Dallas or Phoenix
Where do you stand?
There are two teams in the NBA that never lose. They started out a combined 1-8, but since that game, won by the Mavs, Dallas is 33-4 and Phoenix is 31-3. Dallas is 2-0 in their head to head match-ups this season, so they have a significant edge there. It’s possible one of them could be picked off in the playoffs by someone like Houston or San Antonio, but odds are they will face off in the Conference Finals, and that will be the real NBA Finals.
The Mavs are built for more playoff success that the Suns, but Phoenix is perfecting a new style of ball that might be so unconventional, teams won’t know how to stop it. Amare has been getting healthier and better, and he’s led the team in scoring the past 4 games. The Suns have taken what Barkley called “spurtability” and turned their hot streaks into humbling 30-2 runs of dominance on both ends when they trick teams into running “with” them. Dallas is so deep, and Dirk and Josh Howard have both been playing so well that they can find a different third scorer somewhere every night that makes them impossible to stop. Plus they have big bodies to control the boards and slow down any big man in their way.
On top of all that, these two have split playoff series the past two years, and if you go by NBA history, it is the time for both of them to make their ascension to the next level. Dallas is on schedule to win the championship this year while the Suns need to at least make the Finals to avoid the feeling that they’re just spinning their wheels. Obviously they both can’t get what they want. One of them is not going to the Finals, and their season will ultimately be viewed as a disappointment, as unfair as that may be.
There are really only 2 questions that matter at the highest level this season.
1) Can anyone beat either one of these teams?
2) Who will win their playoff series?
163 Responses to “Dallas or Phoenix”
Jan.22 at 1:33 pm
J-Bird says:
Phoenix
Jan.22 at 1:36 pm
Paps77 says:
Phoenix
Jan.22 at 1:38 pm
Cub Buenning says:
I’d have to side with Phoenix, but there is one big unknown that is getting unveiled tonight in Denver….
Jan.22 at 1:41 pm
rené says:
how i wish pho-dal was a real final.
they both deserve it instead of an leastern representative.
Jan.22 at 1:43 pm
rené says:
right now dallas is better tough
Jan.22 at 1:46 pm
Bryant Reeves says:
Quit ragging on the leastern conference - they’ve won 2 of the last 4 championships! Pheonix is going to win it all if their big three can stay healthy… They almost made it to the finals last year WITHOUT Amare
Jan.22 at 1:47 pm
Bryant Reeves says:
And I hate to say it, but Kobe might be able to beat either of those teams in the playoffs…
Jan.22 at 1:57 pm
mutoni says:
bryant reeves, you can’t be serious. come on now!
Jan.22 at 1:58 pm
next says:
san antonio looks shook, but they still gotta be considered cuz regular season’s just that - regular season. if they come up w/ their regular “trade” (ie. fleecing some sorry gm), they’ll be favorites again.
Jan.22 at 2:06 pm
abelp says:
if kb24 gets on a roll he might average 60 on a series against either
Jan.22 at 2:08 pm
M.K. Petrik says:
Dallas needs to learn how to put away games quickly and much sooner because if you look at the blowout games Phoenix has been producing as of late, many of their games are done by the end of the 2nd or 3rd quarter whereas Dallas allows teams to get back into the game (such as Dallas and Miami the other night)
Jan.22 at 2:11 pm
Matthew says:
Who is Phoenix’s go to guy?? I know the response is they’ve got 8 go to guys but generally you’ve got to have one dude who will step up and want the ball cough, Dirk, cough. Look at DWade, Chauncy Billups, Kobe, Duncan. At crunch time, you knew who was getting the ball an you still couldn’t stop them. Phoenix doesn’t have that and yeah Nash can set somebody up, but that somebody might be Raja Bell. I like my chances with Dirk instead of somebody who wasn’t hugged enough as a kid. Just one man’s opinion.
Jan.22 at 2:19 pm
winston and the telescreen says:
He IS serious
lakers could take em both out
in other news
I just remembered that last night I had a dream in which Lang Whitaker appeared and attempted to hit on my wife
then me and Rubenstein kicked the crap out of him
does this mean I read too much Slamonline?
Jan.22 at 2:21 pm
benstah says:
mavs will win it all. dirk 4 mvp. suns are just a copy of the oldschool mavs (don nelson). nuff said…
Jan.22 at 2:24 pm
Michael says:
I know it;s crazy but Lakers can beat both in a series. Imo Shawn Marion is the second most important sun after Nash, and Lamar Odom completely destroys him every time they play. And Kobe has proven that he can litteraly beat Dallas by himslef.
Jan.22 at 2:38 pm
Vitor says:
Phoenix can’t stop Dirk. If they played a playoff series he would probably average 40 ppg. Add Howard and Terry to that and Phoenix just doesn’t have an answer defensively.
As to the Lakers, I agree with what’s been said above. Kobe can definitely beat the Suns in a seven game series. Just remember last year. If he didn’t quit in Game 7, he could have defeated them last year. Add odom and the Lakers are a terrible matchup for Phoenix. As for the Mavs? I just don’t see them losing this year to anyone except San Antonio. I don’t think it will happen, but Tim Duncan may have something in his hat if these teams meet in the playoffs.
Jan.22 at 2:40 pm
nacho says:
who says phoenix doesnt have a go-to guy?? they might have the best go to guy in the business, that man is the MVsteve. during last nights buzzsaw against the t-wolves they stated that nash is shooting nearly 70% from the floor during clutch situations in the game. need we forget the game tying 3 in jersey, game winner in golden state, and countless others. dallas scares me cuz josh howard has been such a huge thorn in the suns side, but with amare gettin better and better, nobody on dallas has an answer for him. so the suns have the edge. i mean who doesnt want to see a suns wizards final??? most exciting matchup in a while right???
Jan.22 at 2:43 pm
Duckets Ruckus says:
Enough with the laker hyperbole already. They’re not getting out of the 2nd round. I’d like to say that PHX would pull it out, but it’s hard to go against the Mavs. Sitting on the fence, well I guess I’ll just pick the Suns.
