Stefan Swiat’s Article Archive

Suns’ Summer League Player Evaluations (July 15, 2010)
I’ve taken in a week of the 2010 Las Vegas Summer League and after consulting with various members of esteemed front offices, life-long scouts and other basketball dignitaries, and I feel quite comfortable in ignoring all of their insight and offering my own analysis to you instead. So without further ado, here’s the team’s report card for the week:

Lawal Making a Name for Himself in Summer League (July 14, 2010)
In 2008, the Suns struck gold when they drafted Goran Dragic in the second round of the NBA Draft. After the first few games of the 2010 Las Vegas Summer League, it appears that the club may have fished yet another treasure out of the second round.

Q&A with Alvin Gentry (July 14, 2010)
If you haven't followed the Suns since they were eliminated by the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, you've probably missed a few things. Suns.com sat down with Head Coach Alvin Gentry, who is in Las Vegas for the NBA's Summer League, to get his take on all of the trades and free-agent signings that have transpired over the last two weeks.

Reynolds Impresses in Summer League Debut (July 11, 2010)
It wasn’t a “Here comes Willis” moment for the Phoenix Suns, but for the NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League, it will do.

Top 5 Notes From the Suns-Raptors Game (July 10, 2010)
In their second game of the NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League, the Suns were routed 103-69 by the Raptors on Saturday. Check out five notes from a game that the players hope will be quickly swept underneath the rug.

Goldwire Joins Suns' Summer League Coaching Staff (July 10, 2010)
Not only are players trying to make a name for themselves at the NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League, but so are the coaches.

Lawal Impresses as Suns Get Blasted by Rockets (July 9, 2010)
Although it’s 106 degrees outside in Las Vegas, the Suns’ shooting didn’t match the weather in the first game of the NBA Las Vegas Summer League.

Nelson Signs Four-Year Contract With Suns (July 8, 2010)
One member of the Suns’ organization that never made it to free agency may have been one of the most important signings of the year.

Nash Trades in High Tops for Cleats in Showdown in Chinatown (June 24, 2010)
Wednesday was a great day to be a soccer fan in New York City. Not only were fans seen taking to the streets in celebration after the United States advanced in the World Cup in the morning, but they also turned out in droves to see Steve Nash put on his annual “Showdown in Chinatown” charity soccer match in the evening.

Suns Prepare for 2010 Draft (June 17, 2010)
Many experts believe that the 2010 NBA Draft is deep with talent. Holding just two second-round picks, the Suns certainly hope so.

Nash to Act as World Cup Correspondent (June 16, 2010)
Steve Nash knows how to keep a secret. After inquiring for months what his plan was in regards to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver this past year, Nash kept a tight lid on being selected as one of the few Canadians to light the Olympic torch. When broached about whether he would travel to South Africa for the World Cup, the renowned soccer fan remained mum once again, joking that he would be starting for England when the tournament started.

Stoudemire Talks About Free Agency at His Camp (June 9, 2010)
The kids came to the Ama’re Stoudemire Youth Basketball Academy in Gilbert, AZ to learn something. The media came for the same reason. But it wasn’t to learn from Stoudemire how to box out, but whether or not he was going to opt out. The press’ curiosity even seemed to transfer over to the kids.

Suns Face Offseason Questions After Season of Success (May 30, 2010)
Although the Suns answered almost all questions with their play on the court this season, questions about their collective future loom in the not-so-distant horizon.

Suns Season Ends in Six (May 29, 2010)
Although the Suns overcame 11 double-digit deficits in the regular season and three in the postseason to capture victories, Saturday night would not be one of those nights.

Suns Even Series Behind Bench's Big Night (May 25, 2010)
After Game 3, Suns Head Coach Alvin Gentry said that he was reluctant to use zone against the Lakers because his bench completely destroyed his starters when they ran it. When the zone worked against the Lakers’ starters in Game 3, Gentry may have realized that it wasn’t that the zone was ineffective, but that his bench was just playing better basketball than the Lakers’ starting unit.

Newsroom Notes: Fitzgerald and Warner Talk Suns (May 23, 2010)
L.A. may have Cruise and DiCaprio filling its seats, but in Phoenix, we have one of the most lethal offensive tandems in recent NFL history sitting courtside. Former Cardinals star quarterback Kurt Warner and current Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald were on hand in Game 3 to support their local hoops squad. Both consider themselves devout Suns fans.

Despite Richardson's Efforts, Suns Fall Short (May 19, 2010)
Coming into Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals against the Lakers, the Suns were 5-0 in the postseason when Jason Richardson scored 20 or more points. Unfortunately for Phoenix, that statistic will now be talked about in the past tense.

Practice Notes: Suns Analyze Effects of Week Off (May 18, 2010)
Week off or no week off? That is the question. The Suns, who had captured six-straight wins coming into Monday’s Game 1 matchup against the Lakers, flashed visible signs of rust after spending eight days waiting to play their next game.

Suns Unable to Slow Lakers in Game 1 (May 17, 2010)
Having a week and day off between games, no one knew which Suns team was going to show up for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Monday. Would it be a well-rested team that benefitted from the rest for injured players Steve Nash and Robin Lopez, or would it be a team that consistently comes out rusty after a long break?

Suns vs. Lakers: What They're Saying (May 13, 2010)
If you wanted to catch up on all of the buzz surrounding the Western Conference Finals between the Suns and Lakers, look no further. Here's what they're saying:

Lopez Expected to Return for Lakers Series (May 12, 2010)
The arrival of an inside presence was one of the more pleasant surprises for the Suns this season. Only the return of that presence could be more welcome. Since injuring his back against the Knicks on March 26, second-year center Robin Lopez has been attempting to work his way back onto the court. Plagued with a bulging disk, pain could be felt from his back through his legs.

Conference Finals Positional Breakdown: Suns vs. Lakers (May 11, 2010)
Suns.com breaks down the head-to-head matchups between the Suns and the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

Balanced Attack Leads Los Suns Over Spurs (May 5, 2010)
The time-honored belief is that two heads are better than one. So what about six? After a Game 1 victory that saw the bulk of the scoring load carried by Steve Nash, Jason Richardson and Amar’e Stoudemire, the Suns went a different route in Game 2 of their Western Conference Semifinal matchup.

Dragic Takes On Former Team in Second Round (May 3, 2010)
With all the talk of the Suns having a curse against the Spurs, usually a positive spell needs to be cast upon the afflicted to undo such a hex. Something dramatic needs to occur to reverse the tide.

Is There a Spurs Curse to Reverse? (May 1, 2010)
One of the most interesting aspects of sports is that it provides a stage for beliefs to be tested. The second-round series between the Suns and Spurs sets the backdrop for one of the greatest age-old questions to be pondered: does the supernatural exist in sports?

Newsroom Notes: Frye and Dudley Ignite Suns to Game 5 Victory (April 26, 2010)
The NBA may have not only rescinded Channing Frye’s flagrant foul from Game 4, but also his poor shooting. After learning from the league office that his foul on Portland’s Nicolas Batum wasn’t flagrant, the Suns center went out and posted his best-ever postseason effort in Game 5 on Monday.

Newsroom Notes: Offense Stalls as Suns Fall to Blazers in Game 4 (April 24, 2010)
Portland’s Brandon Roy may have returned from injury to give his team an emotional boost in Game 4, but the story of the game was the Suns’ inability to push the action. One could tell intuitively from watching, but all the stats even pointed to a team that was outhustled.

Win Over Dallas Marks Turning Point of Suns' Season (April 23, 2010)
The great American poet Robert Frost once famously wrote about the choice between taking two diverging roads in the forest. It’s the penultimate tale; the flip of a coin that really isn’t the flip of the coin, but rather a choice about the destiny you create for yourself.

Newsroom Notes: J-Rich Erupts for 42 Points in Game 3 Win (April 22, 2010)
DJ Factor, a.k.a Jason Richardson has been the factor in the playoffs for the Suns this season. Exploding for 21 first-half points, Jason Richardson led a scoring barrage that racked up 66 first-half points as the Suns rolled to a 108-89 road victory over the Blazers in Game 3 of their first-round series on Thursday.

Newsroom Notes: Hill Scores 20, Stifles Miller as Suns Find Offense (April 20, 2010)
Most 37 year-olds in the NBA have the title of coach or scout before their names. Not small forward. Most 37 year-olds are asked for just a minimal contribution. But most 37 year-olds aren’t Grant Hill.

Suns-Blazers Game 2 Preview (April 20, 2010)
Suns Head Coach Alvin Gentry knows his team. That’s why the fact that the Suns are down 1-0 to the sixth-seeded Blazers doesn’t have him reaching for the panic button.

Newsroom Notes: STAT Contained, Scouting Portland & Top 5 Notes (April 19, 2010)
Sitting on press row and watching the Suns’ Amar’e Stoudemire post up against a taller and longer Marcus Camby, something seemed amiss. That’s because STAT usually doesn’t spend most of his night posting up and playing with his back to the basket on the block. In fact, he prefers to face up against his defender, especially those that are slower afoot.

Suns-Blazers Series Playoff Preview (April 16, 2010)
After routing the Jazz on Wednesday to lock up the third seed in the Western Conference, the Suns play host to the Blazers in the first round of the playoffs.

Playoff Positional Breakdown: Suns vs. Blazers (April 15, 2010)
Suns.com breaks down the head-to-head matchups between the Suns and the Blazers in the first round of the playoffs.

Western Conference Playoff Picture (April 14, 2010)
Check out how the Western Conference playoff matchups unfolded.

Newsroom Notes: Suns Clinch Home-Court Advantage (April 13, 2010)
Battling for position in the circus that is the Western Conference, the Suns played the role of ringmaster against the Nuggets on Wednesday, controlling the contest from start-to-finish to secure a 123-101 home victory.

Newsroom Notes: STAT Pours in 29 as Suns Stifle Spurs (April 7, 2010)
The Spurs came in having won 4-of-5 over the Suns. The Spurs came in having won four in a row and six of their last seven. The Spurs came in to Phoenix having owned the Suns mentally after years of heartbreak. But that Spurs team was nowhere to be found Wednesday.

Newsroom Notes: Suns Win Sixth Straight, Trounce Knicks (March 26, 2010)
The Suns came into Friday’s contest with a 45-26 record, while the Knicks came in with a 26-45 record. The former proved to the latter why their records are what they are as the Suns routed the visiting Knicks 132-96.

Analyze This: Kerr Using Science to Gain Edge in Front Office (March 25, 2010)
Where athletes meet mathletes, the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference in Boston, Mass. is fast-becoming a can’t-miss on the schedule of professional sports executives. After attending for the first time this year, Suns President of Basketball Operations and GM Steve Kerr is one such executive.

Vote on Amar'e Stoudemire's Best Dunks (March 23, 2010)
Amar'e Stoudemire's posterization of Golden State's Anthony Tolliver last night in Phoenix's road win might have been his best dunk of all-time. In order to figure out if it was his best, Suns.com decided to track down some of STAT's most popular dunks so the fans could decide which one takes the title. Let us know what you think!

Clark Shines in D-league (March 22, 2010)
Iowa might not be the most action-packed place on the face of the earth, but it was the place where Suns rookie forward Earl Clark could see the most game-action.

Newsroom Notes: Suns Go Into Zone in Fourth to Down Blazers (March 21, 2010)
With San Antonio and Oklahoma City both falling today, the Suns had a golden opportunity to slide up the standings of the Western Conference, and they seized it.

