Thoughts on the Draft

So the iPhone came out yesterday. I'm on the iPhone team at Apple and it was a pretty fun night. In between calls, we'd read about the lines all over the country and the folks on the East coast trying to cash in on ebay and Craigslist. It was an energetic night that all of us had been looking forward to. After work, I drove over to my local Apple store about 10 minutes before it closed. No line, just a few wired employees, a couple customers playing with Apple gear and a couple of friendly yet massive security guards. I nabbed my iPhone and went home.

My experience with the iPhone was similar to the Suns draft. With all the hype and rumors swirling around, what's easily lost is that the Suns are a very good team. They met their match in the Sp*rs and were forced to play out of character and eventually shorthanded in their playoff loss. We all agreed the team had to improve defensively and possibly make a roster move to get more scoring that's not totally dependent on Steve Nash.

So with KG and Kobe wanting to come to PHX and the possibility to nab Noah, Brewer or Jeff Green- it seemed the team was about to make a dramatic move to maintain their elite status and make up ground on the Spurs. While Alando Tucker and DJ Strawberry may not satisfy a lot of fans, I think it's a good draft. They've managed (so far) to keep the core intact for what has to be the last run at the title.

They added two long, athletic players who played four years of big time college ball. They'll be hungry for minutes and opportunity which helps depth. The one flaw in putting together the league's best offensive team- the bench players are getting torched on a daily basis. Then they have to run the offensive sets. Maybe a few more stoppers will even things out. Tucker is a great guy from all accounts and he's very good. Strawberry is a tough kid and a winner, hopefully he gets a decent shot at the roster. James Jones is gone so there is a role to be filled.

Now comes the same lame thing we hear every summer, we need a solid veteran to take less money to play here to try and go for a title. (the Sp*rs sign those guys every year) Grant Hill and PJ Brown may be on the wishlist- but will either take pocket change to run with the Suns? I hope so. I'm gonna play with my iPhone while Kerr and $arver figure it out.

NOTE: If any readers are in Vegas and plan on checking out summer league games, please let us know. Thanks.

First Summer in Texas

Being Marcus Banks

So Amare suggests the motto for the 2007-08 season should be 'Revenge.' To regroup, run through the league and topple the Spurs- the Suns have to get better. The effort may or may not include Kevin Garnett but as the summer moves on I'm going to write about Suns who are likely returning next season.

We start with Marcus Banks. Last year's offseason was a bust. The team traded away their draft picks. No free agent signing played a significant role for the team. The worst signing of the bunch seems to have been Marcus Banks. When he was signed to a five-year $21 million contract last year, here's what the Republic had to say:

'Banks' arrival provides backcourt relief and defensive pressure. Banks said he has the speed to defend 94 feet, pestering ballhandlers enough to disrupt an opponent's offense. Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver said a Minnesota assistant coach told the Suns: "We know you think Leandro (Barbosa) is the quickest player in the NBA, but I'm going to tell you, we think Marcus is faster."'

This season Banks played in 45 games and a lot of those minutes were mop up time in blowouts. There were stretches during the season where he was inactive and wasn't even behind the bench with other highly paid spectators. Banks averaged 4.9 points, 1.3 assists, and shot 43% from the field and 17% from distance- in 11 minutes.

The numbers aren't great but watching him play was another thing. Banks at no point seemed to have a place with this team. In the dramatic win at Chicago, he was used to pester Ben Gordon (who had 41 pts that night) in a second half stint. It was assumed he'd be used like that all season but the team didn't reveal a commitment to defense until the San Antonio series.

So how can Marcus Banks improve this summer. It was proposed that he participate in the Suns summer league. Banks is considering it but he's also a fourth year pro. What can be accomplished by running with rookies and free agents? Gaining some confidence from the coaching staff might be one thing.

Another idea is working on his jumpshot. The Suns roster is currently loaded with shooters and if Banks wants to emulate Nash- he's gotta be money when left open. Banks is not a shooter and he showed very questionable shot selection in games when he got significant minutes. He showed some ability to get to the rim and he's built like a brick. Banks doesn't necessarily need three point range, a reliable midrange jumper would be good too. His quickness combined with a jumper would make him a better player and a weapon when combined with Leandro Barbosa.

The key element is desire. Marcus Banks has gotten big minutes on bad teams and was the forgotten man on a good team. How will he bounce back when he was panned as the worst free agent signing of 2006-07 and nearly everyone would like to see him leave town. The guy made an effort to be part of the Phoenix community and playing with Nash is very important to him. Will Banks put in the work to improve? Will he have that extra fire to give himself and the team a competitive edge?

Banks' contract is pretty much untradable so I think that he's at a professional crossroads. He has to produce to earn his contract, earn his spot on this team or showcase his talent for a trade. It's all on Marcus. Revenge for him would be shutting up the critics and showing this organization he belongs.

Ball Club Shirts (Instant Throwback)

UPDATE: The shirts are now sold out. Thanks for the support!

Trade Marion?

OK, it's all over the internet (like every summer) and it's all over our comments too.

Should the Suns trade Shawn Marion?

A few posts down, Zei breaks down the team's financial situation. They need to figure out a solution for the potential luxury tax bill by the trade deadline next season. The upcoming draft is loaded with talent, the Suns have three picks and an All Star utility man with a huge contract.

Is the answer to trade Shawn Marion?

In many ways, his play defines the Suns' success... and their shortcomings. However, there's a certain Frenchman who's gotten a little fat and happy... and more tentative.

Personally, I go back and forth on it. However Marion in Chicago and Nocioni and Gordon in Phoenix sounds pretty good. Fact is the Spurs are about to have another parade down the road from me. Shedding salary without getting better is counterprodcutive. This team's title window is now. I want a good reason to come back to PHX next summer.

What's the best move?

UPDATE: Joe Dumars alludes to PHX asking for two starters and both their first round draft picks for Marion. That sounds totally ridiculous. Dumars may be exaggerating but he says the deal is there if he wants it. Perhaps the Suns have set the price very high to lure a nice deal or to chase away legit contenders. Check the link and you can listen to the interview with Dumars, who is one of the best in the business.