That was hard to watch, I think we were all sick to our stomach's. But that's not why I'm posting. I'm curious what you all think of the flagrant call. I think it's pretty clear the refs called it a flagrant to protect Amar'e. If they don't call anything their the Bucks players might take offense and try to even the score. It obviously wasn't a flagrant, it wasn't even a personal foul.

What do you guys think?

Well, well, well. I've been quiet on these boards for a while now. Just letting His great play sink in with all you naysayers. I still hope He walks this off season and leaves the suns with nothing. Even though he would make less elsewhere. His treatment from the organization and fan base warrants him just leaving.

Fun to see a healthy Amar'e that is being coached how to play defense (for the first time ever) by someone not named Terry Porter, isn't it?

Did anyone report Amar'e coming into camp with all that extra weight? I've only heard this recently. Can someone link me if there was a report in training camp or something.

A few "I told you so's"

Amar'e does not need Nash. Please shut up about this. Anyone in the NBA can give Amar'e the ball in get out of the friggen way. Sweet gig for Nash, he can rack up assists just feeding the post.

The team should have traded Nash (when I mentioned it last season) and rebuilt around Amar'e instead of the (rumored) other way around.

How is Amar'e NOT the captain of this team? Your best player, at least your single hardest worker (Nash may be up there, but certainly not exceeding Amar'e), and an affluent character in the media that handles everything with class and professionalism. He's been with the Suns for almost a decade. He helps out in the community and abroad. That's a captain. He should be the face of the franchise.

He deserves max money. He'll get max money. Suns or not.

There were two completely and utterly pathetic displays of basketball sunday vs the Spurs.

Both left me starring at my TV dumbfounded asking myself "Did that really just happen?"

The first is the one everyone is talking about with J-Rich's dunk. I don't think there's an explanation to this. So for our peace of mind I don't think it's wise to try to put rationale to it. He's a two time dunk contest winner and he blew an open dunk attempt. It's an unexplained fluke of sports. Of course it happens to the Suns vs the Spurs...

The second I haven't seen anyone talk about or post anything about here. But it was just as bad. Nash trying to make a game tying assist as time expires? I mean really? That's got to be one of the stupidest things I've seen on the court this year. How does someone not have that awareness? How does someone who is praised constantly for having great instincts and awareness on the court screw something up so badly?

It's the old coaches adage: physical mistakes are to be expected, but the mental mistakes are inexcusable. Even Tirico covered it up trying not to call Nash an utter fool. Well I won't, Nash was an utter fool.

And I hope he does.

I don't think he wants to be a Sun after this season, in his head I think he had moved on, and now that ownership has made him go through serious trade talks yet again, I think in his mind, he's done with Phoenix.

He's going to play extremely hard for the home stretch.

He wants to show the Suns what they will lose.

He wants to audition for other teams.

Here's why it makes sense.

The only reason Amar'e doesn't walk is because of his Bird rights and the ability for the Suns to give them more cash. It's clear the Suns aren't willing to give Amar'e the money he deserves. So that means the only other option is that Amar'e does a sign and trade this offseason, so that the next team can use his Bird rights and pay him the extra money. However, if he decides he'll take less, or other teams aren't willing to give him big bucks, then his Bird rights will be useless. So if he isn't going to get the money, I think he will walk just to stick it to the Suns. And I hope he does. Sarver deserves it. Nash loving Phoenix Suns fans that don't understand what Amar'e does for Nash deserve it. GO MARK JACKSON!!

All you reasonable fans of Amar'e should understand his desire to stick it to the Suns IF it doesn't hurt his next contract. And boy do I hope he does...

Not really a serious idea, but hell why not.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine

i must have 75 words i must have 75 words i must have 75 words i must have 75 words i must have 75 words i must have 75 words i must have 75 words i must have 75 words i must have 75 words i must have 75 words i must have 75 words i must have 75 words i must have 75 words i must have 75 words i must have 75 words i must have 75 words i must have 75 words i must have 75 words i must have 75 words i must have 75 words

I've said this for years about Amar'e. When he's on the floor with guys that play defense aggressively, Amar'e immediately steps up his aggression and play like how he played in the first half of the Bobcats game. When Clark came in and was sending balls into the stands, it's like a switch went off on Amar'e, as it always does under those circumstances. He started throwing shots back and occupying the glass with a purpose.

