Suns on the Run!

Prior to their last loss against the Sacramento Kings, Suns was 11-4 for last 15 games after huge loss against the Denver Nuggets. The only team that had better record than the Suns was the Spurs with 12-3. For past few years and at least after the “Nash Era” begun, the Suns was a very offensive team and often allowed other teams to score over 100 points(of course, Suns scored more than that). However, after that blockbuster trade with the Orlando Magics, Suns became more of defensive team(well, still they are great offensively).

After the trade, fans were disappointed to let Jason Richardson leave. They thought the trade was to create room in the salary cap and get rid of Hedo Turkoglu. However, Lon Babby, Suns’ GM, said that it was to improve Suns defensively. Well, I wasn’t really expecting much of improvement and I actually gave up my hope for Suns to reach the playoffs. After first disastrous 12 games, Suns improved and they were playing as a team and I, now, hope to see them making the run again to reach the playoffs. They created synergy effects when new players became a part of the team. Remember when Suns allowed other teams to score like 120 points and lose hopelessly? For past 10 games, Suns only allowed opponents to score 91.80 points which is league’s third best record(Sports Illustrated Article).  Well, with Nash leading the offense and with improved defense, its like adding a shield to the spear. I hope it would create some of synergy effects.

Players are not everything. Coach plays a crucial role in team’s victory. Last season, I loved Alvin Gentry and his rotation system. However, earlier this year, I was surprised how he put Josh Childress as a center and his “experiments” were terrible. Nothing went right. Last playoffs, do you remember Suns’ bench dominating Lakers? I mean Lakers’ starting lineups. They were great. Well, Goran Dragic had a bad start this season and Jared Dudley also had a bad start. After the trade, Pietrus and Gortat became crucial players from the bench. With them, Dragic and Dudley started to play like they did last year. Suns’ bench players are one of the league’s best and if they start to play their games and let the starters rest more, I guarantee that Suns will go to the playoffs.

After first twelve games after the trade, Suns started their run. However, Goran Dragic was injured in house. Steve Nash, clearly, can’t play full game and the Suns needed backup point guard. They signed Zabian Dowdell to 10 days contract and recently signed him for the remainder of the season. Dowdell, for past few games, played really hard(in fact, extremely hard to get his spot in the team). He played in Suns’ summer camp for several years, so he was good offensively. He controlled the ball and tried to attack the basket by passing. Last few games, bench’s good defense and Dowdell helped Suns to secure victories over good teams. With Goran Dragic’s return against Utah, Dowdell’s spot might be in danger. However, Goran Dragic also needs some rest due to injury and international games. Furthermore, Dowdell should get more chance and he showed his potential in last several games.

Lob Babby said that the Suns is trying to reach the playoffs and rebuild at the same time. With that being said, it would be a hard decision for them to trade Nash away for draft picks. Orlando Magics, Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Toronto Raptors and even Minnesota Timberwolves were interested in Steve Nash. Among them, Minnesota showed the most interest to Steve Nash, but Steve Nash won’t leave the team for a team that is not a championship contender. Furthermore, Nash said he is happy to be with the Suns and he wants to stay with the Suns even next year. As a huge Suns fan, I don’t want him to leave and I want to see him retire in Suns’ purple and orange jersey(and of course the championship ring). However, it just seems not possible. Some says that the impossible is nothing… Nash doesn’t have time. He’s getting older and older and his time is coming. Although he is called the Benjamin Button of the NBA, he will retire sometime. And that time is coming. I’m not only Suns fan, but also Nash’s fan. I love how he plays and I want him to retire with the Ring.

Well, NBA is where amazing happens. Let’s see something amazing happening at the U.S. Airways Center this season.

Photo via ESPN