Addition by Subtraction: Phoenix Suns Say Farewell to Mike D'Antoni

The Phoenix Suns became an enigma in the NBA in the 2000's. We all secretly loved the way they ran up the floor like race cars. And even though they put up a lot of bad shots, they also put up a lot of great shots that came before half the shot clock was gone.

Steve Nash was the turbo engine that ran the quick, highly efficient offense that was the Phoenix Suns. With guys like Amare Stoudemire, Grant Hill, Raja Bell, and Shawn Marion we loved to watch them. More than we would like to admit (unless you're a Phoenix Suns fan).

Throughout those magical seasons though, something seemed to be missing.

Every time the Suns would amass a beautiful season and have expectations through the roof for the playoffs—they would faulter. To make matters worse, the same team would faithfully kick them out of the NBA playoffs.

It had to feel like when your little brother, after years of losing to you or just being a tyrant to everyone else, beats you consistently. I don't mean one or two times—but every time.

There's no way anyone can logically explain that to you. Every time you match up with him supposedly you were stronger, and just plain knew you would win. No dice.

Unfortunately for the Phoenix Suns, they were the younger brother who never could accomplish that feat. The San Antonio Spurs, older and indeed wiser than their Suns counterparts, beat them every time at the pace they chose. 

Every year the Suns were the younger brother who would shock the neighborhood by defeating their older brother, only to go home with long faces and their heads in the dirt.

Player shifts, differences in schemes, home-court advantage, it just didn't matter. All of the time Mike D'Antoni, coach of the Suns was building a resume that would eventually and inevitably bring him to the top of the NBA coaching crop—only to leave a team in the balance.

As Mike D'Antoni took a coaching gig with the lowly New York Knicks this week, I wondered who would benefit more from his departure, the Suns or the Knicks. To answer that, here's a look into D'Antoni's stint with the Phoenix Suns and what he has to work with in New York.

You'll be surprised.

2004-2005: D'Antoni's First Season

Phoenix Suns-(62-20) Division Winner

Team PPG-110.4, Opposition PPG-103.3

Playoffs-Lost to San Antonio Spurs in Western Conference Finals

In a season that saw Steve Nash as MVP, Mike D'Antoni as Coach of the Year, and a 62 win season, it was considered an upset for the Suns to lose without even reaching the NBA Finals.

2005-2006: D'Antoni's Second Season

Phoenix Suns-(54-28) Division Winner

Team PPG-108.4, Opposition PPG-102.8

Playoffs-Lost to Dallas Mavericks in Western Conference Finals

This season the challenge of micro-fracture surgery for Amare Stoudemire was hard to overcome, but the Suns did only to lose to the Mavericks and nearly lose to the Lakers falling down 3-1 in the first round. Another disappointment.

2006-2007: D'Antoni's Third Season

Phoenix Suns-(61-21) Division Winner

Team PPG-110.2, Opposition PPG-102.9

Playoffs-Lost to San Antonio Spurs in Second Round

Clearly the most disappointing season of D'Antoni's regime, the Suns won 60-plus games, went on winning streaks of 15 and 17 during the season, and lost in the second round to a Spurs team many felt they could beat. Suns fans still blame this series on Horrygate, but that was the least of the Suns' problems. 

2007-2008: D'Antoni's Fourth and Final Season

Phoenix Suns-(55-27) Second in Division (Los Angeles Lakers)

Team PPG-110.1, Opposition PPG-105.0

Playoffs-Lost to San Antonio Spurs in First Round

With a season that saw the big trade of Shawn Marion to Miami for Shaquille O'Neal, the Suns saw their title aspirations evaporate in the first round at the hands of their nemesis, the Spurs.

Shaq couldn't hold Duncan, Nash couldn't hold Parker, and Bell couldn't hold Ginobili. This was the official end to the Mike D'Antoni era in Phoenix, and he was nothing more than an Avery Johnson in his tenure.

Nothing against Avery, but D'Antoni was just a revved up version of him. The Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks played similar styles of run-and-gun offense with shallow defense.

The biggest difference was Steve Nash. Dallas had no true point guard, and it was exposed by Chris Paul this year. Amare and Dirk both lack killer instincts, and D'Antoni and Avery lack heart in big games. 

Therefore, as both coaches go on to new experiences, it won't matter unless they toughen themselves up mentally. Tim Duncan murdered Phoenix, and Dwyane Wade and Baron Davis murdered Dallas—and they never recovered.

Until these coaches strike fear in opposing teams' hearts, they have repeat performances—have good regular seasons and lose in the playoffs.

And now D'Antoni has to build a team from the ground up in New York, something he hasn't done.

With a lineup of Jamal Crawford, Zach Randolph, Eddy Curry, David Lee, and Stephon Marbury he'd better start fast. Marbury will undoubtedly be traded, but it won't matter.

We won't be able to rate Mike D'Antoni's regime in the land of models for a few years, at least.

Until then, he'd better watch the Wizard of Oz and obtain a heart, or other wise he'll lose again, much faster and more often.