SUNS Stands For... See U Next Season?

With 19 games left in the NBA regular season, the Phoenix Suns currently sit one spot out of the Western Conference playoffs, trailing the #8 seed Dallas Mavericks by four games. With a win tonight against those same Mavs, the Suns would still be three games out with 18 to go. Even if the Suns were to go 14-4 in those 18 games, the Mavs would only need to finish 11-7 to make the playoffs ahead of the Suns. It's a precarious situation for the Suns to be in, and one which begs the question: Are the Phoenix Suns, as we know them, finished?

The Suns have shown no ability to put together any type of run this season, something that has been a staple of the last three years. And with just 18 games to go, it would have to be a hell of a run. Despite how well they have played at times under Alvin Gentry (beating the Lakers), they have also played terrible (going 0-4 on their recently completed road trip). Grant Hill described tonight's game as the 'Super Bowl'. Steve Nash said the playoffs start now for the Suns.

Is it already too late?

As Doug from Doug and Wolf in the morning opined yesterday, do the SUNS stand for See U Next Season? Is all hope lost for this team?

Even if the Suns were to somehow pass the Mavs and make the playoffs as the #8 seed, they would have a first round matchup with the Lakers. And the latest result notwithstanding, do the Suns actually have a chance to beat the Lakers in the playoffs? With Amare, i'd say maybe. Without? I don't give them much of a chance.

So for the sake of an argument, let's say the Suns don't make the playoffs. Let's say they go into the draft with the 14th pick, too many aging players, and too much money on the books. See U Next Season? We might see the Suns team next season, but we won't be seeing the same Suns players. It's time to face the facts and come to the realization that your Run and Gun Phoenix Suns are over.

I would not be surprised to see the Suns trade Shaq and Nash in the offseason (Sorry Ben, just my opinion...). It's no secret Robert Sarver will be cutting payroll next season in an effort to get under the salary cap. Say what you will about Sarver, but you can't say he didn't go for it all the last four years. And maybe the Suns didn't win it all, but if not for a bad break here or there they may have. That's not Sarver's fault. Do i think he's a great owner? No, but i also don't think he's horrible. He's shown a willingness to go after free agents and trades (Nash, Shaq, JRich); whether they worked out or not is debatable.

But i think Sarver is seeing the writing on the wall that most Suns fans are reluctant to acknowledge: This team's window is over. They had a good run, but they're just not the same anymore. And it's time to start the rebuilding process.

It's not going to be easy, or quick. That's what happens when you go for it and don't make it. The Suns won't have major cap room for a couple of years. They don't have many quality young players. They haven't developed anyone. They don't have good draft picks available to them. In short, they're in trouble. Even if they deal Nash and Shaq in the offseason, or Nash and Amare possibly, they're not going to get equal value back. They just won't. What the Suns will get is maybe some young talent, maybe a decent NBA starter, and a couple of draft picks. And that's where they will start.

But it's going to be a long, uphill battle. The Suns aren't going to be good next year. Or the year after that. Or maybe the year after that. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but it's true. Rebuilding in the NBA is not easy. Especially with the situation the Suns are in.

Suns fans, enjoy it while you can. This may be the last chance you get to watch a decent Suns team in a couple of years, and this might be the last chance you get to see Nash, Amare, or Shaq in a Suns uniform. We'll be seeing the Suns next season, but it won't be the same...

End Of The Saga

Today marks the end of what has been a long, sad story involving the Phoenix Suns, the NBA, and sports in general. Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy begins serving his 15-month sentence in prison for his gambling conviction. The disgraced referee plead guilty more than a year ago, and was sentenced in July.

Quick Post

Alright, have to throw this up real quick before my weekend officially begins. And i am still at work for another two hours or so. Well, at work in body at least. Definitely not at work in mind. Like, at all.

Anyway, heard on the radio this morning that Steve Kerr and/or Robert Sarver were up in Detroit yesterday or the day before to interview Pistons Asst. Coach Terry Porter for the vacant head coaching position with the Suns.

I LOVE this option. I had not thought of him before, and had not heard his name mentioned, but i think it's a great fit. Listen to his qualifications: He's a former player (Kerr likes that), he was a point guard (Good for Nash), he was on championship-caliber teams teams (in San Antonio and Portland), he has been a head coach (Milwaukee), and has been an assistant coach with the Pistons the last two years.