Jan.22 at 2:46 pm
Bigi says:
No Michael you are NOT crazy…Keep dissin’ on Mr.24 everybody,he loves that!This year might bring some suprises…
Jan.22 at 2:50 pm
Chief says:
yeah enough with the Laker bullshit. It’s cool to still want to see some showtime int eh playoffs but be real guys.
i think the only teams that can stop them are San Antonio and Denver(if it works).
I kinda think of Utah too, which should never happen but they kinda could but probably not.
Jan.22 at 2:55 pm
Maha10k says:
Phoenix.
No upsets. No injuries. Dallas/Phoenix is the matchup. Phoenix wins.
Jan.22 at 2:58 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
PHX.
Jan.22 at 2:58 pm
Chris says:
The suns are defintely the most fun to watch, but right now you have to give the edge to dallas until the suns prove they can beat them. Dallas is definately bigger and rebounding is huge come playoff time. and while I don’t think the lakers will beat either team in the playoff, let’s not act like that’s the craziest thing ever written. It’s possible (although I wouldn’t put any money on it)
Jan.22 at 2:58 pm
Gerwin says:
Phoenix! Will Nash get his third consecutive MVP?! I think so!
Jan.22 at 3:06 pm
mike says:
We all know the Nets are taking it all this year, so why dont we just stop arguing?
Jan.22 at 3:11 pm
Harlem World says:
I don’t believe anyone in the West outside of SA has the cahoonas to actually win a title, thereby making a mockery of the regular season and awarding the title to the Pistons and another Finals MVP to Billups.
Jan.22 at 3:12 pm
Harlem World says:
*daydreaming at work*
Jan.22 at 3:30 pm
sjeezy says:
2 days ago i wouldve said phoenix but then i saw playoff tapes and defense is really the biggest key to victory in the “playoffs”. So i’d take dallas. my favorite is phoenix and im bakin them up but dallas has better defense, so… u do the math.
Jan.22 at 3:31 pm
melissa Taylor says:
Dallas, Defending western champions enough said. I think they will finish what they started last year.
Jan.22 at 3:46 pm
Max Airington says:
Dallas, back to back NBA champions.
Jan.22 at 3:50 pm
Vitor says:
If the Mavs get to the Finals, all the calls will go their way. Unless they are playing against Lebron or Wade.
Jan.22 at 3:58 pm
Co Co says:
Any team that doesn’t try to run with Phoenix can beat them in a 7 game series. Phil gave the formula last year, but his team couldn’t pull it off. Dallas can be beat if they run into a team that will push them around and get them rattled. A couple of calls don’t go their way and their owner gets pissed, they can be had!
Jan.22 at 3:59 pm
Chief says:
yeah Defense is gonna win it, and San Antonio has that so I think they can overthrow either of the teams.
Jan.22 at 4:04 pm
G says:
Dallas 10-6 against top 10 teams. Suns improved over really weak on this earlier but still just 5-7 and gives the doubters reasons to doubt that their style gets them all the way to champion.Dallas appears to be the favorite as I read the situation.
Jan.22 at 4:19 pm
Brian says:
I think they’re both regular season teams. I don’t like either of them. I think the champ is coming from the East, MIA or DET.
Jan.22 at 4:27 pm
Danny says:
I’m in Dallas, and have been a Mavs fan for a while now, even before the Mark Cuban era. So needless to say I have seen many lows and subsequently the rise of what I feel is the best NBA team in the last few years. The team we have now is tough, athletic and smart. To answer the question posed, I have absolutely no doubt that the Mavs will win the title this year.
The question that I have however, is why can no one else outside of Dallas recognize that we are the best team in the nba and just give us that. We already beat the Suns twice already! Once in their own arena. On what basis can you tell me that Phoenix is a better team?
I will always be a Mavs fan, but if the situation were reversed, I would have no problem saying that the Suns are the best in the league. But we beat them twice already! Just because all you girlie men have a hard on for Steve Nash doesn’t mean that you can’t realize that he may not be on the best team in the league right now. Why can’t Dallas get any respect?
Jan.22 at 4:32 pm
richard speight says:
phoenix because they have a better team on stats and they seem to play better
Jan.22 at 4:33 pm
mdshuai says:
Strange how a “regular season” team can go into the defending world champs house in a game 7 of a playoff series and beat them - in overtime, as you recall. that sounds decidedly post-season-esque to me. I think Dallas has it. Phoenix is a great scoring team, but I still don’t see them winning a title with Raja Bell the only guy playing D.
Jan.22 at 4:35 pm
J-Bird says:
Damn,the Lakers,seriously? In my book the Rockets and Spurs are still quite a ways ahead of them. Dont forget the Suns were minus Kurt Thomas and Amare Stoudemire during the playoffs and the lakers STILL could’nt beat them. If you still think the the Lakers can take the Suns out you’re using some flawed logic.
Jan.22 at 4:38 pm
Marie says:
I pick Dallas…they’ve beaten the Suns twice this season already.
Jan.22 at 4:42 pm
Aaron says:
This perception that the Suns don’t play D is not true. Shawn does a good job on Dirk and Kurt Thomas is one of the best low post defenders in the league. Amare is also becoming a great weak-side defender. It’s a really even match up overall and one bounce or another could mean the series. I’ll say Phoenix but it could go either way.
Jan.22 at 4:43 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
Don’t sleep on PHX. Although i love Avery.
Jan.22 at 4:55 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
Dallas.
Jan.22 at 4:56 pm
SteveSmith8fan says:
Dallas. PHX is nice but Dallas has the better bench. When the bench is on point especially Stackhouse like yesterday against the Heat nobody can hang with the Mavs in a playoff type setting.
Jan.22 at 4:59 pm
Zig says:
Danny, don’t be such a homer :0) Got to go w/ Phx. Their defense (yes I said defense) is much improved this year although still under appreciated. And anyone who says the Suns don’t have a go-to scorer just doesn’t watch their games. Nash has added this to his already impressive arsenal. He has single handedly won games for the Suns this year in the 4th quarter w/ his clutch shooting and killer instinct. He has literally put the team on his back and willed them to victory one more than 1 occasion. My only problem is coach D’Antoni’s fear of using his bench. If Nash doesn’t burn out and Amare’s knees hold out, this is the Suns year to win it all.