This is a big reason why I would like to see Amar'e in a different situation. If Amar'e played in a system, or with a leader that gave two hoots about defense, Amar'e could be an incredible defender. Not many NBA superstars come into the league and start playing great defense right away. Lebron, Kobe, Wade, or Bosh. None of these guys were great defenders coming into the league. But as they grew as the leader of the team they grew as defenders.

With Amar'e, Nash has been the leader and face of the team. The leader doesn't play defense, doesn't even run back when he turns it over, so why would Amar'e?

If he went elsewhere he would be an incredible defensive force. The one he shows flashes of here and there when he's paired with someone else that actually plays defense.

I know Gentry has mentioned it, where he would rather have Lopez on the court with the starters and Frye with the bench. Is that ever going to happen?

Frye can still play 30-35 minutes, but just for the sake of keeping Amar'e out of foul trouble Lopez needs to be in there with the starters. Also, I don't think Frye's production would falter much, Dragic will find Frye at the three point line just as Nash does. It seems whenever Lopez plays with the starters he plays very well also.

I've posted before about this topic as part of a different rant, but this time, it's my main focus.

My premise is that Nash's playmaking ability is simply overrated. I've also previously stated that Nash's shooting ability is his best NBA ability.

Here's why.

Nash constantly leads the NBA in assists, of course, as a Sun any way. But he's also always at the top of the league in turnovers. Now, I understand the ball is always in his hands, the Suns play at a faster pace with more possessions, and almost every offensive possession is facilitated through him. So you would anticipate assists and turnovers to increase. And by all means, both do. But at what rate?

Here's why.

I think it's fair to say that someone that excels in a fast paced game, means that they would be more efficient, and score more points per possession. And when measuring stick for that is A/T ratio. Anyone would put up more numbers with more opportunities. More bang for your buck is an entirely different story though. Just look at Nash. This year, Nash is ranked 14th in the NBA. In fairness some of the players aren't full timers or aren't point guards with the ball in their hand. So by removing those players, that ranks Nash 11. Chris Paul is first and it's not even close. How can Nash be considered an elite play making point guard in the history of the game when he's not an elite play making point guard of his generation? I understand there are several skills that make up an elite point guard. Shooting, ball security, play making, passing, defense, decision making, and vision to name the big ones. I'm not saying he's not an elite point guard, because he may very well be when you combine all the other aspects. But, he just isn't the play maker everyone thinks he is.

To be fair I've also looked at the previous seasons for assist/turnover ratio, amongst point guards with significant roles (25 min +)

08-09 - 11th

07-08 - 11th

06-07 - 7th

05-06 - 10th

04-05 - 5th His best statistically - Had the most talent around him

03-04 - 2nd with Dallas - and slower pace

Strangely enough, Nash was a more efficient point guard with Dallas, under a slower pace. So maybe Nash didn't benefit as much as everyone thinks he did with the fast pace. Maybe it hurt him. By NBA standards, he's not fast, big, strong, athletic, or quick. All of which point to the fact that Nash would be worse in an up tempo game. I believe this to be true.

The Suns average 5 more possessions per game than the Hornets. What if Chris Paul were a Sun? First, the Suns would be better. Second CP3's numbers would just be gaudy taking into consideration those extra 5 possessions the Suns generate and the extra free assists Amar'e generates. What if?

Just call me Mr. Brightside

Good Trade #1

Suns - Marbury

Knicks - Off the top of my head...Cross your fingers here, McDyess, Lampe, Skita?

Eh the trade isn't what matters which is why I'm not taking the time to look it up, point is that trade cleared the position and the cap space to sign Nash that off-season. And more importantly, the season after a team trades Marbury they win 50 games (except the Knicks, well they didn't trade him). Wolves, Nets, Suns! I swear that's true.

Good Trade #2

Suns - Marion, Banks

Heat - Shaq

They could have done things if they kept D'antoni, I'll bring that to my grave. Half a season with a completely new identity, real fair Phoenix. Real fair.

Good Trade #3

Suns - Bell, Boris

Bobcats - Jrich, Dudley

As far as trade value goes this has to win, the first will get a lot of votes because of the effect though.

