Really, the Suns couldn't do anything?

[MarkWest]

How is it that all these teams who couldn't quite win a championship can add a couple guys and all of the sudden be competitive again and the Suns can't? Spurs add Jefferson, Boston adds Sheed, and the other top teams like LA, Cavs, and Magic added even more fire power! I understand our cap space problem and the need to get rid of Shaq, but how is it that all these other teams know how to reload when they're on the decline while the Suns seem to be sleeping at the wheel.

And then they decide to rebuild the year they decided to trade away their 1st round pick!

We have problems with guys not wanting to be here, i.e. Johnson, Marion, Shaq, Amare. I bet if we could learn how to reload like these other teams, guys would want to stay. Just a hunch. Since we can't get the Colangelos back, I say we fire Kerr and hire Bill Simmons. Why not. At least we'll have entertaining press conferences.

 

[overseascardfan]

Two reasons:

We are not contenders, so ownership feels the need to blow it up.

Owner is in cost cutting mode, needs cash, again I feel he should just sell the team and he won't have to worry about losing money, he could actually make more than he paid.

 

[Mainstreet]

I do think Sarver/ Kerr have their hand on the ejection seat lever.

 

[MarkWest]

Two reasons:

We are not contenders, so ownership feels the need to blow it up.

Thats where the problem lies in my opinion. The Spurs were not contenders and were definitely going down hill. What do they do? Trade their old guys for young talent and now, they're contenders again! And they almost got Rasheed Wallace on top of that! Maybe the Suns aren't in a position to do that with the type of contracts we have. Is that Kerr's fault or was that a result of a lack of foresight from Bryan Colangelo? How would things be different if Bryan Colangelo were still here? Better or would we still be in the same predicament?

 

[Covert Rain]

Thats where the problem lies in my opinion. The Spurs were not contenders and were definitely going down hill. What do they do? Trade their old guys for young talent and now, they're contenders again! And they almost got Rasheed Wallace on top of that! Maybe the Suns aren't in a position to do that with the type of contracts we have. Is that Kerr's fault or was that a result of a lack of foresight from Bryan Colangelo? How would things be different if Bryan Colangelo were still here? Better or would we still be in the same predicament?

As long as the Spurs had Duncan they were always contenders IMO. It's not like they fell off a cliff like the Suns. It's much easier to reload when you have arguably the best player in Duncan at his position and one of the best PG in Tony Parker. It's easy to reload when you have only 1 empty chamber. The Suns on the other hand are playing with a half empty gun. Before you try and make an analogy with Nash & Amare, remember that both the guys I mentioned from the Spurs play on BOTH ends of the court so you can't even compare. If Manu had not been hurt most of the season or down the stretch I think the Spurs were right there. Now they went out and got better IMO.

P.S. JC/BC had a history of reloading the team time and time again. Yes, they didn't win a title but the Suns had one of the best runs in the NBA winning percentage wise under them. So, to say the franchise would not be where it is today is not a stretch. Also, let's not forget that one of the conditions of the sale that JC had from Sarver was to clean up some payroll prior to Sarver handing over the check. So, even the late moves that JC made to cut salary is on Sarver as well.

 

[Mainstreet]

Also, let's not forget that one of the conditions of the sale that JC had from Sarver was to clean up some payroll prior to Sarver handing over the check. So, even the late moves that JC made to cut salary is on Sarver as well.

I've always thought that Sarver used JC's example (as how to clean up some payroll before the sale of the Suns) as his blueprint on how to operate the Suns. I don't think Sarver had a clue on how to run the Suns and the only one who did (BC), he shoved out the door.

 

[Yuma]

What I think is tragically funny is the Suns had a coach they really liked. They let him suggest a major payroll player in Shaq. Then they promptly let him roll out the door and leave them holding the bag! What a bunch of rubes!

 

[JCSunsfan]

Two reasons:

We are not contenders, so ownership feels the need to blow it up.

Owner is in cost cutting mode, needs cash, again I feel he should just sell the team and he won't have to worry about losing money, he could actually make more than he paid.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[Mainstreet]

What I think is tragically funny is the Suns had a coach they really liked. They let him suggest a major payroll player in Shaq. Then they promptly let him roll out the door and leave them holding the bag! What a bunch of rubes!

I would have a hard time believing this was an idea dreamed up by DA. Strongly suggested by the FO might be the better term.

 

[scotsman13]

guys even with shaq leaving the suns are one of the oldest teams in the nba and it shows on this team. with the big dollar contract dropping off after this year or next year rebuilding this time right now is about the best you can do. Cotton Fitzsimmons once said that he hope that the suns trade barkley or even any player before they retire to get some value out of them.

if and at this point that is still a big if we are going to start to rebuild then it is time to move the players to get young and start to rebuild.

