With all the hype surrounding Amare Stoudemire and whether or not he would be traded before Thursday's deadline, most assumed that STAT would be wearing another team's jersey to start his next game. Stoudemire played (& played well) last night @ home in a win for the Suns (vs. Atlanta) - this continues a streak of Amare scoring over 20 pts (now 9 straight games). Even w/ his name being mentioned in trades w/ the Cavs & Heat for the past few weeks - he still remains a Sun & he's handled everything w/ extreme professionalism. He really has grown up Suns fans.
Despite all the trade rumors, however, Steve Kerr and the Suns thought they were better off holding on to Amare for the rest of the season. There were no moves that would've made the team better this year or in the future. Sure, they probably could've gotten a small amount of cap relief, but they would have essentially being saying to fans - "we quit". A quitting philosophy wouldn't bode well w/ fans or the current roster, including 2-time MVP Steve Nash. The Suns are competitive and capable of beating anyone in this league, w/ the possible exception of the Lakers - there's really no reason to think they can't get into the 2nd round of the NBA Playoffs or further. Assuming each round is worth a couple extra million dollars to the team, they should make enough to help cover the salaries & decide over the summer what to do.
Phoenix has been a bit of a roll lately w/ the core unit of guys on the roster - this recent surge had to influence Kerr's decision to some degree. They are currently 6th in the West, which considering the talent some of the other teams have, is really not all that bad. The Top 3 positions are already set - Lakers, Nuggets & Mavs (in 4th, but will move back up). At least 7 other teams are vying for the next 5 playoff spots and projected seedings change almost on a nightly basis.
There's no telling what the summer will bring for Amare Stoudemire or the Suns, but Amare trade rumors are sure to pick up steam again once the NBA Finals are over. There are a handful of teams w/ a lot of money to spend so Stoudemire will have numerous lucrative options to pursue. The Suns could re-sign him also, but since they aren't looking to give him a max deal for the # of years Amare & his agent are looking for, it's quite possible he will be playing elsewhere in the 2010-2011 season.
Here's one fan who is glad the team didn't trade Amare, but is also hopeful they re-sign him during the offseason as well. I think he fits well w/ the team's playing style & would be sorely missed if he went elsewhere.
The Phoenix Suns are coming off of two embarrassing losses in a row to the NY Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers, respectively. In both games, the Suns simply looked like a team that didn't have much energy and/or were kind of on auto-pilot. Against Cleveland, they looked tentative, avoiding Shaq & LeBron James defensively as if they had H1N1. The game vs. New York was unexpected and really should have been a Win for Phoenix. Former coach Mike D'Antoni certainly got the best of his former team (again).
The defense is the most glaring change in the Suns recently - they just haven't had the same intensity as they did when the season started. No individual player is responsible for the change, but they need to get back to shutting teams down in the 4th quarter. Against NY & Cleveland, however, they needed some defensive stops in the 1st & 2nd quarters to prevent getting down by so many points.
Phoenix finished their road trip at 2-2 and still own one of the league's best records, so there's no reason to panic right now. Hopefully the two blowouts were a rarity and the team returns to its winning ways immediately. They can ill afford to lose too many games in what is anticipated to be a very competitive playoff race in the Western Conference. As many as 10 teams are currently capable of getting into the 8 available slots.
Leandro Barbosa has been slowed by injury so the bench is a little more barren (in scoring) than before, but that's no excuse for getting their a** handed to them the past 2 games. The other role players should have stepped up & filled the void left by Barbosa. This isn't to say that the starters were playing well either - they are the one's that fell behind early in the games after-all.
The Phoenix Suns entered a new era on Wednesday night some would say... lowered expecations era. While the team is still exciting to watch and can play with virtually any team on a given night, many NBA analysts are writing the Suns off as a likely playoff team, but nothing more. That's all fine & dandy, but the season is long, players get traded and really, anything is possible. I'm not writing this team off until they're a) out of playoff contention or b) eliminated in the playoffs. I expect good things out of the new squad and believe the Western Conference is open for opportunity (save for San Antonio & the Lakers).