Collins’ White House Connections (March 18, 2010)
Most Suns fans know Jarron Collins as a hard-working and polite reserve that is known for his stingy defense and ability to rebound. But because of his lack of self-promotion, few would know that Collins is well-connected to one of America’s most powerful political families.

Suns Try Their Hands as Next American Idols (March 15, 2010)
With all of the proceeds going to Phoenix Suns Charities, the Suns & Stars Gala is an event that allows Valley residents to rub elbows with Suns players and personalities. This year’s event took place Saturday at the Sheraton in downtown Phoenix and featured the legendary musical group Kool & the Gang.

Newsroom Notes: Suns Rout Hornets in Nash's 1,000th Game (March 14, 2010)
Needing every win they can to keep pace in the dogfight that is the Western Conference playoff race, the Suns took care of business at home Sunday by capturing a 120-106 victory over the Chris Paul-less Hornets.

Newsroom Notes: Suns Outlasted by Lakers (March 12, 2010)
Fans wondered what Suns team was going to come out tonight. Would it be a team that became complacent over a week-long break, or would they be well-rested and champing at the bit for a game against the team with the best record in the West?

Hill Brings Back Memory of Breakfast Club (March 9, 2010)
The problem with consistency is that sometimes it’s taken for granted. One becomes so accustomed to it, that it becomes expected. Therein exists the rub with Grant Hill.

Celebrity Shootout Brings Hollywood to Phoenix (March 8, 2010)
Although the Lakers will be rolling into town to take on the Suns this Friday, the Suns already brought L.A. to Phoenix this past weekend. Hollywood descended upon US Airways Center this past weekend when celebrities traded in the red carpet for the hardwood in the 9th Annual Jack in the Box Celebrity Shootout.

Common Goes One-on-One With Suns.com (March 5, 2010)
Popular hip-hop artist, actor and activist Common will be at US Airways Center on Sunday for the 9th Annual Jack in the Box Celebrity Shootout. The Grammy-Award winner and former Chicago ball boy sat down with Suns.com's Stefan Swiat to talk about his basketball game, his first big break in music, the best celebrity ballers, his new album and his upcoming movie "Just Wright."

Newsroom Notes: Suns Can't Silence Jazz (March 4, 2010)
All the signs were there for a win. It seemed as if the Suns had reversed the TNT curse when they defeated the Mavs on January 28. The had won seven of their last eight, were 11-0 in January and February when leading the opposing team by 10 or more, shot 58 percent from the floor and received 20-plus points from Jason Richardson. But it wasn’t enough as the Jazz recovered from an early 12-point deficit to deal the Suns a 116-108 home loss Thursday.

Newsroom Notes: Lopez Pours In Career-High 30 Points as Suns Sink Clippers (Feb. 26, 2010)
Two of the top three hottest teams in the West clashed on Friday, with the hotter one prevailing. The Suns, who came into Friday’s contest winners of 10 of their last 12 and winners of four straight overall, captured a 125-112 victory over the visiting Clippers.

Amundson Learns Business Side of Basketball (Feb. 22, 2010)
How does graduating cum laude in English and philosophy prepare you to be an NBA team’s union rep? According to Suns forward Louis Amundson, not very well.

Newsroom Notes: Suns' Defense Grounds Hawks (Feb. 19, 2010)
The trade deadline passing signifies that teams are going to war with their present roster for the rest of the season. The Suns decided that their personnel is dangerous enough to do some damage in the playoffs, and apparently dangerous enough to beat the team that was tied for third place in the Eastern Conference.

Trade Deadline Passes With Stoudemire Remaining in Phoenix (Feb. 18, 2010)
After a slew of conjecture and speculation, it turns out that as the trade deadline passed Thursday, the one constant thing in life, in Phoenix and in the NBA appears to be that Amar'e Stoudemire is still a Sun.

Nash Carries Olympic Torch (Feb. 13, 2010)
Whenever you think you have a busy schedule, pause for a second and think about Steve Nash.

Dudley May Land Gig at ESPYs (Feb. 10, 2010)
Suns forward Jared Dudley, who has maximized his opportunities for more time on the court this season, is also looking to maximize his opportunities off it. The third-year man attended an ESPN gathering with teammate Steve Nash that was used to promote the network’s “30 for 30” documentary series.

Last-Minute Casting Change Nearly Foils Nash's Avatar (Feb. 9, 2010)
Steve Nash, who seems to be grooming himself for a directing career in Hollywood when his basketball career reaches its conclusion, received a glimpse of his possible future when he was forced to corral a video production that was spiraling out of control.

Newsroom Notes: Suns Break TNT Curse With Win Over Mavs (Jan. 28, 2010)
If all good things must come to an end, then so do all bad ones. After losing seven of their last nine and 18-straight on TNT, the Suns put "The Curse of EJ, Kenny and Charles" to bed with a 112-106 victory over the visiting Mavs.

Newsroom Notes: Suns' Offense Stalls Late, Fall to Bobcats (Jan. 26, 2010)
Revenge may be served best ice cold. But it looks as if Jared Dudley and Jason Richardson will have to wait until next season to exact it against their former team, the Charlotte Bobcats. After leading most of the contest, the Bobcats forced overtime on a Stephen Jackson three-pointer with 19.9 left on the clock before squeaking out a 114-109 road win over the Suns.

Trade Talk 101 (Jan. 25, 2010)
It's that time of the year again. With the trade deadline a mere month away, the rumor mill has officially begun to churn about which teams around the league are looking to make moves or trade away some of their personnel.

Barbosa to Undergo Wrist Surgery (Jan. 24, 2010)
Leandro Barbosa, who has been hampered by a cyst on his right wrist all season, will undergo surgery to have it removed this Tuesday.

Newsroom Notes: Suns Come Back to Conquer Warriors (Jan. 23, 2010)
The Suns were able to come back from a 10-point deficit to deal the Warriors a 115-104 defeat on Saturday. A la David Letterman, we figured we'd give you a Top 10 format of all the interesting tidbits to come out of the Suns' most recent victory.

True Food Kitchen Serves as Suns' Official Caterer (Jan. 13, 2010)
Athletes are always looking for an edge on the court and the Suns are no different. What's different about the Suns is that they've found that one of their edges on the court was concocted in the kitchen.

Suns Look for Answers for Blown Leads (Jan. 12, 2010)
It wasn't like we were just handed the Pentagon Papers or the original copy of the Mitchell Report, but when Suns Head Coach Alvin Gentry gave fellow members of the media and I a printout that breaks down the recent epidemic of blown leads, it caught our attention.

Newsroom Notes: Suns Hold Off Bucks (Jan. 11, 2010)
Milwaukee came into the contest against the on Monday a beaten opponent. The Bucks' Head Coach, Scott Skiles, was taken to a Phoenix hospital for precautionary purposes due to an irregular heartbeat before the game. It was announced today that their star player, Michael Redd, was finished for the season with a torn ACL and MCL. On top of that, Milwaukee hadn't won a game in Phoenix since 1987.

Day in the Life of a GM: Philosophy Towards the Job (Jan. 4, 2010)
It helped me to play for 15 years and see the ups and downs of the season and understand over the course of time that you can't be too up or too down. You have to keep an even keel.

Newsroom Notes: Suns Bitten by Grizzlies (Jan. 2, 2010)
The Suns may have made the resolution to start 2010 like they ended 2009, but like most resolutions, it didn't really pan out.

Day in the Life of a GM: Legal, Financial & Downtime (Dec. 31, 2009)
Probably the most difficult thing when you get into this job is really understanding the collective bargaining agreement. It's easy to know the guidelines, but it's literally written in legalese so it can be tricky.

Kerr Blog: Day in the Life of a GM: Scouting, On the Road & Stats (Dec. 23, 2009)
Today we have our entire scouting department in from all around the country so we met this morning, went to lunch and sat together during practice. We talked about the college kids they've been watching thus far this season.

Kerr Blog: Day in the Life of a GM: Communication (Dec. 22, 2009)
Another part of my job is communicating with the coaches and the players through every day conversation and texting. So I'll go to practice and I'll talk to the coaches either before or after practice to get a feel for what they're seeing.

Kerr Blog: Day in the Life of a GM: The Office (Dec. 21, 2009)
The thing with this job is that every day is different and that's what makes it fun and exciting. There is a lot of stress, though, and I find it important to exercise on a daily basis to keep my mind and my body healthy.

Newsroom Notes: Suns Put Spell On Wizards (Dec. 19, 2009)
The Suns, who came into tonight's game having won seven of their last eight games over the Wizards, continued their dominance over them by rolling to a 121-95 home win.

Point Guard Duo Leads Suns Over Spurs (Dec. 15, 2009)
The Suns' 17-game home winning streak was on the line Tuesday night against the Spurs, but the Suns kept it alive, capturing a 116-104 victory over their long-time nemesis.

Griffin Makes Impressive D-League Debut (Dec. 14, 2009)
When Taylor Griffin was asked what he did in Iowa besides appearing in two games for Phoenix's D-League affiliate, the Suns rookie replied with all seriousness, "Nothing."

Newsroom Notes: STAT's Dunk Secures Win Over Magic (Dec. 11, 2009)
Amar'e Stoudemire swears that he doesn't have any extra motivation when he plays against the Magic, but there's the issue of a clutch offensive rebound and follow-up slam to secure a 106-103 home win over Orlando that suggests otherwise.

Suns Face Wrath From Scheduling Gods (Dec. 10, 2009)
The funny thing about history is that it always comes down to the bottom line. When one looks back at a basketball season, they head right for the win-loss column and make a judgment about a team's total body of work. There's a sort of inherent assumption that everyone was on equal footing along the way and that every team endured the same trials and tribulations; at least the same schedule. And that's why history isn't always accurate.

What Has Slowed the Suns? (Dec. 9, 2009)
The Suns dropping four of their last five games has some fans reaching for the panic button. So let's see if we can put the situation in perspective. In those four losses, the Suns are only averaging 94.5 points a game and shooting 43.6 percent from the floor. Before this recent five-game stretch, the Suns were 14-3 and leading the league in scoring and field goal percentage.

Griffin to Get Reps for Energy (Dec. 7, 2009)
For most kids, the road immediately after college is usually a windy one; filled with unexpected twists and turns, it takes a while until one finds stability. And although Suns rookie Taylor Griffin may be an NBA player, his career path is no more certain that anyone else's.

Nash and Co. Oust Kings (Dec. 5, 2009)
What do you do when you get outrebounded, shoot a lower percentage from the floor than your opponents, give up more points in the paint, second chance points and fast break points? Well, according to the Suns, you just make more threes.

Tucker Keeps Perspective (Nov. 25, 2009)
A lot of professional athletes catch a bad rap for not appreciating where they came from and what they're doing. Those athletes aren't Alando Tucker. Despite all the excuses in the world to turn negative while growing up, Tucker refrained. Now after not having the option his contract picked up by the Suns and receiving very little playing time, the former Big Ten Player of the Year still remains positive that brighter days lie ahead in his latest blog.

Lopez Hopes to Rebound (Nov. 23, 2009)
There was a bit of trepidation in the air when the Suns knew they'd be without the only 7-footer on their roster for the beginning the season. Second-year center Robin Lopez suffered a foot fracture in his left foot on Oct. 3, leaving Suns fans wondering two things: 1) If all of their big men would ever make it through a training camp healthy; and 2) If their already diminished frontline could withstand the loss.

