I. Season Recap

2002 Record 36-46 (.439)

Well the Phoenix Suns missed the play-offs for the first time since the 1987-88 season. Questionable off-season moves hurt the team's chemistry and took away their two best defensive players (Robinson and Kidd). The Robinson deal could only be explained as a way of getting some cap space, while the Kidd deal was made after the much-publicized domestic violence incident. Both deals were mistakes in my humble opinion.

The team seamed to struggle with consistency all season long, due in part to a lack of any inside offensive presence. On February 17, then coach Scott Skiles stepped down and was replaced in the interim by former Suns player Frank Johnson. With an eye on the future the Suns traded away veterans Tony Delk and Rodney Rogers for essentially rookie Joe Johnson and a draft pick. After what seemed like a long season for Suns fans (used to at least making the play-offs) The Suns future still looks promising, with a younger core of players and 2 1st round draft picks. Signing Shawn Marion is essential to the team's future success.

II. Roster

NO. PLAYER            POS   HT    WT   YRS    DOB      COLLEGE
==  ======            ===   ==    ==   ===    ===      =======
 0 I-Randy Brown      G   6-2   190   10    5/22/68   New Mexico State 
11  Joseph Crispin    G   6-0   185    R    7/18/79   Penn State
 4  Alton Ford        C   6-9   275    R    5/29/81   Houston
24 I-Tom Gugliotta    F   6-10  240    9   12/19/69   NC State
 1  Penny Hardaway    G   6-7   215    8    7/18/71   Memphis
 2  Joe Johnson       G/F 6-8   225    R    6/29/81   Arkansas
 9  Dan Majerle       G   6-6   222   13     9/9/65   Central Michigan
 3  Stephon Marbury   G   6-2   180    5    2/20/77   Georgia Tech
31  Shawn Marion      F   6-7   215    2     5/7/78   Nevada-Las Vegas
45  Bo Outlaw         F   6-8   210    8    4/13/71   Houston
10  Milt Palacio      G   6-3   195    2     2/7/78   Colorado State
25  Jake Tsakalidis   C   7-2   285    1    6/10/79   AEK (Greece)
43  Jake Voskuhl      C   6-11  245    1    11/1/77   Connecticut
22  John Wallace      F   6-9   225    5     2/9/74   Syracuse


Phoenix Suns              Date       # of         total
Player                   signed      years       salary      misc      FA
Randy Brown ...........   8/3/00       3   $7.425 million          p-opt '02
Joe Crispin ...........   1/7/02       1         minimum                 '02
John Wallace ..........   8/6/99       3    $6.6 million                 '02
Alton Ford ............   7/8/00       1         minimum           t-opt '03 
Tom Gugliotta .........   1/23/99      6    $58.5 million          p-opt '03
Shawn Marion ..........   7/30/99      4      $7,252,096      rc         '03
Milt Palacio ..........   7/18/01      2      $1,440,000           t-opt '03
Jake Voskuhl ..........  10/19/00      3         minimum           t-opt '03 
Anfernee Hardaway ..      8/5/99       7     $86,675,000           p-opt '04
Stephon Marbury ......    7/18/96,            $5.67mill+
                          3/13/99     3+6     $70.9mill            p-opt '04
Jake Tsakalidis .......  10/2/00       4      $4,042,022    rc     t-opt '04
Joe Johnson ...........   7/10/01      4      $7,547,514    rc     t-opt '05
Bo Outlaw .............   8/3/00       5     $28 million                 '05

III. Position Analysis.

Centers: Jake Tsakalidis, Jake Voshkul.

The two Jakes aren't the worst Center tandem in the league, but then they're far from the best. Tsakalidas- "Big Jake" is a monster. At 7-3 /283. But he's still pretty raw. If he can continue to develop and get a go to inside move, plus maybe a bit of a mean streak, he could be a good starting Center for years in the league. You can't teach size like that. Little Jake, (Voskuhl) is more of a hustle guy. Though not very big he's a serviceable back up.

Power Forwards: Bo Outlaw, Tom Gugliotta, Alton Ford

This is the teams biggest area of concern. Bo Outlaw is an undersized aging vet who's never been much of a scorer, but will dive through a wall for a loose ball. Bo 2-3 years ago would have been a big upgrade over Bo now. "Googs", ah Googs, we're do we begin. Gugliotta is a former All-Star who would average close to 20 pts-10 rebs. Now a shadow of his former self, he continues a long line of Suns All-Stars who can't stay healthy. (We miss you KJ) Leg problems and a near death experience latter, we'd love to get his contract off the books. Alton Ford is the lone draft pick from last year. He's still raw, but a horse at 6-9 275. If only he were a 7 footer.

