Sunspots: 7/27/07

• More from Tim Kawakami (who wrote about the Garnett deal linked in yesterday’s Sunspots): He thinks the Warriors become the favorites for KG unless the Suns are willing to move Stoudamire: “(Warriors GM Chris) Mullin made the Baron Davis move. He made the Stephen Jackson/Al Harrington for Dunleavy/Murphy/Diogu move. He can do big deals. And those were nothing compared to the time and will he has put into chasing KG.”
• Boris Diaw might pay for the insurance out of pocket to play for the French National Team. A nice gesture, but it seems to me like the French team should foot the bill.
• Did the Sonics trade for Kurt Thomas as a mentor to Kevin Durant and Jeff Green? Seattle likes his defensive-mindedness, and the 35 year old Thomas is easily the oldest player on a team building toward the future.
• Behind the scenes at Phoenix Suns dance team tryouts. Yes, there is a picture. Just for good measure, here are some more.
• 2004 was the worst year in Phoenix sports history, according to the Phat Phree.

Why this Donaghy thing is not the end of the world

Like you, I was a little surprised when these Tim Donaghy allegations came to light. No, I wasn’t shocked, not bowled over by the news. If anything, I was mostly surprised because I always assumed that the fixing of NBA games was a giant, league-wide conspiracy, not an individual referee. Unlike many, however, I am not totally down on the future of the league. Yes, things are as bad for David Stern as they ever been, but there are plenty of reasons for fans of The Association to be hopeful right now.

1. There is no evidence that any other referees, or any other league personnel, are involved in any point shaving.

Conspiracy theorists such as myself have been saying for years that the NBA gently guides certain teams through the playoffs to create the most profitable matchups. From the infamous Kings-Lakers 2002 series (Game 6 in particular, in which Sacramento was whistled for 27 fourth quarter fouls) to this year’s much-discussed Suns-Spurs Game 3, the evidence just seems overwhelming for the league. Now, imagine how convenient it must be that all criticism from Game 3 can be deflected onto Donaghy, who just happened to be officiating. Casual fans will understand that the scandal is an isolated incident, that Donaghy is no longer an official, and will assume that the other referees only have the best intentions.

2. No commissioner is better in a crisis than David Stern.

The man has been subject to a lot of criticism over the past few years, much of it deserved, but he is still far and away the greatest leader in any sport right now. While Roger Goodell and Bud Selig waffle over what to do with Michael Vick and Barry Bonds respectively, Stern had no problem taking the hard line with Donaghy, demonstrating no doubt about his guilt. No other commish would have had the balls to throw the hammer down on Artest, with his infamous “unanimous decision” quote. If David Stern had been president during 9/11, do you think we would be stuck in Iraq right now. No, Sternie would have immediately commisioned a bomb-proof geodesic dome to be built over Manhattan. And Stern’s tough guy posturing is exactly the reason that…

3. The 2007/2008 season will be the most immaculately officiated in NBA history.

For every single bad call, every single missed call, every time Kobe or LeBron gets the benefit of the doubt this season, fans will be calling for the head of the referee. Do you think that Stern will allow any more questioning of the officials on his watch. I’m thinking fines for the refs for every bad play. I’m thinking NFL-style instant replay for close calls. Every errant Bruce Bowen knee or wild arm flailing by Shaq will be subject to more intense scrutiny than ever. Four officials on the floor? It’s possible. Will we still see the “B-team” refs calling playoff games or nationally televised matchups? Not likely.

And do you think that there’s any way Sternie would let the Spurs win a championship again if the refs are being watched? Not bloody likely. See, there are lots of reasons to be excited about next year.

Sunspots: 7/26/07

• The Basketball Jones discusses the Suns current situation
• A San Antonio perspective on the now-infamous Game 3
• Kevin Garnett talks are apparently still in the air
• Suns fans seem to have a special knack for finding the wrong side of the law [Pic 1] [Pic 2] [Pic 3]
• If you check ESPN.com at least 8 times a day like I do, then you’ve surely already noticed the main page’s cosmetic surgery

A Mission Statement

Now that we have two real, honest blog posts under our belts, we feel its high time for a proper mission statement.

Hustle and Flow has conceived two days ago, while, on the treadmill watching ESPN at the gym, I was lamenting the fact that no great Phoenix Suns blogs exist.  There are great NBA team-centric blogs out there, such as Golden State of Mind or Celtics 24/7, and great local interest blogs such as D.C. Sports Bog or The 700 Level.  There were, however, no Phoenix interest blogs that I could consider must-read (with apologies to Bright Side Of The Sun).  At that moment, halfway into my jog with my heartrate at a healthy 176 bpm, it was decided that Hustle and Flow would be created.

Hustle and Flow will cater to the interests of Suns fans, providing news and insight on the Suns and other content about the NBA as it relates to the purple and orange.  I am not an experienced blogger and have no journalistic access or experience; I am merely a lifelong Valley resident (and expatriate, currently attending school in Tucson) and Suns fan.  Hopefully, as this forum grows, a community will grow with it; a place for all Suns fans to gather and commiserate.  As for now, I hope potentially readers will be satisfied with a hodgepodge of Suns news and opinion.

Please make a note to check back here periodically, as we will always be learning and growing to create the definitive Suns source on the net.

Sunspots: 7/25/07

• The Republic’s Bob Young on how Suns fans are affected by the Donaghy fallout. Dan Bickley chimes in as well.

• An insurance issue could keep Suns forward Boris Diaw from playing for France in the upcoming European Championships.

• The NBA announced its annual Christmas matinee matchup, and it’s the Cavs and the Heat (read: LeBron vs. Wade). Once again, the league demonstrates that personalities are the center of its marketing strategies, eschewing the most exciting, talented teams (Phoenix, Dallas, even Golden State) in favor of a hyped one-on-one matchup.

Suns Resign Marks to One Year Deal

Authors note: I’m going to pretend that this isn’t actually the first real post in Hustle and Flow history, suffice to say that WordPress’ generic ‘Hello World’ will do the trick. I’m really no good at introductions.

File this one under ‘everyone saw that coming.’ Sean Marks joins the illustrious list of white Suns backup big men that includes Luc Longley, Jake Voskuhl, Paul Shirley, and Pat Burke by inking a one-year, $1.244 million deal. Some of our more alert readers may remember that the Suns dealt Kurt Thomas to the Sonics earlier this week.

Because this new development has nothing to do with salary cap woes and everything to do with getting past the Spurs and winning a championship in 2008, it is of no interest that only $779,000 of the veterans minimum deal will count toward the cap.

Marks, and eight year veteran, scored 6 points and grabbed 3 rebounds in three appearances for the Suns last year. No, those are not averages, they are cumulative totals.

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