Sons of Steve Nash is moving to Fanster

The Sons of Steve Nash is moving !

The blog will officially become part of the Fanster All Sports All Phoenix Network, the ultimate resource for Arizona Sports Fans.

This is the new home of the Sons of Steve Nash

Please make sure to update your links, bookmarks and feeds as the season is approaching.

Sio, louder then ever Go Suns !

Yours truly, Steve Fan

Stay tuned

Stay tuned fellow Suns citizens....Camp will open on Tuesday.
There will be some basketball played....Finally !

Go Suns !

Suns sign Dragic...finally

The Suns will open camp in a few days with their back up PG ready to go. Goran Dragic is officially a Sun as yesterday signed a three-year deal (with an option on a fourth season).
It's quite important to have a PG in camp from day one as he'll need all the time he can to know his teammates, learn the plays and get ready for life in the NBA.
Goran has talent, that's a given, has size (6-4) and a tremendous upside at 22 years of age.
Whether those qualities will make him a good NBA guard will be seen. We'll try not to put too much pressure on him...so please stop all those Tony Parker comparisons.

In the meantime, welcome to the Valley!

I can smell training camp around the corner, finally.

Go Suns !

Two meaningless news of the week

I can't wait for the season to begin...I am looking to see that damn basketball bounce again...please. Can't stand any more weeks of Suns news of this great relevance...

First, the Suns invite 3 players to camp, non of whom will have a chance to make the Opening Day roster. In case you care those invited are Robert Hite, former Heat player, Trey Johnson, last seen in Summer League play following a year in Serbia, and Jiri Hubalek from Jackson State...Huba who?
In case you wonder, Suns already have 13 players under contract for next year.

Then, The Big Cactus declares he will retire at the end of his current contract....Really? I believed Shaq was gonna play until 50.

Whatever, Camp opens in Tucson in less then three weeks. Looking forward to Year I of the Porter Era

Go Suns !

2008/2009 The Top 5 Suns Dancers

It's the off season, I'd rather check the Suns Dancers roster then reading about Thunder Dan producing a movie.

Having a look at the new cheerleading squad, selected from a very crowded auditions (tough choice must have been).

I have to admit this year's group looks promising. The road to catch the NBA finest, The 3-time NBA Dance Bracket champ Miami Heat Dancers, is still a long one, but Suns dancers are on their way.

Anyway, here's my preseason top 5.

1. Kayla (Arizona, 3rd year). Still the best, an All Star for years to come. The "Steve Nash" of dancing. This season KTAR poster girl.

2. Brooke (Arizona, 1st year). Could replace Brandy if give playing time. Rookie of the year stuff.

3. Brittany A (Wyoming, 2nd year) Could be the year of the Brittanys' ?

4. Brittany B (Arizona, 3rd year) Former KTAR Billboard girl

5. Amanda R (Indiana, 2nd year) Hoping to avoid a sophmore slump. Looks just great

Way to go, Girls !

Go Suns !

Nothing to write

This is possible the worst part of the year for basketball fans as the new season is getting closer but it's still a good two months away.

Draft is forgotten, unless you consider Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur recent "off the field" performance. I know boys will be boys....as they say, but are these kids dumb or what? The NBA rookies Orientation program is basically about Women, Drugs and Finance.

Trade talks and free agent signings are done.

Of course, since the season is getting closer a few Suns players are actually coming to the Valley for various activities: support the Mercury, announce the Suns will go solar in 2009 and talking to the press like STAT did last week on Suns.com.

So nothing really to write about. I thinks I'll check the 2009 Suns Dancers over the weekend, maybe the season will look better.

Go Suns!

The Summer of Steve Nash, finally some time off...chilling out with Sidney Crosby

After our beloved one spent the summer in the usual activity....

• playing soccer in NYC with, among others, soccer legend Thierry Henry


• thrilling Vancouver


• helping Uganda's youth overcome a terrible tragedy


• attending the ESPYs awards cerimony


• and so on....not to mention some film making and plenty of other charity work
  

It's now time to take some rest, recharge batteries for the new Suns season. The same Sons of Steve Nash paparazzi that got him hangin out in the desert with Randy Johnson last year this time got him on the Australia Gold Coast, chilling out by the sea with none other then fellow canadian NHL legend Sideny Crosby.

Here's the pictures.

Enjoy the rest of summer. Have fun...and Go Suns !

The 2008/09 Suns Schedule

The 2008/09 NBA schedule was finally released on Wedensday. As always schedule day is a great one...as you ccould actually start counting the days to the new season.

The Suns will open the season on the road they way they ended the last one...playing the Spurs on Oct. 29th. Nothing better to start the year than a rande-vous with Tim, Tony and Manu.

Here's some of the highlights of the schedule:

• Opening game: Oct. 29th in San Antonio (on ESPN)
• Home opener: Oct. 30th vs New Orleans (on TNT)
• First meeting with the NBA Champ Celtics: Jan. 19th. The Celts will return the favour on Feb. 22nd. I just hope we won't regret the trade that never was (KG) by that time
• Final game: Apr. 15th vs Golden State
• Longest home stand: 4 games in March (Philadelphia, Washington, Denver, Utah)
• Longest road trip: 6 games in January (Toronto, Boston, New York, Charlotte, Atlanta, Washington) from Jan. 18th to the 26th. There's a tough, but short trip East between Feb. 8th and 11th (right before the All Star Game) with the Suns playing the Pistons, the much-improved Sixers and the Cavs.
• Toughest month: December as the Suns will travel a lot and will play on the road at Dallas, New Orleans and the Lakers while hosting Utah, Orlando and San Antonio among others.
• Toughest stretch of the season: there are two very interesting 4-game stretch one in Nov. (16-22) when the Suns will play Detroit, Utah, the Lalers and Portland and one in March (6-12) with Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and Cleveland).
• First Steve Nash - Dirk Nowitzki reunion: Dec. 4th in Dallas.
• Biggest game of the year: That Christmas date with the Spurs (Dec. 25th at 12.30 on ABC). It's possibly better than last year's Xmas with Kobe.
• First Lopez Family reunion: Nov. 4th in New Jersey and Nov. 30th in Phoenix.
• Those Lakers games: in LA on Dec. 10th, Feb. 26th and in the Valley on Nov. 20th and March 1st.

And finally don't forget the 2009 All Star Game is coming to the Valley, on Feb. 15th.

