2007-2008 NBA Season Preview: Phoenix Suns

Despite the meteoric revival of All-Star forward/center Amare Stoudemire and the brilliance of Steve Nash, - for the third consecutive season for the Phoenix Suns since his return to the Valley of the Sun in 2004 - the Suns went down in a Western Conference playoff showdown against the San Antonio Spurs. Amid controversy for questionable calls against Phoenix by recent NBA outcast referee Tim Donaghy and now-seemingly banished official Danny Crawford, the Suns saw their dreams of holding a Larry O'Brien trophy go down in fire. For the upcoming 2007-2008 NBA season, the Suns seek to capitalize on their new roster additions to make competing for the title a much, much more serious matter, as the window of opportunity is somewhat dimmer.

Enter Grant Hill-while seen as an oft-injured player with Hall of Fame talent passed his own prime, Hill can still bring many things to the table that the Suns have made a habit of getting from other similar players such guard/forward (and sometimes center) Boris Diaw and All-Star forward Shawn Marion. At 6'8" and a ball-handler in nature, Hill has the size to play either power forward or small forward in the Phoenix run-and-gun system, while allowing for Nash to get a rest on the bench as the team's backup point guard-an area of legitimate concern considering Nash's fragile back condition and his advancing age at 33.

The Suns have also added to youngsters through the 2007 Draft in first-round pick Alando Tucker from Wisconsin second-round pick D.J. Strawberry from the University of Maryland. Experienced as a good wing defender and scorer, Tucker can allow for a seamless fit with the roster as a primary substitute for starting shooting guard Raja Bell. Strawberry, the son of (in)famous MLB star Darryl Strawberry, also has many tools that can help the Suns in their quest for a championship. Highly experienced in the backcourt, Strawberry brings great size as a quality bench player for a combination guard at 6'5" and can also help to fill in at point guard for Nash.

With the progression of the games of Leandrinho "Leandro" Barbosa and Stoudemire, Phoenix may have the best chance of any previous year to win the title. But there are a few questions that have managed to come about or are still lingering from years past.

Can Marion continue to handle not being "The Man" with Stoudemire getting most of the team's attention? Will Hill hold up in a running style where health of the lower extremities is especially key? What about the repeated wear-and-tear on Nash's body?

If Marion can keep his ego in check and accept a humble position as a mere All-Star on a team loaded with current and former All-Stars; if Hill can keep his minutes low and avoid any and all unfortunate leg and core injuries; if Nash can somehow continue to keep fresh during the NBA regular season and have steady breaks while letting Hill, Diaw, and Strawberry take over at point guard in pinches, the Phoenix Suns can rise above misfortune and live again as a team of rebirth.