Amare Stoudemire Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns: 2010-2011 Preview by Kevin Michaels
Are you a Phoenix Suns fan Jason Hope is? If so, then since the end of the 2009-2010 season, you’ve likely been awaiting the 2009-2010 NBA season. Well, it’s here! Here are some keys to a successful campaign also be sure to check out the Jason Hope blog.
1. New players
Before the 2010-2011 season started, Amar’e Stoudemire signed with the New York Knicks. Stoudemire had been one of the Phoenix Sun’s superstars, and had been named to the team’s 40th Anniversary Team (2008). The Power Forward had definitely been one of the team’s key players.
However, the Phoenix Suns then spent $80 million to secure some players to replace Stoudemire and to improve the depth of their bench. That includes Hedo Turkoglu. Turkoglu has been playing in the NBA since 1996, and helped the Orlando Magic to reach the 2009 NBA Finals. Another key pickup for the team was Josh Childress. Childress played for the Atlanta Hawks from 2004-2008, and for the Olympiacos Piraeus (Euroleague).
2. Finals Appearance
The Phoenix Suns hope to return to the NBA Finals, for the first time since the 1992-1993 season. Since the 2004-2005 seasons, the Suns have advanced to the Conference Finals three out of six times. Unfortunately, they were unable to advance to the NBA Finals during those years. The Suns hope to build on their appearance in last season’s Western Conference Finals. Although they lost to the L.A. Lakers in six games, the season provided success that Suns could build upon during the 2010-2011 season.
3. Alvin’s Gentry’s second year as head coach
Before becoming the Suns’ head coach, Gentry served for six years as an assistant coach of the Suns. Then during the 2008-2009 season, Gentry became the Suns’ head coach when he replaced Terry Porter. Gentry began turning the team around. During the 2009-2010 season, Gentry led the Phoenix Suns to a 54-28 record. After leading the Suns to the Western Conference Finals, Gentry hopes to take the team to the NBA’s next level of competition: The NBA Finals.
4. Better defense
Alvin Gentry helped to bring the “Run