Start counting, it's 83 days to the Suns opener

Go Suns !

NBA to release 2008/09 Schedule later today

The 2008/09 NBA Schedule will be released later today, but according to the Arizona Republic the Suns will play on Christmas day this year as well.After the Xmas with Kobe in 2008, we could be looking at Xmas with the Spurs. What a Joy!

The Suns will open the season on the road in San Antonio on Oct. 29th before hosting the Hornets the following day. For sure not an easy way to start the year.We'll see what the rest of the upcoming season will shape up anytime now...

Go Suns !

Suns sign forward Matt Barnes

According to various sources, including the official Suns.com, the Suns have reached an agreement with free agent forward Matt Barnes. Barnes will sign a one-year veteran’s minimum deal to play for the Suns next season.

Barnes, a five-year veteran, played the last two season with the Golden State Warriors and last year averaged 6.7 PPG and 4.9 RPG. He was one of the surprise players in the great Warriors playoffs run in 2006/07.

The signing seems like an excellent move as the Suns are adding a solid pro who can share playing time at small forward with Grant Hill while leaving some money under the cap to complete the roster.

The Suns have now only two spots left on their roster and will try to sign a back up point guard as the top priority since Dragic will stay in Spain next year and the recent Summer League proved that D.J. Strawberry, while playing with great energy and being a solid contributor, is not going to be an NBA point guard anytime soon.

Go Suns !

Rockets beat Suns 100-97 in Summer League opener

Donte Green scored 40 points on 12-of-20 shooting to lead the Rockets past the Summer Suns 100-97 last night in Las Vegas in the opening game of the 2008 Summer League for both teams.

Suns sophomores D.J. Strawberry and Alando Tucker - last year’s picks in case you forgot - each scored 22 points in the Suns 2008 Summer League debut.D.J. shot 7-for-15 from the field and missed on his only two 3-point attempts, including one in the closing seconds of the game that would have tied it at 100. Alando went 6-of-16 from the field and both grabbed 6 rebounds as well.

The biggest news of the day had to be Robin Lopez first game with the Suns. Robin had a solid game more or less confirming the scouting reports we saw immediately after the 2008 Draft: athletic player, solid rebounder, good defender, can run the floor but can’t shoot.Lopez scored a good 19 points (5-for-13 from the field but a very poisitve 9-of-11 from the free-throw line), grabbed 5 rebounds, had 7 fouls called on him in 27 minutes of play.

From what we’ve seen last night nobody else really emerged as a possible candidate for a spot on the 2008/09 Suns roster.

It was the usual Summer League game, a lot of young athletic players running and hustling on both sides of the court, up and down all night. At least it was a real game of basketball.

The Suns (0-1) will now face the Spurs (1-0) on Thursday afternoon (5:30 PM).

Go Suns !

The 2008 Suns...Summer version

Amid all the talks and the rumors at least we're about to see some basketball. It's once again Summer League Time. Not the best game on the planet I understand, but at least they're keeping scores and you can actually watch most of the games on TV....Oh, and a few of the guys will play in November.

The most interesting thing will be watching Robin Lopez make his pro debut and taking a look at Tucker and Strawberry to check if they are better then last summer. By the way, D.J. had a very good summer league last year and he's not guranteed a contract for nex year.

I am sure I would love the Summer League given a chance to spend a week in Vegas...not bad, a vacation in Vegas with some basketball as a throw in.

Anyway, the Summer Suns, 2008 version coached by Thunder Dan Majerle will begin play on July 14th at 5:30 against the Summer Rockets. The Schedule will run through Sunday July, 20th and the Suns will play the Spurs, Knicks (and have a look at Gallinari), the Blazers (Oden? Fernandez...who was a Sun for 15 minutes) and the Wizards.

Generally the Summer coach is one of the Suns assistants so Majerle is perfect, plus Dan is in great shape, sporting a great tan...or in other words just perfect for a Summer League in Vegas.

The Summer Suns Roster is made of group of young players (basically all rookies) most of whom - with the possible exception of F Rod Benson, PG Jared Jordan and G Marcus Vinicius - won't have a chance to make the roster but it's a great occasion to show the world how talented you are playing against high draft picks.

I know it's not the real thing, but I am looking forward to some basketball...it's been long since the Suns lost to the Spurs basically ending my basketball season.

Go Suns !

The Direction of the Suns !?

After watching his press conference (Check it on YouTube) I already love Robin Lopez! But...

Lopez is at best an NBA bench player, maybe a solid pro for years but will take time to develop since the guy, based on what I know is very limited with the basketball. Next year he could be more or less a Brian Skinner (no blonde beard...but that hairs rock), more athletic but a worse mid range shooter, even if Steve Kerr stated he has a good shooting touch.
He also has the perfect skills (solid defender, good rebounder) to play alongside Stoudemire (great offensive player, possibly the best in the NBA at his position). I would have loved the pick in the second round.

With second round pick Goran Dragic very unlikely to be in Phoenix next season. It means the Suns are still looking for the 2008/09 back up to Steve Nash. He has a nice upside, but he's at best a 2-3 year project. He'll be ready once Nash will be gone.

The direction of the Suns is quite unclear at the moment.

The Suns roster looks like this:

Guard: Steve Nash, Raja Bell, Leandro Barbosa, D.J. Strawberry and Goran Dragic, maybe.
Forwards: Grant Hill, Boris Diaw, Alando Tucker.
Center: Shaquille O'Neal, Amaré Stoudemire, Robin Lopez.

So far the Suns are the same as last year: very good, old at key positions, not enought depth, without a clear identity and overall not good enough for a Championship run.

Go Suns !

With the 15th pick of the 2008 NBA Draft the Suns pick Stanford Center Robin Lopez

So the Suns picked Stanford 7-foot center Robin Lopez with the 15th pick and drafted Oregon guard Malik Hairstom in the second round (48th overall) and sent him along with cash to the Spurs for the rights to Slovenian guard Goran Dragic who look very promising (I have seen him play a few times and he's a very good young player) but won't be available at least for another year or two.

Robin's brother Brook was drafted with the 10th overall pick by the Nets. I wonder if it has ever happened before.

The Suns need a point guard NOW and a small forward, unless Coach Porter think he can use Diaw at the 3 position.

Lopez is a solid player, a good defender and rebounder. I am just not sure what this pick means for the Suns. I expect a few additional moves in the offseason and above all I expect a very different Suns team next season, maybe not in the roster but for sure in the way they'll play.


