Thanks to our friends at Binary Basketball, we learn today that the legal eagles over NBA.com have this policy in place on their web site's terms and conditions.

As you will see, I can't actually link to their linking policy without being in violation of their policy on linking which states that by linking to them (in accordance with their linking policy) that I have accepted their terms and conditions with regards to the aforementioned policy on linking, links, linkage, linkering, linkermania, and any and all off spring of the term "link" whether in use currently or at any time in the future. Ever.

Here's the good parts...

E. All links to Site from a Permissible Site must be to the Site's home page or to the homepage of a particular team -- links to internal pages within the Site (e.g., a player page, a photo gallery or a feature article) other than to the home page of a team are not permitted.

F. The posting or creation of any link to the Site signifies that you have read these Linkage Restrictions and agree to abide by their terms.

When you think about it, this makes perfect sense.

Why would the NBA want a site like ours to link to the player page of Steve Nash when instead we could be linking to the SBN, ESPN, Yahoo! or CBS Sports player page of Steve Nash?

Can I even use the phrase, "Steve Nash"? I better check the terms and conditions covering the use of property owned by the NBA.

Clearly, anything the NBA can do to make it more difficult to talk about their sport is going to benefit their sport. Clearly.

In other related news, Bright Side of the Sun has instituted a new policy in our terms in conditions stating that any time you type, speak or think about Bright Side of the Sun you must stand on your left foot and touch your nose. Your use of the Internet at any time for any reason implies your consent with this policy.

Phoenix Suns third year guard Alando Tucker had his fourth year option declined by the team making him a free agent at the end of this season. (Photo by Max Simbron)

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In these economic hard times we all probably know some who's been laid off. I've had to let quite a few people go over the last year and it is never easy. These decisions come down to a lot of things but in both business and basketball the bottom line is value.

It is not always about how much potential you have but how much the organization is able to utilize your talents and abilities right now - especially when resources are limited. You might be a great graphic designer but if there are two others better than you who the organization has more invested in then you could be out regardless of what you can do.

It's a numbers game and that's exactly what happened to third year Suns guard Alando Tucker this week when the team announced that it would not be picking up his fourth year option. Tucker now becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.

Tucker I suspect, is the last person in the world who wants anyone to feel sorry for him. He's made a lot of money and he's enjoyed his time as a Sun. Listening to him talk it is clear that he's already looking beyond his time here in Phoenix, "I love all my teammates so it will be tough in that aspect but at the same time I just have to keep getting myself better."

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More photos » by Gregory Bull - AP

The Suns playoff hopes may rest on Amare Stoudemire's shoulders. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

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The good foilks at SB Nation have requested a team preview contribution from BSOTS. ZONAFLASH did an awesome preview that I will not be attempting to outshine. Instead, here's the bare bones that we all have been agonizing over.

Also, be sure to check the team previews at: 

http://www.celticsblog.com/2009/9/19/1037258/nba-blog-previews-2009-schedule

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Steve Nash continues to impress. (Photo by Max Simbron)

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Over the past five seasons I, with many of you, have had the absolute pleasure of watching Steve Nash run the point for one of the best offensive teams in the history of the NBA. I've seen him bury teams with last second heroics (yeah, you remember the game against the Nets), carve up teams with his penetration and passing and carry this Suns organization to great heights on his weakened back.

I've witnessed his two MVP seasons and although I've heard all of the naysayers I have to say that seeing every game of those two seasons there is no doubt that he was the most valuable player in the league. In fact, one of the biggest issues for the Suns has always been that they haven't been able to get him rest because the Suns have been unable to sustain anything when he's on the bench. Don't get me wrong, there have been GAMES where the bench did their job and kept it going but for the most part when Nash went to the bench every Suns fan would hold his/her breath knowing that his break would be cut short out of necessity. In fewer words, Steve Nash has been awesome.

All this being said, I don't think I've ever fully appreciated the total awesomeness that is Steve Nash. Yes I am a long time fan of his defensive instincts...wait...did I just say defense? Yes. Nash has consistently been one of the best in the league at drawing charges on PGs drives and anyone who plays and knows the game knows how difficult this really is. Is his defense lacking? Of course. But would we have such an issue with it if he had somebody behind him willing and able to protect the rim at all costs? Honestly, I don't know. I've always enjoyed watching him shoot crazy percentages from everywhere on the court and I don't need to use any adjectives when talking about Steve Nash's passing. However, it wasn't until this past Saturday that my eyes were truly opened to just how great Stevie Wonder/Nashty/The Golden Sun really is.

