SB Nation User Blog: RyanMarcus

Talked to Amare Lastnight

RyanMarcus — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:45:31 -0000

I know it doesn't mean much, but I workout at the same gym as Amare. Lifetime fitness in Tempe. I have talked to Amare before at his summer pro am for the past couple years. Nothing major but he is a cool guy to talk to. Nevertheless, I was working out and he was on the machine next to me, he asked why I wasn't at the pro am the previous weekend. We get to talking, and I just had to know, even though its probably not the time or place, but I wanted to know what his thoughts were about the trade chatter. Now I have always liked Amare but whatever is best for the team is what i want. He tells me he really wants to stay in Phoenix, Loves the fans, City, Nightlife(ha), etc.

I had to sympathize with him, because I don't know how I would feel if my name were getting thrown around like that, But he said he understands the NBA is a business, and no one is untouchable, that everyone has their price. I didn't want to start talking about contracts but he assured me he is working really hard this summer and wants to make it work in Phoenix with Nash. For all that I know this all could have been lip service, and in the back of his mind he could just be thinking "show me the money." His agent seems to think he is worth 20 mill a year, I don't think we can do that. I wanted so badly to just say that if you showed some responsibly and leadership, this team and this town would be yours. But the fact of the matter is that I don't know if it is in him. Its always been someone else when it comes to Amare.

Remember him saying that if the Suns get a center then Amare can really tear it up because we wont have to guard centers and go to work on the offensive end. Ok we get shaq, and now Shaq clogs the lane and he cant get it going offensively. The Suns would give you the world, you're 26 with limitless talent, great hands, and one of games best finishers next to Lebron. but he needs to realize that he needs to earn it, Look at his Olympic counterparts that really stepped it up on the defensive end. Lebron and Melo to be more specific.

This got me to thinking that if the Suns do extend him and really show how committed we are to him, what could all these trade rumors do to his confidence? Is he going to be the cornerstone of our franchise? Or is he going to turn into Tmac like so many others have compared him too.

Honestly I have a hard time giving anyway such talent like that for some spare parts, Nothing we are getting in these trades are proven. Here is the fact Im getting to, You trade Amare, you lose Nash, you lose Nash, Grant Hill is gone as well. That leaves you with a young team where Biendris, Leandro and Jrich are your best players. Please no, I'm not ready to enter the Jon Wall sweepstakes before the season even starts. The worst part about that is, we don't even have our pick for 2010, the ONLY thing that rewards a bad season.

I think we should give it one more run, Get Tyson Chandler, and ball. I dont think there a is a reason to blow it up now if we dont have to just yet.

This "Trade" just gets more interesting...

RyanMarcus — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:36:33 -0000

This supposed trade just gets more interesting by the hour it seems. I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but I think if this deal gets done there is a 85% percent chance that it doesn't include Steph Curry. Don Nelson has just preached that they are NOT trading Curry whatsoever. In my opinion I don't do the deal unless Curry is in it obviously but at this point who knows.

What we do know is that nothing can get done until July 1st or July 8th, I'm not sure on the dates. This is troublesome because we all know Curry has been the Darling of the media and the NCAA since the magical run he took Davidson on in 2008. There is no doubt about it that the kid is a player and I would love to have him. But the truth is that the longer this takes, the more in love GSW is going to be with Steph Curry and not want to deal him.

Honestly only time will tell, my only worry is that Kerr gets trigger happy and in an effort to deal Amare because he is scared the money wont match to extend him, that he pulls some trade where we get Biendris, Wright and Belinelli, with no Curry or Randolph. The fact of that happening scares the crap out of me. But what scares me more is if Amare ends up walking for nothing, which more than likely wont happen but who knows if he stays or goes.

We can hold solace that if he does stay he will be playing in a contract year, years in which players usually go bonkers to try and earn that max deal. If that does happen Amare will definitely opt out in 2010 to chase a huge contract. I think the draft and these trade rumors have left more questions that answers on the vision of this team, but I will tell you right now the wait is KILLING me!