Let me re-iterate this: I LOVE this choice. Hire him now. Hardly anyone else has even piqued my interest, and somehow i forgot about Porter. But i think he'd be a great fit here in Phoenix.

Death Of The Suns, Part 2

Apparently it's all the rage to write about the death of the Suns. Love him or hate him (I used to be a huge fan, but he gets more and more homer-ific by the day, which is annoying), The Sports Guy at ESPN has another good article about the Suns Run 'N Gun era here.

Death Of The Suns

Just a superb article on True Hoop about what the Suns did for the NBA. I absolutely love True Hoop (even if it is part of ESPN), and stop by there every day. So go check it out.

David Stern And The NBA

Yes, i live in Phoenix. Yes, i am a big Suns fan. Yes, i was incensed last year when Amare and Boris were suspended for Game 5. Yes, i've written extensively about it here.

All that said, i am over last year's suspensions. What happened is over and done with. I no longer show any anger towards it; i have accepted what happened and gotten over it.

David Stern, however, continues to rub it in Suns' fans faces.

I understand that there were no suspensions over the KG/Zaza altercation in the Celtics-Hawks game the other night. The issue at hand is that both Kendrick Perkins and Marvin Williams, during the altercation, were on their respective benches and stepped onto the court. In fact, both of them admitted to doing so.

But i'm actually glad no one got suspended. Neither team deserves to lose a player based on their small actions that did not result in escalating the situation.

But if what i heard is true, if Stu Jackson actually uttered the words 'I saw no intent in either player's actions', as is being reported, then i am FURIOUS. No intent?! NO FUCKING INTENT?!?! You said last year that intent did not matter and could not be discerned. If that's true, then i call Bullshit on David Stern, Stu Jackson, and the NBA.

I used to have a lot of respect for David Stern, he has done a lot of great things for the NBA, both domestically and nationally. But between this ruling, last year's ruling, how he handled the referee gambling situations, and how is currently butchering the Sonics situation, it may be time to look for a new leader.

Phoenix Sports Odds & Ends

I haven't kept up writing reactions to the Suns-Spurs series as well as i would have liked, mostly because i can't properly put into words exactly what i've been feeling about it. After Game 1, which everyone agrees was an instant classic, the series looked poised to become on of the all-time greats.

Then Game 2 rolled around, and the Suns stayed close towards the end before folding. Then they lost at home in Game 3. And suddenly they were down 3-0 and on the brink of elimination.

Game 4 was a win, which was predictable all things considered. Game 5 is tonight, another must-win for the Suns in order to avoid elimination. There are a considerable amount of people out there that believe the Suns will win tonight, and at least make this somewhat of a series. I am skeptical at best.

As a indictment of how deep my skepticism runs, i will be attending tonight's Dbacks games instead of watching the Suns Game 5. I also have tickets to tomorrow's Dbacks game. Oh, and well pretty much every other game this season at Chase Field. Season tickets. They're a beautiful thing.

Especially when the team is so damn good.

The Dbacks are rolling. Absolutely cruising, rolling through the competition like a freight train on the way to an MLB best 19-7 record and a 6.5-game lead in the division. They have played in eight series, and have lost only 1. On offense they lead MLB in runs scored, RBI's, Slugging Percentage, and total bases. For pitching they lead MLB in ERA, wins, (least) losses, hits given up, and Batting Average Against.

Does this sound like a team that might be good? How about you combine that with the fact that they are one of the youngest teams in baseball also?

This baseball team is fun to watch, in the way they play the game, in the way they come up big in the right spots, in the way they interact with each other. Everyone keeps saying that the season is still young, but it's not that young anymore. We're a month into the season, and things don't look to be stopping for the Dbacks.

I do not know know what the rest of the season holds for the Dbacks, but if they keep playing the way they started this year, it's hard to imagine many teams finishing ahead of them...

(By the way - Found this through my brother, but check out the forums over at Diamondbacks Bullpen. These guys are awesome with their info, and their gameday threads are second to none from any team and any sport.)

