Black Jesus Disciples

Site news...BJD has moved

2008-09-28T16:57:00.002-07:00

The day has finally arrived.

I'll be moving full time to Fanster, the site formerly known as AZ Sports Hub. Matt and Greg have been hard at work putting together a leaner and meaner site, and have done a great job with it.

Here is the direct link to BJD's new home. Please be sure and update your feed, your bookmark, or make a mental note, smartypants.

The season is almost upon us, so expect great things from BJD, Fanster, and hopefully the Suns.

Black Jesus Gabba Gabba

2008-09-23T09:19:00.003-07:00

Paul Coro brings us the news this morning that Amare made an appearance on my kids' favorite Nickelodeon show, Yo Gabba Gabba. AZCentral was even good enough to provide video.

EDIT - AZCentral may have video but their players code is written in sanskrit, and as such, will not properly embed. You can view the video by clicking on Coro's link. Sorry for the confusion.

The show airs tomorrow morning at 11:30am on Nick and will feature Mix Master Mike of Beastie Boys fame, Hot Hot Heat, and Mark Mothersbaugh, the creative force behind Devo, doing his “Mark’s Magic Pictures" segment.

As I mentioned, my kids love this show, but I rather enjoy it as well. This is due in part to past musical guests such as The Aquabats (their singer/songwriter actually created the show,) The Aggrolites, and even Alex Desert from Hepcat appearing on the show, but also because it's fun and ridiculous, exactly how a kids show should be.

Glad to see Amare doing something fun for the kids.

Fantasy Camp Fallout

2008-09-19T21:34:00.004-07:00

Looks like I've caused a bit of a stir with my post from this morning.

Henry at TrueHoop ran with it, the great Paul Coro at the Arizona Republic noticed, and even Ziller from AOL Fanhouse picked up on it.

So what's all the hubbub, bub?

I had the pleasure of emailing a couple of times with Coro and then speaking with him for a half hour or so this afternoon. Great man, that Paul Coro.

Turns out Mr. Welts had heard about the blog post through the grapevine and gave Paul a friendly denial when he inquired further, that he meant Matt Barnes could start for Grant Hill down the road and not at the beginning of the season. Coro checked in with me to be sure I wasn't completely full of it and that I was certain I heard what I heard.

I'm very certain. I may not have recorded Mr. Welts' speaking, but my mind is like a not yet dull steel trap. I know what was said.

The moral of the story is, well, I'm not sure.

I do feel bad for putting Mr. Welts' in a bit of a tough spot. If Kerr and Co. have been discussing this move for some time as Coro said, I can't imagine Coach Porter is very pleased with the news coming out this way.

Needless to say, it's been a rather interesting day here at BJD. Now all I have to do is continue to tell myself to stay away from the comments on Coro's blog.

Bunch of savages in this town.

The funny thing is, as Stan from Bright Side of the Sun said, everyone is completely missing the point. Giving the Gorilla a two-handed high five is the real story here.

Tired Legs and Phoenix Suns Fantasy Camp

2008-09-19T09:30:00.003-07:00

I was fortunate enough to attend a Phoenix Suns fantasy camp earlier this week. The best line I've heard so far about my participation in the event was from my coworker when she asked, "is that for adults?"

Think what you want about these type of things but know this: they're a good time. A really good time.

The day started off with registration and various legal mumbo jumbo. After assuring the corporate sponsor and the Suns that I wouldn't come back to haunt them if my hamstring exploded, a team representative led us downstairs to the visitors locker room.

After burying my desire to firebomb the room the Chicago Bulls celebrated a championship in, I found the locker with my name above it. There was a brand-spanking new, Shaquille O'Neal Suns home jersey in it. While I would surely prefer an Amare or Nash, or even Raja jersey, this was still pretty damn cool.

