and indeed wiser than their Suns counterparts, beat them every time at the pace they chose.
Every year the Suns were the younger brother who would shock the neighborhood by defeating their older brother, only to go home with long faces and their heads in the dirt.
Player shifts, differences in schemes, home-court advantage, it just didn't matter. All of the time Mike D'Antoni, coach of the Suns was building a resume that would eventually and inevitably bring him to the top of the NBA coaching crop—only to leave a team in the balance.
As Mike D'Antoni took a coaching gig with the lowly New York Knicks this week, I wondered who would benefit more from his departure, the Suns or the Knicks. To answer that, here's a look into D'Antoni's stint with the Phoenix Suns and what he has to work with in New York.
You'll be surprised.
2004-2005: D'Antoni's First Season
Phoenix Suns-(62-20) Division Winner
Team PPG-110.4, Opposition PPG-103.3
Playoffs-Lost to San Antonio Spurs in Western Conference Finals
In a season that saw Steve Nash as MVP, Mike D'Antoni as Coach of the Year, and a 62 win season, it was considered an upset for the Suns to lose without even reaching the NBA Finals.
2005-2006: D'Antoni's Second Season
Phoenix Suns-(54-28) Division Winner
Team PPG-108.4, Opposition PPG-102.8
Playoffs-Lost to Dallas Mavericks in Western Conference Finals
This season the challenge of micro-fracture surgery for Amare Stoudemire was hard to overcome, but the Suns did only to lose to the Mavericks and nearly lose to the Lakers falling down 3-1 in the first round. Another disappointment.
2006-2007: D'Antoni's Third Season
Phoenix Suns-(61-21) Division Winner
Team PPG-110.2, Opposition PPG-102.9
Playoffs-Lost to San Antonio Spurs in Second Round
Clearly the most disappointing season of D'Antoni's regime, the Suns won 60-plus games, went on winning streaks of 15 and 17 during the season, and lost in the second round to a Spurs team many felt they could beat. Suns fans still blame this series on Horrygate, but that was the least of the Suns' problems.
2007-2008: D'Antoni's Fourth and Final Season
Phoenix Suns-(55-27) Second in Division (Los Angeles Lakers)
Team PPG-110.1, Opposition PPG-105.0
Playoffs-Lost to San Antonio Spurs in First Round
With a season that saw the big trade of Shawn Marion to Miami for Shaquille O'Neal, the Suns saw their title aspirations evaporate in the first round at the hands of their nemesis, the Spurs.
Shaq couldn't hold Duncan, Nash couldn't hold Parker, and Bell couldn't hold Ginobili. This was the official end to the Mike D'Antoni era in Phoenix, and he was nothing more than an Avery Johnson in his tenure.
Nothing against Avery, but D'Antoni was just a revved up version of him. The Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks played similar styles of run-and-gun offense with shallow defense.
The biggest difference was Steve Nash. Dallas had no true point guard, and it was exposed by Chris Paul this year. Amare and Dirk both lack killer instincts, and D'Antoni and Avery lack heart in big games.
Therefore, as both coaches go on to new experiences, it won't matter unless they toughen themselves up mentally. Tim Duncan murdered Phoenix, and Dwyane Wade and Baron Davis murdered Dallas—and they never recovered.
Until these coaches strike fear in opposing teams' hearts, they have repeat performances—have good regular seasons and lose in the playoffs.
And now D'Antoni has to build a team from the ground up in New York, something he hasn't done.
With a lineup of Jamal Crawford, Zach Randolph, Eddy Curry, David Lee, and Stephon Marbury he'd better start fast. Marbury will undoubtedly be traded, but it won't matter.
We won't be able to rate Mike D'Antoni's regime in the land of models for a few years, at least.
Until then, he'd better watch the Wizard of Oz and obtain a heart, or other wise he'll lose again, much faster and more often.
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2 months ago
sam sam sam ... lol you never stop amazing me ... haha imma miss you all summer cuz i wont have no one to pick on ... haha ill see you in the fall tho for sure! ... and keep up the writing ... you are really good.
2 months ago
Great writing! But what is up with his upper lip?
2 months ago
lol
2 months ago
Thanks for the comments! Erica, that's hilarious! His upper lip looks like one of the fish from Shark Tale! Ha ha!
