This Friday, two of the best teams in the western conference will face off, and the winner could have a temporary hold on first place in a tight Pacific Division. This type of showdown isn't unusual during the NBA season, but it is worth noting that neither one of these teams are the Los Angeles Lakers or Portland Trailblazers. In fact, it's the red-hot Phoenix Suns and the closely trailing Sacramento Kings on center court, and it will be the first time the two teams play this season.
With a 10-3 record, the Suns are scorching and currently sit atop a talented Pacific Division. As this team continues its torrid pace, the rest of the league wonders whether this is just another quick starting club or really a franchise on the rise.
The Sacramento Kings, currently 9-3 and only a half game behind the Suns, have managed impressive victories despite injuries to key players, as well as other obstacles. The Kings have a gritty team that just refuses to sink back into the pack.
Of course, it's still very early in the season-not even into the second month of play. But why are these teams playing so well, and will they be in the same place later in the season, when it really matters?
Here Come the Suns:
This past Saturday, the Suns defeated the Los Angeles Clippers for the 12th consecutive time, and got yet another good performance from second year player Shawn Marion, who poured in 26 points and 10 rebounds.
The Suns are still led by superstar point guard Jason Kidd, who averages 16 points, 11 assists, and nearly seven rebounds per game. But a big difference in the Suns play can be attributed to the Marion's emergence. As a rookie out of UNLV, Marion was a contributor, giving the Suns play off the bench last season. This year, he's been on a rampage.
With averages of 19.4 points and 11.9 boards per game in almost 40 minutes, he's almost doubled his production from last year. This is even more impressive when you consider that the Suns don't really call any plays for him. Marion has tremendous athleticism. He's a leaper with a nose for the ball, and he has demonstrated real All-Star potential.
Before the season started, it seemed like the Suns were in for a tough beginning, temporarily losing the services of Kidd's talented backcourt mate, Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway. Hardaway, who averaged 16.9 points, 5.3 assists, and 5.8 rebounds in just under 38 minutes of play, still hasn't played a game this season and will now be out 3-4 more weeks recovering from surgery repairing cartilage in his left knee. But clearly, the Suns have managed to fill the void.
In addition to improved play from Marion, and leadership of Kidd, Coach Scott Skiles deserves a good deal of credit. Skiles, who took over in mid-season last year for Danny Ainge, has really made this team his own, and constantly finds a way to get the most out of his players, while keeping opposing teams off-balance with his up-tempo scheme.
The Sun's ten wins include a 26-point romp of the Portland Trailblazers on Nov. 2, and a solid victory over the Spurs on Nov. 7. In the team's three losses the Suns have only lost by a combined 12 points. But again, it's early, and good indication of the Suns potential could come from their performance this Friday in Sacramento, or in Sunday's rematch against the Blazers.
It's Good to be the Kings:
The Sacramento Kings have been hit by suspensions, injuries and the like, but still contend only a half game out of first, ahead of the Lakers and Blazers. Posting a 9-3 record (two of the losses coming in overtime), Sacramento is trying to show the rest of the division that they are for real.
In their Nov. 25 game against the Seattle Supersonics, the Kings' star power forward Chris Webber returned from an ankle injury, and he did so in a big way, putting up 24 points, grabbing 14 boards and shooting 12 of 20 from the field. The Kings went on to trounce the Sonics 125-101.
Chris Webber, when healthy, has been phenomenal, averaging 26.3 points, 10.5 boards and has also added 20 blocks on the season. If Webber can stay healthy and continue at this level, he could be among those considered for the league's Most Valuable Player at season's end.
But this is nothing new. Webber has always been the main man. The question surrounding the Kings is what they get from the gritty cast of misfits that surround Webber.
The biggest contributions have come from small forward Predrag Stojakovic. Stojakovic, who scored 29 against the Sonics, has finally stepped up to provide consistent support for Webber, and solidify himself as the number two man on the Kings. Stojakovic has averaged nearly 21 points per game this season.
Recently acquired point guard Bobby Jackson has been a sparkplug off the bench, and Doug Christie, formerly of the Raptors, has been versatile at the two guard position.
The Kings play at Houston tonight, and will also face a tough test against the Spurs before returning home to host the Suns.
