While I don't personally subscribe to the pessimistic outlook of the Suns that many on the site have taken up the past few weeks, there is no disputing the fact that things with the Suns will change.  I was reading an article on ESPN by J.A. Adande about how the "fun-ness" of the Suns will surely be gone now that Kerr and Amar'e (presumably) would leave the team.  I personally don't like Adande at all, I think if you reflect back on many of his articles they reflect more gut reactions to league-happenings than actual substantive analysis. 

Yet, there is truth to what Adande says.  Obviously, the Suns have looked different every year.  We've gone through rotation regulars of Joe Johnson, Quentin Richardson, Kurt Thomas, James Jones, Boris Diaw, Shawn Marion, and Raja Bell in the past few years.  What I have found so interesting though, is that two of these pieces- Marion and Bell have either joined a bitter PHX rival, or seem poised to respectively.  Marion signed as a free agent with Dallas before this past season, and, according to realgm.com, Raja Bell is prepared to sign with the LA Lakers (once free agency begins of course) 

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/67368/20100622/raja_bell_lakers_have_mutual_interest/

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Ok guys, I went ahead and created an ESPN fantasy league.  I know someone prefers Yahoo, but I have always gotten the impression that ESPN gives you additional free features.

As someone mentioned, as Arizonans, we are not eligible for prizes.  So it's just a league for bragging rights.  But hey, maybe we could get something together to make the league a bit more interesting ;)

The draft is this Monday at 8pm eastern.  Hopefully that works...

League name:  BSoS

Password:  ssol

There are 9 spots left! Sign up!!!!!

Hey BSoS members-

I was wondering if anyone wanted to get together for an ESPN fantasy bball league.  I would be cool with either a free league, or one with prizes.

It would be neat to have a league with like-minded Suns fans that are actually willing to make trades, and set daily lineups, rather than the usual fantasy players who draft and ditch.

Anyone interested just please comment below or email me at will.hawkins@duke.edu

Thanks!

I know we've all gone over this countless times...

What if Amare hadn't gotten hurt for the 05-06 season?

What if Raja and KT were at full strength for the 06 Conference Finals series against Dallas?

What if Horry had, for once in his life, decided not to be an asshole in '07?

What is Sarver/Kerr gave the 06-07 team a full run, without trading 'Trix for Shaq?

What if D'Antoni hadn't been pushed away by managment in '08?

There are plenty of 'excuses'.  But I would definitely say that, while the Suns have never won a championship with their SSoL mentality, it was still 100% absolutely, positively, without a doubt worth it to try.

I LOVE the great personalities that have played their hearts out for the team during that run, and Mike D'Antoni should be inducted into the Ring of Honor.

We've had lots of great moments during those 4 years:

- Winning 3 of the 4 "special" All-Star game competitions in 2005 (and Amare getting 2nd in the Dunk contest)

-Amare's BEASTLY performance against SA in the 05 playoffs- he played with so much passion

-2 MVP's for Nashie

-Tim Thomas's buzzer beating three-pointer in game 5 against the Lakers in 06

-Bell's three to send game 6 against the Clippers into overtime in 06

Obviously...there have been countless others.

What I am trying to say is that, despite all of our disappointments with SSoL Suns, we loved almost every minute of it.  I thank D'Antoni for the guts to play at a breakneck pace, I admire Nash's dedication to the team, and I am truly grateful for the past 5 years.

Here's to 5 more!

While I strongly disagree with many Orlando fans' insistence that SVG will 'magically' transform Barnes into a more disciplined player, I do believe he will do good things for your team.

I think Barnes has been playing his style of basketball for too long for you to expect SVG to somehow 'fix' him.  It just ain't gunna happen.

 However, I must say that "Phoenix Stan" (the frontman of BSoS) grossly misstated Barnes' impact on PHX fans.  

He stated "...by the end of the season no one was sad to see him go. No one. "

I am a proud lifelong Suns fan from AZ, and dammit I'm going to miss Matty Barnes.   He is an imperfect player, his reliance on his streaky three point shooting is troubeling, he is prone to force tough passes, and he is not a fantastic defender.  But, quite frankly, for the 1.8 mil Orlando will be paying him, he is a fantastic player.

You know how it is, when a team loses a player, fans instantly try to rationalize the loss, explaining that he was "good-for nothing" and "too erratic" to be good.  Matt Barnes is a good NBA player.   His athleticism and hustle will impress you.  

Don't expect him to always play 'smart', but don't listen to all the Suns fans telling you he'll disappoint.  Barnes will do just fine. 

or did Channing Frye impress you in his introductory press conference?  His answers were well-reasoned, and he seemed like he was putting thought into what he was saying, rather than the typical "I'm going to work hard" answers pro players usally give.

I'm very excited about this guy.  He seems like he has the personality to make the locker room upbeat without it getting obnoxious (ala Shaq).  

For 2 million a year, this doens't look like a bad pick up at all. 

Frye mentioned that he could play 'a bit' at center to let "Sun Tzu" slide back to his natural 5.  I like it!  I sitll haven't decided though if I'd want Lopez to start or Frye.

What do you think?

I was a HUGE supporter of Matt Barnes signing with the Suns last summer.  Unfortunately, he didn't have a fantastic season percentage wise.  He only shot 42% from the field and made some bonehead turnovers throughout the course of the year. 

But...

An article on azcentral.com reports that Gentry wants him back.  After all, he did average 10ppg which isn't bad (especially considering the Suns may lose Grant Hill and his solid production).  Barnes also had a knack for finding fastbreak opportunities.  How many full court passes did we see from him? Plenty!

His defense was also good enough to warrant resigning him.  I compare his D to that of ex-sun James Jones.  He's a good athletic rebounder who can block some shots and get in people's face. 