Final thoughts: This is turned out to be more depressing than I intended, only 3 "good" trades, one of which doubled up in My Bad Trades Post   so it can't be THAT good. And another that wasn't really a good trade, it just opened up cap space to make a good free agent signing.

Since the Amar'e/Nash era started, call it 04/05, what do you think the worst roster move was? Here are the choices...

First the moves, my thoughts, then a poll. With thanks to PhoenixStan and his bracket.

Bad Trade #1

Joe Johnson to the Hawks FOR Boris Diaw and 2 future first round picks, Rajon Rondo and Robin Lopez.

If the Suns kept Rondo this trade wouldn't have been too bad. But even still, I think with JJ the Suns would have won a championship. Anyone watch him in the playoffs against the Celts?....garsh.

Bad Trade #2

Brian Grant's Corpse, Cash, and Rondo to the Celts FOR Rudy Fernandez.

Again, this trade wouldn't have been too bad had they kept Fernandez. It would have been another downgrade but at least they would have had a solid player.

Bad Trade #3

James Jones and Rudy Fernandez FOR 3 million dollars

Jesus. I liked Jones, could shoot and was long. Fernandez would be a nice bench player also.

Bad Trade #4

Rodriguez FOR 3 million dollars

Eh.

Bad Trade #5

Kurt Thomas, an 08 pick (Ibaka), and this year's pick FOR a 9 million dollar trade exception.

My oh my, for the life of me I've never even figured this one out. The Suns traded Kurt Thomas' expiring contract, and two first round picks for a trade exception, which to my knowledge, they never even used. To me the Suns traded 3 valuable things, for something without value. An expiring contract has value, of course, and the Suns had to package it with draft picks to get rid of it. How does that make any sense.

To make matters worse the Sonics (Thunder) traded it to the Spurs for a pick or two (verify?). The other trades are bad, but at least the Suns got some value in a couple other trades (besides the two strictly for cash). This one the Suns just gave up all sorts of value. I don't know, if someone knows why they did this one I'd love an explanation, I could never figure it out.

At first I thought that they would use the trade exception to land a big name, but they never did.

Bad Trade #6

Nate Robinson and Q FOR Kurt Thomas and Dijon Thompson.

I'm too disgusted to criticize another.

Bad Trade #7

Marion and Banks FOR Shaq

This is a huge can of worms. Marion was the first player to grab my attention from the Suns and eventually turn me into a fan, so I absolutely love the guy, but a 30 year old that relies on athleticism declines when he hits 30 (check out Hollinger). And we were never able to really see what Shaq could do as a Sun.

It took a desperate Duncan 3 to knock the Suns out of the playoffs that year. And I still contest the Suns could have made a long playoff run that year if they hadn't met the Spurs in the first round. At the time, the Spurs and Suns were the best two teams in the west, but happened to meet in the first round. I think if the Suns met the Spurs later in the playoffs they would have beaten them also. The Suns hadn't had much experience together at that point. I think they needed to get their feet wet in the playoffs before they met the Spurs. So I don't think this trade was even bad, but I'm sure some of you do.

Bad Trade #8

Firing Coach Mike FOR Porter

I think last year's team with Coach Mike and a healthy Amar'e could have made a run at the Lakers. I think people forget how good the Suns were at the end of 07-08 season with Shaq and D'Antoni. If they were allowed to have an off season to get Shaq in the shape that he was in last season, I think this team could have been awesome. We only saw a two game glimpse last season with Gentry and Amar'e, it was against the Clips, but we scored 140 in back to back games. Either way, a pretty poor sample size, but also, not Coach Mike.

Final Score:

Shawn Marion, Joe Johnson, James Jones, Brian Grant, Raja Bell, DJ Strawberry, Quintin Richardson, Luol Deng, Ibaka, Sergio Rodriguez, and this year's first round pick.

FOR

Robin Lopez, Jason Richardson, Jared Dudley, '10 2nd rounder, and 9m in cash.

DOES THAT MAKE YOU WANT TO VOMIT?

Your thoughts?

Trade #1
Suns - Amare

Blazers - Greg Oden, Joel Pryzbilla, Steve Blake

Blazers want to win, they are pushing now but could really use an inside presence, Oden may never play for them any way. Pryzbilla is injured now too, for the season (?) can't remember. Both have 2 year deals for 5-6 million. Blake has 1 year 4 million deal. Who knows, maybe Oden needs the Suns medical staff.

