Suns v Rockettes in 94 was evenly matched in the West playoffs.
PHX won the first 2 games in HOU.
Vernon Maxwell saved HOU with a 34 pt G3, as HOU rallied from an 8 point halftime deficit in PHX.
There's an instance where Dumas, a rangy 6'7" guy, could have helped.
G4 HOU pummels PHX despite 38 from KJ.
So a 2-2 series with the Home team losing all 4.
G5 PHX can't score. Majerle a goose egg. Could have used Dumas' scoring and threat of scoring. But maybe still get blown out.
G6 a PHX blowout, as AC Green starts and goes for 22/10.
(Ceballos just 3 mins)
So both team hold Home court with blowout W's.
G7 in HOU. Rocks with a 4 point lead going into the 4Q.
Sam Cassell with 22 off the bench; Ainge 18 off the Suns bench.
Rockets had that kind of playoff run, where one game Max or Cassell or Mario Elie would have a big game to keep them chugging forward. All 3 of them had one big game in this series.
Ceballos started the first 5 games with Dumas suspended for the season.
Start Dumas a good 16 Pt scorer and have Ceballos off the bench and PHX is a stronger team. Games 6 & 7 Ceballos plays 3 mins each. AC Green starts for his defense and spark.
PHX didn't match up well with Olajuwon. But between Oliver Miller, Joe Kleine, Marc West and AC Green's help, they managed all right.
Two very evenly matched teams. Add a quality starter who had played well through the Finals the year before, an athletic 16 point 2 steal Dumas, and PHX could have won.
G3, PHX had a chance at Home to go up 3-0.
Series went to G7, where PHX was just down 4 entering the 4Q.
One more good player, one more starter for PHX and the scales might have tipped.
Btw, Majerle had a terrible series. Averaging just 9 Pts in 40 mins on 30% shooting. (32% on 3's and 42% FT). Some of his minutes could have gone to Dumas. Since Thunder Dan was struggling.
Put Richard Dumas on the Knix that year and NYK wins the title over HOU!
(especially if he took minutes form 2-18 Starks in G7 ...)