Tuesday, May 27, 2008
I just want to get this out there.
Hear it here first. The Phoenix Suns will never achieve the ultimate goal of winning a championship as long as Robert Sarver owns the team.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Arizona Diamondbacks
When the Diamondbacks won the World Series in 2001, I had something wrong with me. I'm pretty sure that it was just me being young and extremely annoying as young ones are. But, I just could not bring myself to agree with my mom and like the Suns or the Diamondbacks. And for that lame reason alone, I was unhappy about the vibe and the excitement that surrounded me. And the consequences have followed, all I can remember is B. Kim giving up a bunch of late game homeruns and Luis Gonzalez driving in the last run of the MLB season. That was the Arizona Diamondbacks 4th year of existence.
Since then, I have matured and begun to take notice that the sports in the Valley of the Sun is of the same, if not better, quality as anywhere else in the country and southern Canada. I started to watch the Diamondbacks play almost everyday during the summer. I even watched during 2004 when Randy Johnson was going out and kicking trash every five days and even throwing a perfect game against the Braves (pictured) were the only highlights. The Diamondbacks spent a lot of money and got a ring out of it. However, they also had to pay up 3 or 4 terrible years in trying to regroup and rebuild.
However, starting with last season, the Diamondbacks found a new light. They got a new play-by-play commentator for TV. They got a couple of new pitchers. And they brought up a boatload of rookies. This rookie team took off. They were streaky, as expected. But they wound up with the best record in the National League. They were new and exciting and everybody loved them. Even though the Diamondbacks ended up getting swept in the NLCS, everything was still looking optomistic.
As this season rolled around, the Diamondbacks soon became one of baseball's elite teams. However, one must remember that they are still a very young team. They still are learning everyday. As they are currently mired in an offensive slump, they need our support more than ever. They need people going out to the ballgame and cheering them on. So, I guess the moral of the story is: Get out to the ballgame, folks. Go and enjoy an afternoon or evening of good ol' baseball.
Since then, I have matured and begun to take notice that the sports in the Valley of the Sun is of the same, if not better, quality as anywhere else in the country and southern Canada. I started to watch the Diamondbacks play almost everyday during the summer. I even watched during 2004 when Randy Johnson was going out and kicking trash every five days and even throwing a perfect game against the Braves (pictured) were the only highlights. The Diamondbacks spent a lot of money and got a ring out of it. However, they also had to pay up 3 or 4 terrible years in trying to regroup and rebuild.
However, starting with last season, the Diamondbacks found a new light. They got a new play-by-play commentator for TV. They got a couple of new pitchers. And they brought up a boatload of rookies. This rookie team took off. They were streaky, as expected. But they wound up with the best record in the National League. They were new and exciting and everybody loved them. Even though the Diamondbacks ended up getting swept in the NLCS, everything was still looking optomistic.
As this season rolled around, the Diamondbacks soon became one of baseball's elite teams. However, one must remember that they are still a very young team. They still are learning everyday. As they are currently mired in an offensive slump, they need our support more than ever. They need people going out to the ballgame and cheering them on. So, I guess the moral of the story is: Get out to the ballgame, folks. Go and enjoy an afternoon or evening of good ol' baseball.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
What now?
I am unsure of the amount of people that read this blog. I realize that there isn't much to read; therefore, I need to know what my readers want to hear about. I have made it so that you don't have to set up any kind of account to post a comment, so let me know.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
The Demise of the Phoenix Suns: Steve Nash Era
Mike D'Antoni became head coach of the Phoenix Suns on December 10, 2003. The Colangelo's were still running everything. They brought Steve Nash in during the offseason. All was well with the Phoenix Suns.
At least, all was well until Jerry Colangelo sold the team to a few million- and billionaires. Robert Sarver being the main one.
Sarver watched the Colangelos with hungry eyes during the '04-'05 season. I think that Queen expressed Sarver the best when they said, "I want it all." Robert Sarver bought this team and immediately set out to cut all ties with the Colangelo family.
Bryan Colangelo was fresh off a season where he won Executive of the Year. It was apparent that he had an excellent basketball I.Q. He could see where the Suns needed help and was able to manipulate a deal to get the best fit. Robert Sarver, on the other hand, came along and it quickly became clear that he knew nothing about basketball. But, money means power and Robert Sarver had a lot of it. His first order of business was to get rid of Bryan Colangelo.
To do this Sarver publicly announced that he didn't like what Bryan was doing. He may have not said it that directly but that's what paraphrasing is for. The two of them had many long talks and it essentially became official over the All Star break in the '05-'06 season that Bryan Colangelo would not be the General Manager and President of Basketball Operations for the Phoenix Suns much longer.
