Vote for Phoenix's Favorite Sun

[Mulli]

KJ won't win, he barely beat Manning. Nash will win easily but like Eric said it doesn't matter anyway.

agree

 

[Espo]

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#2 Kevin Johnson vs. #3 Dan Majerle

How They Got Here:
Kevin Johnson: He got to the second round by defeating the 7 seed Danny Manning. Johnson earned 66% of the fan vote to advance.

Dan Majerle: He moved on to the second round by defeating Cedric Ceballos who was the number 6 seed. Thunder Dan won with 93% of the fan vote.

The Analysis:
Greg Esposito:
This is probably the toughest match up thus far in the tournament. Both Kevin Johnson and Dan Majerle helped define an era of Suns basketball and both were key components in the their run to the 1993 finals.

Although he was booed on draft day Dan Majerle quickly became a fan favorite in his time in the Valley. He was known early in his career for his explosive moves to the basket that often times culminated in a powerful dunk. Later in his career he became more of a spot up shooter. In his best season as a Sun he averaged 17.3 points and 5.9 rebounds a game.

KJ was the quintessential point guard for the Suns. He was Steve Nash before there was a Steve Nash in purple and orange. He was a fan favorite for his electrifying passes and his unbelievable ability to posterize some of the games big men. KJ’s best season he averaged 20.1 points a game and 9.3 assists.

Luca Rossi:
Thunder Dan played 8 unforgettable seasons (7 actually, I guess we might forget ‘01-’02) in Phoenix playing in the postseason on 7 consecutive years. Majerle, a wonderful outside shooter, avergaged 13.5 ppg with the Suns but was his fighting spirit that will forever be remembered. In 1992 he was the only player in NBA history voted in the starting five of Western Conference All-Star team, while being only a sixth-man with his squad.

Dan is still the all time leader in 3-point field goals made.
Majerle is currently serving as assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns and remains deeply involved in the Phoenix community. Anyone fancy a Mama Majerle’s burger in his own restaurant?

If Dan was Thunder, then KJ was Lightning.

K.J. played, ran, one might say, 638 games in a Suns uniform and ranks as the all time assists leader in Suns history and 10th in the NBA All time. Johnson averaged over 18 points and 9.5 assists in his 12-year career with Phoenix and led the Suns to the postseason in 11 of those campaigns. No one will ever wear his no. 7 again.

K.J. led the Suns to the Conference Finals on three occasions and of course, to the NBA Finals in 1993, next to Majerle, leading possibly the best Suns team ever.
Last November, Mr. Johnons became the Mayor of Sacramento.

The Picks:

Greg Esposito: For me this comes down to the fact that Kevin Johnson was a Sun his entire career and has moments that are forever engrained in Suns fans brains like his dunk over Hakeem Olajuwon. While it will be a close battle KJ will come out on top.

Luca Rossi:

Both members of the Suns Ring of Honor, no. 7 and no. 9 will forever be engraved with the best ever to wear orange and purple. How much would you love to see Majerle play in today’s Suns? But as much as admire Majerle’s amazing work ethic, as a great lover of the best PG in the game, my vote goes to KJ. One of my all time Suns favorite.

Vote Here:
http://phoenix.fanster.com/suns/2009/03/30/phoenixs-favorite-sun-round-2-thunder-dan-vs-kj/

 

[elindholm]

Did either of the "analysts" pass high-school English? Good lord.

 

[mojorizen7]

OT(sort of)
You can all shoot me but i still say Dan Majerle was overrated as a defender and as a shooter. His best years were before Chuck got here IMO.

 

[da_suns_fan]

I like Nash and Barkley as much as the next guy, but KJ wins this "tourney" in a landslide.

 

[slinslin]

I bet Majerle beats KJ already...lol

 

[Espo]

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#2 Amare Stoudemire vs. #6 Leandro Barbosa

How They Got Here:
Amare Stoudemire: He destroyed Stephon Marbury in round one. Stoudemire earned 94% of the vote to move on to round two.

Leandro Barbosa: He pulled off the upset of Shawn Marion in round one. The number 3 seed Marion only managed to earn 41% of the vote while Barbosa had 59% of fans vote for him.

The Analysis:
Ben York:
This one, at first glance, doesn’t seem to be competitive. Amare Stoudemire has been on the All-NBA 1st team, the All-Star team, and has been amongst the league leaders in scoring. Barbosa has won 6th man of the year, been a spark plug off the bench, and is almost equally fun to watch. Doesn’t seem like a close contest…

However, Amare has fallen off with many fans this year with his comments about being “the man” and perhaps wanting to leave Phoenix in the off-season. On top of that, he’s been injured and out of the picture for the 2nd half of the season. Barbosa, on the other hand, has really made a case to become a starter in the league. Though having a difficult year losing his mother at the beginning of the season, he’s been as consistent (if not more) than any Suns player and is really (finally) coming into his own as a a legit scorer. Each player, ironically, has been sorely missed this season due to their injuries. They’ve both seem to come at the wrong time when we needed them the most.

Amare is one heck of a player to watch, but Barbosa is almost impossible not to like as a player or person.

Mark McLane:
Amare Stoudemire exploded onto the basketball scene with thunderous dunks and almost otherworldly athletic ability. Averaging 37 points a game in the 2005 playoffs against the Spurs, Amare announced his presence with authority, seemingly taking the torch from Tim Duncan as the best power forward/center in the league.

Despite the dreaded microfracture surgery robbing him of an entire season, Amare has continued to be a force in the paint for the Suns. His explosiveness may no longer be what it was but with the tremendous improvement of his jump shot, Amare no longer needs to rely on raw ability alone. With his combination of scoring ability, youth, and athleticism, Amare could very well be the block the Suns build their future around.

As a rookie from Brazil, Leandro Barbosa was as raw as they come. The fastest player on the court had no control or discipline his first season, and looked nothing like the 2007 6th Man of the Year he would eventually become.

With unmatched speed and a silky smooth jumpshot, Barbosa has thrived with the up tempo Suns. His blazing speed and infectious smile easy to cheer for, LB is a fan favorite (my mom is NUTS about him) and loved by his teammates.

The Picks:

Ben York: I think Amare still edges this one out, based on name recognition alone, but it will be much closer than you would think.

Mark McLane:
LB may be “fast, nice, and good at basketball,” and like Amare, a unique talent, but there’s a reason Stoudemire has a restaurant across the street from the arena. The Suns will go only as far as he takes them. Hopefully, LB will be around to help.

Vote Here:

http://phoenix.fanster.com/suns/2009/03/31/phoenixs-favorite-sun-round-2-stoudemire-vs-barbosa/