The revolving roster

[Griffin]

It's hard to believe, but Nash is now the only player remaining on our roster from the 2006/07 season that ended with the infamous Stoudemire and Diaw suspensions. That was just three years ago. Furthermore, Nash and Hill are the only players remaining from the following season in which we traded for Shaq. Those two are also the only remaining Suns to have played for D'Antoni. And there are only six players left that were on the roster at the end of the 2008/09 season. Our roster is continuously changing.

Current Suns players, years in Phoenix:

Nash (6) (8 total)
Hill (3)
Lopez (2)
Dragic (2)
Dudley (2)
Richardson (2)
Frye (1)
Clark (1)

Noteworthy former Suns players during Nash era:

Shawn Marion (9)
Amare Stoudemire (8)
Leandro Barbosa (7)
Joe Johnson (4)
Raja Bell (4)
Boris Diaw (4)
Jake Voskuhl (4)
Shaquille O'Neal (2)
James Jones (2)
Kurt Thomas (2)
Jim Jackson (2)
Louis Amundson (2)
Sean Marks (2)
Quentin Richardson (1)
Tim Thomas (1)
Matt Barnes (1)
Eddie House (1)
Brian Skinner (1)

 

[carey]

Yeah it's pretty crazy. I don't like it much but that's sports these days. I admire OKC for letting their young guys grow together. Lets see if they can actually keep that team in tact for the next couple years.

 

[Mainstreet]

Notice anything consistent about the above... of course Steve Nash. He has made the Suns good all these years and some fans still want to get rid of him. This will be a tougher task for Nash to make the Suns good this coming season minus Amare. I'm still saying Nash stirs the drink.

 

[Sunburn]

Notice anything consistent about the above... of course Steve Nash. He has made the Suns good all these years and some fans still want to get rid of him. This will be a tougher task for Nash to make the Suns good this coming season minus Amare. I'm still saying Nash stirs the drink.

Exactly. If there was any doubt about the reason, here is the clear evidence of why this team has been competitive for so many years. It is due to one and only player. Nashty. Forever will be my favorite baller.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Notice anything consistent about the above... of course Steve Nash. He has made the Suns good all these years and some fans still want to get rid of him.

Well that's kind of a crappy representation of what "others" are suggesting. We're not arguing whether Nash was great for us, rather we question whether it will continue. It's fine to disagree but to imply that past years performance is the ONLY indicator of future success is illogical. Players age, players get injured. Very few of us "want to get rid of him" but many of us believe it would be the smart move for the franchise. It's the same kind of distinction many of us drew regarding Amare.

Steve

 

[AzStevenCal]

Exactly. If there was any doubt about the reason, here is the clear evidence of why this team has been competitive for so many years. It is due to one and only player. Nashty. Forever will be my favorite baller.

I guess that would be true if Nash wasn't surrounded by talent. The talent may have changed but he did have quality players in the lineup with him. He's the most important reason for our on court success but it's far from being "due to one and only (one) player".

Steve

 

[Mainstreet]

Well that's kind of a crappy representation of what "others" are suggesting. We're not arguing whether Nash was great for us, rather we question whether it will continue. It's fine to disagree but to imply that past years performance is the ONLY indicator of future success is illogical. Players age, players get injured. Very few of us "want to get rid of him" but many of us believe it would be the smart move for the franchise. It's the same kind of distinction many of us drew regarding Amare.

Steve

I guess you are the "some fans" I was talking about.

Also it's not a "crappy representation." Maybe I hit a nerve. Why do you want to get of rid of one of the good things (Nash) the Suns have going for them for something that is not even tangible? I haven't heard a legitimate option on the table for Nash that would improve the team. The grass is not always greener.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I guess you are the "some fans" I was talking about.

Also it's not a "crappy representation." Maybe I hit a nerve. Why do you want to get of rid of one of the good things (Nash) the Suns have going for them for something that is not even tangible? I haven't heard a legitimate option on the table for Nash that would improve the team. The grass is not always greener.

Actually, with our recent additions I'm resigned to keeping Nash. My point, though, was that moving Nash could have been a reasonable business decision and not a knee-jerk reaction against the guy.

I think if you re-read your post perhaps you'll understand why you might have "hit a nerve". Especially the sentence "He has made the Suns good all these years and some fans still want to get rid of him". To me, it could easily have been phrased as "see how stupid some people can be".

Steve

 

[Mainstreet]

I think if you re-read your post perhaps you'll understand why you might have "hit a nerve". Especially the sentence "He has made the Suns good all these years and some fans still want to get rid of him". To me, it could easily have been phrased as "see how stupid some people can be".

Steve

Those are your words not mine. I don't know how you got there. I try not to use derogatory terms.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Those are your words not mine. I don't know how you got there. I try not to use derogatory terms.

Hmm, I suspect we have a disconnect here. I haven't accused you of making that statement. I'm simply telling you how it came across to me. I can't speak to your intent.

