Thursday, October 9, 2014

Phoenix Suns Lock&Load


The Phoenix Suns have a history of assembling their roster in a unique manner.  In 1993 the Suns won 62 games and advanced to the NBA Finals with a relatively small team.  The 2004-2005 Suns were one of the most prolific offensive teams in league history.  Steve Nash was the leader of a team that attempted to get the ball up the court in seven seconds or less.  The Suns don't mind doing things their own way.  They have multiple 60 win seasons to prove it.

The Suns have always been an odd franchise.  In 1976 they shocked the world by advancing to the NBA Finals.  Few people gave the Suns a shot in the series.  The Boston Celtics were heavily favored.  Phoenix put up fight, giving Boston every last bit of fight they had before losing in six games.  Game five is considered one the greatest championship round games ever played.

Phoenix has made the playoffs in 26 of the last 36 years.  Keep in mind the team has missed the playoffs each of the last four seasons.

A year ago the Suns won 48 games, missing out on the final playoff spot by only one game.  Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe was a freighting two headed monster in the Suns backcourt.  Both players possess the ability to play off the ball.

If two explosive guards can have success playing together, why not have three?  Phoenix acquired former Kings guard Isaiah Thomas this summer.  The feisty guard  averaged 20.3 points and 6.3 assist per game last season with Sacramento.  Those numbers will likely take a hit his year.  Thomas started his final year in Sacramento.  In Phoenix he's prime for the sixth man role.  That way he can focus on doing what he does best.  Put the ball in the basket.

Jeff Hornacek has his work cut out.  Distributing minutes alone will give him a headache.  However, having too much talent is a problem most coaches don't mind dealing with.

Basketball will be fun in Arizona this year.

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