Go Suns !

2008 NBA Blogger Mock Draft

Chirs from the What Would Oakley Do? blog (a nice Sports and NY Knicks blog) had a great idea: Put together a bunch of NBA bloggers and invite them to hold a 2008 mock draft.

Chris was also so kind to invite me to represent the Suns.

The result was a great post, a much better mock draft than the usual mainstream stuff.

In case you're intersted, the Phoenix Suns picked PG Mario Chalmers from Kansas with the 15th pick.

The Pick: Mario Chalmers, out of the University of Kansas

The Reason For: For once the Suns will draft a player they can use and not simply pick some talent and ship him somewhere else for future picks or cash considerations as they did with Loul Deng, Rajon Rondo, Sergio Rodriguez and Rudy Fernandez. The Suns' biggest needs are (1) find a back up point guard to play at least 15 minutes a game; (2) add some defense to the team and (3) find someone who can play right now, as the Suns are looking at a 2-year window. Plus Chalmers reminds a bit of Terry Porter, solid defender, good shooter and ready to play with a 3-year experience at a top-level program like Kansas. So, Mario, welcome to the Valley!

Go Suns !

2008 NBA Draft. Suns need a guard, not cash

This year’s NBA Draft could be very important in shaping the future of the Phoenix Suns. Let’s just hope the ownership and the new coaching staff are willing to grab something other than cash.

The Suns will indeed pick 15th and hopefully, since they’ll make the Playoffs in the next couple of years this could be the best chance to grab some talent that could eventually make the difference.

Consider that the Suns biggest needs, not counting cash considerations, are more or less these:
1. Back up point guard
2. Athletic small forward
3. Shooting guard
4. Defense

The Suns draft history has ranged from bad to worse lately, even if the front office has been able to pick some good players.

There were some mistakes (Cabarkapa in 2004, Gortat in 2005) but over the last 4 years the Suns have drafted plenty of good players that eventually became good NBA players.
The kind of players the Suns are now in desperate need. A check of the Suns draft history is quite revealing in this sense.

Need a back up point guard?
The Suns drafted Nate Robinson (2005, later traded to NY for K. Thomas later traded to Seattle for cash); Rajon Rondo (2006, traded to Cleveland for draft picks); Sergio Rodriguez (2006, traded to Portland for cash).

How about a small forward?
The Suns picked Loul Deng in 2004 and traded him to Chicago for picks, the rights to Jackson Vroman (who?) and of course cash.

In other words, the Suns did well in spotting talent but made plenty of poor decisions either trading or simply in the way they used – or not used – those players. This eventually cost Mike D’Antoni his job.

Getting back to the Suns needs entering the 2008 Draft, last season the Suns drafted the best guard available in Europe in Rudy Fernandez, a defensive minded point guard in D.J. Strawberry and an athletic small forward in Alando Tucker. Then of course they traded away the right to Rudy (guess what…for cash !) and basically never gave a chance to D.J. and Doe.

So what to do with the 15th pick this year?

I believe the Suns should pick a guard in the first round hoping one between D.J. Augustin (Texas), Mario Chalmers (Kansas), Brandon Rush (Kansas) could be available. Just please, pick one, let him play and avoid trading the guy to Portland for cash an hour after the trade.

Go Suns !

Steve Kerr and Terry Porter. Notes form the Presser

Terry Porter was introduced yesterday as the new head coach of the Phoenix Suns during a well attended press conference at US Airways Center.
Among the usual array of common sense and typical “I’m glad to be here, it’s a great opportunity and so on” a few interesting notes emerged from the presser.

Porter and Kerr agreed that “it’s going to be a different team looking forward”. On Shaq, the new Coach stated “he has some game left” and that he’ll “sit down with Nash and Hill” to talk about the Suns.

The Suns will play a similar up-tempo game to the one we’re used to, but more attention will be given to pick and roll and of course, the great missing, defense.

Steve Kerr wanted Rick Adelman, whom he considers the best in the business and quoted the fact that Porter (himself and Mike D'Antoni) have had some experience under Coach Adelman as a reason why Terry was chosen as the new coach of the Suns.

Most of all, let’s just make it clear: Steve Kerr is the real head coach of the Suns while Terry Porter will be paid to be his man on the bench. At least that’s what I understood from watching an humble and shy Terry Porter saying very few words, while it was Steve Kerr giving the answers. I might be wrong, of course.

Go Suns !

The Search is over. Terry Porter to coach the Suns

After interviewing almost every available NBA assistant, broadcasters and former Suns, GM Steve Kerr signed the first guy he auditioned for the job.

The long wait was becoming a bit nerve wrecking and the fact that the GM was actually working out prospects for the Draft without an Head Coach in place was a bit disturbing.

As you all know by now, Terry Porter will replace Mike D’Antoni as the new head coach of the Phoenix Suns. He’s expected to sign a 3-year deal and could be introduced early next week.

Terry had an outstanding playing career that lasted 17 season and was one of the best guard in the league while playing with the great Blazers team of the late 80’s early 90’s. He’s always been known as a great competitor but a classy guy on and off the court.

His coaching experience is a bit limited, even if it was the longest among the possible candidates. Porter coached the Milwaukee Bucks for two seasons (2003-05 withe a record of 71-93 .433) and was currently an assistant with the Detroit Pistons.He made the Playoffs in his first year with the Bucks and he helped develop rookie PG T.J. Ford into an NBA player.

Porter is the man Steve Kerr wanted from the beginning. They played together with the Spurs for a few seasons at the end of their playing careers. He’s Steve’s choice 100 percent and I am sure during the last few weeks they discussed the Suns agenda, an agenda that I believe could look more or less like that:

1. Play Defense. It won’t be easy, but at least trying could help.
2. Develop a point guard one that could back up Nash and eventually take over in a couple of years.
3. Stay competitive while rebuilding, that’s the tough part…as it’s never been done in the NBA.

I think the 3-year deal is the key as Porter should be allowed to work with a long-term perspective of guiding the Suns transition from an aging but still very talented and competitive team to a new younger version. In a couple of years Steve Nash will be a full-time film producer or an amateur soccer player, Shaq will be a full-time Super Cop and STAT will still trying to become the Man in the Locker Room.

Kerr and Porter will now have a few weeks to evaluate the situation and get ready for the draft. It’ll be the first real test for the new coach. So, Welcome to the Valley, Coach Porter.

Go Suns !

