After the 2008 NBA draft Thursday night, it seems as if the Phoenix Suns have changed the mindset that has held them back for so many seasons. They kept their two pieces of trade bait—Leandro Barbosa and Boris Diaw, the only significant bench players last season. The Suns drafted Robin Lopez, the seven-footer from Stanford, and Malik Hairston from Oregon.
It looks as if the Suns are begining to put together a bench. The past few years in the playoffs, Phoenix played an eight-man rotation that seemed to wear out some of the starters, and really hurt them when they found themselves in foul trouble too soon.
Lopez is a smart pick for the Suns. He will be a capable role player off the bench, giving Shaq more time to rest. He also brings energy, rebounding, and defense—things the Suns have lacked for some time.
With new head coach Terry Porter, it looks like the Suns will become a more defensive-oriented team, and a much deeper team, with Barbosa, Diaw, and now Lopez off the bench. The future seems bright for the Suns and Thursday's draft should give fans a little more reason to smile.
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