Suns Dancer Captures Miss Arizona Crown (Nov. 12, 2009)
As the Suns hope to keep shining on the court, one of the members of their family is shining off of it. Former Suns Dancer, Brittany Bell, who spent the last three seasons entertaining fans across the Valley, captured the crown at the Miss Arizona USA pageant this past weekend. With her title in hand, Bell will go on to represent Arizona on the national level in the Miss USA pageant at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on April 18, 2010.

Newsroom Notes: Suns Sting Hornets (Nov. 11, 2009)
The Suns veterans came through on Veteran's Day, leading an explosive charge out of the gate. Steve Nash totaled seven points and seven assists in the first quarter, while Grant Hill poured in eight points to give the Suns an 11-point lead at the end of the first period before cruising to a 124-104 home victory over the Hornets.

Suns to Embark on Five-Game Road Trip (Nov. 1, 2009)
The Suns, one of only two undefeated clubs in the Western Conference, embarked on their five-game East Coast road trip today. The week-long voyage includes matchups against three undefeated teams: Miami, Boston and Orlando.

Nash Dishes Out 20 Assists as Suns Conquer Warriors (Oct. 30, 2009)
It's déjà vu all over again. The last time you saw the Suns win a regular-season game at home, it was the last contest of the 2008-09 season and they were running the Warriors out of the building. Fast forward to the home opener of the 2009-10 season and Suns fans saw the same result.

Practice Court Report: 10/27 (Oct. 27, 2009)
As the Suns open the season in L.A. against the Clippers tomorrow, they'll have an asset off the bench that they didn't have at the beginning of the week. Phoenix was awarded 6-11 Jarron Collins off of waivers from Portland yesterday, beefing the frontline up a little around the basket.

Predictions for the 2009-10 Suns (Oct. 26, 2009)
From the basketball writer that predicted the Y2K hoax and Balloon Boy's whereabouts, Suns.com's Stefan Swiat will lay his already shattered reputation on the line to predict with all uncertainty, how the Suns will fare this season. Brace yourselves to see the limb he will not go out on:

Stevemania (Oct. 23, 2009)
The best moment of the trip was when the players were waiting on the bus for Nash as he was finishing speaking to a group of children after the completion of the game. The bus was parked about 15 feet away from the exit of the arena and there was a barricade on each side holding a ton of fans back from the players as they attempted to board the bus.

Nash and Co. Play Home Game in Vancouver (Oct. 22, 2009)
Although it wasn't the Suns' night on the court, Canada's son had a pretty good one. A sellout crowd packed the GM Place on Thursday to show their appreciation for the best basketball player to ever come out Vancouver, as well as the best to ever come out of its country. Steve Nash and the Suns may have dropped their last preseason game to the Trail Blazers, 111-93, but that fact seemed to wash over the fans and everyone else who was at the arena.

Nash Gives Tour of His Sports Club (Oct. 22, 2009)
Ever the host, Steve Nash may not have been able to take his teammates to the home he grew up in Thursday, but he was able to take them to another place personal to him... his health club.

Suns in Vancouver: Top 10 Notes (Oct. 22, 2009)
The Suns are in Vancouver, Canada as they get ready to face the Trail Blazers in their final preseason contest. Check out some interesting tidbits from their trip.

Suns Fall Short to Warriors in Autotrader.com Open (Oct. 10, 2009)
Double-rims? Chain nets? Not quite. The Autotrader.com Open was the NBA-version of a blacktop battle, just "suped-up" with state-of-the-art sound, a beautifully manicured hardwood court and hosted at one of the most prestigious tennis centers in the United States.

Meek Inherits the Earth (Oct. 3, 2009)
When Temeka Johnson played for the Sparks, L.A. Head Coach Michael Cooper often told the diminutive guard to hold back on her launches from downtown. Although Cooper was a deadly three-point shooter in his playing days, the aphorism "it takes one to know one" didn't seem to apply in this case.

Dragic Wraps Up Busy Offseason (Oct. 1, 2009)
A lot of players shy away from the bright lights and the big stage. But most players aren't Goran Dragic.

Mercury Break Fever in OT (Sept. 30, 2009)
When Ann Meyers Drysdale saw Diana Taurasi play in high school, the Mercury GM knew even then that she was special.

Suns Resting Below Radar (Sept. 28, 2009)
For the first time since 2004, the Suns find themselves confronting unfamiliar expectations. What makes these expectations so remarkable is the fact that they don't really seem to exist.

Suns Buy Out Pavlovic (Sept. 14, 2009)
As expected, Sasha Pavlovic's basketball career in Phoenix was finished before it ever even began. The Suns have agreed to buy out Pavlovic's contract in a move that will allow the team greater salary cap flexibility moving forward.

Stoudemire Faces Media Blitz (Sept. 10, 2009)
After spending much of his summer cooped up nursing his ailing eye, Amar'e Stoudemire seems to be making up for lost time.

Barbosa Helps Brazil Strike Gold (Sept. 9, 2009)
For the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Leandro Barbosa stripped away the Suns' orange and purple and replaced it with Brazil's blue, yellow and green. However, by the end of the tournament, he was wearing gold, as well.

Video: STAT Returns to the Hardwood (Sept. 2, 2009)
Suns All-Star Amar'e Stoudemire, protected by his new sport glasses, resumed playing against contact at an informal Suns workout on Aug. 31.

What Glasses Should Amar'e Wear? (Aug. 24, 2009)
Everybody knows that four-time All-Star Amar'e Stoudemire is one stylish dude. But the word is that he needs help expressing his flair with his newest accessory: his sports goggles. What do you think is STAT's best look? Vote below now!

Suns Offseason Update (Aug. 12, 2009)
For Phoenix Suns fans that are embroiled in the dog days of summer and are looking for a little basketball fix, you're in luck. Suns.com caught up with Suns President of Basketball Operations and GM Steve Kerr to find out what the players have been doing with their summer. Let's take you through the roster player-by-player:

Kari Herrick Named New Manager of Suns Dancers (Aug. 3, 2009)
From the first moment that Kari Herrick represented the Suns, she managed to create entertainment. When Herrick made her debut as a Suns Dancer at the Suns' training camp in Flagstaff in 2000, she opened people's eyes, just not in the way she would have preferred. As a freshman in college, making her very first appearance for the most popular dance team in Phoenix, Herrick made a dramatic entrance that she'll never forget.

Nash Inks Two-Year Extension With Suns (July 27, 2009)
When Steve Nash signed with the Suns for his second tour of duty in 2004, everyone knew that the city was receiving an All-Star, but few knew that the franchise had just nabbed an eventual two-time MVP. Now after a five-year span that saw four postseasons, a league-best 62 wins in 2004-05, two Western Conference Finals appearances and three Pacific Division titles, the 13-year veteran signed an extension that will keep him in Phoenix for the next three years.

Suns Roll Over Clippers, Finish 3-2 in Las Vegas Summer League (July 19, 2009)
What do they always say about playing Vegas? Well, that you're supposed to go out on a high note. The Suns did just that when they defeated a Blake Griffin-led L.A. Clippers team, 87-70, in the final contest of the 2009 NBA Las Vegas Summer League. Despite Las Vegas being equidistant from both L.A. and Phoenix, the game turned out to be like a home game for the Clippers, who were playing in front a bevy of rambunctious fans.

One-on-One With Steve Kerr: Las Vegas Summer League (July 19, 2009)
As the 2009 NBA Las Vegas Summer League came to a close, Suns.com caught up with President of Basketball Operations and GM Steve Kerr to get his thoughts on the team's performance. The Suns, who went 3-2 during their time in Sin City, saw the summer league debuts of rookie Earl Clark as well as second-year playmaker Goran Dragic.

Mokeski Joins Suns Staff for Summer League (July 18, 2009)
When the release came out of who was going to be coaching the Suns during the summer league, there was a name that stood out amongst the rest. Whereas all of the other coaches have worked in basketball operations for the Suns for at least a year, there was one coach that was not included in that group.

Summer League Summary (July 18, 2009)
As expected with the Las Vegas NBA Summer League, alterations are always made to the roster during the course of the league. The Suns followed that trend, starting off with 15 players before trimming their squad down to 11.

Dragic Takes On Vegas (July 17, 2009)
Suns fans know that this is rookies Earl Clark's and Taylor Griffin's first NBA Las Vegas Summer League. But few remember that second-year man Goran Dragic is making his debut in Sin City's annual NBA showcase.

Vegas: The Return (July 17, 2009)
After declaring to my five loyal readers that I'd never work in Vegas again last year, I find myself once again typing away from the 30th floor of the Palms Hotel and Resort in Sin City. I guess that's the masochist in me.

Frye Returns Home to Play for Suns (July 14, 2009)
Channing Frye's basketball journey has made a complete orbit and has landed him firmly on Planet Orange. The former Phoenix prep star and Arizona Wildcat signed a two-year contract by his home state's lone NBA franchise Tuesday.

Prodigal Sun Returns Home (July 14, 2009)
At 12 p.m. ET tonight, the free agent-market floodgates will burst open and the Suns front office plans on being among the teams who plan to have a raft as the waters spill forth. The reel they are planning to cast is the direction of Grant Hill. The Suns co-captain appeared in all 82 games this past season, averaged 13.2 points and 5.3 rebounds a game as a starter and shot over 50 percent from the floor for the fourth time in the last five seasons.

The Nash Diet (July 9, 2009)
Already lauded for his world-class training habits, Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash has become renowned for yet another area of his health… his diet. Towards the end of last season, subtle rumblings began to emanate out the Suns' locker room about the mysterious "Nash Diet." Already well-known for being ultra-progressive with his training regimen, one would surmise that Nash's approach to his eating habits would be just as complex and interesting.

Suns to Begin Search for Free Agents (June 30, 2009)
At 12 p.m. ET tonight, the free agent-market floodgates will burst open and the Suns front office plans on being among the teams who plan to have a raft as the waters spill forth. The reel they are planning to cast is the direction of Grant Hill. The Suns co-captain appeared in all 82 games this past season, averaged 13.2 points and 5.3 rebounds a game as a starter and shot over 50 percent from the floor for the fourth time in the last five seasons.

Suns Select Earl Clark With the No. 14 Pick (June 25, 2009)
Louisville forward Earl Clark wasn't taken aback that the Suns selected him with the No. 14 overall pick in Thursday's 2009 NBA Draft, but he was surprised that he wouldn't be sporting his patented No. 5 jersey once he arrived in Phoenix.

Kerr Talks About Shaq Trade (June 25, 2009)
The one thing constant in the NBA is change and that changed swept over the organization when the Suns traded away center Shaquille O'Neal to the Cavaliers for center Ben Wallace, swingman Sasha Pavlocic, cash considerations and a second-round pick.

Suns to Host Final Workout (June 18, 2009)
With the 2009 NBA Draft exactly a week away, a culmination of over a year's worth of preparation will conclude this week as the Suns' front office fine-tunes its selection strategy. With one lottery pick and two second-rounders, Phoenix is poised to infuse some fresh basketball blood into the organization.

