We have a plethora of links today, with a bunch coming from Coro covering training camp.  Let’s get to it.

-Shaq says the odds were against the team succeeding last year after he came over in the trade and can’t help but get a dig in on the Heat yet again.  Let it go, big man.

-Terry Porter has a number of challenges ahead of him but is off to a good start by already gaining the respect of Nash and Amare.

-Tattoos.  Matt Barnes has quite a few.  I’m a fan of the praying hands on his neck.  If you’re getting your neck inked, may as well let the artist really explore the studio space and slap something huge on there.  What’s your favorite?

-the Suns have nowhere to go but up, expectations are low.  Note to Amare: there is only one Kevin Garnett.  You can’t “guard the Kevin Garnetts.”  You can guard Kevin Garnett, but there isn’t a whole team of Garnetts out there.  I wish the media and athletes would stop with this nonsense already. Every time I hear someone say something like “the Kobe Bryants, the LeBron Jameses, the Carmelo Anthonys” I want to put my head through a wall.

-Marc Stein slots the Suns at 12th in the first edition of his power rankings.

“If there’s a more compelling mystery in the whole league than finding out what we’ll get from the Suns throwing new coach Terry Porter together with Nash, Shaq, Amare and Grant Hill, please point it out to us.”

He’s the best.

-Steve Aschburner of Sports Illustrated previews the Pacific Division.  He isn’t optimistic regarding the Suns chances.  Haven’t heard that anywhere before.

-David Stern was right, Donaghy was a rogue official.  I’m still not buying it.  Get bent, Stern.

-Suns want to find way to preserve Nash.  No, they’re not going to be selling Steve Nash jerky or mummifying him.  Nash makes a great point on the whole sit him out 10-12 games thing.  If he’s available to play, you play him.  It’s pretty simple.

-Coach Porter will slow things down a bit.  More importantly, Amare isn’t even thinking about chucking threes.  Thank goodness.

-Marty Burns at Sports Illustrated goes nuts and puts together a rather in depth preview for the Suns…with the help of Bright Side of the Sun.  Well done, sir.  Well done.

-Tom Ziller ranks Amare #7 in his top 50 players in the league.  He’s loves his offensive efficiency.  I do too.  I encourage you to have a look at the charts he included.  It’s amazing.

-Amare needs to go goggle shopping.  I’m casting my vote for Moses Malone style.  Big dogs.