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When the Phoenix Suns traded for Shaquille O'Neal in 2007, the high octane offense that averaged 112 points per game soon faded away in favor a big man to contain the big men of the West.
After the experiment with Terry Porter as coach and a defense-first philosophy, Phoenix reverted back to the seven seconds or less mentality.
The next move to bring the life back in Phoenix was the departure of Shaq and the signing of center Channing Frye. With Frye, the Suns acquired everything that Shaq destroyed. Frye is a much more versatile player than Shaq, he can shoot the three ball, distribute the ball, and play some sort of defense on opposing big men.
But the one who has benefited most from this change is two-time league MVP Steve Nash.
With Shaq gone, Nash now has the space to operate more freely on the floor. In just the first 14 games of the year, Nash is already starting to look like the Steve Nash from four years ago and the success is trickling down to the rest of the team.
Amare Stoudemire, who had a partially detached retina late last February, has also regained his old form. Averaging nearly 20 points per game, Amare provides a dominant inside force and is also a threat for medium jump shots.
Although Phoenix has enjoyed early success, the history of these fast starts has not been promising for the Suns' playoff chances. Phoenix still has yet to prove it can consistently win big games on the road and get through archrival San Antonio who has knocked them out of the playoffs three times since 2003.
But as long as the Suns stay injury free, it looks like this may finally be the year Phoenix can make a legitimate title run.
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