Why I like it. Go Blazers!

Trade #2

Suns - Amare, LB

Heat - JO, Beasley, a pick?

Suns lose A LOT of talent here, but JO has 23 mil expiring, and Beasley at least has potential, maybe the Heat add a draft pick to the deal. But the Heat could probably sign Amar'e and keep Wade moving forward.

Why I like it. Go Heat! And I don't have to stay up to 1AM watching games...

Trade #3

Suns - Amar'e

Cavs - Z, JJ Hickson, and Coby Karl, a pick?

Z's 11 mil expiring, everyone is in love with Hickson's potential, and why not. Coby just makes the salaries even. Cavs do this for obvious reasons. Tons more talent, and I think it keeps LBJ a lifetime Cav. Amare would play hard for LBJ, no doubt about that.

Why I like it. Go Cavs! And I don't have to stay up to 1am watching game...

Trade #4

Suns - Amar'e

Thunder - Etan Thomas 1 year about 8 mil, Collison 2 year 6.2, and BJ Mullens

Almost no talent coming back for the Suns, and not much cap relief after the first season. So not a very good trade... lol

Trade #5

Suns -- Amar'e, Jrich

Mavs - Dampier (2 year 12 mil), Howard (1 year 10 mil), Shawne Williams (1 year 2 mil) and a pick...or 2

I actually like this one, could possibly resign Howard on a better bargain than J-Rich, Dampier for 2 years would probably cost two picks though. Might be painful to see Amar'e and Marion with Dirk though...

Wow just thought of what Dallas's lineup would be.     Amar'e, Dirk, Marion, Jrich, Kidd. With Fake Jet off the bench.

Trade #6

Suns - Amar'e

Wiz - Mike Miller and Brendan Haywood. Both are expiring contracts. Awfully low risk for both teams since all the contracts are expiring.

Trade #7

Suns - Amar'e Jrich

Celts - Ray Allen and Rasheed

I would hate this, I hate boston everything. But Ray allen has expiring 18 mil and we all know about Sheed's modest contract which is 2 years. Celts could move Garnet to the 5 to move Amar'e into the line up.

Your thoughts?

Wide open threes:

When the Suns are on the secondary break, you will see Amare flying through the paint, Nash with the ball, and the shooters spotting up at the wing. This is how they've done it since the wonderful season of 04-05 when Q and JJ were doing the spacing. This works because when Amare flies down the lane, teams sink in to him because of his ability around the rim. Then Nash picks the player in the best position to score, whether it's Amare with a step on his guy for the lay in, or a shooter uncovered because 4 guys are in the paint worried about Amare. Now, keep in mind this is the NBA, teams are going to find open three pointers eventually. But this is why the Suns find them so consistently. Yes, Nash's passes to outside shooters are almost always perfectly placed in the shooting pocket. But the shooters are usually wide open because players sag the paint to stop the ball and Amare.

Pick and Roll:

If you think about it, they are really trying to simulate the secondary break by using the pick and roll. The positioning and effect are identical. They use the screen to get Amare heading to the basket and the shooters spread out. Which is exactly what the secondary break looks like, only instead of using Amare's speed to get into that position like on the break, they are using the screen to manufacture the advantage. But either way, the situation becomes identical.  And it works for exactly the same reasons: Team's have to respect Nash's shooting ability, outside, midrange, and around the basket. But they also have to respect Amare's strength, quickness, leaping ability, midrange, hands, and ability to finish around the basket even in traffic (Amare is always among league leaders in three point plays.)

Personnel: The skill sets of Nash and Amare are so unique and elite that it makes them the two key pieces to this equation. It's evident that the shooters can be replaced. The shooters are essential to the equation just as Amare and Nash are, the difference is that there are hundreds of people you could replace shooters with. There's only one Steve Nash and only one Amare Stoudemire. All I'm asking is that people recognize how awesome those two are together and how well they compliment each other. If you really think Tyrus Thomas, Brad Miller, etc etc etc could do what Amare does, you aren't watching the same sport.

But first part 1...

WHAT!?

Yeah, oh yeah.