Steve

 

[TheHopToad]

It's hard to believe, but Nash is now the only player remaining on our roster from the 2006/07 season that ended with the infamous Stoudemire and Diaw suspensions.

Oddly enough, Nash is also the only player remaining who was on the roster for Cotton's last season as coach. In fact, Steve Nash's very first start in the NBA was in Cotton's last game. He led the Suns in scoring and assists in a loss to the Grizzlies.

Nash's partner in the Suns' lineup that night was none other than.......Robert Horry.

Exactly. If there was any doubt about the reason, here is the clear evidence of why this team has been competitive for so many years. It is due to one and only player. Nashty. Forever will be my favorite baller.

Couldn't agree more. This team is nothing without #13.

 

[dodie53]

horry a SG?

 

[TheHopToad]

horry a SG?

You're right. Wesley Person was the SG in that game. Although sometimes Horry had the shooting touch of a SG...

 

[mojorizen7]

Nash has indeed "stirred the drink" since '05
The drink has been full of flavor but i cant seem to get drunk....personally i'm ready for a new drink but the SUNS organization isn't serving anything else so i just wait...

I do find it interesting that at some point the SUNS are going to have to rely upon a "Nashless" catalyst to drive and represent the franchise moving forward. Replacing him will be impossible. I wonder where the FO will look for ways to keep the "I just want to be entertained" fan's happy?

 

[taz02]

Wow....I hadn't thought of how much turn over there has actully been. I wonder if a team has ever maintained this degree of success with such a high turn over.

Sarver and company have made some really bad moves in recent years but I really think the recent moves have been good. The loss of Amare was understandable, we may regret it but an injured Amare at 20 mil per would have been a death blow for this team.

As far as replacing Nash, it's not going to happen in the foreseable future. However I think Dragic is a more than capable future PG, who IMO is better suited for the playoffs anyway. The team though certainly not a championship contender is positioned well with youth and good contracts. Thats all anyone can ask at this point. If you think anyone other than Miami and LA are goig to win championships over the next 5 years you are kidding yourself. It's going to take at least 5 years or the addition of the NBA's next superstar.

PS I'm amazed at how classy Amare has been through all of this.

 

[Mainstreet]

Nash has indeed "stirred the drink" since '05
The drink has been full of flavor but i cant seem to get drunk....personally i'm ready for a new drink but the SUNS organization isn't serving anything else so i just wait...

It seems your premise, based upon what I can tell, is the Suns have not won a championship because of Nash. I contend the Suns have not won a championship because their frontline was not good enough. Since Nash's return to the Suns he has made the Suns relevant. I can only imagine how bad the Suns would have been been over the past 6 years without him. The Suns have always lacked that one additional big man that could help carry the team. I guess you are going to blame Nash this coming season if the Suns don't win a championship. Nash is not the problem.

I do find it interesting that at some point the SUNS are going to have to rely upon a "Nashless" catalyst to drive and represent the franchise moving forward. Replacing him will be impossible. I wonder where the FO will look for ways to keep the "I just want to be entertained" fan's happy?

Now this is a legitimate concern. Sometime in the future, replacing the starting PG position will be a need. The thing is, I think the Suns can succeed with another PG if the Suns eventually find the right one... or Dragic becomes that player. However, I think the discussion gets caught into the trap that Nash needs to be replaced now. This is simply not true. Eventually the Suns will need another quality PG but he need not need to play like Nash, although he is one of the best PGs to run a team. The Suns have had several PGs in the past that can run a team well in Dennis Johnson, Kevin Johnson and Jason Kidd. I guess until the Nash's play deteriorates or a better PG is found, I think Nash should run the team. Water seeks it's own level. Nash and the Suns will know when to part.

However, the proof is in the pudding. See Nash's Suns 2009-10 stats: 16.5 ppg, 11 assts, .507 FG%, 0.426 3p% and 0.938 FT%. He also played 81 games.

These stats are not entertainment value. They are MVP worthy.

 

[carey]

However, the proof is in the pudding. See Nash's Suns 2009-10 stats: 16.5 ppg, 11 assts, .507 FG%, 0.426 3p% and 0.938 FT%. He also played 81 games.

These stats are not entertainment value. They are MVP worthy.

You know, Nash is my guy. I got his autograph on my jersey when he was playing the Hornets last November. And even I didn't know that his stats were that good last year.

Did you know that is a career high for a season in FT shooting for him? And that since putting on a Suns uniform in 2004 he's shot better than 50% from the field? Thats 6 straight years as a 6' 2'' guard that everyone, every night, is game planning against. Did you know he also played in 81 games last year, as a 36 year old?

Sometimes I take it for granted just how good he is. I listen to a lot of sports radio and it's all LeBron, Wade, Deron, Carmelo, and Paul when they talk about the NBA. It's easy to forget he's been playing basically MVP level basketball since he came back in '04.

