If you were one of the people that thought the Phoenix Suns would compete for a NBA Championship last season, in the words of Michael Jackson, "You are not alone."
In the wake of the Shaquille O'Neal experiment, there are many more questions than answers.
It wasn't supposed to be that way.
When Phoenix followed the "big trade trend," and brought The Big Cactus in from Miami for Shawn Marion, the first thought that crossed my mind was what happened when the Big Fella arrived in Miami.
Championship.
Besides, the Phoenix Suns could not emerge from the Western conference superpower San Antonio Spurs shadow.
Many people blamed Tim Duncan for that, but huge moments defined many of those series that didn't go the Suns way.
Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw being suspended for leaving the bench in Robert Horry's infamous NHL-like hip check on Steve Nash.
Joe Johnson, then starting SG for the Suns, being injured and nearly losing his eye, and his effectiveness.
This season though, we expected the Suns to get over the hump. We hoped Shaq would stop Tim Duncan and give Phoenix the inside presence they lacked. We wanted Raja Bell to live up to the defensive hype and contain Manu Ginobili.
What happened was an epic Game One in which the Phoenix Suns had won, and fell victim to timely three-point shots by Tim Duncan and Michael Finley. Along with countless slices to the basket by Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.
Once again, fate slapped Phoenix around like a nerdy third grader and San Antonio were again bullies of everything purple and orange.
Phoenix never recovered, and eventually lost in just five games.
Just like that, the playoffs were again a memory for Phoenix and they again were on the losing side. A year older, but seemingly not a day wiser.
Suddenly, the trade of a 20-something All-Star for a 30-something aging All-Star seemed all wrong. Whether right or wrong, the roll-of-the-dice garnered my respect.
Unfortunately somebody forgot to tell Duncan and the Spurs.
After a NBA Finals where the Eastern conference dominated the West, supposedly when the power was said to have "shifted" and we witnessed a scintillating race for eighth and playoff position in the West, more questions arise.
One being, "Is the sun setting on Phoenix?"
The Suns have been one of the most successful teams of the millennium. Using a patented "run-and-gun" style, PG Steve Nash joined with former head coach Mike D'Antoni to score a lot of points, early and often.
Despite all of the offense and success, the Suns failed to win a championship in the 2000s as I discussed in another Phoenix article. (Check "Addition by Subtraction: Phoenix Suns Say Farewell to Mike D'Antoni)
With all of the changes and issues facing the Suns, can they continue to be an elite team? We can't close the door on their feet yet, but here are three issues that face them next season.
An Aging Steve Nash and Shaquille O'Neal
When Steve Nash arrived in Phoenix, he wasted no time making them a formidable opponent and improving squad in the West. When Shaquille O'Neal arrived in Phoenix, he wasted no time slowing them down and looking like an aging former All-World center.
We're going to send you the most entertaining Phoenix Suns articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
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