Here's why. But first a little background info.

I am from Connecticut and became a casual Suns fan with Marion's emergence as an All-Star earlier this decade. Then I became a die-hard fan with the drafting of Amare in 02. A year ago today I spent my college spring break from Uconn taking a trip out to Phoenix for a 4 game home stand (was actually 5 game stand, but I saw 4). This was actually 4 of the best Suns games to attend. The first game was beating the Spurs, then rolling Memphis and Sac-Town, and beating GS. Shaq's crowd leap and fake crowd leap were both apart of this trip. It was great.

Now the bad. This doesn't speak for all Suns fans in the Phoenix area, and certainly not the gentlemen running this site, but I can say with 100% certainty that the average fan, in large part due to how the franchise markets its players, is completely off base with the players. Nash is incredibly overrated in the city, he is treated like Jeter is treated in NY (I'm also a huge Yankees fan, yeah let the hate responses begin). It's poposterous. Treated like a savior of the city, but hasn't won a single thing.

I hope the city is finally realizing how good Amare is, and why he is by far the best player on the team.

Nash's golden boy status was achieved because the Suns had the 5th worst record in the league in 03-04 signed Nash and won 50 or 60 some odd games. So the city of Phoenix automatically associates the turnaround to Nash (much like the city of Boston attributes the Celts turnaround to Garnett). There are so many other factors that must be recognized to understand the Suns turnaround. 1.) Amare. It was incredibly clear that Amare was going to be a big time player in the league. Big men usually take more time to develop so the fact that Amare came out of HS and won ROY was pretty strong proof. Also the first player to come out of HS and win ROY. 2.) The progress of JJ. This isn't a difficult argument seeing as he is an all-star now, but yeah 04-05 was the year he came into his own. 3.) Q Solid FA signing that off season. Of course Nash was another large piece of the puzzle, but 4 of our 5 starters that year we either didnt' have or weren't the same caliber as the previous losing season.

Why Nash is no longer a fit for this team:

Nash was so very necessary with that 04-05 team. None of those guys excel in pushing the ball and working in space with the ball in hand. JJ could of course handle the rock, but not very well in the open court. Q, Amare, Marion of course are great fast break players, but they are great finishers in Amare and Marion's cases, and bombs away in Q's case. So yes Nash was needed to orchestrate those weapons. Barbosa wasn't quite the Brazilian Blur yet either.

05-06 we had Boris, Marion, Bell, Barbosa, James Jones, Kurt Thomas. Bell is awful in the open court, he just spread the court well and chucked threes like JJ and Q were so good at. Boris works well in space in the half court. But isn't very impressive on the fast break. So again, Nash was needed to orchestrate these talents.

More of the same until...

Now we have Hill, Barnes, J-Rich, Barbosa. All four can push the ball finish, shoot, and pass in space and on the break. And, those 4 know what an outlet pass looks like, typically receiving the ball at half court, ya know, like a high schooler would do. Nash has an annoying habit of receiving the ball around the foul line. This just slows us down. And when Nash is in the game those 4 guys will defer to Nash because he is the point guard, instead of pushing the ball up the court and playing to their strengths.

Another thing Nash lacks is the ability to get Shaq the ball in good positions in the post. Without Nash we pass the ball around the perimeter and let Shaq post, repost, seal, and spin all before he gets the ball. Then when he gets that oh-so-special Shaq position on the guy. We would get him the ball and he would take 1 dribble or less and dunk it. With Nash on the court he just dribbles, posts and reposts, Shaq is forced to do more with the ball in his hand usually resulting in a contested hook. Tuesday night watch Shaq, if he takes more than 1 dribble he misses. Against the Spurs I nonchallantly tracked it and counted 0 for 6 with more than 1 dribble.

Oh yeah, defense? This is beating a dead horse because its pretty widespread that I could score 40 points with Nash guarding me. As awesome as Nash's pull up threes are late in the game. It doesn't really matter when his counterpart is having a better offensive game. It matters less when the counterpart is named Aaron Brooks. I mean really, Aaron Brooks nuetralizes Nash, c'mon now. Of course I know Nash rarely guards the other point guard. But in the broad scheme of Nash's value it's still his responsibility. NBA 3's guard other NBA 3's on real NBA teams for a reason. And NBA 3's don't guard other NBA 1's for a reason.

