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:
--F Amare Stoudemire, who have been the subject of trade rumors at the trade deadline and who had been fueling the fire in radio interviews around the country last month, told a local television station that Phoenix was definitely where he wants to be and he is interested in exploring a contract extension. Then he shot down scattered rumors of a deal with Minnesota involving Al Jefferson and Minnesota's lottery pick (sixth overall) with a Twitter entry telling Suns fans to not be concerned with the chatter.
--C Robin Lopez finished the season strong when the team went back to a faster style under coach Alvin Gentry. His performance and progress in the Las Vegas summer league might give the Suns a better idea of what life without Shaquille O'Neal might be like if they don't get a big man who is interested in playing (Ben Wallace) back in a proposed deal with Cleveland.
--F Grant Hill, who will be a free agent on July 1, is among the latest to join Steve Nash on the soccer pitch for this year's "Showdown in Chinatown" charity soccer event at David Lam Park in New York City on June 24. Nash will hold a similar event in Vancouver in September. The two Suns will be joined by a wide range of sports stars, including Thierry Henry, Yao Ming, Claudio Reyna, Tony Parker, Adrian Mutu, Giovanni van Brockhurst, ex-Sun Raja Bell, Ivan Cordoba, Baron Davis, Javier Zanetti and Chris Bosh.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--F Amare Stoudemire (detached retina) expects a full recovery before next season.
