Ep.12: Seven Seconds or Less

Back to 2005, the Phoenix Suns were regarded as one of, if not the best offensive team in the league. With their fast-pace mentality, ilustrated with the famous "seven seconds or less", and the deadly Nash-Stoudemire pick-and-roll, the Suns were very succesful, reaching three conference finals in six seasons.

Although, in the 2012 offseason, it was announced that the Los Angeles Lakers made a sign-and-trade deal with the Suns for Steve Nash, who was alone in the team after Amar'e Stoudemire left the previous season. However, when "Age Away" was introduced, the Lakers offered the Suns to return Nash only in exchange for money and a bunch of draft picks.

With Nash back in Arizona, the reborned 7-seconds-or-less Suns were complete, as the team also acquired 70's star George McGinnis and role players like Rudy Gay, Joakim Noah and Hersey Hawkins.

Nash came back to Phoenix to lead the new 7-seconds Suns

The team's start was amazing, crushing defensive teams like Detroit or Milwaukee. However, by the time they had to face The Brotherhood, the team standed on a 5-7 record after a 3-game losing streak.

The first half was just like everyone expected: fast-paced action, with Nash and McGinnis leading Phoenix's offensive efforts, and with fast answers by Allen Iverson, who once again had a superb performance. After two quarters, Phoenix was leading by only 2-points, after Jrue Holiday missed a buzzer-beater that could've tied the game.

In the third quarter, Philadelphia's defence adjusted. Iverson took Nash and Holiday was matched up with Hawkins. Also, Andre Iguodala had to step up, as Rudy Gay totally dominated him in the first half. After that, the game was controlled by The Brotherhood.

Phoenix tried to stop Iverson with double and sometimes even triple-teams, but AI could always escape or, at least, throw a pass to someone open. That's why, after playing 32 minutes, Iverson ended up with an astonishing 54-point performance, plus 9 assists and 3 rebounds.

The Suns headed to the desert with a 5-8 record and a 4-game losing streak, which needed to be stopped as soon as possible. On the other hand, The Brotherhood was now 13-1, and was running away in the eastern conference standings.

Post-game stats:

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