5 Things I'm Least Excited About This Suns Season

[akaespo]

Alright call me a hater or just negative but I wanted to discuss these items with you guys. I wrote it on my Suns blog but wanted your takes on it. Be honest, be ruthless and hopefully be entertained. I look forward to it guys.

http://phoenix.fanster.com/suns/2009/10 ... ns-season/


Let’s face it, things have been a bit of a lovefest around here (on Fanster.com). As the resident pessimist, don’t hold it against me it will just make it worse, I’m here to tell you the five things I’m least excited for about this Suns season.

Sure, it’s not great to point out the negative and for the most part I’m excited for this year but someone around here’s got to do it (it’s in the blogger handbook sec 1 paragraph 5, look it up). I’ll be the first to praise this team (see my coverage from media day and my profile piece on Jared Dudley), but I’m not afraid to take a good hard look at the truth too (see any Amare piece involving defense, rebounding or the nickname Sun Tzu).

If you aren’t a fan of the possible negatives or sarcasm, I suggest you check out our great writers Ben York and Steve Fan. If you are a fan, stick around and let’s see what we can come up with.

5) Shaq is now teaming up with King James to try and make Cleveland fans’ dreams come true

I’ve been one to applaud this deal for the fact that it helps the team’s locker room chemistry. The problem is it also hurts them on the court. Without O’Neal, the Suns have a hole in the middle that three Channing Fryes standing side-by-side couldn’t fill. Not to mention that it would take Frye two and a half games, that’s right 10 quarters of basketball, to get as many rebounds as Shaq does in one game based on career averages.

Don’t get me wrong, Frye is a good addition to this team and will hit 100 times more three pointers as a Sun than Shaq has in his career, but he’ll will leave something to be desired. It’s not clear how the Suns will make up the difference in rebounding and defensive production, but any plan that includes Robin Lopez logging significant minutes probably isn’t the most solid one.

4) Nash and Hill are a year older

It is a blessing and a curse to have Steve Nash and Grant Hill on the same team. While both are fantastic basketball players but at 35 and 37 respectively, they both are old enough to have kids that remember the latter part of the Jordan years, and not just the one’s spent in Washington (that is if they got started young). To put it in perspective, more people from Hill’s draft class appear on the NBA’s pension list than a team roster.

Age may only be a number, but the number of minutes played equals wear and tear.

Let’s start with Steve Nash. Nash, since the turn of the century which is about to end, has only missed 41 games. That’s a good thing right? Not quite. Nash has logged 23,863 minutes on the court as a member of the Mavericks and Suns. That’s sixteen and a half days worth of basketball. No breathers, no timeouts just sixteen straight days. I don’t think I’ve done anything for 16 straight days in the last ten years outside of sleeping and procrastinating, don’t tell my boss or wife. For a man with spondylolisthesis, the back condition that causes Nash to lay on the ground rather than sitting on the bench, that much wear and tear is bound to eventually catch up with a man.

Maybe Nash is superhuman and the fact that 12 games is the most games he’s missed in a season since 2000, isn’t a fluke. Smart money, and marginally sane people, say that he most likely will break down at some point.

Knock on wood, touch metal or do whatever your culture does to ward off bad luck, because this may be the year (hopefully not).

Grant Hill is on the other end of the spectrum. He’s played about as many minutes in the last ten years as I’ve spent rooting for the Lakers and Spurs combined in my life. OK that’s a lie, Hill has played minutes and I’ve never said anything nice ever about either of those teams.

Hill has missed 302 games since 2000 (ask Orlando Magic fans about that). He’s played 11,115 minutes in that time of which 42% (4667 minutes) have been logged in the last two seasons as a Sun. The Suns have gotten the same production out of Hill in two seasons as the Magic got from him in six seasons, and they did so for $89.7 million less. Hill even played a full 82 games last season for the first time in his career.