Phoenix probe lands on Mars

According to CNN "Diesel-powered" Phoenix probe landed on Mars a few hours ago.

According to other unconfirmed sources, should any form of life be found on the planet, Steve Kerr will likely interview it for the head coach position with the Suns.

Suns.com reported earlier in the week that the Suns have begun an extensive search for the new head coach as more than a dozen candidate could be interviewed for the job.

Good luck, Captain Steve

Go Suns !

It looks so 80's

Update on the Suns coaching carousel. So far GM Steve Kerr has interviewed or planning to do so very soon:

Mark Jackson, Terry Porter, Elston Turner, Tyrone Corbin (looking good in a the Suns photo) and Paul Silas

Is Steve Kerr trying to put on an 80’s all star game?

With Del Negro and Kerr himself we could field a pretty good team.

Go Suns !

Searching for the Perfect New Suns Coach

Amid all the talks about possible candidates for the Suns head coach position (see the great short list compiled by Greg Esposito on AZ Sports Hub) I find it difficult to find a candidate I really like to coach the Suns next season.

The key is understanding what’s inside Steve Kerr mind:

Whether `tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of REBUILDING NOW or to take arms against a sea of troubles and GIVE THIS TEAM ONE MORE SHOT AT THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

In the former case the Suns need a teacher, a coach who can evaluate and develop talent, trade away all the big salaries and start rebuilding around Stoudemire; in the latter Suns need a manager and a leader one that can ask a bunch of aging offensive minded players to play defense and deal with the huge pressure of having to win it now. Avery Johnson would be a good fit I think.

I think it would make sense to start a rebuilding process now but I am not sure I’d enjoy it. It’ll mean at least two, maybe three, years of losing basketball and that IF you do a good job. As it happened in the past it’s possible that you choose a coach to start the process, grow talent and after a couple of losing season his successor will be the one getting the fame and the glory. Teachers often fail in this crazy NBA.

Ideally the Suns could follow the Blazers route to glory and avoid a Bulls like collapse of the post MJ era. Paul Silas could make it work.

I don’t know.

Go Suns !

Ciao Mike. D'Antoni signs with the Knicks

Mike D'Antoni (Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic) is officially the former coach of the Phoenix Suns after signing a 4-year 24 million deal with the New York Knicks.

I think it was the right decision for him, personally, and for the Suns. It was clear D'Antoni and the Suns front office could not work together anymore.

Thanks Mike, whatever it was four great years (253-136 .650 winning pct.), at least 3 were really great, and we saw the best basketball on the planet.

It's clear Steve Kerr wants someone who can actually coach defense but it's better not to forget the Suns players, more or less, simply can't play defense.

Now it's time to move on. List the candidates for the position, evaluate the situation, prepare for the draft, make some moves.

Grazie Mike e Buona Fortuna!

Go Suns !

D'Antoni won't coach the Suns next season

Clues are now adding up. Solid evidence is growing that Mike D'Antoni will not coach the Suns next season.

Clue no. 1
Suns denied reports of D'Antoni departure. In pro sport it generally means he's already gone.

Clue no. 2
The initial meeting between D'Antoni, Kerr and the Owner couldn't reach a decision. You don't need to postpone a decision another 10 days if you plan to retain the Coach.

Clue no. 3
ESPN.com is reporting D'Antoni will be allowed to talk to other teams with New York and Chicago the most likely destinations.

The Suns need a change. That's step 1.

Go Suns!

The 2007-08 Suns. The Season

After each game during the season I posted a recap at AZ Sports Hub. I have decided to post all the headlines from each game: 1 to 82 and then 1 to 5 in the Playoffs. I think it will help go through the last few months of Suns basketball as understanding the past is the best way to build for the future.

Suns shake off rust in 2nd half, Beat Sonics in opener
Lakers win 119-98. Suns booed by home crowd!
Suns come back to beat Cavs 103-92
Suns (3-1) dominate Bobcats to begin Southeast trip
The Hawks are good! Suns lose in Atlanta 105-96
Nash takes over in the 4th. Suns beat Heat in Miami
It’s Barbosa doing magic as Suns beat Orlando 106-96.
Suns beat “shorthanded” Knicks, improve to 6-2
Running with the Bulls, Suns win 112-102
You can’t reach the Sun with a Rocket! Phoenix beat Houston 115-105
Suns hold on for 100-98 win in Sacramento.
Suns score 80 in the first half, beat Kings 127-111
Suns beat Clippers 113-94 for 8th straight win
Yao leads Rockets past Suns 100-94
Raja leads the way as Suns beat Magic, 110-106
Hill’s 28 lead Suns past Knicks in NYC
STAT’s 42 lead Suns past Pacers 121-117
Suns score 136 to beat Raptors in Toronto
Suns “just incredible”, Beat the Wiz 122-107
Suns get cold in second half, lose to Minnesota 100-93
The Heat is on! Suns lose to Miami 117-113
Suns beat Jazz 103-98 as Nash leads the ensemble…and chipped a tooth in the making
Hornets beat Suns 101-98 as Paul edges Nash in the Big Easy
Hill leads Suns past Duncan and the Spurs 100-95
“WunderDirk” leads Dallas past the Suns 108-105
Suns win eighth straight vs Raptors 122-103. Now it’s Christmas with Kobe
Santa is a Laker! LA beat Phoenix 122-115
Amaré plays big as Suns walk over Clippers 108-88
Suns score under 100 and WIN! 94 enough to beat the Clippers
Suns end year with win no. 22 in Sacramento
Suns come back from 20 down to beat Sonics 104-96
Paul and the Hornets come back to beat the Suns 118-112
Suns drop 20 3-pointers on the Nuggets in a 137-115 win
Suns come back to beat Pacers in OT without Nash and Hill
Jazz hold shorthanded Suns to just 86 points in Utah
Nash’s season-high 35 points lead Suns past Bucks (for the 20th straight time at home)
Clippers beat Suns in LA giving Division lead to the Lakers
Suns finally beat Lakers, regain Division lead
Suns dominate Wolves 115-95 as D’Antoni looks for defense
Suns (29-12) dominate Nets at home 116-92
Nash’s season high 37 points lead Suns past Bucks.
Suns first to lose twice to Timberwolves in the season
Marion’s floater (with 1.1 seconds left) gives Suns 110-108 win in Cleveland
Suns gain “gritty win” in Chicago, 88-77
Suns run over Hawks 125-92. Now ready for Spurs
Spurs come back in the fourth to beat Suns, 84-81
Suns’ 16 triples beat Bobcats, 118-104
Suns lose again to Hornets in 2OT, on the night Shaq became a Sun
Waiting for Shaq, Suns beat Sonics with a little help from Wally
STAT scores 31 as Suns beat Wizards 108-107
Baron and “the Man” lead Warriors past Suns 120-118
Suns beat Mavs 109-97 in final game before break
Kobe ruins Shaq’s Suns debut. LA wins 130-124
Suns get first win of the Shaq era, beat KG and the Celtics 85-77
Pistons run over Phoenix 116-86 as Suns play worst game of the year
Suns back at full speed, beat Grizzlies 127-113
Hornets sweep season series vs Suns with win in New Orleans
Suns lose at home to Sixers. Is it time to worry?
Suns hold on for 97-92 win in Portland
Melo and A.I. lead Nuggets past tired Suns, 126-113
Jazz send Suns to third straight home loss, 126-118
Suns beat Spurs 94-87 as Shaq shows the way
Suns roll over Grizzlies for second straight win, 132-111
STAT lead Suns past Warriors 123-115
Suns run over Kings for 4th straight win
STAT and Shaq lead Suns past Blazers for 5th straight win
Suns make it six in a row with win in Seattle
Perfect STAT leads Suns past Rockets 122-113
Pistons end Suns’ seven game win streak in OT
KG leads Boston past STAT and the Suns
Amare and Raja lead Suns to easy win in Philly
Amare (again) leads Suns past Nets and back on top of Pac5
STAT and Nash lead Suns past Denver in biggest comeback of the year
In the end the Suns can’t shine in Denver
Suns do “their job” against Timberwolves, win 117-88
Suns collapse in the fourth, Dallas wins 105-98
Suns clinch playoffs spot with win in Memphis, 127-113
Nash, Shaq and STAT lead Suns past Spurs 96-79
Rockets “out-hustle” Suns 101-90. Phoenix now 6th in the West
Suns blow lead then come back to beat Warriors 122-116
Suns beat Blazers 100-91 to end season at 55-27. Spurs Next !

