Phoenix Suns: 30 Teams in 30 Days

2008 Statistics

Finished 46-36, second in Pacific Division, ninth in Western Conference, missed postseason

Key Additions

Earl Clark via draft, Taylor Griffin via draft, Channing Frye via free agency, Sasha Pavlovic via trade

Key Losses

Shaquille O'Neal via trade, Matt Barnes via free agency

Breakdown

After four straight years of being a championship contender and being a 50-plus win team, the Phoenix Suns failed to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2003-04 season, when Steve Nash was still a Dallas Maverick.

Since Nash has arrived, the team has seen some of the best years in franchise history, including two of its three seasons with 60-plus wins. Despite being one of the scariest teams to face because of the run-and-gun offense, the Suns never advanced past the conference finals and have not made the NBA finals since Charles Barkley was wearing short-shorts in 1992.

Nash has been the glue for this team, with two MVPs to show for it. He has been able to make all of his teammates look like superstars and create numereous open shots. Last year, Nash's numbers went down, bringing the Suns down with him.

Nash averaged 16 points and a little under 10 assists for the first time in four years, which is the first time he's been under that mark on the Suns. These low numbers go right along with the Suns' record and it also could've been weighed down by a 300-pound center that was trying to run with the fastest team in the league.

When the Suns traded for Shaq, they knew it would be an anchor to their speedboat. Taking a step in the other direction proved costly for the Suns, as Shaq never truly fit in with their style of play. He had a surprising resurgence, and averaged 18 points and eight rebounds per game. He also played in 75 games, which is the most he's played in since the 1999-2000 season.

O'Neal had a few breakout games with Phoenix, including a 45-point game, the most he's scored in quite a long time. O'Neal had to assume the role of a third option for the first time in his career, and has had to get used to the role of a sidekick since he left the Lakers—his age simply caught up with him. He will now be the sidekick to LeBron James and attempt one or two more championship runs before The Diesel's tank is finally empty.

Despite losing O'Neal, the Suns still have one of the top offensive threats in the league. Amare Stoudemire had to deal with another injury-plagued season last year and was only featured in 53 games. He averaged 21 points and eight rebounds last year, but as most NBA and Suns fans know, Stoudemire is capable of anything. He is arguably the strongest player in the league and can score at will by dominating in the post or taking a mid-range jump shot.

His head may not be in the game 100 percent of the time, though. He's also had to deal with injuries for the latter part of his career. His defense is subpar, as well. While he could use his strength to body opposing players, he doesn't utilize his weapons as often as he should.

This is not to mention his future with the Suns is in limbo as well, who will probably want a legitimate contender instead of coming up short over and over again. While a top offensive force, Amare still has a lot of growing up to do on both sides of the court.

The acquisition of Jason Richardson might have been the best move made by the Suns last season. Richardson is as run-and-gun as they come, and fits in very well with the team's style of play. His three-point shooting will be utilized to its full potential, and when he gets his first full season with Phoenix next year, he could be the factor that propels this team to a postseason appearance.

He only averaged 16 points and four rebounds last year, but this upcoming season should be different and we should see a much scarier side of Richardson.

The supporting cast for Phoenix is very reliable with players such as Grant Hill, Leandro Barbosa, and now Earl Clark. Clark is entering his first year in the league after being the 14th pick in the draft. He doesn't have the best shot, but he is able to knock down some and could be a good scorer. His rebounding is stellar, as well, especially on the offensive glass. He averaged nearly three last year at Louisville, as well as 14 points and nine rebounds, which could make him one of top undersized rebounders of the league.

Barbosa is still a top sixth man, and proved it last year. His points dipped a little to 14, but he's still a reliable scorer off the bench. We did not see him take as many threes as we're used to seeing. Prior to last year, he would average nearly five attempts a game, but last year only averaged around three. He'll need to start hoisting up threes again if he wants to bring his points back up.

Grant Hill also saw his points drop from his usual averages. In his second year with the team, he averaged a career-low 12 points. He is going into his 15th year in the league, and looks like he might be on his last legs.

He might end his career as soon as next year.

Injuries have plagued him his entire career, but ironically enough this past season with Phoenix was his first full 82-game season in the NBA. His numbers might go down, but it looks like Hill gives it his all every game.

The Suns know what it's like to be a No. 1 team and have a two-time MVP to lead them. When the pressure gets to be too much, the Suns are anything but hot. Is there a possibility they will realize that defense wins championships?

Chances are unlikely, but one thing is for sure: the Suns will be one of the most fun teams to watch again.

Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Steve Nash

SG-Jason Richardson

SF-Grant Hill

PF-Amare Stoudemire

C-Robin Lopez

This is Pt. 22 of a 30-day series of 2009-10 season previews of each NBA team. My profile will contain every other team that has been previewed before.