Where do the Suns go from here?
Now that the ping pong balls have dropped teams can finally start figuring out their draft boards. Our beloved Suns are a team in transition and a lot of hard decisions need to be made. Is this a rebuilding season or is there a playoff run designed for '09? If the Suns follow The Greg One's roster overhaul, this could be a team that does more than just make the playoffs, they could win the whole thing. Starting from the top:
Coach Alvin Gentry: This was a no-brainer. The Suns made Gentry the official head coach to the delight of the fans and players. Gentry knows the players, knows the system and the players play hard for him. His best move was reinstalling the seven seconds or less attack that made the previous editions of the Suns so formidable and feared offensive attacks in the league. Without some unfortunate turn of events around the trade deadline, we may not be having this discussion right now.
Steve Nash: You have to keep Nash in the fold and give him a two-year deal at least. Nash is the heart and soul of this team. We've seen what happens when Nash doesn't play. The offense looks similar to a dog chasing its tail, no direction and rarely achieving the desired result. Nash is the second best point guard in the league today behind Chris Paul. No one else has shot 90% from the free throw line, 50% from the field and 40% from the three-point line like Nash did this season. Next to Paul, there is no one I would trade Nash for. Besides, who are you going to give the keys to the kingdom to if Nash leaves? Goran Dragic?? Even though they look great in the last third of the season they're not ready for prime time. There is nobody behind Nash to take over and be effective. Why create a weakness where you have a great strength? Nash is a defensive liability for sure but he makes up for his deficiency with his leadership and you need look no further than the Suns winning percentage since he's arrived to prove it. Nash stays.
Amare Stoudemire: This one is tricky. Stoudemire suffered an injury there isn't much precedent for. Stoudemire suffered a detatched retina a couple days after the trade deadline and missed the rest of the season. Since there isn't much of a history with this injury, it may scare off potential suitors for Stoudemire's services. Stoudemire lost a lot of favor with fans because it looks at times like he's not putting forth the effort. For all his ability Stoudemire should be putting up numbers comparable to Dwight Howard and Tim Duncan every night. On one hand this is the perfect system for Amare, but on the other it seems like he has worn out his welcome with fans and teammates alike. A change of scenery could do wonders for him but would the Suns get equal value in return? A good younger, hungrier budding superstar like a Chris Bosh, Josh Smith, Antawn Jamison or Rudy Gay would be a good start. A deal to Miami for Beasley and Mario Chalmers. Trade Amare but only if you can get something close to equal value.
Shaquille O'Neal: I didn't like the guy when he came over in the Shawn Marion trade and my view hasn't changed much now. Shaq is the wrong guy for this system. He bogs down the offense and cuts off the lane where Nash and Stoudemire ran the screen and roll to perfection prior to his arrival. Shaq was more of an asset than I expected this past season but he's just too old, too slow and he gets too chirpy when the chips are down. When it became evident the Suns weren't going to make the playoffs he started reminiscing about playing with Kobe again in LA. teams are still interested in Shaq and the Suns should make the deal as long as there is value and cap relief to be had when we get to the monstrous free agent class of 2010 in return. Hit the road Shaq.
Leandro Barbosa: The Brazilian Blur has managed to stay healthy most of his tenure in the valley and provides instant offense off the bench. This system is perfect for the way he plays. Definite keeper.
Jason Richardson: J-Rich showed he can make some great moves on the court. The problem is he makes worse moves off the court. He's not quite a perfect fit for the Suns. He's not the defender he used to be and he seemed to disappear in games. There is an overabundance of guards he could be switched out for. Trade him in for a newer model.
Grant Hill: When Hill is healthy, as he was all season, he makes a difference. The Suns youth movement is upon us but you still need veteran leadership. Aside from that, Hill is playing for the veteran minimum! Why wouldn't you want to give him at least one more year? Hill stays.
Stromile Swift: Of all the free agents available after the deadline in the entire league, this is who the Suns signed. Seriously. Hope you enjoyed that cup of coffee Stroh. Don't let the door hit you on the way out. Gonzo.
Matt Barnes: Barnes is still young, has great reach and can make life difficult for opposing small forwards. His production can be better on the offensive end but this was his first year in the Suns system so he should improve next season. One year and an option year, he stays.
Jared Dudley, Louis Amundson, Goran Dragic, Robin Lopez and Alando Tucker: The youth movement is officially underway. They will all be back next year but I don't see Lopez and Tucker as long term Suns. They both will be gone in three years.
The Suns have a good nucleus to build around and the number fourteen pick in the draft. The right pick coupled with the right players through trades of free agency can catapult the Suns back into the top half of the playoff seedings and another 55-60 win season. The seven seconds or less attack will be in full effect from the opening bell this season which will be good for five to seven more wins alone. As we've already seen, more shots equal more points. More points equal more wins. With this formula, the Suns can again become what they were and more.