 

[Black Jesus]

If the Suns hired Bill Simmons that would be CLASSIC. haha

 

[binkar]

Do 99% of basketball fans not understand that there is actually a financial part to basketball?

Do we really fault Sarver for wanting to cut costs a bit this year? The same people that mock the FO for making cost cutting moves are also mocking the Suns for not making the kind of additions to the team that SA, LA, Orlando, Boston, and Dallas are making. How is it that you don't see the flaw in that? The reason these teams are able to make these moves is because they have financial flexibility and/or are title contenders. We are currently neither so we have to put ourselves in a position to have "flexibility". As much as yall mock the FO for it that is the only option they have.

It blows me away to read how ignorant some of the people here are. Am I saying that Kerr has made all the right moves? Absolutely not. But to complain act like the other top team are just now separating themselves from us this offseason is ignorant and stupid.

The Suns are moving backwards right now, and in some ways thats a good thing.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Thats where the problem lies in my opinion. The Spurs were not contenders and were definitely going down hill. What do they do? Trade their old guys for young talent and now, they're contenders again! And they almost got Rasheed Wallace on top of that! Maybe the Suns aren't in a position to do that with the type of contracts we have. Is that Kerr's fault or was that a result of a lack of foresight from Bryan Colangelo? How would things be different if Bryan Colangelo were still here? Better or would we still be in the same predicament?

Pretty sure the Celtics and the Spurs were the #2 seeds in their respective conferences last year despite huge injury problems and are one and two years removed from being NBA Champions. Saying they were no longer contenders is, well, ridiculous.

 

[mojorizen7]

guys even with shaq leaving the suns are one of the oldest teams in the nba and it shows on this team. with the big dollar contract dropping off after this year or next year rebuilding this time right now is about the best you can do. Cotton Fitzsimmons once said that he hope that the suns trade barkley or even any player before they retire to get some value out of them.

if and at this point that is still a big if we are going to start to rebuild then it is time to move the players to get young and start to rebuild.

Amen, and OKC getting a top 5 lottery pick due to the SUNS going young to develope our players should be the least of Sarver/Kerrs worries next season
(and ours).

 

[Mainstreet]

Cotton Fitzsimmons once said that he hope that the suns trade barkley or even any player before they retire to get some value out of them.

I'm not sure if it was Cotton or JC that said it. But it was their motto, it is a better to trade a player a year too early than a year too late. Sounds like a good strategy. KJ was the exception.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Do 99% of basketball fans not understand that there is actually a financial part to basketball?

Do we really fault Sarver for wanting to cut costs a bit this year? The same people that mock the FO for making cost cutting moves are also mocking the Suns for not making the kind of additions to the team that SA, LA, Orlando, Boston, and Dallas are making. How is it that you don't see the flaw in that? The reason these teams are able to make these moves is because they have financial flexibility and/or are title contenders. We are currently neither so we have to put ourselves in a position to have "flexibility". As much as yall mock the FO for it that is the only option they have.

It blows me away to read how ignorant some of the people here are. Am I saying that Kerr has made all the right moves? Absolutely not. But to complain act like the other top team are just now separating themselves from us this offseason is ignorant and stupid.

The Suns are moving backwards right now, and in some ways thats a good thing.

this is where i see you being wrong. the suns are not moving backwards, they are desperately trying to tread water and remain in place. if the suns made one move or the other, either spent like mad trying to get back to contender status or blew it all up and started over i could respect them. but they seemingly cannot decide on either course of action and thus we're doomed to mediocrity.

if they say we want to remain a contender, they have to go out, spend big bucks and try to bring in more talent, a LOT more talent. there isn't enough nba talent on the roster to contend for a playoff spot right now, much less be a contender for the title.

if they say we want to start over then they have to make tough decisions like NOT pursuing an over the hill grant hill. NOT pursuing a 173 year old mcdyess. NOT extending a 164 year old steve nash. but rather try to trade the aging, but still valuable, commodities for youth and draft picks.

but they are doing neither of these. they know they cannot contend, so they're not going to throw more money at the roster. but they don't want to admit they are rebuilding and lose gate so they are going to extend nash and try to sign cheap retreads. that's the definition of locking in mediocrity.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

The reason they won't rebuild is because the franchise would lose value and the season tickets would not be renewed. It is bad business to rebuild.

 

[Mainstreet]

The reason they won't rebuild is because the franchise would lose value and the season tickets would not be renewed. It is bad business to rebuild.

There is always just letting the franchise collapse. Unless the Suns have something on the back burner, they will likely not move forward nor rebuild but likely just stagnate.