Some will argue that his injuries and lack of minutes during the early part of his 30’s means he has additional energy now. I’m not sure I buy it. Hill’s ankle was held together with less than Curt Schilling’s stapled, bloody socked joint. It’s so bad that he actually has bone from his pelvis along with screws holding it together.

If Hill can play in 65 games this season, the team and it’s fans should be happy (if none of the games are missed because of his ankle they should be even happier).

3) No one in the Western Conference got significantly worse

The plain and simple fact is the Suns were the ninth best Western Conference team in a league that rewards the top eight teams in each conference with playoff bids.

The eight teams ahead of them haven’t gotten any worse this off-season. In fact, most of the teams in the West have improved and the Suns unfortunately aren’t one of them. The Suns moved laterally at best.

The Suns are like a red head in the Miss America Pageant. Sure they are cute, but their chances are slim to none to win a title. They might sneak into the top eight, but in the end they are no real threat. Then again even the redheads have won a title, 3 out of 83 , and the Suns are still waiting for theirs.

2) Defense

I’m not breaking any news here when I say, the Suns don’t have any real defense to speak of. As a matter of fact, the Iraqi Civil Defense Corp could probably solely defend Baghdad better than the Suns can defend the paint. That, however, is not what I’m least excited for.

I’m least excited to hear the team talk about improving on defense only to abandon the notion come January and the media bemoan how bad they are defensively. Just like a guy who is a slob, the Suns are who they are and no teaching, begging or pleading (or anything short of a complete roster overhaul) will change it.

1) Amare Stoudemire

Let me preface this by saying, I’m excited to see what a healthy Stoudemire can bring to the court, and to see if he has any electric plays left in those surgically repaired knees. What I’m not excited for is the decision the Suns will be faced with if he does play well or the disappointment fans will be saddled with if the injury bug bites yet again.

Stoudemire is in a contract year, and if professional sports has taught us anything it’s that players play best when the money, literally, is on the line. With an statistical increase comes an over inflated sense of self and financial worth. While the increased confidence is a good thing for both player and team, the extra ego and the price tag that come along with it can be detrimental to a franchise. If Stoudemire plays well, you know he’ll want to be rewarded with a max contract. The question the Suns will be faced with is, is a power forward with two bad knees and eyesight that up until a few months ago was akin to Mr. Magoo’s, worth upwards of $80 million? If the team says yes, and he gets injured or becomes disgruntled, they’re saddled with a franchise crippling contract. If they say no and he goes on to great success elsewhere, fans will forever question the decision and Steve Kerr, if he hasn’t already been, will be run out of town.

If Stoudemire falls flat this season due to a new or pre-existing injury, the Suns season will falter. The fast-paced style is predicated on a pick-and-roll game between Nash and Stoudemire. Without it and without any reliable backup, the Suns will be up a fast-paced creek without a paddle, or at least a prime scorer and rebounder.

It’s not an uplifting list but I’m just trying to “keep it real” (deduct 200 cool points from me for the use of that phrase). If Aaron Nelson and the Suns’ training staff can keep the fountain of youth cranked up in the basement of the U.S. Airways Center, and Amare can play well, the Suns have a shot … at the second round of the playoffs. What a far cry from the championship aspirations of years gone by.

[sunsfever68]

interesting post. I agree with a couple of your points but not all.

Your point about Lebron and Shaq...I could care less. He doesn't make them the favorite for a title he may help them but I still think the lakers or celtics or maybe the spurs could take them in a 7 game series orlando too.

Nash and HIll being older only applies to Nash I think. Hill seems like the younger grant hill he hasn't logged as many miles on those legs because of all those injuries. nash i'm more concerned about.

Defense is a legit concern and rebounding is the biggest concern. They may improve the D a little bit but if they keep giving up 2nd chance opportunities and give teams 2 or 3 attempts at a bucket that's death for the type of game they want to run.

This mean J rich, Hill and Amare need to all do their best to grab as many boards as possible.