Jan.22 at 5:00 pm
Brittani says:
Dallas
Jan.22 at 5:01 pm
true says:
1. YES
2. DALLAS
NUFF SAID.
Jan.22 at 5:04 pm
mutoni says:
knicks!
Jan.22 at 5:07 pm
Grenner says:
It’s too close to call. I’m gunna hedge my bets both ways and say Ph-allas. (Crude I know.. but if I did it the other way Isiah may get credit if I went for D-nix)
Jan.22 at 5:07 pm
Chief says:
whatever tonight when Denver is unveiled the whole power structure is gonna change in the west.
Jan.22 at 5:07 pm
Dallas J. says:
Mavs no doubt. We got gameplans. Plan A doesn’t work we got to plan B, Plan C and so on. Depth. I guess it’s trendy for Suns fans to talk about margin of victory lately. High-larious. Rude awakenings are in store come playoff time. And we got Langs mojo.. dont underestimate that.
Jan.22 at 5:09 pm
Aaron says:
The Suns bench has Barbosa, Kurt Thomas and a much improved James Jones. We are going to be 8 deep come playoff time.
Jan.22 at 5:19 pm
Vitor says:
Dallas J. made me change my opinon since Dallas has Lang’s mojo. It’s been working out perfectly recently for the Hawks, Falcons and Braves…
Jan.22 at 5:24 pm
Hugh says:
The Suns because of the play of Nash and Marion….
Jan.22 at 5:25 pm
jbn74sb says:
The reason Dallas doesn’t get the respect they deserver is because their best player turns into a p-ssy in big moments. Exhibit A: Games 3-6 of the 2006 NBA Finals. However, Howard and Terry have both shown the requisite cojones in the clutch, and Dallas does have better balance than does Phoenix. However, the Lakers will take out either one in a 7 game series, if healthy.
Jan.22 at 5:27 pm
shaba says:
PHOENIX, DUDE! Perimeter play and now post offense and defence with amare and thomas.
Jan.22 at 5:38 pm
Ethan says:
“The reason Dallas doesn’t get the respect they deserver is because their best player turns into a p-ssy in big moments” Wait…what? Game 7 IN San Antonio. 50 points against Suns in Game 5. Multiple game winners this season. He also made some clutch shots in game 4 of the finals, but Wade just had the answer. You are just flat out wrong on that point and there is no way that Howard can be considered a better clutch player, although Terry might be as clutch as Dirk.
Jan.22 at 5:39 pm
Lucas says:
Phoenix, because we have better weather. These Laker people are nuttier than squirrel shit. The Lakers couldn’t handle a Suns team whose post defense consisted of Tim Thomas. Now Kwame and Bynum are going to handle Amare and Kurt?
Jan.22 at 5:41 pm
Danny says:
Alright, I know one thing is for sure, the girls in Dallas are 10 times hotter than the hoes in Phoenix. We win that match hands down.
and zig, that was the whole point of my post, is that I am admittedly a homer(but definately not a homo). I would be able to admit it if Phoenix was better, but they are not! Trust me there have been plenty of seasons where the Mavs were not the best and I still cheered them on. But this year the Mavs are the best. No doubt.
Jan.22 at 5:44 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
Winston, I don’t know about your wife being there, but I have the same dream. Kidding?
I lean towards Dallas in this conversation, but that’s cause they look like the championship team archetype we’re used to: star player, second banana, other scorers, defined role players, strong-minded coach, good chemistry, etc. But this Suns team is so different from anything we’ve seen, who knows what they’re capable of?
Jan.22 at 5:46 pm
Hokwei says:
Both teams are playing lights out right now. In a playoff situation I think Dallas has the edge right now. They seem to place a higher premium on defense than PHX does, although Marion is playing his usual great D and Amare seems to have realized its importance also. Havibg said that, I do think the Lakers could come out of the West. Keep in mind, last year, Kobe and Walton were the only Lakers comfortable in the Triangle. With Odom (once he’s healthy)and Kwame (once he’s healthy) more comfortable in the offense the Lakers are a very dangerous team. Also keep in mind that Kobe’s newfound confidence of his teammates has boosted their confidence in themselves. Not a team to sleep on.
Jan.22 at 5:46 pm
Rudra says:
Denver
Jan.22 at 5:50 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Am I the only one who will not be at ALL surprised if Miami gets healthy and does the exact same sh*t they did last year?
Jan.22 at 5:51 pm
Aaron says:
Anyone that says the women in Dallas are hotter has never been to Phoenix. Sorry Danny…
Jan.22 at 5:59 pm
KMG says:
Dallas over Phoenix…I’m still of the mindset that Phoenix needs one more big man (Gasol wants out of Memphis…let that marinate) before they reach the pinnacle. I love the Suns floor game, but right now, Dallas looks to be this season’s NBA champion.
Jan.22 at 6:06 pm
J-Bird says:
Im with you on that Aaron
Jan.22 at 6:14 pm
XCentric3 says:
As much as I love to watch PHX play, and as much as the Spurs fan in me wants to see the Mavs go down in flames, it’s hard for me to go with the Suns on this one considering their record against the top level teams in the league(i.e. Spurs, Mavs, Pistons). Most of their losses against those teams were early in the season though, so I’ll have to see how they fare closer to playoff time before writing them off.
Jan.22 at 6:18 pm
h-wag says:
I think Dallas is better right now. They had a harder schedule than the Suns to this point and they beat the Suns twice.
Go take a look who the Suns won against and who was missing on the other team for those games, and then look who they lost against…
Jan.22 at 6:31 pm
Danny says:
h-wag has definately said it best, so far. And Aaron, I’ve been to Phoenix. I guess too much sun dries the girls faces out. They look like some krusty bitches.
Jan.22 at 6:32 pm
Patrick says:
phoenix is the sexy pic, but c’mon. dallas is the team to beat. My man Jason Terry is one of the most underrated PG’s in the league.
