It Was a Great Run

[Evil Ash]

Very good article by Bickley that summarizes how most of us feel

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/columns/articles/0602bickley02.html

It was a great run
Suns' purple reign only starting as team wraps up its season of fun, brotherhood

Dan Bickley
Republic columnist
Jun. 2, 2005 12:00 AM

First, a message for the vanquished Suns:

Thanks. You've made basketball in Phoenix fun once again.

The pleasure was all ours.

"I'm almost sick right now," the Suns' Shawn Marion said. "I can't believe it's over."

Ah, but that's the thing. Get through the fog of heartbreak and you'll see that the wild ride is merely closed for the summer. A season might have ended with a 101-95 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, leaving the Suns short of reaching the NBA Finals, but the purple reign is only getting started. It's as clear as the hunger in Amaré Stoudemire's eyes.

So cheer up. Training camp is just around the corner.

"It would've been a fairy tale if we came out and won the championship," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "That doesn't happen. You have to earn it, and you have to lose some battles along the way. But this is a great first step."

Hard to believe this dream team began as a wacky chemistry experiment. With no luck recruiting a center last summer, a scrambling coach made the decision to play his five best athletes and see what happened. Eight months later, they bowed out in the Western Conference finals, having won 78 of 105 games (including a 7-1 preseason record). And who knows how this series would've gone had Joe Johnson not broken his face.

"I think if we had J.J., we may have gotten a split at least in the first two (games)," guard Steve Nash said. "But we didn't, and that's a part of it."

Yet now that the Suns have been eliminated in five games, there will surely be an outcry from basketball purists in the Valley. They'll want more defense on the menu, a traditional center in the lineup and a team more suited for the rigors of the postseason.

Please stop now. The style employed by the Suns in 2004-05 should be coveted not scorned. Regular-season basketball is known to cause migraines in most cities. The Suns smashed that mold.

They made every game a highlight film. America West Arena became the hot spot in town. The Suns have recaptured their place atop our sporting landscape, and if you think a plodding team will aid them through future postseasons, you probably came late to the party. If so, you've missed the point and most of the fun.

"Sometimes, you have to lose to figure out how to win," D'Antoni said.

Even though hearts were heavy inside the losing locker room, the goals are now wonderfully small. They are better than every team in the Western Conference except one. The Suns must only find a way to trump the dreaded Spurs, and already, plans are being drawn.

They must find a reliable backup point guard, a big man with some muscle and another wing player with speed. These are not gaping holes. They are merely cracks that need some caulk.

Indeed, the most daunting task facing the Suns will come from within. The 2004-05 team was noted for its brotherhood and selflessness, and that will be hard to duplicate. Like weeds that somehow emerge on a sidewalk, egos and personal agendas can easily spoil a good thing.

The hope is that there are no problems re-signing Johnson and everyone signs off on playing the same system with the same zeal next season. And the fear, at least for the rest of the league, is that Stoudemire continues to honor his massive talent.

Incredibly, he grew even taller in the last two games of the series, and after his postseason performance, the MVP trophy currently in Nash's possession may remain in Phoenix for some time to come.

Even San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich, who issues compliments reluctantly, admitted he has no clue in how to handle this 22-year-old phenomenon.

"I don't know what to do with him," Popovich said. "I mean, he's just unbelievable. He's a real unique player."

Likewise, the Suns are a unique team, one that will certainly learn and grow from this experience.

It's a new day in Phoenix, a new era for the Suns, and the trail to the summit is open.

"This is our mountain to climb," D'Antoni said. "And our guys will climb it."

Reach Bickley at [email protected] or (602) 444-8253.

 

[KingofCards]

I usually hate Bickely and his loud mouth and hockey player hair cut, but he did a nice job with that piece.


Maybe I should tell him so.

 

[arthurracoon]

 

[coloradosun]

It was a great run, a young team accomplished a lot. Since the season is over I will begin the Monday morning quarterbacking.

In hindsight, after the playoffs and the regular season exposed some weaknesses, I would like to go back to last summer and reassess some the moves the Suns could have made.

Draft Igoudola- The Suns should have held off making the trade with Chicago until the pick actually came up. His athleticism would have fit in the well with the system. Would have provided the same type of enthusiasm that Q had injected into the lineup.

Sign Brett Barry- If the purpose of signing Q was to add a 3pt shooter Barry had proven to be more reliable from the arch than Richardson, especially in the playoffs. Barry had also proven to be an adequate point guard in the preceding season in Seattle that would have proven vital in the games that Nash went down and would have put a veteran at the helm instead of Barbosa. The signing of Barry could have prevented the necessity of trading for Jim Jackson, keeping a stockpile of youthful prospects under the fold.