Nelsons Words

Take a Step Back (and appreciate the Suns)

RyanMarcus — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:38:58 -0000

Well after reading Bill Simmons new column on page 2 about Kobe Bryant, and how Simmons still believes Kobe hasnt changed as a person or teammate but just how everyone else conformed to him, to make it all work for a championship in LA. He briefly talked about how Ariza turned into a stud, how Odom was taking less minutes and less shots in a contract year ( which is unheard of), and talking about how Gasol was shooting 62% in the playoffs, but settling with his 11 shots a game, crashing the boards, and becoming semi-tough on defense, and to fill a role so Kobe could get his 20+ shots a game and still be "THE GUY" and "Lead HIS team to a Championship"...

I am not a Laker hater by any means, but you never want to see a division rival win anything, especially the Lakers. There is just so much to be said that make Suns' Fans blood boil. How everything is better in LA LA Land, the Stars of Hollywood sitting courtside, the never ending media coverage, the way analysts fall all over Kobe and how he "wants it so bad", "learning to play and trust his teammates"( correct me if I am wrong but isnt that one of the basics of basketball?) and how he is the ultimate competitor, and the closest thing to MJ. I could go on for days but you catch my drift.

After reading all of this, I sat back in my computer chair and reminisced about how we used to destroy the Lakers regularly, and how in 2006 we positioned ourselves at the end of the season so we could play them in the playoffs only to be down 3-1 in the series after some questionable calls or mis-calls, only to storm back and win in 7 games in won of the most exciting first rounds in NBA history to date. Only to make it even better in 2007 when we again DESTROYED the Lakers in the first round again, to have Kobe go off on a complete tirade and rip his teammates(Bynum, more publicly than others), Rip the management, and request a trade that almost happened in Chicago, but Kobe blocked it because the Bulls were giving up too much to get him. Not many people realize how close this was to happening. As a Suns fan I couldn't have loved this anymore. But as we all know there is alot of parody in the NBA, and most of the time all good things must come to an end.

As we near the draft, and the 2009-2010 season, there is a lot of questions that still remain unanswered. With all this drama up in the air it is leaving many suns fans uneasy about the future that is upon us. Re-build now, Re-build later, trade Shaq, keep Amare, trade Amare, draft him, etc, the possibilities are endless. For all we know we could be coming in the next season with a totally different team, maybe only one or two starters from last years team. But to be realistic all teams go through this, but the good ones can set themselves up to get out of the celler quicker than others when they come across troubled times. Its no mystery why there are historically bad franchises( Clippers, Twolves, Memphis etc.) and historically good ones ( Lakers, Suns, Spurs, Celtics etc.)

To come full circle with this I just wanted everyone to sort of remember the good things that we have accomplished. When we were running teams out of the gym, reeling of double digit winning streaks, and crowning MVPs, Coach of the Years, Six Men, and Most improved players regularly. Im sure everyone has heard the saying that it is "always darkest before the dawn." and in this case I think it makes sense. Remember it wasn't to long ago when we were on the verge of being sent into the NBA basement for many years until we signed Steve Nash in the 2004-2005 season, and look at what that got us, we were a few injuries and a bad decision from David Stern away from 2 NBA titles that I thought we should have won with a healthy Amare in 2006, and again in 2007. And as a fan that is all I can ask for, put us in a position to contend for a title and be a entertaining and relevant team. We might have to go through a few bad years, but who knows we might not. We have a Great city, Great Organization, and even better fans and I am thankful for all of it.

As I depart I would like everyone to take a few minutes and read that column Bill Simmons wrote thanking the Phoenix Suns for bringing the life, bravado, excitement, entertainment, and how the game should be played to national audience for ESPN and their viewers. If this doesn't bring a smile to your face and make you proud about what these guys have done for our City, The NBA, and The Suns Organization, I don't know what will.