Jan.22 at 6:46 pm
Aaron says:
Who has Dallas lost to Danny? Houston, San Antonio, Washington, Detroit… Those all seem like upper tier teams as well.
Jan.22 at 6:49 pm
Danny says:
Yeah, but we came back and beat those teams the next time. and Aaron, I know one team that we didn’t lose to. I know one team that we beat twice. That would be Phoenix!
Jan.22 at 6:49 pm
sush carter says:
nash son
Jan.22 at 6:51 pm
Max says:
I hate to say this, but I am soooo sick of Kobe this and Kobe that. He is not a team leader and it shows in their record. Hollywood thinks that Kobe is the greatest, this just shows need to dump the 2007 show from the networks.
Jan.22 at 6:51 pm
Aaron says:
You’ve got me there for the time being Danny but we’ll see how things look come playoff time. There is nobody on that team that can stop Amare. Kid is going to drop 30+ a game on you come playoff time. For all this talk about how we can’t stop Dirk, people need to put that in perspective. Bet we end up splitting with you by the time the season is done.
Jan.22 at 6:54 pm
Omeboy says:
Phoenix.
Nash is playing mean this season. They’ll run you off the floor and then kick you in the nuts. This isn’t your warm and fuzzy Suns team. Plus nobody can touch the Matrix/Amare combo.
Jan.22 at 6:57 pm
Max says:
Dirk and Amare will decide the winner of this match up. Each of them can be hot or cold. Dirk is easily rattled, Amare sometimes forgets to go up for rebounds and second shots. Dirk cannot play rough Basketball, so RaJa can take him out, Diaw does not like rough ball either, so several Mavs like to get down and dirty. This should be for the nba finals, the east does not have a team that can compare with these two western teams. Either Phoenix or Dallas will be the NBA champion this year.
Jan.22 at 6:57 pm
cadillac d says:
what about the houston rockets they have beaten the dallas mavericks and san antonio in the begining of the year by more than 30 pts and if nobody in the rockets team would get hurt i think the rockets would take it all the way and win the championship and bring it back to h-town son’s.
Jan.22 at 6:57 pm
FL1P says:
I like Dallas better right now. They are spreading the wealth just like the suns, but Dallas has Dirk……
Jan.22 at 6:59 pm
Dallas J. says:
i love this.. dammit there’s so much at steak this year.
Jan.22 at 7:04 pm
Sparker says:
dallas is a team addicted to isolations on offense. for some reason i don’t understand, they’re also only vulnerable to teams that have a guy who can out-iso them. so yeah, the heat could do it for the same reason they did it last year: they have d wade. ditto (yeah, i said it), so could cleveland (just remember how scary lebron started to look as he took detroit to the wire). other possibles? definitely los angeles (mostly for kobe, but also because they seem to find another gear in the playoffs). maybe phoenix (because of amare, not nash) and denver (because of carmelo, not iverson). as a TEAM, dallas has no equal. but last year’s playoffs proved that a HUGE individual talent with a decent team can beat any team, no matter how good (and no, i don’t put dirk or josh howard in that very exclusive category; they’re just below it). i’m with ryan. i pick miami.
Jan.22 at 7:05 pm
MM says:
I agree with Ryan about …but out of Dallas and Pheonix, I take Pheonix. Shaun Marks is the intangible factor that takes them to the finals!!!
Jan.22 at 7:09 pm
Jake Appleman says:
Dallas.
Jan.22 at 7:10 pm
Max says:
Leave it to Bell and Nash, they can take care of Dirk. Why do so many make rash comments about Nash? Is it because he is just a “little white boy” from Canada? Think about it, who else can kick a basketball into the goal at half court? Only one in the MVP Class—-NASH
Jan.22 at 7:18 pm
Superbone says:
You are all forgetting about a very important piece: Amare Stoudemire. He will be the difference. Phoenix in 6. And for you doubters about the Suns having a go to guy? Nash leads the league in end of game shooting percentage. Look it up.
Jan.22 at 7:23 pm
Sho4040^ says:
Mavs. They have the experience from last year. If they make it to the finals, they won’t give it away again!
Jan.22 at 7:25 pm
niQ says:
somehow .. no one really likes the mavs.. duno why.. but they seem to be the team that ppl dont wana win.. ie: mav’s vs heats .. it seemed like everyone wanted the heats to win. (besides tohse in dallas).. but ye. phoenix seems to be a all fan-favourite no matter where you’re from.. just cause of the uptempo pace and high scoring totals.. duno. no matter how you ask the question or tell me how good dallas is.. i’ll choose phoenix anyday..lol
Jan.22 at 7:57 pm
Nodack says:
Suns/Dallas Lakers LOL. Ya Kobe will just score 60 every game and singlehandedly beat everybody in the playoffs. I’ve heard a million times. Zzzzzzzz Suns went to the Western Conference finals and lost in 6 to Dallas last year. No Kurt Thomas, no Amare and Bell was out for most of the Dallas series. I look forward to a healthy Suns team going into the playoffs this year. Dallas is real good and Phoenix is real good. It should be fun.
Jan.22 at 7:57 pm
Harlem World says:
The more I think about, the more I’m really starting to believe the Champ is in the East (unless SA come out of the West). If Shaq comes back healthy, he only has to play half a season. Everyone else can do what they did last year, plus Wright is much better than he was then. They are definitely on chill till post season, so I agree with Farmer Jones on that one. However, the Pistons possibilities also intrigue me. Either Heat or Pistons are going to win it all because neither Suns or Mavs have enough clutch to handle Finals pressure and deliver the killer blow in playoffs type ball. Dirk and Nash are both great players, but everyone knows they don’t have the same level swagger as a DWade, or even Billups (don’t sleep).
Jan.22 at 7:59 pm
Harlem World says:
Furthermore, look at how the Pistons match up with Dallas (if healthy and playing WITH chemistry). Tay on Howard, Billups on Terry and they can throw 3 guys who will make Dirk work on the defensive end ALL NIGHT in Sheed, Webber and Dice. Dirk will get his, but if healthy and rolling, I like Wallace on Dirk with Dice, Tay and even Webber (for about 7 seconds per game) mixing up looks on him. The only thing holding the Pistons back would be Flip, because he’s the weak link in the Avery, D’Antoni, Flip triangle.
