Suns Fans Relief May Not Be Far Away!

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Analysis, NBA Rumors, SDC COMMENTARY

Over the last season and a half fans of the Phoenix Suns have watched their team dissolve from the number one seed in the Western Conference Playoff hunt to not making the playoffs at all. As former President Harry S. Truman said “The Buck Stops Here“; the fortunes of an NBA Team just like the USA originate with the person in charge. In the case of the Phoenix Suns that person would be Team Owner Robert Sarver.

Sarver for what ever reason decided that former NBA reserve guard and TV analyst Steve Kerr was the right man to take over as President of Basketball Operations of the Suns. I questioned the move when it was made as Kerr had no administrative experience as he went from the hardwood to the broadcast booth. Since Kerr has taken over in Phoenix he has done nothing to convince me of his competency on the job; in fact he has only confirmed my suspicions.

The Phoenix Suns were leading the Western Conference in February of 2008 when Kerr decided to roll the dice trading Shawn Marion to the Miami Heat for center Shaquille O’Neal. The Suns would finish the season in the eighth slot and were eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Ironically it was the Spurs that Kerr was strategizing against when he acquired the “Big Aristotle“.

This year Kerr’s signature trade was sending Boris Diaw and Raja Bell to the Charlotte Bobcats in return for Jason Richardson. The move helped the Bobcats immensely as they almost made the Post Season for the first time in their history. For Phoenix the results were not that great; they did not even make the Playoffs. Now granted they lost Amare Stoudemire for the season to an eye injury however there were some loud rumblings that Kerr was trying to shop his big man before the trading deadline.

Stoudemire is a player you build around, not trade away. He should still be playing at the pivot position; he was the only center capable of being anywhere near the caliber of Dwight Howard. Oh and lets not forget the hiring and mid-season firing of coach Terry Porter. He was replaced by Alvin Gentry. All and all not a great season!

Suns Fan I did not bring all these bad memories up to torture you! On the contrary the reason that I am going through the history of the last season and a half is to let you know your bad times could be coming to an end! The “Arizona Republic” reported Monday that Sarver may decide to sell the club if the situation does not turn around in a timely manner.

The Team Owner told reporters “I’m not one that looks out real long term for anything. If I look out at the next 10 years, I don’t see a lot changing. Having said that, if I’m doing real bad for an extended period of time, then maybe the city is better off without me. If I’m a loser for four consecutive seasons, then maybe I should examine it. This team is part of the city, and if you’re not doing a good job at what you’re doing, then maybe you have to get out.”

Considering what has happened to your team recently Mr. Sarver there is a very real possibility that your “worst case scenario” could play out. The question then becomes how serious are you; and if you are serious can you take another four years of losing before you get out?

This appears to be a man who has grown bored with his very expensive toy. If that is the case then Sarver should get out sooner rather than later. He owes it to the city of Phoenix and the fans of his team.

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3 Responses to “Suns Fans Relief May Not Be Far Away!”

John Armstrong on May 26th, 2009 4:47 pm

“Stoudemire is a player you build around, not trade away. He should still be playing at the pivot position”

Stat hates playing center
Ralph on May 26th, 2009 7:36 pm

I agree! Amar’e should not be traded. Shaq and JRichardson should and Sarver should sell and Kerr should be fired.
Ralph on May 26th, 2009 7:37 pm

Draft a center at 14 i.e. B.J.Mullens