Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Which Suns teams could have won it all

By Steve Miner

Leandro Barbosa, Steve Nash, Amar'e Stoudemire, Shawn Marion Phoenix Suns (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images)
Leandro Barbosa, Steve Nash, Amar'e Stoudemire, Shawn Marion Phoenix Suns (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images) /
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The 2010’s

OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 19: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 19, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 19: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 19, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

2010-11 Miami Heat

Record: 58-24

Playoff Finish: NBA Finals (Lost to Mavericks, 2-4)

2012-13 Oklahoma City Thunder

Record: 60-22

Playoff Finish: Western Conference Semifinals (Lost to Grizzlies, 2-4)

2015-16 San Antonio Spurs

Record: 67-15

Playoff Finish: Western Conference Semifinals (Lost to Thunder, 2-4)

2015-16 Golden State Warriors

Record: 73-9

Playoff Finish: NBA Finals (Lost to Cavaliers, 3-4)

I skipped over the Cavs on the last slide, but they were a very good team. Their biggest problem was that LeBron still didn’t have enough support to win in the playoffs. Well, the Miami Heat solved that problem in 2010 by combining LeBron with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh creating an inane big three. They were heavy favorites heading into the NBA Finals that season against the a Mavs team that wasn’t even supposed to be there.

Late in Game 2, the series looked over. The Heat were up 1-0 and had a big lead with only a few minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. However, after Wade celebrated a little too long after hitting a three to go up 15 points, Dirk and the Mavs took it personally. They followed up that slight with a 22-5 run, to win the game. Dirk himself scored the remaining nine points, including the game winner. After that, the Mavs simply showed more determination and refused to lose.

Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns /

Phoenix Suns

Some might expect to see the 2012-13 Thunder on here instead of the 2011-12 Thunder that went to the Finals and had James Harden. However, this team came back from its Finals loss with a vengeance. Both Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook had incredible years, while the team itself finished in the top five in both offensive and defensive rating. Of course, this team underachieved in the playoffs, but it was very talented.

Similar to the 2006-07 season, the 2015-16 season had several extremely talented teams. The Cavaliers won the championship that season, but was arguably not even one of the top three teams. Most of that season was a competition between the Spurs and Warriors. Both teams had an SRS rating (Simple Rating System, average point differential along with strength of schedule) above 10, which is extremely high. The Warriors had the top offensive rating and the second best defensive rating, while the Spurs had the top defensive rating with the fourth best offensive rating. Considering that these teams won 73 and 67 games respectively, how is it that neither won the championship? I suppose LeBron stole those titles out of sheer willpower.

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