The Phoenix Suns Are An Offensive Scoring Machine

The Denver Nuggets scored 59 points by halftime. In normal circumstances, most teams would love to have 59 points by halftime. However, when you look across the scoreboard and see that you're playing the Phoenix Suns, who had 78 points by halftime, suddenly 59 isn't as impressive.

Shawn Marion scored a season-high 27 points, had six blocked shots, and hit five of Phoenix's 20 3-pointers to lead the Suns to a 137-115 romp over the Denver Nuggets in a matchup of division leaders Monday night.

Marion made 11-of-15 shots and grabbed 14 rebounds before leaving with 4:23 to play. The five 3-pointers, all of which came in the first half, matched a career-high. He equaled his career high with the six blocks. It was the fifth time Marion has had five 3s or six blocks.

Marcus Banks, who has played his way back into the Suns' rotation, made a career-high seven 3s -- in eight attempts -- en route to a season-best 23 points. The 20 3-pointers matched a franchise record and were one shy of the NBA record set by Toronto on March 13, 2005.

Grant Hill added 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting. Amare Stoudemire had 20 points and 10 rebounds as six Suns reached double figures.

As you can see, the numbers and stats for the Suns are staggering. I could keep going on and on (and I haven't even mentioned Steve Nash yet). The Phoenix Suns are a powerhouse offensive team. They are like the New England Patriots or Indianapolis Colts of football. They can score at will.

Its all very impressive, but there's a problems with this team. Every year I'm almost convinced that this is the year where they finally make it to and win the NBA Championship. However, they really need to work on their defense. That's the problem. If this team is as good as the numbers show, then why haven't they won the NBA Championship yet? If they had a better defense, this team would be unstoppable.

Great Game... I Told You So

Not to pat myself on the back or anything, but I did say earlier today that everyone should watch the Lakers visit the Denver Nuggets. If you took my advice and watched it you were treated to one heck of a ball game.

Allen Iverson put on a display of basketball brilliance. He had 51 points and single handily kept his team in the game. Kobe showed once again, why he is the best player in the game. Watching the game I knew Kobe was going to get the ball with under a minute left, and every time the Lakers came down court he got the ball and he scored. The best players always have that quality. In the middle of the game I knew Iverson was going to shoot, but nobody could stop him. It was the same way with Kobe with a minute to go in the game.

At the end of the game it looked like Iverson just ran out of gas. I would argue there is no finer conditioned athelete in the world than Iverson, but even he gets tired at some point. He carried his team through the first 3 and a half quarters. On the other hand there was Kobe who was able to carry his team in the closing minutes and lead his team to victory.

I said earlier today that the spread had the Nuggets as 9 point favorites. I told you to play this game and pick the Lakers. If you listened you were correct. The Lakers came out victorious tonight. It was a great game that was tightly contested throughout. In the 4th I looked up and they were either tied or only separated by a couple of points. What a basketball game and what individual performances by Iverson and Kobe. It is great to see basketball played at this level.

Tonight: Lakers vs Nuggets on ESPN

I hope everyone gets a chance to see this game tonight between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets. How often is it that we get to see 3 of the greatest athletes compete on the same floor? We only get to see it 3-4 times a year now that Allen Iverson is on the Nuggets.

Allen Iverson is and has been one of the 5 best players in the league for a long time now. Here is a guy who barely stands 6 feet tall and carried his team, on his back, to the NBA Finals one year. Only to lose to to a guy who has been the best player in the league, unquestionably, for 4 years now; Kobe Bryant.

It's great when these two face off but now we get to up and coming superstar Carmelo Anthony. I shouldn't say 'Melo is up and coming, because he has arrived. He is already one of the top players in the NBA. He has a great jump shot and an incredibly fast first-step. If he can get his defense to the level that Iverson and Kobe play, he will be right up there with the elite in the league.

The last thing I want to point out about this game is the play of young center Andrew Bynum. Do not sleep on this young man. He is playing at a very high level, and still isn't old enough to drink alcohol. Here is a guy who plays the center the position the way it should be played. Back towards the basket, backing people down, blocking shots on defense, and catching alley-oop passes from his point guard.

So I encourage everyone tonight to sit in front of a TV, turn on ESPN, and enjoy a very exciting basketball game that invovles 2 first ballot Hall-of-Famers, 1 guy who is well on his way to being a Hall of Famer, and 1 guy who plays the center the position it should be played.

The line for this game is the Nuggets favored by 9 at home. Take the Lakers with this. The Nuggets may come out on top, but I don't see Kobe getting beat by 9 on national TV.

Around the NBA 11.2.2007

• The Toronto Raptors blow away the New Jersey Nets. The Raptors came out on fire and the Nets didn't have an answer. Richard Jefferson was the only player for the Nets scoring.

• The King has returned. After an awful game in the season opener against the Dallas Mavericks, King James scored 45 points against the Knicks to lead his team to a victory.

• What a marvelous opener for the Boston Celtics. Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce looked as if they have played together forever. KG had 22 points and 20 rebounds, to solidify himself as a force in the East (not like he needed to solidify anything).

• Boston may have the best 1-2-3 combo in the league, but no 1-2 punch can compete with Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony. They combined for 57 of their teams 99 points in an 8 point victory over the T'Wolves. Watch for them to compete for the top seed all year.
  

Complete Western Conference Preview

Now onto the conference that is far superior in every aspect of the game. They have more stars, more talent, simply put, better teams. Here is how I see the season ending up:

Northwest:

1. Denver Nuggets (2): This is my team to beat in the Western Conference. They have two of the best players in the league and plenty of low post talent to stick with the best in the west. Look for them to be around come championship time.

2. Utah Jazz (6): Last year they showed how good they can be. It is now up to the players to continue to improve this season. If they do, they should be right there in the thick of the playoff race.

3. Portland TrailBlazers: Beat this team now while you still can. In 2-3 years they will be the best team in the league. Unfortunately they play the games now, they are not there yet.

4. Seattle Sonics: They are a team that has a lot of talent. But not enough to get them anywhere near the playoffs this year.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves: They traded away the franchise after not surrounding him with talent. To bad, this team could have done big things.

Pacific:

1. Phoenix Suns (4): Every year they are the most overrated team in the NBA. They don't play any defense. Steve Nash is a good PG but he can't play defense. They'll have a great regular season and fail miserably in the playoffs as always.

2. Golden State Warriors (7): Last year this team found out they can compete with anybody in the league. However, they are going to be the Cinderella team again. There are too many good teams for them to be in the top of the west.

3. Los Angeles Lakers (8): If they trade Kobe, forget the playoffs. If they keep Kobe they'll make the playoffs but lose in the first round.

4. Los Angeles Clippers: When Elton Brand went down, so did their season.

5. Sacramento Kings: Remember when this was a team to be reckon with? Yeah, not anymore.

Southwest

1. San Antonio Spurs (1): The most well rounded team in the league. I think they will finish with a slightly better record than the Mavs and be the top team in the West. Look for them to be in contention for a repeat.

2. Dallas Mavericks (3): They have something to prove going into this season. They want to show the world that last year was a flux. They are going to succeed, because I don't see them losing many games.

3. Houston Rockets (5): This team has the potential be the best in the league. However, until they prove they can get it together I am not going to put them at the top.

4. New Orleans Hornets: They are going to be good.....in time.

5. Memphis Grizzlies: They are going to be bad.... now and in the future.