HEAT INDEX

Boivin: Warriors' success a bit of validation for Mike D'Antoni's Suns

Paola Boivin
azcentral sports
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr (left) talks to guard Stephen Curry  during the third quarter in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the New Orleans Pelicans at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on April 18, 2015. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 106-99.

This column was originally published May 3, 2015.

With the NFL draft, the Kentucky Derby and some boxing match featuring a serial batterer, it is hard to imagine a busier viewing weekend for sports fans. The fun continues Sunday with the start – finally – of a second-round NBA playoff series between Memphis and Golden State.

The Warriors' success feels like a bit of validation for Mike D'Antoni's Suns.

The Warriors are up-tempo, guard-centric and not known for the physical play that many believe is demanded in the postseason. That how's D'Antonio's Suns were described, too. In this "what have you done for me lately" sports world, many think of the coach and his struggles in New York and Los Angeles. But think back to the Suns at their best.

Two back-to-back trips to the Western Conference finals and then, save a Robert Horry hip-check of Steve Nash, the team could have moved past the Spurs and Jazz and into the NBA Finals in 2007.

The difference? This Golden State team is better defensively – think Draymond Green – but it sports that up-tempo, entertaining style of play that made Suns games must-see TV.

Steve Kerr took over a talented team, but it's impressive how he has pushed the right buttons with this group. The NBA is better off when good guys win, and you won't find classier coaches than Kerr and assistant Alvin Gentry.

Strong survive

Jaelen Strong's drop to the NFL draft's third round was surprising but ultimately he landed in a good situation with the Houston Texans.

Strong's decision to not attend the medical recheck at the NFL scouting combine was a red flag for some teams. It may have cost him money, but in the end, considering the uncertainty about his football future coming out of high school – he wound up at Pierce College in Los Angeles – he has to be thrilled about being an NFL third-round draft pick.

I also thought about a tattoo Strong got last year. It is the face of his father, John Rankin, a one-time basketball standout at Drexel who died of leukemia in 2003 when Strong was 9.

"He taught me a lot of things he didn't even know he taught me," Strong told Sports Illustrated last year. "When he was sick with cancer he remained positive throughout all the trials and tribulations. He was strong. He smiled no matter what, and he never let me know he was in pain even though I knew he was."

If you look at the progress Strong has made since high school, no doubt his father would be proud.

Hoop scoop

Look out for California men's basketball.

Golden Bears coach Cuonzo Martin on Friday landed 6-foot-7 recruit Jaylen Brown, widely considered one of the top five prospects in the country. This comes on the heels of securing Ivan Rabb, a 6-10 power forward from Bishop O'Dowd High in Oakland that gave Arizona a hard look.

Brown is a small forward from Wheeler High in Marietta, Ga., and was also considering Kentucky, North Carolina and Michigan.

The players are "two of the best freshmen in the Pac-12 and two of the 10 best in the country," said Frank Burlison, who runs the BurlisonOnBasketball website and scouting service for NBA and college teams.

* The 2015-16 Pac-12 season could be one of the most entertaining in a while. Arizona will be tough as always but Cal, Utah, UCLA, Oregon and even Oregon State could be in the title hunt.

"It will be one of the most difficult ever Pac-12 or 10 or 8 to forecast," Burlison said. "Things could be that tight." …

* Six months remain until the college basketball season starts. Maybe by then, the Pac-12 and DirecTV will reach an agreement.

Shaq attack

The three players named "Shaq" selected in the NFL draft – including West Virginia defensive end Shaq Riddick by the Cardinals – is a reflection of the popularity of Shaquille O'Neal during his popularity with the Orlando Magic. All three were born during the first two years of O'Neal's career.

Before this draft, only two other Shaqs were drafted, both last year.

An entertaining story by Harvard Sports Analysis in 2012 revealed a huge spike in the name in 2003 and 2004 and a big drop in '95, stating it's "possibly because on November 8, 1994, Shaq released his second rap album, 'Shaq Fu: Da Return.'"

The name was nearly obsolete in 1997 and another sports figure's name became popular: Kobe.

Tweet of the day

"I'm not thinking about a mansion man I'm thinking about Canton!" – Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper, after he was drafted by the Oakland Raiders.

Stat of the day

Five. The number of players with the last name "Williams" that the Buffalo Bills have on their roster (courtesy ESPN Stats and Info).

Follow Paola Boivin at paola.boivin@arizonarepublic.com and on Twitter at Twitter.com/PaolaBoivin. Listen to her streaming live on "The Brad Cesmat Show" on sports360az.com every Monday at 10:30 a.m.