Suns sign Matt Barnes

Matt Barnes signs a 1 year contract with Suns

Today, Matt Barnes is signed with the Suns, bringing some energy to the team. He is a flexible player that can play 3 positions and can run up and down the court with the best of them. The Warriors play a similar style of run and gun basketball that the Suns play, so this should be a good fit for them. Since Grant Hill will be playing mostly off the bench, this will enable Barnes to maybe start a few games and contribute more than he was able to do with the Warriors. His minutes should increase from the meager 19 or so a game that he is used to. So that means more points and rebounds for him as well. This is a good pick up in my opinion, because of how he would fit in this offense. Being able to play 3 positions may create problems and mismatches for other teams. He does not always need the ball, but is a good contributor when he does get it. Last year for the Warriors he averaged 6.7 points a game, 4.5 rebounds in only 19 minutes.

Suns draft Robin Lopez

Robin Lopez picked 15th overall

The 2008 draft was a very highly anticipated draft with the amount of talent that was coming out. So the Suns went with a big man with their first round pick and drafted Robin Lopez from Stanford University. He stands 7'0" tall and 255 pounds and lots of hair go around. This was a defensive move for the Suns as they really need help in this area seeing what happened to them in the playoffs and during the regular season for that matter last year. He averaged 10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks a game last year for Stanford. He is a young talent that could learn a lot from Shaq coming off the bench. The last time the Suns tried their luck with a big man was big Jake Tsakalidis who did not live up to the little bit of hype he got. Whats different this time, is that Robin Lopez has one of the best centers in the history of the game to learn from. Hopefully this will have the David Robinson, Tim Duncan effect that will bring the Suns some real toughness inside and make teams think twice about taking it to the hole. The 2nd pick the Suns aqcuired was Oregon University Alum Malik Hairston who in my opinion is a good player that can be molded into a really good NBA player. I personally watched quite a few Duck games and he showed a lot of skills and smarts for the game. I was pretty dissapointed to tell you the truth when the Suns shipped him to the Spurs for their draft pick Goran Dragic of Slovania. The Suns are clearly getting ready for Steve Nash to retire and get another point guard in there to take his place and learn from him. Also again this is a defensive move being that Goran is known for his defense and all around good play.

The Suns have a new coach

The new face of the Suns

Today, the Suns are about to sign if not already, Terry Porter. Steve Kerr has made his decision on the former Portland Trailblazer player, but recently was the assistant coach in Detroit. I really don't know how this is going to work out for the Suns, but out of the choices the Suns had, this was the best. It remains to be seen what kind of offense they will run and if the he can influence the team enough to play a little defense every now and then, but so far this pick in my opinion is not a bad one. He was a good player when he played, still holding a record in the NBA Finals with 15 free throws made and none missed in a single game and also still holds the Trail Blazers record for assists with 5,319. After playing briefly with a few teams after he left Portland, Porter retired and started coaching. He started with being an assistant coach in Sacramento before becoming the head coach for Milwaukee. After he was let go of the Bucks, he then become the assistant coach of the Pistons. Now that the Suns have signed him, there might still be hope for a great season next year with a Suns team poised and ready for a championship run.

to New York just like that?

Money talks

Mike D'Antoni the Suns now former head coach has decided to go with the horrible horrible New York Knicks. Apparently a possible championship was not enough to keep him in Phoenix, but more money to coach a team that has probably about another 5 years of rebuilding to do. When this was first reported, I blew it off thinking that Mike would be an idiot to go anywhere else right now. Sure enough, when it was all said and done, D'Antoni jumped ship and was eastern bound. There has been some speculation of the relationship between Kerr and D'Antoni not seeing eye to eye on what style of basketball the Suns should be playing, which I am sure had something to do with his departure. Now the Suns have a vacancy that many coaches would love to get into. Its not all the time that a coach can be set up with a team that is already championship ready. In the meantime all the Suns and fans will just have to sit back enjoy the summer and be ready for whats to come.