So, the Toronto Raptors scooped him right up and have loved him ever since. Then, with a gaping void in his personnel, Sarver appointed Mike D'Antoni. He now had three titles. General Manager, President of Basketball Operations, and Head Coach. As anyone can see, Mike D'Antoni had a lot on his mind. He had to look for ways to maneuver good deals out of other teams, and focus on winning every basketball game, and keep the locker room chemistry at least semi-good, etc. This is what caused Marcus Banks to be signed to a long term contract. Mike obviously didn't have enough time to truly evaluate Marcus. As stated in the blog "Phoenix Suns Playoff woes.", Marcus Banks is a quality basketball player. He just isn't a black Steve Nash, which is what D'Antoni thought he was. So, many opportunities slipped through the Suns grasp with Mike having such a large load.
In June 2006, to the great relief of Sarver, Jerry Colangelo's contract ran out. By this time he had been completely removed from U.S. Airways Center and was appointed an office in a building down the street. His opinion in matters was never asked for. He was pretty much disowned by the corporate leaders of the franchise that he had caused to rise from the ashes of Phoenix.
Finally, after another early playoff exit, Sarver got himself a new GM. He hired his good friend Steve Kerr. Steve started off excellently by signing Grant Hill. But his legacy slowly crept downhill after that. He's had a handful of private conversations with Mike D'Antoni. It's obvious that they don't see eye to eye with their basketball philosophies. But Steve Kerr will forever be known as the idiot that traded Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks for Shaquille O' Neal. As good as Shaq has played, the team hasn't won.
Bottom Line
The Phoenix Suns began falling from their pedestal of NBA supremacy when the family that built the franchise was disenfranchised from it.
At least, all was well until Jerry Colangelo sold the team to a few million- and billionaires. Robert Sarver being the main one.
Sarver watched the Colangelos with hungry eyes during the '04-'05 season. I think that Queen expressed Sarver the best when they said, "I want it all." Robert Sarver bought this team and immediately set out to cut all ties with the Colangelo family.
Bryan Colangelo was fresh off a season where he won Executive of the Year. It was apparent that he had an excellent basketball I.Q. He could see where the Suns needed help and was able to manipulate a deal to get the best fit. Robert Sarver, on the other hand, came along and it quickly became clear that he knew nothing about basketball. But, money means power and Robert Sarver had a lot of it. His first order of business was to get rid of Bryan Colangelo.
To do this Sarver publicly announced that he didn't like what Bryan was doing. He may have not said it that directly but that's what paraphrasing is for. The two of them had many long talks and it essentially became official over the All Star break in the '05-'06 season that Bryan Colangelo would not be the General Manager and President of Basketball Operations for the Phoenix Suns much longer.
So, the Toronto Raptors scooped him right up and have loved him ever since. Then, with a gaping void in his personnel, Sarver appointed Mike D'Antoni. He now had three titles. General Manager, President of Basketball Operations, and Head Coach. As anyone can see, Mike D'Antoni had a lot on his mind. He had to look for ways to maneuver good deals out of other teams, and focus on winning every basketball game, and keep the locker room chemistry at least semi-good, etc. This is what caused Marcus Banks to be signed to a long term contract. Mike obviously didn't have enough time to truly evaluate Marcus. As stated in the blog "Phoenix Suns Playoff woes.", Marcus Banks is a quality basketball player. He just isn't a black Steve Nash, which is what D'Antoni thought he was. So, many opportunities slipped through the Suns grasp with Mike having such a large load.
In June 2006, to the great relief of Sarver, Jerry Colangelo's contract ran out. By this time he had been completely removed from U.S. Airways Center and was appointed an office in a building down the street. His opinion in matters was never asked for. He was pretty much disowned by the corporate leaders of the franchise that he had caused to rise from the ashes of Phoenix.
Finally, after another early playoff exit, Sarver got himself a new GM. He hired his good friend Steve Kerr. Steve started off excellently by signing Grant Hill. But his legacy slowly crept downhill after that. He's had a handful of private conversations with Mike D'Antoni. It's obvious that they don't see eye to eye with their basketball philosophies. But Steve Kerr will forever be known as the idiot that traded Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks for Shaquille O' Neal. As good as Shaq has played, the team hasn't won.
Bottom Line
The Phoenix Suns began falling from their pedestal of NBA supremacy when the family that built the franchise was disenfranchised from it.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Phoenix Suns Playoff woes.
I composed this on Monday, April 28, 2008.
The Phoenix Suns have dug themselves into a hole. Sure, they came ever so close to winning the first two games of this series, but the bottom line is that they didn't play good enough basketball to defeat the defending champion San Antonio Spurs. I have narrowed it down to 2 key reasons for the let down.