Jan.22 at 8:02 pm
Harlem World says:
And finally, avery is tough, but he’s not playing anymore…and that, my friends, will be one major problem when a 7 game series gets tight.
Jan.22 at 8:14 pm
cadillac d says:
what about the rockets
Jan.22 at 8:14 pm
One Angry Knick Fan says:
“Dirk and Nash are both great players, but everyone knows they don’t have the same level swagger as a DWade, or even Billups (don’t sleep).” That is when I stopped reading your drivel.
Jan.22 at 8:15 pm
cadillac d says:
rockets have beaten all the good teams.
Jan.22 at 8:18 pm
thesubwayconnection says:
I believe that Dallas will win it. But I do think it’ll be a 7 game series decided by less than 3 buckets. Nash has become a go-to scorer, but Dirk has become a much better passer this year. That may not show in his assist numbers, but he’s found the open man when he had to. I don’t think the teams are flawless, but I don’t think SA has enough to beat them. That said, Miami can come out of their funk all they want. Dallas learned from last year, I don’t think Miami did. And I think Detroit will end up beating Miami this year anyways. Not enough chemistry down south.
Jan.22 at 8:18 pm
thesubwayconnection says:
Oh, and Mutoni, I’m with you on the Knicks, DLee is clutch! But they won’t make the playoffs.
Jan.22 at 8:42 pm
James says:
Dallas. Phoenix has no Dirk, no one who could go for 50 for 4 straight playoff games. And when their jumpers go cold they’re pathetic. Something about the team is just weak, like the Mavs 3 seasons ago. No defense. They gave up 122 to Memphis in 48 minutes of basketball, come on!! And Kobe could average 60 a game on them if the Zen Master gave his blessing. And who said Phoenix doesn’t have hot women? Have you lost your mind?? Roll on over to Tempe and ASU, most beautiful women on the planet.
Jan.22 at 8:54 pm
me says:
dallas
Jan.22 at 8:59 pm
Harlem World says:
“One Angry Knick Fan”…that is when I realised I didn’t need to respond with a return insult.
Jan.22 at 9:00 pm
J-Bird says:
Yea Phoenix does have that guy James, his name is Amare. Just wait, by the time the playoffs roll around Amare will be 100% and the Mavs wont be able to do a damn thing about it.
Jan.22 at 9:13 pm
hardcourtkid says:
Phoenix and dallas will be the best series ever with suns dominating game seven. The Lakers will disappear into obscurity and the clippers will make a run for the playoffs.
Jan.22 at 9:26 pm
Daniel says:
Dallas 34-8
Phoenix 32-8 Dallas vs winning teams 14-6
Phoenix vs winning teams 8-7 Dallas vs Phoenix 2-0
Phoenix vs Dallas 0-2 Dallas - 20 games against winning teams, 22 against losing teams Phoenix — 15 games against winning teams, 25 against losing teams Dallas — 17 more games against the East
Phoenix — 13 more gamaes against the East So Dallas has been better overall, better against top competition, better head to head, and against a tougher schedule to boot. The two teams are neck and neck, but up to this point, Dallas is clearly one tiny notch better. After the trading deadline and with injuries and other intangibles, predicting the winner of their meeting in the playoffs is uninformed conjecture at this point.
Jan.22 at 10:09 pm
David says:
Dallas. But Phoenix would be more fun to watch. And Lang, were you separated at birth with Lateef from Quannum?
Jan.22 at 10:18 pm
Chief says:
hey guys let’s talk about this in next month when Denver shows how dominate they can and will be.
Nuggets
Jan.22 at 10:30 pm
Drolfe says:
I’d take Dallas. Dirk seems to have the fire in him the last couple of years, I dont see him being denied again this year.
I cant wait for this to go down though. It’s gonna be crazy. Gotta be 7 games, double overtimes, Amare posterizing the sh*t out of Dampier every game.. oh boy.
Jan.22 at 10:42 pm
Aussie Hamish says:
Amare will win
Jan.22 at 10:58 pm
hc2720 says:
both of these teams suk i pik none of these its al about the lakers 1. the suns choke wen thr n da playoffs n 2.dallas aint goen nower
Jan.22 at 11:04 pm
WorldBeFree ver. 2.0 says:
PHOENIX HAS THE EDGE>>>and the EDGE IS NAMED JALEN ROSE! heh. (seriously though, this will be a tight one to call…and the health/injury factor will determine the real edge come play-off time)
Jan.22 at 11:11 pm
s-l-rec says:
phoenix. theyre only warming up. dallas are palying theyre best now.
Jan.22 at 11:15 pm
RV says:
phoenix b/c of the 3 all star players and nash about to get trey mvps and for that guy who said the edge is jalen rose hes dumb as hell jalen rose is horrible
Jan.22 at 11:16 pm
Wedgie Evans says:
Dallas has more depth and better defense. I’m going with Dallas.
Jan.22 at 11:18 pm
cadillac d says:
HEY!Yo sons!Dont forget about H town,if Yao gets back on da rockets they will be a real competitor this year for the playoffs…plus they have beaten most of the good teams before…so Htwon still holdin strong and dont hate sons!fa real.
Jan.22 at 11:54 pm
Rob says:
Phoenix will win but its going to be a 7 game series wgere at the end both teams will fall down in exhaustion also look out San Antonio can still play the lakers got Kobe that all you need denvers got A.I AND Melo thats scary in a series and Houston my darkhorse McGrady and Yao if Yao can find really comfortable overly huge good padding and protectiveness (is that a word) in a shoe and Mcgrady somehows out of nowhere becomes Mac who was either ill dunk on you or ill wet a three in your face (01-04 ish) they got a good chance
Jan.23 at 12:58 am
Chief says:
Melo and A.I. just scored 51 against the grizzlies who aren’t eh best team at all. But they can still both be poison so now what’s up?
