Phoenix Suns 2008-09 NBA Champs?
Posted: Sun Aug 3, 2008 3:29 am
Being a Suns fan ive been following this team closely ever since the Nash era as well as before. It always seems like some sort of bad luck happens, in 2005 with JJ's face, in 2006 Amare was injured, in 2007 the suspensions and in 2008 Duncan's 3 pointer. We've always been saying next year is going to be our year but I think the Suns are going to have there best shot at it this season and here's why.
The Shaq trade: At first I was skeptical on it but even though Shaq is in his mid 30's he's still a force in the league if he's motivated and in shape. We all saw what happened when he was traded to the Suns, alot of players were afraid to drive into the lane and Shaq had a few over 15 + rebound games. With new coach Terry Porter he will more than likely have Shaq post up in the paint and that's what Shaq does best.
New head coach Terry Porter: When Terry Porter was hired I thought he was a great choice. Now many people don't know much about Porter other than the few seasons he had as the Bucks head coach. During that time he lead a medicore Bucks team to the playoffs and they haven't been to the playoffs since he's left. Porter was a tough player that had fundamentals and will bring those as the new headcoach of the Phoenix Suns. Porter is going to still keep the Suns running uptempo but also knows about defense and playing a solid bench.
Suns draft pick Robin Lopez: I wasn't thrilled with the pick but I wasn't upset either. After listening to Suns management talk, watching him on summer league games my opinion has changed. Lopez just might be the steal of the draft. It's very rare to find athletic 7 footers in the league, even though he doesn't have many offensive skills and if he doesn't develop them his defense and energy is going to keep him in the league. The thing about Lopez is that he has a higher ceiling than his brother, if he develops a offensive game he's going to be a special player in the league. If we look back at Amare, he had very limited offensive skills when he was drafted by the Suns and now he's one of the top players in the game, is Lopez going to be the same way? Who knows but the Suns definately made a great pick and added another player to deepen the bench.
The signing of Matt Barnes: Loved the signing, getting a guy like him for vets minimum was a steal. Barnes had a tough year last year but during the 2006 Mavs-Warriors playoff series he was one of the key players in pulling off one of the greatest upsets in sports history. Barnes is a jack of all trades, he can shoot the three or drive to the basket, he can play almost any position from power forward to back up point guard. Adding him though just made the Suns have a deeper bench.
Grant Hill: Losing just one player makes a difference, being injured during the Spurs series last year really hurt the Suns, having a healthy Hill makes a big difference. If he's healthy like at the start of the season the Suns have another solid player that can help lead them far in the playoffs.
Suns sophmores-Alando Tucker and DJ Strawberry: Last year they rarely got playing time. Now both are in there second year and seem ready to step up and contribute to the Suns after tearing it up in the d-league for the second year in a row. Tucker is more of a scorer while Strawberry is a defensive guru. If both can start out with limited time during the season and work there way up to being role players the Suns would have another two solid young players to call up on there playoff run.
Even though it doesn't seem like it, the Suns did make some changes that are going to be good for them next season, especially in the playoffs. Can the Suns finally hoist up the trophy? We're going to find out sooner or later.
The Shaq trade: At first I was skeptical on it but even though Shaq is in his mid 30's he's still a force in the league if he's motivated and in shape. We all saw what happened when he was traded to the Suns, alot of players were afraid to drive into the lane and Shaq had a few over 15 + rebound games. With new coach Terry Porter he will more than likely have Shaq post up in the paint and that's what Shaq does best.
New head coach Terry Porter: When Terry Porter was hired I thought he was a great choice. Now many people don't know much about Porter other than the few seasons he had as the Bucks head coach. During that time he lead a medicore Bucks team to the playoffs and they haven't been to the playoffs since he's left. Porter was a tough player that had fundamentals and will bring those as the new headcoach of the Phoenix Suns. Porter is going to still keep the Suns running uptempo but also knows about defense and playing a solid bench.
Suns draft pick Robin Lopez: I wasn't thrilled with the pick but I wasn't upset either. After listening to Suns management talk, watching him on summer league games my opinion has changed. Lopez just might be the steal of the draft. It's very rare to find athletic 7 footers in the league, even though he doesn't have many offensive skills and if he doesn't develop them his defense and energy is going to keep him in the league. The thing about Lopez is that he has a higher ceiling than his brother, if he develops a offensive game he's going to be a special player in the league. If we look back at Amare, he had very limited offensive skills when he was drafted by the Suns and now he's one of the top players in the game, is Lopez going to be the same way? Who knows but the Suns definately made a great pick and added another player to deepen the bench.
The signing of Matt Barnes: Loved the signing, getting a guy like him for vets minimum was a steal. Barnes had a tough year last year but during the 2006 Mavs-Warriors playoff series he was one of the key players in pulling off one of the greatest upsets in sports history. Barnes is a jack of all trades, he can shoot the three or drive to the basket, he can play almost any position from power forward to back up point guard. Adding him though just made the Suns have a deeper bench.
Grant Hill: Losing just one player makes a difference, being injured during the Spurs series last year really hurt the Suns, having a healthy Hill makes a big difference. If he's healthy like at the start of the season the Suns have another solid player that can help lead them far in the playoffs.
Suns sophmores-Alando Tucker and DJ Strawberry: Last year they rarely got playing time. Now both are in there second year and seem ready to step up and contribute to the Suns after tearing it up in the d-league for the second year in a row. Tucker is more of a scorer while Strawberry is a defensive guru. If both can start out with limited time during the season and work there way up to being role players the Suns would have another two solid young players to call up on there playoff run.
Even though it doesn't seem like it, the Suns did make some changes that are going to be good for them next season, especially in the playoffs. Can the Suns finally hoist up the trophy? We're going to find out sooner or later.