Time to go home

Free throws Free throws loss 87-92 series 1-4 Spurs win

The Suns played good defense this game and held the Spurs to 39 percent shooting from the field. Only this time the Suns shot themselves in the foot not making their free throws. The Suns shot a horrible 54 percent from the free throw line, due mainly to Shaq only making 9-20. On the other side of the floor, Parker lived at the free throw line making 13-16 with the team overall shooting 80 percent from the line. This was a game the Suns could have won, everyone in the starting lineup contributed decent numbers and it just came down to who made more free throws in the end. The Suns end the season with a lot of up and downs, but they remained consistent until the end of the season. This first round playoff exit hurts, its only a matter of time until the Suns get to those finals that have eluded them since the Barkley era.

Back on track

Finally! win 86-105 series 1-3 Spurs lead

This is the Suns team that should have been out there from game one. It was mainly the play of Raja bell and Boris Diaw that lifted the Suns this game. Bell had 27 points, 5 assists and 6 rebounds. While Diaw had 20 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists. The Suns mixed it up and stopped the pick and roll many times and just overall played good defense holding the Spurs to 39 percent shooting. The Suns came to play today and it showed even though Amare didn't have to contribute much for this victory only scoring 7 points. Grant Hill sat out this game most likely due to his groin injury. Hill being out didn't hurt the Suns this game but he is much needed for the next one. The Suns need contribution from everyone the next game and to play with the same defensive intensity in order to win the next game and be on the right path to make NBA history and be the only team to come back from a 0-3 deficit to win the series. Next game is Tuesday 6:30pm pst.

Out of Gas

Suns show no heart loss 115-99 series 0-3 Spurs lead

It seemed to me the Suns were playing this game like it was an exhibition. They simply could not stop Tony Parker or even seemed to care to try. The Suns gave up too many points in the first three quarters of the game. The defense was no where to be found, and you can see the frustration on the Suns players faces as the Spurs continued to take the ball into the hole whenever they wanted. Amare had a great game with 28 points and 11 rebounds, but Steve Nash didn't have a Nash kind of game with only 7 points and 9 assists. The thing I am sure that frustrated the Suns and Suns fans the most was the "Hack a Shaq" that was going on. Fouling somebody on purpose that does not have the ball should be outlawed. Don't get me wrong, for a guy that has been in the league for as long as he has, he should be able to put down some free throws. I guess thats the curse you have when you have a Shaquille O'Neal on your team and they know how to expose your weakness. Now the Suns will fight in the next game to avoid getting swept by the team that has had their number the last few years. The next game will be Sunday at 12:30pm pst.

Third quarter breakdown

Losing control Loss 96-102 Series 0-2 Spurs lead

The Suns started the game strong and led by 7 going into half time. Then when the third quarter started, they seemed to have left their game in the locker room only being able to score a very weak 11 points for the whole quarter compared to the Spurs scoring 27. The Suns continuously let Parker and Ginobili in the paint seemingly with no answer for containing them. Steve Nash had a big game as usual with 23 points and 10 assists, with Amare Stoudemire scoring 33 to lead the Suns. Shaq also put up 19 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks. The biggest surprise was Leandro barbosa who had 0 points. Grant Hill also today was not much of a factor only scoring 0 points. The Suns stopping the Spurs paint production is going to be the key to winning the next game.

Suns lose tough playoff game on the road

When was the last time Tim Duncan hit a three pointer? loss 115-117 Series 0-1 Spurs lead

To answer the question, it was 2 years ago he last hit a three point shot. The one Duncan made today hurt the most, as the Suns were poised to lock it up after the 1st OT. Then Duncan hit the 3 to send it to the second overtime. The game was still in the hands of Phoenix to win, but then it came crashing down when Ginobili hit the game winning layup. Steve Nash had a great game with 25 points and 13 assists, while the other starters did well also. Amare was the only other stand out with 33 points, along with Barbosa and Diaw pitching in a dozen a piece. Despite Phoenix's loss today, the fact that the Spurs barely got by todays game by a hair, this should make Phoenix fans still feel pretty good about the teams performance today and going into the next playoff game. Next game is Tuesday at 6:30pm pst, 9:30pm est.

Suns remain 6th seed

Suns bench contributing to win win 91-100

After the Suns realized they could not move up in the standings, D'Antoni brought out the big guns, the Suns bench. Grant Hill took the game off to rest his injury and get ready for the playoffs. Sean Marks came out and had a career game with 16 points and 13 rebounds, while other fellow bench players like Gordon Giricek put up 17 points 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Stoudemire was the only Sun starter to get in the double digits. Now the Suns will face the Spurs in the first round of the playoffs and San Antonio and all I have to say is, its payback time! The Suns are going to bring the pain this time and not receive it like last year.

