Some say players win championships. Others say it’s the coaches and front office brass who deserve the credit for putting the championship pieces together. I’d venture to guess it’s a little of both. But who gets the credit when a perinial championship contender, suddenly becomes a non-factor in the chase for the ring? In the case of the Phoenix Suns, the blame can be placed squarely on the shoulders of ownership, and front office decision makers.
Most observers will point to the Marion for Shaq trade as the culprit. But in all reality, the Suns made a string of fatal decisions starting 2 years earlier when they botched up the re-signing of then soon-to-be All Star Joe Johnson. In the midst, the Suns also thought it a bright idea to draft and then give Rajon Rondo away to the Celtics for nothing. And oh yea …there was the Marion trade for Shaq. There you have it. A string of bad decisions that brought a once mighty contender to the ground.
Can you imagine rolling a starting line-up onto the floor featuring Rondo and Joe Johnson in the backcourt, Marion and Stoudimire in the front court, and whatever big stiff the Suns could have gotten in a trade for Steve Nash at center. Pao Gasol anyone? We certainly know now that Gasol was available. It’s also safe to say if the Grizzlies gave Gasol to the Lakers for nothing, then the Suns could have successfully pried Gasol away by dangling the 2 time MVP as trade bait.
But the Suns have grown far too sentimental to become champions. With the competition in the league getting stiffer by the day, the Suns chose to invest yet more money into a declining Steve Nash. Sometimes an organization has to have the stones to trade its most popular player to stay relevant. The Lakers dumped Shaq — remember? And the Suns should have traded Steve Nash several years ago when the hype was at its height.
The Suns chose not to. Instead, they chose to get rid of everyone else. Now front office brass is threatening to trade Amare Stoudimire. Yet another bad decision in the works.