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.

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.