National Basketball Association

Joe Johnson says the Suns should have won the title in 20015

Published Jun. 12, 2015 10:55 a.m. ET

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The Phoenix Suns took the league by storm in 2004-05, introducing a new, fun brand of basketball with their "seven seconds or less" offense. Entering the playoffs, despite their defensive issues, the Suns seemed poised to make a legitimate title run. Then Joe Johnson was injured, and everything fell apart.

To hear Johnson say it, the Suns would have won the title had that horrific injury happened. As he tells Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic:

"'There's no way you can tell me we wouldn't have been NBA champions if I hadn't got hurt,' said Johnson."

That's not just arrogance talking. The Suns truly were one of the best teams in the NBA, and Johnson, an elite two guard, was a focal point of their offense. Sadly, the Suns would later trade Johnson to the Hawks, prematurely ending what could have been a championship team.

(h/t Arizona Republic)

Photo credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports