Rewriting the future

So the Suns have sputtered a bit since the trade. They've had a few tough losses and a couple blowouts as they played without Marion and now with Shaquille O'Neal. A subject that's been coming up a lot is the playoffs. After what we saw with Dallas last year (and even Cleveland when you think about it), matchups are everything.

I think we know who we DON'T want to play in the first round.

The Hornets beat the Suns in every way imaginable this season. They beat us at the buzzer, held us off in the clutch and blew us out. They're still young and inconsistent at times but they matchup well with the Suns and they are the last team we want to see in the first round. The Hornets are where the Suns were 4 years ago- trying to win a fanbase back.

As it stands right now, the Suns have the 5 seed and fourth best record, which would mean homecourt advantage in the first round against a team like Utah. At this point, I don't think there are any favorable matchups for anyone in the West, let alone the Suns. The stretch run will be important for the team because they are working in a gigantic piece to the puzzle in the Big Upgrade.

The Spurs and Lakers are hot are even though the standings are still tight, I'm not expecting either team to cool off. The Yao Ming injury really hurts Houston (and China's olympic team, godspeed in recovery Yao) and while they are still red hot, I expect them to fade. Kinda nuts that a team could possibly win 45-50 games in the West and be in the lottery and a team in the East could win 36-40 games and be in the playoffs. The West reloads, the East rebuilds.

I was looking at some playoff history trying to find some precedent for a team that made significant midseason trades and won titles. The 2004 Pistons come to mind. They got Rasheed Wallace midseason and won the title as a three seed. They didn't lose any players of real significance though. The 1995 Houston Rockets traded for Clyde Drexler midseason, a move panned by NBA heads. They successfully defended their title as a six seed (and beat our beloved Suns on Mario Elie's kiss of death three). The 1989 Detroit Pistons traded class act Adrian Dantley for Mark Aguirre and won their first title. There are more I'm sure but these are ones I remember.

So while other fans can celebrate winning streaks and signing veterans off the waiver wire, we get to think. We can analyze each game as our team develops a new identity and tries to rewrite the future. Our team is built for the playoffs. Our role players will have an impact. Amare will dominate. Nash will make big plays. No matter when the season ends, we will drink... excessively.

Open Letter to Brent Barry

Brent,

I understand this must be a tough time for you. The San Antonio Spurs traded you to Seattle to retool in their quest for a repeat and fifth NBA title. It's gotta hurt. Not only did they feel they could get there without you, now they are dangling money to come back as if nothing happened. A couple girls used me the same way but that's a painful story for another day.

Don't look back Brent. There's a great story in the Bible about Sodom and Gomorra. The lone instruction given to Lot's family was don't look back. His woman took a long gander and turned to salt. The Spurs' championship chances will soon be destroyed like fire raining down from the heavens. Why not rain down a few threes and snuff out your old team in Phoenix? Don't let your game dry up and turn to salt on their bench.

Brent, Phoenix is about rebirth. Veteran players strive in our system and in our community. Our medical staff has helped Grant Hill turn his career around. His bionic ankle is no longer a burden. Shaquille O'Neal is already showing signs and he's hungry for a fifth ring. We know you still have some flash left in your game. Dude, you won the Slam Dunk title. I know you would love to get back out on the wing and take a dish from Nash for a dunk. It's in you Brent, let the monkey out.

You're an open court player Brent. You're a Pac-10 guy. You have a chance to be part of something special in Phoenix- our first championship. Your championship experience combined with Shaq's four rings will energize this team and your skills will fit right in. The Spurs don't value you. They were willing to trade you two years ago for JR Smith. Dude... JR Smith can't even get off the bench in Denver.

It's time Brent. Call up Steve Kerr and sign on the dotted line. Your future is in Phoenix. A third ring is your destiny.

Sincerely,
Hersey
The Rising Suns

Detroit Basketball...

Detroit is the best team in the league. Their continuity and versatility is impressive and they put on a clinic Sunday afternoon.

Suns overpower Celtics

This is the type of game that the Suns got Shaquille O'Neal for. The grinders. How would the Suns respond when someone tried to muck it up and push them around with Shaq in the lineup? We got a decent idea Friday night. The Suns broke out early and matched the Celtics intensity throughout in a 85-77 victory.

The Suns were sloppy and without Leandro Barbosa, after losing him to a bloody cut and head injury early in the game. However Boston could not capitalize on the turnovers and the Suns defense was solid. The Celtics couldn't hit a shot and the Suns completely controlled the boards. The Suns hit the Celtics with quick 15-0 run and set the tone.