Naturally, Barnes will be looking for more than the vet minimum.  I think that if Hill goes elsewhere or the Suns can't nab Marion, that Barnes has to get resigned! Not for tons of money, but something around the 2mil range for 2 years may be able to keep him.

I've always thought that any player that hits a game winner deserves a shot to stick with their team.  Remember the game vs. the Thunder back in November? awesome!

ESPN is reporting that the Bucks have traded Richard Jefferson to San Antonio for Bowen, Oberto, and Kurt Thomas.

SA definitely gets another offensive threat to go along with Parker, Duncan, and Ginobli, but they are giving up their 2 biggest defensive stoppers and a fan-favorite hustle guy.

hmmmm..

It's a clear sign that SA managment is willing to go to drastic lengths to revitalize the team.  

History favors the bold. Is it too late for the Spurs? or is this going to bring another championship?

.

What do you guys think?

Obviously, the Spurs game was frustrating.  But, I'm sick and tired of arrogant Spurs fans... Like the one featured on BSoS homepage with the quote about how Suns fans should be angry with the team and franchsie.

What pisses me off about Suns-Spurs rivalry is that following last week's loss, it's as if these Spurs fans forget how we whupped them opening night, and that prior to X-mas day loss, we had won 3 straight in the regular season agains them.

Look, of course what matters is post-season. And, of course, the Spurs have beaten the Suns there...consistently.  BUT,  I'M SICK AND TIRED OF SPURS FANS WANTING IT BOTH WAYS:

1. On the one hand, whenever the Suns win against SA in the regular season it 'doesn't matter' because the Spurs 'inherently step it up in April/May/June'

but, 

2. On the other, whenever the Spurs win in the regular season, it is further proof that the Suns are a wholly inferior franchise with no legitmate shot at winning a title- despite the fact that the Suns-Spurs are split at 1-1 this season.  Seems pretty even to me... 

So...ESPN has a story by the always entertaining Stephen A. Smith about Amare.  Basically, Amare isn't incredibly happy about the number of touches he is getting.  Which...is understandable to me.  It seems that frequently during games the Suns stubbornly go to Shaq, OVER and OVER and OVER when Amare is in just as good position.  It bothers me a lot... Amare is a beast when he gets more touches.  Shaq has been doing well, obviously, but I can't stand seeing STAT standing motionless around the top of the key for an entire offensive possession. It's just a waste 

The article also hinted that Amare might look at joining another team in '10 when he is a free agent...Yikes.

What do you think?

via farm3.static.flickr.com

So, while initally I was quite excited to hear the Suns drafted an 'energy' big man, after all, those intagibles have always seemed to bite the suns in the ass...

But, after thinking about the Suns roster some more, I was wondering, do we Remember Brian Skinner? 

He played tough D, hustled for rebounds and blocked shots, but suddenly now the Suns are ignoring him in favor of playing Robin Lopez.

Don't get me wrong, Loopez has a lot of good traits...but why draft for a hustle Center who doesn't have an offensive game :

    WHEN YOU ALREADY HAVE ONE FOR CHEAP?! 

It seems to me if energy big man was what the suns wanted, they ought to have simply played B-Skin more down the stretch. 

It wasn't as if Skinner's game tapered off during the season, he just didn't get minutes

It's like the Suns are stuck in this half-ass rebuilding/ 'still a contender' mindset and it is stupid.   One the one-hand, the Suns aren't going to trade any major piece because 'we can still win it all', but on the other the Suns are drafting a guy who is a VERY similar player to someone the Suns already have, in the hopes of getting younger.  There isn't room in the rotation for BOTH Skinner and Lopez, so I really don't see any short term 'net gain' from the signing. 

We are just ditching one servicable, offensively challenged, hustle big man for another.  That won't put us over the top.

For next year, the Suns don't need Lopez. They have Skinner. If they want to contend they should have nabbed a shooter/ wing player which is what we need. Or at least drafted Lopez and then gone after a good wing player with agressive free agenecy, and they haven't.

So, the Suns need more good shooting wing players.  After reading on various Hoops sites, I am now intrigued abot to prospect of getting Matt Barnes. 

He plays for GSW, and he just isn't looking like he'll fit in next season there with all the young talent the warriors are looking to develope.

So...he's athletic, makes hustle plays, and has an intimidatingly larger number of tattoos...

He would go for the mid level exception or lower....  

I think he'd be solid.  He played really well against Dallas a couple years back in that underdog matchup series

So, there were two Suns broadcasters vying for potential coaching slots a few weeks back.  Eddie Johnson, and Dan Majerle. Dan was chosen by Kerr and Porter

I realize that Dan Majerle and Terry Porter had been teamates, and so naturally they have a working chremisty....  BUT, when selecting an assistant coach, to me, it isn't about finding a guy who your head coach is best friends with, rather, it ought to be about finding the best basketball mind.    it's clear that Eddie Johnson is a more legitimate leader, and more intellectually sound.

Johnson is famous for his shooting technique (as evidenced by his good career and many shooting dvd's) and basketball knowledge.  HIs shooting advice has the potential to help Robin Lopez, A. Tucker, DJ Strawberry, and even Goran Dragic (if he ever gets here)

Sure Thunder Dan was a good hustle player...but you can't coach that anyway.  He's famous for his love of 'the night-life' (aka partying)... as such, I don't see him being nearly as focused on developing players. 

Eddie Johnson seems like he would be a far more serious coach, as well as someone that wouldn't take any disrespect from his payers.  That discipline is something the Suns have sorely needed.  Johnson has always conducted himself with professionalism and poise.  From Majerle, I just get the feeling that he feels like coaching "just because it might be fun".

Dan Majerle should stick to broadcasting!

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