As a Mavericks fan, the Phoenix Suns have always represented a complex set of emotions for me.
I became a Mavs fan while watching Dirk Nowitzski and Steve Nash bloom into the Hall-of-Famers they are today.
When the separation happened, I was upset, but I know that the NBA is a business, and I think both sides handled it well. (Besides Eric Dampier getting the money Nash could've gotten, but that's beside the point.)
To help ease the transition, I started to root for the Suns a little bit. I have always liked Arizona as a state. My parents went to the University of Arizona, and my uncle lives outside of Phoenix, so it wasn't exactly a stretch.
I liked watching the Suns, they were never boring, and the tandem of Nash, Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire never failed to disappoint.
When the Mavs and Suns met in the playoffs, I would of course root for the Mavs, but should the Suns have won, I would have pulled for them too.
Then the 2006 NBA Finals came. The series that changed me as a basketball fan forever.
Dirk, who had been the most dominant player in the playoffs, suddenly was overshadowed by D-Wade and the force field that surrounded him.
That's when the bitterness started, and that's when my feelings towards the Suns shifted.
7 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
C Carter 7 months ago
Interesting article, as a Suns fan I agree with most of what was said. I think the trade of Marion for Shaq was the real turning point for this team and a MAJOR mistake by management. I really think the determining factor for the Suns and the Mavs is who can stay healthy down the road. Either team has enough season left to make a strong push for the playoffs but an injury to a key player could easily derail either team for good.
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Janet Kessler 7 months ago
Dallas is already dealing with an injury to a key player, that has so far missed seven games - Josh Howard. The Mavs are 6-1 in his absense.
The is great read Alex. Very deep thought.
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Waleed Ershad 7 months ago
Excellent article. The point about Dallas not having a dominant area was a good read. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like they have a dominant area yet either, huh Alex?
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Robert Kleeman 7 months ago
Nice article, but what is it with Mavs fans who cannot spell Nowitzki correctly?
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Alex McVeigh 7 months ago
Haha, good point. But I think it was and editor, because I just called him Dirk when I wrote it.
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Robert Kleeman 7 months ago
I pressed submit comment too early, so sorry.
I agree with everything you said. After a while, though, don't you grow tired of writing the same story again and again?
Two seasons after the Miami meltdown, and you still wonder if Nowitzki will ever grow the cojones to become a consistent fourth quarter, clutch player as opposed to a scoring giant who disappears in most close, physical games.
Most people wondered if Amare Stoudemire and Steve Nash would ever defend well enough to give the Suns a chance in the playoffs. Two years later, even with the additions of Matt Barnes, Robin Lopez and Shaq, the defenselessness of the aforemention two cornerstones continues to hold Phoenix back.
Yes, they are both alike in dignity--able to scratch out enough wins to be playoff-worthy and respectable, but so, so far away from a championship.
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Laura Brown 7 months ago
All 3 teams, Phoenx, Dallas, and San Antonio will have to remake themselves whether they want to admit it or not. The title window has closed for Phoenix and Dallas, and I also believe it's closed to San Antonio as well.
Of the 3, Dallas is the closest to being able to reconfigure themselves, because of Kidd's expiring contract.
Of the 3, Phoenix is in the most trouble because of Shaq's contract and the continual trading away of draft picks. I truly believe that some of Phoenix's wing players will be gone next season. And, that may include Nash too.
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