 

[Mainstreet]

You know, Nash is my guy. I got his autograph on my jersey when he was playing the Hornets last November. And even I didn't know that his stats were that good last year.

Did you know that is a career high for a season in FT shooting for him? And that since putting on a Suns uniform in 2004 he's shot better than 50% from the field? Thats 6 straight years as a 6' 2'' guard that everyone, every night, is game planning against. Did you know he also played in 81 games last year, as a 36 year old?

Sometimes I take it for granted just how good he is. I listen to a lot of sports radio and it's all LeBron, Wade, Deron, Carmelo, and Paul when they talk about the NBA. It's easy to forget he's been playing basically MVP level basketball since he came back in '04.

We agree. I just keep hoping even more Suns fans understand they are seeing one of the all time greats in a Suns uniform and to appreciate him before he gone. I think most fans understand it. However, there is always this underlying negativity on this board that another great PG can be obtained like the magic trick of pulling a rabbit out of a hat.

Ask DA, he knows what life is like after Nash.

 

[carey]

I think it's because the Suns have a tradition of landing great PGs (Marbury not withstanding, though he didn't really get crazy until NY). So fans just assume we can just go out and get another all-star level PG whenever we want. It's just not true.

 

[joshstmarie]

Not just one of the all time great suns but an all time great player ever. Easily.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

We agree. I just keep hoping even more Suns fans understand they are seeing one of the all time greats in a Suns uniform and to appreciate him before he gone. I think most fans understand it. However, there is always this underlying negativity on this board that another great PG can be obtained like the magic trick of pulling a rabbit out of a hat.

Ask DA, he knows what life is like after Nash.

Nash is a future HOFer, one of the Top 6 point guards ever, and THE reason the Suns have been relevant that last 7 years.

Its beyond me how many posters on this board think he is the problem and dont' give him his due, but thats life I guess.

But I must be watching a different team the last 7 because the ONLY constant has been Nash, and we have been t 3 different WCF's because of him. Go look at other teams during that span. Thats nothing to scoff at.

IMO Nash is already the greatest Sun ever. Its just going to take some longer to realize that then others.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I think it's because the Suns have a tradition of landing great PGs (Marbury not withstanding, though he didn't really get crazy until NY).

Even then what Nash has accomplished here laps the rest of the PG's that played here by a ton. Kidd, KJ, and others cant match Nash's team or individual accomplishments.

Its not even close.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I don't disagree with any of the positive comments here regarding Nash. I think he's the greatest player the Suns have had and he earned his 2 MVP's despite what some have said.

That said, I was in favor of trading Nash this offseason rather than trying to put a band-aid on this roster. But I've never wanted to "get rid of" Nash. I was only interested in moving him if he were amenable and if we could receive assets in return.

My reasoning was based, in part, on his declining health but the likelihood of a lockout season was the biggest motivator for me. It's going to be almost impossible to truly replace Steve Nash but the first few years will bring the most pain to this organization. I just thought it would be beneficial to have the blow softened by taking advantage of the lockout year.

Steve

 

[Joe Mama]

I don't disagree with any of the positive comments here regarding Nash. I think he's the greatest player the Suns have had and he earned his 2 MVP's despite what some have said.

That said, I was in favor of trading Nash this offseason rather than trying to put a band-aid on this roster. But I've never wanted to "get rid of" Nash. I was only interested in moving him if he were amenable and if we could receive assets in return.

My reasoning was based, in part, on his declining health but the likelihood of a lockout season was the biggest motivator for me. It's going to be almost impossible to truly replace Steve Nash but the first few years will bring the most pain to this organization. I just thought it would be beneficial to have the blow softened by taking advantage of the lockout year.

Steve

I know we've gone back and forth about this before, but I don't get the declining health you keep talking about. He had an abdominal strain in the middle of the season. He still played and for the most part played very well during that time. Every NBA player going to have problems like this from time to time. I could very well see Steve Nash playing at a high level until he is 40 years old.

Now if you are going to trade him I think you get the most value out of him around the trade deadline. The only problem with that is if the Phoenix Suns are in the playoff race but clearly not championship contenders. Then you aren't going to get killed for trading him. Personally I wouldn't let him go unless I was getting something incredible in return

Joe Mama

 

[AzStevenCal]

I know we've gone back and forth about this before, but I don't get the declining health you keep talking about. He had an abdominal strain in the middle of the season. He still played and for the most part played very well during that time. Every NBA player going to have problems like this from time to time. I could very well see Steve Nash playing at a high level until he is 40 years old.

The problem with this issue is that the stats don't really back me up. However, if you go back through each of the regular game threads I think you'd be surprised how often the board almost unanimously agreed that Nash was playing poorly. I'm not just talking about the 2 guys that hate Nash either.

When his injuries did not bother him, he was terrific. However, I've never seen him struggle like this in previous years other than perhaps one year in Dallas. I really believe his body is breaking down and if we don't give him a LOT of rest, he won't finish out this next season. Time will tell.

Steve