[ChrisWoj]

Originally Posted by Copper

The Suns play defense?
As for the topic of discussion I would have to agree with the Suns having a young and talented core with more of the same due with high picks. I think Detroit is also in good shape with its core still having 3-4 good years left and most locked into contracts for that time.

Only the Spurs have a better points-per-100-possessions than the Suns this year. So yes, the Suns are playing great defense. It doesn't show in the PPG because of how many possessions each team gets, but they play solid defense right now. Diaw is an energetic anchor.

As for Detroit... Somebody said not to even bring up Darko. I won't. Delfino, Maxiell, Prince... three young guys. And neither Rip nor Billups is exactly old. Delfino is going to be a very good backup swing man. Maxiell is going to be another Ben Wallace, he's a ball magnet... he also has better shooting skills. And then there's Prince whom everybody knows about.

The NBA's top teams right now (Dallas, Detroit, San Antonio) are all going to be great for at least a half a decade more. The Suns... we'll see how they do when Nash declines.


-Chris.

[tempe85]

Originally Posted by Copper

The Suns play defense?
As for the topic of discussion I would have to agree with the Suns having a young and talented core with more of the same due with high picks. I think Detroit is also in good shape with its core still having 3-4 good years left and most locked into contracts for that time.

They do... they're currently ranked #2 in the league in Defensive Efficiency. This is the fairest way to judge a defense because it takes possessions per game into account. Otherwise any time you played up tempo, but you defense stayed the same, everyone would be saying you're playing worse defense. By the way... it looks like the Pistons are the ones that should be worried about defense. They're ranked 16th in the league in defensive efficiency.... and as history goes no team in the history of the NBA has won a championship with a defensive efficiency ranked so low.

[rdm2]

The Suns have genuinely improved their defense dramatically, Its not San Antonio and noone will attempt to try to sell you on the fact that it is, but its pretty effective defense right now. Last year they played zilch on the defensive end.

Another thing about Nash, I feel like he wont decline as hard as Shaq is right now because his game is not about scoring, its all about court vision. He's a small athletic guy who wont break down with 350 pounds of fat weighing down on his body. Nash's game is court vision and purely that which is why I think he will outlast the typical 34ish year old decline by a tiny bit more than the average player does.

[Chan]

Originally Posted by Copper

The Suns play defense?
As for the topic of discussion I would have to agree with the Suns having a young and talented core with more of the same due with high picks. I think Detroit is also in good shape with its core still having 3-4 good years left and most locked into contracts for that time.

I take it you haven't seen many Suns games this year? They are one of the most disruptive defensive forces in the league. Their team speed is unmatched.

[tempe85]

Originally Posted by rdm2

The Suns have genuinely improved their defense dramatically, Its not San Antonio and noone will attempt to try to sell you on the fact that it is, but its pretty effective defense right now. Last year they played zilch on the defensive end.

Another thing about Nash, I feel like he wont decline as hard as Shaq is right now because his game is not about scoring, its all about court vision. He's a small athletic guy who wont break down with 350 pounds of fat weighing down on his body. Nash's game is court vision and purely that which is why I think he will outlast the typical 34ish year old decline by a tiny bit more than the average player does.

It's funny people always bring up Nash as "beginning to break down" and "too old" I mean the guy is only 31 and has only missed an average of less than 3 games a season the last four years.

[DetroitDiesel]

Detroit. Joe Dumars believes in continuity,chemistry, and work ethic. One of these days we will have to rebuild, but I have a feeling it won't be for a long time. Call me a homer, but this team has gotten dramatically better each year of his reign.


I'm surprised the cavs aren't on this list. Though I suppose they may not be considered a powerhouse yet. Obviously if they can hold onto lebron they have a very bright future.

1.detroit
2.cleveland
3.indiana (have stocked some good young talent and should be strong for years to come if they can get a healthy pg)
4.dallas (dirk, terry, harris, howard should be a solid core for a long time)

Many of the spurs are getting old fast and the prospects they have drafted haven't impressed me.

The suns nash driven. Amare is a freak but I doubt this team survives without nash. I wouldn't bet my future on one player. Though if i had to nash wouldn't be a bad guy to bet on.


The heat will go as shaq goes, and it looks like he is going to keep breaking down. Wade is amazing but I can see this team becoming boston southeast. I wouldn't want riley as my GM.


Memphis didn't make the list either but I love what they are building.

[tone wone]

Houston???

[ChrisWoj]

Originally Posted by tempe85

It's funny people always bring up Nash as "beginning to break down" and "too old" I mean the guy is only 31 and has only missed an average of less than 3 games a season the last four years.

He also has a myriad of back issues. He's a great player, and I hope he lasts well into his 30s... but the fact remains that back issues don't just go away, they're the most persistent and frustrating injuries in sport... and they only compound over time. He's going to have trouble within three years, mark my words.


-Chris.

[KoBe & BeN GoRdOn!]

Detroit Pistons