The thought of it sounds strange, but could Nash be shipped out of Phoenix in the off-season? After failing to make the playoffs for the first time in a long time, the Suns have said that they will entertain trade offers. Not only could Nash find himself on the trading block, Amare Stoudemire and Shaquille O’Neal will be shopped around. It’s not too big of a stretch to believe that if even one of the before-mentioned players are traded, depending on what is offered, the Suns could potentially enter a rebuilding stage. Those three players are without a doubt the Suns best players and when teams begin shipping out their cornerstone guys, one has to think that they want to rebuild.

The Suns will enter the draft with the 14^th overall pick and if Nash really is potentially on his way out, we could see the Suns select a point guard with their pick. Johnny Flynn or even Ty Lawson could be a solid pick at that point for the Suns. Both are point guards that love to get up and down the floor and more importantly, both are defensive minded and team-first oriented. Just the kind of point guard they are looking for. Even if Nash is to stay, one of those would make a nice addition.

By: Dustin Chapman

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• Selected Robin Lopez 15th overall.

• Selected Malik Hairston 48th overall and traded his rights along with a future second round draft pick and cash considerations to San Antonio for the rights to Goran Dragic (45th overall).

Robin Lopez may not be a “home run pick” attempt like Golden State is going for with Anthony Randolph, but this is a solid pick. That’s what the Suns need – solidity and a new identity. They are taking a step in the right direction by adding Lopez, who puts his focus on hustle, defense, rebounding, and altering shots. He is exactly what Shaq and Stoudemire need backing them up off the bench, and they’ve now got their consummate 7-foot role player.

Grade: B

Jerry Brown of The East Valley Tribune reports:

After a long and extensive search, the Phoenix Suns have finally settled on Detroit Pistons assistant Terry Porter as the 13th head coach in team history.

Porter, who spent 17 years in the NBA as a player and two as the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, accepted the job from his friend and former teammate, Suns general manager Steve Kerr on Saturday morning. Terms of a three-year contract for approximately $7 million have been agreed upon and Porter is expected to be formerly introduced as the replacement for Mike D’Antoni at a press conference on Tuesday.

“Terry and I have had a great personal relationship for a long time but he’s going to be our coach because he’s the best candidate,” Kerr said Saturday. “His experience as a head coach in the league is one part, his reputation as a player and a person is one part, and his great combination of confidence and humility is another.

“I couldn’t be happier with where we are today.”

There was no immediate word on who might join Porter on his staff, but it is a safe bet that it will be a combination of Kerr and Porter-inspired hires.

Porter, 45, spent two seasons (2003-05) as the head coach in Milwaukee, where the Bucks were one of the top offensive teams in the Eastern Conference during a surprise 41-41 first season, leading the team to the playoffs.

But he also adds the experience of two seasons as an assistant under Flip Saunders with one of the league’s best defensive teams in Detroit.

ESPN reports:

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Terry Porter is expected to be interviewed for a second time by the Phoenix Suns later this week.

Porter joined Detroit Pistons coaches and players at their practice facility on Saturday, the day after the Boston Celtics eliminated them in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.

The Suns have been searching for a head coach since Mike D’Antoni resigned to lead the New York Knicks. Candidates include Porter, Houston Rockets assistant Elston Turner and former NBA player and TV analyst Mark Jackson.

Porter was Flip Saunders’ lead assistant in Detroit the past two seasons. He led the Milwaukee Bucks’ from 2003-05, helping them win 41 games and earn a spot in the 2004 playoffs. His coaching career started as a Sacramento Kings assistant in 2002.

Suns general manager Steve Kerr was one of Porter’s teammates during his 17-year career with Portland, Minnesota, Miami and San Antonio.

Porter holds a 71-93 (.433) overall record as a head coach with the Milwaukee Bucks from 2003-2005, and was a first-round exit in his lonesome postseason appearance.

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Posted By: Dustin Chapman

By: Dustin Chapman

The names under consideration to replace Mike D’Antoni will be familiar because they will be people with NBA experience (coaching or playing) who fit Phoenix’s uptempo style.

But the crop of candidates also will surprise people, according to Kerr.

“I don’t think anybody has a clue,” he said. “I have my list.”

He first has to discover who is interested and available. Some are unaffiliated, but most of the candidates he is considering are under contracts. That includes some who are with playoff teams, which also could delay the process.

“There are definitely some assistant coaches out there who are still in the playoffs that are interesting,” Kerr said.

He is not naming names, so identifying assistants on his list is pure conjecture. The assistants generating the most buzz are Boston’s Tom Thibodeau and Detroit’s Michael Curry, but both are defensive-minded coaches, and Kerr is not looking for a drastic change in the Suns’ style.

There are three former Suns players who are assistants on Western Conference playoff teams - the Lakers’ Kurt Rambis, Utah’s Tyrone Corbin and New Orleans’ Kenny Gattison.

Former Suns players and coaches Paul Silas, Paul Westphal, Vinny Del Negro, Eddie Johnson and Lionel Hollins also have surfaced in speculation.

“I don’t want to do a 180 and all of a sudden try to turn us into something we’re not,” Kerr said. “I still want us to maintain our identity as an uptempo team. I’d like to expand that and be more balanced and add some defensive emphasis, but not at the expense of who we are.

“I want someone who’s good with the media and communicates well with players and fans. Someone with a strong presence.”