We head to the main court (did I mention we're in US Airways Center?) and are able to shoot around for a bit. Eventually, Tim Kempton, former Suns benchwarmer and current radio color analyst for Suns broadcasts comes to center court and gathers us around. Tom Leander (Suns play by play announcer for away games,) John Shumate (former Sun and current head scout,) and the great Alvan Adams soon join him. These four gentlemen will be our coaches for the afternoon.

We're broken up in two groups, orange jerseys and white jerseys. We white jerseys follow Shumate and Leander downstairs to the practice court, where we're divided into two more groups. Shumate will run us through defensive drills and Leander will run us through shooting drills.

We visited Leander after Shumate, and his part of the clinic was more casual and relaxed. Layup drills, pick and pop, things like that. Nice and easy.

Shumate, on the other hand, made us work, and had fun doing it. I haven't had to "break it down" since high school. I blame him for my still tired legs but can't hold a grudge. The man is a joy to be around.

Next up was Alvan Adams and some tips on passing and rebounding. Adams is about the nicest guy you'd ever want to meet. He even ably handled a Laker fan in our midst (lets call her CT,) a woman who refused to wear the O'Neal jersey "because she HATES Shaquille O'Neal and LOVES Kobe Bryant."

Once our time was up with Alvan Adams, we moved down to Tim Kempton's side of the court where we worked on our ball-handling. Getting ball-handling tips from a 7-footer was a first for me, but Kempton did a nice job and moves much better than I originally gave him credit for.

The clinic portion of the day complete, we're given a much needed break. While myself and the rest of my fellow out of shape basketball fans are toweling off and attempting Gatorade IVs, Cedric Ceballos strolls to center court, and the Suns Dancers and Gorilla appear in the tunnel.

Turns out that before our full court, four quarter scrimmage, Ced will introduce us one by one, the lights will go out, and the standard Suns intro will play on the scoreboard and the speakers while the dancers gyrate and the Gorilla does his thing.

In the midst of grinning ear to ear and soaking it all in, I hear Ced bellow out my name, my cue to run to center court, give the Gorilla a high five, and pose for a picture with the Suns Dancers, the Gorilla, and our four coaches for the day.

To say this was the highlight of the day to this point would be selling it short.

Unfortunately, we were soon brought down to earth again, because it was scrimmage time. Four ten minute quarters, where despite plenty of substitutions and breaks in the action, my legs would turn to rubber and not one of my three attempted shots would fall.

By the fourth quarter every attendee save for a few with young legs was totally gassed. One of these young'uns broke free for an uncontested layup late in the game but to help keep things close and to probably knock this young man down a peg or two, Alvan Adams casually strolled onto the court, slapped the ball out of the kids' hands on his way up, and cool as a cucumber walked off the court. When you're in the Suns Ring of Honor you're allowed to do those type of things.

Last but not least, after cleaning up from the scrimmage, we were served delicious food and ice cold beer, while Rick Welts, the Suns President and Chief Operation Officer, spoke to us about the direction of the franchise on the business end of things and what to expect from the team this season.

Welts was fantastic.

After listening to him speak and engage us, it's easy to see how the man has been so successful in everything he has done. He's very, very excited for the upcoming All-Star Weekend, and looks forward to the Suns proving the media and their predictions wrong.

Welts explained that earlier in the day all the owners came to the arena to watch the team practice and after discussions with the coaching staff, they agreed the team had ably filled its three biggest holes:

-Robin Lopez is a big body in the paint who will bring energy, toughness, and rebounding, and will be a guy who can easily step in for Shaq if/when the big man goes down.

-Goran Dragic is better than advertised and there's very good reason the Suns' scouts have been drooling over his talent and what he brings to the table.

-in a roundabout way, Matt Barnes adds depth to the team, as he will be starting and Grant Hill will move to the bench this season.

This last point just about floored everyone in attendance, but it sounds like this is what Coach Porter and Hill want to do.

Once again, Welts was fantastic, and I very much enjoyed listening to him. What's more, he took a great number of questions and answered each and every one in great detail.