Facing the LA Clippers in the season opener, the Suns got a chance to compete (for real) against a pretty decent team. This was no exhibition or match-up where the teams would rest their best players; this was the real deal & PHX came to play. Trailing for much of the game, the Suns needed a valiant 4th quarter to pull out the victory, led by their clutch shots and surprisingly effective defense down the stretch. Final score - 109-107
Coming into the game, I expected the Clippers to dominate Phoenix on the boards, but the Suns were close at half and finished w/ a 36-35 advantage over a formidable front line for L.A. (Camby & Kaman). Grant Hill led all players w/ 13 rebounds, while Jared Dudley grabbed 7 & rookie Earl Clark 5 for the Suns.
Steve Nash was his reserved through most of the game, but came on when it counted (typical Nash). Without Shaq in the paint clogging up his path, Steve was more free to dribble penetrate and keep the Clippers' on their toes. His amazing under-hand scoop layup to clinch the game was superb & vintage Nash, but his previous shots were just as important as the clincher.
Amare Stoudemire made a great play defensively to close out the game (yes, read it again) on Eric Gordon. While the play was somewhat questionable, STAT really did what he needed to disrupt the shot w/out causing the foul and giving Gordon 3 FT's. Stoudemire didn't dominate the game, but anytime you're going up against Camby/Kaman, I think that's to be expected a little bit. They are tough challenge in the post.
And while Nash excelled and probably saved the game, it was another NBA veteran who I think deserves the game ball - Grant Hill. Grant helped set the pace early by getting on the boards, scoring and showing hustle to inspire his team.
Highlights from the Suns annual outdoor preseason game:
Just a preseason game, but the highlights don't show Phoenix too favorably. They are regularly out of position and being caught off guard on defense. I would hope we're better than Golden State overall at season's end, but we couldn't take care of this one. They probably could have one easily, had Steve Nash (1-6 FG), Earl Clark (4-16 FG), Leandro Barbosa (2-8 FG) and others just hit their shots. The Suns shot 40.4% FG on the game - that's not going to win many. Golden State only shot 42.2%, but was 43.8% 3FG shooting and 84.4% from the stripe (PHX shot 69.2%).
Solid outing from Suns' rookie Earl Clark, although a 25% FG shooting game is not going get him a lot of minutes come the regular season. He finished w/ 10 pts and 6 rbs off the bench, including 2-2 on his FT's.
Looks like the Warriors starters dominated the glass, w/ Anthony Randolph and Andris Biedrins pulling down 13 & 15 rebounds, respectively. This compares to the Suns entire starting frontcourt of Hill, Frye and Stoudemire (19 total rebounds). Warriors guard (& rookie) Stephen Curry almost out-rebounded every starter for PHX (Curry had 7) - to be fair, he did play the 2nd most minutes of anyone in the game (Anthony Morrow played 2 more minutes).
The Warriors are a team in semi-friction mode. G/F Stephen Jackson is being a royal pain in the a**, demanding a trade and otherwise backstabbing his own team during games. After racking up 5 fouls and quite a few turnovers in only 10 minutes of action the other night, the team has suspended him for conduct detrimental to the team.
The Phoenix Suns, already short on reliable players in the post, will lose 2nd year center Robin Lopez for 6-8 weeks due to a foot injury.
Lopez broke his fifth metatarsal—the long bone on the outside of his foot
that connects to the little toe—in the second half of the team’s intrasquad
scrimmage Saturday in San Diego. Team officials say the procedure to insert a screw in Lopez’s foot will be
performed Tuesday at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix. Source: Yahoo Sports (AP)
The loss of Lopez may force the Suns to play Amare Stoudemire more at center, despite the ongoing feeling (from Amare) that he's a power forward. He is best suited as a center though - that is where he's had the most success due to the mismatches in speed & athleticism he possesses. Additionally, the Suns latest acquisition, Channing Frye, will likely see the most increased playing time w/ Lopez out. Still, the Suns may opt to start Amare at the 5 & Frye at the 4. Suns' rookie Earl Clark may also be required to contribute more from the get-go, instead of coming into the rotation slowly like Phoenix would prefer.
