Thoughts on this road trip

[Phx4Life08]

I was just watching some video of last nights post game commentary as well as player interviews today taken prior to thier departure from phoenix for miami. I really liked Gentry's philosphy on their expectations for this trip. His main goal is to continue working on what we will need to improve on come april.

It almost seems as if he views the start of the season as an extended preseason. I agree with him. I am not so worried about what our outcome is over these next 5 games, rather that we continue to improve on rebounding and defense. If we show consistant efforts in those two areas but still loose all 5 games I won't be angery or concerned.

This philosophy also extendeds to Gentry's use of our bench. The west is loaded with good teams this season and every win counts. However, I hope he continues to develope our bench now, at the risk of lossing some games we might have won, so that they will grow more confident and effective as the season progresses. Gentry said that if we go 5-0 he won't think anything of it, same as if we go 0-5. This is a time to continue to learn, taking risks and trying new things.

Lets face reality though. The upcomming schedule will be really rough. This is a blessing and a curse. People on this board have a tendency to freak out prematurely. How many trade Amare/ blow up this team/ "Suns suck" threads will there be if we end up going 2 and 5 over the next 7 games? Realistically this is a possiblity. However th toughness of this early schedule is also a blessing because these teams will challenge us to improve. Thus far we have beaten the teams we are supposed to but have yet to face a true title contender. Playing Boston and Orlando will show us just how important it is to continue focusing on an improved defense.
Also, going back the interviews posted on Suns.com, It's kinda funny to watch Earl talk about the up comming road trip. It is really obvious that he is a rookie and still notused to life in the NBA.

[Mr. Sun]

Suns are blessed they have this schedule at the beginning of the season.

[MaryvalesFinest]

The way the Suns are built they can win and lose against any team. Since their not a traditional team they can probably shock alot of people by beating some good teams but don't be surprised to see them drop games against bad teams. The Suns are going to win and lose by luck, if their offense clicks their unstopable but if it doesn't, bad luck...

So in other words I wouldn't be shocked if they went 5-0 but than again, I wouldn't be shocked if they went 0-5...

[Mjeezy2006]

Go Suns!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[thapharcyd]

Honestly, best case scenario is 2-3 over the next 5.... Maybe we can pull 3-2.. I will be ok with 2-3

[DirtyDez]

I'll take 2-3... Mark off ORL and BOS, we beat MIA and PHI, WSH is a toss up.

[ginobiliflops]

I see a 4-1 road trip upcoming.

[lilfishi22]

I think we go down to ORL and BOS. I just hope we give them both a run for their money. We should be able to beat MIA, PHI and WSH.

[chriscringle95]

Suns are going 5-0. Suns are scrappy and confident.

I was at that Boston game last year on Martin Luther King's birthday and it was a massacre. The Suns owe the Celtics. Amare had 3 damn points and I still believe that was the game that got Porter fired. Worst game I attend since Golden St. raped the Milwaukee Bucks back in 93'(OLD SCHOOL!) when Sprewell destroyed the Bucks with Chris Webber.

I was behind the Suns basket in the first half right behind those Australian guys off this board who were going to every game or something last year. They were screaming at those dudes all game! LOL
I just kept drinking beer...

[JohnVancouver]

I can see us taking Orlando, not easily or even likely but I can see it happening. I don;'t mean we'd win a series against them but one game, could happen if the stars align. They looked quite ordinary against TO
BOS I think will kill us although we can run their old folks to death. Still, too much savvy and defense for us

PHI we beat, Wash is a toss up
Miami ... depends on Wade

I can see 3-2 but i am wearing the nifty orange glasses Frank sent me last sumer. Just like Amar'es, sort of. He sees max extensions, I see 3-2

[PHXTERROR1987]

time for a real game? maybe thats just a thought lol

[DBrimstone]

The stars just might align vs. Orlando. I second that. They're missing their Rashard Lewis and possibly Vince Carter. I think we'll take Miami and Philly. Philly beat us last time, so it's our turn to take them. And we get to come home and eat New Orleans alive... they just lost to the Knicks... Pa-the-tic

[ginobiliflops]

The only loss I see is Boston for sure, and maybe Miami.

[nashrambler13]

2-3 and 3-2 sound great to me... as long as we are still ahead of the lakers.

[nashrambler13]

The stars just might align vs. Orlando. I second that. They're missing their Rashard Lewis and possibly Vince Carter. I think we'll take Miami and Philly. Philly beat us last time, so it's our turn to take them. And we get to come home and eat New Orleans alive... they just lost to the Knicks... Pa-the-tic

lol, that ended my streak on ESPN...

yeah, i feel like we've alwys played well vs. orlando, b/c amare outplays howard... am i wrong?