How far will the Suns drop in the west...losing Amare...
Without Amare I see the suns fighting to be a 7 or 8 seed, the west is too strong, I see teams like the rockets,& maybe memphis making the playoofs next year, & the only other team in the west that is going to lose anything is Utah with Boozer, but I still see them making the playoffs, so if the suns make it it's a a 7 or 8, but i wouldn't be suprised if the suns missed the playoffs next season.
they sign warrick who style wise fits well. They also got 2 rookie pf's in gani lawal and someone else i forget who can battle for minutes. They also have earl clark who can take on a bigger offensive role and play some pf in their system. Add in robin lopez who is improving significantly and channing frye returning and they are not gonna roll over this year becasue amare is gone. They'll battle for a spot but not a gaurantee to make it at all.
I think Suns only had one pick but they picked up a guy who could have been a 1st rounder in any other draft. They should be fine. I still say the are probably going to be 4th or 5th in the West. They lost Amare but they gained enough to get similiar production and Robin Lopez will have a bigger role and average something like 18 12 and 2. Earl Clark should finally show some promise and Warrick can put up point and rebound even though he is somewhat undersized.
Don't underestimate the Suns. Remember, no one thought they would do anything last year..... I like the signing of Hakim Warrick and he will averaged somewhat inflated numbers in the Suns' system while being an asset nonetheless. Robin Lopez is developing into a pretty good center and with Nash getting older, look for Dragic to play much more during the regular season.
If healthy, Steve Nash can carry the Suns to the playoff with a bunch of role players. He's just that good in making his teammates much better than they actually are.
I think Steve Nash can make Hakim Warrick looks really good because Warrick is a quick/atheletic forward that can run and jump. He should fit the run and gun game of the Suns.
and this also means that JRich will be their number 1 scoring option. He will average at least 20 a night mark my words. He will explode for a few 40 point games too because he will get the extra touches with amare gone. Suns will have a very solid and productive bench with Dudley, Dragic, Warrick, Lawal, Clark, Collins, Scottie Reynolds (whom i think is gonna find a nice role here), Barbosa, and little known backup center Dwayne Jones who averaged 14 rebounds a game in mostly d-league work last year. Solid starting rotation with Nash, JRich, Grant Hill, Channing Frye (or Warrick i have no idea), and Lopez. Lots and lots of great role players and look for them to shoot the 3 ball the same next year.
I think you guys are being a bit optimistic with the Suns. Really, there's about 10 good teams in the West, and I don't care who you are losing one of your best players is always going to hurt your team. Lopez isn't going to put up 18-12-2, and Frye isn't going to be a go to scorer. Nash and Amare had that connection, and it's going to be hard to replace. Also the Suns now have ZERO inside game. Not that Amare was a back to the basket player, but still. I look for the Suns and Spurs to drop with Houston, and possibly the Grizz sneaking in.
so lets say amare does leave and suns dont make playoffs.....can we really say nash was mvp for that team and he could not lead them to playoffs...cause in my eyes when you vote some1 mvp..that means if you take him off that team that team cant win.so since nash won back to back mvp's he should be able to lead them to playoffs without amare
Amare is easy to replace. The Suns may end up better off without him. He shoots a high percentage, but he plays poor defense and doesn't rebound particularly well. Get a less heralded PF who can play some D and hit the boards, get more shots for JRich and the other Phoenix shooters, and save some cash.
If they lose Amare they better hope Lopez can emulate some of his brother's success, the Warrick signing works out and they get something out of Earl Clark.
I still think losing Amare would really hurt this team and their chances at making the playoffs are in jeopardy.
How Good the Kings and Clippers will be. The west is absolutely stacked with 4 probable playoff teams in the northwest, and 5 possible playoff teams in the southwest.
I think each of those divisions will beat each other up, and whoever comes second in the pacific will get a playoff spot, but without amare, i can't justify saying that the suns will definitely be that team. Especially since the clippers have Max cap space, and the kings have a lot as well
I was iffy on this topic but I made a choice.
I think the Suns will make the playoffs next season. They have some talent there and they have some pieces to move. I think Nash will be a little upset in the 1st half of the season but I see the Suns making moves in the 2nd half and getting in as of right now
I know some people accuse Amare of being a "stats" guy, but I can't imagine the Suns being able to replace his presence in the lineup this coming season. Does losing Amare equal lottery for Phoenix? Also...why spend all that money on mediocre guys like Frye and Warrick, and not just give Stoudemire the same offer the Knicks did? Why include all those &$#%#&@! conditions into his contract? Give me a break.