Scouting the Draft: A Q&A With David Griffin (May 27, 2009)
As the draft nears, Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin and the front office, who have been flying around the world scouting prospects for the last year, will begin to narrow down Phoenix's list of prospects. With one first-round pick (No. 14) and two selections in the second round (No. 48 and No. 57), the Suns have an opportunity to secure some valuable young talent. Suns.com was able to catch up with Griffin to talk about the draft process.

Dragic Looks Forward to Sophomore Season (May 22, 2009)
It wasn't the old "American Gladiator," but the Goran Dragic-Dan Majerle one-on-one showdown became a fairly interesting spectacle at the end of the season. In one corner, you have a cult hero and Ring of Honor member who might as well be Phoenix's mayor, and in the corner, a soft-spoken, athletic rookie from Slovenia. Majerle, who has been retired since 2002, has been working closely with the reserves and young players all season.

Suns Lottery Numbers (May 14, 2009)
Suns.com's Stefan Swiat breaks down some interesting facts and numbers in the Suns' history.

Suns Look to Strike Gold in Lottery (May 14, 2009)
When it comes to the draft lottery, who knew that the Suns' best asset in landing the No. 1 pick could be Shaquille O'Neal? The Suns, who are the team that finished with the best record without making the playoffs, have the least amount of chance at landing the top pick. In fact, they have a .5 percent chance of winning the first selection. But the odds have never bothered O'Neal.

Hill Plays the Role of Ironman With Suns (May 1, 2009)
When he signed with Phoenix in the summer of 2007, all the naysayers believed that Grant Hill was washed up. Riddled with injuries the six years he played in Orlando, no man alive would've thought that the Suns would be inheriting their most durable performer.

10 Notable Notes From the End of the Season (April 23, 2009)
For any Suns fans that need to be talked off the ledge after watching their club miss the playoffs for the first time since 2003-04, here are some notes that will ease your pain. Remember, the team went 12-5 to finish the season (unfortunately, Dallas went 11-6) and only missed the eighth seed in the Western Conference by two games. Playing without their leading scorer Amar'e Stoudemire for the last 29 games of the season and sixth man Leandro Barbosa for seven games during a crucial playoff push, the Suns missed being the sixth seed in the West by just four games. Although some cloudiness may have rolled into the Valley, here are 10 pieces of plenty of silver lining that foster optimism:

The Sun Sets on the 2008-09 Season (April 16, 2009)
If you looked towards the Suns' horizon last night, you couldn't tell if you were looking at a sunrise or sunset. Despite not making the playoffs for the first time since the 2003-04 season, the arena contained more positivity and optimism than it did despair. After the Suns defeated the Warriors 117-113 in their final contest of the season, key members of the team and front office took the podium at a press conference that served to address the club's collective future. Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr, Suns Head Coach Alvin Gentry, Grant Hill, Shaquille O'Neal and Steve Nash all spoke to the local media before cleaning out their lockers and beginning their offseason.

Lightning Lou Strikes a Cord in Phoenix, Wins Majerle Hustle Award (April 15, 2009)
It was fitting that a player that fans have come to know as "Lightning Lou" wins an award named after "Thunder Dan." Louis Amundson, a player that toiled in basketball obscurity the last two seasons, burst onto the scene in Phoenix this season, quickly becoming a fan favorite. Known for his effort, athleticism and energy, Amundson was honored with the Dan Majerle Hustle Award on Wednesday before the tip-off of the Suns-Warriors game.

Shaq Gets Punk'd by Lou (April 14, 2009)
I never saw the resemblance between Suns forward Louis Amundson and famous prankster Ashton Kutcher until Tuesday, when the ponytailed reserve decided to punk the "Master of Mischief" himself, Shaquille O'Neal.

Hill Likens Dallas Game to World Cup Final (April 4, 2009)
After calling the Suns matchup against the Mavs in Phoenix on March 10 the "Super Bowl," Grant Hill upped the ante by referring to this Sunday's showdown against the Mavs as the "World Cup." Self-admittedly using the soccer reference to draw the attention and interest of fellow co-captain Steve Nash, Hill knows that Sunday's game in Dallas is for all intensive purposes… the season.

Press Row Ramblings: Lopez's Trey, Final Four & Outdoor Game (April 3, 2009)
Uncharacteristically, Rookie Robin Lopez took a random three-pointer from the top of the key in the fourth quarter against the Kings on Friday. When "Gogi" (Goran Dragic's nickname) was asked about the uncommon launch, he said that the entire scheme was contrived by Shaq.

Newsroom Notes: Nash and Co. Oust the Kings (April 3, 2009)
After falling to Sacramento on Sunday, the Suns gave the Kings a royal beat down with a 139-111 home victory Friday. Steve Nash came out of the gates on fire, nailing 6-of-8 in the first period to finish with 14 points and four assists for the period. The Suns outscored the Kings 20-6 in the paint and captured a 39-25 lead heading into the second period.

Newsroom Notes: Nash, Shaq Give Houston Problems (April 1, 2009)
The Suns' third-quarter letdown proved to just be an April Fools' Day prank. Steve Nash scored nine points and handed out three assists in the fourth period to lead Phoenix to a 114-109 home victory over the Rockets.

Playoff Watch: Race to No. 8 (March-April 2009)
Constant updates of the Suns' quest for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Video: Alando and Robin Review "Watchmen" (March 30, 2009)
Alando Tucker and Robin Lopez team up with Suns.com to give a hilarious review of the new motion picture "Watchmen."

A Unique Proposal (March 30, 2009)
The Trent Madsen is the kind of guy that is used to making a statement. One of the more aerially-gifted members of the Verve Sol Patrol, fans will know him as the guy with the No. 44 jersey that dunks off trampolines with the Gorilla during timeouts.

Newsroom Notes: Hill Pushes Suns Over Jazz (March 25, 2009)
The Suns ' playoff push turned into more of a shove Wednesday when Phoenix extended its season-high winning streak to six games with a 118-114 home victory over the talented Utah Jazz. Grant Hill turned back the clock as he scored eight of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, including a huge jumper with 31.5 seconds left to clinch the all-important W.

Dragic Steals Show From Tamia? (March 22, 2009)
Where would a Suns fan head to watch forward Lou Amundson recite "Ice, Ice, Baby?" Well, the annual Suns & Stars Gala of course. Once a year, Phoenix Suns Charities and event sponsor Toyota give Valley residents an opportunity to mingle and rub elbows with the Suns players. The gala, which was held Friday at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa in Phoenix, saw guests provided with dinner, a silent auction and oodles of entertainment.

STAT Returns After Month-Long Abscence (March 22, 2009)
Don't think for a second that Amar'e Stoudemire was out of mind and out of sight, just because he couldn't see out of one of his eyes. The Suns All-Star made his return to the arena Saturday for the first time since his operation on Feb. 20. But this time, he was decked out in some serious shades.

Barbosa to Miss One to Three Weeks (March 19, 2009)
The Suns' push for the postseason just got a little tougher today when Suns head athletic trainer Aaron Nelson announced that Leandro Barbosa suffered a proximal tibial bone bruise Wednesday night.

Newsroom Notes: Suns Deep-Six Sixers (March 18, 2009)
After a back-and-forth affair that saw nine lead changes in the first half alone, Phoenix distanced itself from Philadelphia in the fourth quarter before pulling away for a 126-116 home victory Wednesday. After leading by as many as 11 in the first half, the Suns went into halftime trailing by three.

A Statman's View of the Suns' Win Over the Thunder (March 14, 2009)
Move over ESPN's John Hollinger. Step aside Suns.com's Dan Hilton. It appears that there's a new "Sultan of Stats" in town… me. No, not quite. But it was an unusual night for me as I moved a few seats over from my normal press seat and played the role of "stat man" as I helped Oklahoma City's TV broadcast team out with their stats Saturday.

The Big Most Improved? (March 12, 2009)
They say you can't teach old dogs new tricks, but in the in the case of Shaquille O'Neal, it appears that one big dog can learn new habits - even late in his advanced basketball age.

Newsroom Notes: Suns Continue Slide as Cavs Pull Away Late (March 12, 2009)
Cleveland's LeBron James had never won a game in the US Airways Center and had never won a season series against the Suns. Instead of Phoenix remaining the only city where he didn't have a win in his NBA career, James led his Cavs to a 119-111 road victory over the Suns on Thursday. It snapped Cleveland's nine-game losing streak in the Valley of the Sun.

Suns Look to Former Warriors for Playoff-Race Inspiration (March 10, 2009)
With the Suns looking to rise in the Western Conference playoff race, they had the chance make a dent in the team that sits one spot ahead of them Tuesday. Unfortunately for the Suns, an eclipse seemed emanate out of Dallas by the name of Dirk Nowitzki.

Brown Defies Odds, Becomes Casino AZ Lucky 7's Shootout Winner (March 5, 2009)
Famous movie director Woody Allen once said that "80 percent of success in life is just showing up." And while that is debatable, one thing is for certain, when playing the Casino Arizona Lucky 7's Shootout, the other 20 percent of success consists of "going granny."

Video: Stromile Swift Highlights (March 4, 2009)
Check out highlights of former Nets' forward/center Stromile Swift, who signed with the Suns after clearing waivers Tuesday.

Shaq and Barnes Carry Load as Suns Set on Lakers (March 1, 2009)
There is no denying that Phoenix's 118-111 home victory over the Lakers was their best of the season. The Lakers, who hold the best record in the league, were completely outplayed from start to finish despite Phoenix playing without superstars Steve Nash and Amar'e Stoudemire.

Newsroom Notes: The Suns Shine Over the League-Leading Lakers (March 1, 2009)
Anyone who doesn't think that the Suns are a playoff team, wasn't listening to Lakers Head Coach Phil Jackson earlier today. The Hall of Fame coach believes that the Suns will end up one of the eight teams from the Western Conference to advance into the postseason, providing that point guard Steve Nash stays healthy.

Newsroom Notes: Shaq Pours In 45 as Suns Roll Over Raptors (Feb. 27, 2009)
Since the best Canadian basketball player of all-time came to Phoenix, the Suns have dominated Canada's lone NBA franchise. Heading into Friday's contest against Toronto, Phoenix has posted a perfect 9-0 record against that franchise with Steve Nash manning its reins. Despite the two-time MVP being sidelined with a sprained ankle, Phoenix made it 10-0 in the Nash Era with a 133-113 home victory over the Raptors.

Newsroom Notes: Richardson Exacts Revenge Over Bobcats (Feb. 24, 2009)
The Suns killed two birds with one stone Tuesday, moving to 4-1 in the Alvin Gentry Era and ruining the homecoming party of former Suns Raja Bell and Boris Diaw with a 112-102 victory over the visiting Bobcats. Steve Nash went 4-of-4 from downtown to score 22 points and Shaquille O'Neal collected 20 points and 11 rebounds to lead Phoenix's attack. It was an impressive shooting display from Nash, who missed much of the fourth period after twisting his ankle with 4:03 left in the third period. Shaq, who was able to capitalize on his mismatch with Charlotte's undersized center, Emeka Okafor, punished Charlotte inside all evening.

Shaq Plays Goalie at Practice (Feb. 23, 2009)
Shaq is obviously a man of many talents. A Renaissance man of entertainment… if you would. He's already known for his dancing, rapping and comedic abilities, but what you didn't know, is that he is also quite the… soccer goalie. At the conclusion of practice Monday, the 7-1, 325-pound center decided to test the soccer abilities of his fellow teammates. Shaq decided to jump in front of the elongated matt mounted on the wall along the baseline of the team's practice court. The matt, which is approximately the size of a soccer goal, gave Shaq the opportunity to begin verbally challenging Steve Nash to attempt a penalty kick on him.

