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My thoughts on the season.
I have not had this feeling in a long time. I feel like someone punched me in the stomach and it won't fill back up with air.
The last time I felt like this was about 5 years ago in High School over a girl situation. The girl is long gone, but my dedication to the Suns is stronger then ever.
I've been a Suns fan since I was 7 years old and I can not remember being this proud of my team. When the season started and Amare went down with a "minor" injury I still believed this year was our year. When the minor injury turned into a micro fracture surgery, I was devastated. I like most people, believed the suns would be a .500 team. However, I still held out hope that Amare would be back and we could make a late season run. Could we be the first 7th or 8th seed to win an NBA title?
The slow start worried me, but I held out hope. As our winning percentage got better and better, our critics became quieter and quieter. At the midpoint of the season we were leading the pacific division and were the #2 seed in the west. Not bad for a team playing without the player reporters thought might be the MVP favorite for 2006.
When Amare returned with a 20 point game at home, my hopes were sky high. The rest of the league must be ****ting their pants. Unfortunately, Amare's comeback was short-lived and my hopes for a title vanished. Sure the Suns had a great year, but without Amare how can we get past the Spurs?
With the playoffs starting I was hyped. The NBA seeding error would most likely pit us against the Lakers and then Clippers rather then the Lakers and the Mavs. I easily saw us advancing to the WCF but I did not see us beating the Spurs. Still when we did match up with San Antonio we would have nothing to lose. That made us more dangerous then last years team in my eyes.
The first round match up against the Lakers was one for the ages. Down 3 games to 1, the Suns pulled off one of the most gutsy games (game 6) in franchise history. I will always remember Tim Thomas' shot in game 6, Raja's beautiful clothesline in game 5 , and Kobe just giving up in the second half of game 7.
It took us 7 games to dispose of the Clippers but we got it done. Thank you Raja for that off balance 3 point shot.
When Dallas knocked off San Antonia I was surprised and excited. I did not see us beating the Spurs. But I felt we could beat the Mavs. Unfortunately it did not happen. My work schedule did not permit me to watch game 5 and game 6 but it sounds like Dirk would not let his team lose. I still don't understand how the Sun gave up leads in each game, nor do I understand how we could play so poorly in the second half of each game, but it is water under the bridge at this point. I really thought we could beat the Mavs and I'm not sure they are the better team. But whatever the case, they are advancing and we are not. There is no doubt in my mind they will be the champions.
Anyway, what I'm trying to get at with this post is this team went farther then anyone...even the most dedicated fans...expected. We overcame the critics of small ball, Amare's injury, a scrappy Laker team, a strong Clipper team, and 4 elimination games. Only at the end of the Mavs series did I see the TV critics giving our team credit for not quitting. Hello...where the hell were you guys?
Rarely in sports these days do I see inspiring acts. However, this years Suns team really inspired me on a personal level.
Steve Nash's class, dedication, and leadership is something everyone can respect and admire.
The balls Raja Bell displayed by never giving up and playing with a severe injury amazed me. This guy just doesn't quit. Remember, this guy used to be a CBA player who was a backup last year for a lottery team. Raja proves anything is possible when you work hard and refuse to quit. I'm only 22, but I hope you young guys (12-16) here can appreciate what he does.
The guts Tim Thomas showed by busting his ***, playing out of position, and hitting big shots is truly a marvel. Here is a guy who was labeled soft, yet he comes in, defends the 4/5 positions, and grabs almost as many boards per game as Marion.
Seeing Shawn Marion limp back onto the court in game 5 VS the Clippers with a bum knee, sprained ankle, and cut under his eye was like seeing a solider return home after surviving a blast from a grenade. Most guys would be out for the rest of the series with those injuries. Marion is a solider.
Unlike most franchises, the Suns team is built with warriors not spoiled babies. Our chemistry is championship quality.
I'm not an emotional person...I'm really not. But since the end of game 6 I have not been able to shake this "punched in the stomach" feeling. My eyes are watery as I write this. Seeing this team grind out victories and do things they shouldn't have been able to do....I've never been this proud of my team...ever.
I played ball in high school but I can't imagine what our guys are going through right now.
Our shoot first, run fast, and have fun style of play has proven to be effective and more and more teams are starting to copy our style. The eventual 2006 champions from Texas have embraced a "small" lineup. Marbury begged the Knicks to go "small" when they acquired Steve Francis. Shaq joked that he was the last true center in the league. Pat Riley flipped out on reporters telling them that his team plays fine until "some one throws 5 guards on the floor against us and it becomes a game of who will win first." That was a direct reference to the Suns.
The Suns are changing the NBA for the better. Our fun to watch run and gun style is appreciated by the players and fans.
It is my hope we keep our top 8 together and come back next year. I want that ring so fast I can taste it. I just wish I could do more for this team then cheer. I feel it isn't nearly enough.
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My thoughts on the season.
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