How often will that happen during the regular season? That's anyone's guess, but head coach Terry Porter isn't counting on a full boat very often -- especially with an older roster that includes several players with a track record of requiring downtime as the games and the mileage mounts.

"This is a long 82-game season, and I think the last two weeks are kind of a peek at the things you have to deal with," Porter said. "Hopefully, we won't have three or four guys out at one time, but to expect to have everyone all the time isn't realistic."

Porter has been very careful during this month of preseason games, which he says are "way too many, and a big risk for getting guys hurt." Grant Hill and Boris Diaw are the only two veterans to play each of the first seven games and once the starters hit their predetermined minute restrictions -- even when a Charlotte-Phoenix game was stretched to double overtime -- they were done for the night.

And while Porter says he has a hard time envisioning an everyday playing rotation of more than nine players, he knows he's gong to need more reinforcements with Nash's back, O'Neal's hip and Hill's history all candidates to cause problems up at some point.

Several players who have shined at times during the preseason are currently on the outside looking in rotation-wise. But Porter has had a long look at big man Louis Amundson, swingman Alando Tucker and guards Robert Hite and Sean Singletary in the preseason, and feels good about the end of his bench and plugging them in when necessary.

And with Nash missing the last week with a pair of minor ankle sprains -- he said he wants to play -- rookie Goran Dragic has had the chance to play with different combinations and log long minutes as he begins the process of learning the league.

Dragic played 41 minutes in Monday's marathon win over the Bobcats and came back to play 38 more the next night -- collecting 10 points, seven rebounds and eight assists against the Clippers. He played the entire third quarter and returned with 5:39 left, as the Suns closed the game on a 15-4 run.

"This has been a very valuable time for Goran," Porter said. "It's been great for him to start, spend time with that starting unit and be on the floor for valuable minutes. He's made a lot of strides."

COACHING STAFF: Head Coach -- Terry Porter, third year overall, first with Suns (71-93). Assistants -- Bill Cartwright; Alvin Gentry, Igor Kokoskov and Dan Majerle.

LAST SEASON, REMEMBERED: 55-27 (2nd in Pacific), fell 4-1 to San Antonio in the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

THIS SEASON, PREDICTED: 52-29 (2nd in Pacific), one round and out again.

POSSIBLE CHANGES, PREDICTED: There doesn't appear to be room in the rotation for him, but Alando Tucker has the ability to score and has played enough to defense to earn Porter's attention. If he proves he can be consistent at the shooting guard, the Suns might have one too many at that position (Raja Bell, Leandro Barbosa) and consider a deal.