Author Archive

After one game, feel sorry for Nash

It’s easy to point fingers after a loss. You could point to Nicolas Batum’s fourth-quarter outburst or Jason Richardson’s lack thereof if you want. Just don’t point to Steve Nash, nine turnovers be damned. Two plays provided a revealing glimpse [...]

More
Phoenix Sun's point guard Steve Nash (R) drives on Portland Trail Blazer's forward LaMarcus Aldridge (L) during the first quarter of their NBA basketball game in Portland, Oregon October 26, 2010. REUTERS/Steve Dipaola (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)6 Comments

Gentry honest, refreshing in calling out Suns’ effort

Suns’ head coach Alvin Gentry earned a reputation as a feel-good coach last season. He gave encouraging, psych-building advice to the Suns’ youngsters, and a fairly loose leash to his veterans. Yesterday he did a complete 180, according to the [...]

More
Phoenix Suns head coach Alvin Gentry directs his team against the Los Angeles Lakers during Game 5 of their NBA Western Conference final playoff series in Los Angeles, May 27, 2010. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)729 Comments

Seven Minutes or Less: Turkoglu showing signs of Diaw-like letdown?

Disturbing signs have Matt worried, such as Phoenix giving sincere consideration toward signing Erick Dampier. A not-so-obvious, yet very revealing quote by Hedo Turkoglu also gives the SMOL crew reason to wonder if the second coming of Boris Diaw has [...]

More
Phoenix Suns Hedo Turkoglu takes the ball down the court during the second half of a NBA exhibition game agains the Toronto Raptors at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, October 6, 2010. The Raptors beat the Suns 129-78. UPI/Heinz Ruckemann Photo via NewscomNo Comments

Optimism is OK for 2010-11 Suns

The Suns boast a 37-year-old point guard, a questionably motivated European, and one decent inside presence who is still flawed enough to merit based-on-matchups playing time. They have too many swingmen, hardly any big men, and they play in the [...]

More
Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash points down court after sinking a three-point shot against the Los Angeles Lakers during Game 6 of the NBA Western Conference finals in Phoenix, Arizona May 29, 2010. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)295 Comments

Suns’ balance brings ’04 Pistons to mind

A cagey, veteran All-Star point guard. A do-it-all small forward. The scoring two-guard. The versatile, criticized power forward and the dirt-working, afro-sporting center. Your 2010 Phoenix Suns and 2004 Detroit Pistons, ladies and gentlemen. Just don’t get ahead of yourselves with [...]

More
March 28 2010: Detroit Pistons' Richard Hamilton (32) during the NBA basketball game between the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Piston at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan.14 Comments

SMOL: Grant Hill talks about MRSA, Miami and more

Through a fortunate connection via BleacherReport.com, Matt was able to talk with Grant Hill about multiple topics, including his campaign against MRSA, his opinion on Miami, and his forecast of Planet Orange. Despite the variety of subjects, there was a [...]

More
podcast8 Comments

Suns’ Lopez faces bigger role

Hedo Turkoglu is viewed as Amare Stoudemire‘s replacement. Stoudemire left. Turkoglu arrived. The end, and good luck to him. In reality, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Sure, Turkoglu will technically play the “four.” Yeah, he (somewhat) replaces Stoudemire [...]

More
Phoenix Suns center Robin Lopez dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of Game 1 of their Western Conference Finals series at Staples Center in Los Angeles on May 17, 2010. The Lakers won 128-107 . UPI Photo/Lori Shepler Photo via Newscom60 Comments

Mixed feelings abound concerning departures of Stoudemire, Barbosa

“Moving on” is bittersweet. There’s a cleansing process involved that is both painful and liberating. Painful: Steve Nash’s tweet following the trade that shipped out Leandro Barbosa for Hedo Turkoglu. “Today’s the end of an era. My close friend Leandrinho [...]

More
Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash (13) walks off the court with Phoenix Suns guard Leandro Barbosa (10) after Barbosa injured his head on a courtside camera against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of Game 2 of their Western Conference Finals series at Staples Center in Los Angeles on May 19, 2010. The Lakers won 124-112 . UPI Photo/Lori Shepler Photo via Newscom1,139 Comments

Suns’ Clark, Lopez face opposite futures

They were the 14th and 15th picks in their respective drafts. Both were seen as young building blocks to be used in the near future. They started with equal hype and hope from the franchise that drafted them. Now they [...]

More
April 03, 2010 Milwaukee, WI. Bradley Center..Phoenix Suns Earl Clark with the two handed dunk, Clark had 7 points and 5 rebounds coming off the Suns bench tonight..Milwaukee Bucks won over the Phoenix Suns 107-98, snapping a 10 game winning streak for the Suns. Mike McGinnis/CSM.48 Comments

Ringless Nash should take heart from Mourning’s career

Stockton. Malone. Mutumbo. Wilkins. Publicly, Steve Nash would say he’s honored just to be mentioned in the same breath as the aforementioned legends. Privately, he’d loathe the company. As talented, respected and accomplished their respective careers were, they all share a [...]

More
May 29, 2010 - Phoenix, ARIZONA, UNITED STATES - epa02179544 Los Angeles Lakers player Derek Fisher (L) hugs Phoenix Suns player Steve Nash (R) from Canada after game six of the NBA Western Conference basketball finals at the US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona, USA 29 May 2010. The western conference champions will face the eastern conference champions in the NBA finals.1 Comment