The Phoenix Suns Will Never "Rebound" Unless They Rebound

Originally posted on Phoenix.Fanster.com

The Suns’ 14-3 start seems like a lifetime ago. So does their commitment to being aggressive on the boards.

During their fast start, the Suns out-rebounded their opponents in nine of their seventeen games. Overall their opponents had two more rebounds during that time span.

Since then the Suns have been out rebounded in 18 of the 25 contests since their hot start. They’re record during that stretch is just 10-15.

The most telling stat is that the Suns’ opponents have grabbed 89 more rebounds than them during that stretch.

It’s been no secret that the Suns lack the frontline to rebound with bigger teams. It was to be expected when the team’s starting center was signed because of his three point shooting capabilities.

Early in the season they masked their weakness with hustle, heart and a desire to prove critics wrong. Lately they’ve lacked that energy and drive. If they want to bounce back from their current “slump”, they’ll have to find a way to even the rebounding gap. A gap that, as of late, resembles the Grand Canyon.

Starting Robin Lopez at center and giving more minutes to Lou Amundson is a start, but it will require a full team effort like was seen in November to turn things around. The only question is whether that “full team” is comprised of the same players it was during the Suns’ fast start.