These two moves would have used the 7M spent on Q and provided a better return. I do see Q as vulnerable to a trade this summer, he is the most likely candidate to create some flexibility to make other moves. Barbosa has a chance of changing teams in offseason even though they like his potential he better improve dramaticly.

Hunter might not have signed if Q wasn't on board but if the Suns acquire say a Petro or Splitter in the draft he may not be around next year, especially if he does not exercise his option and askes too much.

Again these are all what ifs, but I think it was a season that no one expected not even the front office. I don't want to taint it but it just seems like we will have to make additional moves this summer, Iggy and Barry would have been as good as moves the Suns made by signing Q and would have less of a need for activity in this offseason.

 

[Chaplin]

Sign Brett Barry- If the purpose of signing Q was to add a 3pt shooter Barry had proven to be more reliable from the arch than Richardson, especially in the playoffs. Barry had also proven to be an adequate point guard in the preceding season in Seattle that would have proven vital in the games that Nash went down and would have put a veteran at the helm instead of Barbosa. The signing of Barry could have prevented the necessity of trading for Jim Jackson, keeping a stockpile of youthful prospects under the fold.

You obviously haven't watched the Spurs all year. Barry was worthless in the regular season. Really, your anti-Q tirades are getting old, don't you think?

 

[CardNots]

Lets see, the series exposed some weaknesses.

Yes it did. We found out a group of guys who played mainly one season together put together 62 wins and rode the playoffs to the Western Conf finals.

We were beaten not badly but barely by a experienced champion.

Every team has weaknesses but most of them were at home watching our weaknesses.

By the way Q was a critical part of our sucess thoughout the year. He stays and gets better as the rest of the top 6 players.

As for Hunter, you can't teach basketball smarts and I just don't think he has it. I pulled for him, but he has no clue in how to use his size.

 

[coloradosun]

You obviously haven't watched the Spurs all year. Barry was worthless in the regular season. Really, your anti-Q tirades are getting old, don't you think?

Because Barry was not consistently in the rotation, he would have been utilized differently by the Suns.

They're not old if they are accurate. Q became gunshy in the playoffs, he did not pull the trigger like he did during the season. Why have a guy on the roster who does not perform when it counts. He may have been instructed to hold back by D'A, if that is the case then his game may not be the right fit for what the coach needs.

 

[elindholm]

As I asked in the other thread, why on earth would Barry have agreed to play for the Suns?

 

[lancelet's cousin]

Joe bombed in his first playoff games.

Let's give Q the benefit of a doubt.

 

[coloradosun]

As I asked in the other thread, why on earth would Barry have agreed to play for the Suns?

Barry signed his contract 2 days after Q signed his offer sheet with the Suns. His options may have come down just the Rockets and Spurs at that point, I don't know. If the Suns had any contact with him prior to offering Q, his role on the Suns would have guaranteed. Q was a risk the Suns wanted to take, the Spurs were looking for depth and I'm sure Barry knew that. Their backcourt was more solid than the Suns, Ginobli was going to be matched, Parker and Bowen were resigned. Udrich was drafted, it just seems like there was more of a backlog there than with the Suns. Sure players want to be on championship teams but they primarily want to be on the floor.

I have to believe the Suns had contact with him, I remember when he was in the draft the Suns were very interested in picking him that year. Signing Nash had to make the Suns more attractive than without him. I have no evidence, it is obviously just speculation, I will try to do more research and see if Barry had actually made any statements in those regards.

 

[Joe Mama]

How old is Brent Barry? The Phoenix Suns wanted to stay relatively young.

Joe Mama

 

[Cheesebeef]

Because Barry was not consistently in the rotation, he would have been utilized differently by the Suns.

They're not old if they are accurate. Q became gunshy in the playoffs, he did not pull the trigger like he did during the season. Why have a guy on the roster who does not perform when it counts.

so - under your scenario - I guess we should trade off Marion as well then? And should we have traded JJ after he sucked his first playoff season with us?

And anyone who counts complete CRAP like Jacobsen, the Sausage King and Lampe as good young prospects/depth needs to get their head examined.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

I have to believe the Suns had contact with him, I remember when he was in the draft the Suns were very interested in picking him that year. Signing Nash had to make the Suns more attractive than without him. I have no evidence, it is obviously just speculation, I will try to do more research and see if Barry had actually made any statements in those regards.

At the time, Barry signed for a discount to be with the Spurs because they were title contenders. The Suns weren't even thought playoff bound by at least half of the nation.

There is no way Barry would have signed with us.

