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.
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