The Suns-Rocky II Comparison (Feb. 22, 2009)
Despite a 128-108 lost at the defending World Champion Celtics on Sunday, the sun seems to be slowly rising on Planet Orange lately. With more emphasis on running under new coach Alvin Gentry, the Suns seem to playing with a renewed sense of vitality and energy. Although they've lost Amar'e Stoudemire for the rest of the regular season and struggled as a team at times throughout the year, one gets the feeling that this team has a run left in them. So it got me to thinking, where have I seen this all before?

Alvin Gentry Named Interim Head Coach by the Suns (Feb. 16, 2009)
After spending a week in the national spotlight with 2009 NBA All-Star last week, Phoenix remained the epicenter of the basketball world when it dismissed Terry Porter as its head coach Sunday. The club announced that longtime Suns assistant, Alvin Gentry, will be stepping in to take over for Porter.

Shaq Wins Phoenix's First All-Star MVP as West Downs East (Feb. 15, 2009)
If the 2009 NBA All-Star is considered the prom of the league, how better to tip off the celebration than with a dance from its king. Shaquille O'Neal stole the show Sunday, captivating the crowd with his personality and play before, during and after the game as he led the West to a 146-119 victory over the East, while taking home co-MVP honors in front of his home crowd.

Stern Gives Address to the Media (Feb. 14, 2009)
It's never a dull moment with NBA Commissioner David Stern, and as he held his annual press conference before All-Saturday tipped off, he had yet another trick up his sleeve. Although the Commissioner provided a full recap of everything occurring around the league, the main story of the event was the honoring of one of the greatest basketball legends of all-time.

Stars Give Favorite Shaq Stories (Feb. 14, 2009)
With Shaq acting as host for 2009 NBA All-Star, Suns.com thought it would be appropriate for some if his guests - other All-Stars from around the league - to reflect on their favorite memories of the Big Cactus. Let's hear what they had to say:

Shooting the Breeze (Feb. 13, 2009)
Shooting used to be a prerequisite to being an NBA player. Then it became a passing fad. Now it seems to have morphed into a commodity that is now sought after by NBA general managers. It seems as if every team usually has at least one shooting specialist that helps stretch the defense.

All-Star Q&A With Suns President Rick Welts (Feb. 13, 2009)
As NBA All-Star 2009 descends upon Phoenix this week, it begs the question: Who came up with the concept of an All-Star Weekend? Well, Suns.com didn't have to go very far for its answer. Suns President and Chief Operating Officer Rick Welts sat down with Suns.com to explain his part in the origination of what many believe to be the greatest basketball celebration of all-time.

Amusing All-Star Tidbits (Feb. 13, 2009)
If you are a hoops fanatic chances are you are doing two things: You're either in Phoenix right now for 2009 NBA All-Star or you are glued to the computer because reading all of the morsels of information that we are feeding you. If you find yourself in the latter position, I'm going to try to let you in on my why All-Star is so unique. As I was done conducting my interviews with all of the players involved in the All-Star festivities this year, I was walking back to the arena as I saw a group of about 20 guys that looked lost. The leader of the group glanced at me and asked me how to get to Bank of America. Since it was on the way to the arena, I told them I'd show them the way.

Barnes Shows Off His "Virtual" Game (Feb. 12, 2009)
If you though Matt Barnes was a good basketball player in reality, you should see him virtually. A truckload of fans gathered around EA Sports' booth at Jam Session in Phoenix's Convention Center on Thursday to see the Suns forward as he played EA Sports NBA Live '09. Fans lined up for over an hour to meet and chat with Barnes, who signed autographs, answered questions about his career and even played some video games with his supporters. It provided a great opportunity to meet and interact with one of their favorite players up close.

Commissioner Stern Officially Tips Off Jam Session (Feb. 12, 2009)
2009 NBA All-Star officially tipped off with an opening ceremony that was held at Jam Session on Thursday afternoon. The event was hosted by legendary Suns broadcaster Al McCoy and attended by NBA Commissioner David Stern, Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver, Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver, Suns President & COO Rick Welts, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, City Councilman Michael Johnson, Head of adidas basketball Lawrence Norman, former Mercury star Jennifer Gillom and current Suns guard Leandro Barbosa.

5 Questions With Hall of Famer Rick Barry (Feb. 11, 2009)
2009 NBA All-Star officially tipped off in Phoenix on Wednesday and one of the events that signified the beginning of the celebration was the appearance of Hall of Famer Rick Barry at the Suns Team Shop located inside the US Airways Center. The eight-time All-Star, who played for the Warriors, Nets and Rockets during his professional career, signed autographs for fans for an hour as the NBA debuted its All-Star merchandise in the team shop. Barry, who was named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, allowed Suns.com to fire five questions in his direction about a variety of topics that included 2009 NBA All-Star, his playing days and where the basketball talent lies within his family.

Suns Dancer Kayla Appears in SI Swimsuit Issue (Feb. 10, 2009)
Known for her moves on the court, Suns Dancer Kayla is also making moves off the court. The world-famous Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition chose Kayla to be one of the 10 women featured in its section of NBA dancers this year. Although it was a huge honor for the Gilbert, AZ, native, she found the entire ordeal to be a bit overwhelming.

Newsroom Notes: Suns Start Strong, Disarm Warriors (Feb. 6, 2009)
It was the one-year anniversary of the Suns' acquisition of Shaquille O'Neal and the Suns celebrated it by capturing a 115-105 home victory over the Warriors. Grant Hill played inspired basketball, leading five Phoenix players in double figures and shooting 12-of-17 from the floor to finish with a season-high 27 points.

Kerr Responds to Trade Talk (Feb. 6, 2009)
With the NBA's trade deadline approaching on February 19 and dozens of rumors swirling around the halls of the US Airways Center, Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr met with the media Friday to update them about any speculations they might have. Kerr responded mostly to the chatter circulating around the possible trade of Suns forward Amar'e Stoudemire. Before Kerr spoke to reporters, he met with the Suns All-Star at the team's morning shootaround to inform him of where the organization stands at this particular point in time.

Blog: Shaq Makes Levitation Real (Feb. 3, 2009)
I don't know if you've noticed lately, but during player introductions, Suns center Shaquille O'Neal has been making his way onto the court in quite the unique manner. Instead of the usual procession of a player getting up off of the bench, giving high-fives to all of his teammates and then greeting the other starters at the end of the line, Shaq has offered a different routine.

Newsroom Notes: Suns Overthrow Kings (Feb. 2, 2009)
After getting spurned by the Spurs and ran by the Bulls last week, the Suns rose again on Planet Orange, and unfortunately for Sacramento, they were quite luminous. Phoenix bolted out to a 40-19 lead at the end of the first quarter before cruising to a 129-81 home victory over the Kings on Monday. The first-quarter outburst was tied for the highest total for a quarter all season for the Suns. It was also the best first period for Phoenix this season.

Newsroom Notes: Suns Run By Bulls (Jan. 31, 2009)
Every rose has a thorn. Unfortunately for the Suns on Saturday night, that rose went by the name of Derrick. The Bulls' hot-shot rookie Derrick Rose shook Phoenix for 28 points, six rebounds and four assists as visiting Chicago captured a 122-111 wire-to-wire victory over the Suns.

Tucker Blog: My Uncommon Habit (Jan. 13, 2009)
A lot of people are surprised when they get to know me and find out that I've never had a drink in my life. My decision not to drink started when I was about 10 or 11 years old. My older brother, Antonio, and I decided to make a pact, where we'd never drink, never smoke and never put tattoos on our body. Those were the three decisions that we made and we've stuck to them.

Blog: Nash to Shoot Documentary for ESPN (Jan. 12, 2009)
Steve Nash may be known for his shooting prowess on the court, but now he's becoming recognized for his shooting off of it… movies that is. Nash's production company Meathawk, which he started with his cousin and filmmaker Ezra Holland, has commenced shooting their first documentary this year. ESPN has commissioned the company to make the documentary about Canadian runner Terry Fox.

Newsroom Notes: Suns Shoot Down Mavs (Jan. 9, 2009)
After a heartbreaking loss Wednesday, the Suns received the remedy they were looking for with a 128-100 home romp over a red-hot Dallas Maverick team on Friday. The Suns blew the game wide open in the third quarter, pouring in 40 points and outscoring the Mavs by 21. Suns Head Coach Terry Porter thought it was the best victory of the season.

Kerr Gives Keys to Being a Top Reserve (Jan. 8, 2009)
It takes a certain kind of talent to be able to come off the bench and change a game. Few players were able to spring off the bench and effect a game like Suns GM Steve Kerr could when he was playing. Everyone remembers the huge shot he hit in the Finals to help the Bulls knock off the Jazz in 1997, while hoops fanatics know him as the league's all-time leader in three-point shooting percentage for a season (.524 in 1994-95) and for a career (.454). Although he possessed an inborn gift for eye-hand coordination to go along with his silky touch, he also may have worked harder and smarter than any shooter ever to develop his talent.

Barnes Makes Pigskin Picks (Jan. 7, 2009)
You may know Matt Barnes as a dynamic and versatile basketball player for the Suns, but what you may not know, is that he might not even be playing his best sport. It turns out that the 6-7 small forward was quite the prodigy as a high school football player, garnering All-American honors as a prep wide receiver. After competing against future NFL players such as Donte Stallworth, Onterrio Smith, J.T. O'Sullivan and Paul Warren, he was recruited by every top-tier football program in the country.

Newsroom Notes: Suns Sink Clippers (Jan. 2, 2009)
The Suns raced out to an 18-point lead at the end of the first period before holding on for a 106-98 home victory over the Clippers on Friday. The win marks their third straight, putting Phoenix seven games above .500 for the first time this season. Although the game never seemed in doubt and teetered on becoming a blowout, the Suns were unable to slam the door shut on the struggling Clippers, bringing a slight feeling of dissatisfaction to Suns Head Coach Terry Porter.

Newsroom Notes: Nash Spoils D'Antoni's Return (Dec. 15, 2008)
Former Suns Head Coach Mike D'Antoni received a warm up welcome by Phoenix's sellout crowd Monday, but his return was spoiled by clutch shot from his former floor leader as the Suns locked up a 111-103 victory over the Knicks. Steve Nash, who was one of the chief benefactors of D'Antoni's offensive style, nailed a killer three-pointer with 28 ticks on the clock to put the Suns up seven, and taking away any chance at a New York comeback.

Video: Dancers Unveil Swimsuit Calendar (Dec. 8, 2008)
The Suns Dancers teamed up with Verve Energy Drink to put together their first-ever swimsuit calendar.

Suns Trade for Richardson, Dudley and 2010 Second-Round Pick (Dec. 10, 2008)
Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr has been adamant about bringing a championship to Phoenix now, and his actions Wednesday illustrated his fervor in doing just that. In a three-player deal, Phoenix traded shooting guard Raja Bell, forward Boris Diaw and point guard Sean Singletary to the Charlotte Bobcats for shooting guard Jason Richardson, second-year forward Jared Dudley and a 2010 second-round draft pick. But the real key to the deal is the 6-6 Richardson.