and then came the Spurs, once again.

Suns vs Spurs: Focus, Paint, Refs and “our” Frenchman
Suns fans’ worst fears materialized as Spurs take game 1 of the series in 2OT
Spurs’ Big Three beat Suns in game 2. Phoenix in 0-2 series hole
Suns quickly setting in Phoenix. Spurs dominate game 3
Suns still alive as Diaw and Bell lead Phoenix past Spurs in game 4
It’s Over. Spurs eliminate Suns 4-1

Go Suns !

Suns out of the Playoffs. D'Antoni out next?

Led by Tony Parker and Tim Duncan the Spurs once again eliminated the Suns from the playoffs. For the third time in the last four years, the Suns' great expectations were shattered by the Spurs.

The season's over for the Suns and plenty of questions will fill the offseason, including the biggets of them all: Should Phoenix rebuild now or give it one more try to Nash and Co. ?

“It seems like every time we get to the playoffs we play the Spurs, and they beat us every time. They’re well-coached…they’ve got solid players…they understand what it takes to win. They were the better team." Stoudemire stated after the game 5 loss.

In case you didn't notice it sounds a lot like STAT's goodbye to Coach D'Antoni (AP Photo/Eric Gay).

The Suns were clearly out coached and out played in the series. The Shaq move, made to beat the Spurs (don't forget that), didn't work. I am not sure whether it was D'Antoni or Kerr who made that deal, but I feel it's time for a change.

Coach D'Antoni will be fired also according to both ESPN and SI.com who recently rumored about insanable differences between D'Antoni and the front office. I think the Owner and the GM Steve Kerr believe the Suns are not going to win with that coaching staff.

We'll have plenty of time to write, discuss and analyse everything from poor drafting to the Shaq trade or the non-use of bench players.

Fire Mike D'Antoni is probably the easy (and partial) answer to a more complicated question about the Suns ability to win an NBA Championship. But we all know easy answers is what an Owner tends to look for.

It's more or less 185 till Opening Day...

Go 2008/09 Suns!

Do you still believe?

Three reason why I still believe Suns (Barry Gossage/NBAE Photos) will come back and win the series

1. Shaq, after game 3: "I think if we can win just one game we can take it from there and see what happens. It's never been done before but will probably be done one day."

2. San Antonio can't play so well, make every clutch shot, execute perfectly on every play

3. Suns had been able to build big leads in game 1 and 2, menaing they can actually outscore the Spurs.

Of course, there's one (huge) reason why I don't believe the Suns will come back

1. Spurs are a better basketball team.


Whatever Go Suns !

Spurs-Suns or simply Nash and Ginobili

The first two games of the Spurs series were decided by two players. After watching game 2 I realized it was not about Duncan, Stoudemire, Shaq, foul trouble, zone defense or anything.

It all comes down to Manu Ginobili and Steve Nash (Ronald Martinez/NBAE Photos). Suns can’t limit Manu and can’t play efficient offense without Nash on the court.

1. Suns don’t have an answer for Manu Ginobili.

Ginobili has a plus/minus of + 9 in game 1 and +12 in game 2.
Raja Bell can’t guard him, nor can Grant Hill. Zone defense (2-3) can be used to protect the inside and the big men from getting into foul trouble but it’s very vulnerable to outside shooting, or better, to mid-range shooting.
Parker and Ginobili beat the first line of perimeter defense, easily, and can score without actually having to deal with Shaq and STAT coming up the middle. Check the shot charts of Manu and Parker in Game 2 from espn.com

2. Suns offense can’t function without Nash.

It’s not only evident by watching the games, Steve has 13 of a Suns season-low 16 assists (if I remember it right) in game 2. The Spurs defense can send the Suns completely out of rhythm and when Nash is on the bench it gets really ugly.

The Suns could use Barbosa and Diaw as alternative point men. Forget that! as both are having an awful series (-18 for both in +/- in game 2).

By the way, did you notice that in the high-equilibrium Western Conference each series is now 2-0?

Go Suns!

"New" Suns lost game one in the "old" Suns way

The Suns lost game one of the Western Conference first round series against the Spurs in dramatic fashion.

Michael Finley 3-pointer to tie it (Barbosa on him? Why not Grant Hill, the Suns best defender?)