Game 1

It has taken me a few hours to put my down my first thoughts, mostly because it was such an amazing game. Going into the series, everyone was convinced this was the series to watch. It was the first round, but everyone thought it would be the most entertaining series of the entire postseason. Some people had gone so far as to call this match-up the best first-round series in the history of the NBA.

Game 1 did not disappoint.

In a game that went into two overtimes, that featured three game tying three point shots with under 15 seconds left in what could have been the game, i am left with only one thought:

This will be fun.

My immediate reaction after watching the game is that the Suns, after losing, now had almost zero chance to win the series. They played what looked to be a perfect game, never trailing until the last minutes of regulation, and leading going into the final possessions of both regulation and the first overtime.

The Suns seemingly had every chance and opportunity to win this game, but couldn't put it away. And with all the luck once again falling to the Spurs with two late improbable three's, the Suns could easily pack it in and fall by the wayside.

But i don't think this Suns team will do that.

After a couple of hours have passed, and looking at the box score, there is one glaring thing that tells me the Suns may still have a chance in this series: They played like crap.

The box score tells the story. Amare shot 13-26, or 50%. He has shot 59% for the season. Grant Hill, who personally i think his groin injury is still bothering him, had only 5 points. Shaq, while great in both overtimes, barely played in regulation and wasn't good when he did. Steve Nash shot only 9-20. And by the way, the Suns play much better when Nash doesn't have to shoot so much and take over games. Gordon Giricek, who has been an offensive spark the last 20 games, had only 2 points. Barbosa, who i thought actually played pretty well, still had only 12 points when he averaged 15.6 on the season. I think i was most impressed offensively by Raja Bell, and he's in there for his defense, not his offense.

While it was a hard-fought, highly entertaining and well-contested basketball game, i still can't shake the feeling that the Suns did not play their best game. They were taken out of their game early and often because of both Shaq's and Amare's foul troubles. They shot 50% from the field, which isn't bad, but only 31.3% from beyond the arc, making only 5 three's. I understand the Spurs play the Suns in such a way as to take away their three-point shot, but they still could have done better.

Regardless, this series is shaping up to be another classic battle. Say what you will about the Suns, but they always seem to be involved in some of the most entertaining and memorable postseason series in NBA history...

NBA Picks

My god, i've been waiting for the NBA Playoffs since November when the season started. Actually, that's not correct. I've been waiting for this year's playoffs since the Suns were eliminated in that travesty of a second round series against the Spurs (Sterns) last year. I could not be more excited that they're finally here...

In lieu of an actual preview, today i'm just going to be posting my picks for the first round games. I will have analysis after each of the Suns' games. Off we go!

Eastern Conference:
Boston over Atlanta in 4 (No chance for Atlanta)
Detroit over Philly in 5 (Pistons will be focused)
Orlando over Toronto in 6 (Orlando tends to not be focused at times)
Cleveland over Washington in 6 (The Wiz will push the Cavs, but LeBron still plays for Cleveland)

Western Conference:
Los Angeles over Denver in 5 (I almost made this 4 games...)
New Orleans over Dallas in 6 (Don't care about youth or inexperience. The Hornets are the better team)
Utah over Houston in 5 (Houston has no chance)
Phoenix over San Antonio in 7 (I just don't see how this series goes less than the distance)

Suns vs. Sonics

Seeing as how i took a half day at work today for no other reason than to, ummm, well i have no reason really. Regardless, since i've been home since about 1 this afternoon, i've been on a quest to perfect a homemade White Russian. Which, i might add, is coming along swimmingly, my own health and sobriety not withstanding.

Anyway, i hope to have this pursuit completed by the time the Suns tip-off tonight at 7, in an important game against the Sonics. Granted, the Sonics are struggling this year, but the Suns are coming off a good game last night at Portland. The Suns have struggled on back-to-backs this season, and this could be a potential trap game for the Suns.

The Suns come in riding a five-game winning streak, the longest in the NBA right now, and on a high of finally figuring things out with Shaq. The media has started to take notice, and some have proclaimed that the Suns are back on track to contend for a championship. The Suns are excited, and this is exactly the type of game that could trip them up if they look past it.

That said, i don't think this Suns team will do that. Not with Shaq, who in between tussling with Joel Pryzxjzilllyha (name spelled incorrectly on purpose) and getting mauled by James Jones, found time to shake hands with Blazers owner Paul Allen. Shaq has this team not only playing well, but focused as well.