The reason Kerr hasn't dealt Nash yet is because the city of Phoenix would riot and he would lose fans and dollars. So Phoenix, your lousy team was your doing, your Golden Boy is more of a bronze. I loved the run, it was fun to watch. But Nash's time to be traded was before this deadline when a team like the Blazers would have loved to give up a 1st rounder or 2 an expiring contract and Sergio Rodriguez for Nash.

That was fun....Part 2!!

Part 1 had Shaq on the team. Part 2 doesn't. Part 2 isn't as fun either. Now, without Shaq, it's different. I love that someone used this post as an argument against me though. Clever to bring up a post that's outdated because of LARGE roster changes, but hey, no one will notice, right? WRONG! I still think they could move Nash and get better, but now this team is more in need of Nash without Shaq's halfcourt presence. Amare is that presence at times, but there are certain body types and athleticism combos that will give him trouble. With Shaq, that problem didn't exist.

The window to trade Nash closed at the aforementioned previous trade deadline, it wouldn't make any sense to trade him now. I do think it would be wise to trade Amare though. But not having anything to do with making the team better, because you don't get better by trading an All NBA 27 year old scoring stud. You just don't. But if he finds greener pastures this offseason then the Suns get nothing for him. And honestly, I hope he goes elsewhere. He gets no respect from the Suns fanbase and it bothers him. Just like it did with Marion and JJ. Only he's not the 3rd or 4th wheel, he's the 2nd so it's okay, for now. But even still, it's not even looked as like a partnership. Jordan and Pippen, Kobe and Shaq, Duncan and Parker, Stockton and Malone. For whatever reason the media and fanbase viewed all those duos as duos. In Phoenix it's Nash and his underlings. All NBA players aren't underlings. Plain and simple. GO SUNS!! Until Amare is gone. Then we'll all be happy. Personally, I hope he lands with Bosh or Wade or Lebron or Paul.

A year ago when the Suns traded Boris and Bell for Dudley and Jrich, most of this site, and Suns fans were upset about the trade, thinking the Suns got the worse of the deal. Also multiple announcers would make comments regarding how the Suns made the trade thinking they would be under Terry Porter, and if they had it to do over knowing they would still SSOL they wouldn't have made the trade... WHAT?!

Well my stance is the same it was when the trade was made last year. We got the most talented player in the trade, someone that fits the RUNNING GAME perfectly, he can spread the floor, shoot, create for himself, post up, finish, and run the floor. Clearly a skill set that puts him head and shoulders above Boris and Raja. Most saw Jrich as the replacement for Raja, I disagreed at the time, and even more so, do now. Jrich replaced Boris offensively. Defensively most thought Jrich was a downgrade compared to Bell. Again, same stance as when the trade happened. Bell was overrated defender, as much as I loved him, his rise to mainstream was from grit, and more or less his clothesline on Kobe. Which we all loved. But it certainly made him appear as a better defender than he actually brought to the table. He didn't rebound his position well, he had no offensive game in the paint or off the dribble, he couldn't run the floor in space and finish at the basket. Comparisons of Raja to Jrich are embarrassing.

So, at the time not even knowing too much about Dudley, if we traded Boris and Bell for Jrich we had gotten the better deal. This was by far the best move Kerr has made. The production from Dudley offensively and defensively this season makes him a better player than Bell.

Teske 1 Bright Side of the Sun Readers 0

I got bored. I hate Carmelo.

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I wasn't able to do a Cavs recap because I was in Atlantic City, don't worry I still watched, luckily it was on national TV. But for better or worse, I'm back.

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It's getting harder and harder to stay up until 12:30-1am to watch these home games. But that means absolutely nothing.

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WHAT!?

Yeah, oh yeah.

Here's why. But first a little background info.

I am from Connecticut and became a casual Suns fan with Marion's emergence as an All-Star earlier this decade. Then I became a die-hard fan with the drafting of Amare in 02. A year ago today I spent my college spring break from Uconn taking a trip out to Phoenix for a 4 game home stand (was actually 5 game stand, but I saw 4). This was actually 4 of the best Suns games to attend. The first game was beating the Spurs, then rolling Memphis and Sac-Town, and beating GS. Shaq's crowd leap and fake crowd leap were both apart of this trip. It was great.

