Phoenix Suns: 7-Seconds-or-Less team vs. Barkley-Era team; who wins?

Which Phoenix Suns era team was the best: Overall Decision

Of course, to ultimately decide who would win in a seven game series, you would have to also break out the argument of which era rules do we use.

The gentler “can’t we all get along” rules post-1992 changed the way basketball is played. These rules include the hand-checking rule which was modified in 2004-2005 eliminating it from the backcourt to the frontcourt foul line extended, no taunting, and the horrible clear path to the basket foul.

The NBA hand check rule has been said by many that it would be the rule that changed the NBA forever.

How big of a deal was the hand check removal? Marshall Sweig of Bleacher Report wrote:

"“In the year before hand-checking was removed, one player—Tracy McGrady—averaged more than 25 points per game. A year later, no fewer than seven players exceeded the same mark. The next year, 10 players topped 25 points per game.”"

In addition, players could no longer use their hands or extend the forearms on defense above the free-throw line. Defensive 3-seconds can now be called, but a zone is okay?

The NBA went soft after the 1992 season, so soft that Michael Jordan would have DESTROYED today’s defenses.

For argument’s sake, we will use today’s NBA rules.

DECISION: The Barkley-Era Suns were very deep and a very talented team would have beaten the 7-Seconds-or-Less Suns in six games under current rules, and possibly swept them in 1993. They played better defense and played an offense that transferred well going into the slower playoffs.

That team was the greatest in Phoenix Suns history.