If the Western Conference finals ends up Houston vs. Denver.  Even with Amare out, I 100% firmly believe the Suns can beat either of those teams in 7 game series. We took the nuggets in the regular season, and Lord knows we can take the Rockets with Yao out.  This is killing me.

Let's say we take the Mav's place - we glide by a depleted, decrepit San Antonio Team, Shaq abuses K-Mart down low, Nash matches Billups shot for shot, we take the Nuggets just like we did in the regular season, then put Shaq up against Carl FREAKING Landry? Say what you will about Shaq, but he's not disappearing Like Pau or Bynum.  He take Landry to task, and we all know it. 

I do think this bodes well for our future. If San Antonio is really this old, and LA is reallly struggling this much . . . I'm fine bringing back our same exact team. But I can't help thinking we could have done something this year.

If you'll excuse me, I'm off to find some kerosene . . .

[Note by Phoenix Stan, 05/15/09 1:37 PM MST ]

I have been thinking along these same lines regarding the Lakers and how less then great they are looking and what that means for the Suns.

I would also point out that the Lakers will be losing Odom and Ariza to free agency. Both are unrestricted and with Bynum's big extension kicking in next season they are already at about $76m without Tervor and Lamar. I suppose it is possible they will find a way to keep one or both but it is also quite likely that next year's Lakers will be with out those key pieces.

Are the Suns a contender if they come back in tact? Probably not, but they are by no means a lottery team again either.