I think the Suns are on track to contend in the Western Conference, and this current winning streak is the right start. They are only a game out of the Pacific Division lead, and home-court in the first-round of the playoffs. This is exactly the type of game they need to put away early on. And the way the Sonics have been getting scored on lately (289 points given up in their last games), the Suns should be able to do just that.

Now back to my own pursuit. My last White Russian wasn't as good as the one before, so i'm off to refine. See you all after the game...

SunShaq Redemption

Well, what a difference a week makes. A week ago, going into a pivotal game against the hated Spurs (Sterns), the Suns were a team in disarray, having just blown a 9-point lead going into the 4th quarter against the Jazz, and getting outscored 41-24 in the quarter. Including that game, they had lost 4 of 5, and were just 3-6 with Shaq in the lineup. The Spurs were on the horizon, as was the possibility of the Suns not making the playoffs, and a lot of people, including the local media, were on the verge of panicking. Now? Not so much...

The Spurs game was a gritty, hard-fought contest in which the Suns came from behind in the 4th quarter and made all the big shots down the stretch, something the Spurs have continually done to the Spurs. Next up was a Memphis team that had given the Suns problems this year, and many saw as a possible let-down game. The Suns poured it on early and often, and cruised to a blow-out win. Two more game against Golden State and Sacramento followed, as did two wins and point totals in the 120's. Against Golden State it was a huge 3rd quarter that turned the tide; against Sacto it was a 42-14 beatdown in the 2nd that set the tone.

And now, just a week after many thought all was lost for the Suns, they sit in a tie for the 5th seed, just a game and a half behind the Lakers for the Pacific Division Lead and the #1 seed in the playoffs. They are on a four-game winning streak, their longest since the first week of December, and are suddenly looking like a team that has figured out how to integrate all their new people, including Shaq and Gordon Giricek.

To his credit, Shaq has been better than i thought he would be, producing double-doubles, rebounds galore, and even getting into the assist game, with 6 against the Grizz. He has shored up the Suns defensive rebounding woes, and provided some much needed toughness and grit. He has thrown his body around, sprinted up and down the court, and generally played like a man who is doing exactly what he said he would do when he got here: Play motivated, play hard, and get the rest of the Suns to fall in line.

It took about two weeks and ten games, but the Suns have finally come around and figured out how to play with the first true big man the franchise has ever had.

Amare has been playing out of his mind, a walking 29-point 9-rebound machine since Shaq freed him up to play his true power forward position. Shaq himself has averaged 11 and 10, which gives the Suns a formidable front line. These two have been playing well since Shaq showed up; the adjustment for the Suns has had to come on the perimeter. As the announcers said on Thursday against the Warriors, of all the Suns Steve Nash has had to make the biggest adjustment in his game.

Nash struggled at first, his turnovers shooting up and his assists dropping. The strength and focal point of Nash's game has always been to dribble into the lane, draw a crowd, and do one of three things. A) Dish to Amare or Boris diving to the hole for a dunk or layup, B) Get himself open for a 8-10 footer, or C) Draw the defense in and dish to a wide-open Bell or Barbosa behind the arc for a three.

It's that simple, and that's how the Suns offense ran when forced into a half-court set. With Shaq in the game clogging the lane, Nash did not have the space available to just dribble around inside; as a result he got caught in tight places underneath the basket with no one streaking down the lane and without the space to kick it out. His turnovers went up, his assists down.

The first couple of games with Shaq, the team, and Nash in particular, struggled trying to figure out how to best get Shaq the ball, and what to do from there. You saw forced entry passes to him, you saw Shaq setting screens beyond the arc, and you saw the team struggle. As they've had time to play together and figure it out, you are starting to see it all come together.

Shaq is getting himself into better position on the block early in the shot clock. The entry passes are getting the ball to him. With him on the block, there is room in the lane for Amare to come streaking down the middle, and Shaq has the ability to get him the ball as Nash used to. If that's not there, teams are sagging their defense on Shaq and leaving the arc open, and Shaq has found the shooters out there, as Nash used to do. The offensive principles have not changed for the Suns, just as Shaq claimed it wouldn't. The only thing that has changed is who it is running through.

