Phoenix
Suns
Pacific
| Team Rating | |
| Offense | Defense |
| 111.9 | 111.1 |
| 6th Overall | 25th Overall |
Statistics through 1/25/09
W
24
L
18
PCT
.571
GB
10.5
CONF
14-11
DIV
3-2
HOME
12-8
ROAD
12-10
LinksStatistics | Tickets
|
Category | Grade | ||
 Shaquille O'Neal (18.2 pts, 9.1 reb) is rejuvenated ... Amar'e Stoudemire (21.1 pts, 8.1) hasn't played up to the high standards he's set for himself after seven years as a pro.
|
b+ |
||
 Steve Nash (13.9 pts, 9.4 ast) is slowing down but he's still better than 90 percent of the point guards out there ... Jason Richardson can create his own shot.
|
b |
||
 The Suns allow too many bad teams to score more than 100 points against them ... Trading away Raja Bell to Charlotte makes their shaky perimeter defense even more suspect.
|
c |
||
 Leandro Barbosa (12.6 pts) isn't nearly as effective out of Mike D'Antoni's system ... Matt Barnes was an underrated pickup and has won some games for them.
|
b- |
||
 It wasn't an easy assignment for Terry Porter to replace D'Antoni, with all the success the Suns have had over the last four years. But Porter has stayed positive through the growing pains.
|
b- |
||
b-
Summary
The Suns have been streaky, never winning more than three games in a row this year and several times following up back-to-back wins with back-to-back losses. Phoenix is 11-8 since completing the Bobcats trade that brought in Richardon and Jared Dudley for Bell, Boris Diaw and Sean Singletary.
Nash clashed with Porter's more controlled style at first, but it looks as if player and coach have started to find a balance. Highly touted rookie Robin Lopez hasn't been able to crack the rotation, falling behind journeyman Louis Amundson on the depth chart. This team will have to fight just to make the playoffs, with Utah and Dallas also vying for one of the last two seeds.
Nash, O'Neal and Grant Hill have all played 13 seasons or more already, so if the Suns fail to qualify for the postseason, the future doesn't look too bright. -- Dave McMenamin
Explanation of Marking System
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