Five Things For Suns Fans to be Thankful For

At this time of year, people talk about giving thanks. Thanks for the wonderful families that they have, or that they still have a roof over their heads, or just for the things in their lives that they do for fun.

Basketball is that kind of distraction. The frentic action, big plays, and big stars make for a vastly entertaining experience for fans young and old alike, and with the state of the nation right now, the kind of experience that watching a basketball game can provide is something that is needed as a cathartic release to all of the stresses of life.

With that as the background, there are five elements of the game in particular, and of the Suns themselves, that we as fans should be thankful for on this day of thanks.

1. Run and Gun is Back

When Terry Porter took over the team for Mike D’Antoni before last season, the emphasis for the team became a lot more about improving on the defensive end of the floor.

Hugs All Around!

While this was all well and good, the place the Suns really suffered was on offense, with their game being predicated more on a low post game through Shaq and Amare than the run-and-gun style that had marked the D’Antoni years.

With the team increasingly unhappy with Porter’s direction, and the team losing ground in the standings, Porter was relieved of his duties, and replaced by Alvin Gentry, who re-instituted “Seven Seconds or Less” basketball to the team.

They barely missed the playoffs last season, and this year they have opened the season with one of the best records in the league, scoring over 100 points in all of their games and beating teams like the Celtics and the Heat on the road. Not a bad return to prominence for this team.

2. Great Seats Are Available

Earlier this season, the Suns’ lengthy home sell-out streak came to a screeching halt, and while attendance has steadily held at a high level, there are still tickets available to a lot of games. The Suns have also been issuing ticket deals through their Facebook and Twitter pages as well.

So if you’re bored and have nothing to do, check out the Suns’ website and see what kind of deals you can get to go to US Airways Center!

3. Dumb Trades Haven’t Hit in Awhile

Channing Frye

Over the past few seasons, the Suns have dealt away a good number of players who have later gone on to be NBA stars.

This list includes Joe Johnson (Hawks), Rajan Rondo (Celtics), and Rudy Fernandez (Blazers) to name a few, and that’s not even mentioning guys like Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, and Shawn Merion who have been traded for other guys like Shaq and Jason Richardson.

Fortunately, the Suns have made some good acquisitions recently, including landing Channing Frye, who has been a pleasant surprise this season. Hopefully the good vibes continue, and if Steve Kerr does decide to deal Amare Stoudemire at any time soon, he’ll get something solid in return (Stephen Curry…..PLEASE!)

4. Steve Nash Has Regained His Status as an MVP Candidate

When you have a guy who just signed a 2 year, $22 million contract extension, you are going to want him to produce to earn that money.

Steve Nash

Nash is doing just that, averaging 16.7 points per game and nearly 12 assists per contest so far this season, and he has played so well that ESPN listed him as the top NBA MVP candidate thus far this season.

If he can continue to play at a high level for the Suns, then he might just pull the upset.

5. 12-3

Of course Suns fans should be thankful for the team’s solid start to the season. Their 12-3 mark is the second best mark in the NBA, and the defense on the squad has actually improved a bit. Some insiders say that the team’s chemistry is the best that it has ever been, and if that’s the case, we could see a return to the type of success that the team had in the middle of the decade.

So, on this date of Thanksgiving, give thanks for your family, your friends, and for the Phoenix Suns: the best distraction from life’s problems that money can buy.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Tags: Alvin Gentry, Amare Stoudemire, Boris Diaw, Boston Celtics, Channing Frye, ESPN, Joe Johnson, Miami Heat, Mike D'Antoni, Phoenix Suns, Raja Bell, Rajan Rondo, Rudy Fernandez, Shawn Merion, Stephen Curry, Steve Kerr, Steve Nash, Terry Porter