(2-16-04) It's funny, I wrote this page about 3 years ago, and things still haven't changed!)
I have been a fan of the Suns almost since the day I was born. I was born in 1966 and the Suns came to be on January 22, 1968. The team wasn't named until April of that year in a contest run by the Arizona Republic. My first game was when I was 4 or 5 (1970 or 71). They played the Celtics and I remember having a great time. I was a big fan of "The Hawk" as a child.
Unlike my anti-crudinals pages, I will be supporting the Suns. I won't be disrespecting them or making fun of them. I will, however, keep ,my expectation of the Suns realistic. I will also print the truth about the Suns and will criticize them if necessary.
The Suns This Year
The Suns made the mistake of cutting the great JOE KLEINE. The Suns are still struggling with one big problem....They totally lack CONSISTENCY!! Letting Kleine go only added to this problem...now they need to get him back ASAP!!!!!! He has a ton of heart and when he is out on the court, he ignites his teammates. Kidd is a great player but he needs strong, CONSISTENT help. The Suns are still trying to rebuild by have far to go. As usual they signed some big named player and expected him to solve all their problems. WRONG!!!! Haven't the Suns learned by now that quick fixes don't work. They also should've learned that a player that ignites his team like JOE KLEINE is a key part of any post-season hopes they might have.
My Solutions
There is one step the Suns should take ASAP...they need to bring back JOE KLEINE and MARIO BENNETT!!!! Super Mario, if given the chance and MAJOR playing time will make a huge impact on thyis team. This guy can do it all and will soon become a superstar in the NBA!!!!! The Bulls made a huge mistake in letting him go. They are still struggling and he was the man who could have pulled them out!!!! If the Suns have ANY hope at all of making a run at the playoffs this year (and they need consistency to do this), it lies with the signings of Super Mario and the return of Kleine.. They are the remaining pieces of the puzzle that are needed for the Suns to have a chance at anything this year.
Next, the Suns have to play Kleine!!! They need to give him as much time as possible. When he plays they win!!!!! It's that simple. When he gets a bunch of time, the Suns win. When he doesn't, mark it a loss for the Suns. They were 9-2 when he started for them last year!!!!!
The Suns Outlook
Not good!! I am going to call the Suns as finishing in 8th place or lower in the western conference. They are still not playing a solid 4 quarters of basketball (the same problem they've been having for at least 6 or 7 years) and they are totally inconsistent. They win big one day and lose big the next. That is not the way a team that has a chance to make the playoffs plays. I hate to say it, but unless they give Kleine a LOT more time, the Suns will not go far in the playoffs this year. If, by some miracle they do win a couple in the first round, they haven't any future in the playoffs. You can, unfortunately, look for them to make a quick exit early in the first round. They will probably finish with around 42 to 44 wins and around 40 to 38 losses. Nothing special or noteworthy.