The other thing that Shaq has finally figured out, almost to perfection, is how to ignite the fast break. He claimed when he arrived in Phoenix that big man have the ability to get the board and ignite the break with an outlet pass. Shaq is becoming a master of this, throwing 15 and 20 foot passes to the guards as they leak out. So not only has the Suns half-court offense worked out most of it's kinks, their fast-break is hitting on all cylinders.

All of which should make the rest of the Western Conference a little nervous.

The Big Shaqtus

Who says professional athletes don't learn anything?

This video is from the Suns game on Sunday against the Spurs:


Scary, yet nice agility by Shaq to superman-jump over the kids in the first row and land in the second row.

This video is from the Suns game last night:


Watch the Suns bench scatter like scared children. I particularly like Asst. Coach Dan D'Antoni practically trampling people to get out of the way - He is right where the bench splits. He and the coaches go right, the players go left.

UPDATE: Found this quote from Dan D'Antoni about the play from AZ Central over at True Hoop (A fantastic blog by the way):

"When the ball started bouncing our way, I saw him kind of lower his torso down. All I could see were these two eyes starting to widen out and they were coming right at my seat. So I was trying to get up. I said, 'Well, I saw the last game.' And it wasn't looking good if he catches me. I'm too old. I would've sat in there but Robert (Sarver) doesn't have me insured. I wasn't about to give up my entire life right there. So I'm trying to move out of the way. Phil Weber, the other assistant coach, not very quick. I had to try to get him out of the way. I'm trying to move him out and then I looked at the team and they were all at the other side. Poor Shaq is sitting there, 'Isn't anybody going to give me any love?' I said not after the other night. No way was I staying."

Suns Defense

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As much as i've written in this post, is how much defense the Suns play...

Suns vs. Celtics Recap

I posted a few quick thoughts late last night after the game, but wanted to get a little more in depth into the game. It was a pretty good showing by the Suns, and i was very encouraged by some of the things i saw.

A lot was made about what exactly Shaq would bring to this Suns team, on and off the court. Off the court it was evident pretty quickly: He brought confidence, swagger, and some humor. How that would translate in the locker room and on the court we were left to wonder when he first showed up in Phoenix. After two games, it's quickly becoming evident what Shaq brings to this team on the court as well.

After game 1 against the Lakers, a lot of people immediately jumped on the Suns about not playing any defense, and Shaq's non-ability to defend or guard anyone. After game 2? Not so much.

The Suns played excellent defense, frustrating the Celtics to a level i have not seen from them this year. KG in particular was really irritated, as Amare pestered him, scored on him, and generally held him in check for the entire game. The Celtic's other members of the Big Three, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, shot a combined 5-25, 20%.

The Suns also crashed the boards again, out-rebounding the Celtics 50-32, meaning in both of Shaq's games the Suns have grabbed more rebounds than their opponents. Shaq himself had 14 boards, while Grant Hill continued his dominance since Marion left with 13 boards and 14 points. Hell, even Steve Nash got into the act with 7 boards, good for third on the team.

And while defense and rebounding were certainly something i wanted to see the Suns improve on with Shaq, there was one other thing i noticed about the Suns that has changed since Shaq started playing: They got a mean streak.

That's right. The run-and-gun, finesse-style, 'soft' Suns got tough all of a sudden.

Last night's game was chippy, to say the least. It started with Shaq early, picking up an offensive foul on the first possession of the game. It continued with Amare and KG, who yapped at each other the entire game. The fouls came early and often in this one, with Shaq and Amare getting KG, Kendrick Perkins, and Pierce all in foul trouble early. It lead to the Suns getting to the foul line often, and attempting 12 more foul shots than Boston.

However, the best thing i've seen come out of Shaq's arrival has been Amare's absolute dominance. Shaq called him the 'greatest big man in the game right now' last night. High praise indeed, even if it is a bit premature. Amare is averaging 33 and 11 with Shaq in the line-up, and has done it against very good competition. KG is an absolute stud, and Amare did everything but brand him and claim him for his own, including getting into his head.

Amare himself attributes it to being able to move back to the power forward slot instead of center. With Shaq in the line-up, Amare is freed up from all the banging down low against bigger and stronger centers, and is able to move more freely inside and out, where he is developing an absolutely devastating 17 footer.

