[truebluefan]

Before the season started, it ended for some fans and most of the national media. When news of the four month absence of big-man prodigy Amare’ Stoudemire broke, the Suns were automatically dropped from many pre-season playoff polls. Not to mention that they took a significant drop in the polls due to the loss of wing players Joe Johnson and Quentin Richardson. Many thought that the signings of Raja Bell and Eddie House and a trade for sharpshooter James Jones were just fillers and that they wouldn’t be in Phoenix had the earlier subtractions not taken place. This however was not the case. Bell was actually brought to Phoenix as a reserve initially, a player to spell Johnson when he needed a breather. House was brought into fill the backup point guard role that was sorely defunct last year. Memories of leads slipping along with the exciting style of play when Nash exited a game last year are gone. House has come in and played the “closer” role for the Suns, often saving games from being potential losses while becoming a fan favorite in the process. Jones has been up and down so far this year as he apparently has struggled with confidence issues. Before the Suns went on a recent east coast road swing, Jones was playing great as he returned from an ankle injury that sidelined him for several games. However, when leaving Phoenix to go east, apparently Jones forgot to pack his jump shot and as he struggled mightily to put up points. Luckily, it did not really matter as the Suns proceeded to go 4-1 on the swing with the only loss coming in a highly controversial triple overtime thriller during the last game of the trip. A player often forgotten is guard Leandro Barbosa who has been sidelined for the past 13 games due to a slight tear of his medial collateral ligament. Barbosa was averaging a career best 13 points before the injury. His returning speed will provide another wheel to the already speedy Suns.

Complete Article by Jonathan Kolb