Then it turned into a playoff game. Garnett and Amare started going at each other full on. Elbows, trash talk, tight defense and the occasional basket. I personally thought Amare was afraid of Garnett in the past because Garnett tries to intimidate opponents and I've seen Amare shrink into poor games against him. Not in this game.

I think we're seeing Amare (28 pts, 6 reb, 3 blk) transform into an MVP caliber player. Shaq (4 pts, 14 reb, 2 blk) is building his confidence and creating openings for him on both ends of the floor. When Shaq moves through the middle, players hesitate and Amare is getting a ton of open looks, driving lanes and blocks. Amare played excellent defense against Garnett (without fouling) and I'm glad he got a tech for shoving him after the big dunk. This is a different team and this is just the beginning.

What more can I say about Grant Hill. Hill (14 pts) nabbed 13 boards and attacked the rim. DJ Strawberry brought the rookie energy tonight with extended minutes as well. He made plays on defense and created some turnovers. The kid just has to find a few points in those minutes and he'll be a solid rotation contributor. Ray Allen (11 pts, 3-12 FG) and Paul Pierce (8 pts, 2-13 FG) never got it going and a lot of the credit has to go to the perimeter defense.

I thought Boris (10 pts, 5 reb, 2 ast) was impressive in extended fourth quarter minutes as well. He is STILL passing up too many good shots though. Diaw can't do that against teams with strong principles like the Celtics. The Suns only squeezed off 11 threes and most of those were in transition or shot-clock desperation heaves. Layups and free throws are the key to beating good defensive teams and Boris has the ability to create those opportunities. He'd cut his turnovers if he simply attacked them rim instead of constantly kicking out.

At his best, Nash controls the tempo of the game. There are only a few players in the league who can do that. The bigs like Duncan and Garnett do it on the defensive end and Nash on offense. When it was clear this was going to be a defensive struggle and Shaq and Amare had it under control, Nash (18 pts, 7 reb, 5 ast) turned into Chauncey Billups in the fourth quarter with two huge threes.

This game was ugly but fun as hell to watch. The 24 turnovers were due to poor spacing and facing the best defensive team in the league. The Suns were the aggressor though. The attempt to be physical just got the Celtics into foul trouble and they dug a hole they couldn't get out of. I think the Suns exposed a weakness as well- little interior scoring. When the jumpers weren't falling, the Celtics relied on defense to come back. It helped but the Suns still put a few runs on them and never trailed in the game.

The Suns know they can score and now are finding they can rebound and defend better with an eraser in the middle. We got a glimpse of their newfound versatility against elite competition. Detroit promises to be just as fun and probably just as nasty.

First to 125 wins

"When we do get used to each other, we'll be the most dangerous team ever created." Shaquille O'Neal

The doubters, naysayers and Lakers fans will start chirping right away but the first game of the NASH/SHAQ campaign was intriguing. I had to watch this game Frankenstein style. I rocked a little ESPN360 until it died. I followed the gamecast play by play. Then I decided to watch the 2nd half at a sports bar. Sierra Nevada kept me loose as the Lakers broke our Shaq cherry with a loss.

Plenty of stuff caught my attention. The Lakers put 3 dudes 6'10" or bigger on the floor to start the game. They got a ton of layups off the pick n' roll and Kobe got hot early. Recipe for disaster normally but the Suns can still score at will by putting guys in perfect positions- basically give it to Steve Nash.

The lulls in playmaking were largely due to Boris Diaw. He was too busy partying and came to the game in cat mode. Hey Bo, when you look like a cat playing with a ball of yarn on defense- second units go on big runs... and take a big step in from the three point in the first quarter. Get warmed up before launching threes copain.

So I've been saying that Amare is the star and needed the training wheels taken off before he'd turn in a dominant player. With no Marion around, we have to see him do some dirty work and keep the energy to score at will. Tonight (37 pts, 15 reb, 3 blk) he showed the ability to do it but the pace and wanting to avoid foul trouble still led to a lot of easy baskets.

Fuck Pau Gasol. I hate you.

Getting no points from Raja hurts because his offense keeps Kobe honest. DJ Strawberry showed the ability to be in a Kobe highlight. He played him tight but when he's hot, get him to drive into the big guys and give up the ball. What do I know though- if had a solution for Kobe I'd be McCain's running mate.

Before anyone says anything about the 3-1 record against the Lakers- this is not the same team and neither are the Lakers. In fact the Suns are facing the leagues two best defensive teams in their next two games. We'll see the difference Shaq will make in the grinders. The Big Upgrade (15 pts, 9 reb, 2 blk, 3 ast) will make plays in the shootout games. Notice how he seemed to be everywhere in the fourth quarter.