This is the exact approach Kerr needs to take. Trying to completely re-organize Phoenix’s style would put extra unnecessary pressure on the team and put them completely out of whack. They need to do exactly what Kerr eluded to in the quotes above: work on balancing their system and put more of a defensive emphasis on their attack. It’ll be interesting to what coach/players they bring in, because this group doesn’t have much time left before their opportunity to win falls apart. Time is ticking.

By: Dustin Chapman

Mike D’Antoni deserves a great deal of credit for coaching the highest-powered offense the NBA has seen in the past four years. His .650 winning percentage as the Phoenix Suns’ head coach is admirable, especially in the tough battlefield otherwise known as the Western Conference.

The postseason, however, is where teams are defined. It’s where weaknesses are exposed, mismatches are attacked, and where coaching is best evaluated in pressure situations. Phoenix’s flaws, mainly on the defensive end, have been exploited year after year in the playoffs, which is why D’Antoni has never managed to lead the Suns to the NBA Finals.

It is apparent that D’Antoni is a one-dimensional coach who is only successful when running a full-throttle system that predicates its gameplan on running and trying to outscore the opposition. Clearly, outscoring the opponent the name of the game. Obviously, whichever team has scored the most points at the end of the game will come out as winners. The problem with Mike D’Antoni’s philosophies is that his teams have annually been unable to stop the opposing team from scoring. This weakness has become more glaring during postseason play, due to the tempo of playoff games being more even-keeled and slowed down.

That brings me to my next point - D’Antoni does a poor job of making adjustments. Phoenix has had more than enough talent for D’Antoni to instruct halfcourt execution, especially considering the fact that his point guard Steve Nash will go down as one of the greatest playmakers in NBA history.
It is profoundly visible that D’Antoni is a one-dimensional head coach. He may be better suited as an offensive assistant or even the mastermind behind an Italian powerhouse, but a head coach that can lead a team to the promised land? That’s tough to see.

Recent reports suggest that Mike D’Antoni is on his way out of town, and has been given permission by the Phoenix Suns to discuss alternative options with other NBA franchises. The Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks, specifically, have been talked about has possible destinations.

Assuming all of that transpires and Mike D’Antoni’s days in Phoenix have come to a close, it is certain that Phoenix needs to retool their situation. First and foremost, Steve Kerr needs to replace D’Antoni with an established defensive mind that can help the Suns take a big step in the right direction before it’s too late. Tom Thibodeau could be an interesting alternative, as he has coached a top ten defense in 12 of his 15 years in the NBA.

In addition, Phoenix needs to improve their bench and make sure they enter the 2009 NBA playoffs with more depth to count on. In doing so, the players that are brought in need to make a steady impact on the defensive side of the ball. Phoenix has more than enough offensive firepower, but not nearly enough to count on defensively.

It’s time to bring in a no-nonsense defensive mind, fill out the roster, create a brand new identity, and make one last run at the ultimate goal - a championship.

Suns ought to make a comeback.  They are better team than the spurs. Here is the proof:

OFFIENSIVE stats: 
                 Rank - PPG          Rank - FGP%       Rank - 3pt%           Rank - FT%        Rank - APG(assists)
SUNS          3 - 110.07            1 -  50%            1  - 39.3%             4  - 78.3%            1 -  26.68%
SPURS       25 - 95.36           14  - 45.7%          9  - 36.9%            15  - 76.1%         21 -  20.95%
DIFENSIVE stats:
                    Rank/RPG         Rank/BPG(blocks)       Rank/SPG(steals)
SUNS            20 - 41.5             2 -  6.31                  22 - 6.48
SPURS          23 - 41.25           24 - 4.11                  26  - 6.35
They performed better than spurs in all categories.
But one can’t base it all on the records its about who wants it more, who is willing to give their all.  Everybody will have to step up in game 4.  Grant hill has been in the NBA for 14 yrs is looking to walk away in pride with a championship ring.  He will definitely have to work for it.  I definitely have high hope for suns.  It will be an interesting game 4.

So I was browsing the web and found something at sportsline.com which caught my attention.  A writer ranked the top 50 players in the NBA. So I looked at where Nash stood and he was 5TH.

5. Steve Nash, Phoenix: There’s no longer any question about whether he’s a Hall of Famer. Who cares that he’s a late bloomer? That doesn’t change the fact he plays the game at a genius level.

Also in the top 10 was Amare:

10. Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix: He made up for a slight loss of explosion by improving in other areas. He didn’t necessarily reinvent himself, but you get the sense he’d be able to if that’s necessary down the road. He must to continue to improve as a leader and embrace Steve Nash as the perfect point guard to chase a championship with. 

If you’re wondering…Marion came in at 21.

The Suspension of the Suns players is a poor one. If
the players violated a rule then the penalty should be
imposed next season. There is being a blind  stickler
to rules without regard to the fairness of the
situation or to the NBA fans. As a fan I feel slighted
and you have ruined a great series. I have no interest
in the series at this point and will no longer watch
it. I hope other fans “vote” by not watching as well.
As a Suns fan, this series was a once in a lifetime
opportunity which you have taken away. I know you
don’t care but I am giving up on pro basketball. I
will buy no more tickets nor will I watch any further
televised games. Again, a decision with no brain or
fan concern just “following orders”.

Sincerely,

Seth Spotnitz MD

Congrats on your imbecile decision. You reward the criminal, punish the victims. That is what you’re there for, to control the league. We get that. But you had a chance to use commonsense. Stod did nothing, now he is out. You have made an stupid ruling, and should be ashamed of yourself.