Here is the link

Lakers Magic Game 4----Suns Spurs Game 1 2008

RyanMarcus — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:44:18 -0000

I don't know about you guys but that game really reminded me of game 1 of Suns Spurs last year. I know it is still a very sore subject because everytime i see that clip of duncan hitting that 3 to tie the game I flashback to me sitting at my friends house SCREAMING at the TV to just let Ginobili have the lay up and we can still be ahead by 1, because that lead would quickly be up 3 again because we have the 3rd best free throw shooter in the HISTORY OF THE NBA, Steve Nash. Let manu hit the 2, we inbound nash gets fouled makes 2, 3 point game again...and we probably win game 1 which is HUGE. but we all know what happened so i wont continue.

Of course hindsight is 20/20 but you gotta foul or let them have the two, but absoultely no 3's! And that is excatley what the Magic did not do, Of course im not forgetting that Dwight could of won the game hitting 1 or 2 free throws...clanks both, GREAT. thats ok because your up 3 with 10.4 seconds and the lakers are taking it out in the backcourt near their sideline. Magic trap kobe(obviously) then they get it to fisher but with nelson close he backs off and doesnt close on fisher, you know what he is going to do! run him of the line and let him drive to the basket, he hit the shot with 4.3 left if he run and lays it in how much time would be left then? 2 3 seconds?! fine. Get rashard at the line hits 1 or hits 2 thats fine, the lakers gotta make a 3 from the other end of the court. Or rashard purposely misses the 2nd and the clock runs because the lakers had to TO's left.

Im not claiming to be any sort of basketball x's and o's guru but i mean i just think its common sense, and for jameer to blow that assignment is unforgivable. They gave away the game and the series. Just like how they said we wouldnt recover from losing game 1 because of that dagger 3. If you cant tell by now im just bitter the Lakers are taking home a 15th championship probably on sunday, but hey at least I have my health

The US Mens Basketball Team is Missing Something.

RyanMarcus — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 02:22:06 -0000

Hey, Suns fans I hope you guys are having a good tail end of the summer ( even though the heat will linger until october...ughh). But I really hope you guys are getting excited for the Olympics like I am.

I was looking at some of the US mens basketball teams fixtures this morning and come across quite an interesting article written by Scoop Jackson.

Its an article about the one thing the US team is missing that some people cant seem to put their finger one. Well Scoop has provided us with a little insight to help us out.

Enjoy.....

They looked good, didn't they? Flashes of '92, right? Like we 'bout to get that ol' thing back.

But something still doesn't feel right, right? There's still something wrong, isn't there? It's like something is missing, but you just … can't … put … your … finger on it.

AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko AP Photo/Matt York

Amare Stoudemire brings something to the table that perhaps no other American player can.

Schedule is Out!!

RyanMarcus — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:56:02 -0000

Well Suns fans the NBA schedule is out, and our SUNS have some pretty tasty matchups for the upcoming season.

We open the season in San Antonio on October 29th, followed by Chris Paul and the Hornets at home the following night. Also on that Saturday at home the SUNS are playing the Up and Coming Blazers with a fresh look at Greg Oden and Jerryd Bayless.

With exciting first three games, the rest of the season has some other interesting match ups.

November 20th. We will host The Lakers for the first time. (Maybe Kobe will finally tell Shaq how his a** tastes.) Hopefully this doesnt result in Kobe dropping 50 to prove a point.

November 28th. We will see Shawn Marion, on the HEAT for the first time. This game is at US Airways and im anxious to see the reaction the fans give him.

December 15th. Mike Dantoni and the Knicks make their first trip to the VALLEY.

CHRISTMAS DAY. Which features 5 GAMES! Spurs at Suns, Hornets at Magic, Celtics at Lakers, Washington at Cavs, and the nightcap Dallas at Portland.

Of course there are the other great season match-ups. The new look Rockets with Ron, Dallas, the Jazz, Detriot and the Celtics will also be fun matches to look forward to. And who knows maybe Baron Davis and Marcus Camby can make the Clippers a fun match up as well.

I was just wondering, what game are SUNS fans most looking forward to for the upcoming season?