Interesting position

The possibilities Tip off 7pm pst 10pm est

By winning this game the Suns can put themselves in a position to go up to the 4th seed, so I don't think the Suns are going to take this lightly. The Blazers already lost to the Suns the last 8 times they played. The Jazz have to beat the Spurs or the Clippers beat the Rockets, with the win against the Blazers to get their highest possible position for the playoffs. On a side note, the Suns have won the last 8 out of 9 games at home, imagine the possibilities.

Suns win another close one

Suns end Warriors season with win 122-116

Like as expected, this game was a high scoring and tough for both teams. The Warriors backs are against the wall and they really needed a win, but the Suns had plans of their own. The Suns were winning big at half time and in one quarter, they got outscored 38-19 in the third. Then near the end, Barbosa hit a three pointer that put the Suns up by 5 with 2:28 left in the game. Then Barbosa closed the game out by laying the ball up with :56 seconds remaining in the game putting the Suns up by 5 and after that, it was pretty much a done deal. Steve Nash was 1 rebound shy of a triple double. He ended up with 13 points 14 assists and 9 rebounds. Shaq dominated the boards with 15 and Amare did his thing like usual and scored 28. Grant Hill left the game in the second quarter due to re-injuring his groin. He is said to be fine, but was withheld from the game for precautionary reasons. Baron Davis was not a factor at all in this win, having a tough night only scoring 7 points, he went 2-13 from the field and did not play much of the second half due to Nelly putting him on the bench. Now the Warriors are officially out of the playoff race and Denver secured their spot.

Early playoff game?

Possible glimpse of whats to come Tip 7pm pst 10pm est Monday

One thing you can say for sure about these two teams is that they can score points in a hurry. All three of their meetings had scores 114 points at least or more for each team. The Warriors are still fighting for that last spot so they are going to come at the Suns very hungry. So far the Warriors have the edge with a 2-1 series lead this year. The Suns need to show a strong performance tomorrow, take it easy against Portland and get ready for the first round. The playoffs this year are going to be one of the most exciting western conference battles in recent history.

Suns lose tough one

What happend? Loss 90-101

It was just plain and simple not a good night for the Suns. They couldn't get buckets to fall, relying on Stoudemire who put up 37 points and 11 rebounds wasn't enough. The Suns shot 41 percent and turned the ball over 15 times compared to just 5 by the Rockets. Shaq ended up with 16 points and 11 rebounds, but the main problem was the other starters. Nash, Bell, Hill combined for 11 points the whole entire game. That is ridiculous, these are not the kind of games to be putting up those kinds of numbers.

Another Big Game for Suns!

Another must win for Suns Tip off 5:30pm pst 8:30est


With McGrady back in the lineup, this will be a tough game for the Suns. The problem for the Rockets is that the Suns are on a western conference cleanup spree and the Rockets are just the next victims. A win would give the Suns the tie-breaker between these two teams this year and a step closer to claiming the pacific title once again.

Big Big Win for the Suns

Suns triumphant against Spurs 96-79

With good contribution from teammates, the Suns punished the Spurs. Anyone on the court did their part. Shaq and Amare were in foul trouble for a good portion of the game, but the supporting cast came through like they should and gave the Suns too many ways to be stopped. The Suns held the Spurs to just 3 players in double digits. Now that Suns own the Spurs going 3-1, they can be very confident that they can beat the Spurs in a 7 game series. The Suns now have another tough battle against the Rockets who have been red hot lately on Friday. This win with the win from last night should carry the Suns to a victory and continue to stamp their mark in the wild wild west.

Suns going into San Antonio on a mission

Something to prove? Tip off 6:30pm pst 9:30 est

The Suns go into this game with a chip on their shoulder still remembering all the bad calls and unnecessary ejections in last years playoffs. The Suns may have had a tough time beating the best teams in the west this year except for the Spurs, who have lost 2 out of the 3 meetings so far. If the Suns win tonight and even win big, this will be a huge momentum boost going into the playoffs coming up. When the Suns play the Spurs, these are the most important games to me because I personally cannot stand the Spurs, and being a big Suns fan it is pretty common place to really dislike the Spurs. It will definitely be a tough and important game for both teams.

