Before the start of the 2008-2009 NBA season, Phoenix Suns General Manager Steve Kerr was telling anyone who would listen that while he thought his team would be championship contenders in April, the beginning to new coach Terry Porter's first season would be a little rough.
"There will be an adjustment period for our team with a new coaching staff in place—there always is—but with our top seven players from a year ago returning, we should be able to adapt well," Kerr wrote in his blog Sept. 28. "Steve Nash, Raja Bell, Shaq and Grant Hill all appear to be in good shape as camp begins, and we’re excited about the continued development of Leandro Barbosa and Boris Diaw."
While the team's performance 13 games into the 2008-2009 season—an 8-5 record—proves Kerr was undoubtedly correct in his assessment, a plethora (si, El Guapo) of factors have made the task facing Porter precipitously daunting.
The first roadblock was the loss of Amar'e Stoudemire and Leandro Barbosa for most of training camp. Stoudemire came into camp with a sprained ankle, then suffered a torn iris thanks to a finger from Boris Diaw. Barbosa returned to the team Oct. 13 after rushing back to Brazil after his mother suddenly fell ill.
Missing two significant cogs in the preseason was a setback that might have been easily managed, but unfortunately, it was a sign of things to come. The Suns have managed to put their top 10 players on the court for only a few games.
Newly acquired forward Matt Barnes missed most of the team's first road trip after his wife gave birth to twins, missing several games. Then about a week later, Barnes was suspended for two games and Steve Nash for one game after a brawl with the Houston Rockets. Barbosa's mother recently passed on to the great bleachers in the sky, and Barbosa is again in Brazil. His return is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 25 or 26.
The NBA schedule makers also did them no favors. With 12 games in the first 19 days of the season—including a Eastern road swing—and players missing significant time, practice time has been limited. Whether in games or practice, the players have had little time to become a team and blend Porter's philosophy into their games.
Not only did they play more contests than any other team, they faced many of the league's top squads, including the San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans Hornets, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz, and Los Angeles Lakers. In those games, they had a nail-biter victory against the Spurs and a dominant win over the Pistons. The Hornets, Rockets, Jazz, and Lakers dispatched them quite easily.
Turnovers are up and Nash and Stoudemire are putting up offensive statistics that are way down from the run-and-gun years of former Coach Mike D'Antoni. Rookies Goran Dragic and Robin Lopez have had a hard time adjusting to the NBA game and have seen their minutes decline.
But take heart, Suns fans, as this is good news.
With all that the team has gone through so far in the very early stages of the season, they are still winning more than they are losing and when a group of good players are turning the ball over and at times playing tentatively, improvement is possible. This team can't be judged until April and May 2009.
“We’re trying to prepare for playoff-caliber games, and there is a lot less margin for error,” Porter said to the East Valley Tribune Nov. 12. “You turn the ball over against good teams and you’re really going to struggle, New Orleans (who beat them in the second game of the season) showed us that.”
Doubters need to remember the Lakers started last season 7-6 before morphing into serious contenders, although it remains to be seen if Porter can psychologically motivate as well as Phil Jackson.
It is very early in his tenure and Porter will be granted adequate time to get all cylinders firing and build cohesiveness during the season. He is the coach Kerr wanted since they share the philosophy that the Suns need to somehow learn to play both up-tempo offense as well as lock-down defense.
But until they do, they will remain Pacific division underdogs to the Lakers—a team who can already play that way.
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about 1 month ago
I think Steve Kerr is a season or two away from totally overhauling this roster. Kerr is very defensively minded and this team, well, ....... isn't. That was part of the reason that D'Antoni left. Those two couldn't see eye to eye on philosophy. I say two or three more seasons and Nash will either sign with another team or be traded. Possibly Amare too.
from about 1 month ago
I have to agree with you, Jason, mainly because both Shaq and Nash will be looking for a new contract at that time. While the big three of Shaq, Nash and Stoudemire will probably be around for the next two years, if the team struggles past the All-Star break, some players will be moved.
I didn't get into it in the article, but Terry Porter's wikipedia page says he is part of the investment team Nash has put together to bring soccer to Vancouver....maybe they are getting along better than most outsider's think...or he is trying to get on Nash's good side. Or maybe the wiki entry is BS.
My gut tells me Amare will be here for the long haul, but my gut has been wrong before...especially at the last Lakers-Suns game. LA fans are so obnoxious when they have a good team.
from 19 days ago
Wikipedia is NOT a credible source. Any 10-year old can edit their articles. I think it is BS.
about 1 month ago
I think we may know more about this years Suns team before April or May. Otherwise, a great article from someone who seems to know a lot about the Suns. Have you ever been to a game?
from about 1 month ago
Maybe you're right about knowing before April or May, Steve, but as I mentioned in the above comment, Kerr will probably make a move around the break if he feels the lineup and chemistry isn't right which will make the final judgement a bit delayed. My point, though, is if they can close with home court advantage and do some damage in the playoffs, everyone will forget the regular season.
