NBA History: The best era for each of the 30 franchises

SAN ANTONIO - JANUARY 14: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs looks to drive around Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks at the SBC Center on January 14, 2005 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo by Chris Birck/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Phoenix Suns: 2004-10

With talented scorers Joe Johnson and Amar’e Stoudamire alongside do-everything forward Shawn Marion, the Phoenix Suns weren’t devoid of talent in the early 2000s. What they lacked was a leader, a floor general to orchestrate the offense in ways Stephon Marbury never could.

The 2004 offseason brought with it a golden opportunity to fix the 29-win team from the season prior. The Dallas Mavericks were unwilling to give Steve Nash the five-year, $65 million deal Phoneix was, paving the way for the All-Star point guard to return to the place where his NBA career first began.

Whereas Nash was forced to wrestle in the rotation with Jason Kidd and Kevin Johnson during his first two years with the Suns, Mike D’Antoni was different. The newly appointed head coach revolutionized the game by empowering his floor general with constant control and a lineup to suit his passing gifts.

Suddenly, Nash was a two-time MVP and Phoenix was a legitimate title contender. The Suns made consecutive conference finals appearances in 2005 and 2006, torturing opponents with a downsized lineup that emphasized so many of the norms of today’s NBA.

From 2004-10, the Suns missed the playoffs only once. They won more than 50 games three times and over 60 games twice. If not for some terrible luck as well as the presence of all-time opponents in their way, perhaps a Finals berth and maybe even a championship could’ve been in the cards for one of history’s most memorable teams.

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