To me another concern is lack of a scorer off the bench besides Barbosa. Dudley seems he might be able to put up 6 or 8 a game but Dragic, Amundsen and Lopez are all offensively challenged. He can't play them all at once it's up to Gentry to mix the lineups get a scorer in there with them especially one who can create his own shot so I like Hill to be in that lineup.

Amare situation is really tricky. That's why we might see him traded for as close to equal value as possible. I don't know if we'll trade him though midway through the year if we're on a playoff push run because we might just want to keep him. But if we could get a guy like Bosh for him straight up then sign bosh to an extension I'd be down for it.

[nashrambler13]

the rockets got pretty bad in a hurry.

To me another concern is lack of a scorer off the bench besides Barbosa. Dudley seems he might be able to put up 6 or 8 a game but Dragic, Amundsen and Lopez are all offensively challenged. He can't play them all at once it's up to Gentry to mix the lineups get a scorer in there with them especially one who can create his own shot so I like Hill to be in that lineup.

Dragic is NOT offensively challenged. everything else in the quote is prbably true though.

[MaryvalesFinest]

5) Shaq is now teaming up with King James to try and make Cleveland fans’ dreams come true

I think this trade actually worked out for both teams. Mind you Shaq's of course the better player but it was clear the Suns wanted to go back to their old style of play and he didnt' fit it. Trading him not only relieved them of a big anchor in the middle but they also had enough money to sign re-sign Hill and Frye who fits their system perfectly.

4) Nash and Hill are a year older

Hill's been looking good so far this pre season. Nash hasn't looked to great...but this team is more than just Nash so that shouldn't be a problem.

3) No one in the Western Conference got significantly worse

I would say Houston did, they lost Yao Ming

2) Defense

The Suns, just like the Warriors and Knicks are going to win by outscoring opponents. That's their system, they don't have the system or the players to play defense so they need to just focus on points and they will be fine.

1) Amare Stoudemire

I think he's 90% back, he put up what was it 20-6 in yesterdays game. No reason for him to slack off since he's in a contract year also, he probably will be putting up better stats than last year to get that max deal.

[sunsfever68]

at this point Dragic does not look comfortable taking command and creating his own shot as in come off the screen pull up for a jumper or drive to the bucket with much confidence. It remains to be seen if that will develop this season. He does a better job running the floor and creating for others than last year but I don't think Dragic can be considered an offensive threat off the bench yet. Maybe that will change and let's hope so. I always saw him as a beno udrih type point guard. I'd hope for a better version than beno more like a ginobili type.

[DirtyDez]

This will be the Suns' worst defensive team of all time. Only Hill, Rolo, Lou and maybe Earl Clark are our only non below-average defenders. Don't give me that team defense crap either cuz we don't have it.

[akaespo]

I know it's popular to pile on Dragic and I usually do it too but he is still a kid. He's 23 years old. He's a foreign player and didn't have the benefit of playing college basketball. I still have hope he'll become a decent backup.

[nashrambler13]

at this point Dragic does not look comfortable taking command and creating his own shot as in come off the screen pull up for a jumper or drive to the bucket with much confidence. It remains to be seen if that will develop this season. He does a better job running the floor and creating for others than last year but I don't think Dragic can be considered an offensive threat off the bench yet. Maybe that will change and let's hope so. I always saw him as a beno udrih type point guard. I'd hope for a better version than beno more like a ginobili type.

sorry man, i disagree with you. plain and simple. can't argue right now though.

[Suns_RoadRunner]

Towards the end of last season i was really impressed with Dragic's jumper. Even this preseason it hasn't looked too bad. He's also shown an improvement on D. So far, he's been really disruptive in the passing lanes. He still needs to work on his ball handling though. I wouldn't consider him offensively challenged, but hes not the type of player defenders fear.