1. The Shawn Marion/Marcus Banks - Shaquille O' Neal Trade
I will be found going back to February 6, 2008 as a day of notorious infamy in Suns history very often. But the Suns were looking to get better defense and rebounding. I just have a hard time believing that by getting rid of your best defender and leading rebounder. I will say that Shaquille O' Neal has, for the most part, done his job. However, he cannot replace the 100% energy, hustle, and intensity that Shawn Marion brought every night.
Now, many people will say that Shawn Marion created chemistry problems within the locker room. I will not say whether this is true or not because I do not know. Shawn wasn't happy doing all that he did for the team and being stuck with the title of "Third Best Player on Team" and "(At Best) Third Most Valuable Player on Team". And, personally, I don't blame him. Also, if there were major chemistry problems, I would venture to guess that they were between Shawn and Amare Stoudemire. I don't know that for sure, but I say it because I could see Amare not being happy that Shawn was always filling the stat sheet. Always getting the big rebounds, steals, and blocks and never getting his due credit. And it became obvious that that's where it was after the trade. Amare finally decided to start playing to his potential. He is the most unprofessional athlete in Phoenix in the last 12 years. I think that Shawn Marion had every right to call his contract with the Phoenix Suns a "bad marriage".
Furthermore, something that is often overlooked is that Marcus Banks was shipped to Miami as well. Sure, he wasn't what D'Antoni thought he was. But, what Mike D'Antoni wants is a replica of Steve Nash. And if you don't play up to Steve's level on your first try, you're through. Marcus Banks is an extremely athletic guard that can get to the basket, pass the ball pretty well, and plays lock-down defense. The defense is something that Steve Nash has never been able to do. Marcus Banks had some good potential. And I'm sure that if he was given a chance, he would've been able to stop Tony Parker.
If the trade hadn't happened, the Suns would've won more regular season games and had a better seed with, most possibly, home court advantage. Thus, they may have been propelled into an easier playoff schedule. I don't know about you, but I'd rather win more games than have a chemically balanced locker room.
2. Mike D'Antoni
Mike D'Antoni is a great guy. He has a sense of humor, and everybody loves a guy with a sense of humor. However, he just cannot succeed as a head coach in the National Basketball Association. This will be the 4th consecutive year that his team will burn up and die in the postseason. His stubborness has cost him at least 2 NBA championships.
In the '04-'05 season, the Suns were new and nobody knew what to do with them. They rocked the league for a 62-20 record, completed a sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies, and knocked the Mavericks out In Game 6 in Dallas before getting humbled by none other than the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals. San Antonio 4. Phoenix 1. (I will say that if Jerry Stackhouse hadn't given Joe Johnson a cheap shot and broke his face, things may have been different. And the Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies still haven't won a playoff game as a franchise.) 
Then comes the '05-'06 season and Amare Stoudemire decides not to play. No worries. The Suns stayed more than steady and ended 54-28. In the first round, the Lakers got a 3-1 advantage before Phoenix fought back to win the series including gritting out an epic Game 6 overtime victory. The second round saw the Clippers taking the Suns to the brink and Raja Bell making the shot that will define his career. Phoenix 4. Los Angeles 3. After fighting their way to the Western Conference Finals, they once more suffered injury. This time Raja Bell got hurt. I have no idea how much effect this may have had, but the Suns were sent packing. Dallas 4. Phoenix 2.
'06-'07 rolls around and Amare Stoudemire decides that he misses the game and starts playing again. They finished 61-21. Then, they met with the Spurs in the second round. The Suns didn't deserve to win this series. Their coach wouldn't let them. In Game 1, Steve Nash was saving the Suns behinds again and then got a bloody nose. Now, if Mike D'Antoni had maybe played his bench a little during the season, they may have been slightly prepared to step up and hit the big shots. But, that of course didn't happen. Then, Game 5 when Amare and Boris were suspended. Boris shouldn't have been suspended. I can understand Amare, but not Boris. The 6 guys that played for the Suns that night gave it absolutely everything they had. But by the time the 4th quarter rolled around, they were extremely raplapla
(Excuse my French). So, the Spurs got the better of them and went on to win the series.
This season has been the same thing. D'Antoni refuses to play his bench and refuses to give himself a chance to develop confidence in his bench guys. They are quality basketball players. You don't get to the NBA without being pretty dang good at basketball. But, D'Antoni still goes with the same old story every night which makes game planning against the Suns ever so easy. Some people just will not learn from past mistakes.
Bottom Line
The Phoenix Suns will never experience ultimate success the way things are being run in their organization right now. Something has to and, I think, will happen in the offseason to address these issues and more.
The Phoenix Suns have dug themselves into a hole. Sure, they came ever so close to winning the first two games of this series, but the bottom line is that they didn't play good enough basketball to defeat the defending champion San Antonio Spurs. I have narrowed it down to 2 key reasons for the let down.
