Phoenix Suns Win against the Bad Teams, Lose against the Good

It's the story of the Phoenix Suns' season: losing against the good teams, but dominating the bad. Despite a 23-16 record, the Suns are underachieving.

I haven't written a Suns article all year, but I feel that it's the perfect time to do so. Tonight, Jan. 19, 2009, the Suns were blown-out by one of the league's best, the Boston Celtics. This proves my point that they can't perform against the premiere teams.

Record against Teams with a .500 Average or Above

Nine wins, 12 losses

Wins Against

Spurs, Blazers (2), Pistons, Jazz, Magic, Nuggets, Mavericks, and Hawks

Losses Against

Hornets (2), Rockets, Jazz, Lakers (2), Heat, Mavericks, Blazers, Spurs, Nuggets, and Celtics

Against teams below .500 the Suns are 14-4. Now, I'm fairly sure that Phoenix can't adjust their schedule to play poor teams every night. So what can they do?

They filled a need with Jason Richardson but so far he hasn't performed as well as he can. His role is knock-down shooter from beyond the three-point line. Jason is successful at this but not much else.

Phoenix has a terrific starting five with an average bench. Leandro Barbosa plays well most nights coming off the bench. Matt Barnes, when he's hot, will knock down the three better than anybody can. Other than that, what is there? Robin Lopez is a foul giver-upper, poor defender, and a bad ball handler.

I'm stumped as to why they aren't succeeding. Phoenix must make a move at the deadline in order to stay on top or at least somewhere in the pack.

I would love to fill the need at small forward with Josh Howard. Dallas has been trying to move him for weeks now and they can finally do it—for the right price.

I love Grant Hill. He gives it all he can every night. Still, he's getting older and weaker.

So, how about Grant Hill, Goran Dragic, and a first rounder for Josh Howard? Sounds like a fair enough trade. Howard is a good player who has fallen on some legal troubles and locker room turmoil. It looks as though Josh is trying to turn it all around.

Lineup with Josh Howard

PG: Steve Nash
SG: Jason Richardson
SF: Josh Howard
PF: Amare Stoudemire
C: Shaquille O'Neal

That is a scary lineup on paper. Would they be able to perform on the court each and every game? It certainly sounds like it.