Ryan Greyslak's NBA Basketball fan blog

The Phoenix Suns are not the worst defensive team in the NBA.

In a recent article released by Dime Magazine they claimed the Suns were the worst defensive team in the NBA.

http://dimemag.com/2009/09/the-phoenix-suns-are-the-worst-defensive-team-in-the-nba/

It is not a fair assumption to call the Suns out as the worst defensive team in the NBA next season. They never have been known for their defensive ability as a team but have been slowly putting pieces in place that will play defense. Some of the Suns younger players might actually become strong defenders in the league over the next couple of years.

There have always been the open holes defensively on the Suns roster. One of the biggest is Steve Nash, he gets substantially worse defensively each year and every point guard in the league gets giddy at the thought of going head to head with him. He can’t stop anybody off the dribble but has always been good at getting where he needs to be on the court to take the charge. Jason Richardson should be traded so Leandro Barbosa can start. He has never been a good defender and doesn’t really show the drive to become any better. Grant Hill is not getting any younger and Channing Frye has never showed the potential to be a strong defender. Even with some of these players on their roster it is not enough for them to already be considered the worst defensive team in the NBA. 

Continue reading "The Phoenix Suns are NOT the worst defensive team in the NBA"

Grant Hill has a few tough decisions ahead of him. Stay with the Suns where his family has settled, go to Boston for a chance to win a championship and get out of the first round of the playoffs for the first time in his career, or take the most lucrative offer given to him from the New York Knicks?

 The Knicks have offered Grant Hill more money then any other team yet to come finish his career with them. According to the NY Post, the Knicks have offered Hill the option of signing a one-year contract worth $5 million, or a three-year contract worth $10 million.  If he is looking for money the Knicks would be the obvious choice. However, if he is looking to win a championship he would be no better off with the Knicks then he would be with the Phoenix Suns. He has also been

Continue reading "Grant Hill’s best financial offer comes from D’Antoni’s Knicks, but no chance at a championship."

Grant Hill is coming off one of his best seasons in years and is currently a free agent. His former team the Phoenix Suns are interested in resigning him but he is also entertaining offers from other teams. The Boston Celtics have offered him one year at 1.9 million and the Knicks have offered a portion of their mid-level option that is believed to be higher then what the Suns or Celtics can pay him.

 

It doesn’t make much sense for Grant Hill to go to New York but there is a good chance he could end up in a Boston Celtics uniform by next season.

 

Continue reading "Grant Hill gets offers from Boston Celtics and New York Knicks"

Grant Hill Rumors

Grant Hill met with Doc Rivers over the weekend and according to Comcast Sports Net ( http://www.csnne.com/wickedgoodsports/rasheed-is-a-celtic/ ) he is expected to agree to a deal with the Boston Celtics before the week is over. The Suns have been actively pursuing free agent Grant Hill but it is rumored he wants to play with a championship contending team for his final season. Grant Hill has been a stand up guy with the Suns, a great locker room guy, and the most consistent defender on the Suns team. For the first time in many years he was able to play all 82 games last season and put up career numbers.

 

Ben Wallace Rumors

Ben Wallace was the main piece brought over from the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Shaquille O’Neal trade. The main reason Ben Wallace was acquired is because it was rumored that after not seeing much court time last season and his trouble with injuries that he would accept a buyout of his contract or retire which could save the Suns a considerable amount of money. Since Wallace has been acquired by the Suns there has been little to zero talk about what the plan is for him.

Continue reading "Suns Rumors and off-season moves"

accoding to the LA times ( http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers-kobe-bryant1-2009jul01,0,5024600.story )

 The Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs are among the teams interrested in signing free agent Lamar Odom.

Lamar Odom is apparently in high demand by several teams. He is a versatile power forward that can guard multiple positions and passes and handles the ball extremely well for a forward. Lamar is known for being an inconsistant player but when he shows up, he can be the X factor for a team's chances of winning.

Continue reading "Phoenix Suns interrested in Lamar Odom?"

Steve Kerr is in Orlando today meeting with Grant Hill hoping to secure him on the team and convince him to finish his career as a Phoenix Sun. Grant Hill has stated he is interested in returning to the Suns but realizes this is his last chance at an NBA contract and is hoping for a 2 year deal. The Suns have used Hill’s services at a discounted rate the last two years at a little less than a combined $4 million.

 

In Phoenix, Hill has resurrected his career due to the amazing Suns medical training staff. Hill suffered from multiple injuries before his time in Phoenix. Last year he put up his best numbers in the past few years and was actually healthy enough to play all 82 games. Hill averaged 12.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and shot 52.3% from the field for the Phoenix Suns.

Continue reading "Phoenix Suns top free agent prospect … Grant Hill"

The Suns officially confirmed today that they were going to pick up the player option on Louis Amundson for $855,189. His numbers are a bit deceiving as to his performance last season especially after Amare Stoudemire went down for the season.

 

Louis quickly became a fan favorite due to his high energy up tempo dive for every loose ball mentality on the court. When he entered the game he immediately brought immediate energy to the Phoenix Suns lineup. He was a strong rebounder and defender but needed work on his jump shot.

 

Amundson has worked hard this off-season trying to develop a jump shot so we could see more to him next year. Either way for only $855,189 he is a very inexpensive role player the Suns definitely need to hang onto.

Continue reading "Phoenix Suns pick up team option on Louis Amundson"

The Phoenix Suns drafted Earl Clark with the 14th selection in this year’s draft. His size, speed, and athleticism will be a great fit in Phoenix. They are interested in replacing Marion’s defensive skill that they lost in the Shaq trade and this could be that piece.

 

The Suns second round pick got them Taylor Griffin. The older brother of the number one overall pick Black Griffin.

Continue reading "Phoenix Suns 2009 draft results"

In what I hope is the most absolutley ridiculous trade rumor from an extremely credible source ( to Peter Vecsey of the New York Post) the Suns are discussing a potential deal with the Houston Rockets. The proposed deal would send Amare Stoudemire and Leandro Barbosa to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Tracy McGrady, Carl Landry, and Aaron Brooks. This would be an absolute steal for Houston and would lead to inevitable demise of the Phoenix Suns franchise. Thankfully the salaries do not match with Houston giving up almost 27 million and Phoenix trading about 23 million.

Continue reading "Most ridiculous trade rumor of the day! Amare and Barbosa to Houston?"

In a blockbuster deal for the Cleveland Cavaliers they have acquired future hall of fame center Shaquille O’Neal from the Phoenix Suns. The Suns have agreed to send Shaq to the Cavaliers for Ben Wallace ($14 million dollar expiring contract, potential buyout), Sasha Pavlovich ($4,950,000 non guaranteed expiring contract), the Cavs second round pick, and $500,000.

 

Shaquille O’Neal played about a season and a half with the Suns and completely re-vitalized his career. He put up his best numbers in years and stayed healthier than he has been able to the few previous seasons due to the magical medical staff of the Suns. However this only looked good from the outside. He sat most double header games out except for one last season and constantly in interviews referred to his touches and what he could do for the team if they work the offense through him. 

Continue reading "Shaquille O'Neal traded to Cleveland Cavaliers ... Steve Kerr you lied to us!"