Suns Are Getting Blown Up

So the Phoenix Suns are finally out of the playoffs. I’ve expected it as an analyst for weeks now but have cheered them on as a fan through the same duration. The fact of the matter is, as I predicted, Steve Kerr is going to blow up the team.

As most fans of the Phoenix Suns are frustrated with not making the playoffs for the first time since before they hired and fired coach Mike D’Antoni, one must understand how the public reacts. Phoenix Suns majority owner Robert Sarver understands this all to well.

You see, there’s a small majority of people, like myself, that are pure basketball fans. I’ll watch the Diamondbacks games here and there but baseball isn’t my true love. It’s not my passion. I played baseball and basketball when I was younger and I loved each sport differently. However, the passion, the aggression, the physical and raw athleticism required for competitive basketball is what I enjoyed. It’s the true sport.

Though, I understand most people don’t feel the same as me. I understand Arizona is a basketball state. The Cardinals have been, for the most part, a complete failure of a franchise for years. I like that Arizona is a basketball state. I like the Arizona and Arizona State rivalry.

But at the same time, Robert Sarver understands these principles all too well. When the Suns don’t make the playoffs, we get antsy. When the Suns have came short of their goal to win a championship for the past four or five seasons, the natives get restless.

Now is the perfect time for Robert Sarver and his pal Steve Kerr to blow up the Suns franchise with precision. They won’t be using an atom bomb. Their method will consist of the precision of directional plastic explosives. The most predictable part is how and why they will be able to get rid of the players.

1. Shaq is gone

I’ve been supportive of the Marion for Shaq trade and I’ve said it more times than I can count. I took a couple days to consider what just happened after the trade and I analyzed how the Suns were doing with Marion as well as the potential with Shaq. I still like the trade. Not because it got us a championship but because it made the team better. The 2007-2008 Phoenix Suns were playing terrible with Marion. Marion was falling downhill in his career and being upset with the trade rumors was the projectile that made him give up.

But recently, Shaq has expressed his disinterest in the Phoenix Suns and especially owner Robert Sarver because of his methods of running the team. Shaq said, “There are two types of business owners,” then continued ” Do you want to win or do you want to save money? Period. Do you want to win or do you want to save money? (Mark Cuban) spends money. I don’t think he wants to save money. I’ve been around 17 years and that’s what it is. You either want to win and don’t really care about the salary cap, or you want to be under the salary cap. At the end of the season, I’m sure everybody will be prepared for whatever happens.”

Does anybody expect Robert Sarver to care about pampering that $20 Million player? Only if he gets the advertising revenue. My guess, Shaq will be traded for some cash, draft picks, and some expiring contracts. That’s my hope at least.

2. Amare Stoudemire

I don’t expect Amare back either. Amare is set to make $16,378,325 next year and if his eye injury heals at 100% in the offseason, Sarver is going to get whatever he can. It may take some wheeling and dealing and we will definitely not get back a star but the media will talk about how we have enough offensive threats on this team and that Amare lacked the defense necessary to win a championship. It’s all going to turn in to championship talk now. The Phoenix Suns fans need something to look forward to and the promise of another championship is what is going to keep those seats filled.

3. Steve Nash

Of the core unit, this is the only player I fully expect to see play for the Phoenix Suns next season. Steve Nash has said he wants to retire as a Phoenix Suns player. I would think it’s also critical for Nash to continue to help aid Goran Dragic turn into the player we all expect him to be. After the amazing performances by Dragic in the last 1/4 of the season, (mainly under Alvin Gentry) Nash is likely to end his basketball career teaching his pupil and will not likely get a ring.

Phoenix Suns Players We Will Definitely See Next Year

1. Goran Dragic
2. Robin Lopez
3. Jared Dudley
4. Alando Tucker
5. Louis Amundson

Goran Dragic, Jared Dudley, and Louis Amundson have all shown to be not only valuable players but critical at times. Alando Tucker has shown some promise in his first real year on the team and as far as Lopez? Well, he’s 7 feet tall. Though, I’m sure it doesn’t hurt that their combined salary next year will be around $7 Million.

Grant Hill has expressed interest in resigning with the team as long as they are willing to put forth another run at the playoffs and Matt Barnes is a free agent. The future of those two players is at the whim of owner Robert Sarver and Steve Kerr.

Leandro Barbosa and Jason Richardson are your wildcards. Barbosa fits really well with the style of Alvin Gentry and his salary doesn’t give Robert Sarver the Heeby Jeebies. Though, Barbosa could be used as some trade bait along with either Shaq or Amare to bring in a really talented player. Though, a trade of that magnitude would likely involve either 3 teams, or a multiple player switch which would involve getting rid of any combination of those top 5 players I expect to see next year. Jason Richardson has had a DUI and a criminal speeding charge in his first year with the Phoenix Suns and has been inconsistent at times. He is another wildcard. If Richardson fits in with any possible trade over the Summer, consider him disposable.

These are merely my predictions and not what I feel should happen. Perhaps I’ll write my hopes and dreams for another post. Until then, I’m hoping for the best.

Related posts:

1. Phoenix Suns Shaquille O’neal Traded to Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Phoenix Suns Outlook Into the Future
3. Shaq Wants to Leave Suns to Play for Mark Cuban
4. Phoenix Suns 2009 NBA Draft Options with the 14th Pick
5. Louis Amundson and his Future with the Phoenix Suns