One Game Does Not Make a Sun Rise

Steve Kerr was one of the NBA’s most prolific shooters and a six-time world champion. But in his follow up as the president of basketball operations for the Phoenix Suns, every distant shot has been a costly miss. In trying to assemble a roster and coaching staff to finally lift the franchise to new heights, the Suns were quickly setting in the west. And before Kerr could be run out of town by season’s end, he removed first year coach Terry Porter from the Phoenix bench, wanting to move in a new direction, which is actually the old course he strayed.

After a Monday termination, Kerr is standing as a Wednesday genius. The Suns responded with a 140-point performance under interim coach Al Gentry. They were back and firing on all cylinders, according to plenty of media sources. But as for myself, I can’t buy it so easily, because the other side of the story, and court, is telling.

The 140-100 Tuesday victory came against the Los Angeles Clippers. Since when does a defeat of the Clips make anyone “genius” or bring any team back?   That “other” team in Los Angeles is often the perfect remedy for ailing franchises. Kerr’s operating IQ wasn’t raised by a 140 point performance over one of the league’s worst?   If anything, several basketball IQs dropped with the proclamation of the Suns being back.  I’ve seen the highlights, and I’m pretty sure those were the same miserable clippers that annually represent the NBA’s doormat.  I’m not sure who others were seeing that sparked a song of praises, but the lyrics may be sung too soon.

The truth is, and remains unchanged since last season’s playoff exit, you can operate in the run-and-gun style, but the make up of the team won’t allow it to be effective for a prolonged period. Steve Nash is the centerpiece, but the aging Shaquille O’Neil is an equally important role player. Unless Shaq knows A-Rod’s cousin in the Dominican, I doubt his body can hold up down the stretch in such a high paced offense.

If the goal is to put bodies back in the seats of America West Arena, then you may be showing a glimpse of genius. But if the plan is to reach the NBA finals and grab your first trophy, it won’t happen. The Suns will again set in the west, and maybe as early as the first round of the playoffs.

They have an encore performance with the Clippers tonight, followed by a home date with Oklahoma City, so they still won’t be impressionable. But come Sunday, they host the Celtics, and we’ll get a better look at the “rising Suns”. On the east coast road trip before the All Star break, Phoenix lost two of the three games, scoring a high of 107 in  the lone victory against Detroit.

Join in the discussion on this and other topics in the NEW Sports Jabber Forums!