Mercury Select Holmes in Dispersal Draft (Dec. 8, 2008)
What began as a misfortune for one WNBA franchise became the gain of the Phoenix Mercury and many other franchises this Monday. When the Houston Comets officially dissolved their organization last Monday, their players became available to be selected through a league-wide dispersal draft that was held earlier today. The Mercury, who picked fifth in the draft, chose guard/forward Sequoia Holmes. Holmes, who was a rookie last season, averaged 3.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.6 assists in 11.9 minutes a game during her inaugural year. The 6-1, 155-pound UNLV graduate will hopefully add depth to an already very strong group of wing players.

Hill Moves Back Into Starting Lineup (Dec. 6, 2008)
After spending 14 seasons nestled in the starting lineup, Grant Hill graciously moved to the bench to make room for Matt Barnes. Although we've all seen the movies where the hero unselfishly steps aside for the group and everyone goes on to live "happily ever after," that didn't quite happen in the Valley of the Sun.

Newsroom Notes: Suns Snap Losing Streak, Quiet Jazz (Dec. 6, 2008)
The finger came off of the panic button in Phoenix on Saturday night, as the Suns snapped a four-game losing streak in their 106-104 home victory over the Utah Jazz. Amar'e Stoudemire came up big, totaling 22 points and 20 rebounds, including a clutch bank shot to put the Suns up five with 41.4 seconds left.

Newsroom Notes: Heat Stifle Suns (Nov. 28, 2008)
Whether it was the tryptophan from the Thanksgiving turkey or the absence of their starting point guard, the Suns came out extremely sluggish in their showdown with the Miami Heat on Friday. In a game that was circled on the calendar of at least a few of the players involved, the slow start came as a bit of a surprise considering the matchup featured the first meeting between the two clubs since the colossal trade of Shaquille O'Neal.

Suns-Lakers Breakdown (Nov.19, 2008)
That great American thinker, Ferris Bueller, once talked about how quickly life can change. In the NBA, life can move even faster than normal. When the Phoenix Suns began last season, they were the odds-on favorite to win the West, while the L.A. Lakers were all but left out of the equation. Lakers star Kobe Bryant was making trade demands and avoiding the media, while everyone in Phoenix was certain that the 2007-08 season was going to be the one where their beloved Suns would get over the hump. Now fast forward a year.

Newsroom Notes: Suns Fail to Launch Against Rockets (Nov.12, 2008)
"When it rains it pours" is an adage that is not often heard in the desert. But that was the adage that best applied to the Suns on Wednesday night, as nothing seemed to roll Phoenix's way. Two momentum-changing blocks that were called goaltending, turnovers at inopportune times, a mini-fracas, 27 points from Tracy McGrady and 38 percent shooting from the Suns added up to a 94-84 road victory for the Rockets.

Video: Great Scott (Nov. 11, 2008)
Suns broadcaster Scott Williams gives you his DVD reviews in the first edition of his video segment entitled Great Scott.

Grant Hill Comments on Historic Election (Nov. 5, 2008)
Growing up in the Washington D.C. area, Suns forward Grant Hill was used to digesting politics with his meatloaf at the dinner table. With a mother that was once suitemates with Hillary Clinton at Wellesley College, it only seemed natural that Hill would be not only monitoring Tuesday's election, but playing a role in it.

Newsroom Notes: Barnes Helps Drive Suns Over Blazers (Nov. 1, 2008)
After a season that saw the passing of his mother and inconsistent playing time in Golden State, no one was more anxious to start anew this season than Matt Barnes. The 6-7 forward made the most of his opportunities to do just that on Saturday as he helped propel the Suns to a 107-96 home victory over the upstart Portland Trail Blazers.

Blog of Video: Shaq Gets Last Laugh (Oct. 30, 2008)
Suns fans are always fired up when it comes time for their team to do battle with the Spurs. But Shaquille O'Neal decided to heat them up a few more degrees when he lashed out at Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich a couple weeks ago on Sports 620 KTAR.

Video: Kerr's 3-Points: Season Preview (Oct. 28, 2008)
Suns President of Basketball Operations and GM Steve Kerr cites three reasons why he's so optimistic about the upcoming season in his latest edition of Kerr's 3-Points of Emphasis.

Suns Unable to Outshine Nuggets in Outdoor Game (Oct. 11, 2008)
Agassi. Federer. Sampras… O'Neal? The Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, CA, usually a setting that displays riveting rallies, backhands and overhead smashes, played host to the first outdoor basketball game in the NBA's modern era Saturday night.

Blog: In-Game Blog (Oct. 11, 2008)
So the game is under way at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, CA. The house is packed for the first outdoor game in the NBA's modern era, and the festivities have officially begun. It's always interesting to be at an event everyone knows heading into it, will be an event. My dad always told me the story of how he heard about a concert of a bunch of bands playing about an hour from him in upstate New York when he was a young guy. Slowly but surely, the concert became more and more hyped up, and that concert of bands developed into a little-known event that people refer to today as Woodstock.

Blog: Outdoor Game Brings Back Blacktop Memories (Oct. 11, 2008)
Unlike professional tennis players or golfers, who mostly developed their skills at plush country clubs, most basketball players fine-tuned their games at their local playgrounds and parks. While baseball and football may be popular, basketball is the only sport you need nothing other than a ball and a pair of kicks. It is by far the most democratic game. You don't need to pay any memberships anywhere or buy any special equipment, you just have to show up to the park and holler out, "I got next!"

Suns Ready to Shine in Outdoor Game (Oct. 10, 2008)
As the Suns took the court at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California, in preparation for Saturday's matchup against the Nuggets, one thing was for sure… this wouldn't be your grandmother's preseason contest.

Blog: Shaqman and Robin (Oct. 8, 2008)
Last year it was the Amaré Stoudemire Project, this year it is the Robin Lopez Development Program. As Shaq heads into the twilight of his career, he sees himself as not just a player, but a mentor. His newest protégé, a 7-0, 255-pound center that only spent two years in college, has already made quite an impression on the Big Aristotle.

Newsroom Notes: Preseason Action to Tip Off (Oct. 7, 2008)
The Suns tip off their preseason tomorrow when they play host to the Atlanta Hawks at 7 p.m. at US Airways Center. The upstart Hawks, who took the World Champion Boston Celtics to seven games in the playoffs last season, roll into town after defeating the Orlando Magic in their preseason opener.

Porter Receives Visit From Mentor (Oct. 1, 2008)
As Terry Porter begins to create a new and bright future with the Suns, he's turned to a reliable friend from his past to help him accomplish that feat. His former college coach, Dick Bennett, was on hand at training camp this week, passing on words of wisdom to his former player. It's wisom that Porter has heard for some time.

Suns Tip Off Training Camp (Sept. 30, 2008)
Being that it is Terry Porter's first camp with the Suns, he is very concerned about getting off to the right start with his club. As one of the few media members that was able to attend Tuesday's evening practice, one could sense his intensity in attaining that goal.

Suns Leaders Still Burning With Desire (Sept. 29, 2008)
As the training camp for the 2008-09 season tips off, the talk in the press surrounding the future of the Suns is that of a team that has flamed out. A day normally ripe with anticipation was unusually subdued on Monday. The 2008-09 Media Day went off without a hitch, but without the fanfare seen the past two seasons.

How to Train Like a Sun (Sept. 25, 2008)
Phoenix's head strength & conditioning coach, Erik Phillips, puts Suns.com's Stefan Swiat through a typical offseason workout. Check out all the details of how you can train like the professionals.

Suns Offseason Workout (Sept. 25, 2008)
Check out the complete workout routine of the Suns' offseason workout program.

Coming to America (Sept. 22, 2008)
Imagine growing up as a young boy dreaming of making it to the NBA, imitating players like Michael Jordan and Steve Nash, while working day and night to become just like them. It's the American dream. Yet, it was also a Slovenian one.

Suns Sign Goran Dragic (Sept. 22, 2008)
Imagine The Suns have officially completed their quest for a backup point guard, finally signing second-round draft pick Goran Dragic to a three-year contract, after his buyout was completed Monday.

Mercury Stay in Playoff Hunt (Sept. 4, 2008)
As the playoff race continues to heat up, the Mercury are still mathematically in contention for the last spot in the Western Conference. After their 103-96 victory over the visiting Lynx, the Mercury have moved to within three games of Sacramento for fourth place in the West.

Suns Sign Louis Amundson (August 14, 2008)
When the Suns' front office personnel traveled to Las Vegas for the NBA Summer League, there was more to their plans than just evaluating their team and dining on plentiful buffets. One service that the summer league affords is the ability to watch other young players compete against one another. That service has paid dividends for the Suns, who signed forward Louis Amundson on Thursday to a one-year contract, just weeks after scouting his talents in Sin City.

Video: Maz's Minutes (August 5, 2008)
In the premiere of Maz's Minutes: A WNBA Video Diary, Mercury guard Kelly Mazzante playfully chats about "Beaches," her pet piranha, a peculiar fear she possesses, arriving in Phoenix and her family's ties to the Sopranos in the first-ever WNBA video diary.

Mercury Head to Olympic Break With Loss to Fever (July 27, 2008)
Normally a regular-season game at the end of July wouldn't hold so much meaning. But when the Mercury were bested, 88-84, by the visiting Indiana Fever on Sunday evening, it marked the last time Phoenix would play until August 28.

Why I Can't Work in Vegas (July 25, 2008)
When I first set foot in Vegas this week I thought it was going to be the beginning of something beautiful. I've come to find out that God has a sense of humor, and unbeknownst to me before this weekend, I am the constant butt of all his jokes.

Video: Kerr's 3-Points of Emphasis: Summer League Edition (July 24, 2008)
Suns GM Steve Kerr talks about Robin Lopez, the Suns' two sophomores and scouting in Vegas in the latest edition of Kerr's 3-Points of Emphasis.

Suns to Sign Free-Agent Forward Matt Barnes (July 20, 2008)
The Suns have taken a huge step forward to completing their roster and adding depth at the wing position by signing 28-year-old free agent Matt Barnes. The former Warrior burst onto the basketball scene in 2007 as one of the catalysts in Golden State's monumental upset of the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks.

Suns Wrap Up Las Vegas Summer League (July 20, 2008)
Las Vegas is not exactly a city for the faint-hearted. People come from all over the world to try their luck and put themselves on the line. Well, the NBA Summer League was no different, with the vast majority of players involved vying for jobs that are few and far in between.

Lopez Impresses in Vegas (July 19, 2008)
A lot of people come to Las Vegas to make a name for themselves, while even more people go there to win. Suns rookie Robin Lopez achieved both this week.

Summer League Blog: Suns Eclipsed by Knicks (July 18, 2008)
The fact that a new day has dawned in Sunsland was never clearer than it was at the Knicks-Suns game at the Las Vegas Summer League on Friday.

Summer League Blog: First Impressions (July 17, 2008)
Working for the Suns is a rough life. Being a young, single, basketball junkie, the organization is really asking me to sacrifice a great deal by coming to Las Vegas, putting me up in a suite overlooking the infamous Palms pool and paying me to watch the brightest young stars in the NBA.

Video: Highlights of Dragic in Europe (July 1, 2008)
Check out exclusive video of Slovenian guard and recent Suns acquisition Goran Dragic playing professionally in Europe.