2 months ago
Ummmm.... "The Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks played similar styles of run-and-gun offense"
WTF???
Bad bad article.
from 2 months ago
Dude, what are u talking about? If you're going to call someone's article bad based on 1 line, be man enough to clarify what you're saying because right now you sound ridiculous, dude.
2 months ago
Eh I don't feel like breaking down the fallacies in your article. But that Mavs/Suns comparison is just one example of many where you're dead wrong.
2 months ago
Phoenix Suns 2007-08 Lineup:
PG- Steve Nash
SG- Raja Bell
SF- Grant Hill/Shawn Marion
PF- Amare Stoudemire
C- Shaquille O'Neal
Team PPG- 110.1 (3rd)
Dallas Mavericks 2007-08 Lineup:
PG- Jason Kidd/Devin Harris
SG- Jerry Stackhouse/Jason Terry
SF- Josh Howard
PF- Dirk Nowitzki
C- Erick Dampier
Team PPG- 100.4 (12th)
As I said in the article, the Mavericks defeated the Suns in the playoffs handily in the 05-06 season by beating the Suns at their own game. The Mavericks are a run and gun team also, but they could slow it down in the half-court and compete when necessary. Unfortunately for them they couldn't establish an identity when it counted, and that's why they lost to Miami and New Orleans. When I said they ran a similar style, I meant just that. They never had a full identity whereas the Suns patented the run-and-gun style to them. That's also why I said D'Antoni is a revved up version of Avery, because the Mavericks couldn't figure out of they wanted to run or settle in the half court. Bringing Jason Kidd in didn't work because he is a run first PG, and the Hornets have Chris Paul, a PG who is probably the fastest in the league now. So don't bash someone's article like that with no backing because it's offensive.
2 months ago
The Mavericks beat the Suns in 2006... didn't they have about 6 healthy players in that series?
You're the only person I've ever hear call the Mavericks a run and gun team. You even said, "Bringing Jason Kidd in didn't work because he is a run first PG". So they're a run and gun team, but bringing in a running point guard didn't work? How does that make sense?
Sorry man. The Mavericks do not equal the Suns. Different styles.
And I can't believe you're blaming the Suns post season woes on D'Antoni. Joe Johnson with a broken face, Amare missing the season, Nash's bloodied nose and then Amare and Diaw getting suspended, they never had their lineup in tact for any of their post season runs!
Getting rid of D'Antoni is subtraction by subtraction. The Knicks just grabbed the best available coach in the world. I don't see how your comparison between the Mavs and the Suns (which is a bad comparison in the first place) makes your case at all.
Better luck next time.
2 months ago
Oh man, I just re-read this paragraph:
"As I said in the article, the Mavericks defeated the Suns in the playoffs handily in the 05-06 season by beating the Suns at their own game. The Mavericks are a run and gun team also, but they could slow it down in the half-court and compete when necessary. Unfortunately for them they couldn't establish an identity when it counted, and that's why they lost to Miami and New Orleans. When I said they ran a similar style, I meant just that. They never had a full identity whereas the Suns patented the run-and-gun style to them. That's also why I said D'Antoni is a revved up version of Avery, because the Mavericks couldn't figure out of they wanted to run or settle in the half court. Bringing Jason Kidd in didn't work because he is a run first PG, and the Hornets have Chris Paul, a PG who is probably the fastest in the league now. So don't bash someone's article like that with no backing because it's offensive."
Is this making sense to anyone? Anyone?
from 2 months ago
Okay dude you know what? I'm not going to continue to argue with you because you have no respect for opinion. The Mavericks were a team stuck in an identity crisis. I never said D'Antoni wasn't a good coach, I said that he isn't mentally tough as say Gregg Popovich. D'Antoni is a hell of a coach, but I think that his teams suffered from mental lapses a lot. I'm not some super NBA expert man. I just write because I love sports, and I'm sorry that you believe that my article is so bad and you know so much. That's fine man, all I ask from you is a little respect when you comment. If you don't like my article, saying something like, "hey I diasgree with..." is fine. I just want to be respected, regardless of how you view my article and that's all I'm saying. Good luck with your next article and thanks for commenting, bro.
2 months ago
Well that's a very nice response. I'm sorry I offended you. I will try not to come across as so mean spirited next time.
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