Coach Alvin Gentry: This was a no-brainer. The Suns made Gentry the official head coach to the delight of the fans and players. Gentry knows the players, knows the system and the players play hard for him. His best move was reinstalling the seven seconds or less attack that made the previous editions of the Suns so formidable and feared offensive attacks in the league. Without some unfortunate turn of events around the trade deadline, we may not be having this discussion right now.
Steve Nash: You have to keep Nash in the fold and give him a two-year deal at least. Nash is the heart and soul of this team. We've seen what happens when Nash doesn't play. The offense looks similar to a dog chasing its tail, no direction and rarely achieving the desired result. Nash is the second best point guard in the league today behind Chris Paul. No one else has shot 90% from the free throw line, 50% from the field and 40% from the three-point line like Nash did this season. Next to Paul, there is no one I would trade Nash for. Besides, who are you going to give the keys to the kingdom to if Nash leaves? Goran Dragic?? Even though they look great in the last third of the season they're not ready for prime time. There is nobody behind Nash to take over and be effective. Why create a weakness where you have a great strength? Nash is a defensive liability for sure but he makes up for his deficiency with his leadership and you need look no further than the Suns winning percentage since he's arrived to prove it. Nash stays.
Amare Stoudemire: This one is tricky. Stoudemire suffered an injury there isn't much precedent for. Stoudemire suffered a detatched retina a couple days after the trade deadline and missed the rest of the season. Since there isn't much of a history with this injury, it may scare off potential suitors for Stoudemire's services. Stoudemire lost a lot of favor with fans because it looks at times like he's not putting forth the effort. For all his ability Stoudemire should be putting up numbers comparable to Dwight Howard and Tim Duncan every night. On one hand this is the perfect system for Amare, but on the other it seems like he has worn out his welcome with fans and teammates alike. A change of scenery could do wonders for him but would the Suns get equal value in return? A good younger, hungrier budding superstar like a Chris Bosh, Josh Smith, Antawn Jamison or Rudy Gay would be a good start. A deal to Miami for Beasley and Mario Chalmers. Trade Amare but only if you can get something close to equal value.
Shaquille O'Neal: I didn't like the guy when he came over in the Shawn Marion trade and my view hasn't changed much now. Shaq is the wrong guy for this system. He bogs down the offense and cuts off the lane where Nash and Stoudemire ran the screen and roll to perfection prior to his arrival. Shaq was more of an asset than I expected this past season but he's just too old, too slow and he gets too chirpy when the chips are down. When it became evident the Suns weren't going to make the playoffs he started reminiscing about playing with Kobe again in LA. teams are still interested in Shaq and the Suns should make the deal as long as there is value and cap relief to be had when we get to the monstrous free agent class of 2010 in return. Hit the road Shaq.
Leandro Barbosa: The Brazilian Blur has managed to stay healthy most of his tenure in the valley and provides instant offense off the bench. This system is perfect for the way he plays. Definite keeper.
Jason Richardson: J-Rich showed he can make some great moves on the court. The problem is he makes worse moves off the court. He's not quite a perfect fit for the Suns. He's not the defender he used to be and he seemed to disappear in games. There is an overabundance of guards he could be switched out for. Trade him in for a newer model.
Grant Hill: When Hill is healthy, as he was all season, he makes a difference. The Suns youth movement is upon us but you still need veteran leadership. Aside from that, Hill is playing for the veteran minimum! Why wouldn't you want to give him at least one more year? Hill stays.
Stromile Swift: Of all the free agents available after the deadline in the entire league, this is who the Suns signed. Seriously. Hope you enjoyed that cup of coffee Stroh. Don't let the door hit you on the way out. Gonzo.
Matt Barnes: Barnes is still young, has great reach and can make life difficult for opposing small forwards. His production can be better on the offensive end but this was his first year in the Suns system so he should improve next season. One year and an option year, he stays.
Jared Dudley, Louis Amundson, Goran Dragic, Robin Lopez and Alando Tucker: The youth movement is officially underway. They will all be back next year but I don't see Lopez and Tucker as long term Suns. They both will be gone in three years.
The Suns have a good nucleus to build around and the number fourteen pick in the draft. The right pick coupled with the right players through trades of free agency can catapult the Suns back into the top half of the playoff seedings and another 55-60 win season. The seven seconds or less attack will be in full effect from the opening bell this season which will be good for five to seven more wins alone. As we've already seen, more shots equal more points. More points equal more wins. With this formula, the Suns can again become what they were and more.
posted by TheLegacyKey | 10:21 PM
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