WORDS BY: ERIK ONG
October 26, 2009 | 1891 views
Phoenix Suns
Coach: Alvin Gentry
Projected Starting Five:
PG: Steve Nash
SG: Jason Richardson
SF: Grant Hill
PF: Amar'e Stoudemire
C: Channing Frye
Key Additions: Channing Frye, Earl Clark (R), Taylor Griffin (R)
Key Losses: Shaquille O'Neal, Matt Barnes
The Phoenix Suns will be returning to its run-and-gun style of play this season. This bodes well for a team that once flourished under former coach Mike D'Antoni's system. Their current coach, Alvin Gentry, a D'Antoni assistant during his stay in Phoenix, is expected to duplicate and execute said offense-oriented system. The doctors have given Amar'e a clean bill of health and they said he has 20-20 vision and his eyes should be fine as long as he wears protective goggles while he's on the court.
The team added Channing Frye, a big man with a soft touch from the outside. Based on early pre-season performances, he appears to fit well with the system, too. The Suns may just possibly get to sneak into the Playoffs this year, but won't likely go the distance especially when they face the Lakers or the Spurs.
SACRAMENTO KINGS
Coach: Paul Westphal
Projected Starting Five:
PG: Tyreke Evans
SG: Kevin Martin
SF: Andres Nocioni
PF: Jason Thompson
C: Sean May
Key Additions: Tyreke Evans (R), Omri Casspi (R), Sergio Rodriguez, Sean May, Desmond Mason
Key Losses: Ike Diogu, Shelden Williams
If there is a player in this year's rookie crop who will be able to challenge Blake Griffin (LAC) for the title of Rookie of the Year, it would have to be Sacramento Kings' Tyreke Evans. He has a mad offensive game that should complement all-star guard Kevin Martin's, pretty well.
The Kings will live and die by how well Kev-Mart is able to stay away from injury, as he is their most prolific Young big men, Spencer Hawes and Jason Thompson, help round the team. Hawes is known for his good basketball IQ, while Thompson is an athletic specimen that is capable of producing well on both ends of the court. Francisco Garcia broke his arm in a weird physio-ball accident while training and should be out for at least six weeks. Andres Nocioni will start at small forward in his absence. It should be a rocky season for the Kings as their young players develop their games and mature as individuals.
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