Suns are a real Underdog

Richmond, VCU, Marquette, Butler. Everyone loves an underdog. Duke is one of the most successful basketball programs in the country. Multiple National Titles, All-Americans, NBA All-Stars; Duke is undoubtedly a basketball powerhouse. Yet, when they faced off against Butler in last year’s National Title game, you can bet a fair share of Americans were rooting for Butler (Especially those who reside in the Chapel Hill area).

More Americans wanted this Butler
shot to fall more than any Duke
shot on that day

With that being said, would a Rudy Gay-less Memphis Grizzlies or a Houston Rockets team that lacks anyone of real interest make a good underdog? The Eastern Conference playoffs will surely be full of excitement with many teams improved over the years passed. For the first time in many years, the Western Conference will be lacking great match ups in the early rounds. A big reason for the lack of intriguing match ups is the potential pairings of the higher seeds against the lesser talented lower seeds.

Memphis has improved over last year and has shown that they are capable of competing with and beating the leagues upper-echelon of teams. However, the recent injury to Rudy Gay that has put him out for the rest of the season is a serious blow to their playoff chances. Houston consistently overachieves in the absence of Yao Ming, yet does any one really think they could push the likes of San Antonio or Los Angeles.

"Yeah, three over times."

Last night’s Suns/Lakers triple overtime game was just the latest chapter in their storied rivalry. With Steve Nash running the show and the Sun’s ability to shoot the three, the Suns are consistently in games. Like Rocky Balboa, the Suns have a punchers chance. Was Rocky the best contender for Apollo? Are the Suns a title contender? At just one game over .500, the Suns are certainly the most entertaining team on the outside of the playoffs.

The top two teams in the West are currently the Spurs and the Lakers. Both teams are heated rivals of the Suns. Tim Duncan’s recent ankle injury could make them less then 100% come playoff time. After last years second round sweep, if the Suns and Spurs matchup in the playoffs, it would most likely be the most entertaining first round series in the West. Duncan’s ankle injury could be the break for the aging Suns similar to what Mason Dixon’s broken wrist was for Rocky in his final fight. Despite many obvious matchup problems, the Suns and Lakers continue to play exciting games. The Suns are 1-3 this season against the Lakers, yet have only been out scored by 9.

The underdog Suns might just
have one last fight in them like
Rocky did

The best part about an underdog is rooting for them to shock the world. While everyone loves to root for an underdog, no one expects them to win. While no one expects them to win, they do expect them to put up a fight. This is why we root for the Seahawks at home against the Saints in the playoffs, but don’t exactly pull to hard for Hampton against Duke. Memphis or Houston against San Antonio or Los Angeles is Hampton vs. Duke. Phoenix against either of these teams is must see T.V. Maybe the series only goes six games, maybe it even only goes five games. But you can guarantee that every game will be exciting.

Maybe the Suns lack the talent and perfect storm conditions that made the ’94 Nuggets and ’07 Warriors successful. One thing is certain; these Suns are meant to be in the playoffs. They are meant to play against the Spurs or Lakers. They are meant to push them to the edge. And most likely they are unfortunately meant to once again get their hearts broken by one of these teams. But that why we want to see them there.