Suns cruise through the Grizzlies

That would be 8 in a row now 127-113

Without Shaq in the line up due to a hip contusion, the Suns scored at least 30 points or more in 3 of the 4 quarters. It was an equal contribution from each starter and bench player that made this a pretty easy night for the Suns even without Shaq in the middle. With the exception of Amare, who had a STAT kind of night with 28 points and 11 rebounds. This was the 8th win in a row against the Grizzlies and a very big win going into tomorrows game against the Spurs because if everyone contributes like tonights game, the Spurs will not have a chance.

Suns go into Memphis Tuesday

This game should be a blowout Tip off 5pm pst 8pm est

The Suns should have no problem beating a team that has allowed more than 110 points on average the last 10 games. Not to mention that the suns have beaten them 7 games in a row by about 15 or so points each time. This would be a good momentum game before they play San Antonio the the next day on Wednesday.

9 Points in the 4th Quarter!?

Suns fire extinguished in 4th Loss 105-98

All I can say is wow! What the hell happened in the 4th quarter. The Suns led the whole game holding off Dallas every time they tried to surge, mostly matching buckets but with the Suns mainly winning by ten or so most of the game. Then the 4th quarter came, the Suns only scored 2 points all the way until there was a little over 4 minutes left in the game. They managed to squeeze out 7 more points in the remaining time to get a grand total of 9. They practically missed every shot they put up and plain lost all grip of the game all together. The Suns really need to beat these big teams in the west because if this is what we have to look forward to, then we are in trouble.

What a beat down!

Can't say that I am surprised Suns Win 117-88

The Suns once again proved they are going to be a tough team to beat when they are healthy and running. The Suns after one quarter were up by 16 and that was pretty much the game. The Suns dominated the whole game, leaving no doubt on what they have their eyes set on. Its not just getting passed the first round or second round. Its all about the ring this year! Even in garbage time, they were still firing 3 pointers even being up by about 30 points near the end of the game. The Suns don't just want to win, they want to beat you down and not let you forget about it. Grant Hill showed fans that he was just fine, putting up 16 points and 10 rebounds. Every single player on the team at least scored a bucket or more. Amare Stoudemire's MVP season continues with 24 points 9 rebounds 2 blocks. (one shown on left)

Allen Houston to the Suns next season?

Allen Houston to the suns?

Allen Houston visited Phoenix to check up on his old team-mate Grant Hill and to talk to the best medical training treatment staff in the NBA. There is speculation of Houston possibly returning to the NBA next season to play for the Suns. I don't exactly buy the hype myself. Don't get me wrong, it can be a good fit, because one thing Allen Houston can do is shoot. He would be another threat for the suns on the outside, kind of like a Craig Hodges of the bulls. Coming off the Bench to hit some crucial baskets might be what the Suns may be thinking if they go through with this. In any case, I still think this is just hype. ( For those of you who don't know who Craig Hodges is, he was part of the first bulls dynasty team in 1991 as a three point specialist.)

Grant Hill may play against T-Wolves

Grant Hill expected to return to lineup

Grant Hill may play on friday against the Timberwolves, stating that he feels good enough at practice today. This means with Hill back in the lineup, Barbosa is going to see more time on the bench. In my opinion he should probably make sure he is 100% before he comes back. We can't afford to lose him playoff time when the games really count.

Look into fridays game against the Timberwolves

Fridays game vs Timberwolves tip off 7pm pst 10pm est

The Suns go into the game looking for blood after barely losing to the Nuggets the last game. Every win/loss is crucial in the western conference. This should be a pretty easy game for the suns. The Timberwolves average roughly 95 point a game, 28th in the NBA.

Suns Vs. Denver 120-126 loss

Suns lose to Nuggets 120-126

The Suns went into Denver with a great comeback win against the same team they play just a night ago. Unfortunately the outcome of this game was different. The Suns never led in any part of this game until about 3 minutes left in the 4th quarter. They just didn't have enough in the tank to hold on and beat the Nuggets at the end losing 120-126. As the playoffs come closer the Suns are showing signs despite this game that they can be a major contender in the west.