2007-08 NBA Season Preview: Phoenix Suns

Last season could certainly be called a major disappointment for the Phoenix Suns, as sports reporters, analysts and many NBA fans had them penciled in as the eventual NBA champions. However, the Suns fell in a tough playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs who went on to win the NBA title, solidifying their status as an NBA dynasty type team. This season, the Suns will look to bounce back from that disappointment as they continue with their talented roster looking for an NBA Finals appearance and the elusive NBA title.

Many say the success of the Phoenix Suns rises and falls with their superstar point guard, Steve Nash. Nash has been a two-time Most Valuable Player in the league, earning his second MVP award when star player Amare Stoudamire was injured for the season. Nash has the ability to improve all players around him, as he sees the court well and distributes the ball like no other. His assist numbers have consistently been solid and contributed to high scoring wins by the team. The Suns should continue to pile up points and victories this coming season as long as Nash stays healthy and in charge of the show.

Amare Stoudamire was considered a question mark last season, but came back from knee surgery and produced mightily. As Amare continues to mature and excel, his presence along with the very versatile Shawn Marion gives the Suns a great trio of talented players. Nash, Stoudamire and Marion are all capable of changing the flow of a game and enabling the Suns to win. However, the bench of the Suns is another great strength, and they have added the services of longtime NBA star, Grant Hill. When healthy, Hill can make solid contributions to a team and will definitely give the Suns even more depth and star power. The team has many great interchangeable parts, such as guards Marcus Banks, Leandro Barboso and Raja Bell, each of whom can enter the game and provide relief to Nash or play alongside him. There is also talented six-man award winner, Boris Diaw, a forward who can play alongside or in the place of Shawn Marion. The Suns added just two rookies in the draft with DJ Strawberry from Maryland and Alando Tucker from Wisconsin, which will give them a bit more depth. However, the rookies will be far from the focus as the team is full of solid veterans poised for title contention.

It's not hard to see the Phoenix Suns being amongst the top three teams for the Western Conference playoffs this season, barring injuries to their three key players, Nash, Stoudamire and Marion. The key games for the Suns will definitely be those against the other top tier Western Conference teams, such as the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs These are the three teams most likely to be vying for the NBA's much coveted trophy in 2008. Expect the Suns to be a favorite of many analysts and fans again and for them to continue to rack up points and victories as they have consistently done for several seasons now.