After he had the chance to knock a few softballs out of the park, I threw him another one and asked if there was any concern for Amare going elsewhere after exercising his early termination option in 2010, despite the fact that the collective bargaining agreement allows the Suns to offer him the most money.

Welts was very direct in answering my question, letting us know that Amare has always been part of the Suns family and always will be. The team will be taking a proactive approach to his next contract and hopes to get something done before the option can even enter the discussion.

Thrilled to have listened to Welts and been a part of a great day, I gingerly walked to my car, Shaquille O'Neal jersey and picture of me with the Suns dancers and those other guys in hand.

An extra special edition of Friday links

2008-09-12T11:03:00.004-07:00

In choosing a video for you to enjoy (or intensely hate) I thought a band from New York City was appropriate, yesterday being 9/11 and all. Seven years ago yesterday wasn't a good day in any of our lives. I hated that day. Really hated it.

However, for some reason, I remember it fondly. A lot of love came out of that day. A lot of nonsense came from it as well, but looking on the bright side of things, a lot of love came out of that day.

My FDNY hat is beat to hell and completely unwearable at this point but that says a lot. I was proud to wear it until the sun bleached the hell out of it and the threads were no longer, especially after reading this incredible book from the late, great David Halberstam.

Unlike yesterday, September 12th is any other day. It will always be that way.

The Slackers - "Have the Time"

Onto the links. The last is marked "extra special."

-the great Tom Ziller of FanHouse and Sactown Royalty doesn't see things going quite as smoothly for Shawn Marion now that Steve Nash isn't feeding him the ball. Good luck with that max contract next year, Shawn.

-in the first of many stories on Black Jesus this week, we hear through Jerry Brown that Amare wants to be "the guy the other teams have to fear as a defender.” I love the attitude but I really have a hard time believing Coach D was the sole reason Amare has been a subpar defender his entire career.

-Basketbawful pisses in the Portland punch bowl by questioning Greg Oden's rehab and wondering why it isn't more like Amare's.

-from Paul Coro comes Terry Porter reiterating his stance that Nash needs a lighter workload this year. Coach Porter loves the additions of Dragic, Lopez and Barnes and believes they more than fill the needs of the team.

-this means Bruce Bowen will soon disappear from the face of the Earth, right? HIYO!

-Skeets at Ball Don't Lie gives a nice recap on the Amare stories this week and lets us know Black Jesus is possibly the most fit athlete the NBA has ever seen, taking the title from the one and only Karl Malone, aka the guy who knocks up 12 year olds.

-Paul Forrester of Sports Illustrated outlines the challenges ahead for Coach Porter and the Suns, rating their chances to truly contend as slim.

-one more entry from Paul Coro. Amare apparently believes this is the best team the Suns have had since, well, ever.

I understand being optimistic and talking up the team, but we all know it's a ridiculous thought. Amare may have been wearing his "Standing Tall and Delusional" hat when saying that.

-last of the Amare links, I swear. It didn't end well for those poor dinosaurs.

CATACLYSM'D!

-using the always fun Venn diagram, KnickerBlogger illustrates that Shaq is big and slow. Tell us something we don't know, fellas.

-we've all heard by this point that Shaq will retire once he plays out his contract. Henry Abbott at TrueHoop points out that Shaq's math skills are suspect.

-last but not least, the second installment of Shaq n' Nash.

Stay tuned for more Shaq n' Nash

2008-09-09T20:53:00.004-07:00

According to the creator of the Shaq n' Nash video, we'll be seeing more of the hilarious odd couple very soon.

Turns out he's a Warriors fan who hates the Lakers (bonus) but holds no ill will towards the Suns or Nash or Shaq. He simply thought their shenanigans would make for a funny video.

Using MS Paint, Windows Movie Maker and MAGIX Movie Edit Pro, he's been able to treat us to his interesting brand of insanity.

