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The Rotation Of The Suns

Authored by Craig Settimo - April 12, 2005 - 2:12 pm

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Early last week life was good for the Phoenix Suns. They were within arms reach of setting a franchise record for regular season wins and led a Tim Duncan-less Spurs by two games for the best record in the West.

So what happened? They lost one on the road to a surging Golden State team and then dropped a heartbreaker at home to the Rockets. This left the Suns a half game ahead of the Spurs, their franchise record all but out of reach, tail spinning towards the playoffs.

You would think a trip to La La Land would spell certain doom, but these are the new Lakers. You know the ones that stink.

The Suns dropped a franchise best 19 3’s on Monday to fend of the Lakers and move an entire game ahead of the idle Spurs. This might just be the game the Suns needed to shake a late season funk. Normally a two game losing streak is nothing to show concern for, but when you’re one season removed from winning 29 games all of Phoenix is holding their breath.

The Suns have to forget about the franchise record. They have a slight chance of topping it and don't think for a moment that this record does not appeal to them. This would cap a tremendous regular season and give them a jolt of confidence, as they would better a team record that was set when Charles Barkley was mouthing off to the Phoenix media and coincidentally the last time the Suns reached the finals.

More important for the Suns is the number one seed. They had every opportunity to run away with this and they simply have not put the Spurs away. The Suns are facing a potential of 28 more playoff games so the quicker they can clinch, the quicker the starters get some extra rest.

Throughout the playoffs home court will be the difference. During the past two-playoff seasons the home team is 6-0 in Game 7's. That’s a streak the Suns would love to continue. Given the chance the American West Arena fans will love to act as a sixth man as it’s been over a decade since they hosted a finals series.

The Suns though have to be careful not to overlook anyone in the West. A potential first round match up with the Grizzlies, a second round series with the Mavs, then possibly the Spurs? All three of those can spell disaster for any team let alone the Suns.

This final week will prove huge for the Suns. They need to clinch home court as soon as possible, shore up their suspect defense and continue to shoot like they did Monday night.

If they are able to sustain all of this, the Suns could bring the city of Phoenix its first Championship. And that’s something that even Sir Charles would be speechless about.