Jan.23 at 1:38 am
Joe says:
Gotta luv cadillac d! Like the lil bro everyone ignores…………..
Jan.23 at 5:46 am
uamini says:
Whoever gets the #1 seed has a big advantage because team #2 has to play the Spurs in Round 2..
So I’ll pick Dallas cause I think they’ll have the better record plus Phoenix is just more injury-prone.
And did I really just read two people claiming Raja Bell would stop Nowitzki?
Jan.23 at 5:58 am
Kevin says:
i’m with chief.
Jan.23 at 7:20 am
Alex says:
mavs
Jan.23 at 7:32 am
scott says:
Phoenix. This is the year Steve Nash deserves to win the MVP. Last year when Dallas knocked off Phoenix there was no Amare Stoudemire. Stoudemire is back and getting near 100% and Dallas does not have an answer for Stoudemire.
Jan.23 at 8:01 am
To says:
I gotta say Phoenix. Theyre just fitter than any other team and its a long season. while all the others (mavs included) will be trying to slow it down come playoff times, the suns will still be running it and noone can beat them in a running game.
Jan.23 at 8:05 am
Vitor says:
For all the guys mentioning Denver, their new lineup was unveiled last night. Melo had 28 and AI had 23. Keep an eye on these guys, when all is said and done they may both average close to 30. Also, with all the shots they’ll take, Camby will probably lead the league in rebounds.
Jan.23 at 8:10 am
buppie says:
Phoenix. Plain and (well, not so)simple. Dallas is formidable, Spurs too. But now Phoenix has AMARE! Done deal.
Jan.23 at 9:08 am
Matt says:
the suns will not get past the mavs in the NBA playoffs. the mavs will go to the finals and then lose to the pistons who have one of the best benches, one of the best starting lineups, so many scoring options, energy, and they are one of the deepest teams ever
Jan.23 at 9:36 am
Boyd says:
Phoenix ranked 1 offensively, Dallas 3. Dallas 6 defensively, Phoenix 7, so lets scrap the ‘huge’ difference on D or stats etc. Phoenix, overall though, ‘cos dallas have hit 5th gear, and have the depth to play at that all year long. Suns, however, haven’t quite got out of 4th yet, and, like all supercars, they have a 6th gear. Trust me Dallas are a great team, but the Suns are about to head into the stratosphere: another level.
Jan.23 at 9:58 am
Chief says:
Nuggets looking good man.
And it’s to easy to invest in these teams right now, we need to wait till the trade deadline to discuss a topic as controversial as this.
Jan.23 at 10:25 am
karan says:
i think, in any one game, i’d pick dallas over phoenix… but over a 7 game series, i think phx will simply outrun and outplay the mavericks… dallas is deep, but phx is deeper.
if the suns arent champions this year, the NBA will become like good tasting food that is never good for your health… and we don’t want that, do we?
Jan.23 at 10:48 am
Kene says:
…lol..phoenix is deeper??..how exactly?…they only go 6 deep. Those are going to be 6 players way more tired than the mavs will be come playoff time. The mavs go at least 10 deep. And to the person who said the Mavs are in 5th gear, you obviously haven’t seen a lot of Mavs games this year. As scary as it might be to the rest of the league, the mavs really aren’t exerting themselves yet. They just hang around for 3 quarters letting the other team feel like they have a chance, and then close the deal in the 4th. Seriously. Its like they are on a mission this year. Double digit deficits don’t faze them and neither do bad calls. The Suns are a great team, but the Mavs are a more complete team, and we have their number this year. Holla back after the Suns actually win a game against the Mavs this year.
Jan.23 at 10:58 am
Aaron says:
Actually, as stated by a few people including myself, the Suns go about 8 deep. The way you talk about the Mavs toying with people is the same way the Suns play. Dallas fans seem to be on a very high horse right now and it will hurt when they fall all the way down.
Jan.23 at 11:01 am
Kene says:
…high horse, huh?…hey, as long as our horse is higher than yours, I’m good. ps:…even if the Suns do go 8 deep (which is a streeeetch), the last time i checked, 8 was less than 10 right?..so Dallas is STILL deeper. I’m just saying.
Jan.23 at 1:19 pm
Danny says:
That’s another point that I’m trying to make too. Because Dallas is doing the best right now, Mavs fans try to voice their opinion and when we do WE “are on our high horses” How is that fair? You sitting sitting on a pretty high horse too, but your horse is pretty weak at the knees because there is nothing to suggest statistically that the suns are better than the mavs right now.
Jan.23 at 1:20 pm
Aaron says:
Sorry, I forgot about studs like Croshere, Buckner and George. We have the best bench player if the series began today and this idea of your depth is greatly exaggerated.
Jan.23 at 1:23 pm
Aaron says:
Refer to my initial statement on a series with Dallas. I give you guys props and suggest that the series is a toss up. From what I’ve read, a vast majority of you scoff at the Suns and act as if your far superior. Hollinger and various other beat writers have suggested the Suns are the better team. It’s hard to say until we actually play come playoff time.
Jan.23 at 1:32 pm
Danny says:
OK I say this then because, I think the Suns are a great team. Mavs are maybe not FAR superior to the Suns, just SUPERIOR.
Jan.23 at 1:37 pm
Danny says:
And you can make fun of Croshere all you want because it would probably be true. Buckner I feel a little bit better about, but Devean George over the last month has been making a legit run for canadicy for 6th man of the year. I have always liked D. George, but that guy is coming alive right now.
Jan.23 at 1:51 pm
Los Man says:
The Suns, baby!
Jan.23 at 2:01 pm
jbn74sb says:
Dirk is the best player in the WNBA. And he has the biggest p-ssy too.
Jan.23 at 2:05 pm
Aaron says:
Goerge isn’t beating out Barbosa or Gordon. Also, Stach is by far and away the best player on your bench and would be the only player, when healthy, that should be in 6th man conversation. Also, your depth is even less when playing the Suns due to the lack of impact that both Dampier and Diop have against an uptempo offense.