This should help hold us over in the meantime:

"Your atrocious free throw shooting scared them off" is all too true.

thanks to NorthMass for taking a moment to respond to my inquiry

Friday Links

2008-09-05T09:27:00.003-07:00

It's been quite some time since I put together a batch of links, but this week gave us more than just a couple that are worth your while. As a new feature of the Friday links, I'm including a music video everyone but myself will probably hate. That's the breaks.

Frank Black - "Headache"

Onto the links!

-be sure and check back frequently with Bright Side of the Sun over the next few weeks (and really, always,) as they'll be putting together quite the season preview for the Suns. It will no doubt be very, very good.

-Dave Berri at the Wages of Wins sees the Suns setting even further this season. Warning: lots of numbers are used.

While I agree Shaq and Grant Hill are certainly on the downsides of their career and aren't the same player they used to be, looking to them as anything more than role players at this point is folly.

Nash continues to prevent the other shoe from dropping, and let's not forget, let's not forget, dude, Black Jesus. Last I checked, he's still suiting up for the team and he's still getting better.

-West Coast Bias lets us know that the Suns Gorilla, aka the greatest mascot ever created, could use a little help.

-Marty Burns at SI does a quick Pacific Division preview and gives the Suns a C for their offseason moves. Porter, Barnes, Dragic: GOOD. No more D'Antoni, old men: BAD. Sounds about right, although I'd give the team a B for their ability to move on quickly after the messy divorce with Coach D.

-I see Amare's ability as constantly growing and have confidence that when it's all said and done, he'll be mentioned in the same breath as guys like LeBron, Wade, Kobe and Duncan when it comes to players you'd want to build a team around. Upside and Motor sees things in a completely different light, comparing the man's career to a game of Jenga.

While 2010 scares the hell out of me, it's not because I think Amare won't live up to his potential and continue to improve, or that he'll go elsewhere for more money, because according to the CBA, he can't. The Suns can offer him the most dough.

Amare isn't going anywhere. 2010 rolls around, this is his team. My fear is he'll be surrounded with mismatched, bit parts in the same way LeBron is, and will be doomed to first or second round playoff exits every year.

-if you don't know who the guy on the left is in this quiz, you should be ashamed of yourself.

-these bloggers, they're the end of the world as we know it. How about checking some facts, idiots? Robert Sarver is Jewish, not Mormon. Jeez! C'mon!

Shaqing up with Nash

2008-09-04T12:35:00.005-07:00

I was going to include this in a batch of links tomorrow but it's just so strange, ridiculous, and awesome, that I couldn't hold off.

The first (and please, please, please, not the last) installment of Shaq n' Nash:

The condition you no doubt find yourself in after watching this video is most often described as "without speech." It's okay, that's perfectly normal.

how Hardwood Paroxysm stumbled upon this, I have no idea, but my life is now richer because of it

Solar Powered Suns

2008-09-04T09:58:00.004-07:00

The Phoenix Suns are going solar. US Airways Centers' parking garage will soon have enough solar panels generating enough energy to power the arena for 26 games.

When you think about it for a moment, this is pretty amazing stuff, the kind of thing we would see on the Jetsons as kids or our parents saw at the World's Fair. Being that we live in an area known as the Valley of the Sun(s,) it makes perfect sense.

Good for the Suns franchise for taking the lead in the renewable energy effort.

Stalking Steve Nash: or How I Learned to Start Worrying About How my Wife Spends her Spare Time

2008-09-02T17:02:00.008-07:00

For whatever reason, my wife decided to look Steve Nash up in a local directory this evening. It turns out he is actually listed. Thinking her behavior wasn't creepy enough already, she punched his address into Zillow, a popular online real estate site where satellite pictures of homes are often available.

According to Zillow, anyone can upload a picture to their site:

Anyone can upload photos of a house — owners, agents, neighbors — anyone! Since Zillow is a community site, we want everyone to contribute — even your neighbors or someone who has lived in the house 20 years ago. Photos uploaded by owners and agents will show up first. Also, community-uploaded photos cannot be deleted, but if you see something that doesn't look right or is inappropriate, please click the "Flag content" link and Zillow Customer Support will review it.

