that they wanted the SPURS in the Finals.

If you notice my icon is for the LA Angels; (not to fear — I’m a Suns fan all the way in the NBA!!) well, over on Halos Heaven we’ve got an interesting thread about the Donagy book and the manipulation of NBA games by officials.

There are alot of interesting comments over on HH if you guys want to check it out. I have posted and commented on this issue for what seems like forever. I have no doubt in my mind that David Stern and the NBA office had ulterior motives when they suspended both Stoudemire and Diaw for Game 5. I was absolutely infuriated (as I’m sure the entire city of Phoenix was, and I rember hearing how talk radio and the papers were blowing up with the stuff). The fact that it came off the back of an incredible, gutty win in SA in Game 4 made it all the more infuriating.

I felt that Game 4 was probably the best game the Suns have played in the Nash era, (the great comeback down by 11 pts late) and it probably would have propelled them to a Championship. They were by far the most dominant team in the regular season and had just ripped home court advantage back. I felt that Stern and the league office had robbed Nash of his best chance to win a ring and bring the trophy back to the Valley.

This all being said, I don’t agree that we’re only a “semi-rebuilding team just looking for the playoffs.” With a healthy Nash and Amare and the way J-Rich is playing, the sky is the limit.

Two things this year will be key:

1) How much can the Suns improve as a team DEFENSIVELY?
2) How consistent will the BENCH PLAY be?

I think these two things will tell the tale this year.