The Sun Finally Setting On The Suns?

The Big Cactus is healthy and the seven-second or less shooting is back in full swing creating the new philosophy, “Seven seconds or Shaq.”

It seems that the Phoenix Suns have a new buzz around them. With all the optimism, one almost forgets the Suns are still on the outside of the playoff picture looking in. Their only chance to make it to their fifth consecutive playoff appearance is through a tough March schedule.

The Suns have already started on a difficult four-game road trip, losing to the Orlando Magic, and the games are not getting much easier. They have Miami, Houston, and San Antonio away before heading home to face Dallas and Cleveland.

That is seven consecutive playoff teams to face starting from their March 1st win against the Lakers. This will be a telling sign if the Suns have what it takes to make it to the playoffs as well as contend in the early rounds.

The Suns do have one thing going in their favor. Thank the Suns medical staff for a fresher O’Neal for the Suns to rely on. With Amar'e Stoudemire gone, Shaq has full reign in the post, just how he likes it. He’ll give full effort now that he’s not playing second fiddle to anyone.

The Suns major concern is having a secondary scorer to complement O’Neal. That role should go to Steve Nash, but watch out for Jason Richardson. The revived up-tempo pace has already resulted in improved scoring numbers from Richardson and should continue to grow through March.

Depth is another problem the Suns will have to overcome. The Suns don't have a true point guard behind Nash and are severely lacking in size at the power forward position. Goran Dragic? No thank you. Louis Amundson brings energy at the four spot, but he's no STAT.

If the Suns do not make the playoffs, Steve Kerr and company should take this as a sign. The window of opportunity is the size of a peep hole at this point and it’s about time to start the “youth movement.