Post by Phoenix Suns on May 7, 2009 1:18:53 GMT
Phoenix Makes Whole-Sale Changes
Conventional wisdom would say if it's not broke, don't fix it.
But that doesn't seem to be the way new Phoenix General Manager Peter Nincompoop sees things. After taking over the team less than a month ago, the Suns have deals in place to create an entirely new starting five, and a drastically altered bench. Whether these deals turn out to bring the Suns that elusive title is yet to be seen, but one thing is for sure; This team has a wholly new style.
Let's break the new depth chart down position by position, since, for this writer's money, all the trades are even and improve the roster.
Starting with the big nasties. The Suns have gone from perennial all-star and certain hall of famer Kevin Garnett to Rising star Troy Murphy. Murphy has been lighting up the league thus far, he's averaging a double double, and has had 5 straight solid NBA seasons. This transition, in my opinion, and with Garnett's age and deteriorating knees in the front of my mind, this move can be seen as a slight, but not by very much, downgrade. Murphy is nowhere near as proven as Garnett, but will provide a solid down low presence and great rebounder for many more years than Garnett could have provided.
At the other post position, the Suns have gone from one of the best european players in history in Dirk Nowitzki to one of the true rising stars in the league, David West. These two play very different styles, with Dirk's tendency to shoot the three, and West's very solid post skills. This is another downgrade, but when you are going from an all-star power forward to a player who has all of five years in the NBA under his belt, this is about as good as it gets. Both big men average around 20 points per game, with West averaging a few less points, but more rebounds. Youth again came into the picture in this deal, West has many more years to improve and is entering his prime, whereas Nowitzki is on the downward slope of his career and has past his prime.
At the three, Phoenix has gone from Boris Diaw to Stephen Jackson. GM Nincompoop told me, "Diaw, while very versatile, is not the player I was really looking for to play my small forward spot, and when Stephen became available, a player who does so much and is one of the better defenders in the game, I had to jump at the opportunity to grab him." These players are, again, similar, but this time, Jackson is the elder to Diaw, yet with the statistics Jackson is putting up this year, the Suns had to grab him. This change is a stalemate to me, both players play very similar styles, and will excel in their new environments.
At the shooting guard spot, the Suns have gone from Richard "Rip" Hamilton to Kevin Martin. Martin is a pure scorer, who, like Hamilton, has a great jump shot, but again, is younger. Rip may grab a few more boards or dish out a few more assists, but Martin is much younger, and with this supporting cast, all he has to do is put the ball in the bucket. I look for Martin to really take off with this team, and this writer wouldn't be surprised if he became a consistent all-star. I would look at this as an upgrade, considering the circumstances. Martin could very well become the next Richard Hamilton.
Finally the most important position on the floor, Point Guard. The Suns have gone from unproven Michael Conley, Jr., to, yet again, up and coming Raymond Felton. Felton has been on fire in his past few games, and the Suns GM hopes he can continue his success with the Suns. He definetly has the parts around him, and there is no doubt, this move is a huge upgrade.
Well theres your new starting five, assuming all trades go through, which there should be no reason they should not. I look at the whole deal as an upgrade for the future, and look for this team to contend for a title for the next five years, and win a couple too.
Conventional wisdom would say if it's not broke, don't fix it.
But that doesn't seem to be the way new Phoenix General Manager Peter Nincompoop sees things. After taking over the team less than a month ago, the Suns have deals in place to create an entirely new starting five, and a drastically altered bench. Whether these deals turn out to bring the Suns that elusive title is yet to be seen, but one thing is for sure; This team has a wholly new style.
Let's break the new depth chart down position by position, since, for this writer's money, all the trades are even and improve the roster.
Starting with the big nasties. The Suns have gone from perennial all-star and certain hall of famer Kevin Garnett to Rising star Troy Murphy. Murphy has been lighting up the league thus far, he's averaging a double double, and has had 5 straight solid NBA seasons. This transition, in my opinion, and with Garnett's age and deteriorating knees in the front of my mind, this move can be seen as a slight, but not by very much, downgrade. Murphy is nowhere near as proven as Garnett, but will provide a solid down low presence and great rebounder for many more years than Garnett could have provided.
At the other post position, the Suns have gone from one of the best european players in history in Dirk Nowitzki to one of the true rising stars in the league, David West. These two play very different styles, with Dirk's tendency to shoot the three, and West's very solid post skills. This is another downgrade, but when you are going from an all-star power forward to a player who has all of five years in the NBA under his belt, this is about as good as it gets. Both big men average around 20 points per game, with West averaging a few less points, but more rebounds. Youth again came into the picture in this deal, West has many more years to improve and is entering his prime, whereas Nowitzki is on the downward slope of his career and has past his prime.
At the three, Phoenix has gone from Boris Diaw to Stephen Jackson. GM Nincompoop told me, "Diaw, while very versatile, is not the player I was really looking for to play my small forward spot, and when Stephen became available, a player who does so much and is one of the better defenders in the game, I had to jump at the opportunity to grab him." These players are, again, similar, but this time, Jackson is the elder to Diaw, yet with the statistics Jackson is putting up this year, the Suns had to grab him. This change is a stalemate to me, both players play very similar styles, and will excel in their new environments.
At the shooting guard spot, the Suns have gone from Richard "Rip" Hamilton to Kevin Martin. Martin is a pure scorer, who, like Hamilton, has a great jump shot, but again, is younger. Rip may grab a few more boards or dish out a few more assists, but Martin is much younger, and with this supporting cast, all he has to do is put the ball in the bucket. I look for Martin to really take off with this team, and this writer wouldn't be surprised if he became a consistent all-star. I would look at this as an upgrade, considering the circumstances. Martin could very well become the next Richard Hamilton.
Finally the most important position on the floor, Point Guard. The Suns have gone from unproven Michael Conley, Jr., to, yet again, up and coming Raymond Felton. Felton has been on fire in his past few games, and the Suns GM hopes he can continue his success with the Suns. He definetly has the parts around him, and there is no doubt, this move is a huge upgrade.
Well theres your new starting five, assuming all trades go through, which there should be no reason they should not. I look at the whole deal as an upgrade for the future, and look for this team to contend for a title for the next five years, and win a couple too.