Just like the over-reaction after the Lakers game, it is hard to make too many observations of trends after only two games. That said, there are a lot of good things i see from Shaq and the Suns, and if they can keep it going they have a very good chance to make some serious noise in the playoffs.

Suns vs. Celtics

So yeah, the Suns were the balls tonight against the Celtics. Shaq was worthless scoring the ball, but then again we don't need him to score. We need him to rebound, and he did that 14 times. So, you know, that's kinda good.

Oh, and Black Jesus (Amare Stoudemire) continued his destruction of anything in his path during Lent, popping off for 28 and making KG as angry and frustrated as i've ever seen him. Along with Grant Hill's double-double, 14 points and 13 boards, the Suns cruised to a relatively easy win over the Celtics, never trailing in the game.

KG scored 19 for the C's, but their second leading scorer was Rajon Rondo, which is never a good sign. The C's also got out-rebounded on the game 50-32 and were held to only 77 points. Who says the Suns can't play any defense with Shaq...

The Shaq Era Begins...

7:00pm Mountain Standard Time, on ESPN. Mark it down as the beginning of the Experiment in the Desert, also known as Shaq debuting with the Suns. And make no mistake, it is an experiment.

Despite all the (now) glowing reviews about the Shaq trade by most fans, the majority of local media, and a smattering of national media, this trade is an experiment. And it's either going to be the re-invention of the wheel (a championship) or it's going to send the lab into a big fiery mess (losing in the first round). It's an either-or proposition, with almost no middle ground.

High-risk high-reward to put it another way. Regardless of what anybody thinks, it was a needed experiment. For as much as everyone here in Phoenix loved Shawn Marion (and make no mistake, he was beloved in this town), most people could see and agreed that it was probably time for him to go. He is a fantastic player, and almost tailor-made for this type of run and gun system, but his attitude has never quite been right. He was just a little too me-first, while the rest of the team was win-win-win, with Steve Nash being the loudest voice of unselfishness and team play.

When your team team leader and perhaps best all-around player clash, eventually that will start to blow up. They co-existed peacefully for the first few years because the team was winning and having fun. It was all new to them. This season, with the weight of the last two year's playoff exits and the expectations of winning and championships, cracks started to form in the relationship. They lost their care-free, fun attitude. Their run-and-gun offense has slowed a bit, and been replaced by the crazy guys in Oakland. It was evident in the Golden State-Phoenix game last week; While Phoenix ran and stayed with the Warriors, it was a faster pace than they usually play.

So with cracks showing, and the team appearing to not have much fun playing together anymore, the Suns made their move. Out went Marion (and Banks, by all accounts as close to a clubhouse cancer as the Suns had), and in came The Big Aristotle himself, Shaq. And Shaq comes in preaching team-first, it's not about me, etc. He comes in laughing and cracking jokes. Suddenly Steve Nash is playing around with Craig Sagers handkerchief on national tv at the all-star game, and cracking jokes to the media.

Of course, this has all been off the court. Tonight, we get to see the on-court transformation of the team. We get to see if Shaq, as he says he will do, can really adapt to the Suns style without slowing them down. We get to see if he will help alleviate some of their rebounding woes. And we get to see if he still has anything left in the tank to help lead this team to the promised land.

Tonight we see the first glimpse of the experiment, gathering all the ingredients and starting to mix them together. We won't know for another couple of months whether this experiment will work or not, because it takes time for all the processes to fizzle and fizzure. But it starts tonight. And you know what?

I'm excited...

The Wild Wild West

Holy crap. And we all thought the Western Conference was loaded before. Then shit got interesting. The Lakers made the first move, stealing Pau Gasol in a move reminiscent of the the Colts packing up and leaving Baltimore in the in the middle of the night? You can call that trade Gasol for the poo-poo platter. Kwame Brown and crap, this is ridiculous. Coach Pop summed it up well here.

So feeling a need to respond (though they're not calling a response, even if they're kidding themselves), the Suns went and pulled Shaq back in to the West. The reaction, to be kind, has been mixed. And since he has yet to play a game, it will remain that way until Shaq is able to show exactly how he will fit into the Suns.

