The STAT project

I can see clearly now.

The Western Conference is getting tougher with each passing day and the Suns need to stay focused and perform sooner than later or could find themselves seeded 4th or 5th in the Playoffs which could be the perfect situation for disaster. How about a first round match up with Dallas or Houston without home court advantage.

Now I understand. The Suns’ moves of the past weeks were not panic driven nor Steve Kerr is dealing with the team with the sense of urgency we believed.

They are indeed rebuilding: around Stoudemire, I understand.

Steve Nash will be gone in a couple of years, Coach D’Antoni much earlier (I am afraid) and the Suns better have a plan to avoid a long way down. So, enter the Big Cactus.

Amaré is not ready to lead the Suns right now, he needed a mentor, a role model on and off the court, a Master he can look at for guidance.

Stoudemire is the only Suns really having great benefit from playing alongside the Big Man. “Before we even get started, Amaré Stoudemire is the best big man in the game right now,” O’Neal said. “I didn’t know he was this good”.

I may sound a bit negative but I guess that’s what watching the whole 48 minutes of the Sunday’s Pistons-Suns game can do for your.

Go Suns !

Would you trade Stoudemire for Garnett now?

During the offseason talks of the past Summer most of us discussed about a possible trade bringing Kevin Garnett to Phoenix.

Before KG being dealt to Boston on July 31st for a bunch of more or less promising young players - and a lifetime beer supply from Danny Ainge to old pal Kevin McHale - the Suns made a real attempt to bring him to the Valley.

More or less, from what we know now, the Suns were offering, in a three-team deal, Shawn Marion and some draft picks for Garnett while Minnesota was asking for Stoudemire.

Steve Kerr basically refused to include one of the best young center in the League, STAT, in any talk with the Timberwolves. Most of us, included myself on this same blog, agreed with Kerr's point of view.

Now, after two months of the season I am not so sure anymore.

Kevin Garnett (6-11, 31-year-old) 18.9 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 3.6 APG, +26.56 EFF

KG has changed the face of the Celtics. Garnett plays all-out every night, he's shooting well (.545) and playing the best defense in the league. NBA MVP so far this season.

Amaré Stoudemire (6-10, 25-year-old) 21.5 PPG, 8.70 RPG, 1.2 APG, +24.89 EFF

STAT is playing one of the best, if not the best, season of his career on offense (shooting .584) while showing all his well-known limits on defense.

It all come down to this I believe: STAT means future (5-7 more years at this level) and offense while KG means present and a better overall game. Since Steve Nash is 33, Grant Hill is 35 , Shawn Marion is 29, the best chance the Suns have to win it all is NOW (this and possibly next season).

If I had a choice now I would trade STAT for KG. I feel Steve Kerr would do the same....now. But that's just speculation.

Go Suns !