Jan.23 at 2:13 pm
itai says:
any one remeber BORIS DIAW! or leandro barbosa?????? nash comes at u…then they put the barbosa…nobody can handle!
Jan.23 at 2:16 pm
Aaron says:
Boris starts. The bench is really Kurt, Leandro and James Jones.
Jan.23 at 2:46 pm
Kene says:
…i still say this isn’t even a conversation till the Suns actually win a game against the Mavs this year. Till then, all of this, is just a load of rhetoric.
Jan.23 at 2:49 pm
jbn74sb says:
Unfortunately, neither the Suns nor the Mavs match up well in terms of playoff basketball with any of the likely east champs (i.e. Miami and Detroit). San Antonio is better constructed for playoff basketball, but they are going to have a hell of a time getting out of the West.
Jan.23 at 2:49 pm
Gord says:
I just looked at the Suns’ schedule…and they’ve only played 9 games against playoff-bound teams in the West. In those games they have a record of 3-6 and they have not beaten the Mavs, Jazz, or Lakers yet. I love the Suns and hope they win a championship this year. But until they prove themselves against teams they’re going to meet in the playoffs, I’m not sure I have any confidence that they can even make the Western Conference final…
Jan.23 at 2:54 pm
Boyd says:
Sorry, can’t hold it in anymore: Phoenix are better than Dallas. Dallas are deeper, yes, but the Suns are a DAMN sight more talented. Nash and Nowitzki are probably comparable, but after that, EVERY SINGLE player through the next six is much better on the Suns squad. Amare Stoudemire and Kurt Thomas Vs Dampier and Diop, please. Boris Diaw and Shawn Marion Vs Austin Croshere and Josh Howard, a little closer, but til Crosher/George put up 5 triple doubles or Howard averages 11 boards a game and gets 3 all-star nods, again, advantage phoenix. Jason terry, Jerry Stackhouse, Devin Harris, Vs Barbosa, Bell, James Jones you could just give to Dallas. However, if you chuck Nash in there with the guards and matchup STAT with Nowitzki (and Dirk better wear a cycle helmet if that’s the case, cos he has NO hops to stop the Hammer Jams - and don’t thing Dampier will be any help) the advantage swings mightily back toward phoenix. Whoever brought up Devean George, Dampier or Diop as a sign of depth is nuts. The Suns have a team for the ages (read Bill Simmons, formerly the Suns biggest critc, on ESPN P2) the Mavs are just your normal excellent NBA team.
Jan.23 at 3:35 pm
Lance says:
Pheonix im siding with Pheonix but like said above Spurs, Lakers, and Rockets could pull an upset. I hate Dallas
Jan.23 at 5:59 pm
Troy says:
Head to Head: Dallas 2-0 Suns
Against the top 6 teams in the west
Dallas 8-4
Phoenix 2-6 Phoenix owes the West 6 games compared to Dallas. They are certainly fattening up on the lower team but have yet to show anything against the real competition. They need to beat Dallas before this conversation is worth having.
Jan.23 at 6:26 pm
dmack says:
PHOOOOOOOOEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNIIIIIIIIXXXX
Jan.23 at 7:57 pm
Daniel says:
Boyd, why are you even talking about Croshere? He doesn’t even play. That’s like me saying Dallas will beat Phoenix because Josh Howard is a better player than Pat Burke. Do you even know what our playoff rotation will be? It’s Dirk, Howard, Terry, Harris, Damp, Diop, George, Buckner and AJ. Do you know what Phoenix’s playoff rotation will be? Nash, Diaw, Amare, Marion, Bell and Barbosa. Two stiffs round out the last two spots. Phoenix was gassed last year in the conference finals, and that’s from playing 100 games with no bench. Kurt Thomas is not going to play heavy minutes in the playoffs. One good thing about Amare coming back is that it allows Dampier to stay on the floor. Of course he can’t guard Amare, but that’s his defensive assignment, and he can still help Dallas by rebounding. The Lakers showed everybody how to beat Phoenix last year, they just couldn’t pull it off themselves. Last year the Suns gave us fits and basically made Dampier a DNP since he couldn’t follow Tim Thomas out to the 3-point line. Dallas is even on talent and their will is stronger than Phoenix. Mavs in Seven.
Jan.23 at 10:47 pm
Jeff Van Gundy says:
how is houston going to pick off either of them?
Jan.23 at 11:07 pm
ALEX says:
The Suns’, Amare is the difference. Don’t doubt dude’s motivation he has the world on his shoulders from the town to his home and he’s ALWAYS stepped up and proved doubters wrong, from day one in the league. STAND TALL AND TALENTED
Jan.24 at 4:20 am
AB_40 says:
dallas looks legit. I’ve watched em play a couple of times and they’re playing the best ball in the leauge right now. I don’t think neither of ‘em is gonna take the chip this year. Actualy I have no Idea. And y’all stopped sleaping on SA but now you sleep on Utah, jerry sloan has been running the same plays for 15 years and they still work. Houston healthy= scary same for the lakers. Detroit is deeper then ever miami will start destroying teams when shaq get’s back and 5 games before the playoffs pat riley. It ain’t over till it’s over
Jan.24 at 8:41 am
Tony Parker says:
hey winston, how do u dream of people whose face u ain’t even seen?! u weird…
Jan.24 at 9:51 am
Spiderman says:
diont sleep on the heat! theyre getting shaq back and if you hadnt noticed they still havent had their championship starters all toghether in a single game this year! even when shaq comes back they still wont have pat riley! They will be beasts in the playoffs….again
Jan.24 at 9:52 am
Phil B. says:
I like Phoenix but if they run out of gas in the playoffs it will be because D’Antoni plays his top six too many minutes in the regular season. Some of these Phoenix blowouts show only six or seven guys getting real minutes; he doesn’t pull the top six until one or two minutes left. This goes to the suspicion that they are indeed playing like a great regular season team and not one gearing up for the playoffs. In the playoff losses these past two years the Suns lost many key games in the late third and fourth quarters after blowing leads, and it had to be due in large part to simply not having enough guys. This said, I hope they win it all because they are so much fun to watch. If Amare keeps getting back to where he was (i.e killing Tim Duncan) they will do it.