 

[mojorizen7]

this is where i see you being wrong. the suns are not moving backwards, they are desperately trying to tread water and remain in place. if the suns made one move or the other, either spent like mad trying to get back to contender status or blew it all up and started over i could respect them. but they seemingly cannot decide on either course of action and thus we're doomed to mediocrity.

if they say we want to remain a contender, they have to go out, spend big bucks and try to bring in more talent, a LOT more talent. there isn't enough nba talent on the roster to contend for a playoff spot right now, much less be a contender for the title.

if they say we want to start over then they have to make tough decisions like NOT pursuing an over the hill grant hill. NOT pursuing a 173 year old mcdyess. NOT extending a 164 year old steve nash. but rather try to trade the aging, but still valuable, commodities for youth and draft picks.

but they are doing neither of these. they know they cannot contend, so they're not going to throw more money at the roster. but they don't want to admit they are rebuilding and lose gate so they are going to extend nash and try to sign cheap retreads. that's the definition of locking in mediocrity.

^Spot on....and proof that we(as fans) have nothing to look forward to until Sarver sells.

 

[Mainstreet]

if they say we want to start over then they have to make tough decisions like NOT pursuing an over the hill grant hill. NOT pursuing a 173 year old mcdyess. NOT extending a 164 year old steve nash. but rather try to trade the aging, but still valuable, commodities for youth and draft picks.

but they are doing neither of these. they know they cannot contend, so they're not going to throw more money at the roster. but they don't want to admit they are rebuilding and lose gate so they are going to extend nash and try to sign cheap retreads. that's the definition of locking in mediocrity.

I could easily see Hill and Nash moving on unless the Suns have some master plan. I don't think either player wants to settle for mediocrity. So unless there is some fantastic trade for Amare or trade/ buyouts for the two Cleveland imports, I can see the Suns being forced into rebuilding.

 

[Covert Rain]

this is where i see you being wrong. the suns are not moving backwards, they are desperately trying to tread water and remain in place. if the suns made one move or the other, either spent like mad trying to get back to contender status or blew it all up and started over i could respect them. but they seemingly cannot decide on either course of action and thus we're doomed to mediocrity.

if they say we want to remain a contender, they have to go out, spend big bucks and try to bring in more talent, a LOT more talent. there isn't enough nba talent on the roster to contend for a playoff spot right now, much less be a contender for the title.

if they say we want to start over then they have to make tough decisions like NOT pursuing an over the hill grant hill. NOT pursuing a 173 year old mcdyess. NOT extending a 164 year old steve nash. but rather try to trade the aging, but still valuable, commodities for youth and draft picks.

but they are doing neither of these. they know they cannot contend, so they're not going to throw more money at the roster. but they don't want to admit they are rebuilding and lose gate so they are going to extend nash and try to sign cheap retreads. that's the definition of locking in mediocrity.

Nuff said.

 

[Yuma]

I would have a hard time believing this was an idea dreamed up by DA. Strongly suggested by the FO might be the better term.

Really? You don't read the AZ Republic, who said D'Antoni was the driving force behind getting Shaq. Supposedly Kerr was reluctant to do it. I'm guessing Sarver was for it, too. It was shortly after that, they asked D'Antoni to preach more D, and he got his panties in a bunch and left town.

 

[Yuma]

Hey Ouchie, the casual fans I talk to say "They better not trade Nash!" I'm guessing some of the season ticket holders are of this ilk, and probably have emailed or called the front office about this. I'm guessing as much as we would like to trade Nash, that deal is not going to be done in our lifetimes!

 

[Mainstreet]

Really? You don't read the AZ Republic, who said D'Antoni was the driving force behind getting Shaq. Supposedly Kerr was reluctant to do it. I'm guessing Sarver was for it, too. It was shortly after that, they asked D'Antoni to preach more D, and he got his panties in a bunch and left town.

The Arizona Republic is not my gospel. I do know DA said he could win it without Shaq. Is it too far fetched that DA just went along with Sarver and Kerr amid the PR? The telling sign to me (that it was not DA's idea) he initially tried to play Shaq at the high post. DA knew Shaq would clog the lane and disrupt his offense playing in the the low post but that eventually had to happen because of Shaq's limitations away from the basket. This messed up DA's system. Also as you say, Kerr was pressuring DA to play more defense and the Suns had no defender in the middle. I think DA accepted Shaq to appease Sarver/ Kerr. Clearly the Suns were not built for defense no matter how Kerr bantered about it. Terry Porter quickly found that out the next season. I bet DA was glad to get out of Phoenix just like BC.

 

[devilalum]

Do 99% of basketball fans not understand that there is actually a financial part to basketball?

Yes, and just a couple of years ago the Suns had the highest revenues in the league.