MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Amare Stoudemire led the team in scoring, Shaquille O'Neal in rebounding and Steve Nash in assists, but Grant Hill was the most consistent player when he was given consistent playing time. Averaging 12 points and five rebounds isn't MVP-caliber, but Hill endured the trials of Terry Porter's system and pecking order and finished the season with a surge that has the Suns wanting him to stick around -- if they can afford him.
MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER: Last May, Amare Stoudemire was ripping Mike D'Antoni for not coaching defense. Now he's ripping Porter for being too strict. But somewhere along the line, he has to take some responsibility for failing to improve defensively, as a rebounder or as a team leader. He's still a dynamic offensive player, but that falls short of what the Suns need from their most talented asset. FREE AGENT FOCUS: Both Grant Hill and Matt Barnes are free agents and it's unlikely that both would be back. The Suns choice would be Hill, but he's likely earned a raise and a look-see from title contenders with as much as the mid-level exception. Like Hill, Barnes would like to return but he doesn't have Hill's bank book and will be looking for the best deal. Steve Nash has a team option that the Suns have already decided to exercise. Amare Stoudemire is in the final year of his max deal and needs to re-establish himself as a star if his wants to be paid like one.
PLAYER NEWS:
--C Shaquille O'Neal is at it again. Proving you never know when he will pop up next, late May found him at Syracuse University taking a crash-course in learning the broadcast industry at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. He quickly had a chance to show off his chops for ESPN announcer and Syracuse grad Mike Tirico, doing a mock Western Conference pregame show on Tirico's radio show. Shaq sounded knowledgeable, but the delivery was about as quick as his pick-and-roll defense.
--F Amare Stoudemire continues his painfully slow recovery from a detached retina. He is still unable to do anything physically strenuous although he is now able to travel by air -- something that has been impossible since his Feb. 20 surgery. There is still levels of fluid under the eye that need to be removed before he can be cleared for activity. The Suns and Stoudemire both expect everything to be fine for training camp in October.
--C Robin Lopez oddly received one first-team vote on the all-NBA rookie team after the season. Yes, they are twins, but how could a coach/voter confuse him with New Jersey's Brook Lopez, who was a much deserved first-team pick and finished in the top five in the Rookie of the Year voting? The hair alone should keep that from happening.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--F Amare Stoudemire (detached retina) expects a full recovery before next season.
