Phoenix Suns' Playoff Hopes Dwindling: One Last Chance To Save Planet Orange

Shaquille O’Neal said it was “kind of early” for the Suns to bust out the “win or go home” slogan, but Grant Hill and Steve Nash seem more willing to admit the truth. Hill called tonight’s game versus the Dallas Mavericks “our Super Bowl,” and Nash said, “this is our playoffs.”

It wasn’t long ago that the Suns were the Valley’s most beloved and successful franchise, despite not having won a championship in over 40 years. Phoenix was on the cusp of greatness, the darling team of the Valley, the NBA’s most exciting juggernaut. 

They possessed a deadly offense that traveled a light speed, armed with a barrage of three-pointers and thunderous alley-oop slams.

Planet Orange has slowed down, growing older in a universe of younger, more explosive teams. The Suns have squandered their draft picks over the last four years, opting instead to build through veteran free-agent acquisitions.

But perhaps their biggest mistake came when Suns owner, Robert Sarver, traded away the now superstar, Joe Johnson.

The Suns are caught in a tailspin, with little hopes of righting the ship. Steve Nash, Shaquille O’Neal, and Grant Hill are all playing well, but undeniably reaching the end of their careers.

But tonight, none of that matters. Those are issues to be addressed in the offseason. Tonight the focus of the Suns is only on making the playoffs, a failure to do so would signal the inevitable end of life on Planet Orange.

Phoenix is four games behind the Dallas Mavericks for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. 

Both teams have 19 games left to play, with the first of two head-to-head games coming tonight at U.S. Airways Center. If the Suns can win both head-to-head games they might just have a chance. 

The Suns have a much easier remaining schedule than Dallas, but a four-game lead with just 19 to play is about as bleak as can be, while still allowing a single ray of hope.

Ten of Dallas’ 19 remaining games are on the road, including the next four, as they travel to Phoenix, Portland, Golden State and L.A. (Lakers) in the next six days. Dallas still has games against Detroit, Cleveland, Denver, Utah, New Orleans (2), and Houston.

In contrast, the Suns are home for 11 of their remaining games, with tough games against New Orleans, Dallas (2), Houston, Utah, Portland, Denver and Cleveland.

The Mavs have 11 reasonable chances to lose games against tough opponents, the Suns have eight games against opponents where there is a reasonable chance they will lose.

The chances the Suns will make the playoffs are still slim, but one thing seems certain, this opportunity to make the playoffs could be their last such opportunity for several years. 

So run-n-gun, fire away and play like this is your Super Bowl… there is nothing left to lose.