Here (warning: strange nudity) is the picture of Nash's home as provided by Zillow. Enjoy.

It definitely doesn't look right and I don't think it's all that appropriate, but I'm hesitant to "flag" the content. It's so utterly ridiculous, it almost deserves to stay.

edit: I removed the direct Zillow link that contained Nash's address because let's face it, that isn't cool.

I saw Robert Sarver at Dunkin' Donuts today

2008-09-01T09:14:00.004-07:00

My daughters and I walked into the Dunkin' Donuts this morning at Scottsdale and Shea to find the man who signs the checks for the Phoenix Suns sitting at the front table, surrounded by a bunch of kids.

I'll admit that upon seeing him I momentarily froze, as the last person I expected to see enjoying a delicious eclair at my local donut hole was Robert Sarver.

He gave me a bit of strange look as I came in, perhaps because he'd never seen a Bad Brains t-shirt before. I can't imagine Mormon bankers are exposed to much hardcore goodness in their lives.

Either that or I was staring. I may have been staring.

He and his brood left soon after my daughters and I placed our order, but not until he meticulously cleaned the table they used. As I sat waiting for our deep-fried balls of sugared dough to be boxed, I knew I had made the right decision.

I thought to say something stupid like "keep up the good work" or "nice job with the Dragic deal" or even "I write a ridiculous Suns blog called Black Jesus Disciples, can I buy you a cup of coffee?" for about half a second, but thought better of it.

He and I didn't get up early on Labor Day to talk about the Suns, or in his case, tell someone to get lost. Our kids wanted donuts.

Farewell and Adieu, DJ Strawberry

2008-08-25T14:13:00.003-07:00

The other shoe finally dropped today for DJ Strawberry, as Kerr and Co. traded him to the Houston Snake Eggs for rookie point guard Sean Singletary.

The trade according to Kerr:

“Sean gives us depth at the point guard spot. We like his instincts and his ability to run a team. He also puts a lot of pressure on the ball defensively. We thank D.J. for his contributions and wish him well.”

It's a shame DJ couldn't get it done and didn't improve to the point that a roster spot was secured, but when it comes down to it, he still would have been a practice player and not much more. Look for Singletary to now fill that void, with making Goran Dragic work at the top spot of his to do list.

Why, Shaq? Why?

2008-08-22T14:01:00.003-07:00

I got in line and drank the Kool-Aid when Kerr traded for your bloated contract and insanely large gluteus maximus. I love the charity work you do in what seems like every community you've ever been part of. I even looked the other way when you infamously asked Kobe in front of the whole world how your aforementioned gluteus maximus tasted.

What I can't get on board with is nonsense like this.

It's been said you're just a big kid and love having fun. Take note, big kid: GROW UP. This is the kind of stuff obsessed 18 year olds do (complete with grammatically disgusting emails,) not grown men with kids at home.

The ultimate goal you set for this team is a championship. Unfortunately, continuing down the path you're currently on, you'll be nothing but an embarrassment to the Suns franchise.

DraftExpressessesss' Suns Scouting Report

2008-08-21T14:51:00.004-07:00

Via TrueHoop comes this scouting report on every Suns vet.

It's good and long but I encourage you to read the whole thing. It's pretty darn good.

Hell, they even include a report on now former Sun Gordan Giricek. Which gives me an excuse to use one of my all-time favorite pictures.

Terry Porter's field trip

2008-08-20T16:14:00.005-07:00

Our new fearless leader was a guest of Cardinals' coach Ken Whisenhunt yesterday at Cardinals training camp.