And now the Mavs appear ready to pull Jason Kidd back into the West, and back to Dallas. Dallas is giving up Devin Harris, who in my opinion is underrated and will be missed. Then again, Kidd is a triple-double machine, so that should help.

What does this all mean? Well the West is loaded. I mean, LOADED. No one can figure out who the favorite is, with all teams above being mentioned, as well as New Orleans, San Antonio and some crackpots spouting off about the Jazz. Personally i think it comes down to Phoenix, LA, San Antonio, and to a somewhat lesser extent Dallas. Going out on a limb huh?

Dallas, even with Kidd, doesn't scare me as much because of their mental state after the last two years and they're losing their best inside presence, Diop, in the Kidd deal. LA could be interesting, and if Bynum comes back they actually scare me. As for San Antonio, well, they're the Spurs (Sterns), and they'll be there in the end. I think the Suns have a good a chance as anyway, and maybe (maybe) the best if Shaq actually assimilates well and stays healthy. No matter what happens, the West is still even more loaded than it's been the last couple of years.

Then again, Boston may still be the best team in the NBA...

Shaq Is A Sun

Welcome to the Valley Shaq.

Now get healthy, get motivated, and start playing some defense.

Everything i wrote last night about this trade? Crumple it up, throw it out, and forget about it. Pending a physical this afternoon, Shaq is going to a Phoenix Sun. Better get ready for the show.

I still have major, major concerns about whether or not this trade will work out for the Suns, but at this point it doesn't look like it's going to matter. So instead of focusing on the negative (as i did here), let's look at ways in which Shaq might be able to help this team.

First, no one will dispute the fact that he's still one of the largest bodies in the NBA. That fact alone will create some semblance of resistance in the Suns low-post defense. While Shaq has never been a great defender in the true sense of the word, his sheer size alters shots and creates problems for opposing teams' offense scoring in the paint.

There is no denying that Shaq will be able to hold some of the great centers/power forwards in the Western Conference in check more than anyone else we've had on this team in a long while, maybe ever. Say what you will about his defense, but Shaq has historically played Tim Duncan and Yao Ming well, not to mention KG and Ben Wallace over in the Eastern Conference. Oh, and i'd be willing to bet that Andrew Bynum, if and when he does come back, has not seen anyone like Shaq before.

It has been true Shaq's scoring and rebounding is done this year and last, but who's to say that couldn't go up here? Shaq is shooting a ridiculous 58% on the year, good for 6th highest in the League. He is shooting that because he gets a ton of dunks, and if there's one thing that's been proven over the years, it's that Steve Nash has the ability to get people easy looks and dunks.

Another thing to consider is that Shaq traditionally has been a pretty good passer from the low-post, averaging almost three assists a game over his career. Imagine the dynamic on this team if their opponent is forced to double-team Shaq on the block? That opens the three-point line, from which the Suns are third in the League in shooting percentage and second in the League in three-pointers made each game. Not to mention the fact that the man coming to double-team Shaq would, you assume, be the man guarding Amare part of the time. That leaves Amare unguarded coming down either the baseline or the lane. Amare is pretty good in those situations.

It has already been reported that the Suns plan on using Shaq only about 25 minutes a game, which hopefully would cut down on his penchant for picking up fouls. It also would help keep him fresh and rested for the playoffs, when Phoenix will really need him. After all, why else did the Suns pick him up if not for the playoffs? They certainly don't need him in the regular season, as they have the best record in the Western Conference.

Naturally, this trade hinges on Shaq's ability to pass a physical this afternoon here in Phoenix. And while he is still injured, something tells me there aren't too many doctors out there who would fail him. Shaq is going to be a Sun, and all of better get used to it. And while i'm still not sure it's the best trade for the Suns, you better believe i'll be rooting for him when he puts on the Purple and Orange.

Shaq To The Suns?

According to a Miami Herald Report: The Miami Heat are in serious discussions to trade Shaquille O'Neal, and have informed him he should be prepared for that fact. According to the article, one of the destinations is rumored to be Phoenix, with Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks heading to the Heat for Shaq.

(Sigh) First reaction? NO! Not in a million years. Not ever.

