Suns vs. T-Wolves

AKA the game the Suns didn't show up for.

Really, that was a pathetic effort. Other than Amare, who was fantastic offensively (I'll get to his defense later), the rest of the Suns just straight did not show up tonight. Roll Call!

Shawn Marion: Only 3 shot attempts and 3 rebounds.

Leandro Barbosa: 5-12, 1-5 from three.

Brian Skinner: 14 minutes played, 4 fouls, 2 rebounds, 0 shot attempts.

Boris Diaw: 1-2, 2 rebounds.

Hard to win with numbers like those from half our rotation.

All in all, just a terrible game all around from the Suns. The effort was not there, the intensity was not there, and the sense of urgency was not there. And we all know that when those things aren't there, the Suns are mediocre at best. Which is strange, since when those things are all there they are arguably the best team in the league.

And really, that's what it comes down to this team. Anyone living here in the Valley that reads the newspapers or listens to the radio hears one thing over and over, beat into our heads: The Suns go as their effort goes. After every win, they talk about the effort they put forth that night. After every loss, they talk about the effort they lacked that night. And while it is a repetitive and monotonous theme, it is nonetheless true.

The Suns go as their effort goes.

It seems strange to say that, as if a professional basketball team should never be lacking in energy on any night they are playing a game. But watch this team, watch them day in and day out. When the Suns are playing hard, defending the ball, have active hands, getting in passing lanes and running the fast break, they are as close to unbeatable as is possible in the NBA. When they aren't, their shots suffer, they give up huge chunks of points, don't get the rebounds, and look pedestrian at best.

It is frustrating to say the least.

Regardless, i am not worried. And while i am definitely in the minority here in the Valley with that opinion, i am not an extremist. The peaks are not that high and the valleys are not that low.

I am of a firm belief that, much like the Spurs have mastered the last few years, the Suns just aren't that interested in the regular season. Three years ago, when Nash came on board and the Suns became good, winning was fun. They were hungry. They went out every night with the intention to run everyone out of the building, score a ton of points, and win every game they played. And each year, some would say, they peaked in the regular season and flamed out in the playoffs, reaching the conference finals a couple of times but never the League finals.

Now? Well, the core of the Suns have been through that. They have seen regular season success and playoff disappointment. They have matured, become a championship-caliber and veteran team. And, i think, learned something along the way: Winning the regular season doesn't matter.

The Suns are one of the best teams in the league, anyone and everyone knows this. They are going to win 55-60 games, they are going to finish first in the Pacific division (most likely), and they are going to be a 1, 2, or 3 seed going into the playoffs. They knew this going into the season.

The result? They relaxed. Plain and simple. They saw the Mavs kill themselves to win 67 games last season, then lose in the first round of the playoffs. They also see the Spurs take it (relatively) easy the last few years, then turn it on in the playoffs. And the Suns decided they were good enough to do the same. They don't need to kill themselves in the regular season. They don't need to win 67 games. The team, and Steve Nash especially i think (judging by some of his comments), believes it can somewhat cruise through the regular season, get to the playoffs, and then turn it on.

And you know what? I think they can too...