Well after reading Bill Simmons new column on page 2 about Kobe Bryant, and how Simmons still believes Kobe hasnt changed as a person or teammate but just how everyone else conformed to him, to make it all work for a championship in LA. He briefly talked about how Ariza turned into a stud, how Odom was taking less minutes and less shots in a contract year ( which is unheard of), and talking about how Gasol was shooting 62% in the playoffs, but settling with his 11 shots a game, crashing the boards, and becoming semi-tough on defense, and to fill a role so Kobe could get his 20+ shots a game and still be "THE GUY" and "Lead HIS team to a Championship"...

I am not a Laker hater by any means, but you never want to see a division rival win anything, especially the Lakers. There is just so much to be said that make Suns' Fans blood boil. How everything is better in LA LA Land, the Stars of Hollywood sitting courtside, the never ending media coverage, the way analysts fall all over Kobe and how he "wants it so bad", "learning to play and trust his teammates"( correct me if I am wrong but isnt that one of the basics of basketball?) and how he is the ultimate competitor, and the closest thing to MJ. I could go on for days but you catch my drift.

After reading all of this, I sat back in my computer chair and reminisced about how we used to destroy the Lakers regularly, and how in 2006 we positioned ourselves at the end of the season so we could play them in the playoffs only to be down 3-1 in the series after some questionable calls or mis-calls, only to storm back and win in 7 games in won of the most exciting first rounds in NBA history to date. Only to make it even better in 2007 when we again DESTROYED the Lakers in the first round again, to have Kobe go off on a complete tirade and rip his teammates(Bynum, more publicly than others), Rip the management, and request a trade that almost happened in Chicago, but Kobe blocked it because the Bulls were giving up too much to get him. Not many people realize how close this was to happening. As a Suns fan I couldn't have loved this anymore. But as we all know there is alot of parody in the NBA, and most of the time all good things must come to an end.

As we near the draft, and the 2009-2010 season, there is a lot of questions that still remain unanswered. With all this drama up in the air it is leaving many suns fans uneasy about the future that is upon us. Re-build now, Re-build later, trade Shaq, keep Amare, trade Amare, draft him, etc, the possibilities are endless. For all we know we could be coming in the next season with a totally different team, maybe only one or two starters from last years team. But to be realistic all teams go through this, but the good ones can set themselves up to get out of the celler quicker than others when they come across troubled times. Its no mystery why there are historically bad franchises( Clippers, Twolves, Memphis etc.) and historically good ones ( Lakers, Suns, Spurs, Celtics etc.)

To come full circle with this I just wanted everyone to sort of remember the good things that we have accomplished. When we were running teams out of the gym, reeling of double digit winning streaks, and crowning MVPs, Coach of the Years, Six Men, and Most improved players regularly. Im sure everyone has heard the saying that it is "always darkest before the dawn." and in this case I think it makes sense. Remember it wasn't to long ago when we were on the verge of being sent into the NBA basement for many years until we signed Steve Nash in the 2004-2005 season, and look at what that got us, we were a few injuries and a bad decision from David Stern away from 2 NBA titles that I thought we should have won with a healthy Amare in 2006, and again in 2007. And as a fan that is all I can ask for, put us in a position to contend for a title and be a entertaining and relevant team. We might have to go through a few bad years, but who knows we might not. We have a Great city, Great Organization, and even better fans and I am thankful for all of it.

As I depart I would like everyone to take a few minutes and read that column Bill Simmons wrote thanking the Phoenix Suns for bringing the life, bravado, excitement, entertainment, and how the game should be played to national audience for ESPN and their viewers. If this doesn't bring a smile to your face and make you proud about what these guys have done for our City, The NBA, and The Suns Organization, I don't know what will.

Here is the link