I don't get to go to as many games as I used to, but hopefully that will change ... Having a family has turned me into a TV fan.
Going to a game today is quite a bit different from when my brother took me to a game at the old Veterans Memorial Coliseum and seeing Kyle Macy and Alvan Adams...we had our choice of seats....but at least the fans that were there watched the game...Now its a place to be seen.
about 1 month ago
Lol nice picture you chose to go along, everyone is looking down the court paying attention- while shaq is borderline drooling. lol.
Good article though- they have proven themselves to be a trusted team. I believe they should've kept D'Antonio though- or atleast picked up on Avery Johnson. the Mavs arent doing too well without him nowadays.
Just because they don't have the record of the Lakers do doesnt mean they are a bad team. Amare has finally grown into his hype and Nash will always be Nash- a 35 year old playing like a 25 year old.
How well do you think the Suns will suit up against their rivals, the Spurs, when they have Ginobili and Parker back, and where do you see Phoenix going this year otherwise?
from about 1 month ago
They have the potential to dominate anyone...but potential and a bag of rocks gets might just get you a bag of rocks.
As the season goes on, Lopez will have a bigger role and as long as everyone stays healthy, they will play the Spurs and Lakers really tough come payoff time. I think that part of the reason Porter isn't really playing Lopez much is because he wants to save him for the end of the season and the playoffs. Rookies usually have a hard time expanding their season to 82 games.
Besides, Barnes gives them another defender to for them to throw at Kobe and Ginobili. Hill and Diaw can also take on those roles.
So, if they keep at it they can make it interesting...they have shown the ability to play hard-nosed defense but so far, it is only in spurts.
about 1 month ago
Phoenix just hasn't developed the type of defense necessary to beat a team like San Antonio. These two teams are pretty tough rivals so its really hard to say what will happen in the regular season. But if they were to match up once again in the playoffs, I would confidently predict the same outcome that we've witnessed from the last 3 confrontations: Spurs win.
1 or 2 more seasons and Shaq will hang it up, probably when his current contract expires. He seems to be the type that knows when to walk away. I hope he doesn't Brett Favre us to death with the whole "is he gonna retire" routine. Although it is possible that he will chase one more championship with another team.
Stoudemire may stay and end up as the face of the franchise for many years to come. But as I recall, it was rumored that he was on the trading block last year at the deadline with Atlanta as a possible destination. I think that he still has a ways to go before he's deemed "untouchable." But who knows what could happen if this team implodes.
I like the Suns; I'm a huge fan of Steve Nash. He's a true competitor. And seeing as how he's not getting any younger, it's possible he could go to another contender over next couple of years if things start going south of the border. If anyone on that team deserves a championship, its Nash.
from about 1 month ago
As I mentioned in the response above, the Suns have shown they can play great defense but it only lasts a couple f minutes at a time. If they can extend such showings, then they really claim to be a better defensive team.
The Shaq situation will be interesting but the Suns, like everyone else are keeping their options open for 2010. If he still wants to play beyond his current deal, Shaq might be a consolation prize but not at the $20 million per season he is hauling in now.
As far as Amar'e is concerned, anything is possible...no one is truly intouchable in professional sports ... especially in the NBA.
about 1 month ago
Shaq V. Oden...soon...that will be SO COOL!
from about 1 month ago
It's halftime and they haven't matched up much...I have a feeling that Oden is the second coming of Bill Walton ... a great talent that will rarely make it on the court.
about 1 month ago
Phoenix can beat San Antonio, but they have to show more "mental toughness" before I believe they will. They have been talking about it for years but never really showed it. The opening win against the Spurs was great, but they were 3-1 against San Antonio last year, and they lost in 5 in the playoffs.
about 1 month ago
When you get to the pro sports level, most of the time, the mental aspects of the game makes the difference.
I really believe the Suns got a raw deal two years ago...the suspension of Diaw and Stoudemire for nothing turned advantage Suns to advantage Spurs.
Bottom line -- the Spurs have been the better team.
about 1 month ago
John is correct; the Spurs are just plain better. I'm not knocking Phoenix; I love to watch them play. But a healthy San Antonio runs their game to perfection. Grind it out in the half court, lots of great spacing with good/consistent shooters which opens the floor for Parker and Ginobili to drive to the basket, and you can always bank on Tim Duncan (a 20/10 is pretty much a given). Then they'll smother opponents with physical, on-ball defense on the other end.
The advantage in the mental aspect mostly comes from the experience found on this team. Just about every single player has been in just about every kind of game situation that you could imagine. You can't put a price on experience like that. This is why Amare & Diaw ended up suspended during the playoffs a few years ago. With the only suspension doled out to the Spurs (someone correct me if I'm wrong about this) : Robert Horry. Not exactly a crushing blow. But it just seemed to me that the key Spurs players had the wherewithal to avoid that confrontational situation whereas some key Suns players got caught up in the emotion instead of keeping their heads in the game.
This is why experienced/veteran teams almost always have the advantage.
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