Not to suggest "releasers" remorse, but considering they paid Ben Wallace anyway, they probably should've hung on to him as an emergency (at the very least). Not sure which big men are available at the moment, but Phoenix should look to shore up that position sooner rather than later.
The 14th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Earl Clark, officially signed a contract w/ your Phoenix Suns last Friday.
An established big-game performer, the 21-year-old Clark averaged 15.0
points and 8.0 rebounds and shot 56.8 percent from the field in NCAA
Tournament games during his final two seasons at Louisville.
Clark adds versatility and athleticism off the bench, but it is unclear how well he'll perform in the NBA. He will be a welcome sight off the Suns' bench, however, as their lack of draft picks over the last 3-4 yrs has left us watching the same players over & over again. Some new blood will be good for the team.
Rumors are that Clark will not play in the summer league, although the exact reasoning isn't exactly clear. He would certainly benefit from the experience that the summer league provides, although the pre-season will provide him ample time to get use to the pro game.
Other Phoenix Suns News
(A-d-v-e-r-t-i-s-e-m-e-n-t)
With the NBA's Summer League in full swing this week, amateurs and school organized basketball teams are also getting underway. As pro basketball goes, so usually does the average fan. When the professionals start playing, everyone starts getting more into the game - local leagues are organized, pick-up games started on playgrounds around the country and gyms/fitness centers a full of players saying "we got next".
If you're anything like me, your basketball equipment is probably in need of replacement - especially your ball. Sure, the ball is the easiest thing to replace, but how is your backboard doing? Time for a new net/chain? Whether you're looking to fix up your existing equipment or move up to the next level, there is a decent site which should have everything you need - visit Basketball Products International.
More than the casual player might need, BPI has a full selection of products for small organized basketball leagues, junior & high school basketball equipment (e.g. scoring tables, glass backboards, etc.) and even serious outdoor leagues (portable backstops, etc.). BPI is for the serious basketball player that knows what he wants and doesn't want to overpay for it.
My personal favorite, from playing it up in my Jr. High & high school gyms, is the Spalding TF-1000. I spent hour upon hour shooting w/ that ball - by myself, scrimmaging 3-on-3 and even during tryouts for the school teams (I only tried out for high school). For about $35.00, as of this writing, you can pick-up this ball for yourself, although I'd only suggest you use it indoors. This ball's grip & feel are meant solely for indoor play - outside, the ball would get torn up.
Regardless of your needs, you should bookmark BPI to price compare and/or save until the season is closer upon you.
The Phoenix Suns have reportedly reached agreement w/ free agents Grant Hill and Channing Frye, a former Arizona resident (UofA). As is being reported by Paul Coro, Suns insider for the Arizona Republic, Hill is signing a 2-yr deal w/ a player option on the 2nd yr, while Frye is also expected to receive a 2-yr deal.
Here are the details on Grant Hill's re-signing:
Hill will return for a third season with the Suns by agreeing to a contract that
will pay him $3 million this season with a player option of $3.24 million for
2010-11.
Hill could have received more money in NY, but a call from Nash may have been the key in keeping Grant a Phoenix Sun.
Here are some specifics on the Channing Frye deal:
Meanwhile, the Suns also have assurances from Frye and his agent, Rob
Pelinka, that Frye will sign. That contract is expected to be a
two-year deal, using the biennial exception or a contract that is nearly
equivalent to it, using a portion of the $5.85 million mid-level exception. A
biennial exception is worth $4.07 million over two years with a second-year
player option.
I believe Frye will perform well in the Suns' system and look forward to watching in his 1st year w/ the team. I was a fan of him at the University of Arizona and kept track of him in NY & Portland as well, so I have high hopes and encourage Suns fans to stay encouraged on this kid.
Not sure either of these moves are going to satisfy Amare Stoudemire, but Steve Nash also looks close to signing an extension that will keep him in Phoenix for a few more years. Not that Nash's signing will encourage Stoudemire to quit talking about being traded, but it is a step in the right direction for the franchise nonetheless.
Neither deal really puts too much pressure on future acquisitions or the cap, since both players are basically going to cost about $7m total each year. For two possible starters (although Frye won't start), that is a bargain any way you look at it. Since the trade of Shaq, including the expected buyout/waiving of the players in that deal, the Suns expect to save about $18m next year overall.