1. The Shawn Marion/Marcus Banks - Shaquille O' Neal Trade
I will be found going back to February 6, 2008 as a day of notorious infamy in Suns history very often. But the Suns were looking to get better defense and rebounding. I just have a hard time believing that by getting rid of your best defender and leading rebounder. I will say that Shaquille O' Neal has, for the most part, done his job. However, he cannot replace the 100% energy, hustle, and intensity that Shawn Marion brought every night.
Now, many people will say that Shawn Marion created chemistry problems within the locker room. I will not say whether this is true or not because I do not know. Shawn wasn't happy doing all that he did for the team and being stuck with the title of "Third Best Player on Team" and "(At Best) Third Most Valuable Player on Team". And, personally, I don't blame him. Also, if there were major chemistry problems, I would venture to guess that they were between Shawn and Amare Stoudemire. I don't know that for sure, but I say it because I could see Amare not being happy that Shawn was always filling the stat sheet. Always getting the big rebounds, steals, and blocks and never getting his due credit. And it became obvious that that's where it was after the trade. Amare finally decided to start playing to his potential. He is the most unprofessional athlete in Phoenix in the last 12 years. I think that Shawn Marion had every right to call his contract with the Phoenix Suns a "bad marriage".
Furthermore, something that is often overlooked is that Marcus Banks was shipped to Miami as well. Sure, he wasn't what D'Antoni thought he was. But, what Mike D'Antoni wants is a replica of Steve Nash. And if you don't play up to Steve's level on your first try, you're through. Marcus Banks is an extremely athletic guard that can get to the basket, pass the ball pretty well, and plays lock-down defense. The defense is something that Steve Nash has never been able to do. Marcus Banks had some good potential. And I'm sure that if he was given a chance, he would've been able to stop Tony Parker.
If the trade hadn't happened, the Suns would've won more regular season games and had a better seed with, most possibly, home court advantage. Thus, they may have been propelled into an easier playoff schedule. I don't know about you, but I'd rather win more games than have a chemically balanced locker room.
2. Mike D'Antoni
Mike D'Antoni is a great guy. He has a sense of humor, and everybody loves a guy with a sense of humor. However, he just cannot succeed as a head coach in the National Basketball Association. This will be the 4th consecutive year that his team will burn up and die in the postseason. His stubborness has cost him at least 2 NBA championships.
In the '04-'05 season, the Suns were new and nobody knew what to do with them. They rocked the league for a 62-20 record, completed a sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies, and knocked the Mavericks out In Game 6 in Dallas before getting humbled by none other than the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals. San Antonio 4. Phoenix 1. (I will say that if Jerry Stackhouse hadn't given Joe Johnson a cheap shot and broke his face, things may have been different. And the Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies still haven't won a playoff game as a franchise.) Then comes the '05-'06 season and Amare Stoudemire decides not to play. No worries. The Suns stayed more than steady and ended 54-28. In the first round, the Lakers got a 3-1 advantage before Phoenix fought back to win the series including gritting out an epic Game 6 overtime victory. The second round saw the Clippers taking the Suns to the brink and Raja Bell making the shot that will define his career. Phoenix 4. Los Angeles 3. After fighting their way to the Western Conference Finals, they once more suffered injury. This time Raja Bell got hurt. I have no idea how much effect this may have had, but the Suns were sent packing. Dallas 4. Phoenix 2.
'06-'07 rolls around and Amare Stoudemire decides that he misses the game and starts playing again. They finished 61-21. Then, they met with the Spurs in the second round. The Suns didn't deserve to win this series. Their coach wouldn't let them. In Game 1, Steve Nash was saving the Suns behinds again and then got a bloody nose. Now, if Mike D'Antoni had maybe played his bench a little during the season, they may have been slightly prepared to step up and hit the big shots. But, that of course didn't happen. Then, Game 5 when Amare and Boris were suspended. Boris shouldn't have been suspended. I can understand Amare, but not Boris. The 6 guys that played for the Suns that night gave it absolutely everything they had. But by the time the 4th quarter rolled around, they were extremely raplapla
(Excuse my French). So, the Spurs got the better of them and went on to win the series.
This season has been the same thing. D'Antoni refuses to play his bench and refuses to give himself a chance to develop confidence in his bench guys. They are quality basketball players. You don't get to the NBA without being pretty dang good at basketball. But, D'Antoni still goes with the same old story every night which makes game planning against the Suns ever so easy. Some people just will not learn from past mistakes.
Bottom Line
The Phoenix Suns will never experience ultimate success the way things are being run in their organization right now. Something has to and, I think, will happen in the offseason to address these issues and more.
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