After a half hour of thinking about? Still no, though not quite as emphatic. I suppose if i look at it objectively, i can see a few reasons as to why the Suns might be at least curious about the trade. Still, i don't think it's a good trade for the Suns for many reasons, not the least of which involve Shaq's age, health, contract, and ability to fit our system...

Shaq is 35, and has two more years remaining on a $20 million/year contract. While the money for the Suns would not be any different the rest of this year or next, the trade would put an extra $20 million on the books for the '09-'10 season (not that i think he would still be around then). His contract is ridiculous for a center of his age, when centers have a long history of breaking down right around 34-35. Shaq has proven to be no different, playing in only 40 games (of 82) last year, and missing 14 of the Heat's last 18 games.

In addition to his health issues, or perhaps because of his health issues, Shaq's production has seen a severe drop-off the last two season. Despite averaging 25.6 points and 11.5 rebounds a game for his career, last year it dropped to 17.3 and 7.4, and this year has been even worse, plummeting to 14.2 points and 7.8 rebounds. Ok, well maybe his rebounds are up slightly, but they're still way under his career average. Oh and by the way, his hip is injured and he hasn't even been cleared to RUN, let alone play basketball.

All that aside, let's just assume for a minute that Shaq was in good health and the Suns were willing to take on his contract despite his age. There is still a major problem to be addressed as to how he would fit into the Suns' system. The Sun's have absolutely killed the Heat the last few years, mainly due to the fact thay they run Shaq out of the building and he becomes virtually useless to the Heat. He can't run up and down the court like he used, and I'm not sure he could ever run the way the Sun's run. So how does that fit with Phoenix?

The prevailing opinion, or speculation actually, is that the Suns are looking at this trade for one of two reasons: One, as a reaction to the Laker's getting Pau Gasol (which, on a side note, was an absolute STEAL. What a ridiculous trade...). The second reason would be an acknowledgement that the Suns need an inside presence in order to beat the Spurs. While this may be true, even though i'm not convinced, i'm not sure this is answer.

If this trade went through, i believe it would be for the second reason. Since becoming GM, Steve Kerr has not shown a confidence in the coach D'Antoni's run and gun system, and in fact there have been rumblings of a rift between the two. Remember also that Kerr played in San Antonio with Duncan, in a slow it down, grind it out offense. He won titles with that offense, and has to have some feeling that's the way to win a Championship. I can agree with the need for an inside presence, but to me bringing in Shaq would be for the series against the Spurs only. He would be completely worthless against the Warriors, probably worthless against the Jazz and Hornets, and not much good against the Mavs. I just don't see the value in him for one possible series.

Shaq does not fit our system, not one bit. He can't run with us, and much prefers a slow, half-court game. The Suns didn't become the Suns by playing a half-court game. They got there by running and gunning, and everybody knows it. So the question becomes, do you believe the Suns can win with their system, or don't you?

Personally, i think they can. Admittedly i've only lived in the Valley for a couple of years, but have watched the Suns closely since then because their brand of basketball has been incredible. They revolutionized the game, and the League has become one of copycats, many attempting the run and gun style Mike D'Antoni installed here. As such, i think it has actually become harder to win with the style, since more teams use it and more teams get used to it and how to defend it.

That said, if executed well, which the Suns can do, i still think it can win a championship and, quite honestly, can win one easily. The Sun's have had a great chance the last couple of years, but injuries and bad breaks have prevented it. Given a chance to make one last run, i think the Suns can pull it off with a couple of breaks.

What does that all mean? It means i'm still at the point i was when i first heard the trade rumors of Shaq for Marion and Banks: Don't do it. The Sun's have a great nucleus, and have the talent to win a Championship. And while a trade may be in the works and may even make this team better, this is not that trade.

Suns vs. Hawks: Domination

This was the very definition of a dominate performance. The Hawks were never in this game at any point. Amare finished 10-11 with 24 points in 26 minutes. And not only his offense, but his defense was good too, with 4 blocks and 10 boards.

This is the Suns team of the last couple of years. They took a team who, despite playing fairly well this year, was not up to their level and destroyed them. They crushed their will, from the opening tip to the final whistle.

With 9 of their next 10 at home, and being winners of 7 of their last 8, the Suns are looking to round into form. With a good home stand, the Suns could cement their spot at the top of the West standings, and also silence their critics.