[Frank Lee]

5. Who gives a crap
4. Just damn glad to watch both of these consummate pros play together for another yr. Anyone can get injured. And these two, know their limits. I aint worried.
3. With a healthy Stat to finish the yr, we are not the 9th or even 8th worse team in '09.
2. See # 5
1. Stat returning to the run and gun ? You kidding me ? That is one thing I AM looking forward to. Screw all this contract talk...a non issue for the yr and an easy hack media topic... careful not to lockstep aka

[akaespo]

Frank
I respect the response. I agree that I enjoy watching Nash and Hill play together. Some of those numbers scare me minutes wise but hopefully Aaron Nelson keeps being the best in the business. As for the STAT topic, you are right that returning to the run and gun will make it entertaining to see him play again. I hope the contract is a none issue but that's going to be up to Amare. His offseason radio tour left a sour taste in my mouth and I just hope he doesn't rehash his statements about other cities as the season continues.

[aIvin adams]

amare is my favorite player and i think he'll be great this season but if he got injured i would still be fascinated to watch this team compete. i just dont see nash failing to make the playoffs in a full season being un-handcuffed. he's not as good as his two mvp years but he is an all-time great, great player. i think suns will make the playoffs w or w out amare so i would still be interested if he got injured.

[BurningHeart]

Rebounding.

Stupid Laker fans.

That's it.

[Frank Lee]

Frank
.......I hope the contract is a none issue but that's going to be up to Amare. His offseason radio tour left a sour taste in my mouth and I just hope he doesn't rehash his statements about other cities as the season continues.

so true... so true

[MaryvalesFinest]

Rebounding.

Stupid Laker fans.

That's it.

I think we can all agree on that one

[lilfishi22]

5. Was bitter at first, mainly because we got jack in return. Got over it. Shaq was a rental that was it.
4. Like Frank said, they know their limits and take care of their bodies better than any player in the league. It's also nice to have Aaron Nelson around as well.
3. Rockets don't have the firepower nor exceptional defense to be good this season. I doubt they will make playoffs. Warriors are in shambles once again. Clippers will find a way to suck. Utah and Hornets have slipped but should still make playoffs. We're going to fight with them for 6-8.
2. Wasn't like defense was ever one of our strengths, though I would like to to play SOME this season.
1. It's contract year and he's coming back from an eye surgery, he's going to HAVE to explode and I expect he will. He's going to start off slow but will be beasting again once he gets it going.

[realfung]

Amare.

[WTFsunsFTW]

Utah, Houston, and New Orleans are all going to suck it up this year. Not to mention clippers, golden state, sac, etc.

We will be 2nd in pacific and make the playoffs. Dont try to estimate our ranking in the west, as I promise no one predicted accurately at this time last year for last season.

Nash and Hill are a year older? Havent we heard that every year since this decade started?

How can you NOT be the most optimistic about the Suns defense you have been in the last 6 years???

This thread is full of fail.

[rsavaj]

Utah, Houston, and New Orleans are all going to suck it up this year. Not to mention clippers, golden state, sac, etc.

We will be 2nd in pacific and make the playoffs. Dont try to estimate our ranking in the west, as I promise no one predicted accurately at this time last year for last season.

Nash and Hill are a year older? Havent we heard that every year since this decade started?

How can you NOT be the most optimistic about the Suns defense you have been in the last 6 years???

This thread is full of fail.

NOH upgraded from Chandler to Okafor. Clippers have amazing talent on paper. Golden State can make some noise if they get it together. Utah's always a bad matchup for us.

As far as your opinion on defense...I pretty thoroughly disagree. We don't have Raja, we don't have Marion, we don't have Diaw....and we don't have Shaq. We have no interior defense at all. Our best perimeter defender is Grant Hill.

How can YOU be optimistic about our defense?!

[statisback]

1. Suns getting owned on the boards
2. Giving up 120 pts a night
3. Kerr and Sarver making more idiotic changes to the roster.
4. A possible injury to either STAT or Nash
5. J Rich making dumb plays