[kingofkings]

I never hear about the 1992-1993 Phoenix Suns team being recognised for the great season that they had. They ended the 1992-93 season with the leagues best record and took the Bulls to 6 games in the 1993 NBA Finals. On the way they came back from 2 nil down in the first round against the Lakers to win in five, then beat the Spurs, with David Robinson, then the Sonics in the conference finals. The Finals series against the Bulls were all great games, with the Suns winning game three in triple overtime. Anyway, this was the season that Barkley was league MVP, whereby he led the Suns in Rebounds, points and assists. Remember that this was his first year in Phoenix after the Suns stole him from Philadelphia. The lineup of the team was:
Centre - Oliver Miller
Power Forward - Charles Barkley
Small Forward - Richard Dumas
Shooting Guard - Dan Majerle
Point Guard - Kevin Johnson
Bench Frank Johnson, Cedric Ceballos, Mark West, Tom Chambers,Danny Ainge.
Now the back court rocked with KJ tearing up, driving dishing and scoring. Now back in this season, Barkley was actually handling the ball as much as KJ as a point forward. Dan Majerle was the set down town shooter launching three point bombs from everywhere. Richard Dumas was the guy responsible for finishing the fast break along with Barkley, with great support from Danny Ainge and Frank Johnson as reserves.This team in my opinion was so close to winning a championship it is not funny. I cannot find a weakness in that team, besides the centre combination of Miller and West. The bottom line is that no-one could stop Jordan in that series. In the first two games, Majerle was getting killed by Jordan, then Westphal pulled a surprise in game three and put KJ on Jordan, which helped to reduce his numbers and efficiency somewhat, but Jordan posted him up using his 5 inch advantage. When all is said and done, this team remains one of my all time favourites of recent years. they were just an exciting team to watch. It was also Barkleys's best chance to win his first NBA ring and he went so close and the team played so hard in those 6 games. Does anyone else remember that year that the Phoenix Suns had, when they dominated??
PS What would be great is if we had a NBA classic forum whereby we can talk about all the great games and great teams of the past, without having to post it in the current NBA forum. This is just a suggestion!

 

[linus#1]

I just saw a couple of those Finals games between the Suns and the Bulls last weekend on ESPN Classic...gave me a renewed appreciation for the talent and heart of those suns...also reminds me of how good Kevin johnson was...man he HANDLED BJ armstrong in those finals!

It's kinda fun watching those games from a few years ago...gives a unique perspective on the game and how it's changed and/or stayed the same...fun to watch those older games especially as i get older and understand the sport better now as opposed to 9-10 years ago.

 

[Vinsanity]

I agree with the 92-93 Suns

 

[Vinsanity]

Originally posted by kingofkings

PS What would be great is if we had a NBA classic forum whereby we can talk about all the great games and great teams of the past, without having to post it in the current NBA forum. This is just a suggestion!

u should post this in the suggestion forum

 

[Chops]

2001-2002 Sacramento Kings

 

[TheRifleman]

Originally posted by KC
2001-2002 Sacramento Kings

I completely agree, as that series with the Lakers was TIGHT and Bibby was sensational in his first year getting used to a whole new system. Actually, their whole playoffs was fascinating to see them grow as a united team.

 

[Wilt_The_Stilt]

I think that some of the best teams that never won a title were the 60's Lakers. Baylor,West(he won one in the 70's) etc..

 

[KingsMan7]

I wouldn't quite say the 2002 Kings, we are not at our peak yet. When Mike,Peja and Hedo get better and experienced we will be.

I think those Jazz teams(97 and 98) were good enough and should have won a ring and would have had they not been going up against a Bulls team in its apex.

 

[ScottVdub]

I'd say one of the best teams to never win the title has to be the 90-92 blazers. They made it to the finals in 1990 and 1992 losing to Detroit and Chicago and in 1991 they were heavily favored to win the western conference championship and had the best record in the NBA but they lost in 6 games to Magic Johnson's Lakers. The Lakers would eventually lose to the Bulls but from what a guy I know who pretty much worships basketball told me is that the Blazers dominated the Bulls that season in their 2 head to head appearances so if the Blazers would have beatin the Lakers like they were favored to then they would have been heavy fovorites against Chicago. The early 90 Blazers had 3 all stars:Clyde Drexler(one of the leagues top 5 players at the time), Terry Porter, and Kevin Duckworth. Buck Williams led the league in shooting percentage and averaged around 18 ppg. Jerome Kersey put up big numbers for them aswell. Danny Ainge provided a spark off the bench with lights out 3 point shooting. In 1992 the Blazers once again made the finals and lost a great series in 6 to chicago, Portland somehow collapsed during that game 6 while all of the Bulls starters were on the bench except for pippen, the blazers were pretty much in control the whole time except at the finish. In 93 the blazers started out hot but cooled off towards the end of the season and the championship possibilities were befind them. 1991 was Portlands best chance to capture the title but they blew it.

Other great teams that never won it are the mid 90's Sonics, the Knicks in the early to mid 90's when they seemed to lose to the bulls in the playoffs every year and in 94 ended up blowing a 3-2 lead in the finals to the Rockets. I dont know much about the great teams of the 80's that didnt win it cuz i was very young then.