Sounds like Ken had a nice little Tuesday lined up for he and Terry, as they had some lunch and Coach Porter was asked to stick around for workouts. According to Terry it's good to know other coaches in town as they have plenty in common:

"Sometimes you just like to talk to (another one) because you are experiencing some of the same things," said Porter (pictured below with special teams coach Kevin Spencer). "You are in the hot seat during the season, everyone coming at you, decisions being made, trying to figure out how to motivate your team and get the best out of them. It's out of respect knowing what the other one is going through."

No word on whether Coach Porter was able to slap some sense into Anquan Boldin or if Whisenhunt gave Porter terrible advice on how to deal with strong personalities on his team.

h/t to loyal reader Clydesdale

Louis Amundson = Billy Mumphrey?

2008-08-16T21:38:00.004-07:00

Paul Coro gives us this little tidbit from David Griffin on the newest Sun, Louis Amundson:

"defensive intensity, a toughness, a kind of unbridled enthusiasm."

No word on whether his story is also one of love, deception, greed, and lust.

While it's possible he's a cockeyed optimist, Amundson doesn't look to be a simple country boy, or someone mixed up in the high stakes game of world diplomacy and international intrigue.

Regardless, one can't help but think his unbridled enthusiasm will lead to his downfall and that's its always more a question of attitude than politics.

Suns roster just about full

2008-08-14T22:48:00.005-07:00

The Suns signed Louis Amundson to the veteran's minimum contract.

Here's the deal: I'm not going to lie. I like to think I know a little something about damn near ever player in the NBA or even guys on the fringe of the league, but I don't have the foggiest idea as to who this guy is. Not a clue. Nada. Call me a moron, call me a jackass. Let me know I'm worthless and about as intelligent as naval lint. That's fine. I don't mind.

It doesn't change the fact that I don't know who Louis Amundson is. And let's face it...you don't either.

What we do know is that if Coach D were still around, the poor guy would be attached to the bench like Lucky Day in El Guapo's prison at the end of The Three Amigos.

And thanks to Phoenix Stan, we know he has a full head of hair.

So we've got that going for us. Which is nice.

Trying to make sense of the Dragic mess

2008-08-14T12:25:00.004-07:00

Goran Dragic's situation is a complicated one. Different contracts, buyouts, countries and the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement combine for some difficulty. To help make this point and maybe even explain the mess a bit (at least I hope so...honestly, I'm just winging it) here's an email string between myself and four friends/loyal readers:

Rob to McLane, Craig, Clydesdale, and Ozzy

Can someone make sense of this for me?

McLane to Rob, Craig, Clydesdale, and Ozzy

Dragic played for a Slovenian team originally. He then signed with Tau, a Spanish team, while still under contract with the Slovenian team.
The Slovenian team wanted him back but Tau was saying he was theirs. Enter the Suns, with a need for a back up point guard.

His Spanish team, Tau, will buy out his contract with the Slovenian team. The Suns will then buy out his contract with Tau. They're only allowed to contribute $500k, but will pay him more per year to make up the hit he'll need to take.

Make sense?

Craig to McLane, Rob, Clydesdale and Ozzy

Almost with you until you used the phrase "they're only allowed to contribute..." who is "they" and which buyout are they contributing to?

McLane to Craig, Rob, Clydesdale and Ozzy

The NBA's CBA allows a team to contribute a maximum of $500k to a buyout of an international player. "They" refers to the Suns. The contract they'll be buying out is Dragic's contract with Tau, the Spanish team.

Clydesdale to McLane, Craig, Rob and Ozzy

"It’s gotta be your bull"

Craig to McLane, Rob, Clydesdale, and Ozzy

Yeah, but does the Spanish team then turn around and use that money to buy out the Slovenian contract? And I thought Dragic was going to put up some of his own money as well...

Clydesdale to Craig, McLane, Rob, and Ozzy

Either way the suns contribute 500k. That’s why they are going to have to pay him more than the avg. rook.