Big moves this summer, including your Phoenix Suns... unfortunately, the Suns traded away players for financial reasons & are not getting much in return. In addition, key free agents are looking elsewhere (Grant Hill, Matt Barnes), so the team is looking mighty thin in some key positions.
Most notable NBA trades & free agent signings of 2009:
- Suns traded Shaq to Cleveland for Ben Wallace (waiving) & Sasha Pavlovic, a decent 6th or 7th man.
- Hedo Turkoglu traded from Orlando to Toronto (w/ 3 other teams involved).
- Former Suns player Shawn Marion traded from Toronto to Dallas (see above).
- Ron Artest signs w/ the LA Lakers.
- Trevor Ariza signs w/ the Rockets.
- Ben Gordon & Charlie Villanueva sign w/ the Pistons.
- Richard Jefferson traded from Bucks to Spurs.
- Mike Bibby re-signs w/ Atlanta.
- Anderson Varejao re-signs w/ Cavs.
- Rasheed Wallace signs w/ Celtics.
- Antonio McDyess signs w/ Spurs.
- Vince Carter traded to Orlando Magic from NJ (Rafer Alston goes to NJ).
The Suns still have big decisions to make w/ forward Amare Stoudemire, as well as guard Steve Nash, who are both unhappy w/ the current situation and don't want to play for a rebuilding team. They are hopeful that Grant Hill will re-sign, but they can't pay him much and he has a chance to end his career w/ a championship in Boston or a "different experience" w/ the Knicks.
The Phoenix Suns have traded Shaquille O'Neal to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic. ESPN is breaking the news right now, as Yahoo Sports probably reported first (?). No Tweets from Shaq or Amare (yet)... Shaq has tweeted quite a bit tonight, but nothing on the trade.
This move is "mostly" salary related, since it really won't make the Suns any better. Not sure it makes Cleveland any better to be honest... Realize this is a business and the Suns can't over-pay for a non-playoff team.
The move signals confidence in both Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire, although much more could still happen tomorrow during the draft (or even before the season starts. Ben Wallace will probably be bought out and/or waived pretty quickly. The Suns have no intention of playing him and he's been leaning towards retiring anyway. Pavlovic adds a shooter, but the Suns have real depth problems in the frontcourt now. I would expect another trade or see them draft a Center or Power Forward. Amare will be a target next year if they can't find a big man to support him.
Suns Draft Party
I will be attending the Suns Draft Party, so expect some cool stuff that night or the following day. Hoping to get some good pics & perhaps some interviews if some of the players are warm to it.
While some teams appear to have their 2009 NBA Draft plans in stone already (think LA-Griffin), the Phoenix Suns and other teams after the 1st pick are a little less clear. Starting with the 2nd pick, the NBA Draft looks to be one of the most dynamic in recent history. Not only is there no clear selection of players, but many teams are lining up for the 2010 free agent season when LeBron James and others will be available. Many franchises will be unwilling to take on huge salaries right now with so much at stake next season.
The questions for the Phoenix Suns are numerous...
- Which of the big 3 gets traded for salary room? Nash, Shaq or Stoudemire.
- Does Phoenix even keep their 14th pick? They've taken cash more often recently.
- Do they take a big man to compliment/relieve Shaq/Stoudemire or a guard to relieve Nash?
Phoenix is no different than the other teams in that they are looking forward to the 2010 season, but they have a more difficult task ahead of them. The signing of Shaq has not proven to be successful, while fan favorite Steve Nash is facing free agency soon and it is unclear if the Suns are interested in paying him top-level at his age. Top that off w/ "Sun Tzu" (Amare Stoudemire) and his on/off behavior recently and you don't really envy GM Steve Kerr right now. He is either going to piss off the fan-base to start rebuilding or he's going to make a move that "might" put them in the playoffs next year... notice I didn't say "championship". The Suns had 46 wins and couldn't get the 8th seed... sorry, but I don't expect much more out of them w/out a shake-up in the roster.
There is no clear direction for the Suns so we all wait, holding our breath, to see what the future has in store.