Tim Duncan first triple of the year (rotation?), Manu Ginobili amazing shot (help up the middle?) whatever...

Phoenix played poor defense in the second half, mostly because of the big men's foul trouble.
With Shaq, STAT (Jeramie McPeek/NBAE/Getty) and Diaw in foul trouble the Spurs "underlined" all the Suns defensive limitations on the perimeter. Ginobili and Parker often beat the first line of outside defense driving to the rim.

The Suns played well for the most part, on the road despite the fact that their initial game plan (protect the paint, attack TD, keep Manu and Parker out of the area) was denied almost immediately by foul trouble.

Suns and Spurs have now played each other in the Playoffs four of the last five season. Phoenix has actually been eliminated by the Spurs on every such occasion.

In 2004-05 (Spurs 4, Suns 1 in the Conference Finals) San Antonio won game 1 (121-114), in 2006-07 (Spurs+Stern 4, Suns 2 in the second round) SA won game 1 (111-106) and of course in 2007-08 Suns lost game 1 (117-115 in 2OT). On each of those three games Tim Duncan led the Spurs to victory.

During the D'Antoni era the Suns have played the Spurs three times in four years and in each of those occasions San Antonio took game one of the series. By the way, the Spurs eventually took the series in '05 and '07.

While all of our worst fears materialized on Saturday night's game 1 loss there's plenty of reason to believe this is going to be a tough and long series.

Go Suns !

Suns vs Spurs: Focus, Paint, Refs and "our" Frenchman

The great statistical analysis at 82games.com will confirm tha the Suns are the better team on offense: shooting .552 to .504 and passing the ball as 65 percent of the Suns baskets are assisted to the Spurs 58%.
Steve Kerr has identified his won five keys to beating the Spurs on Suns.com.

Scout Inc. broke down the series on ESPN.com as the Suns won the Season series 3-1 for the first time in five years.

Even on their side of the story on MySA.com, The Spurs are worried by Shaq.

Everyone agrees this will be an intense series with lots of close game. There will be blood indeed.

With the Playoffs beginning on Saturday in Texas I believe the Suns-Spurs Series will come down to four key factors

1. Stay focused.

Never lose sight of the situation. Never try to win the game with one single player. Never give up on defense. Never stop running. Never. It's got to be 100 percent every second of every game.

2. Control the Paint.

Suns need to have control of the painted area and the boards. It means no second chances for the Spurs and trying to keep Ginobili and Parker from driving to the hoop. It all starts from their initiatives. That was reason no.1 why Shaq came to the Suns.

3. Have decent officiating.

Refs need to prevent the Spurs from making this series Royal Rumble II. It's the playoffs and everything, but it's still basketball. The last time I checked the game had not yet made special rules for the occasions. San Antonio loves fighting even more than playing basketball. The Suns are the best basketball team. Let's just hope that game will be played.

4. Boris Diaw needs to step up.

Our Frenchman can change the series. He's a great defender and an unstoppable combination of passing, shooting, inside and ouside game, but he needs to put energy and will on the court. Leave everything you have on that court, Boris!

Spurs have eliminated the Suns three of the last four Playoffs but this time will be different. I think the Suns can beat the Spurs this time. 4-2 Suns in the series.

GO SUNS !

Suns vs Spurs. Next

So, after 82 games (55-27) of the regular season, it’ll be the Spurs again starting this weekend in Texas. We haven't forgotten.

Go Suns !

Today we're all Sonics Fans

SAVE OUR SONICS

Save this great franchise from moving to Oklahoma City.

Do something, take action ! It's not too late. Write your NBA owner, post on your blog, let them know they're making a terrible mistake.

That move is "ripping" a great basketball town and the Seattle fans who supported their Sonics for 40 years. By the way, I can't see any long-term economic sense either.

Keep the Sonics in Seattle as today, we're all Sonics Fans.

Go Sonics !

The Envelope Please

It's time to hand out some silverware to the best in the 2007/2008 NBA season.


MVP - Kevin Garnett (Boston)
Each time Kobe, CP3, Garnett, STAT and Co. go to the line these days the crowds start the inevitable "MVP MVP" chants. To me the MVP has to be the best player on the best team. There could be a case for both Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant but KG changed the franchise beyond the numbers. Case closed


Coach of the Year - Byron Scott (New Orleans)
Made a great team from a bunch of talented player. A close runner-up has to be the Rockets' Adelman for his great job without Yao Ming.


Rookie of the Year - Kevin Durant (Seattle)
Played in a low-pressure, just play and have fun, environment but did very well in his first NBA season.


Most Improved Player
Either Rajon Rondo (Boston) or Rudy Gay of the Memphis Grizzlies...I would say Gay in a close one.


Best sixth man
This is a real non sense award. No awards, please. I am not really willing to hand out an award to any member of the Spurs, anyway.


Suns MVP - Stoudemire put up great stats but did not really improved his game. Steve Nash is still my MVP. By the way, Steve got over 40% of the votes in the recent Sons of Steve Nash poll ;-)

Go Suns !

The expected April decline of Steve Nash

I am a bit worried by the last few games played by Steve Nash.

He looked tired and I am afraid his back is starting once again to feel the pressure of playing 35 minutes each night.

The long discussed inability of the Suns coaching staff to develop a decent back up to Nash is taking its toll, as usual in April. Just check his Split Stats on ESPN.

Nash is averaging 13.2 points, 11 assists and shooting a season low 35 percent from the field. This decline in production has already happened in 2005-06 and 2004-05 and that means 3 of Nash 4 seasons with the Suns.

With the Suns more or less locked in 6th place in the West, why not rest Nash for a week?

Go Suns !

"The baddest 36-year-old ever created"

"I played through everything," O'Neal said. "I told them that if they play me single coverage, let me make them pay. I'm still the baddest 36-year-old ever created."

The Shaq (AP Photo/Eric Gay) after the Suns 96-79 win in San Antonio on ESPN.com

The man is a genius.

Go Suns !

Who would you like to play in the Playoffs?

Since the Suns clinched a playoffs spot with last night’s - otherwise meaningless - win in Memphis we can probably start thinking about Playoffs matchups in the Western Conference.

All the debate about the Suns final place in the standings has to do with home court advantage and above all who's gonna be "our" first round opponents. It’s all about first round opponents, really, since the real disaster, not only for the Suns, would be losing so early in the Playoffs.

