This isn't really true. The Suns actually started a huge winning streak in the 2nd half of that season (where they won like 12 or 14 straight headed into the playoffs) after Frye was benched from the starting lineup and replaced with Lopez.
He was also absolute trash in the Lakers WCF series except the game 4.
Okay, I'll freely admit I went a little overboard in my defensive Channing Frye. I stand by what I said about your surprise 48 win season.
I'm sorry but I don't have time to go back and look at that stretch, but I swear I had done it when the same argument came up a couple years ago. I believe if you go look at the games during that stretch Channing Frye played just as many or more minutes as he had been the rest of the season and his +/- will really good… like best or second best on the team. IIRC
I know Channing Frye went through some rough patches, but even during those periods his presence usually opened things up for the rest of the team. Even during his worst slumps there were very few times where teams let him shoot open shots by design. He definitely had some rough playoff games that year, and i will apologize again for saying that he was the biggest reason for the trip to the finals. I still believe his presence was a big part of their success, but I definitely want overboard.
I agreed with most than the Phoenix Suns made the right move by not paying as much or more than Orlando to keep Channing Frye. That's mostly because I'm notoriously cheap. Still, I knew it was going to be a big blow, especially to our two point guards (actually three of them after that summer). Still , if this wasn't such a god-awful draft I would say we are probably better off today without him. Seriously is there any other team that comes close to the Phoenix Suns as far as having bad luck/no luck in the draft?
Anyhow, just wanted to say that even though I rarely contribute any more I still enjoy checking in and reading people's thoughts about the team.
Joe