I agree with some of your criticisms about the pick and roll defense, but I don't think your conclusion makes much sense. Phoenix did come in with a 7-game winning streak, and say what you will about the Shaq trade (I'm on record saying it was a bad move), but the Suns are still a legitimately elite team. No one should realistically expect to dominate them; a butt-whipping like the Pistons laid on them in Phoenix is a pleasant surprise that can't possibly happen on a consistent basis.