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For the time being, Amare Stoudemire will have to contribute at the free throw, from outside and with positional defense. (Photo by Max Simbron)

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A few weeks ago Phoenix Suns Head Coach Alvin Gentry declared that his all-star power forward Amare Stoudemire was only about 60% towards full recovery from his eye injury. Gentry wasn't talking about Amare's eye itself which has a clean bill of health, but his conditioning and basketball rhythm.

Amare for his part denied this, declaring himself 100% and fully prepared to tear it up for another season. Amare has never lacked in confidence.

What we saw in last night's season opener was a 60% Amare. He only had 6 field goal attempts and it wasn't for lack of touches. His 6 turnovers mostly came when he put the ball on the floor and was easily stripped by guards digging down. This is a big indication that Amare's timing and court awareness haven't returned.

He was also stripped when he caught the ball in good position or got an offensive rebound and had to take an extra dribble and gather himself before trying to go up to the rim. That's a sign that his explosiveness is no where near what we are used to.

The best thing for Amare might have been that Blake Griffin wasn't on the floor to provide a visible reminder of the power and fury of the Stoudemire of years gone by. That contrast would have been painful to watch.

I don't know for sure if Amare will return to his old form but I am fairly optimistic that he'll bounce back to at least 80% or 90% of what he has before the injury last year.

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I am not saying everything that convicted felon Tim Donaghy wrote is automatically a lie but I would highly advise taking all of it with a big lick of salt.

Lets also not forget that reputable publishers turned down this book and left it to Deadspin to publish online. Online! Everyone knows you can't believe anything you read ONLINE! (especially from online outfits who thinks it's cool to publish wild ass rumors about a competitor)

I am not even going to link to this trash. You can find it yourself and feel free to use it to look back and find more reasons why the Suns were victimized by the league, or the officials, or the evil empire if that's what floats your boat.

We now return to celebrating the opening day of the Suns 2009/10 season.

F$%k You very much, Tim Donaghy.

[Note by Phoenix Stan, 10/28/09 6:09 PM MST ]

Of course, with anything this..explosive there's going to be a wide variety of opinions. Here's another take

• The Sports Retorter: Maybe the NBA did have it in for the Phoenix Suns | Fanster.com -
  Stories of the NBA telling their referees how to officiate certain games, what players to call fouls against and what teams they wanted to win, are as old as

SI's Chris Ballard's book, The Art Of A Beautiful Game features both Steve Nash and Steve Kerr in prominent roles.

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Note to the FTC: This blogger received a free advance copy of this book to review and to further advance public information, commerce, and freedom. Please address any concerns to the Bright Side of the Sun Legal Office.

Chris Ballard's, The Art Of A Beautiful Game is described in its promotional materials as "The Thinking Fan's Tour of the NBA". I suppose the publicists at Simon & Schuster searched their database of Thinking Fans and found it lacking because they sent me an advance copy to review. Never one to turn down free stuff, I read Ballard's book over the last few days.

Given how busy I am and how little time I have to actually read a book, the fact that I finished it so quickly is a testament to Ballard's work. It is both a compelling read for basketball fans (thinking or otherwise) but it isn't exactly War and Peace either.

The "book" really is more of a bound collection of 12 long articles ranging from Chapter 1 - Why Kobe Will Eat Your Babies If They Stop Him From Winning on to Chapter 12 - LeBron James Is The Bestest Human Being Every Made. I might be off on the actual titles.

For Suns fans there's a lot to chew on. Steve Kerr and Steve Nash each get an entire chapter and there is a fascinating look at rebounding which these days is of special interest in the Valley of the Negative Rebound Differential.

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Phoenix Suns Head Coach Alvin Gentry uses a mix of Southern charm and decades of basketball experience to lead his team. (Photo by Max Simbron)

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Just days before the season opens we are treated to two very good looks at the Phoenix Suns Head Coach.

The first comes from the Arizona Republic's Paul Coro who traveled to Shelby, North Carolina and went deep into Alvin Gentry's roots as a person.

The expensive empowerment that NBA teams have given him requires a belief in his work ethic and character. Gentry found those qualities in his parents. The blue-collar, no-nonsense couple raised six kids and have as flawless a reputation in Shelby as does their son, arguably the town's most famous product this side of bluegrass legend Earl Scruggs.

The second is an in-depth interview conducted after the Suns practiced this weekend. Sports 620 KTAR's Craig Grialou talked to Coach Gentry about his style of coaching and development in his profession as well as his mindset going into the season.