2009-10 Phoenix Suns Predictions

Written October 22, 2009 by Jack Jones

The Phoenix Suns were supposed to be heading into rebuilding mode when they shipped Shaquille O’Neal over to the Cleveland Cavaliers this summer, but the team went ahead and extended Steve Nash’s contract by a couple of years and resigned Grant Hill. Management also said that as long as Amar’e Stoudemire proved he could stay healthy they would extend his deal at the beginning of the season. Even so, the NBA lines makers aren’t all that confident in this team as Phoenix is listed at 40-to-1 to win the West and 60-to-1 to win the NBA Finals this year. If you are going to bet on the NBA then you have to see the $500 match bonus being offered to our readers by BetUS Sportsbook.

Backcourt

This is still Nash’s team and he should be poised for a rebound after struggling under Terry Porter and a more conservative offensive scheme that feature Shaq in the paint. He is deadly from behind the arc and a phenomenal passer and doesn’t appear to be slowing down much at age 35. Jason Richardson will be the starting shooting guard and he put up 16.8 ppg while shooting nearly 40% from 3-point range. Leandro Barbosa will play backup to both spots, but the team needs Goran Dragic to step up as Nash’s backup since Barbosa’s skill set are a better fit for the off-guard spot.

Frontcourt

Hill’s career is coming to a close, but he can still penetrate, handle the ball, and defends well. The good news is that last year he managed his first 82-game season of his career, and the Suns have done a good job of keeping him rested and healthy. Stoudemire is probably going to play power forward, where he’s better suited. He needs to do a better job on the boards, but there are few better offensively and he’s a great fit for this offense since he shoots the mid-range jumper, plays above the rim, and runs the court well. Channing Frye looks to be the starting center, but he’s coming off a season in which he only played 11 minutes per game. Off the bench there is rookie Earl Clark, Robin Lopez, Louis Amundson, and Jared Dudley.

Summary

The Suns are kind of in no-mans land where they aren’t rebuilding but they don’t have the talent up and down the roster to compete with a team like the Lakers. If Stoudemire stays healthy then him and Nash are good enough to get this team into the playoffs, but don’t expect a long stay in the postseason. With our NBA predictions we think the Suns finish 2nd in the Pacific. If you want expert NBA picks to help you beat the spreads each night, sign up for a subscription from one of our handicappers.

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