Now the bad. This doesn't speak for all Suns fans in the Phoenix area, and certainly not the gentlemen running this site, but I can say with 100% certainty that the average fan, in large part due to how the franchise markets its players, is completely off base with the players. Nash is incredibly overrated in the city, he is treated like Jeter is treated in NY (I'm also a huge Yankees fan, yeah let the hate responses begin). It's poposterous. Treated like a savior of the city, but hasn't won a single thing.

I hope the city is finally realizing how good Amare is, and why he is by far the best player on the team.

Nash's golden boy status was achieved because the Suns had the 5th worst record in the league in 03-04 signed Nash and won 50 or 60 some odd games. So the city of Phoenix automatically associates the turnaround to Nash (much like the city of Boston attributes the Celts turnaround to Garnett). There are so many other factors that must be recognized to understand the Suns turnaround. 1.) Amare. It was incredibly clear that Amare was going to be a big time player in the league. Big men usually take more time to develop so the fact that Amare came out of HS and won ROY was pretty strong proof. Also the first player to come out of HS and win ROY. 2.) The progress of JJ. This isn't a difficult argument seeing as he is an all-star now, but yeah 04-05 was the year he came into his own. 3.) Q Solid FA signing that off season. Of course Nash was another large piece of the puzzle, but 4 of our 5 starters that year we either didnt' have or weren't the same caliber as the previous losing season.

Why Nash is no longer a fit for this team:

Nash was so very necessary with that 04-05 team. None of those guys excel in pushing the ball and working in space with the ball in hand. JJ could of course handle the rock, but not very well in the open court. Q, Amare, Marion of course are great fast break players, but they are great finishers in Amare and Marion's cases, and bombs away in Q's case. So yes Nash was needed to orchestrate those weapons. Barbosa wasn't quite the Brazilian Blur yet either.

05-06 we had Boris, Marion, Bell, Barbosa, James Jones, Kurt Thomas. Bell is awful in the open court, he just spread the court well and chucked threes like JJ and Q were so good at. Boris works well in space in the half court. But isn't very impressive on the fast break. So again, Nash was needed to orchestrate these talents.

More of the same until...

Now we have Hill, Barnes, J-Rich, Barbosa. All four can push the ball finish, shoot, and pass in space and on the break. And, those 4 know what an outlet pass looks like, typically receiving the ball at half court, ya know, like a high schooler would do. Nash has an annoying habit of receiving the ball around the foul line. This just slows us down. And when Nash is in the game those 4 guys will defer to Nash because he is the point guard, instead of pushing the ball up the court and playing to their strengths.

Another thing Nash lacks is the ability to get Shaq the ball in good positions in the post. Without Nash we pass the ball around the perimeter and let Shaq post, repost, seal, and spin all before he gets the ball. Then when he gets that oh-so-special Shaq position on the guy. We would get him the ball and he would take 1 dribble or less and dunk it. With Nash on the court he just dribbles, posts and reposts, Shaq is forced to do more with the ball in his hand usually resulting in a contested hook. Tuesday night watch Shaq, if he takes more than 1 dribble he misses. Against the Spurs I nonchallantly tracked it and counted 0 for 6 with more than 1 dribble.

Oh yeah, defense? This is beating a dead horse because its pretty widespread that I could score 40 points with Nash guarding me. As awesome as Nash's pull up threes are late in the game. It doesn't really matter when his counterpart is having a better offensive game. It matters less when the counterpart is named Aaron Brooks. I mean really, Aaron Brooks nuetralizes Nash, c'mon now. Of course I know Nash rarely guards the other point guard. But in the broad scheme of Nash's value it's still his responsibility. NBA 3's guard other NBA 3's on real NBA teams for a reason. And NBA 3's don't guard other NBA 1's for a reason.

The reason Kerr hasn't dealt Nash yet is because the city of Phoenix would riot and he would lose fans and dollars. So Phoenix, your lousy team was your doing, your Golden Boy is more of a bronze. I loved the run, it was fun to watch. But Nash's time to be traded was before this deadline when a team like the Blazers would have loved to give up a 1st rounder or 2 an expiring contract and Sergio Rodriguez for Nash.