What now?

One of the stranger seasons in Suns' history ended with yet another tough loss to San Antonio. Turnovers once again proved to be the killer as the Suns could not execute with their season on the line.

So what happens between now and training camp? The teams showed a lot of warts and flaws and the direction of the team isn't entirely clear.

The Grant Hill signing fizzled as he got hurt right before the playoffs.

The Shaquille O'Neal trade changed the team for the better (conventionally) but his awful free throw shooting cost the Suns in the three tight losses to the Spurs.

Amare Stoudemire still needs to be programmed for defense and rebounding.

Leandro Barbosa took a step backward this season.

Boris Diaw came alive in the playoffs, but where was he before that?

Steve Nash made some critical mistakes with games on the line and needs a quality backup more than ever.

Coach Mike D'Antoni appears to be on his way to New York or Chicago. Fuck making adjustments in PHX, time to fix bloated rosters with some run n' gun healing.

This is kind of a sad time for Suns fans. The team that really captured our imaginations (and hearts) a few years back is now fading away.

If you haven't read the Bill Simmons' article on the Suns, you should. He breaks down how all the things we've complained about since 2005 have brought us to now. It's kinda sad. Robert Sarver in his attempt to not lose money has blown a chance at dominating the NBA and getting a title. Why own a team if the goal isn't to win a title?

I'm not one to blame Steve Kerr. D'Antoni convinced Kerr the Shaq trade was a good idea. D'Antoni wanted Jay Humphries over Tom Thibodeau (the guy who helped the Rockets and now Celtics become top elite defensive squads). Sarver is responsible for giving away draft picks that have turned in players who could have help this team. Of course D'Antoni wouldn't play them anyway.

I have no idea what direction this team is going.

I will say this. I went to San Antonio twice during the series. San Antonio is a small market, especially compared to Houston and Dallas. The AT&T Center appears to be on an old military base. The place is kinda plain. There's a few things that definitely stand out. Four championship banners hang from the rafters. People pose and take pictures by the championship trophies in the trophy case. The team that no one likes on TV is loved in central Texas. And for good reason, the organization works to win CHAMPIONSHIPS. 'Go Spurs Go' is the most annoying chant ever though.

It'd be cool to experience that with the Suns. Now that possibility seems further away.