McLane to Craig, Rob, Clydesdale and Ozzy

Right. I don't know what has to happen first but it seems to me Tau would buy out his Slovenian contract. Sounds like the owner of the Slovenian club gets a little extra scratch from winning his court case against Tau. And yeah, even if the Suns aren't allowed to throw down the $500k yet, Tau knows it's money in the bank.

And yes, Dragic will have to put up some of his own money to get out of the contract. Which is why the Suns are going to pay him more money than a second rounder ever gets. There's no rookie scale for second round picks, that's how they can get away with it.

Ozzy to McLane, Craig, Rob and Clydesdale

How did this guy last to the 2nd round if he is as good as everyone says, and is going to take over for Nash one day?

McLane to Craig, Rob, Clydesdale and Ozzy

Kerr and Griffin supposedly almost took him at 15 in the first round. That's how nuts they are about him.

I don't know, Ozzy. He better pan out. For the money they'll have to shell out and that they basically used two picks to get him, he needs to. Defense is something he excels at.

He's also left-handed. Maybe Kerr wanted his own Manu.

Craig to McLane, Rob, Clydesdale and Ozzy

Don't compare him to Manu, I want to like this guy.

Clydesdale to McLane, Craig, Rob and Ozzy

I would like Manu if he were on my team but he’s not, so I hate his guts and want to kick him in his rather larger nose and rub Nair on his head so he loses more hair back there.

That is all.

McLane to Craig, Rob, Clydesdale and Ozzy

I hate Manu's face and skewer me for saying this, but he'd be my favorite player if he wore a Suns uniform.

Ozzy to McLane, Craig, Rob and Clydesdale

How come nobody else in the league took him until mid-late in the 2nd round? Hopefully he will be as good as Rondo, because we could have him right now. Or Marcus Williams or Jordan Farmar, or I hear that Fernandez guy we traded for nothing last year is supposed to be incredible now too.

I read how Dragic is supposed to be amazing I think the journalist even said as good as Nash one day, and I just don’t understand how Kerr and Griffin are the only ones excited about him if he is supposed to be that good.

McLane to Craig, Rob, Clydesdale and Ozzy

The buyout/contract mess plays a big part in it, Ozzy. The understanding was Dragic would play out the remaining year or two on his contract in Europe and continue to develop. The need to get him over here arose when the Suns were unable to lure any retread backup points for the veteran's minimum.

And to be honest, I'm not broken up about Jason Williams, Tyronne Lue and Anthony Johnson going elsewhere. The worst that can happen is Dragic comes over, isn't quite ready to contribute and LB slides back into the role. It obviously isn't ideal but the team has had that setup for years now.

Also, Marcus Williams is a chump. Farmar...meh. Fernandez is pretty darn good, but the Blazers bought that pick up from Sarver like the Dukes clamoring for frozen orange juice concentrate.

Rob to McLane, Craig, Clydesdale and Ozzy

This is all starting to make sense.

McLane to Craig, Rob, Clydesdale and Ozzy

I can see the wheels turning in Rob's head right now.

DRA-GIC! DRA-GIC! DRA-GIC! DRA-GIC!

2008-08-13T22:43:00.004-07:00

Looks like Sarver is sticking to his guns and chalking up next season as a financial loss. The Suns will soon be finalizing a contract with Goran Dragic.

Terms have yet to be ironed out, but it looks like Kerr and Co. will get Dragic to sign on the dotted line.

This is of course fantastic news, especially if the kid is half as good as Kerr thinks he will be. Your guess as to what lies ahead for the team is as good as mine. LB's role has surely changed (for the better.) DJ Strawberry? Um, yeah.... Steve Nash's role has changed a bit as well.

For the first time in his second stint with the Suns, our two-time MVP has a true heir apparent. Here's to hoping Dragic is all ears.

Scoop Jackson makes a good point

2008-08-09T15:05:00.002-07:00

Team USA needs Amare Stoudemire.

I couldn't agree more here. While I'm not so sure Amare should be described as "mean," he's certainly an intimidating presence when on the floor, as he's been known to unleash a thunderous dunk on an unsuspecting schlub's head from out of nowhere.

