The Phoenix Suns had another successful campaign in 2006-2007 with 61 wins and a division title. Phoenix earned the #2 seed for the post-season and defeated the Lakers soundly 4-1 in the opening round. The eventual champions, the San Antonio Spurs, eliminated the Suns four games to two. The Suns had the series tied at two before dropping the final two contests.
The long-standing knock on Phoenix is a lack of defense, especially on the inside. The Suns prefer to give up an easy score on occasion to start a fast break going the other way. Phoenix has been successful in the regular season by running teams into the ground and beating up on the weaker opponents in the league. That will get a high seed for the playoffs, but the elite teams will slow down the game and dominate the interior over a 7-game series.
The Phoenix Suns go into the 2007-2008 season with Amare Stoudemire manning the middle, but he’s really more of a strong forward playing center on this running team. Their outside talent is very deep and noteworthy with Steve Nash, Shawn Marion, Grant Hill, Boris Diaw and Leandro Barbosa. Raja Bell is one of the better defenders in the league. D.J. Strawberry and Alando Tucker were good value pick in the draft this past year.
The Suns are basically the same team they have been in years past. They will be among the league leaders in points per game, in the bottom third of team defense and do well in the regular season. There is not a lot of competition in the Pacific division other than middle-of-the-pack Golden State and Los Angeles Lakers. A division win ensures at least a #3 seed for the playoffs, setting up match-ups with San Antonio and Dallas.
The Phoenix Suns have a number of highlight games on the 2007-2008 NBA schedule. Two of the first three games are against Kobe and the Lakers and Lebron James and Cleveland. The Suns play the Lakers in Hollywood on Christmas Day as one of the featured games during the holiday. The Suns follow with the Clippers on back-to-back days with a home/road doubleheader on the 27th and 28th of December. The Suns close the season with five of their last eight games against probable playoff teams (Denver, Dallas, San Antonio, Houston and Golden State). December is their toughest month with 11 of 15 games on the road, including three sets of back-to-back games.
The Suns will have a similar season to 2006-2007. They will win 58+ games, earn a #3 seed and win the first round of the playoffs against the #6 seed in the west. Denver or Utah will likely be the #2 seed (or the #3 if Phoenix claims #2). Phoenix matches up well with Denver (both wide open offenses), but would struggle against Utah. Another second round exit for Phoenix in the 2007-2008 NBA playoffs.