Suns' 2-Time MVP Steve Nash has been a special correspondent on the David Letterman Show the past few games of the NBA Finals. The premise is simple - Nash tries to be goofy and/or entertainint - and he does a pretty good job at it.
The interviews and interaction w/ the fans is quite hilarious, but there is a stink being made about Nash's comments at the end of the segment, when Letterman implies that Steve should be in playing for the NY Knicks. Nash didn't play it off or say he was happy in Phoenix, but his answer was playful & somewhat jokingly at the same time. While I have no doubt that Nash would love to play for D'Antoni in New York, I think he's happy here and will remain a Suns player.
Do you think Nash is on his way out or was he just kidding?
Fresh off missing the playoffs for the first time in years, GM Steve Kerr and the Suns have officially made Alvin Gentry the head coach for at least the next two seasons. There is an option for a 3rd year, but he'll have to prove himself worthy to get that.
Not a bad move for Phoenix, considering the coaching talent pool available - seriously, is there a single coach you would take over Gentry? Didn't think so.
They keep the core group of guys happy, because Gentry will maintain the run 'n gun that has been so popular. Good move by management for the fans and the players IMHO. At the same time, I'm not sure Gentry can get this team any further than they are now. Shaq is old, Nash is solid if you can keep his minutes down, Amare plays 3/4 of the time (hard), J-Rich is decent, Barbosa is streaky and the bench isn't too good. Grant Hill and Matt Barnes are solid, but that is the extent of the team - 7 guys. Look at Cleveland, Denver and the Lakers - deep benches capable of stepping in and holding court. These are the front-runners for the NBA title this year and the Suns will have to make some moves to shore up the bench if they hope to contend next year.
Good to have a decision early on as well... last year waiting until the summer was a grinder.
The NBA has been awarding players, coaches and executives over the past couple weeks for their accomplishments to basketball this season. Among the winners, include many first timers, but we should get use to the fact that they won, because we will be seeing a lot more of them in the coming seasons.
2008-09 NBA Award Winners
MVP - Lebron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Rookie of the Year - Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
Defensive Player of the Year - Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
Coach of the Year - Mike Brown, Cleveland Cavaliers
Executive of the Year - Mark Warkentien, Denver Nuggets
Really no surprises in any of these announcements. Lebron James was the best player from February on - bar none. Derrick Rose jumped out to an early lead for Rookie of the Year and never looked back. Dwight Howard has been a beast defensively all season, leading the league in both blocks and rebounds. Mike Brown led the Cavs to the best record in the NBA, so no alternatives there. The Nuggets' executive responsible for dispatching Allen Iverson and bringing Chauncey Billups back home deserves his award as well... just as the Pistons which player they'd rather have.
Howard and James, especially, figure to be listed on a yearly basis in the respective categories they won in this year. Rose may surprise people in a couple years and compete for the MVP, but is otherwise done winning season awards.
While still not official statistically, the Phoenix Suns are virtually eliminated from playoff contention after their horrendous showing on Sunday vs. the Dallas Mavericks, the team they WERE chasing. Dallas had their way with the Suns so strongly, that the Suns didn't even play their starters in the 4th quarter - they may have for a minute or two, but at the 8-9 minute mark, Nash, Shaq and the others were nowhere to be seen.
I wasn't in town and only saw the 4th quarter, but I can imagine what you guys were going through watching them fall further & further behind, watching their playoff hopes fade.
Prior to the Sunday game, I still had hope and even believed that Utah, not Dallas, was that team that would falter and allow the Suns an entry into the playoffs. Despite the Jazz' recent slide, they are 1 game ahead of Dallas now and Phoenix is outside looking in.
Looking forward to the offseason, the NCAA tournament likely showcased the Suns next draft pick - hopefully there is someone left they can get and/or they get lucky on the ping-pong balls to get Blake Griffin. I wished the season had turned out differently, but I enjoyed every minute of it and will continue to follow whatever Suns team is on the floor next year. I thought Nash, O'Neal and/or Amare would be traded this offseason, but with the economy the way it is and teams probably not looking to take on those huge salaries, I wouldn't be surprised to see them stay in Suns uniforms for another year.
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