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So Now What...? By Ron Jumper The Phoenix Suns are at the crossroads, do they make changes to beef up the roster for a title run or do they take their chances with what they have? When you are just within reach of a title, making the correct next step is critical. There are two routes to go, keep what you have or add as much talent as you can. There have been mixed results either way. It all depends on your individual situation. Phoenix has the chance to become a championship contender if they make the right choices. It won’t be easy but, with a little luck/intelligence, the possibilities are endless. When teams decide to beef up the roster, it can either greatly improve the team or destroy the chemistry that was previously intact. The Los Angeles Lakers were a good team with Shaq and Kobe, but bringing in Phil Jackson to coach and veterans like Ron Harper, A.C. Green, and Brian Shaw brought them over the hump for three consecutive championship seasons. The Lakers are a great example of how beefing up the roster was a good decision. The Portland Trailblazers battled L.A. to the bitter end the first year the Lakers won the title and, instead of keeping the roster intact, they beefed up the roster with more big-name, huge contract players. This lead to them letting Jermaine O’Neal go for only Dale Davis in return, not to mention the addition of a very out of shape Shawn Kemp. The Trailblazers would go on to not only have a worse season than the year before, but put themselves in terrible shape to compete in the future (in case you have been hiding in a cave for the last couple of years, the Trailblazers are terrible). This is a high risk or high reward strategy. The difference between a dynasty and a disaster is only a trade or two away. Teams have been able to stay intact to win titles over the years, showing that it isn’t all about having the most talent. The San Antonio Spurs had been a great example of staying together and gradually building towards a championship level until this season. The Spurs broke their own formula by adding Michael Finley and Nick Van Exel to the roster. They seemed to have to many veterans and not enough athleticism for teams like Dallas and Phoenix. In 2001-02, the Sacramento Kings seemed like a franchise destined to become a powerhouse in the western conference, after taking L.A. all the way to the bitter end. The Kings tried to stay together the next couple of seasons but the team gradually dissolved, they couldn’t seem to get it together for another playoff run. In 93-94, the Houston Rockets kept their team intact and made a good draft day decision in Sam Cassell (not to mention they drafted Robert “Big Shot Bob” Horry the prior year). The Rockets would go on to win consecutive championships after that. The Rockets had a solid foundation and kept gradually adding the right pieces via the draft. Granted, staying together was a little easier due to less strict salary cap rules. Looking at the Phoenix Suns roster, they can go either way. With the hopeful return of Amare Stoudemire and two first round picks, some would feel strongly that they should sit tight and use the talent they have. The problem that could be brewing is a logjam at the forward position. With Amare and Shawn Marion penciled in the starting lineup, how do plan on Kurt Thomas, Boris Diaw, Tim Thomas, and James Jones to get the minutes they need? With Amare and Kurt Thomas healthy, Marion will play more of a small forward role. This also limits the time the Suns can go small with Diaw at center, which was when he created the most mismatches. Boris Diaw had a great season, he truly did, but it isn’t likely he will have a repeat performance. Diaw won’t put up anywhere near the numbers he had last season having to play small forward because he lacks the three point shooting. Tim Thomas will have to cut back to more of a supporting role, something his ego has always kept him from doing very well. If the Suns make any trades, look for Boris Diaw or Tim Thomas to be traded for a veteran point guard and/or another legitimate inside presence. Looking at possible scenarios, a team like Boston might jump at getting Diaw. For example, trading Diaw and the 21st pick for Al Jefferson and Delonte West would address two needs. Jefferson is a big athletic post player and West would be a solid backup point guard. After Thomas’ play during the playoffs, the Suns could probably trade him to playoff teams looking to add another scorer to the fold. If they can get high value in return, Leandro Barbosa could possibly be on the market. Phoenix has traded off promising young talent before so anything is possible. The Suns, at this point, have the 21st and the 27th pick in the draft. I think they can address every need by drafting point guard Dee Brown and center Josh Boone. Neither will ever be superstars, but both fit what Phoenix needs exactly. Imagine Brown relieving Nash for 8-12 minutes a game, with his speed and court vision they could still run and gun almost as effective. If they are on the court at the same time you have the quickest backcourt in NBA history. Boone provides a big body that runs the floor well, he brings an attitude and toughness to the team. Teams draft so much on potential when, sometimes, you should draft a player with the intent of him giving you 8-12 minutes a game. For a team like Phoenix, that could make a world of difference. The Suns have building blocks in Steve Nash, Shawn Marion, and Amare Stoudemire. They just have to finish putting the pieces around them. If the front office thinks they have all the pieces then hopefully they can add another contributor or two via the draft. Only the next couple of seasons can forecast whether the right decisions are made this off-season, but it should get interesting… June 12, 2006 |
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Be Careful What You Wish For
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Jumpology: My Bracket Jumpology: Scouting The Heavyweights Jumpology: Reviewing The Bracket
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