Suns Find Success Despite Struggling to Apply New Game Plan

The forecast was murky at best for the Suns this season. Age and a new system had pundits pointing to Phoenix as a team due to fall from contender to pretender.   Three weeks into the season, there are still question marks. But the Suns have played well enough to tell the rest of the league, "We're not done, yet."   What's working   The ages of Nash (34), O'Neal (36), Hill (36) and Bell (33) had critics labeling the Suns as "old."   A youthful core of Amare Stoudemire (25), Boris Diaw (25), Leandro Barbosa (24), Matt Barnes (28), Goran Dragic (22), and Robin Lopez (20) has provided an unexpected balance thus far in the season.   Stoudemire in particular has been devastating, averaging 23.3ppg on 58% shooting. While some might be concerned that his scoring average has dropped from last season, there are two factors in play here:   1) New head coach Terry Porter is fond of utilizing Shaquille O'Neal in the offense to get him going, often leaving Stoudemire as a bailout option should O'Neal be unsuccessful on the block.   2) Rather than barreling to the rim with no regard for the defense, Stoudemire has learned to pull up and look at his options. He's improved dramatically in passing out of the paint and taking higher quality shots.   Free agent pickup Matt Barnes appears to be giving the Suns what Raja Bell did upon arriving in 2005: toughness and outside shooting.   The former Warrior is averaging a career-high 12.0ppg while shooting 40% from three-point range. Combine that with his in-your-face play, and the Suns have a steal of an acquisition. Finally, Shaq has been exactly what the Suns need him to be: namely healthy, involved, and effective.   The Big Diesel's 15.1ppg is his highest output since the 2006-07 campaign. His presence alone has helped the Suns control the glass (except for his 1-rebound dud against Utah on Monday). While his numbers are pedestrian compared to his former glory, when was the last time the Suns had a center averaging 15 and eight rpg a game?   What's not   While Phoenix's inside game has become increasingly potent, the guard play has taken a step back.   Steve Nash is clearly uncomfortable with Porter's low-post oriented, grind-it-out style. Nash's numbers (13.7ppg, 7.5apg) would indicate the approach doesn't utilize his skills to their full potential.   The two-time MVP has publicly stated his struggles in not only physically performing, but also mentally accepting the team's new direction on offense.   Former Sixth Man of the Year Leandro Barbosa has taken yet another step back since winning the award two years ago. Since that season his scoring has dropped from 18.1 to 15.6 to 10.9ppg so far this season. He's also averaging a career-low 1.7apg.   The Brazilian's skill set thrives in the open court, and like Nash, Barbosa is being forced to learn how to adapt his game in the half-court; something he hasn't been able to do with much success over his career.   His diminished output is no doubt also linked to the illness that assailed his mother, who passed away in Brazil last week. Barbosa missed almost all of training camp and the preseason to be with her, and returned last week upon learning of her passing. Overall, the Suns' roster appears to be made for a faster tempo than what they're currently running, but that hasn't stopped Porter from making the rest of the team cater its collective talent around a fading O'Neal.  It's a gamble that, if it doesn't pay off, could lead to an ugly end to the season. Outlook   The frontcourt tandem of Shaq and Amare has dominated opposing frontlines for the most part so far this season. It is imperative for Phoenix that their guards willingly grasp Porter's offense (and Porter better defines their roles within it) in case O'Neal suffers an injury.   Rookies Goran Dragic and Robin Lopez must also continue to progress enough to spell Nash and O'Neal, respectively.     Considering the team's stylistic transition, the Suns have done a remarkable job keeping themselves relevant in a western conference full of parity. If they can fully grasp the nuances of their offense, Phoenix will be yet another threat for the conference title in May.