Suns Draft Stanford's Robin Lopez (June 26, 2008)
With the 15th overall pick, the Phoenix Suns select… Robin Lopez. After scads of analysis and discussion leading up to the draft, Suns management whittled down their list of prospects to four, with Lopez being chief among them. The energetic 7-0 center averaged 10.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks a game last season while leading Stanford to the Sweet 16 of the 2008 NCAA Tournament.

Who Will the Suns Draft at No. 15? (June 25, 2008)
All of the "draft experts" have made their choices on who the Suns are going to take with the 15th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. But only the gurus at Suns.com know for sure what they will be doing with the pick.

Pre-Draft Workouts Wrap Up (June 24, 2008)
The wave of anticipation is beginning to crest for Suns fans as the 2008 NBA Draft is less than 48 hours away. Who the Suns will take with the 15th and the 48th picks? Only the Suns front office knows, and they aren't talking.

Suns Look to Fill Out Coaching Staff (June 17, 2008)
Now that the task of naming a head coach has concluded, President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr, Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin and new coach Terry Porter possess the assignment of filling out the rest of the coaching staff.

Suns Head to Oakland for Pre-Draft Workout (June 16, 2008)
As the upcoming draft looms on the horizon, the Suns front office continues to pore over their list of prospects. After completing a week of individual workouts at the Suns practice facility, Suns General Manager Steve Kerr and Co. traveled to Oakland to attend a 24-player workout that was organized by approximately 14 teams over two days. The position range of players that attended the event included centers, power forwards, small forwards and shooting guards.

First Round of Workouts Conclude for Suns (June 12, 2008)
The Suns may have added new Head Coach Terry Porter in the past week, but their offseason work is far from over. Phoenix's front office brought in its fourth group of draft prospects Thursday, focusing solely on small forwards, after previous workouts had centered on power forwards and point guards.

Video: Report on Porter (June 9, 2008)
Suns.com TV's Stefan Swiat takes fans behind the scenes of Terry Porter's introductory press conference and talks with the Suns new head coach as well as General Manager Steve Kerr.

Porter Introduced as Suns Head Coach (June 9, 2008)
The Suns' search for their next head coach came full circle, with Phoenix introducing the first candidate that it interviewed, former Pistons lead assistant coach Terry Porter.

Suns Name Terry Porter Head Coach (June 7, 2008)
Today Suns General Manager and President of Basketball Operations Steve Kerr confirmed reports that Terry Porter will become Phoenix's next head coach.

Suns Begin Pre-Draft Workouts (June 4, 2008)
While the Suns front office puts its collective mind to finding its next head coach, it is simultaneously focusing on who the organization is going to choose with the 15th and 48th picks in the upcoming NBA Draft.

One-on-One Debate: Who Will Win The Finals? (June 2, 2008)
In the first edition of One-on-One, a Suns.com newsroom debate, journalists Daniel Banks and Stefan Swiat go head-to-head on who they think will win The Finals. Will it be the Celtics or the Lakers? Read their takes and then send your thoughts on the topic so you can have them read on Suns.com.

Scouting Q&A With David Griffin (May 28, 2008)
Suns Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin spoke with Suns.com about the Pre-Draft Camp in Orlando that runs from May 27-30. It features the top college prospects playing against each other using NBA rules and is considered a valuable tool for front offices around the league.

Scouting Q&A With Vinny Del Negro (May 27, 2008)
Suns Assistant General Manager Vinny Del Negro spoke with Suns.com about the Pre-Draft Camp in Orlando that runs from May 27-30. It features the top college prospects playing against each other using NBA rules and is considered a valuable tool for front offices around the league.

Suns Coaching Search Continues (May 16, 2008)
Since the resignation of Mike D'Antoni, the front office of the Phoenix Suns has been working around the clock in an effort to land its next head coach. Most of that burden falls squarely on the shoulders of Suns General Manager Steve Kerr, who despite the amount of work and attention he's had thrust upon him, is finding the process enjoyable.

Training Camp Report (May 6, 2008)
Although the Mercury's training camp started just over two weeks ago, most of the team has yet to arrive in Phoenix. In fact, this week marks the first time that a familiar face has been spotted at the United Airways Center. Center Tangela Smith and backup point guard Jen Derevjanik reported to camp this week, as has free agent pickup Barbara Farris.

Newsroom Notes: Season Wrap-Up (April 30, 2008)
As the Suns players and coaches filed out of the arena one last time this season, questions arose about the present and perhaps more importantly – the future state of the franchise.

Suns See Victory in "3D" (April 27, 2008)
The famous military commander Hannibal said, "Character is destiny." So when the Suns had their backs pinned against the wall Sunday, Suns Head Coach Mike D'Antoni turned towards a player he knew he could count on. Enter Boris Diaw.

Blog: Can the Suns Reverse the Curse? (April 26, 2008)
Suns Head Coach Mike D'Antoni said he didn't have any answers after Game 3. He said that he hasn't seen a team play that well and that perfectly-played game has left the Suns down 3-0 to their nemesis.

Blog: What Went Wrong in Game 2? (April 22, 2008)
As with every basketball fan, I sit from my comfortable position on the couch and analyze what goes wrong with my favorite team. In the case of the Suns tonight, I think it was mostly all mental. As former Yankee great Yogi Berra once said, "90 percent of the game is half-mental."

Q & A With Coach Corey Gaines (April 21, 2008)
PhoenixMercury.com caught up with Coach Corey Gaines to talk to him about the first week of training camp and the upcoming season. The rookie coach, who doesn't have a returning player in camp yet, believes that his squad will have a bulls-eye on their backs all season.

Blog: The View From the Studio Is Cushy (April 19, 2008)
I was nearly finished writing a superb blog about Shaquille O'Neal's contributions to a Game 1 victory, but it all went to pot somewhere around the time Tim Duncan started looking like Reggie Miller.

Blog: Let's get Ready to Rumble... (April 18, 2008)
So let's get ready to rumble… In the orange corner, the challenger, scoring more points than Brad Pitt on a first date… the Phoenix Suns. And in the other corner, the champion, hated by grandmothers and puppies everywhere, the San Antonio Spurs…

Video: Ask Raja: Pre-Playoff Edition (April 18, 2008)
In the latest installment of Ask Raja, Raja Bell anwers questions about shoe size, video games, protein, MySpace, his best NBA moment and even takes the time to clear a basketball player of being the worst ever.

Shaq vs. Duncan: A Pivot-al Matchup (April 17, 2008)
Often in sports, the most intriguing matchups are when the favorite takes on the underdog, pitting David vs. Goliath. But an argument could be made that that the showdown of Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan is just as compelling, albeit a basketball version of Goliath vs. Goliath.

Video: Regular Season Wrap-Up (April 16, 2008)
Suns.com TV was on hand as the Suns wrapped up the regular season and previewed their first-round matchup with the Spurs in the playoffs.

Mercury Pop for Pringle (April 9, 2008)
Phoenix Mercury Head Coach Corey Gaines said that his 2008 WNBA Draft strategy came down to one word, "Instinct." Instinct, coupled with a little luck, allowed the Mercury to select the player they coveted the most, North Carolina senior LaToya Pringle.

Suns vs. Wolves Matchup Analysis for Timberwolves.com (April 3, 2008)
Suns.com reporter Stefan Swiat took some time to talk to Timberwolves.com about Shaq's presence with the team, what Steve Nash does for fun at practice and how Phoenix plans to deal with Jefferson, who killed the Suns in Minnesota's two Target Center wins.

Shaq Unveils Reading and Learning Center (April 2, 2008)
The Phoenix Suns, NBA Cares and Toyota teamed up to unveil a brand new Reading and Learning Center at the Hartley and Ruth Barker Branch of the Boys & Girls Club in Scottsdale Wednesday. On hand was Steven Davidson from the Boys & Girls Club, Geoff Schick from Toyota, Bob Lanier from NBA Cares, Suns broadcaster Tom Leander and Suns center Shaquille O'Neal.

Video: Boris Diaw Charity Event (March 20, 2008)
Boris Diaw hosted a charity dinner to benefit Senagalese children. Watch video of the stars that turned out to show their support.

Video: Ask Raja: Celebrity Edition (March 13, 2008)
Suns guard Raja Bell answers questions about his life on and off the court from a bevy of celebrities in this edition of Ask Raja.

Giricek to Add Perimeter Depth (March 5, 2008)
As teams around the league continue to assemble their rosters for the playoff run, the Suns attempted to add depth to their roster by signing guard Gordan Giricek.

Video: Kerr's Points of Emphasis on Shaq (March 5, 2008)
Suns General Manager Steve Kerr talks about the benefits of acquiring Shaquille O'Neal in the latest edition of Kerr's 3-Points of Emphasis.

Newsroom Notes: A Week One Report on the Shaq Trade (Feb. 24, 2008)
After only one week of being diesel-powered, one would think it would be premature to make a judgment on the Shaq trade. However, a glance back at the first two games since the acquisition of Shaquille O'Neal has revealed some promising trends that have been occurring.

Blog: All-Star Weekend (Feb. 15, 2008)
Suns.com's Stefan Swiat is in New Orleans and is bloggin away about everything that's going on during All-Star Weekend. Check in often as he continuously updates everything that Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire are doing during their time in the Crescent City.

Video: Shaq Green Screen Shoot (Feb. 12, 2008)
Suns.com TV's catches up with Shaquille O'Neal at his first Suns green screen shoot for the video introduction fans see in the arena.

Top 10 Reasons the Shaq Trade Will Work (Feb. 10, 2008)
After just missing a Finals trip last year and boasting the top record in the Western Conference this season, some fans wondered why the Suns decided to trade forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks to the Miami Heat in exchange for center Shaquille O'Neal. Here are the top 10 reasons why this deal will make the Suns more equipped for a championship run:

The Diesel Is Set to Fuel the Suns Attack (Feb. 7, 2008)
It's official. The Phoenix Suns' high-octane attack will have a diesel component. Today the Suns introduced one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players, center Shaquille O'Neal, at a press conference at the US Airways Center in Phoenix this morning.

Suns Become Diesel-Powered, Acquire O'Neal From the Heat (Feb. 6, 2008)
It appears that the Phoenix Suns have gone from solar-powered to diesel-powered. Today the Suns traded forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks for Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal.

Video: Interview With LaDanlian Tomlison (Jan. 31, 2008)
Suns.com TV's Stefan Swiat interviews the Chargers' superstar running back LaDanlian Tomlison at the Suns-Spurs game the Thursday before the Superbowl.

Newsroom Notes: All-Star Reserves and the Matrix Helps Charity (Jan. 31, 2008)
The fans spoke, but the coaches' voices echoed louder. Suns guard Steve Nash and center Amaré Stoudemire were named as All-Star reserves to the Western Conference team Thursday.

Video: Raja Fashion Video (Jan. 28, 2008)
Check out this video of Suns guard Raja Bell getting decked out at the az magazine fashion shoot.

Video: Ask Raja: First Responses (Jan. 13, 2008)
Suns sharpshooter Raja Bell responds to the first batch of video questions from his video segment Ask Raja. This installment includes answers about his daily routine, his dancing ability and the 3-point shooting contest.

Video: Steve Kerr's 3-Points of Emphasis (Jan. 8, 2008)
In the latest installment of the video segment Steve Kerr's 3-Points of Emphasis, the Suns General Manager talks about how a healthy Amare Stoudemire, a revitalized Raja Bell and a favorable home schedule have him feeling optimistic about 2008.