 

[Amare32]

Was certainly a great run and I'm happy that we at least got 1 game in the conference finals. Getting swept after the year we have had would of been painful.

 

[SirStefan32]

Great season. Looking forward to next year.

 

[coloradosun]

How old is Brent Barry? The Phoenix Suns wanted to stay relatively young.

Joe Mama

Their objective during the season drasticly changed didn't it. Signing Outlaw, trading for McCarty and Jim Jackson. If they wanted to stay young why did they trade away Charbarkapa, Jacobsen, Lampe and Vroman. It was obvious to me and I guess you guys did not see it but they were the youngest team in the league last year and it showed. By adding Barry it would have eliminated several mid season moves. Barry would have been another stabilizing personality, he was after all on the all interview team.

 

[elindholm]

But by the time the Suns changed their focus and made those moves, Barry was already with the Spurs.

I don't understand what point you're arguing. Yes, knowing then what we do now, Barry probably would have been a good fit for this year's playoff run. But when the decision had to be made, he didn't look like a good fit at all, plus there's no chance he would have signed with Phoenix anyway.

 

[coloradosun]

so - under your scenario - I guess we should trade off Marion as well then? And should we have traded JJ after he sucked his first playoff season with us?

And anyone who counts complete CRAP like Jacobsen, the Sausage King and Lampe as good young prospects/depth needs to get their head examined.

I was all for the Marion/Jacobsen for TMac last year. Marion became a different player once Nash arrived. JJ has come out of his shell, Q went into one. Q limited ball handling skills hinder him in this offense, it is either hit a three or post up. This is a faceup offense and Q does not do that very well.

Jacobsen and the Sausage King would have given us the same cap flexibility as McCarty and Shirley. There were a lot of supporters of Lampe on this board and he may be the one that does well in this league.

 

[Chaplin]

I was all for the Marion/Jacobsen for TMac last year. Marion became a different player once Nash arrived. JJ has come out of his shell, Q went into one. Q limited ball handling skills hinder him in this offense, it is either hit a three or post up. This is a faceup offense and Q does not do that very well.

What does that mean? Regardless of how the playoffs went, for all-around game, Shawn Marion was probably our best player of the regular season.

 

[coloradosun]

What does that mean? Regardless of how the playoffs went, for all-around game, Shawn Marion was probably our best player of the regular season.

In 2004 he struggled, he was the oldest player on the team and was looked to for leadership (until McDyess was brought back). He could not provide the scoring because he was not able to get the ball where he needed to be effective. Nash got him easier opportunities. I just remember all of the missed dunks and turnovers from the previous season.

 

[coloradosun]

But by the time the Suns changed their focus and made those moves, Barry was already with the Spurs.

My statements were in regards to last year's offseason, I still firmly believe the Iggy and Barry would have been a better outlay of money than the exact same amount of cap space spent on Q.

 

[elindholm]

My statements were in regards to last year's offseason, I still firmly believe the Iggy and Barry would have been a better outlay of money than the exact same amount of cap space spent on Q.

What part of "Barry had no interest in the Suns" don't you understand? I'm really mystified by this.

 

[coloradosun]

My statements were in regards to last year's offseason, I still firmly believe the Iggy and Barry would have been a better outlay of money than the exact same amount of cap space spent on Q.

What part of "Barry had no interest in the Suns" don't you understand? I'm really mystified by this.

Show me that quote from Barry and I'll get off the subject.

 

[Amare32]

My statements were in regards to last year's offseason, I still firmly believe the Iggy and Barry would have been a better outlay of money than the exact same amount of cap space spent on Q.

Iggy maybe but Barry? no thanks, he was a non factor this year and has certainly lost a few steps.

 

[elindholm]

Show me that quote from Barry and I'll get off the subject.

I don't have a quote, but think about it logically.

Barry is toward the end of his career.
Barry is a veteran multi-position player (remember he put up some great games at PG), ideally suited to a bench role on a good team.
Barry has never been on a championship team, or even to the Finals, unless I'm forgetting something.
Barry most likely had several possible teams to choose from, given his relatively high skill level and solid reputation.
Barry ended up with the Spurs.

Why did he choose the Spurs? Surely he could have gotten as much money or more from other teams, and he knew his role with the Spurs would be limited. So most likely, he did it because he knew the Spurs were contenders and wanted to be a bench contributor for a good team.

A year ago, would he have had any reason to suspect that he'd get the same chance in Phoenix? No. They had Nash, Barbosa, Johnson, and Jacobsen, never mind the IRV (Infamous Rights to Vujanic). And they looked like a rebuilding team, on the playoff bubble at best. For what possible reason would he turn down the Spurs to come to Phoenix?

But I concede I don't have a quote.