Thread: NBA 2008-09 Season

Originally Posted by HD MM

Actually, a local PD Sports writer, Brian Windhorst just recently wrote on the miserable state of the Phoenix Suns. The following is a paraphrasing of his thoughts.....

Their were A LOT of bad decisions made in the past few years, all of them by Suns owner Robert Sarver. Actually it's quite sad. There was a time not too long ago when the Suns were leading what many considering a renaissance in the NBA. Now they are a mess. The fact that most of it was self-inflicted makes it even worse.

Rumors are still swirling that they want to trade/get rid of their youngest and most talented player in Amar'e Stoudemire, yet keep their two oldest and fading stars in Shaq and Steve Nash.

The Suns have been over the cap for the last several seasons. In an effort to avoid having to pay first-round picks over the last several years, Sarver has been selling them. The up-and-coming Rajon Rondo in Boston? That was a Suns pick. The talented rookie Rudy Fernandez in Portland? Another one.

The same year they sold Rondo, they signed Marcus Banks to a five-year, $21 million deal, which turned out to be a disaster.

After signing Nash in a huge coup, Sarver wouldn't approve a contract extension for Joe Johnson when the parties were about $1 million apart per year. Then Johnson had a huge year and became a max player paired with Nash and Stoudemire and Shawn Marion, and they had to let him walk because they couldn't afford him anymore because, again, they were short-sighted.

Then there's the past 12 months. The Suns traded for O'Neal in an effort to be more effective in the playoffs. Then they parted ways with Mike D'Antoni, at his request, and hired a coach in Terry Porter with the intent of bringing a defensive mantra. Then, earlier this year, they traded their best defensive player in Boris Diaw.



The Suns' matching of stars and style used to be the envy of the league. Now, as they slowly deconstruct, all they get is pity.

Good post. It is truly sad what has happened there in Phoenix....and the way they are structure, they could be REALLY bad if the lose Amare for quite some time too.....and right now, it's almost a lock.

The NBA Trade Deadline is this Thursday. Any more dirt or possible rumors? Clearly there has to be a few more trades before the deadline, right?

Originally Posted by SabresRule

I was referring to the way he was unfairly pushed out of Phoenix.

I felt that getting rid of D'Antoni was a bad decision by the Suns.

Sure, his push-it-up style of offense didn't translate to a title, but think about how those teams were doing compared to this year's.

Phoenix does not have the same chemistry they had under D'Antoni.

Not as bad as trading for Shaq was. That was the beginning of the end. D'Antoni leaving was precipitated by shaq's arrival, whom D'Antoni didn't want. They were one stupid decision (The bench clearing against the Spur's) away from the finals the year before.

Originally Posted by HD MM

The NBA Trade Deadline is this Thursday. Any more dirt or possible rumors? Clearly there has to be a few more trades before the deadline, right?

I'm not looking for the Piston's to players in the trade talks right now. They did dump little used guard Alex Acker yesterday on to the Clippers, for a swap of second round picks. I believe this may have been done to get the Piston's under the luxury tax threshold.

Originally Posted by SabresRule

I was referring to the way he was unfairly pushed out of Phoenix.

I felt that getting rid of D'Antoni was a bad decision by the Suns.

Sure, his push-it-up style of offense didn't translate to a title, but think about how those teams were doing compared to this year's.

Phoenix does not have the same chemistry they had under D'Antoni.

D'Antoni wanted out of Phoenix. It was his decision, in part by his disagreement with the meddling owner.

Originally Posted by HD MM

D'Antoni wanted out of Phoenix. It was his decision, in part by his disagreement with the meddling owner.

Pretty much what I'm saying. D'Antoni wanted nothing to do with Shaq. In the end, the new ownership had a new plaything, and wanted to play GM. Brought in their players, and then their own coach. Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery...

Originally Posted by Paul Wozniak

Pretty much what I'm saying. D'Antoni wanted nothing to do with Shaq. In the end, the new ownership had a new plaything, and wanted to play GM. Brought in their players, and then their own coach. Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery...

Yup. That owner losing the relationship he had with Jerry Coangelo was ultimately the biggest loss for that franchise.

This deconstruction looked like something out of the Detroit Lions managerial handbook.

Speaking of the Suns, Jason Richardson was arrested last night:


Suns' Richardson arrested, allegedy drove 55 mph above limit - NBA - CBSSports.com Basketball