Jan.24 at 1:45 pm
Duckets Ruckus says:
A couple of you cats need to head on over to the community college & sign up for Comp 1. Learn how to write a sentence & then we can take you seriously.
Jan.25 at 7:29 am
David says:
That’s true. I wonder if the staff ever get worried, knowing that their professional journalism seems to excite people that write like they have a-d-d. I guess its just an interesting exercise to see who else resides in your demographic…
Jan.25 at 7:36 pm
Kan says:
A few of you have flaws in your thought processes so let me help you out: 1.)There’s a lot of ifs and buts going on here. “If the Suns big 3 stay can stay healthy”, “If the Heat can gel and get in stride by playoff time”, “If Melo and AI can get it clicking on all cylinders”, “If the revamped Pistons are cohesive come the playoffs”…if, if, if, if, IF!!! Let’s deal with the here and RIGHT NOW! Dallas is 35-8 as of right now (35-4 since their 0-4 start). During that stretch they have beaten Phoenix TWICE, San Antonio TWICE, LA TWICE, and Denver TWICE, Miami, Washington,Houston, and Utah. The only team that we have not beaten who is in that top echelon is Detroit and we have the second meeting with them March 18th. 2.) Get it right considering the fact that they could have collapsed in on themselves after last year’s finals and they haven’t says a hell of a lot more to me than a team scoring 120 every night because they can’t stop anyone from scoring. 3.) Dallas choked on one of the biggest stages in sports. (Although if you wish to be completely truthful the officials had a HUGE hand in some of that)The desire and the sheer determination they have right now to win and get back there so they can try to rectify that is so intense those of us who see them on a regular basis are astounded by the complete change from 5 years ago, heck even from this past season. Call them soft if you wish, but one thing about it, they’ve learned to fight back. Why do you all think last year’s experience will help Miami but not Dallas. That Phoenix’s early exits from playoffs will help them advance, but not Dallas. Don’t do it boo! Character and strength are things you have to build up, and last year’s finals helped the Mavs build both. 3.) No Dallas does not win the majority of their games by a total of 15, 10, 12 points every night. Yeah they still have the tendency to let teams back in the game after they have them down. But the difference that maybe only Maverick fans can see is that they’ve LEARNED how to close out halves, quarters, games. I think they’ll be better served in the long run knowing how to win close games, because I guarantee you even though Phoenix is running and gunning and burning up the scoreboards during the regular season they can’t do that in a 7 game series with a team that is as good as they are. Can they win the close ones? Think on it? 4.) Phoenix’s bench is good. No doubt. Across the board they are awesome players. Dallas doesn’t have a shabby roster either. I mean not only do all of the guys now have playoff/finals experience, they also have an actual Champion on their roster who can still play (Devean George) a player who when he hits a streak he can cause problems (Austin Croshere…laugh if you will, but hey streaky shooters are like that)and my favorite a former superstar who can still kick ass and take names when needed (Jerry Stackhouse). Pick your poison. When your starting 5 is out and you bring your subs in and they can still hold down the fort, there’s no contest. 5.) Dirk nutted up big time in the finals last year. The difference in that series (other than the officials making some of the WORST calls in the history of the game)was that Miami’s superstar showed up and showed out and ours disappeared. No one will know until June how he will perform, but thus far Dirk has answered the bell each time our team has needed him. Whether it was against a top opponent or one of the bottom-feeders. Once again, it’s a different atmosphere in June, but I believe this time around he won’t vanish. 6.) Dallas vs SA Western Conference Finals….as it should be. You have to go through Texas to be the best in the west! GO MAVS!!!!!
Jan.28 at 10:24 am
Carlo says:
Agreed. There’s to many ifs for the other teams. Dallas is the best in the NBA and they will win this year.
Mar.14 at 2:36 pm
» The Dallas-Phoenix Apocalypse - SLAM ONLINE says:
[…] This is the game of the century, until April 1st when they play again. It’s very rare that two teams this hot and virtually unbeatable play each other. This has been a long time coming. Here’s what I wrote back on January 22nd. […]
Apr.2 at 12:00 am
Joe says:
Phoenix definately has the edge! Anybody that has watched them since the Dantoni era can see they have that intangible desire. The mavs had their shot last year, they missed out. Houston is VERY overrated. Yao is good T-mac is good but championship? You gotta be kidding me! Utah will play well, but won’t be good enough. The clippers will play the mavs tough, should be fun to watch but they don’t have it. Kobe will win a couple games for the lakers. And it sure will be fun to try and watch the nuggets keep pace with the suns!!! They might win a game…. Phoenix will beat San Antonio in 6 and Dallas in 7 and whoever out of the east. Detroit will be a formidable foe, but Shaq just can’t keep pace with the suns so minus shaq the inside advantage goes to Phoenix!!! Oh and the suns just won 2 straight over the mavs. Good season Dallas but all three Texas teams will be out before the Finals
Apr.7 at 12:59 am
White Chocolate says:
MAVS MAVS MAVS MAVS MAVS MAVS MAVS MAVS. DIRK 4 MVP!!!
Apr.12 at 10:34 am
Sesa says:
Dallas is essentially Phoenix with half-court offense and defense. It’s true that Amare is a good shot blocker but he’s not a good on-ball defender.
Apr.12 at 11:55 pm
Mike says:
After the suns played the mavs last time, i’m saying phx, but if san antone gives us trouble, it MIGHT give us fits. Nash wants this chip more than anyone else, and even though he’s had a slump, hes looking to bounce back during the playoffs… and HARD.
Another thing, we nearly made finals last year, but WITHOUT Stat. Now he’s back, and a breakout sixth man is gonna burn any man in his path to get to the basket. \LB10 can even rest and pop up for the 3 in transition. SAS vs. PHX is gonna be a battle, but i think ultimately the suns will come out on top.
May.10 at 10:08 am
shelbie_PHX_SN13 says:
Im going with Phoenix, they are workin harder than any other team out there,they want it more than Dallas…Go Phoenix…TAKE IT HOME