Small Forwards: Shawn Marion, John Wallace.

Marion "the Matrix" is the cornerstone of the franchise IMO. Someone explain to me how a guy 6-7, 215 pounds averages 10 rebounds a game. A rare potential 20-10 "small forward". Ultra-athletic, scores, rebounds, blocks shots, defends, and still improving. Scary Potential. All-star.

John Wallace does one thing well. He's a scorer. He can put up points, period. Unfortunately the man he's guarding is often just as good a scorer. Defense is a foreign concept to him. He should be a better rebounder for his size as well. When he gets the playing time he really can really...well you know, score. Joe Johnson can see time here as well.

Shooting Guards: Penny Hardaway, Joe Johnson

Penny was once one of the top five or ten players in the league. Where did it go? He's hoping he can get some of the "Magic" back. Injuries and rumors of being a locker room cancer have followed him to the Valley of the Suns. If he could buckle down, play defense, hustle and give us 15-5-5, he could still be a valuable piece to the puzzle. Still capable of offensive explosions, and always a potential triple double in the making, if he hasn't already worn out his welcome, he could have something to prove. Joe Johnson is the future. And the future may be now. At 6-8, 225, and 20 years old, he's still learning to play the game, but a lot of potential. He's big for a guard, which is good. Also capable of spending some time at the 3.

Point Guard: Stephon Marbury, Milt Palacio, Joe Crispin, Randy Brown

This position starts and ends with "Starbury". Stephon truly is a gifted player. Averages of 20 points and 8 assists a game. A good outside shooter and very quick, can get to anywhere on the court. Must shake the label of being a good player on bad teams. When he gets going he's pretty unstoppable. Behind him, the pickings are slim, between oft-injured vets Randy Brown, and two inexperienced youths, the battle for back up minutes is up for grabs. Ideally, this spot would be manned by Penny Hardaway, with Johnson, and Marbury making an intriguing three guard rotation.

IV. Coaching/Management

Frank Johnson is a former player and relatively new coach. This will be his first full season as a head coach, so it's hard to tell what to expect. The players seem to like him, and want to play hard for him (except maybe Penny) 

Bryan Colangelo, frankly has me baffled. It's been said he helped make three great play-off teams this season. Unfortunately, they were all in the East. (Detroit, NJ, and Boston) I have much more confidence in dad Jerry. His history of great draft steals speaks for itself. Bryan made some questionable moves last off-season, but I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now, and see how this team works out.

V. Previous Drafts

• 2001 - Alton Ford
• 2000 -- Iakovos "Jake" Tsakalidis, AEK (Greece)
• 1999 -- Shawn Marion, UNLV
• 1998 -- None
• 1997 -- None
• 1996 -- Steve Nash, Santa Clara
• 1995 -- Michael Finley, Wisconsin
               Mario Bennett, Arizona State
• 1994 -- Wesley Person, Auburn
• 1993 -- Malcolm Mackey, Georgia Tech
• 1992 -- Oliver Miller, Arkansas

VI. Team Needs

The biggest team need for this Suns team is a big man. An athletic power forward who can bang, rebound run the floor and provide some thing of a low post presence. A McDyess type would be ideal. Barring that a back-up point man, or possibly a combo guard who can hit a spot up jumper, would also be a less pressing need. Especially if we move Penny as some are suspecting.

VII. My Selection

Amare Stoudemire - 6'10" PF Cypress Creek HS

Already has an NBA body. Terrific Athlete. Big knock is that he's a high-schooler who only knows how to dunk offensively. "Stoudemire has said he literally doesn't know how to play the game." But he plays hard. And is Ultra competitive. The kind of Fire the suns need, as we're sometimes labeled soft. "He's got a motor. He's got a high give a (bleep) meter."

VIII. Other considered.

"Nene" Hilario- I've heard him described as a young Shawn Kemp. Strong, agile, with some decent post moves and a 7- 4 wing-span. Would be a dream come true. IMO.

Nickoloz Tskitishvili - 6' 11 With the flood of Europeans coming in with success, he's intriguing. But we need more of a banger, then a finesse player.

Qyntel Woods - 6'8" Intriguing CC prospect. Would hate to pass up on the "Next T-Mac"

IX Off-season

The big question is what to do with Penny. If he can get along and be a contributor the team has the potential to get back to the post season. Getting beyond that though is still doubtful without an upgrade in the frontcourt. A health Googs would help, but an inside scorer (anybody?) would be a godsend.