While his size would be a bonus for this version of Team USA, that's only part of it. Combine his skills and his size and you're on to something.

Chris Bosh is an incredible player. So is Carlos Boozer. And Dwight Howard? He's a freak. But Bosh is still a beanpole. Boozer is closer in stature to Charles Barkley than Tim Duncan. Howard can't put the ball in the bucket from outside five feet.

Amare is strong, he's 6'10", he can knock down the 15 footer all freakin' day.

It's a shame he isn't part of Team USA. I say that as a Suns fan but also as a USA basketball fan. If Team USA can't bring home the gold, it will be for a great deal of reasons. Amare not being part of the squad might just end up being one of them.

The Suns have the tools to be successful in THE NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

2008-08-07T20:58:00.006-07:00

Pre-preseason scouting report for the Suns:

To be successful in the National Basketball Association, great point guard play is an absolute necessity. The Suns have this tool in Steve Nash and with him leading the charge, they will threaten the Lakers for the Pacific Division title in the National Basketball Association.

A high scoring big man is needed to win in the National Basketball Association. With Amare Stoudemire as one of the most dominant players in the league and starting at power forward, the Phoenix Suns have a chance to make some noise this year in the National Basketball Association.

A little bit of luck goes a long way in the National Basketball Association. If Terry Porter can catch lightning in a bottle with this experienced, veteran team, the Phoenix Suns will surprise some people in the National Basketball Association.

Solid bench play is a key to winning games in the National Basketball Association. With the added depth of Matt Barnes and up and comers Alando Tucker and DJ Strawberry, the Phoenix Suns should be able to match up with any team in the National Basketball Association.

While his best days are surely behind him, Shaquille O'Neal's veteran presence and been there, done that attitude is something that can help balance any team in the National Basketball Association. With him manning the middle and giving whatever he can, the Phoenix Suns have a wild card this season in the National Basketball Association.

Anything is possible in the National Basketball Association. The Phoenix Suns have a chance to prove just that this year. Look for the Suns to give the Los Angeles Lakers a run for their money in the Pacific Division of the National Basketball Association this year, and to also be in the mix for the Western Conference Championship in the National Basketball Association along with the New Orleans Hornets, Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs.

It promises to be a knock-down, drag-out fight this season in the National Basketball Association. The Phoenix Suns will be right in the middle of things.

Baron Davis Really Does Have a Fat Ass

2008-07-31T12:49:00.003-07:00

Here's the long-awaited video to go along with the picture of Nash riding a tandem bicycle with Baron Davis. Our point guard sure does have a great sense of humor. Enjoy:

Yes, I realize this video is already burning its way across the internet and I'm a day late.

h/t to loyal reader Clydesdale

It's on the internet. It's a FACT

2008-07-25T11:10:00.004-07:00

Via the great Basketbawful comes this gem, a sampling of Tim Duncan's since corrected wikipedia page:

It's funny, I always thought Tony Parker's matching head beard was evidence of a not so secret relationship with Duncan.

I Can't Even Begin to Find the Words...

2008-07-21T12:47:00.001-07:00

h/t to Barstool Sports

Suns' Neck Tattoo Share Doubles

2008-07-21T11:41:00.004-07:00

The Suns will apparently rescue Matt Barnes from Nellie's doghouse and he'll sign a one-year deal for the veteran's minimum today.

There isn't a whole lot to dislike about this deal, as Barnes is a guy who does a little bit of everything and will give the team more depth. You have to wonder a bit why he's so readily available on the cheap, but if he's able to play as well as he did during the Warriors' magical run from a couple of years ago, Kerr and Co. got themselves a steal.

The priority for the Suns is still a back-up point guard, especially after DJ's disastrous performance in the summer league. With Dragic's status still up in the air, we can only hope Sam Cassell and Damon Stoudamire are as far away from Phoenix as possible.