Five Questions: Suns At Clippers Oct. 28th, 2009

Can we finally put the Terry Porter, Shaquille O’Neal talk to rest?

It’s been a long off season of discussing Shaq and Terry Porter’s affect on the Phoenix Suns franchise. Everyone and their mother has dissected every angle of both. Tonight marks the start of the 2009-10 season. When the Suns tip off against the Clippers, can we all agree to leave both in the past and just enjoy the fast paced Suns?

Clippers:Lakers :: Taylor:________

The Clippers have always been the second best team to call the City of Los Angeles, and for that matter the Staples Center, home. From what we can tell Taylor Griffin has always been the second best athlete in the Griffin home behind brother Blake.

Tonight though, the Suns have the best Griffin, Taylor, as they face the Clippers. That’s because Blake, the number one overall pick by the Clippers in June’s draft, will miss the first six weeks of the season with a fractured kneecap.

The Suns should view this as a blessing in disguise because it means one less big man they have to deal with in the season opener. It also gives the Suns a six week head start on a team, that many experts feel, they will battle for the final playoff spot with.

Barbosa, Dudley or Dragic?

With Jason Richardson serving a two game suspension the Suns will need one of their bench players to start. The debate has been raging for the last few days as to whether the Suns should start Leandro Barbosa, Jared Dudley or Goran Dragic.

According to Steve Kerr during an appearance on Sports 620 KTAR this morning, Barbosa will be getting the start. The question is, is it the right decision?

The two biggest weaknesses for the Suns are rebounding and offensive production off the bench. By starting Barbosa, as opposed to Dudley, Alvin Gentry seems to be weakening both areas.

Can anyone stop Chris Kaman?

Coach Gentry, Steve Kerr and pretty much everyone else involved with the Suns talked about rebounding being a key to the season. They’ll get a big test in their season opener as the Clippers grabbed 51 rebounds in their opening night loss against the Lakers. Chris Kaman had 16 rebounds of the 51 rebounds for the Clippers. In addition to Kaman the Suns will have to worry about Marcus Camby (who averaged 20.5 rebounds against the Suns last season), Al Thorton, DeAndre Jordan and Baron Davis, all guys who can crash the boards.

Who are the Suns?

The biggest question of the night has to be, just who are the 2009-10 Suns?

Everyone knows who they aspire to be, the 2004-2005 Suns, but just how good are they? Is Amare healthy? Is Nash a step slower? Can the bench provide any consistency? Is there any magic left in this team or is Steve Kerr and the front office grasping at straws hoping for former glory?

Everything won’t be answered tonight but it should helped to make things a little clearer.

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