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I know some want to put all the blame on the coach or a certain player or FO/owner, but it is a combination of things.

It has been the small things. This is a list of things that have happened, some big, some small. But the small ones are the ones that irk me because our FO and coach has no vision how to build a

Poor management fu**ed up what could of been a4-5 year period of legit title contention which then lead into a quick rebuilding process as we would of had young players + amare to build around

We could of had so much more depth ie a proper back up PG if Sarver and Co weren't so anal these last few years.

Also signing Diaw to a 9 million dollar contract is going to bite us in the ass these next few years

Even though Diaw was seemingly the only one who came to play in games 4 and 5? (Bell in Game 4, too).

Don't go blaming ownership for attempting to avoid the lux tax. All teams do that except maybe the Knicks.

Although those contracts for Diaw and Banks was crazy.

I think barbosa is a huge liability over nash. Love his scoring punch off the bench. But you are right, not having young guys on the bench to keep this team solid is what is killed us now and in the future. Seattle is going to love that 2010 pick.

I wouldn't get too down on Diaw yet...he's still young and figuring out what he's good at. It didn't help that Coach D didn't really give him a position. Two years ago when STAT was out, he had a defined role. If Hill doesn't come back, you're looking at your new starting SF...he's proven in the last few games that he can be a force on the block regardless of who is guarding him. He'll be ok...he just needs to know his role, which MD hasn't really given him since STAT came back.

The ownership gets a part of the blame man. They shipped all of our picks, or traded payers away at the wrong time I think. I know its not my money, but the lack of building a team is what killed them, and the FO had a part in it.

We missed a Dynstay oppurtonity.. that really hurts.

I think we have. We need role players that are young and can take some heat off of our vets.

The players have everything to do with this. They didn't get it done this year.

if we used diaw correctly we would be saying we signed him for a steal

Yep, that is why I put them in this. I know movingaz says nash is the problem. To a point yes, but the team, the coachs, the FO all have had a hand in this. Players play the game and did not get the job done.

Lay off Boris please everyone. He played well this series. In fact, he's been playing well since the all-star break. I wouldn't mind trading him still, but if we're not getting anything good in return, we should keep him around. No reason to dump him.

Yeah Diaw has shown he CAN contribute and possibly live up to/earn that fat contract - pity it was only 2 games in the playoffs, but he's at least shown what he can do...

He gives us flexibility and never hurts to have a guy who's willing to pass next to Amare

^^ D'Ant been playing him at #5 off the bench instead of Skinner which I think hurts. He should had been replacing Hill.

Hill back or not, Starting Diaw at SF is the way to go.

wow, this was not a thread about Diaw. its about the small things that has hurt this team. Anyway, I think diaw has done ok since the all star break. Had games here and there that were good, but was like barbosa, ever inconsistant. The last two games he looked good. but amares production went down to a point due to lack of touches.

LOL! This looks like a LAKER thread 1-3yrs ago. Fans gotta be fans... but there's no excuse to be stupid.

For the "Keeping your picks" arguement. You folks are quick to forget that ever since NASH came the SUNS became an immediate TITLE CONTENDER. With that in mind, management did what they seemed necessary to keep the core (which worked) well around NASH. And that involved trading picks for veteran experience & money value. Despite not reaching the finals this formula worked threatening the Western Conference with one of the powerhouses that has been known as the PHOENIX SUNS.

For the "Trade Nash" arguement. ARE YOU EFFIN OUT OF YOUR GODDAMN MIND!!!??? Nash was never brought in for his defense, he was brought in to provide the spark that would translate to the D'ANTONI visioned offense. You asking Nash for tighter D is like asking Shaq to run the point (u idiots r pissin me off now). Nash for Baron Davis? Yes baron can pass (not as well as Nash), Baron can create (sure with a lesser FG% than Nash), Baron can play defense (slightly better than Nash - Sasha Vu"jock itch" can play better D' than Baron) & Baron will have lesser T.O. (lesser maybe, but still A LOT). After the MICHAEL JORDAN era, there has been NO NBA PLAYER that has IMPROVED HIS TEAM OVERNIGHT the way Nash did when he came to the SUNS (<-- lottery team one year ago despite having Stoudemire & Marion).

"No!? you argue?"

Let's check the NBA teams through their championship runs.

BULLS - Michael Jordan (remained the focal point of their offense & yes dominated the game)

SPURS - David Robinson + Tim Duncan 1-2 punch that was surrounded by proven veterans with already developed skills (i.e. Avery, C. Person, M. Elie.. etc)

LAKERS - Shaq & Kobe era - They had basically the same starting lineup before their championship run that led them to be eliminated in a sweep by S.A. Spurs. If there was a factor there, it was Phil coming to L.A. a season later.

PISTONS - That starting 5 made all 5 of them look good. Not one individual on that team can keep the same accolade all to himself.

MIAMI - PFFT! a fluke

Yes, these were championship teams & this is MY POINT of emphasizing the value that NASH has brought to the SUNS. Yes the same guy that won the MVP for 2 consecutive years. It should have been 3 had the NBA & it's history not feel so threatened about a Canadian WHITE GUY getting the glory for a 3rd consecutive time (& in turn give it to a GERMAN choke artist).

Defense is not played & executed by ONE PLAYER ALONE. It's team D that wins championships (i.e. SPURS, LAKERS, PISTONS).

Take Marcus Camby for instance... defensive player of the year for a CRAPPY DEFENSIVE TEAM (we all know how that turned out). Tony Parker - known more for his offense but NEVER (see how I have that on BOLD) for his defense. Again.. defense is a TEAM SYSTEM.

If there's anything the SUNS need, it's a defensive coordinator (asst coach). Get everyone into a program to know what to expect what their team mate will do in a defensive situation.

That's what the LAKERS are doing with having ONLY Kobe Bryant as their (I'll do it myself) stopper. Once he's out of the game, notice the switches & help defense that support the likes of VLAD, JORDAN, LAMAR & yes even PAU. Pau is playing his best defensive year coz he's been relegated to HELP DEFENSE instead of a 1 on 1 stopper.

So in ending my GODDAMN LONG arguement... Keep the CORE (coach included) Give the Shaq deal more time to soak into the system & wait till next year (as if you have a choice). I only see them getting better with the current lineup (with some minor role changes in the bench). And finally, look for an assistant coach that knows how to COORDINATE TEAM DEFENSE.

nuff said.. PEACE