Phoenix Suns Season Preview

For the Phoenix Suns, it has always been about the run 'n gun style of play and as a result of the decision to keep Gentry, Suns fans should be happy to expect an up-tempo style once again. In their previous season, 2008-2009 the Suns had big man Shaquille O'Neal. They worked around him, though he slowed some of the pace down so Shaq could keep up and they could set up a half court play. It wasn't a rare occurrence to watch Shaq jogging slowly down the court even though he was in better shape than he had been in years. This year, the Big Cactus has gone off to Cleveland to team up with LeBron James in search of a title.

In return the Suns recieved Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic, who the Suns bought out and let go to other teams. Questions again built up for general manager Steve Kerr about what he was doing? Was he trying to rebuild this team? Just make some changes to look as though he's trying to do a good job? Many different answers were given. Last season was the first time the Suns had not made the playoffs in five seasons. Maybe it's time for Steve Kerr to quit. Maybe it's Robert Sarver's time to turn a new leaf?

So we figure the Suns directions into the future is uncertain. And no one really knows how good this team will be this season. Not even Steve Nash.

"I don't know how good we can be, but I'm excited, really excited for the season after last year's disappointment," Steve Nash said before the start of training camp. "Everyone, I think, fits together well."

The Phoenix Suns have also been through coaches after coaches, this time, Alvin Gentry remains the coach. He was the assistant coach under Mike D'Antoni, then after D'Antoni was let go, Terry Porter came in, and in kind words, messed things up. Or even better, couldn't get things right, but he only had 50 or so games with the team. Alvin Gentry also preaches a bit of defense. He is a man who wants the best of both worlds. Alvin Gentry has only been head coach of the Suns for 31 games.

"We're going to be a running team," Gentry promised. "We've got to go back to the culture we've always had here since I've been here and that's to be an attack team on offense, and we are going to get better defensively."

Amare Stoudemire who missed the last two months of the previous season due to a near career ending eye injury is back and healthy and reay to go. He will once again, be the #1 option on the post, seeing as Shaquille O'Neal is gone and the Suns frontcourt, isn't that strong at all. Amare was once one of the best power forwards in the league, i'm sure he'll reclmain that title again.

"I feel almost better than ever about this season even though we're not being compared to the top teams in the league," Stoudemire told Suns.com. "I think flying under the radar with the team that we have and the approach that we take is going to be great for us."

The Suns have added some new faces, and finally, kept their draft picks and drafted Earl Clark. Recent draft picks by the Suns, Robin Lopez and Goran Dragic have both had high expectations and failed to exceed them, and also, both have been injured lately. The bigger injury though is to Robin Lopez who will miss 6-8 weeks.. The Suns have filled the whole, if there was a whole by signing big man Jarron Collins.

Channing Frye is also another addition to this Suns team, who i believe will be a key player for them off the bench. Frye spent most of his time in Portland, seeing little playing time and not being given a chance to prove himself. In Phoenix, he will get that chance, and it's up to him whether or not he wants to be considered a solid NBA player. This should be is breakout season.

The Suns still have Jason Richardson and Leandro Barbosa, who are key shooters in this team. Barbosa off the bench who is a legit 6th man of the year contender keeps the Suns in the game with his play off the bench. Jason Richardson ain't that great on defense, but he makes up for it on offense. He needs to become more involved this season. Also Louis Amundson who is still kind of raw is of course still developing his skills and will be another key player off the bench.

All in all, if the Suns bench can produce on a nightly basis, they shouldn't do too bad. But the main flaw to the Suns is their height. And a lot of pressure will be on Robin Lopez to get back into shape and develop his game so the Suns can use him effectively. The Suns will be going back to their beloved run 'n gun style, with Amare in full flight, and it will again be entertaining to watch the Suns play, which should give them confidence and hopefully build their chemistry. Chemistry wins games, but so does defense, and so does outscoring your opponent. The third option is the best for the Suns and the most realistic.