There are plenty of plays to be made in a game that depends on execution. As accustomed as we've gotten to the Suns run n gun ways, the high shooting percentages are a result of picking the best opportunities to score. The opportunities will change now that Shaq is in the middle on both ends. This team will peak at the right time.

Mos def would have liked to have won this game but the Lakers are hot and the Suns have work to do. Should we face them again this postseason- it'll be fun. I'm pumped for Boston.

We root for Shaq now

Ok, we've had a few days to take this all in. Let's look at the trade for Shaquille O'Neal.

1. We actually have a center now. Think about that for a second. The Suns are now a power team. All of Shaq's title teams have feasted on points in the paint and behind the line because defenses double and sag. The Suns were already an efficient offensive team now we have Shaq in the middle.

2. Shaq always believes his team is a contender and isn't afraid to say it. F*ck the doubters, he demands optimism. The guy has won just as much as Duncan and has been to the Finals six times and wants to get back. I want him to back it up. He's wants a fifth ring and I him to get it.

3. Summer of 2010. I'll be at the World Cup in South Africa. The major issue is who will be signing a free agent contract with the Suns. Both Shaq and Nash will come off the books and the core of Amare, Boris and LB will be 27 and hopefully have a ring or two. Dwyane Wade and LeBron James will be unrestricted free agents if they opt out. Both players took shorter extentions and by opting out that summer will have the ability to get paid and be part of a contender. Steve Kerr was thinking about the future with this trade too.

4. D'Antoni has to play at least one rookie now. Strawberry and Tucker need to get a look because we'll need athleticism on the floor. The team just got older so the rookie energy will be useful and on some nights a necessity.

5. Don't bank on a number 1 seed. This team is building for the playoffs. The team has to build an attack that incorporates Shaq's strengths as he gets into Phoenix Suns shape. There will be some losses and there might be an ugly night or two in this transition. But when the game slows down- we have a huge big man whose won 4 titles, another big who can score at will, the best point guard in the game and a supporting cast that knows how to score. I like our chances.

All this depends on health of course. Any of our veterans get hurt- we're done.

Hoops comes into focus

So I've finally gotten out of bed and have begun to cope with my beloved Patriots losing Superbowl 42. For me it's on par with the 1997 Rose Bowl, Game 6 of the 2002 World Series and Game 5 against the Sp*rs last year. When our teams lose it sucks, especially with a title on the line. Sports is the best form of entertainment with real drama rather than scripted twists and turns. When your team loses and the season is over the whole community feels it and you try not to dwell on it until the next season starts.

I mention all this because I haven't been following the Suns as closely as I would like because I've been obsessed with football for obvious reasons. The Suns can however help me move on... to more heartache. This season is quite possibly a final judgement on this group of Suns players. While my football team's recent success makes it a little easier to handle a playoff loss, my other teams never win. The San Francisco Giants have been the World Series twice in my lifetime and haven't won. The Suns have been to the Finals once and ran into the Jordan buzzsaw. You think 'we were so close we just need to make a move and just grow up a bit and we'll get back.'

Oh if it was only that simple. The chemistry has been iffy this year as Marion, Stoudemire and Nash have taken turns complaining. The front office says they are sticking with this core group and for all intents and purposes, this 2nd half stretch and playoff run could be the last we see of this team as it is.

The country is now turning it's focus to basketball as the NBA starts national coverage and the college hoop drama gets us warmed up for the playoffs. There are good stories. The resurgence in Boston (pray for no playoff upsets- Boston vs Detroit must happen). The surprising rise of the Hornets and Blazers. Then there's the totally unexplainable genius of Mitch Kupchak.

How the f*ck do you trade Kwame Brown for Pau Gasol? Sure the other pieces are nice but that gives the (healthy) Lakers a huge and talented starting lineup- to go with their awesome bench. Before the Bynum injury, I thought the Lakers were better than the Suns. Now the Suns have to fight to win their division. It looks like at least two teams above .500 will MISS the playoffs in the West. Seeding is probably more important than ever and given the few games separating the top teams, a couple bad loses can drop a team from 1st to 6th.

While there a ton of obstacles in the Suns path to the Finals, seeing if this team can break through will be nerve wracking and fun. This team will have to be on the same page because their salaries prevent the team from seriously retooling and require that they simply get better to be an elite team. The way the Suns have played so far, it seems this team has a ceiling. Their lack of consistent defense, height and depth makes it hard to see this team getting any deeper than the previous three years. The West might be the best it's ever been and the Suns will have to show us more if they're gonna win it. We'll been watching living and dying with every play.