Is the Sun Setting on Phoenix?

He played respectable basketball, averaging 12.9 PPG and 10.6 RPG, but that's a far cry from a career average of 25.2 PPG and 11.5 RPG. Phoenix didn't need him to average 25 per game, but they needed more than 13 and 10. Now a year older, can Shaq play anywhere near 82 games and improve on those numbers?

Furthermore, if he can't who will step in? Drafting Robin Lopez from Stanford may help in the future, but nobody else other than Amare Stoudemire is able to play center.

Amare is a true PF, and we saw what he can do playing there. With Steve Nash 34 and turning 35 during next season, can he sustain the rigors of an 82-game season, and who will relieve him? Leandro Barbosa is the only worthy G who the Suns have to backup Nash, and he's more of a scoring SG.

If the Suns don't get active during the free-agent period, they may find the heat warmer in Phoenix.

Emergence of Other Western Conference Teams

After watching Chris Paul, Deron Williams, and Tony Parker in the playoffs last season, Steve Nash must be shaking in his Nike socks. Each team made it through the first round, and the Hornets gave the Spurs all they could handle, unlike the Suns.

Phoenix has to wonder, are they falling behind?

Although the Suns won 55 games, just one shy of New Orleans, they didn't look good doing it. Riding into the playoffs on a soft schedule, the Spurs brought them back to Planet Earth. Let's face it, Chris Paul and Deron Williams dominate Steve Nash, and so does Tony Parker.

With the possibility of San Antonio getting a bit younger by signing either Corey Maggette or J.R Smith, and the Hornets and Jazz having relatively young nuclei, the Suns should be biting their fingers in nervousness.

I know Shaq is somewhere planning his next police act for his soon to be post-NBA career. Unfortunately, his rap about Kobe may have Black Mamba rapping to his teammates next season, "Now Shaq, tell me how Bynum's a** tastes!"

Will Amare Stoudemire's Knees Hold Up?

Amare Stoudemire has had knee problems for most of his NBA career. He wants us to believe that his knees are fine, but I'm not sold on it. He has already declined an invitation to the Beijing Olympics to avoid the wear on his knees. He has looked healthy before and then suddenly needed surgery.

Bottom line, I cringe every time Amare hits the floor. I'm sure the Suns coaching staff says prayers and do weird superstitious things like refrain from bringing up the words "Amare" and "knee" in the same sentence. If Stoudemire's knee(s) go bad for any length of the season, Phoenix will need those prayers.

He led the Suns in scoring three of the last four seasons and his versatility is irreplaceable in the Suns' lineup. Without swingman Shawn Marion, who was the only other Sun to lead the team in scoring in the last four seasons, the Suns will have nobody to go to.

It's like when your girlfriend dumps you, and you've let your friends go because of her. Now you're miserable and alone, and calling all of those past friends.

Unfortunately for Phoenix, there's nobody to call. Kevin Johnson or Charles Barkley won't be coming through that front door.

Unless the Suns build a gambling casino.

That wasn't right, Sam.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?