Video: Suns and Cindy Crawford Team Up (Dec. 17, 2007)
RoomStore furniture store, the Phoenix Suns and supermodel Cindy Crawford teamed up to help the Save a Family charity organization surprise one Valley family in need with all new furniture from the Cindy Crawford Home collection.

Video: Ask Raja (Dec. 5, 2007)
In a new video segment for PlanetOrange.net and YouTube, defensive stopper Raja Bell gives fans the opportunity to ask him questions about his life on or off the court by uploading video questions to his Ask Raja video.

Newsroom Notes: Tucker Looking to D-Velop (November 29, 2007)
Everyone has heard the phrase that patience is a virtue, and Alando Tucker is getting a lesson in that, as well as in basketball this season. Tucker, a rookie out of Wisconsin, was sent by the Suns to the Albuquerque Thunderbirds of the NBA Development League on Wednesday.

Steve Nash's MVP Workout (November 21, 2007)
One of the prevalent knocks given by critics on Steve Nash is that as an athlete, he is considered ordinary. Unfortunately for them, that assessment is "extra-ordinarily" misguided.

Steve Nash's MVP Workout Plan (November 21, 2007)
Check out the actual summer workout routine of the two-time MVP!

Suns Have "Banksgiving" Feast (November 21, 2007)
While the Phoenix Suns have always felt any time of the year is a good time for giving, it seems as if their generosity increases a few notches around Thanksgiving. For the second consecutive year, Suns guard Marcus Banks demonstrated his altruism by hosting his annual Marcus Banks Thanksgiving Feast.

Video: Steve Kerr's 3-Points of Emphasis (November 13, 2007)
President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr debuts in his monthly video segment on the Suns' three keys to success this season.

Suns Theme Sets Championship Tone (November 2, 2007)
As the Suns made their home debut Friday, new additions Grant Hill, Brian Skinner, Alando Tucker, and D.J. Strawberry were officially unveiled to the public.

Reporter's Notebook: Painting the Planet Orange (November 1, 2007)
If you thought you were viewing the world through rose-colored glasses, you were mistaken. Those glasses seem to be orange-tinted, due to the amount of coverage the Suns' new marketing campaign, Planet Orange, has received throughout the mass media.

Newsroom Notes: The Suns Tip Off Season (October 30, 2007)
As the Suns look to tip off the season Thursday night in Seattle (7:30 pm, TNT), one thing is for sure, Mike D'Antoni's team has had enough of practice. "Practice is killing us," D'Antoni said jokingly after surveying his gym of bruised players.

Newsroom Notes: STAT Makes Preseason Debut (October 25, 2007)
When Equipment Manager Jay Gaspar laid out the Suns' jerseys for Thursday night's contest against the Nuggets, the No. 1 jersey made its first official appearance into the locker room this preseason. That's right. Amaré Stoudemire was finally back on the court – and it seemed like never left.

Newsroom Notes: STAT Is Back (October 23, 2007)
They say there's no such thing as a free lunch. But there is such a thing as a free practice. The public poured through the doors of the US Airways Center on Tuesday night to catch a cash-free glimpse of the new-look Phoenix Suns.

Newsroom Notes: Suns Gear Up for L.A. (October 17, 2007)
As the Suns embark on a preseason road trip that features three games in four days, Mike D'Antoni continues to assemble the pieces to what he hopes to be a championship puzzle.

Suns Impress at Intra-Squad Scrimmage (October 6, 2007)
One of Mike D'Antoni's patented beliefs is that the Suns' greatest challenge doesn't necessarily come from other teams, but themselves. Well, the Suns literally got a close-up look at one of their biggest hurdle Saturday, facing one another in an intra-squad scrimmage.

Blog: Practice Breakdown (October 5, 2007)
For the fans out there that wish that they could break down every minute of a training camp session, look no further. For coaches who are wondering how a former Coach of the Year does it, I hereby present... a typical Suns practice.

Blog: It's Not a Country Club (October 5, 2007)
When I came down to Tucson for training camp, I thought I was going to be watching boot camp. I figured I'd be privy to watching guys puking into garbage cans and rookies putting IVs into their arms.

Blog: Wildcard or Ace? (October 3, 2007)
There is a proverb that says that within uncertainty lies prosperity. Every now and then, a professional team will take a chance on an unknown player and hope that their wildcard ends up being an ace.

Stoudemire Has Successful Knee Surgery (October 2, 2007)
The panic button was pushed by Suns fans around the country yesterday when they heard that Amaré Stoudemire was going in for knee surgery today. But everyone can take a collective deep breath because STAT is doing just fine.

Media Day Blog: The First Day of Class (October 2, 2007)
With all of the hoopla surrounding Media Day, it panned out kind of like a modern heavyweight fight. A lot of hype... but not many knockout punches.

One-on-One With Brian Skinner (October 1, 2007)
Looking for some insurance around the basket, the Suns acquired nine-year veteran Brian Skinner, who played for the Bucks last season. Skinner's ability to rebound, defend and run the open floor should help Phoenix fill out their frontcourt. Suns.com sat down with the agile big man to talk about hoops, his potential contributions and the prospects of a title.

2007-08 Position by Position Breakdown: Center (October 1, 2007)
When considering the future of the Suns, the majority of the talk during the offseason centered around the Suns'... center position. After trading away veteran backup Kurt Thomas to the Sonics in order to stay under the salary cap, the first order of business for Phoenix was replacing him. The Suns' front office kept tabs on former Chicago Bulls center P.J. Brown to see whether or not he was interested in remaining in retirement. Although management has not ruled out signing Brown in the future, the Suns secured some depth and athleticism up front with the signing of veteran Brian Skinner.

2007-08 Position by Position Breakdown: Power Forward (September 29, 2007)
With a year under his belt as the Suns' power forward, Boris Diaw should build upon the successes he experienced toward the end of last season. After a summer of working out with Assistant Athletic Trainer/Strength and Conditioning Coach Erik Phillips and playing for the French National Team, Diaw is likely to hit the ground running this fall.

2007-08 Position by Position Breakdown: Small Forward (September 26, 2007)
The Suns fill out their perimeter attack with arguably the best baseline tandem in the league. All-Star forward Shawn Marion returns as Mr. Versatility, proving valuable all over the court, while seven-time All-Star Grant Hill comes to Phoenix from Orlando. Throw in Alando Tucker, a promising rookie that fell to the 29th pick in the 2007 Draft, and the Suns seem to be pretty well-armed at that spot.

2007-08 Position by Position Breakdown: Point Guard (September 21, 2007)
Every vehicle needs an engine and the motor behind the Suns' high-octane attack is two-time MVP Steve Nash. Just missing a three-peat for those honors, Nash's fiery competitiveness was sharpened further by the way last season culminated. Now, with a star like Leandro Barbosa on the rise, another year of experience under Marcus Banks' belt and the fresh legs of D.J. Strawberry, it looks as if Nash will be able to remain fresher than ever as the Suns gear up for a run at the championship.

2007-08 Position by Position Breakdown: Shooting Guard (September 20, 2007)
The two-guard position may be the deepest in the league this season, and the Phoenix Suns may be the deepest team at the position. Raja Bell's tenacious defense and precise outside shooting, combined with Sixth Man of the Year Leandro Barbosa's unmatched quickness, creates a great deal of matchup problems for opposing teams.

Mercury Bask in Victory Celebration (September 18, 2007)
Diana Taurasi recalled a story that NBA legend Bill Russell passed along to the Mercury a few weeks ago. The Hall of Famer said that euphoric feeling of winning a championship lasts for three weeks. And as Taurasi said after Game 5 in Detroit, "Let the feeling begin."

Blog: While I Was at the Watercooler (September 14, 2007)
One of the perks of working in professional sports is that when I take a break to walk around the office... I end up walking around the arena. Whereas most people gather around the watercooler to talk about what's going on in sports, I actually go to the watercooler and see what's going on in sports.

Top 10 Reasons Why the Mercury Will Win It All (September 13, 2007)
The Mercury squeaked out a 77-76 Game 4 victory over the Shock on Thursday, setting up a decisive Game 5 showdown in Detroit on Sunday. Using their underrated defensive prowess, the Mercury were able to get stops down the stretch and escape with a win, despite their lowest point total of the Finals. By pulling out such an uncharacteristic triumph, it would seem that the momentum has swung back in favor of the Mercury as they attempt to dethrone the current WNBA Champions. Here are 10 reasons why the Merc are going to bring the title back to Phoenix:

Taurasi Primed for Game 3 (September 13, 2007)
Most players would try to find the nearest rock to hide under after fouling out of their first WNBA Finals game. But most players aren't Diana Taurasi. The fourth-year phenom rebounded from a 10-point, four-turnover outing to erupt for 30 points and eight rebounds in the Mercury's 98-70 road thrashing of the Shock in Game 2 on Saturday.

Cappie Caps Off a Huge Series (September 1, 2007)
What does a superstar guard eat before erupting for a season-high 33 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists? "IHOP," said the Mercury's Cappie Pondexter.

Strawberry Is Ripe With Anticipation (August 28, 2007)
It's usually impressive when a second-round draft pick is signed by an NBA team. But what's even more remarkable about D.J. Strawberry's signing with the Suns, is that three years ago he thought his basketball career was finished.

NBA's Best Offseasons of 2007 (August 28, 2007)
Which NBA team has enjoyed the best 2007 offseason? We asked writers from each of the NBA team websites to rank the five squads they believe made the most positive roster changes this summer. (Note: Writers were NOT allowed to list the team they cover within their top-five rankings.) Here are the results of polling writers who cover Western Conference teams:

One-on-One With Coach Mike D'Antoni (August 27, 2007)
Suns Head Coach Mike D'Antoni talked about his role as assistant coach for the USA Basketball Men's Senior Team as they advanced to the second round of the FIBA Americas Tournament in Las Vegas this week. The team will qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing by finishing in the top two.

Taylor Is Ready to Weather Storm (August 21, 2007)
As the Mercury prepare to duel with the Seattle Storm in the first round of the WNBA Playoffs, they hope to have a gain of good fortune from their lucky "Penny." When Penny Taylor arrived in Phoenix in 2004, she was well known internationally, but a little unfamiliar to fans of the WNBA. Since then, things have dramatically changed, with Taylor's name being mentioned among the league's MVP candidates.

Nick Vanos Remembered: 1963-1987 (August 16, 2007)
When you look back at all of the memorable Suns that have hailed from Santa Clara University, you think of Dennis Awtrey, Kurt Rambis and, of course, Steve Nash. Tragically, one player who might have been near the top of the list, had his career ended before it ever really started.

Stoudemire's Summer of Content (August 13, 2007)
What a difference a year made for superstar center Amaré Stoudemire. In the summer of 2006, the former NBA Rookie of the Year was mired in the most frustrating offseason of his young career. After playing in just three games during the regular season following microfracture surgery on his knee, new setbacks due to swelling and inflammation meant being shut down yet again.

Blog: Stefan Swiat's Introduction Blog (August 13, 2007)
After spending two seasons at NBA.com in Secaucus, NJ, I began to think about where the grass might be greener. For me, ironically enough, it was in the Arizona desert.

Suns Peterson Looks to Impart Knowledge (August 3, 2007)
It seems that the best teachers in life are the ones that can speak from experience. And as Paige Peterson wraps up his illustrious business career as President and General Manager of Sports & Entertainment Services, he hopes to do just that.