The Suns are currently 6th in the West and would face the Lakers. Fifth place could mean facing the Jazz in round one. Those seem the two most probable combinations at the moment. Do you like those matchups? Not at all as the Suns are a combined 2-5 against Utah and LA.

It wouldn’t be any better if the Suns had to face say New Orleans, San Antonio and given last Sunday’s game Dallas.

Of the Suns’ 28 wins vs the West, 18 came against non playoffs teams. The Suns are 8-14 vs Western Playoffs teams.

I like the Suns’ chances against Houston and Denver, but everyone would love to play those two teams in the first rounds since the Rockets will be without Yao and the Nuggets without any form of defense.

If only the Suns could play the Clippers or the Kings.

Go Suns !

Nash: The Monthly Invoicing

Somehow, during this season, I got the idea that Nash was having a so-so season, possibly not in line with expectations nor with his previous performance as the Suns PG. I decided to have a look at the numbers.

Steve Nash season so far looks like this: GP 73 MPG 34.7 PPG 17.2 APG 11.2 TO 3.70 3P% 0.48 while his Suns career stats are MPG 35 PPG 17.6 APG 11.2 TO 3.6 3P% 0.45.

Nash is in line with his past performance and shooting the best of his career from 3-point range. So, could you please bring back those MVP MVP chants?

Here's a statistical recap of Steve Nash's performance, on a monthly basis.

November (too many turnovers, but a great moth)

GP 16, MPG 34.3, PPG 19.5, APG 10.9, TO 4.2, 3P% 0.50

December (great passing month)
GP 15, MPG 34.5, PPG 13.9, APG 14, TO 2.8, 3P% 0.40

January (another excellent month)
GP 15, MPG 33.7, PPG 18.6, APG 10.5, TO 4.3, 3P% 0.49

February (too many turnovers in the toughest month of the season for the Suns)
GP 11, MPG 36.4, PPG 17.7, APG 10.3, TO 4.6, 3P% 0.43

March (adjusting to the Shaq era)
GP 16, MPG 35.3, PPG 17.5, APG 9.8, TO 3, 3P% 0.56

In case you wonder, here are Nash's stats in the post Shaq era: GP 21, MPG 35.2, PPG 17.5, APG 9.6, TO 3.1, 3P% 0.52

So, Steve is playing is usual great game. There's not much talk lately about Nash since everyone is focusing on Shaq and Stoudemire. Only dangerous sign is playing time, I'd rather se Nash play under 34 minutes a game trying to rest him a little before the playoffs, since the Suns failed once again to develop a back up PG.

Go Suns !

Upon Further Review or Hurting Myself again.

Instead of going out to dinner with friends I decided to spend last night at home, in front of the TV, hurting myself, watching the last two Suns games one more time. So I took the laptop on my knees and started re-watching the games in Detroit and Boston. Here’s what I think I saw in no particular order.

Wait a minute! Arron Afflalo (correct? Double R, Double F) is in the starting five for the Pistons. He was drafted a few picks later than Alando Tucker who as of today has played the grand total of FIVE games so far. Why can’t we ever play a rookie, why? Trade all draft picks from here to eternity, maybe the Mavs could give us Dirk Nowitzki if we just pack all first rounders until 2020.

D’Antoni is starting the game on a 2-3 zone defense. Am I watching the right game? I think I saw Amaré coming from the weak side to provide help on defense. Twice! He even seems to care a bit more about what’s going on.

Whit Shaq on the court the Suns are actually a better (forget our initial fears) fastbreak team since they can trust Shaq under the boards and the other four players can just fly quickly to the other side. Yet the Suns are a totally different team from the one that opened the season. Different players, different attitude, different plays, different everything and they’re depending more and more on Nash; without Steve at QB the Suns can’t play offense at all now.

Did you notice nobody seems to miss Marion or is it just me?

I had not realized how good a defender Grant Hill can be. With Nash, Shaq and Hill on the court the Suns have by far the highest basketball IQ on the planet. It should have happened 4 years ago.
Shaq can give the Suns 20 minutes (no more) of high quality basketball each night, despite being in the best shape of the last 2-3 years, another great job by the Suns training staff.

The Suns have completely stopped playing the pick and roll between Nash and Shaq which they tried often in the first four games of the Era of the Big Cactus. Wow, how about trying to defend a pick and roll between Diaw and Nash with Steve actually setting the pick and getting open for a three…lovely. (It happened with 5:50 left in the second of the Detroit game).

I don’t like Gordan Giricek.

Do you recall the last time the Suns had a little help from the officials? C’mon ref, that’s an offensive foul

Leandro Barbosa is definitely overrated, as much as I love the guy he’s still very far from being a complete basketball player, he’s the best at coming off the bench, shooting and running as fast as he can, but he’s far from getting the inner details of this game. Don’t get me wrong, I like Leandrinho, Beep Beep !

These days Stoudemire vs Garnett is the best match-up in the NBA to watch, possibly even better than Lebron vs Kobe. KG (I know we should have made that deal) can change a team like no other player in the NBA. I love that guy, he’s the best overall player in the game right now, no one can give you so much on BOTH sides of the court. Garnett has to be League’s MVP. Kobe, Lebron, Paul, are all great players, possibly with superior talent, but he’s the MVP. (all photos by AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

And finally, give us the playoffs, I am getting tired of the regular season.

Go Suns !

State of the West

While it's quite clear the Eastern Conference Champions will be eventually chosen between Cleveland, Boston and Detroit (I like the Pistons), in the West everything is possible. With less then a month left in the regular season here's what could happen on this side of the moon.

Lakers (48-22) Gasol and Bynum will come back in time for the playoffs, the schedule looks promising with 8 games at home (9 if you count the road game with the Clippers) in the remaining 12. Expect LA to hold on first place in the Pac 5 and the Conference.

New Orleans (47-21) 4-6 over the last 10 on the road could mean trouble as the Hornets will play mostly out of the Big Easy including visits to Cleveland, Boston, Toronto, Orlando, The Lakers and Dallas. Division lead in jeopardy but I think they'll be able to hold on and retain the second overall record in the Conference.

Houston (47-23) That 20-something win streak was amazing but how long can Tracy McGrady and Luis Scola carry this team without Yao remains to be seen. Houston will only play teams within the Conference and mostly on the road, but some of those foes are easy ones (Clippers, Sonics, Kings twice each). Make the playoffs but end up third in the Southwest.

