As a Mavs Fan I have Huge Respect for the Suns
First you have the Magic Man, little Stevie, who proved last year he can make the Suns win with very iffy talent. And you have the Freak of Nature, Amare, who is the scariest talent in the NBA, if he gets back to 100%. Every meeting strikes fear in my heart, even though the Mavs are on a nice little winning streak.
The problem the Suns have is the same one the Mavs had when running and gunning under Don Nelson. They win by outrunning teams and by spreading the floor and out-shooting them. Teams with the right personel and true dicipline get back on defense and get out on 3 point shooters. This is why the old Mavs could never beat San Antonio and its why the Suns struggle against Dallas.
The X factor remains Amare. The Mavs showed in this last game some improved ability to defend the pick and roll. My team is much better at defending the 3 than it was 2 years ago, so the Suns only chance is the 2 man game with Nash and Amare. With a healthy Amare, its the most unstoppable play in the NBA. But is it enough alone to keep the Suns ahead? Because the Suns can't stop us from scoring. They have to outscore us.
I'm not one who believes the run and gun can't win a title. But having been there with Nellie's Mavs, I believe a team that can score and defend has a much better chance. The Suns have no answer for Dirk, and no one quick enough to stay in front of Devin Harris or Jason Terry... they both beat Stevie like a drum. Dicipline on defense negates Marion, as the Mavs keep adding perimeter defenders who make those 3's a lot harder, because shooters aren't so open.
To me, we have the continuation of a great rivalry. Two best friends, 2 Sunbelt cites. 2 battling philosophies. Barkley may not like either team, but he's a joke. The Suns get respect where it counts, from their opponents. The Mavs off season aqusistions include Greg Buckner and Anthony Johnson, who's main job is to play defense on the likes of Nash and Raja. That's respect. The Spurs dumped their big centers to get guys who can keep up with Dirk and Amare. Thats respect. The only way to win any more respect is to win it all. See ya in the playoffs, when the real season begins.