Too much desert heat will burst Sly's bubble

Opponent File
Phoenix Suns
The Suns play in the America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. Their 2005 - 2006 record was 54 - 28 (first in the Pacific Division). Here's the Phoenix Suns roster.

Local Paper
Arizona Republic | Suns
Team Pages:
CNNSI.com | Suns
ESPN.com | Suns
FoxSports | Suns
NBA.com | Suns
Sportsline.com | Suns

Head Coach: Mike D'Antoni
2006 Draft: G Rajon Rondo (#21), Kentucky (to Boston); G Sergio Rodriguez, (#27), Spain (to Portland).
New Players: G Marcus Banks (Free agent); F Jumaine Jones (Free agent); F-C Sean Marks (Free agent); G-F Eric Piatkowski (Free agent).
Season Goal:Anything is possible when you run like hell. Unfortunately, getting into the Finals is the hurdle they can't seem to cross, so perhaps all that running makes us tired?
Record vs. Nets: 1 - 0
G3: Suns 112, Nets

Other Opponent Files

Phoenix Suns (5 - 6) - Friday, November 24, 2006, 10:30PM EST - America West Arena
Sun Shine On My Shoulders
...Makes me happy, or so it should seem that way, anyway, for Steve Nash and his crew. OK, not off to a great start, back's been bothering ol' Nashie, but really, how do you defend this train wreck of a faster-break offense? Adding Amare Stoudamire to the mix, coming back from major surgery on the knee, just seems brutally unfair. They're 5 - 6 with a modest two game win streak, Shawn Marion is playing against point guards in the fourth quarter, and dare I say this team played some defense in its last game? They even picked up Knick refugee Jalen Rose a few weeks back and are working him into the rotation. As for the Nets, well, reeling probably wouldn't be a strong enough word, as they've dropped 3 straight, all with the same concept - defensive moodiness, as in, "I don't feel like playing it in the fourth quarter". Not good, fans, not good.

Why Should You Watch? Can the Nets out-run, or slow down, Phoenix? That by itself, given the recent woes, is NASCAR car-crash worthy. Kidd always seems to get up for games against his former team, one that almost ran him out of town. How healthy is Nash, and his friend Amare? The whole Boris Diaw phenomenon is worth exploring. And have we heard from the Net bench lately, ever since Cliffie pulled up lame?
- Joe

Phoenix Suns Cheat Sheet
The Story From The Desert: From the Arizona Republic: The last time - and only other time - Amaré Stoudemire came off a scoreless game, he shut down his season in March and headed for the operating table a few days later.

His knees do not ache this time but the delicate process of reincorporating Stoudemire could use some healing. He did not score in 21 minutes Wednesday and saw the game's final 16 minutes from the bench.

It was much like Monday's finish at Golden State, where he sat out the final nine minutes by coach's decision. He was disengaged offensively, like Saturday in Utah when he had one shot in his final 14 1/2 minutes before fouling out.

He left most questions unanswered and wanted to leave the topic and head for the holiday, lastly adding, "I just feel a little out of sync. It'll come."

Patience is repeatedly preached for Stoudemire, coming off two knee surgeries since October 2005. That goes for the coaches, his teammates, the media and the fans, too.

Pain Game: PG Leandro Barbosa (Ankle) is questionable. PF Sean Marks (Elbow) is on IL. C Amare Stoudemire (Flu) is questionable. Jeff McInnis, Josh Boone, and Eddie House won't dress for the Nets.

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