San Antonio (47-23) The "hated" Spurs are starting to get into playoffs mode: tight (dirty) defense, clutch plays, the usual amazing play from Manu and more or less just ugly wins. A tough stretch in the schedule with Houston, Golden State, Utah, Portland and Phoenix in 10 days. 2nd in the division is where they'll end. They'll be there to the end as usual.

Utah (46-25) 7 home games left and since you can't beat this guys in Salt Lake City (30-4) it's good news for them; although you won't find a tougher final stretch of the year (San Antonio, New Orleans, Dallas, Denver, Houston and the Spurs again). Easly win the Northwest and should have a couple of rounds with home-court advantage in the post season.

Dallas (44-26) along with the Suns this is the most interesting team to watch since the whole season has been an emotional roller coaster, and the ride is far from over over since Jason Kidd is still looking for his place, Marc Cuban is still unsure about Coach Johnson's leadership and skills, Josh Howard has lost some of his early season form and above all Dirk could be out for a few weeks. The schedule is so-so, not bad but not too easy as this team needs to find answers now. The Mavs could well win the League or miss the playoffs (Cuban won't stand still in the latter case).

Golden State (43-26) still running at full speed, making each game a tactical mess. Monta Ellis has become one of the best guards in the League and with Davis and Jackson it's never easy to face Nellie's band. The Warriors are trying to hold off Denver for the last playoffs place in the West. The schedule is not easy early on but the end the season with 4-of-5 at home. They'll play the Nuggets twice and those games could mean a lot. I still think they'll make it as the 8th seeded team.

Denver (42-28) the Nuggets are a very good team but a victim of the tough Western Conference. I think they won't reach the playoffs despite the great recent play of Melo and Iverson but they still have a chance and have destiny in their hands (as they say) since they'll play Dallas once, Phoenix and Golden State twice. I don't think they'll make it.

And finally, your Phoenix Suns (47-22). The Suns are finding a new balance, defense has been better, if not good, lately and after a few difficult games Phoenix is again shooting the ball very well. A seven game winning streak is there to prove it. With 13 games to go I expect the Suns to win 9 and possibly lose 4 (Detroit, Boston, Denver and San Antonio all on the road). A 56-26 record should be good for a top four seed and a chance to play at least one at home in the playoffs. Second place in the Division and third in the Conference is what will happen.

And then...I'll just sit down, root for the Suns, and watch. Each team in the West (maybe except the Nuggets should they make it) is very capable of winning it all.

Go Suns !

Watch out Spielberg !

According to The Arizona Republic Steve Nash sees filmmaking in his future as he already started his cousin.

Check some of his magic on You Tube. That's some director's talent.

I am sure Steve will one day become the greatest film producer in the industry.

Go Suns !

The consequences of trade

A recent Sons of Steve Nash poll, among others, came to the conclusion that the Lakers made the best deal available by trading Paul Gasol for nothing. A real no-brainer. I wish Steve Kerr had asked them first.

The move was clearly much better, from LA point of view at least, than any other Western Conference trade.

But speaking of trades it was interesting to read some nice considerations on pre and post trade team performances in the Moderatly Celebral Bias Blog. A bit strange to hear that after 10-12 games teams more or less failed to show any significant form of improvement. Very interesting, indeed.

This also is a nice occasion to judge the Suns, comparing the pre and post Shaq era. On the always great Bright Side of the Sun I just realized that so far the Diesel-powered Suns actually improved scoring (by a short margin .6 PPG), allowed almost 2 points more, rebounded better while winning percentage actually declined.

The next 5-6 games will be a better judge, after the trip Northwest the Suns will play Houston, Detroit and Boston.

Still not sure what to think about the Shaq trade, anyway.

My heart likes it (Shaq is a great presence, a charismatic man and still can play), my brain still hates it (Shaq is slow, old and is basically ruining the Suns' system).

Go Suns !

Are the Suns willing to play defense?

The Suns defense is awful. We all know that, but I am still not sure of the reason.

The Suns players are individually very poor defenders with the possible exceptions of Bell and Strawberry. Stoudemire is big, athletic but doesn’t have a clue on defense, Hill doesn’t have the size to guard a forward in the League, and so on.

Well documented are Nash’s defensive limitations, i.e. check this very interesting post from the Empty the Bench blog, while "of course" I don't agree with the fact that Nash is overrated.

I actually believe Nash is not that bad one vs. one, at least in trying to drive his opponents where help should be coming. Steve (and more or less everyone else on the Suns team) is lost when opponents start spreading the basketball, playing the passing game and setting consecutive picks.

Did you notice how many open shots Suns’ opponents can take in a game?

The departure of Shawn Marion means the Suns are suffering on the perimeter. Check the stats of the small forwards the Suns faced recently: Anthony scored 30, Gay 36, Iguodala 32, Jamison (playing at SF most of the night) 28 as Raja often has to guard the opponents' small forwards. Raja (AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens) is a very good defender on guards but he’s not big enough to guard much bigger players.

The Suns play possibly the worst pick-and-roll defense in the League. Often opponents play pick-and-roll (even the NBA teams not calling Salt Lake City home), most of the time that’s the play they call to start their offense, with a combination of PG and C (or PF). Against the Suns it means the 2 worst defenders on the team, Nash and Stoudemire, come into action. Shaq is not any better as a pick-and-roll defender.

So the Suns need a good defender at small forward…Marion? Right, back then we needed a big presence in the middle. It can't be solved, I am afraid.

Playing defense is so far away from the Suns state of mind that even if they enter the play with a decent attitude, they just fail to play defense for 24 seconds. They often look more or less lost.

So the question is, can a team of poor individual defenders become a decent defensive team? I think it is possible as it’s mostly a matter of will, attitude, good coaching and work ethic. Let’s just hope it can be feasible in a couple of months.

Go Suns !

The Schedule is against the Suns

Entering today’s game against the Spurs, the Suns (40-22) will have exactly 20 games left in the 2007-08 season.
Of those 20 games Phoenix will have 16 vs. the West and the four games against the East will be played on the road in Detroit, Boston, Philadelphia and New Jersey.
Of those 20 games, 13 will be against teams with winning records.
Before the end of the regular season Phoenix will play 2 vs. the Spurs, 2 vs. the Nuggets, 2 vs. Golden State, 2 vs. Houston. You got it.

It’s time to get worried as the Suns are SERIOUSLY in danger of missing the playoffs or eventually enter the post season with the Conference 7th or 8th seed.

Go Suns !